The Asset
District Productive
In 2016, Donald Trump conspired with a foreign government to become President of the United States. On July 25, 2019, with the 2020 election around the corner, he decided to do it again.
The first time around, it was collusion, aiding and abetting Russia’s attack on American democracy. The second time, it was extortion, demanding the Ukrainian government manufacture dirt on Trump’s political opponents in exchange for help the country needs to fend off a Russian invasion and chart a democratic future free of Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin.
To make sense of these recent events that have rocked American politics and led to very real concerns that the President of the United States may be a Russian asset, we need to dig a little deeper.
In Season 1, The Asset dives into Trump’s decades-long history with Russia, from his extensive business dealings with Russian oligarchs to his presidential campaign and the investigations that have sent some of his closest associates to prison.
In Season 2, The Asset explores the backstory to Trump’s infamous phone call with the newly-elected Ukrainian President, where he demanded an investigation into a political opponent and set off a series of events leading to the impeachment inquiry.
Hosted by Max Bergmann, a senior fellow and director of the Moscow Project at the Center for American Progress Action Fund, and featuring expert guests, The Asset will put together the pieces of Trump’s relationship with Russia and Ukrainian extortion campaign.
The Asset is a partnership between the Center for American Progress Action Fund, District Productive, and Protect the Investigation. It is produced by Paul Woodhull, a 20-year veteran media executive and president of Build Better Media, and Peter Ogburn, the executive producer of the Bill Press Show.
Location:
United States
Networks:
District Productive
Description:
In 2016, Donald Trump conspired with a foreign government to become President of the United States. On July 25, 2019, with the 2020 election around the corner, he decided to do it again. The first time around, it was collusion, aiding and abetting Russia’s attack on American democracy. The second time, it was extortion, demanding the Ukrainian government manufacture dirt on Trump’s political opponents in exchange for help the country needs to fend off a Russian invasion and chart a democratic future free of Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin. To make sense of these recent events that have rocked American politics and led to very real concerns that the President of the United States may be a Russian asset, we need to dig a little deeper. In Season 1, The Asset dives into Trump’s decades-long history with Russia, from his extensive business dealings with Russian oligarchs to his presidential campaign and the investigations that have sent some of his closest associates to prison. In Season 2, The Asset explores the backstory to Trump’s infamous phone call with the newly-elected Ukrainian President, where he demanded an investigation into a political opponent and set off a series of events leading to the impeachment inquiry. Hosted by Max Bergmann, a senior fellow and director of the Moscow Project at the Center for American Progress Action Fund, and featuring expert guests, The Asset will put together the pieces of Trump’s relationship with Russia and Ukrainian extortion campaign. The Asset is a partnership between the Center for American Progress Action Fund, District Productive, and Protect the Investigation. It is produced by Paul Woodhull, a 20-year veteran media executive and president of Build Better Media, and Peter Ogburn, the executive producer of the Bill Press Show.
Language:
English
Episodes
Stoppable: Building 1200
4/26/2024
On this very special episode of The Asset, we showcase an episode of the newest podcast from the creative team that produced The Asset. Subscribe here.
It was Valentine’s Day. While waiting for his Uber ride, the teenager texted a former girlfriend “You will always know I love you.”
When they arrived at his destination, the young man gave the Uber driver explicit directions on where to drop him off. He knew exactly where he wanted to go.
Picking up his backpack and black duffel bag, the 19 year-old walked towards the school from where he had been expelled the previous year.
What was about to happen?
Was this Stoppable?
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Duration:00:41:26
Stoppable: We Have a Visitor
4/4/2024
On this very special episode of The Asset, we showcase an episode of the newest podcast from the creative team that produced The Asset. Subscribe here.
One Wednesday evening, a young man began the drive from Columbia SC to Charleston SC, normally a two hour drive. He arrived in 90 minutes. It would seem he was in a hurry.
Before walking into the Bible Study Class, he looked down and saw what looked like a black fanny pack. It was awkwardly sitting looped to his belt on the front of his pants for all to see. He had meant to hide it before entering.
Looking up, a Reverend called out, “Pastor, we have a visitor.”
What was about to happen?
Was this Stoppable?
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Duration:00:40:38
Stoppable: Strangers Welcome
3/26/2024
On this very special episode of The Asset, we showcase an episode of the newest podcast from the creative team that produced The Asset. Subscribe here.
A nursing student drove to a town 10 minutes from his home in Southern California. He planned to visit a House of Worship as members of the congregation were gathering to celebrate a holiday. The members there proudly proclaimed “Everyone is welcome and accepted, regardless of background, knowledge, or affiliation.”
As the young man approached the Center he found the doors wide open.
What was about to happen?
Was this Stoppable?
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Duration:00:36:44
Stoppable: "Be Careful"
3/18/2024
On this very special episode of The Asset, we showcase an episode of the newest podcast from the creative team that produced The Asset. Subscribe here.
A young man from a small town in Ohio, drove overnight 500+ miles to participate in a celebration of unity. Although he had few friends back home, he was welcomed into the gathering. He had worn all the right clothes and said all the right things. When the convocation was abruptly canceled, he got back in his car to drive home...until he took a turn back towards town.
What was about to happen?
Was this Stoppable?
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Duration:00:53:57
Stoppable: Murder/Suicide
3/1/2024
On this very special episode of The Asset, we showcase an episode of the newest podcast from the creative team that produced The Asset. Subscribe here.
An 18-year old traveled hundreds of miles from his home on a mission he kept secret from his family and best friend. A local man engaged the traveler and they talked for over an hour about history, science and culture. The young man left the scene, planning on returning the next day.
What was about to happen?
Was this Stoppable?
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Duration:00:57:51
Stoppable
1/31/2024
Listen to Episode 1 Here
From the team that produced The Asset, District Productive presents Stoppable, the true crime podcast that explores the riveting and dramatic stories of people who become enthralled with the idea of mass killing to achieve their ends. The podcast delves into the back stories of perpetrators to solve the mystery of how and why our friends, neighbors, siblings, children, and parents turn to dark acts of extreme violence against innocent victims.
In examining these cases, you will walk in the shoes of the perpetrators and travel on their journey as our team of mass-murder and terrorism experts analyze the actions of people preparing to commit atrocities. Every episode details a captivating tale of suspense and terror.
In the end, you will discover why these planned tragedies did–or did not–occur.
Stoppable is jointly produced by Muflehun and District Productive.
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Duration:00:04:57
Max Bergmann and Daniella Leger on Russia's History of Failure in Ukraine
4/11/2022
In a cross-over event with The Tent podcast for the the CAP Action Fund, Tent host Daniella Leger interviews The Asset host, Max Bergmann.
"When we think about Ukraine and how much it means to Russia and the Russian State, Putin, his entire 22 years in office, has been about trying to make Russia stronger," says Bergmann. "And the one area where he totally failed is Ukraine."
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Duration:00:25:48
A Shadow Falls on our Democracy
11/30/2021
In Season 1 of the Unconventional Threat-- one of our other podcasts produced in partnership with the non-partisan organization Keep Our Republic--we issued warnings last year that were unfortunately made into a reality on January 6, 2021, when Trump loyalists stormed the Capitol and attempted to overthrow the certified Presidential election results naming Joe Biden President. We now know, it served as a trial run for a nefarious plan to overthrow our democratic republic.
The Future of our Nation Hangs in the Balance.
And that is why we are sharing Episode 1 of Season 2 of Unconventional Threat as a bonus episode to The Asset listeners. In this episode, we document the efforts of those who seek to gain control of our government through illegal and unconstitutional methods. By working to install confederates in state, county and local offices in the midterm elections of 2022, a shadow network has created--and is currently executing--a plan to secure victory for their candidate in the 2024 Presidential election...by any means necessary.
Please click here to subscribe to this important podcast.
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Duration:01:06:27
What Happened?
11/27/2020
Max Bergmann sits down with Paul "Woody" Woodhull, the co-creator of The Asset podcast and president of the progressive podcast network, District Productive, to analyze the election outcomes and the future of Donald J. Trump.
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Duration:00:58:00
Election Day Special: Too Big to Rig
11/3/2020
President Trump on mail-in ballots: “A whole big scam.”
Vice-President Joe Biden on claims of voter fraud: “He’s trying to undermine the election.”
Unless we see a massive victory by either one of the candidates, both campaigns have signaled they will fight for what they believe to be the right outcome.
What Americans need to know is how this battle for ballots could create an unprecedented outcome with the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, being sworn in as President of the United States on Inauguration Day.
How is that even possible?
Republican and Democratic scholars and advisors lead us on a Constitutional journey from November 3rd to January 20th, pointing out the legal tripwires and dates certain that may likely determine our next President.
In this Election Day Special we are presenting an encore episode of the Unconventional Threat podcast.
Listen to the podcast Unconventional Threat
and help @defendourdemocracy2020
Follow us onTwitter @UncoThreat
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Duration:00:34:49
Epilogue: Rehashing
10/30/2020
In the year since season one of The Asset concluded, we have learned a lot. There are tell all books about the Mueller investigation, explosive new reporting, and the bombshell Senate Intelligence Committee Report. In this special episode of The Asset we break it all down and tell you what it all means.
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Duration:01:05:07
Threats Foreign and Domestic
10/21/2020
In this very special episode of The Asset, host Max Bergmann introduces a new podcast, Unconventional Threat from The Asset's production team, District Productive and the bi-partisan organization Keep Our Republic.
This is an election year unlike any other in ways that are unsettling and dangerous.
Unconventional Threat brings together exclusive interviews with newsmakers about everything that can happen between now and Inauguration Day, when it's possible we may still not have chosen a President. Journalist Peter Eisner and longtime State Department official Jonathan Winer will outline all the possibilities, including:
You will hear exclusive interviews with such notable guests as:
The Plot to Betray AmericaShadow Network: Media, Money, and the Secret Hub of the Radical Right
Based on hard reporting, facts, and Constitutional Law, this series of 10 podcasts will prepare you for a very possible Unconventional Threat and delineate the steps we can take to come together as a nation to ensure that everyone has the chance to vote, their votes are counted, and the count is respected to create our national choice for President for the next four years.
Listen to the new podcast Unconventional Threat and help @defendourdemocracy2020
Follow us onTwitter @UncoThreat
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Duration:00:50:35
Trump vs. Intelligence
10/20/2020
In this bonus episode of The Asset Robert Draper, a writer at large for New York Times Magazine and the author of How the Bush Administration took America into Iraq, gives us a behind the scenes look at the Trump Administration's battles with the intelligence community.
Draper chronicles how the White House has co-opted the intelligence agencies in order to further its political agenda and the devastating results it has had on our nation's global standing.
Draper says, "The erosion of our credibility in the global intelligence community is a lamentable and rather stunning development."
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Duration:00:40:50
Rigged: America, Russia and 100 Years of Covert Electoral Interference
9/23/2020
Max Bergmann, the Executive Director of the Moscow Project speaks with historian and author David Shimer about the alarming and disturbing pattern of electoral interference in American politics by Russia.
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Duration:00:52:47
Exclusive Interview with Senator Mark Warner
9/17/2020
The Moscow Project Executive Director Max Bergmann sits down with Senator Mark Warner, Vice-Chair of the Select Committee on Intelligence, for an exclusive interview on the committee's report of Russian Active Measures, Campaigns, and Interference in the 2016 U.S. Election.
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Duration:00:23:49
Made To Fail
8/19/2020
In this special episode of The Asset, we are showcasing a new podcast from our friends at the Sixteen Thirty Fund: Made to Fail.
From health care, to unemployment insurance, to exercising the right to vote, COVID-19 has affected every part of American life. Sky-high unemployment. Vulnerable elections. Unrest in American cities. But what’s happening in our country is something much bigger than a pandemic. Something that’s been in the works for a long, long, time. The pandemic has pulled back the curtain on the conservative policies that time and time again, have failed the people they were supposed to protect.
Made to Fail travels the country to tell the story of how conservative ideology has gutted the safety net, corrupted our institutions, and made government unaccountable to the people. As we confront an unprecedented era of economic uncertainty, amidst a health crisis and a national reckoning on race, the question is…how can we find the way out?
https://www.madetofail.org/
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Duration:00:44:58
Shadow State: Murder, Mayhem, and Russia's Remaking of the West
8/18/2020
Max Bergmann interviews The Guardian's Luke Harding about how Russia has sought to undermine the West by interfering and corrupting the politics of the US, UK, and other Western countries. Harding discusses his interviews with Christopher Steele, new revelations about Russian interference in the United Kingdom, his reaction to the Mueller report, and how Russia will seek to interfere in the 2020 election.
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Duration:00:53:07
The Michael Flynn Story
5/8/2020
In this very special episode of The Asset, Max Bergmann brings us the back story of Michael Flynn's rise within the Trump adminstration and breaks down why Donald Trump can never let Flynn be incarcerated.
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Duration:00:33:23
BONUS-The Truth about Vladmir Putin's Reign of International Terror
3/5/2020
Russian investigative journalists Andrei Soldatov and Irina Borogan risk their lives every day to expose the truth about Vladamir Putin's murder sprees around the world, including in the United States and Great Britain. In wide-ranging exclusive interview with Max Bergmann, the host of The Asset podcast, Soldatov and Borogan explain how and why Putin orders international assassinations and the reason there are little to no consequences for the Russian leader.
To hear the full interview, please subscribe to our Patreon page.
https://www.patreon.com/posts/34596098/edit
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Duration:00:21:30
BONUS-Donald Trump's First Impeachment Trial
2/16/2020
Now that Donald Trump's first Impeachment Trial has wrapped up, Max Bergmann and Peter Ogburn discuss what was lost and gained in the trial and the path forward to saving our democracy.
To hear the full episode and all of our unedited interviews,please subscribe to our Patreon Page.
https://www.patreon.com/posts/34081678
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Duration:00:12:19