Pantsuit Politics

Rahm Emanuel came ready to talk — and y'all, we were ready. This conversation covers the education crisis in America (which I don’t think a single person in this audience needs to be convinced about), what Mississippi actually did to turn things around, why Rahm closed schools in Chicago and would do it again, and what a real federal education strategy could look like. We also got into fiscal reality, political will, phones in classrooms, the debt we owe to community colleges, and whether the next president should come in like FDR or like a triage nurse. Plus: Rahm's near-death experience at 17, coffee in bed, and empty nest advice. — Sarah

The Education Crisis: Why We Know What to Do and Won’t Do It (science of reading, phonics, the Mississippi Marathon)

High School Reform, Community Colleges, and the “Learn, Plan, Succeed” Framework

Phones, Screens, and What We’ve Abdicated to the Algorithm

School Closures, Political Will, and Owning Tough Decisions

Outside of Politics: Swimming, Coffee in Bed, and Raising Boys

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Sarah and Beth respond to the shooting at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, examining what it — alongside a pervasive anti-authority mood across American life — reveals about the state of our social contract. Outside of Politics, they reflect on Spotify's 20th anniversary list of its all-time most-streamed artists and songs.

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What does it mean to truly value free speech? Sarah and Beth discuss the controversy around Sharon McMahon speaking at Utah Valley University, the EO designating Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization, and more. Plus, what leisure activities are actually worth it?

Topics Discussed:

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Sarah and Beth unpack the bombshell New York Times investigation linking the shadow docket to Chief Justice John Roberts, assess the erratic messaging around day 53 of the war in Iran, and close with reflections on what a week out West in the national parks can do for your spirit.

Topics Discussed:

The Roberts Court and the Shadow Docket

Section 702 and FISA

Outside of Politics: Big Skies and Big Silence for Spring Break

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Sarah and Beth unpack the bombshell New York Times investigation linking the shadow docket to Chief Justice John Roberts, assess the erratic messaging around day 53 of the war in Iran, and close with reflections on what a week out West in the national parks can do for your spirit.

Topics Discussed:

• The Roberts Court and the Shadow Docket

• Day 53 of the War in Iran: The Commander-in-Chief Question

• Section 702 and FISA

• Outside of Politics: Big Skies and Big Silence for Spring Break

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We spent Tuesday’s episode talking about headline national and global news, and it felt pretty bleak. Today, we’re zooming in on a bright spot, New York City, and asking what we can learn from Mayor Zohran Mamdani as he crosses the first-100-days milestone. Mamdani was hailed as a unique political talent on the campaign trail. We’re interested in how that star power translates to political power and how the Mayor has pivoted from campaign to service. His initial path tells a compelling story about what Democratic Socialism might mean in practice and where the dividing lines actually are in the Democratic Party. Any way around it, Mayor Mamdani’s “pothole politics” are a stark and welcome contrast to what we see in Washington D.C.

Outside of politics, we consider the call for parents to hold hands and agree that we’ll all do less together. From Maycember sprawl to spirit week standards to the charcuterization of everything, we sort out what we’re doing and why. -Beth

Topics Discussed:

• Zohran Mamdani’s 100 Days: Pothole Politics and What Democratic Socialism Looks Like in Practice

• The Affordability + Corruption + Service Formula — A Democratic Blueprint?

• Navigating the Coalition: Mamdani, Trump, Hochul, and the Art of Getting Things Done

• Outside of Politics: Maycember and the Case for Parents to Just… Stop

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Sarah and Beth return from spring break to catch up on a packed news week — from Eric Swalwell's campaign collapse and the stalled Iran negotiations, to Melania's surprise press conference, Hungary's historic election upset, and the triumphant return of the Artemis II crew.

Topics Discussed:

• Less Eric Swalwell (California) and More Rob Sand (Iowa)
• Pakistan Negotiates Iran “Ceasefire” while Congress sits on its hands
• Melania Trump’s Press Conference
• JD Vance’s Losing Streak in Iran and Hungary
• Outside of Politics: Artemis II

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Aaron Barrett shares his inspiring journey through baseball, including his battles with Tommy John surgery, resilience, and his new role as a manager. He offers insights into player development, the demands of professional baseball, and leadership lessons.

Topics Discussed:

• Aaron Barrett on Baseball, Resilience, and Protecting Players

• Outside of Politics: Who’s Calling Balls and Strikes?

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Jason Kander joins Pantsuit Politics to break down Missouri's redistricting fight and what Democrats need to do to win in 2026 and beyond — including why the party needs to stop running on familiar ideas and start offering something genuinely new.

Topics Discussed:

• Will Missouri Voters Veto Partisan Redistricting?

• What Democrats need to win elections in 2026 and beyond

• Outside of Politics: Kansas City Stadiums Explaine

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Before we head out on spring break, we need to let off some steam. Today's episode is a moment of catharsis about just a few of the things President Trump, his administration, and Congress are screwing up right now. 

Topics Discussed:

• The DHS Funding Standoff: Right Back Where We Started
• Donald Trump’s Primetime Speech on Iran
• The Corruption Is the Point: Coins, Pardons, and a $1.4B Year
• Outside of Politics: The Best Long Weekend Setup

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