Eric Lichtblau is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter and best-selling author known for his deep dives into the most pressing issues of national security, civil rights, and political extremism. Having spent years at The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, Lichtblau has built a career on exposing the hidden structures of power and prejudice. His latest work, American Reich: A Murder in Orange County, Neo-Nazis, and a New Age of Hate, serves as a definitive account of the modern far-right movement, using the tragic murder of Blaze Bernstein as a lens to examine the rise of the Atomwaffen Division.
Joining the conversation is Shereen Rahming, a children’s author, educator, and a key figure in the South Orange County activism scene. Born in Belize, Shereen moved to the United States and eventually settled in Ladera Ranch, where her efforts to address systemic intolerance and a conservative culture of exclusion caught the attention of major media outlets. Shereen’s journey from a dedicated educator to a vocal community advocate provided Eric Lichtblau with a vital local perspective for his investigation, making her a central interviewee in the pages of American Reich.
American Reich
The intersection of Eric and Shereen’s work is a study in meaningful synchronicity. While Eric was mapping the national landscape of neo-Nazi radicalization, Shereen was confronting the manifestation of those same ideologies on the ground in her own neighborhood. Their shared presence in this investigative project highlights a crucial truth: that the work of a global journalist and a local activist are two sides of the same coin when it comes to defending democratic values and protecting vulnerable communities.
In this episode, host Jeanne Pepper explores the "unusual synchronicities" that bind these guests together. A striking example of this occurred when a podcast volunteer spotted Shereen in a Starbucks reading American Reich, only to discover she was a featured subject in the book. This is the meeting that bridged the gap between the recorded history in Eric’s pages and the ongoing reality of Shereen’s advocacy, illustrating how deeply the "New Age of Hate" has impacted individual lives and community structures alike.
Episode 327
Hosted by: Jeanne Pepper
Guest: Eric Lichtblau & Shereen Rahming
Producer: Eli Moskowitz
Original Theme: Jay Bernstein
Special Thank You to our volunteers
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DISCLAIMER Jeanne Pepper is providing this podcast as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Jeanne Pepper unless so stated. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Ms. Pepper’s guests are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ms. Pepper. If you have any questions about this disclaimer or the content herein, please contact us at PepptalkswithJeanne@gmail.com
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1 hr and 18 mins