Podcasts by Burn the Boats
Burn the Boats is an award-winning podcast featuring intimate conversations with change-makers from every walk of life. Host Ken Harbaugh interviews politicians, authors, activists, and others about the most important issues of our time.
Further podcasts by Evergreen Podcasts
Podcast on the topic Politik
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Ravi Gupta: Power-Hungry Politicians from 2023-12-12T10:00
Ravi Gupta attended Yale Law School with now Senator Josh Hawley. They became friends, and Hawley even met his mom a few times. Since then, Ravi says Senator Hawley has turned his back on his convi...
ListenStuart Stevens: Fighting American Fascism from 2023-12-05T10:00
Stuart Stevens dedicated his life to getting Republicans elected. He worked for dozens of candidates, including both Bush and Romney during their presidential campaigns, and was extremely successfu...
ListenMark Chiusano: Who Really is George Santos? from 2023-11-28T10:00
Mark Chiusano is a columnist who has been covering George Santos since 2019. His new book, The Fabulist, peels back the lies, grifts, and alter-egos of Santos to reveal who really represents the 3r...
ListenAmy McGrath: Republicans Have Undermined Our Military from 2023-11-21T10:00
Amy McGrath is a Marine Corps Vet who ran for the Senate in Kentucky in 2020. Since then, she’s sayed active in politics, and has founded Operation Saving Democracy, a veteran-led organization that...
ListenDavid Pepper: Going on Offense from 2023-11-14T10:00
David Pepper is the former Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party. You may have seen one of his viral white board videos on twitter, where he breaks down Republican attempts to undermine our democra...
ListenNancy MacLean: Democracy in Chains from 2023-11-07T10:00
Nancy MacLean is a historian and professor at Duke University. Her book Democracy in Chains details how the radical right, funded by billionaires, has slowly molded the American political landscape...
ListenRep. Pat Ryan: Republican Chaos from 2023-10-31T09:00
Pat Ryan is an Army combat vet who represents New York’s 18th district. In this interview, he talks about the unprecedented House Speaker elections, right-wing extremism, and his new resolution. ...
ListenDr. Kathleen Belew: Trump is Quoting Hilter from 2023-10-24T09:00
Dr. Kathleen Belew is a historian and expert on the American white power movement. In this episode, she explains how the rhetoric used by Trump and Alt-Right groups is both dangerous and purposeful...
ListenKatherine Stewart: The Growth of Christian Nationalism from 2023-10-17T09:00
Katherine Stewart is a reporter and author who has covered religious liberty, politics, policy, and education for over a decade. Her book The Power Worshippers details how the religious right has r...
ListenRuth Ben-Ghiat: Trump’s Plan from 2023-10-10T09:00
Ruth Ben-Ghiat is an historian who specializes in authoritarianism and propaganda. Her most recent book, Strongmen: From Mussolini to the Present, examines how authoritarians use propaganda, virili...
ListenDr. Dan Barkhuff: Political Violence on the Horizon from 2023-09-19T09:00
Former Navy SEAL and founder of Veterans for Responsible Leadership explains why he thinks Civil War in the US is unrealistic, but future political violence isn’t. Dan is a former Navy SEAL with m...
ListenDara Starr Tucker: Confronting Racism from 2023-09-05T09:00
Political Commentator Dara Starr Tucker talks about why many white Americans hide behind “politeness” as an excuse for not confronting racism. She also discusses the January 6th insurrection, the s...
ListenRep. Jason Crow: Political Courage from 2023-08-29T09:00
Representative Jason Crow is a former Army Ranger who served three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and represents Colorado’s Sixth Congressional District. He was in the Capitol building during the J...
ListenDenver Riggleman: Combating Conspiracy Theories from 2023-08-22T09:00
Denver Riggleman is a former representative for Virginia’s 5th congressional district, and an ex-Republican. He served as a technical advisor to the January 6th committee, and now he’s partnered wi...
ListenDr. Kareem Crayton: The Courts, Gerrymandering, and Voter Suppression from 2023-08-15T09:00
In this interview, Dr. Crayton discusses gerrymandering, supermajorities, the impact of the courts, and voter suppression. Dr. Kareem Crayton is an attorney, law professor, and academic whose work...
ListenMark J. Lindquist: How You Can Help Ukraine from 2023-08-08T09:00
Mark J. Lindquist is an Air Force Veteran who has been providing non-lethal aid to the Ukrainian Army since late March of last year. In this interview, he describes being a mile from the front line...
ListenAnne Nelson: Corruption in the Courts from 2023-08-01T04:00
Anne discusses the corruption within the Supreme Court and how certain “grassroots” conservative organizations have ties to powerful shadow networks. Anne is an award-winning war correspondent an...
ListenMiles Taylor: Trump 2.0 from 2023-07-25T09:00
Back in 2018, Miles Taylor anonymously authored a New York Times op-ed titled “I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration.” At the time, Miles worked in a senior role in the Depart...
ListenRep. Seth Moulton: Understanding the Threats to American Democracy from 2023-07-18T09:00
Rep. Seth Moulton discusses right-wing extremism within Congress and the dangers to American Democracy Representative Seth Moulton is a former Marine Corps officer who has represented Massachusett...
ListenOlivia Julianna: The Future of Texas from 2023-07-11T09:00
Olivia Julianna is a 20-year-old abortion-rights advocate and the director of politics and government affairs at Gen-Z for Change. With the help of her substantial TikTok following, Olivia initiate...
ListenRyan Busse: Inside the Gun Industry from 2023-07-04T09:00
Ryan Busse is a former executive of a major firearms manufacturer. During his 25 years at the company, he was nominated for multiple industry awards and became a prominent player in the industry. H...
ListenSarah Posner: The Evangelical Agenda from 2023-06-27T09:00
Sarah Posner is a journalist who has been covering the religious right for decades. Her most recent book, Unholy, explores how race and xenophobia have long been at the core of evangelical Christia...
ListenBrynn Tannehill: American Fascism from 2023-06-20T09:00
Brynn Tannehill is a columnist, author, LGBTQ+ activist, and former Navy pilot. Her book American Fascism details how the GOP has been undermining democracy for decades. In this episode, Brynn dra...
ListenKristin Kobes Du Mez: What Evangelism Means Today from 2023-06-12T09:00
Kristin Kobes Du Mez describes how Evangelism has transformed, and its relationship to masculinity, oppression, and nationalism. Kristin is a pastor and a professor of History and Gender Studies a...
ListenGeneral Stanley McChrystal: “It Could Happen Here” from 2023-06-06T09:00
General Stanley McChrystal is a retired four-star general and former commander of the Joint Special Operations Command who led counter-insurgency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. In this episod...
ListenMary Trump: Minority Rule is Here from 2023-05-23T09:00
Mary Trump is a clinical psychologist and host of the podcast The Mary Trump Show. She is also a bestselling author, and her most recent book, The Reckoning, talks about national trauma and finding...
ListenMila Atmos: Moving the Needle from 2023-05-16T09:00
Mila Atmos is the host of Future Hindsight, a podcast about civic engagement that gives listeners action items so that they can better participate in our democracy. In this episode, Mila discusses ...
ListenAngela Denker: White Christian Nationalism from 2023-05-09T09:00
Angela Denker is a Lutheran pastor and journalist. Her book Red State Christians takes a hard look at White Christian Nationalism and the evangelicals who voted for Trump. Learn more about your ad...
ListenSarah Longwell: Trump vs. DeSantis from 2023-05-02T09:00
Sarah Longwell discusses the 2024 presidential race and its potential candidates. Sarah is a longtime Republican political strategist who has broken with her party to defend democracy. She is the ...
ListenFred Wellman: What’s Next for Democracy? from 2023-04-25T09:00
Fred Wellman is a Senior Advisor to Voters of Tomorrow, an organization dedicated to building political power for Gen-Z. He’s also an Army combat veteran, a West Point and Harvard graduate, a forme...
ListenTim Ryan: The Culture Has to Change from 2023-04-11T09:00
Former Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan talks about the quality of American life, divisions within both parties, and how American culture has made a turn for the worse over the last few decades. Tim spen...
ListenBrett Jones: First Openly Gay Navy SEAL Slams Trump’s Bigotry from 2023-04-04T09:00
Brett Jones served as a Navy SEAL during ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’. He was forcefully outed, and was subjected to an interrogation and investigation about his sexuality. He fought back, and was given ...
ListenBill Kristol: Extremism in the Republican Party from 2023-03-28T09:00
Former leading Republican Bill Kristol discusses media echo chambers and anti-democratic enablers within the Republican Party Bill served in two presidential administrations and founded The Weekly...
ListenWill Sommer: The Dangers of QAnon from 2023-03-21T09:00
Will Sommer is a political reporter for The Daily Beast and host of the podcast Fever Dreams. His new book, Trust the Plan, details QAnon’s journey into the mainstream, the threat it poses to democ...
ListenDr. Dan Barkhuff: Toxic Masculinity and Gun Culture from 2023-03-14T09:00
Former Navy SEAL and founder of Veterans for Responsible Leadership Dr. Dan Barkhuff discusses the relationship between toxic masculinity and gun culture. Dan is a former Navy SEAL with multiple c...
ListenLucas Kunce: “Corporate, Country Club Republicans” from 2023-03-07T10:00
Lucas Kunce talks about his run against Josh Hawley for the 2024 Missouri Senate Seat. Lucas is a Marine Corps veteran who served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and eventually went on to become a...
ListenJoe Walsh: Republican Accountability from 2023-02-28T10:00
Joe Walsh represented Illinois’ 8th district in the house from 2011 to 2013, and ran against Trump in the 2020 presidential race. He hosts the podcast White Flag with Joe Walsh and has been increas...
ListenDr. Rachel Kleinfeld: What Causes Political Violence? from 2023-02-21T10:00
Dr. Rachel Kleinfeld discusses political violence, the possibility of a Civil War, and extremism. Rachel is an expert on democracy, security, and international relations. She’s currently a senior f...
ListenRuth Ben-Ghiat: Authoritarianism Around the Globe from 2023-02-14T10:00
Historian Ruth Ben-Ghiat describes the similarities between current authoritarian movements and those of the past. Ruth is a historian who specializes in authoritarianism and propaganda. She’s a p...
ListenAndrew Hartzler: Fighting Discrimination from 2023-02-07T10:00
Andrew Hartzler, nephew of fmr. Representative Vicky Hartzler, talks about his viral video and how he has faced discrimination as a gay man. In early January, Andrew Hartzler went viral on TikTo...
ListenKen Mayer: The Electability of Republicans from 2023-01-31T10:00
Ken Mayer is a political science professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an expert on elections and campaign finance. His current research focuses on evaluating recent state-level camp...
ListenBONUS: Past, Present, and Future w/Senator Tammy Duckworth from 2023-01-28T04:00
Senator from Illinois Tammy Duckworth reflects on her first term in office, the current issues facing the Senate, and what she hopes to accomplish in her second term. Learn more about your ad choic...
ListenOlga Lautman: The Fall of Putin from 2023-01-24T10:00
Russian politics expert Olga Lautman discusses Russia’s failure to defeat Ukraine, the instability of the Russian political system, and more. Olga is a researcher and analyst who has been monitori...
ListenRavi Gupta: “The Door is Always Open” from 2023-01-17T10:00
Ravi Gupta held several positions during the first term of the Obama administration, including Special Assistant and Speechwriter to Susan Rice, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. After se...
ListenStuart Stevens: The Republican Party’s Downfall from 2023-01-10T10:00
Stuart Stevens dedicated his life to getting Republicans elected. He worked for dozens of candidates, including both Bush and Romney during their presidential campaigns, and was extremely successfu...
ListenTyler Merritt: Patience for the Ignorant from 2022-12-20T10:00
Tyler Merritt is an Activist, Author, Actor, and public speaker. His video monologue, “Before You Call the Cops,” garnered national attention after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, and has been ...
ListenMiles Taylor: The Fight Has Just Begun from 2022-12-13T10:00
Miles Taylor, who co-founded the Forward Party, discusses the significance of the midterm election results, the future of Trumpism, and the ongoing threats to American democracy. – Back in 2018, M...
ListenDavid Bellavia: Partisan Politics from 2022-12-06T10:00
Medal of Honor Recipient and conservative radio host David Bellavia talks about the recent shift in the Republican party, what makes a qualified candidate, and the differences between Democrats and...
ListenJinho ‘Piper’ Ferreira: Hip-Hop, Community, and Policing from 2022-11-29T10:00
Flipsyde member Jinho ‘Piper’ Ferreira talks about how his experiences as a police officer, rapper, and artist have influenced him. Piper was born and raised in Oakland, California. During his chi...
ListenGarrett Reisman: The Future of Space Exploration from 2022-11-22T10:00
Astronaut Garrett Reisman discusses how the Ukraine Russia War, Elon Musk, and global warming are impacting space exploration. During the interview, Garrett talks about the development of conspira...
ListenDenver Riggleman: Leaving the Republican Party from 2022-11-15T10:00
Former Representative Denver Riggleman discusses the January 6th committee, his experiences as a Republican during the Trump Administration, and his new book, The Breach. Denver Riggleman served i...
ListenAl Franken: Has Democracy Reached a Tipping Point? from 2022-11-01T09:00
Former Senator Al Franken discusses the radicalization of the Republican party and the threats facing American Democracy. During the interview, Al had this to say about his Republican colleagues: ...
ListenNan Whaley: Fighting for Ohioans from 2022-10-25T09:00
Former Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley talks about her Ohio gubernatorial campaign. Nan Whaley was first elected to the Dayton City Commission in 2005, and was one of the youngest women ever chosen for th...
ListenScott Hershovitz: Adventures in Philosophy with My Kids from 2022-10-18T09:00
Scott Hershovitz talks about his new book, Nasty, Brutish, and Short, in which he discusses philosophy with his children. Scott Hershovtiz is a professor of law and philosophy at the University of...
ListenKris Goldsmith: The Anti-Fascist Agenda from 2022-10-11T09:00
Kris, a combat vet, explains how he studies and disrupts fascism and white supremacism in the U.S. –Kris Goldsmith is an Iraq combat vet who studies disinformation and far right movements. He's the...
ListenDr. Kathleen Belew: The State of the White Power Movement from 2022-10-04T09:00
Dr. Belew describes the growth, strategies, and consequences of the White Power movement in America. –Dr. Kathleen Belew, a professor at Northwestern University and author of Bring the War Home: ...
ListenLTC Alexander Vindman: Fighting Authoritarianism from 2022-09-27T09:00
In 2019, Alex provided testimony that led to Donald Trump’s first impeachment, and foreshadowed Russia’s devastating invasion of Ukraine. In this episode, he discusses his decision to blow the whi...
ListenJason Kander: Getting Help Saved My Life from 2022-09-06T09:00
Jason Kander discusses his new Memoir, Invisible Storm –Jason Kander served as an intelligence officer in Afghanistan, and as Secretary of State for Missouri, before his Senate campaign in 2016 ca...
ListenEsosa Osa: Fighting Disinformation from 2022-08-24T09:00
Esosa Osa is the Deputy Director of Fair Fight Action, an organization founded by Stacy Abrams that advocates for election reform. Longtime listeners will remember that Esosa guest hosted an inte...
ListenBONUS: Jim Obergefell: The Battle for Marriage Equality from 2022-08-23T09:00
In 2013, Jim Obergefell and his boyfriend John, who was suffering from a terminal disease, were married on the tarmac in a medical jet at an airport in Maryland. When they returned home to Ohio, th...
ListenJimmy Soni: The Influential Founders of PayPal from 2022-08-10T09:00
Jimmy Soni is an author and journalist who was named among Forbes Magazine’s 30 under 30 in media. His new book, The Founders, takes a look at how PayPal was a launching pad for some of the world's...
ListenDavid Gergen: Passing the Torch to Gen-Z from 2022-07-13T09:00
David Gergen served in senior roles for four Presidents: Nixon, Ford, H.W. Bush, and Clinton. He’s since become an award winning journalist, author, and Harvard Professor. His new book, Hearts Tou...
ListenLecia Michelle: The White Allies Handbook from 2022-06-29T09:00
Lecia Michelle is an author and anti-racist educator. Her new book, The White Allies Handbook, provides readers with the tools to get off the sidelines and onto the frontlines of the fight against ...
ListenSteve Pierson: How We Win from 2022-06-15T09:00
Steve Pierson is an activist and organizer who has trained thousands of canvassing volunteers. He also co-hosts the podcast How We Win, where he interviews fellow activists, politicians, and inside...
ListenSebastian Junger: Bravery, War, and Purpose from 2022-05-18T09:00
Sebastian Junger is an award-winning author, journalist, and filmmaker. His newest book, Freedom, discusses the innate conflict between the need for community and the desire for independence. Sebas...
ListenBONUS: The Clock is Ticking for Afghan Evacuees from 2022-05-09T21:20
Currently, more than 76,000 Afghan refugees who have immigrated to the U.S. have been granted temporary, two-year humanitarian parole status. Shawn VanDiver and his coalition #AfghanEvac, with supp...
ListenAmanda Weinstein: Suburbia and the Culture Wars from 2022-05-04T09:00
Amanda Weinstein is a Professor of Economics at the University of Akron who studies the quality of life in suburban America. She is also the co-host of the podcast, The Suburban Women Problem. You...
ListenDavid Pepper: The Impact of Corrupt State Houses from 2022-04-20T09:00
David Pepper is an author and the former Chair of the Ohio Democratic Party. In his new book, Laboratories of Autocracy, David argues that the greatest threat to American Democracy is not the alt-r...
ListenUkraine Report #7: Refugees and Aid Workers from 2022-04-12T23:51
Today’s episode consists of two interviews. First we’re joined by Anna, a Ukrainian student who was supposed to be finishing her senior year of high school. On the first day of the invasion, her ci...
ListenUkraine Report #6: Russian Politics with Olga Lautman from 2022-03-29T14:37
Olga Lautman is a researcher and analyst who has been monitoring Russian and Ukrainian internal politics for years. She’s a Senior Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, and the co-host...
ListenStephen Marche: The Next Civil War from 2022-03-23T16:42
Stephen Marche is an author and columnist whose work has appeared in Esquire, The Atlantic, The New York Times, and elsewhere. His new book, “The Next Civil War: Dispatches from the American Future...
ListenUkraine Report #4: A Volunteer Soldier in Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces from 2022-03-21T23:41
Today we interviewed Nikolay, who’s a volunteer soldier in Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces. Shortly after the war began, his family was able to flee to the U.S., but despite having no military...
ListenShannon Watts: The State of Gun Reform Efforts in 2022 from 2022-03-09T10:00
Shannon Watts is the founder of Moms Demand Action, a grassroots organization that advocates for and passes common sense gun laws. We’ve invited her back on the show to check in on the status of gu...
ListenUkraine Report #2: Urban Warfare with Dan Barkhuff from 2022-03-03T20:53:36
Dan Barkhoff is a former Navy SEAL with multiple combat deployments, and an expert in urban warfare. In this interview, he discusses what the Russian invasion force is likely to face. This episode...
ListenBilly Ray: Movies and Messaging from 2022-02-23T10:00
Billy Ray is an award-winning film producer, director, and writer whose credits include The Comey Rule, Captain Phillips, The Hunger Games, and a project in development titled J6, about the assault...
ListenJosh Remillard: Defeating Madison Cawthorn in NC-13 from 2022-02-09T10:00
Josh Remillard is an Army Vet running for congress as a Democrat in North Carolina’s 13th congressional district. His campaign focuses on education, healthcare, and sustainability, and defeating Ma...
ListenDr. Kate Starbird: Disinformation in the Age of Social Media from 2022-01-26T10:00
Dr. Kate Starbird is an Associate Professor at the University of Washington, where she co-founded the Center for an Informed Public, which is dedicated to resisting strategic misinformation, promot...
ListenRerun: Rep. Jason Crow talks about January 6th from 2022-01-12T10:00
This week, to mark the one year anniversary of the January 6th Insurrection, we are re-airing the story of someone who was in the Capitol during the attack. Rep. Crow served as a House impeachment...
ListenBONUS: Reflections on the January 6th Insurrection from 2022-01-06T10:00
On the one year anniversary of the January 6th insurrection, we’re sharing clips from six Burn the Boats interviews that delve into the causes and consequences of the attack. Here are the guests ...
ListenLucas Kunce: Populism and Power from 2021-12-29T10:00
Lucas Kunce is a Marine Corps veteran running to fill Missouri's vacant Senate seat in 2022. Lucas served tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, and eventually went on to become an international negotiatio...
ListenHeidi Heitkamp: The Democratic Party’s Branding Problem from 2021-12-15T10:00
Heidi Heitkamp is a former Senator who represented North Dakota from 2013 to 2019. She was one of the only Democrats in the Senate representing a state that voted overwhelmingly for President Trump...
ListenFred Wellman: The Signs of a Violent America from 2021-12-01T10:00
Fred Wellman is the former Executive Director of the Lincoln Project. He is a Westpoint and Harvard graduate, and served in the Army as an aviator and public affairs officer for 22 years. The Lin...
ListenTyler Merritt: Before You Call the Cops from 2021-11-17T10:00
Tyler Merritt is an Activist, Author, Actor, and public speaker. His video monologue, “Before You Call the Cops,” garnered national attention after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, and has been ...
ListenKareem Crayton: Redistricting&the Problem with Politicization from 2021-11-03T09:00
Kareem Crayton is an attorney, law professor, and academic whose work explores the effects of state-sanctioned racial discrimination on campaigns, elections, and governance. He served as the Execut...
ListenChris Harnisch: The ‘Surrender’ of Afghanistan from 2021-10-20T09:00
Chris Harnisch was the Deputy Coordinator for Countering Violent Extremism at the State Department during the Trump Administration. Among other various national security roles, he also was the Dire...
ListenChairwoman Shontel Brown: Bipartisanship and Ohio’s 11th District from 2021-10-06T09:00
Shontel Brown is the Chairwoman of the Cuyahoga County Democratic party, and was both the first woman, and the first African American elected to the position. She recently won a heated primary in O...
ListenMiles Taylor: Inside the Trump White House from 2021-09-22T09:00
In 2018, Miles Taylor anonymously authored a New York Times op-ed titled “I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration”. At the time, Miles worked in a senior role in the Department ...
ListenAmy McGrath: The ‘Honor Bound’ Memoir from 2021-09-08T09:00
Amy McGrath talks about her new book, Honor Bound: An American Story of Dreams and Service, which details her groundbreaking time in the military, her tough political campaigns, and the challenges ...
ListenKris Goldsmith: PTSD, Less-Than-Honorable Discharges, and Domestic Violent Extremism from 2021-08-25T14:07
Kris Goldsmith is an Army combat Veteran who served in Iraq. As a 19 year-old, he was assigned the task of photographing corpses and documenting mass graves. He developed severe PTSD, and in 2007, ...
ListenChris Meagher: The President’s Infrastructure Plan from 2021-08-11T09:00
Originally a reporter for the Santa Barbara Independent, Chris Meagher has worked for a number of prominent democrats. Most notably, he served as a communications advisor to Governor Gretchen Whitm...
ListenChris Meagher: The President’s Infrastructure Plan from 2021-08-11T09:00
Originally a reporter for the Santa Barbara Independent, Chris Meagher has worked for a number of prominent democrats. Most notably, he served as a communications advisor to Governor Gretchen Whitm...
ListenAnne Nelson: The Secret Influence of a Right-Wing Political Coalition from 2021-07-28T09:00
Anne Nelson is an award-winning war correspondent, playwright, and author. Her newest book, Shadow Network: Media, Money, and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right, details the influence of the Counc...
ListenMaster Sergeant Michael ‘Top’ Washington: Coping with Loss from 2021-07-14T09:00
Master Sergeant Michael ‘Top’ Washington served in the Gulf War, Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan between 1988 and 2004, before becoming a firefighter. His son, Mike Jr., followed in his footsteps and...
ListenJason Kander: Destigmatizing PTSD While Continuing to Serve from 2021-06-30T10:00
Jason Kander, an Army Veteran and former Senate Candidate, talks about his struggle with PTSD and his continuing public service. Jason served as an intel officer in Afghanistan and as Secretary of...
ListenJudge Lina Hidalgo: Local Leadership, Voting Rights, and Values from 2021-06-16T07:00
Judge Lina Hidalgo, county executive for Harris County, Texas, talks about changing the system from within and about budgeting through a values lens.
Including the city of Houston, Harris Coun...
Elliot Ackerman: Writing About War and America’s Future from 2021-06-02T07:00
Elliot Ackerman, Marine combat veteran and bestselling author, talks about writing and about his fears for the future.
Elliot’s latest book is 2034: A Novel of the Next World War. The Harper’s ...
Christian Picciolini: Disengaging White Power Extremists from 2021-05-19T07:00
Christian Picciolini, a former leader in the American white power movement, talks about his past and his current work in extremism prevention.
Christian runs the Free Radicals Project, which is...
Rep. Jason Crow: Accountability and the Aftermath of January 6 from 2021-05-05T07:00
Rep. Jason Crow, former Army Ranger and congressman from Colorado’s 6th district, talks about the January 6th insurrection and the importance of truth and accountability.
Rep. Crow served as a ...
Dr. Kathleen Belew: The History of the White Power Movement and Paramilitary America from 2021-04-22T07:00
Dr. Kathleen Belew talks about the white power movement and the role of veterans in the movement’s history.
Dr. Belew is a professor of U.S. history at the University of Chicago, and the nation...
Jon Soltz: Giving Veterans a Voice from 2021-04-07T07:00
Jon Soltz, founder of VoteVets, talks about the organization's origins and priorities and what it means to give a voice to veterans.
Jon served two tours in Iraq. VoteVets’ PAC helps elect vete...
Jon Heavey: On the Front Lines from 2021-03-24T07:00
?Content Warning: this episode includes some graphic descriptions of wounds and combat.
Dr. Jon Heavey is an emergency room physician on the front lines of the battle against COVID, who began h...
Carlos Gauna: Ending the Stigma Around Sharks from 2021-03-10T08:00
Carlos Gauna is an artist, videographer and wildlife advocate. On his YouTube channel, TheMalibuArtist, Carlos shares his drone footage of marine life. His videos have been viewed millions of times...
ListenDan Barkhuff: A Tribe to Compete with Trumpism from 2021-02-24T08:00
Dan Barkhuff, former Navy Seal and founder of Veterans for Responsible Leadership, talks about fighting Trumpism and the importance of belonging.
Veterans for Responsible Leadership is an orga...
Steve Schmidt: Fighting an Autocratic Coalition from 2021-02-10T08:00
Steve Schmidt, longtime Republican political strategist and co-founder of The Lincoln Project, comes on Burn the Boats to talk about his work fighting Trump and Trumpism.
Steve worked on the ca...
Mike Howard: Keeping America Secure from the CIA to Microsoft from 2021-01-27T08:00
Mike Howard, a veteran in the security and protection field, comes on Burn the Boats to talk about his 22 year career with the CIA and the years he spent as Chief Security Officer at Microsoft.
Listen
Rerun: Max Rose and Ali Soufan on White Supremacist Terrorism from 2021-01-13T08:00
This rerun from July 2020 features former congressman Max Rose and counterterrorism expert Ali Soufan talking about their work addressing the threat of transnational violent white supremacist group...
ListenDoug Wilson: Celebrating 10 Years Without Don’t Ask Don’t Tell from 2020-12-23T08:00
Ken celebrates the 10th anniversary of the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell with Doug Wilson, former Pentagon official who played a key role in the repeal.
Doug Wilson is a former Pentagon offic...
Aida Salazar: Activist, Artist, Author from 2020-12-09T08:00
Award-winning author Aida Salazar talks about writing difficult stories for children, raising a new generation of activists, and the intersections of art and activism.
Learn more about Aida an...
Jake Wood: A New Mission Closer to Home from 2020-11-25T08:00
Jake Wood, veteran and CEO of Team Rubicon, talks about his new memoir, the value of veterans serving in disaster relief, and the power of vulnerability in leaders.
Learn more about Jake’s org...
Jacqueline Novogratz: Marshalling a Moral Revolution from 2020-11-11T08:00
Jacqueline Novogratz, founder and CEO of Acumen, talks about the role of markets in working towards a better world and how the kind of work she does has changed in recent years as the rising genera...
ListenRerun: Pete Buttigieg from 2020-11-04T08:00
The day after the election, we're airing a rerun on Burn the Boats. Listen to Ken's conversation with Pete Buttigieg from this summer - talking about patriotism, his hopes for the future of our cou...
ListenVoting Rights and the 2020 Election w/ Esosa Osa and Sylvia Albert from 2020-10-28T07:00
Just days before the 2020 election, Ken passes the mic to guest host Esosa Osa, Research and Policy Director for Fair Fight Action. Esosa interviews Sylvia Albert from Common Cause about voting rig...
ListenMJ Hegar: Campaign Like a Girl from 2020-10-21T07:00
MJ Hegar, Democratic candidate for Senate in Texas, talks about her campaign, what drove her to run in the first place, and the prejudiced responses she sometimes gets to the Purple Heart on her li...
ListenRep. Tim Ryan: Politics and Mindfulness from 2020-10-07T07:00
Rep. Tim Ryan talks politics - Trump, Ohio, and Tim’s current reelection campaign. He also talks about something he wishes all politicians would practice: mindfulness.
Tim is a United States Co...
Rep. Cheri Bustos: Legislating by Listening from 2020-09-23T07:00
Representative Cheri Bustos, congresswoman from Illinois and chair of the DCCC, talks about the values that women bring to leadership and about winning as a Democrat in a district that also voted f...
ListenBonus: Sec. Leon Panetta and the Anniversary of 9/11 from 2020-09-11T07:00
In this bonus episode of Burn the Boats, Sec. Leon Panetta talks about the ultimate tough decision: as Director of the CIA, Panetta oversaw the operation that killed Osama Bin Laden, launching a ra...
ListenAnthony Scaramucci: Room on the Off Ramp from 2020-09-09T07:00
Anthony Scaramucci talks about his brief tenure as the White House Communications Director and his recent decision to denounce Trump, as well as his journey from working class to Goldman Sachs and ...
ListenSwati Mylavarapu: Making Politics Accessible from 2020-08-26T07:00
Swati Mylavarapu is a major voice in Silicon Valley who has turned her talents to politics and social change. Pete Buttigieg’s chief investment officer and founder of Incite.org and the Arena, Swat...
ListenAndrew Towne: Modern-Day Adventurer from 2020-08-12T07:00
Andrew Towne, endurance athlete and principal with the Boston Consulting Group, has climbed the tallest mountain on every continent - including Mount Everest, and rowed the Drake Passage with the D...
ListenBonus: Gen. Stanley McChrystal on Confederate Symbols from 2020-08-05T07:00
In this bonus episode of Burn the Boats, Gen. Stanley McChrystal reflects on his formerly-beloved painting of Robert E. Lee and his perspective on Confederate symbols.
The Atlantic op-ed that ...
Pete Buttigieg: On Moving Forward from 2020-07-29T07:00
Pete Buttigieg, former candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, talks about his campaign and the choice to end it, patriotism and hopes for the future of our country, and the need for ...
ListenMax Rose and Ali Soufan: Fighting White Supremacist Terrorism from 2020-07-15T07:30
US Representative Max Rose and counterterrorism expert Ali Soufan talk about the work they’re doing to address the threat of transnational violent white supremacist groups in the United States and ...
ListenSarah Longwell: How to Save the GOP from 2020-07-01T07:00
Sarah Longwell, publisher of the Bulwark and co-founder of Republicans for the Rule of Law, talks about being a staunchly “Never Trump” Republican and about what the future of her party looks like....
ListenPride Month: Gina Ortiz Jones from 2020-06-24T07:30
This rerun in honor of Pride month features a conversation with Gina Ortiz Jones, Democratic candidate for Congress in Texas’s 23rd district, about the challenges of being a gay service member unde...
ListenFred Guttenberg: Father of Two from 2020-06-17T07:30
Fred Guttenberg, gun safety advocate whose daughter Jaime was killed at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, talks about how the loss of his daughter drives him, what changes must be ...
ListenMansoor Shams: Muslim Marine from 2020-06-03T07:30
Mansoor Shams, founder of MuslimMarine.org, talks about both his good and bad experiences as a Muslim in the US Marine Corps, about patriotism in today’s America, and about making his life’s missio...
ListenSoledad O’Brien: Journalism’s ‘Tough Love’ Critic from 2020-05-20T07:30
Award-winning journalist Soledad O’Brien talks about the current news landscape, what success means in journalism, and her flexibility and optimism in seizing new opportunities.
Soledad is the ...
Amy McGrath: From the Marine Corps to the Campaign Trail from 2020-05-06T07:30
Amy McGrath, candidate for the US Senate seat in Kentucky, talks about the state of the Senate under her opponent Mitch McConnell, about her experiences campaigning in such a high-profile race, and...
ListenJoe Sanberg: Seeking Financial Security for All from 2020-04-22T07:30
Joe Sanberg, progressive entrepreneur and investor in Los Angeles, talks about his work to end poverty, his personal connection to the cause, and about the role of both politics and faith in how Am...
ListenPatrick Murphy: Constitutional Crisis and the US Military from 2020-04-08T07:30
The Honorable Patrick Murphy talks about the role of the military in American democracy, about his leadership in getting Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repealed, and about the challenge that servicemembers ...
ListenRyan Manion: Harnessing Grief to Do Good from 2020-03-25T07:30
Ryan Manion, president of the Travis Manion Foundation, talks about losing her brother to war, about her own PTSD diagnosis, and about harnessing her brother’s memory to do good.
Learn more abo...
Voting Rights Special with Demos and the ACLU from 2020-03-11T07:30
Naila Awan from Demos and Ben Guess from the ACLU of Ohio talk about the importance of full voting rights for all and the work they are each doing to achieve that.
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Shannon Watts and Casey Weinstein: The Dangers of Fighting for Gun Safety from 2020-02-26T08:30
Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action, and Casey Weinstein, state representative for Ohio’s District 37, talk about gun safety and the intimidation they have received for standing up for wha...
ListenPaul Rieckhoff: The Power of Righteous Anger from 2020-02-12T08:30
Paul Rieckhoff, host of the Angry Americans podcast, talks about being an independent in today’s political climate, about the role of veterans in our country, and about anger as a political force.<...
ListenBill Kristol: The Crisis within the Republican Party from 2020-01-29T08:30
Bill Kristol, founder of The Weekly Standard and chief of staff to Vice President Dan Quayle under George H. W. Bush, talks about the current state of the Republican party, how it got there, and hi...
ListenMary Beth Bruggeman: Inclusion, Leadership, and Service from 2020-01-15T08:30
Mary Beth Bruggeman, the president of The Mission Continues, talks about her experiences as a woman in the Marine Corps, about the responsibility of teaching military leadership in wartime, and abo...
ListenBonus: Adam Frankel on Writing for Obama from 2020-01-01T08:30
In this bonus episode, Ken continues his conversation with Adam Frankel, talking about what it was like to write speeches for President Obama.
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Bonus: The Rights of American Samoans from 2019-12-12T15:55:10
In this bonus episode of Burn the Boats, Staff Sergeant Jeniffer Afualo-Robinson talks about losing her security clearance and, with it, a pathway to career advancement, just because she was born i...
ListenJoe Sestak: Individual Rights and the Common Good from 2019-12-11T08:30
Joe Sestak, retired 3-star Admiral in the US Navy and former candidate for president, talks about the similarities between the Navy and the campaign trail, about his daughter’s illness inspiring hi...
ListenGina Ortiz Jones: Overcoming Barriers to Serve Her Country from 2019-12-04T08:30
Gina Ortiz Jones, veteran and Congressional candidate in Texas’s 23rd district, talks about the decision her mother made to immigrate to the US, the challenges of being an LGBT service member under...
ListenMikie Sherrill: Challenging Authority and Reaching Across the Aisle from 2019-11-27T08:30
Mikie Sherrill, Representative for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District, discusses the challenges of pushing back against leadership and reaching across the aisle to do what is best for her dis...
ListenMichael Gerson: Faith, Friendship, and Empathy in Today’s Political Climate from 2019-11-20T10:00
Michael Gerson was a presidential speechwriter for George W. Bush and is now a powerful voice of dissent in the Republican establishment. Michael talks to Ken about what led him down this path of d...
ListenMichael Gerson: Faith, Friendship, and Empathy in Today’s Political Climate from 2019-11-20T10:00
Michael Gerson was a presidential speechwriter for George W. Bush and is now a powerful voice of dissent in the Republican establishment. Michael talks to Ken about what led him down this path of d...
ListenMichael Gerson: Faith, Friendship, and Empathy in Today’s Political Climate from 2019-11-20T10:00
Michael Gerson was a presidential speechwriter for George W. Bush and is now a powerful voice of dissent in the Republican establishment. Michael talks to Ken about what led him down this path of d...
ListenComing Soon! from 2019-10-29T19:10:38
Burn the Boats is a podcast about big decisions, those we face when failure is not an option. Decisions like Alexander the Great made when he landed his troops on the shores of Persia and ordered h...
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