Reflector | Subscribers Only (private feed for bitterone31droid@googlemail.com)

About Reflector | Subscribers Only (private feed for bitterone31droid@googlemail.com)

Longview is for the curious and open minded. We tell deeply-reported, carefully-crafted stories about the most pressing and interesting stories in our world. longviewinvestigations.substack.com (https://longviewinvestigations.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Longview

Category

news · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

28 Apr 2024

Latest episode

17 Mar 2025

Latest episodes

19 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   17 Mar 2025

   Extra! Extra! We Have An Announcement

   We are living through one of the most unpredictable periods in recent history. A time of profound, destabilizing social upheaval. A time of barely-imaginable technological advancements. A time of emerging new philosophies that will reshape the world around us (for better or for worse). And, it’s a very exciting time to be a curiosity-driven, non-ideological journalist. But there's a problem: trust in journalism—especially in journalistic institutions—is at an all-time low. We’re seeing a crisis of confidence unlike anything since the days of yellow journalism during the Industrial Revolution. In fact, recent polls show that Americans trust journalists even less than they trust Congress. When Matt Boll, Megan Phelps-Roper, and I created The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling, we set out to rebuild that trust. And here on Reflector, we’ve been continuing that mission. Today, we’re here to announce that what began as a small project between Matt and me—recorded in my bedroom in small-town Illinois and Matt’s studio in Chicago—is about to evolve into something far bigger and more ambitious. For the last few months, we’ve been working behind the scenes to transform this experiment into a full-fledged independent outlet. Soon, we’ll be publishing more podcasts and investigative series, continuing to blend rigorous journalism with artful storytelling. With these new resources, we’ll be able to break more stories, dive into more topics, and speak with a wider range of voices—all while bringing clarity and context to the most consequential issues in the world. For the time being, we're taking a brief hiatus, but when we return, expect new hosts, fresh shows, and a lot more reporting. If you’re one of our paid supporters, starting today, your payments will be paused. And when we return, we’ll be sure to reach out with details on the expanded subscriber perks we’ll have on offer. Thank you to all of you who have been with us for this first chapter. Looking forward to seeing you soon in the next one. Thank you for subscribing. Share this episode (https://www.reflector.show/p/extra-extra-we-have-an-announcement?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo2MTcxMzQ2OCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTU5MDg4Njk1LCJpYXQiOjE3NDIyNjE2OTMsImV4cCI6MTc0NDg1MzY5MywiaXNzIjoicHViLTI1Njg4OTYiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.4gRqKOfH5Jm7y3za7rgwHEYqGreJupJr-pcHE6Pud58&utm_campaign=CTA_3).

2. 

   15 Feb 2025

   Breaking USAID

   Should the U.S. stop giving foreign aid? This is a question many have been asking long before Elon Musk and Donald Trump launched DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) and began dismantling USAID and its work around the globe. Critics of foreign aid, like Bill Easterly, author of The White Man’s Burden, and Dambisa Moyo, author of Dead Aid, argue that foreign aid often does more harm than good. They contend that the U.S. and other nations should radically rethink their approach. But this winter, Donald Trump did something no one expected: he halted nearly all foreign aid and operations worldwide. Today, we’re joined by long-time international correspondent and host of NPR’s Rough Translation, Gregory Warner, for a deep dive into why USAID was founded in the first place, how it expanded into the massive program it is today, the consequences of freezing its operations, and an examination of the claims that USAID is part of a U.S. deep-state operation. For the listener who’d like to hear more from Warner, he publishes a Substack newsletter called Rough Transition (https://gregorywarner.substack.com/). And if you reach out to him mentioning you're coming from Reflector, he’s happy to offer a complimentary six-month subscription. Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment (https://www.reflector.show/p/breaking-usaid/comments?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_5) or share this episode (https://www.reflector.show/p/breaking-usaid?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo2MTcxMzQ2OCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTU3MTY2NDc5LCJpYXQiOjE3Mzk3NTQzMTYsImV4cCI6MTc0MjM0NjMxNiwiaXNzIjoicHViLTI1Njg4OTYiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.NnlwLaqwQxQgwfBKoVu5-yFL8Ef-VfvhFQ-znfkKP18&utm_campaign=CTA_5).

3. 

   7 Jan 2025

   A Nation of Immigrants Votes for Deportations

   Despite its reputation among many on the political left, the United States has welcomed more immigrants than any other nation in history. Today, the U.S. is home to more immigrants than any other country in the world. Even amid a heated political battle over the future of immigration, it’s undeniable that a core part of America’s national identity is its image as “a nation of immigrants.” Many Americans proudly trace their ancestry to those who migrated to the U.S. in pursuit of the American Dream. Most take pride in knowing that people around the world dream of building a life in the USA. But immigration in the U.S. has always been complicated. Today, the country is also home to the largest population of undocumented migrants on Earth. In recent years, the U.S. southern border with Mexico has been cited as one of the most porous and chaotic in the world. Additionally, the U.S. has the most backlogged immigration courts globally. Our episode today examines how the U.S. immigration system became so stubbornly, frustratingly, and dangerously chaotic—from legal loopholes exploited by cartels to the failed legislation of the 1990s aimed at curbing illegal migration, and from the enduring challenges of enforcement to the growing calls for building a wall and mass deportations. Our guests are David Leonhardt, Senior Writer for The New York Times and author of Ours Was a Shining Future, and John Sandweg, former head of ICE under President Barack Obama. As always, we’d love to hear from you. Send us an email at hello@reflector.show (mailto:hello@reflector.show). Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment (https://www.reflector.show/p/a-nation-of-immigrants-votes-for-3fd/comments?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_5) or share this episode (https://www.reflector.show/p/a-nation-of-immigrants-votes-for-3fd?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo2MTcxMzQ2OCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTU0Mjg0NjkwLCJpYXQiOjE3MzY0MDE1NjQsImV4cCI6MTczODk5MzU2NCwiaXNzIjoicHViLTI1Njg4OTYiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.mAjOWF8QiWv6EEoNb_YZ_apvp47gJcba0ADqbhFGQNY&utm_campaign=CTA_5).

4. 

   21 Nov 2024

   Why Doesn't Anyone Trust The Media?

   Ben Smith and Nayeema Raza, co-founders of Semafor, dissect the crisis of mistrust in journalism, exploring historical parallels and lessons from the Trump era.

5. 

   30 Oct 2024

   The Comeback of Donald Trump

   Here comes the much-anticipated (maybe dreaded? Obnoxiously over-covered?) 2024 US presidential election, and no one knows who will emerge as the next President of the United States. Today’s episode was inspired by a conversation I had last week with a former colleague from The New York Times. She shared her concern that we in the media might have done it again. That just like in 2016, we may have failed to capture why Donald Trump, one of the least popular presidents in US history and an undeniable outlier, could be so close to winning another term in the White House. So with the election just days away, we’re diving in to unpack that story. Our guests are Mike Pesca, a veteran of NPR and host of The Gist (https://open.spotify.com/show/3Q5MaJxR4gS4CwgZUCCYVt?si=8473cb125efe47f6), the longest-running daily news podcast. Mike has covered presidential campaigns and politics for over two decades. While he’s been a sharp critic of Trump, he’s done an excellent job of explaining why so many Americans see a vote for Trump as a vote for their own self-interest. We’re also joined by Emily Jashinsky, a Washington correspondent for Unherd, co-host of the Undercurrents (https://open.spotify.com/show/0at37Iw6oNngXnAIuvnxGa?si=577db5442c514860) podcast, and someone who reports from within the conservative media ecosystem. She does a fantastic job documenting the rise of the New Right and its split from the fading conservative establishment. No matter who you are planning on voting for - or even if you aren’t going to vote at all - we’d love to hear from you. You can always reach us at hello@reflector.show (mailto:hello@reflector.show) Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment (https://www.reflector.show/p/the-comeback-of-donald-trump/comments?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_5) or share this episode (https://www.reflector.show/p/the-comeback-of-donald-trump?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo2MTcxMzQ2OCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTUwOTQwOTQyLCJpYXQiOjE3MzAzMDY5NTQsImV4cCI6MTczMjg5ODk1NCwiaXNzIjoicHViLTI1Njg4OTYiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.j-WnlZ-1fwvzQnMTFekzo2pibAbJUM1GUDGEeGAyQgE&utm_campaign=CTA_5).

6. 

   10 Oct 2024

   Growing Support at American Universities for Violent Palestinian Resistance

   Wars—like the one between Israel and Hamas—are not only fought on the battlefield, but they are also fought through stories. In today’s episode, I interview Eman Abdelhadi (https://humdev.uchicago.edu/directory/Eman-Abdelhadi), an American academic, activist, and organizer in the Free Palestine movement. Abdelhadi shares a perspective on Israel that, while controversial, is gaining influence across the United States, particularly on college campuses. A recent Pew survey (https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/04/02/younger-americans-stand-out-in-their-views-of-the-israel-hamas-war/) revealed that 34% of Americans under 30 find Hamas' reasons for fighting Israel to be valid, and only 16% of Americans support continued U.S. military aid to Israel. If you align with the Free Palestine movement, Eman’s story may resonate deeply. If you support Israel, it may be challenging and even frustrating to hear. But regardless of where you stand, I believe there is value in listening to a view that is shaping more and more of the American discourse on this issue. If you’d like to share your feedback on this or any episode, you can reach us at hello@reflector.show (https://humdev.uchicago.edu/directory/Eman-Abdelhadi). Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment (https://www.reflector.show/p/growing-support-at-american-universities/comments?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_5) or share this episode (https://www.reflector.show/p/growing-support-at-american-universities?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo2MTcxMzQ2OCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTUwMDM0NzYxLCJpYXQiOjE3Mjg1OTMxMjgsImV4cCI6MTczMTE4NTEyOCwiaXNzIjoicHViLTI1Njg4OTYiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.kQ7heVJzuusPkw4eJkIe6yUmNrADq3t6u0tMus5CNLA&utm_campaign=CTA_5).

7. 

   3 Oct 2024

   The Whole World Is Watching

   Today: Fears of another world war, a high stakes presidential election and the very divisive subject of American support for Israel. We speak with progressive voters who are considering staying home in November, even if it could lead to another Trump presidency. We unpack our reporting from the 2024 March on the DNC, examining the ways it compares—and doesn’t—to the 1968 March on the DNC. We also mention that a short video I took at the march went viral on Instagram, receiving millions of views and thousands of revealing comments about our divided country and how some Americans view the protesters. Andy’s viral instagram video from the DNC: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-3pPrkMwTX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link (https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-3pPrkMwTX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link) Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment (https://www.reflector.show/p/the-whole-world-is-watching/comments?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_5) or share this episode (https://www.reflector.show/p/the-whole-world-is-watching?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo2MTcxMzQ2OCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTQ5NzE5NTQ4LCJpYXQiOjE3Mjc5OTYwMzAsImV4cCI6MTczMDU4ODAzMCwiaXNzIjoicHViLTI1Njg4OTYiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.ccSE6JTAO9cqQHdO-heBBGsMZlDTTlQyUApN-N0lKMQ&utm_campaign=CTA_5).

8. 

   16 Sept 2024

   Why Do Politicians Lie?

   We are hard at work on several stories that we hope to share with you soon, but today we’re trying something a bit different. We're bringing you a roundtable discussion with Sarah Isgur and Mike Pesca on why politicians and world leaders lie—and what those lies reveal about the state of our society. Sarah Isgur is a lawyer, senior editor at The Dispatch, host of the legal podcast Advisory Opinions, and co-host of Left, Right & Center. She’s previously worked in all three branches of the federal government, including a few years in the Trump Administration, and has been involved with three different presidential campaigns. Mike Pesca, a veteran of NPR, is the host of The Gist, the longest-running daily news podcast, and has covered presidential campaigns and politics for over two decades. We dive deep into whether we’re living in an era of especially egregious lies, the incentives for politicians to lie, how we classify and fact-check lies, and much more. I’ll also add that by the end, we wind up in a place I didn’t expect. LINKS: Listen to Mike Pesca on The Gist (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gist/id873667927) Listen to Sarah Isgor on Advisory Opinions (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/advisory-opinions/id1490993194), Left, Right & Center (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kcrws-left-right-center/id73329771) and follow her writing at The Dispatch (https://thedispatch.com/). Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment (https://www.reflector.show/p/why-do-politicians-lie/comments?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_5) or share this episode (https://www.reflector.show/p/why-do-politicians-lie?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo2MTcxMzQ2OCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTQ4OTI5OTM3LCJpYXQiOjE3MjcyODk3MjMsImV4cCI6MTcyOTg4MTcyMywiaXNzIjoicHViLTI1Njg4OTYiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0._QlR2KWc090pLos6Zl-R1EwUAE9zb2JgCBrGlcNsvRY&utm_campaign=CTA_5).

9. 

   29 Aug 2024

   Hindsight: Emily Bazelon on Election Denial 2024

   In today’s Hindsight we are looking back on our coverage of stolen election claims (No, You Stole the Election! (https://open.spotify.com/episode/1ugbDDzbuEc4Bv2fkvXc1G?si=057d6e111a3945d6)) with journalist, lawyer, and podcast royalty, Emily Bazelon (https://www.nytimes.com/by/emily-bazelon). We discuss gerrymandering, voter ID laws, growing distrust in institutions, and we debate the power of elites and whether we should be worried about Election Day 2024. Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment (https://www.reflector.show/p/hindsight-emily-bazelon-on-election/comments?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_5) or share this episode (https://www.reflector.show/p/hindsight-emily-bazelon-on-election?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo2MTcxMzQ2OCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTQ4MjY0MzYwLCJpYXQiOjE3MjcyODk3MjMsImV4cCI6MTcyOTg4MTcyMywiaXNzIjoicHViLTI1Njg4OTYiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.G1MyawAQ3gTjbe5mqQpyAubPb1eA-YFL1DJDqDiDkbc&utm_campaign=CTA_5).

10. 

    13 Aug 2024

    No, You Stole The Election! (Part 3)

    Today in our third and final installment of this series, we delve into what may be the most contested election in American history. We also take stock of the already historic and unprecedented 2024 presidential campaign season. What happens when both sides of our political divide increasingly view the other as an anti-democratic threat? Our aim with these episodes is to listen carefully to those who feel cheated, move beyond the daily political drama, and inspire deeper reflection on where our society stands and the challenges we face. Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment (https://www.reflector.show/p/no-you-stole-the-election-part-3/comments?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_5) or share this episode (https://www.reflector.show/p/no-you-stole-the-election-part-3?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo2MTcxMzQ2OCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTQ3NjI1OTA1LCJpYXQiOjE3MjcyODk3MjMsImV4cCI6MTcyOTg4MTcyMywiaXNzIjoicHViLTI1Njg4OTYiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.JWzL_Yg8ajg0yhor_YK_uuDNmnIqDpqd3JcC1TWwYA8&utm_campaign=CTA_5).

11. 

    6 Aug 2024

    No, You Stole The Election! (Part 2)

    Here in our second installment into the recent history of stolen election claims, we’ve got angry voters, disappointed politicians, and a few tech-savvy democrats who see signs of hacking, fraud, and illegitimacy in three different elections. We'll discuss the allegations about hacked voting machines in Ohio in 2004, claims that the 2016 election was stolen from Hillary Clinton, and how stolen election claims in the 2018 gubernatorial election in Georgia helped make Stacey Abrams a national star. Next time in Part 3, we'll dive into the unprecedented 2020 election and the Stop the Steal movement. We’ll also share our thoughts on the 2024 presidential election and our expectations for what might happen on Election Day. Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment (https://www.reflector.show/p/no-you-stole-the-election-part-2/comments?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_5) or share this episode (https://www.reflector.show/p/no-you-stole-the-election-part-2?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo2MTcxMzQ2OCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTQ3Mzg3MTUzLCJpYXQiOjE3MjcyODk3MjMsImV4cCI6MTcyOTg4MTcyMywiaXNzIjoicHViLTI1Njg4OTYiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.J_dcpMCZ6AkPGF7TNfsBcpMUqxFOnx_8G5jAkomGLW0&utm_campaign=CTA_5).

12. 

    1 Aug 2024

    No, You Stole The Election! (Part 1)

    Claims that a US election was rigged, fraudulent, illegitimate, or stolen are not new. But in recent years—despite the fact that our elections have grown increasingly secure—these claims have grown louder and more impassioned. Today, we begin our look back on past claims of stolen elections in American history, in the hopes that understanding them in their context will help shed light on our current political moment—and where we might be headed next. In this first installment, we speak to Megan McArdle (https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/megan-mcardle/), former writer for the Atlantic and current columnist at the Washington Post, about the stolen election claims in both the 1960 and 2000 elections. Email us at: hello@reflector.show (https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/megan-mcardle/) Featuring Your Cheatin’ Heart by Patsy Cline and The Jordanaires (https://open.spotify.com/track/0VlRf78uT5yo1nMpM19ltb?si=0f7aa6fff9574b74) Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment (https://www.reflector.show/p/no-you-stole-the-election-part-1/comments?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_5) or share this episode (https://www.reflector.show/p/no-you-stole-the-election-part-1?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo2MTcxMzQ2OCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTQ3MjE2OTgwLCJpYXQiOjE3MjcyODk3MjMsImV4cCI6MTcyOTg4MTcyMywiaXNzIjoicHViLTI1Njg4OTYiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.xs5Qvq5nZeoRXAktKhOEG-ojamQXq2oR9Ft2lbXh6OI&utm_campaign=CTA_5).

13. 

    18 Jul 2024

    Hindsight: Stagger Lee & Killer Mike

    Today we’ve got a very special Hindsight episode that revisits the themes explored in our "Filthy Slime" episodes (Parts 1 & 2). We’re delighted to be joined by living legend and recent Grammy winner Killer Mike. He discusses his view of "rap on trial" and the complex relationship between art, crime, and life for young people in some of America’s toughest neighborhoods. We also explore the legend of Stack Lee – AKA Stagger Lee – and the hundreds of songs and performances inspired by his most infamous crime. Writer, poet, and Washburn University professor Eric McHenry explains why this story continues to resonate more than a century after the notorious saloon murder. As a new show, we’re still experimenting with different formats to tell stories and explore ideas. We’d love to hear your feedback! Please reach out to hello@reflector.show (mailto:hello@reflector.show) with your thoughts, questions, and story suggestions. Special thanks for this episode go to Killer Mike, Kmele Foster, Van Lathan, Megan Phelps-Roper, Claire Reynolds, and Eric McHenry. Links: Playlist of some of the music featured in this episode (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/70H0p59gvwfuu97RzIe1tr?si=6210ec01e6af4815) Listen to Killer Mike’s recent album (https://open.spotify.com/album/2mBH7RhAS6vRKkSlA7IRIJ?si=S7TGEpalTzOfDL9VXYIx8A) Read more from Eric McHenry here (https://theamericanscholar.org/author/eric-mchenry/) or check out his essay on Stagger Lee (https://theamericanscholar.org/the-baddest-man-in-town/), which he’s currently developing into a book called Original Gangster. Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment (https://www.reflector.show/p/hindsight-stagger-lee-and-killer/comments?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_5) or share this episode (https://www.reflector.show/p/hindsight-stagger-lee-and-killer?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo2MTcxMzQ2OCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTQ2NzMyNTQ3LCJpYXQiOjE3MjcyODk3MjMsImV4cCI6MTcyOTg4MTcyMywiaXNzIjoicHViLTI1Njg4OTYiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.4NEDTAS3k-lT8LmrnIoCSwQr8rgGpP-K1RYuTxbh4JE&utm_campaign=CTA_5).

14. 

    2 Jul 2024

    You Can’t Say That (Part 2)

    Today, we continue our examination of difficult public debates, one year after concluding our series, The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling (https://open.spotify.com/show/2K186zrvRgeE2w0wQjbaw7?si=b79f799570fc4dc3). In Part 1 (https://open.spotify.com/episode/0dMXxMYp43rRBF7yjyycEa?si=4fb5d3b58dfd449d), we provided updates on women's sports, women-only spaces, and transition medicine for minors. This week, we hear from three different trans individuals who share their perspectives on the state of the debate, J.K. Rowling in particular, and the larger idea that good-faith debates are necessary for progress in a pluralistic society. Our guests include Jacob Tobia, author of the book Sissy, and listener-favorite Noah, the teenager who shared his gender transition story with us in episode six of The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling. We also listen and respond to sharp criticisms from popular YouTuber and former Witch Trials guest, Natalie Wynn, aka Contrapoints. We do our best to engage in the kind of good-faith debating that we believe in. As always, we appreciate your time and attention and would be delighted if you shared this show and gave us a rating on Apple or Spotify. Thank you for your support, and please send us your thoughts, feedback, story ideas, or criticisms to our email address: hello@reflector.show (mailto:hello@reflector.show). Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment (https://www.reflector.show/p/you-cant-say-that-part-2/comments?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_5) or share this episode (https://www.reflector.show/p/you-cant-say-that-part-2?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo2MTcxMzQ2OCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTQ2MTg1ODM2LCJpYXQiOjE3MjcyODk3MjMsImV4cCI6MTcyOTg4MTcyMywiaXNzIjoicHViLTI1Njg4OTYiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.ryAJTtwP26gLePBuCrgZL__xoMOrgSLRsalDkl8e6cg&utm_campaign=CTA_5).

15. 

    2 Jul 2024

    You Can’t Say That (Part 1)

    About a year ago, the team that makes this show (Matt Boll and me, Andy Mills) along with our dear friend Megan Phelps-Roper (https://www.instagram.com/meganmarie/?hl=en) (who also helps with each episode of Reflector), put out the final installment of The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling (https://open.spotify.com/show/2K186zrvRgeE2w0wQjbaw7?si=c799d04c93734da7). The show was a big hit with millions of listeners, even as it split — and in some cases enraged — media critics. Our aim was to tell the story of Rowling’s two major public controversies — both the witchcraft accusations from the late 90’s and the current backlash around sex and gender — as a way to uncover deeper truths about human nature. Today, Megan again joins us to ask: Where do things stand now? For Rowling, for the debate around sex and gender, and for our society's willingness to have hard conversations in public. Here in Part 1, author and journalist Helen Lewis (https://helenlewis.substack.com/) guides us through the latest developments in women-only sports, women-only spaces, and youth transition medicine. We explore the ways in which the United States is becoming more of an outlier, and how J.K. Rowling’s career has continued to thrive amidst the backlash against her. In Part 2, we dive into thoughts and criticism — of J.K. Rowling, of the series we made about her, and of our team itself — from three members of the trans community, each with a unique perspective. This includes two of listeners’ favorite guests from the original series: Natalie and Noah. For paid subscribers you can listen to that episode right away. To become a paid subscriber visit us at our website reflector.show (http://reflector.show) As always we appreciate your time and attention, and would be delighted if you’d share this show and give us a rating on Apple or Spotify. If you have any feedback, story suggestions, or criticisms, feel free to shoot us an email at hello@reflector.show (mailto:hello@reflector.show) Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment (https://www.reflector.show/p/you-cant-say-that-part-1/comments?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_5) or share this episode (https://www.reflector.show/p/you-cant-say-that-part-1?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo2MTcxMzQ2OCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTQ2MTg0NDE1LCJpYXQiOjE3MjcyODk3MjMsImV4cCI6MTcyOTg4MTcyMywiaXNzIjoicHViLTI1Njg4OTYiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.VddlnoZsrbKpPA7QiAZgbBfKDwxgQSpmdUbk2dZb1Zg&utm_campaign=CTA_5).

16. 

    13 Jun 2024

    Hindsight: The Sea Change

    Hello there listeners, Today we're excited to share our first Hindsight episode of Reflector. The idea behind these particular episodes is to embody our commitment to transparency in journalism by following up on each of our stories with a less formal deep dive into our reporting and the larger social themes we explore. Today, Matt and I are joined again by our friend Katie from our episode “The Sea Change (https://open.spotify.com/episode/3GihuvMYMCDuyly2DKVG1m?si=16affc57c4de486c).” Together, we respond to listeners' feedback and criticism, expand on some important topics left out of the episode, share some fun recommendations, and more. And if you’d like to submit your own feedback for future Hindsight episodes you can always leave a comment on our website or shoot us a voice memo or email to: hello@reflector.show (mailto:hello@reflector.show) Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment (https://www.reflector.show/p/hindsight-the-sea-change/comments?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_5) or share this episode (https://www.reflector.show/p/hindsight-the-sea-change?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo2MTcxMzQ2OCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTQ1NTc1MTQ2LCJpYXQiOjE3MjcyODk3MjMsImV4cCI6MTcyOTg4MTcyMywiaXNzIjoicHViLTI1Njg4OTYiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.v4geJvDcB51FhNNZ30w35aY8kV5tGsL711nh0LFn3bY&utm_campaign=CTA_5).

17. 

    28 May 2024

    Filthy Slime (Part 2)

    While all of hip hop prizes authenticity, as Van Lathan put it in Filthy Slime Pt 1: “In street rap, authenticity is more important than skill.” Today, we dive into the ways that this genre’s prizing of authenticity has evolved to a point where some rappers aren’t just merely making artful commentary or provocations about gang life, but are using their lyrics to document and at times admit their involvement in serious crimes, including murder. Here, in the second installment of our deep dive into rap on trial, our guests Van Lathan and producer 4-IZE help us examine this cultural debate in the larger context of an evolution happening right now in rap music. We look at the role played by everything from social media to record labels and try to grapple with what this means not only for Young Thug’s RICO case but for the future of artists living in high-crime neighborhoods. Special thanks to Prince Paul, Jason Kramer, Bill Donahoe, Kmele Foster, 4-IZE, Megan Phelps-Roper, and Van Lathan. Music in this episode from Cobey Bienart (https://open.spotify.com/artist/1cHhFEJWNq6SVKlIqoTy5o?si=0e4YGgZ_TyeJNoqP46D4IA) and Peter Lalish (https://repeter.bandcamp.com/) Email your feedback, criticisms and story suggestions to hello@reflector.show (mailto:hello@reflector.show) We will read all feedback and respond in a future episode. Our website: reflector.show (https://www.reflector.show/) Other links: Van Lathan’s Higher Learning Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/4hI3rQ4C0e15rP3YKLKPut?si=fd8358bf25c84dc5) Spotify Playlist of Songs in this episode (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6BccOqhU4el1CvMrxZRl9b?si=e2958bd7dc644ef3&pt=e38585e4e48e09bbde572357686f668d) Check out 4-IZE's Music (https://open.spotify.com/artist/5pC0PXNTA50HPO9pwmjOl2?si=S7p2lTptRSaeAz2dYhMWXA) Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment (https://www.reflector.show/p/filthy-slime-part-2/comments?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_5) or share this episode (https://www.reflector.show/p/filthy-slime-part-2?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo2MTcxMzQ2OCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTQ0OTk0MTY0LCJpYXQiOjE3MjcyODk3MjMsImV4cCI6MTcyOTg4MTcyMywiaXNzIjoicHViLTI1Njg4OTYiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.ycYBqiHvSKPjlEdlQW3nek4LdjHtEFZluGjm6uKGbsA&utm_campaign=CTA_5).

18. 

    28 May 2024

    Filthy Slime (Part 1)

    Music has been a feature of American culture wars since at least the time of Elvis Presley’s gyrating dance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNYWl13IWhY) moves on The Ed Sullivan show in 1956. But amidst all the moral panics about hip-shaking and backmasking (https://currentpub.com/2017/06/26/the-stairway-to-heaven-backmasking-controversy/), there is a legitimate and fascinating question about the role and influence that popular music plays on human behavior and on society more broadly. Today, we are publishing the first episode in our breakdown of the debate around rap on trial and what it says (and misses) about the role of music in culture. We begin in 1985 with Tipper Gore’s fight against Prince and the obscenity of 80’s rock music, then dive deep into the rapper Young Thug’s current RICO case in Atlanta Georgia and other cases where music is being brought into criminal trials. Our goal, as always, is to try and understand this story and everyone involved in the best faith possible. Which, yes, means we are going to steel-man Tipper Gore, Young Thug and TI all in the same story. Special thanks to our guests, Billboard Magazine’s Bill Donahoe and Van Lathan from The Higher Learning Podcast. As well as Prince Paul, Jason Kramer, Kmele Foster, and Megan Phelps-Roper. Music in this episode from Cobey Bienart (https://open.spotify.com/artist/1cHhFEJWNq6SVKlIqoTy5o?si=0e4YGgZ_TyeJNoqP46D4IA) and Peter Lalish (https://repeter.bandcamp.com/) Email your feedback, criticisms and story suggestions to hello@reflector.show (mailto:hello@reflector.show) We will read all feedback and respond in a future episode. Our website: reflector.show (https://www.reflector.show/) Other links: Van Lathan’s Higher Learning Podcast (https://open.spotify.com/show/4hI3rQ4C0e15rP3YKLKPut?si=fd8358bf25c84dc5) Spotify Playlist of Songs in this episode (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6BccOqhU4el1CvMrxZRl9b?si=e2958bd7dc644ef3&pt=e38585e4e48e09bbde572357686f668d) Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment (https://www.reflector.show/p/filthy-slime-part-1/comments?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_5) or share this episode (https://www.reflector.show/p/filthy-slime-part-1?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo2MTcxMzQ2OCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTQ0OTkzMzYxLCJpYXQiOjE3MjcyODk3MjMsImV4cCI6MTcyOTg4MTcyMywiaXNzIjoicHViLTI1Njg4OTYiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.6khn1pT0V8gZPXHf-XJ9PChamfCEpLPRE0xidrhLFWs&utm_campaign=CTA_5).

19. 

    28 Apr 2024

    The Sea Change

    Alcohol consumption increased more during the COVID-19 pandemic than it had at any time in the past 50 years. Even though bars were closed for weeks on end and fewer people were out on the road doing their daily commuting, Americans were drinking so much that from 2020 through 2021 there were approximately 178,000 alcohol-related deaths (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7308a1.htm) - which is more deaths than from all drug overdoses combined, including opioids. Yet, even as we return to 1960’s Mad Men era drinking habits - most Americans with a drinking problem never speak to their doctors about their drinking (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/12/well/live/alcohol-abuse-drinking-treatment.html) and less than 6% of them receive any form of treatment whatsoever. 12-step programs like Alcoholic Anonymous remain at the heart of a majority of American rehab programs, even though their “success rate” (which has historically been very hard to study (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2746426/#R10)) hovers around the single digits (https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/04/the-irrationality-of-alcoholics-anonymous/386255/), while there are more effective medical options available. Why? On today’s episode, our friend Katie tells the story of her self-experimentation with the drug Naltrexone to combat her alcohol addiction and helps us grapple with why such medications are so rarely used to help problem drinkers in America. Our thanks to our guests: Addiction psychiatrist Dr. Mark Willenbring (https://expansemn.com/mark-willenbring/) and journalist Gabrielle Glazer (https://gabrielleglaser.com/). Music in this episode from Cobey Bienart (https://open.spotify.com/artist/1cHhFEJWNq6SVKlIqoTy5o?si=0e4YGgZ_TyeJNoqP46D4IA) and Peter Lalish (https://repeter.bandcamp.com) Email your feedback, criticisms and story suggestions to hello@reflector.show (mailto:hello@reflector.show) We will read all feedback and respond in a future episode. Our website: www.reflector.show Other links:Glazer’s 2015 article in The Atlantic (https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/04/the-irrationality-of-alcoholics-anonymous/386255/). Andy’s 2015 public radio story on addiction treatments (https://radiolab.org/podcast/addiction). Washington University’s National Survey Study (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33993541/). CDC’s study on recent alcohol-related deaths (https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7308a1.htm). 2014 NYTimes stories on how Naltrexone and other drugs are rarely used (https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/14/health/effective-drugs-to-curb-alcoholism-are-ignored-study-finds.html). 2021 NYTimes story on how things have not changed (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/12/well/live/alcohol-abuse-drinking-treatment.html). Begin your Sinclair Method Youtube Rabbit Hole here (https://youtube.com/@thrivealcoholrecovery?si=vc2-X_P_t7PN6iNM). Thank you for subscribing. Leave a comment (https://www.reflector.show/p/the-sea-change/comments?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_5) or share this episode (https://www.reflector.show/p/the-sea-change?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=share&action=share&token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo2MTcxMzQ2OCwicG9zdF9pZCI6MTQ0MTAwMTQ5LCJpYXQiOjE3MjcyODk3MjMsImV4cCI6MTcyOTg4MTcyMywiaXNzIjoicHViLTI1Njg4OTYiLCJzdWIiOiJwb3N0LXJlYWN0aW9uIn0.NMWTfbdJvgqToQu2KW-LLUUZq34P6DJeYg8EwE4z6UQ&utm_campaign=CTA_5).

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

8,060

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Podcast Authority Score: 29 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

29

Social presence

0

YouTube

74

Engagement

0

Contact Reflector | Subscribers Only (private feed for bitterone31droid@googlemail.com)

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.