Pantsuit Politics

The odd grammatical clarifications President Trump and the White House keep offering are dominating headlines, but the policy and actions behind them are far more concerning. We return to our conversation about confronting strangers after so much great listener feedback. We also talk to Carri Hicks, who is running for State Senate in Oklahoma.  Carri Hicks for State Senate Donate to Carri To suppo...

Our plans for today's episode were upended by Donald Trump's extraordinary statements in Helsinki. We share our thoughts on Trump's foreign policy across Europe, the Peter Strzok hearing, the new indictments from the Mueller team, and the shocking Trump-Putin press conference in Helsinki. Recommended Resources: Trump in London Trump and Putin in Helsinki Peter Strzok Hearing More Indictments from...

We're tackling the new Supreme Court nominee, NATO, and Sarah has some things to say to white people with cell phones. This leads us into a conversation about when and how to call out strangers for words and actions we find objectionable. Plus, Beth talks with Emily Fox about her new book about the Trump children, Born Trump. To support the show and get access to bonus content, visit the Pantsuit...

2,977 people were killed by 19 al Qaeda-backed terrorists on September 11, 2001. Today, as immigration and travel bans dominate the news, we begin a several month exploration of what that day has meant for American government, agencies, policies and culture. We start the show lightning round to cover the this week's headlines. We're also sharing our first gratitude moment, a new regular segment in...

Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement from the Supreme Court this week. We discuss what it may mean for the future of the Court. We also talk about the varied reactions to Justice Kennedy's announcement and how they relate to our discussion of political civility.  To support the show and get access to bonus content - including lots more about the Supreme Court - visit our Patreon page a...

Social media has been dominated by the serious stories of immigration atrocities and less serious stories about jackets and restaurants. We cover these stories in our lightning round before talking about the need for civility in our political discourse. Plus, we chat with Tiffany Bond about her run to represent the citizens of Maine in Congress.  Recommended Resources: Obliterating Culture Where I...

All week, we've heard from listeners who, like us, are struggling to process what's happening at our southern border. We talk through the various elements of this crisis as well as our thoughts and feelings surrounding it. Additionally, we discuss how and why we talk politics with our kids. Recommended Resources: VA Governor Orders Investigation Into Potential Child Abuse President Obama and Famil...

It's being reported that 2000 children have been separated from their families at the US border between April 19 and May 31. We discuss our perspectives on this horrifying policy as well as reflect on how we view immigration to the United States. We also discuss the recent Supreme Court decision on gerrymandering, immigration issues in the European Union, and our weekly Pride Month moment.  Recomm...

We address the separation of families at the border, share our reflections on the summit with North Korea, and Beth talks with James Kirchick, author of The End of Europe. Beth and James discuss historical context for our modern diplomacy with European countries, including Russia.  Thanks to today's sponsor: Grove Collaborative.  To support the show and get access to regular bonus content, visit t...

The President faces backlash from the G7 heading into talks with North Korea, and Robert Mueller's work. We take a closer look at the new indictments and what they mean for the continuing case. We also talk with Diana Butler Bass about the need for civic gratitude.  Recommended Resources: The G7 Summit Communique  The North Korea Summit Mueller's Latest Charges The Special Counsel's Office Backgro...

There's so much tension in the news this week. International leaders are unhappy with the United States over tariffs, leading to concerns about the ability of the G7 to issue a joint statement. American diplomats in China are being brought home after experiencing neurological symptoms caused by sustained and mysterious sounds. And House GOP leaders are trying to quell and immigration revolt among...

We've discovered that it's hard to talk about what you think is important without talking about what everyone is talking about, so we set a timer to tick through the public frenzy stories of the week: the pardon memo, Roseanne and Samantha Bee, and the Bill Clinton interview. Then, we get down to business, talking about contemplated cuts to U.S. Special Forces in Africa and the Niger report, the i...

We talk about the social media outrage machine in the wake of stories that families are being separated at the border, ICE has abused its power, and the Office of Refugee Resettlement has been unable to verify the status of children placed with sponsor families. In the #wherearethechildren outrage, we are missing key policy and enforcement issues that could help improve outcomes for immigrant fami...

We took a trip back to Transylvania University, our alma mater, for a live podcast recording. We discussed all sorts of women in political leadership, including some of our favorite fictional portrayals, with Dr. Emily Goodman, Assistant Professor of Art History.  Thanks to our sponsors: Smart for Life, Tripping.com, and TomBoy X. To support the show and get access to bonus content, visit our Patr...

From North Korea to primary elections to Steve Almond, our inboxes have been full this week. We talk about this week's news as well as share some of the great listener feedback we've gotten recently.  Thanks to our sponsors: Smart for Life and Grove Collaborative. Recommended Resources:  The Myth of Conservative Feminism Boston and the Holland City Council As our May membership drive comes to a cl...

Another school shooting. Another twitter rant. We talk current events and also have a conversation with author Steve Almond about his new book, Bad Stories, a literary investigation of what is happening in America. Thanks to our sponsors: Stitcher Premium, Third Love, and TomBoy X. Recommended Resources: Santa Fe Shooting Steve Mnuchin and Trade with China Trump and Trade with China The Mueller In...

Reports confirm Russia interfered in our election and that the President lied to the American people. Plus, North Korea throws cold water on the upcoming summit and the President of the United States described our fellow human beings as animals. Thanks to our sponsors: Stitcher Premium and Brandless. Recommended Resources: Missing Files and Michael Cohen Trump vs. the Deep State Richard Burr and t...

The United States has opened its embassy in Jerusalem, and national issues keep surfacing in local races. We also discuss race, education, and policy with Dr. Wendy Osefo. Thanks to our sponsors: Smart for Life, Just Fab, and TomBoy X.  Israel: The Jerusalem Embassy Prime Minister Netanyahu and Corruption Other Resources: Compliment the Other Side: Dianne Feinstein Wendy Osefo The 1954 Equity Proj...

The Iran Nuclear deal, North Korean detainees, and Russian oligarchs. We discuss lots of foreign policy, lots of lawyers, and lots of books.  Thanks to our sponsors: Stitcher Premium and Brandless. Recommended Resources: Trump's Shadowy Money Trail Michael Cohen's Shell Company Israel and Iran's Proxy War in Syria To hear Beth's full conversation with Jennifer Pett about James Comey's book, A High...

In Part 2, Beth discusses the creation and activities of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, concerns about Iran's nuclear program during the Bush years, and the negotiation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.    Recommended Resources:  Sunni and Shi'a Terrorism:Differences that Matter  JCPOA Fact Sheet Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. See omnystudio.com/liste...

To understand the Trump Administration's decision to exit the "Iran deal," a little history lesson in order. Beth discusses Iran's history through the Reagan years in Part 1. In Part 2, she talks about growing concerns over Iran's nuclear program during the Bush years through President Trump's decision to exit the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Agreement.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m...

We often ask ourselves "what kind of country do we want to live in?" Today, we ask that question in several contexts: national leadership, foreign policy, and the dairy industry.  Thanks to our sponsors: Smart for Life, Casper, and Tripping.com.  Recommended Resources: North Korea and President Trump Tunisian Election Compliment the Other Side: Senator Tokuda  The Dairy Industry:  Pricing Concepts...

We've been thinking about the President, and we've got some things to say. So do women across the country. Spaceship Media's bipartisan Facebook project, The Many, is allowing them to do that. We also discuss what nuance means to us and a few of the headlines of the week. Thanks to our sponsors: Audible and Brandless. Recommended Resources: Beth's Original Blog on Nuance Marianne Williamson on Opr...

Jen Hatmaker is an evangelical leader who has made headlines for going public with her politics. We talk with her about how her Christian faith informs her political beliefs and about the modern marriage of evangelicalism and conservatism. We also discuss this week's news, including Michelle Wolf's performance at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Plus, we chat about Avengers: Infinity War an...

The Virginia House of Delegates seated a record number of women in January, and those women aren't messing around. We attended The Blue Victory Dinner in Arlington, Virginia and spoke to some of them about their successful campaigns and the importance of women in political leadership.  Thanks to our sponsors: SmartNews and Brandless. The Delegates: Jennifer Carroll Foy, 2nd district: A public defe...