PolitiTeen

"You are the future, and this comes with responsibility" — Georgia State Representative Angelika Kausche has a strong message to America's youth. Drawing upon her experiences as a German-American immigrant, she's come to appreciate the best in America; but more importantly, she's committed herself toward recognizing the issues that continue to hold back our nation and its people. Perhaps most impo...

"I wanted to always play it down" — in the most recent set of 'Trump tapes' released to the public using the President's own voice to damage his credibility, it's all too clear that Trump's directives, including mass misinformation, have cost countless American lives. In today's episode, Varoon and Damian provide a threat assessment on the Trump-Woodward tapes, and speak on the importance of hones...

"Fear never builds the future" — Joe Biden welcomed in a new era of passionate activism in his speech to a crowd of none, bashing the President on his empowering of racial injustices in America. In today's episode, Varoon and Damian discuss what a Biden presidency would bring to the slate, and why it's important to consider the weight of empathy as you ponder your choice this November. Visit www.p...

We're back for Part 2 of our series on the Republican National Convention — from Trump campaign aide Kellyanne Conway to Vice President Mike Pence to the President himself, we were never short on content during Nights 3 and 4, hearing from the President's closest allies on why he's earned a second term in office. Today's episode is high on both content and perspective, as Varoon, Damian, and Polit...

The Republican National Convention — a convention that's held every year to present the party's platform and fundraise for the Grand Old Party's nominee for President . But needless to say, it's a little different this year: the majority of speakers held televised speeches to no crowd, the party decided to use the White House as a front for their political activities, and perhaps most importantly,...

What's the importance of assuming "positive intent" when you're having a discussion? 90% of Americans couldn't tell you. Because having rational political discussions in America has turned into a rarity, save for the few instances in which it appears. On today's pod, Damian and Varoon talk to Summer Jackson, an organizational ethnographer and sixth-year PhD student at MIT, on what principles can b...

"Silence is complicity — our children are listening." Joe Biden delivered a stirring speech to the American people this Thursday, echoing in the words of Polititeen co-hosts Varoon and Damian by mentioning the importance of standing up. And more importantly, of speaking up for what's morally right. The latter half of the Democratic National Convention had a host of speeches from high-profile Democ...

The Democratic National Convention. It's a four-day event where the Democratic Party mobilizes troops from across the United States of America to elect a nominee for the presidential election, crafting a party agenda that reflects the wishes of Americans from every corner of our Union. This year, it's a little different. The novel coronavirus has forced the Convention to be held virtually, with sp...

To open or not to open? Dr. Jeff Bearden's been a school executive for over 25 years, and he's never been faced with such a tough decision. Accountable to  concerned students and parents from either side of the aisle, Dr. Bearden has recently been forced into the eye of the storm. He's been made out to be a model citizen, to be Public Enemy No. 1, and even to be a pragmatic thinker. But for D...

Where do you stand in times of challenge and controversy? Daniel Blackman stands up. He's stood up for victims of human trafficking, he’s stood up for Mother Earth, and perhaps most importantly, he’s promised to make a stand for struggling families as a member of the Georgia Public Service Commission in District 4. During today’s episode, Daniel explains why he’s chosen to continually take a stand...

What is race? -- it’s a question that’s seldom asked, but bears significant weight in a world that’s developed almost entirely of social constructs. Dr. Steven Roberts, an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Stanford University, thinks that he’s got a head start on answering it. For him, it begins in the mind. Listen as Dr. Roberts dives deep into concepts such as ingroup bias, stereotype threat,...

Pragmatism -- it's something that Jason Boskey, a candidate running to represent Georgians within District 26, adheres to. It's an idea that has forced Jason to face the harsh realities of being an American, and to be dedicated towards finding rational solutions to the issues that we face. Circling around the idea of pragmatism in every breath, Jason discusses policies everywhere from the "forgott...

"Homegrown terrorism" -- it's an idea that's become more and more talked about as the proliferation of xenophobic ideas has reached a fever-pitch. It spreads the theory that by alienating immigrants seeking a brighter future, we as Americans are actively contributing to anti-American sentiments that transcend our well-wishes for the America of tomorrow. Listen in as Varoon and Damian, two high-sch...

"To whom much is given, much is required" -- it's the quote that's kept Fani Willis going as she works tirelessly to ensure that Fulton County's justice system puts the interest of its people first. Running against six-term District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. for the integral seat, Fani Willis believes in common-sense policing, and in the concrete ability of individuals to change. Listen to toda...

J.F.B.C -- it's what Blaire Erskine, an up-and-coming comedian from Atlanta, Georgia lives by. As a symbol of hope for independent women and aspiring comedians from every corner of the United States, Blaire is nothing short of a force on the rise, creating wildly popular skits that bring a lighthearted perspective towards political happenings. In a world where it's increasingly hard to share a lau...

Larry Lawton, a notorious jewel thief who served 11 years in federal prison, doesn't believe in bad people -- he believes in bad choices. Ever since Larry was reintegrated into society in late 2007, he became committed to building a more equitable future for not only himself, but for countless others headed along the wrong path, creating the Reality Check Program to dispel the myth that it's impos...

The Deep South -- it's been a place where conservatives have held free reign for the past couple of years and decades, and become a true fortress for ideals representative of the Grand Old Party. However, in the same area where Republicans have held a dominion ever since the days of Zell Miller, we're seeing the political tide shift against the Republican Party in light of the Trump administration...

Truth decay -- it's the long-held belief that Americans have moved further and further away from analyzing facts in making their political decisions, and have become privy to what know as misinformation. In fact, we're in an "Age of Misinformation", where media outlets, social media influencers, and politicians deliberately spread unreliable information via their platforms in order to get a couple...

President Donald J. Trump -- arguably the most controversial individual to ascend to the Presidency in American history, the sitting President has had a lot of ground to cover ever since his inauguration in January of 2017. And as he continues to sink in the polls and lose his share of the electorate as we're reaching November, it's becoming more and more difficult for Republican voters and politi...

Hyperpartisanship -- it's a principle that threatens the very backbone of American democracy. As the Democratic and Republican parties move further and further away from their principles in light of the current issues that this administration has posed, we're not only becoming more divided as a people, but distinctly divided on Capitol Hill. Politics has transformed into a game of chess, with alle...

COVID-19 -- it's a virus that's transformed our society and tested the American resolve. Yet it's been almost four months since the country first took notice of the pandemic, and we're still at the same spot. Progress seemed to be a given -- but it doesn't seem like we're moving forward. With the President downplaying the national emergency that's been on the floor to safeguard his re-election cam...

In today's episode, two rising high-school Juniors, Varoon and Damian, host a conversation with Charlie D., a student from their local community who's identifies as a member of the LGBTQIA community. They discuss growing hostilities against individuals as a part of this community and others based upon perceived differences, and a route to move forward in normalizing differences in sexuality. To he...

In today's episode, your hosts Varoon and Damian, two rising high-school Juniors, are joined by State HD99 Representative Brenda Lopez Romero, for an episode that delves into her humble beginnings as a politician; more specifically, what caused her to run for office, and what her goals are not only as a politician but as a community leader -- and most importantly, as an American citizen. Being the...

In today's riveting episode, your hosts Varoon Kodithala and Damian Galvan, two rising high-school Juniors, are joined by Dr. Neal Lester, an award-winning professor who teaches African-American literature and serves as the Founding Director of Project Humanities at Arizona State University, for a perspective-filled discussion that concerns the history of racially insensitive terms and rhetoric wi...

In today's episode, your hosts Varoon and Damian, two rising high-school Juniors, are joined by the President of the University of D.C., Dr. Ronald Mason, for an episode that delves into the origins of systemic racism in the United States. As a prominent advocate for POC rights and the President of one of the nation's largest historically-black colleges, Dr. Mason provides clarity on a fundamental...