Polite Conversations

Growing up in Saudi Arabia as a Pakistani, who now resides in Canada, Eiynah brings a global perspective to discussions about religion, politics, culture & sexuality - through the lens of a progressive ex-muslim immigrant. This podcast often focuses on unpacking various forms of extremism, particularly types that are less overt and masquerading as ‘intellectual’. Eiynah has a specific interest in covering online scenes like New Atheism and the Intellectual Dark Web. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Polite Conversations is a society podcast hosted by Eiynah Mohammed-Smith, with 284 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Eiynah Mohammed-Smith hosts Polite Conversations, a society show with 284 episodes published.

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  Polite Conversations

  Ep 116 - Follow up chat w IDSG (Pt 1): “I’ve Never felt More like a Colonizer”

  Sep 28, 202647 min

  Jack and Daniel from the IDSG podcast join me for a follow up conversation after our previous one from April of this year. We cover genocide in Gaza, war in Iran, Zionism, nationalism, failures of western extremism experts, manufactured & weaponized antisemitism campaigns, the weight given to antisemitism vs the weight given to other bigotries in the west…. And more. Links Find our previous conversation ‘Clearing the Air w/ IDSG’ here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/48aYSHosDtutFJT0Y1kRhs?si=zl-fsEmZRVeFxnbUjqfx1g&utm_source=copy-link Find the extended Patreon version here: https://www.patreon.com/nicemangos/posts/clearing-air-w-155535014?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_fan&utm_content=web_share Check out IDSG’s Murray/Shermer episode that comes up in our conversation here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4LNeaM6vvJaBY2q9ExFMiL?si=eP6zJUJyRUiR_AriLiloug&utm_source=copy-link Thread about western extremism experts on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/nicemangos.bsky.social/post/3mfwic3ivmk2x LA’s Holocaust Museum Walks Back “Never Again” Statement https://hyperallergic.com/los-angeles-holocaust-museum-walks-back-never-again-statement-sparking-outcry/ Polite Conversations episode ‘Can Genocide Studies survive a Genocide?’ https://open.spotify.com/episode/5mpxDnGm1c8isJlDGgidqc?si=JSqYJhL4RLOA1IRc3bdckQ&utm_source=copy-link Extended Patreon version of the episode: https://www.patreon.com/nicemangos/posts/ep-99-can-ft-135158487/edit Raz Segal: Genocide Denial in Holocaust Studies https://jacobin.com/2025/01/gaza-genocide-holocaust-studies-germany Sarah Hurwitz’ comments https://youtu.be/BcRk3sQJbbA?si=IoWeyou9WMPGuTNq Relevant Polite Conversations Ep - Fascism Disguised as ‘Fighting Antisemitism’ https://open.spotify.com/episode/08Undnqj62KG0y7h5TrCXK?si=wl9rRkZGRi6QuWA1RaAwFg&utm_source=copy-link Find the Extended version here: https://www.patreon.com/nicemangos/posts/ep-115-fascism-169848973?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Patreon discussion from after the previous convo w IDSG: https://www.patreon.com/nicemangos/posts/after-idsg-convo-156216923/edit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Polite Conversations

  UNLOCKED (Full Ep): Fashademics 4 - Charles Murray & The Pioneer Fund

  Sep 23, 20261h 28m

  This episode has been unlocked, as promised! If you enjoy the show pls consider supporting via patreon.com/nicemangos —— Polite Conversations is part of a progressive independent Canadian podcast community Check out Harbinger media at Harbingermedianetwork.com —— On this episode I’m joined by Jon Phillips, Historian of Science, who has done work for the SPLC covering scientific racism. (Find him on Bsky @jowiph.bsky.social) This conversation delves into the topic of race ‘science’ — primarily via skull measuring enthusiast, Charles Murray. We discuss the significance and impact of his larger project, his rhetorical tactics, the tainted sources in The Bell Curve …as well as Murray’s association with The Pioneer Fund and more. We dive into the overlaps between the world of scientific racism and New Atheism. Sam Harris’ attempts to rehabilitate and mainstream Murray’s pseudoscience is also a recurring topic throughout the episode. And we discuss the far-right non-profit foundation The Pioneer Fund in more detail, we examine its links to research on eugenics, race ‘science’ and extremist views. Links: The Tainted Sources of ‘The Bell Curve’ (1994) https://www.nybooks.com/articles/1994/12/01/the-tainted-sources-of-the-bell-curve/ Archived 1994 article that is mentioned in this episode https://web.archive.org/web/20110129125309/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/09/magazine/daring-research-or-social-science-pornography-charles-murray.html Hope Not Hate investigation into the race ‘science’ movement https://investigations.hopenothate.org.uk/race-science-inc/?utm_source=main_website&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=hub_page A new book on race and evolution by noted science writer Nicholas Wade legitimizes racist and anti-Semitic theories. (2014) https://www.splcenter.org/resources/reports/troublesome-sources/ Journals that published Richard Lynn’s racist ‘research’ articles should retract them (2024) https://www.statnews.com/2024/06/20/richard-lynn-racist-research-articles-journals-retractions/ Adrianne Black https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrianne_Black (previously known as Derek Black) Polite Conversations Race ‘science’ panel episodes mentioned in this chat: Ad-free Patreon versions: Pt 1 https://www.patreon.com/nicemangos/posts/ep-82-race-pt-1-110461457/edit Pt 2 https://www.patreon.com/nicemangos/posts/race-science-pt-110534234/edit Pt 3 https://www.patreon.com/nicemangos/posts/race-science-pt-110539173/edit Public versions (Full Episodes) Pt 1 https://spotify.link/otjmpUOgOXb Pt 2 https://spotify.link/7l3SgcUgOXb Pt 3 https://spotify.link/Jqw8rqWgOXb Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Polite Conversations

  Ep - 115 Fascism Disguised as ‘Fighting Antisemitism’

  Sep 18, 20261h 1m

  With widespread Zionist pressure campaigns and billionaire attempts at controlling our speech & access to information, this topic becomes more urgent by the day. As we saw with the Macklemore/Ed Sheeran situation, with pop star Pink’s entitled tantrum, with the endless condemnations of Mark Ruffalo, Hasan Piker and Abdul El Sayed over completely fabricated allegations of antisemitism — these outrage cycles are based entirely on shielding Israel from criticism (while it commits endless atrocities), not on a principled anti-bigotry stance. This is something that even many western extremism experts are failing to cover or articulate. Join me for an in-depth look at this topic. Find the extended version via patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nicemangos/posts/ep-115-fascism-169848973 Links: Mark Ruffalo fires back at Paramount Skydance https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/aug/24/mark-ruffalo-fires-back-paramount-oracle-accused-antisemitic-tropes-israel Hasan Piker is being smeared for saying what others have https://youtube.com/shorts/h4IxFPQvtNo?si=BLd3CrroUdPSgjJW What Hasan actually said https://bsky.app/profile/thetnholler.bsky.social/post/3mtwro633zk2r Pink faces backlash after reposting a statement from pro-Israel group https://x.com/qudsnen/status/2097289749463503037?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw Pink Criticized After Demanding Ed Sheeran Refund Fans Over Macklemore https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/music/articles/pink-criticized-demanding-ed-sheeran-132156443.html The smear campaign against Abdul El-Sayed is built on lies, Islamophobia and hate https://www.metrotimes.com/news/the-smear-campaign-against-abdul-el-sayed-is-built-on-lies-islamophobia-and-hate/ Oracle exec delights in ‘Scary Technology’ unleashed on Gaza https://youtu.be/t1Rok0IPhiQ?si=mNwlNLXr2E5tcuoD Top Donor to IDF is buying up US media https://youtube.com/shorts/8EAOmMvZRYc?si=hsRuRvQOuHX13pFs Germany approves nearly $1bn in arms exports to Israel https://thecradle.co/articles/germany-approves-nearly-1bn-in-arms-exports-to-israel How Nicaragua defended its ICJ case accusing Germany of complicity in Israel's genocide https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/how-nicaragua-defended-icj-case-accusing-germany-complicity-israel-genocide House just Voted to Integrate Israel & the US Military https://youtube.com/shorts/7zewIhvs6SE?si=W8PH1ebxhKwe_jnf Israeli envoy calls Italian magazine antisemitic over settler violence coverage https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israeli-envoy-italy-calls-magazine-antisemitic-over-settler-violence-coverage Genocide Denial in Holocaust Studies https://jacobin.com/2025/01/gaza-genocide-holocaust-studies-germany Bake sales for Gaza could stoke Jew hatred, EU warns https://www.yahoo.com/news/bake-sales-gaza-could-stoke-122320754.html London hospital takes down artwork by Gaza schoolchildren after complaint https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/feb/27/artwork-gaza-schoolchildren-removed-chelsea-and-westminster-hospital Guest at Jewish American Summit tells Muslims to GTFO of America https://x.com/middleeasteye/status/2095130486536372645?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw Jasper Nathaniel’s call to action for Jewish Americans https://x.com/infinite_jaz/status/2096330117505052709?s=61&t=w7q_ejvwZ_gCFj9WV50Lqw 'Symbolic' UK sanctions on Israel aim to avoid Washington's wrath https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/uk-symbolic-sanctions-israel-avoid-washington-wrath Fake US thinktank set up and funded by Israel sought to game AI for propaganda https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/26/fake-thinktank-israel-ai-propaganda Israel Paying influencers for propaganda https://responsiblestatecraft.org/israel-influencers-netanyahu/ US House passes bill penalizing universities that participate in boycott of Israel https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/sep/03/israel-boycott-university-ban-bill UK Lawyers for Israel calls to proscribe Doctors Without Borders as terror group https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uk-lawyers-israel-calls-ban-doctors-without-borders-terror-group Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Polite Conversations

  UNLOCKED - Global Far Right 7 - USA (FULL) ft. Christopher Mathias

  Aug 31, 20261h 25m

  This episode has now been unlocked! [Aired originally July 2026 via patreon.com/nicemangos] If you’d like to access extended episodes and unlock miniseries early please consider subscribing via patreon.com/nicemangos and supporting this small show! Journalist and author of ‘To Catch a Fascist’ Christopher Mathias joins me to discuss the state of the American far right. We talk about what laid the groundwork for these political conditions, we compare Trump 1.0 & 2.0… and we also discuss the role that mainstream media & the Democrats have played in the rising tide of American fascism. All that and more on this episode of The Global Far Right. —— Links: Find the extended version of this episode here: https://www.patreon.com/nicemangos/posts/global-far-right-164817590#no_universal_links Find the rest of the Global Far Right miniseries here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/40h4VTDTEEpqWHOuH4uDLI?si=13i_lmBhQzWQNbYkm3YzUw&utm_source=copy-link&pi=g41RqjyCRaSV- Find Christopher’s book ‘To Catch a Fascist’ here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/To-Catch-a-Fascist/Christopher-Mathias/9781668034767 Politico story on pro-Trump troll ‘Microchip’s’ anti-antifa petition https://www.politico.com/story/2017/08/24/antifa-white-house-petition-trump-troll-241990 Christopher Mathias’ 2018 story covering the extreme nature of Steve King’s views https://www.huffpost.com/entry/white-supremacists-running-for-office-2018_n_5a7da926e4b0c6726e1285c1 FIRE receives Koch funding https://bsky.app/profile/nicemangos.bsky.social/post/3mrnj2ityas2n The man who headed Trump’s invasions of US cities (Bovino) joined the US and European far right in Portugal to preach “remigration”—a plan to expel all minorities and immigrants. https://www.wired.com/story/greg-bovino-was-the-star-at-a-european-remigration-conference/ After teasing a presidential bid, Greg Bovino joined a white nationalist’s podcast https://www.ms.now/news/greg-bovino-white-nationalist-podcast-kevin-deanna From my miniseries on Sam Harris Woking Up: Ep 1 focuses on his views on race and racism in policing https://open.spotify.com/episode/0v1VYmWKx6dgT5GEdL2OpK?si=JyGf6zQESsaWrtcLXPXllQ&utm_source=copy-link Ep 4 of Woking Up discusses Sam Harris’ post Jan 6 bothsidesing, and racism denial https://open.spotify.com/episode/420oTb5Eh7GVjRjGnJY5fA?si=VskaAYgfQp2FQpmorOBPrA&utm_source=copy-link Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Polite Conversations

  Fashademics 4 - Charles Murray & The Pioneer Fund

  Aug 23, 202659 min

  If you enjoy the show pls consider supporting via patreon.com/nicemangos —— Polite Conversations is part of a progressive independent Canadian podcast community Check out Harbinger media at   Harbingermedianetwork.com —— On this episode I’m joined by Jon Phillips, Historian of Science, who has done work for the SPLC covering scientific racism. (Find him on Bsky @jowiph.bsky.social) This conversation delves into the topic of race ‘science’ — primarily via skull measuring enthusiast, Charles Murray. We discuss the significance and impact of his larger project, his rhetorical tactics, the tainted sources in The Bell Curve …as well as Murray’s association with The Pioneer Fund and more. We dive into the overlaps between the world of scientific racism and New Atheism. Sam Harris’ attempts to rehabilitate and mainstream Murray’s pseudoscience is also a recurring topic throughout the episode. And we discuss the far-right non-profit foundation The Pioneer Fund in more detail, we examine its links to research on eugenics, race ‘science’ and extremist views. Links: Find the Extended version of this episode here: https://www.patreon.com/nicemangos/posts/fashademics-4-167414020?pr=true&forSale=true The Tainted Sources of ‘The Bell Curve’ (1994) https://www.nybooks.com/articles/1994/12/01/the-tainted-sources-of-the-bell-curve/ Archived 1994 article that is mentioned in this episode https://web.archive.org/web/20110129125309/http://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/09/magazine/daring-research-or-social-science-pornography-charles-murray.html Hope Not Hate investigation into the race ‘science’ movement https://investigations.hopenothate.org.uk/race-science-inc/?utm_source=main_website&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=hub_page A new book on race and evolution by noted science writer Nicholas Wade legitimizes racist and anti-Semitic theories. (2014) https://www.splcenter.org/resources/reports/troublesome-sources/ Journals that published Richard Lynn’s racist ‘research’ articles should retract them (2024) https://www.statnews.com/2024/06/20/richard-lynn-racist-research-articles-journals-retractions/ Adrianne Black https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrianne_Black (previously known as Derek Black) Polite Conversations Race ‘science’ panel episodes mentioned in this chat: Ad-free Patreon versions: Pt 1 https://www.patreon.com/nicemangos/posts/ep-82-race-pt-1-110461457/edit Pt 2 https://www.patreon.com/nicemangos/posts/race-science-pt-110534234/edit Pt 3 https://www.patreon.com/nicemangos/posts/race-science-pt-110539173/edit Public versions (Full Episodes) Pt 1 https://spotify.link/otjmpUOgOXb Pt 2 https://spotify.link/7l3SgcUgOXb Pt 3 https://spotify.link/Jqw8rqWgOXb Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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