Cate Costa discusses the profound impact of the current political climate on mental health, particularly anxiety and depression. She shares alarming statistics about mental health issues in America and offers practical coping strategies based on expert recommendations. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-care, mindful consumption of news, and the need for community support while also addressing the pro’s of seeking professional help. Takeaways The political climate is significantl...
Dec 11, 2024•24 min
Josh and Barry cover the appointment of Kash Patel and his threats to prosecute politicians that have been involved in charges vs. Trump, centering on revenge as well as potentially dismantling the FBI. Josh talks about the pros and cons of this possibility whether you are on the left or right. This could enhance local control but could also see less coordination as a nation. National security is of utmost importance and pros and cons will have to be evaluated without making ourselves more vulne...
Dec 04, 2024•18 min
Whether you voted for Donald Trump or not, all eyes are on the President-elect and what his agendas and process look like. We want to give an overview of what we see so far and potential signs of trying to bypass the normal checks and balances within our government, what that means, and what are some ways you can keep watch on that. Barry and Joshua talk about some of the prospective nominees and some thoughts about them and also the process by which they would be nominated. Post-election, Donal...
Nov 20, 2024•17 min
In this conversation, Michael interviews Anthony Coley, a former DOJ and Treasury official,about the current political landscape and the importance of voting. They discuss Kamala Harris'srise in popularity, the strength of the Democratic bench, the threat of a second Trump term, andthe need for Democrats to engage with the Republican media ecosystem. They also touch onthe role of the DOJ and the importance of preserving voting rights. Overall, the conversationhighlights the significance of the u...
Nov 06, 2024•31 min
ROY WOOD JR. is a comedian, an Emmy-nominated documentary producer, a correspondent on Comedy Central’s Emmy-nominated The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, and host of Comedy Central’s award-winning podcast, The Daily Show: Beyond the Scenes. Spring of 2023, Wood guest hosted The Daily Show and headlined the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Wood co-starred alongside Jon Hamm in Paramount Pictures' long-awaited Fletch remake, Confess, Fletch and has guest appearances in ‘Only Murders in the Buildi...
Oct 31, 2024•57 min
Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow discusses the political landscape in Michigan and the impact of the Biden-Harris campaign. She highlights the importance of Michigan in national politics and the fear of losing the state to Republicans. McMorrow also talks about the excitement and hope surrounding the Biden-Harris campaign and the need for a functional two-party system. She emphasizes the importance of grassroots organizing and down-ballot races. McMorrow discusses the significance of repr...
Oct 24, 2024•38 min
In this episode, guest host Cate Costa discusses the profound impact of the current political climate on mental health, particularly anxiety and depression. She shares alarming statistics about mental health issues in America and offers practical coping strategies based on expert recommendations. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-care, mindful consumption of news, and the need for community support while also addressing the pro’s of seeking professional help. Takeaways The polit...
Oct 16, 2024•24 min
Summary: Kurt Bardella talks about his journey from a rising star in the GOP, to his moving to the Democratic party in 2016. He talks about his intro to politics, working on Capitol Hill, and his time with Darrell Issa. He reflects on the changing dynamics of Capitol Hill and the rise of Trump. Bardella and Michael discusses the 2016 election and the impact of Hillary Clinton's campaign. He shares his thoughts on the current state of politics and the importance of understanding the power dynamic...
Oct 09, 2024•33 min
Rachel Bitecofer, author of Hit’Em Where It Hurts, discusses the urgency of the current political climate and the need for Democrats to strategically counter Republican tactics. She emphasizes the importance of understanding voter behavior, the impact of polarization, and the historical realignment of party coalitions. Rachel highlights the power of messaging, the influence of right-wing media, and the asymmetry between the Democratic and Republican parties. She stresses the need for a focused a...
Oct 02, 2024•39 min
The conversation between Michael and his former AP government teacher, Andrew Sonnabend, covers various topics including their experiences in D.C.’s Wilson High School, the changes in teaching over the years, the perception of teachers, and the impact of politics in the classroom. They discuss the challenges and rewards of teaching in diverse communities, the importance of exposure to different perspectives, and the need for vocational education. They also touch on the turnover of teachers in DC...
Sep 25, 2024•1 hr
Michael does one of his provocative and informative solo episodes on a subject he wants to highlight for listeners. Project 2025 is a plan proposed by the Heritage Foundation, Trump investors and policy influencers, to reshape America by consolidating power in the executive branch, rolling back environmental protections, and restricting reproductive rights. It aims to create an America where the president has unchecked power, the judiciary is packed with loyalists, and the press is silenced. The...
Sep 18, 2024•22 min
The conversation between Colby Hall, founder and editor of political site, Mediaite, and Michael, revolves around the coverage of Trump and the current political landscape. They discuss the constant news cycle, the fatigue of Trump's shtick, and the changing dynamics of the Democratic campaign. They also touch on the influence of partisan media, the authenticity of Kamala Harris, and the potential October surprises in the upcoming election. The conversation covers various topics including the ps...
Sep 11, 2024•46 min
The conversation between Michael and Cenk Uygur, originator of The Young Turks, covers various topics including the transition from Biden to Vice President Harris, the importance of sticking with facts and reality, the fallibility of democratic leadership, the potential future of the Republican Party, the need for authentic and progressive Democratic candidates, and the role of identity politics in elections. They also discuss the popularity of Tim Walz and the Minnesota model, the challenges of...
Sep 04, 2024•57 min
In this conversation, Michael and Joe Walsh, a Republican voting Democratic, discuss the current political landscape and the upcoming election. They talk about the impact of the VP pick, Kamala Harris, and how it has energized the Democratic campaign. They also discuss the changing media landscape and the shift towards digital platforms. Joe expresses his support for Kamala Harris despite policy disagreements, emphasizing the importance of stopping Trump. They also touch on the potential for Tru...
Aug 28, 2024•48 min
In this conversation, Michael interviews Erin Perrine, a Republican strategist, about her career in politics and the upcoming election. They discuss working on the Hill versus working on campaigns, the strengths and weaknesses of Kamala and Trump, the quick shift in the presidential race from Joe Biden to Kamala Harris, and the challenges of messaging on abortion and immigration. They also touch on the importance of emotions in politics, the likability factor for Kamala Harris, and the upcoming ...
Aug 25, 2024•43 min
In this conversation, Michael interviews Anthony Coley, a former DOJ and Treasury official, about the current political landscape and the importance of voting. They discuss Kamala Harris's rise in popularity, the strength of the Democratic bench, the threat of a second Trump term, and the need for Democrats to engage with the Republican media ecosystem. They also touch on the role of the DOJ and the importance of preserving voting rights. Overall, the conversation highlights the significance of ...
Aug 22, 2024•32 min
Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow discusses the political landscape in Michigan and the impact of the Biden-Harris campaign. She highlights the importance of Michigan in national politics and the fear of losing the state to Republicans. McMorrow also talks about the excitement and hope surrounding the Biden-Harris campaign and the need for a functional two-party system. She emphasizes the importance of grassroots organizing and down-ballot races. McMorrow discusses the significance of repr...
Aug 20, 2024•36 min
Michael discusses in this short solo episode, the issue of states' rights and its impact on various rights, particularly women's rights and voting rights. It highlights the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs, which overturned 50 years of precedent on abortion rights and sent the issue back to the states. The conversation also addresses the broader agenda of rolling back civil rights, including marriage equality and the right to vote. It emphasizes the need for people to stand up, fight back, and ...
Aug 18, 2024•21 min
In this conversation, Michael discusses the current state of the Republican Party and their regressive policies. He highlights their fixation on issues like abortion and voting rights, their disregard for marginalized communities, and their attempts to control the narrative and distort reality. Michael emphasizes the importance of progressive values and the need to reject the Republican agenda in the 2024 election. He emphasizes that Trump uses the word “freedom” but really their policies are th...
Aug 14, 2024•19 min
In this conversation, Michael interviews Kaivan Shroff, a Democratic political consultant, political commentator and attorney about the 2024 election and the stakes for Democrats. They discuss the dangers of a Trump presidency, the people he surrounds himself with, the meanness of the Republican party, the messaging challenges for Democrats, the role of the media, the influence of money in politics, and the need for Democrats to be more assertive and proactive. They also touch on the challenge o...
Aug 07, 2024•34 min
Janelle Perez, the executive director of LPAC, discusses the work of LPAC in supporting and electing LGBTQ women and non-binary folks. She shares her personal experience running for office in Florida and the attacks she faced from the Republican party. The conversation also touches on the Republican party's attack on the LGBTQ community, the Don't Say Gay Bill, and the fear-mongering tactics used by Republicans. The discussion expands to the challenges faced by Democrats in Florida, the need for...
Jul 31, 2024•57 min
*This episode was recorded prior to the Biden announcement on Sunday. Michael talks with the Head of Next Gen, Christina Tzintzun Ramirez. Next Gen empowers young voters to engage in political process and ensure government responsiveness to the biggest and most diverse generation in American History. The conversation covers a range of topics related to this election, the Biden administration, young voters, and the role of organizers in engaging the electorate. It delves into the challenges and o...
Jul 24, 2024•54 min
In this conversation, Kurt Bardella, a democratic strategist and former Republican, talks about his journey into politics, working on Capitol Hill, and his time as press secretary for Congressman Darrell Issa. Bardella is the Creator & Publisher of the Morning Hangover and a contributor to News Nation, LA Times and other media. Bardella is also a country music enthusiast and shares stories from the Academy of Country Music Awards and his love for artists like Chris Stapleton. Michael and Kur...
Jul 17, 2024•53 min
ROY WOOD JR. is a comedian, an Emmy-nominated documentary producer, a correspondent on Comedy Central’s Emmy-nominated The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, and host of Comedy Central’s award-winning podcast, The Daily Show: Beyond the Scenes. Spring of 2023, Wood guest hosted The Daily Show and headlined the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Wood co-starred alongside Jon Hamm in Paramount Pictures' long-awaited Fletch remake, Confess, Fletch and has guest appearances in ‘Only Murders in the Buildi...
Jul 10, 2024•52 min
The Presidential Debate is the talk of the moment. Michael is joined by Ally Sammarco, a democratic strategist and ex-Republican, sr. digital editor for LA Magazine and Host of @Americas_Show among other things. Their conversation revolves around the aftermath of the presidential debate and the future of the Democratic Party. They discuss Biden's performance, the need for a conversation about his ability to serve another term, and the challenges Democrats face in winning over voters. They also t...
Jul 03, 2024•41 min
In this conversation, Michael and Cheyanne Daniels, the race and Politics reporter for The Hill and host of The Switch Up podcast, discuss the challenges of covering politics, the importance of black leaders, and the messaging strategies of Democrats. They touch on the media's treatment of black leaders and the need for more authentic and relatable messaging to connect with black voters. She also says this is a crucial election and Black voters need to vote for Democracy. In this conversation, C...
Jun 26, 2024•1 hr 9 min
In this conversation, Michael Starr Hopkins and Antjuan Seawright discuss the importance of the upcoming election and the consequences of not voting. They address Cardi B's statement about sitting out the election and emphasize the significance and importance of every vote. They highlight the accomplishment s and policies that have benefited the Black community under the Obama and Biden administrations and discuss the need for more representation of Black men and women in politics and the import...
Jun 26, 2024•51 min
Rachel Bitecofer author of "Hit Him Where It Hurts", discusses the urgency of the current political climate and the need for Democrats to strategically counter Republican tactics. She emphasizes the importance of understanding voter behavior, the impact of polarization, and the historical realignment of party coalitions. Rachel highlights the power of messaging, the influence of right-wing media, and the asymmetry between the Democratic and Republican parties. She stresses the need for a focused...
Jun 19, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Former Trump press secretary, Sean Spicer, discusses his experience in politics and the changes he has observed in the Republican Party. He reflects on the Trump administration and the impact of Trump's presidency on the political landscape. The conversation also touches on the 2020 election and the events of January 6th. Spicer shares his perspective on Trump's leadership style and his thoughts on Trump's potential candidacy in 2024. The conversation between Sean Spicer and Michael covers a ran...
Jun 12, 2024•1 hr 9 min
Welcome to It Matters with Michael Starr Hopkins - a podcast where the past and present intertwine to shape our understanding of the political landscape. Each episode, join us as we invite prominent politicians, cultural icons, and influential activists to share information, their concerns, personal journeys and the moments that have shaped their political ideologies.
Jun 05, 2024•3 min
