{"id":5844,"date":"2025-12-15T22:25:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-15T22:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/395-baratunde-thurston-an-unimaginably-violent-painful-weekend-how-to-citizen-in-chaos-activating-multiplayer-mode-for-democracy-hegseth-trying-missing-ai-is-not-taking-your-job-2\/"},"modified":"2025-12-15T22:25:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T22:25:00","slug":"395-baratunde-thurston-an-unimaginably-violent-painful-weekend-how-to-citizen-in-chaos-activating-multiplayer-mode-for-democracy-hegseth-trying-missing-ai-is-not-taking-your-job-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/395-baratunde-thurston-an-unimaginably-violent-painful-weekend-how-to-citizen-in-chaos-activating-multiplayer-mode-for-democracy-hegseth-trying-missing-ai-is-not-taking-your-job-2\/","title":{"rendered":"395. Baratunde Thurston. An Unimaginably Violent &amp; Painful Weekend. How to Citizen in Chaos. Activating Multiplayer Mode for Democracy. Hegseth: Trying &amp; Missing. AI is Not Taking Your Job. 2 KIA in Syria. VA Cutting 35K More Jobs. Hero of Bondi Beach."},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/playlist.megaphone.fm\/?e=ANA9836077760\" width=\"100%\" height=\"210\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>After a weekend of atrocities from the Hanukkah massacre in Sydney to another campus shooting at Brown University, new American combat deaths in Syria, Trump\u2019s escalating boat strikes, looming conflict with Venezuela and brutal VA job cuts, Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff turns to someone who can help us breathe, process and fight forward: democracy and respect advocate, Baratunde Thurston.\u200b<\/p>\n<p>Baratunde is an Emmy-nominated thought-leader, writer, comedian, technologist, culture critic and host of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/show\/america-outdoors-baratunde-thurston\/\"><u>PBS\u2019s America Outdoors<\/u><\/a>, as well as the creator of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.howtocitizen.com\/\"><u>How to Citizen<\/u><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/NU8f_CL39Fo?si=fJtUnPLlbBdpu_p5\"><u>Life with Machines<\/u><\/a>, his new YouTube\/AI series exploring how we live well with powerful technology. In this wide-ranging \u201cManosphere Monday\u201d conversation, Paul and Baratunde unpack how to stay calm in all this chaos, how to citizen in a time of mass shootings and democratic backsliding, and why our real power is collective\u2014not just a vote every two to four years.\u200b<\/p>\n<p>They dive into the toxic \u201cmanosphere\u201d model of masculinity and Baratunde\u2019s devastating description of Pete Hegseth as chasing dominance instead of service, strength and restraint. They contrast that with the leadership of others who embody courage, compassion and a longer view of democracy and the planet.\u200b<\/p>\n<p>Is AI a Christmas present or dastardly coal in our stocking? Baratunde breaks down AI in plain language: why AI itself isn\u2019t taking your job, why AI is really about power and the human leaders making choices, and how we can \u201cactivate multiplayer mode\u201d instead of being kept in fearful single-player mode. He explains how AI can help with everyday problems\u2014from home repairs to navigating systems\u2014while also forcing us to ask deeper questions about what we value, what education is for, and how we want to live. It\u2019s smart, useful and fun.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff breaks down the most important news stories&#8211;and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It\u2019s independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. The podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve&#8211;and stay vigilant.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Jr4TOjYpwdw\"><u>WATCH video of this episode on YouTube now.<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n<p>-Read Baratunde\u2019s thought provoking latest on <a href=\"https:\/\/atmos.earth\/political-landscapes\/250-years-since-its-founding-america-needs-a-declaration-of-interdependence\/\"><u>Atmos.Earth about America needing a Declaration of Interdependence<\/u><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>-Learn more about Paul\u2019s work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with <a href=\"https:\/\/independentveteransofamerica.org\/\"><u>Independent Veterans of America<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/independentamericans\/posts\"><u>Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community<\/u><\/a> of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>-Check the hashtag <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/search?q=%23LookForTheHelpers&amp;src=typed_query\"><u>#LookForTheHelpers<\/u><\/a>. And share yours.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>-Find us on social media or <a href=\"http:\/\/www.independentamericans.us\"><u><a href=\"http:\/\/www.IndependentAmericans.us\" rel=\"nofollow\">http:\/\/www.IndependentAmericans.us<\/a><\/u><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&#8211;<a href=\"https:\/\/independentamericans.us\/merch\/\"><u>And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch<\/u><\/a> now in time for the holidays.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>-Check out other Righteous podcasts like <a href=\"https:\/\/thefirefighters.us\/\"><u>The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra<\/u><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/unclemontel.us\/\"><u>Uncle Montel &#8211; The OG of Weed<\/u><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/bdorm.us\/\"><u>B Dorm<\/u><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led <a href=\"https:\/\/righteous.us\/\"><u>Righteous Media<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0F1lzdRbTB0XYen8kyEqXe\"><strong>Spotify<\/strong><\/a> \u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff\/id1457899667\"><strong>Apple Podcasts<\/strong><\/a><strong> \u2022 <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/music.amazon.com\/podcasts\/49a684c3-68e1-4a85-8d93-d95027a8ec64\/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff\"><strong>Amazon Podcasts<\/strong><\/a><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Ways to watch:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@independentamericans\"><strong>YouTube<\/strong><\/a><strong> \u2022 <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/IndependentAmericansUS\/\"><strong>Instagram<\/strong><\/a><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/indy_americans\"><strong>X\/Twitter<\/strong><\/a> \u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/indyamericans.bsky.social\"><strong>BlueSky<\/strong><\/a> \u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/IndependentAmericansUS\/\"><strong>Facebook<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Ways to listen:Social channels:<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href=\"https:\/\/megaphone.fm\/adchoices\">megaphone.fm\/adchoices<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After a weekend of atrocities from the Hanukkah massacre in Sydney to another campus shooting at Brown University, new American combat deaths in Syria, Trump\u2019s escalating boat strikes, looming conflict with Venezuela and brutal VA job cuts, Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff turns to someone who can help us breathe, process and fight forward: democracy&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/395-baratunde-thurston-an-unimaginably-violent-painful-weekend-how-to-citizen-in-chaos-activating-multiplayer-mode-for-democracy-hegseth-trying-missing-ai-is-not-taking-your-job-2\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">395. Baratunde Thurston. An Unimaginably Violent &amp; Painful Weekend. How to Citizen in Chaos. Activating Multiplayer Mode for Democracy. Hegseth: Trying &amp; Missing. AI is Not Taking Your Job. 2 KIA in Syria. VA Cutting 35K More Jobs. Hero of Bondi Beach.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5845,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-episodes","entry"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2721d171b7bd545e6c18ed47057ee106.jpg",800,800,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2721d171b7bd545e6c18ed47057ee106.jpg",800,800,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2721d171b7bd545e6c18ed47057ee106.jpg",800,800,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2721d171b7bd545e6c18ed47057ee106-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2721d171b7bd545e6c18ed47057ee106-300x300.jpg",300,300,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2721d171b7bd545e6c18ed47057ee106.jpg",750,750,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2721d171b7bd545e6c18ed47057ee106.jpg",800,800,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2721d171b7bd545e6c18ed47057ee106.jpg",800,800,false],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/2721d171b7bd545e6c18ed47057ee106.jpg",800,800,false]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/author\/admin\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/category\/episodes\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Episodes<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"After a weekend of atrocities from the Hanukkah massacre in Sydney to another campus shooting at Brown University, new American combat deaths in Syria, Trump\u2019s escalating boat strikes, looming conflict with Venezuela and brutal VA job cuts, Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff turns to someone who can help us breathe, process and fight forward: democracy&hellip;&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5844","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5844"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5844\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5845"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5844"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5844"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.righteous-media.com\/IndependentAmericans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5844"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}