Podcast
Mid-Atlantic - conversations about US, UK and world politics
Hosted by Roifield Brown · EN
Chit chat and debate about politics and culture in the US and UK, with Host Roifield Brown and guests.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
15episodes
Episodes
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Has Trump Permanently Coarsened American Political Language?
Dec 2000:36:21Tap to summarizeIn this week’s episode of MidAtlantic, host Roifield Brown asks whether Donald Trump’s corrosive rhetoric is a momentary blip or a seismic shift in the way American presidents speak and more importantly, lead. Is the bar for political discourse permanently lowered, or are we just watching a uniquely toxic figure dominate a uniquely toxic moment?The transatlantic panel includes Steve Krone in LA, Denise Hamilton in Houston, Mike Donahue in the U.S., and Mike Holden in Preston, UK. Together, they grapple with whether Trump’s verbal scorched-earth tactics are just personal style or indicative of something more lasting. Krone argues the bigger threat isn’t Trump’s words but his authoritarian ambitions. Hamilton disagrees, insisting rhetoric and policy now move hand in hand, eroding trust in institutions and in each other. Donahue adds that Trump’s cult-like grip on the Republican base makes critique feel futile. “There is no bottom,” he says.From the UK, Holden observes the creeping Trumpian tone in Reform UK’s politics. One Reform candidate telling David Lammy MP to “go back where he came from” may be Britain’s own grotesque baby step in that direction. But Boris Johnson, for all his rule-breaking, used elevated language. Trumpism in tweed, you might say.So what’s the right response? Fight fire with fire or take the high road? The panel is split. Gavin Newsom’s choice to hit back with the same kind of crassness raises the question: is this tactical jiu-jitsu or just more degradation of political standards?The conversation closes with a tribute to Rob Reiner, whose films offered a more decent and coherent version of the American story. The contrast is stark and perhaps intentional.Five Key QuotesSteve Krone: “Trump is vile, yes, but has he changed the baseline of political discourse? I don't think so.”Denise Hamilton: “Rhetoric plus policy equals destruction. That’s the true Trump legacy.”Mike Donahue: “There is no bottom. We’ve just given up caring. If you haven’t figured out who Trump is by now, there’s no hope.”Mike Holden: “Some UK politicians are trying out Trumpism but in lowercase.”Denise Hamilton: “How do you fight a sociopath? Michelle Obama said go high. My mother said gouge their eyes out.”Further Reading & MentionsRob Reiner's Work and TributesRob Reiner's IMDb FilmographyThis Is Spinal Tap (1984)Politics and RhetoricPeople for the American Way (Founded by Norman Lear)Harry Enten’s CNN Polling on TrumpTrump’s Approval Ratings – FiveThirtyEightGavin Newsom OnlineGavin Newsom on X (Twitter) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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From Council Estates to the Green Surge, Local Power and National Shifts with Cllr Julian Pritchard
Dec 500:38:36Tap to summarizeIn this episode, RoyField Brown revisits his Birmingham radio roots with an interview that blends the local and the political. Green Party councillor Julian Pritchard joins from his ward of Druids Heath and Monyhull, a place that even the most civic-minded Brummies might struggle to locate on a map. But that’s the point. Pritchard has been trying to change that for over seven years, turning up, knocking doors, chasing bin collections, and campaigning for a more equitable form of regeneration that isn’t developer-led and value-extractive. His success there is more than a hyper-local curiosity. It’s part of a wider green moment.The conversation moves between the nitty-gritty of grassroots activism and the broader surge in national Green Party support, spurred in part by leader Zack Polanski’s recent media breakthrough. Pritchard, a methodical campaigner, credits Polanski with articulating long-held Green values, on social justice and climate policy alike, with clarity and conviction. Unlike Labour’s technocratic drift, the Greens now appear to be talking about transformation and redistribution, and crucially, they’re being heard.As for Druids Heath, it's a case study in how regeneration can alienate when it doesn’t centre residents. Pritchard pushes back against full demolition plans for the estate, highlighting the murky logic of “affordable housing” that may not be affordable at all. He’s advocating for proper social housing, not policy euphemisms. Amid a national housing debate, the fate of Druids Heath could be a local test case with national implications.5 Selected Quotes"We need somebody like your leader who can grab the attention and articulate a vision, not just for now, but where we are going." — RoyField Brown"It's about changing systems and policies, not saying that everybody makes real choices." — Julian Pritchard"People felt taken for granted, and nobody did anything." — Julian Pritchard"This is trust us from the council that's delivered us equal pay liability, bankruptcy, Oracle disaster, yearlong bin strike..." — Julian Pritchard"To save the planet fairly, we’ve got to focus on both people and planet." — Julian PritchardFurther Reading & Links MentionedGreen Party UK – Official party siteZack Polanski's profile – London Assembly bioBirmingham Regeneration Plans – Birmingham City Council’s regeneration proposal for Druids HeathShared Ownership vs. Social Rent Explained – Shelter UKPodcast Producer Connor Begley Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →The New Left Is Here And It’s Winning
Nov 2000:46:19Tap to summarizeWhat do a Democratic Socialist in New York and a Green Party leader in Britain have in common? Charisma, clarity, and, apparently, a hatred of high bus fares. In this episode of Mid-Atlantic, host Roifield Brown and the transatlantic panel tackle the political rise of Manami in NYC and Zack Polanski in the UK—two left-wing politicians who’ve gone from fringe to front page without watering down their message.Manami’s victory over Andrew Cuomo to become New York’s mayor-elect wasn’t just an electoral upset; it was a messaging masterclass. Free buses, city-run groceries, and rent freezes—policies that many establishment Democrats wouldn't touch with a barge pole—landed him in City Hall with a wave of grassroots energy and a TikTok-savvy machine behind him. Meanwhile, across the pond, Polanski’s strategic reframing of the Green Party—away from "tree hugger" stereotypes and toward a hard-hitting, cost-of-living political vehicle—has seen the party overtake the Lib Dems and Tories in membership numbers.But is this revival of unapologetic leftism a fleeting blip, or a realignment? Can charisma and clear messaging finally outgun billionaire-backed centrism and weary technocracy? Roifield is joined by regulars Denise Hamilton (Houston), Steve O'Neill (London), Cory Bernard (Manchester), and Mike Donahue (Los Angeles) to unpack what the centre-left keeps missing—and why hope might just be the most radical policy of all.Five Standout Quotes:“If people feel seen, they feel heard, they feel valued, they will support you—and they will vote for you.” – Denise Hamilton“Corbyn always sounds like someone’s just stolen his lunch.” – Corey Bernard“Even if you elect Bernie Sanders president, how effectual is he going to be? But the mayor of New York—he can change things.” – Mike Donahue“Polanski just sounds like he enjoys it. Same message as Corbyn, but without the gloom.” – Steve O'Neill“We’ve embraced a cynicism and a hopelessness that Manami rejected—and people gravitated to it.” – Denise HamiltonPanel Social Handles:Denise Hamilton: @officialdhamMike Donahue: [@MichaelDonahue on Bluesky]Steve O’Neill: [@SteveZeroONeill] – Mostly on LinkedInCory Bernard: @168PolymerNext Episode Tease:Will the UK general election be a bloodbath for Labour—or will Starmer’s centrism survive the green wave? Stay tuned.Need tweaks to match a specific platform (Spotify, Apple, etc.) or want a shorter version for email/newsletter blasts? Let me know. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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1948 - Israel and Palestine - Benny Morris
Nov 9, 2023Tap to summarizeSummaryIn this thought-provoking episode of Mid Atlantic, we dive deep into the historical roots and contemporary implications of the Israel and Palestine conflict, with a special focus on the events of 1948. Renowned Israeli historian Professor Benny Morris provides a critical examination of the conflict's history, the Palestinian refugee problem, and the recent shocking events of October 7th. As tensions escalate in the Middle East, Morris's insights offer a poignant reflection on the past's impact on the present.The episode opens with a deviation from the usual format, setting the stage for an in-depth exploration of the Israel and Palestine conflict, particularly in light of the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas. Professor Benny Morris, a critical voice in Israeli historiography, joins the conversation to shed light on the pivotal year of 1948, which he argues is essential for understanding the current situation.Morris recounts the harrowing events of October 7th, expressing personal shock but no direct involvement. He predicts significant repercussions for Israel's security apparatus and political landscape, including the potential downfall of Prime Minister Netanyahu's government.The discussion then pivots to 1948, a year marked by the creation of the State of Israel and the onset of the Palestinian refugee crisis. Morris challenges traditional narratives, presenting a nuanced view based on his extensive research. He describes the mixed causes of Palestinian displacement, including fear, Israeli military actions, and a lack of systematic expulsion.Morris also touches on the broader Arab-Israeli conflict, the UN's partition plan, and the subsequent Arab rejection and war. He provides specific examples of flight and expulsion from Arab towns, offering a complex picture of the events that shaped the region.Professor Morris reflects on his personal journey as a historian and a Zionist, discussing how his research into Israeli government papers and the darker aspects of the Zionist movement affected his views. The dialogue touches on the differences between Hamas and Fatah's stances towards Israel and the complex road towards a two-state solution that Professor Morris advocates for, despite the resistance from various factions within the region.**Quotes from the Podcast:**1. "The most shocking, in fact, thing that had happened to the Jewish people since the Holocaust, basically." - Reflecting on the impact of the events of October 7th.2. "1948, I think is the crucial year in the evolution of the Zionist-Arab conflict." - On the significance of the year 1948 in the conflict's history.3. "There was no predetermined plan. There was no systematic expulsion of the Palestinians, but on the other hand, most of them fled because of Israeli conquest and fear of Israeli conquest, Israeli atrocities in the '48 war." - Discussing the causes of the Palestinian refugee problem.4."The Arab leaders had been terribly humiliated by their defeat by this cluster of 650,000 Jews, and weren't going to be further humiliated by agreeing to peace with the 650,000 Jews."5."As a Zionist, I'm agreeable to a two-state solution. I think that's a solution which would give a modicum of justice to both peoples. The Jews would have a state, and the Palestinian Arabs would have a small state." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order - Prof. Gary Gerstle
May 18, 2022Tap to summarizeRoifield speaks to Prof. Gary Gerstle about the last 40 years that chart the fall of Communism and the end of the Cold War and their pivotal place in American and world history. They discuss how neoliberalism originated as much on the Left (the New Left) as on the right, among individuals such as Paul Goodman, Stewart Brand and Steve Jobs who were seeking ways to emancipate the self in an increasingly regulated and bureaucratized world Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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