All of this week's episodes of It Could Happen Here put together in one large file. 


How the United States Built its Colonial Empire, Pt. 1
The Dangers of Silica ft. Kim Kelly


How AI Companies are Monetizing Intimacy, Ft. Bridget Todd


Fighting for Incarcerated Workers


Executive Disorder: Iran Ceasefire Expires, Corrupt Military Contractors, Florida Election 

You can now listen to all Cool Zone Media shows, 100% ad-free through the Cooler Zone Media subscription, available exclusively on Apple Podcasts. So, open your Apple Podcasts app, search for “Cooler Zone Media” and subscribe today!

Sources/Links:

How the United States Built its Colonial Empire, Pt. 1

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23780231241274187

https://fortune.com/2026/07/27/hormuz-fertilizer-guano-islands-act-fertilizer-empire/ 

https://www.historynewsnetwork.org/article/navassa-island-the-uss-160-year-forgotten-tragedy

https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2017-09-26/almost-half-of-americans-dont-know-puerto-ricans-are-us-citizens-poll 

https://www.doi.gov/oia/islands/politicatypes 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/30/puerto-rico-independence-movement 

https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-CARIBBEAN/MILITARY-BUILDUP/egpbbnzyrpq/ 

https://www.nminewsservice.com/cnmi-covenant-united-states-50th-anniversary-explainer-timeline/ 

https://apnews.com/article/american-samoa-voting-citizenship-alaska-trump-eda6c32ce0fcdca6edb22efac26e403d 

https://www.nminewsservice.com/cnmi-covenant-united-states-50th-anniversary-explainer-timeline/ https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/how-us-controls-iraqs-oil-revenues-2026-01-23/ 

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/magazine/venezuela-empires-colony.html 

https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-state-trump-rodriguez-chavismo-silence-634203c885803b018ecd8ac012bb249d 

https://time.com/article/2026/06/02/trump-annex-canada-51st-state-rhetoric-carney-us-partnership-message/ 

https://theconversation.com/us-territories-have-a-voice-in-congress-but-no-vote-heres-why-283547

https://www.usace.army.mil/Media/Fact-Sheets/Fact-Sheets-View/Article/4463352/154-the-longe
st-blackout-in-us-history-hurricane-maria/

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/trump-was-serious-about-trading-hurricane-stricken-puert
o-rico-greenland-n1237336

https://www.democracynow.org/2001/8/3/as_navy_pounds_vieques_with_largest
“Nationals” but not “Citizens”

https://www.aclu.org/news/voting-rights/nationals-but-not-citizens-how-the-u-s-denies-citizenship
-to-american-samoans

How AI Companies are Monetizing Intimacy, Ft. Bridget Todd 

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Love-at-First-Prompt/Bridget-Todd/9781668179826 

Fighting for Incarcerated Workers

https://audrasrealthoughts.wordpress.com/

https://incarceratedworkers.org

https://www.instagram.com/incarceratedworkers/

https://www.jailhouselawyersspeak.com/new-page

Executive Disorder: Iran Ceasefire Expires, Corrupt Military Contractors, Florida Election 

https://x.com/CBPCommissioner/status/2089395143136731579?s=20
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/08/19/korea-KOSPI-Korea-Stock-Index-fell-six-percent-steep-losses-chipmakers/2411787132055/

https://abcnews.com/Business/wireStory/shares-fall-asia-kospi-57-oil-prices-jump-135759997
https://x.com/atrupar/status/2089911556301550045?s=20 

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416.212.3_3.pdf

https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416.212.8_2.pdf
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416.212.6_3.pdf
https://archive.ph/ZF3Y0#selection-4307.0-4307.372
https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73489661/212/united-states-v-sant/
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/117119807819944656 

https://www.foxnews.com/world/trump-confirms-irgc-backchannel-calls-irans-white-flag-surrender 

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/vessel-struck-by-unknown-projectile-strait-hormuz-crew-casualty-reported-ukmto-2026-08-18/ 

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/18/no-talks-with-iran-says-trump-as-us-president-stews-over-hormuz-deal 

https://x.com/UK_MTO/status/2089719923295556095?s=20 

https://x.com/UK_MTO 

https://x.com/RudawEnglish/status/2089263666742931732?s=20
https://www.propublica.org/article/general-dynamics-artillery-factory-failed
https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/11/30/General-Dynamics-Corps-alleged-proposal-to-sell-a-wrench/2171439016400/
https://time.com/archive/6710343/general-dynamics-under-fire/

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/18/us-iran-war-trump-hormuz-trump-ceasefire-expires-extension-.html
https://www.newsnationnow.com/world/us-iran-economic-strain-strait-of-hormuz-conflict/
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/18/business/strait-of-hormuz-ship-attack.html
https://archive.is/f4Ei8#selection-4447.0-4447.264
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/selling-grips-bond-markets-us-japan-inflation-fiscal-worries-take-hold-2026-08-18/
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/19/treasury-announces-upscaled-buyback-operation-for-longer-term-debt-sending-yields-lower.html
https://www.businessinsider.com/bond-market-warning-yields-hit-2007-record-2026-8
https://angienixon.com/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-primary-special-elections/florida-senate-results#democratic-primaryhttps://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/18/us/politics/florida-democratic-senate-primary-results.html
https://x.com/LauraLoomer/status/2087282981593387046?s=20
https://x.com/genzforchange/status/2088252309243297868
https://x.com/genzforchange/status/2088037851086614842?s=20
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/08/15/democratic-socialists-progressives-tout-momentum-in-south-florida-skeptics-say-its-a-myth/ 

All of this week's episodes of It Could Happen Here put together in one large file.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>
How the United States Built its Colonial Empire, Pt. 1
</li>
<li>The Dangers of Silica ft. Kim Kelly</li>
<li>
How AI Companies are Monetizing Intimacy, Ft. Bridget Todd
</li>
<li>
Fighting for Incarcerated Workers
</li>
<li>
Executive Disorder: Iran Ceasefire Expires, Corrupt Military Contractors, Florida Election&nbsp;
</li>
</ul>
You can now listen to all Cool Zone Media shows, 100% ad-free through the Cooler Zone Media subscription, available exclusively on Apple Podcasts. So, open your Apple Podcasts app, search for &ldquo;Cooler Zone Media&rdquo; and subscribe today!
Sources/Links:
How the United States Built its Colonial Empire, Pt. 1
<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23780231241274187">https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/23780231241274187</a>
<a href="https://fortune.com/2026/07/27/hormuz-fertilizer-guano-islands-act-fertilizer-empire/">https://fortune.com/2026/07/27/hormuz-fertilizer-guano-islands-act-fertilizer-empire/</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.historynewsnetwork.org/article/navassa-island-the-uss-160-year-forgotten-tragedy">https://www.historynewsnetwork.org/article/navassa-island-the-uss-160-year-forgotten-tragedy</a>
<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2017-09-26/almost-half-of-americans-dont-know-puerto-ricans-are-us-citizens-poll">https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2017-09-26/almost-half-of-americans-dont-know-puerto-ricans-are-us-citizens-poll</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.doi.gov/oia/islands/politicatypes">https://www.doi.gov/oia/islands/politicatypes</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/30/puerto-rico-independence-movement">https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/30/puerto-rico-independence-movement</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-CARIBBEAN/MILITARY-BUILDUP/egpbbnzyrpq/">https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-CARIBBEAN/MILITARY-BUILDUP/egpbbnzyrpq/</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.nminewsservice.com/cnmi-covenant-united-states-50th-anniversary-explainer-timeline/">https://www.nminewsservice.com/cnmi-covenant-united-states-50th-anniversary-explainer-timeline/</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://apnews.com/article/american-samoa-voting-citizenship-alaska-trump-eda6c32ce0fcdca6edb22efac26e403d">https://apnews.com/article/american-samoa-voting-citizenship-alaska-trump-eda6c32ce0fcdca6edb22efac26e403d</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.nminewsservice.com/cnmi-covenant-united-states-50th-anniversary-explainer-timeline/">https://www.nminewsservice.com/cnmi-covenant-united-states-50th-anniversary-explainer-timeline/</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/how-us-controls-iraqs-oil-revenues-2026-01-23/">https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/how-us-controls-iraqs-oil-revenues-2026-01-23/</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/magazine/venezuela-empires-colony.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/magazine/venezuela-empires-colony.html</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-state-trump-rodriguez-chavismo-silence-634203c885803b018ecd8ac012bb249d">https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-us-state-trump-rodriguez-chavismo-silence-634203c885803b018ecd8ac012bb249d</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://time.com/article/2026/06/02/trump-annex-canada-51st-state-rhetoric-carney-us-partnership-message/">https://time.com/article/2026/06/02/trump-annex-canada-51st-state-rhetoric-carney-us-partnership-message/</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://theconversation.com/us-territories-have-a-voice-in-congress-but-no-vote-heres-why-283547">https://theconversation.com/us-territories-have-a-voice-in-congress-but-no-vote-heres-why-283547</a>
<a href="https://www.usace.army.mil/Media/Fact-Sheets/Fact-Sheets-View/Article/4463352/154-the-longe%20st-blackout-in-us-history-hurricane-maria/">https://www.usace.army.mil/Media/Fact-Sheets/Fact-Sheets-View/Article/4463352/154-the-longe</a> <a href="https://www.usace.army.mil/Media/Fact-Sheets/Fact-Sheets-View/Article/4463352/154-the-longe%20st-blackout-in-us-history-hurricane-maria/">st-blackout-in-us-history-hurricane-maria/</a> <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/trump-was-serious-about-trading-hurricane-stricken-puert%20o-rico-greenland-n1237336">https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/trump-was-serious-about-trading-hurricane-stricken-puert</a> <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/trump-was-serious-about-trading-hurricane-stricken-puert%20o-rico-greenland-n1237336">o-rico-greenland-n1237336</a> <a href="https://www.democracynow.org/2001/8/3/as_navy_pounds_vieques_with_largest%20%E2%80%9CNationals%E2%80%9D%20but%20not%20%E2%80%9CCitizens%E2%80%9D">https://www.democracynow.org/2001/8/3/as_navy_pounds_vieques_with_largest</a> <a href="https://www.democracynow.org/2001/8/3/as_navy_pounds_vieques_with_largest%20%E2%80%9CNationals%E2%80%9D%20but%20not%20%E2%80%9CCitizens%E2%80%9D">&ldquo;Nationals&rdquo; but not &ldquo;Citizens&rdquo;</a>
<a href="https://www.aclu.org/news/voting-rights/nationals-but-not-citizens-how-the-u-s-denies-citizenship%20-to-american-samoans">https://www.aclu.org/news/voting-rights/nationals-but-not-citizens-how-the-u-s-denies-citizenship</a> <a href="https://www.aclu.org/news/voting-rights/nationals-but-not-citizens-how-the-u-s-denies-citizenship%20-to-american-samoans">-to-american-samoans</a>
How AI Companies are Monetizing Intimacy, Ft. Bridget Todd 
<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Love-at-First-Prompt/Bridget-Todd/9781668179826">https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Love-at-First-Prompt/Bridget-Todd/9781668179826</a>&nbsp;
Fighting for Incarcerated Workers
<a href="https://audrasrealthoughts.wordpress.com/">https://audrasrealthoughts.wordpress.com/</a>
<a href="https://incarceratedworkers.org/">https://incarceratedworkers.org</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/incarceratedworkers/">https://www.instagram.com/incarceratedworkers/</a>
<a href="https://www.jailhouselawyersspeak.com/new-page">https://www.jailhouselawyersspeak.com/new-page</a>
Executive Disorder: Iran Ceasefire Expires, Corrupt Military Contractors, Florida Election&nbsp;
<a href="https://x.com/CBPCommissioner/status/2089395143136731579?s=20">https://x.com/CBPCommissioner/status/2089395143136731579?s=20 </a><a href="https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/08/19/korea-KOSPI-Korea-Stock-Index-fell-six-percent-steep-losses-chipmakers/2411787132055/">https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/08/19/korea-KOSPI-Korea-Stock-Index-fell-six-percent-steep-losses-chipmakers/2411787132055/</a>
<a href="https://abcnews.com/Business/wireStory/shares-fall-asia-kospi-57-oil-prices-jump-135759997">https://abcnews.com/Business/wireStory/shares-fall-asia-kospi-57-oil-prices-jump-135759997 </a><a href="https://x.com/atrupar/status/2089911556301550045?s=20">https://x.com/atrupar/status/2089911556301550045?s=20</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416.212.3_3.pdf">https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416.212.3_3.pdf</a>
<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416.212.8_2.pdf">https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416.212.8_2.pdf </a><a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416.212.6_3.pdf">https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416/gov.uscourts.mnd.234416.212.6_3.pdf </a><a href="https://archive.ph/ZF3Y0#selection-4307.0-4307.372">https://archive.ph/ZF3Y0#selection-4307.0-4307.372</a> <a href="https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73489661/212/united-states-v-sant/">https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73489661/212/united-states-v-sant/</a> <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/117119807819944656">https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/117119807819944656</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.foxnews.com/world/trump-confirms-irgc-backchannel-calls-irans-white-flag-surrender">https://www.foxnews.com/world/trump-confirms-irgc-backchannel-calls-irans-white-flag-surrender</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/vessel-struck-by-unknown-projectile-strait-hormuz-crew-casualty-reported-ukmto-2026-08-18/">https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/vessel-struck-by-unknown-projectile-strait-hormuz-crew-casualty-reported-ukmto-2026-08-18/</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/18/no-talks-with-iran-says-trump-as-us-president-stews-over-hormuz-deal">https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/18/no-talks-with-iran-says-trump-as-us-president-stews-over-hormuz-deal</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://x.com/UK_MTO/status/2089719923295556095?s=20">https://x.com/UK_MTO/status/2089719923295556095?s=20</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://x.com/UK_MTO">https://x.com/UK_MTO</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://x.com/RudawEnglish/status/2089263666742931732?s=20">https://x.com/RudawEnglish/status/2089263666742931732?s=20</a> <a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/general-dynamics-artillery-factory-failed">https://www.propublica.org/article/general-dynamics-artillery-factory-failed </a><a href="https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/11/30/General-Dynamics-Corps-alleged-proposal-to-sell-a-wrench/2171439016400/">https://www.upi.com/Archives/1983/11/30/General-Dynamics-Corps-alleged-proposal-to-sell-a-wrench/2171439016400/ </a><a href="https://time.com/archive/6710343/general-dynamics-under-fire/">https://time.com/archive/6710343/general-dynamics-under-fire/</a>
<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/18/us-iran-war-trump-hormuz-trump-ceasefire-expires-extension-.html">https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/18/us-iran-war-trump-hormuz-trump-ceasefire-expires-extension-.html </a><a href="https://www.newsnationnow.com/world/us-iran-economic-strain-strait-of-hormuz-conflict/">https://www.newsnationnow.com/world/us-iran-economic-strain-strait-of-hormuz-conflict/ </a><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/18/business/strait-of-hormuz-ship-attack.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/18/business/strait-of-hormuz-ship-attack.html </a><a href="https://archive.is/f4Ei8#selection-4447.0-4447.264">https://archive.is/f4Ei8#selection-4447.0-4447.264 </a><a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/china/selling-grips-bond-markets-us-japan-inflation-fiscal-worries-take-hold-2026-08-18/">https://www.reuters.com/world/china/selling-grips-bond-markets-us-japan-inflation-fiscal-worries-take-hold-2026-08-18/</a> <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/19/treasury-announces-upscaled-buyback-operation-for-longer-term-debt-sending-yields-lower.html">https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/19/treasury-announces-upscaled-buyback-operation-for-longer-term-debt-sending-yields-lower.html</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bond-market-warning-yields-hit-2007-record-2026-8">https://www.businessinsider.com/bond-market-warning-yields-hit-2007-record-2026-8</a> <a href="https://angienixon.com/">https://angienixon.com/</a> <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-primary-special-elections/florida-senate-results#democratic-primary">https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-primary-special-elections/florida-senate-results#democratic-primary</a> <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/18/us/politics/florida-democratic-senate-primary-results.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/18/us/politics/florida-democratic-senate-primary-results.html</a> <a href="https://x.com/LauraLoomer/status/2087282981593387046?s=20">https://x.com/LauraLoomer/status/2087282981593387046?s=20</a> <a href="https://x.com/genzforchange/status/2088252309243297868">https://x.com/genzforchange/status/2088252309243297868 </a><a href="https://x.com/genzforchange/status/2088037851086614842?s=20">https://x.com/genzforchange/status/2088037851086614842?s=20</a> <a href="https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/08/15/democratic-socialists-progressives-tout-momentum-in-south-florida-skeptics-say-its-a-myth/">https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2026/08/15/democratic-socialists-progressives-tout-momentum-in-south-florida-skeptics-say-its-a-myth/</a>&nbsp;

It Could Happen Here started as an exploration of the possibility of a new civil war. Now a daily show, it's evolved into a chronicle of collapse as it happens, and an exploration of how we might build a better future. Every day Robert Evans, Garrison Davis, Mia Wong, and James Stout take you on a jaunty walk through the burning ruins of the old world and towards a better one that lays just on the horizon.

It Could Happen Here started as an exploration of the possibility of a new civil war. Now a daily show, it's evolved into a chronicle of collapse as it happens, and an exploration of how we might build a better future. Every day Robert Evans, Garrison Davis, Mia Wong, and James Stout take you on a jaunty walk through the burning ruins of the old world and towards a better one that lays just on the horizon.

It Could Happen Here

It Could Happen Here Weekly 246

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/5faf133c-b238-4ec2-8b8e-b4ae0036725b/transcript