Highlands Bunker
232 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 13 ratingsPart-time activist hoping to build and deepen solidarity in the local leftist community. Discussion will be focused on local politics, culture and more.
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Episodes
E117 - Radical Reimagination (w/Fleur McKendall, Tyeisha Grier)
March 05, 2021 13:00 - 52 minutes - 59.7 MBCentral Delaware NAACP President Fleur McKendall and Network Delaware organizer Tyeisha Grier join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the role of religion and solidarity in organizing and the projects that Central Delaware NAACP is working on. We also dig more into Tye's background. Show Notes: Central Delaware NAACP
E116 - LEOBOR (w/Misty Seemans, Jon Offredo)
February 26, 2021 13:00 - 50 minutes - 58.2 MBMisty Seemans and Jon Offredo from the Office of Defense Services join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the efforts to reform the Law Enforcement Officer Bill of Rights, and what that reform could do to create a fairer justice system in Delaware. Show Notes: The James MacColl case The Thomas Webster case Wilmington's Civilian Review board that was passed
E115 - Sufficiency of the Common (w/Richard White)
February 19, 2021 13:00 - 57 minutes - 65.4 MBAuthor and historian Richard White joins Rob in the virtual bunker to look back at Reconstruction and the Gilded Age, and how they relate (and don't relate) to today. Show Notes: The Republic for Which It Stands
E114 - Drop the Charges (w/Monique Fegans)
February 17, 2021 13:00 - 31 minutes - 36.5 MBLocal activist Monique Fegans joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the case of Simba, a 14-year-old local activist who was unjustly charged during a protest last September. This is a call to Attorney General Kathy Jennings to drop the charges against him.
E113 - Three Great Men (w/Paul Blest)
February 12, 2021 13:00 - 43 minutes - 50.3 MBWriter and Delaware native Paul Blest joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about Jeff Bezos and the Amazon union effort and the John Carney State of the State. Then, a history lesson about the quintessential 19th century Delaware man: John M Clayton. Show Notes: Paul's article about Jeff Bezos Carney's State of the State John M Clayton and the Search for Order
E112 - A Rooseveltian Presidency (w/Harvey J Kaye)
February 05, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 71.5 MBProfessor Harvey J Kaye joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the first days of the Biden presidency and how they compare to his promise of a FDR-Size Presidency vs a continuation of the Obama administration. Show Notes: Speech from intro Original article about a FDR-sized presidency Let America be America Again
E111 - What's Next For the Call? (w/Jess Scarane, Tyeisha Grier, Jordan Howell)
February 01, 2021 13:00 - 40 minutes - 46.3 MBFormer senate candidate Jess Scarane, organizer extraordinaire Tyeisha Grier, and Delaware Call editor Jordan Howell join Rob and Karl in the virtual bunker to talk about the upcoming plans for the Delaware Call and how they tie in to a broader movement in Delaware politics. Show Notes: The Delaware Call Submit an article pitch Donate to the Call
E110 - After Hours (w/Jess Scarane, Tyeisha Grier, Jordan Howell)
January 29, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 77.2 MBFormer senate candidate Jess Scarane, organizer extraordinaire Tyeisha Grier, and Delaware Call editor Jordan Howell join Rob and Karl in the virtual bunker to talk about Henry Ford, Delaware history, the GameStop situation, the history of markets, and some conflicting thoughts on the Biden inauguration. Show Notes: Some history GameStop explainer Freedom From the Market Leo Strine's corporate governance paper The Republic for Which It Stands
E109 - Print More Money (w/Nia Cola)
January 22, 2021 13:00 - 45 minutes - 51.8 MBEconomist Nia Cola joins Rob in the virtual bunker to revisit Modern Monetary Theory, how it may affect the form that the new COVID relief package will take, and how MMT can be used in a more liberatory way. Show Notes: Previous MMT episode Biden's COVID relief package Nia's YouTube channel Superstructure Podcast Money on the Left
E108 - Capriotti's For Everybody (w/Dave Weigel)
January 20, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 73.2 MBWashington Post political report and most famous Delaware native Dave Weigel joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the inauguration of Delaware's second-most famous native, the insurrection at the capitol, and what to expect from a Biden administration. Show Notes: The Trailer on the Capitol riots Rick Perlstein on the Nixon pardon
E107 - The Weed Episode (w/Zoë Patchell)
January 15, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 75.5 MBDelaware CAN President Zoë Patchell joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the effort to legalize cannabis in Delaware, why it's necessary, and what the obstacles are. Show Notes: Delaware CAN Carl Sagan Mr. X essay 2019 legal marijuana bill Find your elected officials' contact info
E106 - Minimum Viable Product (w/Steve Tanzer)
January 12, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 70.6 MBDelawareLiberal blogger Steve Tanzer returns to the virtual bunker to talk about the latest elections as the result of the last several years of organizing, and what Delaware politics will look like going into the future, especially in the upcoming legislative session. Show Notes: Steve's First Episode Mo' Better Democrats The Andria Bennett drama
E105 - A Unique Opportunity (w/Sarah McBride)
January 08, 2021 13:00 - 55 minutes - 63.6 MBState Senator Sarah McBride joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the priorities for the upcoming general assembly, their contesting theories of change, and the need to move beyond status quo policies. Show Notes: Latest Sarah McBride profile in The Cut Obama's Lost Army
E104 - Citizens' Victory (w/Maria Beauchamp)
January 01, 2021 13:00 - 1 hour - 69.9 MBWilmington and Puerto Rican activist Maria Beauchamp joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the rising left-wing political movement in Puerto Rico, and how it was partially inspired by Network Delaware. Show Notes: Puerto Rico is Moving Left Latest Puerto Rican election results Erika's piece in the Delaware Call
E103 - A Comprehensive Plan (w/Jordyn Pusey, Rich Hall)
December 25, 2020 13:00 - 53 minutes - 61 MBLand Use General Manager Rich Hall and PDD President Jordyn Pusey join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about everyone's favorite topic: land use. Specifically, why a document that the county is putting together now might be one of the most important things you can get involved with. Show Notes: Comprehensive Plan information Get involved with NCC2050 Get a Planning 101 Certificate
E102 - The Waves of American Poverty (w/Phil Wilson)
December 18, 2020 13:00 - 49 minutes - 56.3 MBTherapist and writer Phil Wilson joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about his latest piece in Current Affairs, and the elements of American poverty that often get ignored, the major problems and gaps in our welfare system, and why couch surfing isn't as light-hearted as it sounds. Show Notes: Couch Surfing the Waves of American Poverty The Rise of Suburban Poverty
E101 - QAnon Barbie (w/Jacqueline Bryk)
December 15, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 83.9 MBLocal writer, activist, and game designer Jacqueline Bryk joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about Lauren Witzke, the mindset of QAnon and the modern right-wing, and the inauthenticity of the right's new "save the children" angle. With some bonus Lauren Witzke tweet content at the end. Show Notes: Hitler's Circle of Evil Jax's website Jax's Linktree Using your ego for good
E100 - A Happy Monster Born (w/Bert Moniz)
December 11, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 70.6 MBBert Moniz joins Rob in the virtual bunker for the 100th episode to talk about his journeys across the world, how he got into writing and the arts, and his connection with Rob and Highlands Bunker. Show Notes: Operation, Maintenance and Repair of Glass-Lined Equipment Welding Skills Delaware Call
E99 - No Permanent Friends, No Permanent Enemies (w/Mike Brickner)
December 04, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 76.9 MBACLU-DE Executive Director Mike Brickner joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about his journey to the ACLU, Delaware's broken probation system and law enforcement, and the controversies that come with defending civil liberties. Show Notes: ACLU calls for probation reform Kathy Jennings episode Cincinnati police reform New citizen police review board
E98 - I Know It's Good (w/Madinah Wilson-Anton, Kirsten Walther)
November 27, 2020 13:00 - 58 minutes - 66.8 MBState Representative Madinah Wilson-Anton and activist Kirsten Walther join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about food and cooking, and the familial, cultural, and community aspects that make them so great. No politics today.
E97 - Building Back Better (w/Matt Meyer)
November 20, 2020 13:00 - 53 minutes - 60.7 MBCounty Executive Matt Meyer joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the county's recent purchase of the Sheraton Hotel and how it will be used as an emergency homeless shelter. Show Notes: Delaware's homeless shelter shortage Erik Raser-Schramm stepping down The Deficit Myth A winning website
E96 - Angry Jesus (w/David Griscom)
November 16, 2020 13:00 - 49 minutes - 28.1 MBWriter and TMBS Producer David Griscom joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the structural problems inour modern economy, and the need for Show Notes: Amazon workplace injury issues California's Prop. 22 Wilmington housing meeting situation Vienna's public housing Quick Takes with David Griscom
E95 - Learn The Lesson (w/Atnre Alleyne)
November 13, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 80.4 MBDelawareCAN and Teensharp founder Atnre Alleyne joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about how he got involved in education activism, the roles of charter schools in education reform, and the ethics of ratfucking. Show Notes: DelawareCAN Teensharp Mike Matthews situation Sarah Fulton situation
E94 - Viral #HugACop Energy (w/Vasu Jayanthi, Tyeisha Grier, Dylan Rosenthal)
November 06, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 34.7 MBFormer Jess staffers Vasu Jayanthi and Tyeshia Grier, along with Kyle Evans Gay staffer Dylan Rosenthal join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the results of the 2020 election and it's effect on Delaware politics, the career of James Spadola, and an important announcement on Rob's future plans. Show Notes: Delaware election results Karl's piece on Laura Sturgeon's and Madinah Wilson-Anton's campaigns #HugACop Hunter S Thompson Documentary
E93 - The Taskforce Mindset (w/Kyle Evans Gay)
October 30, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 77.6 MBState Senate candidate Kyle Evans Gay joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about how her background affects her views of the criminal justice system, the importance of actually accomplishing things in Dover, and why she no longer supports Cathy Cloutier. But first, football. Show Notes: Kyle's site Donate to Kyle First State FC
E92 - Success Is One Word (w/Will Weidner, Jamie Rubin, Tyeisha Grier, Dan Carapezzi)
October 27, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 80.3 MBA group of former Jess Scarane organizers join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the new Delaware DSA, their experiences and lessons from the Scarane campaign, and the importance of organizing all the time. Show Notes: Join Delaware DSA Rudy Giuliani
E91 - Building a Religion (w/Frank Hanson)
October 23, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 85.5 MBTeacher, non-profit president, and common-sense capitalist Frank Hanson joins Rob in the backyard bunker to talk about how he ended up in America from Ghana, his perspectives on capitalism and communism coming from an Africa, and why he ended up starting Guraba's Hands. Show Notes: Guraba's Hands WilmU Spotlight on Frank
E90 - Mayor Purzycki Hates Poor People (w/Jeanne Kuang, Jerry Habraken)
October 16, 2020 04:00 - 56 minutes - 64.3 MBNew Journal reporters Jeanne Kuang and Jerry Habraken join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the decline of the Quaker Village apartments, the general state of housing in Wilmington, and also football and food. Show Notes: Reporting on Quaker Village Blight Bill update The Lost Jerry Habraken episode
E89 - Middletown Strong (w/Sherae'a Moore)
October 09, 2020 12:00 - 47 minutes - 54.1 MBRD8 Democratic nominee Sherae'a Moore joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about her election, what being an educator taught her about legislating, and what the future holds for the Delaware General Assembly. Show Notes: Donate to Rae Learn more about Rae
E88 - The Coby Selfie (w/Coby Owens)
October 06, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 75.1 MBWilmington activist Coby Owens joins Rob in the backyard bunker to talk about losing primary campaigns, how progressives should respond to a potential Biden administration, and the health of our current president. Show Notes: Support the BLOOC PAC McConnell vs Justice rally
E87 - Fueling the Engine (w/Kerri Evelyn Harris, Dustyn Thompson)
October 02, 2020 12:00 - 59 minutes - 68.2 MBIt's a double header episode today. First, activist and former senate candidate Kerri Evelyn Harris joins Rob to talk about an event coming up on Saturday, and why it's so important to organize down in Kent and Sussex counties. Then, Dustyn Thompson joins to talk about the work that Delaware United is doing, and how we need to keep pushing through the general election. Show Notes: 'Own Your Vote' Sussex Event The Social Dilemma movie Donate to Delaware United Volunteer for Delaware Unit...
E86 - Property, Not People (w/Monique Fegans)
September 25, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 78.8 MBLocal activist Monique Fegans joined Rob in the backyard bunker to talk about her journey to activism, the importance and experience of direct action, and the opportunities for direct action that will be available soon. Show Notes: Monique's quote in the News Journal United Panther Movement
BONUS EPISODE - An Independent Left Alternative (w/Howie Hawkins)
September 23, 2020 23:34 - 20 minutes - 23.9 MBGreen Party presidential candidate Howie Hawkins joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about his campaign and where it fits into a left electoral strategy in 2020 and beyond
E85 - Primary Wrap-Up
September 18, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 81.1 MBA round table of Jordyn Pusey, Kristin Bricker, Paul Blest, Karl the Producer, and Lovely Lacey join Rob in the virtual bunker to review the results of Delaware's September 15th Democratic Primary, and what they mean for the future of progressive legislation. Show Notes: Election results
E84 - Keep on Truckin (w/Janet Lindenmuth, Daniel Bessner)
September 11, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 96.7 MBDelaware Law School librarian Janet Lindenmuth joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about some Delaware history fun facts. Then, historian and foreign policy expert Daniel Bessner joins Rob to talk about the rise of our current foreign policy consensus, and how it relates to the politics of Joe Biden and Chris Coons. Show Notes: Delaware's segregation laws Delaware blue laws Daniel's book The False Promise of Liberal Order A Peoples' Policy for the Americas
E83 - It Begins With Leadership (w/Kathy Jennings)
September 04, 2020 12:00 - 57 minutes - 32.9 MBDelaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about why people don't trust the police, the criminal justice system in Delaware, and how change gets made in the system. Show Notes: Delaware Call
E82 - Ready For Some Football (w/Alex Hess)
August 28, 2020 12:00 - 43 minutes - 50.2 MBBritish writer Alex Hess joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about how capitalism has ruined (non-American) football. Go Spurs. Show Notes: How Capitalism Changed Football for the Worse
E81 - Professional-Class Rednecks (w/Canio Caputo, Jason Scott)
August 21, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 77.6 MBCanio Caputo and Jason Scott from Delaware Liberal join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the Biden/Harris fanfare in Delaware, whether or not it's important to vote for Biden here in Delaware, and what the implications are of a Biden presidency. Show Notes: A sample of the previous podcast Nixon election interference What Putin did The Delaware Call
E80 - Always Demand Better (w/Vasu Jayanthi)
August 14, 2020 12:00 - 39 minutes - 45.4 MBStudent activist Vasu Jayanthi joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about her recent op-ed in the News Journal, and how young activists can change our government for the better. Show Notes: Vasu's op-ed in the News Journal Volunteer for Jess Get an absentee ballot or check your status
E79 - Optimism of the Will (w/Harvey J Kaye)
August 07, 2020 12:00 - 52 minutes - 60.3 MBProfessor Harvey J Kaye joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about Marx and Gramsci, American radicals from Thomas Paine to A Phillip Randolph, and how these ideas, figures, and movements can inspire activism today. Show Notes: Bill Clinton on Kwame Ture More on A Phillip Randolph and economic democracy New Deal descendants open letter to Joe Biden
E78 - #LeftIsBest (w/Karl the Producer)
July 31, 2020 12:00 - 50 minutes - 57.5 MBRob and Karl the Producer hold down the bunker this week, talking about the recent passing of left media figure Michael Brooks, the importance of compassion in organizing, and how the end of the world isn't quite what it seems. Show Notes: Right-Wing Mandela Remembering Michael Brooks
E77 - Green New Deal for Delaware (w/Madinah Wilson-Anton, Victor Perez)
July 24, 2020 12:00 - 53 minutes - 61.4 MBState Representative candidate Madinah Wilson-Anton and UD Professor Victor Perez join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about what a Green New Deal for Delaware would look like on a policy level, a scientific level, a social level, and a political level. Show Notes: Green New Deal for Delaware Dr. Perez's research on Rt 9 neighborhoods Property tax reassessment article Dealing with spotted lanternflies Donate to Madinah Volunteer for Madinah
E76 - Where Good Ideas Go to Die (w/Sarah Fulton)
July 17, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 74.7 MBSchool board candidate Sarah Fulton joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about her background in progressive activism, some of the racial issues in the school board, and what progressives should do when they lose a vote or an election. Show Notes: The Panel Protests Sarah's site Article in question Result of the Red Clay SRO vote List of School Board election polling places
E75 - Fisher's Amoeba (w/Andray Domise)
July 10, 2020 12:00 - 59 minutes - 67.5 MBJournalist and activist Andray Domise joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the attempted corporate cooptation of the Black Lives Matter movement, the history of black radical movements, and the importance of a systemic analysis of racism. Show Notes: Matt Taibbi review of White Fragility Mark Fisher's Capitalist Realism JP Morgan's Juneteenth celebration JP Morgan's actual history on slavery Michael Parenti yellow video
E74 - Man of the Left (w/Leo Strine)
July 03, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 72 MBFormer Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court Leo E Strine Jr joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the history and meaning of Delaware's Chancery Court, how he would change America's corporate governance, and how woke talk should be met with woke action. Show Notes: Strine's paper on sustainable capitalism
E73 - Confessions of a Looter (w/Zach Phillips)
June 26, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 71.5 MBFounder of Short Order Production House Zach Phillips joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about his latest essay in technical.ly and how capitalism is the most poorly designed game in history. Note: there is a minor echo in Zach's audio, tried to edit it down so it shouldn't be too bad Show Notes: Remaking Murdertown Podcast Zach's essay in technical.ly Ellora Derenoncourt tweet on the Great Migration Challenge Program
E72 - Antifa Superdelegates (w/Kristin Bricker)
June 19, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 86.3 MBWe live in an age of statues and bus heroes, mass uprisings and fascists. General Secretary of the Delaware Antifa Chapter Kristin Bricker joins Rob and Karl in the backyard bunker to talk about some of the greatest figures and stories of these developments in Delaware. Show Notes: Delaware Young Republicans post Kristin's Antifa credentials Petition to name Rodney Square after the hero juggalo Elmo's Antifa monologue The Dover police monument story
BONUS EPISODE - March Towards Justice
June 15, 2020 19:44 - 17 minutes - 20 MBThe organizers of this Saturday's March Towards Justice in Dover join Rob in the bunker to talk about how they got into organizing and what the march stands for. March Towards Justice Saturday, June 20th, 3:00-5:30pm John Wesley AME Church, 217 West Division Street, Dover, DE 19904 RSVP here.
E71 - The Great Uprising (w/Peter Levy, Yasser Payne)
June 12, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 79.4 MBProfessor/Author Peter B Levy and Professor Yasser Payne join Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about the latest protests in the relation to the 1960s uprisings: what has changed, what has stayed the same, and where do we go from here? Show Notes: Professor Levy's Book, The Great Uprising Professor Payne's People's Report Professor Payne's last episode
BONUS EPISODE - EITC's Unearned Credit (w/Matt Bruenig)
June 09, 2020 12:00 - 52 minutes - 59.5 MBPeople's Policy Project founder Matt Bruenig joins Rob in the virtual bunker to talk about his latest paper on the Earned Income Tax Credit, and how shoddy statistics can help make mediocre policies look like panaceas. Show Notes: Myths of the EITC paper Madinah's Plan for Working Families Family Fun Pack