DSR's Words Matter

The Words Audible Matter Library goes to Washington to interview Award winning journalist, best-selling author, and veteran White House Correspondent April Ryan on her new book “Under Fire: Reporting from the Front Lines of the Trump White House.” Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/words-matter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices....

The 35-day federal government shutdown may be over - for now - but the long terms effects will be felt by hard working Americans for months and perhaps years to come. $200 million in spending per week was lost not only by federal workers, but contractors and the people working in businesses that count on those dollars to survive. Elise and Steve discuss the political fallout from Donald Trump’s PR...

On what should be the eve of Donald Trump's second State of the Union address, we add Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1941 “Four Freedoms” speech and Ronald Reagan’s Challenger Disaster speech to the Words Matter Audible Library. Through Audible you can go back and listen to the full address and absorb and appreciate the history of what real presidential leadership sounds like. Support this show http://su...

The longest government shutdown in US history continues as Donald Trump and Senate Republicans continue to hold the paychecks of more than 800,000 Americans hostage in exchange for an unnecessary and ineffective border wall. Elise and Steve discuss the politics of the latest Trump created crisis - as well as how the 2020 Democratic field is shaping up. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/...

This week, to honor legacy of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr we proudly put “A Letter from Birmingham Jail” and “Where Do We Go from Here?” into the Words Matter Audible Library. There is perhaps no leader or public figure who symbolizes the power and importance of words better than Dr. King. Both of these Audible titles are historical treasures which are all too relevant today.  Support...

Professor Eddie Glaude Jr. argues in his groundbreaking book Democracy in Black that we live in a country founded on a “value gap”—with white lives valued more than others—that still distorts our politics today. Whether discussing why all Americans have racial habits that reinforce inequality, why black politics based on the civil-rights era have reached a dead end, or why only remaking democracy...

We are proud to put "Democracy in Black" by Professor Eddie S. Glaude Jr. into the Words Matter Audible Library. Part manifesto, part history, part memoir, Professor Glaude argues that we live in a country founded on a “value gap”—with white lives valued more than others—that still distorts our politics today. Whether discussing why all Americans have racial habits that reinforce inequality, why b...

Welcome to Season 2 of Words Matter. The federal government is still shutdown, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is the only adult in the room and the race for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination is off to a fast start. Steve Schmidt gives his take and explains what it all means. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/words-matter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information....

As Nancy Pelosi retakes the Speaker’s gavel and the leadership of the Democratic opposition to Donald Trump, we add “Madam Speaker - Nancy Pelosi’s Life, Times and Rise to Power” to the Words Matter Audible Library. Everything Nancy Pelosi has ever done, she has done extremely well. Listen to the life story of this historic leader -- the only woman and perhaps most influential and greatest House S...

As our first season comes to a close, we review the titles put into the Words Matter Audible Library in 2018. From Steve Kornacki’s “The Red and the Blue”, to “Profiles in Courage” to “Columbine” to “Tailspin” by Steven Brill - we go through the books we selected and why they are important to the public discourse in the Age of Trump.  Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/words-matter. See...

In this addition of the Words Matter Library brought to you by Audible we add this Pulitzer Prize winning book by President John F. Kennedy. Profiles in Courage chronicles acts of bravery and integrity by 8 United States Senators. Caroline Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr. narrate the story of leaders who defied their party and their constituents to do what they felt was right and as a result suffer...

Would Nixon have survived if Fox News was around in 1974? Author of the “Loudest Voice in the Room,” Gabe Sherman explains how the GOP propaganda network was forged in the aftermath of Watergate - and how it’s now prepared to protect Donald Trump against all enemies- real and imagined.  Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/words-matter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out informa...

This week we add Gabriel Sherman’s “Loudest Voice in the Room” to the Words Matter Audible Library. This astonishing inside story of Fox News, details how Roger Ailes created the most powerful media and political business in the world and divided a country in the process. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/words-matter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn mor...

In his “Swamp Chronicles” series for the New Yorker, Adam Davidson follows the money of Donald Trump, his family, his Administration, and his business associates. From Azerbaijan to Scotland to Florida - Adam explains how the Trump Organization looks more like a money laundering scam than a legitimate business operation. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/words-matter. See acast.com/priv...

This week we add “TrumpNation the Art of Being Donald Trump” to the Words Matter Audible Library. Find out why this comprehensive and definitive biography Donald Trump sued author Tim O’Brien for $5 billion. (Spoiler alert: Trump lost.) Get this must listen title from Audible - now! Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/words-matter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information...

George H. W. Bush was a man of honor, courage, integrity and kindness. The last of the "greatest generation" to serve as Commander-in-Chief, the 41st President of the United States will be remembered for many things -- not the least of which is his humanity. Few "great" people are also "good" people, George H. W. Bush was both -- and he will be missed.  Support this show http://supporter.acast.com...

This week we are proud to add “41 - A Portrait of My Father” by George W. Bush to the Words Matter Audible Library. This important and moving presidential biography by a presidential son is a must read to understand the both the 41st and the 43rd Presidents. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/words-matter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your a...

In a knockdown, drag out, exceptionally nasty runoff election for a US Senate seat - Democrats in Mississippi came much closer than anyone expected. Elise talks about the brutal campaign and the changing politics of her home state.  Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/words-matter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone...

This week we add “Tailspin: The People and Forces Behind America's Fifty-year fall--and Those Fighting to Reverse It” to the Audible Words Matter Library. The latest book by award-winning journalist and best-selling author Steven Brill is a brilliant analysis of how and why major American institutions no longer serve us -- causing a deep rift between a vulnerable majority and the protected few. An...

David Priess is a former CIA officer and presidential briefer, his new book “How to Get Rid of a President” tells the history of the political dark arts in action. In the nation's highest office we see election dramas, impeachments, assassinations, natural death in office, mixed with party intrigue, personal betrayal, and backroom deal making. David explains how presidents can be sidelined without...

This week we add "How to Get Rid of a President" by David Priess to the Audible Words Matter Library. A former CIA officer and presidential briefer, Priess tells the history of the political dark arts in action. In the nation's highest office we see election dramas, impeachments, assassinations, natural death in office, mixed with party intrigue, personal betrayal, and backroom deal making. An ess...

This week we added "Landslide" by Jonathan Darman to the Audible Words Matter Library. In this riveting work of narrative nonfiction, Jonathan tells the story of two giants of American politics, Lyndon Johnson and Ronald Reagan, and shows how, from 1963 to 1966, these two men—the same age, and driven by the same heroic ambitions—changed American politics forever. This engaging title is a MUST List...

This week we add "Landslide" by Jonathan Darman to the Audible Words Matter Library. In this riveting work of narrative nonfiction, Jonathan tells the story of two giants of American politics, Lyndon Johnson and Ronald Reagan, and shows how, from 1963 to 1966, these two men—the same age, and driven by the same heroic ambitions—changed American politics forever. This engaging title is a MUST Listen...

The 2018 Midterms keep going. In what was perhaps the most important Midterm Congressional Election in American history, voters put a check on Donald Trump and gave Democrats a solid majority in the House of Representatives. And almost a week later, some key races still haven't been decided. Steve and Elise talk about what happened, what's happening and what it means for the country going forward....

Within hours of Democrats regaining control of the House of Representatives, Donald Trump holds an explosive East Room press conference and fires the Attorney General - replacing him with an unconfirmed political hack. Elise, Steve and Adam discuss the gathering storm of constitutional crisis. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/words-matter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out...