The Georgia Politics Podcast

Welcome back to The Georgia Politics Podcast. In this bonus episode, we sit down with the Student Leadership North debaters after the stage lights dim to hear their reflections on how the debate went. Fresh off their spirited exchange over whether Congress and President Gerald Ford were right to pardon Confederate General Robert E. Lee, the students sit down to reflect on the experience. How did t...

In this special edition of The Georgia Politics Podcast, we continue our series on 1975 with a spirited debate about one of the most consequential figures of American history. Partnering with Student Leadership North, the podcast goes live with a group of high school leaders who take the stage to wrestle with a question that is as much about values as it is about history: Were Congress and Preside...

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! This week, we break down the candidates who qualified for municipal elections across metro Atlanta. From mayoral races to city council contests, we walk you through who's running and where the most competitive fields are shaping up. Whether you're a voter in the suburbs or following metro Atlanta politics more broadly, this episode gives you a clear snapsho...

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On today's episode, host Lyndsey Coates sits down with Debra Shigley to discusses her decision to run for office and the experiences that have shaped her campaign. The conversation explores her vision for Senate District 21, which covers parts of North Fulton and Cherokee counties, and how she hopes to address some of the area's most pressing issues — from...

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! In this week's episode of The Georgia Politics Podcast, host Craig Kidd welcomes Lyndsey Coates and Daelen Lowry for an in-depth conversation on three major political storylines making headlines across the South and beyond. The trio begins with the Georgia governor's race, unpacking the latest campaign developments and candidate strategies. From fundraising...

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! Today, former Roswell City Council members Nancy Diamond and Steve Dorvee join us to discuss the letter they - along with 19 other former elected officials - sent to the current mayor and council demanding change and transparency. They'll dive into the now-public letter - hand-delivered to City Hall on August 6 -signed by 21 former elected officials demandi...

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! In our return to 1975, we're joined by Georgia State University Professor of Law Emerita Andrea Curcio for a fascinating look back at a pivotal moment in social and legal history. In 1975, The New York Times published an article that marked the first recognized use of the term "sexual harassment." We explore the cultural and workplace climate of the mid-197...

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! We are joined by Decaturish editor Dan Whisenhunt to discuss Congress's recent decision to slash federal funding for NPR and PBS. What's behind this dramatic move to defund some of the most trusted sources of news, culture, and education in the country? Craig, Professor Stone, and Dan unpack the political calculations driving the cuts, including the growing...

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Brice Futch, a Cherokee County firefighter and Republican candidate for Georgia's open Senate District 21 seat. With longtime Senator Brandon Beach now serving as U.S. Treasurer in Washington, D.C., the race is wide open—and Brice Futch is running as a grassroots conservative focused on faith, family, and freedom. We talk a...

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On this anniversary of Jimmy Hoffa's disappearance, we revisit one of the most enduring mysteries in American history. Hoffa, the infamous Teamsters boss with deep ties to organized crime and political power, vanished on July 30, 1975, from a Detroit-area parking lot—and hasn't been seen since. Was it the mob? A deal gone wrong? We dive into the facts, the...

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On the show today, we are joined by Sandy Springs City Councilman Tibby DeJulio for Part 2 of our mini-series on the incorporation of the City of Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs City Councilman Tibby DeJulio joins to recount the decades-long push to incorporate Sandy Springs and the grassroots movement that powered it. He reflects on the community's determinat...

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! In this episode, we sit down with former Alpharetta City Councilman Brian Will, a Republican candidate for Georgia's open Senate District 21 seat. With longtime Senator Brandon Beach now serving as U.S. Treasurer in Washington, D.C., the race is wide open—and Brian Will is hoping to bring his business background and conservative values to the State Capitol....

Welcome back to The Georgia Politics Podcast! We are back this week with Part 2 of our deep dive into the 1975 blockbuster film Jaws, its cultural legacy, and its enduring impact on the film industry. Join us as we unpack the broader societal impact of a movie that was never just a movie. Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter  @gapoliticspod Hans Appen on Twitter  @hansappen Craig K...

Welcome back to The Georgia Politics Podcast! This week, we're diving into another installment of our 1975 series—this time focusing on the blockbuster film Jaws, its cultural legacy, and its enduring impact on the film industry. From its groundbreaking effects and unforgettable score to its lasting influence on Hollywood and summer blockbusters, we explore how Steven Spielberg's thriller redefine...

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! In this episode, we're joined by political strategist and NYC insider Jason Weingartner for a deep dive into the 2025 New York City mayoral race. We break down the early contenders, key issues shaping the race, and what voters are really looking for in the city's next leader. Jason brings sharp analysis and behind-the-scenes insight into campaign strategy a...

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! In this episode, we explore the political journey of Bob Barr following his high-profile role as a House manager during President Bill Clinton's impeachment trial. Once a staunch conservative Republican, Barr's career took a series of surprising turns — from continuing his tenure in Congress to eventually becoming the Libertarian Party's 2008 presidential n...

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast ! On today's show, we discuss what—if anything—Congress can or should do about a president's fitness to serve. As America's political leaders continue to age, questions around mental acuity, physical stamina, and fitness for office have become harder to ignore. We are joined by two members of academia to dive into the complex and often uncomfortable topic of...

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! It's 1975 again, and in Part 6 we are discussing one of the final flashpoints of the Vietnam War era — the Mayaguez Incident. Often overshadowed by larger conflicts of the time, this tense and tragic event marked the last official battle involving U.S. forces in Southeast Asia. We unpack the timeline of events, from the capture of the American cargo ship  S...

In this episode of The Georgia Politics Podcast, we sit down with former Congressman Bob Barr for Part 1 of our in-depth conversation about his remarkable career in public service. Barr reflects on his early work as a CIA analyst during the Cold War, offering a rare glimpse into the world of intelligence and the global tensions that shaped U.S. policy at the time. He then takes us through his year...

In this episode of The Georgia Politics Podcast, we unpack the Georgia Democratic Party's latest leadership shakeup as Charlie Bailey is elected the new state party chair, succeeding Rep. Nikema Williams. The vote marks a strategic shift as Democrats look to rebound from recent electoral setbacks and gear up for the 2026 midterms. We're joined by a special guest: Wendy Davis, the second-place fini...

In this episode of The Georgia Politics Podcast, host Craig Kidd is joined by political insiders Jason Shepherd and Eamon Keegan to break down two major announcements shaking up Georgia's 2026 Senate landscape. Governor Brian Kemp and U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene have both confirmed they will not be running for U.S. Senate—what does that mean for the GOP field? We explore the motivat...

Happy VE Day! In this thought-provoking episode of  The Georgia Politics Podcast , we discuss why D-Day commands national remembrance, while VE Day—the end of the war in Europe—often passes with little fanfare. We explore the cultural, political, and media factors that have shaped America's collective memory of World War II. Tune in for a wide-ranging discussion that blends history, civic identity...

In this episode, we delve into one of the most secretive and fascinating traditions in the world: the selection of a new pope. Following the death of Pope Francis, the eyes of the world once again turn to the Vatican as the Catholic Church prepares to choose its next spiritual leader. We explore the centuries-old rituals of the papal conclave, the critical role of the College of Cardinals, and the...

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On today's episode we are joined by Director George Hirthler to discuss his new documentary on the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. The Games in Black and White is a documentary that tells the untold story of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, focusing on the powerful and enduring friendship between Ambassador Andrew Young and Olympic CEO Billy Payne. Described...

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! In Part 5 of our 1975 retrospective series, we turn our focus to the Fall of Saigon—a pivotal moment in world history. The Fall of Saigon was a pivotal moment that brought the Vietnam War to a dramatic close and forever changed the course of history. Our guest, Colonel Albion Bergstrom (U.S. Army, Retired), brings a deeply personal and professional perspect...