Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In this episode, I chat with Benjamin Michael for a wide-ranging conversation on Orthodoxy, the modern Right, Zionism, nationalism, the JQ, empire, and the growing fractures inside American political life. We discuss why debates surrounding Israel have become increasingly volatile, and how Orthodox Christianity offers a radically different framework from both secular nationalism and modern globalism.
We discuss the “Israel Question,” the history of nationalism in the West, the spiritual vacuum underneath modern politics, generational struggles for power inside conservative movements, and the tension between religious identity and political ideology. The conversation also touches on the Russian Revolution, Marxism, the modern State of Israel, internet-era political tribes, and what an authentically Orthodox vision of nationhood might actually look like.
IN THIS EPISODE
* Benjamin Michael’s journey into Orthodoxy
* Why he began speaking publicly about Israel and geopolitics
* What people mean by “the Jewish Question”
* Orthodox perspectives on nationalism and identity
* The modern Right and its internal fractures
* Boomers, Gen X, and the changing political landscape
* Zionism, empire, and modern power structures
* The Russian Revolution and ideological upheaval
* Marxism, globalism, and spiritual dislocation
* The Third Temple and modern prophetic movements
* Why many people feel politically betrayed
* The difference between Orthodox nationalism and secular nationalism
About Ben:
Host of “American Orthodoxy” a live Orthodox news show, Benjamin Michael (formerly Orthodox Luigi) is a prior Marine Corps Officer and now Orthodox Christian apologist and Independent Journalist. He engages in public debates, and creates educational content on Orthodox theology and various topics related to politics and religion, while also conducting advocacy work in Washington, D.C. He is the Director of Public Affairs, Co-Founder, and Chair of Orthodox Worldwide, INC. He also serves as Secretary of the Society of St. John of San Francisco, a nationwide pan-Orthodox fraternity.
For Ben’s show: youtube.com/@RealBenMichael
Sponsors:
Podsworth App: podsworth.com
Code: BUCK50 for HALF off your first order!
Clean up your recordings, sound like a pro, and support the Counterflow Podcast!
Full Ad Read BEFORE processing: youtu.be/F4ljjtR5QfA
Full Ad Read AFTER processing: youtu.be/J6trRTgmpw
Please consider supporting me on Patreon: patreon.com/counterflow
Visit my website: counterflowpodcast.com
Audio Production by Podsworth Media: podsworth.com
Leave us a review and rating on iTunes! Thanks!
The Counterflow Podcast is a weekly show featuring discussions and interviews with people who are outside of and critical toward mainstream liberal and conservative politics. Counterflow challenges the conventional right/left binary and is concerned with the more important distinction of free vs unfree. The show will feature thinkers from all backgrounds, who do not fit into the narrow framework of fashionable opinion. The show will address cultural and lifestyle issues as well as philosophy and politics. Host Buck Johnson (formerly of The Death To Tyrants Podcast) is a musician and firefighter and has always had an interest and drive to go one way while everyone else runs the other direction.
In this episode, I chat with Benjamin Michael for a wide-ranging conversation on Orthodoxy, the modern Right, Zionism, nationalism, the JQ, empire, and the growing fractures inside American political life. We discuss why debates surrounding Israel have become increasingly volatile, and how Orthodox Christianity offers a radically different framework from both secular nationalism and modern globalism.
We discuss the “Israel Question,” the history of nationalism in the West, the spiritual vacuum underneath modern politics, generational struggles for power inside conservative movements, and the tension between religious identity and political ideology. The conversation also touches on the Russian Revolution, Marxism, the modern State of Israel, internet-era political tribes, and what an authentically Orthodox vision of nationhood might actually look like.
IN THIS EPISODE
* Benjamin Michael’s journey into Orthodoxy
* Why he began speaking publicly about Israel and geopolitics
* What people mean by “the Jewish Question”
* Orthodox perspectives on nationalism and identity
* The modern Right and its internal fractures
* Boomers, Gen X, and the changing political landscape
* Zionism, empire, and modern power structures
* The Russian Revolution and ideological upheaval
* Marxism, globalism, and spiritual dislocation
* The Third Temple and modern prophetic movements
* Why many people feel politically betrayed
* The difference between Orthodox nationalism and secular nationalism
About Ben:
Host of “American Orthodoxy” a live Orthodox news show, Benjamin Michael (formerly Orthodox Luigi) is a prior Marine Corps Officer and now Orthodox Christian apologist and Independent Journalist. He engages in public debates, and creates educational content on Orthodox theology and various topics related to politics and religion, while also conducting advocacy work in Washington, D.C. He is the Director of Public Affairs, Co-Founder, and Chair of Orthodox Worldwide, INC. He also serves as Secretary of the Society of St. John of San Francisco, a nationwide pan-Orthodox fraternity.
For Ben’s show: youtube.com/@RealBenMichael
Sponsors:
Podsworth App: podsworth.com
Code: BUCK50 for HALF off your first order!
Clean up your recordings, sound like a pro, and support the Counterflow Podcast!
Full Ad Read BEFORE processing: youtu.be/F4ljjtR5QfA
Full Ad Read AFTER processing: youtu.be/J6trRTgmpw
Please consider supporting me on Patreon: patreon.com/counterflow
Visit my website: counterflowpodcast.com
Audio Production by Podsworth Media: podsworth.com
Leave us a review and rating on iTunes! Thanks!
The Counterflow Podcast is a weekly show featuring discussions and interviews with people who are outside of and critical toward mainstream liberal and conservative politics. Counterflow challenges the conventional right/left binary and is concerned with the more important distinction of free vs unfree. The show will feature thinkers from all backgrounds, who do not fit into the narrow framework of fashionable opinion. The show will address cultural and lifestyle issues as well as philosophy and politics. Host Buck Johnson (formerly of The Death To Tyrants Podcast) is a musician and firefighter and has always had an interest and drive to go one way while everyone else runs the other direction.
