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 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...
Mark as Played
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...
Mark as Played
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...
Mark as Played
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...
Mark as Played
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...
Mark as Played
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...
Mark as Played
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...
Mark as Played
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...
Mark as Played
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...
Mark as Played
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...
Mark as Played
March 22, 2024 • 74 mins
To join Politicology+, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.
This week, we look at Tuesday’s election results and the warning signs for Trump, whether the impeachment inquiry is backfiring on Republicans, and how to talk about “Christian Nationalism”
Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel:
Zack Czajkowski (Fmr. Lincoln Project Political Director)
Susan Del Percio (MSNBC political analyst and crisis com...
Mark as Played
March 20, 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 start online?
In 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 Lie Detectives: In Search o...
Mark as Played
March 15, 2024 • 69 mins
To join Politicology+, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.
This week, we dive into the nuances of Georgia’s Republican primary, No Labels pushing forward with their plan to draft a presidential candidate, and Donald Trump’s takeover at the RNC
Joining Ron Steslow on week’s panel:
Greg Bluestein (Politics Reporter at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
Lucy Caldwell (Board Advisor to the Renew Democracy In...
Mark as Played
March 13, 2024 • 64 mins
Over two decades ago, Ruy Teixeira predicted that America was on its way to a bright blue future, thanks to an inevitable demographic shift that would deliver the Party a dominant, durable political coalition.
“Demography is destiny” became the mantra of the Democratic Party—proven out by Obama’s decisive 2008 electoral college win.
But then, in 2016, Trump upended that coalition, and, consequently, anti-Trumpism naturally became...
Mark as Played
March 8, 2024 • 67 mins
To join Politicology+, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.
With the presidential nominations locked up after Super Tuesday, Joe Biden kicked off his 2024 campaign in earnest at his “defiant” State of the Union address.
Also: the Super Tuesday results, Nikki Haley bowing out of the primary and the fight for her supporters.
Joining Ron Steslow on week’s panel:
Liam Donovan (Principal at Bracewell LLP)
...
Mark as Played
March 6, 2024 • 55 mins
Over two decades ago, Ruy Teixeira predicted that America was on its way to a bright blue future, thanks to an inevitable demographic shift that would deliver the Party a dominant, durable political coalition.
“Demography is destiny” became the mantra of the Democratic Party—proven out by Obama’s decisive 2008 electoral college win.
But then, in 2016, Trump upended that coalition, and, consequently, anti-Trumpism naturally became...
Mark as Played
March 1, 2024 • 69 mins
To join Politicology+, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.
What will the protest votes in Michigan mean for the Biden campaign? What major Trump weakness did we see in his 20-point win in South Carolina?
Joining Ron Steslow on week’s panel:
Mike Madrid (Lincoln Project cofounder)
Anthony York (Fmr. Senior Communications Advisor to Gov. Gavin Newsom)
Segments this week:
(02:30) Did the “uncommitted”...
Mark as Played
February 28, 2024 • 61 mins
Have you ever thought about what it means to be anonymous?
Have you considered what it means that you can walk down the street or go to the grocery store or out to dinner without someone you’ve never met knowing your name, everything you’ve posted online, or your political leanings?
Or when you go on a first date with someone, they’d walk in knowing your dating history, your political affiliations, your credit score or what groc...
Mark as Played
February 23, 2024 • 84 mins
To join Politicology+, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.
Last week, Vladimir Putin had his biggest domestic rival, Alexei Navalny murdered in prison. Now Donald Trump is comparing himself to Navalny.
This week’s panel:
Ron Steslow
Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN)
Zack Czajkowski (Fmr. Lincoln Project Political Director)
Segments this week:
(02:50) Navalny’s killing;...
Mark as Played
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