How do we talk about safety without demonizing entire communities? Sarah and Beth grapple with the complex psychology behind violence while examining Trump's federal takeover of DC police and exploring why crime statistics show progress even as public fear remains high.

When does federal intervention help versus harm local communities? They analyze the deployment of National Guard troops to DC, the disconnect between data-driven policing successes and public perception of chaos, and what it means when emotions drive policy more than evidence.

Why do so many (including us) find so much joy in Taylor Swift's engagement? In Outside of Politics, they discuss the joy of choosing community celebration over doom-scrolling, what this royal-level romance might mean for modern marriage, and why some people want to politicize everything.

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What can Canada's death laws teach us about policy limits? Sarah and Beth examine Canada's medical assistance in dying (MAID) program, where assisted deaths now account for 1 in 20 deaths nationwide - more than Alzheimer's and diabetes combined. They trace how policies that began with terminally ill patients have expanded to include those with treatable conditions and mental health issues alone.

When does personal autonomy go too far? Sarah and Beth explore the moral injury experienced by healthcare workers, question whether doctors should make ethical decisions, and examine what happens when individual autonomy becomes society's dominant value. 

How do you deepen friendships by sharing life stories? In Outside of Politics, Sarah describes a weekend exercise where friends told their complete life stories from birth to present, plus creative alternatives like wedding album tours and conversation games like Hygge.

Featured: Canada Gave Citizens the Right to Die. Doctors Are Struggling to Meet Demand. by Elaina Plott Calabro (The Atlantic)

Contact: [email protected] with "crime" in the subject line for listener perspectives on federal law enforcement in Washington DC.

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How have our perspectives changed since October 7th? Sarah and Beth open up about the difficulty of covering a conflict where any words will cause pain to someone. They share how their perspectives have evolved since October 7th and grapple with the moral complexities of Israel's actions, America's role, and what comes next.

How do you hold complexity without losing moral clarity? Sarah and Beth explore how the Israeli government's actions have shifted their thinking, the limits of international law, and whether America should continue military aid without conditions.

What is the best summer reading? In Outside of Politics, Sarah breaks down her summer reading wins and fails, from nonfiction gems to "trash" novels, while Beth plans her "fiction fall" reading list.

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Today, we're sharing our spicy bonus episode from last week with everyone. We do an episode like this once a week for our premium subscribers on Substack. If you enjoy this conversation, we'd love for you to join us on Substack. We're running an end of summer sale through August 31st with 15% off an annual subscription. Use this link to get your savings while they last!  http://pantsuitpoliticsshow.com/subscribe/summersale 

SHOW NOTES:

Today’s spicy bonus episode is about the tension between our personal choices and our community responsibilities as well as the different roles we have in the world, our public lives, and our private lives (which lines up very nicely with Taylor Swift’s big album announcement).

• More to Say About Showing Up at School (Pantsuit Politics Premium)

• More to Say About Getting Kids to School (Pantsuit Politics Premium)

• Taylor Swift on Reclaiming Her Masters, Wrapping The Eras Tour, and The Life of a Showgirl (NHTV)

• Daily Stoic Newsletter

• Blazing Eye Sees All: Love Has Won, False Prophets, and the Fever Dream of the American New Age by Leah Sottile

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Are President Trump's diplomatic gambles paying off or backfiring? Sarah and Beth analyze Trump's summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, examining whether giving Putin a platform on American soil legitimizes his regime or advances genuine peace negotiations. 

What does the Jeffrey Epstein case reveal about justice in America? Sarah and Beth debate how wealth and power corrupt our justice system. They wrestle with distinguishing between legitimate concerns about institutional failures around the Justice Department's handling of Epstein's case and conspiracy theories.

How do you find genuine stress relief in chaotic times? In Outside of Politics, Sarah and Beth discuss managing stress and finding hobbies.

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Are we ready for the AI revolution transforming our world? Sarah and Beth dive into the lightning-fast rise of artificial intelligence that's reshaping how we work, connect, and live our daily lives. From workplace automation to community impacts, they unpack our collective anxieties about this technological shift and explore practical approaches to AI regulation and engagement.

What does it mean to stay resilient in an AI-driven world? In Outside of Politics, they tackle the modern epidemic of burnout and share insights on building lasting resilience in uncertain times.

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Sarah and Beth return from their summer break to discuss how they decide what to cover in today's chaotic political landscape. They dive into the Texas gerrymandering battle and explore the broader shift toward state-level governance happening across America.

Topics Discussed: 

• How We Choose Our Topics for the Show
• The Shift from Federal to State Power (and What It Means)
• Texas Gerrymandering and the National Response
• Outside of Politics: Hosting Parties

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Pantsuit Politics is celebrating ten years of podcasting this year!

A lot has happened politically, culturally, and personally in the last ten years. This summer, we’re revisiting each of the years we’ve been podcasting with a special flashback episode. In our final flashback, we ponder how much we’re still sorting through the remnants left by the whirlwind that was 2024.

Topics Discussed

• The Whirlwind of 2024

• Violence At Home and Abroad

• Outside of Politics: Beyonce and Pop Girl Summer

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We are thrilled to be sharing a conversation today between Beth and Dr. Casey Burgat, a professor and author of the new book, We Hold These "Truths": How to Spot the Myths that are Holding America Back. Beth and Casey talk about the balance of power between the branches of government, what a reset would look like, where they would start fixing things, and — perhaps most importantly — their shared love of the Three Pines series by Louise Penny.

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Pantsuit Politics is celebrating ten years of podcasting this year!

A lot has happened politically, culturally, and personally in the last ten years. This summer, we’re revisiting each of the years we’ve been podcasting with a special flashback episode. Today, we look back at how emerging technology and the start of the war in Gaza changed the world.

Topics Discussed

• Emerging Technology in 2023
• October 7th and the Start of the War in Gaza
• Outside of Politics: Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce

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