The Curious Middle

All the News That's Fit to Spin with Ashley Rindsberg

How much power does The New York Times really have , and what happens when that power is used to shape narrative instead of pursue truth? In this episode of The Curious Middle, we speak with Ashley Rindsberg, author of The Gray Lady Winked, about the Times' reporting on some of the most important stories of the last century: the Nazi invasion of Poland, Stalin's Soviet Union, the Holocaust, Israel, the 1619 Project nd more. Ashley Rindsberg is an investigative journalist and author focused on media malfeasance, information warfare, and the hidden systems influencing public discourse. Ashley joins us to explain why he believes the paper has repeatedly protected power, buried inconvenient truths, and helped shape public opinion in ways that changed history. We also talk about the Sulzberger family, the culture inside elite newsrooms, the collapse of trust in journalism, and how listeners can build a healthier media diet today. Follow Ashley's Substack In this episode: What first inspired Ashley to write The Gray Lady Winked Why the New York Times is unlike any other media institution The Times' Holocaust coverage and what was buried Stalin, Hitler, Soviet propaganda, and access journalism The 1619 Project and narrative-driven reporting The Tom Cotton op-ed controversy and newsroom ideology Why media trust has collapsed How to find better journalism in a fractured media environment Key Quotes "They set cultural agendas, they set the news agenda, they influence politics, they influence culture." "They didn't want to appear to be the Jewish newspaper that was advocating for Jewish lives or Jewish people. So they did the exact opposite." "You don't bury a story about tens of thousands of people being murdered in Europe by accident." "The narrative was so overpowering for them that it obliterated what was in front of their faces." "It became a culture of silence."   Follow @thecuriousmiddlepod Contact us: thecuriousmiddlepod@gmail.com

If Iran Breaks Free with Jonathan Harounoff

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Jonathan Harounoff, British-Iranian journalist and author of Unveiled: Inside Iran's Woman, Life, Freedom Revolt. Jonathan takes us inside the Woman, Life, Freedom movement—how it began, why it refuses to die, and why the regime continues to answer peaceful protest with barbaric force. Drawing on years of reporting and deeply personal conversations with Iranians inside the country and across the diaspora, he shares the brutal realities of life under the regime—and the extraordinary courage of people who keep standing up anyway. We talk about hunger, fear, and economic collapse. About mothers, daughters, and young people risking everything. About why the regime blames Israel and the West—and what Iranians are actually fighting for: dignity, choice, basic freedom, and a future without constant terror. We also ask a question that feels almost unthinkable, and yet possible: What would a free Iran mean for the Middle East, and for the world? This is a sobering yet hopeful conversation about sacrifice, resilience, and the power of ordinary people to challenge unimaginable tyranny and change history. Memorable Quotes: "There's a very clear distinction between the Islamic Republic and the 92 million Iranians it governs." "This is a proud, resilient civilization with thousands of years of history—and they're not giving it up for a 47-year-old regime." "The regime will blame Israel, the U.S., even 'cloud theft'—anything except its own mismanagement." "Women were deliberately shot in the eyes to leave a permanent mark." "A free Iran wouldn't just transform the Middle East—it would transform the world." Timestamps: 00:00 – Why this moment in Iran matters 01:46 – Jonathan's book and the Woman, Life, Freedom uprising 04:08 – Iranians vs. the Islamic Republic 06:22 – Why Israel gets blamed for everything 08:36 – Is this the biggest uprising yet? 10:56 – What Iranians want after the regime 12:40 – How the regime crushes dissent 15:41 – Can the protests survive another crackdown? 17:15 – Do Iranians want Western help? 18:09 – What a free Iran could mean for the world 20:23 – The UN's silence on Iran 21:30 – Stories that changed Jonathan forever 22:36 – How to truly learn Iranian culture 24:51 – Hope for a free Iran   Check out our website: https://meantforyoupod.com Reach out to us: meantforyoupod@gmail.com Follow us on IG

When Education Turns Into One-Sided Activism with Marissa Streit CEO of PragerU

We spreak with  Marissa Streit, CEO of PragerU   about education, civics, and parenting in a time of cultural chaos. Marissa shares the moment that inspired her to "enlist" through education, explains why activism can show up even in math and literacy, and calls on parents to stop outsourcing values to institutions. Our discussion also explores he crisis facing young women today—marriage, meaning, dignity, and femininity—and why Marissa believes a new "revolution" is needed. Plus: practical ways to use PragerU at home in just 5–20 minutes a day. https://www.prageru.com Timestamps & Key Moments 00:04 — Intro + Who is Marissa Streit / What is PragerU Polina introduces Marissa, PragerU's mission, and why parents must take a more active role in teaching civics/history. 02:14 — "Enlisting" through education We reflect on the idea of serving the country through education. 04:36 — The conversation begins (education + what parents can do) Marissa lays out her core claim: education didn't just reflect today's problems—it helped create them. 06:28 — Marissa's origin story: Yad Vashem + the lesson of "fight before it's too late" A formative moment at 13 shapes her worldview about personal responsibility and courage. 08:55 — America "under attack" through ideas, not tanks Marissa argues civics and American values are not being taught—and that creates vulnerability. 11:14 — Parents as "the enemy" + the COVID wake-up call She describes how many parents only saw curriculum issues during lockdowns. 15:41 — Teacher training: minimal math instruction + "generative" activism in class Marissa claims teacher credential programs under-train basic instruction and over-emphasize DEI/activism. 17:59 — "Fruit salad" vs. melting pot + division as a goal She argues schools incentivize identity and class division rather than unity. 20:16 — Literacy example: books that embed social agendas Marissa cites specific book examples and argues parents must review all subjects, not just "sex ed." 22:32 — Paulo Freire + teachers as "agents of change" Discussion of how activist pedagogy shows up in teacher training. 24:55 — NEA agenda + what shocked her most (2022) Marissa claims the #1 issue of business was the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, and questions why. 29:45 — Money + bureaucracy + unions + political incentives A broader critique of the Department of Education, unions, and the "cycle" of funding and influence. 32:01 — "Are we being gaslit?" + PRISM training (California) Marissa argues parents should read the materials directly and not accept reassurances at face value. 38:32 — Civics collapse: how do kids defend what they don't understand? Marissa argues love of country requires understanding its history and founding ideals. 40:53 — The parent solution: rituals, debates, voting, family civic life + PragerU board game She emphasizes bottom-up responsibility and teaching at home regardless of school quality. 45:20 — Young women, feminism, marriage, and meaning Marissa argues cultural messaging has created confusion and loneliness; she shares her desire to write a book to help young women. 50:01 — Family as her proudest accomplishment Marissa describes motherhood and marriage as central—not secondary—to a fulfilled life. 54:43 — Europe as a warning Marissa talks about cultural fracture, immigration, and the need for shared civic identity. 57:02 — Cultural literacy: "We all spoke American" She argues a shared framework is necessary for cohesion—and that education must restore it. 59:23 — How to use PragerU as a parent Marissa offers a simple daily habit: 5–20 minutes, watch a short video, and have kids explain it back. 01:01:22 — Closing + call for feedback Marissa invites listeners to message her with thoughts, especially on her women-focused project. Key Quotes "Education got us into this mess. Education is going to get us out of this mess." (≈ 04:36) "Most people rely on others to do the fighting for them… and they don't begin to fight until it's absolutely too late." (≈ 06:28) "America… is being taken down through ideas, through the erosion of what it is to be an American." (≈ 08:55) "Civics education is reduced to just activism… How do you defend a country that you don't understand and don't love?" (≈ 38:32)

Foster Care to Yale: The Truth About Luxury Beliefs with Rob Henderson

Rob Henderson, known for coining the term "luxury beliefs," joins us to discuss his memoir Troubled: A Memoir of Foster Care, Family, and Social Class. Rob shares his extraordinary path—from homelessness and the LA foster care system, to adoption in rural Northern California, to enlisting in the Air Force at 17, and eventually studying at Yale and Cambridge. Rob shares research that shows how childhood instability (more than poverty alone) shapes life outcomes; why the foster system is so under-resourced; how elite cultural narratives can unintentionally harm the very communities they claim to help; and how certain "status beliefs" spread through universities and media. We discuss the hypocrisy and social dynamics of campus ideology, the "Halloween costume controversy" at Yale, and why honest conversations about family structure, class, and social policy are so hard to have yet so critical for making real progress. Key themes and Quotes Luxury beliefs give status to the elite—and the costs are paid by people with the least power." Poverty alone doesn't predict failure. Instability does." The people most skeptical of family are usually the ones who grew up in intact families. "They live like it's the 1950s—and talk like it's the 1960s." "I benefited from structure, plan to give it to my kids—and publicly argue others shouldn't." "Elite students condemn capitalism on Monday and interview at Goldman Sachs on Wednesday." "If your beliefs cost you nothing, they're probably luxury beliefs." Foster Care / Instability Truths "You don't need the worst childhood to feel the damage of instability."  Privilege / Backlash Lines "Telling struggling kids they're privileged doesn't create compassion—it creates resentment." "If your only options are self-flagellation or rebellion, don't be surprised when kids choose rebellion." https://www.sarahhurwitz.net Check out our website: https://meantforyoupod.com Reach out to us: meantforyoupod@gmail.com Follow us on IG If you enjoyed this episode, you may like these conversations:   Brandy Shufutinsky on the Marxist Roots of Ethic Studies Your School's Ethic Studies Curriculum with Monica Harris from FAIR For ALL Key Topics + Timeline 01:00–02:13 – Why labels like "privileged/unprivileged" flatten real life; every story is individual 04:15 – Rob explains who he wrote the book for: the typical educated reader + the kid in chaos who needs hope 07:30–12:00 – Rob's "three names" origin story: biological parents, homelessness, foster care, adoption 11:16 – Red Bluff, CA: family fragmentation, addiction, instability in a working-class town 12:40–16:30 – Foster-care policy: frequent moves to avoid attachment; "least bad option" dilemmas 18:15 – Why foster care gets little attention (and why stories are painful to face) 19:00–23:30 – What made Rob "successful": curiosity + the military as structure, mentors, and environment shift 25:17–29:46 – Research distinction: harshness (poverty) vs instability (unpredictability) as predictors 27:38 – Striking stats: college graduation rates—poor kids vs foster kids (as cited by Rob) 32:10–36:52 – "Luxury beliefs": elites "walk the 50s, talk the 60s"; the social mechanism of cultural messaging 39:18 – After-school programs, screens, and class gaps in supervision/structure 41:39–46:20 – Luxury beliefs as social currency: status signaling through "virtue" positions (white privilege, defund police) 46:20–53:21 – Ethnic studies curricula + backlash: why telling struggling kids they're "privileged" can fuel resentment 57:46–01:02:27 – Yale 2015 Halloween controversy + the irony of Rob being told he's "too privileged" 01:03:00–01:07:07 – Veblen → Bourdieu → Henderson: from luxury goods to cultural capital to luxury beliefs 01:09:09–01:11:18 – Careerism + hypocrisy: condemning institutions while competing to join them 01:11:18–01:15:45 – Post–Oct 7 campus protests; when beliefs meet real consequences 01:15:45–01:18:03 – Hope for higher education: reform, alternatives, and "you don't have to go to college" 01:18:03–01:20:27 – Why the story resonates beyond foster care; instability, immigration, divorce, loneliness

Sarah Hurwitz: Chosen for Responsibility, Judaism, Israel, and the Battle Over the Jewish Story

Former Michelle Obama speechwriter–turned–Jewish thinker and author Sarah Hurwitz joins Polina and Yelena to unpack what it actually means to be a Jew in 2025, beyond ethnic jokes, bagels, and a vague sense of guilt. Sarah talks about how her own culturally Jewish identity was slowly transformed into a deep and joyful commitment, and why deep learning is essential if we want to withstand modern antisemitism. We discuss how 2,000 years of Christian anti-Judaism, Nazi racial antisemitism, Soviet anti-Zionism, and contemporary campus anti Israel ideology all feed into today's hostility toward Jews and Israel—and how most Jews (and non-Jews) have no idea where these ideas come from. She breaks down the "three upgrades" of antisemitism, why "Zionism = racism/colonialism" is historically illiterate, and why Jewish students on some campuses are being treated like stand-ins for the world's ultimate evil. The conversation dives into what Judaism actually is,  how the idea that every human being is created in the image of God shaped democracy and human rights, and why "the chosen people" is wildly misunderstood, it's a burden of responsibility, not a claim of superiority. Sarah also explains Judaism as a living, evolving interpretive tradition (hello, 2,500 years of commentary and argument), why dissent and chavruta-style debate are sacred. Sarah ends on a surprisingly hopeful note - so listen in to hear her message. 06:30 — Judaism as wisdom, not just religion or holidays 09:00 — Why antisemitism keeps reinventing itself 12:30 — Image of God, equality & the Jewish roots of democracy 15:00 — The title As a Jew and reclaiming identity without apology 18:00 — Internalized antisemitism & the "cultural Jew" problem 21:30 — What Jews actually are: peoplehood, tribe, civilization 24:00 — Campus antisemitism 27:30 — Israel, refugees & dismantling the "original sin" myth 31:00 — Zionism explained (without the hysteria) 34:30 — Qatar, ideology, and what's shaping academia 37:00 — Michelle Obama, "silence," and the problem with performative activism 40:00 — Chosenness redefined: responsibility, not superiority 43:00 — Jewish law evolves: debate, dissent & chavruta 46:00 — How observant is Sarah now?  48:30 — What gives Sarah hope for Jews in 2025 51:00 — Jewish spirituality, bodies, death rituals & chaplaincy 54:00 — Parting wisdom: why Jewish learning is the antidote Topics Discussed: The history of Israel's founding: land purchased at inflated prices, UN partition, war, refugees on all sides and why Israel is not founded on some unique "original sin" Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, and why Palestinians are treated as a unique, multi-generational refugee category in a way that has harmed both Palestinians and Israelis. Qatar's influence and money in U.S. universities and how that has influenced academic discourse on Israel. Why Sarah, as a proud Zionist and proud American, rejects the idea that Jews can't be loyal Americans. What "chosenness" really means in Jewish tradition (spoiler: not racial superiority) The Jewish idea that every person is created b'tzelem Elohim (in the image of God) and how that idea helped shape the moral core of American democracy How chavruta (study partnership) and argument "for the sake of heaven" sharpens thinking and deepens truth—illustrated live in Polina, Yelena, and Sarah's back-and-forth What's next for Sarah https://www.sarahhurwitz.net