Podcasts about american democracy

Unity is acting together even when we don't think alike. And one of the primary aims of the American Constitution is to support a democracy of those unified in diversity. Yuval Levin joins Mark Labberton to explore the precarious state of American constitutional life and the imbalance of power between the branches of the U.S. government. Drawing from his book America's Covenant, Levin argues that the Founders designed the Constitution above all to preserve unity in a divided society. Yet today, he warns, the imbalance of power—particularly the weakness of Congress and the rise of presidential authority—threatens democratic legitimacy. In this conversation, Levin reflects on originalism, the courts, Donald Trump's expanding influence, and the dangers of both passivity and autocracy. With clarity and urgency, he calls for renewed civic engagement and for Congress to reclaim its central role. Episode Highlights “Unity doesn't mean thinking alike. Unity means acting together. And the question for a modern political society is how do we act together when we don't think alike?” “The biggest problem we have is that Congress is under-active, radically under-active and has turned itself into a spectator.” “The president is in charge of the executive branch, but the executive branch is not in charge of the American government.” “I am very concerned about this kind of Caesar-ism. I think it is very dangerous.” “What we're seeing is constitutional creep, where the president is pushing and nobody's pushing back, and only Congress can do it.” “I worry a lot about Donald Trump. But the reason I worry is because Congress isn't doing its job.” “The politics of an autocratic state is a politics of spectators, and we just cannot become spectators.” “All of us will find ourselves in the minority sooner or later.” Helpful Links and Resources America's Covenant: The Constitution and the Path to National Unity, by Yuval Levin American Enterprise Institute (Find Yuval Levin's current research and publications) *New York Times Opinion* – Yuval Levin's columns at the New York Times About Yuval Levin Yuval Levin is director of Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where he also holds the Beth and Ravenel Curry Chair in Public Policy. He is the founder and editor of National Affairs, senior editor of The New Atlantis, a contributing editor at National Review, and a contributing opinion writer at The New York Times. He is the author of several books on political theory and public policy, most recently American Covenant: How the Constitution Unified Our Nation—and Could Again (Basic Books, 2024), which examines the U.S. Constitution through the lens of national unity in a divided society. Show Notes Constitutional unity and division Yuval Levin summarizes America's Covenant as a reintroduction to the Constitution framed around the challenge of unity in diversity. “Unity doesn't mean thinking alike. Unity means acting together.” The Constitution prioritizes bargaining, negotiation, and legitimacy over efficiency. Congress was designed as the “first branch” of government to embody pluralism and force compromise. The decline of Congress and rise of the presidency Levin argues Congress is radically under-active, ceding ground to presidents and courts. “The biggest problem we have is that Congress is under-active, radically under-active and has turned itself into a spectator.” Excessive focus on the presidency erodes democratic legitimacy. Current frustrations stem from misunderstanding the system's design: it resists narrow majorities and forces broad coalitions. Courts, originalism, and the unitary executive Levin affirms he is an originalist: “a philosophy of judicial interpretation … a mode of self-restraint for judges.” Supreme Court decisions in recent years repeatedly signal: “Congress, do your job.” He outlines the unitary executive theory: the president controls the executive branch, but not the government as a whole. “The president is in charge of the executive branch, but the executive branch is not in charge of the American government.” Trump's expanding power Levin warns of the growing push to centralize authority in the presidency. “I am very concerned about this kind of Caesar-ism. I think it is very dangerous.” Trump's second term differs because restraints have vanished; his circle now encourages unrestrained executive action. Disruption of long-held norms has weakened trust in American institutions globally and domestically. Constitutional crisis vs. constitutional creep Levin distinguishes between “creep,” “conflict,” and “crisis.” He argues the U.S. is experiencing constitutional creep: unchecked executive power without Congress pushing back. True crisis would involve direct defiance of the courts—something still possible but not yet realized. The role of citizens and civic responsibility Levin stresses the danger of passivity: “The politics of an autocratic state is a politics of spectators, and we just cannot become spectators.” Citizens should keep writing to Congress, vote with clear expectations, and engage in local governance. State legislatures, though less visible, often function better than Congress today. Clear thinking itself, Levin suggests, is a moral act for a healthy republic. Production Credits Conversing is produced and distributed in partnership with Comment Magazine and Fuller Seminary.  

In the summer of 2020, the country was racked by disease, violence, and social disruption as generations of racial injustice seemed to fall in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. Thomas Chatterton Williams warns, however, that extreme views on the left—ascendent in that summer heat—are just as dangerous to western liberalism as extreme views on the right.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

America is facing deep political division. Republican vs. Democrat, Left vs. Right. But what will it truly take for us to come together as one nation again? On this episode, former California State Assemblyman Mike Gatto sits down with host and special guest co-host Joey for an honest conversation about America's current political climate. From the challenges facing both major parties to the growing frustration among citizens, Mike shares his perspective on what's fueling the divide and outlines practical steps everyday Americans can take to ensure their voices are heard by elected officials. Follow Mike Gatto: Website – www.mikegatto.com Twitter – @MikeGatto Follow Joey: TikTok – @joey_doesit

Project 2025 began quietly in conservative conference rooms but today stands at the center of a storm over the future of American governance. Born from the Heritage Foundation and assembled by over one hundred right-leaning partners, its 900-page “Mandate for Leadership” lays out not just a governing plan for a future Republican administration, but a wholesale reimagining of the federal government itself. Supporters rally around its stated purpose: as Heritage's Kevin Roberts says, “We're going to impose the will of the people through a reinvigorated executive branch.” Critics, however, warn of what the American Civil Liberties Union calls “a blueprint for replacing the rule of law with right-wing ideals.”One of Project 2025's boldest proposals is placing the entire executive branch—agencies like the Department of Justice, the FBI, even the Federal Communications Commission—under direct presidential control. The aim, described by Roberts as “ending the era of the ‘independent' bureaucracy,” is rooted in the controversial unitary executive theory. The project calls for every senior official in the State Department to be replaced by a president's handpicked loyalists, bypassing the usual Senate confirmation process. Kiron Skinner, who authored the State Department chapter, explained her vision by insisting most career employees are “too left-wing” and must make way for “warriors for the conservative agenda.”The methods are as consequential as the proposals. Project 2025 revives the idea of “Schedule F,” a bureaucratic mechanism that lets a president reclassify tens of thousands of civil service jobs, stripping long-held protections. The National Federation of Federal Employees warns that by transforming apolitical government roles into political appointments, Project 2025 would make it nearly impossible for career staff to resist pressure or political overreach. As one union leader put it, “Without civil service protections, federal employees will be powerless to stop them.”The details ripple into almost every corner of American life. A return-to-office mandate for federal workers, for example, upends years of flexible work arrangements, with federal employees ordered back to their offices, often within tight timelines. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an agency created after the 2008 financial crisis to oversee banks and safeguard consumers, is marked for elimination. Agencies like USAID, which manages American humanitarian aid abroad, have already faced drastic cuts and layoffs, with numbers reaching into the hundreds of thousands according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas.Labor unions also appear squarely in the project's crosshairs, with proposals to ban public-sector unions, eliminate card check elections, and speed up the process to decertify existing unions. Another core promise is what Project 2025 calls the “restoration of the family.” The authors advocate policies that would restrict abortion, curtail LGBTQ+ rights, and reinforce what they describe as traditional values. According to the project's summary, the intent is to make the family “the centerpiece of American life,” a phrase that has triggered heated debate over what counts as a family in today's country.Some experts warn these moves risk upending critical norms. Legal scholars have voiced concern that Project 2025, if realized, could hurry the erosion of separation of powers, spark legal battles over constitutional rights, and bring about what many label the most extensive centralization of power in the modern era. Detractors have called it a “systemic, ruthless plan to undermine democracy,” while supporters argue it's a necessary correction to what they see as runaway bureaucracy.Looking ahead, the nation waits. The next major turning point arrives this November, when voters will decide not only on a president but, indirectly, on whether Project 2025's policies—already mapped, written, and ready for day one—will be greenlit for action. Whichever side prevails, both the vision and the pushback it's generated signal a lasting confrontation over the future shape of American democracy.Thank you for tuning in, and come back next week for more.Some great Deals https://amzn.to/49SJ3QsFor more check out http://www.quietplease.ai

Send us a textOn today's episode, I am joined by Katherine Stewart, a journalist and author of "Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement To Destroy American Democracy." We cover the donors and strategies that are behind the Christian Nationalist movement, as well as assess how Trump's presidency has benefited from this far-right philosophy. InstagramThe Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) • Instagram photos and videosThreadThe Social Chemist (@socialchemistig) on ThreadsKatherine Stewart BooksMoney, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy: Stewart, Katherine: 9781635578546: Amazon.com: BooksThe Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism: Katherine Stewart: Bloomsbury Publishing - BloomsburyThe Good News Club: The Christian Right's Stealth Assault on America's Children: Stewart, Katherine: 9781586488437: Amazon.com: BooksKatherine Stewart's Social MediaKatherine Stewart | HomeKatherine Stewart (@katherinestewart.bsky.social) — BlueskyKatherine Stewart | SubstackRecommended Social Chemist EpisodesChristian Nationalism Under Trump's Second Term w/ Amanda TylerLeaving Christian Nationalism and Finding a True Faith w/ April AjoyThe Emergence of Christian Extremism & The Future of the Republican Party w/ Elizabeth Neumann

Bill examines the troubling shift of the United States from democracy toward autocracy under US President Donald Trump. From the suppression of dissenting voices to the manipulation of media and gerrymandering, Bill warns that this erosion of democracy is unfolding in plain sight—and that awareness and action are urgently needed before it's too late.Tune in to Episode 205 for conversations in critical times.This episode was recorded on: August 29, 2025Become a YouTube channel member or paid SubStack subscriber to hear Bill's stories and life lessons from 50+ years as a broadcast journalist in his members-only series, MORAL OF THE STORY: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeUbzckOLocFzNeY1D72iCA/joinListen to The Bill Kelly Podcast everywhere: https://kite.link/the-bill-kelly-podcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBillKellyPodcast/featuredBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/thisisbillkelly.bsky.socialFacebook: https://facebook.com/TheBillKellyPodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisisbillkelly/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisbillkelly/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thebillkellypodcastSubStack: billkelly.substack.com/*Comment ‘likes' on behalf of this channel are an acknowledgment of your comment, not necessarily an endorsement of its contents. Thanks for joining these critical discussions in critical times!FURTHER READINGFBI searches ex-national security adviser John Bolton's house in Marylandhttps://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/22/fbi-searches-ex-national-security-adviser-john-boltons-house-in-maryland-00519388HASHTAGS#News#Politics#BreakingNews#PoliticalNews#NewsToday#NewsUpdates#CanadaNews#USNews This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit billkelly.substack.com/subscribe

Friendships across political divides are rare these days, but Carmen and Andrea prove it's still possible in their bold new show "Culture and Consequence." Their honest, sometimes heated conversation reveals how two people can see America through completely different lenses while maintaining deep respect for each other.Carmen shares her journey from uncritical patriotism to a more nuanced view of American possibility, while Andrea explains how her childhood experiences led her to question American exceptionalism from an early age. What unfolds is a fascinating exploration of how our personal backgrounds shape our political beliefs, and whether it's possible to love a country while acknowledging its deep flaws.The discussion heats up when Governor Gavin Newsom enters the conversation. Andrea's skepticism about his recent rightward moves contrasts with Carmen's defense of his record, revealing a key tension within progressive politics – the balance between ideological purity and pragmatic coalition-building. Their passionate debate mirrors conversations happening across the country about what we should expect from our political leaders.Beyond specific politicians, Carmen and Andrea tackle fundamental questions about American democracy: Can good people thrive in a political system dominated by money? Why do Democrats often demand perfection while Republicans rally behind deeply flawed candidates? And most importantly, is there hope for bridging our divides when misinformation runs rampant?The episode ends with a surprising discovery of common ground, as both hosts agree that most Americans are more moderate than extreme political rhetoric suggests. Their friendship models what healthy political discourse can look like – passionate but respectful, challenging but loving.Join us weekly for "Culture and Consequence" as we navigate the messy reality of American politics together. Because understanding each other might be our best hope for healing our divided nation.Thank you for stopping by. Please visit our website: All About The Joy and add, like and share. You can also support us by shopping at our STORE - We'd appreciate that greatly. Also, if you want to find us anywhere on social media, please check out the link in bio page. Music By Geovane Bruno, Moments, 3481Editing by Team A-JHost, Carmen Lezeth DISCLAIMER: As always, please do your own research and understand that the opinions in this podcast and livestream are meant for entertainment purposes only. States and other areas may have different rules and regulations governing certain aspects discussed in this podcast. Nothing in our podcast or livestream is meant to be medical or legal advice. Please use common sense, and when in doubt, ask a professional for advice, assistance, help and guidance.

How did American democracy reach such a precarious moment — and what can we do to fix things? Host Simone Leeper examines the fundamental threats to our democracy today, from gerrymandering and corruption to abuses of executive power and the outsized role of money in politics.Through real stories from everyday Americans and insights from the experts at Campaign Legal Center and other distinguished guests, this season of Democracy Decoded explores how we can use the tools we still have to repair the cracks in the system — and how, together, we can change things for the better.Learn what's at stake — and what can be done to solve the challenges facing American democracy. Follow Democracy Decoded on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.About CLC:Democracy Decoded is a production of Campaign Legal Center, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to solving the wide range of challenges facing American democracy. Campaign Legal Center fights for every American's freedom to vote and participate meaningfully in the democratic process. Learn more about us.Democracy Decoded is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

This episode of Across The Margin: The Podcast presents an interview with journalist, author, and an acknowledged expert in American right-wing extremism, David Neiwert. Neiwert has appeared on Anderson Cooper 360, CNN Newsroom, and The Rachel Maddow Show and is the Pacific Northwest correspondent for the Southern Poverty Law Center. His work has appeared at Mother Jones, The Washington Post, MSNBC.com, and many other publications. His previous books include Of Orcas and Men: What Killer Whales Can Teach Us, And Hell Followed With Her: Crossing the Dark Side of the American Border (NationBooks: Winner of the International Latino Book Award for General Nonfiction), and Alt-America: The Rise of The Radical Right in The Age of Trump. He has won a National Press Club award for Distinguished Online Journalism and his latest book — The Age of Insurrection: The Radical Right's Assault On American Democracy — is the focus of this episode. From a smattering of ominous right-wing compounds in the Pacific Northwest in the 1970s, to the shocking January 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, America has seen the culmination of a long-building war on Democracy being waged by a fundamentally violent and antidemocratic far-right movement that unironically calls itself the “Patriot” movement. So how did we get here? In his book, The Age of Insurrection, award-winning journalist Neiwert — who been following the rise of extremist groups since the late 1970s, when he was a young reporter in Idaho — explores how the movement was built over decades, how it was set aflame by Donald Trump and his cohorts, and how it will continue to attack American Democracy for the foreseeable future. In this episode host Michael Shields and David Neiwert get to the bottom of exactly how dangerous the radical right is at this juncture of American history. They break down the components of Trump's Army while pondering how extremism has gone mainstream in a variety of ways. They talk about Steve Bannon's role in spreading authoritarianism internationally, how the police have been infiltrated by the radical right, how organized the alt-right attacks are on democratic institutions at every level including local, state, and federal targets, and so much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Once a strongman takes power it's very difficult to dislodge them from ruling a country. As our institutions gradually succumb to Trump's grip, can American Democracy survive?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this very special episode of The Andrew Parker Show, Andrew sits down with a true American treasure and friend, former U.S. Senator Rudy Boschwitz. At 94 years old, Boschwitz reflects on his extraordinary journey — from fleeing Nazi Germany as a child to building a successful business in Minnesota, serving 12 years in the U.S. Senate, and playing pivotal roles in history, including Operation Solomon, which brought thousands of Ethiopian Jews safely to Israel.Senator Boschwitz shares rare insights on:The American experiment and what makes this nation “Magnificent America.”His 1978 political rise in Minnesota and years working alongside President Ronald Reagan.The behind-the-scenes story of Operation Solomon and Israel's enduring importance.His work as U.S. Ambassador to the UN Human Rights Commission and the fight against bias toward Israel.A candid assessment of Donald Trump, tariffs, immigration, and the Abraham Accords.Reflections on America's role in the world and his unwavering optimism about freedom and democracy.A powerful conversation with one of Minnesota's great leaders — and a reminder of why America remains a beacon of liberty.Support the showThe Andrew Parker Show - Politics, Israel & The Law. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and X. Subscribe to our email list at www.theandrewparkershow.com Copyright © 2025 The Andrew Parker Show - All Rights Reserved.

The boys drink and review Crowhill's latest homebrew, then discuss gerrymandering. Every ten years, new census data reshapes our political maps. But who decides where the lines go—and why does it matter so much? In this episode, we dive deep into gerrymandering: what it is, how it works, and why it has such a lasting impact on elections.We cover:* The basics of redistricting and why “one person, one vote” isn't as simple as it sounds.* The two key strategies: packing and cracking voters.* The paradox of race in redistricting: sometimes illegal, sometimes required.* Why the Supreme Court stepped back from partisan gerrymandering cases.* Real-world examples from Texas, North Carolina, Wisconsin, and Florida.* The consequences for representation, polarization, and voter trust.* Possible reforms: independent commissions, mathematical “fair maps,” and state-level challenges.At the heart of it all is a question we pose to you: Should drawing political districts be a political act—or a purely mathematical one?If you've ever wondered why election results don't always match the popular vote, or why so many districts look like Rorschach tests, this episode is for you.#gerrymandering

August 21, 2025; 6pm: Democrats are punching back against what they call a Trump-fueled "power grab" to undermine American Democracy, as many experts warn that Trump, who has already tried to over-throw an election, is trying to game the system. Plus, MSNBC's Ari Melber reports on the Trump DOJ's deadline to start sharing the Epstein files with Congress. The NYT's Michelle Goldberg, California Assembly Member Buffy Wicks and other expert guests join to discuss the latest developments.

Osita Nwanevu, author of The Right of the People, on the flaws of American democracy—and some cures • Derek Guy on the evolution of upper-class men's dress over the decades The post The flaws of American democracy, the evolution of upper-class men's dress appeared first on KPFA.

Who is to blame for the redistricting farce that many fear is breaking American democracy? There's Trump, of course, and his gang of MAGA crazies. But according to David Daley, the author of Antidemocratic, Inside the Far Right's 50-Year Plot to Control American Elections, the real culprit is anything but crazy. It's John Roberts, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. In a devastating 2019 decision, Daley argued in a powerful New York Times essay this week, Roberts closed federal courts to partisan gerrymandering claims just as judges from both parties were successfully policing redistricting abuses. "It's like that moment in Ghostbusters where they turn off the containment packs," Daley explains. "All the evil spirits spill out." The result? Today, 398 of 435 House districts are non-competitive, and we're witnessing what Daley calls a "redistricting apocalypse" with no end in sight. And those evil spirits aren't just on the far right, with Democratic hacks also benefitting from this out-of-control gerrymandering. What gets lost in all this, of course, is the bipartisan political center in both parties - thereby creating a political system increasingly out of touch with the kind of non-ideological voters (ie: most American citizens) whose interests John Roberts' Supreme Court is supposed to protect. 1. Chief Justice Roberts Created the Current Crisis Roberts' 2019 decision to close federal courts to partisan gerrymandering claims removed the last guardrails just as bipartisan judges were successfully policing redistricting abuses, unleashing the current "redistricting apocalypse."2. Technology Has Made Gerrymandering Permanent Modern software and voter data have transformed gerrymandering from a temporary trick into decade-long control. Districts can now be carved with surgical precision, making 398 of 435 House seats non-competitive.3. Democrats Were Caught Completely Off-Guard Despite clear warnings (Karl Rove even published the Republican strategy in the Wall Street Journal), Democrats "fell asleep" on redistricting and are now playing catch-up with far fewer opportunities to retaliate.4. The Math Doesn't Favor Democratic Counter-Gerrymandering Republicans can draw about 195 seats on their own while Democrats control only 49. Even if Democrats maximize gerrymandering in California and Illinois, Republicans have many more states where they can respond.5. The Stakes Go Beyond Elections Daley warns of "militarized voter suppression" and sees America on a "dark path" where the combination of gerrymandering, voting restrictions, and authoritarian tactics could fundamentally undermine democracy by 2026. Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

This week on Now I Get It, I dive into the real reason conspiracy theories—like those around Jeffrey Epstein—are taking hold of the public imagination. Spoiler: It's not just wild speculation. I walk you through how trust in our legal, political, and economic systems has eroded, why this distrust is historically grounded, and how the foundations of American democracy are being tested in real time.We'll explore how two competing visions of democracy—Greek versus Roman, Boston versus Charleston—have shaped the U.S., how corporate consolidation and “friction by design” have fueled economic inequality, and why even the noblest systems, like the Quaker-driven ethic of transparency, are breaking down. If you've ever felt that the system is rigged, this episode offers you the historical and economic context to understand why.In this episode, you will learn:(00:50) – Why the Epstein case taps into real public fear about justice, power, and protection for the elite(02:40) – How Boston and Charleston represent two opposing visions of democracy that still divide America(06:00) – What the Quakers got right about business—and how their transparency ethic shaped early capitalism(08:45) – How index funds and diversification quietly created monopolies and crushed competition(10:50) – Why the educated middle class moved away from workers—and how that shift opened the door for populism(11:50) – The dark design behind bad customer service—and how corporations profit by making you give up(13:30) – The Powell Memo: a corporate lawyer's battle plan that reshaped U.S. politics and rolled back democracy(17:00) – Real-life stories of healthcare inequality—and how wealth decides who lives or dies(18:00) – Why understanding these hidden forces is the first step to rebuilding trust and real changeLet's connect!linktr.ee/drprandy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 How often do political parties actually trust voters to know what's best for them?  Curtis Bram, a political scientist at The University of Texas at Dallas, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the two sides of modern governing: elitism and populism, and questions whose job it is to actually protect democracy —voters or politicians? His book is “Elitism versus Populism: Experiments on the Dual Threat to American Democracy.”  Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!Courageous Connections: Embracing Pluralism Amidst American PopulismIn this Derate The Hate bonus episode, host Wilk Wilkinson sits down with fellow Braver Angels Ibrahim Anli and Will Harwood for a powerful discussion on cultural and religious pluralism in the face of American populism. They explore what it means to be American in today's polarized climate and the importance of courageous connections in embracing diversity. Ibrahim, an immigrant to the U.S., and Will, a native-born American, share their personal insights on how America's evolving identity can remain rooted in foundational civic values while allowing room for pluralism.Key Topics:The concept of American identity and civic creedEmbracing cultural pluralism and religious freedomThe challenges and opportunities of immigration in a populist eraHow to build courageous connections across dividesThe role of shared purpose in national unityThe importance of civic education and staying grounded in the nation's foundational valuesFeatured Guests:Ibrahim Anli – A passionate advocate for religious pluralism and an immigrant who chose America as his homeWill Harwood – A native-born American who focuses on civic culture and national identityTakeaways:Pluralism is vital to America's identity, not as a melting pot but as a kaleidoscope of diverse cultures.Courageous connections help bridge divides, whether through religious freedom, cultural exchange, or civic engagement.We must continually reconnect with America's founding ideals to move forward as a unified nation.Listen Now to hear a thought-provoking conversation on how we can embrace diversity, overcome polarization, and strengthen the fabric of American society in the face of modern challenges.The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you've got. Make every day the day that you want it to be! Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America's largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast! *The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

After a period of relative calm in congressional elections prior to 2006, America has experienced a series of highly competitive, volatile national elections. Since then, at least one of the US House, US Senate, and presidency has flipped party control--often with a large House or Senate seat swing--with the exception of the 2012 election. In Waves of Discontent, Jacob F. H. Smith argues that a pervasive feeling of displeasure in the American public has caused this increase in electoral volatility. Examining the consequences of volatility in congressional elections reveals that political amateurs are more likely to win in wave years than in normal years. Based on this data, Smith presents a new theory about the policy process--the policy doom loop--in which frustration among voters at both the inability of Congress to pass policy and anger at policies that actually do pass results in even more churn in congressional elections. Waves of Discontent offers some suggestions to promote constructive policymaking efforts in Washington to reduce frustration in the electorate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

After a period of relative calm in congressional elections prior to 2006, America has experienced a series of highly competitive, volatile national elections. Since then, at least one of the US House, US Senate, and presidency has flipped party control--often with a large House or Senate seat swing--with the exception of the 2012 election. In Waves of Discontent, Jacob F. H. Smith argues that a pervasive feeling of displeasure in the American public has caused this increase in electoral volatility. Examining the consequences of volatility in congressional elections reveals that political amateurs are more likely to win in wave years than in normal years. Based on this data, Smith presents a new theory about the policy process--the policy doom loop--in which frustration among voters at both the inability of Congress to pass policy and anger at policies that actually do pass results in even more churn in congressional elections. Waves of Discontent offers some suggestions to promote constructive policymaking efforts in Washington to reduce frustration in the electorate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science

After a period of relative calm in congressional elections prior to 2006, America has experienced a series of highly competitive, volatile national elections. Since then, at least one of the US House, US Senate, and presidency has flipped party control--often with a large House or Senate seat swing--with the exception of the 2012 election. In Waves of Discontent, Jacob F. H. Smith argues that a pervasive feeling of displeasure in the American public has caused this increase in electoral volatility. Examining the consequences of volatility in congressional elections reveals that political amateurs are more likely to win in wave years than in normal years. Based on this data, Smith presents a new theory about the policy process--the policy doom loop--in which frustration among voters at both the inability of Congress to pass policy and anger at policies that actually do pass results in even more churn in congressional elections. Waves of Discontent offers some suggestions to promote constructive policymaking efforts in Washington to reduce frustration in the electorate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/public-policy

After a period of relative calm in congressional elections prior to 2006, America has experienced a series of highly competitive, volatile national elections. Since then, at least one of the US House, US Senate, and presidency has flipped party control--often with a large House or Senate seat swing--with the exception of the 2012 election. In Waves of Discontent, Jacob F. H. Smith argues that a pervasive feeling of displeasure in the American public has caused this increase in electoral volatility. Examining the consequences of volatility in congressional elections reveals that political amateurs are more likely to win in wave years than in normal years. Based on this data, Smith presents a new theory about the policy process--the policy doom loop--in which frustration among voters at both the inability of Congress to pass policy and anger at policies that actually do pass results in even more churn in congressional elections. Waves of Discontent offers some suggestions to promote constructive policymaking efforts in Washington to reduce frustration in the electorate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com

What historical forces have led to the rise of demagogues in the past and how to they compare to the increasing power of populism today? What are the benefits and drawbacks of empowering leaders from outside politics during these times?Eric A. Posner is a professor of law at the University of Chicago Law School and also the author of several books, including The Demagogue's Playbook: The Battle for American Democracy from the Founders to Trump, Radical Markets: Uprooting Capitalism and Democracy for a Just Society, and The Executive Unbound: After the Madisonian Republic.Greg and Eric discuss the definition of demagoguery and its historical context in American politics, particularly comparing presidents Donald Trump and Andrew Jackson. They explore the rise of populism, its implications for democracy, and the role of elites and institutions. Additionally, Eric explains his views on labor market power and antitrust law reforms, reflecting on recent American political dynamics and potential future reforms.*unSILOed Podcast is produced by University FM.*Episode Quotes:How President Trump changed the presidential playbook40:43: Trump is really not that popular, but he does—but he is very popular among his base. So I think he has decided, unlike—I think most presidents want to have, like, a large majority, super majority of support. And I think Trump, at some point, realized that he would never get that. And so he wanted to maintain his base plus a few swing voters. And if that is your goal, if that is your plan, it may be fine to do things that upset a lot of people. Whereas when these norms developed—if that is what we are going to call them—they developed in a context in which there was less partisan division, less ideological strife, and it made sense for politicians to be basically more cooperative, even though they represented people with very different interests.Demagogues appeal to the emotion08:12: Demagogues appeal to emotion, but it would be wrong to say that any politician who appeals to emotions is a demagogue. There are community and “let us work together” and “let us protect people, vulnerable people,” versus this kind of hatred, which is characteristic of the demagogue, who wants to find somebody to blame for people's problems.What is the essence of populism?06:37: The virtuous people, meaning something—well, not never really clear—definitely farmers and maybe working people, versus an establishment consisting of politicians and bankers and capitalists. I think that division is the essence of populism.The threat of demagoguery33:08: Usually people are worried about demagoguery because they are worried, basically, that ordinary people will be persuaded by somebody who is evil, basically, or does not have their interest at heart. It is still with us. Never went away.Show Links:Recommended Resources:Daniel KahnemanPopulismDemagogueWilliam Jennings BryanAndrew JacksonFederalist PartyFranklin D. RooseveltPat BuchananHuey LongSecond Bank of the United StatesNapoleonDouglas MacArthurHenry GeorgeGuest Profile:Faculty Profile at The University of Chicago Law SchoolEricPosner.comFaculty Profile at NYU Law SchoolWikipedia PageLinkedIn ProfileGuest Work:Amazon Author PageThe Demagogue's Playbook: The Battle for American Democracy from the Founders to TrumpRadical Markets: Uprooting Capitalism and Democracy for a Just SocietyThe Executive Unbound: After the Madisonian RepublicHow Antitrust Failed WorkersLaw and Social NormsClimate Change JusticeThe Twilight of Human Rights LawLast Resort: The Financial Crisis and the Future of BailoutsTerror in the Balance: Security, Liberty, and the CourtsEconomic Foundations of International LawThe Perils of Global LegalismGoogle Scholar Page

Was Woodrow Wilson a visionary statesman—or a reactionary bigot? Peter Robinson sits down with historian and former SEC Chairman Christopher Cox to discuss his latest book, Woodrow Wilson: The Light Withdrawn, Cox's meticulously researched biography of the 28th president of the United States. Together, they explore Wilson's complicated legacy: his towering achievements as a reformer and wartime leader and his deeply troubling record on race, gender, and civil rights. From his opposition to women's suffrage and his resegregation of the federal government to his embrace of the film, The Birth of a Nation, Cox reveals how Wilson's Southern upbringing and elitist worldview shaped both his presidency and progressivism itself. This conversation offers a sobering reappraisal of one of America's most consequential and controversial leaders—and asks what it means to judge historical figures by the standards of both their time and ours.

Both the American left and right are revolted by elites. But whereas the right has channeled its distaste for the powers-that-be into Trump and MAGA, the left has mostly failed to capitalize on populist hatred of American elites. So what to do? According to the influential Turkish political theorist Soli Ozel, progressives need to reread Christopher Lasch, author of the 1995 classic, The Revolt of the Elites and the Betrayal of Democracy. In an essay entitled “Lasching Out,” Ozel observes that Lasch's critique of meritocratic elites who abandoned their sense of social responsibility—what he calls their noblesse oblige—offers a progressive roadmap for understanding why figures like Kamala Harris failed to connect with working-class voters, and how the left might forge a new populist coalition that prioritizes material interests over cultural absolutism.1. Lasch predicted Trump decades before 2016 - Writing between the 1970s & 90s, Christopher Lasch warned that American elites had abandoned their sense of social responsibility (noblesse oblige), creating conditions for populist backlash that would eventually manifest as Trumpism.2. The new meritocratic elite looks down on ordinary Americans - Unlike traditional elites who felt obligated to society, today's managerial class views working people as "uncouth, racist, xenophobic" and prefers to ignore them rather than engage or convince them of better ways of living.3. Kamala Harris epitomized elite denial - Harris couldn't acknowledge her elite status or explain why she wanted to be president, representing exactly the kind of disconnected leader Lasch criticized—one who presents herself as embodying the "American dream" while being fundamentally out of touch.4. The left needs "left conservatism" - Progressives should be economically leftist but culturally conservative, supporting incremental change that maintains social institutions like family while prioritizing working-class material conditions over cultural absolutism.5. Leadership and coalition-building matter more than ideology - Like FDR's New Deal coalition, the left needs charismatic leaders who can forge alliances across different constituencies, avoiding the absolutism that has alienated educated elites from the broader population.Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

In their 10-year coup to spy on, discredit, impeach, and unseat the twice-elected President of the United States, Donald Trump, the Democrats have only made him stronger and more resilient.As Chris Matthews explains:By contrast, they've emerged from all of this as wild-eyed Doomsday preppers who have finally gone full Pizzagate, scraping the bottom of the barrel to chase a scandal that was never theirs to begin with, and one they never cared about until right now.Will there ever be any accountability for what they've done in their attempts to override American Democracy, disenfranchise half the country, and preserve their power?Will they ever confront the truth that Americans were so desperate to be rid of them, they were willing to re-elect the twice-impeached, four times indicted, convicted felon? Who would want them in charge? They have no plan, no optimistic vision, and no solutions.They have only one thing: an ongoing mass delusion that Trump is the ultimate evil. It is that delusion that has driven the hysteria that has led to the collapse of their empire. They just haven't figured it out yet. They lurch from one social media fantasy to another, all about Trump. And each time, it takes them deeper into their delusions as they lose all of their power.If sex is involved, whether it's an imaginary trip on the Lolita Express to Epstein Island or paid Russian prostitues defiling him on the bed the Obamas slept in, or his night with Stormy Daniels, his dressing room encounter with E. Jean Caroll, these insane, repressed, puritanical women who define the typical Democrat now can't seem to get enough.Give us more, their clicks and views say. We're bored. We need salacious details, no matter how ludicrous, contradictory, or implausible they may be. We need an injection of something other than the mind-numbing boredom of a monoculture that has become so sanitized and preordained that even Lifetime movies can no longer do the trick. Trump is their dirty little secret, the forbidden fruit, the dance with the Devil.The first version of Trump sold to us was that he was a raging racist because of the Obama birther story and other myths that helped create an existential crisis that required a “hearts and minds” effort to eradicate:That version led to violent attacks against Trump supporters in 2015.The next version was that he wasn't a playboy from the 1980s who could get any woman he wanted; no, he was a “rapist” thanks to the Access Hollywood tape and the multiple women who came forward to tell their stories, none of them believable.That led to the #MeToo movement, where due process and the presumption of innocence were disregarded, as once accused, forever guilty. You weren't accused of something; you were accused of being something. It was inside of you, spectral evidence, just like the witch trials in Salem. Every time someone was canceled in effigy of Trump, just as the hangings in Salem, it was a celebration for another battle won against an ultimate evil.One version of Trump made it all the way into the highest reaches of government. Imagine, a failed attempt to paint Trump as colluding with the Russians to win an election fell short, so they had to spin a yarn that the racist and rapist was also a Russian asset, compromised by kompromat.I believed it! I'd already bought the books on Putin in late 2016, how could it not be true? Rachel Maddow had told me night after night after night, laying it all out in painstaking detail. Here she is in June of 2016 dropping those breadcrumbs. Of course, I believed it because I believed her. I trusted her. I trusted them. They wouldn't lie to me, would they?The Clinton campaign even said so. They proved it with the changes made to the GOP platform to please Putin. That had to be true, right?No, it turns out. It wasn't true—none of it. Not only that, but it involved Barack Obama and his henchmen. If the lie that Trump was a Putin puppet resulted in Hillary's win, great. But what if she lost? Why not push out the lie anyway? Why not hobble Trump at the outset?Why not make him illegitimate just as he once suggested Obama's birth certificate was? Who wouldn't go along with it? We were all conditioned to follow the breadcrumbs and believe whatever they told us about Trump, so why wouldn't we believe this?It turned out to be a convenient pivot. It didn't have to be that Hillary Clinton was a high-risk candidate with more baggage than the Kardashians on a ski trip to Aspen. She was “likable enough,”up against a once-in-a-generation political talent like Trump.It didn't need to be the Clinton campaign's decision to focus on Georgia rather than Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. After all, the New York Times said she couldn't lose.Someone as powerful as Obama, a man we all treated like a god, could not lose to Donald Trump. He couldn't have stood on stage with Katy Perry and Bruce Springsteen and had an election go that badly. None of them could stand it, not in the FBI, not in the legacy media, not any of us.No, it had to be Putin.In reality, it was actually much less complicated. It was a one-in-a-million strategy laid out by Steve Bannon way back in 2012:They had to manufacture the Russiagate story because they couldn't face the ugly truth about what they had become, how they'd abandoned the rest of this country and insulated themselves in their castle in the sky. By the end, they were no different from other upended aristocracies when the people had had enough.This is not a complicated story if you are living in reality. The 2016 election recalled the infamous quote about the lavish ball held in honor of the 290th anniversary of the House of the Romanovs held in the Winter Palace, Saint Petersburg. But it was a moment that would symbolize the empire's ultimate collapse.While Democrats now have to fend off their own Communist uprising, 2016 wasn't one. It was the populists, a genuine grassroots movement that reflected the voice of a country that was sick of an elite ruling class lecturing them about how to speak, how to live, and what to believe in. Sneering at them. Judging them. Shutting them out.And yet, that couldn't be the reason Trump won. It couldn't be the people who made that decision. The people never decide, at least not when it comes to President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. They live by another quote, one from Citizen Kane:“People will think…””What I tell them to think.”The Russiagate lie was pushed through the feedback loop —a self-contained bubble that went from morning news, through the churn of social media, to legacy media headlines, up to cable news and late-night “comedy.”Those who questioned it, such as Matt Taibbi, Walter Kirn, and Aaron Mate, saw their careers evaporate, and their friends turned against them.Even after the entire thing was exposed and condemned in the Columbia Journalism Review, it hasn't made its way into the bubble. Everyone I know on the Left still believes it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sashastone.com/subscribe

The American Church is in a difficult place. Special insight on the news of today. In this episode, we unravel the shocking revelations surrounding former President Barack Obama and his administration's alleged conspiracies to undermine President Trump's election victory. Join Kathryn and Christopher as they discuss the recent disclosures by Tulsi Gabbard that have ignited a firestorm of debate. This episode dives into the broader implications of these exposures, examining the intersection of politics, faith, and the ongoing battle against darkness in our society. Don't miss this enlightening conversation!

One week ago at the closing session of the Turning Point USA Conference in Tampa, Charlie Kirk moderated a debate between two conservative Americans with starkly different perspectives on the value of Israel as an ally of the U.S.A. Writer and commentator, Josh Hammer, spoke for the proposition that America and Israel are countries aligned in values and ideology. Dave Smith - a recently famous comedian and libertarian who has become a darling of the talk show circuit (Joe Rogan and Piers Morgan in particular) - represents the conservative isolationist camp. An “as a Jew” Jew, Dave opines on matters about which he has thin knowledge. His bottom line: Israel has nefariously influenced and taken control of American foreign policy. Domestic policy too, for that matter. Hammer, more grounded in knowledge and fact, explains that military support and alliances are necessary for a strong and principled America. And Charlie does a great job to manage the discussion. Some of the things that Dave says - and with confidence and pride - are astonishing. Like that America has no problem with Iran. And Iran has no problem with America. “I mean, geez”, he says, “Iran is a third world country and no threat to us”. For real. It's a fascinating discussion. I learned a lot about this emerging and growing isolationist movement among conservative Americans - some of whom are turning sharply on Israel. It's a fiery debate.State of Tel Aviv is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Josh Hammer is the author of the new book, Israel and Civilization: The Fate of the Jewish Nation and the Destiny of the West. He is the senior editor-at-large of Newsweek, a syndicated columnist, and a fellow with the Edmund Burke Foundation and the Palm Beach Freedom Institute. He also hosts The Josh Hammer Show, a Newsweek podcast and syndicated radio show. A frequent pundit and essayist on political, legal, and cultural issues, Josh is a constitutional attorney by training and additionally serves as senior counsel for the Article III Project.Josh has been published by the Los Angeles Times, the New York Post, The Telegraph, the Daily Mail, U.S. News & World Report, National Review, First Things, National Affairs, American Affairs, the Claremont Review of Books, The New Criterion, City Journal, Public Discourse, Tablet Magazine, Deseret Magazine, The Spectator, Fortune, Fox Business, The Times of Israel, The Forward, and the Jewish Journal. His legal scholarship has been published by the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy and the University of St. Thomas Law Journal. Josh is a college campus speaker through Young America's Foundation and the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, and a law school campus speaker through the Federalist Society.Josh graduated from Duke University, where he majored in economics, and from the University of Chicago Law School. He lives in Florida with his wife and daughter, and he also remains an active member of the State Bar of Texas. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stateoftelaviv.com/subscribe

Former National Security Advisor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice has held some of the highest national security and domestic policy roles in the U.S. government — but her defining strength may be her ability to lead with both head and heart. In this special live episode recorded at the Aspen Ideas Festival, Ambassador Rice sits down with Emily for a deeply personal and urgent conversation. She opens up about transitioning from foreign to domestic policy, her proudest policy wins in health care and drug pricing, and her disappointment in seeing progress rolled back. Ambassador Rice shares how she navigated professional pressure while caring for her aging parents and raising children — and why she never hid the personal decisions that shaped her career. She also emphasizes the importance of rebuilding trust in government and sounds the alarm on the future of American democracy. Be sure to subscribe, leave us a rating, and share with your friends if you liked this episode! She Pivots was created by host Emily Tisch Sussman to highlight women, their stories, and how their pivot became their success. To learn more about Ambassador Rice, follow us on Instagram @ShePivotsThePodcast or visit shepivotsthepodcast.com. Support the show: https://www.shepivotsthepodcast.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On July 6 Saving Elephants assembled an august team of commentators to commemorate the advent of the United States turning the big 2-4-9!  With only one year to go until the nation is 250 years old, the group reflects on the foundational ideas of America, whether she's succeed or failed at those aspirations, and what the future holds for this most exceptional of nations.   Meet the panelists:   Lura Forcum   Lura Forcum leads the Independent Center, the nation's go-to organization for information, research, and engagement with independent voters, representing those who are fed up with partisan politics and feel politically homeless.   Lura holds a PhD in marketing and consumer psychology from Indiana University (Kelley School of Business). She's studied social cognition and brands, focusing on the factors that lead consumers to respond to brands as if they were people and the outcomes of doing so.  Prior to becoming president of the Independent Center, Lura was the Director of Marketing and Communications at the State Policy Network.   Jeffery Tyler Syck From jtylersyck.com   Jeffery Tyler Syck is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Pikeville.   Tyler's academic research focuses on the development of American democracy and the history of political ideologies. He is the editor of the forthcoming book “A Republic of Virtue: The Political Essays of John Quincy Adams” and is completing a second book manuscript entitled “The Untold Origins of American Democracy.” This second book describes how the political debates between John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson forever altered the republic created by the American founders – leaving behind an increasingly majoritarian democracy. His essays and articles on politics, philosophy, and history have appeared in several public facing publications including Law and Liberty, Persuasion, and the Louisville Courier-Journal. Tyler's academic work has recently been published in the journal Pietas.   A native of Pike County Kentucky, Tyler's political thought and writing are strongly shaped by the culture of Appalachia. With their tightly knit communities, the mountains of Appalachia have instilled in him a love of all things local. As such his writing most often advocates for a rejuvenation of local democracy and a renaissance of rural culture.   Tyler received a Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Arts in Government from the University of Virginia. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Government and History from Morehead State University where he graduated with honors.   About Eric Kohn From americasfuture.org   Eric Kohn is Chief Executive Officer at America's Future, the premier nationwide network of liberty-minded young leaders. For more than 10 years, he led the organization's Chicago chapter. Prior to joining AF, Eric was Chief Marketing Officer at Empower Illinois. He has also previously served as Director of Marketing & Communications at the Acton Institute, and Director of Community Management at the Illinois Policy Institute. He was also the Founder and CEO of Curious Task Strategies, a public affairs consulting firm. Eric is a producer of the award-winning film The Hong Konger: Jimmy Lai's Extraordinary Struggle for Freedom, the 2022 documentary feature from the Acton Institute. From 2019 to 2021, he co-hosted Sources with Knowledge along with Joe Kaiser on AM 560 The Answer in Chicago. From 2022 to 2023, he was the interim host of the nationally syndicated radio program Beyond the Beltway with Bruce DuMont, on which he was also a regular program guest and guest host. He previously hosted The Eric Kohn Program on AM 1530 WJJG, and has guest-hosted the nationally syndicated The Guy Benson Show, Illinois Watchdog Radio, and Chicago's Morning Answer. Eric grew up in Belleville, Ill., and is a graduate of Millikin University in Decatur, Ill. He lives in Grand Rapids, Mich., with his wife and two children. In his spare time, he enjoys (or attempts to enjoy) watching New York Rangers hockey, which he also writes and podcasts about for Blueshirt Banter.  

As lead investigator into both January 6 and Charlottesville, Tim Heaphy discovered that American democracy was headed toward a reckoning. In his book Harbingers, which he completed before the November 2024 election, Tim concluded that apathy poses greater threats to the rule of law than would-be autocrats, and that widespread civic engagement would be essential to safeguarding our values and restoring faith in our institutions. He proposes a number of everyday measures that Americans can and must start taking right now in order to restore our faith and hope in the future.rnrnHeaphy served as Chief Investigative Counsel of the House of Representatives Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. He also oversaw the independent investigation into the August 12, 2017 riot in Charlottesville, Virginia. He is currently a partner at Willkie, Farr & Gallagher LLP and previously served as the Obama-appointed US Attorney for the Western District of Virginia. He lives in Charlottesville, Virginia with his family.

Get access to The Backroom exclusive podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/OneDimeIn this episode of 1Dime Radio, I am joined by political theorist Benjamin Studebaker, a PhD at Cambridge and author of the books "The Chronic Crisis of American Democracy" and "Legitimacy in Liberal Democracies," to break down the Iran-Israel conflict, Zohran Mamdani's surprising NYC mayoral primary victory, and the recent LA protests over immigration. We also discuss the historic election of Zohran Mamdani—a socialist, Muslim, pro-Palestine candidate who beat AIPAC in the most Jewish city outside of Israel—and why local electoral wins may not translate to broader socialist strategy. The conversation takes a controversial turn as we examine the left's embrace of subsidized childcare, with Benjamin arguing that this merely accommodates capitalism's dissolution of the family.Timestamps:00:00 Preview: Zohran Mamdani's Victory03:08 War with Iran, NYC Election, & the LA Protests05:06 Iran-Israel War: What Most People Miss 10:12 The Role of Arab States and Turkey11:37 Why the US May Not Want Regime Change in Iran14:34 Challenges of Regime Change in Iran27:38 Egypt, Turkey, & The Gulf States54:34 Likelihood of Revolutions in the Middle East?01:09:55 Why Russia Dosent Hell Iran01:15:58 A New Era of American Hegemony?01:26:40 The Election of Zohran Mamdani01:31:24 Lessons for The Left01:50:49 Rent Control, Housing Market and the problem with Urban Growth02:09:52 The LA protests: Immigration and Public Perception02:18:34 Childcare and The Decline of The Family02:32:25 The Abundance Movement In The Backroom segment on Patreon, Benjamin and I talk about Ezra Klein's “abundance” movement. Become a Patron and get access to 65 exclusive podcast episodes at Patreon.com/OneDime if you haven't already!Follow Benjamin Studebaker on X: https://x.com/BenStudebakerFollow me on X: https://x.com/1DimeOfficialFollow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/1dimemanCheck out my main-channel video essays: https://www.youtube.com/@1DimeOutro music by Karl Casey.Leave a like, drop a comment, and give 1Dime Radio a ★★★★★ rating if you enjoyed the show!

In Alex's penultimate episode as an official Disorder cohost, she and Jason discuss her decision to step back from co-hosting due to the overwhelming chaos in the world and the emotional toll it takes. Plus: they unpack the struggle to maintain empathy in a disordered world, the rising fear of deportation, cancellation, political violence, censorship, enemies lists, and their implications for democracy. And – as they Order the Disorder – they look at the importance of maintaining professional integrity, while dealing with emotional challenges. They also explore strategies for coping with the chaos of modern life. Producer: George McDonagh Subscribe to our Substack - https://natoandtheged.substack.com/ Disorder on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@DisorderShow  Show Notes Links: Read about Georgia's struggle for democracy and slide into authoritarianism and how it mirrors our own in the USA: https://euromaidanpress.com/2025/06/08/i-was-not-fierce-enough-georgian-activists-brutal-confession-as-democracy-collapses/ Watch Why Regime Change in Iran is Impossible - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlX5_mp1JWc Read ‘Donald Trump's Los Angeles Military Deployment Is an Assault on American Democracy' - https://bylinetimes.com/2025/06/10/donald-trump-los-angeles-military-deployment-assault-on-american-democracy/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump is a big problem, but he's not the only problem America faces. While Trump is the avatar of many of americas woes, it's critical to remember that many of our biggest challenges go back decades. But the time to fix it is now. Wajahat Ali joins David Rothkopf to diagnose America's ailments and remind us of the golden rule: don't be a fascist.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump is a big problem, but he's not the only problem America faces. While Trump is the avatar of many of americas woes, it's critical to remember that many of our biggest challenges go back decades. But the time to fix it is now. Wajahat Ali joins David Rothkopf to diagnose America's ailments and remind us of the golden rule: don't be a fascist.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's being called an historic partnership. It took a year and a half to close the deal, but Nippon [knee-pawn] Steel has completed its purchase of U.S. Steel for $15 billion. A new sculpture celebrates Blair County’s history, at the entrance to DelGrosso’s Amusement Park. It’s part of a statewide initiative to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States. A Dauphin County nonprofit is among the organizations receiving funding, in the latest round of grants awarded by America250PA. Pennsylvania motorists can begin their America250 celebration early. PennDOT says license plates are now available marking Pennsylvania as the Birthplace of American Democracy. LancasterHistory's newest museum is being accepted into a National Park Service network dedicated to the U.S. era of Reconstruction. Support WITF: https://www.witf.org/support/give-now/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During the 2008 economic crisis, the Obama administration had an opportunity to enact widespread market reforms. Instead, they bailed out the banks and laid the groundwork for mass inequality and a political culture that has given us a second Trump administration. This week's guest was in the room where those crucial decisions were made, and […]

In this episode of ASKITA, John gets asinine about our personal growth as it relates to American Democracy.  This is a non-partisan episode that will get you thinking about how you engage in our political system. If you are stressed, anxious and looking for like minded poeple who care about community, you especially don't want to miss it. John introduces his long-time friend Josh Wilk, the founder of Renew Democracy 250, and shares Josh's personal story, including his father's experiences as a Holocaust survivor and Nazi hunter. Josh explains that his organization aims to honor his father's legacy by promoting democracy and fighting against tyranny, drawing parallels between his father's experiences in Nazi Germany and current political trends in the United States. How do you think you are you going to celebrate our country's 250th anniversary?  Listen to this episode and you may be kicked into action 

Back in 2016, Joan Williams, distinguished professor of law (emerita) at UC Law San Francisco, wrote an essay for the Harvard Business Review on why President Donald Trump attracted so many non-college voters. It went viral with almost four million views, becoming the most-read article in the 90-year history of the publication.Williams' new book, Outclassed: How the Left Lost the Working Class and How to Win Them Back, outlines how the seemingly common view that her fellow progressives must abandon their social causes to win back those non-college-educated voters is wrong. What is required, she argues, is a renewed understanding of class. She introduces her conceptualization of the “diploma divide,” or the gap between Americans with and without college degrees. Her worldview divides the electorate into three class-based groups: the college-educated, upper-class “Brahmin left”, the low-income working (middle) class, and the right-wing merchant class, which pushes for economic policies that benefit the rich. Her argument is that a new coalition between the latter two has shifted politics to the right.In this week's Capitalisn't episode, Luigi and Bethany invite Williams to discuss whether our society indeed breaks down so neatly. If it does, how does her breakdown help us understand recent electoral shifts and trends in populism and why the left is on the losing end of both? As she writes in her book and discusses in the episode, “[the Brahmin] left's anger is coded as righteous. Why is non-elite anger discounted as “grievance?” Together, their conversation sheds light on how the left can win back voters without compromising on progressive values.Over the last four years, Capitalisn't has interviewed conservative thinkers like Oren Cass, Patrick Deneen, and Sohrab Ahmari to understand how the political right developed a new platform after President Joe Biden's victory in 2020. With this episode, we begin the same project with the left by asking: What could be the economic basis for a new progressive platform?Show Notes:Read an excerpt from Joan Williams' new book, “Outclassed: How the Left Lost the Working Class and How to Win Them Back,” out now at St. Martin's PressQuiz: “Are You in a Class Bubble?”What So Many People Don't Get About the U.S. Working Class, by Joan Williams, Harvard Business Review, November 10, 2016

 Today:Greg Weiner, President of Assumption University, argues Trump has a point about liberal campus ideology. And Rick Steves joins for a conversation about the importance of immersing yourself in other cultures.

The SEC was created to protect investors—but is it now protecting incumbents instead? In this episode of Context, we explore the rise of unelected bureaucracies and their hostility to innovation, using crypto regulation as a lens into a larger democratic dysfunction.   From the roots of the administrative state to today's battle between blockchain pioneers and entrenched financial regulators, we explore how bureaucratic overreach can derail progress—and what it would take for America to rediscover its courage to build.   Topics include: • SEC vs. Ripple Labs and Coinbase • Regulatory capture and the death of oversight • Blockchain, XRP, and the Internet of Value • American innovation and bureaucratic stagnation   Support the show: patreon.com/bradcoleharris

Stephanie Miller delves into the implications of Trump's actions, the absurdity of selective prosecutions, and the ongoing legal battles surrounding birthright citizenship. With former federal prosecutor Glenn Kirschner!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

American Democracy is Cooked | The Humanist Report (5/5-5/16) by Mike Figueredo

Jim talks with Adam Lake about Reboot America, a project aimed at reforming American democracy. They discuss existential threats facing humanity, the two-party corporate duopoly, a Princeton study on policy preferences, first-past-the-post voting problems, campaign finance issues, social media's role in polarization, wealth & income inequality, Bernie Sanders's Fight Oligarchy tour, the Democratic Party's cultural baggage, Trump country perspectives, courage in leadership, how the quality of leadership has changed over time, the "politician's pledge" & its six points, ranked-choice voting, proportional representation systems, liquid democracy, the People's Agenda concept, lessons from the Emancipation Party & GameB, and much more. Episode Transcript The Politics Industry, by Katherine Gehl JRS EP219 with Katherine Gehl on Breaking Partisan Gridlock RebootAmerica.us No Labels - Our Ideas The Perception Gap Voice of the People (vop.org) Adam Lake is the founder of Reboot America, an emerging framework for a movement aimed at revitalizing the American political system by realigning it with the founding principles of our democratic republic. With a background in economics and experience in business development for a digital identity company whose technology empowers individuals to protect their civil liberties in the digital world, he brings a pragmatic approach to tackling systemic political challenges. Currently, he is engaging with voices in the democracy renewal and independent media spaces, exploring how to build momentum for a transpartisan effort that challenges the entrenched two-party duopoly. He's not a politician or a pundit—just someone determined to find a way forward.

"All bets are off if they start snatching judges." Judges are being threatened, civic institutions are under assault, and authoritarian tactics are becoming normalized. The right's strategy is relentless: show up, take over, and silence dissent. Meanwhile, apathy and disengagement from the left have created a vacuum that fascists are more than willing to fill. Fighting back won't come from Washington—it starts with showing up at the most local levels and refusing to cede ground. The time is now, people. You are the heroes of this story...if you show up. Rick takes your questions on everything from Little Marco, the new Pope, the backslide of American Democracy, and the non-doctor, non-expert Trump wants for Surgeon General. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a recent pulse-check on the health of our democracy by Bright Line Watch, hundreds of scholars warned that the U.S. is heading swiftly toward authoritarianism. Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a professor of history at New York University who specializes in the subject, explains how we got here. Plus, setbacks for Trump in court, pregnant people in states with abortion bans are almost twice as likely to die during pregnancy or soon after giving birth, and the hidden costs of being polite to a chatbot. Today’s episode was hosted by Shumita Basu.

Alan McPherson author of The Breach: Iran-Contra and the Assault on American Democracy joins to discuss the Iran-Contra affair and how it plagued both the end of Regans Presidency and George H. W. Bush's, but also how it ties into the politics of today. Also, Pete Hegseth is a dirty dirty boy, or at least has a dirty dirty line.  Plus, its an Antwentig.  ⁠⁠⁠Join The Gist Team⁠⁠⁠ Produced by Corey Wara Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠thegist@mikepesca.com⁠⁠⁠⁠To advertise on the show, contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠sales@advertisecast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to The Gist: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to The Gist Youtube Page: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to The Gist Instagram Page: ⁠⁠⁠⁠GIST INSTAGRAM⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow The Gist List at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pesca⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In just about two months, President Donald Trump has managed to thoroughly shake U.S. democratic structures to the core. From firing thousands of federal workers and plunging the U.S. into a trade war, to testing the limits of our three supposedly coequal branches of government, it's been a lot to process. And the constant chaos makes it hard to grasp what's actually happening, big picture: Are we watching a wannabe strongman fumble through enacting a policy agenda that will likely prove to be deeply unpopular, or are we actually watching the end of American Democracy as we've known it for roughly the last century. Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a professor at New York University and author of the book 'Strongmen,' explains what history can tell us about our current moment and what we can do about it.And in headlines: Venezuela said it would start accepting deportation flights from the U.S. again, Palestinian health officials said the death toll in Gaza has topped 50,000, and the White House said Second Lady Usha Vance is heading to Greenland… just for fun… scout's honor.Show Notes:Check out Ruth's book and newsletter – https://ruthbenghiat.com/Subscribe to the What A Day Newsletter – https://tinyurl.com/3kk4nyz8Support victims of the fire – votesaveamerica.com/reliefWhat A Day – YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@whatadaypodcastFollow us on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/crookedmedia/For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/whataday