The Alarmist

Who’s to blame for the murder of Brandon Teena?

This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) welcomes back Alarmy favorite Tony Rodriguez to discuss the deeply disturbing assault and eventual murder of Brandon Teena. How big of a role did a lack of Trans visibility in 90’s America play in this senseless crime? Did Brandon fall prey to the dangers of a small town mentality? Or was he the unfortunate victim of a fundamental lack of...

New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca revisits the Attack on Pearl Harbor with distinguished professor of military history, Professor Andrew Wiest. Having published several books on the topics of war, Professor Wiest shares an expert account of the events leading up to the attack and reflects on the important moment it holds in world history. Afterward, Patreon subscribers can join The Alarmist crew for the post-inter...

Who’s to blame for the attack on Pearl Harbor?

This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) welcomes author and journalist Jess McHugh to discuss one of America’s most epic historical tragedies, the attack on Pearl Harbor. They’re joined by Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton Early. What led up to this calculated and massively devastating attack and why didn’t American forces see it coming? Did an American oil embargo h...

New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca speaks with Dr. Ryan Williams about Burt and Linda Pugach and their long and complicated relationship history. An Associate Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Illinois Springfield, Dr. Williams details the psychological toll stalking has on its victims and the difficulties they might encounter seeking justice. Afterward, Patreon subscribers can revi...

Who’s to blame for the tabloid “love story” of Burt and Linda Pugach?

This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) welcomes back Kelly Hudson to discuss the troubling tale of Burt and Linda Pugach. What the tabloids once called a bizarre “love story” sounds a lot more like assault and oppression once you hear the facts. Will the problematic realities of the American nuclear family take the fall for this one? Perhaps male entitlem...

New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca revisits Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with Professor of Economics at Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Mario Macis. Dr. Macis breaks down the concept of scarcity economics, reflects on whether or not finding a golden ticket was truly left to chance alone and gets into our irrationality when it comes to low probability events. Afterward, Patreon subscribers can hear the post i...

Who’s to blame for Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)?

This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) welcomes actor Toccarra Cash to discuss the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and the the downright dirty and deceitful incidents that occur while Mr. Wonka searches for an heir to his candy filled kingdom. They’re joined by Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton Early. Is this peak Capitalism at play...

New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca follows up on the Tasman Bridge Collapse with Australian historian and Hobart native, Dr. Imogen Wegman. Considering her parents drove over the Tasman Bridge an hour before its collapse, Dr. Wegman brings new meaning to the term ‘local historian!’ Dr. Wegman also shares vital new information about the local environment, weather patterns, and topography of the region. Afterward, Pa...

Who’s to blame for the Tasman Bridge Collapse?

This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) welcomes Allan McLeod, host of the new podcast Walkin’ About, to discuss the Tasman Bridge Collapse in Hobart, Tasmania. Are we as a society really discussing the vulnerability of bridges enough? Could sailing familiar waters cause you to let your guard down? And what is the difference between a captain and a pilot when it comes to shippin...

Mail Call! Hey Alarmy! It’s been awhile since we last checked in and it turns out you have a lot on the brain. Sounds like it’s time for a good old fashioned Mailbag episode. Join The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith), Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton Early as they go through episode suggestions, reviews and reactions from listeners old and new to the Alarmy Family. Plus, there’s an update from the newest wings of The A...

Who’s to blame for the Ramree Island Crocodile Massacre?

This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) welcomes old friend and all around funny guy Arthur Meyer to discuss the gruesome events that went down at Ramree Island during WWII. With so much second hand information flying around, how big a role did the crocodile’s play afterall? Are sharks to blame too? Maybe man simply doesn’t belong in the mangroves…perhaps we need to re...

New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca revisits the US Women’s National Soccer team pay disparity with Dr. Nancy Lough. Dr. Lough is the founding director of the Sports Innovation Institute and specializes in sports marketing, sponsorship and improving gender equity in the sports world. Her deeply insightful input is sure to fascinate, infuriate and inspire you. Afterward, Patreon subscribers can join Rebecca, Producer...

Who’s to blame for the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team Pay Disparity? 

This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) welcomes filmmaker Christina Dodson and the owner of Rough and Tumble, Seattle's home for women's sports, Jen Barnes to discuss the complicated history of US Women’s Soccer and their fight for equal pay. They’re joined by Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton Early. Does a “Weak Female” narrative have...

New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca revisits the downfall of notorious mobster Al Capone with historian and author Dr. Luciano Lorizzo. Having written a biography on Capone and even growing up in Park Slope Brooklyn, where Capone spent his early days, Dr. Lorizzo shares some fascinating insights on the people and places that shaped Capone’s outward persona. Afterward, Patreon subscribers can see if the original verd...

Who’s to blame for the downfall of Al Capone?

This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) welcomes writer Seth Reiss to take on the downfall of one of history’s most infamous mobsters, Al Capone. And we nailed it! Or did we? If indeed Capone had a downfall, who was ultimately to blame? Did his violent leadership style lead to his eventual demise? Was it the familiar tale of tax evasion? Or is defeat just part of the lifestyle wh...

New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca speaks with Privacy AI researcher Jen Caltrider about the rising dominance of AI and the role it plays in the fictional thriller M3GAN. Full disclosure, Jen couldn't watch the movie because horror films are too scary for her. But, trust us when we say what she shares about her work and privacy concerns with developing AI is MUCH scarier. Afterward, Patreon subscribers can hear the...

Who’s to blame for M3GAN (The Movie)?

This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) speaks with Actor Farah Merani about the artificial intelligence gone dreadfully awry in the 2023 box office blockbuster M3GAN. Are humans really prepared for the power of AI? Is the lure of convenience clouding our better judgment? Do we honestly think AI and childcare are a good mix? Needless to say, we’re thankful none of the events in this film...

New Guest Expert! On this week’s Aftermath, Rebecca revisits the tragic murder/suicide of Chris Benoit with author Irv Muchnick. Having written numerous books about the dark side of the sports industry, Irv thoughtfully depicts the historical culture of pro wrestling and contemplates the idea of bigger risk equaling bigger reward, but at what cost? Afterward, Patreon subscribers can hear the post-interview breakdown with Fact Check...

Who’s to blame for the Chris Benoit Murder/Suicide?

This week, The Alarmist (Rebecca Delgado Smith) welcomes return guest, and host of the Hatch true crime audio series Pillow Talk, Deanna Ortiz to discuss the tragic circumstances around the murder/suicide of professional wrestler Chris Benoit in 2007. They’re joined by Fact Checker Chris Smith and Producer Clayton Early. We know who did it, but could years of steroid abuse give us ...