The thread ends here.

Over four episodes we've talked about propaganda, Edward Bernays, Reagan-era economics, labor, my dad, anger, fear, and what happens when communities feel left behind.

Then last month, fifteen minutes from where I live, something happened that made me stop and think:

"Oh...maybe this is what we've been talking about all along."

This isn't really an episode about what happened 15 Minutes down the road.

It's an episode about stories.

Who tells them.

Who profits from them.

Who believes them.

And whether asking better questions is enough to interrupt the cycle.

Episode 100 is Coming!

We're creeping toward Episode 100, which honestly feels ridiculous.

If you've been hanging around AJN for a while, I'd love to hear from you.

How did you find the show?

What's been your favorite episode?

What rabbit holes hit the hardest?

What do you want to hear in the future?

Drop a comment, shoot me a message at [email protected], or come tell me in The Lobby.

I'd love to feature listener stories, memories, and questions as we celebrate hitting triple digits.

The Lobby is open.

Come hang out with fellow nerds, rabbit hole explorers, lore junkies, readers, movie lovers, and generally decent humans.

We're building a little corner of the internet that feels more like old AIM chatrooms, Xbox Live parties, and late-night Blockbuster conversations than social media.

Pull up a chair.

Introduce yourself.

Stay awhile.

(Please ignore Producer Steve.)

Links to Facebook Group and Discord

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Average Joe Nerdcast

Side Quest Sunday

How Did We Get Here? Part 4 of 4

AJN encourages listeners to verify information independently.

Primary sources used for this episode are listed below.

Sources

Edward Bernays

• Propaganda (1928)

Patriot Front

• Patriot Front manifesto and public materials
• Southern Poverty Law Center reporting and designation
• Reporting on Thomas Rousseau, Vanguard America, and the 2017 Charlottesville rally

Charlottesville

• Contemporary reporting from August 2017 regarding Heather Heyer's death and rally participants

Additional Economic Context

• See How Did We Get Here? Part 2 – Morning in America
• See How Did We Get Here? Part 3 – The Harvest