We live in a time of great change. Familiar systems are crumbling all around us, and the terrifying unknown lies ahead. But your hosts Brian and Nate spread optimism by exploring the secret histories of faith and finance that have delivered us to the most exciting moment in human history. www.systemfailure.org
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Sep 27, 2026 · 1:35:55
All eyes on New England this week as an early fall Nor’easter blows through, cancelling Ed Sheeran concerts and relocating Red Sox games. The boys make their Sober October…
Sep 23, 2026 · 10:49
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ History of Mystery .” Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Sep 20, 2026 · 1:15:16
The boys review their experience on the Rush concert tour, before remembering fallen podcast hero “Bald” Bryan Bishop. Then, they turn their situation to the inflation wreaking…
Sep 17, 2026 · 14:02
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ First Black Friday. ” Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Sep 14, 2026 · 1:07:27
Plagued by tech issues, the boys nonetheless begin by acknowledging some exciting enhancements to the System Failure newsletter. Next, Brian reflects on liabilities of the…
Sep 10, 2026 · 14:20
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Sacred Feminine ”. Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Sep 7, 2026 · 1:13:18
Brian begins this episode with an update on his meditation practice and reflects on the boys band phenomenon of the 1990s. The boys then remark on a second Epstein Transparency…
Sep 3, 2026 · 13:15
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Razing the Temple ”. Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Aug 31, 2026 · 1:08:03
In this episode of System Failure , hosts Nathan and Brian Knopp analyze the fragile mechanisms that lay beneath human cognition, and by extension our institutions. As an…
Aug 27, 2026 · 12:01
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Money for Nothing ”. Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Aug 24, 2026 · 1:09:09
Nate recounts his recent trip to the Sunshine State, including the surprise victory of Angie Nixon in the Florida Senate primary. She will be the nation’s first DSA candidate to…
Aug 20, 2026 · 10:34
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Delusions of Self ”. Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Aug 17, 2026 · 59:37
The boys marvel at the total solar eclipse in Spain before considering the recent primary campaigns around the US. Next, they check on the rollout of Mayor Mamdani’s new…
Aug 13, 2026 · 12:05
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Human Symphony ”. Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Aug 10, 2026 · 1:01:55
The boys acknowledge a victory for Dr. Abdul El-Sayed as well as Tucker Carlson starting a new political party, before turning to grim news on the war front. They then pivot to a…
Aug 6, 2026 · 10:12
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Newton’s Magic ”. Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Aug 3, 2026 · 1:11:22
The boys suffer from déjà vu as Trump calls off another strike on Iran. They then dive into the curious case of acupuncture, which has a 96% success rate treating the bizarre…
Jul 30, 2026 · 10:48
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Faustian Bargain ”. Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Jul 27, 2026 · 1:22:10
The boys open the program with a discussion of OpenAI models running amok on the internet and the late Lindsay Graham pushing for a war in Iran that has now expanded to include…
Jul 23, 2026 · 11:11
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Plato’s Revenge” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Jul 20, 2026 · 1:05:05
The boys remark on the arrival of Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters in Maine to spin conspiracies about 9/11 on the Tucker Carlson program. That discussion broadens to include…
Jul 16, 2026 · 10:25
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ New World Order” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Jul 13, 2026 · 1:04:13
The boys begin by acknowledging the passing of Senator Lindsay Graham, and the grave illness of another Senator, Mitch McConnell. They guess the implications for Senate, which…
Jul 9, 2026 · 8:55
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ End Times” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Jul 6, 2026 · 52:06
Nate begins by describing of his Fourth of July weekend in New Jersey, which included a hair-raising account of alien abduction recounted at a party. The boys react with…
Jul 2, 2026 · 11:10
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Sticking it to The Man” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Jun 29, 2026 · 1:05:22
The lads grapple with the real secret societies that control politics at the highest levels. They consider recent revelations from the Washington Post regarding Tulsi Gabbard’s…
Jun 25, 2026 · 11:36
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ The Power of the Press” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Jun 22, 2026 · 1:14:00
The boys begin by celebrating their very first video podcast! After that, the discussion turns toward the magical power of words, particularly in the context of various impolite…
Jun 18, 2026 · 12:27
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Christmas Coronation” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Jun 15, 2026 · 1:08:02
After celebrating a local city getting rid of Flock traffic cameras, Nate describes voting for Graham Platner in the Maine Senate primary. Next, the boys turn their attention to…
Jun 11, 2026 · 14:33
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Devouring the Future” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Jun 8, 2026 · 1:15:23
The boys begin this episode by lamenting the concerted smear campaign on Senate hopeful Graham Platner. Along with the recent defeat of Rep. Thomas Massie, the affair stands as a…
Jun 4, 2026 · 13:33
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Hedge Maze” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Jun 1, 2026 · 1:01:41
Nate admits to falling for the grift as Donald Trump jawbones the yield on the 10-Year T-Note down to 4.4% amidst ongoing hostilities with Iran. The boys then turn their…
May 28, 2026 · 13:39
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Apocalypse” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
May 25, 2026 · 1:08:57
The guys discuss rumors of a looming peace agreement with Iran, noting that the WSJ Opinion Page is vehemently opposed to it. They then discus Rep. Thomas Massie losing his…
May 21, 2026 · 12:49
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Inferno” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
May 18, 2026 · 1:06:33
After a brief review of the history of child slavery in Rhode Island, the boys ponder the underlying causes and test drive the idea it is a lack of hope for the future—and not…
May 14, 2026 · 13:24
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Alchemical Journey” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
May 11, 2026 · 1:06:04
After Nate brags about his minimalist achievement in the Android App Drawer, Brian brings up some strange tweets and bizarre circumstances surrounding the recent shooting at…
May 7, 2026 · 12:19
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Alexandria” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
May 4, 2026 · 1:06:34
The boys begin by discussing the abrupt Spirit Airlines shut down this week, on which Nate just flew this past week. The lads then turn their attention to the bizarre shooting…
Apr 30, 2026 · 11:26
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Crucifixion” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Apr 27, 2026 · 1:01:12
The boys discuss the scene in Boston on Marathon Monday before turning to the war in Iran that continues to grip the world. Even if it ended today, the conflict won't have been…
Apr 23, 2026 · 13:10
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ By Their Fruits” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Apr 20, 2026 · 1:03:27
The lads ruminate on the experience of consuming the news during the war in Iran. With history unfolding before our eyes, today’s news is being digested by the public and…
Apr 16, 2026 · 13:57
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Holy Grails” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Apr 13, 2026 · 1:02:18
Brian dives into a roundup of recent Twitter posts, including testimony in Germany about the extent of COVID era vaccine injuries, and AI waking up and becoming sentient. The…
Apr 9, 2026 · 12:57
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Persecution” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Apr 6, 2026 · 1:03:03
After checking on Brian in his new digs in Rhode Island, the boys react to the President’s disappointing address to the nation to update us on the Iran War. They fear that Trump…
Apr 2, 2026 · 11:13
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Witchcraft” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Mar 30, 2026 · 1:12:13
After being up late the night before to see Dave Smith, the boys speculate on the recent rate of decline in peanut allergies. Then, the discussion shifts to the blackout in Cuba…
Mar 26, 2026 · 14:27
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Plato’s Shadow” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Mar 23, 2026 · 1:01:27
The boys gives an update on Brian’s impending move to Rhode Island, before chatting about the latest escalations in the war with Iran. Nate then brings up the potential for a…
Mar 19, 2026 · 12:02
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ The Magic of Plato” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Mar 16, 2026 · 1:02:18
Brian shares his recent professional presentation on Nash equilibrium, and relates the concept to the "mutually assured destruction" that characterized both the Cold War and the…
Mar 12, 2026 · 13:09
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Water into Wine” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Mar 9, 2026 · 1:07:45
After some updates about the exploding war in the Middle East, the boys take another look at the bizarre Jim Carrey body double affair. Then, Brian plays a clip of Hillary…
Mar 5, 2026 · 14:25
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Feminine Trinity” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Mar 2, 2026 · 1:02:19
With Nate visiting Eastern Europe this week, the boys connect remotely to lament the outbreak of war in the Middle East. They lean on the analysis of Catherine Austin…
Feb 26, 2026 · 13:09
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Debt & Sin” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Feb 23, 2026 · 1:06:07
After some brief personal updates, the boys tackle a recent announcement by Donald Trump that he’s ordering the release of government files related to UFOs. Next, the lads dig…
Feb 19, 2026 · 12:33
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Judgement Day!” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Feb 16, 2026 · 1:12:43
Fresh from San Juan, Brian shares details on his Puerto Rico trip. That island is home to Bad Bunny, who performed during the halftime of Super Bowl that went poorly for the…
Feb 12, 2026 · 12:46
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Roman Kingship” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Feb 9, 2026 · 1:06:36
The boys dive into some disturbing content released with the Epstein files this week. And after hearing a clip from Cenk Uygur on Tucker Carlson’s podcast, they speculate about…
Feb 5, 2026 · 13:04
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ The Liberty Bell” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Feb 2, 2026 · 1:05:23
After some banter about Alp nicotine pouches, the Discord platform, and Chipolte’s chimicurri sauce, the boys jump into a brief history of UFOs shutting down nuclear weapons all…
Jan 29, 2026 · 10:54
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ The Torch of Freedom” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Jan 26, 2026 · 1:05:15
The boys banter about their local American football concern—and the major winter storm bearing down on them—before turning their attention to yet another public execution at the…
Jan 22, 2026 · 12:27
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Solar Resurrection” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Jan 19, 2026 · 1:03:08
After some banter about the American football playoffs, the boys reflect on a strange clip from the Carlson brothers about the state of Maine. Then, the lads dive into an epic…
Jan 15, 2026 · 13:27
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Walking on Water” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Jan 12, 2026 · 58:40
After expressing caffeinated excitement for the American Football Playoffs, the boys proceed to lament their home country’s unabashed embrace of Empire. Then, they tackle the…
Jan 8, 2026 · 13:11
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Tragedy of the Night Sky” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Jan 5, 2026 · 59:02
Nate kicks off 2026 by announcing a new section of the System Failure newsletter called the “Subrosa” Club, and briefly explains the etymology of that word. Then the boys launch…
Jan 1, 2026 · 15:43
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Original Sin” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Dec 29, 2025 · 58:26
After Nate apologizes for being sick (and offers up a home remedy for colds), the boys earnestly speculate on whether Santa Claus is real. This discussion of reality and…
Dec 25, 2025 · 12:18
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ A Shared Genealogy” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Dec 22, 2025 · 1:00:25
The boys are visited by “The Captain” for a discussion that begins with a lamentation on the sorry state of supply in America, and how that is affecting our rectal health. The…
Dec 18, 2025 · 13:20
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ The Myth of Barter” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Dec 15, 2025 · 1:03:41
The boys begin by acknowledging a disturbing mass shooting that took place in Australia hours before recording. Then, they pivot to the state of the economy, after the Federal…
Dec 11, 2025 · 13:56
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ The Great Iceberg Roll” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Dec 8, 2025 · 1:03:38
In the news this week, the boys tackle Pete Hegseth getting in hot water over excessive boat strikes against Venezuelan traffickers, OpenAI declaring a “Code Red” as they are…
Dec 4, 2025 · 13:56
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ The Coming Inversion” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Dec 1, 2025 · 1:06:33
The boys dive right into the recent, hair-raising allegations of Candace Owens, and speculate about what they means about the nature of reality. The lads then acknowledge the…
Nov 27, 2025 · 12:26
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Priesthoods & Pestilence” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Nov 24, 2025 · 1:03:55
After a week of non-stop political headlines, the boys reflect upon Zoran Mamdani’s visit to the White House, and a surprise resignation announcement from Georgia representative…
Nov 20, 2025 · 11:20
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Prophecies of Doom” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Nov 17, 2025 · 1:08:14
The boys discuss the recent off-year election, which included a rousing majority victory for Zoran Mamdani in New York City. Nate relates holding his nose and registering as a…
Nov 13, 2025 · 13:17
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ The Industrial Revolution” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Nov 10, 2025 · 1:13:19
The boys welcome back their old friend, Chris, the reformed libertarian. The trio evaluate the liabilities and the merits of libertarianism as a political philosophy. The lads…
Nov 6, 2025 · 10:26
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ The Fabric of Reality” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Nov 3, 2025 · 1:05:25
After quick recap of “Sober October”, the freshly-caffeinated boys discuss the changing of economic winds. They first touch on what the candidacies of Zoran Mamdani and Graham…
Oct 30, 2025 · 8:47
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ The Black Death” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Oct 27, 2025 · 59:37
The boys first dive into America’s poisoned food supply, before Nate complains about libertarianism and gives a passionate plea for socialism (as it’s understood in the West).…
Oct 23, 2025 · 12:49
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ The Incredible Codex” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
Oct 20, 2025 · 1:03:56
The boys first turn their attention to the nationwide “No Kings” rallies that took place over the weekend, before discussing the irony of an INCREASED bailout package for…
Oct 16, 2025 · 15:45
In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “ Plague in Rome” . Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe
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