Generation Elect

Virginia governor’s race, infrastructure bill.

Henry, Griffin, Jack, and Adam return on the podcast for the first episode of season 4, with a discussion on the Supreme Court’s massive decision to uphold a Texas abortion ban and perhaps lead the way for Roe v Wade to be overturned. They analyze why the pro-life movement has found success in recent years and how the pro-choice side can improve their messaging. They then talk about Afghanistan, whether Biden was given a bad hand or he botched the evacuation, and then they talk about the California recall, wondering whether Gavin Newsom will lose his job in a couple weeks. Rate and review!

Henry interviews Amanda Ripley, a journalist for organizations like TIME, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and more, and also the author of the recent book High Conflict, which is about how people get in and out of overwhelming and unhealthy debates and disputes. They talk about why we love and feel a need to exert conflict upon other people, how the media builds caricatures of the other side in politics which is damaging, and strategies people around the world have used to get out of conflict. Purchase her book and subscribe to Generation Elect!

Henry interviews Doug Jones on the podcast, a United States Senator from Alabama from 2018 to 2021, and a Democrat who ran and served in a place that nobody would’ve thought possible for the party to win in. They talk about what he did to get there, how he turned Alabama blue, and how Democrats can win in seemingly impossible places. They then deliberate on the merits and cons of bipartisanship and how to apply it in a polarized government, talk about what life is like inside the Senate, and the ongoing debate about the filibuster. To finish it off, the 2020 election is analyzed and how Democrats can improve their messaging to win in local races. Rate and review the podcast and subscribe!

Henry, Griffin, and Jack discuss the ousting of Liz Cheney from Republican leadership due to her anti-Trump rhetoric, and why it’s so important in terms of where the party is going, as well as discussing her new replacement: Elise Stefanik. They then move on to talk about the peculiar but exciting NYC Mayors race, in which Andrew Yang leads a complicated field. Rate and review our podcast!

Griffin interviews Mike Asbury, organizer of the NY Braver Angels Organization, a group dedicated to lessening the polarization in this country, cooling inflammatory left-right divides, and transmitting the value of civil disagreement and debate without hate or violence. Griffin talks to him about the unique political moment we’re in, if and how we can heal, and his take on the current state of civil divides in 2021. (Per our guest’s request, you can contact him to follow up on anything at 518-817-3877, or [email protected]). Rate and review the podcast!

Henry, Griffin, and Jack talk about Joe Biden’s landmark passing of the American Rescue Plan Act which sends money in stimulus to American families, funds COVID vaccinations, helps small businesses, and so much more. They talk about the political effect on long term ideologies regarding it, as well as the controversial decision to leave out the minimum wage increase led by Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin. They then talk about the Andrew Cuomo controversy with resignation on the brink of occurring perhaps. Rate and review our podcast!

In one of the biggest Generation Elect episodes ever, Henry talks to social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, one of his greatest influences, on morality in politics, values, activism, and more. Later in the podcast Henry welcomes on Griffin Roeder and Jack Newell to talk about Biden’s first week in office with new executive orders, Congressional debate over the filibuster, controversial congresswomen in the news, and tons more. Rate and review our podcast!

Henry and Griffin interview J. Miles Coleman, the Associate Editor for Sabato’s Crystal Ball, which is the most famous election newspaper and predictions site in the country. They talk about what the midterms in 2022 will look like, redistricting impacts on congressional races, the futures of swing states like Georgia and North Carolina, as well as why Democratic down-ballot races weren’t as great as expected in 2020 and the demographic trends that come out of it. Rate and review our podcast on the Podcasts App!

Henry interviews Amanda Litman, founder of Run for Something, the largest progressive candidate recruitment network in the nation, urging young, diverse adults to run for office and get more involved with local politics. They talk about the importance of down-ballot races, how to convince people who have reservations but interest in politics to go and get involved, ideological differences on how to win in the Democratic Party, and advice for young people on how to get more involved.