By the Ballot Podcast

💵 It’s Still the Economy, Stupid takes James Carville’s famous phrase and drags it back into the 2025 political arena—because Democrats keep forgetting the lesson. In this episode, we cut through the noise and show why voters don’t make their decisions based on abstract ideals of “saving democracy” or fringe debates—they vote with their wallets. From groceries and housing costs to healthcare, wag...

In this episode, we break down how the Trump administration is manufacturing a new enemy — and using it as cover to expand authoritarian control. From Kristi Noem’s unhinged “Antifa as ISIS” claims to Trump’s secretive directive mobilizing the FBI, DHS, and IRS against left-leaning groups, the White House is laying the groundwork to criminalize dissent. We trace how the myth of “Antifa terrorism”...

Everyone loves to talk about the White House, Congress, and cable-news politics. But here’s the truth: the real battleground isn’t D.C. — it’s your state capitol. In this episode, we dig into The Bottom Up Approach and why state legislatures are the true frontline in the fight for democracy. From education funding to healthcare access, criminal justice to voting rights, statehouses shape your dail...

📺 We Gotta Stop Buying So Much Broadcast TV dives into one of the biggest blind spots in Democratic campaign strategy: our addiction to broadcast television ads. In this episode, we unpack how Democrats keep pouring hundreds of millions into 30-second spots during Wheel of Fortune while Republicans flood social feeds, podcasts, and streaming platforms where voters—especially younger ones—actually...

The Republican Party loves to call itself the party of “small government” — but what they’re really building is a weaker America. From gutting Medicaid, Social Security, and veterans’ benefits to forcing a government shutdown they fully controlled, Trump and his allies are showing us their authoritarian playbook in real time. In this episode, we break down how the GOP turned shutdown into a weapon...

🎧 The Regressive Evangelism of America kicks off with a deep dive into the digital underbelly of White Christian Nationalism. From incels and Groypers to TradWife influencers and megachurch celebrity culture, this episode unpacks how extremist theology has merged with meme culture and mainstream branding to shape politics, culture, and the next generation. 👉 Why it matters: Evangelicals aren’t j...

🎧 Buy it. Use it. Break it. Fix it. traces the conservative takeover of American media — from the end of the Fairness Doctrine to the rise of Fox News, Rush Limbaugh’s talk radio empire, and the MAGA-era buyouts of local stations and legacy outlets. We dig into how billionaires like Rupert Murdoch, Elon Musk, and David Ellison reshaped journalism into propaganda, why Jimmy Kimmel became the lates...

🎧 Political Cage Matches pulls back the curtain on America’s most dangerous show: politics as kayfabe. Just like in pro wrestling, our leaders play characters — faces and heels — designed to rile up crowds, sell storylines, and keep the spectacle going. From Jesse Ventura’s candid comparisons to Donald Trump’s Mr. McMahon-inspired rallies, the theatrics aren’t just entertainment — they’ve spilled...

🎧 The Myth of the Perfect Candidate takes aim at one of the most dangerous illusions in American politics: that the right person, with the right résumé and flawless message, can save us. Spoiler — they can’t. In this episode, we break down how the obsession with “perfect candidates” keeps Democrats stuck in cycles of disappointment, overlooking the messier reality of organizing, coalition-buildin...

🎧 It’s All Semantics digs into the words we use in politics — and how those words get weaponized. In this episode, we explore how Republicans have mastered the art of framing — twisting terms like “woke,” “freedom,” or even “family values” into political cudgels. Meanwhile, Democrats often get caught flat-footed, fighting battles on rhetorical terrain the Right already controls. From dog whistles...

On this episode of JamesPod, host James Abrenio sits down with Matt Royer — former President of the Virginia Young Democrats, former Campaign Manager, and writer of the political Substack By the Ballot — for an unflinching look at the challenges facing Democrats after the 2024 election. Royer explains why Democrats are struggling with younger voters, pointing to a 2.4 million net loss of registere...

🔊 Tough on What Crime Exactly unpacks one of the Right’s favorite talking points — “tough on crime” — and asks: what crime are they actually talking about? In this episode, we dive into how Republicans weaponize fear of crime to push regressive policies, from mass incarceration to immigrant scapegoating. We trace the history of “law and order” rhetoric from Nixon to Trump, and how it’s been used...

College campuses aren’t just hubs of student life—they’re kingmakers in state politics. This week, By the Ballot breaks down how youth turnout in college towns is flipping districts, shifting legislatures, and deciding razor-thin races. From Virginia Tech to William & Mary to JMU, the numbers are wild: youth voting is up 100–400% in key college communities—and those votes have already helped flip...

🎙️ The Privatized Murder of Public Discourse pulls back the curtain on how our conversations have been poisoned for profit. In this episode, we explore how platforms like Jubilee, cable news, and even social media giants have turned outrage into a business model—trading depth for clicks and replacing genuine dialogue with performative soundbites. We break down how both the Left and the Right feed...

🧠 Liberals love to think of themselves as the smartest people in the room—but if that’s true, why do Democrats keep losing ground? In this episode, we dig into the maddening paradox of progressive politics: policy expertise, white papers, and moral high ground don’t automatically win elections. We unpack how Democrats constantly get outmaneuvered on messaging, why the Right thrives on emotional r...

📱✨ Social media has given rise to a new kind of politician—one who knows how to go viral, rack up followers, and build a brand. But is that really the same as being an effective leader? In this episode, we take a hard look at the rise of the “social media politician.” From slick Instagram posts to fiery TikTok rants, some candidates shine online but stumble when it comes to governing, organizing...

🗳️ Ranked Choice Voting isn’t complicated—it’s common sense. Instead of being forced into choosing “the lesser of two evils,” voters get to rank their choices and make their voices count more fully. In this episode, we dive into why RCV is gaining ground across the country, how it leads to fairer outcomes, reduces negative campaigning, and opens the door for more candidates to run without spoiling...

💼 Workers in America have been fighting for fair wages and dignity on the job for generations—but so-called Right-to-Work laws have been one of the biggest obstacles in that fight. Sold under the guise of “freedom,” these laws weaken unions, slash bargaining power, and leave working families with less pay, fewer benefits, and worse protections. In this episode, we cut through the spin and lay out...

🎙️ Every few months, a new wave of pundit panic sets in: “Why can’t Democrats connect with young men? Why can’t they reach Gen Z?” But the reality is simpler than the headlines suggest—Democrats aren’t confused. The data shows young people are already with them on the issues: climate change, reproductive rights, unions, racial justice, and affordable education. The real challenge isn’t the message...

🎙️ For too long, Democrats have ceded patriotism to the Right—letting conservatives claim the flag, the anthem, and the idea of “real America.” But here’s the truth: progressives built this country, defended it, and expanded its freedoms. From civil rights to labor protections, from Social Security to Medicare, from marriage equality to climate action—it’s Democrats who have made America live up t...

What does it look like when a politician actually puts economic justice front and center — and does it in a way that resonates far beyond their own district? In this episode, we make The Case for Zohran Mamdani , the New York State Assemblymember who’s redefining what progressive politics can look like on the ground. From housing affordability and public transit to the fight against corporate land...