Category: World History

In the second installment of America’s War on Drugs, drug czar Harry Anslinger continues his reign from the 1930s through the early 1960s. During his 32 years as commissioner of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, he campaigned against not only about cannabis, but also against narcotics and opiates. Jaye discusses Anslinger’s reach and impact – including on the medical profession and global drug policies, and how he used mainstream society’s fears of racial equality and communism to advance his vision of an anti-drug world.

CONTENT WARNING – The following episode discusses mature themes, including murder, suicide, illicit drug use, child sex abuse and domestic violence. Listener discretion is advised.

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As the myriad of Democratic presidential candidates with tons of ideas are hitting the debate circuit, Elle Riccardi from the podcast Short, Colorful + Loud joins Jaye to discuss political spectrums. What are the building blocks of political spectrums? Where did “left” and “right” come from? Are communism and fascism all that close to each other? Elle and Jaye discuss various kinds of political spectrums, including left-right, horseshoe theory, the political compass (including how they tested on it!) and more. They also discuss centrism, anarchy, and how the Overton Window can affect how we view what is “normal” in political discourse.

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Several Democratic candidates are running to be the party’s nominee for President of the United States. Jaye believes it matters less which candidate becomes the Democratic nominee, but more so what direction the Democratic Party will go in the 2020 election. Will the Democrats focus on recruiting Donald Trump supporters, or convincing non-voters to go to the polls? Jaye argues that focusing on Trump supporters will guarantee a loss for the Democrats, and the best way forward in 2020 and beyond is to excite non-voters and turn out their base with a slate of common-sense progressive reforms.

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In the 50th episode of Potstirrer Podcast, Jaye reacts to the Mueller report – or really, the Barr Letter summarizing the report filed by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Are the conclusions Attorney General William Barr came to regarding the report and Donald Trump accurate? What do we know about Barr, and should he be trusted?

Jaye makes the argument that any finding from the Mueller report likely won’t matter in terms of repercussions for Donald Trump, but nevertheless, it is vital that the report be released to the public in full. Iran-Contra, the decline of the US as the leader of the free world, and the importance of truth in the latest from Potstirrer Podcast!

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The relationship between the American church and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people has all too often been rocky, and conflict is inflamed by opposition by churches and Christian political institutions to equal rights for LGBTQ Americans. Opposition to equal rights for LGBTQ Americans is based on the belief among many Christian traditions, denominations, and sects that homosexuality and transgender identity are morally wrong, based on how they interpret a handful of Bible verses.

In Part I of a two-part series, Jaye focuses on the non-affirming position of many Christian institution as it relates to sexual orientation. She examines the “clobber” verses, making the argument that the non-affirming position is not conclusively supported by the Bible. What damage is being done to LGBTQ people, both inside and outside the church because of the non-affirming doctrine of many American churches? And – can you be Christian and affirming?

CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes discussion of homophobia, anti-LGBTQ bigotry, sexual assault and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.

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In November of 2018, 26 year old American explorer and missionary John Allen Chau was killed by the Sentinelese people, an isolated tribal group living on North Sentinel Islands off the coast of India. Chau went the island illegally in order to share with them about Christianity. The incident is controversial, sparking outrage, consternation, and even admiration.

Were Chau’s actions worth the cost of his life? And could his actions cost the Sentinelese people their lives as well? Jaye discusses the parties involved in the incident, Christian missionary work, and why history matters when unpacking the discomfort some have with the idea of missions.

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What if the religious extremism Americans should be most concerned about comes from Christianity? In this episode, Jaye explores the authoritarian, extremist elements of American evangelicalism and the overwhelming support of Donald Trump by white evangelical Christians. Jaye also discusses the Quiverfull movement, the increasing emphasis on authoritarianism and control within evangelical Christian colleges, dominionism, racial reconciliation, evangelical support for Donald Trump’s inhumane policies, and parallels between right-wing evangelicalism and ultra-conservative Islam.

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