<![CDATA[As The World Burns]]>As the World Burns is a podcast about books… and the inconveniently chaotic world we’re all living in. Each episode, hosts Jamie and Mel take a book—new or old, fiction or nonfiction—and put it in conversation with the moment we’re currently trying to survive.

Part book club, part cultural commentary, and part “did that really just happen?”, the show explores how ideas from the page collide with real life. Some books help explain the present, some make it make less sense, and some just give us something smarter to talk about while everything else is on fire.

Because if the world is going to burn, we might as well be well-read.

]]>https://astheworldburns.show/Riverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Thu, 23 Jul 2026 13:41:53 GMTMon, 06 Apr 2026 16:33:40 GMT60As The World Burns<p>As the World Burns is a podcast about books… and the inconveniently chaotic world we’re all living in. Each episode, hosts Jamie and Mel take a book—new or old, fiction or nonfiction—and put it in conversation with the moment we’re currently trying to survive.</p><p></p><p>Part book club, part cultural commentary, and part “did that really just happen?”, the show explores how ideas from the page collide with real life. Some books help explain the present, some make it make less sense, and some just give us something smarter to talk about while everything else is on fire.</p><p></p><p>Because if the world is going to burn, we might as well be well-read.</p>episodicAs The World Burnshillary@bluefoot.tvyes<![CDATA[Episode 3 | In which corruption becomes a business model]]>In this episode, we delve into Anne Applebaum's book "Autocracy Inc," exploring how contemporary dictators operate within sophisticated networks that blur traditional ideological lines. We connect these ideas to current global political dynamics, discussing how autocrats maintain power through systemic corruption, propaganda, and international cooperation.

Key topics

  • Evolution of autocracies from cartoonish villains to complex networks of power
  • Business model of modern autocrats focused on wealth, impunity, and staying rich
  • How autocrats collaborate globally to evade sanctions and share resources
  • The role of propaganda in exhausting and disillusioning citizens
  • The strategic erosion of civil society and independent institutions
  • The impact of disinformation campaigns on democracy and social cohesion
  • The importance of civic participation and vigilance to safeguard democracy
  • How democracies can respond effectively through stronger alliances and enforcement

All resources can be found on our website: https://astheworldburns.show/episodes/03

]]>61915c49-dda8-421e-98e5-4df3d6f9d446Wed, 17 Jun 2026 21:43:27 GMT<p>In this episode, we delve into Anne Applebaum's book "Autocracy Inc," exploring how contemporary dictators operate within sophisticated networks that blur traditional ideological lines. We connect these ideas to current global political dynamics, discussing how autocrats maintain power through systemic corruption, propaganda, and international cooperation.</p><p></p><p>Key topics</p><p></p><ul><li>Evolution of autocracies from cartoonish villains to complex networks of power</li><li>Business model of modern autocrats focused on wealth, impunity, and staying rich</li><li>How autocrats collaborate globally to evade sanctions and share resources</li><li>The role of propaganda in exhausting and disillusioning citizens</li><li>The strategic erosion of civil society and independent institutions</li><li>The impact of disinformation campaigns on democracy and social cohesion</li><li>The importance of civic participation and vigilance to safeguard democracy</li><li>How democracies can respond effectively through stronger alliances and enforcement</li></ul><p></p><p>All resources can be found on our website: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://astheworldburns.show/episodes/03" target="_blank"><b>https://astheworldburns.show/episodes/03</b></a></p>no01:02:343Episode 3 | In which corruption becomes a business modelfull<![CDATA[Minisode 2 | In which voting rights get...complicated]]>What happens when voting rights protections are weakened - and states move quickly to take advantage of it?

In this minisode, Jamie and Mel; connect a recent Supreme Court ruling and Tennessee's redistricting efforts to the themes explored in Caste by Isabel Wilkerson and How Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt. They discuss how power preserves itself through institutions, why "colorblind" policies can still produce unequal outcomes, and how democratic erosion often happens through legal, incremental changes rather than dramatic events.

A conversation about voting rights, representation, systemic inequality, and the warning signs hiding in plain sight.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Caste and Democratic Erosion
01:47 Overview of Louisiana v. Colli and the Court's Decision
02:14 Implications of Shifting from Outcome to Intent in Redistricting
03:11 Case Study: Tennessee's Redistricting and Its Impact
04:34 The Insidious Nature of Systemic Inequality
05:48 Colorblindness and Its Consequences in Voting Laws
07:18 Support for Systemic Racism Without Overt Racism
09:22 Legal Challenges to Racially Discriminatory Maps
11:05 Historical Context: Race, Law, and Hierarchy
13:02 Political Power and Redistricting Dynamics
15:12 The Incremental Erosion of Democracy
17:39 The Role of Legal and Institutional Manipulation
19:19 Normalization of Systemic Inequality
20:05 The Fallacy of Colorblind Frameworks
22:07 The Threat of Incremental Systemic Changes
24:11 The Harm of Dismantling Protections
26:23 The Power of Rhetoric and Cultural Narratives
28:41 The Appeal of Authoritarian Figures and Systemic Support
30:27 The Role of Public Awareness and Resistance
34:49 The Feedback Loop of Power and Hierarchy
36:25 The Role of Institutions in Preserving Power
37:07 Hope and Resistance: Challenging the System

Resources mentioned:
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
How Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt
All other resources in our Show Notes: https://astheworldburns.show/episodes/minisode-02

Connect with us!
Instagram: / astheworldburnspod

Subscribe to the podcast for more conversations that connect books to the world we’re living in.

#Racism #CasteSystem #SocialInequality #IsabelWilkerson #SocialJustice #votingrights #democracticerosion #racialdisparities #redistricting #supremecourt #systemicinequality #politicalpower #civilrights #legalchallenges

]]>c361d477-d950-4f18-9f8b-7e390e02b607Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:21:52 GMT<p>What happens when voting rights protections are weakened - and states move quickly to take advantage of it?<br /><br />In this minisode, Jamie and Mel; connect a recent Supreme Court ruling and Tennessee's redistricting efforts to the themes explored in Caste by Isabel Wilkerson and How Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt. They discuss how power preserves itself through institutions, why "colorblind" policies can still produce unequal outcomes, and how democratic erosion often happens through legal, incremental changes rather than dramatic events.<br /><br />A conversation about voting rights, representation, systemic inequality, and the warning signs hiding in plain sight.<br /><br />Chapters<br />00:00 Introduction to Caste and Democratic Erosion<br />01:47 Overview of Louisiana v. Colli and the Court's Decision<br />02:14 Implications of Shifting from Outcome to Intent in Redistricting<br />03:11 Case Study: Tennessee's Redistricting and Its Impact<br />04:34 The Insidious Nature of Systemic Inequality<br />05:48 Colorblindness and Its Consequences in Voting Laws<br />07:18 Support for Systemic Racism Without Overt Racism<br />09:22 Legal Challenges to Racially Discriminatory Maps<br />11:05 Historical Context: Race, Law, and Hierarchy<br />13:02 Political Power and Redistricting Dynamics<br />15:12 The Incremental Erosion of Democracy<br />17:39 The Role of Legal and Institutional Manipulation<br />19:19 Normalization of Systemic Inequality<br />20:05 The Fallacy of Colorblind Frameworks<br />22:07 The Threat of Incremental Systemic Changes<br />24:11 The Harm of Dismantling Protections<br />26:23 The Power of Rhetoric and Cultural Narratives<br />28:41 The Appeal of Authoritarian Figures and Systemic Support<br />30:27 The Role of Public Awareness and Resistance<br />34:49 The Feedback Loop of Power and Hierarchy<br />36:25 The Role of Institutions in Preserving Power<br />37:07 Hope and Resistance: Challenging the System<br /><br />Resources mentioned:<br />Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson<br />How Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt<br />All other resources in our Show Notes: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://astheworldburns.show/episodes/minisode-02" target="_blank">https://astheworldburns.show/episodes/minisode-02</a><br /><br />Connect with us!<br />Instagram: / astheworldburnspod <br /><br />Subscribe to the podcast for more conversations that connect books to the world we’re living in.<br /><br />#Racism #CasteSystem #SocialInequality #IsabelWilkerson #SocialJustice #votingrights #democracticerosion #racialdisparities #redistricting #supremecourt #systemicinequality #politicalpower #civilrights #legalchallenges</p>no00:37:48Minisode 2 | In which voting rights get...complicatedbonus<![CDATA[Episode 2 | In which we start a difficult conversation (and fangirl over Isabel Wilkerson)]]>What if racism isn’t the root problem?

What if it’s just the surface of something deeper behind racism in the United States?

In this episode, we talk about the ideas from Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson and explore a perspective that shifts how you look at race, power, and inequality.

The book argues that beneath racism, there is a hidden caste system - an underlying structure that shapes who holds power, who has access to opportunity, and how people are treated, often without being fully recognized.

We unpack what that means in the context of systemic racism and inequality in the U.S., and why this system is so difficult to see even when it affects everyday life.

We also connect these ideas to real-world examples, including disparities in healthcare, reactions to shifts in political power, and the ways institutions reinforce existing hierarchies.

This is not a conversation about having all the answers. It’s an attempt to better understand the structure we’re all operating within, and to question the assumptions we tend to take for granted.

If nothing else, this episode is an invitation to look a little closer and ask whether we’re seeing the full picture.


Chapters:

00:00 Teaser 

00:53 Podcast Introduction

02:05 Why This Conversation Is Difficult

04:22 Why Silence Keeps the System Alive

08:20 The Hidden System Behind Racism Explained

10:42 Racism vs Caste: What’s the Difference

16:19 How We Reinforce the System Without Knowing

19:57 Who Benefits From the System

24:33 Power, Money, and Influence

30:03 Why the System Doesn’t Change

32:56 Health Inequality and Real Impact

36:17 Why This Affects Everyone

41:36 How the System Is Maintained Today

46:03 Why We Avoid These Conversations

48:30 Fear of Getting It Wrong

55:49 The Old House Analogy Explained

01:05:37 Final Thoughts and Closing 



Sources and other details can be found on the episode page here: https://astheworldburns.show/episodes/02


Connect with us!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astheworldburnspod/ 

Subscribe to the podcast for more conversations that connect books to the world we’re living in.

]]>c11a773d-e19e-47ea-b42d-7a53ad880a48Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:26:09 GMT<p>What if racism isn’t the root problem?</p><p>What if it’s just the surface of something deeper behind racism in the United States?</p><p>In this episode, we talk about the ideas from Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson and explore a perspective that shifts how you look at race, power, and inequality.</p><p></p><p>The book argues that beneath racism, there is a hidden caste system - an underlying structure that shapes who holds power, who has access to opportunity, and how people are treated, often without being fully recognized.<br /></p><p>We unpack what that means in the context of systemic racism and inequality in the U.S., and why this system is so difficult to see even when it affects everyday life.</p><p></p><p>We also connect these ideas to real-world examples, including disparities in healthcare, reactions to shifts in political power, and the ways institutions reinforce existing hierarchies.</p><p></p><p>This is not a conversation about having all the answers. It’s an attempt to better understand the structure we’re all operating within, and to question the assumptions we tend to take for granted.</p><p></p><p>If nothing else, this episode is an invitation to look a little closer and ask whether we’re seeing the full picture.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Chapters:</b><br /></p><p>00:00 Teaser </p><p>00:53 Podcast Introduction</p><p>02:05 Why This Conversation Is Difficult</p><p>04:22 Why Silence Keeps the System Alive</p><p>08:20 The Hidden System Behind Racism Explained</p><p>10:42 Racism vs Caste: What’s the Difference</p><p>16:19 How We Reinforce the System Without Knowing</p><p>19:57 Who Benefits From the System</p><p>24:33 Power, Money, and Influence</p><p>30:03 Why the System Doesn’t Change</p><p>32:56 Health Inequality and Real Impact</p><p>36:17 Why This Affects Everyone</p><p>41:36 How the System Is Maintained Today</p><p>46:03 Why We Avoid These Conversations</p><p>48:30 Fear of Getting It Wrong</p><p>55:49 The Old House Analogy Explained</p><p>01:05:37 Final Thoughts and Closing </p><p><br /><br />Sources and other details can be found on the episode page here: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://astheworldburns.show/episodes/02" target="_blank">https://astheworldburns.show/episodes/02</a></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Connect with us!</b></p><p></p><p>Instagram: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/astheworldburnspod/" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/astheworldburnspod/</a> <br /></p><p>Subscribe to the podcast for more conversations that connect books to the world we’re living in.</p>yes01:07:412Episode 2 | In which we start a difficult conversation (and fangirl over Isabel Wilkerson)full<![CDATA[Minisode 1 | In which we are cautiously watching Hungary]]>The first minisode of As the World Burns provides a follow-up to episode one and discusses the erosion of democracy, Hungary's recent election, Magyar's background, and the challenges of rebuilding democratic norms and institutions. It reflects on the impact of long-term erosion and the potential for democratic recovery, highlighting the need for public trust and accountability in political leadership.

Takeaways

  • Erosion of democracy is a slow and gradual process that requires careful attention and vigilance.
  • The challenges of rebuilding democratic norms and institutions require public trust, accountability, and a slow and painstaking process of recovery.

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to As the World Burns
  • 07:20 Rigged System and Opposition's Success
  • 13:11 Changing Political Standards
  • 18:19 Scandals and Political Parallel
]]>e4b301f4-193b-42db-9bd8-877c1dde39deThu, 16 Apr 2026 19:57:28 GMT<p>The first minisode of As the World Burns provides a follow-up to episode one and discusses the erosion of democracy, Hungary's recent election, Magyar's background, and the challenges of rebuilding democratic norms and institutions. It reflects on the impact of long-term erosion and the potential for democratic recovery, highlighting the need for public trust and accountability in political leadership.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Erosion of democracy is a slow and gradual process that requires careful attention and vigilance.</li><li>The challenges of rebuilding democratic norms and institutions require public trust, accountability, and a slow and painstaking process of recovery.</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction to As the World Burns</li><li>07:20 Rigged System and Opposition's Success</li><li>13:11 Changing Political Standards</li><li>18:19 Scandals and Political Parallel</li></ul>no00:16:11Minisode 1 | In which we are cautiously watching Hungarybonus<![CDATA[Episode 1 | In Which We Get Stabby About the Erosion of Democracy]]>Democracy doesn’t usually collapse in a blaze of glory. No tanks in the streets, no dramatic final speech - just a series of small, technical changes that slowly reshape how power works.

This week, Jamie and Mel dive into How Democracies Die and ask what it means to live through democratic erosion in real time. From election rules and judicial pressure to rising polarization and attacks on independent institutions, they explore how systems weaken not through high level events, but through ordinary procedures that start to feel anything but ordinary.

]]>0671ae0c-77fe-4bc2-b06d-d1603c2097adWed, 08 Apr 2026 12:08:19 GMT<p>Democracy doesn’t usually collapse in a blaze of glory. No tanks in the streets, no dramatic final speech - just a series of small, technical changes that slowly reshape how power works.</p><p></p><p>This week, Jamie and Mel dive into <i>How Democracies Die</i> and ask what it means to live through democratic erosion in real time. From election rules and judicial pressure to rising polarization and attacks on independent institutions, they explore how systems weaken not through high level events, but through ordinary procedures that start to feel anything but ordinary.</p>yes01:16:5011Episode 1 | In Which We Get Stabby About the Erosion of Democracyfull