Politicology

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 your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 positions. Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we discuss how Citizens United moved the balance of power toward rich donors and pulled the Democratic party to the left. Joining guest host Zack Czajkowski on this week’s panel: David Weigel (politics reporter at Semafor) James Lynch (Communications Strategist) Segments this week: (02:19) Assassin fandom (31:54) Hegseth Nomination saved in the Senate (45:48) Generational change in the Democratic Party Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Get David’s Newsletter “Americana”: https://bit.ly/4iB6HFd Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/ZackCz https://x.com/JamesGLynch https://x.com/daveweigel Related reading: Segment 1: CNN- 1-star McDonald’s reviews and sympathetic merch: Companies try to stop online support for CEO killer suspect | CNN Business Wired - The Internet’s Obsession With Luigi Mangione Signals a Major Shift | WIRED Yahoo News - Black Lives Matter activist calls on ‘black vigilantes’ after Daniel Penny’s acquittal: ‘F—k America’ Segment 2: Politico - Ron who? How Trump brought Hegseth back from the brink - POLITICO NYT - Ernst Suggests She Will Not Oppose Hegseth for Defense Secretary - The New York Times Segment 3: NBC News - 'The end of seniority': Younger Democrats are challenging elders for powerful positions AP - Rep. Ocasio-Cortez announces bid for top Oversight job as Democrats push for generational change Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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? (10:20) Types of giving and the impact on happiness (14:50) The effect of giving on bad moods (28:58) Gratitude letters The Positive Shift by Dr. Catherine Sanderson https://benbellabooks.com/shop/the-positive-shift/ Politicology - March 10: Becoming Moral Rebels with Dr. Catherine Sanderson https://politicology.com/episodes/dr-catherine-sanderson-becoming-moral-rebels/ Are you learning from Politicology? Contribute now at https://politicology.com/donate! Follow Catherine and Ron on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SandersonSpeaks https://twitter.com/RonSteslow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Korea’s president invoking martial law After that, we break down the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire deal Finally, for our Politicology+ subscribers, we keep going around the world to talk about Iranian assassination plots (including one against a famous Iranian women’s rights activist), the pros and cons of an undisciplined and unpredictable Donald Trump, why Russian propaganda is using AI TV commentators, how the incoming administration might try to end the war in Ukraine, and more. Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/HagarChemali Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 cryptocurrencies (26:04) Financial privilege (38:35) Bitcoin in action (45:50) Bitcoin creating financial independence for women in Afghanistan (56:25)How a human rights activist uses Bitcoin to free hostages (59:10) Bitcoin as a tool against monetary colonialism in west Africa (1:00:10) The importance of peer-to-peer transactions (1:07:50) How Bitcoin mining can bring electricity to remote areas and support sustainable energy projects (1:19:40) Why Bitcoin matters for everyone Follow Ron and Alex on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://twitter.com/gladstein Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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-election and fears of retribution? (39:18) The push against disaffected Republicans within the Democratic coalition Have a question for a future Mailbag episode? Send it over to us at [email protected]! You can also leave us a voice message at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Follow Ron, Lucy, and Liam on X: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://twitter.com/lucymcaldwell https://twitter.com/LPDonovan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 itself. To unlock exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus (02:32) The current state of American agriculture (06:15) What is the Third Plate? (11:44) The connection between flavor and nutrition (14:24) The importance of crop rotation (34:14) Lab grown meat Politicology is supported by listeners like you. Can you pitch in right now at https://politicology.com/donate? Follow Dan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefdanbarber/ Follow Ron on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Germany | WIRED Extreme Privacy by Michael Bazzell - https://inteltechniques.com/book7.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Project cofounder, author of The Latino Century) Lucy Caldwell (Board Advisor to the Renew Democracy Initiative and advisor to the Forward Party) Liam Donovan (Principal at Bracewell LLP) Segments this week: (02:36) The M Word (32:16) Working class? Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://twitter.com/lucymcaldwell https://twitter.com/madrid_mike https://twitter.com/LPDonovan Related reading: Segment 1: Politico - Trump claims ‘unprecedented and powerful mandate’ - POLITICO NYT- Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Wants Fellow Democrats to Look in the Mirror - The New York Times NYT - Why Are Latinos Fleeing Democrats? Arizona’s New Senator Offers Answers. - The New York Times WP - GOP senators say RFK Jr. must ‘explain’ vaccine criticism, other views - The Washington Post Segment 2: Noah Smith -America doesn't really have a working class - by Noah Smith Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, consequently, anti-Trumpism naturally became a defining feature of the Democratic Party. But—beyond its opposition to Trump—what does the Democratic Party stand for today? With the Republican Party infected with extremism and so embarrassingly unable to govern, why aren’t Democrats winning sustainable majorities? And why is the Democratic party still losing ground with some of the core parts of its base? In the second part of this two-part conversation, former Center for American Progress senior fellow Ruy Teixeira joins Ron Steslow to discuss his new book Where Have All the Democrats Gone? The Soul of the Party in the Age of Extremes. In part 2: (01:06 ) The shift towards identity politics and how it’s changing the party’s approach to race and civil rights (08:40) Radical approaches to transgender rights (16:50) The change in environmental policy from responsible stewardship to the more extreme positions of the Green New Deal (41:14) The rise in independent voters, what it really means, and how it should impact political strategy (45:45) Whether it’s even possible for structural reforms in our political system to improve the health of our democracy Read Where Have All the Democrats Gone?: https://bit.ly/3P8hpGm Check out The Liberal Patriot: https://www.liberalpatriot.com/ Follow Ron on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow Email your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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, consequently, anti-Trumpism naturally became a defining feature of the Democratic Party. But—beyond its opposition to Trump—what does the Democratic Party stand for today? With the Republican Party infected with extremism and so embarrassingly unable to govern, why aren’t Democrats winning sustainable majorities? And why is the Democratic party still losing ground with some of the core parts of its base? In this two-part conversation, former Center for American Progress senior fellow Ruy Teixeira joins Ron Steslow to discuss his new book Where Have All the Democrats Gone? The Soul of the Party in the Age of Extremes. In part 1: (01:50 ) Ruy’s background (05:00) How the Democrats became the party of the elites (10:10)The impact of the 2016 election (23:23) The importance of working class voters in the Democratic party’s victories (30:20) The party’s increasingly liberal stance on immigration Read Where Have All the Democrats Gone?: https://bit.ly/3P8hpGm Check out The Liberal Patriot: https://www.liberalpatriot.com/ Follow Ron on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow Email your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus *NOTE: Upcoming Mailbag Episode! Send us your questions to [email protected] 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 with Trump signs, and the allegations it was a widespread practice. Finally, in our separate Politicology+ episode we talk about a House hearing about UFOs and the former military leaders sounding alarms that we are unprepared this technology. Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: Susan Del Percio (MSNBC political analyst and crisis communications expert) Stef Kight (Politics Reporter at Axios) Segments this week: (02:56) The Senate and recess appointments for Cabinet positions (28:34) FEMA skips Trump supporters Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/DelPercioS https://x.com/StefWKight Related reading: Segment 1: Axios - John Thune wins Senate Republican leader race Politico-Tracking Trump’s Cabinet picks Axios - Republicans "stunned and disgusted" as Trump taps Matt Gaetz for AG WP - Trump demanded senators allow recess appointments. Here’s what that means. NY Post - Progressive Rep. Pramila Jayapal reneges on support for axing filibuster after Republicans flip the Senate Segment 2: Daily Wire - EXCLUSIVE: FEMA Official Ordered Relief Workers To Skip Houses With Trump Signs Fox News - Fired FEMA employee says instructions to skip Trump homes were part of ‘colossal avoidance’ policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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) Alua’s journey and embracing mortality (07:28) The impact of avoiding conversations about death (10:33) Practical ways to approach contemplating death (26:00) Having conversations about death with your loved ones (28:10) Supporting loved ones facing end-of-life challenges (30:30) Reframing our language about death and disease (32:19) The desire for “more time” at the end of life (38:10) The importance of quality of life in end of life care (40:00) Assisted Suiceide and personal autonomy (43:40) Meaningful rituals for death (47:14) Mourning people with troubled legacies (51:10) Being briefly, perfectly human Read Briefly Perfectly Human: https://bit.ly/4a5UYJb Check out Going With Grace: https://goingwithgrace.com/ Follow Ron on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: Zack Czajkowski (Fmr. Lincoln Project Political Director) Andy Kroll (Investigative Reporter at ProPublica) Hans Nichols (White House Reporter at Axios) Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/ZackCz https://x.com/AndyKroll https://x.com/HansNichols Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 mindset (11:32) Revisiting the myth of monsters (13:13) Redemption and reconciliation, and applying a growth mindset to others: the “fundamental attribution error” (20:05) Let’s talk about stress (22:43) Grieving shared loss and uncertainty (28:20) Adequate sleep and happiness (32:04) Smiling through the pain...and other methods (36:17) Importance of conversations and meaningful relationships (39:10) Bringing people together for political engagement The Positive Shift by Dr. Catherine Sanderson https://benbellabooks.com/shop/the-positive-shift/ Politicology - March 10: Becoming Moral Rebels with Dr. Catherine Sanderson https://politicology.com/episodes/dr-catherine-sanderson-becoming-moral-rebels/ The Victory Lab by Sasha Issenberg https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/215192/the-victory-lab-by-sasha-issenberg/ Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers by Robert M. Sapolsky https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780805073690 Are you learning from Politicology? Contribute now at https://politicology.com/donate! Follow Catherine and Ron on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SandersonSpeaks https://twitter.com/RonSteslow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 denial (13:00) How negative partisanship only increases the problem (15:00) The differences in funding and institutional support for men and women (23:00) Redshirt the boys (28:00) The criticism Richard has faced for his writing on boys and men You can order the book here: https://www.brookings.edu/book/of-boys-and-men/ Follow Ron and Richard on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://twitter.com/RichardvReeves Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Securities and Exchange Commission has become a hot-button presidential campaign issue and whether a Harris administration would change their approach to crypto. Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: Liam Donovan (Principal at Bracewell LLP) Alex Thompson (National Political Correspondent for Axios) Segments this week: (02:18) The gender gap (37:12) Covering Biden after he dropped out Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/LPDonovan https://x.com/AlexThomp Related reading: Segment 1: NYT- Opinion | We Poll for Democrats and Republicans. We Agree on Where This Election Is Heading. - The New York Times Axios -MAGA speakers unleash ugly rhetoric at Trump's Madison Square Garden rally NYT - In Closing, Harris Casts Herself as the Unifier and Trump as a ‘Petty Tyrant’ - The New York Times Axios - America's youngest voters become major election liars Politico - Opinion | Democrats’ Problem With Male Voters Isn’t Complicated The Dispatch - Can Governing Norms Hold? - Dispatch Contributors Segment 2: Axios - Biden sets off election firestorm with "garbage" comment Axios - Harris stiff-arms Biden in final stretch Axios - For Harris, remaking Biden's White House could be the best revenge Alex Twitter Thread on “lock him up” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 problems are not addressed (07:30) The gendered education gap (0z8:20) How economic shifts have impacted men (11:20) Intersectionality in the research on gender (30:30) Recognizing these problems as structural and not individual (34:40) Weighing the biological differences between women and men You can order the book here: https://www.brookings.edu/book/of-boys-and-men/ Follow Ron and Richard on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://twitter.com/RichardvReeves Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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+ where we discuss Trump’s longest-serving Chief of Staff, John Kelly, speaking out and warning that Trump would rule like a dictator. Joining guest host Hagar Chemali on this week’s panel: Zack Czajkowski (Fmr. Lincoln Project Political Director) James Lynch (Communications Strategist) Segments this week: (04:29) The McDonald’s Photo Op (25:26) The Podcast Election Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Check out Oh My World!: https://www.ohmyworld.tv/ Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/HagarChemali https://x.com/ZackCz https://x.com/JamesGLynch Related reading: Segment 1: NYT - Kamala Harris and McDonald’s: A College Job, and a Trump Attack - The New York Times WP - Trump serves McDonald’s fries to supporters in stage-managed campaign stop NBC - Trump attempts to troll Harris by serving french fries at a Pennsylvania McDonald's Segment 2: Axios - Joe Rogan to interview Trump on his podcast WP - Opinion | Podcasts are dominating the 2024 election. Why? Forbes -Here Are The Biggest Moments From Trump’s ‘Bro’ Podcast Tour Ahead Of Joe Rogan Appearance NYT - Harris Will Campaign in Texas to Call Attention to Abortion Rights - The New York Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 to be both a change candidate and a continuity candidate, and the importance of contrast - Why immigration is a more potent issue than Dobbs/abortion Follow Ron and Mike on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/madrid_mike Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 group, what it could mean for Hamas’s coordination with Hezbollah, and the broader impact on the Middle East Follow Ron and Marc on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/Mpolymer Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 appeal to men—especially Black men—and why Democrats should have a policy plan for men’s issues. Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we dive into the recent controversies surrounding CBS News, particularly focusing on the reprimand of morning news anchor Tony Dokoupil and the 60 Minutes edit of their interview with Vice President Kamala Harris. Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: Matt Bennett (Founder & Executive Vice President for Public Affairs at Third Way) Andy Kroll (Investigative Reporter at ProPublica) Matthew Taylor (author of the new book The Violent Take it By Force: The Christian Movement That is Threatening Our Democracy) Segments this week: (04:23) Lance Wallnau (27:25) “Uncommitted” in Michigan (40:00) An Appeal to Men Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Read The Violent Take It By Force: The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy— https://bit.ly/3YeTCIe Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/ThirdWayMattB https://x.com/AndyKroll https://x.com/TaylorMatthewD Related reading: Segment 1: WSJ - The Evangelicals Calling for ‘Spiritual Warfare’ to Elect Trump - WSJ NPR - Pro-Trump Christian nationalists are on tour to recruit election workers BaptistNews - Thousands pray, worship and talk politics at ‘Million Women’ event – Baptist News Global Segment 2: WDET - Michigan Muslim voters say they feel misunderstood by Republicans and Democrats - WDET 101.9 FM WP - Democrats attack Green Party’s Jill Stein amid spoiler fears - The Washington Post Segment 3: NYT - As Black Voters Hesitate on Harris, Democrats Race to Win Them Over - The New York Times AP news - Harris announces a new plan to empower Black men as she tries to energize them to vote for her NYT - Black Voters Drift From Democrats, Imperiling Harris’s Bid, Poll Shows - The New York Times Politico - Opinion | Democrats’ Problem With Male Voters Isn’t Complicated Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 the way Democratic political campaigns are adjusting to the challenges of the new information landscape, as Sasha’s reveals in his new book The Lie Detectives: In Search of a Playbook for Winning Elections in the Disinformation Age. In part 2: (01:53) What strategists learned about combating disinformation from foreign campaigns (06:30) How a Brazilian candidate turned a lie about him into a branding opportunity (17:50)How the Supreme Court in Brazil tried to fight disinformation (30:00) Who gets to decide what’s a lie online? (38:17) The use of AI in campaigns and disinformation Read The Lie Detectives: https://www.sashaissenberg.com/the-lie-detectives Read The Victory Lab: https://www.sashaissenberg.com/the-victory-lab Follow Ron, Sasha, and Mike on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://twitter.com/sissenberg https://twitter.com/madrid_mike Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 start online? In this two-part conversation, join host Ron Steslow, Mike Madrid, and Sasha Issemberg to discuss the way Democratic political campaigns are adjusting to the challenges of the new information landscape, as Sasha’s reveals in his new book The Lie Detectives: In Search of a Playbook for Winning Elections in the Disinformation Age. In part 1: (02:01) Why Sasha wrote The Lie Detectives (03:33) The evolution of campaign tactics in the early 2000s (04:43) The focus on “disinformation” after the 2016 election (7:10) The Trump campaign’s strategy to depress turnout in 2016, and the difference between “suppression” and “depression.” (10:36) Strategies for discouraging turnout in 2020 (14:30) How campaigns should decide what wrong information to respond to online (20:31) The generational shift in campaign decision makers (30:18) The shift to calling opponents “liars” Read The Lie Detectives: https://www.sashaissenberg.com/the-lie-detectives Read The Victory Lab: https://www.sashaissenberg.com/the-victory-lab Follow Ron, Sasha, and Mike on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://twitter.com/sissenberg https://twitter.com/madrid_mike Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss election integrity, how our elections are more secure than they’ve ever been, and the opportunities bad actors are going to use to cast doubt on the election. Then, we’ll discuss Vice President Harris’s “media blitz” and who she’s trying to reach. Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we talk about the U.S. government using its power to take out banks when it doesn’t like their customers—and shed some light on why crypto created the biggest Super PAC in the 2024 campaign. Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: David Becker (CBS News’ election law expert; Executive Director of The Center for Election Innovation and Research) Lucy Caldwell (Board Advisor to the Renew Democracy Initiative and advisor to the Forward Party) Susan Del Percio (MSNBC political analyst and crisis communications expert) Segments this week: (03:27) Election Integrity (26:41) Harris’s media blitz Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/beckerdavidj https://x.com/lucymcaldwell https://x.com/DelPercioS Related reading: Segment 1: WP - On private call, Arizona’s top Democrats debated a ‘dire’ ballot dilemma - The Washington Post NPR - Arizona's high court rules that thousands can vote a full ballot after records flaw CNN - Republicans are suing more election officials over voter rolls in several battleground states | CNN Politics PBS - GBH’s New Special DEADLOCK Encourages Civil Discourse about Ethical Dilemmas Segment 2: ABC News -In media blitz, Harris broadens reach but struggles to differentiate herself from Biden - ABC News WP - How Kamala Harris’s media blitz went - The Washington Post Axios - Harris: "Not a thing" she'd have done differently than Biden Axios - Behind the Curtain: America's shocking agreement NYT -Poll Finds Harris Rising as She Challenges Trump on Change - The New York Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 start online? In this two-part conversation, join host Ron Steslow, Mike Madrid, and Sasha Issemberg to discuss the way Democratic political campaigns are adjusting to the challenges of the new information landscape, as Sasha’s reveals in his new book The Lie Detectives: In Search of a Playbook for Winning Elections in the Disinformation Age. In part 1: (02:01) Why Sasha wrote The Lie Detectives (03:33) The evolution of campaign tactics in the early 2000s (04:43) The focus on “disinformation” after the 2016 election (7:10) The Trump campaign’s strategy to depress turnout in 2016, and the difference between “suppression” and “depression.” (10:36) Strategies for discouraging turnout in 2020 (14:30) How campaigns should decide what wrong information to respond to online (20:31) The generational shift in campaign decision makers (30:18) The shift to calling opponents “liars” Read The Lie Detectives: https://www.sashaissenberg.com/the-lie-detectives Read The Victory Lab: https://www.sashaissenberg.com/the-victory-lab Follow Ron, Sasha, and Mike on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://twitter.com/sissenberg https://twitter.com/madrid_mike Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus It’s been one year since the horrific terrorist attack in Israel on October 7th. Hamas terrorists entered Israel and brutally raped and murdered over 1,200 people and gleefully live streamed some of the most horrific scenes we've ever seen. Over 200 people were abducted into Gaza by Hamas and a lot has changed over the last year. Tensions are continuing to rise and war is continuing to spread in the region. In this episode, visual poet Nitzan Mintz and street artist Dede Bandaid join Ron Steslow to discuss the impact of their guerrilla art poster campaign aimed at raising awareness for hostages kidnapped by Hamas. They reflect on the emotional toll of the ongoing situation, the importance of community support, and the role of art in advocating for humanity. They share personal experiences of trauma, resilience, and hope, emphasizing the need for continued awareness and action to bring the hostages home. Then Ron talks to Jodi Rudoren, editor-in-chief of The Forward about the unprecedented attack on October 7th, its impact on Israeli and American Jewish communities, and The Forward’s new podcast series Make Art Not War Segments to look forward to: (03:09) The Impact of the Campaign (06:22) Focusing on the Humanity of Hostages (09:21) The Emotional Toll of the Hostage Crisis (16:50) Community Support and Resilience (23:27) The Role of Art in Advocacy (26:59) Hope and Responsibility (29:54) The Power of Community (32:42) How unprecedented the October 7th attack was (35:00) Impact on Israeli and American Jewish Communities (41:17) Differentiating Coverage in a Polarized Media Landscape (54:52) Art as a Response to Conflict Follow Ron on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow Follow Dede, Nitzan, and the campaign on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kidnappedfromisrael/ https://www.instagram.com/nitzanmintz/ https://www.instagram.com/dedebandaid/ Check out The Forward and Make Art Not War: The Forward: https://forward.com/ Make Art Not War: https://forward.com/podcasts/make-art-not-war/ Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we have a special crossover episode with The Latino Vote Podcast. We talk about Kamala Harris’s trip to the southern border and shift in messaging on border security. Then, we discuss Donald Trump leaning into Christian “spiritual warfare” and how it could shape challenges to the election. Later, we dive into the Wall Street Journal’s analysis of the increase in reliance on government spending and how it is shaping both parties’ push for populist economic policies. Finally, Ron, Mike, and Chuck answer questions from the live audience. Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: Mike Madrid (Lincoln Project cofounder) Chuck Rocha (Founder of Solidarity Strategies) Segments this week: (03:51) Harris goes to the southern border (16:05) Trump leans into spiritual warfare (26:45) Increasing reliance on government spending (36:28) Audience questions Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Watch Deadlock: An Election Story—https://bit.ly/3zJvsNQ Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/madrid_mike https://x.com/ChuckRocha Related readings Segment 1: CNN - Harris tries to turn the tables on Trump by embracing the border as a key issue | CNN Politics Segment 2: Twitter - Response to Trump tweet The Bulwark - How ‘Left Behind’ Got Left Behind - by Matthew D. Taylor Pew - In Tight U.S. Presidential Race, Latino Voters' Preferences Mirror 2020 Salt Lake Tribune - LDS Republican Jeff Flake, former U.S. senator, endorses Kamala Harris for president Segment 3: WSJ - Americans Are More Reliant Than Ever on Government Aid - WSJ Q&A: Watch Deadlock: An Election Story—https://bit.ly/3zJvsNQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus In this conversation, John Spencer, an urban warfare expert, discusses the escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly focusing on the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. He explains the differences between Hezbollah and Hamas, the implications of Iran's involvement, and the evolving nature of warfare, including precision strikes and tactical innovations. Spencer emphasizes the importance of understanding the global stakes and America's role in maintaining the international order amidst these conflicts. Segments to look forward to: (01:24) The Current Situation in the Middle East (04:16) Understanding Hezbollah vs. Hamas (12:22) Iran's Role, Imminent Missile Attacks, and Escalation Risks Follow Ron and John on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/SpencerGuard Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss election integrity and what could happen if Donald Trump contests the results of the November election. Then, we’ll discuss Vice President Harris’s comment saying she’d support removing the filibuster to codify Roe v. Wade. Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we talk about the scandals embroiling Mark Robinson, the candidate running for Governor of North Carolina, his inflammatory posts, and how the Robinson scandals could impact Republicans up and down the ticket. Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: Geoff Duncan (Fmr. GA Lt. Governor) Idrees Kahloon (Washington Bureau Chief for The Economist) Mike Madrid (Lincoln Project cofounder) Segments this week: (03:02) Election Integrity (27:36) The Filibuster Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/GeoffDuncanGA https://x.com/imkahloon https://x.com/madrid_mike Related readings Segment 1: The Economist - What will happen if America’s election result is contested? USA Today - Georgia's election board passed a controversial hand-count rule: Here's what to know The Hill - Romney on possible Trump retribution: 'I would take him at his word' Segment 2: NPR - Harris says she would support ending the filibuster to bring back Roe v. Wade CNN - Manchin won’t endorse Harris over vow to gut filibuster to codify abortion rights: ‘Shame on her’ | CNN Politics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus In our digital age, people have grown to see social media platforms as mere tools and applications. Marcus Collins, the award-winning marketer, former digital strategist for Beyoncé, and author of "For The Culture", argues otherwise. Join host Ron Steslow as he sits down with Marcus to unravel the deep-seated influence of culture on social media and our daily choices. Marcus elaborates on his assertion that "social media is people" and why understanding this fundamental idea changes our approach to digital platforms. He also delves into the crucial role of culture in hyperpolarization and how it weaves into the fabric of our society. Segments to look forward to: (01:20) How Marcus came to study culture: "I feel like I'm at my best when I'm helping people realize the best version of themselves…” (04:26) The connection between marketing and psychology (08:42) The importance of purpose in advertising: "Start with what you believe and when you start with what you believe people who see the world the way you do go, 'Finally, someone said it. That's my person.'” (17:02) The influence of culture on consumer choice (20:40) The connection between culture and politics (24:00) Case study: How Patagonia leveraged culture to build their brand You Should Read For the Culture: https://amzn.to/3QjLDaH Check out Predictably Rational by Dan Ariely: https://amzn.to/3rPeWHL Follow Ron and Marcus on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://twitter.com/marctothec For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we discuss the second attempted assassination of Donald Trump and who’s most responsible for rhetoric that encourages political violence. Then, we’ll discuss the spreading rumors about migrants eating pets, Trump’s very online campaign, and the attempt to backfill outright lies with spurious evidence of plausibility. Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we talk about how articles on Wikipedia are manipulated and why you should beware of what you read there. Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: Andy Kroll (Investigative Reporter at ProPublica) Craig Snyder (Fmr. Chief of Staff for Sen. Arlen Specter) Segments this week: (02:33) The second assassination attempt (23:16) Dogs, cats, and a very online campaign Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/AndyKroll https://twitter.com/wednesdaysnyder Related readings Segment 1: NYT - Secret Service Did Not Search Trump Golf Course Perimeter Before Gunman’s Arrest - The New York Times The Dispatch -Trump’s Cynical Hypocrisy on Extreme Rhetoric - Jonah Goldberg - The Dispatch Axios -Lawmakers' own security fears drive Secret Service push Segment 2: WSJ - How the Trump Campaign Ran With Rumors About Pet-Eating Migrants—After Being Told They Weren’t True - WSJ CNBC - Ohio GOP Gov. DeWine says 'at least 33' bomb threats prompt Springfield to begin daily school sweeps Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus Imagine a world where candidates no longer need to pander to the extremes, where minor candidates don’t tip elections one way or another, and where your vote can truly represent your values. Sounds like a dream, right? States like Alaska and Maine are already proving it's possible. And they’re doing it with Ranked Choice Voting. In this episode host Ron Steslow and Deb Otis (Director of Research at Fair Vote) break down ranked choice voting, how it works, the way it’s changing politics in states like Alaska and Maine, and what it could mean for other campaigns and how it could help us reign in extremism. Segments to look forward to: (02:12) How Deb started working on Ranked Choice Voting reform (03:05) What Ranked Choice Voting is and how it differs from our current system (07:40) Different forms of Ranked Choice Voting (12:00) How Ranked Choice Voting pushes candidates to appeal to more of the electorate (14:36) Ranked Choice Voting in partisan primary elections (17:30) The impact on extremist candidates like Sarah Palin in the 2022 Alaska House Race (20:50) How Ranked Choice Voting helped Lisa Murkowski hold off a primary challenge from her right (22:01) The repeal effort in Alaska (28:48) How Ranked Choice Voting has changed the way states are governed (31:51) Ranked choice voting in New York City primaries (35:35) Why Democrats are fighting Ranked Choice Voting in Nevada (43:37) What other states can learn from Alaska and Maine (47:47) Using Ranked Choice Voting in Presidential Primary elections. Learn more about Fair Vote: https://fairvote.org/ Learn about how Ranked Choice Voting is being used in presidential primaries: https://bit.ly/3QXWwz0 Follow Ron on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss the debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Then, we consider the implications of Liz Cheney and her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, endorsing Kamala Harris. Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we answer a listener question and talk about electoral reforms that could improve voting and reinvigorate our democracy. Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: Lucy Caldwell (Board Advisor to the Renew Democracy Initiative and advisor to the Forward Party) Liam Donovan (Principal at Bracewell LLP; host of The Lobby Pod) Segments this week: (02:14) The debate (36:08) Former Vice President Dick Cheney and Liz Cheney endorse Harris Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Listen to The Lobby Shop: https://bit.ly/3Y094tp Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/lucymcaldwell https://x.com/LPDonovan Related readings Segment 2: Politico - Why the ‘one-two punch’ of Liz and Dick Cheney backing Harris matters - POLITICO The Dispatch - Voting Isn’t A Window Into the Soul - The Dispatch LA Times - The problem with Liz Cheney's Kamala Harris endorsement - Los Angeles Times The Dispatch - There’s One More Thing Liz Cheney Could Do to Thwart Trump - Jonah Goldberg - The Dispatch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus Host Ron Steslow welcomes economist ​​Scott Lincicome (Vice President of General Economics at the Cato Institute) to Politicology to discuss the economic policies of both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. They dive into the challenges of economic news coverage and common misconceptions, the rise of economic populism and its impact on policy, and then dive into specific policy proposals from both presidential campaigns. Segments to look forward to: (01:03) Frustration with news coverage of economics (04:41) The rise of economic populism (10:13) No Tax on Tips (13:54) Tariffs (22:05) Deportation (22:58) Presidential authority in shaping economic policies (26:51) Grocery price gouging Read Scott’s piece in The Atlantic: https://bit.ly/4dW0ukz Follow Ron and Scott on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/scottlincicome https://twitter.com/RonSteslow Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special six-part narrative series, Mike Madrid, in partnership with the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology, takes a deep dive into Orange County, California to explore the transformations that have redefined politics there, and what it means for the rest of the country. In this episode, Mike talks to Democratic State Senator Tom Umberg and Republican Huntington Beach City Councilman Tony Strickland about where the county is right now. Then, he hears from Los Angeles Times columnist Gustavo Arellano and TV host Christina Bich-Tram Le about the future of the county. Next, he sits down with legendary political consultant Stu Spencer to discuss how the Republican party is in trouble. Finally, he talks to John Gould, the Dean of the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology about how Orange County is a microcosm of political change happening in the rest of the country. (00:48) The Transformation of Orange County (05:31) The Republican party in Orange County right now (30:47) The Rise of Progressive Vietnamese Organizations (38:36) The End of the Reagan Republican Party (40:53) Orange County as a Microcosm of Changing Politics Learn more about the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology: https://socialecology.uci.edu/ Visit the Red County, Blue County, Orange County website: https://sites.uci.edu/orangecounty/ Read Mike’s book, The Latino Century: https://bit.ly/4a7ZCqg Follow Mike and the UCI School of Social Ecology on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/madrid_mike https://twitter.com/Social_Ecology Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss the recent execution of hostages by Hamas, the charges against Hamas leaders, and the threat of Iran as it pushes for regional dominance. Then, we discuss the joint interview of Vice President Harris and her running mate Gov. Tim Walz with CNN’s Dana Bash Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we talk about new protests on college campuses as classes start, what colleges have learned from campus unrest last spring, what free speech on campus looks like, and the importance of institutional neutrality. Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: Jay Solomon (Chief investigative reporter at The Free Press) Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN) James Lynch (Communications Strategist) Segments this week: (02:56) Israel, Iran, and the United States (41:28) Harris Interview [Politicology+] Universities and the First Amendment Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on our private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/SemaforJaySolly https://x.com/HagarChemali https://x.com/JamesGLynch Related reading: Segment 1: NYT - 7 Takeaways From Kamala Harris’s CNN Interview - The New York Times The Nevada Independent - So about that interview... - The Nevada Independent WP - Opinion | Kamala Harris CNN interview revealed nothing. The media can do better. - The Washington Post Segment 2: FP - How Close Is Iran to the Bomb? | The Free Press TOI - Autopsy finds 6 hostages were shot multiple times at close range in last 48-72 hours CBS - Israeli union goes on strike as Netanyahu faces rage over Hamas killing of hostages without cease-fire deal - CBS News AP - Could mass protests in Israel over the hostages persuade Netanyahu to agree to a cease-fire deal? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this two part series, Journalist and author Byron Tau joins host Ron Steslow to discuss his new book Means of Control: How the Hidden Alliance Of Tech And Government Is creating a New American Surveillance State Part 2: (02:17) The extensive government data collection Edward Snowden revealed (09:40) How data vendors bypass privacy reviews within government agencies (11:50) The role of encryption in safeguarding privacy and the historical context of encryption legalization (18:40) Government efforts to weaken encryption and what that means for your privacy (22:45) How foreign governments could misuse data (24:24) The public awareness of this form of surveillance (26:38) What could legislative reform look like? (29:37) The influence of advertising and data brokers in shaping privacy Read Means of Control: How the Hidden Alliance Of Tech And Government Is creating a New American Surveillance State — https://bit.ly/44199hw Follow Ron and Byron on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://twitter.com/ByronTau Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special six-part narrative series, Mike Madrid, in partnership with the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology, takes a deep dive into Orange County, California to explore the transformations that have redefined politics there, and what it means for the rest of the country. In this episode, Mike talks to Jean Pasco who covered local politics in the ‘80s and ‘90s for the Orange County Register and the Los Angeles Times about how the influx of higher-skilled, college-educated tech workers made social issues as important as fiscal conservatism was in Orange County. Then, he talks about how the business community in the county changed with former Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez. He also spoke with LA Times Columnist Gustavo Arellano about the importance of building multicultural coalitions based on ideology and not on ethnic identity. (01:36) The impact of higher-skilled workers (02:45) The diminishing synergy between the tech industry and Republicans (16:31)The Republican party’s cultural orientation and focus on culture wars (20:53) The rise of combative politics and the redefinition of minority voters Learn more about the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology: https://socialecology.uci.edu/ Visit the Red County, Blue County, Orange County website: https://sites.uci.edu/orangecounty/ Read Mike’s book, The Latino Century: https://bit.ly/4a7ZCqg Follow Mike and the UCI School of Social Ecology on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/madrid_mike https://twitter.com/Social_Ecology Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, as the Presidential race enters the home stretch, we discuss Vice President Harris’s push to regain ground with Latino Voters and the electoral impact of RFK Jr’s decision to leave the race and endorse Trump. Next, we talk about the success of Ukraine’s offensive against Russia, Israel’s preemptive strike to thwart a massive attack by Hezbollah, and how the conflicts around the globe underscore the stakes of this election. Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we talk about protecting privacy in the digital age, the extensive collection and sale of personal data by tech companies and the lack of privacy protections in the US—and emphasize the importance of individuals owning and protecting their data. Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: Mike Madrid (Lincoln Project cofounder) Molly McKew (writer and lecturer on Russian influence and information warfare) Segments this week: (03:55) The State of the Race + the “Latino Reset” (36:33) The Global Stakes of the Election [Politicology+] Protecting our privacy, the way companies and the government are able to surveil us, and why it’s getting more and more important. Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on our private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Contribute to Molly’s fundraiser: https://bit.ly/3YFktit Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/madrid_mike https://x.com/MollyMcKew Related reading: Segment 1: AP - RFK Jr. suspends his presidential bid, backs Donald Trump | AP News Axios - RFK Jr. can't escape the Blue Wall NYT - Trump to Put RFK Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard on his Transition Team - The New York Times Politico- ‘Can I Just Vote for Her Instead of Biden?’: Inside Kamala’s Scramble to Win the Latino Vote - POLITICO Segment 2: AP -It looked like Israel and Hezbollah had gone to war, but then they pulled back. Here's what to know NBC News - Hostage held by Hamas in Gaza rescued by Israeli forces, IDF says The Hill - Russia has diverted 30,000 troops from Ukraine to defend Kursk, says Kyiv AP - Ukraine's daring offensive intensifies pressure on US to ease cautious approach to the war Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this two part series, Journalist and author Byron Tau joins host Ron Steslow to discuss his new book Means of Control: How the Hidden Alliance Of Tech And Government Is creating a New American Surveillance State Part 1: (02:36) Byron’s background and why he decided to write this book (05:15) The Evolution of data brokering (09:00) Understanding metadata and data collection and how they can identify you (12:12) The implications for personal privacy (22:15) The state of privacy rights in the United States (26:16) The public-private surveillance relationship (28:43) The shift in Government attitudes toward this type of data (31:20) How social media changed the data collection game Read Means of Control: How the Hidden Alliance Of Tech And Government Is creating a New American Surveillance State — https://bit.ly/44199hw Follow Ron and Byron on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://twitter.com/ByronTau Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special six-part narrative series, Mike Madrid, in partnership with the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology, takes a deep dive into Orange County, California to explore the transformations that have redefined politics there, and what it means for the rest of the country. In this episode, Mike talks to Jean Pasco who covered local politics in the ‘80s and ‘90s for the Orange County Register and the Los Angeles Times about how military base closures and enormous job losses at defense contractors upended the southern California economy. Then he talks to former Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez about her victory over Bob Dornan. He also talks to Dave Wasserman (Senior Editor & Elections Analyst for The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter) about what Sanchez’s victory meant for Orange County politics (01:05) The economic impact of the Cold War ending (04:21) The closure of El Toro Air Force Base (10:12) Loretta Sanchez’s victory and the rise of the Democratic party in Orange County (15:19) Looking back at Bob Dornan (17:36) What Dornan’s loss to Sanchez meant for Orange county politics Learn more about the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology: https://socialecology.uci.edu/ Visit the Red County, Blue County, Orange County website: https://sites.uci.edu/orangecounty/ Read Mike’s book, The Latino Century: https://bit.ly/4a7ZCqg Follow Mike and the UCI School of Social Ecology on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/madrid_mike https://twitter.com/Social_Ecology Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss the Democratic National Convention, the effort to appeal to more moderate voters, and Kamala Harris’s masterful acceptance speech. Next, we talk about Harris’s “price gouging” plan and economic policy proposals and the consequences of using Congress’s dysfunction as a backstop for bad policy proposals. Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we talk about the different ways foreign countries are trying to shape public opinion and the election. We also dive into the tension between protecting free speech and preventing foreign election interference. Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: Zack Czajkowski (Fmr. Lincoln Project Political Director) Craig Snyder (Fmr. Chief of Staff for Arlen Specter) Segments this week: (02:38) The Democratic National Convention (25:58) Harris’s Economic Plan [Politicology+] The influence of foreign countries on our elections and the tension between protecting free speech and preventing election interference. Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss the extra episodes on our private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Contribute to Molly’s fundraiser: https://bit.ly/3YFktit Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://twitter.com/ZackCz https://twitter.com/wednesdaysnyder Related reading: Segment 1: CNN - Takeaways from the third night of the Democratic National Convention | CNN Politics ABC News - Former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger set to round out slate of GOP speakers at DNC supporting Harris - ABC News WP - Protest march on DNC draws crowds but doesn't overwhelm Segment 2: Financial Times - Harris’s economic plan: grocery prices, housing credits and tax rises WP - Opinion | Kamala Harris’s price gouging proposal is a terrible idea - The Washington Post WP - Harris one-ups Trump on populist plays CNBC - Biden slams corporations over high consumer costs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Claire Wardle (co-founder and co-director of the Information Futures Lab, and Professor of the Practice at the Brown School of Public Health) joins Ron Steslow to discuss the challenges( and failures) in improving our information landscape (02:12) Claire’s background and how it led to her research (05:52) Why terms like “misinformation,” “disinformation,” and “malinformation” have become less and less useful (08:45) How the real world doesn’t fit the framework of “misinformation” and “disinformation” (10:50) Why we share stories online and how that shapes the information environment (21:40) The problems that arise from research silos (25:13) How platforms can include users in content moderation decisions (37:07) What role do troll farms actually play in information pollution? (39:44) How the focus on foreign actors stops researchers, academics, and government officials from reflecting sincerely on their failures (44:00) Why we share stories online and how that shapes the information environment (50:28) Improving community-led resistance (55:53) How viewing social media users as a product shapes content moderation decisions (1:01:30) How AI could impact the information landscape… Watch Operation InfeKtion from the New York Times: https://bit.ly/3IjJUxo Read Claire’s piece “Misunderstanding Misinformation”: https://bit.ly/3IlSFa1 Watch the video op-ed where the NYT turned Claire into Adele: https://bit.ly/3MzvNq5 Follow Ron and Claire on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://twitter.com/cward1e Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special six-part narrative series, Mike Madrid, in partnership with the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology, takes a deep dive into Orange County, California to explore the transformations that have redefined politics there, and what it means for the rest of the country. In this episode, Mike talks to Jean Pasco who covered local politics in the ‘80s and ‘90s for the Orange County Register and the Los Angeles Times about how California’s Prop 187 originated in Orange County. Then he talks to L.A. Times columnist Gustavo Arellano about how the Mexican and Asian communities shaped county politics, and the change in political sorting from ethnic lines to ideological lines. (01:13) The Impact of Proposition 187 and the Save Our State Initiative (05:55) Demographic Shifts and the Changing Political Landscape (15:40) Why both parties are recruiting Asian candidates in Orange County (22:49) The Influence of the Vietnamese Community in Orange County Learn more about the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology: https://socialecology.uci.edu/ Visit the Red County, Blue County, Orange County website: https://sites.uci.edu/orangecounty/ Read Mike’s book, The Latino Century: https://bit.ly/4a7ZCqg Follow Mike and the UCI School of Social Ecology on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/madrid_mike https://twitter.com/Social_Ecology Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we discuss Donald Trump’s interview with Elon Musk, content moderation, and broader hostility to free speech . Next, we highlight Kamala Harris’s pivot away from some progressive policies, and how rising populism is pushing both Harris and Trump to change their positions. We also discuss the potential consequences of the Trump campaign hack, likely by a foreign adversary, and how newsrooms are handling the leaked information. Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we talk about the impact of endorsements of former Republicans for Harris as well as the ideological shifts within the Never Trump movement. Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: Stef Kight (Politics Reporter at Axios) Matt Lewis (Author of Filthy Rich Politicians and Too Dumb to Fail) Segments this week: (02:36) Donald Trump's Interview with Elon Musk and Hostility to Free Speech (20:25) Vice President Harris’s Pivot (38:34) Trump Campaign hacked [Politicology+] Republicans for Harris Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss the extra episodes on our private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Contribute to Molly’s fundraiser: https://bit.ly/3YFktit Check out Matt’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/mattlewis Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/StefWKight https://x.com/mattklewis Related reading: Segment 1: AP - Trump and Musk talk assassination attempt, deportations on X | AP News Politico - EU takes shot at Musk over Trump interview — and misses Reason - Free Speech Is Under Attack in the U.S., but It’s on the Ropes Elsewhere Segment 2: Axios - Now atop the ticket, Harris pivots from some progressive policies Bloomberg - Kamala Harris 4.0: Liberal, Moderate or Something Else? - Bloomberg Axios - Harris campaign's Google ads rewrite news headlines NYT - From Tips to TikTok, Trump Swaps Policies With Aim to Please Voters - The New York Times Segment 3: AP - News outlets were leaked insider material from the Trump campaign. They chose not to print it Politico - Trump campaign confirms it was hacked after POLITICO received internal documents from "Robert" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Ron Steslow welcomes Poler Family Professor of Psychology at Amherst College Dr. Catherine Sanderson back to Politicology to talk about how to curb election anxiety. Then they discuss the psychological factors that contributed to January 6th, how they might impact this election cycle, the climate on college campuses, and the blacklisting of “Zionist” therapists amid a professional trend of ‘critical social justice therapy.’ Segments to look forward to: (03:30) How higher stakes elections produce more anxiety (05:18) Coping Strategies (08:51) Making a plan for stressful moments (10:54) The pitfalls of doom scrolling (17:14) Forming connections to combat anxiety (20:45) How getting involved in election efforts can reduce anxiety (31:10) Empathy in leadership (33:25) Concerns about the Peaceful Transfer of Power (35:43) The psychological factors that contributed to January 6th (48:27) The trend of increasing acceptance of political violence (51:49) The problem of blacklisting ‘Zionist’ therapists and the trend toward ‘critical social justice therapy’ (56:34) The challenges on college campuses Follow Ron and Catherine Sanderson on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/SandersonSpeaks Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special six-part narrative series, Mike Madrid, in partnership with the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology, takes a deep dive into Orange County, California to explore the transformations that have redefined politics there, and what it means for the rest of the country. In this episode, Mike talks to legendary political strategist Stu Spencer about how Orange County became Reagan Country. Then he discusses the county’s changing political demographics with one of the best election forecasters, Dave Wasserman from the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter. (02:19) Orange County: Reagan Country and the American Dream (09:41) A data driven take on what’s changing the political demographics (11:53) What Loretta Sanchez’s victory meant (24:38) How Asian voters are impacting county politics Learn more about the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology: https://socialecology.uci.edu/ Visit the Red County, Blue County, Orange County website: https://sites.uci.edu/orangecounty/ Read Mike’s book, The Latino Century: https://bit.ly/4a7ZCqg Follow Mike and the UCI School of Social Ecology on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/madrid_mike https://twitter.com/Social_Ecology Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss Kamala Harris and Tim Walz being the most progressive presidential ticket in American history. Next, we break down the storm of major news stories about escalating wars and conflict across the globe—in the Middle East, in Venezuela, and Ukraine, what they mean for Americans here at home. We also discuss the influence of the presidential election on President Biden’s foreign policy decisions and the challenges the next president will inherit. Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we talk about new research that voters might be less racist and sexist than we think—and why journalists weren’t interested in the story. Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN) Molly McKew (writer and lecturer on Russian influence and information warfare) Segments this week: (04:11) Walz (28:49) Massive stories from around the globe [Politicology+] Negativity Bias in Journalism Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss the extra episodes on our private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Contribute to Molly’s fundraiser: https://bit.ly/3YFktit Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://twitter.com/HagarChemali https://twitter.com/MollyMcKew Related reading: Segment 1: WSJ - ‘Top Gun Democrat’ Tim Walz Cultivated Centrist Record in Washington - WSJ NYPost - How progressive is Tim Walz? Here's where the Minnesota governor stands on key issues MSNBC - Kamala Harris choice of Tim Walz for VP disappoints anti-Trump Republicans Axios - Behind the Curtain: The Harris Cabinet Segment 2: NBC - Israel bracing for attack after assassinations in Beirut and Tehran CNN - UN probe finds 9 UNRWA employees 'may have' been involved in October 7 attack AP - A cratered field, a mangled fence. Clues emerge from strike that killed 12 children in Golan Heights Al-Monitor - US to deploy more forces to Middle East to deter Iran - Al-Monitor CBS News - U.S., Russia prisoner swap secures release of Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and others - CBS News CNN - Venezuela election: US says opposition candidate won as anti-Maduro figurehead says she’s in hiding | CNN WP - Left and right have denounced Venezuela's Maduro. Not the authoritarians. NYT - Ukraine Has Received F-16 Fighter Jets, Zelensky Says - The New York Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus 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) Why tight and loose cultures evolve (10:38) The tradeoffs between tight and loose and how different cultures responded to the Covid pandemic (16:19) Tightness-looseness and willingness to change (19:57) Red and Blue vs Tight and Loose (30:36) Tightening around core values, even in loose cultures (34:56) Real and manufactured threats (44:15) How we we can put this framework into action You should read Rule Makers, Rule Breakers: https://amzn.to/3Qy8DQc Follow Michele and Ron on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MicheleJGelfand https://twitter.com/RonSteslow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices