It’s been a long time coming, but I’m stoked to finally unleash this rant-fueled, truth-seeking LATE STAGE RAGE podcast on the world.

[CHECK THE EPISODE OUT NOW!]

The second episode is halfway completed, too.

What Took So Damn Long?

Life is the ultimate time thief. Between working my ass off to keep the lights on, wrangling my kids, fulfilling work/life/family obligations, and trying to maintain a shred of sanity, finding time to record, edit, and publish a podcast has been… challenging, to say the least. Not to mention how I have to teach myself every single thing I need to do to improve my project!

But here’s the thing: I’m not giving up. I’m too damn mad at the world to let a little thing like a lack of sleep stop me. I’m committed to figuring out this whole “time management” thing, streamlining my workflow, and making Late Stage Rage a regular fixture in your earholes.

What to Expect in Episode 1

In this inaugural episode, I tackle one of my biggest pet peeves: Russian disinformation. We dive deep into their playbook, from fake news to deepfakes, and explore how these tactics are weaponized to manipulate us and sow division. (Spoiler alert: It ain’t just Russia that’s playing this game.)

We also take a look at the Ukraine situation, because, let’s face it, my neighbors sound like they’re getting their talking points straight from the Kremlin. It’s enough to make a grown man rage-cry.

New Artwork Alert!

You might also notice some fresh artwork for the podcast. It’s a visual representation of the rage that fuels this project – raw, unfiltered, and ready to take on the bullshit. Let me know what you think!

Your Turn

So, go check out Episode 1 and tell me what you think. Agree? Disagree? Want to share your own experiences with disinformation? Hit me up in the comments, or shoot me an email (if you can find my super-secret, encrypted address).

And stay tuned for more Late Stage Rage. I’m just getting warmed up.

[CHECK THE EPISODE OUT NOW!]


My endless duties and responsibilities keep me busy, but I still try to do what I can to help those in need. My latest project aims to assist the people of Ukraine, so I’m showcasing artwork I hope can be used for fundraising by organizations focused on that goal. I’d prefer to donate my work for drop shipping or similar efforts rather than set up my own store.

The first piece I recently completed is a tribute to one of the bravest and most dedicated people in the world: Yuliia Heorhiivna “Taira” Paievska (Ю́лія Гео́ргіївна Пає́вська), a Ukrainian medic who founded the volunteer ambulance corps “Taira’s Angels.” She was captured and imprisoned by Russian soldiers in March 2022 and later released in June of that year.


To me, Taira is a symbol of the strength, courage, integrity, and selflessness of the people of Ukraine.


Paievska served in the Ukrainian Army as the head of a military hospital in Mariupol from 2018 until 2020, when she was demobilized but continued to work as a volunteer medic. In 2021, she received a body camera to participate in a documentary series about inspirational people produced by Prince Harry, founder of the Invictus Games.

Paievska used the body camera to document her work treating injured civilians and even Russian soldiers in early 2022 during the Siege of Mariupol. She recorded 256 gigabytes of video on a small data card and smuggled the footage out of the city with the help of a local police officer and international reporters. The next day, she and her ambulance driver were captured by Russian forces while assisting a wounded civilian fleeing the Mariupol theater airstrike.

On June 17, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Paievska’s release by Russian forces in a national video address. In her own video address the following day, Paievska thanked Zelenskyy for arranging her release. She also stated that Ukrainian prisoners of war were held in terrible conditions similar to Nazi concentration camps, where they were denied information about their families, medical treatment, and food parcels, and led to believe that Ukraine no longer existed as an independent state.

PUTIN – WAR CRIMINAL

This took some time to create, but is well worth it. It tells the world exactly what Russia’s Putin is.


Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, has been accused of war crimes due to his actions in Ukraine and other conflicts. A war crime is a serious violation of international humanitarian law, which governs the conduct of war and seeks to protect civilians and non-combatants.

In the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Russian forces under Putin’s command have been implicated in numerous atrocities, including indiscriminate shelling of civilian areas, deliberate targeting of hospitals and schools, and summary executions of civilians. These actions violate the Geneva Conventions and other international treaties that prohibit such conduct.

Moreover, Putin’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and his support for separatist forces in eastern Ukraine can also be seen as violations of international law. The use of military force to seize territory and support armed groups that commit atrocities can be considered war crimes under international law. While Putin denies these allegations, the evidence collected by international organizations and human rights groups strongly suggests that he and his forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine.

The international community has condemned Putin’s actions and called for him to be held accountable. Some have even called for him to be tried before the International Criminal Court for war crimes. While the likelihood of Putin facing trial in the near future is uncertain, the accusations against him highlight the grave consequences of his actions in Ukraine and the importance of upholding international humanitarian law.

This design is meant to be a statement as well as a conversation starter.


Today, we’re diving deep into the murky waters of Russian disinformation. Click to listen to the corresponding LATE STAGE RAGE podcast episode on this topic.

Straight from the Kremlin

Russian disinformation is like a cancer – it spreads division and weakens our society. Russia has talent for this, but it’s not just them. Political parties, news outlets, corporations… they all use similar tactics to manipulate us. And if you think you’re immune, think again. We’re all susceptible. I’ve been working hard at SLOWING DOWN my reactions to disinformation, but I’ve fallen for it, too. The 2016 U.S. elections were a masterclass in disinformation. Russia didn’t care who won, they just wanted us at each other’s throats. And it worked. Blaming one side or the other is a distraction. The real winner was division.


Here’s the playbook Russia and others use:

Fake News
Fabricated stories designed to deceive.

Deepfakes
Terrifying AI-generated videos or audio that make anyone say or do anything. Imagine a convincing fake video of President Biden declaring war – chaos!

Misleading Narratives
Take Ukraine. Yes, it has corruption. But Russia weaponizes that truth to hide the bigger picture – they caused much of that corruption and invaded because Ukraine was fighting back.

Trolls and Bots
Fake social media accounts flood platforms with lies, outrage, and distractions to drown out reasonable voices.

Cyberattacks
Stealing information, disrupting infrastructure… it’s all part of the game.

Sound familiar? It should. These tactics are being used right now, all around us.


What Can We Do?

The good news? We’re not powerless. Here’s some ways to fight back:

Own Your Mistakes
We all fall for bad information sometimes. Admit it, learn from it, and move on.

Be Skeptical
Question everything. Don’t just trust one source. Do your own research.

Seek Out Diverse Perspectives
Don’t fall into echo chambers. Get your news from a variety of reliable sources.

Fact-Check
Use reputable fact-checking sites like Politifact, Factcheck.org, or Snopes.


Remember, don’t let anyone, especially not Russia, tell you what to think. Think for yourself. Protect your freedom by using it wisely.

To understand the threat fully, hear from experts like historian Dr. Timothy Snyder. He has incredible insights into Russia, China, and the dangers of political warfare. I’ve included a five minute audio clip of Dr. Snyder’s address to Congress in the corresponding podcast episode.

RESOURCES

I’ve compiled a list of resources to help you stay informed and protect yourself:

Fact checking:

Join the Rage Party!

Share this post, subscribe to my podcast, and let’s fight back against the forces of disinformation. Together, we can reclaim our minds and our democracy.

Stay vigilant. Stay angry. And stay tuned for more LATE STAGE RAGE.


AI-generated inspiration for LATE STAGE RAGE podcast artwork.

Welcome to the first blog post here at RAGECOGNITO.digital! I’m RAGECOGNITO, a disillusioned American combat veteran, family man, and someone who’s seen enough of the world to know it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. There is a lot of suck in the world. A LOT.

I’m an American dad trying to raise good kids in a world gone mad. I’ve watched the promise of this great nation crumble before my eyes, even as I put “skin in the game” over and over again under my real name. I’ve been in the trenches, both literally and figuratively, and I’m tired of being a bullet sponge. I’ve seen the ugly underbelly of war, the greed and corruption of the corporate world, the lies of power-hungry politicians, and how all of these things intersect and parallel.

Like many of you, I was raised on a steady diet of “American Dream” propaganda. We were supposed to work hard, play by the rules, and reap the rewards of those efforts. I guess I’m still chasing the American Dream, but lately, it feels like a cruel joke with me as the punchline. Wages stagnated, costs skyrocketed, and the ladder of opportunity got pulled up for all but the privileged few. At one time, the American Dream was largely achievable. I’d argue that it has become progressively attain over the last several decades. I have a feeling I’m not the only person who feels this way.

I’ve chased the dream, served my country, and busted my ass in the corporate and political world. And what have I got to show for it?

The system is rigged. We’re drowning in debt, bombarded with propaganda, and constantly being played by those in power. The news is a joke, social media is a minefield, and trust in our institutions is at an all-time low.

The military taught me many things: discipline, resilience, the importance of teamwork. It also taught me the art of bullshit detection. I can spot a phony a mile away, whether it’s a lying politician, a deceptive advertisement, or a manipulative social media post. The world is overflowing with bullshit. The lies are everywhere, and they’ve become impossible for me to ignore. That’s why I’m channeling this built-up rage into exposing the lies and manipulations shaping our modern world, poisoning our collective minds, and crippling our society.

I’m choosing to embrace my rage.

In this blog, we’ll explore the issues that matter. We’ll expose the lies, dissect the propaganda, and hold those in power accountable. We’ll laugh at the absurdity, cry at the injustices, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll find a way to create a better future together.

This isn’t just a blog; it’s a movement. Like Frank the Tank in Old School, I’m jogging ahead and expecting you all to join me in the quad!

If you’re tired of being lied to, manipulated, and taken advantage of, then you’re in the right place.

Grab your pitchforks (metaphorically, of course), and let’s get to work.

Follow along with the podcast LATE STAGE RAGE!