TW: This episode discusses violence, extremist acts, and suicide.

In the wake of the tragic New Years Day with the New Orleans terrorist attack and the Las Vegas Tesla suicide explosion - both conducted by veterans - this episode delves into the rise of extremism among military veterans. Todd Helmus, a senior behavioral scientist at RAND and expert on extremism among veterans, helps breakdown how individuals with military backgrounds may become radicalized.

We examine the unique challenges veterans face when reintegrating into civilian life and how extremist groups exploit these vulnerabilities, offering a sense of belonging and mission that can lead to devastating consequences. We also dive into the alarming trend of veterans committing suicide, especially very publicly, in order to make a political statement.

After a tumultuous year of fighting in the Middle East, the future of the region is uncertain, especially as the United States prepares for a transfer of power. I'm joined by Mouin Rabbani, a researcher, analyst, and commentator specializing in Palestinian affairs and contemporary Middle East issues, to recap the multiple Middle Eastern conflicts. From Israel and Gaza to Syria, Mouin helps break down the past year, the most recent updates, and where things may be headed.

Nearly 670 bills targeting transgender individuals have been introduced across the country this year—a staggering and unprecedented rise. Transgender rights have become a focal point in the broader culture war, largely driven by conservative movements. But what are the real-world consequences of this surge in anti-trans rhetoric and legislation?

Joining me to unpack this critical issue is Sasha Buchert, Director of the Non-Binary and Transgender Rights Project at Lambda Legal. Together, we explore the implications of these attacks on a small, but resilient, community simply striving to live authentically, and what this moment means for the fight for equality.

The shocking murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has brought long-simmering anger and frustration with the American health insurance industry to the forefront. In this episode, we unpack the systemic issues that have left so many Americans buried in debt, disillusioned, and fed up with the healthcare system.

Joining me is Linda Blumberg, a research professor at Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms and an Institute Fellow at the Urban Institute. Together, we explore the roots of widespread claims denial, the rise of sprawling hospital conglomerates, and the potential fallout if the Affordable Care Act were repealed.

Syria is back in the news cycle as opposition force, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched a surprise, and successful, offensive against Dictator Bashar al-Assad. With territorial gains reshaping the conflict, Jihad Yazigi, Editor-in-Chief of The Syria Report, joins us to provide context for this recent development and what it means for Syria's future. We explore how this stalled war reignited, the latest changes, and the global forces at play.

Trump’s second-term vision is coming into focus with his latest cabinet nominations. There have been some shockers (a la Matt Gaetz' short time as potential AG) but what about the other nominations? And what's normal and what isn't with this appointment season?

I'm joined by Dr. Matt Glassman, Senior Fellow at the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University, to discuss the ins and outs of the appointment process and what you need to know about Trump's nominations. One thing is for certain, loyalty is playing a key part in these picks.

Economy, Economy, Economy. Say it three times and a politician appears claiming it's either booming or on the brink of collapse. So which one is it?

While headlines from economists suggest the economy is in a strong position, the reality for most Americans feels a lot different. To help make sense of this disconnect, I’m joined by Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody’s Analytics and co-founder of Economy.com. Together, we dive into the latest trends in inflation, housing, and the job market. Plus, we tackle the million-dollar question: What will happen to the economy if Trump follows through on his economic plans? Spoiler alert—it’s not good. Tune in for an eye-opening discussion on the state of the economy and what lies ahead.

America has voted and Donald Trump has been elected as president, again. For many, this might come as a shock. However, it shouldn't. In this post election analysis, I'm joined by pollster Travis Brodbeck, the Associate Director of Data Management at Siena College. If that name sounds familiar, you're not going crazy, he was on the show two episodes ago to break down the pre-election New York Times/Siena College polls. We dive deep into the election results discussing what the exit polls were showing and how voting demographics have changed.

It's almost election day. Yet, the courts are swamped in election law and voting rights lawsuits. For the past year, there has been a united effort to purge voter rolls and restrict the access to vote. Luckily, there are people fighting, like Kevin Hamilton, an election lawyer from Perkins Coie.

Leading the offensive is the Republican National Committee who say they are working to ensure election integrity by making sure votes are properly counted and that people do not vote illegally. Yet, democrats see this litigation blitz as a prelude to Republicans again contesting a potential Trump loss.

We break down some of these court cases, including one that Kevin was litigating right before being on Beerocracy! Go vote!

It's election season, and that means the polls are in full swing. Luckily, I am joined by seasoned pollster Travis Brodbeck, Associate Director of Data Management at Siena College, to dive deep into the world of political polling ahead of the 2024 elections.

The New York Times/Siena College poll is widely viewed as one of the best gages of where things stand in the Presidential and Congressional races. Travis shares how the NYT/Siena poll is conducted, other polling methodology, and what the current numbers are showing.