Finding the Warmth of Our Sun

Trumps coup and a broken nation

On this episode, Matthew talks about how Trump is quite clearly attempting a coup, backed up or enabled by the GOP, how the GOP and its voters embrace authoritarianism and reject the notion of a multicultural democracy, and to what extent America and its people are fundamentally broken, making a hard road forward. There is no going back to the normal before 2016, for better or for worse.

How Madison (and progressives) uphold a racialized caste system

On this episode, Matthew discusses how the Common Council voted to not cut more from MPD's budget and some alders told the county not to match funds for a mental health community response unit, showing the little ways even progressives can help uphold a racial caste system and white supremacy.

Sure, an election review special

On this episode, Matthew talks about some very too soon lessons we can glean from the election. How Black, Latino, and Indigenous organizers won the election for Biden, how Democrats need to do more to empower these organizers, how BLM didn't hurt Dems and in fact helped, and how the GOP continues down a dangerous path.

When Will The Civil War End?

On this episode, Matthew talks about how the ideological battle (and at times real violence) of the Civil War continues to this day.

The United States is not a Democracy

On this episode, Matthew tackles the state of the democracy within the United States, but first handles the bad-faith argument "we're a republic not a democracy."

On Race and Class

On this episode, Matthew talks about the myth of linear racial progress, and why we also need to think about class.

America: A Failed State

On this episode, Matthew talks about how the United States meets the criteria of a failed state, how this goes beyond partisan politics, and why far-reaching action must take place.

Trump Sympathy, COVID, and American Lies

In this episode, Matthew talks about how some people decide to give Trump sympathy (while he would give you none) and how that relies upon an American lie - whiteness.

Trump: The Symptom, Not the Disease

On this episode, Matthew talks about how President Trump is just a symptom of a much deeper rot that made a Trump-like figure inevitable.

Citizen Dave, Madison, and Why You're Probably Thinking About Racism Wrong

This week, Matthew talks about former mayor Dave Ciezslewicz, his problematic columns, Madison, and why you’re probably thinking about racism wrong.

Trump and the GOP COVID Genocide

In this episode, Matthew explores the failures of Trump and the GOP during our ongoing coronavirus epidemic, and how these failures can be framed as genocide.

Defunding Police

Today, Matthew explores the role of police in society, their effectiveness, and why the idea of defunding them isn't actually scary.

Defund the Police

Today, Matthew explores the role of police in society, their effectiveness, and why the idea of defunding them isn't actually scary.

The Weight of Blackness

Today, impacted by the past week and a half of uprisings, white supremacist shooting, and the death of Chadwick Boseman, Matthew touches on the weight of this time on Black America.

A Brief and Incomplete History of Racial Violence

On this episode, Matthew recounts an incomplete history of racial violence towards Black Americans, helping put into context current police shootings, including that of Jacob Blake. He explores how many find it easier to see themselves as someone inflicting this violence than enduring it, and the long historical pattern of those who inflict racial violence rarely seeing justice for their violent actions.

Looting and Violence

Police violence, "looting" in response, gun violence in our communities ... they're all related. In the premiere episode of our new video show and podcast, join host Matthew Braunginn for an honest look at how centuries-long systems of oppression inevitably lead to violence.

Introducing Finding the Warmth of Our Sun