Podcast / American Prestige / Dec 30, 2025

Masculinity, the Manosphere, and Climate Politics

On this episode of American Prestige: Daniel Waite Penny discusses the new season of Carbon Bros.

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

Masculinity, the Manosphere, and Climate Politics w/ Daniel Waite Penny | American Prestige
byThe Nation Magazine

Danny and Derek speak with journalist and cultural critic Daniel Waite Penny to discuss the relationship between masculinity, the manosphere, and climate politics, as explored in the new season of Drilled, Carbon Bros. They talk about the “manosphere,” libertarians promoting techno-fixes, and Silicon Valley elites pushing solutions like space colonization; how gendered ideas about strength, autonomy, and grievance have fused with climate denial and hostility toward environmental regulation; where these dynamics fit within broader shifts in political economy and the interests of fossil capital; and the roots of these alignments, their role in contemporary right-wing politics, and what they mean for efforts to build public support for climate action.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Pumpjacks lift oil from wells at the Midway-Sunset Oil Field, California’s largest, in Fellows, near Taft, on October 17, 2025.

(Robyn Beck / AFP via Getty Images)

Danny and Derek speak with journalist and cultural critic Daniel Waite Penny to discuss the relationship between masculinity, the manosphere, and climate politics, as explored in the new season of Drilled, Carbon Bros. They talk about the “manosphere,” libertarians promoting techno-fixes; Silicon Valley elites pushing solutions like space colonization; how gendered ideas about strength, autonomy, and grievance have fused with climate denial and hostility toward environmental regulation; where these dynamics fit within broader shifts in political economy and the interests of fossil capital; the roots of these alignments, their role in contemporary right-wing politics, and what they mean for efforts to build public support for climate action.

Subscribe to The Nation to support all of our podcasts: thenation.com/podcastsubscribe.

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

Syria Offensive Against SDF, Israel Moves on Rafah, Trump and Greenland | American Prestige
byThe Nation Magazine

While much of America endures an Arctic freeze, Danny and Derek bring to you scorching hot headlines. This week: renewed fighting breaks out between the Syrian government and the SDF as Damascus pushes across the Euphrates and ceasefires collapse (1:39); Israel plans to raze Rafah and construct controlled “humanitarian cities” as a template for postwar Gaza (10:32); Trump hints at striking Iran amid U.S. force movements (14:26); a Cambodian NGO accuses the Thai military of demolishing homes in disputed border villages with Cambodia (17:31); Japan’s prime minister is dissolving parliament and calling a snap election to capitalize on high approval ratings (19:45); heavy fighting breaks out in Sudan’s North Kordofan as the RSF seeks to block a government offensive toward Darfur (22:17); Somalia reaches a new defense cooperation agreement with Qatar (24:18); the EU is reportedly offering Ukraine a rapid partial membership as part of postwar security guarantees (26:27); attendees at Davos discuss a Ukraine reconstruction plan (28:44); Portugal’s far-right Chega candidate reaches the presidential runoff (31:10); the Trump administration is exploring a Maduro-style operation in Cuba (32:47); Trump threatens and then backs off tariffs over Greenland after talks with NATO (35:22); Mark Carney’s Davos speech on the collapse of the rules-based order gains attention (41:01); there is renewed speculation about Havana syndrome following reports the U.S. acquired a suspected energy weapon (43:00); and Trump formally launches his “Board of Peace,” with an unclear mandate and membership (45:00).

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Subscribe to The Nation to Support all of our podcasts

Daniel Bessner

Daniel Bessner is an historian of US foreign relations, and cohost of American Prestige, a podcast on international affairs.

Derek Davison

Derek Davison is a writer and analyst specializing in international affairs and US foreign policy. He is the publisher of the Foreign Exchanges newsletter, cohost of the American Prestige podcast, and former editor of LobeLog.

More from The Nation

Memphis vs. Musk, With Representative Justin J. Pearson

Memphis vs. Musk, With Representative Justin J. Pearson Memphis vs. Musk, With Representative Justin J. Pearson

“No matter how many billions you have, you don't have enough to buy our lives.”

Shilpi Chhotray

All Revolution Is Based on Land, with Leah Penniman

All Revolution Is Based on Land, with Leah Penniman All Revolution Is Based on Land, with Leah Penniman

On A People's Climate: What the soil can teach us in the fight for climate justice.

Shilpi Chhotray

The Water Remembers, With Amy Bowers Cordalis

The Water Remembers, With Amy Bowers Cordalis The Water Remembers, With Amy Bowers Cordalis

On A People's Climate: The largest dam removal in US history.

Shilpi Chhotray

It’s Never a Strategy to Remain Quiet, With Nick Tilsen

It’s Never a Strategy to Remain Quiet, With Nick Tilsen It’s Never a Strategy to Remain Quiet, With Nick Tilsen

On A People's Climate: A call for big, bad, bold courage.

Shilpi Chhotray

Mass Movements, With Patrisse Cullors

Mass Movements, With Patrisse Cullors Mass Movements, With Patrisse Cullors

On Episode 2 of A People's Climate: This is when people-powered movements matter most.

Shilpi Chhotray

An Unreasonable Woman, With Diane Wilson

An Unreasonable Woman, With Diane Wilson An Unreasonable Woman, With Diane Wilson

On A People's Climate: one woman’s fight against one of the most powerful chemical companies in the world.

Shilpi Chhotray

x