Asian Insider Podcast
When MAGA comes between families in the US
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In this episode, US bureau chief Bhagyashree Garekar chats with two special guests who have seen how the Make America Great Again movement has produced strains in personal relationships and divided families.
Synopsis: Once every month, The Straits Times gets its US bureau chief to analyse the hottest political and geopolitical talking points.
On Nov 3, the US held its midterm elections. The Democrats won back control of both houses of Congress, dealing a crushing defeat to MAGA. But for Americans experiencing strains in relationships with MAGA family members, it’s not so easy to turn the page.
In this episode, US bureau chief Bhagyashree Garekar chats with two special guests. They have come up close with President Donald Trump’s famous political movement, Make America Great Again (MAGA) and have mixed feelings.
Julianna Forlano is a clinical psychotherapist based in Philadelphia. Since September 2025, she has been leading a support group for people across America whose close relationships have been disrupted by MAGA. She holds a master’s degree in social work and is an adjunct professor in the Department of Communications at Montclair State University.
Brian Post is a retired corporate employee living in Appleton, Wisconsin. He shares how hard he has tried to make peace after seeing his family torn apart by MAGA.
Highlights (click/tap above):
2:30 Why Julianna set up a MAGA family support group
7:00 How MAGA entered Brian Post’s life and disrupted his family
13:00 Julianna explains how MAGA affects families
17:40 Brian describes why he had to draw a line
22:00 What is a circle of moral concern?
27:00 What helped Brian cope; Julianna on why countering with facts does not help
37:00 What the group did on election night
39:00 Will Brian celebrate Thanksgiving with family?
Read Bhagyashree Garekar’s articles: https://str.sg/whNo
Bhagyashree Garekar’s LinkedIn: https://str.sg/gD6E
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Host: Bhagyashree Garekar (bhagya@sph.com.sg)
Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani
Executive producer: Ernest Luis
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