The World and stuff

DC Councilmember Brianne Nadeau joins me to break down the on-the-ground reality of President Trump’s asserted “federal takeover” of Washington, DC — from ICE riding along with MPD and federal agents patrolling neighborhoods, to National Guard deployments and what it’s doing to trust, safety, and civil liberties. We get into the roots of DC’s crime swings, 2020-era police reforms, the legal limits...

In this episode of The World and Stuff, I sit down with Todd Schulte, President of FWD.us, to tackle the tough questions on immigration. We discuss why anti-immigrant sentiment is on the rise, the economic impact of immigrants, the politics behind border enforcement, and how both Trump and Biden have shaped U.S. immigration policy. Todd shares data, context, and personal insights from years of adv...

Jeremy Hutchinson is the son of a U.S. Senator, the nephew of a Governor, and a former Arkansas State Senator himself. In 2023, he was sentenced to 8 years in federal prison for bribery, tax fraud, and misuse of campaign funds. But just two years later—he was pardoned by Donald Trump. In this unfiltered and emotional conversation, no questions are off the table. We talk about the Hutchinson politi...

In this conversation, Drew Petrimoulx interviews Pranay Vaddi, a nuclear weapons expert, discussing his journey from biochemistry and political science to becoming a key figure in nuclear arms control. They explore the complexities of the nuclear fuel cycle, the challenges of weaponization, and the evolution of Iran's nuclear program, including the implications of the JCPOA. The discussion als...

Africa is the youngest, fastest-growing region on Earth—and central to the future of the global economy, security, and climate. My guest is Judd Devermont, former CIA analyst and President Biden’s top Africa advisor, who’s worked on Africa policy during four U.S. administrations. We talk coups, colonialism, China’s growing footprint, the legacy of U.S. aid programs like PEPFAR, and whether the U.S...

Retired Lt. Colonel Will Selber joins The World and Stuff for a raw, emotional, and brutally honest conversation about America’s longest war — and what we owe the people left behind. A veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, Selber opens up about his harrowing deployments, the betrayal of Afghan allies during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal, and the moral injury now haunting veterans like him. He blames...

What really happened inside the 2024 election?  Bestselling political journalist Amie Parnes joins The World and Stuff to talk about her explosive new book Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House.  We explore some of the juicest stories from the book, including why Obama and Pelosi didn’t want Harris to be the nominee, Trump’s campaign strategy (including Baron's surprising role), Bid...

International pollster and Republican strategist Alex Tarascio joins The World and Stuff to unpack what the data says about global political realignment, gender fault lines, polling blind spots, the U.S. retreat from democracy-building, and how the world is reacting to Trump 2.0. This episode goes deep — from why polls keep underestimating Trump to the hidden costs of gutting foreign aid programs...

Chuck Rocha is a self-described redneck farm boy from East Texas who has become one of the most influential political strategists in America. He was a single dad at 20, never went to college, and got his start as a union rep at a rubber factory. From there, he rose through the labor movement to become the architect of Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign. In this episode, we talk about t...

David Hogg was thrust into the national spotlight in 2018 after surviving the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. At the time, he was just 17 years old, and he quickly became one of the most recognizable and outspoken advocates for gun reform in America. Today, he’s a Harvard grad, political organizer, and recently elected Vice Chair of the Democratic Nation...

Former Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh joins The World and Stuff to break down Trump’s second term. Topics: 🔹 Trump’s shifting foreign policy and his relationship with Putin 🔹 The future of U.S. aid to Ukraine and why Zelensky went from hero to villain 🔹 How gutting USAID opens the door for China and Russia 🔹 The Middle East crisis and whether the two-state solution is dead 🔹 Th...

In this episode of The World and stuff podcast , Drew Petrimoulx sits down with Kyle Vowinkel, a retired Army officer and FBI agent whose extraordinary career includes service in the FBI's elite Hostage Rescue Team and Crisis Negotiation Unit — one of only five agents in history to serve in both. Kyle shares gripping details about his involvement in some of the most high-profile hostage negotiatio...

Join host Drew Petrimoulx in this insightful episode of "The World and Stuff" as he delves into the complex history and politics of Iran with historian and author Arash Azizi. From the post-World War II era to the present day, this episode explores the pivotal events and figures that have shaped Iran's trajectory, including the rise and fall of democracy, the impact of the Cold War,...

In this episode of "The World and stuff," host Drew Petrimoulx sits down with John Helveston, an assistant professor at George Washington University specializing in engineering management and systems engineering. Together, they dive into the intricate world of renewable energy, electric vehicles (EVs), and the pivotal role of China in these sectors. From John's firsthand experiences...

Here Drew explains what to expect from The World and stuff podcast.