Sarah and Beth catch up on the headlines — from the ongoing war in Iran and global energy disruptions to congressional gridlock — before diving into a conversation on punishment and accountability through two recent cases: an elderly driver who killed a family of four in San Francisco and two teenagers sentenced for creating AI-generated nude images of classmates. Outside of Politics, they answer a listener's question on whether they believe in karma.

Topics Discussed:

• Iran and the Energy Crisis
• Punishment and Accountability
• Outside of Politics: Karma is a Vibe

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When we look at the news right now — Iran, the airports, the corruption, the measles — it's tempting to decide none of it matters because, individually, we can't fix any of it. Nihilism is tempting, and we talk about how sometimes nihilism represents pride, but maybe in the right dose, it’s more like humility. Either way, “nothing matters” is being proven wrong every day. Special elections are producing surprising results. Courts are holding tech companies accountable. And people are figuring it out when institutions fail (I’m especially moved by the story of an underground railroad set up to bring Ukrainian children home from Russia). I say in this episode that my emotional cocktail has a splash of nihilism in it. But the main ingredient is my conviction that our attention and our care and our efforts make a difference. 

Plus: please clap for my favorite segue in the history of Pantsuit Politics. From: “perhaps we aren’t sleepwalking into a dystopian nightmare” to “are we in a smut renaissance?” facilitated by the shelving of an erotic chatbot. If this doesn’t end your Friday with joy, I don’t know what will. -Beth  

Topics Discussed:

• Nihilism is Having A Moment 
• Signs of Hope
• Outside of Politics: Smut Renaissance

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Sarah sits down with Isaac Saul, founder of Tangle News, a daily newsletter that breaks down major political stories from across the ideological spectrum all in one place.

Topics Discussed:

• News, Journalism, Influencers, and Commentary in the Age of Trump

• Outside of Politics: Navigating Early Parenthood

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Sarah and Beth discuss Markwayne Mullin's confirmation hearing as well as the housing crisis in America and the new legislation aimed at solving it. Plus, outside of politics, they phone a friend to talk about her recent experience with colorectal cancer. 

Topics Discussed:

• DHS Nominee Markwayne Mullin Confirmation Hearing
• Housing in America
• Outside of Politics: Colorectal Cancer Awareness with Jessica Lotz

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Sarah and Beth take stock of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s first year leading the Department of Health and Human Services — from purging vaccine experts, gutting public comment rules, the growing measles outbreak, and what it all means for the future of American public health. Outside of politics: Sarah's annual Oscar recap!

Topics Discussed:

• RFK Jr Guts Public Health
• Outside of Politics: Our Annual Oscars Recap

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Sarah and Beth process the escalating war in Iran, then turn closer to home to discuss America's car accident crisis and the Hyacinth Fellowship — an organization supporting people who have unintentionally killed someone on the road. Outside of politics, they dig into parenting styles and how to strike the Goldilocks balance of authoritative parenting.

Topics Discussed:

• Iran: The Costs We Can’t Undo
• Fatal Car Accidents: The Trauma Nobody Talks About
• Outside of Politics: Why Your Kids Need Rules, Not Just Love

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Beth is joined by Rep. Greg Landsman to discuss the role of Congress, the decision to strike Iran, and why we need a Department of AI. Plus, they check in on their New Year's resolutions. 

Topics Discussed:

• What "being done" looks like and whether that's realistic with this president
• The difference between Iran and what's happening in Venezuela and Cuba
• Congress's role in military action and Landsman's 30-day War Powers Resolution
• Whether the 2026 midterms can actually constrain this administration
• The Anthropic/Department of Defense standoff and why Landsman wants a Department of AI
• New Year's resolution check-ins (gluten-free life, no-shopping challenges, and sleep studies)

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Sarah and Beth are joined by expert Kerry Anderson to discuss what's happening in Iran, US and Israeli objectives, regional implications, and potential pathways for regime change and stability. 

Topics Discussed:

• What are the objectives in Iran? 
• Is regime change likely? 
• What might happen throughout the Middle East because of this war? 
• Will this war make the people of Iran better off? 

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Sarah and Beth mark the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, examining the staggering human cost of the war, what it reveals about the changing nature of modern warfare, and whether America's military is prepared for the conflicts ahead. Outside of politics, they share their philosophies on high heels.

Topics Discussed:

• Four Years into Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
• The Changing Nature of War
• Outside of Politics: Listener Question: High Heels?

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Sarah and Beth react to Trump's State of the Union address, Governor Abigail Spanberger's response, and what it all signals for 2028. Outside of politics, they turn inward and share their experience with Dan Pink's AI-powered self-reflection exercise.

Topics Discussed:

• Trump’s State of the Union
• Looking Ahead to 2028
• Outside of Politics: Brutal Truths from AI

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The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not give President Trump the authority to impose sweeping global tariffs. Sarah and Beth discuss how the tariff case is just one piece of a bigger and more troubling economic picture: a weakening dollar, a bond market under pressure, and a private credit sector showing signs of serious stress. Plus, Beth has finally watched The Pitt, and she and Sarah make the case that an emergency room drama might be exactly what America needs right now.

Topics Discussed:

• The Supreme Court says Trump’s Tariffs are Illegal

• Economic Indicators are Changing

• Outside of Politics: The Pitt

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