Politicology

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Poler Family Professor and chair of the psychology department at Amherst College Dr. Catherine Sanderson joins Ron Steslow to talk about how giving can make you happier. 

(02:08) What is happiness and how can we measure it?

(08:31) Does giving make you happy or do happy people give more?

(10:20) Types of giving and the impact on happiness

(14:50) The effect of giving on bad moods

(28:58) Gratitude letters

The Positive Shift by Dr. Catherine Sanderson https://benbellabooks.com/shop/the-positive-shift/

Politicology - March 10: Becoming Moral Rebels with Dr. Catherine Sanderson https://politicology.com/episodes/dr-catherine-sanderson-becoming-moral-rebels/

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This week, Ron Steslow calls Hagar Chemali to talk about some of the most important stories going on around the world: 

First, we discuss President Biden pardoning his son, Hunter, and weighing other preemptive pardons 

Then, we talk about what Trump’s defense, intelligence, and national security nominations could mean

Next, we look at South Korea’s president invoking martial law 

After that, we break down the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire deal 

Finally, for our Politicology+ subscribers, we keep going around the world to talk about Iranian assassination plots (including one against a famous Iranian women’s rights activist), the pros and cons of an undisciplined and unpredictable Donald Trump, why Russian propaganda is using AI TV commentators, how the incoming administration might try to end the war in Ukraine, and more.

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https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://x.com/HagarChemali

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Host Ron Steslow welcomes Alex Gladstein (Chief Strategy Officer at the Human Rights Foundation) to discuss the significant and often misunderstood role of Bitcoin in protecting human rights and fighting against authoritarians around the world.

Segments to look forward to:

(02:07) Alex’s background in human rights work and why he became interested in Bitcoin 

(16:18) Bitcoin vs other cryptocurrencies

(26:04) Financial privilege

(38:35) Bitcoin in action 

(45:50) Bitcoin creating financial independence for women in Afghanistan 

(56:25)How a human rights activist uses Bitcoin to free hostages 

(59:10) Bitcoin as a tool against monetary colonialism in west Africa 

(1:00:10) The importance  of peer-to-peer transactions 

(1:07:50) How Bitcoin mining can bring electricity to remote areas and support sustainable energy projects 

(1:19:40) Why Bitcoin matters for everyone

Follow Ron and Alex on X (formerly Twitter):

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https://twitter.com/gladstein

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

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Lucy Caldwell (Board Advisor to the Renew Democracy Initiative and advisor to the Forward Party), Liam Donovan (Principal at Bracewell LLP), and Ron Steslow respond to your feedback and answer your questions on our latest mailbag episode. 

(02:04) Would compulsory voting be good for the United States?

(14:22) Matt Gaetz withdrawals as A.G. nominee

(26:46) How do you feel about the Trump re-election and fears of retribution?

(39:18) The push against disaffected Republicans within the Democratic coalition 

Have a question for a future Mailbag episode? Send it over to us at [email protected]!

You can also leave us a voice message at ‪(202) 455-4558‬

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You may know him from his dazzling dishes showcased on the hit Netflix TV series, “Chef’s Table,” but three-Star Michelin Chef Dan Barber (Blue Hill at Stone Barns, Blue Hill NYC) has a relationship with ingredients far deeper and more complex than pretty plates of food. In this episode, Chef Dan joins Ron Steslow to discuss the politics and future of food and the consequences of how America feeds itself.

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(02:32) The current state of American agriculture

(06:15) What is the Third Plate?

(11:44) The connection between flavor and nutrition

(14:24) The importance of crop rotation 

(34:14) Lab grown meat 

Politicology is supported by listeners like you. Can you pitch in right now at https://politicology.com/donate?

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Mike Madrid, Liam Donovan, Lucy Caldwell, and Ron Steslow discuss the national security risks that data harvesting presents, the need for stronger protections for privacy, and how privacy is necessary for other rights in the digital age. 

Related reading:

Wired-Anyone Can Buy Data Tracking US Soldiers and Spies to Nuclear Vaults and Brothels in Germany | WIRED

Extreme Privacy by Michael Bazzell - https://inteltechniques.com/book7.html

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This week, we discuss whether Donald Trump and the Republicans have a mandate. 

Next, we discuss whether America has a cohesive “working class.”

Finally, in our separate Politicology+ episode we talk about the national security risks that data harvesting presents—and how we might use it to get better privacy protection for all of us. 

Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

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

Lucy Caldwell (Board Advisor to the Renew Democracy Initiative and advisor to the Forward Party)

Liam Donovan (Principal at Bracewell LLP)

Segments this week:

(02:36) The M Word

(32:16) Working class? 

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

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/lucymcaldwell

https://twitter.com/madrid_mike

https://twitter.com/LPDonovan

Related reading:

Segment 1:

Politico - Trump claims ‘unprecedented and powerful mandate’ - POLITICO

NYT- Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Wants Fellow Democrats to Look in the Mirror - The New York Times

NYT - Why Are Latinos Fleeing Democrats? Arizona’s New Senator Offers Answers. - The New York Times

WP - GOP senators say RFK Jr. must ‘explain’ vaccine criticism, other views - The Washington Post

Segment 2:

Noah Smith -America doesn't really have a working class - by Noah Smith

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Over two decades ago, Ruy Teixeira predicted that America was on its way to a bright blue future, thanks to an inevitable demographic shift that would deliver the Party a dominant, durable political coalition.

“Demography is destiny” became the mantra of the Democratic Party—proven out by Obama’s decisive 2008 electoral college win.

But then, in 2016, Trump upended that coalition, and, consequently, anti-Trumpism naturally became a defining feature of the Democratic Party.

But—beyond its opposition to Trump—what does the Democratic Party stand for today?

With the Republican Party infected with extremism and so embarrassingly unable to govern, why aren’t Democrats winning sustainable majorities?

And why is the Democratic party still losing ground with some of the core parts of its base?

In the second part of this two-part conversation, former Center for American Progress senior fellow Ruy Teixeira joins Ron Steslow to discuss his new book Where Have All the Democrats Gone? The Soul of the Party in the Age of Extremes.

In part 2:

(01:06 ) The shift towards identity politics and how it’s changing the party’s approach to race and civil rights

(08:40) Radical approaches to transgender rights

(16:50) The change in environmental policy from responsible stewardship to the more extreme positions of the Green New Deal

(41:14) The rise in independent voters, what it really means, and how it should impact political strategy

(45:45) Whether it’s even possible for structural reforms in our political system to improve the health of our democracy

Read Where Have All the Democrats Gone?: https://bit.ly/3P8hpGm

Check out The Liberal Patriot: https://www.liberalpatriot.com/

Follow Ron on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

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

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Over two decades ago, Ruy Teixeira predicted that America was on its way to a bright blue future, thanks to an inevitable demographic shift that would deliver the Party a dominant, durable political coalition.

“Demography is destiny” became the mantra of the Democratic Party—proven out by Obama’s decisive 2008 electoral college win.

But then, in 2016, Trump upended that coalition, and, consequently, anti-Trumpism naturally became a defining feature of the Democratic Party.

But—beyond its opposition to Trump—what does the Democratic Party stand for today?

With the Republican Party infected with extremism and so embarrassingly unable to govern, why aren’t Democrats winning sustainable majorities?

And why is the Democratic party still losing ground with some of the core parts of its base?

In this two-part conversation, former Center for American Progress senior fellow Ruy Teixeira joins Ron Steslow to discuss his new book Where Have All the Democrats Gone? The Soul of the Party in the Age of Extremes.

In part 1:

(01:50 ) Ruy’s background

(05:00) How the Democrats became the party of the elites 

(10:10)The impact of the 2016 election 

(23:23) The importance of working class voters in the Democratic party’s victories 

(30:20) The party’s increasingly liberal stance on immigration 

Read Where Have All the Democrats Gone?: https://bit.ly/3P8hpGm

Check out The Liberal Patriot: https://www.liberalpatriot.com/

Follow Ron on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

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

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To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus

*NOTE: Upcoming Mailbag Episode! Send us your questions to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬*

This week, we discuss Senate Republicans picking a new leader, Trump’s push for recess appointments, named cabinet nominees, and White House staffing.

Next, we discuss reporting that FEMA workers were told to skip houses with Trump signs, and the allegations it was a widespread practice.

Finally, in our separate Politicology+ episode we talk about a House hearing about UFOs and the former military leaders sounding alarms that we are unprepared this technology.

Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

Susan Del Percio  (MSNBC political analyst and crisis communications expert) 

Stef Kight (Politics Reporter at Axios) 

Segments this week:

(02:56) The Senate and recess appointments for Cabinet positions 

(28:34) FEMA skips Trump supporters 

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.

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

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://x.com/DelPercioS

https://x.com/StefWKight

Related reading:

Segment 1:

Axios - John Thune wins Senate Republican leader race

Politico-Tracking Trump’s Cabinet picks

Axios - Republicans "stunned and disgusted" as Trump taps Matt Gaetz for AG

WP - Trump demanded senators allow recess appointments. Here’s what that means.

NY Post - Progressive Rep. Pramila Jayapal reneges on support for axing filibuster after Republicans flip the Senate

Segment 2:

Daily Wire - EXCLUSIVE: FEMA Official Ordered Relief Workers To Skip Houses With Trump Signs

Fox News - Fired FEMA employee says instructions to skip Trump homes were part of ‘colossal avoidance’ policy

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