We Made This Political Podcast

Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall host Elizabeth Neumann , former DHS assistant secretary for counterterrorism and author of Kingdom of Rage , to discuss how dynamics long studied overseas—radicalization, identity threat, and extremist mobilization—have intensified in U.S. politics, with data showing a post-2016 shift in plots and attacks and a growing public tolerance for hostile action. Neumann argues...

In the final episode of their parenting series, hosts Laura Forcum and Lauren Hall recap conversations with Peter Gray, Darby Saxby, and Helen Roy, focusing on what it would mean to take care seriously in a culture that undervalues and genders care. They discuss how care has become siloed and often invisible through professionalization, regulation, and divided civic spaces, with COVID highlighting...

Lura and Lauren welcome writer and mother of four Helen Roy of Helen Roy Writes to the podcast We Made This Political for their parenting month series. Roy describes how her early work as an analyst at the Defense Intelligence Agency, graduate study in Western moral tradition and Aristotle’s virtue ethics, and concern about national identity and lack of grand strategy led her to see the family as...

Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall host an episode of We Made This Political featuring clinical psychologist and USC professor Darby Saxbe, whose research focuses on the transition to parenthood, fathers’ roles, and how family relationships shape mental and physical health. The conversation covers alloparenting and humans as cooperative breeders, arguing that shared caregiving and community support are c...

In this episode of ‘We Made This Political,’ hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall are joined by Peter Gray, research psychologist and professor emeritus at Boston College, to discuss the crucial role of play in human development and education. Peter shares insights from his studies on the impact of unstructured play, autonomy, and curiosity on children’s psychological well-being and learning. Through...

In this episode of ‘We Made This Political,’ hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall host documentary filmmaker Rob Feld. The conversation delves into the increasing polarization in American politics and public discourse, highlighting the impact of social media and algorithms. Rob shares insights from his film ‘Jesters and Fools,’ which uses comedians to explore polarization, cancel culture and self-cen...

In this episode of We Made This Political, Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall talk with Emma Adams, founder and co-executive director of Mormon Women for Ethical Government (MWEG). Emma shares her journey from refugee resettlement volunteer to leading a national organization advocating for ethical governance. The discussion covers MWEG’s mission, peacemaking principles, and fostering bipartisan cooperati...

In this episode of ‘We Made This Political,’ hosts Lauren Hall and Laura Forcum welcome back Shannon Watson , a civic leader from Minnesota, to discuss the current political climate in the state. They explore how Minnesotans are coping with federal interventions, the challenges of polarization, and the importance of local engagement and community resilience. Shannon shares insights on the nuanced...

Show Notes: Episode 35: Josh Lewis on Classical Conservatism in a MAGA World Guest: Josh Lewis, founder of Saving Elephants podcast and blog About Josh: Josh Lewis is a CPA and longtime student of conservative thought who founded Saving Elephants to reignite classical conservatism as a tradition rooted in prudence, gratitude, and community—rather than populism or personality-driven politics. He br...

In this episode of ‘We Made This Political,’ hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall engage with Russ Green, managing director of Prime Mover Institute, on the impending crisis of social security and Medicare entitlements in America. They discuss the significant automatic cuts expected by 2033, the misallocation of resources benefiting wealthier retirees at the expense of the younger generation, and the...

In part two of their conversation with Musa Al-Gharbi, Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall explore the future of universities, the impact of AI on faculty, and the sociopolitical dynamics affecting higher education. They discuss the overproduction of PhDs, the exploitative conditions of adjunct faculty, and the erosion of trust in academic and media institutions. The episode delves into how systemic issue...

The Complex Trust Dilemma: Engaging Expert Perspectives with Musa Albi In this episode of ‘We Made This Political,’ hosts Laura Ham and Lauren Hall dive into the complex dynamics of institutional trust with sociologist Musa al-Gharbi. Musa’s book, ‘We Have Never Been Woke,’ which critiques the gap between elite discourse and lived realities, serves as a focal point for discussing the mistrust of e...

Hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall discuss the detrimental effects of narcissism in the political landscape on this episode of ‘We Made This Political.’ Drawing on our backgrounds in political science, psychology, and experiences as parents, we relate the dynamics of abusive personal relationships to those in politics. We explore how political elites exploit voters, highlighting issues like gerryma...

In this episode, Lura and Lauren dive into their writing processes, discussing how to utilize the mental downtime during the holidays for ideation. They explore strategies for overcoming resistance, the psychology behind creative bursts, and the importance of protecting one’s mental space for self-reflection and creativity. Both emphasize the significance of capturing ideas and using AI tools prod...

In this episode of ‘We Made This Political,’ hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall talk with Kurt Gray, author of ‘Outraged.’ They explore strategies for managing political conversations with family during Thanksgiving, emphasizing the importance of connection, curiosity, and validation to prevent conflict. The conversation delves into the social psychology of outrage, the impact of tribalism, and pra...

This is Part II of our conversation with Shaka Mitchell of the Come Together Music Project. If you haven’t listened to Part I, go listen there first and the come back here. In this episode we talk to Shaka about the genesis and journey of the Come Together Music project. Inspired during the height of COVID-19, this initiative leverages music to foster connection and understanding in a divided worl...

This episode of We Made This Political is cross-posted with the Come Together Music Project, co-hosted with Shaka Mitchell. Together we explore the intersection of politics, parenting, and personal stories through music. We dive into songs that remind us of friends, parenting theme songs, and classic protest anthems, revealing surprising connections and deep insights along the way. 00:00 Introduct...

Takeaways Lenore Skenazy is a journalist and founder of Let Grow. Over-parenting leads to increased anxiety in children. Children need opportunities to develop agency and competence. Cultural shifts have changed how we view parenting and risk. Legal frameworks often hinder childhood independence. Play is essential for children’s development and learning. Parents should encourage independence throu...

Furious Minds and the State of Modern Conservatism In this episode of ‘We Made This Political,’ hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall are joined by Laura K. Field, a political theorist and author of the forthcoming book ‘Furious Minds: The Making of the MAGA New Right.’ They discuss the intellectual currents shaping the American right, the state of modern conservatism, and the potential dangers of cur...

In this episode of ‘We Made This Political,’ hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall explore the importance of face-to-face interactions in politics with guest Wilk Wilkinson, host of the ‘Derate The Hate’ podcast. Wilk shares his journey of replacing division with understanding, influenced by his background in transportation and operations management. He talks about his work with Braver Angels, a grass...

In this episode of ‘We Made This Political,’ Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall delve into the pervasive toxicity within modern politics. They draw parallels between the features of abusive personal relationships and the current political system, highlighting concepts like gaslighting, narcissism, isolation, and trauma bonding. The duo discusses how the two major political parties manipulate voters throu...

Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop with Lee Drutman In this episode of ‘We Made This Political,’ hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall are joined by political scientist Lee Drutman to discuss his insights on breaking the two-party doom loop in American politics. Drutman shares his journey into political science, the influence of business lobbying on Congress, and the centralization of power that contrib...

In this episode, we welcome Andrew Heaton, host of The Political Orphanage podcast, comedian, and author of ‘Tribalism is Dumb.’ Lura introduces Andrew, who shares his journey from Capitol Hill staffer to political satirist and comedian. Andrew discusses the interplay of humor, politics, and tribalism, sharing anecdotes about his stand-up experiences and insights into how comedy can bridge politic...

In this episode of ‘We Made This Political,’ Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall host civil rights attorney Anastasia Boden from the Pacific Legal Foundation. The discussion delves into the fundamental right to economic liberty and the challenges posed by burdensome economic regulations like certificate of need laws. Anastasia shares inspiring stories from her career advocating for entrepreneurs and small...

In this episode, Lura and Lauren delve into the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, discussing the multifaceted impact of his life and death. They explore the broader issues surrounding escalating political violence, the distinction between free speech and civil discourse, and the dangers of dehumanizing opponents. The conversation shifts to the manipulation tactics used in political rhetoric an...