A blunt, unsentimental dive into propaganda, ideology, and the contemporary cult of belief.
Host Todd Thompson dissects how both corporate and collectivist power structures manipulate guilt, fear, and identity to keep the herd in line. From Ellul and Chomsky to Didion and Camus, the show fuses political philosophy, field experience, and gallows humor to expose how revolutions become religions, and how “progress” often hides new forms of control.
The X-Pod is an autopsy of the narratives that shape us: digital Marxism, moral theater, and the algorithmic priests of the new faith. Expect philosophy with scars, historical context with teeth, and the rare luxury of an honest sentence.
Episodes
Monday Jul 14, 2025
Monday Jul 14, 2025
Weaving together current events, political polarization, and the power of storytelling over facts, this episode explores the fragility of democracy in the digital age. Todd examines insights from George Washington, Walter Lippmann, Jonathan Gottschall, and Nicholas Carr, questioning whether media literacy or ethical gatekeeping can overcome our tribal instincts. This episode offers a candid look at the roots of division and the possibly futile search for solutions in a hyper-connected world.
Major Segments with Time Cues
- 00:00:00] Introduction and podcast rebrand announcement
- [00:01:00] Jeffrey Epstein news and political implications
- [00:06:40] Challenges facing democracy and ideological threats
- [00:12:00] George Washington on factions and foreign interference
- [00:21:00] Jonathan Gottschall's storytelling theory and democracy
- [00:24:00] Nicholas Carr on digital media's divisive effects
- [00:39:00] Potential solutions: media literacy, gatekeeping, safeguards?
- [00:55:00] Podcast platform changes and rebranding plans
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More: https://toddzillax.substack.com/
Vids: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjdLR140l--HufeRSAnj91A/?themeRefresh=1
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