The Lincoln Project

Host Reed Galen is joined by John Della Volpe (Author and Director of Polling at the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics) to discuss who Gen Z is, the historical events that have shaped them, and how they are…despite older Americans' efforts to label them as overly sensitive, lazy, and entitled…rising to the unprecedented challenges of their time to take control of their country and our future. Be sure to pick up John’s new book, Fight: How Gen Z is Channeling Their Fear and Passion to Save America, at your favorite book retailer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Comedian and Host of LPTV’s “We're Speaking”, Maya May to answer questions asked by YOU, the members of the Lincoln Project community. Listeners ask about how to frame the importance of defending democracy to those who’ve lost interest in the issue, what to make of Mitch McConnell’s recent troubling comments regarding race, will Dan Bongino’s banning from YouTube make a difference, how do we politically activate Gen Z, and so much more. Plus, is the solution to gerrymandering…“sleeper-agent voters”? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Joe Trippi to upack his latest memo, The Five Reasons for Optimism in 2022. They discuss the impact of redistricting, the loons that are the Republicans’ class of nominees, the externalities that provide opportunities for Democrats, and the continued urgency to secure a pro-democracy coalition. For more information on how you can join the fight to help save our democracy, visit: JoinTheUnion.us. In the words of Jason Isbell, “there can’t be more of them than us”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Anna Scheumann, who sits on the board for both 3GNY, a non-profit founded by the grandchildren of Holocaust survivors and the New Cracow Friendship Society, a non-profit international organization established by survivors of the Holocaust from Krakow, Poland and carried on by their descendants. In observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, they discuss the history of the Holocaust through the lens of Anna’s grandfather’s experience, who was a Holocaust survivor, and examine the current state of anti-semitism that continues to plague our nation and threaten our democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Dr. Charity Dean (CEO & Co-Founder of Public Health Company) to discuss the current state of our nation during the Omicron chapter of the pandemic, the historical event that served as catalyst for the systems failure that has now become the public health institutions of the United States, and how much longer COVID-19 will continue to be a part of our lives. 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 fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson and Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Trygve Olson to discuss why so much political power has found its way into the hands of non-office holders, the latest from the political organization “No Labels” and why they so widely miss the mark, and what can be expected in the political landscape over the next 10 months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Writer and Political Analyst Arieh Kovler to discuss his unique perspective on the U.S. political landscape from his home country of Israel, if a coalition government could be a path forward for our country, and unique political strategies to consider for the upcoming midterm elections. Plus, reflections on January 6th and what contributed to Arieh’s now-viral pre-insurrection prediction. To learn more from Arieh, be sure to subscribe to his digital newsletter, “The Hat Tip” at arieh.substack.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Claire Atkin, Co-Founder of the Check My Ads Institute, an independent watchdog non-profit that's reshaping the digital ad-tech industry by cutting disinformation off from its lifeline…which is advertisements and money. They discuss the work being done at the institute, especially in regards to combatting disinformation, and also lay out CMA’s top targets and how they are engaging them. To learn more about Claire Atkin and the Check My Ads Institute visit checkmyads.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Peter Strzok, former Deputy Assistant Director of the Counterintelligence Division of the FBI and author of the book, Compromised: Counterintelligence and the Threat of Donald J. Trump. They reflect on January 6, 2021 and compare those reflections to where we are as a country now and also consider the current state of our nation’s national security institutions. Be sure to be on the lookout over the next couple weeks for the new paperback edition of Compromised which will be available at your favorite book retailer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Norman J. Ornstein, a Senior Fellow Emeritus at the American Enterprise Institute to discuss the long term transformation of the conservative movement, personal accounts of January 6th and the year-long aftermath that our nation has witnessed, and why can’t the institution that is Washington D.C. seem to wake up?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Author and Staff Writer at The Atlantic, Barton Gellman and Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Joe Trippi to further explore the ideas laid out by Gellman in his latest article for The Atlantic, “Trump’s Next Coup has Already Begun: January 6 was practice. Donald Trump’s GOP is much better positioned to subvert the next election.” They discuss January 6th and its aftermath, the mind of a “stop the steal” believer, the twisting of state election laws by Republicans, and a look ahead to where we as a nation go from here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode was originally released on September 24, 2021. In this encore presentation, host Reed Galen is joined by Sebastian Junger (Author, Journalist, and Filmmaker) to discuss his new book, Freedom. Junger recounts how he and three friends (a combat-photographer and two Afghan War vets) walked over 400-miles along railroad lines from Washington DC to Philadelphia to Pittsburgh to examine the intricacies for which personal autonomy and interdependence coexist. Plus, what happens to freedom when political violence and contemptuous rhetoric is introduced? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode was originally released on August 19, 2021. In this encore presentation, host Reed Galen is joined by Author and Contributing Writer at The Atlantic Tom Nichols to discuss the lead-up and aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the mass disbelief in the medical community, and the state of our nation’s democracy through the lens of Tom’s new book, Our Own Worst Enemy: The Assault from within on Modern Democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen answers questions asked by the members of the Lincoln Project community about the latest in Texas Politics, the fate of Build Back Better, what drives Senator Joe Manchin, COVID-19, and so much more. Plus, why are we STILL waiting for voting rights legislation to be brought to the Senate floor? Happy Holidays from everyone at the Lincoln Project! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Matt Bennett, Co-Founder and Executive Vice President for Public Affairs at Third Way, as well as Co-Founder of Shield PAC. They discuss their views on the 2022 election, the types of candidates Shield PAC supports/defends, and the foreseeable concerns for the pro-democracy coalition in the next year. Plus, how can the Biden Administration better execute their infrastructure rollout? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Stuart Stevens to discuss where the world was when the Lincoln Project was first launched back in 2019, where the world is now as we close the book on 2021, what we’ve learned along the way, and how the fight continues as we approach 2022 and beyond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Abigail Tracy, National Political Reporter at Vanity Fair to discuss what’s really happening in the headlines surrounding Vice President Kamala Harris, how exponentially inflating political egos have eroded both decency and accountability, and why the ones who are stepping away from public office are the ones we most need to stay. Plus, when journalism focuses on personalities rather than procedures. 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 how the White House isn’t using Vice President Kamala Harris correctly, the right-wing rage machine and how social media has completely transformed the political landscape, and how the Democrats need to message in order to be successful in 2022. Plus, a lunchtime proposal from Lauren Boebert. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson to discuss the Lincoln Project’s roadmap for 2022 including where the organization stands both politically and organizationally in our path forward to midterms, what we foresee as our biggest concerns and hurdles along that path, which races we’ll be targeting in 2022 and how we’ll pursue them, and how YOU the Lincoln Project community can get involved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Political Reporter for RawStory.com, Sarah Burris. They discuss the recent chaotic infighting in the House Republican Conference (featuring Lauren Boebert, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Nancy Mace, and Kevin McCarthy), how the Democrats and mainstream media don’t respond properly to the right-wing rage machine, and Mark Meadows’ recent revelation about Trump’s positive COVID-19 test just three days before his first debate with Joe Biden. As mentioned in the episode here is Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy’s speech from the Senate floor: https://twitter.com/ChrisMurphyCT/status/1465853033523425280. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Ruth Ben-Ghiat, Author and Professor of Italian and History at New York University. They discuss how Ruth came to find herself at the center of the conversation around democracy and the fight against authoritarianism, how the GOP uses projection as a strategy, and why it seems so hard for those in politics/government to acknowledge the realities of the world that we are truly living in today. Be sure to pick up Ruth’s latest book, Strongmen: From Mussolini to the Present at your favorite book retailer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen answers questions asked by the members of the Lincoln Project community about the latest with Steve Bannon, Kevin McCarthy’s eight-and-a-half hour speech, the pace of the House Select Committee on January 6th, and so much more. Plus, Beto O’Rourke vs. Greg Abbott in the Texas race for governor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode was originally released on July 22, 2021. In this encore presentation, host Reed Galen is joined by Beto O’Rourke, former United States Congressman, Founder of Powered By People, and as of this past Monday…Texas gubernatorial candidate. They discuss the political landscape that is Texas, the Texas Legislature's voter-suppression bill and the 50+ Texas Democrats who traveled to Washington, and Speaker Pelosi’s decision to reject the additions of Jim Jordan and Jim Banks to the January 6th House Select Committee. Plus, Beto O’Rourke spotlights the work of his PAC, Powered By People. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Dave Pell, the self described “Managing Editor of the internet”, Writer and Publisher of the NextDraft newsletter, and author of the new book, Please Scream Inside Your Heart: Breaking News and Nervous Breakdowns in the Year that Wouldn't End. They discuss social media and how it seems to be anything but social, the snowballing failures of messaging that have gotten our nation to where it is at this moment in time, and what it takes to set seemingly everything aside for the sake of the pro-democracy coalition. You can subscribe to Dave’s newsletter at NextDraft.com and find his new book, Please Scream Inside Your Heart, at PleaseScream.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson to discuss the aftermath of the 2021 elections (in Virginia, New Jersey, and elsewhere), all things infrastructure, and the Republican in-fighting that has erupted after the passage of the bipartisan bill. Plus, Rick Wilson makes a surprising (and strategic) endorsement! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Jeff Timmer (Lincoln Project Senior Advisor) and David Daley (Author of Ratf**ked: The True Story Behind The Secret Plan to Steal America's Democracy and Unrigged: How Americans Are Battling Back to Save Democracy) to discuss all things redistricting, gerrymandering, and the political extremism that comes with it. Plus, what strategies and solutions can be used in fighting the battle ahead as 2022 approaches? Be sure to pick up Ratf**ked and Unrigged at your favorite book retailer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by David Pepper, the former chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party and author of the new book, Laboratories of Autocracy: A Wake-Up Call from Behind the Lines. They discuss how the greatest threat to American democracy isn’t the antics of Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Gaetz, Lauren Boebert, or Jim Jordan…and it’s not even Donald Trump’s “Big Lie”…it’s the anonymous, often corrupt politicians in statehouses across the country (and the levers of power which they abuse) that pose the greatest dangers to our democracy. Be sure to pick up Laboratories of Autocracy at your favorite book retailer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Lincoln Project Senior Advisors Stuart Stevens and Joe Trippi to discuss the answer to a rather “small” question. How do we get our friends and allies of democracy (the Democrats, the media, and corporate America) to understand the fight we’re facing regarding the threat to democracy that faces our nation? The fight we face between now and a year from today is unlike anything this country has seen for at least the past 100 years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to discuss the upcoming testimony she’ll be presenting at the Sidney Powell disciplinary hearing before the Texas Bar Association, the uncomfortably large number of GOP attorneys general who signed off on bogus claims regarding the 2020 election, and the letter written to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton earlier this month questioning the legitimacy of legalized same-sex marriage in the United States. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to discuss the importance of preserving democracy at all levels of government, the issue of voting rights and the barrage of threats against those rights in the state of Michigan and the country as a whole, and what to expect in the political landscape as we approach the 2022 and 2024 elections. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen answers questions asked by the members of the Lincoln Project community about the upcoming election in Virginia, the Democratic party, AT&T’s continuing tailspin, Steve Bannon’s “shock troops”, and so much more. Plus, is the Republican party of old actually salvageable? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Judd Legum, Founder and Author of Popular Information. They discuss the latest bombshell revelations regarding the connection of AT&T to One America News (also known as OAN), how AT&T financially supports the politicians who favor anti-abortion legislation (like SB 8 in Texas), and the latest on how AT&T continues to break its corporate pledge to not fund the Sedition Caucus. To learn more from Judd Legum, be sure to subscribe to Popular Information at popular.info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Peter Strzok, former Deputy Assistant Director of the Counterintelligence Division of the FBI and author of the book, Compromised: Counterintelligence and the Threat of Donald J. Trump. They discuss the past, present, and future of Donald Trump and also the continuing threats of the January 6th insurrection (both present and future threats). Be sure to pick up Compromised at your favorite book retailer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Lincoln Project Senior Advisor Trygve Olson to discuss the House Select Committee on January 6th’s imminent decision as to whether or not enforce the defiance of their subpoenas, the sudden awakening of the elite media/talkings heads, and the preparations needed as we head into 2022. As mentioned in the episode here is Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson's Twitter thread regarding the 1/6 commission: https://twitter.com/TheRickWilson/status/1446503202837442561 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Dominic Packer and Jay Van Bavel, Professors of Psychology and Co-Authors of the new book, The Power of Us: Harnessing Our Shared Identities to Improve Performance, Increase Cooperation, and Promote Social Harmony. They discuss how the definition of identity fits into today’s society, how identity has shifted as political polarization has increased, and the effect the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the identities of both individuals and groups. Be sure to pick up The Power of Us at your favorite book retailer. 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, the upcoming statewide election in Virginia, Steve Bannon’s “shock troops”, and Madison Cawthorn’s holy war. Plus, the troubling state of Facebook. 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 Comedian and Host of LPTV’s We're Speaking, Maya May. For this podcast, we’re once again shaking up the format and answering questions asked by YOU, the members of the Lincoln Project community. Listeners ask about the upcoming 2022 midterm elections and what individuals can do TODAY to ensure Democrats maintain control of Congress, “widening the tent” of the Democratic party, the upcoming statewide election in Virginia, and more! Plus, how can our nation heal from the plethora of political polarization? As mentioned in the show, be sure to check out the myriad of Lincoln Project Facebook groups: https://www.facebook.com/thelincolnproject.us/groups. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by the U.S. Congressman representing the 8th District of Illinois, Raja Krishnamoorthi. They discuss the recent decision by Speaker Pelosi to set the vote for the bipartisan infrastructure bill for this Thursday, the status of the debt ceiling, and Rep. Krishnamoorthi’s personal account of January 6th. Plus, how can we break the fever that is Americans who continue to view all things COVID through a political lens? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Sebastian Junger (Author, Journalist, and Filmmaker) to discuss his new book, Freedom. Junger recounts how he and three friends (a combat-photographer and two afghan war vets) walked over 400-miles along railroad lines from Washington DC to Philadelphia to Pittsburgh to examine the intricacies for which personal autonomy and interdependence coexist. Plus, what happens to freedom when political violence and contemptuous rhetoric is introduced? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Lauren Windsor, the Executive Producer of The Undercurrent, to discuss how she’s using her undercover journalism to fight against the ongoing threats against our nation’s democracy. She shares stories from some of her latest infiltration targets which include Matt Gaetz, Jim Jordan, Mike Pence, and more. To keep up with Lauren Windsor, be sure to follow @lawindsor on Twitter and check out TheUndercurrent.tv. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Lincoln Project Senior Advisors Stuart Stevens and Joe Trippi to discuss the history of how the modern Republican party came to morph into an authoritarian movement, our nation’s failure of imagination, and why it is of the utmost importance to build and continue to grow a pro-democracy coalition as the 2022 and 2024 elections approach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Sheera Frenkel, Cybersecurity Reporter for The New York Times and Co-Author of An Ugly Truth: Inside Facebook's Battle for Domination. They discuss all things Facebook including the motivations of Mark Zuckerberg, how Facebook has mishandled its users’ data, misinformation and disinformation, and how Facebook has amplified and continues to amplify dangerous & polarizing hate speech. Be sure to pick up An Ugly Truth at your favorite book retailer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by the political consultant and friend of the Lincoln Project Matthew Dowd to discuss all things Texas and how the ugliness occurring in the Lone Star State could end up being an analog for the nation as a whole if the efforts of the Lincoln Project and its allies aren’t successful in 2022. To keep up with all things Matthew Dowd be sure to follow him on Twitter @MatthewJDowd and don’t forget to pre-order his upcoming book, Revelations on the River. 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” to discuss the absolute insanity of what’s happening in the Lone Star State. They break down the brand new Texas abortion ban law that recently went into effect on September 1st and what it means for the integrity of democracy in both Texas and our nation as a whole. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Devon Murphy-Anderson and Alex Berrios, the Co-Founders of Mi Vecino, a voting rights organization in Florida that’s on a mission to register, educate, and empower Black, Brown, and first-time voters who’ve been historically and systemically marginalized, silenced, or ignored. They discuss how their unique backgrounds led them to politics, the work of Mi Vecino, and the disaster that is Ron DeSantis. Plus, what are Democrats getting wrong when it comes to messaging, and what kinds of messaging approaches can prove to be more effective? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode was originally released on June 1, 2021. In this encore presentation, 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 fellow Lincoln Project Co-Founder Rick Wilson and Publisher and Executive Editor of FloridaPolitics.com Peter Schorsch to discuss all things Florida, including the latest in the COVID spike, school mask mandates (or lack thereof), the state of the economy, and especially Governor Ron DeSantis. To hear more from Peter Schorsch, be sure to check out FloridaPolitics.com and follow him on Twitter @PeterSchorschFL. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Dr. H.W. Brands (Professor of History and Bestselling Author) to discuss the vastly different approaches John Brown and Abraham Lincoln took to confront the issue of slavery in their time and what parallels we can draw to the political landscape of today. For more on this topic be sure to check out Dr. H.W. Brands' The Zealot and the Emancipator, and don’t forget to pre-order his upcoming book, Our First Civil War, available on November 9th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Reed Galen is joined by Author and Contributing Writer at The Atlantic Tom Nichols to discuss the lead-up and aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the mass disbelief in the medical community, and the state of our nation’s democracy through the lens of Tom’s new book, Our Own Worst Enemy: The Assault from within on Modern Democracy. 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 Trygve Olson to discuss the recent tragic events in Afghanistan (and President Biden’s recent address regarding those events), the letter from 46 Republican Senators threatening to block efforts to raise the national debt ceiling, and the complete failures of leadership that are Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices