The Dissidents

In the Hold my Drink — navigating culture with a chaser of civility, and Counterweight podcast, Episode 48, we speak with Aaron Sibarium. Aaron first addressed our country’s growing polarization while covering issues such as “Halloweengate” at Yale. He now carries on what he started as a journalist for the Washington Free Beacon exposing the inner machinations of ideologues in our institutions. He shares with us his investigations on both private school and law school accreditation practices and proposals that jeopardize the free market of ideas, not to mention the rule of law, and the latest ideological policy agenda of the CDC. All discussed with a chaser of civility, of course, and a shot of Fireball whiskey and memories of cold sake. To read a recap of the conversation and additional thoughts, and to see what we are each reading, visit our post Polarization & Accreditation on the Hold my Drink website. You can also watch the conversation on the Hold my Drink YouTube page.

In the Hold my Drink — navigating culture with a chaser of civility, and Counterweight podcast, Episode 47, we speak with Bonnie Snyder, Director of High School Programs for the Foundation of Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) and author of the newly released book, Undoctrinate. Bonnie shares with us stories of ideological indoctrination that has become mainstream in K-12 education, and her efforts at FIRE and through her research to provide alternative solutions, bringing back robust discourse and constructive disagreement into the classroom. All discussed with a chaser of civility, of course, and a Shotgun spiked sparkling water. To read a recap of the conversation and additional thoughts, and to see what we are each reading, visit our post Undoctrinating the Classroom on the Hold my Drink website. You can also watch the conversation on the Hold my Drink YouTube page.

In the Hold my Drink — navigating culture with a chaser of civility, and Counterweight podcast, Episode 46, we speak with the Jon O’Brien, the first civil rights attorney to take on Critical Race Theory in the classroom. He outlines both the logistical and financial challenges of his groundbreaking lawsuit with Gabrielle Clark, as well as his first-hand impressions of those who are now leading the charge. Those who often come from lower to middle class backgrounds who aren’t concerned with the intellectual debate on the evolution of Critical Social Justice pedagogy, but who are instead fighting its impact in the classrooms in real time. All discussed with a chaser of civility, of course, and a grape Power-Ade, a vodka appletini and a boring ole Pinot Noir. To read a recap of the conversation and additional thoughts, and to see what we are each reading, visit our post CRT In The Trenches on the Hold my Drink website. You can also watch the conversation on the Hold my Drink YouTube page.

In the Hold my Drink — navigating culture with a chaser of civility, and Counterweight podcast, Episode 45, we speak with the King of Star-manning and a Warrior of Compassion, Angel Eduardo. We discuss the problems with colorblindness and how to be color-blah. We share our different views on MLK’s dream, legacy, and the challenges to America in reference to the Dream Coalition letter and discussion. And Angel outlines the blueprint for being a warrior of compassion and his commitment to fighting bad ideas while not making monsters out of our opponents. All discussed with a chaser of civility, of course, and a spicy Ranch Water with jalapeno. To read a recap of the conversation and additional thoughts, and to see what we are each reading, visit our post On Being Color-blah on the Hold my Drink website. You can also watch the conversation on the Hold my Drink YouTube page.

In the Hold my Drink — navigating culture with a chaser of civility, and Counterweight podcast, Episode 44, we speak with social workers Zander Keig & Matthew Watson. Zander and Matt are on a mission to promote viewpoint and political diversity in social work. Social workers advocate for social justice, but a strict definition of social justice and adherence to rigid ideologies often places politics over people. Social workers face a diverse constituency and therefore themselves, must also embrace diversity within their profession to create the greatest social impact. All discussed with a chaser of civility, of course, and a pina colada popsicle, guava nectar, a grapefruit Radler and a spiked root beer float. To read a recap of the conversation and additional thoughts, and to see what we are each reading, visit our post People Over Politics on the Hold my Drink website. You can also watch the conversation on the Hold my Drink YouTube page.

In the Hold my Drink — navigating culture with a chaser of civility, and Counterweight podcast, Episode 43, we speak with Charles Love on his views on conservatism, our culture and his forthcoming book Race Crazy. Charles engages our different ideas around the criminal justice system, the impact of slavery, and the American obsession with race. Are we going race crazy? Join us as we navigate the growing insanity and its resulting divisions. All discussed with a chaser of civility, of course, a scotch on the rocks and a pinot noir. To read a recap of the conversation and additional thoughts, and to see what we are each reading, visit our post Race Crazy on the Hold my Drink website. You can also watch the conversation on the Hold my Drink YouTube page.

In the Hold my Drink — navigating culture with a chaser of civility, and Counterweight podcast, Episode 42, we speak with Professor Lyell Asher on the dysfunction of education schools and their growing influence on higher education. Education schools are infused with ideology, which became apparent in many K-12 virtual classrooms in 2020. This ideology is also seeping into higher education as education school graduates take student-facing roles in various administrative positions. Join us as we discuss the inequities baked into the education school paradigm and solutions to uplift our most disadvantaged children. All discussed with a chaser of civility, of course, a sip of scotch and a michelada. To read a recap of the conversation and additional thoughts, and for podcast resources, visit our post Understanding Ed School Ideology & Dysfunction on the Hold my Drink website. You can also watch the conversation on the Hold my Drink YouTube page.

In the Hold my Drink — navigating culture with a chaser of civility, and Counterweight podcast, Episode 41, we speak with Kenny Xu, author of An Inconvenient Minority. Kenny explains the disadvantages Asian Americans face as new anti-racist paradigms have denigrated meritocracy. The general strategy of accomplishment for many Asian American immigrants has rested almost exclusively on meritocratic principles, and now in some instances, they have become victims of their own success. All discussed with a chaser of civility, of course, and a coffee. To read a recap of the conversation and additional thoughts, and for podcast resources, visit our post An Inconvenient Minority on the Hold my Drink website. You can also watch the conversation on the Hold my Drink YouTube page.

In the Hold my Drink — navigating culture with a chaser of civility, and Counterweight podcast, Episode 40, we speak with Zander Keig and Jason Littlefield who together are working on a new model of Belonging and Diversity training at Empower ED. We discuss the Repressive Tolerance of current Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Belonging programs, and their alternative program that centers on Human Dignity. Join us as we dig deep into the meaning of Successor Ideology, including Equal Outcomes, Marxist Philosophy, and Identarian Politics to find solutions and heal our divisions in Shared Values, Appreciative Inquiry and Truth and Reconciliation. All discussed with a chaser of civility of course, and a lemon shandy and a vodka creamsicle. To read a recap of the conversation and additional thoughts, and to see what we are each reading, visit our post Belonging & Repressive Tolerance on the Hold my Drink website. You can also watch the conversation on the Hold my Drink YouTube page.

In the Hold my Drink — navigating culture with a chaser of civility, and Counterweight podcast, Episode 39, we speak with David Ben Moshe. David is an American ex-con, heterodox thinker, personal trainer, and Orthodox Jewish convert, fighting for citizenship in Israel. You know he has a few stories to tell! David shares with us his journey through the prison system, his fight with racism, his conversion, and his life in Israel where he is now married with two children. Through it all, he never stopped reading, learning, or believing. He is an advocate for personal responsibility and community connection. He tells us how he navigates between the two through critical thinking, open-minded debate and tradition. All discussed with a chaser of civility, of course, a coffee and a green tea with honey (with promises to spike our drinks with whiskey for our next conversation). To read a recap of the conversation and additional thoughts, and to see what we are each reading, visit our post From Incarceration to Emancipation on the Hold my Drink website. You can also watch the conversation on the Hold my Drink YouTube page.