The podcast episodes explore the impact of McCarthyism on various aspects of American society, including its influence on the conservative movement, its targeting of LGBTQ+ individuals, and its broader implications for civil liberties.

For example, the episode "Consider the Cranks" examines how McCarthyism shaped the relationship between mainstream conservatism and the far-right, while the episode "The Dark History of 'The Lavender Scare'" delves into the government's persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals during this period.

The episodes also discuss the parallels between the tactics used during McCarthyism and contemporary debates over issues like the regulation of social media platforms, as seen in the episode "Is Banning TikTok a Mistake? A Debate."