Deep Dive with Shawn

Send us Fan Mail What does it feel like to watch democracy crumble in real time? In this raw, deeply personal conversation that marks the (maybe) final episode of Deep Dive, host Shawn C. Fettig and political scientist Dr. Sara Benesh confront the terrifying reality of America's democratic collapse and our collective failure to respond. After three and a half years of weekly episodes, Fettig...

Send us Fan Mail The invisible chain that follows every American abroad isn't nostalgia—it's the IRS. Unlike citizens of virtually every other nation, Americans must file tax returns no matter where they build their lives, creating a bureaucratic burden that turns paradise into paperwork. This final episode of Leaving America dives deep into the unique tax situation facing U.S. citizens...

Send us Fan Mail What if the perfect expat destination for Americans isn't Portugal or Costa Rica, but South Africa? A country where your dollars stretch four times further, world-class healthcare costs pennies on the dollar, and English is widely spoken across breathtaking landscapes from cosmopolitan Cape Town to the wild savannas. South Africa represents a compelling paradox for potential...

Send us Fan Mail The American passport was once considered the gold standard of global mobility. Today, a growing number of US citizens are seeking second citizenship as insurance against political instability, rights erosion, and uncertainty. This episode delves into the legitimate, legal pathways to obtaining additional passports through Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs. We explore how c...

Send us Fan Mail Ever fantasized about leaving America's polarized politics for New Zealand's pristine landscapes? Before you pack your bags for Middle Earth, listen to the unfiltered truth from two expats who took the leap without ever visiting first. My husband, Pavel, returns and we chat with our friends Alex and Andy, who each moved to New Zealand, and reveal what actually happens wh...

Send us Fan Mail When Americans consider moving abroad, one of the first questions is often "Can I go somewhere where they speak English?" But, it's not just about avoiding language barriers—it's about finding a place where cultural references, legal systems, and core values feel somewhat familiar during an otherwise challenging transition. Canada, Australia, and New Zealand of...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a three-month vacation accidentally becomes a 15-month immersion into island life? For Heidi and Tony, being stranded in the Philippines during the early pandemic lockdowns wasn't just an inconvenience – it became a transformative lesson in what truly matters. In this conversation, we discover how a small Philippine island with unreliable electricity, occasi...

Send us Fan Mail The digital nomad movement has evolved from a fringe lifestyle into a global phenomenon, with Southeast Asia emerging as its undisputed headquarters. This episode explores the realities of remote work in paradise, cutting through Instagram filters to reveal what actually awaits Americans seeking escape through digital nomad visas. We break down the distinct flavors of nomad life a...

Send us Fan Mail Christina Korpi, fresh out of college with degrees in Spanish and psychology, arrived in Honduras with practical preparations but couldn't anticipate how profoundly this Central American nation would challenge her American perspective. The cultural adjustments began immediately. Despite Spanish fluency from previous stays in Spain and Mexico, Honduras presented its own lingui...

Send us Fan Mail Dreaming of a life where your morning coffee comes with a side of tropical birds rather than the military in your neighborhood? You're not alone. As more Americans find themselves struggling with rising costs and political tensions at home, Latin America has emerged as the promised land of affordable living and reclaimed time. Mexico leads the charge as America's favorit...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could wake up tomorrow in a country that has peaceful protests without military intervention? Where healthcare is a right, not a privilege? Where a five-day hospital stay results in no bill, and where life moves at a pace that prioritizes enjoyment over hustle? This isn't fantasy—it's daily reality in France. France beckons Americans with its seductive blend...

Send us Fan Mail The American dream increasingly feels like a nightmare for many – healthcare tied to employment, minimal vacation time, and a system that prioritizes profit over wellbeing. In this episode, we're focusing on one of the most popular destinations for Americans eyeing the exits - Europe - with its universal healthcare, work-life balance, and social stability. But is relocating a...

Send us Fan Mail What if you could escape the endless news cycle, afford healthcare without a second mortgage, and actually use your vacation days without guilt? Welcome to "Leaving America," the limited series where we're diving into why a record 40% of Americans are now considering life beyond US borders, why so many are actually taking the leap, where to go, and how to get there....

Send us Fan Mail American democracy faces a defining challenge as the judiciary—our system's intended steady hand—confronts unprecedented attacks from a presidency openly questioning its legitimacy. Trump's declaration that he can ignore Supreme Court rulings represents more than partisan rancor; it threatens constitutional governance itself. Professor Tara Grove joins the pod and offers...

Send us Fan Mail Through his work with the Reformation Project , and his book God and the Gay Christian , Matthew Vines captures the essence of a journey shared by millions managing the complex intersection of faith and sexual identity. In a political climate where White Christian Nationalism increasingly scapegoats LGBTQ people for societal ills, Vines offers something revolutionary: a thoughtful...

Send us Fan Mail America stands at a democratic crossroads, facing threats not from invasion or coup, but from methodical dismantling from within. This is the reality: federal agencies are gutted, political opponents are targeted, judges are being arrested for not advancing Trump's agenda, and courts are delegitimized with alarming speed. Dr. Laura Gamboa , democracy expert from Notre Dame Un...

Send us Fan Mail Freedom of expression stands as democracy's most essential and most vulnerable foundation. In this conversation, Danish journalist and author Flemming Rose shares profound insights from his experience at the center of the 2005 Muhammad cartoons controversy that sparked global protests and death threats. Rose offers a surprising revelation: free speech is fundamentally unnatur...

Send us Fan Mail American democracy is crumbling. The Republican Party, once defined by traditional conservatism, has transformed into a vehicle for Trumpism, while Democrats struggle to maintain their coalition after unexpected losses. Dr. Hans Noel , Associate Professor of Government at Georgetown University, and co-author of the book Political Parties , joins the pod to explain the complex forc...

Send us Fan Mail When Canada's snap election was called for April 28th, few could have predicted how dramatically the political landscape would shift. What started as a predictable contest with Conservatives comfortably ahead has transformed into a national referendum on sovereignty and resilience in the face of unprecedented threats from south of the border. Donald Trump's sudden target...

Send us Fan Mail America's political divisions seem insurmountable, yet beneath the surface lies a compelling counternarrative: the moderate middle hasn't disappeared—it's just been silenced. In this episode, Dr. Lura Forcum , president of the Independent Center , to discuss the surprising vitality of centrist politics (and centrist voters) in a polarized age. The numbers tell an un...

Send us Fan Mail Josh Weil, Democratic candidate for Florida's 6th Congressional District, joins Deep Dive to discuss what could be one of the most consequential special elections in American history. A public school teacher and single father, Weil explains why his April 1st race represents more than just a local contest – it's potentially the first domino in Democrats' path to rega...

Send us Fan Mail In the United States, it's difficult to imagine how civil violence could break out in the United States - how civic and political breakdown could actually manifest in our neighborhoods. The Troubles - the conflict that tore Northern Ireland apart for decades - offer a stark warning for America's increasingly polarized society. In this episode, Oisin Feeney, creator of th...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Michael Albertus , professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago, and author of the book Land Power: Who Has It, Who Doesn't, and How That Determines the Fate of Societies , as well as the recent Foreign Affairs article The Coming Age of Territorial Expansion , joins the pod to discuss the history of land power, land owernship, territorial ambitions and thei...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever considered leaving the United States - for more affordable healthcare, a lower cost of living, less political chaos?  If so, our limited podcast series "Leaving America" will be your guide to answering all of the questions you might have!  Coming this summer on the Deep Dive with Shawn podcast feed. Follow us now for updates! ---------- Song: Happy Whistle...

Send us Fan Mail Is Bill Clinton responsible for this Trump Era? In this episode, Dr. Nelson Lichtenstein , professor of History at UC Santa Barbara, and co-author of the book A Fabulous Failure: The Clinton Presidency and the Transformation of American Capitalism joins the pod to examine the complexities of Bill Clinton's presidency and its enduring effects on American democracy today. We di...