Beltway Banthas

The only Star Wars podcast dedicated to exploring the politics of a galaxy far, far away and why they matter.

Beltway Banthas is a podcast about the intersection of Star Wars and politics. For host Stephen Kent, one of those things is politics. Star Wars draws from our world’s politics just as much as it contributes to it by influencing policymakers, journalists and thought leaders. On this podcast, we seek to understand how Star Wars impacts the world we live in, while also covering the Star Wars news, gossip and hype of the day.

Beltway Banthas Episode #55: Palpatine & the Erosion of Democracy

by RetroZap Staff April 26, 2018

Finally we discuss the man, the Sith Lord, the Emperor, Sheev Palpatine! What lessons on democracy and our political institutions can we draw from our dear Uncle Palpy and his political career? Stephen and Swara delve into the political life of their favorite Star Wars politician to discuss!

Beltway Banthas Live at Awesome Con: Star Wars Multimedia Empire

by RetroZap Staff April 19, 2018

We join our friends at Tosche Station and the Book Wars Podcast to talk about Star Wars Multimedia Empire at Awesome Con! How do the books and comics in the Expanded Universe differ from the current canon books? Why do we read these books when we have the film? How do the books deepen and enrich politics in the Galaxy Far, Far Away? How can Lucasfilm do better with diversity and inclusion? We discuss all this and more!

Beltway Banthas #54: DJ & The Politics of Self Interest

by RetroZap Staff April 12, 2018

DJ has a bad reputation after selling out our heroes in The Last Jedi. Some have said he embodies the self interested nature of libertarianism, Ayn Rand and a school of thought known as Objectivism. Today we go into the weeds with Brittany Hunter of FEE to learn a bit about Objectivism, rational self interest and how DJ does or does not fall into that category.

Live at Awesome Con: Redemption in Star Wars panel

by RetroZap Staff April 5, 2018

This past weekend we were at Awesome Con in Washington DC! Stephen and John join Nanci Schwartz, Brian Larsen and Bria Lavorgna of Tosche Station, and Jay Shah of Eleven-ThirtyEight to discuss the theme of redemption in the galaxy far, far away. If Vader can be redeemed, can anybody? Is Kylo Ren able to truly atone for the crimes he’s committed? Tune in for a rich panel discussion of one of the franchise’s major themes.

Beltway Banthas #53: Poe, Holdo, and Gender Politics of The Last Jedi

by RetroZap Staff March 29, 2018

Poe Dameron, beloved ace pilot of The Resistance, is he a sexist as some fans have claimed? Or was it simply his frustration under pressure and Vice Admiral Holdo’s secrecy that led him to mutiny in The Last Jedi ? Let’s talk gender politics in The Last Jedi! We welcome back our good friend Kate Sanchez of But Why Tho? The Podcast to discuss!

Beltway Banthas Interview: Jon Lovett of Pod Save America

by RetroZap Staff March 22, 2018

On this week’s episode, we welcome Jon Lovett, one of the co-hosts of Pod Save America and host of Lovett or Leave It. Lovett explains to us how he got into Star Wars with the Special Editions, why he loves Rogue One and what motivates his political activism. Jon also offers his thoughts on a potential Star Wars political drama, that Hagerman dude who went off the grid to avoid Trump and Saw Gerrera.

Beltway Banthas #52: Nazis, Communists, Fascists, and Star Wars

by RetroZap Staff March 15, 2018

In a super light and not-at-all serious discussion this week (JK!), we dig into the First Order and extremism! How did George Lucas, JJ Abrams, and others envision the main bad guys of the Original Trilogy and Sequel Trilogy? Have they grown beyond the label of “Space Nazis” at all? Where do communism, fascism, terrorism, and other extremist ideologies come into play? Join the discussion on Beltway Banthas!

Beltway Banthas Interview: Dan Wallace of The Rebel Files

by RetroZap Staff March 8, 2018

Dan Wallace is the author of beloved Star Wars books “The Jedi Path” “Book of the Sith” and “Imperial Handbook”. Now he has penned another behind the scenes manual for the Rebellion and joins the show to talk about it. John Liang interviewed Wallace last week and got the scoop on what the book reveals about the rebellion, galactic politics and more.

Beltway Banthas #51: Rey, Kylo and Political Force Discourse

by RetroZap Staff March 1, 2018

Rey and Kylo are seemingly total opposites…until the events of The Last Jedi. Through the Force and circumstance, these two foes connect in a way they never expected. Turns out – they have a lot in common.

Beltway Banthas: Kristen Soltis Anderson on The Last Jedi, Reviews & Trolling + CPAC

by RetroZap Staff February 22, 2018

Let’s get political! This week on Beltway Banthas we are rejoined by Republican pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson of The Pollsters Podcast. Kristen is a huge Star Wars fan and came on to talk with Stephen about Rotten Tomatoes scores and how trolls factor into public perception of a movie.

Beltway Banthas #50: Celebrating Chancellor’s Day

by RetroZap Staff February 15, 2018

Swara and guest host Heath Williams of Rogue Podron discuss parallels between US presidents throughout American history and the various chief executives of Star Wars. From Chancellors Vallorum to Villecham, we trace the trends of executive leadership and how they compare to various occupants of the White House.

Beltway Banthas Interview: Stu Burguiere of The Glenn Beck Program

by RetroZap Staff February 8, 2018

Hello Banthas! This week we are joined by radio producer and head writer for Glenn Beck, Mr. Stu Burguiere. Stu is a big time Star Wars fan and all around enjoyable radio personality. We thought you’d enjoy this behind the curtain conversation with a notable conservative radio personality and fan. Stephen and Stu discuss his career trajectory, working with Beck, Star Wars role in his life and how the theme of the new films is exposing frauds.

Beltway Banthas #49: The People’s Star Wars ft. Anthony Breznican

by RetroZap Staff February 1, 2018

In our latest episode delving into the politics of The Last Jedi, we are joined by Entertainment Weekly’s Anthony Breznican to discuss populism in the film! Do we use this term correctly? Are we actually seeing what is traditionally known as “populism” in the film? What does it really mean for common people to rise to power? We tackle all these questions and more!

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