Great podcast! Given the question about exactly why Seandar disintegrated so badly, Tower of Ravens broken, fields a'burning and all that, I wonder if anyone's asked the obvious question:

Did Semirhage let the proverbial cat out of the bag, and unveil the Big Secret behind the empire's damane?

Because I can see that inciting a nationwide panic and outright revolt not just by Sul'dam, but by the people and the Blood themselves.

Perfect situation for a "murderer" to grab power.

Seems to me that Logain might be laughing at the irony that comes in realization that everything he wanted, the glory and power, comes not from the Dragon's facade he's attempted to weave for so long, but himself. There's a great deal of glory to be had in raising up what was cast down (male channelers) through the remains of the Black Tower, and I imagine that you're right in following that line of reasoning. He doesn't have to take anything of Rand's to get there, and the obstacle he thought was Rand crumbles before his true path to the halo.

Was there ever any suggestion that Compulsion and related abilities were limited strictly to women? If not, I would imagine that's how the Shadow gets in its licks through Bashere or some other Borderlander ruler.