The Lincoln Project

Host Reed Galen is joined by Dr. Charity Dean (CEO, Co-Founder, and Chairman of Public Health Company) to discuss how she was among the first to identify the true threat of COVID-19, the effect of the pandemic on American institutions, and how the leadership lessons of Winston Churchill can be used to effectively combat the novel pathogens of today. To learn more about Dr. Charity Dean, visit phc.health or read about her story in Michael Lewis’ new book, The Premonition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Ari Berman (Senior Reporter, Mother Jones & Author of Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America) to discuss Heritage Action’s role in state-level anti-voting legislation, Ron DeSantis’ “anti-riot” law in Florida, and the importance of working with those you may not always agree with when it comes to defending democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Political Consultant Trygve Olson (President, Viking Strategies, LLC) to discuss the psychological pillars of political extremism, the dangerous tactics of autocrats, and the ten rules Olson has developed to beat those tactics. To hear more from Trygve Olson, follow him @TrygveOlson on Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson and Lincoln Project Communications Director Ryan Wiggins to discuss voters who do not see voting rights/election reform as a top priority, what to expect politically as the summer heats up, and the idea of the Republican party being, "the Barstool party". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Dr. Steven Levitsky (Professor of Government at Harvard University) to discuss his book, How Democracies Die, the state of play of our nation’s democracy today, and how we extract ourselves from where our democracy is currently heading. Plus, the importance of maintaining a multi-party, pro-democracy, coalition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson and Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Stuart Stevens to discuss where the Lincoln Project stands both politically and operationally as the summer of 2021 begins, the biggest hurdles in need of overcoming, and which targets the Lincoln Project will be pursuing. Plus, how can members of the Lincoln Project community join the fight and get involved? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Bill Burton (Former White House Deputy Press Secretary & Founder/President of Bryson Gillette) to discuss the role of polling in politics (especially at the local level in regards to local issues like homelessness, competence, and crime), the power of big tech/social media companies, and what Senator Joe Manchin could possibly be thinking. Plus, Bill shares the difficulties experienced by the Obama White House when it came to bipartisanship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founders Steve Schmidt & Rick Wilson, as well as Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Stuart Stevens to discuss Donald Trump’s recent speech in North Carolina and Senator Joe Manchin’s declaration that he will not be supporting the “For the People Act”. Plus, a story straight from the British Virgin Islands. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by award-winning television journalist and author, Jeff Greenfield to discuss if there’s a potential rift in the GOP (SPOILER ALERT...there’s not) and the current role of the national political media. Plus, how did Jeff catch the politics bug? You can follow Jeff Greenfield on Twitter @Greenfield64. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Dr. Steven Hassan, a cults & undue influence expert and mental health professional to discuss the cult of cults that surrounds Donald Trump, why the ideas and actions of Donald Trump are attractive to so many Americans and the Republican party, and what prescriptions can be used to dismantle the “Cult of Trump”. In 1974, at the age of 19, Dr. Hassan was recruited into the Unification Church of Sun Myung Moon. After more than two years, his family successfully deprogrammed him from the cult. This experience led him to his work helping save others caught by the predatory influence of cult leaders. He is the founding director of the Freedom of Mind Resource Center (freedomofmind.com) and has published an array of papers, articles, and books on the subject of cults & undue influence...including his most recent book, The Cult of Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Lisa Senecal and Maya May, the Co-Hosts of Lincoln Project Television’s “We’re Speaking” as well as Tedra Cobb (President of Backroads PAC & former Democratic candidate for Congress in NY-21 challenging Elise Stafanik) to discuss the return of “We’re Speaking” to the LPTV airwaves, Sen. Mitch McConnell requesting a “personal favor” of Senate Republicans, and the rise and evolution of Rep. Elise Stefanik. LPTV’s "We’re Speaking" streams live every Wednesday at 8pm ET on the Lincoln Project's YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson and Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Tara Setmayer to discuss the return of “The Breakdown” to the LPTV airwaves, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s comparison of House mask mandates to the holocaust, and the latest updates in American corporations continuing to break their pledge by making campaign donations to members of the sedition caucus. LPTV’s "The Breakdown" streams live every Tuesday and Thursday at 8pm ET on the Lincoln Project's YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by the Co-Executive Directors of the Franklin Project, Greg Jenkins and Erin Dobson. They discuss the newly launched Franklin Project’s mission to address the increasing imbalance of power between the government and the governed, the creation of “The Democracy Corps”, and the state of civics education in the United States. To learn more about and get involved with the Franklin Project, visit FranklinProject.us and follow @FranklinProjUS on Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founders Steve Schmidt and Rick Wilson to discuss the Lincoln Project’s latest ad, the true stakes of the 2022 election, and whether or not the GOP can/should be saved. Plus, don’t forget to register for the second “America First Rally” with Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene on May 21st...attendance highly discouraged! Here’s the registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/america-first-rally-with-congressman-gaetz-and-congresswoman-greene-tickets-154592128217 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson, Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Stevens, and Lincoln Project Executive Director Fred Wellman to discuss the ousting of Liz Cheney from House leadership, a group of 100 Republicans threatening to form a third party, and the recent open letter from 124 retired generals and admirals advancing Trump’s “Big Lie”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Mike Hayes (Former Commander of SEAL Team TWO, U.S. Navy) to discuss how Mike came to be a Navy SEAL, the impact of the first few months of the Biden administration, and the importance of navigating the fine line between following leadership and trusting one’s personal morals. To hear more from Mike Hayes, be sure to check out his new book, Never Enough: A Navy SEAL Commander on Living a Life of Excellence, Agility, and Meaning, available at Amazon or wherever fine books are sold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson and Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Tara Setmayer to discuss the latest in the McCarthy/Cheney saga, Josh Hawley’s recent livestream with the The Washington Post, and how the media chooses to cover Washington. Plus, Donald Trump has a new blog. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson and Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Stuart Stevens to discuss a new ad from the Lincoln Project, Trump’s latest statement regarding “The Big Lie”, and the recent bizarre proclamation by Ted Cruz to swear off corporate PAC donations. Plus, one year has passed since the Lincoln Project released the ad, “Mourning in America.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by psychotherapist, Nick Carmody. They discuss the psychological profile of Donald Trump, the allure of why the GOP has embraced Trumpism, and the reasoning behind the rise of grievance politics & perpetual victimhood. In 2010, Nick experienced two life-changing Traumatic Brain Injuries (eight months apart). The resulting changes in brain functioning, personality, and emotional processing (along with other intense personal experiences) created an obsession-like need to understand and confirm these experiences, and served as motivation to go back to school and work in the psychology field. To read more from Nick Carmody, you can follow him on Twitter @Nick_Carmody and visit patreon.com/NickCarmody Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founders Steve Schmidt and Rick Wilson to discuss the euphemisms used to disguise the true intentions/agenda of the Republican Party, the very realistic threat of the GOP regaining control of the House, and the importance of planning for the 2022 midterm elections now rather than later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Stuart Stevens and Lincoln Project Executive Director Fred Wellman to discuss the ongoing McConnell/Trump showdown, the Texas Legislature’s attempted retribution against pro-democracy corporations, and the dangerous slippery slope that is “anti-riot” legislation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Political Strategist and Bestselling Author Matthew Dowd. They discuss the role of Tucker Carlson and similar programming in the devolution of the Republican party, a new wave of “anti-riot” legislation, and how the GOP has twisted the results of the Derek Chauvin trial to fit their narrative. Plus, will a third party emerge in the future? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been 100 days since a mob of extremists stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to block the certification of President Biden’s victory and overthrow our government at the urging of Donald Trump and his Big Lie. This week, host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founders Steve Schmidt & Rick Wilson, as well as Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Stuart Stevens to discuss the aftermath of the insurrection and the importance of never forgetting the events of January 6, 2021. Plus, a look-ahead to the 2022 midterm elections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Michael Steele (Former Chairman of the Republican National Committee & Former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland) and Stuart Stevens (Senior Advisor, The Lincoln Project) to discuss the GOP’s spring retreat this past weekend as well as the latest developments in corporate accountability. Plus, we reflect on “Trump’s Big Lie” and the storming of the U.S Capitol as we approach 100 days since January 6th. To hear more from Michael Steele, listen to “The Michael Steele Podcast” available on Apple Podcasts and be sure to check out michaelsteelenetwork.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Michael Cohen, the former personal attorney to Donald Trump. Galen and Cohen discuss 45’s pending litigation, how ingrained the former president continues to be in the Republican party, and how Trump completely blundered the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, will Donald Trump run for president in 2024? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Stuart Stevens to discuss the future of building community in our nation through the lens of a recent Gallup poll, which reports that house of worship membership in the United States has dropped below 50% for the first time since 1937 (when Gallup began following this trend). Plus, how can the Lincoln Project community best mobilize for the 2022 midterm elections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson and Lincoln Project Executive Director Fred Wellman to discuss the backstory behind "Rupert", the Lincoln Project’s new ad, which identifies Rupert Murdoch (creator of Fox News) as the most dangerous man to ever cross the U.S. border. Plus, the panel discusses the aftermath of Georgia’s newly-inked Jim Crow legislation and the GOP’s hastened march towards fascism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson and Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Stuart Stevens to discuss the latest regarding the Georgia General Assembly’s proposed voter suppression legislation and the responsibility of large corporations, like Coca Cola, to oppose it. The panel then opens up the discussion of corporate responsibility to the national level by continuing the conversation about how companies like AT&T, Cigna, and Intel, have broken their pledge to not financially support members of Congress who voted to decertify the results of the 2020 presidential election. Plus, a brief history of the GOP's relationship with absentee ballots and mail-in voting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson and Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Tara Setmayer to discuss the rationale behind the delays in the formation of a Capitol riot commission and the growing number of corporations breaking their pledges to not financially support members of Congress who voted to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Plus, the panel considers Donald Trump’s legal responsibility for the January 6th insurrection. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Ben, Brett, and Jordan Meiselas. These are the three brothers who co-founded MeidasTouch, a political action committee founded in March of 2020 with the purpose of stopping the re-election of Donald Trump. The brothers share the origin story of their PAC along with the work they continue to engage in today. Plus, the panel considers the importance of applying an “always on” approach to messaging. To learn more about MeidasTouch and their projects, visit MeidasTouch.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by the legendary Democratic strategist Joe Trippi. Joe has been at the forefront of movement politics for nearly 40 years and has been called “the man who reinvented campaigning.” Joe reminisces on his impressive campaign track record and shares how his management of the 2004 Howard Dean presidential campaign revolutionized modern politics. Plus, Trippi considers the current state of Democrats and Republicans especially in relation to the media and the growing culture of outrage. You can hear more from Joe Trippi on his podcast, “That Trippi Show” available on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson and Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Stuart Stevens to discuss President Biden’s speech on the one-year anniversary of the nationwide COVID-19 shutdown and Donald Trump’s latest efforts to undercut the GOP. Plus, the panel examines Fox News host Tucker Carlson’s latest string of “controversies” and looks back to remembers where they were a year ago when the nationwide COVID-19 shutdown began. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Lincoln Project Executive Director Fred Wellman and fellow Co-Founder Rick Wilson to discuss the continuing attacks on voting rights, most recently in Georgia and Iowa, as well as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s decision to revert back to supporting the sedition caucus. Plus, we get to know Fred Wellman, the new Lincoln Project Executive Director. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Dr. Daniel Barkhuff (Founder and President of Veterans for Responsible Leadership) to discuss the state of COVID-19 in our nation, the recent testimonies before Congress regarding the District of Columbia National Guard during the January 6th insurrection, and how to combat the concerning growth of nationalism in the ranks of the U.S. military. To learn more about Veterans For Responsible Leadership, visit VFRL.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Lincoln Project Senior Advisors Tara Setmayer and Stuart Stevens to discuss the latest memo from the Congressional Leadership Fund, the Voting Rights Act case currently being argued before the Supreme Court, and Gov. Abbott’s decision to fully reopen Texas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2021 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) and all its weirdness has thankfully concluded. The conference's theme on paper was "America Uncanceled" however the overwhelming theme in the air was, and continues to be, that the Republican Party is firmly the party of Donald Trump. Host and Lincoln Project Co-Founder Reed Galen is joined by fellow Co-Founder Rick Wilson and Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Stuart Stevens to recap the events of CPAC 2021, with special attention to Donald Trump's closing speech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Lincoln Project Senior Advisors Tara Setmayer and Stuart Stevens to discuss Sen. Ron Johnson's recent peddling of conspiracy theories during the Senate's first Capitol security hearing, Sen. Mitch McConnell's resistance to Speaker Nancy Pelosi's proposal of a 9/11-style commission to study the January 6th insurrection, and the latest from CPAC 2021. But first, the panel breaks down "The Seven Pillars of Trumpism" and applies the pillars to the conversation that follows. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Stuart Stevens to preview the upcoming Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) and predict what will be discussed along with what dangers this conference could pose to our nation’s democracy. This year’s CPAC will be the first time Donald Trump gives a public address since leaving the White House. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson and Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Stuart Stevens to discuss the aftermath of the failed Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump and why continuing the fight against Trumpism is now more important than ever. ANNOUNCEMENT: At the beginning of this episode, Co-Founder, Reed Galen shares a prepared statement from The Lincoln Project. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Lisa Senecal and Maya May, the co-hosts of Lincoln Project Television’s “We’re Speaking”. They share how the show launched on inauguration day and has been thoughtfully addressing issues important to women ever since. Lisa and Maya also recount their reactions to the January 6th Capitol siege and share their takeaways from the first two days of Donald Trump’s impeachment trial. "We're Speaking" streams live every Wednesday at 9pm ET on the Lincoln Project's YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lincoln Project Co-Founder Reed Galen is joined by Mark Zaid (Co-Founder of Whistleblower Aid) and Elie Honig (CNN Legal Analyst and former State and Federal Prosecutor) to discuss what to expect in the upcoming February 9th Senate impeachment trial. They address the constitutionality and process of the trial, how it compares to Donald Trump’s first impeachment, and the importance of continuing to have the trial even though an acquittal seems inevitable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lincoln Project Co-Founder Reed Galen is joined by Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Stuart Stevens and fellow Co-Founders Steve Schmidt & Rick Wilson to discuss the upcoming February 9th Senate impeachment trial as well as Senator Mitch McConnell’s recent condemnation of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. ANNOUNCEMENT: At the beginning of this episode, Co-Founder, Rick Wilson shares the Lincoln Project’s collective thoughts on John Weaver. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lincoln Project Co-Founder Reed Galen is joined by Lincoln Project Advisor Stuart Stevens and fellow Co-Founders Steve Schmidt & Rick Wilson to discuss what’s next for the Lincoln Project and how its mission has evolved since the Capitol was stormed and President Joe Biden has taken the oath of office. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices