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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 

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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

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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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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

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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

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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

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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”

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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

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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

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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):

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https://x.com/madrid_mike

Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬

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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):

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https://x.com/Mpolymer

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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

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