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Beyond Politics

Politics may be dismal, but the ideas that swirl around it and shape it are fascinating. This is a show that looks not just at politics, but the deeper ideas from history, science, psychology, economics, and technology that are shaping our world. We feature smart, lively, upbeat discussions with people who know what they're talking about and can help us understand the world better. Hosted by Matt Robison: writer, former senior congressional staffer, and campaign manager.
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Episodes

Financial Life Planning: Traditional vs. Roth 401K

This week Mike Morton and I put the Traditional 401k and the Roth 401k in a head-to-head battle of the retirement accounts. If you’ve been following this podcast for a while, you are well aware of what a 401k account is a tax-advantaged way to help fund your retirement. Just in case you need a refresher, a 401k, or 401(k), is a retirement savings plan offered by many employers in the United States. It’s a valuable tool that allows you to save for your retirement while enjoying potential tax bene...

Oct 22, 202327 min

The Most Powerful Man in Politics You Never Heard Of

He's the man who engineered the right wing takeover of the courts. He's sitting on a $1. 6 billion slush fund, and now he says he's coming for the rest of American politics and culture. You may have heard the name Leonard Leo, but you may not know the full impact of what he's done, or the remarkable backstory of his rise to becoming one of the most powerful people in America. Our guest is Andy Kroll, an investigative reporter for ProPublica, where he covers voting elections, the courts and other...

Oct 19, 202350 min

Financial Life Planning: Bonus 529 Accounts

If you're intrigued by the idea of making the most of your 529 accounts, I have just the podcast for you. This week Mike Morton and I discuss three advanced strategies that can help you get the most out of these versatile financial tools.

Oct 15, 202324 min

Are Dems Actually Beating Back the GOP Crazy? Surprisingly, Yes!

In the last 15 years, Republicans have successfully, and quietly, the grabbed a hold on key offices at the state and local level -- often uncontested -- that make critical decisions about Americans' day to day lives. Amanda Litman runs Run for Something, an organization that is working to beat back that tide. And she joins us with some surprisingly good news...it's working.

Oct 12, 202336 min

Seeds of Tension Already Forming in US Support for Israel?

As we begin to think ahead to the coming days and weeks of war between Israel and Hamas, are there already signs of divisions forming in the US? Democrats are dealing with a long-simmering division on the left about Israel policy, while increasing numbers of Republicans are offering the false choice between Israel and Ukraine. Also: Scalise or Jordan, which is worse? And who does RFK Jr. hurt more, Biden or Trump?

Oct 10, 202333 min

Top Reporter: Israel at War, Where will the Crisis Go Next?

October 7 has been called Israel's 9/11. There are a few people on Earth that are better able to talk about what's happening now and what may happen next than Dan Perry, former lead reporter for the Associated Press for the Middle East, who is based in Tel Aviv and joins us from the middle of the crisis.

Oct 09, 202340 min

Financial Life Planning: 529 to Roth

Join Mike Morton and I this week as we discusses 529 to Roth IRA contributions and how you can use it to benefit the financial aspect of your life.

Oct 08, 202331 min

Jamie Raskin: Here's Why We Didn't Save McCarthy

Congressman Jamie Raskin, one of the most capable, incisive, and brilliant members of Congress serving today, joins the show. We wanted to know, now that Kevin McCarthy has been removed as Speaker of the House, what was the real reason Democrats didn't try to save him (1:29)? Is there really a hard-right fringe, or is the fringe actually the real core of the Republican Party today (9:34)? What happened at that infamous impeachment inquiry hearing last week when Raskin tore apart the Republican a...

Oct 04, 202332 min

Shutdown, Power Struggles, Trump Meltdowns, Taylor Swift? Is This the Craziest Week Yet?

Right wing nuts (i.e. Matt Gaetz) are trying to take down the most powerful Republican in America, Kevin McCarthy, who just pulled off a shocking 11th hour deal to prevent a government shutdown, while Donald Trump goes on unhinged rants about his financial and legal world collapsing around him. And the biggest story might be...Taylor Swift?

Oct 03, 202334 min

Chaos in the House: Will Dems Do a Deal to Save McCarthy?

Kevin McCarthy maneuvering to try to save his speaker-ship against a Matt Gaetz-led charge to remove him after the surprise weekend deal for a continuing resolution that's keeping the government open. Democrats are trying to figure out whether can they cut a deal here to gain themselves more power and to get rid of this impeachment inquiry. Republicans are scrambling to figure out whether Gaetz actually has the votes to actually remove Kevin McCarthy? And is there an alternative if they do manag...

Oct 02, 202319 min

Financial Life Planning: Should You Pay Down Your Mortgage

Have some extra cash? Wondering if you should put it toward your mortgage? Join Mike Morton and I this week as we delve into the answer to this FAQ. It’s not as simple as you might think. Why? Because why you shouldn’t is equally as compelling as why you should work to pay down that debt.

Oct 01, 202324 min

Remarkable Icon Senator Feinstein Has Died. Will McConnell Now Exploit It?

California Senator Dianne Feinstein, a trailblazing icon, has died. In this emergency podcast, writer and political analyst Jason Sattler joins to discuss the remarkable legacy of Senator Feinstein, and also the burning question that will have far-reaching consequences for America: will Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans take advantage of her death to block all Biden judicial appointments for the rest of the President's term?

Sep 29, 202323 min

Government Shut Down is Here! Who Does It Actually Hurt Politically?

The government shut down is upon us. There will be serious effects on people's lives. And of course, the question that everyone inevitably asks is: who will get the political blame? Traditionally, the conventional wisdom is that shutdowns hurt Republicans more. But was that really true and in the past, and is it still the case this time around. Bryan Bennett and Ian Smith of Navigator Research join to explain what the numbers and their focus group work with voters actually tells us.

Sep 28, 202339 min

The Incoherent Nihilism of Republicans in Congress and on the Debate Stage

Republicans angling to shut down the US Government and preparing to take the debate stage tonight for the Republican Presidential nomination have one thing in common: they can't say what it is they are trying to achieve, what they believe in, or how they would help do anything positive for America. They've made a backward mess of immigration (11:01) and they're afraid to attack Donald Trump (14:31) even though they secretly know he's a plague. And yet, recent polling (21:10) has some ominous sig...

Sep 27, 202334 min

Attitudes On LGBT Issues Have Turned More Negative. Is There Actually a Backlash?

Part two of our interview with Dr. Daniel Cox. American's attitudes on LGBT issues have shifted significantly, with far more people -- including Democrats -- saying that we have "gone too far." Why is this happening, and what does it really mean? Also, have Americans lost something fundamental that holds us together, and if so, is there anything we can do to revive it? (14:12) Dr. Daniel Cox is Director of the Center on American Life at the American Enterprise Institute and his work is frequentl...

Sep 25, 202320 min

Financial Life Planning: Plan Your Time

Ah, estate planning. Such a fun exercise. No one wants to think about the end, but we will all smile , so we might as well plan for it. In this week's podcast, join Mike Morton and I as we explore the importance of planning for your golden years, the ones filled with activity, those that slow down, and even the ones where you may need extra care.

Sep 24, 202324 min

The Republican Party Went Nuts. So Why Do Americans Hate Both Parties Equally?

If Republicans are so nutty, then why are Republicans and Democrats tied in popularity (2:05)? Also, why is Ron DeSantis SO darn unpopular? (There's actually a pretty straightforward reason for that) (7:48). And why is Donald Trump maybe a lot weaker than it appears? (14:55). Dr. Daniel Cox is Director of the Center on American Life at the American Enterprise Institute and his work is frequently featured in the Atlantic, CNN, and the Washington Post. His outstanding Substack is at: https://story...

Sep 22, 202324 min

Why Did America Spend $100 Billion on a "Little Crappy Ship"?

ver the past 20 years, the U. S. Navy has built a vessel that they've nicknamed the "little crappy ship." It barely works and it's costing us taxpayers about 100 billion or about what we'd spend on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in 20 years, the agency that regulates nuclear materials in 100 years or the Peace Corps over the course of 200 years. How did this happen? And what does it say about the entire way we arm our nation through the defense industrial complex? We're joined by the o...

Sep 20, 202331 min

Boebert's Weird Sex Incident Is Funny. But Does It Overshadow Something Much Worse?

It was too tempting to avoid talking about the strange Lauren Boebert incident over the weekend...so we did. But more seriously, retiring Senator Mitt Romney has leveled some serious accusations at his own party about what Republicans have become, and what it means for America. Also, will Ukraine actually get more US support despite Republican opposition? What to make of the Iran prisoner swap? And how do we feel about Donald Trump's criticism of American Jews?

Sep 19, 202338 min

PART 1 Brilliant! Kevin McCarthy's New Panic Plea for Help Scooped by USA Today's Rex Huppke

USA Today columnist Rex Huppke imagined what Kevin McCarthy's new outgoing voicemail would sound like after launching his desperate, shamefully empty impeachment inquiry of President Joe Biden, and wrote it up here (https://t2m.io/rSPhOjY2). So, we start our show with our rendition of his column (0:00) and talk about this ridiculous impeachment inquiry, and then get into whether this is a naked power grab on par with the insurrection (7:39), will the impeachment boomerang on Republicans (12:15)....

Sep 14, 202321 min

Is sex on camera the next great political campaign idea?

Not really...but...maybe? The panel dissects the situation with a candidate who was doing that exact thing. Should it matter? Also, is the "Biden should retire" thing gaining momentum (8:22)? What to make of Democrats bleeding support from non-white voters (18:01), is the the New Mexico gun ban a massive overreach (21:59), and is the government going to shut down (24:49)?

Sep 13, 202336 min

[PART 2] Matt McNeil: How Are Dems Doing So Well in their Big Idea Lab?

PART TWO. NBC News says Minnesota is now a "laboratory for progressive policy." But HOW did that happen? WHY is it working so well? And what lessons can the rest of the country learn at a time where the Midwest matters more than ever? Matt McNeil, an outstanding progressive radio host in Minnesota, joins the Beyond Politics podcast to explain what is happening and how Democrats can use it around the country. Is progressive radio non-existent where you live? Get a dose of Progressive media every ...

Sep 12, 202322 min

[PART 1] Matt McNeil: How Are Dems Doing So Well in their Big Idea Lab?

NBC News says Minnesota is now a "laboratory for progressive policy." But HOW did that happen? WHY is it working so well? And what lessons can the rest of the country learn at a time where the Midwest matters more than ever? Matt McNeil, an outstanding progressive radio host in Minnesota, joins the Beyond Politics podcast to explain what is happening and how Democrats can use it around the country. Is progressive radio non-existent where you live? Get a dose of Progressive media every weekday wi...

Sep 11, 202323 min

Financial Life Planning: Inflation is a drag

Inflation has a way of eroding the purchasing power of our money over time, making it essential to plan smartly to ensure financial security. In this episode, Matt Robison and I delve into the intricacies of managing finances in the face of rising inflation. Most notably, we talk about the importance of aligning investment strategies with specific timeframes to make the most of your assets.

Sep 10, 202322 min

Trump Endorsed Him for Senate. Why's He Fighting to Kick Trump off the Ballot?

In 2020, then President Donald Trump sent a tweet to his 82 million followers about a candidate running for US Senate New Hampshire that read "Corky Messner will be a fantastic senator for New Hampshire. He has my complete and total endorsement." A little over three years later, on August 25th, 2023, Corky Messner met with the Secretary of State of New Hampshire to make a case that Donald Trump should be disqualified from appearing on the ballot at all in the next presidential election. We wante...

Sep 07, 202338 min

Are Republicans Finally Ready to Take On Trump Or Were They Never Really Trying?

New reports suggest that Republicans may be ready to attack Donald Trump, but what if they were NEVER actually trying to beat him? Former Congressman Paul Hodes, New Hampshire Republican Political consultant Alicia Preston, and political analyst Matt Robison break down whether Republicans are ready to execute the only possible winning strategy against Trump, or is it the more intriguing possibility that none of them were actually trying to win in 2024 in the first place?

Sep 05, 202335 min

Financial Life Planning: The Logistics Matter

In this week’s episode, Matt Robison and I dive into an often-overlooked aspect of job selection: logistics. While most people prioritize salary and job responsibilities, we emphasize the significance of considering the logistical details that contribute to job satisfaction and work-life balance.

Sep 03, 202323 min
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