Blocked and Reported

A sharp dive into conflicts at lesbian and sapphic bars, including staff revolts and rapid closures. They unpack police involvement at a Philadelphia venue and online fallout from staff allegations. The conversation traces why dyke bars are struggling today, from economics to changing social norms.

They dig into a scandal-plagued, extremely online Florida gubernatorial hopeful and his fake résumé and lawsuits. The hosts unpack evidence of sockpuppet tactics, paid engagement, and viral attention strategies. They trace bizarre fundraising, extremist language, troubling personal conduct, and a culture-war policy platform. The conversation questions how online provocation fuels real-world political influence.

Helen Lewis, journalist and cultural commentator for outlets like The Atlantic, joins to dissect Lena Dunham’s memoir, fame, and the craft of confessional writing. They talk candidness vs. omission, family boundaries and dependency, the social effects of fame, and why public resentment often follows celebrities. Conversation mixes sharp cultural critique with wry humor.

David Baddiel, British comedian and author of Jews Don't Count, joins to challenge why antisemitism is often sidelined in progressive circles. They probe Jewish visibility, whiteness, and the power stereotype. Conversations range from Zionism and identity pressure to internet-fueled radicalization and a controversial platform decision about platforming Zionists.

They trace CollegeHumor’s rise into Dropout TV and the business choices behind the pivot to paid video. They describe popular formats and standout sketches that built a fervent fandom. They examine why tabletop streams like Dimension 20 inspire intense parasocial communities and how that fuels extreme fan behavior.

Benoit Denizet-Lewis, journalist and Emerson College teacher who writes on identity and transformation, chats about why people change and how communities shape that process. He recounts personal stories, explores sexual fluidity and public reactions to changing identities, and dives into meditation, self-help trends, and the surprising forces that nudge people to become someone new.

They dissect a viral New York Times clip about advocating “microlooting” and the uproar it caused. They unpack public apologies and controversies around writers referencing problematic authors. They debate media confrontations, pronoun etiquette, and why some memoirs outsell others. Short segments of scandal, culture war flashpoints, and social media theatrics.

This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie discuss a new Atlantic exposé, journalistic norms, FBI Director Kash Patel’s (alleged) blowouts at the Poodle Room and his long history of suing journalists. And losing. Kash Patel’s Erratic Behavior Could Cost Him His Job - The AtlanticKakistocracy: Why Populism Ends in DisasterA Big-time Neuroscientist Threatened to Sue Me -- Science of UsCOURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIAFBI head Kash Patel suing MSNBC’s Frank Figliuzzi over nightclub hopping claimsEnter “Patel, Kashyap” in the name field here: https://eapps.courts.state.va.us/CJISWeb/CaseDetail.doPam Bondi May Be Just the Beginning of Trump’s Purge - The AtlanticMSNBC retracts wild accusation about FBI Director Kash Patel on-air | Fox News This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe

Emma Pettit, a Chronicle of Higher Ed reporter who covers campus politics, tells the wild story of a Pomona literature department unraveling amid bitter emails, procedural fights, investigations, and a lawsuit. She also revisits the political takeover and slow transformation at New College of Florida. Short, sharp scenes of culture clashes, governance drama, and reporting lessons.

They debate where dogs belong in city life, arguing about etiquette, parks, and the realities of dog ownership. They dig into a raw milk controversy tied to a homesteader influencer family and cultural conflicts around traditional family roles. Quick, punchy takes on urban norms and online persona culture.