Politicology

For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus We live in a loud world that’s getting louder. We encounter noise all around us—from the chatter of polite conversations, to street noise in a big city, to the constant intrusion of the dings of notifications. But what is all of this noise doing to us, and what does it mean to find quiet i...

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss President Biden carrying out the largest single-day act of clemency in American history and the controversial commutations of sentences for corrupt public officials. Then, we talk about the rash of reported drone sightings in New Jersey and the confirmed UAV sightings around military bases, and how we can sort fact from fict...

Journalist, Public Speaker and Author Celeste Headlee (@CelesteHeadlee) joins host Ron Steslow (@RonSteslow) to reveal the science and history behind human communication, share keys to unlock deeper conversations, and explain how critical empathy is for our ability to listen and connect. For more information, to contact us, or to contribute to Politicology, visit Politicology.com Learn more about...

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we dive into the fandom that’s developed around the assassin who killed United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson Then, we’ll look at how Donald Trump’s team pulled the Pete Hegseth nomination back from the brink in the Senate.  Later, we talk about the younger Democrats pushing for generational  change in House committee leadership positio...

For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus Poler Family Professor and chair of the psychology department at Amherst College Dr. Catherine Sanderson joins Ron Steslow to talk about how giving can make you happier.  (02:08) What is happiness and how can we measure it? (08:31) Does giving make you happy or do happy people give more? (...

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, Ron Steslow calls Hagar Chemali to talk about some of the most important stories going on around the world:  First, we discuss President Biden pardoning his son, Hunter, and weighing other preemptive pardons  Then, we talk about what Trump’s defense, intelligence, and national security nominations could mean Next, we look at South Kore...

Host Ron Steslow welcomes Alex Gladstein (Chief Strategy Officer at the Human Rights Foundation) to discuss the significant and often misunderstood role of Bitcoin in protecting human rights and fighting against authoritarians around the world. Segments to look forward to: (02:07) Alex’s background in human rights work and why he became interested in Bitcoin  (16:18) Bitcoin vs other cryptocurrenc...

Lucy Caldwell (Board Advisor to the Renew Democracy Initiative and advisor to the Forward Party), Liam Donovan (Principal at Bracewell LLP), and Ron Steslow respond to your feedback and answer your questions on our latest mailbag episode.  (02:04) Would compulsory voting be good for the United States? (14:22) Matt Gaetz withdrawals as A.G. nominee (26:46) How do you feel about the Trump re-electio...

You may know him from his dazzling dishes showcased on the hit Netflix TV series, “Chef’s Table,” but three-Star Michelin Chef Dan Barber (Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Blue Hill NYC) has a relationship with ingredients far deeper and more complex than pretty plates of food. In this episode, Chef Dan joins Ron Steslow to discuss the politics and future of food and the consequences of how America feeds...

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus Mike Madrid, Liam Donovan, Lucy Caldwell, and Ron Steslow discuss the national security risks that data harvesting presents, the need for stronger protections for privacy, and how privacy is necessary for other rights in the digital age.  Related reading: Wired-Anyone Can Buy Data Tracking US Soldiers and Spies to Nuclear Vaults and Brothels in G...

This week, we discuss whether Donald Trump and the Republicans have a mandate.  Next, we discuss whether America has a cohesive “working class.” Finally, in our separate Politicology+ episode we talk about the national security risks that data harvesting presents—and how we might use it to get better privacy protection for all of us.  Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel:  Mike Madrid (Lincoln...

Over two decades ago, Ruy Teixeira predicted that America was on its way to a bright blue future, thanks to an inevitable demographic shift that would deliver the Party a dominant, durable political coalition. “Demography is destiny” became the mantra of the Democratic Party—proven out by Obama’s decisive 2008 electoral college win. But then, in 2016, Trump upended that coalition, and, consequentl...

Over two decades ago, Ruy Teixeira predicted that America was on its way to a bright blue future, thanks to an inevitable demographic shift that would deliver the Party a dominant, durable political coalition. “Demography is destiny” became the mantra of the Democratic Party—proven out by Obama’s decisive 2008 electoral college win. But then, in 2016, Trump upended that coalition, and, consequentl...

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus *NOTE: Upcoming Mailbag Episode! Send us your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬* This week, we discuss Senate Republicans picking a new leader, Trump’s push for recess appointments, named cabinet nominees, and White House staffing. Next, we discuss reporting that FEMA workers were told to skip houses w...

For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus Alua Arthur (Death Doula) joins host Ron Steslow to discuss the importance of embracing mortality, talking about death, and her new book, Briefly Perfectly Human: Making an Authentic Life and Getting Real About the End.  Segments to look forward to: (02:31) What is a death doula?  (05:39)...

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss the presidential election results, what the early exit polling numbers could mean, and what Democrats will need to do moving forward after losing the popular vote for the first time in two decades Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we talk about the questions Trump’s electoral victory raises for and about the media.  Jo...

For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus Poler Family Professor and chair of the psychology department at Amherst College Dr. Catherine Sanderson joins Ron Steslow to talk about happiness and how to harness the power of a positive mindset. (02:49) The negative connotation of the “power of positive thinking” and adopting a growth...

For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus Richard Reeves (author of Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It)  joins Ron Steslow to discuss his book and the struggles facing boys and men.  (02:04) The toxicity of “toxic masculinity” (08:00) The “right” at war and the “left” in den...

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss the huge gap between college-educated women and non-college educated men, what it could mean in the election and moving forward. Later, we look at how attention has shifted away from the White House after Biden dropped out of the presidential race.  Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we dive into why the chairman of the...

For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus Richard Reeves (author of Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It)  joins Ron Steslow to discuss his book and the struggles facing boys and men.  (02:13) Richard’s work and how it led to studying boys and men  (04:00) The risks if the pro...

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we dive into Donald Trump’s trip to McDonalds and how both campaigns are trying to position themselves with working class voters.  Then, we’ll look at Trump plans to sit down with Joe Rogan and Harris joining Brené Brown, and what the “podcast election” is revealing about the changing media landscape. Finally, we head to Politicology+...

For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus Mike Madrid and Ron Steslow talk shop about the state of the race in the final stretch: -Warning bells for Harris in Nevada - GOP defections and the “permission structure” fantasy - Why the Blue Wall might fall - Latino voters -  The global anti-incumbent election trend - Harris’ attempt t...

For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus In this conversation, Marc Polymeropoulos, a former CIA officer,  discusses the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar—the mastermind of the October 7 massacre. He explains the potential shifts in Hamas’s leadership structure, future negotiations for hostages being held by the terrorist grou...

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss the evangelical preacher—Lance Wallnau—who’s blending tent revivals with political mobilization to help elect Donald Trump.  Then, we’ll talk about the “Uncommitted” movement in Michigan, how it could impact the race, and Jill Stein openly embracing being a spoiler for Trump. Later, we look at Vice President Harris’s push to...

For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus How do you win campaigns in a world awash with lies? And why do candidates and campaigns struggle to “use their normal brains” when those lies happen to start online?  In the second episode of this two-part conversation, join host Ron Steslow, Mike Madrid, and Sasha Issemberg to discuss th...