Sarah Kendzior on authoritarianism, corruption and life’s simple pleasures

2022-04-19

Paul sits down with best-selling author and scholar, Sarah Kendzior to talk about staying vigilant while trying to enjoy life’s simple pleasures as authoritarianism and corruption continues to accelerate.Sarah Kendzior darkly refers to herself on Twitter as a non-fiction horror writer. That description, while hilarious, is spot on. She is also a journalist, holds a PhD in anthropology and a Masters in Central Eurasian Studies focusing on the authoritarian states of the former Soviet Union. Her two book...

Paul sits down with best-selling author and scholar, Sarah Kendzior to talk about staying vigilant while trying to enjoy life’s simple pleasures as authoritarianism and corruption continues to accelerate.

Sarah Kendzior darkly refers to herself on Twitter as a non-fiction horror writer. That description, while hilarious, is spot on. She is also a journalist, holds a PhD in anthropology and a Masters in Central Eurasian Studies focusing on the authoritarian states of the former Soviet Union.

Her two books, The View From Flyover Country and Hiding In Plain Sight are celebrated bestsellers and must reads for anyone wanting to understand the decline and abandonment of the Heartland and then the machinations behind the ascension of American Autocracy in the form of the Trump Family. Her upcoming book, They Knew explores the United States’ “culture of conspiracy,”. She is also co-host of Gaslit Nation, a weekly podcast which covers corruption in all things Trump and the rise of authoritarianism around the world. It is one of the most riveting sources of information about Putin and the invasion of Ukraine. She was named by Foreign Policy as one of the “100 people you should be following on Twitter to make sense of global events.”

Her reporting has been featured in many publications, including NBC News, The Guardian, The Atlantic, Fast Company, The Chicago Tribune, Al Jazeera, The Globe and Mail, and The New York Times.

Sarah was on the original guest wishlist for this podcast. Because despite all the bylines and numerous television appearances handing out undeniable truths about authoritarian tactics, racism and xenophobia, the state of media and voting rights - she’s also a thoughtful artist, a rabid Guns N Roses fan, and a Mom who enjoys life’s simple pleasures in her beloved adopted hometown of St.Louis, MO.

"Both prescient and honest...seeing the roots of the arguments that now dominate cable news is both fascinating and a little bit haunting in retrospect." ―NPR

“Kendzior is no psychic. She’s just whip-smart and an expert on authoritarian governments. She’s also that rare writer with an analyst’s brain and an empath’s heart.” ―STEFENE RUSSELL, ST. LOUIS MAGAZINE

Follow Sarah Kendzior on Twitter: @SarahKendzior
Visit SarahKendzior.com

Host: Paul Chamberlain
Guest: Sarah Kendzior
Produced by: Cerebral Itch Labs

Clips featured in this episode:

Cult of Personality (7" Version) - Living Colour
Writers: Corey Glover, William Calhoun, Muzz Skillings, Vernon Reid

The Stand—Original Series Soundtrack
music by: Nathaniel Walcott and Mike Mogis

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