Academical

Host Gary Christensen interviews Professor Daniel Player of UVA, who dives into his time in the private sector working on research projects for government contracts and discusses how public-private partnerships influence policy creation.

Host Aidan Doud interviews CNN Pentagon correspondent Ellie Kaufman about National Security reporting and her road to becoming a journalist.

Host Gary Christensen interviews Professor Ben Castleman, founder and director of the Nudge4Solutions lab at UVA about college enrollment, student loans, and the future of higher education.

Host Aidan Doud interviews Miller Center Communications Lecturer Mary Kate Cary as the White House speechwriter for former President George HW Bush. They discuss the politics of speechwriting in the Oval Office.

Academical hosts Connor Eads and Gary Christensen interview Director Jacob Kurtzer of the Center of Strategic and International Studies about the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. They discuss the conditions that led to the crisis, and the difficult relationship between state and non state actors.

Host Aidan Doud discusses the USMCA trade agreement with former trade ambassador CJ Mahoney. Their discussion tracks the differences between NAFTA and USMCA, the challenges of negotiating a multilateral international trade agreement, and its potential future impact on foreign affairs.

Hosts Connor Eads and Gary Christensen interview Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Elections Chris Piper to discuss election security, ballot access, and the upcoming Gubernatorial election. To check your registration status and find your polling place, go to: https://vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation/

Our first episode of the academic year with Dean of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy, Dean Ian Solomon.

VPR Director of Operations Sean Bielawski talks with co-host Erin Melly (MPP '22) about her interest in environmental policy (1:47). Sean and Erin then speak with David Paylor, Director of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, about his career in state government and how he operates in a role the requires managing stakeholders with diverse interests (10:30). Related Reading Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (link) Acknowledgments Music: Blue Dot Sessions Voiceover: Zach Mendez Editing: Ben Feldman, Ben Teese & Sean Bielawski Disclaimer Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise, or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization's contracts, acts, or omissions.

VPR Director of Operations Sean Bielawski talks with co-host Ben Feldman (MPP '21) about what brought him to Batten and his internship at the Syrian Archive (2:09). Sean and Ben then speak with Dia Kayyali, Associate Director for Advocacy at Mnemonic, about the ongoing discussions around accountability in content moderation and how to responsibly regulate the internet and big tech (14:57). Related Reading Mnemonic (link) Dia Kayyali in Vice: If Trump Can Be Banned, What About Other World Leaders Who Incite Violence? (link) Hadi El Khatib and Dia Kayyali in the New York Times: YouTube is Erasing History (link) Acknowledgments Music: Blue Dot Sessions Voiceover: Zach Mendez Editing: Ben Feldman, Ben Teese & Sean Bielawski Disclaimer Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise, or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization's contracts, acts, or omissions.

VPR Director of Operations Sean Bielawski talks with Liliana Segura, who is an award-winning investigative journalist at The Intercept covering the U.S. criminal justice system with a focus on the death penalty, about Virginia being on the verge of abolishing capital punishment. Related Reading Liliana Segura at The Intercept (link) Liliana Segura: Trump's Execution Spree is Not About Him. It's About Us. (link) Bielawski and Frost: Time to End Virginia's Death Penalty (link) Acknowledgments Music: Blue Dot Sessions Voiceover: Zach Mendez Editing: Ben Feldman, Ben Teese & Sean Bielawski Disclaimer Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise, or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization's contracts, acts, or omissions.

VPR Director of Operations Sean Bielawski talks with co-host Ben Teese (MPP '21) about his time at Batten (2:00). Sean and Ben then speak with Chelsea Higgs Wise, Executive Director at Marijuana Justice, about Virginia's efforts to legalize marijuana and the equity implications around legalization (13:58). Related Reading Marijuana Justice (link) Chelsea Higgs Wise and Ashna Khanna in Richmond Times-Dispatch: Virginia should legalize marijuana (link) Race Capitol (link) JLARC Study (link) Acknowledgments Music: Blue Dot Sessions Voiceover: Zach Mendez Editing: Ben Feldman, Ben Teese & Sean Bielawski Disclaimer Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise, or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization's contracts, acts, or omissions.

VPR Director of Operations Sean Bielawski talks with co-host Morgan Bedford (MPP '21) about her interest in foreign policy and he work with the U.S. Embassy in Yemen (2:08). Sean and Morgan then speak with Nadwa Al-Dawsari, non-resident fellow at the Middle East Institute, about the war in Yemen as well as how the Biden Administration should craft U.S. policy to substantively address the conflict (22:00). Related Reading Council on Foreign Relations: How Severe is Yemen's Humanitarian Crisis? (link) Yemen Matrix: Allies & Adversaries (link) Up for Debate: U.S. Yemen Policy (link) Nadwa Al-Dawsari on Twitter (link) Acknowledgments Music: Blue Dot Sessions Voiceover: Zach Mendez Editing: Ben Feldman, Ben Teese & Sean Bielawski Disclaimer Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise, or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization's contracts, acts, or omissions.

VPR Director of Operations Sean Bielawski talks with co-host Teka Lenahan (MPP '21) about UVA student organization Black Student Leaders in Policy, or BSLIP, and what drives his interest in education policy (2:05). Sean and Teka then speak with Dr. Lisa D. Cook, Professor of Economics and International Relations at Michigan State University, about her work on the Biden-Harris transition team and her role in mentoring young people of color within the field of economics (11:30). Related Reading Dr. Cook in the NY Times: Racism Impoverishes the Whole Economy (link) Dr. Cook's Research (link) BSLIP on Instagram (link) Acknowledgments Music: Blue Dot Sessions Voiceover: Zach Mendez Editing: Ben Feldman, Ben Teese & Sean Bielawski Disclaimer Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise, or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization's contracts, acts, or omissions.

VPR Director of Operations Sean Bielawski talks with co-host Maureen Coffey (MPP '21) about her role as president of the Virginia Young Democrats (2:08). Sean and Maureen then speak with Delegate Sam Rasoul about his campaign for Lieutenant Governor and being a progressive in a more rural part of Virginia (19:15). Related Reading Roanoke Del. Sam Rasoul formally announces run for lieutenant governor (link) Acknowledgments Music: Blue Dot Sessions Voiceover: Zach Mendez Editing: Ben Feldman, Ben Teese & Sean Bielawski Disclaimer Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise, or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization's contracts, acts, or omissions.

VPR Director of Operations Sean Bielawski talks with co-host Marisa Lemma (MPP '22) about her book The Marching Women (2:40). Sean and Marisa then speak with Penny Abernathy, Knight Chair in Journalism and Digital Media Economics at UNC-Chapel Hill, about the decline of local news sources and what that means for our society (11:35). Related Reading The Expanding News Desert (link) Saving Community Journalism (link) The Marching Women (link) VPR Blog (link) Acknowledgments Music: Blue Dot Sessions Voiceover: Zach Mendez Editing: Ben Feldman, Ben Teese & Sean Bielawski Disclaimer Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise, or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization's contracts, acts, or omissions.

VPR Director of Operations Sean Bielawski talks with co-host Audrey McClurg (MPP '21) about how she became interested in health policy and her experience with the Institute for Medicaid Innovation (2:00). Sean and Audrey then speak with Batten Professor Adam Leive (10:45) about his research around the impact of work requirements on SNAP participation and labor supply, healthcare, and COVID's potential impact on social welfare programs. Related Reading Employed in a SNAP? The Impact of Work Requirements on Program Participation and Labor Supply (link) Medicaid Work Requirements – Results from the First Year in Arkansas (link) Is the Social Safety Net a Long-Term Investment? Large Scale Evidence from the Food Stamps Program (link) How Racism has Shaped Welfare Policy in America since 1935 (link) Does One Medicare Fit All? The Economics of Uniform health Insurance Benefits (link) Acknowledgments Music: Blue Dot Sessions Voiceover: Zach Mendez Editing: Ben Feldman, Ben Teese & Sean Bielawski Disclaimer Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise, or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization's contracts, acts, or omissions.

VPR Director of Operations Sean Bielawski talks with co-host Robert Grier (MPP '21) about his experience as a fundraiser on political campaigns (2:30). Sean and Robert then speak with Thomas Bowman, a political consultant and co-host of the podcast Transition Virginia (15:40), about Virginia Democrats heading into the November election. Related Reading Transition Virginia Podcast (link) Acknowledgments Music: Blue Dot Sessions Voiceover: Zach Mendez Editing: Ben Feldman, Ben Teese & Sean Bielawski Disclaimer Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise, or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization's contracts, acts, or omissions.

VPR Director of Operations Sean Bielawski talks with co-host Jordan Sicklick (MPP '21) about his summer experience interning at the Department of Justice (5:05). Sean and Jordan then speak with Henrico County Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor (18:30) about criminal justice reform at the local level. Related Reading Richmond Times-Dispatch Column on Henrico County Police Accountability (link) Acknowledgments Music: Blue Dot Sessions Voiceover: Zach Mendez Editing: Sean Bielawski Disclaimer Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise, or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization's contracts, acts, or omissions.

VPR Director of Operations Sean Bielawski speaks with Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball at UVA's Center for Politics, about the state of the Presidential, Senate, and House elections now that we are less than a month from Election Day. Related Reading Sabato's Crystal Ball (link) Acknowledgments Music: Blue Dot Sessions Voiceover: Zach Mendez Editing: Sean Bielawski Disclaimer Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise, or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization's contracts, acts, or omissions.

VPR Director of Operations Sean Bielawski speaks with Batten Latinx Network president Jasmine Rangel (MPP '21) and one of the Batten Latinx Network's founders Brian Zuluaga (BA '20) about the first generation college student experience (2:55). Then, Jasmine and Sean speak with Irene Cruz of Summer Search (25:43), a nationwide nonprofit that works with first-generation college students from low-income communities facing systemic barriers to earning a college degree. Related Reading Summer Search (link) 'Harry Potter of Batten' Has Left an Indelible Mark (link) Acknowledgments Music: Blue Dot Sessions Voiceover: Zach Mendez Editing: Sean Bielawski Disclaimer Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise, or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization's contracts, acts, or omissions.

VPR Director of Operations Sean Bielawski and VPR Managing Editor Morgan Smith (MPP '21) talk about the latest at VPR (2:30) and then speak with Brian Cannon of Fair Maps Virginia (10:05) about the history and substance of the redistricting constitutional amendment on the ballot in Virginia. Related Reading Virginia Redistricting Amendment Language (link) Fair Maps Virginia (link) Acknowledgments Music: Blue Dot Sessions Voiceover: Zach Mendez Editing: Sean Bielawski Disclaimer Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise, or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization's contracts, acts, or omissions.

VPR Director of Operations Sean Bielawski and Batten Latinx Network President Jasmine Rangel (MPP '21) talk about Jasmine's vision for BLN (3:44) and then speak with Luis Oyola of the Legal Aid Justice Center (18:45) on his background and his work as a community organizer. Related Reading Batten Latinx Network Instagram (link) Latest update on Senator Boysko's legislation around state inspections of ICE facilities (link) Acknowledgments Music: Blue Dot Sessions Voiceover: Zach Mendez Editing: Sean Bielawski Disclaimer Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise, or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization's contracts, acts, or omissions.

VPR Director of Operations Sean Bielawski and Meghan Clancy (MPP '21) talk about how Meghan came to Batten (3:50) and then speak with Virginia Secretary of Education Atif Qarni (11:28) on the morning that many public schools in Virginia began their school year, many of them virtually. Related Reading Secretary Qarni's Washington Post OpEd (link) Acknowledgments Music: Blue Dot Sessions Voiceover: Zach Mendez Editing: Sean Bielawski Disclaimer Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise, or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization's contracts, acts, or omissions.

In the relaunch of Academical, VPR Director of Operations Sean Bielawski and VPR Editor-in-Chief Geoff Paul talk about the upcoming year for VPR (2:10) and then speak with Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy Dean Ian Solomon (6:40) about his busy summer and how he is feeling as classes begin. Related Reading Dean Solomon's Medium Articles (link) UVA Racial Equity Task Force Report (link) Acknowledgments Music: Blue Dot Sessions Voiceover: Zach Mendez Editing: Sean Bielawski Disclaimer Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise, or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization's contracts, acts, or omissions.

Academical's Executive Producer Joshua Margulies and VPR's Editor-in-Chief Jack DiMatteo sit down with Professor Melody Barnes (@MelodyCBarnes), Co-Director of the University of Virginia's Democracy Initiative (@UVADemocracy). Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn Editing: Joshua Margulies Music: Blue Dot Sessions Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization’s contracts, acts or omissions.

Executive Editor James Leckie and Associate Editors Henry Frost and Kevin Breiner sit down with Kate Addleson, Director of the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter (@VASierraClub). Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn Editing: Joshua Margulies Music: Blue Dot Sessions Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization’s contracts, acts or omissions.

Executive Producer Joshua Margulies and Associate Editors Anna Higgins and Ashley Bultman travel to Washington, D.C. for a discussion with Michael Finnegan, President of Atlantic Media. Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn 7th Annual National Journal Conference [video recordings] Editing: Joshua Margulies Music: Blue Dot Sessions Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization’s contracts, acts or omissions.

VPR's Editor-in-Chief Jack DiMatteo (@JackDiMatteo) sits down with Ned Price (@NedPrice), Director of Policy & Communications at National Security Action (@NatSecAction). Previously, Price worked as an analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He was brought on to the National Security Council under President Obama before briefly returning to the CIA under President Trump. The conversation touches on all this and more. Journal Submissions: http://www.virginiapolicyreview.org/submit.html [open until March 29, 2019] National Journal Conference: http://www.virginiapolicyreview.org/njc-2019.html [Saturday, March 30, 2019 in Charlottesville, VA] Editing: Joshua Margulies Music: Blue Dot Sessions Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization’s contracts, acts or omissions.

VPR's Editor-in-Chief Jack DiMatteo and Associate Editor Alexandre Fall sit down with Chris Lu (@ChrisLu44), Senior Fellow at UVA's Miller Center. Previously, Lu worked in the office of then-Senator Barack Obama, before eventually leading the Obama-Biden transition team. He then served in the Obama Administration as White House Cabinet Secretary before ultimately becoming Deputy Secretary of Labor in 2014. The conversation touches on Lu's education, government service, the 2020 elections, and the political and policy landscape, among other things. Journal Submissions: http://www.virginiapolicyreview.org/submit.html [open until March 29, 2019] National Journal Conference: http://www.virginiapolicyreview.org/njc-2019.html [Saturday, March 30, 2019 in Charlottesville, VA] Editing: Joshua Margulies Music: Blue Dot Sessions Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization’s contracts, acts or omissions.

Executive Producer Joshua Margulies, Executive Editor James Leckie, and Associate Editor Anna Higgins travel to Richmond, VA for a discussion with Robert Zullo, Editor-in-Chief of the Virginia Mercury. The conversation touches upon the site's mission, goals, reporting approach, and the state of journalism more broadly. Editing: Joshua Margulies Artwork: Brian Kim Music: Blue Dot Sessions Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization’s contracts, acts or omissions.

VPR Executive Editor James Leckie interviews Daniel Carey, Virginia's Secretary of Health and Human Resources. Dr. Carey was appointed to the position in January 2018 by Governor Ralph Northam. Before holding public office he worked as a cardiologist and as an executive in the healthcare industry. Our interview touches on Medicaid expansion, the opioid crisis, needle exchange programs, and access to care more broadly. Research: James Leckie Editing: Joshua Margulies Artwork: Brian Kim Music: Blue Dot Sessions Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization’s contracts, acts or omissions.

In our very first episode we are joined by Matthew Olsen, Chief Trust & Security Officer at Uber. Olsen had previously led the Guantanamo Review Task Force, served as General Counsel at the NSA, and was appointed Director of the National Counterterrorism Center by President Obama. Our interview touches upon closing the prison at Guantanamo Bay, the NSA, the intelligence community, the Five Eyes, Olsen's new role at Uber, warrant canaries, and Silicon Valley culture. Executive Producer: Joshua Margulies Associate Producer: Shea Kearns Associate Producer & VPR Content Director : Anna Haritos VPR Managing Director: Ellen Beahm Although this organization has members who are University of Virginia students and may have University employees associated or engaged in its activities and affairs, the organization is not a part of or an agency of the University. It is a separate and independent organization which is responsible for and manages its own activities and affairs. The University does not direct, supervise or control the organization and is not responsible for the organization’s contracts, acts or omissions.