Podcasts about populists

"72% of Americans say they hate big corporations—including Republicans." — Charles DerberIt's not just the right that's reacting against liberal democracy. Some progressives are also embracing populism. Charles Derber, longtime professor of sociology at Boston College, has a new book called Fighting Oligarchy: How Positive Populism Can Reclaim America. Rather than a dirty word, he argues, populism is an inevitable political response to the brutality of today's economy. We're in a disguised depression, he fears. Sixty percent of Americans say they feel one paycheck away from oblivion.72% of Americans say they hate big corporations, Derber reminds us. Not just Democrats—Republicans too. Such hostility to large capitalist enterprises thus represents a kind of political supermajority. And Derber, a man of the left, sees this as fertile ground for what he calls positive populism. It's a politics that connects economic grievance to democratic renewal, the way the 1890s Populists did, the way the New Deal did, the way Martin Luther King did when he insisted you couldn't fight for civil rights without fighting against war and capitalism.But can positive populism coexist with American capitalism? Derber says no. American capitalism is too oligarchic, too individualistic, too hostile to collective identity. It's not compatible with positive populism and thus, in Derber's mind at least, not compatible with survival. But that doesn't involve a Soviet-style elimination of the free market. It means something more like Northern European social democracy: strong unions, universal healthcare, a government that actually intervenes on behalf of ordinary people.The trap, Derber warns, is nostalgia for the pre-Trump era. Going back to the supposedly "consensus" years of Bush, Obama and Clinton is a circuitous way of getting to another Trump. Today's street demonstrators—from Minneapolis to Los Angeles to New York City—understand this. According to Derber, demonstrations against ICE and MAGA are associating the immigration crackdowns with corporate oligarchy, and authoritarian political power with the economic power of big capitalism.And so positive populism will prevail. At least according to Charles Derber. Fight the oligarchy! Five Takeaways●      We're in a Disguised Depression: Sixty percent of Americans say they feel one paycheck away from disaster. This isn't radical rhetoric—it's mainstream public opinion.●      Hatred of Corporations Is Bipartisan: 72-73% of Americans—including Republicans—say they hate big corporations. Derber sees this as fertile ground for positive populism.●      Positive Populism Has Precedents: The 1890s Populists united white and Black workers. The New Deal gave ordinary people a stake. MLK linked civil rights to economics. These are the models.●      Going Back to Pre-Trump Is a Trap: If Democrats return to Bush-Obama-Clinton centrism, they'll get another Trump. The resistance understands this. The establishment doesn't.●      American Capitalism Is Incompatible: Positive populism can't coexist with American-style oligarchic capitalism. It needs transformation—not elimination of markets, but European-style social democracy. About the GuestCharles Derber is a professor of sociology at Boston College and author of more than twenty books, including Fighting Oligarchy: How Positive Populism Can Reclaim America and Bonfire: American Sociocide, Broken Relationships, and the Quest for Democracy. He is an old friend of Keen on America.ReferencesPeople mentioned:●      Pepper Culpepper is an Oxford political scientist whose book Billionaire Backlash argues that backlash against billionaires could strengthen democracy.●      Hélène Landemore is a Yale political scientist whose book Politics without Politicians makes the case for direct democracy.●      William Jennings Bryan ran for President four times on a populist platform but, Derber argues, sold out the movement's anti-corporate thrust.●      Martin Luther King Jr. argued that civil rights couldn't be separated from economic justice and opposition to war—a form of positive populism.●      Bernie Sanders and AOC are examples of positive populists within the Democratic Party today.Historical references:●      The 1890s Populist Movement united farmers and workers against the first Gilded Age oligarchy. Lawrence Goodwyn called it "the democratic moment."●      The New Deal represented a form of positive populism with significant government intervention in markets and encouragement of union organizing.About Keen On AmericaNobody asks more awkward questions than the Anglo-American writer and filmmaker Andrew Keen. In Keen On America, Andrew brings his pointed Transatlantic wit to making sense of the United States—hosting daily interviews about the history and future of this now venerable Republic. With nearly 2,800 episodes since the show launched on TechCrunch in 2010, Keen On America is the most prolific intellectual interview show in the history of podcasting.WebsiteSubstackYouTubeApple PodcastsSpotify Chapters:

Marina and Jemma pour the champagne, light the cauldron and gather the coven because honestly, what in the hallucinogenic hell is going on?First up: America's Health Secretary says something truly eye-watering. Then, from villainy to heroism via a brilliant moment highlighted by Vic Derbyshire the Trawl ladies celebrate a woman calmly, powerfully doing the right thing (even if their GCSE French can't quite keep up).But alas, back to the rogues' gallery: billionaire Jim Ratcliffe has waded into immigration with talk of “colonising” Britain prompting an unusually swift response from Keir Starmer. Is this… backbone? Is this growth? Is this a new era?Gary Lineker features, as does Cilla, plus Zack Polanski shining on Sky and a pudding that asks the eternal question, how can anyone claim politics doesn't affect them?Heroes. Villains. Billionaires. Populists. And a pub full of witches trying to make sense of it all.Bring snacksThank you for sharing and please do follow us @MarinaPurkiss @jemmaforte @TheTrawlPodcast Patreonhttps://patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast Youtubehttps://www.youtube.com/@TheTrawl Twitterhttps://twitter.com/TheTrawlPodcastIf you've even mildly enjoyed The Trawl, you'll love the unfiltered, no-holds-barred extras from Jemma & Marina over on Patreon, including:• Exclusive episodes of The Trawl Goss – where Jemma and Marina spill backstage gossip, dive into their personal lives, and often forget the mic is on• Early access to The Trawl Meets…• Glorious ad-free episodesPlus, there's a bell-free community of over 3,300 legends sparking brilliant chat.And it's your way to support the pod which the ladies pour their hearts, souls (and occasional anxiety) into. All for your listening pleasure and reassurance that through this geopolitical s**tstorm… you're not alone.Come join the fun:https://www.patreon.com/TheTrawlPodcast?utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this interview episode, we are joined by physicists Sam Gregson (Bad Boy of Science YouTube channel) and Tim Henke to examine the rise of science populism: a style of science communication that borrows the tactics of political populism, including grievance narratives, institutional distrust, and conspiratorial framing, while presenting its advocates as lone truth-tellers battling a corrupt academic elite.We discuss how DTG favourites like Sabine Hossenfelder and Eric Weinstein, as well as fresh new faces Brian Keating and Avi Loeb, deploy selective truths about physics to fuel self-aggrandising, anti-expert narratives.Along the way, we also cover stuff like why “physics hasn't progressed in 50 years”, cranks are useful props for populist arguments, and the strange obsession with Nobel Prizes.If you are interested in guru dynamics, science communication, and physics crankery, this might be an episode for you.LinksBad Boy of Science (Sam Gregson)Tim's Profile WebsiteBad Boy of Science – The Rise of Physics PopulisersTheories of Everything (Kurt Jaimungal)Losing the Nobel Prize – Brian KeatingInto the Impossible (Brian Keating)Sabine Hossenfelder's YouTube ChannelThe Portal (Eric Weinstein)The Galileo Project (Avi Loeb)Sean Carroll – Mindscape / Preposterous UniverseNot Even Wrong (Peter Woit)

Many of the continent's populist-right leaders once saw President Donald Trump as an example-setting fellow traveller. But his actions and policies on Venezuela, Greenland and Canada have them pulling back. Dating apps from the West failed to make inroads in India; now the country has its own crop of them. And scientific spying in the jungle reveals where predators hunt.Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many of the continent's populist-right leaders once saw President Donald Trump as an example-setting fellow traveller. But his actions and policies on Venezuela, Greenland and Canada have them pulling back. Dating apps from the West failed to make inroads in India; now the country has its own crop of them. And scientific spying in the jungle reveals where predators hunt.Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

CHALLENGES FROM AL SMITH AND SOUTHERN POPULISTS Colleague David Pietrusza. Roosevelt faces opposition from his former mentor Al Smith, who felt snubbed after 1932 and now leads the conservative American Liberty League. Smith attacks the New Deal as class warfare and claims it steals from socialist programs. Simultaneously, FDR worries about the populist threat from the South, represented by the legacy of Huey Long and the rhetoric of Eugene Talmadge. Although Long was assassinated in 1935, his "Share Our Wealth" program remains popular. In Georgia, Talmadge rallies support with race-baiting and accusations that the New Deal is influenced by communism. NUMBER 21936 JOAN CRAWFIORD AND FRANCHOT TONE IN ITALY

“The Quiet Texan Behind the Oval Office: Colonel Edward Mandell House” Welcome to Episode 82 of the Hidden History of Texas, Yes, I took the holidays off and feel refreshed and ready to go here in 2026. I hope each and all of you had a wonderful holiday season. Now it's time to get back into it.   If you pay attention to the world of political news, then you've probably heard the name Steven Miller. If you haven't, he's a primary advisor to President Trump. There are some who think that Mr. Miller is the most powerful person in Washington. That he wields more power and influence inside the administration than anyone else. He is what some call the power behind the throne, and they are surprised that someone like this exists. However, it's not rare at all, throughout history there have been men who were incredibly powerful but whom most people can't name. The question becomes, how on earth does a person rule a nation, a country without actually being the ruler? How does someone rule without ruling? It's important to understand that real power doesn't always sit at the top. Many times, the real power is held by a person that many people are unaware even exists. Real power operates quietly, seemingly in the shadows, through trust and access. One such person's name was  Edward Mandell House, and of course, he came from Texas.”  And at one point during World War I, he was one of the most influential men in Washington. He either shaped or helped shape American foreign policy. He was never elected to office. He held no cabinet position, and he most certainly did not have a public mandate to do what he did. Who was Edward Mandell House? He was born in Houston on July 26, 1858, to Mary Elizabeth (Shearn) and Thomas William House. He was the youngest of seven children. Thomas, his father, was one of the leading citizens of Texas. He was a wealthy merchant, a banker, and a landowner.  As did many wealthy children in that time period, Edward had a privileged youth. Growing up he met many prominent people who visited his family's large homes in Galveston and Houston. He also spent time enjoying life at his father's sugar plantation near Arcola Junction.  And like many Texas boys, he rode, hunted, and admired the gunfighters of the era.  He would often roam the flat, vast coastal plain near Houston. After his mother passed away on January 28, 1870, his father sent him away to boarding school. First a school in Virginia and then to one in New Haven, Connecticut. He was not a serious student, but he made several connections that would serve him well in life. It was also there that he became intrigued with politics. He and his closest friend, Oliver T. Morton (the son of Senator Oliver Perry Morton of Indiana), became fascinated by the Hayes-Tilden election of 1876 and the crisis that followed it. (If you think there are allegations of election fraud now, you should really look into how crooked elections have often been in our nation's past) The two young men traveled to New York and Washington studying the events that were taking place. This might have been one of those moments in time when seeds of a person's destiny are planted. This election and the intrigue that surrounded it and how political power is really wielded seems to have left a lasting impression on the young House. In the autumn of 1877 while attending Cornell University, his father became ill and he returned to Texas to attend to him. In 1880 after the death of his father, he decided to remain in Texas and help manage the estate. In 1881 he married Loulie Hunter of Hunter, Texas. The young couple honeymooned and spent a year in Europe after which they returned to Houston. A Return to Texas It was during this time that House began to supervise his family's extensive landholdings which were spread throughout Texas. He moved his family to Austin in the fall of 1885 for two reasons. First, he wanted to escape the heat and humidity of Houston, (I can attest to that, I left Houston for the same reason) and he wanted to be closer to his cotton plantations. During the period of the late 1880s and early 1890s, he rose to a position of prominence in Austin society and expanded his business activities to include farming and land speculation. With Austin being the state's capital and House having extensive business holdings throughout the state he was drawn into state politics due to his friendship with then Texas Governor Hogg. In 1892 the governor was facing a formidable challenge for renomination and then reelection due to opposition from conservative Democrats and Populists. House stepped in and took control of and directed Hogg's campaign. Using his business acumen, he established a network of contacts with influential local Democratic leaders, then managed to manipulate the electoral machinery, and finally bargained for the often-overlooked votes of African and Mexican Americans. His skills helped Hogg triumph in what was a bitter, three-way race. On July 20, 1893, Hogg rewarded House with the honorary title of "lieutenant colonel." The press soon shortened the title to "colonel." This campaign seemed to wet House's appetite; however, he was more fascinated with the process of politics than with the substance. He went on to build his own faction-"our crowd," he called it, which became a powerful force in Texas politics. He was an ambitious political operator, not politician, and he was skilled in organizing and inspiring others. He preferred to work mostly behind the scenes. By doing so, it helped him develop ties of loyalty and affection with his close associates. This also enabled him to use patronage (favors) to rally party workers behind his candidates. From 1894 to 1906 House's protégés served as governors of Texas. He and his associates managed the gubernatorial campaigns of Charles Allen Culberson, Joseph D. Sayers, and Samuel W. T. Lanham. He was particularly close to Culberson, and House directed the 1898 campaign that sent Culberson to the United States Senate. Over the years he served as a political counselor, often dispensing advice and controlling patronage for all three governors. “House learned early that true power doesn't need a podium, it simply needs proximity. It needs access” Life in Washington Remember how as a youth, House had become intrigued by the Hayes-Tilden election of 1876 and that intrigue instilled in him some grand dreams. Tiring of being involved with state politics, he began to crave a place on the national level. (One thing to remember is that in those days the Democrats were the conservatives, and the Republicans were the moderate and liberals.) House was a fiscal or financial conservative, and he was irritated and discouraged when in 1904, the democratic nominee Alton B. Parker was defeated by Theodore Roosevelt. In the 1908 presidential election, he was further discouraged when Republican candidate William Howard Taft defeated democratic party candidate William Jennings Bryan. Rather than stay, House travelled to Europe where he tried to find peace of mind and dabbled in spiritualism. After returning to the United States in time for the lead up to the 1912 Presidential election, House was living in New York. It was then that several of Woodrow Wilson's allies, including William McAdoo, who knew of House's political organization, met with him to gauge his support. House agreed to meet with Wilson and hosted him for a visit in late November 1911. The two men felt an immediate rapport, bonding over shared views and backgrounds, with House noting how pleasant Wilson was. As a result, a close friendship was formed that lasted for decades. House used his network to help Wilson win the democratic nomination for president in the 1912 election. His influence secured the forty votes of the Texas delegation and the approval of William Jennings Bryan for Wilson's candidacy. The election of 1912 was one of chaos and if you read most history books about that race you will see it described as a bitter contest between Wilson, Theodore Roosevelt, Williams Howard Taft, and Eugene Debs. Roosevelt ran on what was called a "New Nationalism" platform that called for social insurance programs, reduction to an eight-hour workday, and robust federal regulation of the economy. Wilson's platform was labeled the  "New Freedom" platform, and it called for tariff reduction, banking reform, and new antitrust regulations. Incumbent President Taft ran an almost quiet campaign that emphasized his idea of "progressive conservatism". Eugene Debs was a proud socialist and he spent most of his time denouncing the other three by claiming that Wilson, Roosevelt and Taft were all financed by different factions within what were called the capitalist trusts. He also maintained that Roosevelt in particular was a demagogue who only used socialistic language because he wanted to insure that the capitalist establishment had control. Wilson won a close election, and this is when House as a person who is interested in real power, not flash, not headlines, but real power showed what he was capable of. He refused any official appointment but was responsible for the appointment of several Texans to cabinet positions. Thus, he was able to quickly and firmly establish himself as the president's trusted adviser and confidant. Since he had travelled extensively in Europe Wilson leaned heavily on House for advice on foreign affairs. House was establishing the fact that real power grows where trust replaces accountability. Wilson trusted House and that was all that mattered But what is that kind of power? What was the nature of House's power? House had what we refer to as Power Without Portfolio. He had no official department; he wasn't and didn't need to be confirmed by the Senate. One important difference between then and today, he was never under any public scrutiny. Of course,

POPULIST THREATS FROM THE SOUTH: HUEY LONG AND THE TALMADGES Colleague David Pietrusza. Roosevelt faced significant challenges from Southern populists who threatened to split his support in the solid South. The most dangerous was Huey Long of Louisiana, whose left-wing "Share Our Wealth" program promised massive redistribution of assets. Long planned to siphon votes in 1936 to ensure a Republican victory, hoping to win the presidency himself in 1940, but his assassination in 1935 removed this threat. Meanwhile, Georgia's Eugene Talmadge, a conservative populist who engaged in race-baiting and opposed welfare, rallied radical elements and Confederatesympathizers against the New Deal, complicating Roosevelt's strategy. NUMBER 2

This is one of my favorite conversations in recent memory — with the writer Zadie Smith. Smith is the author of novels, including “White Teeth,” “On Beauty” and “NW,” as well as many essays and short stories. Her ability to give language to the kinds of quiet battles that live inside of ourselves is part of why she's been one of my favorite writers for years.“We absolutely need to gather in our identity groups sometimes for our freedoms, for our civil rights. There's absolutely no doubt about that. But for that role to be the thing that is you existentially all the way down — that is something that I personally believe all human beings revolt from at some level,” she told me when we spoke last September, shortly before  Trump's re-election.It's ideas like these that I found interesting to revisit now, in a starkly different political climate. In this conversation, we discuss Smith's novel, “The Fraud,” which Smith wrote with Trump and populism front of mind; what populism is really channeling; why Smith refuses the “bait” of wokeness; how people have been “modified” by smartphones and social media; and more.This episode contains strong language.Mentioned:Feel Free by Zadie Smith“Fascinated to Presume: In Defense of Fiction” by Zadie SmithAmusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman“Generation Why?” by Zadie SmithBook Recommendations:The Director by Daniel KehlmannThe Rebel's Clinic by Adam ShatzThe Diaries of Virginia WoolfThoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com.You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs.This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by Annie Galvin. Fact-checking by Michelle Harris, with Kate Sinclair. Our senior engineer is Jeff Geld, with additional mixing by Aman Sahota and Efim Shapiro. Our senior editor is Claire Gordon. The show's production team also includes Rollin Hu, Elias Isquith and Kristin Lin. Original music by Isaac Jones. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The executive producer of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

In Britain, Germany and France, populist-right leaders and parties are making hay. What unites their movements, and how do their respective political environments shape their future prospects? And our obituaries editor reflects on the life of Frank Gehry, perhaps the world's most innovative architect.Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Britain, Germany and France, populist-right leaders and parties are making hay. What unites their movements, and how do their respective political environments shape their future prospects? And our obituaries editor reflects on the life of Frank Gehry, perhaps the world's most innovative architect.Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck examines the sweeping global and domestic implications of Trump’s increasingly personal, transactional approach to foreign policy. He breaks down how the administration has abandoned the post–Cold War order, embraced nationalist movements, sidelined democracy promotion, and even signaled security guarantees in exchange for favors — all while crafting a national security strategy full of dangerous gaps and warmly received by the Kremlin. Chuck then turns to the explosive revelations around Trump’s pattern of selling pardons for loyalty, spotlighting the Henry Cuellar episode as a case study in this mob-style political culture. The conversation also touches on Marjorie Taylor Greene’s recent media tirades and her emerging position as a potential “true MAGA” contender in 2028, before wrapping with a look at the historically low approval of all four congressional leaders and why a dramatic leadership reshuffling by 2029 wouldn’t be surprising. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the history of the United States relationship with China and the unintended consequences that came with it. He also answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and recaps the college football playoff selection. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 04:00 Trump doesn’t want the U.S. to be the leader of the free world 05:15 Administration rejects post cold war world order 06:30 Foreign policy will be subjective based on Trump’s personal relationships 07:15 There is no more value judgement on who the US does business with 08:15 Administration is proving to be very anti-EU 09:00 Administration signals support for other nationalist movements 11:30 Trump has never believed U.S. should promote democracy 12:30 There are plenty of holes in the national security strategy 13:15 Qatari plane bribe led to NATO like security guarantee 14:30 American presidents should believe in democracy 15:45 Trump’s retreat from the world will create generational damage 16:45 The new security memo was loved by the Kremlin 17:30 Trump mad at Henry Cueller for not changing parties after pardon 18:15 Trump is clearly selling pardons in exchange for money or support 20:15 Trump’s primary complaint with Cueller was “lack of loyalty” 22:00 Trump seemingly thought pardon was in exchange for something 24:30 There should be far more outrage over the weekly sale of pardons 25:30 Marjorie Taylor-Greene blasts GOP lawmakers in 60 minutes interview 26:30 MTG believed the BS & is now finally realizing it’s BS 27:30 MTG could become the “true MAGA” candidate in 2028 28:00 All 4 congressional leaders are incredibly unpopular 29:30 Congressional GOP could use a leadership shakeup 30:15 Schumer & Jeffries are looking over their shoulders 32:15 It wouldn’t be surprising if all four leaders are gone by 2029 38:45 ToddCast Time Machine December 1978, 2001, 2025 39:30 Jimmy Carter announce normalization of relations with China 40:30 Kissinger praised bringing Beijing closer, Goldwater was furious 41:15 Business community was ecstatic 42:30 In 2001, China joins the WTO: hinge moment of globalization 43:30 Democrats & Republicans agreed on China in 2001 45:15 Consumers & business loved cheaper good from China 46:00 Bush & Gore both had the same view of China 46:45 Populists warned of job losses and economic pain 47:30 What if US had blocked China’s entry to the WTO? 49:15 China is now viewed as a permanent strategic rival 50:30 US made a bet they could promote reform in Beijing and failed 51:15 Bets on China reshaped the U.S. more than China 52:00 Ask Chuck 52:15 Why don’t national democrats want to be in Iowa? 55:15 How did Obama hurt the DNC beyond endorsing Hillary? 59:30 Which member of each branch would be better in another branch? 1:05:00 Could lack of a primary in 2024 lead to broader election reforms? 1:07:30 College football roundupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck examines the sweeping global and domestic implications of Trump’s increasingly personal, transactional approach to foreign policy. He breaks down how the administration has abandoned the post–Cold War order, embraced nationalist movements, sidelined democracy promotion, and even signaled security guarantees in exchange for favors — all while crafting a national security strategy full of dangerous gaps and warmly received by the Kremlin. Chuck then turns to the explosive revelations around Trump’s pattern of selling pardons for loyalty, spotlighting the Henry Cuellar episode as a case study in this mob-style political culture. The conversation also touches on Marjorie Taylor Greene’s recent media tirades and her emerging position as a potential “true MAGA” contender in 2028, before wrapping with a look at the historically low approval of all four congressional leaders and why a dramatic leadership reshuffling by 2029 wouldn’t be surprising. Then, Chuck sits down with Jared Bernstein — veteran economic adviser to both the Obama and Clinton administrations — for a sweeping, candid breakdown of the American economy, why the data and national mood feel so misaligned, and how technological change is reshaping the labor market. Bernstein explains how the White House approached economic tradeoffs, from inflation and tariffs to the stubborn low-hire, low-fire job market. He and Chuck dig into the uncertainty surrounding AI-driven job displacement, why Americans are more skeptical of AI than peers abroad, and how policymakers failed to build guardrails around the harms of social media. Bernstein argues that a federal jobs guarantee would be far more effective than universal basic income, and that political candidates will increasingly need to get tough on tech as the power of the “Magnificent Seven” distorts markets and discourages regulation. The conversation then turns to the structural failures of America’s healthcare system — from inelastic demand to weak cost controls — and why “Medicare for more” could be a practical starting point for reform. Bernstein outlines the entrenched inefficiencies of employer-based coverage, the rise of contract work, and the political salience but poor targeting of policies like “no tax on tips.” He also discusses the missed opportunity to protect the expanded child tax credit, the flaws in Trump’s proposed baby bond program, and the broader need for progressive taxation rather than philanthropy by billionaires. Finally, Chuck and Jared confront the realities of the national debt in an era of higher interest rates, the feasibility of reviving a robust child tax credit, and whether new supports — like credits for childcare or elder care — could help families navigate an affordability crisis that shows no sign of easing. Finally, Chuck hops into the ToddCast Time Machine to revisit the history of the United States relationship with China and the unintended consequences that came with it. He also answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment and recaps the college football playoff selection. Get your wardrobe sorted and your gift list handled with Quince. Don't wait! Go to https://Quince.com/CHUCK for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Got injured in an accident? You could be one click away from a claim worth millions. Just visit https://www.forthepeople.com/TODDCAST to start your claim now with Morgan & Morgan without leaving your couch. Remember, it's free unless you win! Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 05:00 Trump doesn’t want the U.S. to be the leader of the free world 06:15 Administration rejects post cold war world order 07:30 Foreign policy will be subjective based on Trump’s personal relationships 08:15 There is no more value judgement on who the US does business with 09:15 Administration is proving to be very anti-EU 10:00 Administration signals support for other nationalist movements 12:30 Trump has never believed U.S. should promote democracy 13:30 There are plenty of holes in the national security strategy 14:15 Qatari plane bribe led to NATO like security guarantee 15:30 American presidents should believe in democracy 16:45 Trump’s retreat from the world will create generational damage 17:45 The new security memo was loved by the Kremlin 18:30 Trump mad at Henry Cueller for not changing parties after pardon 19:15 Trump is clearly selling pardons in exchange for money or support 21:15 Trump’s primary complaint with Cueller was “lack of loyalty” 23:00 Trump seemingly thought pardon was in exchange for something 25:30 There should be far more outrage over the weekly sale of pardons 26:30 Marjorie Taylor-Greene blasts GOP lawmakers in 60 minutes interview 27:30 MTG believed the BS & is now finally realizing it’s BS 28:30 MTG could become the “true MAGA” candidate in 2028 29:00 All 4 congressional leaders are incredibly unpopular 30:30 Congressional GOP could use a leadership shakeup 31:15 Schumer & Jeffries are looking over their shoulders 33:15 It wouldn’t be surprising if all four leaders are gone by 2029 41:00 Jared Bernstein joins the Chuck ToddCast 41:30 Jared worked for both the Obama & Clinton administrations 43:15 Drafting economic policy that has the most upside, least downside 44:15 The economic data doesn’t match the vibe of the country 45:15 The Biden WH talked past the electorate but didn’t lie about economy 46:45 Biden thought the job market was most important economic indicator 49:30 Inflation has been stubborn, how long did you assume we’d have it? 51:15 Tariffs have contributed to about half a point of inflation 52:00 Inflation during Covid was a combo of low supply & high demand 53:45 Should the fed be focusing on inflation or the jobs market? 55:30 AI isn’t causing mass layoffs yet, but it has frozen hiring 56:30 We’re stuck in a low hire, low fire jobs market 57:45 Technology displaces the most workers during economic downturns 59:45 How can we avoid job displacement destruction from AI? 1:01:15 Americans are far more negative on AI than other western nations 1:02:30 Politicians failed to create guardrails for the harms of social media 1:03:15 We don’t know the extent of how AI will displace jobs 1:04:15 Government should offer a federal jobs guarantee for AI displaced jobs 1:05:30 Universal basic income pales in comparison to a jobs guarantee 1:07:15 Getting tough on tech will be critical to successful political candidates 1:08:30 Tech companies threaten regulators with exiting the country 1:09:30 Breaking up tech’s power has appeal on both sides of the aisle 1:10:00 Market cap of the magnificent 7 is 22 trillion dollars 1:12:00 The S&P 500 minus the magnificent 7 is basically flat 1:13:45 Non-profit hospital systems make more money than for profit ones 1:14:30 Leaving healthcare to the free market doesn’t work well & is expensive 1:15:15 Healthcare isn’t shoppable and demand is inelastic 1:16:45 The only healthcare solution from congress is subsidizing insurance 1:17:30 The ACA did a lot to control healthcare spending, but not enough 1:18:15 We have very few cost controls in our healthcare system 1:19:00 “Medicare for more” would be a great place to start fixing the system 1:20:15 Competition in the health insurance market has been insufficient 1:21:00 Health insurers don’t want to compete with government, will fight hard 1:22:00 Medicare won’t be free but considerably cheaper than private market 1:22:45 Will a shorter work week be realized in the age of AI? 1:23:45 Social welfare is too often correlated to GDP 1:24:30 A shorter work week isn’t feasible during an affordability crisis 1:26:15 Employer based healthcare system is deeply rooted, but inefficient 1:27:30 Companies have pivoted to contract work to avoid paying benefits 1:28:30 The salience of the “No Tax On Tips” policy 1:30:45 No tax on tips is poorly targeted and inefficient, but will be hard to repeal 1:31:30 Biden should have “died on the hill” protecting the child tax credit 1:33:30 Trump’s baby bond program is poorly targeted & exacerbates inequality 1:35:30 Government shouldn’t rely on philanthropy by billionaires & tax progressively 1:37:15 Raising the corporate tax was always a nonstarter in administration meetings 1:38:15 We’re at a dangerously unsustainable level of national debt 1:39:15 Higher interest rates are making the debt much harder to sustain 1:40:00 A child tax credit is feasible, but needs a pay for 1:41:00 The childcare industry is very responsive to demand 1:41:45 Could we see a “home care” credit for both kids or seniors 1:45:45 ToddCast Time Machine December 1978, 2001, 2025 1:46:30 Jimmy Carter announce normalization of relations with China 1:47:30 Kissinger praised bringing Beijing closer, Goldwater was furious 1:48:15 Business community was ecstatic 1:49:30 In 2001, China joins the WTO: hinge moment of globalization 1:50:30 Democrats & Republicans agreed on China in 2001 1:52:15 Consumers & business loved cheaper good from China 1:53:00 Bush & Gore both had the same view of China 1:53:45 Populists warned of job losses and economic pain 1:54:30 What if US had blocked China’s entry to the WTO? 1:56:15 China is now viewed as a permanent strategic rival 1:57:30 US made a bet they could promote reform in Beijing and failed 1:58:15 Bets on China reshaped the U.S. more than China 1:59:00 Ask Chuck 1:59:15 Why don’t national democrats want to be in Iowa? 2:02:15 How did Obama hurt the DNC beyond endorsing Hillary? 2:06:30 Which member of each branch would be better in another branch? 2:12:00 Could lack of a primary in 2024 lead to broader election reforms? 2:14:30 College football roundupSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neoborn Caveman lets loose a marble-mouthed pro-humanity satire on privilege, warhawk hypocrisy, and bureaucratic tyranny, questions whether melanin or blood clots define true privilege while mocking coerced silence from Ofcom and the BBC's admitted propaganda, slams leaders who send others' children to trenches while hiding behind manipulated news, defends populists who actually serve people over parasitic cockroaches, celebrates an Oklahoma student flunked for quoting Christian beliefs in a gender essay, demands accountability for unelected bureaucrats funded by everyday purchases, and reminds listeners that sovereignty begins with refusing mortgages, Uber, and fake honey while reclaiming local power through recalls and pressure; the second half features a throwback interview with Soul Sparkles (Patreon exclusive).Music guest: Van Hechter with his latest song, Boy ProblemsKey TakeawaysPrivilege is life itself, not pigment or compliance.Warhawks never fight their own wars.Legalised lying by government is the death of trust.Populists rise when elites stop serving.Bureaucrats must face recall or pressure.Tax is hidden in every purchase—you fund your own cage.Education now punishes honest reasoning.Sovereignty rejects debt slavery and green agendas.History repeats when accountability vanishes.You are special—never listen to inner naysayers.Sound Bites"Is it the pigment level? The melanin level? The blood clots level?""None of the warhawks in white tie ever join from the trenches.""Hussein Obama made it legal to lie to the people.""Putin… seems to serve the people's interest… then the people won't change that person.""Getting a zero point because she was quoting Christian beliefs in a gender essay.""If there is a bureaucrat, fire them!""We need to set a good example… the rest of the world can learn from that example.""You are special. You are amazing! You are one of the kind."Gather for unfiltered rambles (and the full throwback interview with Soul Sparkles) at patreon.com/theneoborncavemanshow —free join, chats, lives.keywords: privilege, warhawks, populism, propaganda, bureaucratic tyranny, Christian persecution, sovereignty, accountability, debt slavery, green agendaHumanity centered satirical takes on the world & news + music - with a marble mouthed host.Free speech marinated in comedy.Supporting Purple Rabbits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Once a defining principle of conservative governing economic policy, supply-side economics has taken some political hits in the last decade. The progressive left has always critiqued laissez- faire economics, blaming the pursuit of smaller government, tax cuts, deregulation and open trade for increasing inequality. But now large parts of the right seem to dislike supply-siders too. Populists oppose free trade and favor more government intervention in the economy, and while Donald Trump has achieved big tax cuts in both his terms in office, his signature economic measure is tariffs and he seems eager to expand government's role in the economy, from telling companies what they should be doing with prices to taking stakes in big American firms and directing foreign investment into favored industrial activities. Have the supply-siders lost? On this episode of Free Expression, Gerry Baker speaks with Matthew Elliott, member of Britain's House of Lords, and co-author with Arthur Laffer one of the godfathers of supply side economics and Michael Hintze, a London-based hedge fund founder, of a new book “Prosperity Through Growth.” They discuss the case for reviving conservative economic ideas, especially in the U.K., the risks of Trump's tariffs and trade policies, and whether Brexit, which fired the starting gun for populist economics, was a failure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yanni dives into how populism keeps rising to power — and why it always will. From Zohran to Trump to Milei in Argentina, he breaks down the cultural forces driving the moment. Plus, why the future of the left and right might look a lot less like traditional politicians and a lot more like Nick Fuentes vs. Hasan Piker. Forget everyone else — this is where the real ideological battle is headed. Right now, The Yannis Pappas Hour listeners can save 30% on their first order! Just head to https://cornbreadhemp.com/YANNIS and use code YANNIS at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Syntec – “Talk To The Upper World (Club Mix)”, 2000. Haujobb – “Antiversion (Remix)”, 1997. Fictional – “Former Occupants”, 2000. ECO – “Abschnitt 3”, 2010. Klinik – “Moving Hands (Tim Schuldt Mix)”, 2001. Velvet Kills – “Blood Money”, 2021. Propaganda – “The Lesson”, 2002. Cabaret Voltaire – “Sensoria”, 1984. Underworld – “Birdstar”, 1993. Mufti – “Bestialic Beat”, 2020. The Populists – “Le Gouffre”, 2019. Apoptygma Berzerk – “Kathy’s Song (Litteraturhuset Versjon)”, 2020. The Wide Eye – “Ascendant (Atomsömn Remix)”, 2020. PolyDROID – “Ode To An Android”, 2016. Website link: https://skullandcrossfades.com/strangled-by-the-look-of-his-eyes

Elections in Europe are a rollercoaster these days. EU elites were relieved when the pro-EU camp won the parliamentary vote in Moldova, but the Czech legislative election turned out quite differently. Andrej Babiš, a populist and self-proclaimed Trumpist, won the ballot, staging a comeback similar to his colleague in neighbouring Slovakia, Robert Fico. Babiš's victory is clearly a boon to Eurosceptic forces since it was he who, together with Hungary's leader Viktor Orban, set up the Patriots for Europe group in the European Parliament. But does his win have an impact on the EU's help for Ukraine? And on dealing with a more assertive Kremlin, which seems to be testing Europe with drone incursions? We put these questions to two MEPs.

Populists on the right and left say globalization gutted America's middle class. David Brooks says that story is “75% bonkers.” In this episode, he reveals what's myth, what's true, and the deeper crisis shaping our politics today.

Is economic policy or economic messaging more important? What single “mission” should energise the whole government? How does Trump cut taxes for the super rich and keep the support of the low-income earners? Steph and Robert discuss with Professor Mariana Mazzucato, author of Mission Economy: A Moonshot Guide to Changing Capitalism. No other British bank has helped more businesses get started than NatWest. Whatever your idea, it doesn't have to be perfect, just start! Search ‘NatWest Business Accounts'. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up to our newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get more stories from the world of business and finance. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠restismoney@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TheRestIsMoney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TheRestIsMoney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@RestIsMoney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://⁠⁠⁠goalhanger.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Assistant Producer: India Dunkley, Alice Horrell Producer: Ross Buchanan Head of Content: Tom Whiter Exec Producers: Tony Pastor + Jack Davenport Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 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

Welcome back to Snafu w/ Robin Zander.  In this episode, I'm joined by Brian Elliott, former Slack executive and co-founder of Future Forum. We discuss the common mistakes leaders make about AI and why trust and transparency are more crucial than ever. Brian shares lessons from building high-performing teams, what makes good leadership, and how to foster real collaboration. He also reflects on raising values-driven kids, the breakdown of institutional trust, and why purpose matters. We touch on the early research behind Future Forum and what he'd do differently today. Brian will also be joining us live at Responsive Conference 2025, and I'm excited to continue the conversation there. If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, get them here. What Do Most People Get Wrong About AI? (1:53) “Senior leaders sit on polar ends of the spectrum on this stuff. Very, very infrequently, sit in the middle, which is kind of where I find myself too often.”  Robin notes Brian will be co-leading an active session on AI at Responsive Conference with longtime collaborator Helen Kupp. He tees up the conversation by saying Brian holds “a lot of controversial opinions” on AI, not that it's insignificant, but that there's a lot of “idealization.” Brian says most senior leaders fall into one of two camps: Camp A: “Oh my God, this changes everything.” These are the fear-mongers shouting: “If you don't adopt now, your career is over.” Camp B: “This will blow over.” They treat AI as just another productivity fad, like others before it. Brian positions himself somewhere in the middle but is frustrated by both ends of the spectrum. He points out that the loudest voices (Mark Benioff, Andy Jassy, Zuckerberg, Sam Altman) are “arms merchants” – they're pushing AI tools because they've invested billions. These tools are massively expensive to build and run, and unless they displace labor, it's unclear how they generate ROI. believe in AI's potential and  aggressively push adoption inside their companies. So, naturally, these execs have to: But “nothing ever changes that fast,” and both the hype and the dismissal are off-base. Why Playing with AI Matters More Than Training (3:29) AI is materially different from past tech, but what's missing is attention to how adoption happens. “The organizational craft of driving adoption is not about handing out tools. It's all emotional.” Adoption depends on whether people respond with fear or aspiration, not whether they have the software. Frontline managers are key: it's their job to create the time and space for teams to experiment with AI. Brian credits Helen Kupp for being great at facilitating this kind of low-stakes experimentation. Suggests teams should “play with AI tools” in a way totally unrelated to their actual job. Example: take a look at your fridge, list the ingredients you have, and have AI suggest a recipe. “Well, that's a sucky recipe, but it could do that, right?” The point isn't utility,  it's comfort and conversation: What's OK to use AI for? Is it acceptable to draft your self-assessment for performance reviews with AI? Should you tell your boss or hide it? The Purpose of Doing the Thing (5:30) Robin brings up Ezra Klein's podcast in The New York Times, where Ezra asks: “What's the purpose of writing an essay in college?” AI can now do better research than a student, faster and maybe more accurately. But Robin argues that the act of writing is what matters, not just the output. Says: “I'm much better at writing that letter than ChatGPT can ever be, because only Robin Zander can write that letter.” Example: Robin and his partner are in contract on a house and wrote a letter to the seller – the usual “sob story” to win favor. All the writing he's done over the past two years prepared him to write that one letter better. “The utility of doing the thing is not the thing itself – it's what it trains.” Learning How to Learn (6:35) Robin's fascinated by “skills that train skills” – a lifelong theme in both work and athletics. He brings up Josh Waitzkin (from Searching for Bobby Fischer), who went from chess prodigy to big wave surfer to foil board rider. Josh trained his surfing skills by riding a OneWheel through NYC, practicing balance in a different context. Robin is drawn to that kind of transfer learning and “meta-learning” – especially since it's so hard to measure or study. He asks: What might AI be training in us that isn't the thing itself? We don't yet know the cognitive effects of using generative AI daily, but we should be asking. Cognitive Risk vs. Capability Boost (8:00) Brian brings up early research suggesting AI could make us “dumber.” Outsourcing thinking to AI reduces sharpness over time. But also: the “10,000 repetitions” idea still holds weight – doing the thing builds skill. There's a tension between “performance mode” (getting the thing done) and “growth mode” (learning). He relates it to writing: Says he's a decent writer, not a great one, but wants to keep getting better. Has a “quad project” with an editor who helps refine tone and clarity but doesn't do the writing. The setup: he provides 80% drafts, guidelines, tone notes, and past writing samples. The AI/editor cleans things up, but Brian still reviews: “I want that colloquialism back in.” “I want that specific example back in.” “That's clunky, I don't want to keep it.” Writing is iterative, and tools can help, but shouldn't replace his voice. On Em Dashes & Detecting Human Writing (9:30) Robin shares a trick: he used em dashes long before ChatGPT and does them with a space on either side. He says that ChatGPT's em dashes are double-length and don't have spaces. If you want to prove ChatGPT didn't write something, “just add the space.” Brian agrees and jokes that his editors often remove the spaces, but he puts them back in. Reiterates that professional human editors like the ones he works with at Charter and Sloan are still better than AI. Closing the Gap Takes More Than Practice (10:31) Robin references The Gap by Ira Glass, a 2014 video that explores the disconnect between a creator's vision and their current ability to execute on that vision. He highlights Glass's core advice: the only way to close that gap is through consistent repetition – what Glass calls “the reps.” Brian agrees, noting that putting in the reps is exactly what creators must do, even when their output doesn't yet meet their standards. Brian also brings up his recent conversation with Nick Petrie, whose work focuses not only on what causes burnout but also on what actually resolves it. He notes research showing that people stuck in repetitive performance mode – like doctors doing the same task for decades – eventually see a decline in performance. Brian recommends mixing in growth opportunities alongside mastery work. “exploit” mode (doing what you're already good at) and  “explore” mode (trying something new that pushes you) He says doing things that stretch your boundaries builds muscle that strengthens your core skills and breaks stagnation. He emphasizes the value of alternating between  He adds that this applies just as much to personal growth, especially when people begin to question their deeper purpose and ask hard questions like, “Is this all there is to my life or career? Brian observes that stepping back for self-reflection is often necessary, either by choice or because burnout forces a hard stop. He suggests that sustainable performance requires not just consistency but also intentional space for growth, purpose, and honest self-evaluation. Why Taste And Soft Skills Now Matter More Than Ever (12:30) On AI, Brian argues that most people get it wrong. “I do think it's augmentation.” The tools are evolving rapidly, and so are the ways we use them. They view it as a way to speed up work, especially for engineers, but that's missing the bigger picture. Brian stresses that EQ is becoming more important than IQ. Companies still need people with developer mindsets – hypothesis-driven, structured thinkers. But now, communication, empathy, and adaptability are no longer optional; they are critical. “Human communication skills just went from ‘they kind of suck at it but it's okay' to ‘that's not acceptable.'” As AI takes over more specialist tasks, the value of generalists is rising. People who can generate ideas, anticipate consequences, and rally others around a vision will be most valuable. “Tools can handle the specialized knowledge – but only humans can connect it to purpose.” Brian warns that traditional job descriptions and org charts are becoming obsolete. Instead of looking for ways to rush employees into doing more work, “rethink the roles. What can a small group do when aligned around a common purpose?” The future lies in small, aligned teams with shared goals. Vision Is Not a Strategy (15:56) Robin reflects on durable human traits through Steve Jobs' bio by Isaac Walterson. Jobs succeeded not just with tech, but with taste, persuasion, charisma, and vision. “He was less technologist, more storyteller.” They discuss Sam Altman, the subject of Empire of AI. Whether or not the book is fully accurate, Robin argues that Altman's defining trait is deal-making. Robin shares his experience using ChatGPT in real estate. It changed how he researched topics like redwood root systems on foundational structure and mosquito mitigation. Despite the tech, both agree that human connection is more important than ever. “We need humans now more than ever.” Brian references data from Kelly Monahan showing AI power users are highly productive but deeply burned out. 40% more productive than their peers. 88% are completely burnt out. Many don't believe their company's AI strategy, even while using the tools daily. There's a growing disconnect between executive AI hype and on-the-ground experience. But internal tests by top engineers showed only 10% improvement, mostly in simple tasks. “You've got to get into the tools yourself to be fluent on this.” One CTO believed AI would produce 30% efficiency gains. Brian urges leaders to personally engage with the tools before making sweeping decisions. He warns against blindly accepting optimistic vendor promises or trends. Leaders pushing AI without firsthand experience risk overburdening their teams. “You're bringing the Kool-Aid and then you're shoving it down your team's throat.” This results in burnout, not productivity. “You're cranking up the demands. You're cranking up the burnout, too.” “That's not going to lead to what you want either.” If You Want Control, Just Say That (20:47) Robin raises the topic of returning to the office, which has been a long-standing area of interest for him. “I interviewed Joel Gascoyne on stage in 2016… the largest fully distributed company in the world at the time.” He's tracked distributed work since Responsive 2016. Also mentions Shelby Wolpa (ex-Envision), who scaled thousands remotely. Robin notes the shift post-COVID: companies are mandating returns without adjusting for today's realities.” Example: “Intel just did a mandatory 4 days a week return to office… and now people live hours away.” He acknowledges the benefits of in-person collaboration, especially in creative or physical industries. “There is an undeniable utility.”, especially as they met in Robin's Cafe to talk about Responsive, despite a commute, because it was worth it. But he challenges blanket return-to-office mandates, especially when the rationale is unclear. According to Brian, any company uses RTO as a veiled soft layoff tactic. Cites Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy openly stating RTO is meant to encourage attrition. He says policies without clarity are ineffective. “If you quit, I don't have to pay you severance.” Robin notes that the Responsive Manifesto isn't about providing answers but outlining tensions to balance. Before enforcing an RTO policy, leaders should ask: “What problem are we trying to solve – and do we have evidence of it?” Before You Mandate, Check the Data (24:50) Performance data should guide decisions, not executive assumptions. For instance, junior salespeople may benefit from in-person mentorship, but… That may only apply to certain teams, and doesn't justify full mandates. “I've seen situations where productivity has fallen – well-defined productivity.” The decision-making process should be decentralized and nuanced. Different teams have different needs — orgs must avoid one-size-fits-all policies, especially in large, distributed orgs. “Should your CEO be making that decision? Or should your head of sales?” Brian offers a two-part test for leaders to assess their RTO logic: Are you trying to attract and retain the best talent? Are your teams co-located or distributed? If the answer to #1 is yes: People will be less engaged, not more. High performers will quietly leave or disengage while staying. Forcing long commutes will hurt retention and morale. If the answer to #2 is “distributed”: Brian then tells a story about a JPMorgan IT manager who asks Jamie Dimon for flexibility. “It's freaking stupid… it actually made it harder to do their core work.” Instead, teams need to define shared norms and operating agreements. “Teams have to have norms to be effective.” RTO makes even less sense. His team spanned time zones and offices, forcing them into daily hurt collaboration. He argues most RTO mandates are driven by fear and a desire for control. More important than office days are questions like: What hours are we available for meetings? What tools do we use and why? How do we make decisions? Who owns which roles and responsibilities? The Bottom Line: The policy must match the structure. If teams are remote by design, dragging them into an office is counterproductive. How to Be a Leader in Chaotic Times (28:34) “We're living in a more chaotic time than any in my lifetime.” Robin asks how leaders should guide their organizations through uncertainty. He reflects on his early work years during the 2008 crash and the unpredictability he's seen since. Observes current instability like the UCSF and NIH funding and hiring freezes disrupting universities, rising political violence, and murders of public officials from the McKnight Foundation, and more may persist for years without relief. “I was bussing tables for two weeks, quit, became a personal trainer… my old client jumped out a window because he lost his fortune as a banker.” Brian says what's needed now is: Resilience – a mindset of positive realism: acknowledging the issues, while focusing on agency and possibility, and supporting one another. Trust – not just psychological safety, but deep belief in leadership clarity and honesty. His definition of resilience includes: “What options do we have?” “What can we do as a team?” “What's the opportunity in this?” What Builds Trust (and What Breaks It) (31:00) Brian recalls laying off more people than he hired during the dot-com bust – and what helped his team endure: “Here's what we need to do. If you're all in, we'll get through this together.” He believes trust is built when: Leaders communicate clearly and early. They acknowledge difficulty, without sugarcoating. They create clarity about what matters most right now. They involve their team in solutions. He critiques companies that delay communication until they're in PR cleanup mode: Like Target's CEO, who responded to backlash months too late – and with vague platitudes. “Of course, he got backlash,” Brian says. “He wasn't present.” According to him, “Trust isn't just psychological safety. It's also honesty.” Trust Makes Work Faster, Better, and More Fun (34:10) “When trust is there, the work is more fun, and the results are better.” Robin offers a Zander Media story: Longtime collaborator Jonathan Kofahl lives in Austin. Despite being remote, they prep for shoots with 3-minute calls instead of hour-long meetings. The relationship is fast, fluid, and joyful, and the end product reflects that. He explains the ripple effects of trust: Faster workflows Higher-quality output More fun and less burnout Better client experience Fewer miscommunications or dropped balls He also likens it to acrobatics: “If trust isn't there, you land on your head.” Seldom Wrong, Never in Doubt (35:45) “Seldom wrong, never in doubt – that bit me in the butt.” Brian reflects on a toxic early-career mantra: As a young consultant, he was taught to project confidence at all times. It was said that “if you show doubt, you lose credibility,” especially with older clients. Why that backfired: It made him arrogant. It discouraged honest questions or collaborative problem-solving. It modeled bad leadership for others. Brian critiques the startup world's hero culture: Tech glorifies mavericks and contrarians, people who bet against the grain and win. But we rarely see the 95% who bet big and failed, and the survivors become models, often with toxic effects. The real danger: Leaders try to imitate success without understanding the context. Contrarianism becomes a virtue in itself – even when it's wrong. Now, he models something else: “I can point to the mountain, but I don't know the exact path.” Leaders should admit they don't have all the answers. Inviting the team to figure it out together builds alignment and ownership. That's how you lead through uncertainty, by trusting your team to co-create. Slack, Remote Work, and the Birth of Future Forum (37:40) Brian recalls the early days of Future Forum: Slack was deeply office-centric pre-pandemic. He worked 5 days a week in SF, and even interns were expected to show up regularly. Slack's leadership, especially CTO Cal Henderson, was hesitant to go remote, not because they were anti-remote, but because they didn't know how. But when COVID hit, Slack, like everyone else, had to figure out remote work in real time. Brian had long-standing relationships with Slack's internal research team: He pitched Stewart Butterfield (Slack's CEO) on the idea of a think tank, where he was then joined by Helen Kupp and Sheela Subramanian, who became his co-founders in the venture. Thus, Future Forum was born. Christina Janzer, Lucas Puente, and others. Their research was excellent, but mostly internal-facing, used for product and marketing. Brian, self-described as a “data geek,” saw an opportunity: Remote Work Increased Belonging, But Not for Everyone (40:56) In mid-2020, Future Forum launched its first major study. Expected finding: employee belonging would drop due to isolation. Reality: it did, but not equally across all demographics. For Black office workers, a sense of belonging actually increased. Future Forum brought in Dr. Brian Lowery, a Black professor at Stanford, to help interpret the results. Lowery explained: “I'm a Black professor at Stanford. Whatever you think of it as a liberal school, if I have to walk on that campus five days a week and be on and not be Black five days a week, 9 to 5 – it's taxing. It's exhausting. If I can dial in and out of that situation, it's a release.” A Philosophy Disguised as a Playbook (42:00) Brian, Helen, and Sheela co-authored a book that distilled lessons from: Slack's research Hundreds of executive conversations Real-world trials during the remote work shift One editor even commented on how the book is “more like a philosophy book disguised as a playbook.” The key principles are: “Start with what matters to us as an organization. Then ask: What's safe to try?” Policies don't work. Principles do. Norms > mandates. Team-level agreements matter more than companywide rules. Focus on outcomes, not activity.  Train your managers. Clarity, trust, and support start there. Safe-to-try experiments. Iterate fast and test what works for your team. Co-create team norms. Define how decisions get made, what tools get used, and when people are available. What's great with the book is that no matter where you are, this same set of rules still applies.  When Leadership Means Letting Go (43:54) “My job was to model the kind of presence I wanted my team to show.” Robin recalls a defining moment at Robin's Café: Employees were chatting behind the counter while a banana peel sat on the floor, surrounded by dirty dishes. It was a lawsuit waiting to happen. His first impulse was to berate them, a habit from his small business upbringing. But in that moment, he reframed his role. “I'm here to inspire, model, and demonstrate the behavior I want to see.” He realized: Hovering behind the counter = surveillance, not leadership. True leadership = empowering your team to care, even when you're not around. You train your manager to create a culture, not compliance. Brian and Robin agree: Rules only go so far. Teams thrive when they believe in the ‘why' behind the work. Robin draws a link between strong workplace culture and… The global rise of authoritarianism The erosion of trust in institutions If trust makes Zander Media better, and helps VC-backed companies scale — “Why do our political systems seem to be rewarding the exact opposite?” Populism, Charisma & Bullshit (45:20) According to Robin, “We're in a world where trust is in very short supply.” Brian reflects on why authoritarianism is thriving globally: The media is fragmented. Everyone's in different pocket universes. People now get news from YouTube or TikTok, not trusted institutions. Truth is no longer shared, and without shared truth, trust collapses. “Walter Cronkite doesn't exist anymore.” He references Andor, where the character, Mon Mothma, says: People no longer trust journalism, government, universities, science, or even business. Edelman's Trust Barometer dipped for business leaders for the first time in 25 years. CEOs who once declared strong values are now going silent, which damages trust even more. “The death of truth is really the problem that's at work here.” Robin points out: Trump and Elon, both charismatic, populist figures, continue to gain power despite low trust. Why? Because their clarity and simplicity still outperform thoughtful leadership. He also calls Trump a “marketing genius.” Brian's frustration: Case in point: Trump-era officials who spread conspiracy theories now can't walk them back. Populists manufacture distrust, then struggle to govern once in power. He shares a recent example: Result: Their base turned on them. Right-wing pundits (Pam Bondi, Dan Bongino) fanned Jeffrey Epstein conspiracies. But in power, they had to admit: “There's no client list publicly.” Brian then suggests that trust should be rebuilt locally. He points to leaders like Zohran Mamdani (NY): “I may not agree with all his positions, but he can articulate a populist vision that isn't exploitative.” Where Are the Leaders? (51:19) Brian expresses frustration at the silence from people in power: “I'm disappointed, highly disappointed, in the number of leaders in positions of power and authority who could lend their voice to something as basic as: science is real.” He calls for a return to shared facts: “Let's just start with: vaccines do not cause autism. Let's start there.” He draws a line between public health and trust: We've had over a century of scientific evidence backing vaccines But misinformation is eroding communal health Brian clarifies: this isn't about wedge issues like guns or Roe v. Wade The problem is that scientists lack public authority, but CEOs don't CEOs of major institutions could shift the narrative, especially those with massive employee bases. And yet, most say nothing: “They know it's going to bite them… and still, no one's saying it.” He warns: ignoring this will hurt businesses, frontline workers, and society at large. 89 Seconds from Midnight (52:45) Robin brings up the Doomsday Clock: Historically, it was 2–4 minutes to midnight “We are 89 seconds to midnight.” (as of January 2025) This was issued by the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, a symbol of how close humanity is to destroying itself. Despite that, he remains hopeful: “I might be the most energetic person in any room – and yet, I'm a prepper.” Robin shared that: And in a real emergency? You might not make it. He grew up in the wilderness, where ambulances don't arrive, and CPR is a ritual of death. He frequently visits Vieques, an island off Puerto Rico with no hospital, where a car crash likely means you won't survive. As there is a saying there that goes, ‘No Hay Hospital', meaning ‘there is no hospital'. If something serious happens, you're likely a few hours' drive or even a flight away from medical care. That shapes his worldview: “We've forgotten how precious life is in privileged countries.” Despite his joy and optimism, Robin is also: Deeply aware of fragility – of systems, bodies, institutions. Committed to preparation, not paranoia. Focused on teaching resilience, care, and responsibility. How to Raise Men with Heart and Backbone (55:00) Robin asks: “How do you counsel your boys to show up as protectors and earners, especially in a capitalist world, while also taking care of people, especially when we're facing the potential end of humanity in our lifetimes?” Brian responds: His sons are now 25 and 23, and he's incredibly proud of who they're becoming. Credits both parenting and luck but he also acknowledges many friends who've had harder parenting experiences. His sons are: Sharp and thoughtful In healthy relationships Focused on values over achievements Educational path: “They think deeply about what are now called ‘social justice' issues in a very real way.” Example: In 4th grade, their class did a homelessness simulation – replicating the fragmented, frustrating process of accessing services. Preschool at the Jewish Community Center Elementary at a Quaker school in San Francisco He jokes that they needed a Buddhist high school to complete the loop Not religious, but values-based, non-dogmatic education had a real impact That hands-on empathy helped them see systemic problems early on, especially in San Francisco, where it's worse. What Is Actually Enough? (56:54) “We were terrified our kids would take their comfort for granted.” Brian's kids: Lived modestly, but comfortably in San Francisco. Took vacations, had more than he and his wife did growing up. Worried their sons would chase status over substance. But what he taught them instead: Family matters. Friendships matter. Being dependable matters. Not just being good, but being someone others can count on. He also cautioned against: “We too often push kids toward something unattainable, and we act surprised when they burn out in the pursuit of that.” The “gold ring” mentality is like chasing elite schools, careers, and accolades. In sports and academics, he and his wife aimed for balance, not obsession. Brian on Parenting, Purpose, and Perspective (59:15) Brian sees promise in his kids' generation: But also more: Purpose-driven Skeptical of false promises Less obsessed with traditional success markers Yes, they're more stressed and overamped on social media. Gen Z has been labeled just like every generation before: “I'm Gen X. They literally made a movie about us called Slackers.” He believes the best thing we can do is: Model what matters Spend time reflecting: What really does matter? Help the next generation define enough for themselves, earlier than we did. The Real Measure of Success (1:00:07) Brian references Clay Christensen, famed author of The Innovator's Dilemma and How Will You Measure Your Life? Clay's insight: “Success isn't what you thought it was.” Early reunions are full of bravado – titles, accomplishments, money. Later reunions reveal divorce, estrangement, and regret. The longer you go, the more you see: Brian's takeaway: Even for Elon, it might be about Mars. But for most of us, it's not about how many projects we shipped. It's about: Family Friends Presence Meaning “If you can realize that earlier, you give yourself the chance to adjust – and find your way back.” Where to Find Brian (01:02:05) LinkedIn WorkForward.com Newsletter: The Work Forward on Substack “Some weeks it's lame, some weeks it's great. But there's a lot of community and feedback.” And of course, join us at Responsive Conference this September 17-18, 2025. Books Mentioned How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton Christensen The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton Christensen Responsive Manifesto Empire of AI by Karen Hao Podcasts Mentioned The Gap by Ira Glass The Ezra Klein Show Movies Mentioned Andor Slackers Organizations Mentioned: Bulletin of Atomic Scientists McKnight Foundation National Institutes of Health (NIH) Responsive.org University of California, San Francisco

After out-of-state interests overplayed their hand and showed how little power locals had in their own state, Populists and renegade Republicans got together to do something about it. The result: The initiative-petition system. (Salem, Marion County; 1890s, 1900s) (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/1612d.oregon-system-initiative-referendum-423.html)

Chuck Todd begins by addressing the “two shiny objects” in media this week: Epstein and Hunter Biden. He compares Donald Trump's defensive, suspicious response to the Epstein files to his response to the Russia investigation in his first term, and explains why Trump's denials won't appease the conspiracists in his base. He comments on Hunter Biden's recent appearances in media and explains why he wouldn't book him for the ToddCast. He also examines the field of candidates that could succeed Trump for the Republican nomination in 2028.Then, best-selling novelist Daniel Silva joins Chuck for a wide-ranging conversation about his acclaimed Gabriel Allon spy thriller series and the craft of writing. Silva discusses how real-world events and changing global perceptions, particularly around Israel, inform his fictional narratives, while sharing behind-the-scenes insights into his research process—from Vatican experiences to staying current with evolving spycraft and art restoration techniques. The conversation reveals how Silva has attracted high-profile fans like Presidents Clinton and Bush, and explores his concerns about populist movements and antisemitic elements within contemporary politics.The discussion also delves into Silva's creative process, his passion for art and restoration, and his thoughts on the future of publishing in an AI-dominated world. Silva reflects on the challenges facing the next generation of writers, the evolution of independent bookstores, and whether artificial intelligence poses a threat to novelists who dream of building long-running series like his 25-book Gabriel Allon collection. The episode concludes with Silva's summer reading recommendations and a playful question about whether he ever dreams as his famous protagonist.Finally, he reflects on the life of Ozzy Ozborne and the impact Ozborne made on him growing up, and answers listeners' questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction01:30 Resurrecting and revitalizing local news02:30 The best journalism is done in service of local audiences05:00 Michigan gubernatorial race has three viable candidates08:00 The two shiny objects this week are Epstein and Hunter Biden09:30 Mike Johnson shut down the house out of fear of Epstein vote12:00 There are enough facts in the Epstein case to validate the conspiracists14:30 Crazy is rewarded in Republican primaries16:30 Trump's behavior creates suspicion, like he did with Russia18:00 Trump doesn't own the conspiracist base, he borrowed it20:00 Trump is trying all kinds of distractions21:15 Obama allegations are pure distraction and propaganda23:30 Hunter Biden doesn't offer any value as a guest in media24:30 Hunter's media appearances don't do Joe Biden or Dems any good26:00 Running for president can do major damage to a candidate's family27:30 A president has to put the country over their family30:15 There's no “invisible primary” on the Republican side31:30 The runner up usually becomes the next Republican nominee33:30 Will the front runner be someone Trump anoints?35:00 If Trump tanks the economy, it could open up the primary36:00 The different archetypes of potential Trump successors42:15 The primary will be a campaign for the affection of Trump42:45 Daniel Silva joins the Chuck ToddCast! 44:00 Do you know the title of a book before writing it? 45:15 Do you get to know Daniel by reading his books? 46:45 The real world informs the imagined world of his books 49:45 How have changing perceptions of Israel informed his book? 51:15 No desire to write about the Israel/Palestine conflict 52:45 Bill Clinton and George W. Bush are both fans of the books 55:00 The books reflect the importance of institutions 56:45 Populists on both sides don't care about the post cold war order 57:30 The MAGA movement is dripping with antisemetic elements 59:00 Daniel's journey into Vatican themed fiction 1:01:15 Daniel's personal experiences at the Vatican 1:02:15 Where did his passion for art come from? 1:03:45 How does he keep up with changing trends in spycraft and art? 1:06:45 When does art go from restoration to completely remodeled? 1:09:30 What defines a "fraudulent restoration"? 1:10:45 How much are actual intelligence agents part of your source material? 1:11:45 Gabriel Allon wouldn't have pulled the trigger on the Israeli "beeper" op 1:13:15 Cell phones are the greatest surveillance tool ever created 1:15:00 Will you pivot to China as the boogeyman in the books? 1:15:45 How many more Gabriel Allon books are left to be written? 1:18:15 Does Daniel's family see their own stories in his books? 1:19:15 The evolution of the publishing/printing industry 1:21:45 Independent bookstores need to host events to sell books 1:25:00 The ability of AI to write in your voice 1:26:00 More worried about societal disruptions caused by AI 1:27:00 Skills you can pass to a child might not be relevant in 15 years 1:28:15 Will a 30 year old novelist be able to make a 25 book series in the future? 1:29:00 The Daniel Silva summer reading list 1:31:15 Do you ever dream as Gabriel Allon?1:37:00 Chuck's thoughts on interview with Daniel Silva 1:37:30 RIP to Ozzy Osborne 1:42:15 Ask Chuck 1:42:30 Talking politics and current events with kids? 1:46:15 How will the Department of Education changes affect small districts? 1:48:30 Why don't you start a "get to know your district" show with Colbert?

This week the political masterminds consider what's happening on the populist left and right, with more Tories defecting to Reform UK and talk of a new party led by Jeremy Corbyn. How small has the Conservative coalition become, do the voters expect Keir Starmer to wield a 'magic wand', and what would a new party be called?Send your comments and questions to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week the political masterminds consider what's happening on the populist left and right, with more Tories defecting to Reform UK and talk of a new party led by Jeremy Corbyn.How small has the Conservative coalition become, do the voters expect Keir Starmer to wield a 'magic wand', and what would a new party be called?Send your comments and questions to howtowin@thetimes.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 4544: Populists Rally In Ireland; Rosanne LIVE In The WarRoom

The warmer months are coming. Spring back into your health and fitness: go to lumen.me/UNHERD to get 15% off your Lumen.Freddie Sayers, host of UnHerd, interviews UnHerd's US Editor and practicing Catholic, Sohrab Ahmari, as they dive into the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope. In this in-depth discussion, Freddie and Sohrab explore who Pope Leo XIV (formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost) is, his political and religious background, and the potential global impact of his papacy.They unpack his pre-papal social media posts, including tweets critiquing Donald Trump and JD Vance, and his public stances on key issues like economics, sexual morality, immigration, and climate change. The conversation delves into the significance of his dispute with JD Vance over ordo amoris (the theological concept of ordered love) and what it reveals about his worldview, as well as covering why he chose the name Leo, evoking the legacy of Pope Leo XIII, a pivotal figure in modern Catholic social teaching.Is the new Pope Left or Right, or can he embody a unifying figure for both Liberals and Conservatives? Was he chosen to counter the Trump administration and rising populist movements? What will his papacy mean for the wider political and religious world? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In recent years, populism has gained remarkable traction across the globe. If you see populists as leaders who stoke division and who peddle simplistic solutions that, for all their superficial appeal, cannot succeed – then the rise of populists is an unqualified bad. So what can liberals (broadly understood as people who recognize social diversity and complexity in policy challenges) do about populism's rise?A new article in our partner journal, the Political Quarterly seeks to answer both of these questions. It delves into different theories of voting behaviour to understand the roots of populist strength, and explores what the optimal strategy may be through which liberals can respond. The authors joining us today are: Dr Daniel Brieba, Assistant Professor at the School of Government at Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez in ChileProfessor Andrés Velasco, Professor of Public Policy and Dean of the School of Public Policy at the London School of Economics. Mentioned in this episode:'The Populist Playbook: Why Identity Trumps Policy and How Democrats Can Adapt' by Daniel Brieba and Andrés Velasco UCL's Department of Political Science and School of Public Policy offers a uniquely stimulating environment for the study of all fields of politics, including international relations, political theory, human rights, public policy-making and administration. The Department is recognised for its world-class research and policy impact, ranking among the top departments in the UK on both the 2021 Research Excellence Framework and the latest Guardian rankings.

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he breaks down today's biggest stories shaping America and the world. Trump Sparks Media Outrage with “I Don't Know” Constitution Comment – When asked if all migrants are guaranteed due process, Trump responded, “I don't know, I'm not a lawyer,” prompting a media firestorm. But as legal experts and NPR report, due process rights exist on a spectrum—meaning Trump's answer may have been more accurate than the headlines suggest. Border Wars Escalate: Military Arrests Begin, Trump Sues Colorado and Denver – The U.S. military now patrols a 53-mile zone near El Paso where illegal immigrants can be arrested for trespassing on military land. Meanwhile, the DOJ sues Colorado and Denver for sanctuary laws that obstruct ICE operations, sending a warning with $8M in fines against local businesses. Mexico Says “No” to U.S. Troops, But Cooperates Privately – President Trump offered to send U.S. troops into Mexico to combat cartels, but President Sheinbaum publicly rejected it. Privately, however, she's cooperating—delivering border control and water rights while protecting her nationalist image. Japan Threatens to Weaponize U.S. Debt – Japan's finance minister says its $1T in U.S. debt holdings could be used in trade talks—an unprecedented move that could rattle global markets and U.S. interest rates if acted upon. China Offers Fentanyl Crackdown in Exchange for Tariff Relief – Xi Jinping proposes to curb fentanyl production in return for U.S. tariff reductions, but Bryan warns the offer is hollow given Xi's deep ties to the Chinese mafia behind the trafficking. Europe Tilts Toward Extremes: UK Labour Party Loses Ground, Germany Labels AfD “Extremist” – In Britain, pro-Palestinian and anti-immigration candidates make gains. In Germany, the AfD is now officially under surveillance, sparking U.S. backlash over civil liberties and democracy. China Quietly Supports Venezuela Despite U.S. Sanctions – Chinese “zombie” ships are still hauling Venezuelan oil in defiance of Trump's secondary sanctions, raising questions about whether Beijing will face new tariffs. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32

Today, Jess, Martha, and Les discuss Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's visit to the White House. As the EU's unofficial emissary, Meloni is hoping to head off an EU-U.S. trade war. Trump says a deal is coming “100%,” but he's in no rush. Meanwhile, the EU is in talks with China over EV tariffs, as Trump reportedly ups pressure on Europe to pick a side: Washington or Beijing. Oh, and NASA has found signs of life on an exoplanet. From trade to space and everything in between—it's a very Fun Friday.Is Trump driving a wedge between the EU and China—or just improvising one day at a time? Can Meloni, a right-wing nationalist, effectively represent Europe's broader interests? Does NASA and the Trump Administration know more than they're saying about alien life?Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/world/trump-100-confident-of-trade-deal-with-eu-during-italian-pm-melonis-us-visit/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/04/16/meloni-italy-eu-tariffs-trump/ https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/eu-china-start-talks-lifting-eu-tariffs-chinese-electric-vehicles-handelsblatt-2025-04-10/ https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2025/04/16/alien-life-exoplanet-webb-telescope/Follow our experts on Twitter: @NotTVJessJones@lestermunson@marthamillerdcLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/EuMN6WzKIPg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reporter Jefferson Morley discusses the key revelations from the newly released JFK files after testifying before Congress. Plus: another right-wing populist is barred from running for office in the democratic world. -------------------------- Watch full episodes on Rumble, streamed LIVE 7pm ET. Become part of our Locals community Follow System Update:  Twitter Instagram TikTok Facebook LinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Europe's hard-right politicians, Donald Trump's second White House bid looked like validation and opportunity. Now that he is in it, the tensions and trade-offs are becoming clear. The Houthis' grip over Yemen and the Red Sea is only strengthening, even as other Iranian proxies are waning (10:03). And a look at the boom in Christian entertainment (15:51).Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For Europe's hard-right politicians, Donald Trump's second White House bid looked like validation and opportunity. Now that he is in it, the tensions and trade-offs are becoming clear. The Houthis' grip over Yemen and the Red Sea is only strengthening, even as other Iranian proxies are waning (10:03). And a look at the boom in Christian entertainment (15:51).Get a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.

Episode 4354: The Democrats' Foux-Populists, The Tea Party's Victory

Happy Thursday! We're coming to you a day early with MAGA infighting, a showdown at Columbia University, a media vibe shift, and the story behind the original Egg McMuffin. Wretch on! Time Stamps: 2:26 - Front Page 55:10 - Obsessions 1:04:39 - Reader Mail 1:08:51 - Favorite Items If you have a story you want to discuss with us, email us at wretches@nebulouspodcasts dot com. Show Notes: The New York Times: The Populist vs. the Billionaire: Bannon, Musk and the Battle Within MAGA The New Republic: Why Don't Plutocrats Care That Trump Is Tanking the Economy? The Wall Street Journal: Capitol Hill's Republican Sycophant Caucus National Review: Does Trump Know Why He Was Elected? Axios: Trump vows to "lead the charge" to unseat GOP Rep. Massie AP News: Trump warns that arrest of Palestinian activist at Columbia will be ‘first of many' The Wall Street Journal: Faculty-on-Faculty War Erupts at Columbia as Trump Targets Elite School NPR: A top 'Washington Post' columnist resigns, accusing publisher of killing piece The New York Times: MeidasTouch Pops on Podcast Charts as Progressives Search for Answers The New York Times: Can the Media's Right to Pursue the Powerful Survive Trump's Second Term? The New York Times: The Future of News Looks Niche The Wrap: Wall Street Journal Cuts Tech Reporters and Editors in Media Reconfiguration of Coverage Sports Illustrated: Yankees' Wives Carrying On Team's Abandoned Battle Against Beards CNN: Trump official tasked with defending DOGE cuts posted fashion influencer videos from her office The Wall Street Journal: How Foundation and Eyeliner Became a Political Battleground WGN9: An early version of the Egg McMuffin included a surprising condiment Axios: MAGA's antisemitism divide BBC: Russian spy ring's plans to kill journalist 'beyond imagination' The Atlantic: Mitch McConnell and the President He Calls ‘Despicable' The Wall Street Journal: The High-Pressure Tactics Attorney Gloria Allred Uses—On Her Own Clients

WW3 Between Team Humanity, “The Populists” VS Globalists, “Death Cult” Is Now In Full Swing & Donald Trump Is Our Leader

John Fawcett takes a page from the Book of O'Reilly, and is doing it live today, set to tackle the pressing issues of populism versus globalism, featuring insightful discussions with Mark Mitchell of Rasmussen Reports, and Leo the Lion from the RINO Removal Project. We delve into the controversial visit of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to the U.S., his remarks about military support, and the mixed reactions from American leaders. Join us as we analyze the shifting dynamics of public opinion on Ukraine, the implications of U.S. foreign aid, and the ongoing challenges at our southern borderSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You may have noticed a continuing trend of Democratic candidates sheepishly rushing to some imaginary center, and how well that hasn’t worked! On this show, Richard Eskow, former head writer for the Bernie 2016 campaign explains how it seems candidates The post The Time is Now. Left-Populists: Unshackle Your Imaginations appeared first on KDA Keeping Democracy Alive Podcast & Radio Show.

Lewis Goodall stands in for James O'Brien in this catch-up version of James O'Brien's live, daily show on LBC Radio. To join the conversation call: 0345 60 60 973

Alice Weidel is the new candidate for Germany's chancellor from their own version of a MAGA Party known as the AfD, the Alternative for Deutschland. They indeed want to make Germany great again and none other than Elon Musk is helping them to do just that. Also, the populist right triumphed in neighboring Austria - a new government is forming there that promises to change Europe like never before! -- Join me and Ross Givens this Thursday, January 16th 3pm EST, and learn how you can use the same insider information Pelosi and others have used to make MILLIONS. You're not going to want to miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime FREE TRAINING! Click here to register TODAY!! https://turleytalksinsidertrading.com/registration/?tambid=18762 *The content presented by our partners may contain affiliate links. When you click and shop the links, Turley Talks may receive a small commission.*  Join my new Courageous Conservative Club and get equipped to fight back and restore foundational values.  Learn more at http://fight.turleytalks.com/join -- Thank you for taking the time to listen to this episode.  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and/or leave a review. FOLLOW me on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/DrTurleyTalks Sign up for the 'New Conservative Age Rising' Email Alerts to get lots of articles on conservative trends: https://turleytalks.com/subscribe-to-our-newsletter **The use of any copyrighted material in this video is done so for educational and informational purposes only including parody, commentary, and criticism. See Hosseinzadeh v. Klein, 276 F.Supp.3d 34 (S.D.N.Y. 2017); Equals Three, LLC v. Jukin Media, Inc., 139 F. Supp. 3d 1094 (C.D. Cal. 2015). It is believed that this constitutes a "fair use" of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law.

Josh Hammer assesses the GOP's approach to political economy in light of the shutdown fight, excoriates the media for only now admitting that Joe Biden is a living corpse, opens up about being a new father, and more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sarah is joined by Steve and Jonah to discuss the developments in Syria and South Korea, President Joe Biden's decision to pardon his son, and what the “Deep State” really is. The Agenda: —Syrian Civil War —South Korea —The populism moment —The Hunter pardon —Preemptive pardons —Sarah and Steve's Air Force Two stories —What is the “Deep State”? —NWYT: Real or fake Christmas trees? The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Around the globe and it might be said here in the US there is an epic battle underway between establishment political parties and those trying to wrest control away and return it to the people. One name for that is populism. Order Sharyl's new bestselling book: “Follow the $cience.” Subscribe to my two podcasts: “The Sharyl Attkisson Podcast” and “Full Measure After Hours.” Leave a review, subscribe and share with your friends! Support independent journalism by visiting the new Sharyl Attkisson store.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I stumbled on a Zadie Smith line recently that stopped me in my tracks. She was writing in January 2017, and describing the political stakes of that period — Brexit in the U.K., Trump in the U.S. — and the way you could feel it changing people.“Millions of more or less amorphous selves will now necessarily find themselves solidifying into protesters, activists, marchers, voters, firebrands, impeachers, lobbyists, soldiers, champions, defenders, historians, experts, critics. You can't fight fire with air. But equally you can't fight for a freedom you've forgotten how to identify.”What Smith is describing felt so familiar — how politics can sometimes feel like it demands we put aside our internal conflict, our uncertainty, so we can take a strong position. I see it so often in myself and people around me, and yet I rarely hear it talked about. And Smith's ability to give language to these kinds of quiet battles inside of ourselves is one reason she's been one of my favorite writers for years.Smith is the author of novels, including “White Teeth,” “On Beauty” and “NW,” as well as many essays and short stories. Her latest novel, “The Fraud,” also deals with politics and identity. It's about a case in 19th-century London, but it has eerie resonances with our current political moment. I wasn't surprised to learn that Trump and populism were front of mind for her when she wrote it. In this conversation, we discuss what populism is really channeling, why Smith refuses the “bait” of wokeness, how people have been “modified” by smartphones and social media, and more.This episode contains strong language.Mentioned:Feel Free by Zadie Smith“Fascinated to Presume: In Defense of Fiction” by Zadie SmithAmusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman“Generation Why?” by Zadie SmithBook Recommendations:The Director by Daniel KehlmannThe Rebel's Clinic by Adam ShatzThe Diaries of Virginia WoolfThoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com.You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs.This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by Annie Galvin. Fact-checking by Michelle Harris, with Kate Sinclair. Our senior engineer is Jeff Geld, with additional mixing by Aman Sahota and Efim Shapiro. Our senior editor is Claire Gordon. The show's production team also includes Rollin Hu, Elias Isquith and Kristin Lin. Original music by Isaac Jones. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The executive producer of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser.

Donald Trump, J.D. Vance, and Kamala Harris all want to distance themselves from the inflation and bad vibes of President Biden's economy. The Washington Post's Jeff Stein explains why both parties are upending decades of economic norms. This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn and Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Noel King. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 3684: Trumpism Abroad; Populists Lead In Europe

Episode 3552: Today's Churchill Moment: American Populists Vs. The American Elite