Sarah and Beth discuss Markwayne Mullin's confirmation hearing as well as the housing crisis in America and the new legislation aimed at solving it. Plus, outside of politics, they phone a friend to talk about her recent experience with colorectal cancer. 

Topics Discussed:

• DHS Nominee Markwayne Mullin Confirmation Hearing
• Housing in America
• Outside of Politics: Colorectal Cancer Awareness with Jessica Lotz

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Sarah and Beth take stock of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s first year leading the Department of Health and Human Services — from purging vaccine experts, gutting public comment rules, the growing measles outbreak, and what it all means for the future of American public health. Outside of politics: Sarah's annual Oscar recap!

Topics Discussed:

• RFK Jr Guts Public Health
• Outside of Politics: Our Annual Oscars Recap

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Sarah and Beth process the escalating war in Iran, then turn closer to home to discuss America's car accident crisis and the Hyacinth Fellowship — an organization supporting people who have unintentionally killed someone on the road. Outside of politics, they dig into parenting styles and how to strike the Goldilocks balance of authoritative parenting.

Topics Discussed:

• Iran: The Costs We Can’t Undo
• Fatal Car Accidents: The Trauma Nobody Talks About
• Outside of Politics: Why Your Kids Need Rules, Not Just Love

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Beth is joined by Rep. Greg Landsman to discuss the role of Congress, the decision to strike Iran, and why we need a Department of AI. Plus, they check in on their New Year's resolutions. 

Topics Discussed:

• What "being done" looks like and whether that's realistic with this president
• The difference between Iran and what's happening in Venezuela and Cuba
• Congress's role in military action and Landsman's 30-day War Powers Resolution
• Whether the 2026 midterms can actually constrain this administration
• The Anthropic/Department of Defense standoff and why Landsman wants a Department of AI
• New Year's resolution check-ins (gluten-free life, no-shopping challenges, and sleep studies)

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Sarah and Beth are joined by expert Kerry Anderson to discuss what's happening in Iran, US and Israeli objectives, regional implications, and potential pathways for regime change and stability. 

Topics Discussed:

• What are the objectives in Iran? 
• Is regime change likely? 
• What might happen throughout the Middle East because of this war? 
• Will this war make the people of Iran better off? 

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Sarah and Beth mark the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, examining the staggering human cost of the war, what it reveals about the changing nature of modern warfare, and whether America's military is prepared for the conflicts ahead. Outside of politics, they share their philosophies on high heels.

Topics Discussed:

• Four Years into Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine
• The Changing Nature of War
• Outside of Politics: Listener Question: High Heels?

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Sarah and Beth react to Trump's State of the Union address, Governor Abigail Spanberger's response, and what it all signals for 2028. Outside of politics, they turn inward and share their experience with Dan Pink's AI-powered self-reflection exercise.

Topics Discussed:

• Trump’s State of the Union
• Looking Ahead to 2028
• Outside of Politics: Brutal Truths from AI

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The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not give President Trump the authority to impose sweeping global tariffs. Sarah and Beth discuss how the tariff case is just one piece of a bigger and more troubling economic picture: a weakening dollar, a bond market under pressure, and a private credit sector showing signs of serious stress. Plus, Beth has finally watched The Pitt, and she and Sarah make the case that an emergency room drama might be exactly what America needs right now.

Topics Discussed:

• The Supreme Court says Trump’s Tariffs are Illegal

• Economic Indicators are Changing

• Outside of Politics: The Pitt

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There’s a theme in today’s episode of holding the breath, which is something I’ve been doing about unrest and possible US military action in Iran. Sarah and I discuss reporting that the administration seems increasingly likely to take what they term “kinetic” action (and what Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie and Senators Tim Kaine and Rand Paul would call acts of war). 

Then there’s the way that our guest and friend Natalia Terfa describes holding her breath in Minneapolis. Even as Operation Metro Surge “winds down,” there are still agents and agitators. There is still fear and tension. There is damage left to repair after “it’s over,” and a sense that it’s not really over yet. We’re grateful to Natalia for her leadership on the ground and her willingness to discuss it with us today. 

We often talk about outside of politics as an exhale, and we hope it is today. We talk about our very-non-sports-y Winter Olympics takes, with a special shout out to all of you who participated in the Spice Cabinet Opening Ceremonies. 

If you’ve listened for a long time, you know that I love yoga. One of my favorite parts of a yoga class is taking a collective breath. It reminds me that we’re here. We’re alive, right now, and that’s its own form of miracle. It reminds me that we’re not alone. I hope this episode gives you that sense, too. -Beth 

Topics Discussed:

• Unrest in Iran and Potential Military Action 
• On the Ground in Minneapolis with Natalia Terfa
• Outside of Politics: The Winter Olympics

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We’re sharing today’s good news brief with all of our followers. Join us every Thursday for more good news with Sarah. You can subscribe to PantsuitPoliticsShow.com

Good morning, friends. It’s Thursday, February 19th — the Good News Brief. And since we were hard on AI this week, I thought we should remind ourselves that AI is also quietly doing something extraordinary: remaking the future of human medicine. Today’s stories are a mix of awe and genuine hope.

 

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