Welcome back to the 74th episode of the ModState Podcast.

On this podcast John and Nate break down the President Trump vs Steve Bannon feud that has emerged following the release of the "Fire and Fury" book by Steve Wolfe. What will this do to each camp? Is this a loss for President Trump or will it hurt Steve Bannon more?

The second and more important topic is Jeff Sessions departure from Obama era marijuana policing. Why Jeff Sessions? We explore why and how this could be a win for Republicans if they choose to make a move to legalize it.

Show Notes:

1) Trump and Bannon

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/01/michael-wolff-fire-and-fury-book-donald-trump.html

2) Steve Bannon Abandoned?https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/04/us/politics/bannon-mercer-trump.html

3) Jeff Sessions War on Pot

http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/04/us/states-react-to-jeff-sessions-memo-marijuana/index.html

4) Cory Gardner Rebukes Jeff Sessions

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/politicians-react-jeff-sessions-reverse-marijuana-legal_us_5a4e58dde4b06d1621bddc48

Welcome back to the 73rd episode of the ModState Podcast.

As we kick off the new year John and Nate felt it is important to take a look at a few of the international issues that are happening. Towards the end of the week the ModState team will be back exploring domestic issues, but while protests are happening, nations are spewing fiery rhetoric it needs to be discussed.

The topics discussed on this podcast are the protests in Iran, President Trump's tweets to Pakistan and of course North Korea.

Thanks for tuning in!

Welcome to 2018 and to the 72nd episode of the ModState Podcast.

We hope that everyone is enjoying themselves and have set reasonable expectations for the New Years.

John and Nate talk about what they hope to accomplish and what to expect and resolve to have done in 2018!

Thanks for tuning in and again....Happy New Year.

Welcome back to the 71st episode of the ModState Podcast! This weekend beat episode we talk about the communication modality and President Donald Trump's use of it.

Please see the show notes below for ALL of the president's tweets for the year.

Show Notes:

1) President's Tweets

http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2017/politics/trump-tweets/

Welcome back to the 70th episode of the ModState Podcast. On this episode John and Nate dive into the challenges that the Democrat party will have trying to claim a majority in the house and senate in 2018.

The conversation then slides to the 2020 presidential bid and who may be the "knight-in-shining-armor," for the left.

Lastly, John and Nate explore a topic they have no covered much of and that is the judiciary. Who is likely to retire and what would a court look like without the swing vote in Justice Kennedy?? Thanks for tuning in.

Welcome back to the 69th episode of the ModState Podcast. John and Nate both hope that all listeners had a great holiday weekend and and relaxing week leading into the new year.

On this Mid Week Rap John and Nate discuss policy going into 2018. What will be on the table? Infrastructure and immigration? What will be the big winner and what will be the big loser?

Next, the topic moves to geopolitics in the Middle East. Iran and Saudi Arabia, both Islamic countries, are pitted against one another for regional control. Saudi Arabia recently made an obvious tactical move that left the international community scratching their heads.

Lastly, John and Nate dive into the legalization of recreation weed in California. Will this shift the pendulum nationally? Tune in and find out. As always thanks for tuning in.

Show Notes:

1) Saudi Arabia and Iran

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42008809

Welcome back to the 68th episode of the ModState Podcast!

Very simply...Merry Christmas. John and Nate and the ModState team wish you and your families a very happy holiday!

The beginning of the podcast John makes some 2018 predictions before a brief exploration of the history of Christmas...oh yeah...and Boxing Day!

Thanks for tuning in.

Welcome back to the 67th episode of the ModState Podcast.

It is almost the end of the new year. Almost the time to lay to rest the failing and successes of the old year and usher in new perspectives and goals.

With that...John and Nate dive into a bit of psychology on this episode. Two words come up throughout the podcast and they are "Cognitive/Confirmation Bias," and "Cognitive Dissonance." How do these two terms affect our culture and society today? What could we do by understanding our own "Cognitive Bias."

How could society move forward if we treat those who we fundamentally disagree with, with respect? Thanks for tuning in!

Welcome back to the 66th episode of the ModState Podcast. This Mid Week Rap episode we look back at some of the events we covered, here on the ModState Podcast, over the last 5 months. What will the major issues be in 2018? Where will the collusion investigation go? Will foreign policy remain the same? Tune in and find out! Thanks for listening!

Welcome back to the 65th episode of the ModState Podcast.

Is it time to change our attitudes towards the tax bill? This bill is most likely to advance forward and become law. Although it will take a while for the effects of the bill to be felt by all it will be the law of the land. There are many nuances of the bill that are problematic but will this bill, in theory, work to create a better standard of living for the average American? Or will this bill be a win for the rich and corporations allowing them to stock-pile buckets of cash for a rainy day? There is a lot of "good-faith" that happens every day. If corporations follow through and invest in the average American will this change the narrative and distaste for this bill overall? Tune in for John and Nate's thoughts.

Show Notes:

1) Approval Rating for Tax Bill

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/republicans-unpopular-tax-bill_us_5a38218ae4b0860bf4aa5558