Our guests are Bill Ayers & Bernardine Dohrn; Rev. Jim Rigby & Glenn Smith; Corey Dolgon; Julia Mickenberg; Scott Braddock; Jonathan Tilove; Roy Casagranda; Powell St. John & Charlie Prichard; Gordon Lafer; Eddie Wilson & Jesse Sublett; Eliza Gilkyson; Bob Libal & Alice Embree; David Messier; Jim Hightower & Beverly Shaw.
Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn on Rag Radio. Photo by Carlos Lowry / The Rag Blog.
The following podcasts are from recent Rag Radio shows with host Thorne Dreyer. The syndicated Rag Radio program, produced in the studios of Austin’s cooperatively-run KOOP-FM, has an international audience and has become an influential platform for interviews with leading figures in politics, current events, literature, and cutting-edge culture.
♦ Bill Ayers & Bernardine Dohrn: ‘Demand the Impossible!’
Legendary activists and educators Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn are interviewed by Rag Radio host Thorne Dreyer and writer/activist Alice Embree. They discuss Bill’s new book, Demand the Impossible!: A Radical Manifesto, and how it addresses the problems we face at this dramatic juncture in history. Vijay Prashad calls Bill Ayers “the philosopher of the revolutionary spirit,” and Angela Davis writes that Demand the Impossible! “is a book that should be read by everyone who believes that ‘another world is possible.'”
Read the full show description and download the podcast of our June 16, 2017 Rag Radio show with Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn, here — or listen to it here:
♦ Rev Jim Rigby & Glenn Smith: Sanctuary Cities & Texas’ War on Austin
Rev. Jim Rigby of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Austin, and noted Democratic strategist and Rag Radio analyst Glenn Smith, are Thorne Dreyer’s guests. They discuss Texas’ draconian new “sanctuary cities” law, as well as the state’s multi-faceted legislative assault on the City of Austin, including what Austin Mayor Steve Adler recently referred to as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s “war against [Texas] cities.” Rev. Jim Rigby is a leader of the Austin Sanctuary Movement, a multi-denominational network of congregations pledged to shelter immigrants fearing persecution.
Read the full show description and download the podcast of our June 9, 2017 Rag Radio interview with Rev. Jim Rigby and Glenn Smith here — or listen to it here:
♦ Author Corey Dolgon on Capitalism’s Triumph over Democracy
Thorne Dreyer’s guest is Corey Dolgon, whose new book, Kill It to Save It: An Autopsy of Capitalism’s Triumph Over Democracy, “lays bare the hypocrisy of contemporary U.S. political discourse, documenting the historical and theoretical trajectory of capitalism’s triumph over democracy…” Corey Dolgon is Professor of Sociology and Director of Community-Based Learning at Stonehill College, Easton, Massachusetts.
Read the full show description and download the podcast of our June 2, 2017 Rag Radio interview with Corey Dolgon here — or listen to it here:
♦ Julia L Mickenberg: ‘American Girls in Red Russia: Chasing the Soviet Dream’
UT-Austin American Studies scholar Julia Mickenberg discusses her fascinating new book, American Girls in Red Russia: Chasing the Soviet Dream, with host Thorne Dreyer and Rag Radio contributor Alice Embree. As Mickenberg uncovers in this unique book, there is a forgotten counterpoint to the story of the Lost Generation: beginning in the late nineteenth century, Russian revolutionary ideology attracted many women, including suffragists, reformers, educators, journalists, and artists, as well as curious travelers.
Read the full show description and download the podcast of our May 26, 2017 Rag Radio interview with Julia Mickenberg here — or listen to it here:
♦ The Weird World of Politics with Pundits Scott Braddock & Glenn Smith
Storied Texas radio and print journalist Scott Braddock and Rag Radio analyst and political journalist Glenn Smith join host Thorne Dreyer as they try to make some sense out of what’s happening in the even-crazier-than-usual world of politics. Topics discussed include the bizarre unfolding of the Trump/Comey/Russian collusion saga, and the health care bill and its future in the Senate. We also talk about Texas HB4, the Sanctuary City bill. And the implications of all this for the 2018 elections.
Read the full show description and download the podcast of our May 13, 2017 Rag Radio interview with Scott Braddock and Glenn Smith here — or listen to it here:
♦ Political Writer Jonathan Tilove on Alex Jones: ‘Trials of a Performance Artist’
Jonathan Tilove, chief political writer for the Austin American-Statesman, covered the custody battle between Austin-based radio personality — the screaming conspiracy theorist Alex Jones — and his wife, Kelly. The story, based on Jonathan’s reporting, went national and Jonathan was interviewed widely in print and broadcast media. We discuss the central contention of Trump’s lawyer — that Jones is really just a big ol’ teddy bear and his on-air persona is simply “performance art” — and the larger Alex Jones story, including how he rose to international prominence in the fake news era and, along the way, became something of a “Trump whisperer.”
Read the full show description and download the podcast of our May 6, 2017 Rag Radio interview with Jonathan Tilove here — or listen to it here:
♦ Foreign Policy Scholar Roy Casagranda: ‘Citizen Trump Takes on the World’
Two of the country’s most prominent peace and justice activists — Medea Benjamin and Col. Ann Wright — discuss Donald Trump and U.S. foreign policy and the growing resistance to his presidency. Medea Benjamin is the co-founder of the women-led peace group CodePink and the human rights group Global Exchange. Ann Wright is a retired United States Army colonel and former diplomat who publicly resigned from the U.S. State Department in direct protest of the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
Read the full show description and download the podcast of our April 21, 2017 Rag Radio interview with Roy Casagranda here — or listen to it here:
♦ Sixties Music Legends Powell St John and Charlie Prichard
Austin music legends Charlie Prichard (Conqueroo) and Powell St. John (Mother Earth) who were key figures in the Sixties music renaissance, were our guests on Rag Radio, December 21, 2012: a classic show — including conversation and performance — that we rebroadcast last week. Our dear friend Charlie Prichard — who had been in poor health for some time — died Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at the age of 71.
Read the full show description and download the podcast of our April 28, 2017 rebroadcast of our Dec. 21, 2012 Rag Radio show with Powell St. John and the late Charlie Prichard in conversation and performance here — or listen to it here:
♦ Gordon Lafer, Author of ‘The One Percent Solution’
Gordon Lafer is Associate Professor at the Labor Education and Research Center at the University of Oregon. He is the author of The One Percent Solution: How Corporations Are Remaking America One State at a Time. In the aftermath of Citizens United, it’s become commonplace to note the growing political dominance of a small segment of the economic elite. But what exactly are they doing with their newfound influence? Lafer’s book is a comprehensive account of legislation promoted by the nation’s biggest corporate lobbies across all 50 states.
Read the full show description and download the podcast of our April 14, 2017 Rag Radio interview with Gordon Lafer here — or listen to it here:
♦ Glenn Smith and Thorne Dreyer Dissect the Political Scene
Noted Democratic strategist and Rag Radio regular Glenn Smith joins Thorne Dreyer to discuss the latest political developments on the national scene and in Texas. We talk about Trump’s bombing of Syria (“Theater,” Smith called it); the alleged Russia-Repub-U.S. election connections; the Border Wall; the latest from the Texas legislature; and much more. Glenn Smith is an op-ed columnist for the Austin American-Statesman, the director of Progress Texas PAC, and a columnist for Quorum Report.
Read the full show description and download the podcast of our April 7, 2017 Rag Radio interview with Glenn Smith and Thorne Dreyer here — or listen to it here:
♦ Eddie Wilson & Jesse Sublett: ‘Armadillo World Headquarters: A Memoir’
Eddie Wilson and Jesse Sublett join Thorne Dreyer to discuss their much-anticipated and highly-regarded new book, Armadillo World Headquarters: A Memoir. Wilson founded the legendary Austin music venue that gave birth to the cosmic cowboy and brought fame to the lowly armadillo. Armadillo World Headquarters helped birth the Austin music scene. Joining Wilson in telling this incredible tale is writer-musician Jesse Sublett, whose punk band, The Skunks, performed at the Dillo. Jesse even sings a song for us on the show.
Read the full show description and download the podcast of our March 24, 2017 Rag Radio interview with Eddie Wilson and Jesse Sublett here — or listen to it here:
♦ Grammy-Nominated Singer-Songwriter Eliza Gilkyson on Music & Social Activism
Eliza Gilkyson, twice Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and activist, is Thorne Dreyer’s guest on Rag Radio. Gilkyson, one of the nation’s most respected folk, roots, and Americana musicians, sings three songs, two of which had never been performed on radio before, and discusses her life, her work, and her social activism. Eliza also talks about her latest video, produced with her son, Cisco Ryder, set to her 2008 song, “The Great Correction.” The video features a collection of powerful photos “depicting the brave souls who, throughout this nation’s history, fought for a decent society and a protected and loved planet.”.
Read the full show description and download the podcast of our March 17, 2017 Rag Radio show with Eliza Gilkyson, with performance, here — or listen to it here:
♦ Activists Bob Libal & Alice Embree on Deportation, Incarceration, Resistance & Community
Bob Libal, executive director of Grassroots Leadership and Austin activist and writer Alice Embree discuss issues related to deportation, incarceration, resistance, and community, including the extensive Austin resistance activity.. Libal has worked for more than a decade on issues of prison privatization, immigration detention, and criminal justice reform. Embree, a veteran of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), the original Rag, and the Women’s Liberation Movement, is an Austin activist, organizer, and member of the Texas State Employees Union.
Read the full show description and download the podcast of our March 3, 2017 Rag Radio interview with Bob Libal and Alice Embree here — or listen to it here:
♦ Musician, Songwriter & Producer David Messier, with Live Performance
David Messier, a multi-instrumental musician, songwriter, and producer, joins us in conversation and performance. David is the owner of the Austin-based recording studio, Same Sky Productions, and president of the Texas chapter of the Grammys. Messier’s first solo album is Waiting for Eldridge. According to KUTX’s John Aielli, “If you haven’t heard of David Messier, it’s time you found out about him.”
Read the full show description and download the podcast of our Feb 24, 2017 Rag Radio interview with David Messier, including performance, here — or listen to it here:
♦ Jim Hightower & Beverly Shaw
Jim Hightower, America’s best-known populist writer, author, and radio commentator, and progressive political activist, is Thorne Dreyer’s guest on Rag Radio. Also joining us is KOOP Radio’s General Manager, Beverly Shaw. Hightower, editor of The Hightower Lowdown and a board member of the Bernie Sanders-initiated grassroots activist group, Our Revolution, talks about Fake News, and how communities are coming up with their own solutions to issues like inequality, education, and homelessness; “Populist Justice,” and a plan for channeling grassroots anger; and all things Trump!
Read the full show description and download the podcast of our Feb. 17, 2017 Rag Radio interview with Jim Hightower and Beverly Shaw — or listen to it here:
Rag Radio, a weekly hour-long syndicated radio program that has aired more than 300 original shows since September 2009, is produced and hosted by Rag Blog editor Thorne Dreyer. Tracey Schulz is engineer and co-producer.
Rag Radio is produced in the studios of KOOP 91.7-FM, a cooperatively-run all-volunteer community radio station in Austin, Texas, and is first broadcast live on KOOP every Friday from 2-3 p.m. (CDT) and streamed live on the web. All Rag Radio shows are posted as podcasts at the Internet Archive.
Rag Radio can also be heard on WFTE, 90.3-FM in Mt. Cobb, PA, and 105.7-FM in Scranton, PA., on KPFT-HD3 90.1, Pacifica radio in Houston, on KKRN 88.5-FM in Round Mountain, CA, and as a featured podcast at Veterans Today. Find details here.
After broadcast, all Rag Radio shows are posted as podcasts at the Internet Archive.
Rag Radio is produced in association with The Rag Blog, a progressive Internet newsmagazine, and the New Journalism Project, a Texas 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.
Please contact us at ragradio@koop.org.
[Thorne Dreyer is an Austin-based writer, editor, broadcaster, and activist. A pioneering alternative journalist, Dreyer was a founding editor of the original Rag in 1966 Austin and Space City! in Houston, and managed KPFT-FM, Houston’s Pacifica radio station. Dreyer now edits The Rag Blog, hosts Rag Radio, and is a director of the New Journalism Project. Contact Dreyer at editor@theragblog.com.]
