Countdown to After America: The Heart of US Extremism with Jason Van Tatenhove

As we count down to the release of the limited series After America, we are revisiting some past episodes of Deep Dive to help lay the groundwork for this important project that will attempt to answer the question - What would it actually look like if American democracy were to fail?
Dark Tales: Music by Rahul Bhardwaj from Pixabay
------------------------
In this episode - originally released June 24, 2022 - I have a conversation with Jason van Tatenhove, who reflects on his time working with the Oath Keepers, recounting the history of the group, spanning from the Bundy Ranch standoff to the January 6th insurrection. As the narrative weaves through the volatile alliances and ideological clashes within groups like the Proud Boys and Patriot Prayer, we take a hard look at how the allure of anarchy and the manipulation of political narratives can reshape our societal landscape. This episode peers behind the curtain of emotional appeals in politics and exposes the delicate dance of ideology and ambition that fuels these extremist factions.
In a world riven by division, we consider if the art of storytelling might hold the key to bridging our deepest chasms - and if there is enough time to do that before American democracy fails.