Beerocracy!®

If you’ve seen El Salvador in the news and want to understand what’s really happening — this is the episode you need to hear. El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has emerged as one of Donald Trump’s strongest international allies in the crackdown on immigration — and at the heart of that alliance is CECOT, the country’s massive mega-prison. In this episode, we uncover how migrants deported from t...

On April 2nd, President Donald Trump unveiled wide-sweeping tariffs as part of his so-called 'Liberation Day'. The effects? Economic turmoil, uncertainty, and drastic changes to international trade as we once knew it. I'm joined by David A. Gantz, the Will Clayton Fellow in Trade and International Economics at The Baker Institute, to break down Trump's actions and rhetoric. We brea...

Mass firings at HHS. The dismantling of USAID. Billions in public health funding wiped out. In just a few months, the foundations of public health have been shaken like never before. I'm joined by Dr. Craig Spencer, an ER doctor and public health expert, to break down how these purges are crippling public health infrastructure domestically and internationally, and leaving the country vulnerabl...

The Department of Education is under fire, with Donald Trump and hard-line conservatives pushing for its closure. But what would dismantling the DOE actually mean for students, teachers, and schools? To break it all down, I’m joined by Kevin Welner, Director of the National Education Policy Center, for a deep dive into the role of the DOE, its bipartisan origins, and the potential fallout if it we...

President Donald Trump took a drastic move in his fight against immigration, invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport alleged members of Venezuela's Tren de Aragua gang. This controversial move has led to the deportation of hundreds of Venezuelan nationals to El Salvador, raising significant legal and ethical questions. I'm joined by Richard J. Pierce, a law professor at GW, to bre...

The recent detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate student, has drastic implications for free speech in the United States. Khalil, a legal permanent resident, was arrested by federal immigration authorities at his New York City apartment, over his lawful role in protests at Columbia University for the Palestinian cause, sparking nationwide protests and...

After a shocking Oval Office meeting between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, it’s clear—America’s foreign policy is shifting toward a pro-Russia stance. With military aid and intelligence sharing to Ukraine now on hold, the U.S. is isolating key allies and reshaping the Ukraine-Russia war. I’m joined by former Foreign Service Officer Colin Cleary—who served in both Russia...

With Donald Trump's aggressive return to power, the term "fascist" has been thrown around to describe the current American president. But what exactly is a fascist? And Is Trumpism a form of fascism, or does it belong to a different category of right-wing populism? Well, Robert Griffin, a leading expert on fascism, joins us to discuss and provide his take on Trumpism. We examine the key parallels...

The GOP's new budget proposal is here and it’s bad news for working families - critical social programs are on the chopping block to make room for a revival of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts. Meanwhile, with Russel Vought’s confirmation putting the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in the spotlight, it’s time to break down what this all really means. I’m joined by Michael Linden, former OMB officia...

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is one of today’s most talked-about—and controversial—topics. But what does DEI really mean, and why has it sparked such intense debate in politics, workplaces, and schools? I’m joined by Nani Vishwanath, consultant and facilitator at The Courage Collective, a DEI consultancy firm, to break it all down. We tackle the true goals of DEI, why and how it’s facing...

DOGE, DOGE, DOGE! Elon Musk is tearing up Washington with his Department of Government Efficiency . Musk is slashing federal contracts, gaining access to sensitive systems, and firing waves of federal workers in his quest to create a leaner, faster government. But is it going to work? While his supporters hail it as a much-needed shake-up, critics argue it’s chaos and authoritarianism disguised as...

Since his inauguration on January 20, 2025, President Trump has rolled out a series of executive orders ramping up immigration enforcement, creating uncertainty and fear in migrant communities. ICE has intensified raids in major cities, while the administration’s hardline stance is raising concerns about labor shortages in industries like agriculture and hospitality that rely on immigrant workers....

From repealing DEI measures, to trying to end birthright citizenship, to making federal workers easier to fire, President Donald Trump was quite busy on his first day in office, signing 26 Executive Orders. I'm joined by James Goodwin, Policy Director at the Center for Progressive Reform, to unpack each and every Executive Order from Day 1. We go through all 26, pulling out the most important...

Wildfires have become an increasingly frequent and devastating part of life in Los Angeles, but what made the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires so destructive? With 40,000 acres burned, and the fires still roaring, I'm joined by Char Miller, Professor of Environmental Analysis and History at Pomona College, to discuss the present, past, and future of wildfires in America. We dive into the reas...

TW: This episode discusses violence, extremist acts, and suicide. In the wake of the tragic New Years Day with the New Orleans terrorist attack and the Las Vegas Tesla suicide explosion - both conducted by veterans - this episode delves into the rise of extremism among military veterans. Todd Helmus, a senior behavioral scientist at RAND and expert on extremism among veterans, helps breakdown how...

After a tumultuous year of fighting in the Middle East, the future of the region is uncertain, especially as the United States prepares for a transfer of power. I'm joined by Mouin Rabbani, a researcher, analyst, and commentator specializing in Palestinian affairs and contemporary Middle East issues, to recap the multiple Middle Eastern conflicts. From Israel and Gaza to Syria, Mouin helps break d...

Nearly 670 bills targeting transgender individuals have been introduced across the country this year—a staggering and unprecedented rise. Transgender rights have become a focal point in the broader culture war, largely driven by conservative movements. But what are the real-world consequences of this surge in anti-trans rhetoric and legislation? Joining me to unpack this critical issue is Sasha Bu...

The shocking murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has brought long-simmering anger and frustration with the American health insurance industry to the forefront. In this episode, we unpack the systemic issues that have left so many Americans buried in debt, disillusioned, and fed up with the healthcare system. Joining me is Linda Blumberg, a research professor at Georgetown’s Center on Hea...

Syria is back in the news cycle as opposition force, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched a surprise, and successful, offensive against Dictator Bashar al-Assad. With territorial gains reshaping the conflict, Jihad Yazigi, Editor-in-Chief of The Syria Report , joins us to provide context for this recent development and what it means for Syria's future. We explore how this stalled war reignited, t...

Trump’s second-term vision is coming into focus with his latest cabinet nominations. There have been some shockers (a la Matt Gaetz' short time as potential AG) but what about the other nominations? And what's normal and what isn't with this appointment season? I'm joined by Dr. Matt Glassman, Senior Fellow at the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University, to discuss the ins and outs o...

Economy, Economy, Economy. Say it three times and a politician appears claiming it's either booming or on the brink of collapse. So which one is it? While headlines from economists suggest the economy is in a strong position, the reality for most Americans feels a lot different. To help make sense of this disconnect, I’m joined by Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody’s Analytics and co-founder of...

America has voted and Donald Trump has been elected as president, again. For many, this might come as a shock. However, it shouldn't. In this post election analysis, I'm joined by pollster Travis Brodbeck, the Associate Director of Data Management at Siena College. If that name sounds familiar, you're not going crazy, he was on the show two episodes ago to break down the pre-election New York Time...

It's almost election day. Yet, the courts are swamped in election law and voting rights lawsuits. For the past year, there has been a united effort to purge voter rolls and restrict the access to vote. Luckily, there are people fighting, like Kevin Hamilton, an election lawyer from Perkins Coie. Leading the offensive is the Republican National Committee who say they are working to ensure election...

It's election season, and that means the polls are in full swing. Luckily, I am joined by seasoned pollster Travis Brodbeck, Associate Director of Data Management at Siena College, to dive deep into the world of political polling ahead of the 2024 elections. The New York Times/Siena College poll is widely viewed as one of the best gages of where things stand in the Presidential and Congressional r...

It's been a little over one year since October 7th, where Hamas militants stormed into Israel, killing over 1,200 people. And since, Israel's response in Gaza has led to 42,000 Palestinians killed and an Israeli incursion into Lebanon killing over 2,300. So now, big picture, where do things stand? What is the end game for Hezbollah, Hamas, and Israel? Hussein Ibish, a senior resident scholar at th...