The One Piece Podcast

Special #22: “This Episode is Not Political” (with Kat Abughazaleh)

Release Date: February 12, 2026
Host: Zach (Maji Media)
Special Guest: Kat Abughazaleh (IL-9 Congressional Candidate)
Panelists: Dr. Raeleen Bentleyn ("One Piece Doctor"), Kirsten Cowy (podcast composer), Golfer (TikTok/YouTube creator)

Overview

This special episode features an extended interview with Kat Abughazaleh, a progressive activist, streamer, and candidate for the U.S. Congress in Illinois’ 9th District—and an enthusiastic One Piece fan. The conversation dives into the (supposed) apolitical nature of One Piece, the power of storytelling in activism, the surreal experience of seeing One Piece imagery at protests, and the ongoing debate over media literacy and the legitimacy of political readings in popular culture.

Tongue-in-cheek, the episode’s “This Episode is Not Political” title is repeatedly referenced as the hosts and guests ironically dismantle the myth of apolitical art, especially in the context of One Piece’s themes of justice, anti-fascism, and resistance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introducing the Panel & Kat Abughazaleh’s Candidacy (07:33 – 08:55)

• Zach welcomes Kat, who gives a quick overview of her district and campaign.
• Panelists share their enthusiasm for having a congressional candidate who is a One Piece fan, with Kirsten noting the unique intersection of fandom and political activism.

The One Piece "Apolitical" Meme & Kat’s Fandom Journey (09:42 – 11:23)

• Kat, tongue firmly in cheek, insists:

  “We all know that One Piece is apolitical. It has never referenced anything about anti-fascism… Why can’t we just enjoy media nowadays? Why do we always have to bring politics into it?” — Kat (09:56)

• The conversation shifts to real talk: Kat shares her One Piece watch order, favorite arcs (especially Skypiea), and how she restarted the series as “campaign comfort food.”
• Emotional moment: Kat recounts how watching One Piece now connects her to a late friend, making finishing the series a tribute to him.

  “Every time I watch it, I think about him, and I hope he’s watching it from wherever he is now.” — Kat (13:10)

Kat’s One Piece Preferences: Hazing Round (13:51 – 19:28)

• Favorite Straw Hat: Zoro (“pre-timeskip Zoro is so smiley and laughy and I miss him”)—but special love for Sanji as “always clutch” and underrated.
• Favorite Antagonist: “Crocodile. He’s so cool. Everyone’s always…complaining and he’s just ‘we ball, let’s go’” (15:41).
• Favorite Non-Straw Hat & Obscure Character: Wiper from Skypiea—“super underrated arc, super underrated character, and I’m a ride or die” (16:52).
• Filler Arc Love: Kat defends the post-Skypiea filler as “such a blast,” lamenting how meaningful anime content is often skipped.

The Power of Storytelling in Protest (19:43 – 24:12)

• Zach asks Kat about seeing Straw Hat flags and One Piece imagery at protests and ICE facilities.
• Kat reflects on how shared stories provide comfort, bravery, and solidarity in activism:

  “Stories are the best things that humans have ever created… when you’re relating to these characters… it makes sense that it’s on the front lines.” — Kat (20:45)

• She credits stories like One Piece and Hunger Games for shaping her moral compass and notes the importance of anti-fascist fiction for all ages.

Representation, Politics & Cultural Resonance (22:13 – 32:53)

• Dr. Bentleyn (One Piece Doctor) asks if One Piece transcends cultural boundaries; Kat responds that its diversity and global themes (“there’s so much story in this story… something for everyone”) explain its appeal (22:57).
• Kat on resonance as a Palestinian-American:

  “It’s this very strong sense of justice… all my heroes and all of my role models as a kid were characters in these stories” (24:58).

• Discusses formative influences (e.g., Clan of the Cave Bear) and the need for kids to access a wide range of books and stories.

The Value of Flawed Heroes, Media Literacy, and Anime in the West (27:39 – 39:44)

• Panel talks about how strong (but not infallible) heroes offer comfort and aspiration, while antiheroes have become overused.
• Kat and Kirsten discuss why American youth may turn to anime—moral complexity deeper than typical Western “good vs. evil,” more narrative risk, and resistance to formula.
• Kat on media literacy: laments that U.S. schools don’t teach critical interpretation, leading to widespread confusion about protagonists vs. “the good guy”.

Politics, Fandom, and Misinterpretation (40:13 – 48:53)

• Kat asserts, bluntly:

  “Fascists are fundamentally incapable of having any creativity or understanding art… They can absolutely warp anything in their mind that is overtly anti-fascist to be like, ‘this isn’t political.’” (40:48)

• Panel calls out denial of queer characters in anime/manga (e.g., Karara in Jujutsu Kaisen, Ymir in Attack on Titan), and fan tendencies to erase or misinterpret progressive themes.
• Kat: The best stories are political, and insisting otherwise is willful ignorance or cowardice:

  “Good stories are political… If you think something is wrong, just do what you can to fix it.” (47:26, 52:16)

How to Act: Moving from Fandom to Real-Life Action (49:27 – 54:29)

• Concrete advice: You don’t have to run for office to help; “find what you like to do, where your courage is, and do it.”
• Kat shares a personal story about standing up to injustice in high school and how even small acts can inspire chain reactions in others.

  “If you think something is wrong, just do what you can to fix it.” (52:16)

• Kat details how supporters can help her campaign, especially if local or able to volunteer, phonebank, or spread the word.

Closing: Fandom, Civic Participation & Final Thoughts (58:03 – End)

• The whole panel underscores the importance of voting and civic engagement—paralleling, in a tongue-in-cheek way, the persistent “apolitical” ethos.
• Hosts joke about which Straw Hat would vote (consensus: Luffy would vote—if Nami told him to).
• Closing wisdom:

  “History belongs to the ones who participate in it. So if you want to be part of the good side of history, as One Piece has taught us, participate, raise your voice, and really lift the people that are fighting for all the good causes.” — Dr. Bentleyn (60:31)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On One Piece’s “Apolitical” Reputation:

  “It has never referenced anything about anti-fascism… Why can’t we just enjoy media nowadays?” — Kat (09:56, sarcastic)

• On Crocodile as Favorite Antagonist:

  “He’s so fucking sick… he’s all about business, he’s so large, he’s got a big-ass hook—like, easy.” — Kat (15:41)

• On One Piece in Activism:

  “It makes sense that it’s on the front lines... it gives a bit of comfort and familiarity, especially when… you’re seeing there’s this idea of ‘well, they can do that in the story—I can do it here.’” — Kat (20:45)

• On Media Literacy:

  “For whatever reason, animation allows people to be a little more creative in their interpretation… we don’t teach media literacy in America.” — Kat (37:13)

• On Denial of Political Themes:

  “It is so crazy how they can absolutely warp anything in their mind that is overtly anti-fascist to be like, ‘this isn’t political, cool.’” — Kat (41:32)

• On Action:

  “If someone is screaming at a waiter at a restaurant, you can tell them to knock it off… probably someone that was around you at that time will see that and do it the next time… If you see trash on the street, you can pick it up. Find what you like to do, where your courage is, and do it. It doesn’t have to be running for office.” — Kat (49:55)

• On One Piece’s Enduring Resonance:

  “There’s so much story in this story that there’s something for everyone. As long as you can just tolerate being a little goofy.” — Kat (23:55)

• On Voting & Civic Duty:

  “As messed up as the United States is, we have the right to vote… the most important thing you can possibly do for your civic duty.” — Golfer (59:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [07:33] – Kat’s campaign introduction
• [09:42] – The “apolitical” One Piece bit; Kat’s One Piece journey
• [13:51] – Favorite characters and hazing round
• [20:14] – One Piece imagery in activism
• [22:13] – Cultural resonance and representation
• [24:58] – Personal influences, formative reading
• [27:39] – The value of flawed/ideal heroes
• [37:13] – Media literacy & Western vs. Eastern storytelling
• [40:48] – Rant against fascist misinterpretation of fiction
• [49:55] – Kat’s advice: how to act, big or small
• [54:29] – Campaign support, Matt Mercer collab
• [58:03] – Voting, civic participation, One Piece in Congress?
• [60:31] – Final reflections on participating in history

Conclusion

This lively, candid episode combines One Piece fandom with honest, insightful talk about activism, the political (and often misrepresented) nature of stories, and the need for everyone—nerds and normies alike—to participate in shaping society. With humor, passion, and vulnerability, Kat Abughazaleh and the panel remind listeners: nothing is truly apolitical—not even a pirate adventure manga.

For fans and non-fans alike, this episode makes the case for fighting injustice, finding courage in story, and voting for more One Piece fans in Congress.