6 chapters across the catalog
Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open the show from Armonk, New York, discussing the history of IBM's global headquarters moving to the area in the 1950s due to nuclear attack fears. They discuss the local real estate in Westchester County and debate changing the podcast's recording time to accommodate different time zones.
Heather Nauert vs. Matt Lee, Putin's Missile Video
State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert faced questions from reporter Matt Lee regarding a video animation shown by Vladimir Putin depicting a nuclear attack on the United States. Nauert called the video "cheesy" and "irresponsible," while Lee pointed out that she was reacting to it despite claiming the U.S. would not react to every word from world leaders.
North Korea Missile Threats and Hawaii Preparedness Drills
Hawaii officials have launched a public preparedness campaign for a potential North Korean nuclear strike, including "shelter-in-place" drills. Critics argue the threat is exaggerated to secure federal funding or control travel, noting similar media cycles occurred in 2014 without incident.
Former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta accused Donald Trump of irresponsibly inviting Russian interference in American politics. Panetta argued that a presidential candidate asking an adversary to engage in hacking is inconceivable and poses a threat to national security. He further characterized Trump as an erratic leader who cannot be trusted with the nuclear arsenal.
Representative Bill Johnson of Ohio delivered a dramatic speech on the House floor, apologizing to the "survivors of 2030" for the Iran nuclear deal. Johnson predicted that the deal would lead to a nuclear holocaust on American and Israeli soil. The hosts mock the speech as fear-mongering and suggest the Iranian leadership is more interested in luxury than global destruction.
Civil Defense Propaganda, 1960 Austin Nuclear Attack Film
A 1960 Civil Defense propaganda film depicts a fictional nuclear attack on Austin, Texas, to instruct citizens on using fallout shelters. The film features a nuclear explosion occurring 25 miles west of the city in the Edwards Plateau and provides instructions for staying in sub-basements. The hosts note the similarity between historical fear-mongering and modern media narratives.
