Politicology

Contribute to Politicology at politicology.com/donate 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 Politicology+, they talk about the problems facing boys and men and Democrats $20 million plan to win them back. Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬ Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/AndyKroll Related media: Prof G Pod - Was Biden's Decline a Cover-Up? — with Jake Tapper & Alex Thompson | Prof G Conversations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 foreign lobbying  (03:45) Ivy Lee and Paul Manafort  (07:36) The First Amendment and foreign influence  (10:23) Understanding FARA  (13:28) How Paul Manafort shaped modern lobbying  (15:49) Legal loopholes and foreign influence in politics  (18:11) The case of Viktor Pinchuk (22:13) The Trump Administration's impact on foreign lobbying  (27:19) How Universities and Think tanks are the new frontier of influence  (33:05) Colorful characters in foreign lobbying  (41:39) The Biden Family and foreign influence accusations  (45:27) Contrasting foreign influence on Trump and Clinton  (49:00) Proposed reforms  Read Foreign Agents: How American Lobbyists and Lawmakers Threaten Democracy Around the World: https://bit.ly/4giHjBK Check out the HRF's Combatting Kleptocracy Program: https://bit.ly/4hAAQTJ Follow Ron and Casey  on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/cjcmichel Email your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 A.I. era will hurt even more, and the need for greater privacy protections.  Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬ Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/madrid_mike Related media: FT - Steve Bannon Interview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the ad-free and full version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus In this episode, Ron talks to Nick Anthony (Policy Analyst at the Cato Institute and a Fellow at the Human Rights Foundation) about Central Bank Digital Curriences, their potential to invade privacy, alter the dynamics of financial control, how governments are trying to justify them, and why those arguments are insufficient. They discuss: (04:16) Intro to CBDCs (07:58) How CBDCs would give unprecedented control over how you can spend money  (12:15) The Arguments for and against CBDCs (19:53)The hidden assumptions behind CBDC arguments  (24:50) The real world privacy implications of CBDCs (33:05) CBDCs around the globe  (36:21) The political dynamics in the U.S.  (47:47) Bitcoin vs CBDCs Check out the HRF's CBDC Tracker: https://bit.ly/3WtFb3g Follow Ron and Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/EconWithNick Email your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contribute to Politicology at politicology.com/donate To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus In this week's wide-ranging Roundup, Ron Steslow and  Lucy Caldwell (Board Advisor to the Renew Democracy Initiative and advisor to the Forward Party) discuss how and why we'll need to rethink our education system in the rapidly changing world. Finally, in Politicology+, they discuss Steve Bannon's recent speech at Hillsdale College, the escalating rhetoric about being on the verge of war, and how legitimate class and cultural grievances—from the left and the right—are meeting ascendant illiberal ideas and pushing us toward the destruction of liberalism. Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬ Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/lucymcaldwell Related media: The Ezra Klein Show - Educating Kids in the Age of A.I. | The Ezra Klein Show National Geographic - What if you could delay menopause? How scientists are working to slow down ovarian aging Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contribute to Politicology at politicology.com/donate 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 the escalating tensions between two nuclear powers, India and Pakistan, in Kashmir.  Then, they talk about the spread of Islamism in the West and the threat it poses to global democracy. Finally, in Politicology+ they discuss what foreign policy would look like with a progressive nominee for the Democratic party. Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬ Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/HagarChemali Related media: UATX - Our Crisis of Antisemitism & Islamism | Ayaan Hirsi Ali Ben Habib -The TRUTH About Islamism in the West | Ben Habib x Ayaan Hirsi Ali | The News At Ben Ep 24 Ben Habib - Local Elections, DEI, Multiculturalism and Islamism | Ayaan Hirsi Ali x The News At Ben Ep 25 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus In the second  part of this  two-part episode, Ron talks to Molly McKew (writer and lecturer on Russian influence and information warfare) about whether Russia is truly isolated, and what the future of American influence could look like as our self-isolation creates a power vacuum.  Read Molly's work: https://www.greatpower.us/ Follow Ron and Molly  on X: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/MollyMcKew Email your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at ‪‪(703) 239-3068‬ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus In the first part of this  two-part episode, Ron talks to Molly McKew (writer and lecturer on Russian influence and information warfare) about the recent drone attacks in Ukraine, Trump's “Peace Plan” and what a lasting peace might require.  Read Molly's work: https://www.greatpower.us/ Follow Ron and Molly  on X: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/MollyMcKew Email your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at ‪‪(703) 239-3068‬ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contribute to Politicology at politicology.com/donate To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus Nick Gillespie (Editor at Large at Reason) and host Ron Steslow discuss AI, what it's doing to us, and our relationship with what it means to be human. Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬ Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/nickgillespie Related media: NBC - Some of her closest relationships are with chatbots. That's more common than you think. Vox - The rise of chatbot “friends” | Vox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus In part two of this series, Ron talks to Rebecca Roiphe (Joseph Solomon Distinguished Professor of Law at New York Law School) about critical legal studies, the attacks on our understanding of what the law is and how it should function from across the political spectrum.  They focus on how the chilling actions of the Trump Administration stem from a belief that law is merely an instrument of power, and why that belief is corrosive—to the everyday practice of law and to liberal democracy itself. They discuss: (08:00) Understanding liberalism vs progressivism (09:08) Fairness in the legal system  (16:43) The role of the Federalist Society and its shift at Harvard  (21:19) The Trump Administration's legal philosophy (25:39) The independence of the Justice Department  (28:33) The impact of executive orders targeting law firms  (32:33) The future of legal representation  Follow Ron and Rebecca on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/rroiphe Email your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at ‪‪(703) 239-3068‬ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 high profile warnings that AI could outrun us very soon. Then, they talk about the death of Pope Francis and what's next for the Catholic Church before discussing christianity's merger with MAGA, and what that means for the fate of liberalism in America Finally, in Politicology+ they discuss Bernie Sanders and AOC's “Fighting Oligarchy Tour” and where economic populism on the left is heading.  Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬ Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/madrid_mike Related media: CBS News - Artificial intelligence could end disease, lead to "radical abundance," Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis says - CBS News The Free Press - Ross Douthat: Why It's Logical to Believe in God The Free Press - Can America Survive Without Christianity? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus In this two-part episode, Ron talks to Rebecca Roiphe (Joseph Solomon Distinguished Professor of Law at New York Law School) about critical legal studies, the attacks on our understanding of what the law is and how it should function from across the political spectrum.  They discuss: (04:57) The challenges the rule of law is facing (07:31) Understanding Critical Legal Studies (10:16) Intersectionality and Its Impact (12:00) Power Dynamics in Critical Legal Studies  (20:54) The Adversarial System and Its Importance (27:05) The Evolution of Critical Legal Thought (32:45) The Role of Law in Democracy Follow Ron and Rebecca on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/rroiphe Email your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at ‪‪(703) 239-3068‬   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contribute to Politicology at politicology.com/donate To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus In this week's wide-ranging Roundup, Ron Steslow and Nick Gillespie (Editor at Large at Reason) discuss why it's essential to engage with libertarian values—especially in this moment. They talk about the current assault on due process and how immigration is central to what America is and what it means. They discuss the FTC lawsuit against Facebook, the collision between The Trump Administration and “New Right” ideas about economics. Then, they look at rising economic resentment and consider how well free-market capitalism is working right now. Finally, in Politicology+ they discuss AI, what it's doing both for us and to us, and our relationship with what it means to be human. Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/nickgillespie Related media: Reason: Homegrowns Are Next WSJ - Inside Mark Zuckerberg's Failed Negotiations With the FTC to End Meta's Antitrust Case - WSJ FP - Fight Club: Execute Luigi Mangione? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contribute to Politicology at politicology.com/donate To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, Ron Steslow and Liam Donovan (Principal at Bracewell LLP) discuss the tariff rollercoaster, the “new right” economic theory driving them, and why the Trump administration cares a lot less about the stock market than in his first term. Then, we discuss why we're engaged in full-throttle economic warfare with China. Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we discuss how the uncertainty around tariffs is impacting business and how tariffs breed cronyism.  Segments this week: (07:44) The “new right” (37:42) Economic warfare Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/LPDonovan Related media: The Daily Show – Oren Cass on Trump Tariffs and “The New Conservatives”  Izabella Kaminska —Making a moral case for Tariffs  Hudson Institute — Stephen Miran on the Trump Admins economic agenda  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus Some of the most vexing political controversies, policy questions, and cultural crises of our current moment trace their orbit around the singular legal and cultural gravity of our 1st Amendment—and the radical, enlightenment wisdom enshrined in it. What has really been going across college campuses—and what's at stake for wider society outside the confines of higher education? Is the colloquial public square, practically speaking, now privately held by a handful of tech titans? How has the idea of “free speech” become so shockingly misunderstood that one of our major political parties can persuade a large swath of the country that a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol is “legitimate political discourse?” Greg Lukianoff (President and CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE)) joins host Ron Steslow to discuss FIRE's fight to protect free speech on—and, now, off—campus. (02:15) Greg's background and FIRE's role in protecting the First Amendment  (5:15) The Coddling of the American Mind  (10:30) The state of free speech on college campuses  (30:20) What's driving the complaints on college campuses  (39:55) FIRE moving off campus to create a culture of free speech  (41:05) Why they decided to take on off campus speech issues (50:31) Limits to protected speech (59:10) Free speech and Big Tech (1:04:25) Creating a culture of free speech Visit FIRE's Website: thefire.org Follow Greg  and Ron on Twitter: https://twitter.com/glukianoff https://twitter.com/RonSteslow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former presidential candidate and Former HP CEO Carly Fiorina joins Ron Steslow to discuss how short-term gains have gotten preferential treatment over long-term planning and success. (04:39) The differences between short-term vs. long-term (07:02) Expecting quick fixes to long-term problems (15:30) The shift in corporate responsibility from just shareholders to stakeholders (30:32) How the short-term goal of winning elections short-circuits governing  Politicology is supported by listeners like you. Can you pitch in right now at https://politicology.com/donate? Follow Carly and Ron on Twitter: https://twitter.com/CarlyFiorina https://twitter.com/RonSteslow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, Ron Steslow and Hagar Chemali (Former spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN) meet in studio to discuss the senior administration officials who accidentally shared attack plans with a journalist on Signal. Then, we dive deeper into whether the perception of Trump as a consistent liar can create a paradoxical stability in global affairs, how an information war threatens an entire financial system, and revisiting the stakes of the AI race. Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we discuss two recent convictions in a plot to kill Iranian-American journalist and dissident Masih Alinejad and the boldness of our enemies engaging in transnational repression on American soil. Segments this week: (04:43) Signal leak (27:19) Trust collapse Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/HagarChemali Related media: Segment 1:  The Atlantic - The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans - The Atlantic The Atlantic - Here Are the Attack Plans That Trump's Advisers Shared on Signal - The Atlantic Segment 2:  Global Superpowers' Strategies for Energy, Economics, and War | Reality Roundtable #16 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second part of this two-episode conversation, Stanford Professors Mehran Sahami and Jeremy Weinstein join Ron Steslow to discuss their book System Error: Where Big Tech Went Wrong and How We Can Reboot. (07:11) The modern day trolley problem (16:54) Reorienting invention toward problem solving (23:16) The other skills tech companies need (28:53) The problem of the inventor/CEO (39:57) What companies and governments can do to reshape how big tech operates Purchase System Error: https://systemerrorbook.com/ Politicology is supported by listeners like you. Can you pitch in right now at https://politicology.com/donate? Follow Mehran and Ron on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mehran_sahami https://twitter.com/RonSteslow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this two-episode conversation, Stanford Professors Mehran Sahami and Jeremy Weinstein join Ron Steslow to discuss their book System Error: Where Big Tech Went Wrong and How We Can Reboot. (05:42) Why they decided to write their book (10:56) How venture capital has shaped Silicon Valley (19:04) Optimization mindset meets Democracy (37:36) Our privacy boundaries when it comes to government and private companies Purchase System Error: https://systemerrorbook.com/ Politicology is supported by listeners like you. Can you pitch in right now at https://politicology.com/donate? Follow Mehran and Ron on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mehran_sahami https://twitter.com/RonSteslow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, Ron Steslow and Mike Madrid (author of The Latino Century) discuss ‘supply-side progressivism' and Ezra Klein and Derrek Thompson's new book Abundance, and what their vision for the progressive government looks like. Then, we dive deeper into what the Trump team means when they say they are “detoxing” the economy, why and how they are remaking the world financial and security order, why it seems so chaotic, and the stakes of their approach. Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we answer some of your excellent questions — including about Ruben Gallego, what winning the AI fight might look like, and what the hell Gavin Newsom is doing. Segments this week: (03:06) Abundance  (35:51) Retrenchment Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/madrid_mike Related media: Segment 1:  Reason - Lawn-sign liberalism vs. supply-side progressivism NYT - Book Review: ‘Abundance,' by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson - The New York Times The Kobeissi Letter - Housing Affordability Chart The Kobeissi Letter - Mortgage Refinance Denial chart The Free Press - How Democrats Failed American Cities Segment 2:  All In - Scott Bessent Interview NYT - Gillian Tett Discusses Donald Trump and the Economy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pat Condo (Founder and CEO of Seekr Technologies)  joins Ron Steslow to discuss the media landscape, their search tool that uses Artificial Intelligence to index websites and news stories to rate the content so readers can make better informed choices about what they read.  (02:26) From navigation technology to search technology (05:46) Why he decided to create Seekr (37:50) What makes Seekr different from other search engines (44:22) The incentive structure for news organizations  (51:20) How Seekr measures political lean in articles (55:20) How AI generated news stories can change the media landscape  (1:02:06) Pat's end goal in creating Seekr   You should check out Seekr: https://news.seekr.com/ Follow Ron on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we'll talk about turbulence in the stock market and the fight over the Continuing Resolution to avert a shutdown Then, we talk about a new Facebook whistleblower who detailed the lengths Meta was willing to go to to operate in China.  Finally, we head to Politicology+,where we'll preview Alex Isenstadt's new book Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump's Return to Power Joining Ron Steslow on this week's panel:  Alex Isenstadt (Senior Political Reporter at Axios and Author of Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump's Return to Power) Matt Lewis (Author of Filthy Rich Politicians and Too Dumb to Fail)  Segments this week: (03:06) Market Turbulence and Continuing Resolution (25:19) Facebook  Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Read Alex' book Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump's Return to Power— https://bit.ly/4kvx94g Send your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬ Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/axiosalex https://x.com/mattklewis Related reading: Segment 1:  CNN - Stocks close out volatile day as investors say market is ‘sick and tired' of Trump's tariff chaos | CNN Business The Hill - Treasury secretary forecasts ‘detox period' for US economy WSJ - GOP Holdout Thomas Massie Repels Attacks From Trump—Again - WSJ Axios - Trump's secret power protection plan: A $500 million war chest Politico - EPA's Zeldin terminates $20B in Biden climate grants - POLITICO Segment 2:  WP - Meta, Mark Zuckerberg considered censorship for China, whistleblower says - The Washington Post Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt Lewis, Alex Isenstadt and host Ron Steslow discuss Alex's new book Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump's Return to Power Read Alex' book Revenge: The Inside Story of Trump's Return to Power— https://bit.ly/4kvx94g Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katty Kay (veteran reporter and four-time NYT bestselling author) joins host Ron Steslow to discuss her new book The Power Code: More Joy. Less Ego. Maximum Impact for Women (and Everyone), co-written with Claire Shipman.  (02:12) Katty's background and why she started looking at power  (07:07) Women are passing men in college degrees, but not the boardroom  (13:10) Why women have been more likely to avoid power  (16:10) “Power over” vs “power to” (20:20) How reframing power changes how women approach power (25:57) The connection between power and status  (33:04) Your brain on power (38:30) Does power corrupt?  (54:30) What can you do to improve your power code?  Get The Power Code: https://www.kayandshipman.com/books Follow Ron and Katty on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://twitter.com/KattyKay_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, President Trump's first address to congress of his second term.   Then, we talk about Third Way leading the charge as Democrats rethink not only their brand but their positions as they plan for the future of the party. Next, we turn our attention to AI for some provocative, non-technical considerations that are neither theoretical nor distant.  Finally, we head to Politicology+,where we'll go behind the scenes of the White House's accelerating plans to create a strategic crypto reserve. Joining Ron Steslow on this week's panel:  Matt Bennett (Founder & Executive Vice President for Public Affairs at Third Way) Andy Kroll (Investigative Reporter at ProPublica) Segments this week: (03:06) Trump's Speech (39:18) Democrats Comeback Retreat  (41:55)Artificial General Intelligence  Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬ Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/ThirdWayMattB https://x.com/AndyKroll Related reading: Segment 2:  Politico - Centrist Dem group rails against leftist identity politics and purity tests - POLITICO Third Way - Comeback Retreat Takeaways Segment 3:  NYT - Opinion | The Government Knows A.G.I. Is Coming - The New York Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marc Polymeropoulos on that Oval Office Disaster and the Trump Admin's Abandonment of Ukraine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Susan Del Percio  and host Ron Steslow discuss a piece in The Atlantic calling for Democrats to clean house.  Related reading:  The Atlantic - Democrats Need Their Own DEI Purge - The Atlantic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss the Trump Administration's 180 degree turn on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.  Then, we talk about why housing prices keep climbing even with higher interest rates—and why we should be thinking about a paradigm shift in how we think about owning a home. Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we'll talk about a piece in The Atlantic calling for Democrats to have a DEI purge Joining Ron Steslow on this week's panel:  Susan Del Percio  (MSNBC political analyst and crisis communications expert)  Marc Polymeropoulos (Former CIA Official) Segments this week: (03:06) Russia and Ukraine (39:18) Housing  Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/DelPercioS https://x.com/Mpolymer Related reading: Segment 1:  CNN - Trump falsely calls Zelensky ‘a dictator' after Ukraine's leader accuses him of living in ‘disinformation space' | CNN MSNBC - I'm a former U.S. intelligence officer. Trump's Ukraine betrayal will have terrible consequences. Segment 2:  WSJ - Biden's Mortgage ‘Relief' Fuels Higher Housing Prices - WSJ NBC - Toughest housing markets shifted toward Trump, data shows NYT - A Democrat Who Is Thinking Differently - The New York Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Kirchick joins Ron Steslow to discuss his book Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington (01:55) Why he wrote the book (06:43) The interwoven political history and gay history in Washington (14:33) The melting pot of the gay community and why it was seen as a  threat (19:55) The trope that whatever is bad must be gay (31:51) The Lavender Scare  (35:53) The tension between the gay  loyal foot soldiers of Ronald Reagan and courting the religious right  (49:00) What was challenging about writing the book  You should read Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington: http://bit.ly/3wgiORk Follow James Kirchick and Ron on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jkirchick https://twitter.com/RonSteslow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss DOGE's complicated story, why we do need to cut spending, and whether they're being realistic about what that will take Then, we talk about the Trump plan to dismantle the federal Department of Education  After that, we talk about the European speech laws that are in the spotlight after a 60 Minutes segment and a speech from Vice President Vance Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we'll talk about Democrats job approval tanking—with Democrats—and what they should be doing as an opposition party and  to position themselves for the future Joining Ron Steslow on this week's panel:  Billy Binion (Reporter at Reason) Zack Czajkowski (Fmr. Lincoln Project Political Director) James Lynch (Communications Strategist)   Segments this week: (03:03) DOGE  (22:53) Department of Education  (40:48) Free Speech in Europe  Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/JamesGLynch https://x.com/ZackCz https://x.com/billybinion Related reading: Segment 1:  Reason - DOGE's complicated story AP - A comprehensive look at DOGE's firings and layoffs so far | AP News Axios - Musk says he'd look into DOGE stimulus checks Segment 2:  Reason - Kill the federal Department of Education AP - Trump's pick for education chief sketches a roadmap for dismantling the department Segment 3:  FIRE - 60 Minutes and Vice President Vance put Europe's worrying speech restrictions into the spotlight CBS - Posting hateful speech online could lead to police raiding your home in this European country - CBS News AP - JD Vance rails against 'excessive' AI regulation in a rebuke to Europe at the Paris AI summit | AP News Lookaheads  Reason - Hawaii Can Auction Off Your Car Without Ever Convicting You Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is a little bit different. And personal. Kristyn Komarnicki, director of dialogue and convening at Christians for Social Action, and Darren Calhoun, a justice advocate, worship leader, and Associate Fellow at CSA, join Ron Steslow to discuss intentional dialogue, and how we can use their techniques in the relationships that matter to us. (07:06) What is dialogue? How is it different from everyday conversations? (8:19) What does a curated dialogue look like? (20:23) How do you prepare for something like this? (27:34) Why lean into conflict, even when you don't like conflict? (32:28) Political fights vs dialogue—what is our role in specific conversations? (40:44) How important is “grace” in having dialogue that allows for growth? Would you like to support Kristyn's and Darren's work? The “Oriented to Love” dialogue program is funded by tax-deductible donations like yours. To ensure your contribution goes directly to their work, use this dedicated link: https://christiansforsocialaction.salsalabs.org/mainotldonationpage/index.html For more information about the “Oriented To Love” program, visit https://christiansforsocialaction.org/programs/oriented-to-love/ Listen to our conversation with Celeste Headlee: https://link.chtbl.com/zm8RwNPm Follow Darren and Ron on Twitter: https://twitter.com/heyDarren https://twitter.com/RonSteslow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Ron Steslow welcomes Mike Brock, CEO of TBD, a subsidiary of Block Inc. (formerly Square), the financial technology firm led by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey. The Internet is dominated by massive, corporate walled gardens like Google, Facebook, and Twitter (now X), where centralized control makes their users (us!) vulnerable to censorship and manipulation. In this episode, we explore how the movement to decentralize technology empowers individuals, protects against corporate and government abuse, and addresses real problems in finance and social media. We'll also discuss how decentralized technology can enhance financial access and freedom, bypassing intermediaries and censorship, and shifting power from financial corporations to individuals. Finally, we turn to the political landscape, focusing on the Democratic party's approach to decentralized technology and early signs it may be changing. Segments to look forward to: (04:45) Mike's background  (10:50) Empowering individuals through decentralized finance and identity  (15:45) Building infrastructure for a decentralized future  (19:10) The potential of decentralized identity  (29:49) The importance of Bitcoin's decentralization  (31:31) Financial Access and Freedom  (34:27) Preserving agency  (44:44) Changing the balance of power  (50:54) The varied stance of the Democratic party Follow Ron and Mike on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/brockm Email your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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) about Russia's ongoing attack on Ukraine, the status of the war, and what comes next for Ukraine. They discuss: (01:56) Understanding the current state of the war (05:26) The Evolution of the conflict (12:06) U.S. support and military aid to Ukraine  (26:14) Comparing U.S. support to other allies  (33:08) The occupation in Ukraine and the Humanitarian Crisis  (35:16) What the countries will want and be willing to accept in a negotiation  (50:53) America's interests in Ukraine's survival  (53:27) The role of soft power in global influence  (63:03) The key developments to watch  Read The Atlantic article:' The Crumbling Foundation of America's Military': https://bit.ly/40O0ihK How Much U.S. Aid is Going to Ukraine: https://bit.ly/4hxEE8V Follow Ron and Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/MollyMcKew Email your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss the whirlwind around tariffs, the politics and the optics, and why the tariffs on China are moving forward  Then, we talk about a Chinese AI startup that's making shockwaves and how it's impacting the U.S.-China Tech war After that, we talk about immigration and how the Laken Riley Act vote is a sign of the growing gap in Latino politics Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we discuss the Department of Government Efficiency and the fight over USAID Joining Ron Steslow on this week's panel:  Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN) Mike Madrid (Lincoln Project cofounder, author of The Latino Century) Segments this week: (03:52) Tariffs  (25:58) The AI war  (45:25) Immigration Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/HagarChemali https://x.com/madrid_mike Related reading: Segment 1:  AP - Fast fashion, laptops and toys are likely to cost more due to US tariffs on Chinese imports WP - Did Trump cave on his Canada and Mexico tariffs? - The Washington Post The Dispatch - The Markets Can't Be Bullied The Dispatch - Lessons From the Great Almost Trade War of 2025 Segment 2:  CNN - A shocking Chinese AI advancement called DeepSeek is sending US stocks plunging | CNN Business Global Finance Magazine - Stakes Rising In The US-China AI Race | Global Finance Magazine WP - Google drops pledge not to use AI for weapons or surveillance Segment 3:  The Great Transformation - Immigration and the Growing Divide in Latino Politics CBS News - ICE releases some migrant detainees as its detention facilities reach 109% capacity - CBS News 538 - Do Americans support Trump's mass deportations? - ABC News NYT - Trump Says He Would Jail Americans in El Salvador ‘in a Heartbeat' - The New York Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michele Gelfand (Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a Professor of Psychology by Courtesy at Stanford University) joins host Ron Steslow to discuss culture, social norms, and her book Rule Makers, Rule Breakers: How Tight and Loose Cultures Wire Our World  (01:46) Why she decided to study culture  (04:34) What are tight and loose cultures (06:12) Why tight and loose cultures evolve (10:38) The tradeoffs between tight and loose and how different cultures responded to the Covid pandemic (16:19) Tightness-looseness and willingness to change (19:57) Red and Blue vs Tight and Loose  (30:36) Tightening around core values, even in loose cultures (34:56) Real and manufactured threats  (44:15) How we we can put this framework into action  You should read Rule Makers, Rule Breakers: https://amzn.to/3Qy8DQc Follow Michele and Ron on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MicheleJGelfand https://twitter.com/RonSteslow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss the chaos that ignited after the White House pushed for a freeze in federal funding and the Trump Administration backing down Then, we talk about Trump-supporting, young men and their desire to be recognized for greatness  Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we discuss the government-run snitch lines in seven states and localities  Joining Ron Steslow on this week's panel:  Zack Czajkowski (Fmr. Lincoln Project Political Director) James Lynch (Communications Strategist)   Segments this week: (03:19) Funding Freeze Chaos  (39:15) The Last Boys  Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/JamesGLynch https://x.com/ZackCz Related reading: Segment 1:  The Dispatch - Impoundment and the Discretionary Presidency - The Dispatch CNBC - White House says Trump funding freeze remains in effect despite rescinding OMB memo Washington Post - Federal judge blocks Trump federal spending freeze after a day of chaos - The Washington Post Segment 2:  The Point Magazine - Last Boys at the Beginning of History | The Point Magazine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 foreign lobbying  (03:45) Ivy Lee and Paul Manafort  (07:36) The First Amendment and foreign influence  (10:23) Understanding FARA  (13:28) How Paul Manafort shaped modern lobbying  (15:49) Legal loopholes and foreign influence in politics  (18:11) The case of Viktor Pinchuk (22:13) The Trump Administration's impact on foreign lobbying  (27:19) How Universities and Think tanks are the new frontier of influence  (33:05) Colorful characters in foreign lobbying  (41:39) The Biden Family and foreign influence accusations  (45:27) Contrasting foreign influence on Trump and Clinton  (49:00) Proposed reforms  Read Foreign Agents: How American Lobbyists and Lawmakers Threaten Democracy Around the World: https://bit.ly/4giHjBK Check out the HRF's Combatting Kleptocracy Program: https://bit.ly/4hAAQTJ Follow Ron and Casey  on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/cjcmichel Email your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss Donald Trump's broad pardons for January 6th and Joe Biden's preemptive pardons for Trump critics and his own family members. Then, we talk about Trump's Executive Orders and whether there's a growing appetite for something resembling a more monarchical presidency Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we discuss Donald and Melania Trump launching memecoins (don't worry, we'll explain) and the serious ethical questions they raise Joining Ron Steslow on this week's panel:  Liam Donovan (Principal at Bracewell LLP) Marc Caputo (Senior Politics Reporter at Axios) Segments this week: (02:54) Pardons  (24:48) Executive Orders Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/LPDonovan https://x.com/MarcACaputo Related reading: Segment 1:  Axios - "F--k it: Release 'em all": Why Trump embraced broad Jan. 6 pardons Politico - There's reason to be worried about the plethora of pardons from Trump and Biden - POLITICO Politico - Biden said his pardon of family was meant to shield them from Trump. That's not the full story. - POLITICO Segment 2:  Reason - With executive order avalanche, Trump continues trend toward a monarchical presidency NYT - ‘The Interview': Curtis Yarvin Says Democracy is Done - The New York Times Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liam Donovan, Marc Caputo, Brady Dale (Crypto Reporter at Axios),  and host Ron Steslow discuss  Donald and Melania Trump launching memecoins and the serious ethical questions they raise Related reading:  Axios - Trump meme coin unsettles some blockchain leaders NYT - Trump Begins Selling New Crypto Token, Raising Ethical Concerns Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the ad-free & full version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus In this episode, Ron talks to Nick Anthony (Policy Analyst at the Cato Institute and a Fellow at the Human Rights Foundation) about Central Bank Digital Curriences, their potential to invade privacy, alter the dynamics of financial control, how governments are trying to justify them, and why those arguments are insufficient . They discuss: (04:16) Intro to CBDCs (07:58) How CBDCs would give unprecedented control over how you can spend money  (12:15) The Arguments for and against CBDCs (19:53)The hidden assumptions behind CBDC arguments  (24:50) The real world privacy implications of CBDCs (33:05) CBDCs around the globe  (36:21) The political dynamics in the U.S.  (47:47) Bitcoin vs CBDCs Check out the HRF's CBDC Tracker: https://bit.ly/3WtFb3g Follow Ron and Nick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/EconWithNick Email your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss the devastating wild fires in California and the political earthquake that's coming. Then, we talk about the paradox of America's dysfunction at home and unparalleled power on the global stage. Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we discuss the TikTok ban set to go into effect and the “refugees” flocking to other China controlled apps.  Joining Ron Steslow on this week's panel:  Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN) Mike Madrid (Lincoln Project cofounder, author of The Latino Century) Segments this week: (02:04) The Wild Fires (32:02) Dysfunction at home and power abroad Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/HagarChemali https://x.com/madrid_mike Related reading: Segment 1:  NBC News - Reservoir in Pacific Palisades was out of commission when fire started NYT - Newsom Suspends State Environmental Rules for Rebuilding After Fires - The New York Times Cato - California Insurance Market: Another Victim of the War on Prices | Cato at Liberty Blog Los Angeles Daily News -Misinformation about California fires is spreading like, well, wildfire – Daily News Segment 2:  Foreign Affairs - The Strange Triumph of a Broken America  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus In this episode, Ron talks to Senator Ron Wyden (Oregon) about his new book It Takes Chutzpah and leading the legislative charge for privacy in the digital age. Segments to look forward to: (01:48) What is Chutzpah (06:06) Being the ‘Designated Driver' in the Senate  (07:31) Why he's committed to principled bipartisanship  (10:22) Why the fight for privacy is so important to him  (14:17) The “wild west” of data privacy  (18:35) Putting the “foreign” back in FISA (19:43) Where the political battlelines are drawn on privacy  (24:57) Financial privacy  Read It Takes Chutzpah: How to Fight Fearlessly for Progressive Change: https://bit.ly/4fWL3st Follow Ron and Sen. Wyden on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/RonWyden Email your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss President-elect Trump's push to get “one, big, beautiful bill” to get his campaign promises through congress.  Then, we talk about the proposals for a strategic Bitcoin reserve and the shifts in how legislators are thinking about crypto.  Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we discuss how we can and should talk about the January 6th attack after Trump's re-election and as American attitudes about the attack have softened.  Joining host Ron Steslow on this week's panel:  Susan Del Percio  (MSNBC political analyst and crisis communications expert)  Stef Kight (Politics Reporter at Axios)  Segments this week: (02:17) Trump's Mega-MAGA Moonshot (32:14) Strategic Bitcoin reserve and shifting crypto politics Watch “What's The Problem?” (non-technical): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtFOxNbmD38  More on Bitcoin and the environment: https://x.com/DSBatten/status/1872879512620548308  Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/DelPercioS https://x.com/StefWKight Related reading: Segment 1:  Axios-Trump's mega-MAGA moonshot Axios - Scoop: Trump plans to invite entire GOP Senate to Mar-a-Lago bash NBC - Speaker Johnson's push to pass Trump's agenda in one massive bill faces big hurdles Segment 2:  Crypto.news - Bitcoin Reserve Executive Order out after Trump meets crypto.com CEO Marszalek Axios -

For the ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus In this episode, Ron talks to longtime Washington D.C. public defender Heather Shaner about her work representing dozens of January 6th defendants. They're joined by Liz Gilbert Cohen who worked as a consulting producer on the documentary about Heather's work with January 6 defendents—Public Defender.  Segments to look forward to: (02:41) The personal impact of January 6th (05:43) The role of public defenders (10:39) Understanding Heather's clients' perspectives  (18:04) Media representation and public perception  (30:53) The legal and ethical considerations (43:42) The Trump factor  (48:41) American society and the way forward Watch the documentary Public Defender: https://bit.ly/4gJCRgp RSVP to the screening event at MLK Memorial library on Jan 9: https://bit.ly/424oDCw Follow Ron on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow Email your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus We live in a loud world that's getting louder. We encounter noise all around us—from the chatter of polite conversations, to street noise in a big city, to the constant intrusion of the dings of notifications. But what is all of this noise doing to us, and what does it mean to find quiet in the midst of it? In fact, what is silence, anyway? How can it affect our minds, our bodies, and our relationships? Harvard and Oxford trained policymaker Justin Zorn and NASA consultant Leigh Marz join host Ron Steslow to discuss their new book, Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise (02:38) What we can all learn from how the Amish evaluate new technology (07:25) The attention economy and why it's not working for us (13:44) Understanding “ma” and how we can use it to resolve conflict (22:14) Using quality over quantity to measure productivity (26:26) Ways to incorporate silence in your everyday life (35:35) Silence and expanded states of consciousness using psychedelics You should read Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise : http://bit.ly/3UIGJU2 FollowJustin, Leigh, and Ron on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JustinZorn https://twitter.com/LeighMarz https://twitter.com/RonSteslow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus We live in a loud world that's getting louder. We encounter noise all around us—from the chatter of polite conversations, to street noise in a big city, to the constant intrusion of the dings of notifications. But what is all of this noise doing to us, and what does it mean to find quiet in the midst of it? In fact, what is silence, anyway? How can it affect our minds, our bodies, and our relationships? Harvard and Oxford trained policymaker Justin Zorn and NASA consultant Leigh Marz join host Ron Steslow to discuss their new book, Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise (02:33) Leigh and Justin's backgrounds (07:04) Why they began practicing silence in their own lives (12:50) Why silence feels scary (18:30) What is noise? (22:12) Internal silence is what people think it is (30:19) The connection between noise and rigid thinking (37:27) The historical significance of silence You should read Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise : http://bit.ly/3UIGJU2 FollowJustin, Leigh, and Ron on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JustinZorn https://twitter.com/LeighMarz https://twitter.com/RonSteslow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we discuss President Biden carrying out the largest single-day act of clemency in American history and the controversial commutations of sentences for corrupt public officials. Then, we talk about the rash of reported drone sightings in New Jersey and the confirmed UAV sightings around military bases, and how we can sort fact from fiction to make sure we address real security concerns.   Later, we talk about Mitch McConnell's call to reject isolationism and the Atlantic's deep reporting on how our crumbling military manufacturing infrastructure makes us vulnerable in a turbulent world. Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we discuss CNN admitting that the person they showed being freed from a Syrian prison last week was actually an intelligence officer in the Assad regime and the growth of mediated media.  Joining host Ron Steslow on this week's panel:  Liam Donovan (Principal at Bracewell LLP) Olivier Knox (Senior National Political Correspondent at U.S. News & World Report) Segments this week: (04:31) Biden's pardons and commutations  (26:13) Drones (41:04) The precarious state of our military manufacturing infrastructure  Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Get Olivier's newsletter “Decision Points”: https://bit.ly/3ZTK8TU Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/LPDonovan https://x.com/OKnox Related reading: Segment 1:  WSJ - Mystery Drones Swarmed a U.S. Military Base for 17 Days. The Pentagon Is Stumped. - WSJ CNN - Key US Air Force base closes airspace amid drone sightings | CNN Segment 2:  AP - Biden commutes roughly 1,500 sentences and pardons 39 people in biggest single-day act of clemency CNN - Victims ‘shocked' after Biden grants clemency to ‘kids-for-cash' judge and $54 million embezzler | CNN Politics Segment 3:  Foreign Affairs - Mitch McConnell: The Price of American Retreat The Atlantic - The Crumbling Foundation of America's Military - The Atlantic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Journalist, Public Speaker and Author Celeste Headlee (@CelesteHeadlee) joins host Ron Steslow (@RonSteslow) to reveal the science and history behind human communication, share keys to unlock deeper conversations, and explain how critical empathy is for our ability to listen and connect. For more information, to contact us, or to contribute to Politicology, visit Politicology.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, we dive into the fandom that's developed around the assassin who killed United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson Then, we'll look at how Donald Trump's team pulled the Pete Hegseth nomination back from the brink in the Senate.  Later, we talk about the younger Democrats pushing for generational  change in House committee leadership positions.  Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we discuss how Citizens United moved the balance of power toward rich donors and pulled the Democratic party to the left.  Joining guest host Zack Czajkowski on this week's panel:  David Weigel (politics reporter at Semafor)   James Lynch (Communications Strategist)   Segments this week: (02:19) Assassin fandom (31:54) Hegseth Nomination saved in the Senate (45:48) Generational change in the Democratic Party Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Send your questions and thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Get David's Newsletter “Americana”: https://bit.ly/4iB6HFd Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/ZackCz https://x.com/JamesGLynch https://x.com/daveweigel Related reading: Segment 1:  CNN- 1-star McDonald's reviews and sympathetic merch: Companies try to stop online support for CEO killer suspect | CNN Business Wired - The Internet's Obsession With Luigi Mangione Signals a Major Shift | WIRED Yahoo News - Black Lives Matter activist calls on ‘black vigilantes' after Daniel Penny's acquittal: ‘F—k America' Segment 2:  Politico - Ron who? How Trump brought Hegseth back from the brink - POLITICO NYT - Ernst Suggests She Will Not Oppose Hegseth for Defense Secretary - The New York Times Segment 3:  NBC News - 'The end of seniority': Younger Democrats are challenging elders for powerful positions AP - Rep. Ocasio-Cortez announces bid for top Oversight job as Democrats push for generational change Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus Poler Family Professor and chair of the psychology department at Amherst College Dr. Catherine Sanderson joins Ron Steslow to talk about how giving can make you happier.  (02:08) What is happiness and how can we measure it? (08:31) Does giving make you happy or do happy people give more? (10:20) Types of giving and the impact on happiness (14:50) The effect of giving on bad moods (28:58) Gratitude letters The Positive Shift by Dr. Catherine Sanderson https://benbellabooks.com/shop/the-positive-shift/ Politicology - March 10: Becoming Moral Rebels with Dr. Catherine Sanderson https://politicology.com/episodes/dr-catherine-sanderson-becoming-moral-rebels/ Are you learning from Politicology? Contribute now at https://politicology.com/donate! Follow Catherine and Ron on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SandersonSpeaks https://twitter.com/RonSteslow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices