We Made This Political Podcast

Expanding Representation: A Conversation with Jeff Mayhugh Join hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall in this episode of 'We Made This Political' as they engage in a dynamic discussion with Jeff Mayhugh, author of the Politics and Parenting Substack . Jeff, a political theorist, poet, and small business owner, shares his thoughts on the need to expand the House of Representatives to better serve the A...

In this live episode of 'We Made This Political', hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall are joined by special guest Kristi Kendall, president of Kristi Kendall and Company. Kendall brings over 25 years of experience in journalism and media to the conversation, focusing on the role of media in exacerbating or challenging societal polarization. They discuss Kendall's diverse career, including her work w...

Free Speech Battles and Triumphs: A Conversation with Nico Perrino from FIRE Join us as we chat with Nico Perrino, Executive Vice President of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE). We dive into Nico's journey into free speech advocacy, his work at FIRE, and the organization's evolution. Nico shares thought-provoking insights into the importance of free speech on college campu...

In this episode of 'We Made This Political,' hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall are joined by Daniel Yudkin, the founding director of the Beacon Project under More in Common. The conversation delves into the project's mission to combat political polarization and create a more cohesive society by exploring moral psychology and the political landscape. Daniel discusses the Hidden Tribes study, the co...

Navigating Academia: Challenges, Equity, and Resilience In this episode of 'We Made This Political,' hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall welcome back Dr. Kristen Kroll, Professor of Developmental Biology at Washington University, St. Louis, to discuss the multifaceted challenges faced by women in academia—especially in the STEM fields. They delve into the impacts of political decisions on scientific...

In this episode of 'We Made This Political,' hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall discuss the challenges of balancing compliance and free thinking in parenting, particularly in the context of modern education and political climate. They share personal anecdotes about teaching kids autonomy while also fitting into societal norms, navigating school systems, and understanding community values. They expl...

In this episode of 'We Made This Political,' hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall engage in an enlightening conversation with Kristen Kroll, a developmental biologist at the University of Washington in St. Louis. The discussion covers a wide range of topics, including the complexities and challenges of conducting cutting-edge scientific research, the evolving landscape of academia, the impact of rece...

In this episode of 'We Made This Political,' hosts Lura Forcum, President of the Independent Center, and Lauren Hall, author of the Substack the Radical Moderate’s Guide to Life, are joined by Christina Dent, founder of 'End It For Good.' The discussion dives into moving from a criminal justice mindset to a health-centered approach in dealing with drug addiction. Christina shares her personal jour...

Exploring Polarization and Moderation with Dan Vallone In this episode, Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall are joined by Dan Vallone, a veteran and expert in depolarization work, who shares his experiences and insights on bridging divides, based on his work with More In Common and his military background. The conversation also touches on the challenges and rewards of parenting, the significance of genuin...

Episode Title: We Made This Political – Parenting, Policy, and the French-American Experience Hosts: Lura Forcum & Lauren Hall Guest: Veronique de Rugy, Senior Research Fellow, Economist, and French-American parent About Our Guest: Veronique de Rugy is a Senior Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, where she also holds a chair in economics. Originally from France, she...

In this special July 4th episode, we explore what patriotism looks like in 2025 and what we are truly celebrating on Independence Day. Lura and Lauren emphasize the importance of community, civic engagement, and the unique diversity of American life. They share personal stories and reflections on local events, discussing how shared spaces and sustained interactions with diverse groups can reduce p...

In this episode, we're joined by Ben Klutsey of the Mercatus Center to discuss pluralism, politics, and parenting. Ben shares his background and personal experiences that fueled his passion for pluralism, including his childhood experiences in Germany contrasted against his warm welcome in Appleton, Wisconsin. He delves into his academic and professional journey exploring pluralism, informed by lu...

William Glass, Millennial Debt Foundation William Glass is communications director of the Millennial Debt Foundation , based in Chattanooga, TN. He heads up the In the Black license plate program and hosts the podcast Gross Domestic Problem , among other activities. He has nearly a decade of experience building brands in e-commerce spaces and a few political campaigns under his belt. Show Notes: N...

Show Notes: Join us as we discuss the challenges of managing personal and professional lives amid the current chaotic world events. We delve into balancing bureaucracy in education with what's happening nationally, the impact of continuous news cycles, and the 'flood the zone' strategy. We talk about federalism's role in resisting authoritarianism, the importance of maintaining neutral spaces, and...

Show Notes: Ep. 06: Building Resilient Communities with Seth Kaplan In this episode of 'We Made This Political,' we talk with Seth Kaplan, an expert on fragile states, social cohesion, and community resilience. We discuss Kaplan's work, including his book 'Fragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society One Zip Code at a Time.' The conversation covers Kaplan's transition from studying internatio...

Reimagining Political Engagement: Majority in the Middle’s Shannon Watson Join us as we chat with Shannon Watson , founder of the nonprofit Majority in the Middle. We discuss the challenges of political partisanship, the importance of civic education, and how we can create spaces for constructive political engagement. Shannon shares insights on demographic shifts, the personal impacts of running f...

In this episode of 'We Made This Political,' hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall introduce Austen Campbell, founder of the Independent National Coalition. Join them as they discuss the importance of independent thinking in politics, the challenges of the two-party system, and the need for coalition-driven strategies. They explore the potential of citizens' assemblies, the significance of representin...

Episode three is up! We’re still working out the kinks over here, including experimenting a bit with sound quality and some other things. Hopefully each episode will get a bit better. Send us any and all feedback , including ideas for new episodes! And if you like what you read, please share and subscribe! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get ac...

Welcome to the launch episode of 'We Made This Political,' a new podcast by Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall. In this introductory episode, Lura and Lauren discuss their goals, backgrounds, and what listeners can expect. The podcast aims to explore the intersections of modern life and politics, drawing on their diverse academic and personal experiences. They touch on parenting, polarization, and the ne...

Navigating Control and Agency in Politics and Parenting In the second episode of 'We Made This Political,' hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall explore the concepts of control versus agency through the lenses of political science, psychology, and parenting. We discuss Mel Robbins' book 'The Let Them Theory' and its relevance to reducing anxiety by relinquishing control. We delve into psychological th...