More Than Politics

In this episode Julie Walsh talks with writer Leslie Sholly about the experience of being politically uncomfortable. The two enjoy a kinship of sorts: their political views are similar to one another, but make them outliers in their respective communities.  Leslie, who lives in a conservative, southern, Republican state, identifies as a pro-life Democrat. And Julie, who lives in a liberal, east co...

In this episode Julie Walsh talks with Dr. J. Kristen Urban, Professor Emerita from Mount St. Mary’s University. Dr. Urban, who has taught a variety of courses related to international politics, has spent time in Israel/Palestine, Russia, Romania, Italy, Turkey, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. In 2003/04, she was a Senior Fulbright Scholar to Bahrain. In this second of a two-part conversation on the curre...

In this “emergency” episode, Julie Walsh seeks to provide context on Lebanon for those who are tracking developments related to the August 4th explosion in Beirut, but who don’t know much about the country where it took place. She talks with Dr. J. Kristen Urban, Professor Emerita from Mount St. Mary’s University. Dr. Urban, who has taught a variety of courses related to international politics, ha...

In this episode Julie Walsh talks with Dr. J. Kristen Urban, Professor Emerita from Mount St. Mary’s University. Dr. Urban, who has taught a variety of courses related to international politics, has spent time in Israel/Palestine, Russia, Romania, Italy, Turkey, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. In 2003/04, she was a Senior Fulbright Scholar to Bahrain. In this first of a two-part conversation on the curren...

In this episode Julie Walsh talks with John Miller, an award-winning journalist and filmmaker who, as a staff reporter for the Wall Street Journal for 13 years, reported from over 40 countries. John, an American, grew up in Brussels. He now lives in Pittsburgh.  Julie and John discuss the moment we find ourselves in, both here and abroad: the coronavirus pandemic, the economic uncertainty it has u...

This first episode of “More Than Politics” is an introduction to the ideas behind the podcast: the personal and professional stories that brought the host to this point, and the political philosophy those stories engendered in her. Julie Varner Walsh’s life has always centered around politics and her Catholic faith, and that has made for some strange combinations. Raised Republican, she worked mos...

Introducing: “More Than Politics”, a podcast for those of us who want something more than what we’ve come to expect from politics – and from our political discourse. Each week, More Than Politics will feature a conversation that helps us put today’s politics in context, that honestly and charitably explores the issues of the day, that encourages us to engage in politics with an attitude of love to...