#113 May 13, 26

Author Sasha Abramsky - Power, Propaganda, and the Human Cost of Policy

The Premise Podcast — Episode Show Notes

Guest: Sasha Abramsky
Hosts: Jennifer Thompson & Chad Thompson
Topic: Power, propaganda, and the human cost of political systems

Episode Overview

In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation, Jennifer and Chad sit down with journalist and author Sasha Abramsky to unpack the political, emotional, and human realities shaping America today.

The discussion centers on Abramsky’s latest book, American Carnage, which explores how systemic government disruption impacts real lives—and what it reveals about power, democracy, and accountability.

From the illusion of normalcy in everyday life to the dismantling of institutions behind the scenes, this episode connects the big-picture political landscape with deeply personal stories.

Featured Book
American Carnage: How Trump, Musk, and Doge Butchered the U.S. Government

Creators and Guests

Host

Jeniffer Thompson

Writer. Reader. Interviewer. Cohost of The Premise Podcast. I help authors build brands + websites. Cofounder of the San Diego Writers Festival. Chicken-mama.

Producer

Chad Thompson

Chad Thompson, co-founder of Monkey C Media, offers professional photography and videography services. He has an eye for detail and a command of lighting that gives him the ability to show his subjects at their very best. You can count on seeing Chad around South Park on his bicycle with a camera slung over his shoulder. If he has never taken a picture of you, chances are good you have never met him.

Guest

Sasha Abramsky

Sasha Abramsky is The Nation's Western correspondent and the author of a weekly political column for the magazine. His work has also appeared in The Atlantic, The New Yorker Online, The New Republic, The Village Voice, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, and many other publications. He is the author of eleven books, including The American Way of Poverty: How the Other Half Still Lives, The House of Twenty Thousand Books, Little Wonder: The Fabulous Story of Lottie Dod, the World's First Female Sports Superstar, and Chaos Comes Calling: The Battle Against the Far-Right Takeover of Small-Town America. Abramsky teaches writing at UC Davis. Follow him on Bluesky at @sashaabramsky.bsky.social.