Politicology

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss DOGE’s complicated story, why we do need to cut spending, and whether they’re being realistic about what that will take Then, we talk about the Trump plan to dismantle the federal Department of Education  After that, we talk about the European speech laws that are in the spotlight after a 60 Minutes segment and a speech from...

This episode is a little bit different. And personal. Kristyn Komarnicki, director of dialogue and convening at Christians for Social Action, and Darren Calhoun, a justice advocate, worship leader, and Associate Fellow at CSA, join Ron Steslow to discuss intentional dialogue, and how we can use their techniques in the relationships that matter to us. (07:06) What is dialogue? How is it different f...

Host Ron Steslow welcomes Mike Brock, CEO of TBD, a subsidiary of Block Inc. (formerly Square), the financial technology firm led by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey. The Internet is dominated by massive, corporate walled gardens like Google, Facebook, and Twitter (now X), where centralized control makes their users (us!) vulnerable to censorship and manipulation. In this episode, we explore how the mo...

For the ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus In this episode, Ron talks to Molly McKew (writer and lecturer on Russian influence and information warfare) about Russia’s ongoing attack on Ukraine, the status of the war, and what comes next for Ukraine. They discuss: (01:56) Understanding the current state of the war (05:26) The Evolution of th...

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss the whirlwind around tariffs, the politics and the optics, and why the tariffs on China are moving forward  Then, we talk about a Chinese AI startup that’s making shockwaves and how it’s impacting the U.S.-China Tech war After that, we talk about immigration and how the Laken Riley Act vote is a sign of the growing gap in La...

Michele Gelfand (Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a Professor of Psychology by Courtesy at Stanford University) joins host Ron Steslow to discuss culture, social norms, and her book Rule Makers, Rule Breakers: How Tight and Loose Cultures Wire Our World  (01:46) Why she decided to study culture  (04:34) What are tight and loose cultures (06:12) W...

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss the chaos that ignited after the White House pushed for a freeze in federal funding and the Trump Administration backing down Then, we talk about Trump-supporting, young men and their desire to be recognized for greatness  Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we discuss the government-run snitch lines in seven states and...

For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus In this episode, Ron talks to  Casey Michel (Director of the Combating Kleptocracy Program at the Human Rights Foundation) about his book Foreign Agents: How American Lobbyists and Lawmakers Threaten Democracy Around the World and how foreign money  influences our politics. They discuss: (...

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss Donald Trump’s broad pardons for January 6th and Joe Biden’s preemptive pardons for Trump critics and his own family members. Then, we talk about Trump’s Executive Orders and whether there’s a growing appetite for something resembling a more monarchical presidency Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we discuss Donald and...

Liam Donovan, Marc Caputo, Brady Dale (Crypto Reporter at Axios),  and host Ron Steslow discuss  Donald and Melania Trump launching memecoins and the serious ethical questions they raise Related reading:  Axios - Trump meme coin unsettles some blockchain leaders NYT - Trump Begins Selling New Crypto Token, Raising Ethical Concerns Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the ad-free & full version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus In this episode, Ron talks to Nick Anthony (Policy Analyst at the Cato Institute and a Fellow at the Human Rights Foundation) about Central Bank Digital Curriences, their potential to invade privacy, alter the dynamics of financial control, how governments are trying to justify them, and why...

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss the devastating wild fires in California and the political earthquake that’s coming. Then, we talk about the paradox of America’s dysfunction at home and unparalleled power on the global stage. Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we discuss the TikTok ban set to go into effect and the “refugees” flocking to other China c...

For the ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus In this episode, Ron talks to Senator Ron Wyden (Oregon) about his new book It Takes Chutzpah and leading the legislative charge for privacy in the digital age. Segments to look forward to: (01:48) What is Chutzpah (06:06) Being the ‘Designated Driver’ in the Senate  (07:31) Why he’s committed to p...

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss President-elect Trump’s push to get “one, big, beautiful bill” to get his campaign promises through congress.  Then, we talk about the proposals for a strategic Bitcoin reserve and the shifts in how legislators are thinking about crypto.  Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we discuss how we can and should talk about the...

For the ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus In this episode, Ron talks to longtime Washington D.C. public defender Heather Shaner about her work representing dozens of January 6th defendants. They’re joined by Liz Gilbert Cohen who worked as a consulting producer on the documentary about Heather’s work with January 6 defendents—Public Defend...

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...

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...