Conflict of Interest: The Podcast

Big time note to readers!!!

Many of you have been reading my blog for over the past three years. Together we have explored the world of politics and culture in the era of Trump, and how I think about the world, especially Democracy, as everything changes so fast. Thank you for reading my writing. Thank you for excusing the sometimes unformed thoughts and outbursts of anger at the injustice in our society as I continue to develop my views. 

A lot has happened these past three years. A pandemic killed a million people in the US. Tom Brady retired twice. We realized the way we worked before 2020 left a lot to be desired. I discovered surfing, a truly life-changing event. And a man unfit for the presidency dominated the political discussion as the avatar of ugliness in American society. Despite Trump losing to Joe Biden in the 2020 election his mendacity continues to bewitch the media, the public, and our political system.

I have spent a lot of time on this blog trying to understand the Trump effect and how our politics and culture simultaneously embraced and were repulsed by him. 

My bottom line is the old line: “When someone tells you who they are - believe them.’’

Trump has been pretty clear about his misogyny and self-dealing. He doesn’t care about the country per se. He is like Zuckerberg at Facebook or major TV executives. As long as it sells advertising, they will put it on the air, they will say it, and they will do it. Trump and Zuckerberg are the logical results of capitalism unfettered by the people acting through their government.

So here we are in a society that few people enjoy. We know iPhone scrolling is bad for our mental health and the health of our kids. We know Trump is terrible for Democracy. And we know big social media companies collect our information to sell us junk we don’t need. 

I have explored all these issues in this newsletter. It has been wonderful in forcing me to write down my ideas and share them with you. 

But it is time to expand the discussion. It is time to throw another stone in the pond to see how many ripples we can make. I’ve realized that writing and talking about what ails us and how it can be better is the best way for me to live.

A few months ago, I launched a podcast. 

Like the blog, it is called “Conflict of Interest.’’ We are about eight episodes in. It’s a Vermont podcast with a national scope. The show, as I say in the trailer, will go beyond the political and media culture to explore how the world really works; to get beyond the poisonous chatter on TV. And we will do it through a Vermont lens.

Our first guest was Maggie Haberman, the NY Times political reporter who understands Trump better than he does. Then we interviewed Allison Hooper, my Vermont neighbor who changed the way Americans think about goat cheese and built a successful company from a shack in her backyard. 

My goal is to create some community around the issue of how a democracy functions in a world gone a little haywire. And have some fun doing it. I am hoping to create some informed debate, to elevate the discussion about our politics and culture, all from my Vermont perch. 

The show’s early episodes are taken from my Vermont Viewpoint radio show on WDEV, which I host every Wednesday and Friday. I’m grateful to the station for letting me use that content to get the podcast started. Now we will move into my own unique episodes and interviews without the restrictions of FCC regulated radio. You can’t swear on the radio, but you sure fucking can on a podcast! 

We might even do a little long-form journalism along the way, and examine some fascinating people. There are lots of ideas on the whiteboard and we will do our best to explore them all. 

To all of you active readers, thank you. I hope you will be active listeners and subscribe to the new podcast. Just click the link below and hit FOLLOW. 

It’s that simple. 

And if you like the show please rate and review the podcast and share it with friends and colleagues. By growing the audience, we can shine some light on the world we are living in and make it a little better. And have some fun along the way. We might even get a sponsor or two!

Here’s the link for you to subscribe. 

Thanks again for all your support, 

Kevin