Rachel Maddow on History, Now, and What’s Next

Hear MSNBC's Rachel Maddow go deep into the rough and inspiring American past in a conversation with Northwestern University’s Professor Kathleen Belew. Topics include Henry Ford, media literacy, and optimism for 2024.
Show notes and transcript: www.chicagohumanities.org/med...
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Being human is hard. Luckily we’ve got the biggest names and brightest minds of today’s society to help us out. Join podcast host Alisa Rosenthal as she sneaks you into can’t-miss special events and once in a lifetime conversations direct from the live Chicago Humanities experience. You’ll hear fresh interviews along with previously unreleased audio from our 30+ year archive on entertainment, politics, literature, and technology. New episodes drop every other Tuesday. Listen on your favorite podcast platform.
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[@jeffwatkins352]

IMO the powerfully compelling core of Rachel's message is not to lose faith in the power of your vote, which the American right is fighting tooth and nail to undermine in order to take complete control over you. Don't let them.

[@antigonemerlin]

"If your vote didn't matter, the powerful wouldn't be spending so much time trying to take it away from you."

[@roberturwin8278]

Rachel Maddow is a national treasure.

[@markhourihan6054]

I'm Irish, a British resident; been watching her show since she made cocktails, i.e. from the outset. In all that time there was only one disappointment for me; when she was sure Chris Christie would get indicted for Bridgegate. But always funny, and razor-witted - an international treasure 😊👍

[@louisemiller4501]

Rachel's thought process is wide-ranging, coherent and logical. Her memory is absolutely enviable. The older I get, the more I appreciate the suggestion of reading, reading, reading. Learn the purpose of grammar, which helps w meaning and memory. But READ. Another recommender was the late Maya Angelou. Thank you, Rachel, for your great intellectual contribution to Democracy.

[@janicewong9450]

U

[@janicewong9450]

😢h 16:50 vvgv

[@janicewong9450]

😮😮😮

[@viscountwesley1]

Rachel - a very sincere shout-out from a Canadian viewer/and listener. Your powerful and remarkably spontaneous oratory is complimented by a remarkably quick-fact-accessible mind. Your new book is more than an intellectual and highly disciplined combination of a gift of naturally flowing oratory but is delightfully part of your magnificently flowing writing as well. I hear you speaking and it adds so much to the pleasure of reading. I could not put down your book! You owe me several hours of sleep deprivation. compensation. But, as a fellow historian and writer, I stand in genuine awe of your insatiable appetite for not simply remarkable research and sourcing of rare-to-obtain leads and publications, but the mastery of a modern-day Dickens' storyteller. (hopefully without the crippling demand of high-blood pressure which both completed his reading in character, but brought of his early death in 1870 at only age 59. I long to know what really happened to Edmund Druid.. I can only conclude with a simple but deeply sincere "thank-you" for how you have aided me in my quest for knowledge with pinpoint accuracy. Your Canadian admirer. Timothy R.

[@maureenbartsch783]

Rachel Maddow is a blessing. I listen to her broadcasts regularly from Germany. What she explained in her Podcast also applies to what can be done in Europe to save democracy. Thank you Rachel.

[@user-fq4yz5ek3r]

What's scary is this is pretty much global. Putin is trying to buy as many puppet states as he can.

[@susanford4740]

Rachel, is brilliant at helping us to understand the crazy people and actions that are happening in our time.

[@gamtngirl3655]

Rachel, I love your optimism that we can handle this again. My concern: each time we go through severe right wing crises, they become more sophisticated, more undetectable and devious, and now with incredible hi tech tools and social media. 😑

[@JohnWilmerding]

I'll always be a big, BIG fan of Rachel's. What a mind! 🎉

[@sharonjoy6234]

We don't have an Equal vote Or Trump would not have won with 46% of them.

[@sharonjoy6234]

Howard Hughes was another dictator.

[@yikes1111awake]

Masterclass...everyone needs to hear this.

[@laurieknowles4113]

She is so lucid and insightful. She makes me hopeful and worried all at once.

[@deborahlukovich8006]

I like your hopeful message. It takes regular people to counter and reject anti Democratic energy.

[@alwayshavestrengthjoy7450]

I wish we could see the live version… darn! However, this is some powerful research. Thank you, Thank you!

[@jamesschneider2091]

Rachel is a an elite investigative journalist and a go-to high value resource for all of us seeking evidence based truth - our democracy needs more Rachel Maddows!

[@annharding7104]

We each need to enlist ourselves to further share the information that @Rachel shares.

[@elizabethholliday8636]

Rachel leads us forward! So smart, eloquent. Calling us to action....

[@ecstanton8385]

Yes!!!! ...and I loved when she talked about henry ford, charles lindberg, father coughlin, AND God only knows how many US congress people working to promote the nazi party here in America...and compared all the power they had then, to the pikers we're dealing with today. It gave me inspiration!!!!!

[@ginawang2692]

I learn something new every time from Maddow. We instinctively know that what she says is true, that I wasn’t crazy thinking that those people, Republicans are weird that I lived in an upside down world. Thanks for respecting my brain.

[@DeborahGee]

Thank you for such an inspiring talk and Q&A.

[@terihammond5932]

Beautifuly stated! Inspiring work, thank you for your excellent presentation.

[@lucyg8188]

I never get tired of listening to Rachel...she really is amazing!

[@PCMenten]

I hope that Rachel becomes more directly involved with public policy.

[@annem9139]

Rachel for president

[@josephgnatek5984]

thanks rachel WE ARE LISTENING!!!

[@josephgnatek5984]

the importance of voting and having a voice

[@markwinsor446]

A National Treasure

[@catwhisperer968]

What great questions

[@rcekrizpi9947]

So interesting and relevant❤

[@billiewinton5906]

I didn’t know she could see into the future.

[@janaheiney4974]

She doesn't have to. It's already begun

[@Acumind1]

Didn't reaize how much Rachel resembles Andrew Weissmann

[@veepotter307]

I never bought a Ford automobile in my life. I didn’t know what a bigot he was, so, good thing I never helped out his empire.

[@jennifer60515]

Yup, he and Charles Lindbergh were “America First” and basically pro-Nazi. Disgusting.

[@catherinemacaskill1421]

Yeah Ford admired Hitler and vice versa.

[@chrisconklin2981]

I would hope that you are aware of the struggle over meat consumption. On one side are those that are concerned about the impact of excessive meat consumption. On the other side there are those who consider themselves to be cavemen, who have little concern about the impact of their habits. I see a deep connection regarding what you have to say.🌻

[@helengarrett6378]

Because I have been an activist and I'm open about my hopes and fears for this country, I fully expect to be harassed, threatened, maybe even persecuted or arrested for my left leaning tendencies. I already have had some dunce load unwanted images onto my tablet. I wasn't impressed by the body parts that appeared on it. I sent those images into the trash where they belong. In the past I've had to run from people dressed in bed sheets who lined the entrance path to a public meeting. I said my piece at that meeting and ran with my friends for our car. They didn't stop me. I have been threatened with death because I was working for the eradication of slum housing. Bullies even went so far as phoning me and describing my clothes and my child's child's clothes that we wore that day described in a death threat. I had my telephone tapped because I was advocating for a better life for Central American people and my roommate was a civil rights lawyer working on a notorious police misconduct case. These people cannot stop me from thinking and talking. I am free even if my country does not stay free. I expect this kind of behavior. I suppose I will expect more of this if Trump is elected again. But I will not hide. I will do what I must and what I can. I am not offering myself up as a martyr or claiming I am special. I must do what I must do regardless of authoritarians, regardless of bullies, regardless of religious zealots and plain stupid people. Those of us who are watching our country jinking ever rightward and who speak up are either doomed or are going to continue despite it. I have one suggestion. If you are an activist do not give the goons any reason to break you. Don't even jaywalk. Don't do anything in your personal life that they can use against you. Be kind. Be easy to understand. Don't give up. Working for social justice and a better life for ordinary people is a lifestyle. Embrace it. I salute you!

[@Xaxtarr_Neonraven]

Yeah, but how does one deal with the sneer of disdain? Communities are important regardless of political spectrum, but how does one respond to ostracism, vilification and actual malice? Unfortunately we live in interesting times, the bad ole days are here again, undeniably. It's not who you are but what you think that can and will be held against you.

[@Xaxtarr_Neonraven]

​@@gardener6904 -- it is my intention to be nonspecific. The issue of getting to know one's neighbors was raised in the context of politically divisive times, in the context of the rise of fascism and racism in the '40's and the context of the political atmosphere of today. My question is general and broad and makes sufficient differentiation, in my opinion. Adding additional specificity would give the game away, wouldn't it? True, this is a much broader topic than the specific issues discussed, but it is an underlying issue that each and every one of us must address in a democracy.

[@ginawang2692]

Another way to look at it, could it be the fight between psychopaths and empathetic people?

[@meredithe1361]

I love you, Rachel ❤

[@debbievoss3496]

Allissa Rosenthal, what a cool name.

[@spacecoyote6646]

I saw an ad for Carl's junior. Don't go to Carl's juniors

[@caseyzehrer2357]

The constant commercials almost make this impossible to listen to. How is it every other talk she does that’s posted not have commercials but this one seemingly has all the commercials?

[@lupemerrit]

I admire Rachel and her good work. Re: the Jew subject… they have been very successful in this country and have gradually inserted themselves in the political process. Their absolute loyalty to Israel bothers me. Especially when their money has great influence in elected officials and elections.

[@annem9139]

as Rachel says, ready a bit more widely

[@user-fq4yz5ek3r]

Rachael is spectacular.

[@christacongdon4898]

WOW!!!! LOVE HER EVEN!!!

[@christacongdon4898]

More!!!😊

[@tonymario8118]

MY FRIEND KENNY QUEONIS GOT ME TO KNOW ABOUT MRS "*RACHEL MADDOWS*" KENNY IS A GREATFUL DEAD FAN WHO ALSO GOT ME INTO LISTENING TO GERRY GARCIA'S MUSIC 🎵🎶 AND CHERRY 🍒 GARCIA ICE CREAM 🍨 BY BEN AND GERRY AND VERMONT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE STATES AND I GOT TO MEET BERNIE SANDERS WHO WAS THE MAYOR OF MONT PEALER THE CAPITAL OF VERMONT

[@timzibob]

This podcast is unwatchable ... Why does the Humanities Festival need to monetize what is supposed to be a public service to the point of having a commercial every couple of minutes. I'm 3 minutes in and, with 2 commercials already, I'm out. Much worthy programing is now unworthy of watching, including this one. PS the audio book Prequel is excellent, listen to it instead.

[@ouagadougou4672]

Rachel, tell the truth about Palestine!

[@clarencethompson2707]

If she was married to Hunter they could have snow flakes.

[@izatafactnow]

Love Rachel.. fish on my dear!

[@user-xk9qu5vt3q]

There once was a man who helped her out, and gave her a leg up to where she is now! In return she stabbed him in the back! What a quality human being!

[@kennethmueller5840]

Too bad she is always wrong. All hype!

[@jamesruscheinski8602]

separate from Islamic UN two state solution

[@phixxxer11]

PALESTINE WILL BE FREE. FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA.

[@LLH7202]

Oh! That genocide!

[@rhondah1587]

Not if Trump is elected. He will give all of the lands of the Palestinians to Netanyahu to do with as he pleases. Only Joe Biden will stand for a 2 state solution and support the existence of Palestinians in the middle east.

[@phixxxer11]

She's real quiet about the genocide 😮

[@JohnBuckmaster-sw3wm]

You mean the 1400 Jews that were killed? There is no Palestine… At least not one that ever existed with just Palestinian Muslims in it! There will never be a two-stage solution… Hamas in Hasbulla will be destroyed.

[@jimmaughan1898]

?

[@rhondah1587]

This is not an interview about that conflict. This is about her book which is about history. If you want coverage about the Israeli/Hamas conflict, go elsewhere.

[@janaheiney4974]

Most of us caught this is about a book not all about ALL history and ALL facts about the world right now 😅😅😅

[@vinasel96]

The Queen of Disinformation.

@vinasel96, You're the King of Scum.

[@catherinemacaskill1421]

Oh dear. Right wingers don't like facts and history. Who's surprised? That's why they are such easy targets for propaganda and conspiracy theories and Russian misinformation.

[@JohnBuckmaster-sw3wm]

She’s the queen of the Karen’s!

[@emead528]

Don’t give the Karen’s credit they don’t deserve.

[@tonymario8118]

I ATTENDED ONE OF HER TALKS AND IT WAS VERY INTERESTING AND AFTER THE TALK THEY SERVED SOME REALLY GREAT 🥨😋 SNACKS AND I GOT TO MEET RACHEL MADDOWS BEAUTIFUL AND ELEGANT WIFE AND SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL AND THEY BOTH GAVE ME THER AUTOGRAPH AND WHAT GREAT HANDWRITING AND IT WILL BE MY TEASURE ALWAYS