The Sweet Spot - podcast cover

The Sweet Spot

Brett and Bradshows.acast.com
Every Wednesday Brett and Brad discuss the latest in science, tech, politics, sports, and Cleveland. Edited from the air signal of WRUW-FM 91.1 Cleveland which broadcasts from their studios on the campus of Case Western Reserve University.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Episodes

Federalist 78, Domestic Policy Bill

Brett and Brad pick up from last week with another annotated reading from The Federalist Papers, this time it's the 78th essay examining the Judiciary in more detail. After, we discuss the big domestic policy bill passed last week through the reconciliation process, and how it used the reconciliation process to pass. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 09, 202555 minSeason 3Ep. 28

Turkey, Federalist 51, and Dinosaurs!

Brett and Brad discuss Brad's trip to Istanbul before launching into an annotated reading of Federalist 51, one of the most-cited essays from The Federalist Papers and a foundational thesis of American Constitutional philosophy, read in honor of the 4th of July. Afterwards, Brett unloads some Dinosaur knowledge on us in honor of the release of Jurassic World Rebirth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 02, 202554 minSeason 3Ep. 27

Interview with the US Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District

Brett and Brad are joined in the studio by Jen Brancho (Planner and Biologist) and Matthew Shanks (Project Manager) both from the US Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District, to talk about their ongoing study for a recommendation on how to manage the material that gets dredged from Cleveland Harbor and the Cuyahoga River. This is an in depth follow-up to S3E23, our June 4th show where we first talked about the Dredged Material Management Plan for Cleveland. In the second half of the show we tal...

Jun 25, 202553 minSeason 3Ep. 26

Interview with DJ Brent Schmidt

Brett and Brad sit down for a talk with Brent Schmidt, professional DJ, lighting designer, and owner of B Productions. We talk about his career as a DJ and lighting designer, what it's like to a friend of Ketchup the Cleveland Guardians hotdog mascot, and Brent offers some advice for aspiring DJs. Sorry, there's no set at the end of the podcast, check it out soon via the archive at wruw.org! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jun 18, 202552 minSeason 3Ep. 25

What's Happening in LA? Upcoming Cleveland Events, and New NCAA Rules

Brett and Brad spend some time going through the timeline of the protests/riots happening in Los Angeles and elsewhere around the country while examining the unique nature and legality of the response. After the break, we talk upcoming events in Cleveland including Cleveland History Days June 19-29th, and Parade the Circle, this Saturday, June 14th. Then Brett leads us through recent developments that are set to overhaul the way the NCAA works along with how and how much student athletes earn. H...

Jun 11, 202554 minSeason 3Ep. 24

Dredging Cleveland Harbor, New Drugs that Build Muscle? and Lies in the Oval Office?

Brett and Brad give a quick update on the Cleveland Clinic Co-Pay policy and wildfires before diving into a project by the US Army Corps of Engineers Great Lakes & Ohio River Division, Buffalo District planning the future of dredging Cleveland Harbor. Learn more about that at www.lrd.usace.army.mil. After the break, Brett reviews some recent news from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals on a study aimed at preserving muscle mass while on weight-loss drugs like Ozempic. Then we listen to and break down...

Jun 04, 202555 minSeason 3Ep. 23

Takashi Murakami, UV Light Treatments, Midges, Cleveland Moves, and College Football Playoffs

Brett and Brad discuss the Takashi Murakami exhibit open now at the Cleveland Museum of Art before talking about recent studies on using UV Light to treat auto-immune diseases. Brad provides a brief update on our Alien Life (?) story from S3E17. After the break, we talk the midges currently invading Cleveland and the just-announced plans to redo the Huron & Prospect downtown between Ontario and East 9th as one-way streets with bike lanes. We end with an update on the revolutionary new approa...

May 28, 202555 minSeason 3Ep. 22

Hamvention, "Forever Chemicals", Habeas Corpus

Brett and Brad discuss Brad's trip to Dayton & Cincinnati for Hamvention and a game at the Great American Ballpark before moving on to Forever Chemical's and PFAS (recommended from Brad: Veritasium's video on YouTube). After the break, we talk the writ of habeas corpus before wrapping up with a Brett rant on The Last of Us and a touch on Andor. Thanks to our caller! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 21, 202556 minSeason 3Ep. 21

The Cavs, Prescription Prices, Co-Pays, Emoluments, & NYC Congestion Pricing

Brett and Brad discuss the collective disappointment felt by all Clevelanders today. We discuss Trump's Executive Order targeting prescription drug prices as well as a recently announced change for the Cleveland Clinic in how it handles Co-Pays. After the break, we discuss Emoluments and how they relate to a Qatari Jet as well as an update on what's happening with New York City's congestion pricing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

May 14, 202555 minSeason 3Ep. 20

Amateur Radio, CLE Airport Re-build, Real ID, and Perkins Coie EO Ruling

Brett and Brad discuss Brad's new Amateur radio license before going over the just-announced $1B plans to build a new terminal building at Cleveland Hopkins airport. Speaking of airports, we talk Real ID and its "deadline" the day of broadcast. After the break, we talk a ruling by the D.C. District Court reversing Trump's Executive Order targeting the Perkins Coie law firm and finish with some sports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

May 07, 202555 minSeason 3Ep. 19

Construction Season, Browns Stadium, and Iberian Power Outage

Brett and Brad talk ODOT construction around Cuyahoga County, and spend a while discussing the Browns stadium proposal for Brook Park focused around 2 memos recently released by the State of Ohio. Thanks to our Browns season ticket holder caller! After the break, we talk the mysterious power outage on the Iberian peninsula, one of the largest in recent memory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 30, 202554 minSeason 3Ep. 18

Signs of Expolanet Life, Media Roundup, US Citizens in Foreign Prisons, and The Pope

Brett and Brad discuss the latest findings from the far away planet K2-18b, where a sign of life has been spotted for the first time, giving us our best indicator yet for life beyond our solar system. We also recommend The Pitt on HBO and The Studio on Apple TV+. After the break, we talk Trump's talk on sending US Citizens to prison in El Salvador, the recent death of Pope Francis, and go through a Cleveland sports roundup of the Cavs and the Guards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo...

Apr 23, 202553 minSeason 3Ep. 17

A War on Water Pressure? AI, and Remote from Progressive Field

Brett and Brad break down what Trump's recent executive order on shower heads actually does, as well as some hidden details in the EO related to congressional oversight. After the break, we talk AI and the concerns and benefits it brings. We end with a discussion of The Masters and a remote recording from Progressive Field while the Guardians are play. Thank you for your telethon donations! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Apr 16, 202554 minSeason 3Ep. 16

Telethon Week! Funding the Browns in Brook Park, CLE Flag Update, a New MLB Bat, and March Madness

It's telethon week here at WRUW-FM! Please donate to the station to show your support for our show and all independent radio! Brett and Brad also talk about the Ohio House's budget bill that allots $600M to the Browns' new stadium in Brook Park, talk about the new Cleveland Flag (listen to our interview with Brian Lachman from the CLE Flag Project in S2:E25, August 28th, 2024), and discuss the 'torpedo' bat making waves in the start of this year's MLB season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...

Apr 09, 202558 minSeason 3Ep. 15

Live with Donna Schuele on Deportations and a Trump 3rd Term

Brett and Brad are joined live in the studio by friend of the show Donna Schuele to talk about the Trump administration deportations and Trump's comments on running for a 3rd term despite what the Constitution may say about that. After the break, Brad attempts (eventually successfully) to put on a caller on the air. Listen to Donna's previous appearances in Season 3, Episode 5 & Season 2, Episode 29 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Apr 02, 202554 minSeason 3Ep. 14

Wine Bottling, Art Festivals, and Sharing War Plans with Journalists

Brett and Brad discuss Brett's wine making adventure coming to a conclusion, Brad's journey to the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, and Jeffery Goldberg accidentally(?) being added to a probably illegal group text detailing an upcoming US military operation. Plus we end with a Cleveland Sports update on the Cavs and the Guardians. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 26, 202556 minSeason 3Ep. 13

Interview with Kate Goldman & the Construction Landscape in NYC

Brett and Brad talk with Kate Goldman, friend of the show, CWRU alumna, and Construction Project Manager in NYC for Consigli Construction. We talk the construction landscape in NYC and what makes it unique, specifically around the medical industry; how large towers get built; and advice for those interested in civil engineering, especially around the ACE Mentor Program: www.acementor.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 19, 202551 minSeason 3Ep. 12

Lunar Eclipse (tonight!), Daylight Saving's time, Family vlogging & The Penny

At some point Brad mentions the lunar eclipse and mistakenly says it's Friday night/Saturday morning, but it's not! It's Thursday night/Friday morning! Apologies if you miss the eclipse! The times are still correct, just the night is wrong. Brett & Brad complain about Daylight Saving's Time and discuss "Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke", a documentary and other movie and TV recommendations. After the break, a deep dive into the Penny and a bit on how currency works. Hosted on Aca...

Mar 12, 202555 minSeason 3Ep. 11

Firefly Lands on the Moon, San Francisco v. EPA Supreme Court Case, and Trump's Address

Brett is out this week so Brad runs a short show covering Trump's address to a joint session of Congress on his first few weeks in office, the first successful landing on the Moon by a private company, the recently concluded City of San Francisco v. EPA Supreme Court case, and we start with an Oscars recap. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 05, 202531 minSeason 3Ep. 10

WHO and Alcohol , Microsoft's Majorana Quantum Processor, and DOGE updates

Brett and Brad lead off with a discussion on new guidance from the World Health Organization recommending alcohol have cancer warnings, followed by a dive into Microsoft's latest news of a topological quantum processor called the Majorana 1. We touch on JOANN Fabrics closing all stores and give an update on the asteroid from S3E7. After the break, it's a dive into what Trump's been up to, and what maybe Elon Musk has been up to? legally it's not clear. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for ...

Feb 26, 202555 minSeason 3Ep. 9

Interview with Tom Burke on The Oscars 2025

Brett and Brad talk with Tom Burke, producer and screenwriter focused on independent films about the 2025 Academy Awards and what the general state of the entertainment industry is right now. See Tom's latest film Old Guy, streaming February 21st. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 19, 202554 minSeason 3Ep. 8

Guantanamo Bay, Bribery, NIH Funding, and an Asteroid!

Brett and Brad run through another week of Trump's presidency in the 1st half of the show including an examination of the Migrant Operations Center at Guantanamo Bay, some actions Trump took this week related to bribery charges, the shuttering of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and Elon's latest press conference. After the break Brad gives an update on an Asteroid that may? probably not, but may hit earth in 8 years, and provides some updates on CLE building projects. Hosted on Acast. See ...

Feb 12, 202555 minSeason 3Ep. 7

Trump Update, How Ozempic Works, and Punxsutawney Phil

Brett and Brad do an as-rapid-as-possible-fire review of the last 2 weeks of Trump's presidency including the recent announcement of a desire to "take over" Gaza, what Elon Musk has been up to, a Sovereign Wealth Fund for the US, and Trump's anti-DEIA executive order. After the break Brett walks us through how Ozempic works and gives an update on the whether a native ground rodent saw his shadow. We end with Sports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Feb 05, 202557 minSeason 3Ep. 6

Donna Schuele on Trump's Birthright Citizenship EO and What's Next?

Brett and Brad talk with Donna Schuele, a CWRU alum, previous clerk to the 9th circuit federal court, PhD graduate of UC Berkeley, adjunct professor with University of California and California State, and friend of the show. Donna breaks down what Trump's Executive Order targeting birthright citizenship really means, what the role of the courts are in it with a historical lens, and makes predictions for what could happen as this EO makes its way through the courts. Listen to Donna's first appear...

Jan 29, 202555 minSeason 3Ep. 5

Trump's First Days, Wildfire Prevention, and the College Football Playoffs

Brett and Brad complain about how cold it is across the country before discussing Trump's Inauguration and first few Executive Orders, including a deep dive on his attempt to re-frame the 14th Amendment. After the break Brad follows up on wildfire prevention laws in California and Brett walks us through his thoughts on the modern College Football Playoff structure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 22, 202555 minSeason 3Ep. 4

California Wildfires, TikTok Ban, and Quark Crash-Course

Brett and Brad discuss what's been going on in LA County with the wildfires, break down the imminent TikTok ban and why it's happening, then Brad gives a crash course in quarks and the nuclear strong force in a follow-up to last week's segment on antimatter. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 15, 202554 minSeason 3Ep. 3

NYC Congestion Pricing, Antimatter Discovery, and Colon Cancer Screening

Brett and Brad discuss the new congestion tolling that recently went into effect in Manhattan, the fact that graduates of Cleveland Metropolitan schools now get guaranteed admittance to Tri-C Cuyahoga Community College, and review some movies and Broadway shows. After the jump Brad talks through the latest discovery in antimatter particles from CERN and NVIDIA news from CES, and Brett talks through a recent development in using AI for colon cancer screenings and the College Football Playoff stat...

Jan 08, 202552 minSeason 3Ep. 2

A Christmas Carol: Part 3

Brett and Brad celebrate the end of the year by cold reading Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol completely, spread across 3 episodes or listen to the complete version as a bonus podcast episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 01, 202559 minSeason 2Ep. 53

A Christmas Carol: Part 2

Brett and Brad celebrate the end of the year by cold reading Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol completely, spread across 3 episodes or listen to the complete version as a bonus podcast episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 25, 202454 minSeason 2Ep. 52

A Christmas Carol Complete

This is the bonus podcast episode being the complete recording of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol without any interruptions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 18, 20242 hr 40 minSeason 2Ep. 53
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