Blowback is a podcast about American history and foreign policy hosted by Noah Kulwin and Brendan James, former producer, and frequent guest of Chapo Trap House.[2][3]

Blowback
Presentation
Hosted by
  • Noah Kulwin[1]
  • Brendan James[1]
Genre
LanguageAmerican English
UpdatesAnnually
Length30-60 Minutes
Production
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes50
Publication
Original releaseMarch 16, 2020
Related
Websiteblowback.show

Format

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The cover art for season two of Blowback

The first season of the show was a ten part series dedicated to the Iraq War.[4] Throughout the show audio clips from MSNBC and CNN and readings of news reports are provided as well as satirical skits performed by H. Jon Benjamin.[5] The second season of the show focuses on U.S. intervention before and after the Cuban revolution, and includes more interviews with those who experienced the events discussed first hand.[6] The third season of the show released in July 2022 and covers the events surrounding the Korean War.[7] The fourth season of the show began its release in August 2023, discussing the American involvement in Afghanistan, touching on subjects which mainly focus on Operation Cyclone and its consequences. Season five released in September 2024 and covers the United States bombing campaign in Cambodia known as Operation Menu, the subsequent rise of the Khmer Rouge and the establishment of Democratic Kampuchea.[8]

Episodes

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Season 1 (2020)

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While focused on the Iraq War, season 1 begins by examining the early relationship between the United States and Iraq. This includes the United States support for Iraq during the Iran–Iraq War and the Gulf War. In an interview with Gizmodo when asked about the reasons for the United States invasion of Iraq James responded "to what extent the war was to profit off of a newly acquired Iraqi oil industry is a more of an interesting question. It certainly was the main reason why we targeted Iraq, not even just with the Iraq War in 2003 but in 1991. The reason that Iraq could even be in the position to piss America off was because we had made friends with it due to its status as a strong oil producer and its strategic position against Iran, another very strong oil producer".[9]

No.TitleRunning
time
Original release date
0"Iraqnophobia"37:19March 16, 2020 (2020-03-16)
An introduction to the podcast and a look at the George W. Bush administration and family of Saddam Hussein. Featuring guests H. Jon Benjamin & James Adomian
1"Rosebud"59:39June 15, 2020 (2020-06-15)
Taking a look at the origins of the United State's relationship with Iraq before and during the Cold War, the Iran-Iraq War, and Saddam Hussein's consolidation of power.
2"American Psycho"62:42June 22, 2020 (2020-06-22)
Focuses on the presidential administrations of George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton as well as the Gulf War.
3"Curveball"62:42June 29, 2020 (2020-06-29)
This episode discusses the transition from Osama bin Laden and Afghanistan to Iraq and weapons of mass destruction.[4] Examines the September 11 Attacks as justification for war in Iraq.
4"Mars Attacks"31:38July 6, 2020 (2020-07-06)
Secretary of State Colin Powell vists the United Nations to accuse Iraq and Saddam Hussein to have weapons of mass destruction
5"Dead Links"61:49July 13, 2020 (2020-07-13)
Breaking down the media's coverage of the Iraq war. Featuring guest Will Menaker
6"Year Zero"63:56July 20, 2020 (2020-07-20)
The fall of Saddam Hussein and the beginnings of the United States' occupation of Iraq.
7"#Resistance"60:36July 27, 2020 (2020-07-27)
Anti-American resistance by both Sunni and Shi'a militants in response to operations in Fallujah and Sadr City as well as war crimes commuted in Abu Ghraib.
8"Electioneering"59:09August 3, 2020 (2020-08-03)
The episode discusses the second presidential election of George W. Bush and an election in Iraq.[2]
9"How Do You Fuck That Up?"62:25August 10, 2020 (2020-08-10)
As Iraq breaks out into civil war, the United States begins a new offensive known as The Surge.
10"The Iraq War Did Not Take Place"65:26August 3, 2020 (2020-08-03)
Examining the end of the George W. Busch administration, the continuation and end of the Iraq war under Barack Obama, the rise of ISIL, and the presidency of Donald Trump.

Season 1 Bonus Episodes

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time
Original release date
Bonus"Our Man In Baghdad"56:56June 15, 2020 (2020-06-15)
Featuring guest Dahr Jamail
Bonus"Iraqi Horror Picture Show"60:56July 6, 2020 (2020-07-06)
Featuring guest Matt Christman
Bonus"Shock Corridor"40:09July 13, 2020 (2020-07-13)
Featuring guest Naomi Klein

Season 2 (2021)

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Original release date
1"The Jupiter Menace"80:27April 18, 2021 (2021-04-18)
Introducing the historical players of the Cuban Missile Crisis and the United State's fascination with Cuba.
2"Lo Hicimos"80:26April 18, 2021 (2021-04-18)
A brief history of Cuba–United States relations ending with the success of the Cuban Revolution and the fall of Fulgencio Batista.
3"New Normal"76:33April 25, 2021 (2021-04-25)
As the new Cuban government takes power, the United States backs Cuban exiles like those in Brigade 2506.
4"Secret Honor"75:38May 2, 2021 (2021-05-02)
As John F. Kennedy defeats Richard Nixon for the presidency, the CIA begins preparing for the Bay of Pigs Invasion
5"Fish Is Red"59:30May 9, 2021 (2021-05-09)
The CIA executes the Bay of Pigs Invasion, which ends in failure.
6"Nothing To Lose"62:42August 8, 2021 (2021-08-08)
After recovering from the failure of the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the CIA begins Operation Mongoose a terror and assassination campaign waged in Cuba.
7"Anadyr"72:38August 15, 2021 (2021-08-15)
In anticipation for another American invasion, the Cuban and Soviet relations strengthen.
8"We'll All Meet In Hell"65:49August 22, 2021 (2021-08-22)
The United States makes it public knowledge about the existence of Nuclear weapons in Cuba, beginning the Cuban Missile Crisis. John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev begin negotiations.
9"Cuba Libre"82:42August 29, 2021 (2021-08-29)
The Cuban Missile Crisis is resolved to the dismay of the CIA and Cuban exiles.
10"Infinite Crisis"77:27September 5, 2021 (2021-09-05)
Examining Cuban-American relations after the Assassination of John F. Kennedy.

Season 2 Bonus Episodes

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time
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Bonus"Lo Distinto Se Parece"49:09July 4, 2021 (2021-07-04)
Interviews with history professor Michelle Chase and Cuban scholar Marta Nuñez Sarmiento
Bonus"Watch Out For That Boy"32:07July 11, 2021 (2021-07-11)
Discussion with experts about black radicalism and race in relation to Cuba and the revolution
Bonus"CIAin't Kiddin'"39:10July 18, 2021 (2021-07-18)
Interview with Luna Olavarrio Gallegos about a failed US government attempt to infiltrate and co-opt the Cuban hip-hop scene
Bonus"Massive Retaliation"30:13July 25, 2021 (2021-07-25)
Overview of the history of American nuclear weapons strategy at the time of the Cuban missile crisis
Bonus"Sweet Dirt Tony's Badasssss Song"87:41August 8, 2021 (2021-08-08)
Discussion with Bill Corbett about bad depictions of Cuba in film.
Bonus"Neverland"38:13August 1, 2021 (2021-08-01)
Interview with professor Nelson Valdes about Operation Peter Pan
Bonus"The Capital Of Terrorism"68:15August 15, 2021 (2021-08-15)
Interview with immigration attorney José Pertierra about his experiences with Cubans in the Miami judicial system
Bonus"The Most Beautiful Cause"36:47August 22, 2021 (2021-08-22)
Overview of Cuba's involvement in Africa with Cuban diplomat Oscar Oramas-Oliva
Bonus"Havana (Derangement) Syndrome"44:37August 29, 2021 (2021-08-29)
Discussion with guests Helen Yaffe, José Pertierra, and Marta Nuñez Sarmiento about the 2021 Cuban protests
Bonus"Red-Handed Sleight of Hand"41:56September 13, 2021 (2021-09-13)
Overview of the successful CIA orchestrated 1954 Guatemalan coup d'état

Soundtrack

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All music is composed by Brendan James as The Great Vorelli

Blowback
No.TitleLength
1."Jupiter Missiles"3:39
2."Best & Brightest, Pt. I"2:01
3."Bury the Body and Tell No One"3:28
4."The Fireworks"2:45
5."B.O.P"2:07
6."Anadyr (feat. Robin Hatch)"3:46
7."Love Theme"4:58
8."Best & Brightest, Pt. II"5:06
9."Lo Hicimos"3:36

Season 3 (2022)

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time
Original release date
1"Stop Me Before I Kill Again"41:20July 24, 2022 (2022-07-24)
An introduction to the figures during the Korean War
2"The Uninvited"71:17October 1, 2022 (2022-10-01)
A brief history of the Korean peninsula and its relationship with the United States and the Empire of Japan.
3"The Blue House"66:52October 10, 2022 (2022-10-10)
A look at the brief moment post World War II that could have led to a unified Korea, but led to the establishment of North Korea and South Korea
4"Red Island"57:42October 17, 2022 (2022-10-17)
Tensions break out on Jeju Island in South Korea, leading to the Jeju uprising.
5"Train To Busan"79:06October 24, 2022 (2022-10-24)
The prelude to the Korean war begins with clashes between North and South Korean forces along the 38th parallel.
6"National Smile Week"64:13October 31, 2022 (2022-10-31)
American General Douglas MacArthur begins a counter offensive.
7"Mao's Poem"64:37November 7, 2022 (2022-11-07)
As the Korean War rages on, China enters the battlefield.
8"American Caesar"82:18November 14, 2022 (2022-11-14)
President Harry S. Truman clashes with General Douglas MacArthur over use of nuclear weapons along the boarder between China and North Korea.
9"No More Targets"74:13November 21, 2022 (2022-11-21)
The Korean War reaches a stalemate.
10"The Host"96:32November 28, 2022 (2022-11-28)
A temporary ceasefire becomes essentially permanent. No peace treaty between North and South Korea is signed, and the Korean War becomes a dormant war.

Season 3 Bonus Episodes

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time
Original release date
Bonus"On Cinema With Kim Jong-Il"49:33July 24, 2022 (2022-07-24)
Discussion with Anna Broinowski about her trip to North Korea, the cinema of the DPRK, and her film "Aim High in Creation"
Bonus"Another Country Pt. I"29:38July 24, 2022 (2022-07-24)
Historian of the Korean War Bruce Cummings on the years of Japanese colonialism and the origins of the Korean War
Bonus"The Northmen"55:42July 24, 2022 (2022-07-24)
Scholar Suzy Kim, on the nature of the DPRK's revolution, the differences between North and South, and women's role in the revolution
Bonus"Another Country Pt. II"36:24July 24, 2022 (2022-07-24)
Discussion with Bruce Cummings on the breakout of the war, Taiwan, and the destruction visited on the North by America
Bonus"Might And Right"57:24July 24, 2022 (2022-07-24)
Michael Brenes tracks the development of the Cold War economy, and how the Korean War helped solidify America’s national security state
Bonus"Germinal Pt. I"97:34July 24, 2022 (2022-07-24)
Thomas Powell, writer and son of journalist John W. Powell, talks about the allegations of US germ warfare and his family’s trials during the Korean War
Bonus"Living Memory"61:29July 24, 2022 (2022-07-24)
Journalist Tim Shorrock on the long history of struggle in South Korea, against dictators, military juntas, and the United States
Bonus"Prisoners In Paradise"44:21July 24, 2022 (2022-07-24)
Scholar Monica Kim talks about the key archetype that came out of the Korean War: the American POW
Bonus"Germinal Pt. II"110:45July 24, 2022 (2022-07-24)
Psychologist and writer Jeff Kaye explains the history of Japan’s Unit 731 and allegations of US germ warfare in Korea
Bonus"DMZ meets TMZ"52:24July 24, 2022 (2022-07-24)
Peace activists and writers Christine Ahn and Elizabeth Beavers talk about more recent US-Korea relations, from the Obama-era to Trump

Soundtrack

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All music is composed by Brendan James as The Great Vorelli

The Blue House
No.TitleLength
1."The Blue House"5:21
2."American Caesar"4:29
3."Mao's Poem"2:37
4."Creep State"2:28
5."Teeth Feel Cold"2:22
6."Beautiful and Tasty"3:24
7."Weird Statistics"3:51
8."Seize the Steel"3:20
9."War Trash"3:12
10."The Uninvited"5:39
11."No More Targets"2:17

Season 4 (2023)

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James announced a fourth season on his Twitter account in December 2022, to be released in Summer 2023. Season four covers Operation Cyclone and its consequences, including the creation of al-Qaeda and the September 11, 2001 attacks. [10]

No.TitleRunning
time
Original release date
1"Snake Eater"43:34August 25, 2023 (2023-08-25)
An introduction to the Soviet–Afghan War and the United States backing of the Afghan mujahideen
2"Bleeders and Dealers"70:41November 15, 2023 (2023-11-15)
The beginnings of the Soviet-Afghan War.
3"The Trap"60:45November 22, 2023 (2023-11-22)
After the Soviet Union invades Afghanistan, the Safari Club (a CIA backed intelligence group) begins coordinating with the Afghan mujahideen.
4"They’re Yours Now"70:08November 29, 2023 (2023-11-29)
Operation Cyclone and its consequences terrorize Afghanistan, and the Soviet-Afghan war ends.
5"We Can Live With That"64:12December 6, 2023 (2023-12-06)
The rise of the Taliban and their consolidation of power.
6"Ground Zeroes"64:23December 13, 2023 (2023-12-13)
Terrorists sponsored by the Taliban being spreading their operations across the world
7"Guns of the Patriots"65:06December 20, 2023 (2023-12-20)
In the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, the United States begins the War in Afghanistan.
8"Sons of Liberty"70:20December 27, 2023 (2023-12-27)
A deep dive into the use of contractors during the War in Afghanistan and their consequences.
9"Peace Walker"70:29January 3, 2024 (2024-01-03)
President Barack Obama attempts to end the War in Afghanistan.
10"The Phantom Pain"59:24January 10, 2024 (2024-01-10)
President Donald Trump begins negotiations with the Taliban and United States armed forces begin their withdrawal.

Season 4 Bonus Episodes

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time
Original release date
Bonus"Ahmed Rashid part 1"32:05August 25, 2023 (2023-08-25)
First part of an interview with Pakistani journalist Ahmed Rashid
Bonus"Malalai Joya"48:44August 25, 2023 (2023-08-25)
Interview with Afghan Feminist activist and politician Malalai Joya
Bonus"Red Dawn, Red Scorpion"146:52August 25, 2023 (2023-08-25)
A discussion of the films Red Dawn and Red Scorpion
Bonus"Ahmed Rashid part 2"23:57August 25, 2023 (2023-08-25)
Second part of an interview with Ahmed Rashid
Bonus"Fitzgerald and Gould part 1"39:02August 25, 2023 (2023-08-25)
Interview with journalists Paul Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Gould
Bonus"Seymour Hersh"37:07August 25, 2023 (2023-08-25)
Interview with journalist Seymour Hersh
Bonus"Fitzgerald and Gould part 2"27:29August 25, 2023 (2023-08-25)
Second part of an interview with Paul Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Gould
Bonus"Kill ‘Em All, Let God Sort ‘Em Out"16:36August 25, 2023 (2023-08-25)
Discussion of the magazine Soldier of Fortune
Bonus"Anatol Lieven"45:44August 25, 2023 (2023-08-25)
Interview with scholar Anatol Lieven
Bonus"Hassan Abbas"50:46August 25, 2023 (2023-08-25)
Interview with scholar Hassan Abbas

Soundtrack

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All music is composed by Brendan James as The Great Vorelli

Ravager
No.TitleLength
1."Overworld"3:25
2."Ravager"3:17
3."Box Cutters"2:05
4."The Move"3:25
5."Innerworld"1:06
6."Ouroboros"3:08
7."Safari Club"3:07
8."Bank of Commerce and Credit"2:10
9."Palace Cat"4:30
10."Underworld"1:55
11."The Trap"4:23

Season 5 (2024)

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Original release date
1"The Wolves Are Closing In"44:42September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
A primer on the United States involvement in Cambodia during the Cold War.
2"The French Connection"1:00:56To Be Released
As World War II comes to a close, French Indochina begins rebelling which contributed to the end of the French colonial empire.
3"Listen to the Thunder"1:11:05To Be Released
Then Prince Norodom Sihanouk works on keeping Cambodia out of the Vietnam War.
4"Mad Men"1:12:16To Be Released
President Richard Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger begin plans for Operation Menu.
5"The Last Tango In Paris"1:06:03To Be Released
Prince Norodom Sihanouk is overthrown during the 1970 Cambodian coup d'état. The newly established Khmer Republic courts the United States' assistance in fighting the Khmer Rouge.
6"Dream Warriors"1:11:09To Be Released
A brief history of the Khmer Republic and the end of Richard Nixon's presidency.
7"Less Than Zero"1:08:02To Be Released
The Khmer Rouge take control of Cambodia, cutting it off from the outside world.
8"Third World War"1:11:05To Be Released
Tensions between the Khmer Rouge and Vietnam begin to rise, leading to direct conflict.
9"Le Cercle Rouge"1:07:36To Be Released
Vietnam overthrows Democratic Kampuchea, leading the United States to backing the Kehmer Rouge insurgency.
10"The Terrible But Unfinished Story"1:07:25To Be Released
The monarchy of Norodom Sihanouk is restored and Cambodia begins to rebuild.

Season 5 Bonus Episodes

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time
Original release date
Bonus"Elizabeth Becker Part I"31:55September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
Part one of an interview with journalist Elizabeth Becker author of When the War Was Over
Bonus"Syndicates"27:15September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
An overview of drug trafficking in South-East Asia.
Bonus"Elizabeth Becker Part II"37:39September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
Part 2 of an interview with journalist Elizabeth Becker.
Bonus"National Treasure"19:13September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
Examining the illegal trade of historical artifacts from Cambodia.
Bonus"Marv Truhe and Perry Pettus"1:07:26September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
An interview with ex-JAG attorney Marv Truhe and member of the US Air Force Perry Pettus discussing the USS Kitty Hawk riot.
Bonus"Vu Minh Hoang"1:45:24September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
An interview with Vu Minh Hoang, professor of history and Vietnam studies at Fulbright University Vietnam and research associate at the Weatherhead East Asian Institute at Columbia University.
Bonus"Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman"48:59September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
An interview with former New York Congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman
Bonus"Ben Kiernan Part I"36:21September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
Part one of an interview with professor Ben Kiernan of Yale University
Bonus"Sy Hersh"34:58September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
An interview with investigative journalist Seymour Hersh who reported on the My Lai massacre and Operation Menu.
Bonus"Ben Kiernan Part II"36:21September 20, 2024 (2024-09-20)
Part two of an interview with professor Ben Kiernan.

Reception

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According to Vince Mancini of UPROXX and Derek Robertson of Politico, Blowback was "painstakingly researched" and didactic in its approach, "bombarding the listener with the host's sturm-und-drang argument about the Iraq War as a portal to hell that directly caused our modern-day political ills".[11][12] In a comparison of Blowback and Slow Burn, Slate's podcast about the Iraq War, Derek Robertson of Politico described Blowback as "an unapologetically left-wing re-examination of the war’s many causes and ongoing effects".[12] Jake Greenberg of Podcast Review wrote that "Blowback is an excellent piece of history, one that documents the misadventures, deceits, and war crimes" of the Iraq War.[13] Podcast Review called the topic of the second season "a tremendous fit for James and Kulwin's style".[14] In a review from Jacobin, Blowback is described as being "thoroughly contextualized, fully explained, blow-by-blow account of how and why the United States government ginned up a case for war in Iraq — all the junk intelligence, media manipulation, and diplomatic arm-twisting — and what happened when our military got there."[4]

Boing Boing praised season 2, saying "James and Kulwin demonstrate diligent and expansive research, compiling audio interviews and newspaper reports from that time, consulting existing historical monographs, as well as contemporary interviews with participants that shed light on new information as well as complicating the inherited narratives about these wars."[15]

In a review for season 3, James Greig wrote in Jacobin that "Blowback, while interested in excavating history, is ultimately about how these events and strategies still shape politics today and continue to determine which countries the United States positions as villains."[16] Jake Cole, writing for Hyperallergic, emphasizes this, "The voluminous background detail and interest in the far-reaching impacts of foreign policy could easily lend itself to conspiracy-minded extemporization, but James and Kulwin never make an assertion not backed up by considerable evidence. This also armors them against potential backlash to their openly leftist bias.[17]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Story, Hannah (December 2, 2020). "Here's Twenty New Podcasts That Made 2020, an Absolute Butt of a Year, Actually Kinda Bearable". Pedestrian.TV. Pedestrian Group. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Brooke, Zach (August 10, 2020). "New Film Podcast Recalls How Do the Right Thing Made White Critics Paranoid". The A.V. Club. G/O Media. Archived from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  3. ^ Greenberg, Jake (August 5, 2020). "Blowback: An Honest History of the Iraq War". Podcast Review. Los Angeles Review of Books. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c Day, Meagan (May 26, 2020). "Have We All Forgotten About the Iraq War?". Jacobin. Archived from the original on March 6, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  5. ^ Youhana, Michael (July 13, 2020). "The Iraq War Is the Skeleton Key". Jacobin. Archived from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  6. ^ Blistein, Jon (April 19, 2021). "'Blowback' Podcast Tackles America's Meddling in the Cuban Revolution". Rolling Stone. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on April 23, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  7. ^ "Apple Podcasts Preview - Coming Soon: Blowback Season Three". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  8. ^ James, Brendan [@deep_beige] (July 4, 2024). "Season 5 of @blowbackpod, on Cambodia, Kissinger, and the Khmer Rouge, comes out SEPTEMBER 20 Subscribe at blowback.show" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ^ ""What the Iraq War Can Teach the Climate Movement". Gizmodo Australia. August 15, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  10. ^ Brendan James [@deep_beige] (December 18, 2022). "Pleased to announce @blowbackpod SEASON 4, coming summer 2023 from me and @nkulw Teaser" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ^ Mancini, Vince (December 29, 2020). "The Best Non-Fiction Podcasts of 2020". Uproxx. Warner Music Group. Archived from the original on July 11, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  12. ^ a b Robertson, Derek (July 3, 2021). "The Podcasting Feud Over the Iraq War's Legacy". Politico. Capitol News Company. Archived from the original on July 4, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  13. ^ "The Ten Best Podcasts of 2020". Podcast Review. Los Angeles Review of Books. December 22, 2020. Archived from the original on November 7, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  14. ^ "Three Podcasts to Listen to in June". Podcast Review. Los Angeles Review of Books. June 9, 2021. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  15. ^ Gomez, A.E. (September 1, 2022). "The blowback of embargoes, cigars and capitalist wars". boing boing. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  16. ^ Greig, James (August 13, 2022). "The Korean War Is All but Forgotten Today. It Shouldn't Be". Jacobin. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
  17. ^ Cole, Jake (July 10, 2022). "Blowback Explores the Messy History of US Interventionism". Hyperallergic. Retrieved October 10, 2024.
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