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944 - Black Halberd Hashish Company feat Derek Davison & Eleanor Janega (6/19/25)

Chapo Chief Foreign Policy correspondent Derek Davison joins us first to continue monitoring the situation in the middle east: the continuing missile war between Israel and Iran, Trump’s disgusting will-he-or-won’t-he act, the fatalistic depravity of the whole thing, and where we might go from here.

Then: Derek is joined by his co-host & returning guest Eleanor Janega to discuss their new & shockingly relevant history mini-series on the Crusades! We discuss the exceedingly s...

MM41 - Don & Clint feat. John Semley

Resident Clint-ologist John Semley is back to look at two of Eastwood’s great collaborations with director Don Siegel: 1971’s The Beguiled and 1979’s Escape from Alcatraz. Two tough guy classics showcasing Clint’s surprisingly nuanced-through-gritted teeth performance style

The Beguiled finds Clint as a union soldier injured behind enemy lines, taken in for recuperation by the extremely repressed ladies of a Confederate girls’ seminary.  Clint p...

943 - The Tehran Offensive feat. Séamus Malekafzali (6/16/25)

Seamus joins us to discuss last week’s “preemptive” Israeli strike on Iran, the damage done to Iranian command and infrastructure, Iran’s retaliation, America’s potential involvement. We also look at Trump’s big birthday Parade, one of the most pathetic & hilarious spectacles of American Military prowess any of us have ever seen. 

Read Séamus on the attacks in the Intercept: ...

942 - Jody Division feat. Pendejo Time (6/12/25)

The Pendejo boys are here today to look at Trump & Vance’s trip to see Les Mis at the the Kennedy Center, the planned military parade for this weekend and Trump’s “no fat troops” policy, operator content drama and support for the cadres of Jodies in America, and the right wing’s move to rehabilitate Jeffrey Epstein. Finally, a juicy article on the MAGA breakup between Brandon Straka and Felix’s favorite organizer, Scott Presler.

Find Pendejo Time wherever you get pods an...

MM40 - Hong Kong Havoc feat. Jon Gabrus

Today the Movie Mindset crew is joined by mindset practitioner Jon Gabrus to discuss two dizzyingly fun Crown Jewels in the Hong Kong action pantheon: Police Story and Hard Boiled.

Police Story, directed by and starring worldwide cinema legend Jackie Chan, explodes off the screen with some of the most insane and dangerous stunt work in film history, mixed with no shortage of incredible fight scenes and Jackie Chan’s signature goofball humor.

Hard-Boiled, perhaps John Woo’s sty...

941 - Sister Number One feat. Aída Chávez (6/9/25)

We’re joined by The Nation’s Aída Chávez for her report from WelcomeFest, the abundapalooza dedicated to staking the technocratic claim for the future of the Democratic party. We review the fairly directionless and unenthusiastic vibes of the centrist shindig, but also discuss the explosion of police violence during protests against ICE in Los Angeles over the weekend. All leading us to ask, what exactly do these people think “power” is, and when is it “right” to exercise it? 2025-06-10 05:59:22 +0000 UTC View Post

940 - The Sobbing Elf (6/5/25)

We look at the still-breaking messy breakup between Trump & Elon Musk, discuss Musk’s political future and just how much Trump can make him hurt if he wants. We also catch up on last night’s debate for the NYC mayoral race, Zohran’s momentum, and the challenges posed by the position of big city mayor. And for this week’s reading series, we’ve got the long New Yorker profile on Curtis Yarvin: a “dark elf” intellectual titan of the right, or a know-it-all child giggling at nau...

MM39 - Trust the Process: Mike Leigh

In this week’s episode of Movie Mindset Will and Hesse dive into British filmmaker Mike Leigh and his rigorous and idiosyncratic process for making films, which involve intense collaboration with his cast to research, rehearse, improvise and ultimately create astonishingly authentic portraits of human life and behavior in all it’s joy and misery. In these two films we get a full showcase of what Leigh and his cast are capable of in these unforgettable depictions of the comedy and tragedy ...

939 - Boom Times For Goons feat. Adam Friedland (6/2/25)

Host of The Adam Friedland Show Adam Friedland joins us to catch up on today’s news and discuss his new season. We look at the return of Matt Miller, Jake Tapper’s take on Israel/Palestine discourse, the kidnapping of a crypto whale in Manhattan, and new reports of Elon Musk’s rampant drug use. Adam also gives us his takes on engaging with the new right-coded online content sphere through TAFS, teases some guests for the coming season, and generally annoys Felix with delays and...

938 - Let’s Punish People feat. Seeking Derangements (5/29/25)

The Seeking Derangements crew is back for a roundup of news we’ve missed recently. We start with some hot goss out of DC involving marital drama of Trump admin officials, some new research in the field of dicks, drama between Mickey Rourke and JoJo Siwa in the Big Brother house, and finally, conservatives: did you know they date too? Another look at the sex lives of young cons.

Find Seeking Derangements wherever you get pods and subscribe here: 2025-05-30 06:00:06 +0000 UTC View Post

MM38 - 90’s Trans Representation feat. Louise Weard

Today Will and Hesse are joined by filmmaker Louise Weard to discuss two controversial 90’s films that bend both genre and gender: Neil Jordan’s The Crying Game and David Cronenberg’s M. Butterfly. We dive into the sexual politics, regular politics, and, of course, the famous twist. Join us as we answer the question once and for all: Are these movies transphobic??

937 - Killing Santa feat. Arjun Singh & David Sirota (5/27/25)

Will & Felix catch up on Democrats’ commitment to burning millions of dollars in search of a crumb of clout from the pod-mano-sphere, and John Fetterman’s chronic senate absenteeism as he searches for good vibes. Then, we’re joined by Lever News’ David Sirota & Arjun Singh to discuss their new podcast series Tax Revolt & the “Big Beautiful Bill” working its way through congress. We look at the devastating consequences of GOP tax policies, the increasing unpopularity of...

936 - Permanent Midnight feat. Ryan Grim & Jeremy Scahill (5/22/25)

Drop Site’s Ryan & Jeremy join us for an update on Israel’s war on Gaza. We discuss yesterday’s attack on Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington D.C. and its potential ramifications, Trump’s recent trip to the Gulf and potential shifts in U.S. relations in the region, and the brutal escalations of violence in Gaza over the recent weeks. Ryan and Jeremy also relate some of the stories of the many talented and courageous Palestinian journalists they’ve worked with through the conf...

MM37 - Enter the Scheider-verse feat. Andrew Hudson

It’s showtime folks! On this episode of Movie Mindset, we’re joined by Mindset Champion Andrew Hudson to celebrate the iconic American actor Roy Scheider, a man Will psychologically associates with his father because of Jaws.

First up is Bob Fosse’s All That Jazz (1979), where Scheider plays Joe Gideon, Fosse’s thinly-veiled cinematic alter-ego. Here in this stunning meditation on the power of musical theater and death, we see a portrait of an artist as a man who drinks too much...

935 - It’s Joever feat. David J. Roth (5/19/25)

We planned this episode to cover the spate of stories revealing just how out of it and diminished Joe Biden was during his term, and new details about the political flunkies and media stooges who were complicit in covering it up. But yesterday Biden’s team announced an almost certainly life-ending cancer diagnosis. So we’re joined by David Roth to discuss how it’s finally well and truly Joever.

Find David’s work at Defector here: 2025-05-20 06:01:55 +0000 UTC View Post

934 - We’re Listening (5/15/25)

It’s another call-in show! We answer your questions on easy-win political issues, boys night movie recs, Trump historical comparisons, flirt fails, Musk’s fate, Jets, MMA politics and more!

We’ve got hot new merch for the summer over at https://chapotraphouse.store/ ! Celebrate your softball league victory with your buddies from P2, or remember your family cruise on the USS Liberty with our fun new gear + some r...

MM36 - Cops & Robbers feat. Robert Franco

Today Will, Hesse, and special guest Rob Franco delve deep into two hidden gem Hesse picks: Electra Glide In Blue (1973) and Point Blank (1967)! 

Have you ever asked yourself, “what if the band Chicago made a motorcycle cop exploitation movie? What would that look like?”

And have you ever asked yourself, “what would it look like if Lee Marvin recruited a young John Boorman and gave him Carte Blanche to make the most insane American crime movie ever mad...

933 - We Can Grok It For You Wholesale feat. Mike Isaac (5/12/25)

Tech reporter Mike Isaac returns to the show for a round-up of the latest AI news. From collegiate cheating to funeral planning, Mike helps us make some sense of how this wonderful emerging technology is reshaping human society in so many delightful ways, and certainly is not a madness rune chipping away at what little sanity remains in our population’s fraying psyche.  

We’re doing another call-in show with Matt for the midweek, so if you have any questions or comments, s...

932 - Sweet Virginia feat. Goad Gatsby (5/9/25)

Will and Felix catch up on some of the week’s news: We welcome the Chicago Pope, celebrate Houthi victory in the Red Sea, and follow up on new Fetterman outbursts since the big profile we covered Monday. Then, we’re joined by Richmond journalist Goad Gatsby to enter Virginia into our states series. We look at a gay porn scandal surrounding GOP Lt. Governor candidate John Reid, check in on a J6er halfway house, look at the former CIA agent running for Governor as a Democrat, and generally ...

MM35 - Peckinpah feat. Noah Kulwin

On this week’s episode of Movie Mindset, Will and Hesse are joined by Noah Kulwin of Blowback to examine a pair of films from legendary American filmmaker and alcohol enthusiast Sam Peckinpah.

First up is Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973) an elegiac western starring James Coburn and Kris Kristofferson as the titular historical figures and friends who find themselves on the opposite side of the law paving a path to each other by killing almost everyone they encounter. Beans are eate...

931 - Studies in Stupid feat. Sam Seder (5/5/25)

The Majority Report’s Sam Seder joins us today to share some deep research into American Stupids. We look at Trump’s weekend announcements regarding American film production & re-opening Alcatraz, both seemingly inspired by a TV broadcast of “Escape From Alcatraz” in West Palm Beach last Saturday. We also discuss Sam’s recent debate appearances including the “vs. 20 Conservatives” video, and how it’s not the stupidity but the confidence that’s really astounding. Finally,...

BONUS: Michigan Raids on pro-Palestine Students

Felix speaks with Nora Hilgart-Griff from the TAHRIR Coalition and Liz Jacob from the Sugar Law Center for Social and Economic Justice about the Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel collaborating with the Trump DOJ in a series of raids on pro-Palestine students at the University of Michigan on April 23. Liz and Nora give background on Nessel's previous intimidation campaign at the university, the administration's attempts to repress the student movement against the genocide, TAHRIR Coalition...

930 - Around The Smoke (5/1/25)

We catch up with staff shuffles in the Trump cabinet, Canadian elections, and more crackdowns on expressing dissent around Israel. Then for the back half of this ep we’re pleased to bring you AROUND THE SMOKE, our new segment breaking down our picks, locks, and passes on who we think will be leading the Catholic Church in the next season. Will the next pontificate go to a flashy newcomer who can lead the franchise to a new era? A steady hand with a mastery of the fundamentals? Did Francis r...

MM34 - Fame & Psychosis: The Red Shoes & Perfect Blue

In a perfectly paired color-based double feature programed by Hesse, Movie Mindset examines two very different films about women in the entertainment business and the psychologically distorting effects of pursuing art and fame.

First up from 1948 is The Red Shoes, a Powell and Pressburger joint about an aspiring ballerina who joins a renowned company and faces a choice between living for love or art. This one ranks among Martin Scorsese’s favorites, and if he thinks t...

Extra Copies of ¡No Pasarán! on sale tomorrow morning at 8am Pacific Time

I mentioned on the last two episodes and posted on twitter, but just to cover all bases: our fulfillment company ended up with a number of over-ordered copies of ¡No Pasarán!: Matt Christman's Spanish Civil War. We are putting these overstock books on sale tomorrow morning, April 30th, starting at 8am PT, at https://chapotraphouse.store/

This will be your last chance to get these for the foreseeable futu...

929 - Given feat. Alex Nichols (4/28/25)

Fighter jets are just falling off the back of our aircraft carriers now in yet another Keystone Kops-ass bungle in the Red Sea. Gerry Connolly announces he’ll step down from the oversight committee in another moment of glory for the funeral home waiting room of Democratic leadership. Will reads us a profile of a new up-and-coming conservative influencer so annoying it drives Felix to the brink of rage-quitting. Alex Nichols returns to the pod to discuss these stories and more on today’s p...

928 - Wait and See feat. The Trillbillies (4/24/25)

Tarance, Tom and Aaron of The Trillbillies join us to catch up on Pete Hegseth’s inebriated grip on the SecDef position, Joe Biden dropping ice cream at Harvard, the Israelification of America, JD Vance’s faux-hillbilly bumbling as Veep, and Tom Friedman’s dream of America as a car without a driver.

Find Trillbillies wherever you get podcasts and subscribe here: https://www.patreon.com/trillbillywor...

Movie Mindset 33 - Casino feat. Felix

When you love movies, you’ve got to watch them. There’s no other way…Movie Mindset Season 3 commences with our first ever single feature on the most referenced movie in Chapo Trap House history: Martin Scorsese’s masterpiece Casino. Will and Hesse are joined by Felix to take a kaleidoscopic and dizzying dive into the inferno of American greed that is Las Vegas. Anchored by a triumvirate of all career great performances from Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci in FULL PSYCHO MOD...

927 - Americas, The Beautiful feat. Greg Grandin (4/21/25)

Historian and author Greg Grandin joins us to discuss his new book America, América: A New History of the New World, which looks at the five century history of colonization & conquest of the New World, and how North & South America developed their distinct identities through a long history of mutual engagement and opposition.  We also catch up with Greg for his takes on the death of Pope Francis, the state of American empire at the start of the second Trump term, the U....

926 - G20 Blaze It feat. Kath Kreuger (4/17/25)

Kath returns for the Patreon episode this week. We memorialize the passing of one of Israel’s greatest artists, look at RFK. Jr’s claim that autistic people will never enjoy baseball, discuss reports of Elon’s baby farms, and catch up on the latest deflections around Trump extra-legal deportations. Then for some fun, we look at the new semi-political Amazon thriller “G20,” which stars Viola Davis as the American president thrust into a Die Hard/Air Force One-style situation as merce...