Robert sits down with author and activist Cory Doctorow to discuss his new book, the Bezzle, and how finance monsters have turned American prisons into an even crueler institution.

Robert sits down with author and activist Cory Doctorow to discuss his new book, the Bezzle, and how finance monsters have turned American prisons into an even crueler institution.

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

Private Prisons, Finance Ghouls and The Bezzle, with Cory Doctorow

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b2265529-e746-4a2c-8f63-b13e0015a49b/transcript

The gang discuss the totally real “Shield of the Americas,” an attempted bombing in NYC, fluctuating oil prices, Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, and Trump marking Cuba as the next target of US intervention.

Sources:

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-isis-supporters-charged-attempting-detonate-explosive-devices-during-protests-outside 

https://www.npr.org/2026/03/05/nx-s1-5737562/justice-department-missing-epstein-files-trump

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/09/trump-is-delaying-texas-senate-endorsement-to-pressure-gop-senators-on-save-america-act-00819991?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=dlvr.it

https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/03/president-trump-secures-historic-commitment-to-keep-electricity-costs-down-amid-data-center-boom/ 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/03/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-advances-energy-affordability-with-the-ratepayer-protection-pledge/ 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/03/ratepayer-protection-pledge/ 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/03/ratepayer-protection-pledge-proclamation/

https://newsroom.ap.org/editorial-photos-videos/detail?itemid=91c3f239c18349fdb409f901c50b7e71&mediatype=video

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trump-cuba-may-or-may-not-be-friendly-takeover-2026-03-09/

https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/03/cuba-trump-iran-venezuela/686203/ 

https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/06/politics/trump-cuba-marco-rubio-fall

https://archive.ph/n8IuV#selection-615.200-615.231

https://bsky.app/profile/proton.me/post/3mgfkfdazls2c

Shield of the Americas - Doral 2026 

https://x.com/Sec_Noem/status/2029647010002055467 

https://www.usaspeShield of the Americas - Doral 2026nding.gov/award/CONT_AWD_70CMSW25P00000055_7012_-NONE-_-NONE- 

https://fbodaily.com/archive/2025/08-August/21-Aug-2025/FBO-07556474.htm 

https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2026/markwayne-mullin-smell-of-war/ 

​​https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/many-150-us-troops-wounded-so-far-iran-war-sources-say-2026-03-10/ 

https://x.com/Southcom/status/2030056869624955036?s=20 

https://x.com/SecWar/status/2029675198115401932?s=20 

https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/09/terrorist-designations-of-los-choneros-and-los-lobos 

https://x.com/Southcom/status/2029011785567572285?s=20 

https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/ 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/03/commitment-to-countering-cartel-criminal-activity/ 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/03/06/russia-iran-intelligence-us-targets/ 

https://hengaw.net/en/reports-and-statistics-1/2026/03/article-6 

https://x.com/BaxtiyarGoran/status/2031747170588577931?s=20 

https://www.patreon.com/posts/trump-model-for-152819826?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link 

The gang discuss the totally real &ldquo;Shield of the Americas,&rdquo; an attempted bombing in NYC, fluctuating oil prices, Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon, and Trump marking Cuba as the next target of US intervention.
Sources:
<a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-isis-supporters-charged-attempting-detonate-explosive-devices-during-protests-outside">https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-isis-supporters-charged-attempting-detonate-explosive-devices-during-protests-outside</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/03/05/nx-s1-5737562/justice-department-missing-epstein-files-trump">https://www.npr.org/2026/03/05/nx-s1-5737562/justice-department-missing-epstein-files-trump</a>
<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/09/trump-is-delaying-texas-senate-endorsement-to-pressure-gop-senators-on-save-america-act-00819991?utm_medium=twitter&amp;utm_source=dlvr.it">https://www.politico.com/news/2026/03/09/trump-is-delaying-texas-senate-endorsement-to-pressure-gop-senators-on-save-america-act-00819991?utm_medium=twitter&amp;utm_source=dlvr.it</a>
<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/03/president-trump-secures-historic-commitment-to-keep-electricity-costs-down-amid-data-center-boom/">https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/03/president-trump-secures-historic-commitment-to-keep-electricity-costs-down-amid-data-center-boom/</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/03/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-advances-energy-affordability-with-the-ratepayer-protection-pledge/">https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/03/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-advances-energy-affordability-with-the-ratepayer-protection-pledge/</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/03/ratepayer-protection-pledge/">https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2026/03/ratepayer-protection-pledge/</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/03/ratepayer-protection-pledge-proclamation/">https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/03/ratepayer-protection-pledge-proclamation/</a>
<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/editorial-photos-videos/detail?itemid=91c3f239c18349fdb409f901c50b7e71&amp;mediatype=video">https://newsroom.ap.org/editorial-photos-videos/detail?itemid=91c3f239c18349fdb409f901c50b7e71&amp;mediatype=video</a>
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trump-cuba-may-or-may-not-be-friendly-takeover-2026-03-09/">https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trump-cuba-may-or-may-not-be-friendly-takeover-2026-03-09/</a>
<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/03/cuba-trump-iran-venezuela/686203/">https://www.theatlantic.com/national-security/2026/03/cuba-trump-iran-venezuela/686203/</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/06/politics/trump-cuba-marco-rubio-fall">https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/06/politics/trump-cuba-marco-rubio-fall</a>
<a href="https://archive.ph/n8IuV#selection-615.200-615.231">https://archive.ph/n8IuV#selection-615.200-615.231</a>
<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/proton.me/post/3mgfkfdazls2c">https://bsky.app/profile/proton.me/post/3mgfkfdazls2c</a>
<a href="https://shieldoftheamericas.site/">Shield of the Americas - Doral 2026</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://x.com/Sec_Noem/status/2029647010002055467?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E2029647010002055467%7Ctwgr%5Eaf6c7c2de158fe67aed0c96baec49dd288b188b8%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fglobalnews.ca%2Fnews%2F11717940%2Fkristi-noem-reassigned-special-envoy-donald-trump%2F">https://x.com/Sec_Noem/status/2029647010002055467</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_70CMSW25P00000055_7012_-NONE-_-NONE-">https://www.usaspe</a><a href="https://shieldoftheamericas.site/">Shield of the Americas - Doral 2026</a><a href="https://www.usaspending.gov/award/CONT_AWD_70CMSW25P00000055_7012_-NONE-_-NONE-">nding.gov/award/CONT_AWD_70CMSW25P00000055_7012_-NONE-_-NONE-</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://fbodaily.com/archive/2025/08-August/21-Aug-2025/FBO-07556474.htm">https://fbodaily.com/archive/2025/08-August/21-Aug-2025/FBO-07556474.htm</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2026/markwayne-mullin-smell-of-war/">https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2026/markwayne-mullin-smell-of-war/</a>&nbsp;
​​<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/many-150-us-troops-wounded-so-far-iran-war-sources-say-2026-03-10/">https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/many-150-us-troops-wounded-so-far-iran-war-sources-say-2026-03-10/</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://x.com/Southcom/status/2030056869624955036?s=20">https://x.com/Southcom/status/2030056869624955036?s=20</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://x.com/SecWar/status/2029675198115401932?s=20">https://x.com/SecWar/status/2029675198115401932?s=20</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/09/terrorist-designations-of-los-choneros-and-los-lobos">https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/09/terrorist-designations-of-los-choneros-and-los-lobos</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://x.com/Southcom/status/2029011785567572285?s=20">https://x.com/Southcom/status/2029011785567572285?s=20</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/">https://www.state.gov/foreign-terrorist-organizations/</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/03/commitment-to-countering-cartel-criminal-activity/">https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/03/commitment-to-countering-cartel-criminal-activity/</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/03/06/russia-iran-intelligence-us-targets/">https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/03/06/russia-iran-intelligence-us-targets/</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://hengaw.net/en/reports-and-statistics-1/2026/03/article-6">https://hengaw.net/en/reports-and-statistics-1/2026/03/article-6</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://x.com/BaxtiyarGoran/status/2031747170588577931?s=20">https://x.com/BaxtiyarGoran/status/2031747170588577931?s=20</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/trump-model-for-152819826?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&amp;utm_source=copyLink&amp;utm_campaign=postshare_creator&amp;utm_content=join_link">https://www.patreon.com/posts/trump-model-for-152819826?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&amp;utm_source=copyLink&amp;utm_campaign=postshare_creator&amp;utm_content=join_link</a>&nbsp;

Executive Disorder: War on Iran, Kristi Noem, Sea Mines in the Strait of Hormuz, Proton Mail

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/aa02cbc2-20c5-4007-a749-b40c000ebf21/transcript

As Trump fakes a balance of payments crisis to implement more tariffs, Mia faces her demons to explain what any of that means.

Sources:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/10/senate-democrats-bill-small-businesses-trump-tariffs

https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/trumps-new-tariffs-shift-focus-balance-payments-economists-see-no-crisis-2026-02-24/

https://archive.vn/E3fwh#selection-479.0-482.0

https://www.toyassociation.org/PressRoom2/News/2026-News/court-orders-refunds-for-ieepa-tariffs-implementation-process-ongoing.aspx

https://www.stlouisfed.org/open-vault/2026/feb/us-dollar-role-as-reserve-currency

https://sudanreeves.org/2018/05/10/the-collapse-of-sudans-economy-is-accelerating-along-with-human-suffering/

https://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/page-one-economics/2016/11/01/international-trade

https://www.khanacademy.org/economics-finance-domain/ap-macroeconomics/ap-open-economy-international-trade-and-finance/the-balance-of-payments/a/the-balance-of-payments

https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/bolivias-balance-payments-crisis-brings-back-bad-memories

https://www.elibrary.imf.org/display/book/9781557758286/ch02.xml

https://www.krwg.org/local-viewpoints/2026-03-10/scotus-decision-on-tariffs

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/gov-healey-demands-refunds-mass-182527561.html

https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5775500-businesses-sue-trump-tariffs/

https://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/page-one-economics/2025/oct/what-is-the-balance-of-payments

https://www.investopedia.com/insights/what-is-the-balance-of-payments/

https://www.congress.gov/bill/93rd-congress/house-bill/10710/text

https://www.rba.gov.au/education/resources/explainers/the-balance-of-payments.html

https://adamtooze.substack.com/p/chartbook-434-back-to-the-1970s-again

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org/files/docs/publications/frbslreview/rev_stls_196103.pdf

https://muse.jhu.edu/article/952314

https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/022/0003/003/article-A003-en.xml

https://scholarship.law.columbia.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3545&context=faculty_scholarship

As Trump fakes a balance of payments crisis to implement more tariffs, Mia faces her demons to explain what any of that means.
Sources: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/10/senate-democrats-bill-small-businesses-trump-tariffs">https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/10/senate-democrats-bill-small-businesses-trump-tariffs</a>
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/trumps-new-tariffs-shift-focus-balance-payments-economists-see-no-crisis-2026-02-24/">https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/trumps-new-tariffs-shift-focus-balance-payments-economists-see-no-crisis-2026-02-24/</a>
<a href="https://archive.vn/E3fwh#selection-479.0-482.0">https://archive.vn/E3fwh#selection-479.0-482.0</a>
<a href="https://www.toyassociation.org/PressRoom2/News/2026-News/court-orders-refunds-for-ieepa-tariffs-implementation-process-ongoing.aspx">https://www.toyassociation.org/PressRoom2/News/2026-News/court-orders-refunds-for-ieepa-tariffs-implementation-process-ongoing.aspx</a>
<a href="https://www.stlouisfed.org/open-vault/2026/feb/us-dollar-role-as-reserve-currency">https://www.stlouisfed.org/open-vault/2026/feb/us-dollar-role-as-reserve-currency</a>
<a href="https://sudanreeves.org/2018/05/10/the-collapse-of-sudans-economy-is-accelerating-along-with-human-suffering/">https://sudanreeves.org/2018/05/10/the-collapse-of-sudans-economy-is-accelerating-along-with-human-suffering/</a>
<a href="https://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/page-one-economics/2016/11/01/international-trade">https://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/page-one-economics/2016/11/01/international-trade</a>
<a href="https://www.khanacademy.org/economics-finance-domain/ap-macroeconomics/ap-open-economy-international-trade-and-finance/the-balance-of-payments/a/the-balance-of-payments">https://www.khanacademy.org/economics-finance-domain/ap-macroeconomics/ap-open-economy-international-trade-and-finance/the-balance-of-payments/a/the-balance-of-payments</a>
<a href="https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/bolivias-balance-payments-crisis-brings-back-bad-memories">https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/bolivias-balance-payments-crisis-brings-back-bad-memories</a>
<a href="https://www.elibrary.imf.org/display/book/9781557758286/ch02.xml">https://www.elibrary.imf.org/display/book/9781557758286/ch02.xml</a>
<a href="https://www.krwg.org/local-viewpoints/2026-03-10/scotus-decision-on-tariffs">https://www.krwg.org/local-viewpoints/2026-03-10/scotus-decision-on-tariffs</a>
<a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/gov-healey-demands-refunds-mass-182527561.html">https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/gov-healey-demands-refunds-mass-182527561.html</a>
<a href="https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5775500-businesses-sue-trump-tariffs/">https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5775500-businesses-sue-trump-tariffs/</a>
<a href="https://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/page-one-economics/2025/oct/what-is-the-balance-of-payments">https://www.stlouisfed.org/publications/page-one-economics/2025/oct/what-is-the-balance-of-payments</a>
<a href="https://www.investopedia.com/insights/what-is-the-balance-of-payments/">https://www.investopedia.com/insights/what-is-the-balance-of-payments/</a>
<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/93rd-congress/house-bill/10710/text">https://www.congress.gov/bill/93rd-congress/house-bill/10710/text</a>
<a href="https://www.rba.gov.au/education/resources/explainers/the-balance-of-payments.html">https://www.rba.gov.au/education/resources/explainers/the-balance-of-payments.html</a>
<a href="https://adamtooze.substack.com/p/chartbook-434-back-to-the-1970s-again">https://adamtooze.substack.com/p/chartbook-434-back-to-the-1970s-again</a>
<a href="https://fraser.stlouisfed.org/files/docs/publications/frbslreview/rev_stls_196103.pdf">https://fraser.stlouisfed.org/files/docs/publications/frbslreview/rev_stls_196103.pdf</a>
<a href="https://muse.jhu.edu/article/952314">https://muse.jhu.edu/article/952314</a>
<a href="https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/022/0003/003/article-A003-en.xml">https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/022/0003/003/article-A003-en.xml</a>
<a href="https://scholarship.law.columbia.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3545&amp;context=faculty_scholarship">https://scholarship.law.columbia.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3545&amp;context=faculty_scholarship</a>

The Fake Crisis Behind Trump's Tariffs

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1ab1f2c2-ccef-4886-9988-b40b00090ea8/transcript

In Outlaw Podcast's first feature on ICHH, Olive talks with people detained and prosecuted for responding to ICE in Minneapolis during Operation Metro Surge. Clem and Ray describe being dragged from their car and taken into ICE detention, and Isavela Lopez and Lucy talk about catching charges and navigating ongoing cases. These conversations offer concrete insight into how federal agencies are responding to anti-ICE activity in the Twin Cities, and the impact that has on people's lives.

To learn more about how the law is used to crush dissent, check out the other episodes of Outlaw, an anti-repression podcast. Follow https://www.instagram.com/outlaw.pod/ on Instagram & @outlawpod.bsky.social Bluesky, & Substack https://outlawpodcast.substack.com/subscribe Get in touch: outlawpod@proton.me

Solidarity with Isavela: Support Her Legal Fight https://www.gofundme.com/f/solidarity-with-isavela-support-her-legal-fight

Follow Home Girlz 4 Isa to stay updated on her case https://www.instagram.com/homegirlz4isa

Help keep vulnerable Minneapolis neighbors housed: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-phillips-families-in-urgent-need

Intro Music: Star by Tufawon https://www.instagram.com/tufawon/

Outro Music: “Justice Never Brought Anyone Back from the Dead” by Twin Cities artist who wishes to remain anonymous

In Outlaw Podcast's first feature on ICHH, Olive talks with people detained and prosecuted for responding to ICE in Minneapolis during Operation Metro Surge. Clem and Ray describe being dragged from their car and taken into ICE detention, and Isavela Lopez and Lucy talk about catching charges and navigating ongoing cases. These conversations offer concrete insight into how federal agencies are responding to anti-ICE activity in the Twin Cities, and the impact that has on people's lives.
To learn more about how the law is used to crush dissent, check out the other episodes of Outlaw, an anti-repression podcast. Follow <a href="https://www.instagram.com/outlaw.pod/">https://www.instagram.com/outlaw.pod/</a> on Instagram &amp; @outlawpod.bsky.social Bluesky, &amp; Substack <a href="https://outlawpodcast.substack.com/subscribe">https://outlawpodcast.substack.com/subscribe</a>&nbsp;Get in touch: outlawpod@proton.me
Solidarity with Isavela: Support Her Legal Fight <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/solidarity-with-isavela-support-her-legal-fight">https://www.gofundme.com/f/solidarity-with-isavela-support-her-legal-fight</a>
Follow Home Girlz 4 Isa to stay updated on her case <a href="https://www.instagram.com/homegirlz4isa">https://www.instagram.com/homegirlz4isa</a>
Help keep vulnerable Minneapolis neighbors housed: <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-phillips-families-in-urgent-need">https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-phillips-families-in-urgent-need</a>
Intro Music: Star by Tufawon <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tufawon/">https://www.instagram.com/tufawon/</a>
Outro Music: &ldquo;Justice Never Brought Anyone Back from the Dead&rdquo; by Twin Cities artist who wishes to remain anonymous

Outlaw: Criminalization of ICE Watch in Minneapolis

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/740ddea3-64c2-4024-8042-b40a0035a169/transcript

Private Prisons, Finance Ghouls and The Bezzle, with Cory Doctorow

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