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 #40: The New Republic Era ft. Chuck Wendig

by RetroZap Staff September 28, 2017

Chuck Wendig is author of The Aftermath Trilogy, a series of stories that take place in the tumultuous time after Return of the Jedi. For our 40th episode, we chatted with Wendig about the politics of the era and how a Star Wars author learns about the galaxy in which they are writing.

Beltway Banthas: Holy Star Wars: Vader, Christ, Hate & Redemption

by RetroZap Staff September 21, 2017

Holy Star Wars Batman! Stephen was interviewed by Jason Flatt about defining redemption through the lens of Christianity. Together they apply this conversation to Star Wars and also our world’s worst politics–the politics of hate.

Beltway Banthas Episode #39: Lessons from Inferno Squad

by RetroZap Staff September 14, 2017

This week on Beltway Banthas we discuss Inferno Squad, the new Star Wars book by Christie Golden. The story takes us inside a faction of Saw Gerrera’s Partisans with Iden Versio, an undercover Imperial with the elite–Inferno Squad.

Beltway Banthas Interview: Mike Cooper of Eleven-ThirtyEight

by RetroZap Staff September 7, 2017

Eleven-ThirtyEight is a living journal of news and opinion dedicated to producing analytical pieces on Star Wars. In this week’s interview episode, we talk to the creator and editor-in-chief of the site, Mike Cooper! We cover the political message of the prequels, creative processes for Star Wars, Mike’s vision behind his website and much more!

Beltway Banthas Episode #38: Galactic Peacekeepers ft. Steele Saunders

by RetroZap Staff August 31, 2017

“For over a thousand generations the Jedi were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic.” Were the Jedi effective were they as galactic peacekeepers? Should they have been so beholden to Republic law? This week with guests Steele Saunders of the Steele Wars podcast and Mark Eldridge of the Jedi Archives podcast and ElevenThirtyEight, we discuss this topic and much more!

Beltway Banthas Interview: Vince Houghton of the International Spy Museum

by RetroZap Staff August 24, 2017

LIES! DECEPTIONS! In our latest interview episode, John Liang speaks with Vince Houghton, historian and curator at the International Spy Museum. He’s a massive Star Wars fan.

Beltway Banthas Episode #37: The First Order’s Fire & Fury

by RetroZap Staff August 17, 2017

The First Order are an ideological and vicious military organization dedicated to one thing: making the galaxy great again. But for whom? This week with guest Ross Brown of FanGirlBlog.com we look at how the First Order rose to be such a threat to the galaxy.

Beltway Banthas: Return of the Masket: Amusing Ourselves Into Tyranny

by RetroZap Staff August 10, 2017

Seth Masket, political scientist and professor at the University of Denver, sees something ominous in the background of the Star Wars Holiday Special. He wrote about the politics of the campy Star Wars program in Mischiefs of Faction, a blog for Vox. The piece is called Amusing Ourselves Into Tyranny, sound familiar?

Beltway Banthas Episode #36: Race, Representation & Reconciliation

by RetroZap Staff August 3, 2017

Today on Beltway Banthas, Swara and Stephen reconcile a dispute! Representation and diversity on screen is the hot topic of the day and it’s more charged than ever. We discuss a disagreement had off the air in total transparency. Our goal was to better understand some feelings about identity politics in pop-culture.

Beltway Banthas Interview: David Barnes & Al Downs

by RetroZap Staff July 27, 2017

This week for our interview series, Stephen sits down with David Barnes of Generation Opportunity and Al Downs of Americans for Prosperity. Barnes is a former guest of the show and Al is a first timer. Both come with a deep love and knowledge of Star Wars.

Beltway Banthas Episode #35: Politician Profile of Leia Organa

by RetroZap Staff July 20, 2017

Today on Beltway Banthas we shine our politician spotlight on the greatest politician the Star Wars universe has ever known, the beloved Princess, Senator and General…Leia Organa. Our very special guests are Charlotte Errity and Caitlin Plesher of the Skytalkers Podcast and show producer John Liang. Together we discuss the history, politics and power of Star Wars most iconic politician/princess.

Beltway Banthas Interview: Graham Vyse of The New Republic

by RetroZap Staff July 13, 2017

The latest in our interview series! Swara interviews staff writer at the New Republic magazine, Graham Vyse! We cover everything from his fandom, to Virginia politics, national politics, Star Wars parallels and more!

Beltway Banthas #34: Defining Freedom in Star Wars

by RetroZap Staff July 6, 2017

To welcome July 4th, Stephen, Swara, and Brittany Elisa discuss the concept of freedom in the Star Wars universe. We discuss what it might mean to different characters such as Luke, Rey, Jyn Erso, and even Emperor Palpatine!

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