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On this edition of Parallax Views, J.G. Michael is joined by Patricia Martin,host of the Jung in the World podcast, to explore her provocative new book Will the Future Like You?: Reflections on the Age of Hyper-Reinvention. In a wide-ranging and deeply thought-provoking conversation, Martin examines how technology, social media, and the pressures of constant self-reinvention are reshaping our understanding of identity itself. From the concept of “persona fog” to the psychological toll of living multiple digital selves, she unpacks why so many people today feel stuck, fragmented, and uncertain about who they are.... as well as who they’re becoming.

Drawing on Jungian psychology, cultural analysis, and years of research, Martin explains how the collapse of traditional identity anchor like family, work, and institutions has ushered us into what she calls the “post-identity” era. The discussion delves into the rise of chronic self-doubt, the emotional costs of hyper-connectivity, and the hidden ways digital life can both expand and erode the self. At the same time, Martin offers insight into how we might reclaim a deeper sense of meaning and navigate an uncertain future with greater awareness.

This is a must-listen episode for anyone interested in psychology, technology, culture, and the evolving nature of human identity in the 21st century.

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On this edition of Parallax Views, political scientist Maya Kornberg joins the show to discuss her new book on why Congress seems increasingly unable to function as an effective, representative, and co-equal branch of government. Drawing on deep research into three pivotal waves of congressional reform—the post-Watergate class of 1974, the Republican Revolution of 1994, and the diverse, media-savvy newcomers of 2018—Kornberg argues that today’s legislative dysfunction is not simply the result of partisan gridlock, but the product of deeper structural forces reshaping American democracy.

In this wide-ranging and enlightening conversation, we explore how money, media, and political violence have transformed the incentives facing members of Congress. From the relentless pressure to fundraise, to the rise of social media as a source of political power, to the chilling effects of threats and intimidation, Kornberg paints a sobering picture of an institution struggling to adapt to a rapidly changing political environment.

We also delve into the historical cycles of reform and institutional change, asking whether today’s Congress is fundamentally different from past eras of crisis. Why were earlier reformers able to reshape the institution, while modern efforts seem to falter? Has Congress ceded too much power to the presidency? And what would it take to restore the legislative branch as a meaningful check in the American system?

Despite the challenges, Kornberg offers thoughtful and pragmatic ideas for reform, from strengthening congressional capacity to rethinking the internal structures that govern how lawmakers operate. Throughout the discussion, she provides valuable insight into not just what is broken in Congress, but why it has proven so difficult to fix.

This is a must-listen episode for anyone interested in American politics, democratic institutions, and the future of governance in an era of polarization and uncertainty.

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Recorded 3-11-26

On this edition of Parallax Views, sociologist and public intellectual Charles Derber joins us to discuss his book Fighting Oligarchy: How Positive Populism Can Reclaim America and the growing struggle between democracy and oligarchic power in the United States. As economic inequality deepens and public trust in institutions erodes, populist movements—both left and right—are reshaping the political landscape. But what exactly is populism, and why has it become such a defining force in modern politics?

Derber argues that contemporary American politics is increasingly defined by a battle between corporate oligarchy and competing forms of populism. While figures like Donald Trump present themselves as anti-elite champions of “the people,” Derber contends that this rhetoric often masks policies that ultimately benefit billionaires and entrenched corporate power. In contrast, he proposes the idea of “positive populism”—a democratic, multiracial movement capable of challenging oligarchic influence while rebuilding solidarity among working-class Americans.

In this conversation we explore the roots of populist politics in American history, from the anti-robber baron movements of the Gilded Age to the New Deal era and the social movements of the 1960s. Derber also offers a controversial critique of contemporary liberal politics, arguing that the Democratic Party’s shift away from class-based politics toward professional-class liberalism and cultural identity conflicts may have unintentionally opened the door for right-wing populism.

We discuss the contradictions of Trumpism, the role of identity politics and culture wars in dividing the working class, and whether a broad democratic coalition capable of confronting corporate power is still possible in today’s polarized political climate. Is the United States already drifting toward oligarchy? Can populism strengthen democracy rather than undermine it? And what would a genuine anti-oligarchic political movement look like in the twenty-first century?

All this and more on this edition of Parallax Views.

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On this edition of Parallax Views, media scholar Robin Andersen joins us to discuss her new book The Complicit Lens: US Media Coverage of Israel’s Genocide in Gaza. In this conversation, Andersen examines how major American news outlets framed the war in Gaza following the October 7, 2023 attacks and why mainstream reporting often echoed official Israeli and U.S. government narratives while marginalizing Palestinian perspectives.

Drawing on detailed media analysis, Andersen argues that corporate media frequently downplayed the scale of Palestinian suffering, repeated unverified atrocity claims, and adopted language that framed Israeli military actions as defensive while obscuring accusations of war crimes and genocide. She also explores the role of editorial directives, narrative framing, and propaganda tropes in shaping coverage—from the portrayal of October 7 as the sole starting point of the conflict to the treatment of Palestinian journalists, aid workers, and civilian casualties.

In the course of our discussion, Andersen highlights how independent journalists, social media, and alternative outlets challenged these dominant narratives, often providing documentation and eyewitness testimony that contradicted establishment media coverage. We also examine controversies surrounding reporting by major outlets like The New York Times, the role of atrocity stories in wartime propaganda, and the broader implications for press freedom, public opinion, and democratic accountability.

Ultimately, The Complicit Lens raises urgent questions about journalism’s responsibilities during wartime: What happens when the media becomes a conduit for official narratives rather than a check on power? And what does the Gaza war reveal about the limits of U.S. media institutions in covering conflicts involving close American allies?

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On this edition of Parallax Views, host J.G. Michael speaks with Nathan Taylor, a representative of the Election Truth Alliance (ETA), about controversial claims regarding vulnerabilities in U.S. election systems and the group’s ongoing efforts to investigate potential irregularities in recent elections.

Taylor explains the Election Truth Alliance’s stated mission: conducting nonpartisan investigations into the integrity of American voting infrastructure. Drawing on election forensics methods, public records, field research, and statistical analysis, ETA says it is examining whether existing voting systems and administrative processes are adequately safeguarding the democratic process.

During the conversation, Taylor discusses findings the group says raise questions about election infrastructure and data integrity in several states. In Florida, ETA has examined voter rolls, ballot custody logs, and turnout data in places like St. Lucie County, where the organization claims to have identified unusual turnout figures and discrepancies between votes cast and registered voters. The group has also reviewed historical concerns about cybersecurity threats to election systems, including reports of malware activity in Florida counties during the 2016 election cycle.

The discussion also turns to Pennsylvania, where ETA has conducted statistical analyses of voting patterns across multiple counties and says it has identified anomalies that warrant further scrutiny. Taylor explains that the organization has pursued legal action related to voting system reliability and describes issues such as ballot-scanner failures reported in Cambria County during the 2024 election.

Throughout the interview, Taylor emphasizes that ETA frames its work as independent of partisan politics, arguing that election transparency and verifiable vote counts should be priorities regardless of which party benefits. At the same time, the group’s findings and interpretations remain controversial and are part of a broader national debate over election security, voting technology, and public trust in democratic institutions.

J.G. Michael presses Taylor on the methodology behind ETA’s analyses, the evidence supporting their claims, and how critics view these investigations. The result is a probing discussion about election forensics, statistical anomaly detection, cybersecurity concerns surrounding voting infrastructure, and the broader challenge of maintaining public confidence in U.S. elections.

Whether one views the Election Truth Alliance’s work as an important call for greater transparency or as part of a contentious debate over election integrity claims, this conversation explores the arguments, evidence, and questions at the center of the controversy.

Recorded 4-2-2026

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On this edition of Parallax Views, returning guest James M. Dorsey joins us to discuss the Iran War one month on and its potential consequences for the United States, Europe, the Gulf States, Israel, and Iran itself. Reflecting on the conflict, Dorsey argues bluntly: “This was unnecessary and a huge mistake, for which everybody is going to pay a heavy price.”

We begin with Donald Trump’s latest speech addressing the war before broadening the conversation to the geopolitical fallout of the conflict. Dorsey explains why the war risks further destabilizing the Middle East, warning that tensions between Iran and the Gulf States could worsen dramatically while leaving all parties worse off.

The conversation also explores the long and troubled history of U.S.–Iran relations, including the legacy of the Iran–Iraq War and U.S. support for Saddam Hussein during that conflict, even as his regime deployed nerve gas on the battlefield. Understanding that history, Dorsey argues, is essential for grasping the deep mistrust that continues to shape the current crisis.

We also discuss the surprising intervention of prominent neoconservative thinker Robert Kagan, whose article “America Has Become a Rogue Superpower” challenges assumptions about the hawkish foreign policy establishment. Finally, we examine the role of the Pentagon under Pete Hegseth, including concerns about religious rhetoric and ideological overtones surrounding the war effort.

All that and much more on this edition of Parallax Views.

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In this explosive edition of Parallax Views, host J.G. Michael is joined by former CIA analyst and counterterrorism official Larry C. Johnson of the Sonar21 blog to discuss the rapidly escalating U.S.–Iran war and why Johnson believes the Trump administration’s public messaging about peace negotiations is deeply misleading.

Drawing on his recent article “Is Trump Serious About Negotiations with Iran?”, Johnson argues that claims of imminent diplomacy with Tehran should be treated with extreme skepticism. In fact, he bluntly warns listeners: “Don’t believe ’em — they’re lying.” According to Johnson, statements about ceasefires or talks may be intended to calm markets and suppress oil prices rather than signal genuine negotiations. He predicts that after markets close on Friday, the conflict could escalate dramatically.

The conversation dives deep into the strategic and economic stakes of the war, including the potential for catastrophic disruption to global energy infrastructure and the risk of shutting down the Strait of Hormuz. Johnson explains why proposals to seize strategic islands in the Persian Gulf could expose U.S. forces to devastating missile, drone, and naval attacks — and why such moves might trigger a wider economic shock affecting oil, LNG, fertilizer, and even global metals supply chains.

J.G. and Johnson also examine how this conflict compares to earlier U.S. wars in the Middle East. Johnson argues that the current war is even more dangerous than the Bush-era invasion of Iraq, noting that this time there has been little effort to manufacture public consent on this war of choice.

Other topics explored in this wide-ranging conversation include:

• The geopolitical consequences of closing the Strait of Hormuz and what it means for the global oil market
• A bit on Kharg Island, a significant Iranian oil export hub
• The potential economic ripple effects of war on commodities like copper, uranium, and nickel
• The role of Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israel lobby in shaping U.S. policy toward Iran
• The resignation of Joe Kent and what it signals about internal divisions within the Trump administration
• The historical roots of U.S.–Iran hostility, including Washington’s support for Saddam Hussein during the Iran–Iraq War
• Why Johnson believes American troops could soon face significant casualties if escalation continues and troops on the ground are deployed.

Johnson, who served as an analyst at the CIA and later as Deputy Director in the U.S. State Department’s Office of Counterterrorism, brings decades of intelligence and national security experience to his analysis of the unfolding crisis.

If Johnson’s predictions are correct, the coming days could reshape not only Middle East geopolitics but also the global economy and energy system.

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On this edition of Parallax Views, historian, retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, and foreign policy critic William J. Astore joins the show to discuss what he calls the sorry state of affairs that is contemporary American foreign policy—particularly as the United States becomes increasingly entangled in a new war with Iran.

Astore and J.G. Michael examine the long historical arc behind the current crisis, including the legacy of the 1953 Iranian coup d'état that overthrew Iran’s democratically elected prime minister Mohammad Mosaddegh—a pivotal moment that cemented decades of mistrust between Washington and Tehran. From there, the conversation widens into a critique of American imperial ambitions, regime-change politics, and the bipartisan foreign policy consensus that has repeatedly drawn the U.S. into conflicts across the Middle East.

The discussion also explores the influence of the Israel lobby on U.S. policy toward Iran, including the role played by organizations such as American Israel Public Affairs Committee and other hardline pro-Israel advocacy groups in shaping Washington’s approach to the region.

In addition, Astore and Michael analyze recent political developments inside the U.S. national security apparatus, including the resignation of Joe Kent, the former head of the National Counterterrorism Center, who stepped down in protest over the Iran conflict. They also discuss the muted response of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard—once known for her anti-interventionist rhetoric—raising questions about the limits of “antiwar” branding within the realities of power politics.

All that and much more on this edition of Parallax Views.

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On this edition of Parallax Views, J.G. Michael is joined by Dublin-based historian and guide Garvan Rushe, founder of Dublin Tour Guide. Rushe discusses his approach to bringing the history of Dublin to life for visitors—not by simply reciting dates and facts, but by telling human stories that connect people to the places they’re walking through.

The conversation explores how Rushe personalizes his tours and adapts them to the interests of each group, treating tour guiding as a form of storytelling that blends history, culture, and lived experience. Along the way, they touch on some of the figures and traditions that loom large in Dublin’s past, including the legacy of the great Catholic emancipator Daniel O'Connell, the influence of Catholicism on Irish identity and public life, and the role of labor activism through working-class leader Jim Larkin.

Rushe reflects on how guiding people through the city can open up conversations about Irish history in ways that feel immediate and personal, allowing visitors to see Dublin not just as a tourist destination but as a place shaped by generations of struggle, faith, culture, and everyday life. The result is a wide-ranging discussion about history, memory, and the art of helping people experience a city through the stories embedded in its streets.

Recorded 3-18-26

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On this edition of Parallax Views, I’m joined by journalist Eli Clifton and political scientist Ian S. Lustick to discuss their provocative The Nation article, “The Israeli Tail Wags the American Dog,” as well as their forthcoming book Israel’s Lobby: America in the Grip of a Foreign Power. We examine their central argument that recent U.S. policy—particularly the Trump administration’s war with Iran—cannot be fully understood through traditional national interest frameworks but instead reflects the outsized influence of Israel’s government and its allies within the United States. The conversation explores how Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has historically sought to shape U.S. Middle East policy, including his role in advocating for the Iraq War and the current war with Iran.

We also delve into Lustick’s intellectual evolution on Israel-Palestine and the lobby question, offering a reflective opening to the discussion, before turning to key case studies like the Steven Rosen espionage affair and the broader ecosystem of lobbying, campaign finance, and elite influence networks. Clifton, known for his investigative work on money in politics and foreign policy, helps unpack how these forces operate in practice. Additionally, we address the role of Christian Zionism, discussing the Israel lobby without falling into antisemitism, and how this new book builds upon—and updates—the arguments made in The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy by Stephen Walt and John Mearsheimer. All that and more in this wide-ranging conversation about power, influence, and the future of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.

Recorded 3-18-26

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In this episode of Parallax Views, retired U.S. diplomat Patrick N. Theros returns to examine what he sees as a catastrophic turning point in American foreign policy: the Trump administration’s decision to wage war with Iran. A career Foreign Service officer who served across the Middle East—including as U.S. Ambassador to Qatar and as a political advisor to U.S. Central Command—Theros brings decades of regional expertise to a sobering assessment of the conflict and its potential consequences.

Theros argues that the longer the United States remains entangled in this war, the more severe the economic and geopolitical fallout will become. From his perspective, even an imperfect, face-saving exit would be preferable to a prolonged escalation. He also suggests that Trump has been influenced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in pursuing this course, raising concerns about external pressures shaping U.S. policy. In a striking reflection of the current political moment, Theros describes a “Twilight Zone” dynamic in which he finds himself agreeing—at least on this issue—with figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Drawing on his experience in the region, Theros challenges simplistic narratives about Iran, rejecting the idea that it is a “failing petro-state” and instead emphasizing the resilience of its revolutionary system despite decades of sanctions. The discussion also explores how distorted perceptions, the complexities of the Iranian diaspora vs. the population on the ground in Iran, and enduring currents of Orientalism continue to undermine sound U.S. policymaking.

A key historical parallel in the conversation, albeit only briefly covered, is the Iraq War and the role of controversial exile figure Ahmed Chalabi. Theros recounts meeting Chalabi in Jordan and coming away deeply skeptical of him—a judgment that history would largely vindicate. Chalabi, later convicted of bank fraud in Jordan and widely criticized as a fabricator of intelligence, played a central role in promoting false claims about weapons of mass destruction that helped justify the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Many critics would later describe him as a “conman” who misled policymakers and the public in the run-up to war. Theros believes something similar may be at play with the hoisting up of Reza Pahlavi, Iran's exiled monarchic son, as a possible "transitional" figure/leader of a post-Islamic Republic Iran.

The episode also offers a comparative analysis of the Iraq and Iran wars. While both conflicts are shaped by flawed assumptions and ideological pressures, Theros argues that the current Iran war may be even more dangerous. The Bush administration, however misguided, at least operated with a defined (if deeply flawed) strategic framework for regime change in Iraq. By contrast, the present conflict appears to lack any coherent long-term plan, increasing the risks of escalation, economic disruption, and unintended consequences across the region.

All this and more on the latest edition of Parallax Views.