Politicology

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Mike Madrid (Lincoln Project cofounder) and Ron Steslow respond to your feedback and answer your questions on our latest mailbag episode. 

(01:20) Wendy H. asks “Why isn't anyone talking about the fact that if Trump gets back into office, he will not try to leave once his time is up?”

(04:53) Your feedback on our two-part ‘Holy War’ episode and Mike’s reaction to the New Apostolic Reformation 

(14:55) Listener Rohanna W. inquires: "What motivates Steve Bannon, and what resources can help understand his goals?"

(20:21) John R. asks: "Why don't political leaders like Biden utilize the power of short, aspirational speeches?"

(27:11) Your feedback on our two-part ‘Identity Trap’ episode with Yascha Mounk

(27:50) John from Augusta shares thoughts on enforcing the 14th Amendment against Trump.

(33:55) Ron shares your reviews 

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

Follow Ron, and Mike on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/madrid_mike

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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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The new, darker Donald Trump and his allies have been previewing how he’d use the Oval Office to seek revenge if he gets reelected. 

On this weekly roundup, host Ron Steslow and guests Mike Madrid (Lincoln Project cofounder) and Olivier Knox (National Political Correspondent)   discuss Trump’s darker turn and what, if anything, we can do now to prepare for a potential second term.

Then they look at Liz Cheney raising the alarm about Donald Trump, how her potential presidential run could impact the 2024 race, and her call for a potential new conservative party.

Next, they discuss the remarkably bad testimony from the presidents of Harvard, Penn, and MIT, the double standard for protecting free speech, and how they’re using the value of free speech as a weapon to punish disfavored speech.

Segments this week:

(02:34) Dark Trump 

(22:17) Liz Cheney and the 2024 election

(37:14) The college presidents who won’t say calls for genocide are bullying and harassment

[Politicology+] Kevin McCarthy’s resignation and why lawmakers are ditching congress at a record pace

Politicology+ is our private, ad-free version of this podcast, with subscriber-only episodes, strategy, and analysis. To join us there, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.

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

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/oknox

https://twitter.com/madrid_mike 

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

The Atlantic—The Danger Ahead - The Atlantic

WP - Trump and allies plot revenge, Justice Department control in a second term - The Washington Post

Segment 2: 

Axios - Meet the spoilers: Who's declared or considering third-party White House bids

NPR - Democracy is at stake if Trump is reelected, Liz Cheney warns in her new book

Segment 3: 

The Dispatch - Antisemitism Is Just a Symptom - The Dispatch

The Atlantic - There Is No Right to Bully and Harass

Politico - 5 takeaways from college antisemitism hearing - POLITICO

Axios - University leaders criticized after Congressional hearing on antisemitism

Mediaite - Democrats Mock Harvard President for Citing Commitment to Free Speech During Anti-Semitism Hearing: 'Harvard Ranks Last' on Free Speech

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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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Over 100 of the hostages taken captive by Hamas have been freed over the last week as part of a ceasefire deal with the Israeli government

On this weekly roundup, host Ron Steslow and guests Lucy Caldwell (Board Advisor to the Renew Democracy Initiative  and advisor to the Forward Party) and Liam Donovan (Principal at Bracewell LLP) discuss the deal and the bias in media reporting about the Israel-Hamas conflict. 

Then they look at the “Bidenomics” messaging falling flat, voters' low trust in president Biden to handle the economy, and what he can do to change it before the election. 

Next, they discuss the negotiations in congress over increasing border security in exchange for aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan. 

Segments this week:

(02:30) Israel-Hamas 

(28:08) Bidenomics messaging falling flat

(40:04) Border security 

[Politicology+] The power of the administrative state and how Donald Trump could wield it in a second term. 

Politicology+ is our private, ad-free version of this podcast, with subscriber-only episodes, strategy, and analysis. To join us there, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.

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

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/lucymcaldwell

https://twitter.com/LPDonovan

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

Tablet - An Insider’s Guide to the Most Important Story on Earth

Axios - How Arab American voters' backlash could imperil Biden's 2024 campaign

NBC News - In major speech, Schumer warns of consequences if Americans don't condemn antisemitism

TOI - Hamas 'willing' to extend temporary ceasefire by additional 4 days -- report | The Times of Israel

Segment 2: 

The Bulwark —Dear Democrats: Here Are the Facts of Life

Axios— Americans' savings are dwindling, new poll shows

CBS News - Americans need an extra $11,400 today just to afford the basics - CBS News

Axios - U.S. economy was hotter than previously thought, new GDP data shows

Gallup - Poor Marks for Biden: Middle East, Economy, Foreign Affairs

FRED - Consumer Loans: Credit Cards and Other Revolving Plans, All Commercial Banks (CCLACBW027SBOG) | FRED | St. Louis Fed

Segment 3: 

Politico - Playbook: Why the left is blanching at the border talks - POLITICO

WSJ  - Senators’ Top Target in Border Talks: Tighter Asylum Rules for Migrants - WSJ

The Bulwark - Biden's Dangerous Border Problem - by Charlie Sykes

The Dispatch - An Increasingly Unsustainable Stalemate on Immigration - Chris Stirewalt - The Dispatch

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 A woman is weeping over a covered body on a street in Gaza. She's surrounded by people. She turns to the camera and screams: “All this is because of the dogs of Hamas.”

 And then two men grab her and literally silence her. They hold a hand over her mouth. 

What if we could hear real stories from people living in Gaza about how Hamas treats them? 

The Center for Peace Communications is helping to do just that with the video testimony they’ve published in their “Whispered in Gaza” and “Voices in Gaza” projects.

In this episode, Joseph Braude (president of the Center for Peace Communications) joins Ron Steslow to discuss how Gazans talk about Hamas, the way they are treated and who they blame for the war.

Segments to look forward to:

(03:03) Joseph’s background and how it shaped his understanding of the Arab world.

(05:30) The “Whispered in Gaza” project.

(09:09) The challenges and process of creating the “Whispered in Gaza” project amid the repressive Hamas regime. 

(10:08)  Joseph recounts emotional stories gathered from Gazans, revealing the harsh realities of life under Hamas.

(10:38)  The discussion turns to how well these stories represent the views of Gazans and the broader implications for Palestinian society.

(12:12)  Ron and Joseph discuss the challenges and biases in media coverage of the Gaza situation.

(25:00)  How the global perception of Hamas has been disconnected with the realities in Gaza. 

(30:00)  Exploring how Gazans view the October 7th Attack, Israel’s response, and how they blame Hamas for the humanitarian crises.

(32:16)  Challenges to delivering aid to those who need it most in Gaza.

(35:12) Discussion on the possibilities of change in the governance of Gaza.

(36:33) Joseph offers clarity on common misunderstandings about the Israel-Palestine conflict.

(42:40) Joseph shares the plea from their interviewees that their voices be heard. 

(45:17) Final thoughts on how listeners can show meaningful support to Gazans striving for change.

Watch the video testimony in Whispered in Gaza: https://bit.ly/3GnQyRA

Follow Ron and Joseph  on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/josephbraude

Email questions and thoughts to [email protected]. 

Can you leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts? It’s a big help 🙏

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

On Tuesday, Israel approved a short-term ceasefire in exchange for the return of hostages being held captive by Hamas in Gaza. 

On this weekly roundup, host Ron Steslow and guests Mike Madrid (Lincoln Project cofounder) and Hagar Chemali (Former spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN) discuss the deal, Hamas’s wide reaching financial empire, and the fight against jihad.

Then they look at the challenges facing Joe Biden as he heads toward reelection, the policy failure hurting him with Latino voters, and why messaging alone won’t fix the problems

Next, they discuss Sam Altman’s firing and rehiring at OpenAI and the tension between rapid commercialization and extreme caution over the risks AI poses to humanity.

Segments this week:

(02:30) Israel-Hamas

(22:03) Democrats’ problems run deeper than messaging 

(47:30) OpenAI and tensions over the speed of commercialization

[Politicology+] Donald Trump becoming even more unhinged, the stakes in the 2024 election, and the challenge of building an anti-Trump coaltion…again.

Politicology+ is our private, ad-free version of this podcast, with subscriber-only episodes, strategy, and analysis. To join us there, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.

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

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

​​

https://twitter.com/HagarChemali

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

Axios - Israeli Cabinet meets to vote on deal with Hamas on hostage release and ceasefire

The Economist - Inside Hamas’s sprawling financial empire

WP - Opinion | Joe Biden: U.S. won’t back down from the challenge of Putin and Hamas - The Washington Post

WP - U.S. close to deal with Israel and Hamas to pause conflict, free some hostages - The Washington Post

FP - Why Western Women Are Converting to Islam | The Free Press

Quillette - The Return of the Progressive Atrocity

Segment 2: 

NYT - Biden Faces Economic Challenges as Cost-of-Living Despair Floods TikTok - The New York Times

The Dispatch - Support for Israel Is Costing Biden. But for How Long? - Chris Stirewalt - The Dispatch

CNN - CNN Poll: Trump narrowly leads Biden in hypothetical rematch | CNN Politics

NYT/Siena College Cross tabs -Cross-Tabs: October 2023 Times/Siena Poll of the 2024 Battlegrounds

Segment 3: 

The Atlantic - The Money Always Wins - The Atlantic

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Amid the sea of Trump flags outside the Capitol on January 6th, there were signs that read “Jesus is my Savior, Trump is my President.” A group of protestors carried a giant cross as they marched around the Capitol. 

Why were these Christian images on prominent display? 

What role did Charismatic Christianity play in the buildup to the riot at the capitol? 

How is it continuing to shape our politics? 

In this two-part episode, Matthew Taylor (writer and creator of the audio-documentary series “Charismatic Revival Fury: The New Apostolic Reformation” ) joins Ron Steslow to discuss how non-denominational Charismatic Christianity built to the attack on January 6th and what it will mean going forward. 

Segments to look forward to:

(01:43) The theological basis for believing Trump being chosen by God to be president 

(06:15) Belief that political leaders are appointed by God 

(11:10) Strategic spiritual warfare at the Capitol on January 6th 

(16:44) The discourse of violence in Charismatic Christianity leading to jan

(24:04) The lack of understanding of Charismatic Christians in American media 

(37:06) Being precise about the threats to pluralism presented by part of Charismatic Christianity

(43:16) What he’s seeing in the subculture as we head to 2024 

Listen to the full Charismatic Revival Fury series: https://bit.ly/49jqqVb

Follow Ron and Matt on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/TaylorMatthewD

Email questions and thoughts to [email protected]. 

Can you leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts? It’s a big help 🙏

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

On Wednesday, President Joe Biden met with Chinese Leader Xi Jinping for the first time in a year after months of building tensions between the two countries.

On this weekly roundup, host Ron Steslow and guests Molly McKew (writer and lecturer on Russian influence and information warfare) and Zack Czajkowski (former Lincoln Project Political Director; Principal at Title Fight) discuss the meeting and how it connects to the Israel-Hamas war and Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Then they look at Joe Biden’s denial of the multiple battleground state polls showing Donald Trump leading in 2024

Next, they discuss Israel’s raid on a Hamas command center at Gaza’s largest hospital and the spiraling distrust in news media.

Segments this week:

(1:44) Biden-Xi Meeting

(28:18) Biden’s polling denial 

(47:30) Israel raids Hamas command center at Gaza hospital 

[Politicology+] Speaker of the House “MAGA Mike Johnson” working with Democrats to successfully avoid a government shutdown and what you really need to know about the strange flag prominently posted outside his office.

Politicology+ is our private, ad-free version of this podcast, with subscriber-only episodes, strategy, and analysis. To join us there, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.

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

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

​​

https://twitter.com/MollyMcKew

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

AP News—Biden and Xi are meeting in San Francisco, seeking better US-China relations despite tough issues

Axios—Biden holds much-anticipated meeting with China's Xi

Axios—Chinese state media turns on the charm ahead of Biden-Xi meeting

Segment 2: 

C-SPAN—President Biden White House Departure | November 9, 2023 | C-SPAN.org

Bloomberg—Israel-Hamas War Has Voters Trusting Trump Over Biden in Key States: Poll - Bloomberg 

Toplines

CNN—Joe Manchin won’t run for reelection, giving GOP an opening to flip West Virginia seat | CNN Politics

Axios—Manchin says he would consider 2024 presidential run

Segment 3: 

Reuters—Hamas command centre, weapons found at Gaza hospital, Israeli military says | Reuters

NYT—U.S. Says Hamas Operates Out of Gaza Hospitals, Endorsing Israel’s Allegations - The New York Times

BBC—Apologizing for error saying Israel was targeting medical teams during operation 

NYT—Israel Accuses Freelance Photographers of Advance Knowledge of Oct. 7 Attack - The New York Times

NBC—Throngs gather for March for Israel rally at D.C.’s National Mall to condemn antisemitism

FreeP—Metro Detroit Jews miss March for Israel due to bus driver walk-out, trip organizers say

The Atlantic—Hamas Must Go - The Atlantic

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Over the last month, a compelling global poster campaign has emerged, gripping cities and towns worldwide with its poignant message.

These posters, emblazoned with the word "Kidnapped" in bold letters, feature some of the 240 people abducted from Israel into the Gaza strip by Hamas on October 7. 

This campaign, now viral, transcends language barriers, its message echoing through the streets from Times Square billboards to remote corners of the world. 

The faces on these posters not only symbolize the heinous act committed by Hamas but also reflect the deep longing and hope of families for the safe return of their loved ones.

In this episode, visual poet Nitzan Mintz and street artist Dede Bandaid join Ron Steslow to discuss their work and the poster campaign. 

(02:05) Nitzan and Dede discuss their early careers and influences

(10:56) Insights into the conception and motivation behind their moving poster campaign

(18:18) The process of creating and distributing the posters, and the challenges faced

(31:25) How media coverage influenced public perception and the campaign's impact

(37:50) Their reactions to people vandalizing and ripping down the posters

(48:23) How you can get involved and support the campaign

(51:18) Nitzan and Dede share the emotional toll and their commitment to this effort

If you’d like to put up posters, you can download them here: kidnappedfromisrael.com

Follow Ron on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

Follow Dede, Nitzan, and the campaign on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/kidnappedfromisrael/

https://www.instagram.com/nitzanmintz/

https://www.instagram.com/dedebandaid/

Email questions and thoughts to [email protected]. 

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