deGRIFTify

We're back, after something of a hiatus. In today's episode Thomas and Joel discuss how the Trump administration has been shaping the narrative in two ways. First, relating to recent press releases about autism. Second, by deleting archival information from the internet.Thanks for listening.-
 
An increasingly complex world is one that is increasingly filled with scams, tricks, and grifts. deGRIFTify is a discussion podcast intended to cut through some of that haze. Hosts Thomas and Joel summarize contemporary issues by identifying hidden interests, highlighting contradicting narratives, and drawing comparisons between familiar and unfamiliar subjects.
 
 
[licensing]https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Intro, edits in volume onlySkimel - Double tracked distorted electric guitar playing chords.ogghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Double_tracked_distorted_electric_guitar_playing_chords.ogg
Outro, edits in volume onlyClaude Reid - Acoustic Jazz Quartet no1 (métronome à 100 ) accompagnement.flachttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acoustic_Jazz_Quartet_no1_(m%C3%A9tronome_%C3%A0_100_)_accompagnement.flac
Transitional sound effects, heavily distortedRobin Huw Bowen - Y Fwyalchen, from the 2015 album Iaith Enaidhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Y_Fwyalchen_-_Robin_Huw_Bowen.ogg
 

Thomas and Joel discuss what kinds of issues and what sorts of messaging could be effective in the lead up to the next presidential election.Thanks for listening.- 
An increasingly complex world is one that is increasingly filled with scams, tricks, and grifts. deGRIFTify is a discussion podcast intended to cut through some of that haze. Hosts Thomas and Joel summarize contemporary issues by identifying hidden interests, highlighting contradicting narratives, and drawing comparisons between familiar and unfamiliar subjects.
 

Thomas is angry about the recent meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska. We also discuss Democratic messaging and possible paths forward.Thanks for listening.-
An increasingly complex world is one that is increasingly filled with scams, tricks, and grifts. deGRIFTify is a discussion podcast intended to cut through some of that haze. Hosts Thomas and Joel summarize contemporary issues by identifying hidden interests, highlighting contradicting narratives, and drawing comparisons between familiar and unfamiliar subjects.
[licensing]https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Intro, edits in volume onlySkimel - Double tracked distorted electric guitar playing chords.ogghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Double_tracked_distorted_electric_guitar_playing_chords.ogg
Outro, edits in volume onlyClaude Reid - Acoustic Jazz Quartet no1 (métronome à 100 ) accompagnement.flachttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acoustic_Jazz_Quartet_no1_(m%C3%A9tronome_%C3%A0_100_)_accompagnement.flac
Transitional sound effects, heavily distortedRobin Huw Bowen - Y Fwyalchen, from the 2015 album Iaith Enaidhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Y_Fwyalchen_-_Robin_Huw_Bowen.ogg
 

The Trump administration has obtained a green light from the Supreme Court to shutter the Department of Education. In today's episode we talk about what that might mean for you.Thanks for listening.-
An increasingly complex world is one that is increasingly filled with scams, tricks, and grifts. deGRIFTify is a discussion podcast intended to cut through some of that haze. Hosts Thomas and Joel summarize contemporary issues by identifying hidden interests, highlighting contradicting narratives, and drawing comparisons between familiar and unfamiliar subjects.
[licensing]https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Intro, edits in volume onlySkimel - Double tracked distorted electric guitar playing chords.ogghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Double_tracked_distorted_electric_guitar_playing_chords.ogg
Outro, edits in volume onlyClaude Reid - Acoustic Jazz Quartet no1 (métronome à 100 ) accompagnement.flachttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acoustic_Jazz_Quartet_no1_(m%C3%A9tronome_%C3%A0_100_)_accompagnement.flac
Transitional sound effects, heavily distortedRobin Huw Bowen - Y Fwyalchen, from the 2015 album Iaith Enaidhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Y_Fwyalchen_-_Robin_Huw_Bowen.ogg
 
 

The Trump administration is preparing to gut the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. In today's episode we talk about why we think that's a bad idea. Thanks for listening.-https://www.nasa.gov/value-of-nasa/ 
An increasingly complex world is one that is increasingly filled with scams, tricks, and grifts. deGRIFTify is a discussion podcast intended to cut through some of that haze. Hosts Thomas and Joel summarize contemporary issues by identifying hidden interests, highlighting contradicting narratives, and drawing comparisons between familiar and unfamiliar subjects.
[licensing]https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Intro, edits in volume onlySkimel - Double tracked distorted electric guitar playing chords.ogghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Double_tracked_distorted_electric_guitar_playing_chords.ogg
Outro, edits in volume onlyClaude Reid - Acoustic Jazz Quartet no1 (métronome à 100 ) accompagnement.flachttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acoustic_Jazz_Quartet_no1_(m%C3%A9tronome_%C3%A0_100_)_accompagnement.flac
Transitional sound effects, heavily distortedRobin Huw Bowen - Y Fwyalchen, from the 2015 album Iaith Enaidhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Y_Fwyalchen_-_Robin_Huw_Bowen.ogg
 

Doing something slightly different, we each picked two pieces of good news that we heard recently and talked about it. Recorded 6/17.Thanks for listening.-
An increasingly complex world is one that is increasingly filled with scams, tricks, and grifts. deGRIFTify is a discussion podcast intended to cut through some of that haze. Hosts Thomas and Joel summarize contemporary issues by identifying hidden interests, highlighting contradicting narratives, and drawing comparisons between familiar and unfamiliar subjects.
[licensing]https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Intro, edits in volume onlySkimel - Double tracked distorted electric guitar playing chords.ogghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Double_tracked_distorted_electric_guitar_playing_chords.ogg
Outro, edits in volume onlyClaude Reid - Acoustic Jazz Quartet no1 (métronome à 100 ) accompagnement.flachttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acoustic_Jazz_Quartet_no1_(m%C3%A9tronome_%C3%A0_100_)_accompagnement.flac
Transitional sound effects, heavily distortedRobin Huw Bowen - Y Fwyalchen, from the 2015 album Iaith Enaidhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Y_Fwyalchen_-_Robin_Huw_Bowen.ogg
 
 

It's 2025, and we're still talking about Jeffrey Epstein. On today's episode Thomas and Joel chat about why that's good.Thanks for listening.-
An increasingly complex world is one that is increasingly filled with scams, tricks, and grifts. deGRIFTify is a discussion podcast intended to cut through some of that haze. Hosts Thomas and Joel summarize contemporary issues by identifying hidden interests, highlighting contradicting narratives, and drawing comparisons between familiar and unfamiliar subjects.
 
[licensing]https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Intro, edits in volume onlySkimel - Double tracked distorted electric guitar playing chords.ogghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Double_tracked_distorted_electric_guitar_playing_chords.ogg
Outro, edits in volume onlyClaude Reid - Acoustic Jazz Quartet no1 (métronome à 100 ) accompagnement.flachttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acoustic_Jazz_Quartet_no1_(m%C3%A9tronome_%C3%A0_100_)_accompagnement.flac
Transitional sound effects, heavily distortedRobin Huw Bowen - Y Fwyalchen, from the 2015 album Iaith Enaidhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Y_Fwyalchen_-_Robin_Huw_Bowen.ogg
 
 

Some things we hate about the BBB, now that it has been signed into law. This is by no means an exhaustive list and should be considered highlights at best.Thanks for listening.-
An increasingly complex world is one that is increasingly filled with scams, tricks, and grifts. deGRIFTify is a discussion podcast intended to cut through some of that haze. Hosts Thomas and Joel summarize contemporary issues by identifying hidden interests, highlighting contradicting narratives, and drawing comparisons between familiar and unfamiliar subjects.
"The cold war of the 21st century isn't fought with weapons, and it isn't waged between countries; it's with information, between people. Whether you know it or not, you're already a belligerent! Learn how to cut to the core of the issues, sift through the nonsense, and see what each side's true goals are. And if you think we're wrong, tell us why. We'll tell you why we aren't (unless we are)." - T & J[licensing]https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Intro, edits in volume onlySkimel - Double tracked distorted electric guitar playing chords.ogghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Double_tracked_distorted_electric_guitar_playing_chords.ogg
Outro, edits in volume onlyClaude Reid - Acoustic Jazz Quartet no1 (métronome à 100 ) accompagnement.flachttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acoustic_Jazz_Quartet_no1_(m%C3%A9tronome_%C3%A0_100_)_accompagnement.flac
Transitional sound effects, heavily distortedRobin Huw Bowen - Y Fwyalchen, from the 2015 album Iaith Enaidhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Y_Fwyalchen_-_Robin_Huw_Bowen.ogg
 

Ages ago (on the 9th of April, 2025) we recorded an unscripted episode about "the American Dream," what it means or ought to mean, whether it exists, and if so, where it can be found. We're hosting it as a very special July 3rd episode, mostly because nothing else we've attempted recently has been passible.Cheers.-
An increasingly complex world is one that is increasingly filled with scams, tricks, and grifts. deGRIFTify is a discussion podcast intended to cut through some of that haze. Hosts Thomas and Joel summarize contemporary issues by identifying hidden interests, highlighting contradicting narratives, and drawing comparisons between familiar and unfamiliar subjects.
Though no episode of deGRIFTify can really be called scripted, every week Thomas and Joel record a conversation intended to travel to unexpected places. Sometimes these conversations become episodes. The episodes tagged as [unscripted] are the result of this process. We hope that you will enjoy this occasional break from the ordinary pace and structure of your podcast listening, but if you find it not to your liking, then by all means please skip ahead. As always, thank you for listening.
[licensing]https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Intro, edits in volume onlySkimel - Double tracked distorted electric guitar playing chords.ogghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Double_tracked_distorted_electric_guitar_playing_chords.ogg
Outro, edits in volume onlyClaude Reid - Acoustic Jazz Quartet no1 (métronome à 100 ) accompagnement.flachttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acoustic_Jazz_Quartet_no1_(m%C3%A9tronome_%C3%A0_100_)_accompagnement.flac
Transitional sound effects, heavily distortedRobin Huw Bowen - Y Fwyalchen, from the 2015 album Iaith Enaidhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Y_Fwyalchen_-_Robin_Huw_Bowen.ogg
 
 
 
 

Hot takes and projections in light of the recent American "intervention," plus the usual context and grifts.
Thanks for listening.- 
An increasingly complex world is one that is increasingly filled with scams, tricks, and grifts. deGRIFTify is a discussion podcast intended to cut through some of that haze. Hosts Thomas and Joel summarize contemporary issues by identifying hidden interests, highlighting contradicting narratives, and drawing comparisons between familiar and unfamiliar subjects.
[licensing]https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Intro, edits in volume onlySkimel - Double tracked distorted electric guitar playing chords.ogghttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Double_tracked_distorted_electric_guitar_playing_chords.ogg
Outro, edits in volume onlyClaude Reid - Acoustic Jazz Quartet no1 (métronome à 100 ) accompagnement.flachttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Acoustic_Jazz_Quartet_no1_(m%C3%A9tronome_%C3%A0_100_)_accompagnement.flac
Transitional sound effects, heavily distortedRobin Huw Bowen - Y Fwyalchen, from the 2015 album Iaith Enaidhttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Y_Fwyalchen_-_Robin_Huw_Bowen.ogg