Blocked and Reported

This week on Blocked and Reported: Charlie Kirk. Opinion | Charlie Kirk Was Practicing Politics the Right Way - The New York Times Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer scratched bullets with a Helldivers combo and a furry sex meme | The Verge Notices Bulge / OwO What's This? | Know Your Meme This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe

This week on the Primo episode, Jesse and Katie return to the subject of Taylor Lorenz and the ethics of journafluencing. The theme: Taylor vs. Chorus. Banning smartphones in classrooms helps students A Dark Money Group Is Secretly Funding High-Profile Democratic Influencers | WIRED Wired and Business Insider remove 'AI-written' freelance articles - Press … To hear more, visit www.blockedandreported.org

This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie discuss the story of author John Boyne and the Polari Prize. Plus…[big sigh] Graham Linehan. Katie’s book 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas' Set Holocaust Education Back by Decades. Now It's Getting a Sequel. – Kveller 'I was the devil incarnate': An interview with John Boyne | The Spectator John Boyne hits back at critics of transgender novel | John Boyne | The Guardian John Boyne: Why I support trans rights but reject the word ‘cis’ – The Irish Times John Boyne: ‘Only a fool or an incurable optimist would think you can solve the world’s problems in 280 characters’ | Irish Independent Singer Róisín Murphy Faces Backlash—And Praise From Anti-Trans Activists—For Criticizing Puberty Blockers Fighting on Twitter? In the UK, You Could Be Arrested for That. - The Stranger Trans woman feared vigilante violence after Graham Linehan’s social media posts, court told | The Independent Would Graham Linehan's "If All Else Fails, Punch Him in the Balls" Be Protected Under U.S. Law? - Reason.com Polari: The code language gay men used to survive Polari Prize organisers cancel book prize over trans controversy This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe

This week on the Primo show, Jesse and Katie discuss Taylor Lorenz, ethics in journalism, the ad that wasn’t an ad, and the ongoing debate about kids and cell phones. To hear more, visit www.blockedandreported.org

This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie discuss the attempted cancellation of Cracker Barrel and the company’s long history as a target of activist campaigns. Plus: Taylor Swift’s engagement, the latest Gaylor conspiracies, and her deafening silence on Gaza. Jesse's movie debut Cracker Barrel’s New Modern Logo and Aesthetic Become a Political Rorschach Test - The New York Times Robby Starbuck video Old Cracker Barrel website Opinion | Look What We Made Taylor Swift Do - The New York Times This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe

Thanks to everyone who tuned in, asked questions, and stepped in when Jesse needed a drink. To hear more, visit www.blockedandreported.org

This week on the Primo show, Jesse and Katie discuss an update from the trans-rationalist cult, a firing at the National Park Service, a new liberal publication, and Laverne Cox’s atonement for dating a conservative white cop. Federal Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty in Fatal Shooting of Border Patrol Agent - The New York Times Park ranger fired after helpi… To hear more, visit www.blockedandreported.org

This week on Blocked and Reported, Katie is joined by Brad Polumbo to discuss Chris Rufo’s campaign against New Yorker critic Doreen St. Felix over offensive tweets. Plus, conservative snowflakes and the Venn diagram of maskers and queers. Brad vs Everyone Why are so many of the young people I still see wearing masks queer? : r/NoStupidQuestions https://x.com/Acyn/status/1956137743727387112 https://x.com/KaivanShroff/status/1953586970598240441 The Banal Provocation of Sydney Sweeney’s Jeans | The New Yorker To hear more, visit www.blockedandreported.org

This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie discuss two cases of alleged cyberbullying-related suicides: comics artist Ed Piskor and fox rescuer Mikayla Raines. Ed Piskor exhibition postponed over sexual misconduct allegations | Visual Art | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper Ed Piskor's show postponed over sexual misconduct accusations 'Lesbian goth foxes,' the story of Esmae and Mala | MPR News Ed Piskor, ‘Hip Hop Family Tree’ Comic Book Artist, Dies at 41 - TheWrap 'Lesbian goth foxes,' the story of Esmae and Mala | MPR News They Bullied Her to Death--And Reddit Let it Happen | POPTOPIC This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe

This week on the Primo show, Jesse and Katie discuss Joseph Awuah-Darko, a Ghanaian artist and influencer who announced his intention to seek assisted suicide, and invited people to dine with him in his last months. Joseph on Instagram Joseph Awuah-Darko's spreadsheet of emotion: 'Bipolar, colour and me’ Can Artist Kehinde Wiley Survive Sexual Assault Accu… To hear more, visit www.blockedandreported.org

This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie discuss a schism in the anti-feminist right, featuring influencers Sarah Stock, Pearl Davis, Emily Wilson, Morgen Ariel, and one little engagement ring. Pre-order Katie’s book: https://www.drinkyourwaysober.com/ The engagment photo Deranged MAGA Civil War Erupts Over Engagement Ring Size This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe

This week on the Primo show, Jesse and Katie wade into the melodramatic world of Harry Potter fan fiction, the early-2000s cancellation of fan fic star Cassandra Claire/Clare, and a more recent controversy in the booming subgenre of Potter–inspired romance known as “Dramione.” Meet The College Junior Behind The Longest Fan Fiction Ever BBC NEWS | Rowling … To hear more, visit www.blockedandreported.org

This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie discuss the case of Terry Williams, a black dogwalker in San Francisco who was the victim of a bizarre hate crime. Plus, Sydney Sweeney’s good genesjeans. Buy Katie’s book (please and thank you) Meghan Daum + Lionel Shriver in NYC (use code BARPOD18) Woman stands firm on Blue Angels cat death lawsuit Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle Jeans Ad Is Just Her Latest Controversial Project - The New York Times The Discourse Is Broken - The Atlantic NYT Journalist Cried Because 'None of His Friends Wanted To Talk to Him' After Tom Cotton Op-Ed Scandal The Macaca Heard Round the World Racist doll and noose left on doorstep investigated as hate crime KKK flag, racist printout left at Black man's door near Alamo Square After weeks of racist threats, a Black dog walker's home was set on fire in San Francisco After racist attacks, peace rally brings Fillmore together Cops hunt woman suspected of leaving threats at Alamo Square dog walker’s home Suspect in anti-Black threats against Alamo Square dog walker is a Black woman, SFPD says Dog walker says family stole $230K from house fire fundraiser Several nooses found on trees at Lake Merritt prompt hate crime investigation, Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf says - ABC7 Los Angeles This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe

This week on the Primo episode, Jesse and Katie are once again joined by Richard Hanania to discuss his racist past and anti-racist present, his experience in a Mexican boot camp, Trump’s Epstein problem, how Democrats can win over young white men, posting while parenting, and more. Right-Wing Writer Richard Hanania's Racist Past Expos… To hear more, visit www.blockedandreported.org

This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie are joined by Richard Hanania to discuss the case of Charles C. “Chuck” Johnson: entrepreneur, internet activist, Turkish restaurant technologist, possible government asset, and his own very bad legal counsel. About (Charles C. Johnson’s personal site, via Wayback Machine) What Is Chuck Johnson, and Why the Web’s Worst Journalist Matters (Gawker) Wait, Did Clowntroll Blogger Chuck Johnson S**t on the Floor? (Deadspin/The Concourse) Media conservatives won't claim derisive blogger Charles Johnson (Washington Examiner) The Constructs: Is Sheryl Sandberg an Israeli Agent of Influence? The Joe Lonsdale Hustle Needs To Be Shut Down By The Feds Yes, He's a Traitor: Elon Musk, The Mormons, Bibi & Me No, You're Just A Criminal: Marc Andreessen's Foreign-Backed Techno-Mormon Grift Is Dangerous Is Open AI a Netanyahu-Backed Cult? State of the Union guest list includes controversial figure Charles Johnson (The Guardian) Alt-Right in the White House (Politico) Meet The Troll Who Claims He’s Helping Trump’s Transition Team (Forbes) Facial Recognition Technology in Clearview AI Raises Privacy Concerns (New York Times) The Secretive Company That Might End Privacy as We Know It (New York Times Magazine) PDF court document in Johnson v. Clearview AI (Sanity.io) An Open Invitation to Our National Conversation (Charles Johnson's Substack) Johnson v. Clearview AI Inc. – Docket (CourtListener) Victory in Fort Worth Amid a $71 Million Conspiracy This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe

Thanks to Amanda Knox for joining me to discuss her imprisonment and exoneration, making peace with trauma, how to be a responsible journalist, getting things wrong, and more. Check out Amanda’s newsletter and podcast, her new book, and her Atlantic article on Jens Söring. To hear more, visit www.blockedandreported.org

This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie discuss the ongoing civil war in MAGA-land over the Epstein Files — or lack thereof. What is a Creemee: Vermont's Unique Twist on Soft-Serve Ice Cream The Shocking Rise of One of the Tech Right’s Favorite Posters – Mother Jones Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich | Netflix Official Site Perversion of Justice: Jeffrey Epstein | Miami Herald Jeffrey Epstein plea deal: Justice Dept. faults Alex Acosta for 'poor judgment' but finds no misconduct - The Washington Post Acosta to Resign as Labor Secretary Over Jeffrey Epstein Plea Deal - The New York Times Virginia Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epstein's most prominent abuse survivors, dies by suicide Opinion | The Epstein Story Is Both Conspiracy Theory and Genuine Scandal - The New York Times Incoherent Conspiracy Suggests Ghislaine Maxwell Is a Powerful Redditor Exclusive | Jeffrey Epstein’s Friends Sent Him Bawdy Letters for a 50th Birthday Album. One Was From Donald Trump. - WSJ Trump sues Murdoch over Epstein birthday letter article by WSJ Democrat demands House vote on ‘FULL Epstein files’ release This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe

This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie discuss the death of Aubreigh Wyatt, a 13-year-old girl from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, and her mother Heather’s quest for vengeance. Plus, more Nickelback. To hear more, visit www.blockedandreported.org

This week on Blocked and Reported, conspiracy theories and rumor-mongering in the aftermath of a disaster in Texas; Grok goes mask-off; and Zohran Mamdani’s college application gets hacked. The Un "Fudge" America Tour Gets "Fudged" From Within (The Gist) Mamdani Identified as Asian and African American on College Application - The New York Times Mamdani Once Claimed to Be Asian and African American. Should It Matter? - The New York Times Mahmood Mamdani | Department of Anthropology Times pushed ahead to avoid being scooped on Mamdani Columbia story | Semafor Thread by @patrickhealynyt on Thread Reader App – Thread Reader App Opinion | It’s Time to Let Go of ‘African American’ - The New York Times The sad, sad state of the New York Times | Press Watch Former Houston mayoral appointee rages at flooded Texas girls camp for being 'white-only' Houston pediatrician speaks out after her flood victims post sparked outrage Trump’s NOAA pick stands by budget cuts, calls staffing ‘a top priority’ - The Washington Post White House pushes back on criticism of weather service around Texas flooding - ABC News Deadly floods could be new normal as Trump guts federal agencies, experts warn | Texas floods 2025 | The Guardian NOAA scrambles to fill forecasting jobs as hurricane season looms - The Washington Post CodeRED Some Texas flood alerts were delayed as officials waited for authorization, former Kerr County official says - CBS News Former Kerr County leader: siren system would have saved lives : NPR New data reveals the inadequacy of FEMA flood maps : NPR xAI updated Grok to be more ‘politically incorrect’ | The Verge This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe

This week on the Primo episode: Part 2 of our series on VR wunderkind Palmer Luckey—his fall from grace, his rebirth as a defense contractor, and his years-long feud with angel investor and podcast bro Jason Calacanis. The History of the Future - Blake J. Harris Why Did Facebook Fire a Top Executive? Hint: It Ha… To hear more, visit www.blockedandreported.org