The Audit

BONUS: How PragerU’s Propaganda Machine Infiltrated Florida’s Schools

The Lever — Thu, 10 Aug 2023 09:32:19 -0400

Josh and Dave are joined by journalist and media expert John Knefel to discuss how the conservative propaganda operation PragerU landed a major new partnership with Florida’s public schools.

School Is Out With Wyatt Cenac

The Lever — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 06:00:00 -0400

For the final episode of The Audit season three, Dave and Josh are joined by comedian and actor Wyatt Cenac. These old-school chums engage in a wide-ranging exploration of their favorite PragerU topics, including abortion, climate change, guns, pornography, and “woke” investing.

PragerU videos discussed this week:

For Star Trek fans out there, here’s a link to the Bad Faith podcast episode where Wyatt and Josh debate whether or not the Federation is a space navy.

If you’d like to support this show, head over to www.levernews.com/audit/ and leave a tip for Dave and Josh. To get access to Lever Premium Podcasts, and all the other benefits of a paid subscription, click here.

A transcript of this episode is available here.

A Field Trip to PragerU HQ

The Lever — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 06:05:00 -0400

In this week’s episode of The Audit, Dave and Josh join forces with Andrew Perez, investigative reporter from The Lever, to delve deeper into the financial underpinnings of PragerU.

The three review, with horror, the organization’s fawning and unhinged interview with Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus, who donates millions to PragerU. Dave and Josh also recount their mission to obtain PragerU’s tax documents, which leads to an unexpected face-to-face encounter. Finally, the episode also discusses how right-wing media outlets provoked the extremist assault on the Glendale Unified School District.

Videos discussed:

A transcript of this episode is available here.

Make Love, Not Culture War

The Lever — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0400

On this week’s episode of The Audit, Dave and Josh submit their supple minds to the mental libido of Dennis Prager, whose “fireside chat” video about the sexual nature of “men versus women” exposes the ugly truths about the many regressive cravings of modern conservatism. Joined by guests Will Menaker of Chapo Trap House and Kath Krueger of Discourse Blog (43:22), this episode will require that you too repress your urges — to laugh!

Also discussed: The Joe Rogan anti-vax “debate-gate” controversy (5:10). Here’s the link to the referenced Naomi Klein article on RFK Jr. Here's the link to the PragerU article Will mentions.

PragerU videos viewed this week:

A transcript of this episode is available here.

Ward Cleaver Is My Safe Word

The Lever — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 06:05:00 -0400

On this week’s episode of The Audit, Dave and Josh are in the back of the classroom with comedian and TV writer Lisa Curry (38:29) to consider a pair of PragerU videos about the male identity. Listening to conservative white men trying to give sex and relationship advice to young people is both hilarious and enlightening for what it reveals about today’s national political conversation. You can follow Lisa on Instagram @olympianlisacurry and on Twitter @lisa_curry.

Videos discussed this week:

A transcript of this episode is available here.

Liberals, Leftists, And Pragers, Oh My

The Lever — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0400

On this week’s episode of The Audit, comedian, writer, and political commentator Katie Halper joins hosts Dave and Josh to react to PragerU’s videos on race, liberalism, and affirmative action.

PragerU wants to teach you about the American Left. To gauge the results, the team discusses the organization’s political explainers — covering what they get right and wrong, and pondering who is the last best hope for Earth. The group also discusses how conservatives view the liberal media industry, and the trio level their own criticisms against mainstream corporate pundits.

PragerU videos we discussed this week:

Katie currently hosts The Katie Halper Show and Useful Idiots.

A transcript of this episode is available here.

The Climate Change Misinformation Machine

The Lever — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0400

This week, journalist and activist Naomi Klein joins Dave and Josh as a special guest to look under the hood of several PragerU “educational” videos that offer a conservative spin on the topics of climate science and green technologies.

Klein, who has authored several influential books (including This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate), points out how the fossil fuel-funded groups behind videos like these have shifted tactics in the years since COVID, moving from a strategy of “hard denialism” to one that centers on the rhetoric of “personal freedoms.”

Here are the PragerU videos discussed with Naomi Klein this week:

Dave and Josh also have a lengthy discussion about the recent Vanity Fair exposé detailing the culture of fear that surrounded the actors and TV writers on the landmark mystery series Lost. The article sheds light on many of the same toxic Hollywood workplace issues being raised in the current Writers Guild of America strike. (Here's TV writer Javier Grillo-Marxuach’s follow-up statement responding to the article.)

A transcript of this episode is available here.

The Ayn Rand Alliance to End Homelessness

The Lever — Mon, 29 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

On this week’s episode of The Audit, Dave and Josh cover Gov. Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign announcement and observe that GOP politics are mostly a match-up between manly “right-wing lunatics” against “nerds and dorks.”

Despite their differences, all Republican campaigns seem to agree that homelessness in cities is the fault of Democrats, woke liberals, and the unhoused people themselves. PragerU videos are an excellent resource for observing exactly how conservative activists are reframing complex social issues like homelessness and addiction into black-and-white talking-points about “compassion brigades” and reductive policy that evades real solutions.

Special guest Josh Androsky — a Los Angeles-based comedian, organizer and leftist political advisor — joins the fray to scrutinize one (highly dramatic) short documentary produced by a conservative think-tank that aims to reveal the “reality” of LA’s homelessness problem.

PragerU videos we discussed this week:

The documentary about how the right wants to fix homelessness

A transcript of this episode is available here.

Why Pragers Go Wild for Bill Maher

The Lever — Mon, 22 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

Bill Maher is all the rage over at PragerU. On this week’s episode of The Audit, Dave and Josh look at why PragerU regularly uses video clips featuring the comedian and host of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher for their more hard-line conservative screeds on race, culture, and economics.

They are joined by special guest Gareth Reynolds, a comedian, writer, and co-host (along with Dave) of The Dollop podcast. The crew discusses the “Bill Maher bubble,” cranky old men, reanimating Martin Luther King Jr., North Korea, and Mr. Potato Head.

PragerU videos discussed this week:

A transcript of this episode is available here.

About Those Evil Communists…

The Lever — Mon, 15 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

On this week’s episode of The Audit, Dave and Josh delve into a topic at the root of much of PragerU’s curriculum: The apparent evils of socialism!

To discuss the persistent misrepresentations and misunderstandings surrounding communism and socialism, they are joined by guest Professor Richard Wolff, a Marxist economist and co-founder of the nonprofit Democracy at Work. Wolff highlights the influence of Marxist ideas on various Christian socialist movements throughout history, and the conversation covers issues like the economics of colonialism, systemic racism, toxic masculinity, and China.

Overall, this episode emphasizes the importance of nuanced discussions, critical thinking, and understanding the complexities of different ideologies to foster a more informed and constructive dialogue.

PragerU videos discussed this week:

A transcript of this episode is available here.

George Washington Was Tall and Brave

The Lever — Mon, 08 May 2023 06:04:00 -0400

On this week’s episode of The Audit, Dave, Josh and their guest Jared Yates Sexton, explore PragerU's treatment of the founding fathers. From George Washington's wealth and questionable actions to PragerU’s obsession with the founding fathers' heights, they unpack the mythologies and oversimplifications that the American Right invests in these historical figures. Jared Yates Sexton is author of The Midnight Kingdom: A History of Power, Paranoia, and the Coming Crisis and co-host of the Muckrake Podcast. He challenges the traditional narratives we've been told about Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and James Madison, including their involvement with slavery and underlying concern with maintaining the power of the wealthy elite.

The episode opens with an excerpt from the documentary Dreams With Sharp Teeth, directed by Erik Nelson.

PragerU videos we discussed this week:

A transcript of this episode is available here.

The Kids Are Not Alt Right

The Lever — Mon, 01 May 2023 06:00:00 -0400

On this week’s episode of The Audit, Dave and Josh go back to school with Denis Prager’s enormous library of children’s educational content! The American right’s obsession with attacking teachers and public education in recent years has given us PragerU Kids, a streaming hub of “pro-America” kids programming intent on battling the evil woke agendas “infiltrating classrooms, culture, and social media.”

As a guest, the two brought in a real teacher: Betsy Long, a public school educator in Los Angeles who has written about education politics in Jacobin Magazine. As a union leader, Betsy led her school site in the recent teacher strike that won record-breaking wage increases.

The team discusses various “educational” PragerU Kids videos:

If you’d like to support this show, head over to www.levernews.com/audit/ and leave a tip for Dave and Josh. To listen to Lever Premium Podcasts, and all the other benefits of a paid subscription, click here.

A transcript of this episode is available here.

Conservative Race Theory

The Lever — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0400

On this week’s episode of The Audit, Dave and Josh analyze an area of PragerU’s curriculum that will make your head spin: racism in America. For this precarious exercise, they brought in writer/commentator Aaron Thorpe of the Trillbilly Worker’s Party podcast. They dive deep into multiple PragerU videos from the likes of Candace Owens on topics such as critical race theory, slavery, and reparations, with a clearer understanding of the historical counternarratives that conservatives wish to spin around race. You can read more of Aaron Thorpe’s work at http://spacelight.substack.com

PragerU videos referenced this week:

A transcript of this episode is available here.

Insane World History With PragerU

The Audit — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0400

In the new season of The Audit, Dave and Josh take a big leap into the astounding world of PragerU, a right-wing propaganda machine that aspires to become a force in American education. This first episode, which delves into PragerU’s approach to world history and foreign affairs, features guest Daniel Bessner, an associate professor of International Studies at the University of Washington and co-host of the American Prestige podcast. The three discuss PragerU’s revisionist understanding of topics like the British Empire, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War, as well as the importance of education and expertise in shaping our understanding of history and the world around us.

If you’d like to support this show, head over to www.levernews.com/audit/ and leave a tip for Dave and Josh. To get access to Lever Premium Podcasts, and all the other benefits of a paid subscription, click here.

Additional PragerU videos we discussed this week:

Season 3 Trailer - The Audit

The Lever — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 06:01:00 -0400

The Audit is back with a new season.

Subscribe now at Levernews.com/audit/ and get all the new episodes as they arrive.

This Is The End

The Lever — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 06:01:00 -0500

Rove & Axelrod discuss the current state of politics, and we break down their discussion in real time. You might be surprised which of these two players actually understands why we are where we are and which one is completely oblivious to any measurable reality. Actually, you probably won't be.

If you'd like to support this show, go to LeverNews.com/Audit to become a supporter or leave us a tip.

For a rough transcription of this episode click here.

Mobilizing The End Of Influencers

The Lever — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 06:01:00 -0500

Axelrod oozes over Ronald Reagan, leaving us to wonder if these people actually believe in anything. Nina Turner discusses why she doesn't hang out with her counterparts on the Beltway.

If you'd like to support this show, go to LeverNews.com/Audit to become a supporter or leave us a tip.

For a rough transcription of this episode click here.

Budgeting Public Harnesses

The Lever — Mon, 26 Dec 2022 06:01:00 -0500

Rahm Emanuel's campaign to run for re-election while covering up the murder of a Black teenager elicits some strong reactions from everyone. Nina Turner tells an infuriating story about the Democratic convention that she's never told before.

If you'd like to support this show, go to LeverNews.com/Audit to become a supporter or leave us a tip.

For a rough transcription of this episode click here.

Researching Your Campaign Electoral Focus

The Lever — Mon, 19 Dec 2022 06:01:00 -0500

David Axelrod explains how to accidentally stumble across a once in a lifetime presidential candidate who doesn't really need you, while Karl Rove explains how to use racist and homophobic smears to destroy your political opponents.

If you'd like to support this show, go to LeverNews.com/Audit to become a supporter or leave us a tip.

For a rough transcription of this episode click here.

Introducing A Starting Candidate

The Lever — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 06:01:00 -0500

We discuss why it's not really a good thing to be friends with people who want to kill you. Rove & Axelrod explain what inspired them to get into politics, and it's possible one of them is actually telling the truth.

If you'd like to support this show, go to LeverNews.com/Audit to become a supporter or leave us a tip.

For a rough transcription of this episode click here.

Prioritize The Painters

The Lever — Mon, 07 Nov 2022 06:00:00 -0500

A brief breakdown on why Biden's pot reform might not be the greatest thing since sliced bread, and then the gang dives into the final classes of W's Master Class, including sitting through an 18 minute lesson on cold wax painting. On the plus side, we get some fun drinking stories, some fun Turd Blossom stories, and did you know they make a version of the Bible for stupid people? Also - remember the pretzel? We go out on a note of hope, however - warm and fuzzy memories of the deep friendship shared by Ruth Bader Ginsburg and cuddly fascist Antonin Scalia. We hope they're enjoying the afterlife together!

If you'd like to support this show, go to LeverNews.com/Audit to become a supporter or leave us a tip.

For a rough transcript of this episode click here.

Enter Your Pathway To Owning Your Public Style

The Lever — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 06:05:00 -0400

Josh, Dave and Kate learn some important lessons on self mockery and stretegery. They also take a look at what might be the worst joke every told at The White House Correspondents' Dinner, and the final word on the Try Guys scandal - because we're the last people to find out about it. Josh explains the Hollywood No, and the gang discusses the difference between polyamory and swinging. This episode has it all!

If you'd like to support this show, go to LeverNews.com/Audit to become a supporter or leave us a tip.

For a rough transcript of this episode click here.

Accountability Leads To Crisis

The Lever — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 06:05:00 -0400

You knew it was coming, folks. George W. Bush walks us through all the ways he showed amazing leadership and accountability during 9/11, Katrina AND the financial crisis of '07/'08. Short version - it all comes down to acting like you care.

We also examine one of the few not entirely terrible things Bush did - Pepfar - and how he still managed to get some terrible in there, and how Bush's experiences in the world of business don't jibe at all with his stated belief in free markets. All that, AND No Child Left Behind gets the Master Class whitewash treatment!

If you'd like to support this show, go to LeverNews.com/Audit to become a supporter or leave us a tip.

Click here for a rough transcript of the episode.

Building Tough Decisions

The Lever — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 06:05:00 -0400

Professor Bush discusses his unshakable belief in having principles in place before a crisis hits, and how he and his team came up with those principles. After 9/11.

If you'd like to support this show, go to LeverNews.com/Audit to become a supporter or leave us a tip.

Click here for a rough transcript.

Meet Your Personal Horizon

The Audit — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 06:05:00 -0400

Seeking out good advice on how to be leaders of men, Josh, Dave, and Kate sit down to watch the first three lessons in George W. Bush's Master Class on Authentic Leadership.

If you'd like to support this show, go to LeverNews.com/Audit to become a supporter or leave us a tip.

For a rough transcription of this episode click here.

Introducing... The Audit

The Lever — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 13:23:22 -0400

This is the trailer for The Audit. You should listen and subscribe.

Do it. We dare you.