Beerocracy!®

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.

It's been a little over one year since October 7th, where Hamas militants stormed into Israel, killing over 1,200 people. And since, Israel's response in Gaza has led to 42,000 Palestinians killed and an Israeli incursion into Lebanon killing over 2,300.

So now, big picture, where do things stand? What is the end game for Hezbollah, Hamas, and Israel? Hussein Ibish, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute, and contributor to The Atlantic, provides big picture analysis and history for all the players in this war, with a special focus on Hezbollah.

Two months ago, the entire world watched as Alsu Kurmasheva ran down the steps of a plane at Joint Base Andrews, greeted President Biden and VP Harris, and rushed into the arms of her family. It had been 14 months since she had been able to hug them, and 10 months spent in Russian prison. Her crime? Being an American journalist.

Alsu is ready to open up about her harrowing experience and no question is off limits. From the day she was arrested, to the 10 months without sunlight, and the moment it finally clicked she was being released, every question you've had about what it's like to be unfairly detained by an American adversary, and released in a prisoner exchange, is answered.

This episode contains a trigger warning due to the brutal environment Alsu experienced and what she witnessed.

Venezuela has had a mainstay in the U.S. media cycle, whether it's about the recent presidential election, the exodus of Venezuelan migrants, or most recently, the Tren de Aragua gang. And luckily, I'm joined by Phil Gunson, senior analyst for Venezuela for the International Crisis Group, who has been based in Caracas for the past 20 years.

In this episode, we dive into the complex and evolving situation in Venezuela, starting with a deep look at the country's recent presidential election. We discuss President Maduro's power grab, the crackdown on dissent, and the implications for Venezuela’s future.

We discuss the massive emigration crisis, as a quarter of the population of Venezuela have fled the country in search of better opportunities. Gunson also answers your most pressing questions regarding the Tren de Aragua gang, which has found itself on the main stage in conservation media.

Tune in to understand the deep-rooted challenges facing Venezuela today and how they are reverberating across the globe.

Transgender operations on illegal aliens in prison? Haitian immigrants eating pets in Ohio? Yes, unfortunately, these are REAL statements made by the former President in the presidential debate between former President Trump and Vice President Harris.

You're not the only one trying to make sense of the nearly 2 hour long circus show that captivated America. Luckily, I'm joined by John Shaw, the director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University, to breakthrough the noise.

We dive deep into this debate, analyzing the performances of both Trump and Harris, some key moments, and how this will affect the election in the coming days.

Don’t forget to subscribe and leave your thoughts in the comments—how do you think Trump and Harris fared?

We are joined by past guest, Joe Dresen, senior program associate from the Kennan Institute, to discuss and analyze the the most recent developments in the Russia-Ukraine war. We explore the latest military maneuvers, diplomatic shifts, and the impact on global geopolitics. The war has recently seen a surge of fighting, and this podcast breaks down the latest headlines, and what you need to keep an eye out for in the future of this fight.

The Kennan Institute, part of The Wilson Center, is a leading U.S. think tank focused on advancing research and understanding of Russia, Ukraine, and the surrounding region, promoting informed policy dialogue on critical issues in Eastern Europe and Eurasia.

You know the concept of the presidential pardon, but what about the history of this incredibly important power? Kim Wehle, author of the new book Pardon Power: How the Pardon System Works - And Why? provides history going all the way back to the biblical times until the present, including the impact of the Supreme Court's landmark presidential immunity ruling. We dive deep into the complex web of presidential pardons, the Supreme Court's controversial ruling, and the ongoing legal saga surrounding former President Donald Trump.

Wehle, who was an Assistant United States Attorney in the Washington D.C. office, helps us explore the limits and implications of executive clemency, analyze the Supreme Court's landmark decision that reshaped the landscape of government accountability, and untangle the intricate maze of criminal and civil cases Trump continues to navigate. From the constitutional questions to the political fallout, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the intertwined issues.

PARDON POWER: HOW THE PARDON SYSTEM WORKS — AND WHY will be available for purchase on September 2 and can be pre-ordered today.

https://kimberlywehle.com/