Politicology

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):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/gladstein

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

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** Get your ticket to our LIVE pop-up recording with Ron Steslow and Mike Madrid in Sacramento, CA on Wednesday, May 29th: politicology.com/events **

This week, we discuss the crypto bills getting democratic support in Congress despite Biden’s opposition, why housing is a key issue driving Latinos away from Democrats, and the rise of political violence throughout this election cycle.

Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

Olivier Knox (veteran politics and foreign policy reporter, most recently at The Washington Post )

Mike Madrid (Lincoln Project cofounder)

Segments this week:

(02:33)  Crypto goes to Washington

(27:33) Housing is a Latino issue 

(44:02) Political violence 

[Politicology+] Pseudo-legislating on the border, why the left-right political spectrum isn’t useful, and why you’re still using these outdated terms

Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss the extra episodes on our 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/OKnox

https://x.com/madrid_mike

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

Axios - Senate votes to kill SEC crypto accounting rule

Axios - 1 big thing: Gensler's testimony

Politico - Crypto is Trump's new weapon against Biden - POLITICO

Segment 2: 

UnidosUS - Housing Costs Driving Latino Voter Concerns About Inflation Ahead of the 2024 Election | UnidosUS

RedFin - 2023 Has Been The Least Affordable Year for Homebuying on Record—But 2024 Is Looking Up

Segment 3: 

NYT - ‘We’ll See You at Your House’: How Fear and Menace Are Transforming Politics - The New York Times

Insurance Journal - Global Election Super-Cycle Raises Risk of Political Violence, Large Insurance Losses

WP - Trump email falsely says Biden was ‘locked & loaded’ to ‘take me out’ in Mar-a-Lago search - The Washington Post

Axios - Trump spreads false "assassination" claims as voters fear violence

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** Get your ticket to our special LIVE pop-up recording with Ron Steslow and Mike Madrid in Sacramento, CA on May 29th: politicology.com/events **

In the wake of the emotional and highly charged conversations surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict, information pollution has only added to the confusion. 

This week, we bring in an urban warfare expert to offer a sober and clear-eyed discussion on the Israel-Hamas war, the objectives and challenges involved, and the true meaning behind some of the most contentious terms being used.

Segments to look forward to:

(02:06) John’s background in urban warfare

(06:20) The violence of October 7th

(20:37) How Hamas’s human shield strategy exploits our different expectations for them and Israel 

(30:36) The context of bomb usage in the Israel-Hamas war

(34:06) Misconceptions about urban warfare

(41:30) Precision guided munitions 

(42:20) Examining the war crimes accusations 

(52:20) The manipulation of casualty numbers

(1:04:10) Understanding what genocide means 

(1:18:40) The IDF’s standards of conduct in war 

(1:29:15) The importance of following a moral and ethical code during war

(1:34:18) Israel’s efforts to protect civilians 

(1:38:40) What success looks like for Israel 

Follow Ron and John on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://x.com/SpencerGuard

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

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** Get your ticket to our special LIVE recording with Ron Steslow and Mike Madrid in Sacramento, CA on May 29th: politicology.com/events **

This week, we discuss Russia’s latest offensive in Ukraine, stubborn inflation, Biden and Trump’s plans to debate, and the parade of Republicans going to Trump’s trial in New York City

Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

Zack Czajkowski (Fmr. Lincoln Project Political Director)

Molly McKew (writer and lecturer on Russian influence and information warfare)

Segments this week:

(04:15)  Russia’s offensive 

(32:50) Stubborn inflation 

(50:00) Should Biden have pardoned Trump? 

[Politicology+] Laser weapons, rapidly advancing A.I., and growing privacy concerns

Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss the extra episodes on our 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://twitter.com/MollyMcKew

https://twitter.com/ZackCz

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

NYT -Mapping Russia’s Sudden Push Across Ukrainian Lines - The New York Times

NYT - Facing Russian Advance, a Top Ukrainian General Paints a Bleak Picture

CNN - Sergei Shoigu: Putin replaces Russia’s defense minister with a civilian as Ukraine war rages and defense spending spirals | CNN

WP - In surprise Ukraine visit, Blinken declares vision for Kyiv’s victory - The Washington Post

Segment 2: 

CNBC - CPI report shows inflation easing in April, with consumer prices still rising 3.4% from a year ago

NYT - Fed Chair’s Confidence in Slowing Inflation Is ‘Not as High’ as Before - The New York Times

CNN - What Biden’s tariffs on Chinese imports may mean for American jobs, the economy and inflation | CNN Business

Segment 3: 

CNN - Biden and Trump accept CNN’s invitation to debate on June 27 | CNN Politics

WP - Republicans flock to court to ‘kiss the ring’ during Trump criminal trial - The Washington Post

MSNBC - Romney interview with Stephanie Ruhle

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Mike Madrid (Lincoln Project cofounder), Lucy Caldwell (Board Advisor to the Renew Democracy Initiative and advisor to the Forward Party) and Ron Steslow respond to your feedback and answer your questions on our latest mailbag episode. 

(06:50)  How you can maximize the impact of political donations 

(15:10)  The precinct strategy and how bad actors could sow doubt about the election 

(27:00) It’s not a good political strategy to shoot your dog

(33:40) How 2020 election denial has pervaded the Republican party 

(34:20)The Trump Veepstakes 

(43:20) What could happen if Trump loses in November? 

(52:38) Mike’s takeaways from the New York Times/ Siena College poll

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

Follow Ron, Mike, and Lucy on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/madrid_mike

https://twitter.com/lucymcaldwell

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** Want to come to a live taping? Let us know here: https://tpolls.typeform.com/to/Gxjndbgf

This week, we look at how the affordability crisis is hurting Biden’s chances with Latino voters, how more people are getting good jobs without a college degree, and another congressional Democrat indicted for taking bribes from a foreign country.

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) 

Segments this week:

(03:41)  The affordability crisis driving away the voters Biden needs

(23:33) Getting good jobs “degree free”

(42:24) TX Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar’s indicted for bribery

[Politicology+] The anti-Israel protestors are backed by major Biden Donors

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

Pre-order Mike’s book: https://bit.ly/4a7ZCqg

Check out Oh My World!: https://www.ohmyworld.tv/

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://twitter.com/madrid_mike

https://twitter.com/HagarChemali

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

NY Mag - Biden Is Losing the Election in the Center, Not the Left

Trump Super Pac Ad

Axios  - Behind the Curtain: 6% of six states

Axios - Trump's inflation bomb: How his second-term plans could make it worse

Fox Business - White House economic adviser struggles with question on monetary policy | Fox Business

The Informationist - Money Printing Simplified 

Segment 2: 

CNBC - 29-year-old ex-bartender now earns $100000 working in AI without a college degree—here's how

YouTube: Hannah Maruyama’s conversation with Anthony Pompliano 

CNN - Some colleges cost $95,000 per year, and they’re only getting more expensive. Here’s why

CBS News - More U.S. companies no longer requiring job seekers to have a college degree - CBS News

Segment 3: 

AP - Democratic US Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas and his wife are indicted over ties to Azerbaijan

NYT - Henry Cuellar Indicted Over Bribery Scheme

Axios - Why Capitol Hill is so quiet on Rep. Henry Cuellar's indictment

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Nick Troiano  (Executive Director of Unite America) joins host Ron Steslow to discuss how our process for primary elections fuels the partisan doom loop and leaves more and more Americans disappointed about their choices, and Nick’s new book The Primary Solution: Rescuing our Democracy from the Fringes 

Segments to look forward to:

(01:52) The Need for Primary Election Reform

(02:56) The Impact of Primary Reform on Elected Officials and Political Parties

(15:42) How Closed Primaries Disenfranchise Voters 

(16:40) Structural Reforms and Cultural Change: Creating a Healthier Democracy

(21:14)Exploring Primary Reform Options

(30:50) Why We Should Abolish Partisan Primaries 

(33:06) The Success of the Alaska System 

(37:04) The Arguments Against Reforms (And Why They Don’t Make Sense)

(40:00) The Path Forward for Primary Reform

(51:39) Envisioning an Ideal Electoral System

Read The Primary Solution: https://www.uniteamerica.org/book

Check out Unite America: https://www.uniteamerica.org/

Follow Ron on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/NickTroiano

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

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To join Politicology+, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.

This week, we look at the growing pessimism people are feeling about their money, their plans to spend less, and the monetary policy that’s driving that. Then we’ll discuss the dystopian preview of a second Trump term in the Time Magazine cover story, and Arizona’s move to repeal its 1864 Abortion ban. 

Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

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

Olivier Knox (veteran politics and foreign policy reporter, most recently at The Washington Post )

James Lavish (co-managing partner of the Bitcoin Opportunity Fund)

Segments this week:

(04:50)  Money

(39:00) Trump’s Time Magazine Story 

(48:30) Arizona 

[Politicology+] RFK Jr’s surprising performance with younger and Latino voters, what’s driving that appeal, and what it could mean for this election cycle. 

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

Check out Olivier’s substack: https://olivierknox.substack.com/

Read James’s  substack: https://jameslavish.substack.com/

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://twitter.com/jameslavish

https://twitter.com/lucymcaldwell

https://twitter.com/OKnox

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

CNN - Fears about stagflation are mounting in the US. It’s every central banker’s worst nightmare | CNN Business

Bloomberg - US Consumer Confidence Slumps to Lowest Level Since July 2022 - Bloomberg

Politico - Trump trade advisers plot dollar devaluation - POLITICO

Segment 2: 

Time Magazine - Donald Trump on What His Second Term Would Look Like | TIME

WSJ - Trump Allies Draw Up Plans to Blunt Fed’s Independence - WSJ

Politico - Mitch McConnell continues to break with Trump on immunity claims - POLITICO

Segment 3: 

NYT - Arizona Legislature Will Consider Repeal of 1864 Abortion Law - The New York Times

Politico-Arizona legislature repeals 1864 abortion law - POLITICO

NPR - Christian conservatives wrestle with shifting GOP stance on Arizona abortion ban : NPR

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Alua Arthur (Death Doula) joins host Ron Steslow to discuss the importance of embracing mortality, talking about death, and her new book, Briefly Perfectly Human: Making an Authentic Life and Getting Real About the End. 

Segments to look forward to:

(02:31) What is a death doula? 

(05:39) Alua’s journey and embracing mortality 

(07:28) The impact of avoiding conversations about death 

(10:33) Practical ways to approach contemplating death 

(26:00) Having conversations about death with your loved ones 

(28:10) Supporting loved ones facing end-of-life challenges 

(30:30) Reframing our language about death and disease 

(32:19) The desire for “more time” at the end of life 

(38:10) The importance of quality of life in end of life care

(40:00) Assisted Suiceide and personal autonomy 

(43:40) Meaningful rituals for death 

(47:14) Mourning people with troubled legacies 

(51:10) Being briefly, perfectly human

Read Briefly Perfectly Human: https://bit.ly/4a5UYJb

Check out Going With Grace: https://goingwithgrace.com/

Follow Ron on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

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

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To join Politicology+, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.

This week, we look at the Ukraine and Israel aid package and whether Mike Johnson might actually be a capable speaker. Then we’ll discuss the anti-Israel encampments at college campuses across the country. Finally, we’ll talk about the “safe space” election and how Joe Biden and Donald Trump are only talking to friendly media

Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

Zack Czajkowski (Fmr. Lincoln Project Political Director)

Liam Donovan (Principal at Bracewell LLP; host of The Lobby Pod)

Segments this week:

(02:32)  Speaker Johnson puts country over crazy

(21:40) The anti-Israel encampments at college campuses

(40:21) Biden and Trump stick to friendly media

[Politicology+] Are you frustrated with non-stop fundraising text messages and emails? For this week’s Politocology+ episode, Zack and Ron dish on a few of the unsavory strategies and tactics campaigns and PACs use to raise money, share information, and skirt rules.

Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss the extra episodes on our 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://twitter.com/ZackCz

https://twitter.com/LPDonovan

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

The Atlantic - The Accidental Speaker

NYT - How Mike Johnson Got to ‘Yes’ on Aid to Ukraine - The New York Times

Politico - How McConnell and Schumer beat hardline conservatives on Ukraine - POLITICO

Vanity Fair - The Motion to Vacate Mike Johnson Seems Pretty Darn Motionless | Vanity Fair

Segment 2: 

NYT - Universities Struggle as Pro-Palestinian Demonstrations Grow

The Atlantic - The Unreality of Columbia’s ‘Liberated Zone’ - The Atlantic

NYT - Some Jewish Students Are Targeted as Protests Continue at Columbia - The New York Times

WP - Biden aims to strike careful balance as college protests spread - The Washington Post

FP - Among the Activists Plotting to Disrupt the DNC | The Free Press

Segment 3: 

Axios - How Biden, Trump favor safe spaces

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