Palm Court Podcast: From Palm Court to It's Christmastown - Jeb Lund's Journey

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Jeb Lund joins Mike, Megan, and Grant to talk about his work in journalism at places like Rolling Stone, The Nation, and GQ, among others and on It's Christmastown, his popular podcast about Hallmark Channel movies.

We learn how Jeb wound up at New College, how his thesis about British cryptography in World War 2 got turned into pulp, and how he wound up covering the Alt Graduation Event for The Nation in 2024. Jeb also provides advice on how to get active in shaping the coverage of New College as political tides in Florida continue to shift.

Want to learn how this podcast was almost named The Canary in the Swamp? Or why people might actually want to listen to smart people talk about inane movies on the Hallmark Channel?

Listen in to find out.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Video episodes now up on Youtube and Spotify.

00:00 Introduction and Welcoming the Guest

01:06 Jeb Lund's Origin Story

03:30 College Life and Challenges

07:57 Career Journey and Writing

11:03 Freelancing and Journalism

11:42 Public Facing Role and Podcasting

14:58 Involvement with New College Alumni

21:25 The Recency Bias in News Reporting

22:39 Challenges in Speculative Journalism

23:11 New College: A Canary in the Swamp

24:01 The Power of Public Pressure

25:03 Corruption in Florida Politics

28:36 The Future of New College

30:14 Sports and Campus Culture

32:10 Journalistic Challenges and Personal Reflections

40:18 Concluding Thoughts and Final Messages

NOTES:

• CEDA is the “Cross-Examination Debate Association”

• Ephedra is the herb that produces ephedrine, a formerly legal stimulant sold as Mini-Thins, a.k.a. “trucker’s speed.” (Today’s Mini-Thins are ephedrine-free.)

• Frederick Winterbotham revealed Bletchley Park’s Ultra secrets 30 years after WWII.

• It’s Christmastown is Jeb and Dave Roth exploring Hallmark Network cultural productions.
• Livy, Roman historian

• Gawker was sued out of existence by Tampa-based wrestler Hulk Hogan, backed by tech billionaire Peter Thiel, in 2016.

• Pablo Torre Finds Out went deep into NCF’s sports

• Mobute Sese Seko did have fantastic hats

• Shanon Ingles chatted here back in Ep. 4

• Watch Alt Grad live on May 22, 2025

• Write state legislators to make things happen

• The Hope Florida scandal is still growing

• The Rick Piccolo scandal also, though less about his father’s NCF involvement

• Property law is a theme

• Mighty Banyans’ deep roster

• The Great Books program
• Don Gaetz busts trustees