The podcast is co-hosted by NCPR’s Adirondack reporter, Emily Russell, and freelance reporter Zach Hirsch. A trailer is now available, and all episodes of the podcast became available on Jan. 15.

The series features reporting on two county sheriffs from the region who have ties to far-right groups, and an in-depth profile of a Glens Falls man who went to prison for participating in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. At a pivotal moment for democracy in the U.S., If All Else Fails explores the threats that far-right groups and ideologies pose ahead of the 2024 election.

“This reporting led us down rabbit holes and introduced us to people around the region who have a deep distrust in our democratic government and elections,” Russell said. “I think this podcast provides important insights into what people on the far right believe, and how far they’re willing to go to defend those beliefs.”

“We’ve seen evidence of antigovernment, potentially violent activity in the North Country increase over the last several years,” said NCPR News Director David Sommerstein, who also edited the podcast. “We felt it was important to put resources into investigating what’s really happening, trying to understand the perspectives of those who embrace these ideas, while putting in context the threat they pose to our political system.”

Hirsch is a journalist and audio producer based in Brooklyn. He was a reporter for NCPR from 2013 to 2018 and has continued to work with the station on freelance projects. He was recruited to tell this story because of his previous investigations into the political landscape of the North Country.

“At a time when lots of local news organizations are shrinking and cutting back, it’s impressive that NCPR continues to tackle such meaningful reporting projects,” said Hirsch, who also did mixing and sound design for the show.

The podcast was made possible in part by grant funding from Grist and the Center for Rural Strategies. The artwork was designed by Dan Cash, of Lake Placid. “If All Else Fails” is available on all streaming platforms on Jan. 15 and at ncpr.org/ifallelsefails.