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Politicology

Politicologypoliticology.com
Politics in America is transforming. We’re embarking on a new series to deepen our understanding of who we are, how we got here, and how we rebuild without repeating the mistakes of the past. Ron Steslow hosts academics, behavioral economists, social psychologists, politicos, philosophers, anthropologists, journalists, poets, and storytellers—and more—to discuss America’s political present and future and dive into the deeper problems we face as a nation. Email us questions or comments: podcast@politicology.com.
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Episodes

Double Exclamation — The Weekly Roundup

To access this week’s Politicology+ segment and unlock more exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus Political strategists Lucy Caldwell and Mike Madrid join Ron Steslow to look at some of the most important stories of the week: (01:35) The growing list of subpoenas issued by the January 6th Committee (21:08) The Bipartisan Infrastructure bill passes in Congress (33:35) The highs and lows of the economic recovery [Politicology+ Exclusive] How climate activists are using Big Oil’s ...

Nov 13, 20211 hr 8 minSeason 2Ep. 77

Carly Fiorina on Playing the Long Game

To unlock exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus Former presidential candidate and Former HP CEO Carly Fiorina joins Ron Steslow to discuss how short-term gains have gotten preferential treatment over long-term planning and success. (04:39) The differences between short-term vs. long-term (07:02) Expecting quick fixes to long-term problems (15:30) The shift in corporate responsibility from just shareholders to stakeholders (30:32) How the short-term goal of winning elections sho...

Nov 10, 20211 hr 21 minSeason 2Ep. 76

An Existential Crisis — The Weekly Roundup

To access this week’s Politicology+ segment and unlock more exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus Social policy expert Lanae Erickson and national security writer and Georgetown University adjunct professor Molly McKew join Ron Steslow to look at some of the most important stories of the week: (01:35) The results of this week’s election (17:16) The UN Global Climate Change Summit in Glasgow (34:12) China’s Cryptocurrency and what it can mean for the U.S. [Politicology+ Exclusiv...

Nov 05, 20211 hr 7 minSeason 2Ep. 75

Winners Take All with Congressman Steve Israel

To unlock exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus Former Congressman and former Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Steve Israel sits down with Ron Steslow to discuss what Democrats must learn from the 2020 election and what they must do to have a shot at maintaining their majorities in 2022. (01:59)The balance between local and national interest in races (06:54) What we learned from the 2020 down ticket races (20:23) The ideological diversity within the Demo...

Nov 03, 202157 minSeason 2Ep. 74

Pandemic of Disinformation — The Weekly Roundup

To access this week’s Politicology+ segment and unlock more exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus Political strategist Lucy Caldwell and communications expert Susan Del Percio join Ron Steslow to look at some of the most important stories of the week: (01:25) The latest in the Facebook whistleblower documents (20:26) The Republicans in Congress who met with the January 6th organizers (32:53) One step closer to Covid-19 vaccines for children ages 5-11 [Politicology+ Exclusive] T...

Oct 29, 20211 hrSeason 2Ep. 73

Strongmen — Part 2

To unlock exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus In the second part of this two-episode conversation, NYU Professor of History and Italian Studies Ruth Ben-Ghiat joins Ron Steslow to discuss her book Strongmen and what we can learn from the history of autocrats and those who stood up to them. (01:13) The American rights obsession with Orban (05:02) How authoritarians have used elections to come to power (08:11) January 6th and how it will serve as a touchstone for the American a...

Oct 27, 202147 minSeason 2Ep. 72

"Majority Leader Manchin" — The Weekly Roundup

To access this week’s Politicology+ segment and unlock more exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus Social policy expert Lanae Erickson and political strategist Frank Sadler join Ron Steslow to look at some of the most important stories of the week: (01:39) The Democratic House members retiring before the 2022 midterms (18:37)The Striketober demonstrations at companies from Kellogg’s to John Deere (31:41) The Virginia Gubernatorial election [Politicology+ Exclusive] The reporting...

Oct 22, 20211 hr 5 minSeason 2Ep. 71

Strongmen — Part 1

To unlock exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus In this two-episode conversation, NYU Professor of History and Italian Studies Ruth Ben-Ghiat joins Ron Steslow to discuss her book Strongmen and what we can learn from the history of autocrats and those who stood up to them. (02:01) Why she decided to write her book (04:18) Understanding Trump in the context of other autocratic leaders (06:29) The warning signs of strongmen as the rise to power (10:52) Why we don’t always see aut...

Oct 20, 202141 minSeason 2Ep. 70

"They’ll Remember That Sh*t” — The Weekly Roundup

To access this week’s Politicology+ segment and unlock more exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus Democratic strategist Liz Gilbert and political strategist Mike Madrid join Ron Steslow to look at some of the most important stories of the week: (01:45) The January 6th Committee ramps up pressure on subpoenaed Trump allies (14:30) The good and bad of corporate citizenship (39:35) The supply chain struggles and the looming holiday crisis [Politicology+ Exclusive] The resignation ...

Oct 15, 20211 hr 6 minSeason 2Ep. 69

Submarines, German Elections, and Biden’s Speech at the U.N. — A Global Power Q&A with Molly McKew

To unlock exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus National security writer and Georgetown University adjunct professor Molly McKew joins Ron Steslow to break down some of the most important international news stories: (01:50) The U.S., U.K., and Australian security partnership and the submarine deal that angered the French. (17:08) Joe Biden’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly (18:16) How the German elections (and Angela Merkle’s decision not to seek reelection) will ...

Oct 13, 202158 minSeason 2Ep. 68

Bad Blood — The Weekly Roundup

To access this week’s Politicology+ segment and unlock more exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus Communications Strategists Susan Del Percio and Eric Koch join Ron Steslow to look at some of the most important stories of the week: (01:27) The Facebook whistleblower’s 60 Minutes interview and testimony before congress (21:12) Donald Trump begs to get back on Twitter and launches a new Make America Great Again Again PAC (35:16) Taylor Swift’s masters get swept into the Virginia ...

Oct 08, 20211 hr 6 minSeason 2Ep. 67

Our Own Worst Enemy — Part 2

To unlock exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus In this two-episode conversation, Professor of National Security Affairs Tom Nichols joins Ron Steslow to discuss who is really to blame for the crisis in American democracy—and what we can do about it. (00:50) The “horseshoe theory” (06:56) Why globalization isn’t the boogeyman we think it is (18:42) Civic duty and the pro democracy changes we need to make (38:08) Figures who we can model Purchase Our Own Worst Enemy: https://glo...

Oct 06, 202151 minSeason 2Ep. 66

Dear Leader Zuckerberg — The Weekly Roundup

To access this week’s Politicology+ segment and unlock more exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus National security writer and Georgetown University adjunct professor Molly McKew and political strategist Lucy Caldwell join Ron Steslow to look at some of the most important stories of the week: (01:30)The ongoing debates over passing the Biden Agenda (19:43) Facebook and the fight to get tech giants to reveal their data (39:51) The struggles of women and LGBTQ people in Afghanist...

Oct 01, 20211 hr 13 minSeason 2Ep. 65

Our Own Worst Enemy — Part 1

To unlock exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus In this two-episode conversation, Professor of National Security Affairs Tom Nichols joins Ron Steslow to discuss who is really to blame for the crisis in American democracy—and what we can do about it. (01:43) Why it was difficult to write this book (06:38) The feeling that we’re living in the “worst of times” (15:32) Hedonistic adaptation (18:22) Village Mentality and Banfield’s “Montegrano” (29:03) The importance of public and ...

Sep 29, 202157 minSeason 2Ep. 64

The New Single Issue Voter — The Weekly Roundup

To access this week’s Politicology+ segment and unlock more exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus Communications expert Susan Del Percio and political strategist Mike Madrid join Ron Steslow to look at some of the most important stories of the week: (01:42)The newest form of single issue voters and the rifts in the Republican party (30:19) The looming debt limit crisis (43:33) Major companies committing to training and hiring Afghan refugees [Politicology+ Exclusive] The gossip...

Sep 24, 20211 hr 5 minSeason 2Ep. 63

A Short Bench

To unlock exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus Social policy expert Lanae Erickson joins Ron Steslow to talk about how Republicans and Democrats view and prioritize federal judges (01:25) The role and structure of the federal judiciary (03:12) The impact Trump appointed judges can have (07:06) Republicans focus on judges during campaigns (11:11) What Republicans look for in judges (17:41) What the Federalist Society is (19:56) Why Democrats don’t have an equivalent to the Fede...

Sep 22, 20211 hrSeason 2Ep. 62

‘We Gotta Go Now’ — The Weekly Roundup

To access this week’s Politicology+ segment and unlock more exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus Social policy expert Lanae Erickson and political strategist Lucy Caldwell join Ron Steslow to look at some of the most important stories of the week: (01:47) President George W. Bush on 9/11 and January 6 (20:01) The new democracy protection bill in the Senate and why it might spark filibuster reform (42:59) Biden’s vaccine mandate [Politicology+ Exclusive] The political statement...

Sep 17, 20211 hr 14 minSeason 2Ep. 61

The Pursuit of Happiness with Dr. Catherine Sanderson

To unlock exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus Poler Family Professor and chair of the psychology department at Amherst College Dr. Catherine Sanderson joins Ron Steslow to talk about happiness and how to harness the power of a positive mindset. (02:49) The negative connotation of the “power of positive thinking” and adopting a growth mindset (11:32) Revisiting the myth of monsters (13:13) Redemption and reconciliation, and applying a growth mindset to others: the “fundamental...

Sep 15, 202130 minSeason 2Ep. 60

Domestic Radicalization — The Weekly Roundup

To access this week’s Politicology+ segment and unlock more exclusive content (including the TAPPED episode with David Becker), visit: https://politicology.com/plus Former DNC president Liz Gilbert and Lincoln Project co-founder Mike Madrid join Ron Steslow to look at some of the most important stories of the week: (01:41) The fever pitch across America’s school districts as mask and vaccine policies are hotly debated (15:27) Governor Greg Abbott signs Texas’s anti-democracy bill into law (31:15...

Sep 10, 20211 hr 4 minSeason 2Ep. 59

Politicology Mailbag with Ron Steslow & Lucy Caldwell

To unlock exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus Political strategist Lucy Caldwell joins Ron Steslow to answer Politicology listeners’ questions: (00:24) What can be done about Fox News and right wing media lies? (06:04) What happens if we “lose” and democracy fails? (15:43) How do caucuses affect the legislative process? Have a question for a future Mailbag episode? Send it over to us at podcast@politicology.com! Are you learning from Politicology? Contribute now at https://po...

Sep 08, 202131 minSeason 2Ep. 58

Vigilante Injustice — The Weekly Roundup

To access this week’s Politicology+ segment and unlock more exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus Political strategist Lucy Caldwell and attorney George Conway join Ron Steslow to look at some of the most important stories of the week: (01:32) The political fallout from the Afghanistan withdrawal: how Republicans are reacting, and how public opinion has shifted in the last month (21:31) why SCOTUS allowed an extreme and devious bill restricting abortion access in Texas to go in...

Sep 03, 20211 hr 16 minSeason 2Ep. 57

Leaving Afghanistan: Part 2

To unlock exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus National security writer and researcher Molly McKew and Fmr. Senior CIA Official and author Marc Polymeropoulos continue their conversation with host Ron Steslow about America’s disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, and the role of the Biden and Trump administrations. (01:03) Democrats must be willing to own their mistakes (10:43) Debunking “inevitability” and mistruths from American leadership (16:38) Life in Afghanistan now an...

Sep 02, 202158 minSeason 2Ep. 56

Leaving Afghanistan: Part 1

To unlock exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus National security writer and researcher Molly McKew and fmr. senior CIA official and author Marc Polymeropoulos join host Ron Steslow to discuss the chaos and catastrophe in Afghanistan. (03:10) Molly’s and Marc’s unique vantage points on Afghanistan (14:33) Putting Afghanistan in context: America’s goals, and the war’s political legitimacy (20:17) When counterterrorism became nation-building, how America projects military power, ...

Sep 01, 20211 hr 10 minSeason 2Ep. 55

“Surfer on a Tsunami” — The Weekly Roundup

To access this week’s Politicology+ segment and unlock more exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus Communications expert Susan Del Percio and political strategist Mike Madrid join Ron Steslow to look at some of the most important stories of the week: *Note: A full episode on Afghanistan will be published on Politicology on September 1. Tap the ‘Follow’ button now to be notified.* (01:51) New mandates and new pushback as the Pfizer vaccine gains full FDA approval (15:44) John Lew...

Aug 27, 20211 hr 11 minSeason 2Ep. 54

Capturing Insurrection: January 6 through a Photographer’s Lens

To unlock exclusive premium content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus Photographer Gabriella Demczuk walks listeners through her firsthand account of the January 6, 2021 insurrection, from Donald Trump’s “Stop The Steal” rally on the National Mall to the gallery of the House chamber as rioters breached the Capitol. (03:01) Getting the assignment for January 6 (05:45) Reading the crowd at the rally (07:35) Rep. Madison Cawthorn, in his own words (10:30) Back to the U.S. Capitol (12:46) Lookin...

Aug 25, 202149 minSeason 2Ep. 53

“Sacred Cows” — The Weekly Roundup

To access this week’s Politicology+ segment and unlock more exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus Political strategist Lucy Caldwell and reporter Ben Jacobs join Ron Steslow to look at the most important stories of the week: (01:39) Biden’s speech, who’s to blame for the bungled Afghanistan withdrawal, and lessons learned after 20 years in the “graveyard of empires” (24:45) Water scarcity and wildfires in the West underscore the reality of our climate crisis (50:19) Millions of...

Aug 20, 20211 hr 23 minSeason 2Ep. 52

Cuomo, Covid, and Climate, Oh My! — The Weekly Roundup

To access this week’s Politicology+ segment and unlock more exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus Cuban-American attorney and ‘No Labels’ vice chairman Al Cardenas and social policy expert Lanae Erickson join Ron Steslow to look at the top stories of the week: (02:08) Hurdles in the House for the trillion-dollar bipartisan infrastructure bill; Democrats’ plan for more spending and the urgency to address our climate crisis (19:55) Red state Governors deny reality and responsibil...

Aug 13, 20211 hr 7 minSeason 2Ep. 51

Directed Energy Attacks and Leadership Lessons with Marc Polymeropoulos

To access this episode’s Politicology+ segment and unlock more exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus Fmr. Senior CIA Official Marc Polymeropoulos and author of Clarity in Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the CIA joins Ron Steslow to discuss Havana Syndrome, his struggle for treatment, and what he learned about leadership in 26 years at the CIA. (01:14) Marc’s 26 year CIA career (03:40) “Easily the most terrifying night of my life” (04:58) Moscow’s motivation for directed energy ...

Aug 11, 20211 hr 2 minSeason 2Ep. 50

High-Stakes Hot Potato — The Weekly Roundup

To access this week’s Politicology+ segment and unlock more exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus Political strategist Lucy Caldwell and former Congresswoman Katie Hill join Ron Steslow to look at the top stories of the week: (02:02) New York Attorney General Letitia James alleges Gov. Andrew Cuomo committed crimes, and Cuomo doubles down on his denial (25:45) Democrats play high-stakes hot potato with the eviction moratorium (50:07) The shifting politics of vaccine mandates [P...

Aug 06, 20211 hr 17 minSeason 2Ep. 49

“Shame and Ostracization”— The Weekly Roundup

To access this week’s Politicology+ segment and unlock more exclusive content, visit: https://politicology.com/plus Susan Del Percio and Mike Madrid join Ron Steslow to look at the top stories of the week: (01:35) First hearing of the House select committee investigating the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and the heightened emotions felt through the frontline officers’ testimony (37:58) Resurgent COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC’s new masking guidance, and what Americans’ preferred news source ...

Jul 30, 20211 hr 21 minSeason 2Ep. 48
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