Freak Out and Carry On

We thought Freak Out And Carry On listeners might be interested in what's new at the iLab. That's why we're dropping a special episode of our podcast Endless Thread into the feed this week. This is an episode of Endless Thread's new season all about memes and the untold stories behind them. In "The Scream," we tell the story behind the scream heard 'round the world when Donald Trump was inaugurated in 2017. If you typed “inauguration” into your web browser anytime between 2017 and 2020, you likely saw, near the top of your search results, an image of a person in a neon green jacket, black winter hat and glasses screaming “Nooooooooooo!” That person was Jess, who was in Washington D.C. on January 20, 2017 to protest the inauguration of President Donald Trump. This “Nooooooooooo!” flew out of Jess after the oath of office, during what seemed to be a deeply painful and private moment. But what Jess didn’t know at the time was that they were being filmed by a UK media outlet. Within hours, it became a symbol of “liberal fragility” for Trump supporters. Fearing for their safety, Jess went into a sort of hiding – on social media, and in their personal life. Four years later, Jess tells their story for the very first time.

Listen to the trailer for "Anything For Selena," a new podcast from WBUR and Futuro Studios coming in January 2021. Subscribe now so you don't miss it! About The Show: On March 31, 1995, nine-year-old Maria Garcia came home to find her mother glued to the TV, tears rolling down her rosy cheeks. The phone kept ringing. Relatives in Mexico and the States wanted to know if Maria’s family was watching, too. American networks and Mexican programming aired the same top story. Selena Quintanilla, the Grammy-winning ascending Mexican American popstar had been killed — swiftly, violently — by the president of her fan club. The story shook the country and changed Maria’s life. In "Anything For Selena," host Maria Garcia goes on an intimate, revelatory quest to understand how Selena has become a potent symbol for tensions around race, class and body politics in the United States. The series weaves Maria’s personal story as a queer, first-generation Mexican immigrant with cultural analysis, history and politics to explore how, 25 years after her death, Selena remains an unparalleled vessel for understanding Latino identity and American belonging.

Ron and Heather wrap up Freak Out and Carry On, reviewing the year that was. Thanks to all our listeners!

Benjamin Wittes, from Lawfare, and Jonathan Rauch, from The Atlantic discuss their article "Boycott the Republican Party", the repercussions of the Nunes memo, and their faith in the Mueller investigation.

How does Trump's speech compare to those of Nixon, Reagan, Clinton and Bush? When did presidents begin inviting guests whose story they include in their speech?

The passion of the woman's march, the origins of the new populism on the left, Teddy Roosevelt's political transformation in 1884.

This week on Freak Out And Carry On, Ron Suskind and Heather Cox Richardson talk with Tom Gjelten, of NPR. They discuss President Trump's ideas about immigration, and how they fit into the long debate over which people are allowed to come to America.

Ron Suskind and Heather Cox Richardson talk with Julian Zelizer, Professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University. They discuss the debate around President Trump's mental fitness, the history of the 25th amendment, and whether or not Oprah should run for president in 2020.

A look at the public feud between Steve Bannon and President Trump, the political forecast for the new year and possible parallels between 2018 and 1968.

Amy Siskind details the most important norms broken by President Trump in 2017, from attacking the media to befriending dictators.

Carol Anderson, author of "White Rage", and Jack Hitt, host of the podcast "Uncivil", join the show to discuss the upset in the Alabama senate race.

The tax bill is "going to give a lot of money to people who already have a lot of money" says Jim Tankersley.

Brian Klaas join the show to discuss the possible cooperation of Michael Flynn. They also look at the ongoing leadership crisis at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and compare it to the leadership crisis at the Department of War under President Andrew Johnson.

Ron and Heather talk with Andrew Rudalevige, Professor of Government at Bowdoin College. They discuss presidential pardons throughout history and examine whether President Trump could pardon himself.

Ron and Heather talk with Alicia Bannon, senior counsel at the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice about President Trump's controversial judicial nominees, the history of the Federalist Society and suggest reforms to the American courts system.

Ron and Heather talk with Ellen Fitzpatrick, history professor at the University of New Hampshire about recent sexual harassment allegations against men in the media, Hollywood and politics.

Ron and Heather talk with Michael Isikoff, chief investigative correspondent for Yahoo News. They discuss the indictments of Paul Manafort, the guilty plea of George Papadopoulos, and comparisons to Richard Nixon and James Buchanan.

Recorded in front of a live audience, Ron and Heather talk with Harvard Law Professor Lawrence Lessig. They discuss reforming the electoral college, the gerrymandering case in front of the Supreme Court, and how to get money out of politics.

Ron and Heather talk with Barbara Perry, director of Presidential Studies at the University of Virginia's Miller Center. They discuss the new profile of Vice President Mike Pence in The New Yorker and look at the power -- or lack thereof -- of vice presidents, from Thomas Jefferson to Dick Cheney.

Ron and Heather talk with Norm Ornstein, on his new book "One Nation After Trump" They discuss what lasting effects the Trump presidency will have on the government, Senator Bob Corker's criticism of the president, and the similarities between former Louisiana governor and congressman Huey Long and Donald Trump.