In light of Charlie Kirk’s murder, this week we talk about political violence and review “Eddington,” Ari Aster’s recent film that explores America's culture war, alienation, and predilection for carnage.

“You will never live in a society when you have an armed citizenry and you won't have a single gun death. That is nonsense. It's drivel. But I think it's worth it. I think it's worth it to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights. That is a prudent deal. It is rational.

Nobody talks like this. They live in a complete alternate universe.”

• Charlie Kirk at a Turning Point USA Faith event in 2023.

For excellent journalism focusing on trans rights:

https://www.erininthemorning.com/

Donate to the ACLU to support trans rights and fight the Trump agenda:

https://action.aclu.org/give/pm-donate-fight-trump-agenda

Support humanitarian aid for Ukraine:

https://novaukraine.org

The Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF):

https://www.pcrf.net

Further relief options to the victims of genocide and famine through The Sameer Project:

https://linktr.ee/thesameerproject

Every bit helps.

Opening clip from Michael Moore’s “Bowling for Columbine”

Music from Jefferson Ross’ Southern Currency and Herman Kluge’s Society of Little Friends

Episode Art by Perry Kneisel

Main logo art by Patrick Mitchell and Angelina Harvey (@graffitifucks on Instagram)

• (00:00:00) - Outside Issues With Audrey and Patrick
• (00:00:58) - Charlie Kirk's Death Is Unthinkable
• (00:08:53) - Charlie Kirk's Death on the Left
• (00:14:15) - Matthew Dowd on the Shooting of Charlie Kirk
• (00:19:19) - Post-Watching The Dark Knight
• (00:19:53) - The Ballot in
• (00:24:11) - Emma Stone on 'The Wife'
• (00:31:25) - Ted Garcia's Campaign Commercial
• (00:33:23) - On The Left vs The Right
• (00:39:58) - How to Recharge Yourself During the Holidays
• (00:40:43) - How Can You Win or Lose?

Our friend Jake shares his experience of being trans, queer and disabled, working overtime to survive a political climate that terrorizes marginalized groups. Central to his survival has been an aggressive pursuit of all the tools available - mental health support, political action, even home gardening - which can be mobilized to help him live. We need to talk about suicide and how that’s connected to political choices and the material conditions they foster. Trans rights are human rights. The harm visited on any marginalized group is a threat to us all. As the saying goes: if they can do it to “them” - be it immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, Palestinians in Gaza, the unhoused - they can do it to “us.”

For excellent journalism focusing on trans rights:

https://www.erininthemorning.com

Donate to the ACLU to support trans rights and fight the Trump agenda:

https://action.aclu.org/give/pm-donate-fight-trump-agenda

Support humanitarian aid for Ukraine:

https://novaukraine.org

The Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF):

https://www.pcrf.net

Further relief options to the victims of genocide and famine through The Sameer Project:

https://linktr.ee/thesameerproject

Every bit helps.

Introductory quote by Hunter Schafer

Main show theme is “Strangers” by Midnight Prisms

Music and lyrics by Alicia Beck

Music and production by Max Foreman

Mastering by Little Castle Sound

Please follow and listen to Midnight Prisms on Spotify!

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3o5jiLSZMoSXNWL98UBxYI?si=sK-K7IoUSp-QfFKgUwVY7A

Logo art by Patrick Mitchell and Angelina Harvey (@graffitifucks on Instagram)

• (00:00:00) - Trans People Talk About The Trump Era
• (00:05:59) - The Need to Leave the United States
• (00:13:43) - The Suicide Crisis Line for Trans People
• (00:18:57) - Trans People on the Suicide Hotline
• (00:22:24) - How To Help Yourself When You're Suicidally
• (00:26:36) - How Have You Been Stopping Suicidality?
• (00:35:23) - The Fight for a Just World

In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day, Audrey remembers loved one Adam Popp, who passed away far too young from a drug overdose. We talk about harm reduction, soul mates, and Prince. As much as is possible, we encourage those with loved ones in the throes of addiction to try and hold on, in ways big or small. Human connection and socialization remains one of the most effective ways to combat addiction’s isolating effects. Where there’s life, there’s hope.

International Overdose Awareness Day is August 31st.

https://www.overdoseday.com/

Prevention toolkit:

https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/php/toolkits/ioad.html

Adam’s DJ moniker “Progress Inevitable” lends our closing song, “Fire.” More of his music is available on Soundcloud:

https://soundcloud.com/proginev

Please consider donating to humanitarian aid for Ukraine:

https://novaukraine.org

The Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF):

https://www.pcrf.net

Further relief options to the victims of genocide and famine through The Sameer Project:

https://linktr.ee/thesameerproject

Every bit helps.

Introductory quote by Chris Cornell

Main show theme is “Strangers” by Midnight Prisms

Music and lyrics by Alicia Beck

Music and production by Max Foreman

Mastering by Little Castle Sound

Please follow and listen to Midnight Prisms on Spotify!

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3o5jiLSZMoSXNWL98UBxYI?si=sK-K7IoUSp-QfFKgUwVY7A

Logo art by Patrick Mitchell and Angelina Harvey (@graffitifucks on Instagram)

• (00:00:00) - Scott Weiland on the Need for More Musicians
• (00:00:43) - Bipolar patient talks about his medication
• (00:02:58) - Phil Collins on Overdose Awareness
• (00:09:52) - When You Do Drugs With A Republican For A Week
• (00:14:09) - My Soulmate Was Abusive
• (00:19:40) - One More Voice for Recovering From A Drug Overdose
• (00:27:58) - Bipolar 12 Step Participants on Harm Reduction
• (00:31:08) - Adam overdosed on Prince's music