Hannah Gais is a researcher and journalist who covers far-right extremism. She joins the show to look back on the white nationalist “alt-right” movement, eight years after the deadly Unite the Right white supremacist gathering in Charlottesville, Virginia. While the movement today is a shadow of its former self, the ideology that drove it seems as …

Mehdi Hasan, a journalist renowned for confronting power directly and dismantling opponents in political debates, joined Posting Through It to reflect on his viral appearance on "Surrounded" — a YouTube debate show that recruited him to argue against 20 "far-right conservatives." Over nearly two hours, his opponents took turns sitting across from h…

Anna Merlan is a senior reporter at Mother Jones who covers disinformation, technology, and extremism. She joined us to discuss the Trump Administration's efforts to address the "Epstein Files" controversy and why calming supporters' anger over this issue has proven particularly challenging. We also explored how right-wing media has sought to downp…

Dave Portnoy has leveraged his digital media empire — Barstool Sports — to amass so much political influence that there’s a term for it: "Barstool Conservatism." This episode retraces the story of Portnoy’s life and career to explain how he made millions combining sports entertainment, reactionary politics, and pizza reviews. It also reflects on Po…

Ben Lorber is a senior research analyst at Political Research Associates. He joined the show for a discussion about the pro-Israel groups cheapening the real antisemitism affecting Jewish people by doing things like pick fights against children’s entertainers like Ms. Rachel and Elmo. How do we keep our moral compass steady against those who seek t…

Will Sommer is a senior reporter at The Bulwark, where he authors the newsletter “False Flag.” A longtime chronicler of right-wing media, Will joins the show to discuss the fallout facing the Trump Administration as it backs off its promise to release the “Epstein Files.” After years of promising to unveil new information about one of the highest p…

Jeff Tischauser, an academic and researcher covering the “white power” movement, joins the show to talk about Patriot Front: a neofascist group known for it’s theatric flash demonstrations and plentiful propaganda. This episode walks through the early years of Patriot Front, scrutinizes its stated beliefs and objectives, sizes up what threat they a…

Mike and Tom — two folks from the anarchist media collective It’s Going Down — joined the show for a conversation about translating the mass appeal of anti-Trump protests into meaningful acts of antifascism against a far-right extremist government. The crew looked back on antifascist organizing in recent decades, discussed ways that anyone can make…

Mike and Jared say hello to the show’s new “Groyper” listeners then talk about Trump’s military parade, the murder of a Minnesota politician, media coverage of “No Kings” protests, Terry Moran’s exit from ABC News, and Democrats’ latest ploy to win new voters. Links: * Molly Ivins: The Fun’s in the Fight Like this episode? Share it with your friend…

Nicholas J. Fuentes is the most prolific white nationalist in America today, and he’s just 26 years old. The Chicagoland native’s nightly livestreams have earned him a cult-following of “Groypers” who have helped him push an entire generation of young Republicans toward racist and antisemitic ideologies. This episode traces notable moments in Fuent…

Kim Kelly, a labor journalist and author, joined to discuss how unions and other organized worker groups are faring in today’s hostile political landscape. Kim also discussed modern metal music and current-day anarchist organizing. Before that, Mike and Jared talked about MAGA supporters souring on FBI leaders Dan Bongino and Kash Patel as they try…

Mike and Jared return from a week off to discuss Kanye West’s pro-Hitler song, a Minnesota woman’s big payday after calling a child the n-word, Trump Administration officials supporting racist conspiracy theories about “white genocide” in South Africa, and conservative personalities debating each other’s “woke-ness.” (Note: This episode contains ex…

Candace Owens soared to right-wing media superstardom within weeks of posting her first YouTube videos in 2017. This episode reviews Owens’ life and career arc, exploring how someone who was victimized by racial hatred in high school became one of the MAGA movement’s most prominent — and most divisive — political commentators. This episode features…

Hannah Gais and Steven Monacelli join for a wide-ranging discussion about the state of Twitter (now called “X”) three years after Elon Musk first moved to purchase it. Since then, Musk has transformed the platform into a self-serving MAGA machine that is crowning a new generation of right-wing media royalty. Monacelli walks us through his reporting…

Teddy Wilson, a journalist and researcher, joins to discuss developments within the Radical Right since Trump issued pardons and commutations for every one of his supporters involved in the 2021 riot at the US Capitol Building — including extremist movement members and supporters — at the start of his second term. Mike and Jared take a trip down me…

Nikki McCann Ramírez, a political reporter at Rolling Stone and co-host of the podcast “American Friction,” joined to discuss the inhumane prison system in El Salvador where the Trump administration has sent hundreds of migrants — effectively disappearing them from their families and denying them any methods of recourse. Before she joined, Mike and…

Tim Pool draws millions of viewers — and dollars — making political podcasts and commentary videos on YouTube. This episodes explores Pool’s evolution, from a self-proclaimed “activist” live-streaming Occupy Wall Street protests to one of today’s most-popular MAGA pundits. Along the way, we review Pool’s early media career, eventual drift into far-…

Renée DiResta is one of the nation’s leading researchers of social media and the author of “Invisible Rulers : The People Who Turn Lies Into Reality”: a book about the ways social media platforms are used — and abused — to reshape the way we think and behave. Renée also shared her thoughts on the government’s hostility toward researchers who study …

Eoin Higgins is a historian and author who joined the show to discuss his book: “Owned: How Tech Billionaires on the Right Bought the Loudest Voices on the Left.” The gang talks in-depth about Glenn Greenwald and some of the other characters featured in Eoin’s book, right-wing billionaires’ attempts to undermine the news industry, and 90s techno. C…

The Anti-Defamation League has invited controversy for its leaders’ coziness with the Trump administration, and for its characterizations of student-led protests against Israel’s mass-killing of Palestinian civilians. Mike and Jared recap the events that got us here, the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, and why they see the ADL’s political maneuvering as …

Jack Posobiec is one of the MAGA movement’s biggest social media stars, recently seen accompanying Pentagon officials on an overseas trip and posing for photos with Donald Trump and JD Vance in the Oval Office. This podcast explores Posobiec’s early political career and its overlaps with white supremacist movements, “Pizzagate” conspiracy theories,…

J.M. Berger wrote the book on extremism — literally. The internationally renowned expert discussed methods of defining “extremism” and whether a mainstream political movement, like MAGA, could be accurately labeled that way. Read J.M. Berger’s work: * Extremism (The MIT Press Essential Knowledge series) * The Social Construction of Extremism (Disse…

Max Read joins to talk about the online “Soy Right” and how the MAGA movement became everything it thought it hated about “soy boy” liberals. This episode pairs well with tofu. Programming note: We’ll be back on March 3. Check out Max Read’s newsletter, “Read Max.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers o…

Julia Carrie Wong joined the show to discuss her recent exploring comparisons between today’s Democratic Party and Vichy France: a short-lived rump state that capitulated to the German Nazi party in WWII. You can read Julia’s article here: Capitulating to Trump: why people are warning about ‘Vichy’ America. In the wake of recent political events, t…

Matt Binder joins the show to talk about meme coins and AI chatbot romance. The trio discuss about how politicians of all stripes have cozied up to a scam economy built on false hopes about technology. Check out Matt’s newsletter This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visi…

Jared and Mike discuss a recent school shooting in Nashville, assess the vibe of Trump’s inauguration in DC, and debate investing their life savings in Trump’s cryptocurrency coin. They also review a column about a far-right DC inauguration party: “MAGA meme warriors take a victory lap with the Coronation Ball, celebrating the Trump-inspired cultur…

Parker Malloy joins Jared and Mike to talk about the state of legacy media in the United States as the second Trump administration takes office. The trio also identifies a few “Winners and Losers” of modern right-wing media. Check out Parker Malloy’s Substack Transition music is “Space Song” by Beach House. This is a public episode. If you would li…

Mike and Jared are joined by Kevin M. Kruse, a professor of history at Princeton University, to discuss historical parallels to the modern MAGA movement and whether today’s political perils really are as “unprecedented” as some people claim. They also revisit some of the first Trump era’s often-forgotten history. Check out Kevin Kruse’s Substack Tr…

After more than a year away, Jared Holt returns to “Posting Through It” with a new co-host: Michael E. Hayden. The duo takes a brief look at the post-election political scene, explain why they brought the show back, and share their thoughts on the years ahead. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get…

Six years and millions of downloads later, it’s now time for me to figure out what’s next. I don’t know what “next” means for me yet, but things will be quieter around here in the near future while I work through the details. Long live SH!TPOST. Long live Posting Through It. I'll talk to you again soon. Sign up for the free newsletter at postingthr…

Jordan Uhl joins the show for a chat about the criminal indictment against Trump in New York. Then, Jared and Jordan talk about the Right's craven anti-LGBTQ+ response to a mass shooting at a Nashville school. Jordan's Twitter: @JordanUhl Listen to The Insurgents Support the show Subscribe to the Posting Through It newsletter This is a public episo…

This episode was made in collaboration with Did Nothing Wrong, a podcast hosted by Jay McKenzie and Griff Sombke, and features a chat with mis/disinfo researcher and author Mike Rothschild. We talk about Jim Stewartson, a self-proclaimed 'anti-disinformation activist' who has some conspiracy theories about, well, conspiracy theories. Then, we talk …

Christopher Mathias joins the show to talk about his experience at the 2023 Conservative Political Action Conference, a.k.a. CPAC. Jared and Chris talk about the event's lacking attendance, surrounding scandals, and attacks on trans people. Then, Chris tells us about the latest "Terrorgram" propagandist to have had their identity revealed. Chris' T…

Ed Zitron joined the show to talk about Microsoft and Google's planned rollouts of AI chatbots into their search engines and the risks of applying the technology across people's lives recklessly. Ed's Twitter: @EdZitron Ed's Newsletter:https://ez.substack.com/p/degenerative-ai Ed's favorite thing online: https://twitter.com/male_wife_/status/162682…

Michael E. Hayden joins the show to talk about text messages the Southern Poverty Law Center obtained from conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. The messages reveal a conflict between the on-air persona that Jones embodies and the real Jones that lives in "hell." Mike’s favorite thing online: @goth_videos It's Gonna Be a Long Night newsletter Links: NYT:…

Amanda Moore joins the show to talk about Steven Crowder's contract drama, her latest article for Talking Points Memo about Nick Fuentes and Ye, the conservative gas stove freak-out, and more. Amanda has spent extended time undercover in far-right MAGA communities and uses her first-hand observations from that time to inform her reporting and comme…

Jared opened up the Posting Through It voicemail and text message inbox for listener questions and comments. In this episode, he reacts to those messages. Support the show Subscribe to the Posting Through It newsletter This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit postthrou…

Meghan Conroy and Alex Newhouse worked for the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol as investigator and investigative analyst, respectively. They join Posting Through It on the second anniversary of the Capitol riot to talk about the work they did in the Congressional investigation, particularly relate…

Dr. Anthea Butler is a historian of African American and American religion who serves as the Chair of Religious Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. She joins the show to discuss the influence of Christian nationalism in American politics and how it expresses itself online. Host Jared Holt and Dr. Butler discuss the uprising of the movement, …

Kyle Spencer is an award-winning journalist and the author of "Raising Them Right: The Untold Story of America's Ultraconservative Youth Movement." Kyle explains how political activists like Charlie Kirk have risen to power in a new era of internet-forward youth outreach by the conservative movement, bringing with them increasingly radical messages…

Max Rizzuto and Alyssa Kann are researchers at the Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab) who Jared used to work with. They join the show to talk about the anti-climactic passing of midterm elections. Is election denialism still as potent as it was in 2020? Were fears overblown? Have threats to democracy receded? They argue no to all of the above, …

Adam Kovacevich is the founder and CEO of the tech-funded trade group Chamber of Progress, which encourages lawmakers to take pro-tech positions in their policymaking. He joins the show to offer a hopeful view for the future of Twitter under Elon Musk at a time where many others have forecasted the platform's demise. Follow Adam Kovacevich on Twitt…

Will Sommer is a reporter at The Daily Beast and the author of an upcoming book on the Qanon conspiracy theory. He also co-hosts the Fever Dreams podcast. Sommer joins the show to run down a few notable stories from right-wing internet land, including Kanye West's announced plan to buy Parler, an alt-right movie evaporating a million bucks, and mor…

Mike Rothschild is the author of a great book on the QAnon conspiracy theory and its cultural significance. He joins the show to discuss former President Donald Trump's promotion of content from the conspiracy theory's followers on Truth Social, what the movement has been up to in the last year or two, and what its believers have planned for midter…

Molly White is the software engineer, Wikipedia editor, and independent researcher behind Web3 Is Going Just Great, a project that chronicles the not-so-fabulous drumbeat of disasters related to cryptocurrency and other web3 products. She joins the show to explain "web3" technologies and squash the hype around them. Molly and Jared talk about the p…

Robert Silverman is a reporter who has published some of the most definitive reporting on pro-Trump social media personality Tim Pool to date. As much as Tim Pool may sell his offerings as better alternatives to mainstream media, Robert Silverman explains how writers at his news blog have relied almost entirely on work done by mainstream news servi…

Trapezoid of Discovery is the pseudonym used by an information security engineer who has cataloged and refuted claims from election deniers as they’ve toured around the country, drawing crowds and inspiring conspiracy-minded activism. We discuss what these traveling events have been like, why people should pay attention to what’s happening around t…

Emmi Conley is an extremism researcher who joins the show to talk about the far-right’s reaction to the FBI search at Mar-a-Lago, the revelation that the cringe @BasedMikeLee Twitter account does in fact belong to Sen. Mike Lee, Democrats’ encounters with “Dark Brandon” memes and more. Follow Emmi: @GamerGirlRights Read the newsletter: postingthrou…

Kristen Doerer is the managing editor of Right Wing Watch, a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to cataloguing the goings-on of the American far-right. (Jared used to work there, and Kristen was his boss!) Kristen joins the show this week to discuss recent January 6th Committee hearings that broached far-right extremists’ and the online communities’ role…

Nick Backovic and Ernie Piper are writers at Logically who produce investigative journalism related to online disinformation and conspiracy theories. They join the podcast this week to discuss an investigation they published about a QAnon cryptocurrency scheme that scammed believers out of gobs of cash, including one who died by suicide after losin…