Cross Tabs

True democratic power requires collective organization, not just voting. The current political system serves the wealthy while unions remain the only reliable institution giving ordinary Americans access to collective political power — something authoritarians immediately target when taking office.  In this episode of Cross Tabs, host Farrah Bostic speaks with political strategist Mike Podhor...

Understanding political contradictions - from voters supporting seemingly opposing candidates to holding conflicting policy views - reveals deeper truths about American democracy and the complex systems that shape public opinion. Modern polling methods, rooted in both the study of fascism and eugenics, illuminate how we make sense of each other as voters and consumers.  In this episode of Cro...

Less than a month into the new administration, we have seen a flurry of headlines about datasets being purged all over the federal government — and in programs outside the federal government that receive money from federal agencies. Here are just a few recent stories: "What we all lose in Trump and Musk's attack on government data" ( Axios , February 7, 2025) "Thousands of U.S. Government Web Page...

Subversive marketing tactics and behavioral psychology intersect with modern political strategy, revealing how underdogs can convert attention into meaningful action by understanding human motivation and embracing calculated risk-taking to challenge established systems.  Authors Alistair Croll and Emily Ross join Farrah to discuss their new book Just Evil Enough , which examines how challenge...

Across democracies worldwide, citizens aren't necessarily losing faith in democratic values -- they're frustrated with how democracy is actually working in their countries. New research reveals a striking pattern: from the United States to Italy to South Korea, people want better representation and more responsive leadership, not necessarily a different system of government.  In this episode,...

This is an interview from last year for another show I do called In The Demo . I talked to The Ringer's Rob Harvilla, host of 60 Song That Explain the 90s , about the role of nostalgia and generational identity in the way we experience music. It's a fun conversation, and I hope a bit of a break from the heaviness of the conversation with Grafton Tanner about the politics of nostalgia.

Nostalgia has transformed from a medical condition in the 1600s into a powerful force wielded by politicians and corporations today, shaping everything from entertainment reboots to presidential campaigns. The tension between preserving the past and embracing change reveals deeper questions about how we process loss, grief, and our relationship with time in an era of relentless information overloa...

The 2024 presidential election revealed deep fractures in American democracy, from the failure of economic messaging to connect with voters to the growing disconnect between Democratic Party leadership and their base constituencies. Through candid analysis of polling data, campaign strategies, and voter psychology, this discussion illuminates why traditional political playbooks are becoming increa...

Most voters make election decisions based on limited information and fleeting moments of attention, not careful analysis of policies and positions - even for a presidential race with billions spent on campaigning. The disconnect between how political insiders discuss elections versus how typical voters engage with them leads to fundamental misunderstandings about voter behavior and campaign effect...

Modern political polling faces fascinating challenges beyond simple statistical accuracy - from voters who strategically misrepresent their views to express partisan loyalty, to the complex task of predicting who will actually show up to vote. Despite popular perception of a deeply divided America, research suggests voters are far more moderate on individual issues than their partisan voting behav...

Immersive simulations and war games are transforming how organizations make complex decisions and understand human behavior, with artificial intelligence now making these powerful tools more accessible than ever. By putting participants in realistic scenarios with emotional stakes, these games reveal blind spots in thinking, challenge assumptions, and build cognitive empathy across divides. ...

Despite decades of political polling and analysis, most voters know almost nothing about politics, policy, or current events - and traditional campaign strategies completely fail to account for this reality. The key to winning elections isn't policy positions or positive messaging, but rather effectively defining your opponent before they can define you.  Dr. Rachel Bitecofer, political analy...

In this episode, Farrah talks to the Chair of the Harvard Public Opinion Project, Anil Cacodcar, about the origins and evolution of the Poll, which was started by students in 2000. We discuss the process the student team uses to develop survey questions, organize research topics, and partner with the Ipsos Knowledge Panel to reach young respondents. We also discuss insights from the latest poll da...

Political polling and forecasting are complex and fraught with uncertainty, yet they remain crucial tools for understanding elections and voter behavior. The challenge lies in accurately modeling likely electorates, communicating probabilities to the public, and interpreting correlations between issues and voting patterns.  In this episode, Farrah talks to John Sides, a political scientist an...

Quick production note: Farrah's audio gets better a couple of minutes into the recording. We have no idea what went wrong, but you'll only suffer for a few minutes before everyone sounds great. :) In this episode, host Farrah Bostic explores the fascinating relationship between journalism and polling, inspired by the book Lost in a Gallup , with its author, Professor W. Joseph Campbell. We discuss...

This week we're taking a break from national polling to talk about polling done by a group trying hard to influence the outcome of various races this cycle: crypto bros. The influence and agenda of the crypto industry is lurking behind a lot of the candidates and their policy positions. Crypto PACs are raising and spending over $100 million on 2024 races. It's in crypto's interests to portray itse...

Forecasting election outcomes involves far more than simple polling averages, often incorporating complex models that account for candidate strengths, voter demographics, and historical trends. While these models strive for accuracy, they must grapple with the inherent unpredictability of human behavior and the challenge of quantifying intangible factors like voter enthusiasm and candidate quality...

America's political landscape is deeply divided into two distinct nations, shaped by historical, economic, and cultural forces that extend far beyond simple demographics. This divide manifests in vastly different lived experiences, policy preferences, and institutional structures between red and blue states, with profound implications for the future of American democracy and governance.  In t...

In this post-nominating conventions episode, I reflect on lessons learned as we approach the last 60 days before the election. Some key themes include: How not to be a crosstab truther Why elections aren't really that much like markets How forecasts predict the past Why campaigns don't need one single message to win the whole thing And what you should do with your energy and effort if you're not u...

Polling data and turnout models are far more complex than most people realize, with numerous factors influencing their accuracy and interpretation. From the challenges of non-response bias to the intricacies of early voting analysis, understanding election forecasts requires a nuanced approach beyond simple percentages.  In this episode of Crosstabs, Farrah speaks with Dr. Michael McDonald, a...

Public opinion polling has historically underrepresented Black Americans and other minority groups, leading to skewed perceptions of national sentiment. Emotional responses to political issues and candidates play a crucial role in shaping voter behavior, yet are often overlooked in traditional survey methods.  Dr. Camille Burge-Hicks, Associate Professor of Political Science at Villanova Univ...

Federal statistical agencies play a crucial role in providing objective, high-quality data that inform policy decisions, resource allocation, and business strategies across the United States. However, these agencies face significant challenges, including budget constraints, declining response rates, and the need to modernize data collection methods while maintaining data integrity and privacy.&nbs...

Immersive gaming exercises offer a powerful tool for understanding complex geopolitical scenarios and developing strategic empathy. They provide insights that traditional analysis often misses. By inhabiting different perspectives and grappling with real-world constraints, participants gain a deeper appreciation for the multifaceted nature of global challenges and decision-making processes. ...

Political polling, especially among minority communities hasn't always had a great track record of representation, and of deep understanding of racial dynamics and ways different communities interact with ideas of civic participation. This conversation explores how allegiance to one's country and sense of belonging shape political participation, challenging more simplistic ideas about what kinds o...

The shadowy world of online survey fraud threatens to undermine market research. Sophisticated scammers exploit programmatic sample systems lacking fraud controls to skew results. As the industry grapples with this growing problem, researchers must adopt new technologies and partnerships to ensure data quality and maintain trust.  In this episode of Crosstabs, host Farrah Bostic continues her...