Politicology

This week, Ron Steslow and Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN) break down the headlines and hidden stories from the United Nations General Assembly and the Trump administration’s surprise Gaza peace proposal.

In Politicology+ they discuss the future of Hagar’s show My World, and what it’s like to navigate media and geopolitics in today’s fractured landscape.

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https:/x.com/RonSteslow

https://x.com/HagarChemali

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In this episode Ron talks to Leopoldo Lopez (Venezuelan opposition leader and co-founder and general secretary of the World Liberty Congress) about his journey fighting for freedom against the Maduro regime. They discuss the collapse of democracy in Venezuela, the importance of grassroots movements, and the role of Bitcoin as a revolutionary tool for freedom. 

They also touch on the human toll of autocracy, the power of music and identity, and the need for open-source technologies and philanthropy to support democracy and the fight against autocracy. 

They discuss:

(2:50) Bitcoin as a tool for freedom 

(5:56) Leopolodo’s journey 

(8:49) The collapse of democracy in Venezuela 

(14:44) The fight against Maduro's regime 

(20:57) The human toll of autocracy 

(23:52) The power of music and identity 

(27:07) Bitcoin and the future of freedom 

(30:00) Decentralized resistance and global movements 

(32:33) The role of philanthropy in democracy 

(35:12) The future of money and values 

(41:24) The importance of open source technologies 

(44:11) The potential of Bitcoin in Venezuela 

(47:02) Creating a new economic paradigm 

(50:00) The crisis of trust in institutions 

(53:07) The role of citizens in democracy 

(56:03) The future of autocracies and democracies 

(58:49) The path forward for freedom 

This episode features a sample of the song “Free Venezuela” by Alejandro Preschel with permission from the artist: https://open.spotify.com/track/3n8Ik5DLU1ql6BixMGmq9q?si=636cb6290ea44e6a

Lean more about the World Liberty Congress here: https://worldlibertycongress.org/ 

Find our sponsor links and promo codes here: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8

Get 15% off OneSkin with the code RON at  https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod

Send your questions and ideas to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬

Follow Ron and Leopoldo  on X:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://x.com/leopoldolopez

Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪‪(703) 239-3068‬

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This week, Ron Steslow and Greg Brower (Fmr. Assistant Director of the FBI and U.S. Attorney in Nevada) unpack what’s real—and what isn’t—in the Epstein investigations. 

They walk through the unusual non-prosecution agreement for Epstein in Florida, how victims’ rights weren’t honored, and why additional prosecutions may not have materialized. 

Then, they dig into the politics: the House Oversight investigation, whether it’s for show, and the discharge petition that could force a vote. 

In Politicology+ they discuss how the Epstein scandal intersects with the Speech and Debate clause of the Constitution and whether lawmakers could read the Epstein “list” in congress. 

Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.

Contribute to Politicology at politicology.com/donate

Find our sponsor links and promo codes here: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8

Get 15% off OneSkin with the code RON at  https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod

Send your questions and ideas to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬

Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):

https:/x.com/RonSteslow

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We live in a loud world that’s getting louder.

We encounter noise all around us—from the chatter of polite conversations, to street noise in a big city, to the constant intrusion of the dings of notifications.

But what is all of this noise doing to us, and what does it mean to find quiet in the midst of it?

 In fact, what is silence, anyway?

How can it affect our minds, our bodies, and our relationships?

Harvard and Oxford trained policymaker Justin Zorn and NASA consultant Leigh Marz join host Ron Steslow to discuss their new book, Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise

(02:33) Leigh and Justin’s backgrounds 

(07:04) Why they began practicing silence in their own lives

(12:50) Why silence feels scary

(18:30) What is noise? 

(22:12) Internal silence is what people think it is

(30:19) The connection between noise and rigid thinking

(37:27) The historical significance of silence

You should read Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise : http://bit.ly/3UIGJU2

FollowJustin, Leigh, and Ron on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/JustinZorn

https://twitter.com/LeighMarz

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

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In this episode Ron talks to Molly McKew (writer and lecturer on Russian influence and information warfare) about Ukraine’s resilience and global fatigue 3.5 years into Russia’s invasion. 

They discuss:

(07:56) The Ukrainian refugee murdered in Charlotte(09:52) Ukrainian morale and shifting public opinion 

(20:37) Russia’s strategy 

(27:11) Trump and Putin’s meeting 

(32:41) The Allies meeting 

(42:14) Europe’s internal politics and security challenges 

(46:50) European security dynamics 

(51:09) China’s military parades and global alliances 

(53:39) India’s positioning 

(1:09:22) Ukraine moving forward 

Read Molly’s work: https://www.greatpower.us/

Read Molly’s piece ‘Half-Baked Alaska: https://bit.ly/4n1nnHX

Find our sponsor links and promo codes here: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8

Get 15% off OneSkin with the code RON at  https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod

Send your questions and ideas to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬

Follow Ron and Molly  on X:

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https://x.com/MollyMcKew

Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪‪(703) 239-3068‬

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Richard Reeves (author of Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It)  joins Ron Steslow to discuss his book and the struggles facing boys and men. 

(02:04) The toxicity of “toxic masculinity”

(08:00) The “right” at war and the “left” in denial

(13:00) How negative partisanship only increases the problem

(15:00) The differences in funding and institutional support for men and women 

(23:00) Redshirt the boys 

(28:00) The criticism Richard has faced for his writing on boys and men

You can order the book here: https://www.brookings.edu/book/of-boys-and-men/

Follow Ron and Richard  on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/RichardvReeves

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This week, Ron Steslow and Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN) discuss information warfare and the biased reporting about Israel ahead of their ground offensive in Gaza City.

Then, the backlash against parties in power in Europe and why Americans need to care about it.

In Politicology+ they discuss China’s military parade, the meetings between the leaders of China, Russia, and India and why it matters so much right now.

Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.

Contribute to Politicology at politicology.com/donate

Find our sponsor links and promo codes here: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8

Get 15% off OneSkin with the code RON at  https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod

Send your questions and ideas to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬

Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):

https:/x.com/RonSteslow

https://x.com/HagarChemali

Related Reading: 

TOI - Tens of thousands of reservists drafted ahead of Gaza City takeover, but turnout down | The Times of Israel

TOI - At stormy cabinet meet, IDF chief said to warn Gaza op will lead to full-fledged occupation | The Times of Israel

FP - WATCH: Gazan Journalists Say Al Jazeera Works Hand in Glove with Hamas

FP - They Became Symbols for Gazan Starvation. But All 12 Suffer from Other Health Problems.

The Dispatch - White Hats and Black Hats in the Middle East

WSJ - Populist Right-Wing Parties Lead Polls in Europe’s Biggest Economies

The Spectator - Migrant protests and the twilight of luxury beliefs

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Richard Reeves (author of Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It)  joins Ron Steslow to discuss his book and the struggles facing boys and men. (02:13) Richard’s work and how it led to studying boys and men (04:00) The risks if the problems are not addressed (07:30) The gendered education gap(0z8:20) How economic shifts have impacted men(11:20) Intersectionality in the research on gender (30:30) Recognizing these problems as structural and not individual(34:40)  Weighing the biological differences between women and men 
You can order the book here: https://www.brookings.edu/book/of-boys-and-men/Follow Ron and Richard  on Twitter:https://twitter.com/RonSteslowhttps://twitter.com/RichardvReeves

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This week, Ron Steslow and Mike Madrid (Author of The Latino Century) unpack President Trump’s move to remove a sitting Federal Reserve governor,  the overt politicization of the Fed, and how it raises questions about whether it even makes sense for an institution this powerful to exist as it does.

Then, the administration’s deal for a 10% stake in Intel and what it signals about a turn toward state capitalism.

In Politicology+ they discuss Trump’s flag-burning executive order and the use of popular moves to erode civil liberties.

Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.

Contribute to Politicology at politicology.com/donate

Find our sponsor links and promo codes here: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8

Get 15% off OneSkin with the code RON at  https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod

Send your questions and ideas to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬

Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):

https:/x.com/RonSteslow

https://x.com/madrid_mike

Related Reading: 

CNN -How an obscure housing director launched Trump’s firing of Fed governor Lisa Cook | CNN Politics

NBC News - Trump tampering with Fed independence is risky for the economy, experts say

WP - Opinion | The Trump-engineered government stake in Intel is a dangerous move - The Washington Post

Reason - Trump Says He 'Paid Zero' for the Government's $11 Billion Stake in Intel. Here's the Downside.

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Ron Steslow and Katherine Mangu-Ward discuss surveillance pricing, the role of government in data collection, the third-party doctrine that allows the government to buy personal data, and the marriage of corporate and state centralized power.

Get 15% off OneSkin with the code RON at  ⁠https://www.oneskin.co/⁠ #oneskinpod

Related Reading: 

Vox - Delta is using AI to give you a personalized airfare. It could be the future of pricing.

NBC News - This congressman wants to ban companies from using your search history to set personalized prices

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