Ralph Gaston & Joan Obra Podcasts

We're back with Episode #14, where we take a look at how our foreign policy is shaped in politics & media, the array of think tanks that do the shaping, and two popular past foreign policy visions that are all but forgotten: FDR's 'Good Neighbor' policy and JFK's 'Alliance for Progress.' JFK Revisited: Through the Looking Glass (Showtime) Global Go…

Some call the Texas Heartbeat Act a novel way to ban abortions. But this style of law, enforced by bounty hunters instead of state governments, isn’t new: It’s a return to laws during slavery and Jim Crow. In this episode, we’ll look at how the courts permitted these laws in the past -- and how they paved the way for Texas’ current abortion law. Su…

We're back with the second podcast on our fifth news tip - seek out the news they DON'T tell you. In this episode we focus on three international news events that received differing, yet often incomplete, news coverage for the past month: the protests & political upheaval in Haiti, the protests (and reaction to them) in Cuba, and the ongoing attemp…

We're back with the first of a two-part series on our 5th news tip - look out for the news they don't tell you. Our focus in this episode is on foreign policy, starting with Venezuela...and showing how growing your list of news sources can give a better view of what is going on. OAS calls for new elections in Honduras - NBC News/Assoc. Press, Dec. …

We're back with our 10th episode, and this one is quite timely - we're giving a primer on the Senate filibuster. This episode, 'Filibuster 101', gives an overview what the filibuster is, where it came from, how it works, and how it is holding up legislation in the Senate. That, plus our look at the news - and a preview of Episode #11! US Senate's d…

We're back for the final episode in our three-part series on Asians in America with a look back at Asian American history, which is deeper and more profound in the writing of the American story than it's given credit for. We also conclude the episode - our first during AAPI Heritage Month - with some thoughts on how to move forward in solidarity wi…

We're back with Episode #8 - the second of our three part series on Asians in America. In this episode, we will look at how the media covers violence against Asians, and also give some media training so you can help write draft of your own history. Capt. Jay Baker comments (WXIA Atlanta) March 17th CNN Article: “Fetishized, sexualized and marginali…

Episode #7 begins our focus on the Asian-American diaspora with our very first podcast interview! Thu Quach of Asian Health Services & co-founder of the Progressive Vietnamese American Organization (PIVOT). Thu's amazing journey has inspired many - from advocating for immigrants during the Trump Administration, to caring for the community during th…

We’re happy to be back with Episode #6, where we want to ask a big question: What is ‘radical’, anyway? We want to Catch you Up To Speed on other eras in American History that were seen as ‘radical’, but in retrospect seem necessary, even essential. We’re also moving into re-working our format, and will bring regular examples of our ‘4 Tips for fol…

A Capitol Riot, a failed insurrection, a second impeachment, and a new President. Welcome to January, 2021. We return to catch you up on why the events of January 6th will effect us all far beyond the Trump presidency. Are we at the start of a 'Third Reconstruction', and were the events of January 6th a preview of a new 'Redeemer' movement? Is the …

2021 is upon us, and we return to talk about political coups in America. With the Trump Administration seeking ways to retain their power as Inauguration Day approaches, we catch you up on coups - both attempted and successful - that are already part of our history. Catch up more with information from these links: The Battle of LIberty Place, New O…

We're back with some thoughts about the 2020 election, political trends to watch for in 2021, and some history on the Senate in advance of Georgia's dual elections in January. Show Links: Click here for Vox's article on President Trump's next post-election moves. Here is the profile piece on Chuck Rocha Here is the link for the Reuters Institute Di…

This presidential election season has produced a battle for black voters unlike any in recent election history. Black voters have been reliably democratic for several generations, but the history of the black vote shows that this voting group has shifted before - and may be charting a new path yet again. Podcaster's Note: There are a LOT of sources…

Welcome to the inaugural episode of our new podcast! Our first episode focuses on four tips for consuming media: 1) Don’t look for absolute truth in the news, for it’s just the first draft of history. 2) Consider all sources critically -- including the top newspapers. 3) Follow the money, and you’ll see who pays to influence media narratives. 4) Le…