Politics in America is transforming. Ron Steslow hosts academics, behavioral economists, social psychologists, politicos, philosophers, anthropologists, journalists, poets, and storytellers—and more—to discuss America’s political present and future and dive into the deeper problems we face as a nation.
To join Politicology+, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.
This week, we look at the growing pessimism people are feeling about their money, their plans to spend less, and the monetary policy that’s driving that. Then we’ll discuss the dystopian preview of a second Trump term in the Time Magazine cover story, and Arizona’s move to repeal its 1864 Abortion ban.
Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel:
Lucy Caldwell (Board Advisor to the Renew Democracy Initiative and advisor to the Forward Party)
Olivier Knox (veteran politics and foreign policy reporter, most recently at The Washington Post )
James Lavish (co-managing partner of the Bitcoin Opportunity Fund)
Segments this week:
(04:50) Money
(39:00) Trump’s Time Magazine Story
(48:30) Arizona
[Politicology+] RFK Jr’s surprising performance with younger and Latino voters, what’s driving that appeal, and what it could mean for this election cycle.
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.
Check out Olivier’s substack: https://olivierknox.substack.com/
Read James’s substack: https://jameslavish.substack.com/
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/jameslavish
https://twitter.com/lucymcaldwell
https://twitter.com/OKnox
Related reading:
Segment 1:
Bloomberg - US Consumer Confidence Slumps to Lowest Level Since July 2022 - Bloomberg
Politico - Trump trade advisers plot dollar devaluation - POLITICO
Segment 2:
Time Magazine - Donald Trump on What His Second Term Would Look Like | TIME
WSJ - Trump Allies Draw Up Plans to Blunt Fed’s Independence - WSJ
Politico - Mitch McConnell continues to break with Trump on immunity claims - POLITICO
Segment 3:
NYT - Arizona Legislature Will Consider Repeal of 1864 Abortion Law - The New York Times
Politico-Arizona legislature repeals 1864 abortion law - POLITICO
NPR - Christian conservatives wrestle with shifting GOP stance on Arizona abortion ban : NPR
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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
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To join Politicology+, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.
This week, we look at the Ukraine and Israel aid package and whether Mike Johnson might actually be a capable speaker. Then we’ll discuss the anti-Israel encampments at college campuses across the country. Finally, we’ll talk about the “safe space” election and how Joe Biden and Donald Trump are only talking to friendly media
Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel:
Zack Czajkowski (Fmr. Lincoln Project Political Director)
Liam Donovan (Principal at Bracewell LLP; host of The Lobby Pod)
Segments this week:
(02:32) Speaker Johnson puts country over crazy
(21:40) The anti-Israel encampments at college campuses
(40:21) Biden and Trump stick to friendly media
[Politicology+] Are you frustrated with non-stop fundraising text messages and emails? For this week’s Politocology+ episode, Zack and Ron dish on a few of the unsavory strategies and tactics campaigns and PACs use to raise money, share information, and skirt rules.
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.
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
Related reading:
Segment 1:
The Atlantic - The Accidental Speaker
NYT - How Mike Johnson Got to ‘Yes’ on Aid to Ukraine - The New York Times
Politico - How McConnell and Schumer beat hardline conservatives on Ukraine - POLITICO
Vanity Fair - The Motion to Vacate Mike Johnson Seems Pretty Darn Motionless | Vanity Fair
Segment 2:
NYT - Universities Struggle as Pro-Palestinian Demonstrations Grow
The Atlantic - The Unreality of Columbia’s ‘Liberated Zone’ - The Atlantic
NYT - Some Jewish Students Are Targeted as Protests Continue at Columbia - The New York Times
WP - Biden aims to strike careful balance as college protests spread - The Washington Post
FP - Among the Activists Plotting to Disrupt the DNC | The Free Press
Segment 3:
Axios - How Biden, Trump favor safe spaces
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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
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To join Politicology+, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.
This week, we look at Iran’s unprecedented attack on Israel, what it means for the Middle East, and the response at home. Then we discuss how people living above the poverty line are feeling the financial crunch, Donald Trump’s plan to boost inflation, and the IMF’s warning that our deficit spending could upend the global economy.
Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel:
Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN)
Susan Del Percio (MSNBC political analyst and crisis communications expert)
Segments this week:
(02:40) Iran’s attack
(40:18) Financial frustration
[Politicology+] Uri Berliner’s resignation from NPR, the lack of viewpoint diversity in media, media activism and biases and the erosion of trust as a result
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.
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/DelPercioS
https://twitter.com/HagarChemali
Related reading:
Segment 1:
Axios - What to know about Iran's attack on Israel
Politico - Has Biden Considered Having an Iran Strategy? - POLITICO
AP - Middle East conflicts revive clash between the president and Congress over war powers | AP News
ABC News Bay Area - 38 Pro-Palestinian protesters arrested after shutdown of Golden Gate Bridge, I-880 in Oakland, CHP says - ABC7 San Francisco
Politico - Democrats fear Netanyahu may have undermined Biden’s image among voters - POLITICO
WSJ - Mike Johnson Defies GOP Critics, Setting Up Ukraine-Israel Aid Showdown - WSJ
Segment 2:
Politico - Trump trade advisers plot dollar devaluation - POLITICO
WSJ - The Calls for Help Coming From Above the Poverty Line - WSJ
CNBC - Fed Chair Powell says there has been a 'lack of further progress' this year on inflation
The Financial Times - US deficit poses ‘significant risks’ to global economy, warns IMF
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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
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To join Politicology+, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.
This week, we look at No Labels announcing they won’t field a ticket and the impact RFK Jr. could have, how Trump’s abortion announcement and the Arizona Supreme Court case could impact the election, and Joe Biden tries to cancel student debt…again.
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:
(02:05) No Labels and RFK Jr.
(14:47) Abortion
(38:20) Student loan debt
[Politicology+] The new book misleading people about “white rural rage” and the scapegoating of rural Americans
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.
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/lucymcaldwell
https://twitter.com/LPDonovan
Related reading:
Segment 1:
Politico -No Labels packs it up, won’t put forth a presidential ticket - POLITICO
Politico - RFK Jr. ballot access consultant promotes strategy to throw the election to Trump - POLITICO
Segment 2:
AP - Trump's abortion statement angers conservatives and gives the Biden campaign a new target | AP News
CNN - Trump says he wouldn’t sign federal abortion ban | CNN Politics
WP - Arizona’s abortion ruling threatens to upend 2024 races - The Washington Post
Segment 3:
NYT - What to Know About Biden’s New Student Debt Relief Plan - The New York Times
CNBC - Biden administration could start forgiving student debt this year
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Molly McKew (writer and lecturer on Russian influence and information warfare) and Chris Zappone (Digital Foreign Editor at The Age and the writer and narrator of the Dark Shining Moment podcast) join host Ron Steslow to discuss the evolution of Russian tactics since 2016 and the vulnerability of American democracy
Segments to look forward to:
(02:16) The state of the war in Ukraine
(10:00) The evolution of Russian influence campaigns
(14:37) What Putin wants
(25:14) The democratic mind and future vision
(29:00) America’s role in the world
(46:00) The erosion of trust and manipulation of narratives
(59:10) The importance of national psychological defense
(1:10:00) The impact of social media on trust in media institutions
(1:13:00) Balancing healthy skepticism and toxic cynicism in meaning making institutions
(1:14:45) The challenge of finding reliable sources
(1:18:00) Russia’s goal: America eating itself alive
Listen to Dark Shining Moment: https://apple.co/3Jhasz2
Follow Ron, Molly, and Chris on X (formerly Twitter):
https://twitter.com/RonSteslow
https://twitter.com/MollyMcKew
https://twitter.com/chrizap
Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at (202) 455-4558
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To join Politicology+, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.
This week, we look at one way Republicans could try to legally throw out votes to ensure Trump’s victory, the latest Wall Street Journal polling, and the backlash against DEI
Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel:
Zack Czajkowski (Fmr. Lincoln Project Political Director)
Alex Thompson (National Political Correspondent for Axios)
Segments this week:
(02:06) Starting the steal
(20:10) The WSJ Poll and who benefits from RFK Jr’s run
(30:15) The backlash against DEI
[Politicology+] Lab Leak, the origins of human life, and the push for ideological purity that is stifling scientific inquiry
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.
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/AlexThomp
Related reading:
Segment 1:
The Bulwark - ‘Start the Steal’: Trump Once Again Planning to Overturn an Election
NYT - Here Is One Way to Steal the Presidential Election
WP - GOP scrambles to organize early and mail voting despite Trump’s attacks - The Washington Post
Segment 2:
WSJ - Trump Leads Biden in Six of Seven Swing States, WSJ Poll Finds
WSJ - Five Takeaways From the WSJ Swing-State Poll
CNN - RFK Jr. names Silicon Valley attorney Nicole Shanahan as running mate | CNN Politics
Axios - Conservative media sours on RFK Jr. as an independent
Segment 3:
Axios - Behind DEI’s rise and fall
NBC News - Oregon re-criminalizes small amounts of hard drugs after 2020 voter initiative is overturned
Brianna Wu criticizing progressivism
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To unlock exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus
Mike Madrid (Lincoln Project cofounder) and Ron Steslow respond to your feedback and answer your questions on our latest mailbag episode.
(01:05) The Bannon Line and how the dynamics of this cycle are different from 2020
(09:00) Why the traditional political spectrum isn’t a useful framework and the rise of populism
(17:50) The Fairness Doctrine and the impact of its Removal
(25:25) The debate over whether Biden should debate Trump
(30:46) Trump’s takeover of the RNC
(41:31) The Republican Party’s brand
(46:26) Authoritarian Reactionary Christians in American Politics
(50:02) The loss of focus on Community
(1:03:00) The threat of Religious Nationalism
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, and Mike on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/RonSteslow
https://twitter.com/madrid_mike
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To join Politicology+, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.
This week, we look at Trump taking Truth Social public, the ISIS terrorist attack in Moscow, and why you weren’t crazy about how bad inflation was
Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel:
Al Cárdenas (Advisor to Presidents Regan and George H.W. Bush)
Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN)
Segments this week:
(02:50) Truth Social Goes Public
(17:00) ISIS attack in Moscow
(36:24) Inflation was bad, you’re not crazy
[Politicology+] Ronna McDaniel and the MSNBC On-Air Uproar
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.
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://twitter.com/RonSteslow
https://twitter.com/AlCardenasFL_DC
https://twitter.com/HagarChemali
Related reading:
Segment 1:
CNN - Trump bond lowered to $175 million as he appeals civil fraud judgement in New York | CNN Politics
Axios - Truth Social faces harsh reality as a public company
Time Magazine - Why Is Trump's Truth Social Worth Billions? Experts Have Theories
Segment 2:
Radio Free Europe - Putin Blames 'Radical Islamists' For Concert Massacre, But Still Points To Ukraine, U.S.
USA Today - ISIS behind brutal Moscow terror attack, France tells Russia, as Kremlin points to Ukraine
AP - US gave advance notice of Moscow attack. What is 'duty to warn'? | AP News
Segment 3:
The Bulwark - Harvard Economists Confirm You’re Not Crazy: Inflation Was Really Bad
(From March 8) Bloomberg - Biden Bets Fed Will Cut Rates Soon as He Pledges Housing Help - Bloomberg
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