Politicon: How The Heck Are We Gonna Get Along with Clay Aiken

Election 2020 is here and the countdown to our future has begun! But before we put any misplaced trust in the people trying to lead us, Politicon is recruiting our fellow Americans to see if they have what it takes! Join our moderator Clay Aiken and the live audience on set and on the web as they grill an all partisan panel of the sharpest, funniest, and most innovative minds in politics, media, and comedy to see if they’re the ones we should have running things-- and what they think about the people who are. There will be some brilliance, some BS, some name calling and even some bonding, as Politicon’s “How The Heck Are We Going To Get Along?” brings in all sides to find out if our country still has a fighting chance at making it to 2021...and if we’re lucky, even finding some common ground in the process.

Episodes

91: Tony Messenger

December 3, 2021 • 76 min

Clay is joined by Pulitzer Prize winning columnist and author of “Profit and Punishment” Tony Messenger to look at the ways our criminal justice system has prioritized money, punishment and power over lives during a time when we are finally reevaluating the way our country pursues justice. How does the system impact the poor? Is it something that we should all be concerned about? And what can we do to fight inequity and restore ...

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90: Meghan McCain

November 26, 2021 • 61 min

In this special Thanksgiving episode, Clay is joined by his good friend and frequent political sparring partner Meghan McCain for a deep conversation about the factors dividing the country. They discuss the importance of speaking your mind and staying true to your values, avoiding the extremes of both parties, and talking to the other side and making sure they have a seat at the table. Would that be enough to reunite us as a coun...

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89: Phil Klay

November 12, 2021 • 61 min

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88: Professor Noah Feldman

November 6, 2021 • 62 min

Clay is joined by author of “The Broken Constitution”, Harvard Law Professor Noah Feldman, for a discussion about the legacy of President Lincoln and the salience of race in contemporary debates about schooling and CRT. Did his leadership represent an overcoming of the original sin of slavery during the Revolutionary era, or are we doomed to politicians leveraging our differences for gain until the nation and our constitution are ...

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87: David Byler

October 29, 2021 • 58 min

With the Virginia Governor’s race decided next Tuesday, Clay is joined by WaPo’s data expert David Byler for a deep dive into the mechanics of the race, what is driving the electorate, and how it relates to national politics. Does either candidate have a lock on things? What messaging are they using in pursuit of victory? And looking at the election, have we become a country of ideological down ballot voters or do local issues a...

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86: Judge Ladoris Cordell

October 22, 2021 • 53 min

Clay is joined by author of the book “Her Honor”, Judge LaDorris Cordell for an insider's look at the state of our country’s legal system, the hurdles it places in the way of so many of us, and the reforms it needs to truly serve the nation as a whole. How can we stop the politicization and special interest influence of the judiciary so judges can remain impartial? And what other reforms and activism are needed to restore a s...

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85: Patriot Party Of Arizona

October 15, 2021 • 51 min

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84: Professor Michael Sandel

October 9, 2021 • 61 min

Clay is joined by Harvard philosopher, Professor Michael Sandel, for an in depth discussion about the forces in our country that create its winners and its losers, and how that tyranny of meritocracy divides us. Have modern democracies fallen prey to credentialism and a financial system that enriches individuals instead of the common good? And can we fix our discourse and create systems of inclusion to make us all feel like valu...

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83: Katharine Hayhoe

October 2, 2021 • 50 min

Clay is joined by atmospheric scientist and author of "Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World", Katharine Hayhoe, for a intensive look at the climate risk facing the planet and the difficulty scientists, policy makers, and even our fellow citizens face in building coalitions for effective action. What does it take to change minds? And will we be able to build bi-partisan majoriti...

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82: Billy Prempeh

September 24, 2021 • 80 min

Clay is joined by the Congressional challenger in NJ-9, Republican Billy Prempeh for a wide ranging discussion about what it takes to win a House seat, the challenges candidates face running in a district historically controlled by the opposing party, and how to appeal to disenchanted independents. What policies will it take to win over those skeptical of both parties? And does Billy have the solutions that will bring voters from...

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81: Joshua Prager

September 18, 2021 • 54 min

Clay welcomes author and journalist Joshua Prager to look at the impact of Roe vs. Wade and the woman who drove the case, Norma McCorvey (aka Jane Roe). They discuss how her life and the Supreme Court decision still affect the people involved and our country to this day. What led her to go all the way to the highest court in the land and then identify with the other side? And how can we reconcile the toughest challenges of human...

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80: Steven Olikara

September 10, 2021 • 57 min

Clay welcomes founder of the Millennial Action Project and 2022 Wisconsin Senate candidate Steven Olikara for a discussion about the process of running for national office and how he would tackle the critical issues facing his state and our country. With a focus on bi-partisanship and solutions that move us towards a better country for all, is it still possible to break through the media gauntlet with a positive message? Steven i...

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79: Joshua Spivak

September 3, 2021 • 48 min

Clay welcomes author of “Recall Elections: From Alexander Hamilton to Gavin Newsom” and founder of the Recall Elections Blog, Joshua Spivak, for a deep dive into the recall election process and find out how things are playing out in California. Will Gavin Newsom triumph over the recall vote and over his challengers? Or will Larry Elder or another one of the dozens of challengers be the one to unseat him? And perhaps most importa...

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78: Dr. Lina Abirafeh

August 27, 2021 • 37 min

Clay welcomes the Executive Director of the Arab Institute for Women at the Lebanese American University, human rights activist Dr. Lina AbiRafeh for a discussion about the situation on the ground in Afghanistan and what it means for women. Did they make gains while we were there? Was there more, and is there more we can do to help strengthen their rights in the region? And what will life be like for them under the Taliban now t...

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77: Afghanistan with Professor Jen Murtazashvili

August 20, 2021 • 56 min

Clay welcomes Director of the Center for Governance and Markets at the University of Pittsburgh, Professor Jen Murtazashvili for an in depth look at the history of Afghanistan and why Western culture has had so much difficulty relating to its people. Did we do enough while we were there and did we leave the right way? And is the transition of power from the U.S. backed government the first step towards enduring calm in the regio...

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76: Mary Trump

August 13, 2021 • 68 min

Clay welcomes Dr. Mary Trump, niece of the former President, to look at the trauma our nation still has to reckon with from its history-- starting with the pandemic, a contested election and race relations-- and that’s only from the last few years. What were the forces and personality traits that drove Donald Trump to the White House? And why was his presidency so effective at bringing out our divisions? Now that they’re out in...

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75: Prof. Elwood Watson

August 6, 2021 • 56 min

Clay is joined by Professor of History, African American Studies, and Gender Studies at East Tennessee State University, Elwood Watson, for a look at the divisions that have engulfed our country over recent years. Why does it seem like recent gains have been reversed? And what can we do to reignite our passion for civil rights and continue building on the generational gains our country has enjoyed on issues of diversity, inclusio...

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74: Victor Shi

July 30, 2021 • 62 min

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73: Message from Clay

July 23, 2021 • 2 min

Message from Clay

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72: Audrey Cavenecia

July 16, 2021 • 54 min

Clay speaks with Audrey Cavenecia, the business maven, storyteller, and co-host of the podcast Amplify voices with NFL Coach Pete Carroll to look at the ways we can unite as a country in 2021 and beyond. After breaking down why things have gotten so divisive, Audrey and Clay explore how we can create the future we all deserve. Are we able to put people above politics and work through our differences? And more importantly, can we...

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Politicon: How The Heck Are We Gonna Get Along with Clay Aiken

Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}91: Tony Messenger

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}90: Meghan McCain

89: Phil Klay

88: Professor Noah Feldman

87: David Byler

86: Judge Ladoris Cordell

85: Patriot Party Of Arizona

84: Professor Michael Sandel

83: Katharine Hayhoe

82: Billy Prempeh

81: Joshua Prager

80: Steven Olikara

79: Joshua Spivak

78: Dr. Lina Abirafeh

77: Afghanistan with Professor Jen Murtazashvili

76: Mary Trump

75: Prof. Elwood Watson

74: Victor Shi

73: Message from Clay

72: Audrey Cavenecia

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91: Tony Messenger

90: Meghan McCain

For You