The Fifth Column

Kmele shares a harrowing tale of evacuating his vinyl and 2,000 band t-shirts to fireproof storage during California fires. The discussion dives into original tour shirts and the challenges of bootlegs in music collecting. Guest Jason Leopold sheds light on his FOIA investigations, revealing layers of transparency within agencies like the CIA and DHS. They also unravel emails linked to Jeffrey Epstein, exploring their implications during his controversial 2008 plea deal. It's a whirlwind of nostalgia and hard-hitting journalism!

• Not safe at home, mayoral edition• “The guns were decades old”• The Trump/Mamdani bromance• The administration’s historic post-fire response• “You’re walking down the street, you happen to look Latino, or somebody hears you speak Spanish. A car rushes up in front of you. Masked men jump out with rifles and throw you in the car”• What does “sanctuary city” actually mean?• Like, no really, what does it mean?• “You know, that’s a good question”• “There’s a number of people who have literally disappeared”• ICE effect on restaurants: Worse than COVID* Trump effect on border: Closed• “The Future of the Democratic Party Is Local”• You lost me at L.A. being governed worth a damn• Fire rebuilding? “I understand that people are angry”• Me, 10 years ago: “Affordable-Housing Problem Lies, in Part, with Government”• “The insurance industry … has been devastating a lot of homeowners”• The heavily regulated insurance industry, you mean?• “The Case for Letting Malibu Burn”• Why prevent Palisades homeowners from rebuilding duplexes?• “Don’t take your lot and turn it into a five-story apartment building”• “We want to get affordable housing built in this city, but I think that if you impose it on a neighborhood, then you will have hardcore NIMBYs”• “I didn’t appreciate that, because they were getting ready to change low-income areas, wipe out the single-family homes, and turned it into massive apartments”• “I’m protecting them from the predations of private developers”• She really did almost become vice president• “I love podcasts…. Maybe I wanted to become a newscaster”• What Karen Bass learned from Angela Davis• About those eight trips to Cuba• “What fascinated me about Cuba is that they provided free health care to their population, and free education”• The LAUSD’s construction boom for non-existent students• “We could always put more money in our schools”• “Judge me by how fewer encampments you see on the street. Judge me by crime decreasing. Judge me by affordable housing units being built”Prefer to watch & chat live with other members of the Fifthdom? This episode premieres over on our YouTube channel at 10am EST.Thanks for reading The Fifth Column (A Podcast)! This post is public so feel free to share it.Follow The Fifth ColumnYouTube: @wethefifthInstagram: @we.the.fifthX: @wethefifthTikTok: @wethefifthFacebook: @thefifthcolumn This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe

Lydia Moynihan, a New York Post reporter, dives into the world of journalism, sharing her insights on media dynamics and the challenges of covering powerful figures. They discuss the obsession with Jeffrey Epstein and the complexities of reporting ethical dilemmas among friends. Lydia also highlights the precariousness of economic literacy in public discourse and critiques the sensationalism in politics. Light moments include her humorous take on her family name and a quirky business idea involving sausages.

Sebastian Junger, a renowned journalist and author known for works like The Perfect Storm, delves into his memoir, In My Time of Dying. He shares his haunting near-death experience and how it reshaped his views on mortality. The discussion touches on male stoicism in health, the transformative power of parenthood, and the emotional toll of war reporting. Junger reflects on the randomness of death, the importance of embracing each moment, and the fierce protectiveness that comes with being a parent, revealing deep insights into life, death, and love.

Abby Phillip, CNN anchor and author of 'A Dream Deferred,' joins the conversation, bringing her Trinidadian roots and insights on race and politics. She discusses the significance of Jesse Jackson's influence on Black political power and how he's shaped contemporary movements. The dialogue also dives into modern media's obsession with conspiracy theories and the challenges of maintaining civil discourse in heated debates. Abby shares her strategies for moderating discussions, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives on television.

In this discussion, Shadi Hamid, a Senior Fellow at Georgetown and a columnist for The Washington Post, makes a compelling case for American power in his recent book. He describes it as a love letter to America, urging progressives to embrace its ideals while navigating its flaws. Shadi argues for seeking power to enact change, rather than maintaining moral purity. He emphasizes the importance of reclaiming national pride and discusses the significance of hyphenated identities in fostering unity.

Jessica Tarlov, a Fox News contributor and co-host of Raging Moderates, dives into the complexities of New York politics and moderate Democratic strategies. She discusses why moderate candidates have overperformed in recent elections and the impact of populism on governance. Tarlov also shares insights on moderating contentious topics like transgender sports and the challenges posed by online intimidation. Additionally, she highlights the significant real-world consequences of the SNAP disruptions, emphasizing the need for bipartisan solutions.

Jon Lovett, a former Obama speechwriter and co-founder of Crooked Media, dives deep into the quirks of Democratic politics. He humorously critiques the perception of party control while discussing the fine line between inspirational campaigning and actual governance. Lovett explores the implications of political identity, the challenges of translating progressive promises into effective policies, and reflects on Mamdani's potential in New York politics. His insights on political evolution make for a captivating conversation.

The hosts dive into the chaos of the government shutdown and blame games among parties. They explore the buzz around the NYC mayoral race, dissecting Mamdani's unique political style and contentious promises. There's a lively discussion about the thrill of loving charismatic politicians amidst evolving party dynamics. The conversation also touches on NBA gambling scandals, the commercialization of sports, and how recent controversies affect fandom. Expect sharp commentary on identity politics and a bit of humor along the way!

Michael McFaul, former U.S. Ambassador to Russia and Stanford professor, dives into the complexities of U.S.-Russia relations. He discusses Trump's shifting views on Putin and how these changes have influenced American politics. McFaul also explores the deep-rooted ideology behind Putin's actions, questioning whether recent conflicts were truly American-instigated. He addresses the surprising lack of protest among Russians despite heavy casualties and dissects how modern surveillance fuels public silence.