Politicology
Politics in America is transforming. We’re embarking on a new series to deepen our understanding of who we are, how we got here, and how we rebuild without repeating the mistakes of the past. 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. Email us questions or comments: podcast@politicology.com.
Episodes
May 31, 2024 • 74 mins
To join Politicology+, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.
This week, we discuss the “Dems in full blown ‘freakout’ over Biden.”
Then, we talk about the high-level NIH officials who tried to undermine government transparency—including about the coronavirus.
After that, we look at rising debt interest payments and why high interest rates are making it harder to manage the debt
Joining Ron Steslow on this...
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May 29, 2024 • 99 mins
Host Ron Steslow welcomes Alex Gladstein (Chief Strategy Officer at the Human Rights Foundation) to discuss the significant and often misunderstood role of Bitcoin in protecting human rights and fighting against authoritarians around the world.
Segments to look forward to:
(02:07) Alex’s background in human rights work and why he became interested in Bitcoin
(16:18) Bitcoin vs other cryptocurrencies
(26:04) Financial privilege...
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May 24, 2024 • 76 mins
To join Politicology+, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.
** Get your ticket to our LIVE pop-up recording with Ron Steslow and Mike Madrid in Sacramento, CA on Wednesday, May 29th: politicology.com/events **
This week, we discuss the crypto bills getting democratic support in Congress despite Biden’s opposition, why housing is a key issue driving Latinos away from Democrats, and the rise of political viol...
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May 23, 2024 • 120 mins
** Get your ticket to our special LIVE pop-up recording with Ron Steslow and Mike Madrid in Sacramento, CA on May 29th: politicology.com/events **
In the wake of the emotional and highly charged conversations surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict, information pollution has only added to the confusion.
This week, we bring in an urban warfare expert to offer a sober and clear-eyed discussion on the Israel-Hamas war, the objectives...
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May 17, 2024 • 90 mins
To join Politicology+, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.
** Get your ticket to our special LIVE recording with Ron Steslow and Mike Madrid in Sacramento, CA on May 29th: politicology.com/events **
This week, we discuss Russia’s latest offensive in Ukraine, stubborn inflation, Biden and Trump’s plans to debate, and the parade of Republicans going to Trump’s trial in New York City
Joining Ron Steslow on t...
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May 16, 2024 • 71 mins
To unlock exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus
Mike Madrid (Lincoln Project cofounder), Lucy Caldwell (Board Advisor to the Renew Democracy Initiative and advisor to the Forward Party) and Ron Steslow respond to your feedback and answer your questions on our latest mailbag episode.
(06:50) How you can maximize the impact of political donations
(15:10) The precinct strategy and how bad actors could sow doub...
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May 10, 2024 • 90 mins
To join Politicology+, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.
** Want to come to a live taping? Let us know here: https://tpolls.typeform.com/to/Gxjndbgf
This week, we look at how the affordability crisis is hurting Biden’s chances with Latino voters, how more people are getting good jobs without a college degree, and another congressional Democrat indicted for taking bribes from a foreign country.
Joining R...
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May 8, 2024 • 69 mins
Nick Troiano (Executive Director of Unite America) joins host Ron Steslow to discuss how our process for primary elections fuels the partisan doom loop and leaves more and more Americans disappointed about their choices, and Nick’s new book The Primary Solution: Rescuing our Democracy from the Fringes
Segments to look forward to:
(01:52) The Need for Primary Election Reform
(02:56) The Impact of Primary Reform on Elected Offic...
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May 3, 2024 • 85 mins
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:
L...
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May 2, 2024 • 69 mins
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 contemp...
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April 26, 2024 • 78 mins
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...
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April 25, 2024 • 51 mins
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 an...
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April 19, 2024 • 95 mins
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 Ste...
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April 18, 2024 • 52 mins
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 impli...
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April 12, 2024 • 80 mins
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 Ini...
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April 11, 2024 • 109 mins
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 c...
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April 5, 2024 • 71 mins
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 th...
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April 3, 2024 • 84 mins
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 o...
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March 29, 2024 • 77 mins
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) ...
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March 27, 2024 • 57 mins
How do you win campaigns in a world awash with lies? And why do candidates and campaigns struggle to “use their normal brains” when those lies happen to start online?
In the second episode of this two-part conversation, join host Ron Steslow, Mike Madrid, and Sasha Issemberg to discuss the way Democratic political campaigns are adjusting to the challenges of the new information landscape, as Sasha’s reveals in his new book The Li...
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