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Deep Dive with ShawnAuthor: Sea Tree Media
Welcome to Deep Dive, the podcast where politics, history, and queer lives intersect in engaging, in-depth conversations. I'm Dr. Shawn C. Fettig, a political scientist, and I've crafted this show to go beyond the headlines, diving into the heart of critical issues with authors, researchers, activists, and politicians. Forget surface-level analysis; we're here for the real stories, the hidden layers, and the nuanced discussions that matter.Join me as we explore the intricate world of governance, democracy, and global stability. Expect empathy, unique perspectives, and thought-provoking dialogueno punditry, just genuine insights.Ready to dive in? Catch us on your favorite podcast platform, and don't forget to follow the conversation:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/deepdivewithshawn.bsky.socialYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjZ9grY02HMCUR34qaWhNmQGot thoughts? Questions? We'd love to hear from you! Drop us a line at deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com."Deep Dive" - Because the most important conversations happen below the surface. Language: en-us Genres: News, Politics, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Dead Democracy Walking: A Farewell (w/ Dr. Sara Benesh)
Sunday, 24 August, 2025
Send us a textWhat does it feel like to watch democracy crumble in real time? In this raw, deeply personal conversation that marks the (maybe) final episode of Deep Dive, host Shawn C. Fettig and political scientist Dr. Sara Benesh confront the terrifying reality of America's democratic collapse and our collective failure to respond.After three and a half years of weekly episodes, Fettig explains his decision to step back from punditry about how bad things are and pivot toward developing content focused on effective resistance strategies. This shift comes from a growing recognition that simply documenting democracy's decline isn't enough—we need functional approaches to countering authoritarianism.The conversation takes an unexpectedly intimate turn as both participants share their struggles to reconcile everyday life with the knowledge of ongoing atrocities. "I'm taking on this new job, figuring out where my son will go to college... and I'm like, but Gaza is starving. What does any of this stuff matter?" This cognitive dissonance mirrors what many Americans feel as they continue normal routines while democracy erodes around them.Drawing powerful parallels to Nazi Germany, they explore memoirs of Germans who rationalized continuing ordinary life during Hitler's rise. The most chilling insight: "Those who were pessimistic survived because they saw what was coming and took active measures... those who were optimistic died." Are we making the same mistakes?The discussion reveals the paralyzing collective action problem at democracy's heart—those least directly affected by authoritarianism must lead resistance efforts, yet they're precisely the ones with the most comfort to lose. Our commodified, distraction-filled lives make mobilization nearly impossible.Rather than ending in despair, Fettig and Benesh suggest a new path forward: looking not just to failed democracies for lessons, but to successful resistance movements throughout history, including America's founding generation who overthrew tyranny and built something new. The question remains: will enough of us recognize this historical moment before it's too late?-------------------------Follow Deep Dive:BlueskyYouTube Email: deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com Music: Majestic Earth - Joystock
