Steven Spielberg’s Moral Equivalent of War

Spielberg’s Disclosure Day believes our humanity can transcend our dark-hearted national security states. Is it right?

Jul 1 • Van and Lyle are Bang-Bang

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June 2026

I, Robot (2004) w/ Max Read | Ep. 70

Underneath the sneaker product placements and CGI chases through a gleaming 2035 Chicago resides our ever-contested present.

Jun 20 • Van and Lyle are Bang-Bang

1:07:55

Seven Days in May (1964) w/ Paul Adlerstein | Ep. 69

Seven Days in May imagines a four-star general nearly toppling an American president.

Jun 7 • Van and Lyle are Bang-Bang

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1:12:27

May 2026

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) w/ Luke Savage | Ep. 68

Jacobin staff writer and Michael and Us co-host Luke Savage joins Van and Lyle for a conversation about Peter Weir’s Master and Commander that’s also…

May 26 • Van and Lyle are Bang-Bang

1:11:26

From The Vault: In the Loop (2009) w/ Spencer Ackerman

From the vault!

May 20 • Van and Lyle are Bang-Bang

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1:14:21

Hamilton: An American Musical (2015) w/ Orli Matlow | Ep. 67

Comedian and podcaster Orli Matlow, who hosts War is Stupid: An Anti-War Podcast About War, joins Van and Lyle for a conversation about Lin-Manuel…

May 6 • Van and Lyle are Bang-Bang

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1:11:30

April 2026

Crimson Tide (1995), w/ Andy Facini | Ep. 66

Van and Lyle welcome back Andy Facini, Communications Director at the Council on Strategic Risks, to take on Tony Scott’s Crimson Tide. Gene Hackman’s…

Apr 22 • Van and Lyle are Bang-Bang

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1:31:02

Predator (1987) w/ Eric Stinton | Ep. 65

Van and Lyle are joined by writer and educator Eric Stinton, whose combat sports columns for Sherdog and essays for Honolulu Civil Beat have long…

Apr 12 • Van and Lyle are Bang-Bang

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1:10:22

Independence Day (1996), w/ Morgan Spector | Ep. 64

Van and Lyle are joined by critically acclaimed actor Morgan Spector to revisit Roland Emmerich’s Independence Day, a film that turns planetary…

Apr 1 • Van and Lyle are Bang-Bang

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1:11:32

March 2026

The Anti-Imperialist Opportunity w/ Morgan Spector | Ep. 63

Ukraine, the Iran war, anti-semitism, a peace economy, taking the profits out of war, why we love Graham Platner, and the Democratic Party's future in…

Mar 24 • Van and Lyle are Bang-Bang

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44:21

Don’t Worry, Darling (2022) w/ Julia Gledhill | Ep. 62

Van and Lyle are joined by Julia Gledhill (of The Un-Diplomatic Podcast and Stimson Center fame) to revisit Olivia Wilde’s Don’t Worry, Darling, a film…

Mar 15 • Van and Lyle are Bang-Bang

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1:02:51

The Patriot (2000) w/ Graeme Pente | Ep. 61

Van and Lyle are joined by historian Graeme Pente to revisit Roland Emmerich’s The Patriot, a Revolutionary War epic that filters eighteenth-century…

Mar 5 • Van and Lyle are Bang-Bang

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