Current Affairs Unfiltered

In this episode, Paige sits down with Jasmine Bolton to unpack the ongoing attacks on public education, from efforts to eliminate the Department of Education to the growing push for school vouchers. They break down common misconceptions about the Department’s role, the real impact of vouchers on educational equity, and how these policies disproportionately affect students with disabilities and those from low-income backgrounds. The conversation also explores the broader implications for democracy and why community engagement in public schools is more crucial than ever. Ultimately, making the case for why investing in public education is essential to building a more just and equitable society.

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Read more about Jasmine's work and the Partnership For The Future of Learning here:https://futureforlearning.org

In this episode of Current Affairs Unfiltered, Paige dives into the most bizarre and significant stories from the past two weeks, including Elon Musk's controversial email to government employees, the White House's manipulation of press access, and the chaotic dynamics among popular MAGA influencers. The episode also covers Trump's tumultuous meeting with Zelensky, the implications of a measles outbreak in Texas, and Trump's executive order declaring English the official language of the U.S. We'll also critique Trump's address to Congress and get a little conspiratorial as we look into whether Donald Trump can actually read...

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Read about Trump handpicking reporters: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/25/business/media/trump-white-house-press.html

Read about the “new” epstein files: https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/28/media/epstein-files-conspiracy-bondi/index.html

Read about the Trump/Zelensky shouting match: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2019j0w9glo

Read about RFK and the Texas Measles outbreak: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/doctors-push-back-parents-embrace-kennedy-vitamin-texas-measles-outbreak-2025-03-08/

Put on your conspiracy theorist hat and learn more about how Donald Trump maybe possibly struggles to read: https://libbysuethewriter.medium.com/seriously-though-is-it-true-that-trump-cant-read-0c5920ab0fce

In today’s polarized world, dating across party lines can feel more impossible than ever. But has it always been this way? In this episode of Current Affairs Unfiltered, Paige and Abby  dive into the challenges, contradictions, and surprising dynamics of political differences in relationships. We explore how ideology shapes attraction, how people navigate major political disagreements, and whether love can really conquer all—even in the most divided times.

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Check out Abby's Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/politicalpsychwithabby

**literally 2 hours after I recorded this, Gov. Kathy Hochul came out saying she would not be dismissing Eric Adams so please take that section with a grain of salt**

Everyone be quiet, Elon Musk's kid told Trump to shut his mouth.

In this episode, Paige discusses the last two weeks in the news. The conversation covers a range of topics including Trump's proposal to eliminate the penny, the symbolism of Kendrick Lamar's halftime performance, threats to judicial independence, a la "he who saves his country breaks no law", controversial comments about Gaza, and the endorsement of far-right movements abroad(specifically the AFD). The episode also delves into the exclusion of Ukraine from peace talks (and the erosion of 70 years of foreign policy) alongside a discussion of political corruption involving Eric Adams and the weaponization of language in politics.

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Check out the WaPo article here: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/02/17/guide-trump-administration-lexicon/

Read about AFD: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37274201.amp

Read about the Ukraine peace talks and exclusion: https://www.voanews.com/amp/europe-frozen-out-of-peace-talks-as-russia-s-war-on-ukraine-enters-fourth-year/7981053.html

In this conversation, Paige and Rafael Holmberg take a philosophical lens to the complexities of the political landscape surrounding Donald Trump. They explore the evolution of Trump’s persona from a farcical figure to a serious political player, the implications of populism in contemporary politics, and the paradoxes within Trump’s support base. The discussion also examines the relationship between fascism and Trump, the emergence of MAGA Communism, and the importance of stepping back from the picture to look at the frame—understanding the broader system rather than just the political alternatives. 

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Check out Rafael's Substack  and Newsweek article

The kids are certainly not alright after the last two weeks. 

In this episode of Current Affairs Unfiltered, Paige breaks down some of the most pressing political developments from the last two weeks. From Elon Musk’s growing influence in government to Trump’s unsettling plans for Guantanamo Bay and Oklahoma’s latest legislative moves, no topic is off-limits. The discussion also explores misconceptions about undocumented migrants’ rights and the broader implications of recent political appointments. Through it all, Paige underscores the urgent need for accountability, leadership, and vigilance against rising authoritarianism, reminding us why protecting civil rights is more crucial than ever.

Learn more:

Idaho Gay Marriage memo :https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sessioninfo/2025/legislation/HJM001.pdf

Oklahoma Legislative Agenda: https://oksenate.gov/press-releases/deevers-introduces-slate-legislation-restore-moral-sanity-oklahoma

Elon Musk's 'Status': https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/02/04/elon-musk-special-government-employee-meaning/

In this episode of Current Affairs Unfiltered,  Paige is joined by Dr. Robert (Bob) Koopman, renowned economist and former Chief Economist of the World Trade Organization, to break down the basics of today’s global economy. Together, they revisit fundamental economic concepts, explore how they apply to current issues like inflation, labor market shifts, and international trade, and explain what it all means for you. Whether you’re new to economics or looking for a fresh perspective on the forces shaping our world, this episode provides a clear, accessible guide to understanding the economy at its core.

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Ok so he's back... We’re diving into the whirlwind of executive actions that marked Donald Trump’s first full day back in the Oval Office. From reinstating controversial policies to introducing sweeping new measures, these decisions set the tone for the next chapter of Trump’s presidency.

We’ll break down key actions like the unbanning of TikTok, the withdrawal from international agreements such as the Paris Climate Accord and the WHO, and the push to end birthright citizenship. We’ll also explore the implications of freezing federal hiring, expanding the death penalty, and restoring what Trump calls “freedom of speech.”

This episode tackles how these executive orders reflect broader themes in Trump’s leadership—contradictions, populist rhetoric, and an emphasis on reshaping America's role on the global stage.

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Learn more: https://www.axios.com/2025/01/21/president-donald-trump-executive-orders-list

Alright lets get into it. This week we're were covering a variety of stories over the past few weeks: Mike Johnson retains the speakership, Deb Fischer’s Husband and Karen Pence snub their enemies, Trump’s Expansionist vision for Greenland, Panama and Canada, Amy Coney Barrett has fallen from the grace of MAGA, The Trump team explicitly asks NSC staff about loyalty and Pam Bondi & Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearings.

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Read about it:

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/incoming-trump-team-is-asking-white-house-national-security-council-civil-servants-about-their-loyalty

https://www.newsweek.com/amy-coney-barrett-maga-fury-trump-sentencing-2013185

https://www.fairobserver.com/politics/hail-caesar-trump-and-the-new-american-empire/#

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/14/us/hegseth-confirmation-trump

In this episode of Current Affairs Unfiltered, Dr. Wendy Jacobson joins Paige for a compelling discussion on cognitive dissonance in politics. Together, they delve into the psychological mechanisms that shape the beliefs and behaviors of Trump supporters, exploring the nuanced answer to the question, "Why does my family act like that?" Dr. Jacobson sheds light on the intersection of the mind and political allegiance, offering listeners a deeper understanding of how cognitive dissonance plays a pivotal role in shaping political landscapes and family dynamics alike. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that connects the personal with the political.

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Check out Dr. Wendy's article here! https://www.newsweek.com/how-deprogram-cult-donald-trump-opinion-1978684