Overcoming the Divide: Nonpartisan Politics

The following is a conversation with Mark Fusetti. Fusetti is a retired Sergeant of the former Philadelphia court warrant unit. He currently operates in the private sector for organizations and influentials. Fusetti is currently partnering with a small contingent of people to provide visibility into the present horrors occurring on the streets of Philadelphia. Fusetti is a Philly 4 sports guy and loves coaching high school softball.
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Time stamps:
:30 Intro
5:40 How crime differs than in previous years
9:30 The change in leadership in the DA's office with Larry Krasner
12:30 Voting and turnout in Philadelphia
16:40 A possible change in Philadelphia politics
18:15 The stop and frisk policy
21:45 How the statements/action of the DA/Mayor affect the morale of the PPD
25:00 How the political offices contend with each other
28:00 Anecdote from when six police officers were shot executing a warrant in North Philadelphia
31:30 Commissioner Outlaw entering office
33:00 Drug use in Philadelphia, specifically Kensington
46:45 Approaching the issues in Philadelphia

Mark's Twitter: @MarkFusetti
Podcast: Behind the Badge
Music: Coma-Media (intro)
                 WinkingFoxMusic (outro)
Recorded: 1/26/2022

This minisode takes a look at icons (Tom Brady, SBF, The Liver King, Jordan Peterson) and the influence they posses in our daily lives.

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Recorded 12/23/22

The following conversation is with Samuel Goldman. Goldman is an associate professor of political science at George Washington University, where he is also executive director of the John L. Loeb, Jr. Institute for Religious Freedom and director of the Politics & Values Program. His most recent book, After Nationalism: Being American in an Age of Division was published by University of Pennsylvania Press in spring 2021.  Goldman received his Ph.D. from Harvard, and taught at Harvard and Princeton before coming to GW. In addition to academic work, his writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and many other publications.  
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Time stamps
:30 Intro
1:30 America's national identity
4:30 An age of division
7:30 Values at odds
11:40 An unifying cause
18:15 Politicians and society's temperament
20:30 Principles vs self-interest
29:30 Failures of globalization and the rise of nationalism
37:20 Nationalism compared to patriotism

Music: Coma-Media (intro)
                 WinkingFoxMusic (outro)
Recorded: 12/21/22

This highlight reel is a collection of short snippets from the conversations that occurred in season 3. Each voice is from a different conversation and are unrelated to one another. The following is the list of the guests and episodes that are featured in the reel (ordered as they are heard):

1. Michael Barone and The Upcoming Election
2.  Inviting One's Adversaries to Break Bread with Philippa Hughes
3. The Freedom Trucker's Convoy and The Emergencies Act with The Honorable Tony Clement
4. Going Undercover with Robert Eringer
5. The Hidden History of Big Brother in America with Thom Hartmann
6. Censorship and Misinformation in Society with Parnian Soheili
7. Gun Violence Solutions with Cassandra Crifasi, PhD
8. The Uvalde School Shooting with Robert Allen (Part 2)
9. The White House Press Coverage & President Biden's Comments with Carl Cannon
10. Ukrainian-Russian Tensions with David Andelman
11. The Russo-Ukrainian War with John O'Loughlin, PhD

Music: Price of Freedom

This segment of Overcoming the Divide discusses the reasons behind the abrupt interruption of episodes and content. Following the explanation, Season 4 is announced with several commitments to the audience.

Recorded: 11/1/22

Today's episode features Mary Bernstein, Phd, a Professor of Sociology at the University of Connecticut.  She is the winner of several national awards from the American Sociological Association. Her research on gun violence prevention advocacy has been supported by a grant from the Bennett Fund for Innovative Education in Health and Society. Mary is also an appointed member of the Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium at the Rockefeller Institute of Government.
The following are time stamps for different talking points covered throughout the episode. I hope you enjoy.
Community Gun Violence: 1:30
Mass Public Shootings: 10:30
Conditions Leading to Gun Violence: 15:20
Gun Legislation: 22:30
The Use of a Firearm: 30:30
The Senate's Recent Bill: 33:10
(Correction on my end: The Virginia Tech shooting was in 2007 and the Columbine shooting was in 1999)
Possible Government Abuse: 37:50
Supreme Court Ruling on NY Gun Law: 44:05

Music: Coma-Media (intro)
                 WinkingFoxMusic (outro)
Recorded:  6/25/22

Today's episode begins by Cassandra providing an overview of what she and her colleagues research at the center for Gun Violence Solutions at Johns Hopkins University. Shortly after, I inquire about what measures may work to decrease gun violence. Soon after we discuss the importance of defining what exactly is being put on the table. I later ask for Cassandra's thoughts on what role politicians, prosecutors and pop culture icons play. Towards the end of the episode we give our thoughts on high risk intervention laws regarding gun owners. I hope you enjoy.

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Cassandra Crifasi, PhD is the Deputy Director of the center for Gun Violence Solutions at Johns Hopkins University. She has won numerous awards over the years, one being the American Journal of Public Health Editor’s Choice Award Best Papers of the Year.  She is also an Associate Professor in the department of Health Policy and Management.

Music: Coma-Media (intro)
                 WinkingFoxMusic (outro)
Recorded:  6/16/22

DISCLAIMER: 1) This episode was recorded on Saturday, May 28th. There have been several updates to the story and timeline since that date. Please keep that in while listening, thank you. 2) The data base referenced in this episode that meet the proposed definition of a public mass shooting are only ones that have taken place at a school since 1966, which is 13. 

Today's episode, with Robert Allen, focuses on the recent tragedy in Uvalde, Texas regarding the school shooting at Robb Elementary. The episode commences by Robert giving his thoughts on the response by the police to the crisis as well as what standard police doctrine is when dealing with a school shooter. Shortly after we discuss possible measures and solutions to prevent these shootings as well as the shooter himself. As mentioned above, there have been several updates to the timeline/story since the episode was recorded. 

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Robert Allen is currently a Professor of Homeland Security at Tulane University. 
Robert has an extensive background in law enforcement, security and intelligence. His experiences include service in the UN Police Mission in the Balkans, and the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Mission in Israel and Afghanistan. Robert was also a part of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom. His law enforcement experience includes service with the Jefferson Parish District Attorney and their Sheriff's Office as well as the Port of New Orleans and Slidell Police Departments.

Music: Coma-Media (intro)
                 WinkingFoxMusic (outro)
Recorded:  5/28/22

Today's episode provides a timeline into the Robb Elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. This episode also serves as a catalyst into a more in-depth conversation with Professor Robert Allen of Tulane University who has an extensive background in Security, Intelligence and Law Enforcement. That episode (Part 2) will be released this Friday. As mentioned in the episode, there is new information coming out daily so the timeline/information provided is not the be-all and end-all of the tragedy.

On today's episode (from February), with Michael Barone, we take a look at the upcoming midterms. Michael Barone analyzes the prospects for both parties and suspects one will significantly fair better than the other. Barone dives deep into why there is minimal cooperation between the two parties in today's Congress. Barone later lens historical midterm election trends for the incumbent President's party. The episode concludes with Barone speaking to the overall lacking of unity on policy points and contemporary issues. I hope you enjoy.

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Michael Barone is currently a Senior Political Analyst for the Washington examiner. Barone also was a Senior Analyst for US News and world report for almost two decades and is a former contributor  for Fox News commentating on US elections and political trend


Music: Coma-Media (intro)
                 WinkingFoxMusic (outro)
Recorded:  2/2/22