Jen Rubin's Green Room

Jen and Katie Paris discuss the importance of community and empowerment among women, particularly through the organization Red Wine and Blue. Katie shares her journey in founding the organization, which aims to connect and support women in their local communities, especially in the face of political challenges and social issues. They emphasize the need for local action, the significance of joy in...

Jen Rubin answers listener questions and addresses various pressing political questions as the new year begins. She discusses the implications of international leaders flattering Trump, the status of his cabinet nominations, and the potential dangers posed by certain nominees. The conversation also touches on Elon Musk's controversial involvement in European politics, the complexities of immigrati...

Jen is joined this week by Eric Liu, they discuss  the pain and disillusionment many feel towards politics and how Citizen University aims to empower individuals to take active roles in their communities. He emphasizes the importance of understanding local power dynamics, fostering civic character, and creating spaces for connection through programs like Civic Saturdays. Liu also reflects on the s...

Jen and George discuss the recent libel case involving Donald Trump and E. Jean Carroll, examining the implications of the verdict and public perceptions of Trump. They explore the complexities of legal definitions of rape, the challenges of defamation cases, and the broader impact of Trump's policies on American society. The conversation reflects on how political figures manipulated Trump, the po...

This week Jen is joined by Jim Kessler from Third Way They discuss the current state of the Democratic Party, focusing on Biden's ideological journey, the importance of effective messaging, and the role of local leaders in engaging voters. He emphasizes the need for Democrats to listen to constituents, balance positive and negative messaging, and address pressing issues like education and immigrat...

Jen and Renato Mariotti discuss the implications of political interference in law enforcement, particularly focusing on the FBI and the Justice Department under a second Trump administration. They explore the erosion of trust in federal law enforcement, the challenges to judicial independence, and the potential consequences of targeting political opponents. The discussion also touches on the role...

Jen is joined this week by Mimi Rocah who analyzes the recent legal landscape, focusing on Jack Smith's federal case dismissals and their broader implications.  The conversation examines the complex interplay between politics and justice, highlighting the challenges facing the Department of Justice and the critical importance of maintaining democratic norms. Rocah emphasizes the potential for civi...

In a poignant discussion, Jen is joined by Dara Horn and explore her book 'People Love Dead Jews', examining how society fetishizes Jewish memorial narratives while marginalizing living Jewish experiences. She critiques the prevalent anti-Semitism in Western culture, highlighting how Holocaust education often serves as a superficial morality tale that fails to recognize Jewish agency and complexit...

White Christian nationalism's influence on US elections reflects complex intersections of religion, race, and politics. Robert P. Jones examines how faith communities, particularly white evangelicals, show strong support for Trump while highlighting concerning trends in political polarization and extremist rhetoric. The discussion emphasizes the importance of local engagement and understanding in...

Jen Rubin discusses the implications of recent election results, emphasizing the need to understand voter sentiment and the role of misogyny in American politics. She outlines strategic responses for Democrats, focusing on accountability and the importance of local governance. Rubin expresses hope for the future while acknowledging the challenges ahead, urging listeners to remain engaged and proac...

Jen Rubin discusses the optimism surrounding Election Day, highlighting the enthusiasm for Kamala Harris and the trends in early voting. She emphasizes the importance of key states like North Carolina and Georgia, and prepares listeners for Trump's expected declaration of victory, urging them to remain calm and patient as the votes are counted. Miracle Made: For 40% off high-quality self-cooling s...

David Brock discusses his book on the Supreme Court, focusing on the influence of Clarence Thomas and the ethical issues surrounding the court. He analyzes the power dynamics within the court, particularly the leadership of Chief Justice Roberts, and the implications for the Democratic Party's strategies moving forward. The discussion also touches on the media's role in shaping public perception,...

Jen, Susanne and Russ delve into the financial history and business practices of Donald Trump, exploring his early wealth, the impact of his family's finances, his business failures, and the eventual rise to fame through reality television. The discussion highlights the complexities of Trump's financial dealings, his reputation for stiffing contractors, and the role of media in shaping his public...

Jen Rubin is joined this week by Matthew Seligman to discuss the ongoing legal implications of the January 6th events, focusing on the litigation surrounding Trump's actions and the broader implications for the upcoming 2024 election. They explore the strategies employed by Republicans to influence voting laws and the narrative around illegal voting, emphasizing the importance of voter confidence...

Jen addresses a series of questions from listeners regarding the upcoming elections, focusing on misinformation, voter outreach strategies, key down-ballot races, and the priorities for Kamala Harris if elected.  Also touching on the shifting dynamics among young male voters, the impact of media pessimism, and the current global opinion on Israel amidst conflict. Jen emphasizes the importance of c...

Timothy Snyder discusses his new book that explores the concept of freedom from a philosophical and political perspective. He contrasts negative freedom, often understood as freedom from constraints, with positive freedom, which emphasizes the importance of community, solidarity, and the conditions necessary for individuals to thrive. Snyder argues that true freedom requires a supportive environme...

Jen Rubin and Ian Bassin discuss the current state of democracy in the U.S., focusing on the upcoming election, the myth of illegal voting, the integrity of the electoral process, and the role of the Supreme Court. He emphasizes the need for reforms to strengthen democracy, including addressing the filibuster and exploring innovative voting systems. Bassin also highlights the importance of communi...

Simon Rosenberg discusses the evolving political landscape as the election approaches, focusing on polling trends, candidate favorability, and the impact of key figures like JD Vance.  He highlights the significance of abortion as a political issue and the changing dynamics in the House and Senate races. The discussion also touches on the shifting perceptions of patriotism and the Democratic Party...

Jen Rubin is joined by Robert P. Jones to discuss his book 'The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy' and the updated observations in the paperback version. He explores the connection between Trump and his base supporters, highlighting the role of Christian nationalism in their support. Jones explains that white Christian nationalists want to restore their dominance in society and view Trump as a means...

Jen Rubin and Dr. John Gartner discuss the increased focus on Donald Trump's mental health, particularly through Dr. Gartner's work with George Conway and the "Shrinking Trump" podcast. They explore how Biden's exit from the race has highlighted Trump's mental state, and how Conway's ads provoke Trump's irrational behavior. Jen and Dr. Gartner also examines Kamala Harris' strategy to undermine Tru...

Jen and Mark Jacob discuss the challenges facing the media industry and the need for more responsible and informative journalism. They highlight the importance of fact-checking and fact crusading, as well as the need for historical context in reporting. They also discuss the negative impact of polls and the obsession with entertainment in news coverage. The conversation touches on the decline of l...

Jen Rubin and Matt Bennett discuss the selection of Tim Walz as the vice presidential nominee and his potential impact on the ticket and the country. They highlight Walz's relatability, his understanding of rural and urban issues, and his ability to bridge the rural-urban divide.  They also discuss the strengths of the Harris campaign, including their ability to generate momentum and their strateg...

Peter Pomerantsev discusses Delmer's strategies, highlighting their relevance to modern disinformation challenges, particularly regarding Russia's actions in Ukraine. Pomerantsev stresses the need for engaging media campaigns to counter authoritarian propaganda effectively. Peter's book is about Sefton Delmer, a British journalist during World War II, used subversive propaganda tactics against the...

Jen and Kim Wehle discuss the current state of the Constitution and the Supreme Court. They highlight the recent Supreme Court rulings that have redefined the power of the president and altered the foundational structure of government. They also discuss the implications of these rulings on the rule of law and the potential for abuse of power. Kim emphasizes the need for civic literacy and understa...

Jen Rubin is joined this week by Adam Hochschild to discuss his book 'American Midnight: Fear, Magic, and the Reconstruction of Race in America'. He explores the parallels between the early 20th century and the present day, highlighting the rise of nativism, paranoia, and conspiracy theories.  Adam delves into the factors that fueled fear and prejudice during World War I, including the conflict be...