iGen Politics

Jill and Victor are joined by MSNBC star Ali Velshi to talk about his life’s journey that brought him to the U.S. as a journalist just as our country suffered the 9/11 attacks.  Then, they examine the pressure of our current cultural decisions, and the importance of immigration, supporting refugees, protecting our democracy, and speaking up for our values. Get More From Ali Velshi: Twitter | MSNBC...

Jill and Victor are joined by former U.S. NSC official Fiona Hill to discuss the ways deindustrialization and the gender pay gap are contributing to an employment crisis for young people and women.  Is deindustrialization fomenting the grievances and populist politics that fuel authoritarianism?  And can we combine optimism and action to overcome the dangers posed by aspiring tyrants around the wo...

Jill and Victor are joined by business maven and founding partner of Elevation Partners, Roger McNamee, for a look at his experiences at Facebook, working with Mark Zuckerberg, and how social media networks challenge our rights and democratic values.  Can we protect the vulnerable from their algorithms?  And what needs to be done to get them working for everyone? Get More From Roger McNamee: Twitt...

Jill and Victor are joined by former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper to break down the importance of recent spy cases and the risks posed by the events on 1/6.  Then, they discuss the need for diversity in our intelligence services and their role in protecting us, before emphasizing the need for public service and defense of the common good. Get More From Fmr. DNI James Clapper: DI...

Warning: This episode features a conversation about sexual assault and the horrific impact it has on survivors. Longer Description: Jill and Victor are joined by Vaughn Feighan, a courageous survivor of sexual assault in the corporate world who resolved to pursue justice.  In this powerful discussion, Vaughn and the iGen team look at the difficulty men face in reporting and prosecuting sexual assa...

Jill and Victor are joined by Biden’s former senior COVID advisor Andy Slavitt for an update on the Delta Variant’s effect on our pandemic response, the importance of vaccines, and what it will take to get us back to normal.  Are President Biden’s mandates effective?  And is our country able to come together for the common good? Get More From Andy Slavitt: Twitter | ‘In The Bubble’ Podcast | Autho...

Jill and Victor are joined by former NSC Director for European Affairs, LTC. Alexander Vindman for an inside look at the deterioration of democracy and the Russian threat in Eastern Europe.  They also dive into what it was like serving the country during the Trump administration, and what it takes to stand up and take action for what you believe. Get More From Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman:...

Jill and Victor are joined by congressman Adam Schiff to talk about how we can defend and strengthen our democratic norms after the events of January 6th, solve the problems left behind by the Trump administration, and get our country moving forward again.  His Protecting Our Democracy Act is a great start-- what else needs to be done? Get More From Rep. Adam Schiff Twitter | House.gov | Facebook...

Jill and Victor are joined by legendary stand up comedian Paula Poundstone for a conversation about creating a career, finding opportunity and creative inspiration, and becoming the master of your own destiny.  She also shares how we can keep comedy and humor alive while our country is still engaged in the fight against the pandemic. Get More From Paula Poundstone Twitter | Website | IMDB Get More...

Jill and Victor are joined by Rep. Jackie Speier to take on the epidemic of sexual assault in the military and find out how our country can bring justice for women and strengthen the culture of our armed forces for future generations.  Then, she shares her experiences at Jonestown and the similarities she sees to the modern cult of Trump.   Get More From Rep. Jackie Speier Twitter | House. Gov | A...

Jill and Victor welcome legal expert and author of “Hatchet Man”, Elie Honig, for a discussion about the role of prosecutors in upholding the law, what to look for in an Attorney General, and how Bill Barr failed us there on everything from LGBT rights to voter fraud.  And after his tenure, how do we restore the standards of legal accountability and leadership our country needs? Get More From Elie...

Jill and Victor welcome psychologist and author, Mary Trump, to discuss the toll Trump’s presidency took on our country and what we can expect him to do next. Get More From Victor and Jill:  Jill Wine-Banks: Twitter | Facebook | Website | Author of The Watergate Girl: My Fight For Truth & Justice Against A Criminal President | iGen Politics Victor Shi: Twitter | Medium | Blog w/Jill Wine-Banks...

This is our 100th episode, so who better as our very special guest.  The amazing Joy Reid host of The ReidOut on MSNBC, for a look at how to maximize and use your education, and what it takes to find success and your voice as a journalist.  Then they take on the issues facing the next generation and how to stand up for your convictions and the rights of others. Get More From Joy Reid MSNBC The Rei...

iGen team Jill and Victor are joined by counter terrorism and Middle East expert, spymaster, and veteran, Malcolm Nance to break down the chaos in Afghanistan and what its citizens will face under the renewed rule of the Taliban.  Did we make a difference there?  And is the new generation of leaders in both countries any more likely to keep the peace? Get More From Malcolm Nance Twitter | Facebook...

iGen team Jill and Victor are joined by Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut for an in-depth look at how we can make our country better for the coming generations.  From strengthening voting rights and the middle class, to reforming the Senate, and ending the epidemic of violence gripping the nation, does he have the answers to the problems that face us?    Get More From Senator Chris Murphy Senato...

iGen team Jill and Victor bring on Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times talk about journalism as a vocation and to look at the challenges facing the world as we head into the 2020s.  Will we be able to stem the rising tide of authoritarianism that endangers our national security and is violating the rights of their people?   We are aware of and apologize for the sporadic glitches in Jill's audio...

iGen team Jill and Victor welcome Deputy National Security Advisor to President Obama, and co-host of Pod Save The World, Ben Rhodes, to discuss reinvigorating a vibrant democratic culture at home and around the world.  And more importantly, the critical role that youth play in fighting repressive regimes, making a difference, and beginning the process of putting peace and people over profits. Get...

iGen team Jill and Victor welcome back Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, Fiona Hill, for a deep dive into US-Russian relations.  What’s changed during the transition from President Trump to President Biden?  Are we destined to keep fighting the Cold War?  Or can we get the world focused on peace and cooperation moving forward? Get More From Fiona Hill Fiona Hill:  Brookings Institution h...

iGen team Jill and Victor welcome former Congressman Joe Kennedy III to ask about his time in Congress, and what it was like representing our country and his family’s legacy.  Was going into office what he expected?  And what does he feel our nation and our young people should be doing to build up our United States and make it the hope and home of everyone who wants to join our political experimen...

iGen team Jill and Victor welcome the legendary host of MSNBC’s Hardball and author of “This Country: My Life In Politics & History” Chris Matthews, to get his take on life, politics and journalism.  From Swaziland to speech writing, he shares the incredible stories of his life, relates the events and experiences that shaped his career, and gives his advice to anyone who wants to chase their d...

iGen team Jill and Victor welcome educator, activist and host of Undistracted, Brittany Packnett Cunningham to look at the biggest challenges facing our country today.  Are we up to the task ahead of us?  With growing youth passion and engagement, the honesty to look at our problems, open minds, and eyes towards new and bold solutions-- we might just have a chance.  The question is, where do we st...

iGen team Jill and Victor bring on Senator from Oregon, Jeff Merkley to find out if our representatives are up to the challenges that confront the next generation. If they aren’t, why is the greatest deliberative body in the world so slow to do the things our country needs?  Is it really just McConnell and the Republicans-- or are there bigger issues for us to handle-- especially if you want to go...

iGen team Jill and Victor bring on the former Secretary of Defense Chris Miller to get the inside scoop on what happened to our country on January 6th.  Did those in charge do enough to stop it?  How did things evolve on the ground?  And most importantly, how do we make sure something like it never happens again?  Get More From Fmr. Defense Secretary Chris Miller: Fmr. Defense Secretary Chris Mill...

iGen team Jill and Victor welcome Valedictorian and viral star Paxton Smith from Texas high school LHHS to discuss her surprise graduation speech taking on her state’s “Heartbeat Bill” and the future of women's rights.  During their conversation, we find out about her inspiration, her future in activism, what people need to do to be effective in making change-- no matter how old you are or where y...

iGen team Jill and Victor bring on the anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour, Judy Woodruff to examine the changes we’ve seen in the country while she’s been covering it for us.  But despite our nation’s recent division, we have made it through tougher times, and with a new administration and a slowing of the pandemic, we all have a future that is slowly starting to look brighter by the day....