Bipodisan

While agreeing that panic is almost never helpful, co-hosts Jean and Robert discuss the important alarm bells around Democratic politics (the twin specters of Bernie and a contested convention) and the coronavirus.

Robert and Jean interview Keith Allred, the executive director of the National Institute for Civil Discourse, before comparing notes on the Democratic debate in an episode that is replete with agreement about the need for respectful conversation…and for preparation (we’re looking at you, Mike Bloomberg!).

Jean and Robert discuss Bernie Sanders’ status as the Democratic frontrunner, including a detour into Jean’s Land of Make Believe, where the political parties have leaders, not just winners. A discussion of Trump’s “post-acquittal behavior” (Jean), or “vengeance tour” (Rob) rounds out this episode’s bipartisan look at non-leadership in politics.

Robert and Jean agree that the State of the Union Address is always an affront to public speaking, and that this year’s spectacle was a stunning display of political division. Their subsequent discussion of the Iowa caucuses’ debacle leads to ideas about, and agreement on, presidential primaries reform.

A vigorous conversation about the impeachment trial, the Democratic race for the nomination and executive power leads Robert and Jean to bearish agreement that both political parties may be allowing the presidency to continue to balloon in a way that Jean calls “un-American."

Jean and Robert debate the whether the Senate impeachment trial is a waste of time and then discuss whether the future of the Democratic Party lies with Bernie Sanders.

Robert and Jean interview one of the authors of a new citizens’ election guide; she shares the bipartisan progress being made by her movement group, No Labels. Listen to the rest of the episode to find out why why this Senate trial will be different from any other in history.

Is the Iran reaction to Soleimani’s killing over? Does Pelosi or McConnell have the upper hand on impeachment? Robert and Jean discuss the most dramatic news of the week before finding hope in news about cancer survivors.

Taking a break from the news, our intrepid interlocutors discuss the intertwined history of politics and alcohol with author and mixologist Derek Brown. They talk about why partisans should drink together, what George Washington served, and Richard Nixon's surprising favorite cocktail, among other things.

Two writers — liberal Robert and conservative Jean — discuss President Trump’s lengthy letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi before dissecting the importance of this week’s historic vote to impeach him. The episode ends with a sweet contrast to the partisan warfare in Washington, D.C.