Normally

By iHeartPodcasts

Normally is the podcast for normal people, by normal people. We’re going to limit the hysteria, tone down the crazy, and talk about what really matters. Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz have

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4.6

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The podcast currently has 209 episodes available.

Best of Normally

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Number 1: Normally Podcast: Trump, Vance & the GOP’s 2026 Problem, Plus Luigi Mangione and California’s Wealth Tax
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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
August 18, 202635min
Number 2: Normally Podcast: 2026 Primary Warning Signs, Trump’s Endorsement Problem & the Lindsay Clancy Debate
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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
August 20, 202633min
Number 3: Normally Podcast: Dolly Parton’s Legacy, Trump’s Winning Endorsements & the Coming AI Shakeup
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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
August 27, 202631min
Number 4: Normally Podcast: Hasan Piker’s Shocking Charlie Kirk Song & Democrats’ Far-Left Problem
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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
August 25, 202633min
Number 5: Normally Podcast: Francesca Hong’s Stunning Wisconsin Loss, Fauci’s Vaccine Scandal & Florida’s Crime Drop
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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
August 13, 202628min