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
August 1, 2025 • 63 mins
This week, Ron Steslow and Katherine Mangu-Ward (Editor in Chief of Reason) examine some major current developments through a libertarian lens, focusing on negative liberties, free expression, and privacy.
They discuss the threats to privacy and free expression from age-verification laws to "misinformation" regulation to the battle over values on the Internet.
Then, in Politicology+ they discuss “surveillance pricing,” the role o...
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July 25, 2025 • 92 mins
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This week, Ron Steslow and Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN) examine how efforts to “protect democracy” can sometimes undermine its foundations.
They unpack the ongoing Epstein investigation and what it reveals about the importance of impartial justice and truth. They dig into the U.K.’s Bante...
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July 23, 2025 • 78 mins
Dr. Catherine Sanderson (@SandersonSpeaks), Poler Family Professor, Chair of Psychology at Amherst College and the author of Why We Act: Turning Bystanders Into Moral Rebels joins host Ron Steslow (@RonSteslow) to analyze why Trump was able to exert control on the Republican party, how to recognize leaders who will stand up for what’s right—and what we can do to become moral rebels .
To contribute to Politicology, visit https://po...
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July 21, 2025 • 16 mins
We’re doing it! This December, Ron Steslow and Mike Madrid are excited to host our first-ever salon-inspired retreat.
Unscripted: A Politicology Gathering is a 3 night/4 day in-person retreat at a luxury villa in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico from December 5-8, 2025.
You can find more information and apply at politicology.com/unscripted.
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July 16, 2025 • 35 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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July 11, 2025 • 83 mins
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This week, Ron Steslow and Mike Madrid (author of The Latino Century) discuss the unraveling of our political institutions, the devolution of political parties, what’s happening with them, where they’re heading and what it means.
They dive into the Epstein Files and the MAGA backlash, Mamdani’s primary win in New York City, ...
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July 9, 2025 • 32 mins
For the ad-free and full version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus
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 ...
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July 4, 2025 • 73 mins
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This week, Ron Steslow and Isaac Stone Fish (CEO and founder of Strategy Risks) discuss what it means to win the AI race with China, what the CCP’s ambitions are, and whether we could be sleepwalking into a future shaped by authoritarian values.
Then, in Politicology+ they discuss how China is rushing to fill the soft po...
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July 2, 2025 • 52 mins
In this conversation, Susan Del Percio discusses Zohran Mamdani’s win in the Democratic Primary for New York City Mayor, what it means for New York, and what it will mean for Democrats in and outside the state.
Listen to our episode with Mike Madrid about the Fighting Oligarchy Tour: https://bit.ly/45Rr2lL
Find our sponsor links and promo codes here: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8
Follow Ron and Susan on X (formerly Twitter):
https://...
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June 27, 2025 • 76 mins
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This week, Ron Steslow and Jennifer Schulp (Director of Financial Regulation Studies at the Cato Institute’s Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives) discuss the Senate passing the GENIUS Act to regulate stablecoins.
They dive into the implications of the Bank Secrecy Act and the critical importance of privacy-enhanci...
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June 25, 2025 • 51 mins
Ron Steslow, Mike Madrid, and Marc Polymeropoulo discuss the shift in immigration enforcement, the protests in LA, and the values America stands for.
Related Reading:
CBS News - Afghan ally detained by ICE after attending immigration court hearing - CBS News
WSJ - The White House Marching Orders That Sparked the L.A. Migrant Crackdown - WSJ
The Dispatch -This Won’t End Well
SacBee - A message to Trump protesters in Californi...
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June 20, 2025 • 75 mins
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This week, Ron Steslow, Mike Madrid (author of The Latino Century), and Marc Polymeropoulos (Former CIA Official) discuss the recent military operations by Israel against Iran and the implications for U.S. foreign policy.
They dive into Trump becoming wartime president and the internal divisions within MAGA.
Then, in Poli...
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June 13, 2025 • 99 mins
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This week, Ron Steslow and Izabella Kaminska (Founder and Editor at The Blind Spot and Senior Finance Editor at Politico Europe) discuss Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill and why the controversy over debt and deficits has come to the forefront.
Then, in Politicology+ they discuss what we can learn from historical models of what...
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June 11, 2025 • 36 mins
Mike Madrid and host Ron Steslow discuss the Coinbase data leak, why data leaks in the A.I. era are so dangerous and will hurt more than we can possibly imagine, and the desperate need for greater privacy protections.
Related media:
Mashable - Coinbase confirms data breach with hackers demanding $20 million ransom | Mashable
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June 6, 2025 • 89 mins
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To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus
In this week’s wide-ranging Roundup, Ron Steslow and Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN) discuss their key take aways from the Oslo Freedom Forum, the future of the Middle East and the influence of Qatar and the Muslim Brotherhood.
Then, they talk about the spike in attacks against Jewish peopl...
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June 4, 2025 • 70 mins
For the ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus
In this episode Ron talks to Molly McKew (writer and lecturer on Russian influence and information warfare) and Steve Kettmann (former San Francisco Chronicle staff reporter) about Ukraine's audacious attack on about 40 Russian aircrafts
Read Molly’s work: https://www.greatpower.us/
Read Molly’s piece ‘Operational Art and the Sal...
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May 30, 2025 • 89 mins
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To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus
In this week’s wide-ranging Roundup, Ron Steslow and Andy Kroll (Investigative Reporter at ProPublica) discuss Alex Thompson and Jake Tapper’s book Original Sin, “conspiracy theories” that turn out to be possible, and the role that the media and eroding trust in the news are playing in the age of conspiracy.
Finally, in Pol...
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May 28, 2025 • 45 mins
For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus
In this episode, Ron talks to Casey Michel (Director of the Combating Kleptocracy Program at the Human Rights Foundation) about his book Foreign Agents: How American Lobbyists and Lawmakers Threaten Democracy Around the World and how foreign money influences our politics.
They discuss:
(01:46) The shadow world of fore...
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May 23, 2025 • 70 mins
Contribute to Politicology at politicology.com/donate
To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus
In this week’s wide-ranging Roundup, Ron Steslow and Mike Madrid (author of The Latino Century) discuss the connection between MAGA’s economic populism and immigration agendas and populism as a force seeking to dismantle existing systems.
Finally, in Politicology+, they discuss the Coinbase data leak, why data leaks in the...
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May 21, 2025 • 47 mins
Mike Madrid and host Ron Steslow discuss Bernie Sanders and AOC’s “Fighting Oligarchy Tour” and where economic populism on the left is heading.Related media:CNN - Bernie Sander's Town Hall Clip
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