Politicology

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This week, we discuss DOGE’s complicated story, why we do need to cut spending, and whether they’re being realistic about what that will take

Then, we talk about the Trump plan to dismantle the federal Department of Education 

After that, we talk about the European speech laws that are in the spotlight after a 60 Minutes segment and a speech from Vice President Vance

Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we’ll talk about Democrats job approval tanking—with Democrats—and what they should be doing as an opposition party and  to position themselves for the future

Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

Billy Binion (Reporter at Reason)

Zack Czajkowski (Fmr. Lincoln Project Political Director)

James Lynch (Communications Strategist)  

Segments this week:

(03:03) DOGE 

(22:53) Department of Education 

(40:48) Free Speech in Europe 

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Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬

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

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://x.com/JamesGLynch

https://x.com/ZackCz

https://x.com/billybinion

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

Reason - DOGE's complicated story

AP - A comprehensive look at DOGE's firings and layoffs so far | AP News

Axios - Musk says he'd look into DOGE stimulus checks

Segment 2: 

Reason - Kill the federal Department of Education

AP - Trump's pick for education chief sketches a roadmap for dismantling the department

Segment 3: 

FIRE - 60 Minutes and Vice President Vance put Europe’s worrying speech restrictions into the spotlight

CBS - Posting hateful speech online could lead to police raiding your home in this European country - CBS News

AP - JD Vance rails against 'excessive' AI regulation in a rebuke to Europe at the Paris AI summit | AP News

Lookaheads 

Reason - Hawaii Can Auction Off Your Car Without Ever Convicting You

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This episode is a little bit different. And personal. Kristyn Komarnicki, director of dialogue and convening at Christians for Social Action, and Darren Calhoun, a justice advocate, worship leader, and Associate Fellow at CSA, join Ron Steslow to discuss intentional dialogue, and how we can use their techniques in the relationships that matter to us.

(07:06) What is dialogue? How is it different from everyday conversations?

(8:19) What does a curated dialogue look like?

(20:23) How do you prepare for something like this?

(27:34) Why lean into conflict, even when you don’t like conflict?

(32:28) Political fights vs dialogue—what is our role in specific conversations?

(40:44) How important is “grace” in having dialogue that allows for growth?

Would you like to support Kristyn’s and Darren’s work? The “Oriented to Love” dialogue program is funded by tax-deductible donations like yours. To ensure your contribution goes directly to their work, use this dedicated link: https://christiansforsocialaction.salsalabs.org/mainotldonationpage/index.html

For more information about the “Oriented To Love” program, visit https://christiansforsocialaction.org/programs/oriented-to-love/

Listen to our conversation with Celeste Headlee: https://link.chtbl.com/zm8RwNPm

Follow Darren and Ron on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/heyDarren

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

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Host Ron Steslow welcomes Mike Brock, CEO of TBD, a subsidiary of Block Inc. (formerly Square), the financial technology firm led by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey.

The Internet is dominated by massive, corporate walled gardens like Google, Facebook, and Twitter (now X), where centralized control makes their users (us!) vulnerable to censorship and manipulation.

In this episode, we explore how the movement to decentralize technology empowers individuals, protects against corporate and government abuse, and addresses real problems in finance and social media.

We’ll also discuss how decentralized technology can enhance financial access and freedom, bypassing intermediaries and censorship, and shifting power from financial corporations to individuals.

Finally, we turn to the political landscape, focusing on the Democratic party’s approach to decentralized technology and early signs it may be changing.

Segments to look forward to:

(04:45) Mike’s background 

(10:50) Empowering individuals through decentralized finance and identity 

(15:45) Building infrastructure for a decentralized future 

(19:10) The potential of decentralized identity 

(29:49) The importance of Bitcoin’s decentralization 

(31:31) Financial Access and Freedom 

(34:27) Preserving agency 

(44:44) Changing the balance of power 

(50:54) The varied stance of the Democratic party

Follow Ron and Mike on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://x.com/brockm

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

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For the ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus

In this episode, Ron talks to Molly McKew (writer and lecturer on Russian influence and information warfare) about Russia’s ongoing attack on Ukraine, the status of the war, and what comes next for Ukraine.

They discuss:

(01:56) Understanding the current state of the war

(05:26) The Evolution of the conflict

(12:06) U.S. support and military aid to Ukraine 

(26:14) Comparing U.S. support to other allies 

(33:08) The occupation in Ukraine and the Humanitarian Crisis 

(35:16) What the countries will want and be willing to accept in a negotiation 

(50:53) America’s interests in Ukraine’s survival 

(53:27) The role of soft power in global influence 

(63:03) The key developments to watch 

Read The Atlantic article:’ The Crumbling Foundation of America’s Military’: https://bit.ly/40O0ihK

How Much U.S. Aid is Going to Ukraine: https://bit.ly/4hxEE8V

Follow Ron and Nick on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://x.com/MollyMcKew

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

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This week, we discuss the whirlwind around tariffs, the politics and the optics, and why the tariffs on China are moving forward 

Then, we talk about a Chinese AI startup that’s making shockwaves and how it’s impacting the U.S.-China Tech war

After that, we talk about immigration and how the Laken Riley Act vote is a sign of the growing gap in Latino politics

Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we discuss the Department of Government Efficiency and the fight over USAID

Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN)

Mike Madrid (Lincoln Project cofounder, author of The Latino Century)

Segments this week:

(03:52) Tariffs 

(25:58) The AI war 

(45:25) Immigration

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.

Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬

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

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://x.com/HagarChemali

https://x.com/madrid_mike

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

AP - Fast fashion, laptops and toys are likely to cost more due to US tariffs on Chinese imports

WP - Did Trump cave on his Canada and Mexico tariffs? - The Washington Post

The Dispatch - The Markets Can’t Be Bullied

The Dispatch - Lessons From the Great Almost Trade War of 2025

Segment 2: 

CNN - A shocking Chinese AI advancement called DeepSeek is sending US stocks plunging | CNN Business

Global Finance Magazine - Stakes Rising In The US-China AI Race | Global Finance Magazine

WP - Google drops pledge not to use AI for weapons or surveillance

Segment 3: 

The Great Transformation - Immigration and the Growing Divide in Latino Politics

CBS News - ICE releases some migrant detainees as its detention facilities reach 109% capacity - CBS News

538 - Do Americans support Trump's mass deportations? - ABC News

NYT - Trump Says He Would Jail Americans in El Salvador ‘in a Heartbeat’ - The New York Times

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Michele Gelfand (Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a Professor of Psychology by Courtesy at Stanford University) joins host Ron Steslow to discuss culture, social norms, and her book Rule Makers, Rule Breakers: How Tight and Loose Cultures Wire Our World 

(01:46) Why she decided to study culture 

(04:34) What are tight and loose cultures

(06:12) Why tight and loose cultures evolve

(10:38) The tradeoffs between tight and loose and how different cultures responded to the Covid pandemic

(16:19) Tightness-looseness and willingness to change

(19:57) Red and Blue vs Tight and Loose 

(30:36) Tightening around core values, even in loose cultures

(34:56) Real and manufactured threats 

(44:15) How we we can put this framework into action 

You should read Rule Makers, Rule Breakers: https://amzn.to/3Qy8DQc

Follow Michele and Ron on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/MicheleJGelfand

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

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This week, we discuss the chaos that ignited after the White House pushed for a freeze in federal funding and the Trump Administration backing down

Then, we talk about Trump-supporting, young men and their desire to be recognized for greatness 

Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we discuss the government-run snitch lines in seven states and localities 

Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

Zack Czajkowski (Fmr. Lincoln Project Political Director)

James Lynch (Communications Strategist)  

Segments this week:

(03:19) Funding Freeze Chaos 

(39:15) The Last Boys 

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.

Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬

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

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://x.com/JamesGLynch

https://x.com/ZackCz

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

The Dispatch - Impoundment and the Discretionary Presidency - The Dispatch

CNBC - White House says Trump funding freeze remains in effect despite rescinding OMB memo

Washington Post - Federal judge blocks Trump federal spending freeze after a day of chaos - The Washington Post

Segment 2: 

The Point Magazine - Last Boys at the Beginning of History | The Point Magazine

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For the full and ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus

In this episode, Ron talks to  Casey Michel (Director of the Combating Kleptocracy Program at the Human Rights Foundation) about his book Foreign Agents: How American Lobbyists and Lawmakers Threaten Democracy Around the World and how foreign money  influences our politics.

They discuss:

(01:46) The shadow world of foreign lobbying 

(03:45) Ivy Lee and Paul Manafort 

(07:36) The First Amendment and foreign influence 

(10:23) Understanding FARA 

(13:28) How Paul Manafort shaped modern lobbying 

(15:49) Legal loopholes and foreign influence in politics 

(18:11) The case of Viktor Pinchuk

(22:13) The Trump Administration’s impact on foreign lobbying 

(27:19) How Universities and Think tanks are the new frontier of influence 

(33:05) Colorful characters in foreign lobbying 

(41:39) The Biden Family and foreign influence accusations 

(45:27) Contrasting foreign influence on Trump and Clinton 

(49:00) Proposed reforms 

Read Foreign Agents: How American Lobbyists and Lawmakers Threaten Democracy Around the World: https://bit.ly/4giHjBK

Check out the HRF’s Combatting Kleptocracy Program: https://bit.ly/4hAAQTJ

Follow Ron and Casey  on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://x.com/cjcmichel

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

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This week, we discuss Donald Trump’s broad pardons for January 6th and Joe Biden’s preemptive pardons for Trump critics and his own family members.

Then, we talk about Trump’s Executive Orders and whether there’s a growing appetite for something resembling a more monarchical presidency

Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we discuss Donald and Melania Trump launching memecoins (don’t worry, we’ll explain) and the serious ethical questions they raise

Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

Liam Donovan (Principal at Bracewell LLP)

Marc Caputo (Senior Politics Reporter at Axios)

Segments this week:

(02:54) Pardons 

(24:48) Executive Orders

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.

Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬

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

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://x.com/LPDonovan

https://x.com/MarcACaputo

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

Axios - "F--k it: Release 'em all": Why Trump embraced broad Jan. 6 pardons

Politico - There’s reason to be worried about the plethora of pardons from Trump and Biden - POLITICO

Politico - Biden said his pardon of family was meant to shield them from Trump. That’s not the full story. - POLITICO

Segment 2: 

Reason - With executive order avalanche, Trump continues trend toward a monarchical presidency

NYT - ‘The Interview’: Curtis Yarvin Says Democracy is Done - The New York Times

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Liam Donovan, Marc Caputo, Brady Dale (Crypto Reporter at Axios),  and host Ron Steslow discuss  Donald and Melania Trump launching memecoins and the serious ethical questions they raise

Related reading: 

Axios - Trump meme coin unsettles some blockchain leaders

NYT - Trump Begins Selling New Crypto Token, Raising Ethical Concerns

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