Unf*cking The Republic

448

Unf*cking The Republic® (UNFTR) is a series of audio essays on the grand American experiment lovingly curated and presented by a quasi-anonymous political writer.

Each essay reflects on a singular topic that is generally misunderstood or purposely obfuscated by the so-called “powers that be.” As we know, history is written by the victors and can be perilously manufactured to favor destructive world views. These views become intractably ingrained in the public consciousness and pervert public policy, oftentimes with horrific results.

As of this podcast’s founding, we find ourselves living in a true kakistocracy. The disconnect between what we believe and what is actually happening below the surface or in plain sight is where this podcast lives.

Together we’ll upend conventional wisdom, blow up narratives on the left, right and center and use magical devices like facts, logic and reason to explain how exactly we arrived in bizarro America, the funhouse mirror version of what was originally intended. #UNFTR

Recent Episodes

Episodes loading...

Recent Reviews

pugsley12.5

Brilliant and insightful

If you’re in need of a new perspective on or overall understanding of our country especially it’s economy UNFTR is the best place to start. You’re more likely to learn and meaningfully understand economics from this podcast than expensive classes at most our universities. Humor, wit, history, exhaustive research, what’s not to like?!
Taralainee

Awesome

Very clever and entertaining. Additionally, it is very valuable information. These are dark, dark days. We need alternative news outlets now more than ever. Thank you to the whole crew. Love y’all.
ms dubbs

Was really enjoying until…

Did I hear that correctly that it was purported SF has a larger population of homeless than LA? I was really enjoying the podcast and that it seemed better research but something so obviously wrong to anyone is so irritating! It’s 4x as large in LA city and 7x as large for LA county. Issue a correction!!
Usergdhdu$;

Thoughtful analysis +humor

In these times of media full of superficiality and hype, Come here for zero ego and all substance discussions. The hosts provide thoughtful, informed discussions about what is wrong with our social/ political and economic system as it affects…. every aspect of our existence. And examine solutions and realistic reasons to hope. They also have engaging conversations with well-selected guests. It is very thought provoking and inspiring, and by human, good people, too.
Sophi4_kitten

Background “music”

I’ve listened a couple of times. The content seems interesting and challenging. Unfortunately, there’s grating computer generated music running throughout entire episodes. It makes it unlistenable for me.
alyssasmom

Best podcast

So informative!! I love this podcast and been binging all the episodes. Such a wealth of information. Please keep up the great work!
jski94

Too Far Left

This guy is so far left that he doesn’t realize how similar he is to MAGA. It’s like listening to the socialist version of Tucker Carlson.
Recycled grandma

UNFTR is one of the few sites where I know I will get accurate info

So interesting I’m learning so much without any pain (other than fearing the election)
Bare Bear

UNFTR is a wonderfully produced and brilliantly presented pod.

Really worth a subscription. Highly recommended.
prattfall

Comment on May 25 humorless comment to be read in one breath:

What, pray tell, are these better options that hopefully do not feature retired generals and other corporate shills and questionable experts that mainstream media interviews to promote and permeate and perpetuate mythologies learned from headline news that dumb down and sanitize current events and wastes audience time with speculation and biases? Please pay closer attention to this show and keep an open mind, and most of all relax. See Democracy Now! July 11 episode.
ID3121

Great Show

Recently getting back into UNFTR after a brief hiatus. It’s always sourced really well and the information is compelling.
Abura448

Excellent in Every Way

I absolutely love what you guys do. I was all in from the beginning when this pod was long form history lessons on how we got to where we are as a country, but now that you’ve expanded from the original formula I love it even more! Each episode type brings something unique. From the fun back and forth of show notes conversations (shout out 99!), the excellent phone a friend interviews and the topical creams where Max gives his perspective on something miserable that’s currently happening in the world, it’s all just excellent! Never change who you are, keep on keeping on, and FMF!
IndoBaller23

Well Researched

It is obvious a lot of time and effort is put into the research done for each episode. While I don’t agree with 100% of the views, I do appreciate the depth of each topic and conversation. Also, FU€K Milton Friedman
hagamobro

Get Smart

Are you are a fan of outrage, fear, tribalism, and/or dehumanization? Me neither. This ain’t that. Well researched information, down to earth personalities, good chemistry and a healthy dose of humanity to wash it all down. This has been my favorite pod for years and I find integral to my understanding of the 3 P’s. Politics, People, and for some reason a band called “Phish”.
RJEngr

The Straight Dope

The real deal when it comes to understanding today’s f@&$ed up state of the American experiment.
Austin Teyhas

Trusted and real

My go to source of honest and well researched and thought out information about the world events.
Las48

UNFTR

Extremely well-researched episodes on some of the most important socio-political issues of our time. Max is both entertaining and informative. He can really hone in on the essence while giving the listener contextual details that you would otherwise have to take a semester graduate course at a university to obtain. Listen to and support UNFTR.
D-programmer

Reasoned, researched and informative

A great place for a scholarly approach to events, both historical and current. Max, 99 and Manny provide an approachable, light touch, progressive presentation style. All the while undergirded by detailed granular information. I find myself learning something new about topics I thought I already had intimate knowledge of. Always with an opinion, but never biased. I await each episode keenly.
msmezman

Great perspective

Listeners are provided with historical context, current data and a nuanced view of current political concerns delivered with humor. Love this podcast
FontStatus

So entertaining and very informative

This show is in my regular rotation and in my “favorites” station in my app. This show should be required listening for all citizens.
f scott james

A master class

Max and 99 provide great perspectives of complex topics. Not short nor shy of opinions, but we’ll deserved. Deep research on each subject with plenty of context. Even as a well educated progressive, I feel like I’m part of a master’s degree level lecture each episode. They don’t talk down but they don’t come off as lofty. If you enjoy nuanced conversation about many levels of progressive politics this pod is one of the best.
cali_cycle

Relevant and Serious, Despite the Name

This is a useful podcast that has helped me on my journey of understanding. I found UNFTR as a recommendation from Pitchfork Economics, but now UNFTR is my first go to podcast for a well researched and entertaining pod.
GrizGuy

Should be required in high school civics

This pod host and team put things in historical perspective in a really entertaining way. Every pod makes me feel better equipped to truly understand what the **** is going on and why. Just subscribe and give it a listen. Five stars, 10/10, must listen!
Lady Reverb

One of my favorite podcasts

Started listening earlier this year (just stumbled upon it since I listen and keep an eye out for intelligent leftist podcasts) and now I look forward to it so much! As a socialist, and a third generation socialist at that, I really enjoyed the Understanding Socialism series all during the summer and up to the present. Not that the material and history was completely new for me, but I so appreciated the wide lens that Max took, even including Anarchist thinkers (who are often under rated). I also enjoy the more current and topical pods as well. Highly recommend- keep up the great work Max, 99, & Manny! 👍🏼💖✊🏼
grs100

Fantastic shows. Always.

Been with UNFTR for quite a while now and they just keep turning out excellent content. And keep it fun to boot. They’re winning podcasting going away. (just for you 99 :) )
aikibrian

Awesome podcast!

This my favorite podcast! The information mixed with the entertainment make it the best one out there! Thanks for all the work you folks do!
TristinSD

The best out there

Max and his team produce in my opinion of the best, most informational podcasts in the podosphere. He is extremely articulate, concise, and most of all, honest. He explains abstract concepts about our democracy and the current political climate in a way that is digestible and easily understandable. You should absolutely give his series a listen as I got hooked 2 years ago and have not stopped. 10/10
basic white old lady

Truth

An eye opening podcast with an entertaining delivery. Should be required listening in high school history and poli-sci classes.
Rita B 22

History does effect where we are at

When history, I believe is no longer a required school class, this has to be a real eye opener for the younger people who have not lived the last 40-60 years and beyond.
Urbn1970frmr

Love the Show!

Brilliant podcast that unpacks the issues down to the last crumpled undies shoved into the corner of any political/social issue suitcase. Max and 99 are the hosts with the mosts: most smarts, most humor, most righteous well-placed anger. Here’s how it works: You listen. You learn. You rage. And then you donate to Jessica Cisneros. Be well and multiply…episodes! Thank you for all you do.
Micheal Flynnn

Wow!

Max and the team are hitting it out of the park every dang time! I have limited income, but I am going to make a small donation on the UNFTR website and I hope others do, too. Imagine what this group could do if they didn’t have to work other jobs while creating this podcast!
artichoke82

Two years and smarter because of it

How is it possible that I never wrote a review before now?! Ok so I’ve been listening to this show for two years when I first started there was about 12 episodes out and well my mind was blown. I literally had mush brain for 3 weeks. Fast forward to present day, and I can have a very successful conversation about many topics, and I share episodes often because they are well researched and surprisingly fulfilling, once I got through the mush phase. I highly recommend this pod and you may find yourself smarter, more tolerant and sharing this pod often with friends, family, and the ups driver like I do.
snarton

Refreshing perspective

It’s clear that this podcast is a labor of love. I really appreciate getting an illuminating perspective on a range of topics that I *thought* I knew about.
Dr. Rioux

Unftr podcast and you tube

I love both formats. This is exactly what the progressive movement needs to educate the population to what progressivism is and what it ain’t, i.e. wokeness and CRT. The right has been able to steal and control the narrative with the help to a large degree from mainstream media. A platform like unftr could help to turn this around. My only reservation is whether Max is real or an AI bot. If real, at some point he should disclose his identity.
Richard Miami Beach

The Best

Of all the many podcasts I listen too, this is the most informative, the best researched, and the most relevant, all presented unvarnished and entertaining.
ferrarifamily

Love this podcast! Each and every episode has pertinent and mind expanding information.

I enjoy the topics covered and the creative ways that they do that. Always an interesting listen.
Sloan god

More stars

We needed this podcast in 2012. I always wanted a deep diving, well sourced, resource for history of bad politics.
Just F.I.N.E

Love the show!

I have so many thoughts about all the things; not sure I want to thumb type all of it out right now, or organize my thoughts into something coherent. I definitely feel like I come away from every episode smarter and with an elevated blood pressure - thank you for what you do! Thank you for the opportunity to buy delicious coffee from native roasters! Everyone in my family got a bag last year for the holidays….I’m going to have to repeat this year.
Aaron211004883

It’s the End of Capitalism as We Know It (and I feel fine)

Life isn’t fair, but it sure is funny. Go on an adventure with Max, 99, and Manny (spelling?) through the history of economic liberalism and praise-be-to-the-markets f?!ckery to find an enlightening and joyous perspective of why we’re in the position we now face as decent and loving human beings who won the genetic lottery. If we want to do better, be better, give more, and help those who really got effed over, we really ought to learn about the systemic consequences of our public policies, the effwads who get to make the decisions, and how WE can influence change. Listening to this podcast (and supporting it) is a good component of the adventure that lies ahead.
Candy Cowgirl

Fabulous!

I really LOVE this podcast. Max, 99 and Manny Faces thank you so much!
J Dedmon

Thank you!

If I’m not listening to murder podcasts, I’m listening to UNFTR! Thanks for all you do 😊
Nathans9

Best pod cast by far

If you only have time for one podcast per week, this is the one. Incredibly well researched every week. I do not always agree with the conclusions but I never dispute the historical context as all sources are well documented. I truly learn something new every week.
Maydinny

I see said the blind man!

Each episode covers issues with clarity and credibility. Thank you for sifting through all the garbage to report bottom line truths.
NBerault

Voted for Clinton twice

Clearly I was not paying attention. I did think that a really smart guy would be able to keep his pants zipped.
BrownPride🇲🇽

I’m a fan…

I normally don’t leave a review but I was taking a break from News (TYT network)and wanted to find something else to listen to (something different) while I’m at work and I stumbled across this podcast and I definitely like the interaction between the two hosts in the impressions of people are so hilarious my new favorite podcast ever before ESPN/sports podcast
Hoddydaye

Seriously, the best podcast out there

Every week, Max, 99, and Manny put together a smart, beautifully produced, well-researched, and often humorous show on our republic. I listen, I learn, and I’m insanely grateful.
wu library

“it’s binge-worthy” as the kids say

phish fans will love this pod. so will non-phish fans. i would give it 10 stars but not until they bring back the skits (and cory).
Rick in Oregon

Improved my knowledge base

I knew that our society was a mess, but listing to Max and 99 breakdown the issues it really opens my eyes and mind to how to help fix the messes. Keep up the great work. #FMF
Jd20

Cogent and irreverent

This podcast is like the political science class you should have gotten in high school. Taught by your smartest friends. It’s a perfect mix of well sourced facts mixed with language and attitude that might make a teamster blush.
LouDog206

My all time favorite podcast

Max covers economic and governance issues of concern in the weekly lessons, then follows up with a town hall-like Shownotes episode a few days later allowing the listeners to weigh in on the subject. Many of us listeners have reviewed ALL back episodes after discovering the podcast, which I recommend both for education and for context. Associate, 99, provides generational cleansing of the material from its Gen X origin, allowing it to be understood by Millennials, and strikes fear into the leading edge of mellowing Boomers. Manny Faces mixes the material and assures that a humorous tone allows the subject matter to be more digestible.