Today I talk with journalist and author, Jasper Craven about his book, God Forgives, Brothers Don't: The Long March of Military Education and the Making of American Manhood. Jasper explores how military culture has come to define American values. From the Graham Platner's sordid past to cage matches at the White House we talk about our culture of violence and how the lasting traumas of war seep into our daily lives. Jasper charts how this culture evolved through Vietnam, the antiwar movement, and the forever wars, with the military simultaneously burrowing deeper into civilian education through ROTC programs and organizations like the Boy Scouts. Jasper posits that the toxic strain of manhood now roiling American public life was not an accident but an institution, carefully built and persistently defended across generations.

God Forgives, Brothers Don't: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/God-Forgives-Brothers-Dont/Jasper-Craven/9781668087190

linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison

As a novelist, I firmly believe that the defining characteristic of a remarkable character lies in their capacity for transformation, whether it be for the better or the worse, as a direct consequence of their choices. In his book, “You’ve Changed,” author and journalist Benoit Denizet-Lewis delves into the very essence of self-transformation. Through a series of case studies, Benoit explores our remarkable ability to authentically alter our beliefs, values, temperaments, political affiliations, or even gender identities. From a bully who embraced Buddhism to a gay rights activist who became a pastor Benoit delves into the factors that define genuine change and the transformative journeys these individuals embarked upon to achieve it. While some transformations may take decades, others may occur abruptly, but ultimately, we all possess the inherent power to rewrite our own narratives.

You've Changed: https://www.benoitdenizetlewis.com/

linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison

Do you love hearing me rant about late-stage capitalism and the struggles of the American working class? Well, grab your hammer and sickle, comrade, I have an episode for you! Today, I talk with journalist Ann Larson about her experience of working as a checkout clerk at a supermarket in Utah. Ann's book "Cleanup on Aisle Five“ dives deep into supermarkets and how they operate, from the low-wage workers stocking the shelves to the communities these stores serve and the larger capitalist forces and corporate interests at play that control how we shop for food. Ann argues that supermarkets serve as a point of connection with our neighbors, and we explore how that is being threatened by automation. We also discuss how workers can organize in a time when their labor is being valued less and less. All the power to all the people!!

Cleanup on Aisle Five: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Cleanup-on-Aisle-Five/Ann-Larson/9781668094501

linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/freshfacepods.evison