Jen and Katie Paris discuss the importance of community and empowerment among women, particularly through the organization Red Wine and Blue. Katie shares her journey in founding the organization, which aims to connect and support women in their local communities, especially in the face of political challenges and social issues. They emphasize the need for local action, the significance of joy in activism, and the importance of mutual aid during crises. The conversation highlights the diverse ba...
Jan 15, 2025•54 min•Ep. 86
Jen Rubin answers listener questions and addresses various pressing political questions as the new year begins. She discusses the implications of international leaders flattering Trump, the status of his cabinet nominations, and the potential dangers posed by certain nominees. The conversation also touches on Elon Musk's controversial involvement in European politics, the complexities of immigration policy, and the challenges Trump faces with his legal cases. Additionally, Jen emphasizes the nee...
Jan 08, 2025•43 min•Ep. 85
Jen is joined this week by Eric Liu, they discuss the pain and disillusionment many feel towards politics and how Citizen University aims to empower individuals to take active roles in their communities. He emphasizes the importance of understanding local power dynamics, fostering civic character, and creating spaces for connection through programs like Civic Saturdays. Liu also reflects on the significance of immigrant stories and the upcoming 250th anniversary of America as opportunities for c...
Dec 25, 2024•39 min•Ep. 84
Jen and George discuss the recent libel case involving Donald Trump and E. Jean Carroll, examining the implications of the verdict and public perceptions of Trump. They explore the complexities of legal definitions of rape, the challenges of defamation cases, and the broader impact of Trump's policies on American society. The conversation reflects on how political figures manipulated Trump, the potential for corruption in the current political landscape, and the media's role in shaping public di...
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 83
This week Jen is joined by Jim Kessler from Third Way They discuss the current state of the Democratic Party, focusing on Biden's ideological journey, the importance of effective messaging, and the role of local leaders in engaging voters. He emphasizes the need for Democrats to listen to constituents, balance positive and negative messaging, and address pressing issues like education and immigration. Jim also highlights the disparities between red and blue states and the importance of communica...
Dec 11, 2024•58 min•Ep. 82
Jen and Renato Mariotti discuss the implications of political interference in law enforcement, particularly focusing on the FBI and the Justice Department under a second Trump administration. They explore the erosion of trust in federal law enforcement, the challenges to judicial independence, and the potential consequences of targeting political opponents. The discussion also touches on the role of state governments in resisting federal overreach and the responsibilities of criminal defense law...
Dec 04, 2024•55 min•Ep. 81
Jen is joined this week by Mimi Rocah who analyzes the recent legal landscape, focusing on Jack Smith's federal case dismissals and their broader implications. The conversation examines the complex interplay between politics and justice, highlighting the challenges facing the Department of Justice and the critical importance of maintaining democratic norms. Rocah emphasizes the potential for civil accountability and the pivotal role of ordinary citizens in upholding the rule of law, while expres...
Nov 27, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 80
In a poignant discussion, Jen is joined by Dara Horn and explore her book 'People Love Dead Jews', examining how society fetishizes Jewish memorial narratives while marginalizing living Jewish experiences. She critiques the prevalent anti-Semitism in Western culture, highlighting how Holocaust education often serves as a superficial morality tale that fails to recognize Jewish agency and complexity. Horn discusses the troubling trend of erasing contemporary Jewish identities, arguing that societ...
Nov 20, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 79
White Christian nationalism's influence on US elections reflects complex intersections of religion, race, and politics. Robert P. Jones examines how faith communities, particularly white evangelicals, show strong support for Trump while highlighting concerning trends in political polarization and extremist rhetoric. The discussion emphasizes the importance of local engagement and understanding in addressing these challenges to democracy. Miracle Made: For 40% off high-quality self-cooling sheets...
Nov 13, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 78
Jen Rubin discusses the implications of recent election results, emphasizing the need to understand voter sentiment and the role of misogyny in American politics. She outlines strategic responses for Democrats, focusing on accountability and the importance of local governance. Rubin expresses hope for the future while acknowledging the challenges ahead, urging listeners to remain engaged and proactive in the political landscape.
Nov 06, 2024•14 min•Ep. 77
Jen Rubin discusses the optimism surrounding Election Day, highlighting the enthusiasm for Kamala Harris and the trends in early voting. She emphasizes the importance of key states like North Carolina and Georgia, and prepares listeners for Trump's expected declaration of victory, urging them to remain calm and patient as the votes are counted. Miracle Made: For 40% off high-quality self-cooling sheets plus an extra 20% off with 3 free towels, use promo code GREENROOM when you go to trymiracle.c...
Nov 05, 2024•12 min•Ep. 76
David Brock discusses his book on the Supreme Court, focusing on the influence of Clarence Thomas and the ethical issues surrounding the court. He analyzes the power dynamics within the court, particularly the leadership of Chief Justice Roberts, and the implications for the Democratic Party's strategies moving forward. The discussion also touches on the media's role in shaping public perception, especially regarding Trump and right-wing media outlets, and concludes with reflections on the evolv...
Oct 30, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 75
Jen, Susanne and Russ delve into the financial history and business practices of Donald Trump, exploring his early wealth, the impact of his family's finances, his business failures, and the eventual rise to fame through reality television. The discussion highlights the complexities of Trump's financial dealings, his reputation for stiffing contractors, and the role of media in shaping his public persona. Get the Book: Lucky Loser: How Donald Trump Squandered His Father's Fortune and Created the...
Oct 23, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 74
Jen Rubin is joined this week by Matthew Seligman to discuss the ongoing legal implications of the January 6th events, focusing on the litigation surrounding Trump's actions and the broader implications for the upcoming 2024 election. They explore the strategies employed by Republicans to influence voting laws and the narrative around illegal voting, emphasizing the importance of voter confidence and the integrity of the electoral process. HelloFresh: Get 10 free meals applied across 7 boxes as ...
Oct 16, 2024•55 min•Ep. 73
Jen addresses a series of questions from listeners regarding the upcoming elections, focusing on misinformation, voter outreach strategies, key down-ballot races, and the priorities for Kamala Harris if elected. Also touching on the shifting dynamics among young male voters, the impact of media pessimism, and the current global opinion on Israel amidst conflict. Jen emphasizes the importance of contributing to democratic efforts and highlights positive trends in the political landscape. Miracle ...
Oct 09, 2024•44 min•Ep. 72
Timothy Snyder discusses his new book that explores the concept of freedom from a philosophical and political perspective. He contrasts negative freedom, often understood as freedom from constraints, with positive freedom, which emphasizes the importance of community, solidarity, and the conditions necessary for individuals to thrive. Snyder argues that true freedom requires a supportive environment and institutions that foster individual growth. He critiques the American understanding of freedo...
Oct 02, 2024•58 min•Ep. 71
Jen Rubin and Ian Bassin discuss the current state of democracy in the U.S., focusing on the upcoming election, the myth of illegal voting, the integrity of the electoral process, and the role of the Supreme Court. He emphasizes the need for reforms to strengthen democracy, including addressing the filibuster and exploring innovative voting systems. Bassin also highlights the importance of community and collective action in overcoming the challenges facing democracy today.
Sep 25, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 70
Simon Rosenberg discusses the evolving political landscape as the election approaches, focusing on polling trends, candidate favorability, and the impact of key figures like JD Vance. He highlights the significance of abortion as a political issue and the changing dynamics in the House and Senate races. The discussion also touches on the shifting perceptions of patriotism and the Democratic Party's identity, as well as strategic decisions in battleground states.
Sep 18, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 69
Jen Rubin is joined by Robert P. Jones to discuss his book 'The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy' and the updated observations in the paperback version. He explores the connection between Trump and his base supporters, highlighting the role of Christian nationalism in their support. Jones explains that white Christian nationalists want to restore their dominance in society and view Trump as a means to achieve that. He also discusses the struggle between a pluralistic democracy and a vision of Ame...
Sep 11, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 68
Jen Rubin and Dr. John Gartner discuss the increased focus on Donald Trump's mental health, particularly through Dr. Gartner's work with George Conway and the "Shrinking Trump" podcast. They explore how Biden's exit from the race has highlighted Trump's mental state, and how Conway's ads provoke Trump's irrational behavior. Jen and Dr. Gartner also examines Kamala Harris' strategy to undermine Trump, Coach Walz's appeal to Midwestern voters, and how fact-checking Trump's lies can be effective. A...
Aug 28, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 67
Jen and Mark Jacob discuss the challenges facing the media industry and the need for more responsible and informative journalism. They highlight the importance of fact-checking and fact crusading, as well as the need for historical context in reporting. They also discuss the negative impact of polls and the obsession with entertainment in news coverage. The conversation touches on the decline of local news and the polarization of media outlets. Mark emphasizes the importance of a balanced news d...
Aug 14, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 66
Jen Rubin and Matt Bennett discuss the selection of Tim Walz as the vice presidential nominee and his potential impact on the ticket and the country. They highlight Walz's relatability, his understanding of rural and urban issues, and his ability to bridge the rural-urban divide. They also discuss the strengths of the Harris campaign, including their ability to generate momentum and their strategic choices. They touch on the importance of authenticity, the need to address issues like crime and i...
Aug 07, 2024•59 min•Ep. 65
Peter Pomerantsev discusses Delmer's strategies, highlighting their relevance to modern disinformation challenges, particularly regarding Russia's actions in Ukraine. Pomerantsev stresses the need for engaging media campaigns to counter authoritarian propaganda effectively. Peter's book is about Sefton Delmer, a British journalist during World War II, used subversive propaganda tactics against the Nazis. He created fake radio stations like 'Death Chef' to expose Nazi corruption and secrets. Delm...
Jul 31, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 64
Jen and Kim Wehle discuss the current state of the Constitution and the Supreme Court. They highlight the recent Supreme Court rulings that have redefined the power of the president and altered the foundational structure of government. They also discuss the implications of these rulings on the rule of law and the potential for abuse of power. Kim emphasizes the need for civic literacy and understanding of the Constitution among the American public. She suggests potential reforms to strengthen de...
Jul 24, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 63
Jen Rubin is joined this week by Adam Hochschild to discuss his book 'American Midnight: Fear, Magic, and the Reconstruction of Race in America'. He explores the parallels between the early 20th century and the present day, highlighting the rise of nativism, paranoia, and conspiracy theories. Adam delves into the factors that fueled fear and prejudice during World War I, including the conflict between nativists and immigrants, racial tensions, and the conflict between business and labor. He also...
Jul 17, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 62
Jen, Malcolm and Yair explores the concept of centrism and the need for political moderation in the face of populism and extremism. The guests discuss their book, 'The Center Must Hold,' which brings together voices from around the world to advocate for centrism. They emphasize the importance of shared values, compromise, and humility in politics. They also discuss the role of institutions, such as compulsory voting and preferential voting, in promoting centrism. Touching on the challenges of me...
Jul 10, 2024•59 min•Ep. 61
Ben Wikler, Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin, discusses the grassroots organizing efforts that have made Wisconsin a key battleground state. He highlights the importance of neighbor-to-neighbor organizing and building a unified operation. Wikler also emphasizes the significance of issues like reproductive rights and democracy in motivating voters. He praises Vice President Kamala Harris for her ability to connect with voters and make the stakes of the election clear. Wikler believes th...
Jul 03, 2024•53 min•Ep. 60
Jen Rubin discusses the upcoming debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. She predicts that Trump will come out aggressive and lie repeatedly, as he is immune to facts. She suggests that Biden should provoke Trump by bringing up his ridiculous stories and his history of losing in court. Jen also highlights the importance of Biden addressing issues such as abortion, the economy, Trump's foreign policy, and the potential dangers of a second Trump term. She emphasizes that Biden should showcase h...
Jun 26, 2024•29 min•Ep. 59
Amy McGrath discusses Donald Trump's attitude towards the military and the perception of it within the military. She highlights the concerns about Trump's treatment of veterans and his disrespectful comments about fallen soldiers. Amy and Jen also discuss the potential dangers of a second Trump administration, including the lack of guardrails and the potential for misuse of presidential power. She emphasizes the importance of civilian control of the military and the potential challenges if the p...
Jun 19, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 58
Jen Rubin and Nicole Bibbins Sedaca delve into the global phenomenon of democratic backsliding, exploring the erosion of democratic norms, the role of civil society, and the connection between financial corruption and political power. They also highlight the importance of individual responsibility and collective action in safeguarding democracy. Please Support This Week’s Sponsor Babbel: Learn a new language with Babbel and get 55% off when you go to Babbel.com/greenroom Get More From Jennifer R...
Jun 12, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 57
