Topics Discussed

• Rep. Thomas Massie and the Budget Deal

• The Escalating Trade War

• Ceasefire Negotiations Between Ukraine and Russia

• The Detention of Mahmoud Khalil

• Outside of Politics: Rituals of Joy

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In our ongoing whiteboard series, we are having conversations about where we are getting it wrong in American politics - specifically Democratic politics - and dreaming of a better way for the future.

Tyler Austin Harper is a perfect guest for a conversation like that. On today’s show, Sarah and Beth sit down with the writer to examine the strategic errors Democrats are making both in the political arena and higher education spaces. Together, they challenge some of what has become conventional wisdom and alienated formerly key Democratic voting blocs, explore some pragmatic alternatives, and ask what it will take to recalibrate a Democratic approach and build broader coalitions.

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On today’s show, we welcome Peter Goodman, The New York Times global economist correspondent, for a discussion on President Trump’s imposition of large tariffs, the escalating trade war they are triggering, and the rippling effects across supply chains for so much of what we buy.

Topics Discussed

• Tariffs, Trade War, and the Global Supply Chain with Peter Goodman

• Outside of Politics: Wedding Registries

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Is Trump putting America first? Is he playing four-dimensional chess for the greater good? Is he incompetent? Sarah and Beth unpack and discuss the geopolitical ramifications of his Oval Office meeting with President Zelenskyy, tariffs, and what it will mean when the impacts come knocking on our doors.

Topics Discussed

• President Trump Meets with President Zelenskyy in the Oval Office

• President Trump’s Tariffs Go into Effect

• Outside of Politics: Lent

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Sarah and Beth discuss controversial figure Javier Milei, Argentina’s president whose unorthodox style and politics have captured the attention of Elon Musk and America’s MAGA movement. They examine how he came to power in Argentina, what he’s done there, and how his ideology has influenced conservative thinking in the United States.

Outside of politics, we want to hear about your whimsical habits!

Topics Discussed

• Argentina Under the Leadership of Javier Milei
• Milei’s Influence and Ideology in the United States
• Finding Solutions After the Damage
• Outside of Politics: Whimsical Habits

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In today's episode, Sarah and Beth discuss Senator Mitch McConnell's announcement that he will not seek an eighth term in the United States Senate. They also discuss the potential impact of DOGE on the national debt, and, outside of politics, they talk about school snow days and how we learn at home.

Topics Discussed

• Senator Mitch McConnell’s Legacy
• DOGE
• The US Deficit
• Outside of Politics: Snow Days and Non-Traditional Instruction 

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Destruction can be part of the building process; it certainly is a key part of Elon Musk’s approach to business and his new - legally ambiguous - role with DOGE. There is, however, a fine line between disruption and destruction. The tech mantra of “move fast and break things” can be dangerous, particularly when applied to the government. On today’s show, Sarah and Beth explore this idea and how the new Trump administration is letting Musk run full steam ahead.

Plus, they discuss the Trump administration’s approach to foreign policy, most notably marked this week by Ukraine’s exclusion from the negotiating table with Russia. Outside of politics, Beth shares her new hack for managing her online shopping.

Topics Discussed

• Ukraine Excluded from Negotiations

• Is Elon Musk Building or Destroying Through DOGE?

• Outside of Politics: Online Shopping Strategies

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On today’s show, Sarah and Beth talk about President Trump's mass firings of probational federal employees and what that means for our communities and government, a mass shooting that was averted and why we're hearing about it, and outside of politics, SNL's 50th-anniversary celebration.

Topics Discussed

• DOGE Fires Federal Employees

• Sandy Hook Promise Prevents Mass Shooting

• Outside of Politics: SNL 50 and the next great thing in TV

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It’s not lost on us that we are taking a more unique approach to the second Trump administration than many other creators. On today’s show, Sarah and Beth explain some of the thinking behind their approach - including why we want to make space for conversations like the next one on today’s show. We share a fabulous conversation with Jane Perlez about China - its economy, its use of surveillance techniques, and its potential future. Plus, it’s Valentine’s Day, so outside of politics, we’re talking romance!

Topics Discussed

• Why We’re Talking About China

• Jane Perlez on China’s Economy, Surveillance, and Future

• Outside of Politics: Valentine’s Day and Romance

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Sarah and Beth discuss the recent actions of Trump's DOGE, the courts, the tweets, and how we as citizens might think about the current state of the Federal Government.

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