Stuff They Don't Want You To Know - Interview: Cancellation Island, with John Cameron Mitchell, Part Two: Action, Praxis, Presence and Poetry

In a world where everyone feels divided by identity politics, ideology and the fear of cancellation, how does an individual navigate a cultural minefield? How can we empower and encourage direct action? In the second part of this two-part interview segment, Ben, Matt and Noel welcome returning guest John Cameron Mitchell for a wide-ranging exploration of the occult, Discordianism, saving innocent people and more.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Native America Calling - Friday May 16, 2025 – Native Playlist: Hataałii/Mogley and the Zoniez

Two musicians with Diné roots give audiences distinctly different takes on their desert Southwest origins. The Phoenix-based band Mogley and the Zoniez have built their sound playing for years in the Southwest café and bar circuit. The melodic and energetic indie-alt sound and distinctive vocals have become a favorite for a growing number of fans. They have a new EP to add to their set list, Better Late Than Never. We’ll hear from lead singer Quenton Oney about how they reach their audience and what’s next. Hataałii's new album, "I'll Be Around", is an affirming and beautifully dark low-fi project. He ditched the professional studio route for a DIY production in a shed in Albuquerque. The result is a personal and intimate set of songs sure to find far-reaching resonance.

It Could Happen Here - Executive Disorder: White House Weekly #16

The gang talks about White House efforts to suspend habeas corpus and expand deportation efforts, while DeSantis builds new detention centers in Florida. Plus, updates on tariffs and Trump's crackdown on pro-Palestine students.

Sources:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg4zk22n9wo

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/top-us-senate-democrat-block-trump-doj-nominees-over-qatar-airplane-2025-05-13/

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/15/stephen-miller-is-wrong-the-president-cant-just-suspend-habeas-corpus

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-homeland-chief-says-illegal-immigration-levels-could-warrant-suspending-2025-05-14/

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/05/establishing-project-homecoming/ 

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/15/us/politics/national-guard-immigration.html

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/fbi-ordered-prioritize-immigration-cases-over-white-collar-crime-people-familiar-2025-05-12/ 

https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/waltham-mass-ice-arrest-boy-left-alone/

https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2025/governor-ron-desantis-highlights-floridas-leadership-immigration-enforcement 

https://support.iraplegalinfo.org/hc/en-us/articles/360057039031-What-is-the-U-S-refugee-resettlement-process

https://welcome.us/explainers/us-refugee-admissions-program-suspended-until-further-notice-welcome-corps-terminated

https://www.rescue.org/press-release/irc-responds-termination-state-department-grants-refugee-resettlement-program

https://2021-2025.state.gov/refugee-admissions/

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/addressing-egregious-actions-of-the-republic-of-south-africa/

https://www.nytimes.com/article/afrikaner-refugees-trump-south-africa.html

https://za.usembassy.gov/refugee-admissions-program-for-south-africans/

https://www.episcopalchurch.org/publicaffairs/letter-from-presiding-bishop-sean-rowe-on-episcopal-migration-ministries/

https://www.aclufl.org/en/press-releases/new-report-reveals-alarming-conditions-florida-ice-detention-centers

https://english.elpais.com/usa/2025-04-01/inhumane-conditions-and-death-at-miamis-krome-migrant-detention-center.html 

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/15/us/politics/national-guard-immigration.html

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/how-india-pakistan-pulled-back-brink-with-us-brokered-ceasefire-2025-05-13/

https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/trump-tariff-agreement-us-china-uk-what-it-means-what-to-know-rcna206365

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/may/15/walmart-raise-prices-trump-tariffs

https://archive.ph/pkUSY

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq54ggd62w3o

https://www.newsweek.com/pam-bondi-sold-shares-trump-media-same-day-tariffs-announced-2072543

https://archive.ph/uM7kp

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp3nd0dwlpgo

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/pro-palestinian-georgetown-student-ordered-released-us-custody-2025-05-14/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The Allusionist - 208. Four Letter Words: Ffff

Welcome to Four Letter Word season!

We're kicking off with one of the most versatile words: it can be a noun, verb, punctuation, expostulation, full sentence on its own; it can be an intensifier, an insult and a compliment... and a Category A swear, which is why I've had to sanitise it for the title lest your pod app takes exception. And of course, content note: this episode contains many category A swears, plus some sexual references.

Lexicographer and editor Jesse Sheidlower joins to talk about making four editions (so far) of The F Word, a history and dictionary of the multivalent F word. Find his work at jessesword.com

Next up in Four Letter Word season: we revisit an even stronger swear.

Visit theallusionist.org/ffff (that's four Fs) for a transcript of this episode, plus links to more information about topics in the episode.

Support the show at theallusionist.org/donate and as well as keeping this independent podcast going, you also get behind-the-scenes glimpses about every episode, fortnightly livestreams with me and my dictionaries, and the Allusioverse Discord community.

This episode was produced by me, Helen Zaltzman, on the unceded ancestral and traditional territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

The music is by Martin Austwick. Download his songs at palebirdmusic.com and listen to his podcasts Song By Song and Neutrino Watch.

Find the Allusionist at youtube.com/allusionistshow, instagram.com/allusionistshow, facebook.com/allusionistshow, @allusionistshow.bsky.social… Essentially: if I’m there, I’m there as @allusionistshow. 

Our ad partner is Multitude. If you want me to talk compellingly about your product, sponsor an episode: contact Multitude at multitude.productions/ads. This episode is sponsored by:

• Squarespace, your one-stop shop for building and running your online forever home. Go to squarespace.com/allusionist for a free 2-week trial, and get 10 percent off your first purchase of a website or domain with the code allusionist.

• Audio Maverick, a 9-part documentary podcast from CUNY TV about radio maven Himan Brown. Hear about the dawn of radio and Brown's remarkable career, via archive footage and new interviews with audio mavericks, by subscribing to Audio Maverick in your podcast app.

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Stuff They Don't Want You To Know - Listener Mail: Global Rare Earth Unrest, Fears of Martial Law, the Guys Hire an ICP Expert

Could growing regional conflicts be driven by the race to control certain mineral resources? Could the United States slide into martial law -- if so, what would that mean? Join Ben and Matt for all this and more in this week's listener mail segment.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Native America Calling - Thursday, May 15, 2025 – Native American veterans reflect on the lessons learned in the 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War

More than 42,000 Native Americans served in the military during the Vietnam War, the vast majority as volunteers. They faced racist and stereotypical taunts from fellow service members. After their service, veterans suffered psychological and emotional trauma at a higher rate than other populations. As the nation marks 50 years since the fall of Saigon and the end of the war, we’ll hear from Native Vietnam veterans about what the conflict means to them now.

It Could Happen Here - The Gang Reviews Andor Season 2, Ep. 7-9

Robert, Mia, and Garrison discuss the third arc of Andor Season 2, covering the Ghorman Massacre. Terrorist cells are uniting under the boot of the Empire, a riot pits undercover agents vs outside agitators, and we see the consequences of bending the truth.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Stuff They Don't Want You To Know - Interview: Cancellation Island, with John Cameron Mitchell, Part One: The Lost Art of Gnostic Nuance

What does it mean to be 'canceled'? How do we collectively navigate the baffling, complex and contradictory world of an 'always-on' society? In the first part of this week's special two-part interview, Ben, Matt and Noel welcome the legendary writer, actor, playwright and activist, John Cameron Mitchell, creator of Cancellation Island, for a wide-ranging conversation on everything from lizard people to gnosticism, the power of language, Aleister Crowley and everything in between.

They don't want you to read our book.: https://static.macmillan.com/static/fib/stuff-you-should-read/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Native America Calling - Wednesday, May 14, 2025 – Troubling rise in persistent diseases in animals and humans

Tribal wildlife officials are trying to get a handle on the seemingly unstoppable increase in chronic wasting disease among large game animals. Now in at least three dozen states, the disease is always fatal for the deer, elk, and moose that contract it. Some public health officials are also cautioning about the potential for it to make the jump to humans. At the same time, measles cases have jumped over 1,000 in the United States. Decades after the highly contagious and easily preventable disease was all but eradicated, measles comes at at time when skepticism of scientifically proven vaccines is at an all time high. We’ll find out what wildlife managers and public health officials say about the threats from these two illnesses.