

Prevail with Greg Olear
Greg Olear
On PREVAIL, a weekly interview podcast, the author and columnist Greg Olear discusses politics, world news, history, national security, foreign affairs, organized crime, dirty money, global corruption, and the fight for democracy with authors, journalists, academics, diplomats, researchers, and other expert guests. Every Friday.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 6, 2023 • 1h 10min
There’s No Concert (with Moscow Never Sleeps)
The pseudonymous PREVAIL contributor Moscow Never Sleeps returns to the podcast. He talks to Greg Olear about Ron DeSantis in 2024, how NFTs are a perfect money laundering vehicle, SBF and the vanishing of all that money, Ginni Thomas, audits, and “The White Lotus.” Plus: Who?Follow Moscow Never Sleeps:https://twitter.com/MOWNeverSleepsSponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/gregSubscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/about
Make America Great Gatsby Again!https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-great-gatsby-four-sticks-press-centennial-edition/e701221776c88f86?ean=9798985931976&next=tSubscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg’s new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 16, 2022 • 1h 7min
The Money’s Gotta Be Someplace (with Debra LaPrevotte)
For 20 years, Debra LaPrevotte worked for the FBI, specializing in international kleptocracy investigations. After retiring from the Bureau, she took a job with The Sentry, the organization funded by George Clooney, where she continues her work investigating kleptocratic crimes, particularly in Africa. She is the co-host and subject of a new podcast, “A Nation for Thieves,” put out by Lion’s Gate. She talks to Greg Olear about her FBI experiences, which countries are the most corrupt, how real estate and art are used to launder money, the problem with Delaware, and the time she seized a Maybach only to find it was out of gas. Plus: a Twitter anthem.Follow Andrew:https://twitter.com/andrewsweissBuy his book:https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250760753/accidentalczarSponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/gregSubscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/about
Make America Great Gatsby Again!https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-great-gatsby-four-sticks-press-centennial-edition/e701221776c88f86?ean=9798985931976&next=tSubscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg’s new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 9, 2022 • 1h 18min
The Life & Lies of Vladimir Putin (with Andrew S. Weiss)
We’ve all heard stories about the Russian dictator. But who is the real Vladimir Putin? Greg Olear talks to Andrew S. Weiss of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace about what’s happening in Putin’s Russia, what he learned about Putin in his experience with the National Security Council, the State Department, and the Pentagon, and his new non-fiction graphic novel, “Accidental Czar: The Life and Lies of Vladimir Putin.” Plus: White Lotus returns!Follow Andrew:https://twitter.com/andrewsweissBuy his book:https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250760753/accidentalczarThe Carnegie Endowment:https://carnegieendowment.org/Sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/gregSubscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/about
Make America Great Gatsby Again!https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-great-gatsby-four-sticks-press-centennial-edition/e701221776c88f86?ean=9798985931976&next=tSubscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg’s new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 2, 2022 • 1h 17min
The Founding-Fatherization of Adam Smith (with Glory M. Liu)
How did an eccentric Scottish philosopher become an icon of American free market capitalism? Greg Olear talks to Glory M. Liu of Harvard University about intellectual history, political economy, the relationship between tariffs and U.S. slavery, the Chicago school, and her new book, “Adam Smith’s America.” Plus: a new crypto currency.Follow Glory:https://twitter.com/miss_gloryCheck out her website:https://www.gloryliu.com/Buy her book:https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691203812/adam-smiths-americaSponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/gregSubscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/about
Make America Great Gatsby Again!https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-great-gatsby-four-sticks-press-centennial-edition/e701221776c88f86?ean=9798985931976&next=tSubscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg’s new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 18, 2022 • 1h 16min
CIA Debriefing (with Kristin Wood)
S4 E10: CIA Debriefing (with Kristin Wood)What is the CIA, exactly? What is its mission? How is it structured? What’s it REALLY like to work there? Greg Olear talks to Kristin Wood, a former CIA analyst, about the CIA, her experiences briefing Dick Cheney on the morning of 9/11, how the agency changed after the WTC attacks, special saddles and boxes of cash in Tashkent, and the challenges posed by Trump. Plus: a song for Arizona.Follow Kristin:https://twitter.com/KristinWood_ICGrist Mill Exchange:https://www.gristmillexchange.com/story/Sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/gregSubscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/about
Make America Great Gatsby Again!https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-great-gatsby-four-sticks-press-centennial-edition/e701221776c88f86?ean=9798985931976&next=tSubscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg’s new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 11, 2022 • 1h 27min
The Scarcity Myth & Other GOP Fairy Tales (with Vince Scafaria)
After sharing his thoughts about Election Day and Merrick Garland, Greg Olear talks to Vince Scafaria, the CEO of DotAlign and an evangelist for pro-social capitalism, about neoliberal economics, Republican financial myths, Social Security, the future of decentralized internet, surveillance capitalism, Russia, China, goldbugs, and more. Plus: a new low-cost service for political candidates.Follow Vince:https://twitter.com/scafariaHis essay:https://prosocialcapitalism.com/author/scafaria/Positive Sum Networks:https://www.positivesum.net/Everything else:https://scafaria.com/guest-on-prevail-with-greg-olear-c722d8a715e7Sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/gregSubscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/about
Make America Great Gatsby Again!https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-great-gatsby-four-sticks-press-centennial-edition/e701221776c88f86?ean=9798985931976&next=tSubscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg’s new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 4, 2022 • 1h 13min
Bubble-Wrapped in Sanctimony (with Katherine Stewart)
After sharing his thoughts about Liz Truss, King Charles III, and Hugh Grant, Greg Olear talks to Katherine Stewart, author of “The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism,” about the organizational structure of the Christian nationalist movement, why Evangelicals love Trump, Leonard Leo, Ralph Drollinger, Seven Mountains Dominionism, and how to top the fascist takeover. Plus: a song about Elmo.Follow Katherine:https://twitter.com/kathsstewartVisit her website:https://katherinestewart.me/Buy her book:https://www.amazon.com/Power-Worshippers-Dangerous-Religious-Nationalism/dp/1635573432Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/about
Make America Great Gatsby Again!https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-great-gatsby-four-sticks-press-centennial-edition/e701221776c88f86?ean=9798985931976&next=tSubscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg’s new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 28, 2022 • 1h 20min
Elon Remix: Diamond Droogs & Human Wallets (with Aja Raden)
Greg Olear talks to his friend Aja Raden, author of STONED and THE TRUTH ABOUT LIES, about the new diamond industry documentary “Nothing Lasts Forever,” the Bitcoin bubble bursting, anti-Semitism as an indicator of Fascism, oligarchs, and the future of Vladimir Putin. Plus: an apocalyptic new film.Follow Aja:https://twitter.com/AjaRadenBuy her books:https://www.amazon.com/Aja-Raden/e/B013SJLVJI/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1The trailer for “Nothing Lasts Forever:”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHIGGdxZe64Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/about
Make America Great Gatsby Again!https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-great-gatsby-four-sticks-press-centennial-edition/e701221776c88f86?ean=9798985931976&next=tSubscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg’s new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 21, 2022 • 1h 15min
Delawareness (with Hal Weitzman)
After sharing his thoughts about Liz Truss, King Charles III, and Hugh Grant, Greg Olear interviews Hal Weitzman, executive director for intellectual capital at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, about his new book, “What’s the Matter With Delaware?” (Short answer: a lot.) Plus: bare-naked ladies and money.Follow Hal:https://twitter.com/HalWeitzmanBuy his book:https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691180007/whats-the-matter-with-delawareWatch his book trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msOdeQX21j4&t=1sSponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/greg
Make America Great Gatsby Again!https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-great-gatsby-four-sticks-press-centennial-edition/e701221776c88f86?ean=9798985931976&next=tSubscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg’s new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 14, 2022 • 1h 31min
MAGA Apostate (with Melissa Jo Peltier)
After sharing his thoughts about Putin’s new atrocities in Ukraine, Kanye West, Roger Waters, Elon Musk, and the poltroonish quitter Ben Sasse, Greg Olear talks to his friend, the documentary filmmaker Melissa Peltier, about her new film, “The Game is Up: Disillusioned Trump Voters Tell Their Stories.” Plus: the clash inside the country’s richest man.Follow Melissa:https://twitter.com/MelissaJPeltierWatch “The Game is Up:”https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0B6SVXWLX/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_rAbout the film:https://thegameisupmovie.com/Subscribe to the PREVAIL newsletter:https://gregolear.substack.com/about
Make America Great Gatsby Again!https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-great-gatsby-four-sticks-press-centennial-edition/e701221776c88f86?ean=9798985931976&next=tSubscribe to The Five 8:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0BRnRwe7yDZXIaF-QZfvhACheck out ROUGH BEAST, Greg’s new book:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D47CMX17ROUGH BEAST is now available as an audiobook:https://www.audible.com/pd/Rough-Beast-Audiobook/B0D8K41S3T Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.


