Fortress On A Hill (FOH) Podcast

Jovanni sits down with independent journalist Olesya Orlenko, a Russian historian, who provides on-the-ground perspectives from Donetsk in eastern Ukraine.  They discuss the roots of the conflict tracing back to the 2014 coup in Ukraine, the role of Western media in shaping narratives, and the views from both Russian and Ukrainian sides.

Olesya Orlenko is a Russian historian, researcher, and reporter. She studied at the Institu...

ClandesTime host Tom Secker joins Henri to discuss the 1998 World War 2 film, “Saving Private Ryan.”  We spend ample time discussing that “horrific” opening scene and whether it’s as honest as Steven Spielberg would like it to be, as well as Spielberg’s tendency to sanitize and simplify so much of the combat.  We cover the actual history of that section of Omaha beach, as well as the true story of the four brothers who we...

Jovanni hosts political analyst K.J. Noh for a deep dive into the historic decision by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un not to pursue reconciliation with South Korea, the escalating tensions involving Pyongyang, Seoul, and Washington, and the impact of international geopolitics on North Korea’s future. They also weigh in on the recent International Court of Justice ruling regarding Israel.

Main website: https://www.fortressonahill.co...

Jovanni, Shiloh, and Monisha share an insightful look back at 2023 and share their hopes and predictions for 2024.  The massive ongoing shift to multi-polarity, the view of Ukraine and Palestine as the year ends, and understanding how to pursue and maintain revolutionary optimism in a pessimistic world are all touched on.  Thank you to everyone who has supported Fortress On A Hill as we enter our seventh year!!!

Main websi...

Jovanni is joined by Colonel Ann Wright, former diplomat and retired U.S. Army colonel who resigned from the U.S. government in opposition to Bush’s war on Iraq.  Jovanni and Ann discuss the lack of interest for diplomacy, the detrimental effects of transferring weapons into conflict areas, and Ann’s recent appearance at the UN, stressing the toll of Israel’s genocide against Gaza.  Ann stresses the economic benefit to weapon...

Henri hosts Stephen Russell, a veteran and comic book author, who shares his upcoming memoir ‘Troublemakers: The Greatest Dog and Pony Show in Iraq’. The memoir details Russell’s deployment to Iraq in 2006 during the Surge with Bravo Company, 112th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd BCT, where Stephen details the huge losses his unit suffered. They discuss the contrast between the ‘sanitized’ hero portrayal in medi...

Keagan and Jovanni have a awesome short discussion on a few very pertinent topics, including some stats on anti-war veteran participation, understanding military hierarchy through Army combat arms, and a bit on military and veteran ideas of masculinity and conformity.

Main website: https://www.fortressonahill.com

Let me guess. You’re enjoying the show so much, you’d like to leave us a review?! https://lovethepodcast.com/fort...

Henri is joined by Suzanne Gordon from the Health Care Policy Institute to delve into issues concerning the privatization of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the future of healthcare in rural areas.  Suzanne warns against the slow dismantling of the VA system due to privatization and outsourcing to the private sector, and how it disproportionately affects rural veterans. She emphasizes the importance of expanding the VA sys...

Judith Norman joins Jovanni and Monisha to discuss her work and experience with Palestinian liberation movements and the current situation there on the ground.

Judith Norman has been engaged with community organizing for 20 years.  She has worked with movements for economic justice, anti-militarization, educational justice, decarceration, and the liberation of Palestine.  The latter is closest to her heart, and she has worked with ...