Normally

Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz are back on Normally to break down the latest political, cultural, and technology stories — and remember the extraordinary life and legacy of country music legend Dolly Parton.

First, they dig into the latest election results and what victories by Trump-backed candidates say about Donald Trump’s continued influence over the Republican Party. They also look ahead to the 2026 midterm elections, the battle for control of the House and Senate, and whether Republicans can overcome what could be a difficult political environment.

Then, Mary Katharine and Karol tackle the growing fight over children and social media after Meta faces major legal consequences over allegations involving Facebook, Instagram, and harm to minors. Are lawsuits and government regulation really the answer — or do parents ultimately have to take control of their kids’ phones and social media use?

Plus, Bill Gates is sounding the alarm about artificial intelligence and its potential to eliminate jobs and cause major economic disruption. Is an AI-driven employment crisis really coming, or are predictions of catastrophe overlooking the opportunities created by technological change?

Finally, Mary Katharine and Karol remember Dolly Parton, her legendary songwriting career, her faith, humor, generosity, Imagination Library, and the remarkable ability she had to remain beloved across political and cultural divides. They also react to the King’s Guard honoring Dolly with a performance of “9 to 5” following her death.

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Hasan Piker is back in the spotlight after performing a song mocking the murder of Charlie Kirk for a cheering audience. Mary Katharine and Karol examine Piker’s growing influence on the political left, his connections to Democratic candidates, and why Democrats who sought access to his massive online audience may now have a much bigger political problem on their hands.

They also take on the growing backlash against data centers and ask whether the populist campaign against them is based on legitimate local concerns—or fueled by misleading narratives about energy, water, jobs, and economic growth.

Plus, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy sparks a debate over whether conservative parents should pay to send their children to elite universities like Harvard. Mary Katharine and Karol discuss ideological conformity on college campuses, free speech, the pressures conservative students face, and what parents should consider when choosing a university.

Then, the New York Times suffers a rare courtroom defeat after an Alabama jury awards former Crimson Tide basketball player Kai Spears $9.25 million in a defamation case stemming from the newspaper’s reporting on a 2023 murder.

And after IndyCar took over the streets surrounding the National Mall for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, the hosts discuss the spectacle, President Trump’s role in bringing the event to Washington, D.C., and why sometimes it’s okay to admit something is simply cool.

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Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz break down the biggest lessons from the latest 2026 primary elections — and why both Republicans and Democrats should be worried about highly online ideological factions gaining influence in low-turnout races.

In Florida, James Fishback falls short but still captures 10% of the vote, while Alexander Vindman suffers a stunning defeat in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary despite a massive fundraising advantage. Mary Katharine and Karol examine what the results say about the changing Democratic Party, the Republican Party's own ideological battles and the declining power of President Donald Trump's endorsement after a string of Trump-backed candidates lost their primaries.

They also discuss new FBI crime data showing the U.S. murder rate reaching a 20-year low and violent crime recording a historic decline — and why those numbers deserve more attention.

But Northern Virginia provides a troubling contrast. Mary Katharine examines controversial criminal justice decisions in Fairfax County and a recent murder near a popular hiking area, asking what it will take for voters in deep-blue communities to demand a different approach to public safety.

Finally, the trial of Lindsay Clancy sparks a much broader debate about postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. Mary Katharine and Karol push back against attempts to dismiss the reality of postpartum mental health struggles while making clear that acknowledging those conditions does not mean excusing the killing of children.

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Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz are back together on Normally to break down a packed political landscape heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

They start with the races that could determine control of the Senate, including Florida, Michigan, Texas, Georgia, North Carolina and New Hampshire. Is the Democratic Party moving too far left for voters — or could Republicans still find a way to sabotage their advantage?

Then, Mary Katharine and Karol react to President Donald Trump’s comments about scaling back U.S.-South Korea military exercises and Vice President JD Vance’s remarks about the U.S. dollar and reserve currency. What do these comments reveal about where Trump and Vance are taking the Republican Party?

Plus, California’s proposed wealth tax has Mark Cuban warning about an exodus of entrepreneurs and investment, while Democrats face a growing fight over socialism, billionaires and taxing the rich.

The conversation also turns to Luigi Mangione’s guilty plea in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, the disturbing fandom surrounding Mangione, and the political reaction to the murder.

Finally, America’s education divide is getting harder to ignore. UC Berkeley professors are confronting students who struggle with basic math, the University of Michigan is hiding first-semester grades on transcripts, while Mississippi and Louisiana are showing what can happen when schools return to phonics, accountability and educational basics.

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A stunning upset in Wisconsin has Democrats—and Democratic Socialists—asking what went wrong.

Karol Markowicz is joined by guest co-host Jordan Schachtel, publisher of The Dossier, to break down Francesca Hong’s surprise loss in the Wisconsin Democratic gubernatorial primary despite polling that suggested she was positioned to win. Did the Democratic establishment quietly mobilize to stop the socialist candidate? Karol and Jordan examine Bernie Sanders and AOC’s decision not to endorse Hong, David Crowley’s remarkable return to the race, and what the result could reveal about the Democratic Party’s ability to contain its far-left flank.

They also dig into other major primary results, including Mike Lindell’s defeat in Minnesota, Michelle Tafoya’s political future, and the South Carolina Senate runoff.

Then, Karol and Jordan turn to new questions surrounding Anthony Fauci and the COVID vaccine. They discuss reports about Fauci’s private concerns involving vaccination and pregnancy, informed consent, public-health messaging, and why the pandemic response shattered trust in America’s medical establishment for so many people.

Finally, Florida is posting striking crime numbers. Karol and Jordan discuss Gov. Ron DeSantis’ approach to law enforcement, why they believe Florida’s policies are producing results, and whether Byron Donalds can continue the state’s conservative trajectory in the race for governor.

From Wisconsin’s election shock to Fauci, COVID, crime and the future of Florida, Karol and Jordan break down the stories driving the political conversation.

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Karol Markowicz is joined by comedian, commentator, and Heritage Media Fellow Tim Young for a wide-ranging conversation about the 2026 midterms, the Democratic Party’s progressive turn, AOC’s political future, and the latest controversy engulfing the WNBA.

Karol and Tim begin with the upcoming midterm elections and whether Republicans can hold both the House and Senate despite concerns about the GOP’s political strategy. They also examine candidates including Francesca Hong and the growing influence of democratic socialist politics on the Democratic Party. Tim predicts Republicans can narrowly retain control, arguing that some of the left’s more extreme candidates could ultimately work to the GOP’s advantage.

The conversation then turns to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and 2028, including speculation about a potential presidential campaign and the political conversation surrounding AOC’s decision to publicly document freezing her eggs.

Plus, Karol and Tim tackle the latest WNBA controversy after Sophie Cunningham was clotheslined during a game, as well as former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White declaring for the 2027 WNBA Draft. Could their stunt force the league into a legal and political battle over how it defines who is eligible to play in women’s basketball?

Also discussed: AOC and the legacy of “woke” politics, the conservative movement’s culture-war strategy, Hassan Piker’s influence on Democratic politics, Caitlin Clark, Sophie Cunningham, women’s sports, and what both parties face heading toward the 2026 midterms.

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Michigan's Democratic primary may have reshaped the 2026 political landscape. In this episode of Normally, Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz break down Abdul El-Sayed's narrow Senate primary victory, what it signals about the Democratic Party's growing socialist wing, and why Republicans see a major opportunity heading into November.

The conversation then shifts to California, where Democrats have embraced a controversial wealth tax proposal that could dramatically change how personal wealth is taxed. Mary Katharine and Karol examine the economic consequences, why wealthy residents continue leaving the state, and whether progressive economic policies are becoming mainstream.

They also tackle the affordability debate, rising grocery prices, Gen Z's expectations about work and success, and whether politicians are offering real economic solutions—or simply promising more government spending.

Finally, the MK & Karol discuss Sophie Cunningham's comments on biological males competing in women's sports, Clay Travis' $10 million basketball challenge, and why the WNBA continues to find itself at the center of America's debate over fairness in women's athletics.

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On this episode of Normally, Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz react to the latest revelations surrounding Dr. Anthony Fauci, including newly uncovered diary entries, renewed scrutiny over COVID-era policies, and why they believe Florida—and Gov. Ron DeSantis—got it right when much of the country did not.

MK & Karol discuss RFK Jr.'s fiery exchange with CNN's Dana Bash over free speech, public health, and media accountability, while revisiting the treatment of scientists like Dr. Jay Bhattacharya during the pandemic. They also examine why many Americans voted with their feet by leaving states with prolonged lockdowns and school closures.

Later, they turn to the growing controversy surrounding Rep. Max Miller, as serious domestic abuse allegations spark calls for his resignation and raise difficult questions for Republicans.

Finally, they unpack OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's latest AI parenting proposal—and explain why technology should help families spend more time together, not replace real conversations between parents and children.

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Anthony Fauci returns to Capitol Hill—but refuses to answer key questions. Mary Katharine Ham is joined by Lauren Stewart to break down Fauci's Fifth Amendment testimony, the explosive revelations from his reported COVID-era diaries, and what the controversy could mean for government accountability moving forward.

The conversation then shifts to New York City, where Mayor Zohran Mamdani's latest policies—including taxpayer-funded grocery stores, controversial property tax proposals, and rising concerns over public safety and antisemitism—continue to generate heated debate.

Finally, they discuss WNBA star Sophie Cunningham's comments defending women's sports, why the issue continues to dominate headlines, and how the conversation around fairness and biological sex in athletics is evolving.

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Anthony Fauci's newly released COVID-era diary entries are making headlines after Senator Rand Paul released more than 1,000 pages from his congressional investigation. Mary Katharine Ham and Bethany Mandel break down what Fauci's private writings reveal about his media obsession, COVID lockdown policies, school closures, masking, and the growing distrust of public health institutions.

The conversation then shifts to former Senator Ben Sasse's deeply moving reflections on living—and dying—with pancreatic cancer. Mary Katharine and Bethany discuss mortality, faith, family, parenting, and why Sasse's public honesty offers an important reminder about what truly matters in life.

They wrap up by examining the latest media criticism of Usha Vance, Karoline Leavitt, and other conservative women over pregnancy fashion, exploring the broader cultural debate surrounding motherhood, pronatalism, feminism, and family values.

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