Politicology

This week, Ron Steslow and Olivier Knox (Senior National Political Correspondent at U.S. News & World Report) talk about Trump's federal control over the Metropolitan Police Department and the longstanding crime problem in Washington, D.C. 

Later, they discuss the tensions between local and federal law enforcement nationally, the increasing surveillance and privacy concerns in society, and rediscovering the value of privacy. 

Then, in Politicology+ they discuss whether thinking is becoming a luxury good. They explore the alarming trend of declining literacy and the implications of digital media and AI on human thought and social interaction. Later, they discuss how the shift towards a post-literate society, characterized by short-form content and algorithmic reading, threatens the foundations of democracy and critical thinking.

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https://x.com/OKnox

Related Reading: 

AP - Trump's takeover of Washington law enforcement begins as National Guard troops arrive

NY Post - Minors account for half of DC’s carjacking arrests since 2023 — including pint-sized perps as young as 12: police data

WP - Pentagon plan would create National Guard ‘reaction force’ for civil unrest - The Washington Post

404 Media- ICE Is Buying Mobile Iris Scanning Tech for Its Deportation Arm

WIRED - What Does Palantir Actually Do?

U.S. News - Gomez on Drone Use: 'We're Treating Civilians as … Enemy Combatants' | U.S. News Decision Points

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In this episode, Ron Steslow and Isaac Stone Fish (founder and CEO of Strategy Risks) discuss China's influence and the risks associated with corporate exposure to the Chinese Communist Party

They explore the shifting public perception of China, the implications of leadership conflicts in major companies like Intel, and the strategic decisions surrounding chip sales by Nvidia and AMD. 

Then, they delve into the significant cybersecurity threats posed by China which have targeted U.S. infrastructure. 

They discuss the vulnerabilities of the U.S. in the face of potential military conflicts and the broader implications of modern warfare, including economic and information warfare. 

Later, Isaac dives into how Hollywood's portrayal of China and Chinese people impacts  public perception.

They discuss:

(3:00) Corporate exposure to China

(5:50) Business and the CCP 

(8:55)Shifting public views on China 

(11:59) Intel Chief’s conflicts in China

(15:02) Nvidia and AMD

(18:02) Supply chain risks 

(20:58) China’s global strategy and U.S. response

(31:07) Volt Typhoon and Salt Typhoon

(34:07) The vulnerability of U.S. infrastructure

(38:01) Rethinking modern warfare

(40:35) Hollywood’s role in perception of China 

(46:28) Decoupling from China 

(54:14) The TikTok dilemma 

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.

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

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https://x.com/isaacstonefish

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This week, Ron Steslow and Mike Madrid (Author of The Latino Century) talk about the threats of the escalating, mid-decade redistricting war that Texas and California are kicking off.

Later, they discuss some of the shocking, but not surprising, news on the Epstein scandal.

Then, in Politicology+ they discuss the major jobs number revision from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Trump firing the agency’s head, and what the erosion of trust in economic data means—especially for government institutions.

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

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: 

The Great Transformation - Will Redistricting Become the Trigger for National Breakdown

Chuck Todd - Stop Fearing the Voters: The Lazy Death Spiral of American Representation

Politico - ‘If this fails, he'll have egg on his face’: Gavin Newsom bets political future on redistricting power play

WP - Ghislaine Maxwell’s move to ‘country club’ prison smacks of special treatment, experts say - The Washington Post

ABC News - Ghislaine Maxwell told DOJ Trump never did anything concerning around her: Sources - ABC News

CNN - Top Trump officials will discuss Epstein strategy at Wednesday dinner hosted by Vance | CNN Politics

NYT - Inside Jeffrey Epstein’s Manhattan Townhouse: Birthday Letters, First Edition ‘Lolita’ and More - The New York Times

NPR - House Oversight Committee subpoenas the Justice Department for Epstein files

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Over the last 100 years, we have streamlined the process of food production. A hundred years ago, 99% of people were engaged in the agricultural process in some way. Today, that number is 1%. As a result, our relationship with food has become desperately impersonal. But what are the consequences of all that efficiency?

Embark on a transformative journey into the heart of our food systems with Jeff Tkatch (CEO of the Rodale Institute) and host Ron Steslow. In this captivating conversation, we dig deep into the living soil beneath our feet, our disconnection from nature, and the mechanisms driving our extractive farming systems.

Jeff provides a comprehensive understanding of the difference between soil and dirt, explaining why one gives life while the other is lifeless. He shares his personal journey towards regenerative agriculture and elaborates on the role Rodale Institute plays in shaping the future of farming.

Segments to look forward to:

(2:10) Understanding the difference between soil and dirt: "If soil could talk to us, what would it be saying right now? Feed me. Rest me. Water me. Feed me. Rest me. Water me. I'm a living, breathing organism just like you. And by the way, you depend on me for life."

(03:30) Jeff's journey into regenerative agriculture and the role of the Rodale Institute

(13:30) How we became disconnected from nature and our food

(15:30) Who feeds the world?

(16:20) A deep dive into the extractive farming system and the need for sustainable agricultural practices

(19:50) Unraveling the incentives that have shaped our agricultural system

(23:00) The various faces of agriculture: sustainable, regenerative, and organic regenerative

(27:35) The cost of organic food and the unseen cost of not eating organic

(30:00) “Agriculture is the great healer of our time”

(37:15) Policy changes that could revolutionize farming and an overview of the Pennsylvania State Farm Bill

(40:52) The challenge of organic food fraud

(51:10) How changing our understanding of food production could reduce polarization: “It starts with gratitude...when we begin to see our brother and sister through food, we're creating a metaphorical table. We're actually sitting down at a table every moment of every day here in this country and hopefully around the world."

Learn more about the Rodale Institute: https://www.rodaleinstitute.org/

Get involved and connect with local farmers near you. As Jeff says, "Everybody should get to know a farmer."

Follow Ron on Twitter: 

⁠https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

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This week, Ron Steslow and Katherine Mangu-Ward (Editor in Chief of Reason) examine some major current developments through a libertarian lens, focusing on negative liberties, free expression, and privacy.

They discuss the threats to privacy and free expression from age-verification laws to "misinformation" regulation to the battle over values on the Internet.

Then, in Politicology+ they 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.

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

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/kmanguward

Related Reading: 

Reason - The end of online anonymity? Age checks spread worldwide.

Wired -The Age-Checked Internet Has Arrived | WIRED

Reason - Canada seeks to jail Freedom Convoy organizers for 8 years

FOX Business - CBS insiders warn that Skydance merger brings 'hall monitor' to news division

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This week, Ron Steslow and  Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN) examine how efforts to “protect democracy” can sometimes undermine its foundations.

They unpack the ongoing Epstein investigation and what it reveals about the importance of impartial justice and truth. They dig into the U.K.’s Banter Bill and its chilling effect on free speech—an essential pillar of democratic society. And they discuss the Tornado Cash trial unfolding in Manhattan, and how it could set a precedent that reshapes Americans’ digital privacy rights.

These aren’t just headline stories—they’re stress tests for the core values that make democracy function.

Then, in Politicology+ they discuss Javier Milei proving his detractors wrong and the remarkable turn around in Argentina this year. 

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.

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

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://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://x.com/HagarChemali

Related Reading: 

WSJ- Justice Department Told Trump in May That His Name Is Among Many in the Epstein Files

Axios - Deputy attorney general seeking meeting with Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell

FP - Britain’s War on Speech Comes for the Pub

NYTimes - As Trump Quits UNESCO, China Expands Influence - The New York Times

Axios - The trial of a Tornado Cash developer begins

Coindesk - Legitimate Privacy Tool or Dirty Money ‘Laundromat’? Lawyers Debate Role of Tornado Cash on Day 1 of Roman Storm Trial

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Dr. Catherine Sanderson (@SandersonSpeaks), Poler Family Professor, Chair of Psychology at Amherst College and the author of Why We Act: Turning Bystanders Into Moral Rebels joins host Ron Steslow (@RonSteslow) to analyze why Trump was able to exert control on the Republican party, how to recognize leaders who will stand up for what’s right—and what we can do to become moral rebels .

To contribute to Politicology, visit https://politicology.com/donate/

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We’re doing it! This December, Ron Steslow and Mike Madrid are excited to host our first-ever salon-inspired retreat.

Unscripted: A Politicology Gathering is a 3 night/4 day in-person retreat at a luxury villa in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico from December 5-8, 2025.

You can find more information and apply at politicology.com/unscripted.

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In this two part series, Journalist and author Byron Tau joins host Ron Steslow to discuss his new book Means of Control: How the Hidden Alliance Of Tech And Government Is creating a New American Surveillance State 

Part 2:

(02:17) The extensive government data collection Edward Snowden revealed 

(09:40) How data vendors bypass privacy reviews within government agencies 

(11:50) The role of encryption in safeguarding privacy and the historical context of encryption legalization 

(18:40) Government efforts to weaken encryption and what that means for your privacy 

(22:45) How foreign governments could misuse data

(24:24) The public awareness of this form of surveillance 

(26:38) What could legislative reform look like? 

(29:37) The influence of advertising and data brokers in shaping privacy 

Read Means of Control: How the Hidden Alliance Of Tech And Government Is creating a New American Surveillance State — https://bit.ly/44199hw

Follow Ron and Byron  on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/ByronTau

Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ 

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This week, Ron Steslow and Mike Madrid (author of The Latino Century) discuss the unraveling of our political institutions, the devolution of political parties, what’s happening with them, where they’re heading and what it means.

They dive into the Epstein Files and the MAGA backlash, Mamdani’s primary win in New York City, the turmoil at the DNC, and Elon Musk’s new party, and what all this says about what America’s two-party system is becoming.

Then, in Politicology+ they discuss some predictions made in the 1997 book, “The Sovereign Individual,”many of which have already come to pass, as well as the future role of government in the information age.

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.

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

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://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://x.com/madrid_mike

Related Reading: 

The Great Transformation: Why the Epstein Case Is Not Going Away

The Great Transformation: Musk's America Party Signals the Collapse of Philosophical Politics

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