Politicology

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Some of the most vexing political controversies, policy questions, and cultural crises of our current moment trace their orbit around the singular legal and cultural gravity of our 1st Amendment—and the radical, enlightenment wisdom enshrined in it.

What has really been going across college campuses—and what’s at stake for wider society outside the confines of higher education?

Is the colloquial public square, practically speaking, now privately held by a handful of tech titans?

How has the idea of “free speech” become so shockingly misunderstood that one of our major political parties can persuade a large swath of the country that a violent attack on the U.S. Capitol is “legitimate political discourse?”

Greg Lukianoff (President and CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE)) joins host Ron Steslow to discuss FIRE’s fight to protect free speech on—and, now, off—campus.

(02:15) Greg’s background and FIRE’s role in protecting the First Amendment 

(5:15) The Coddling of the American Mind 

(10:30) The state of free speech on college campuses 

(30:20) What’s driving the complaints on college campuses 

(39:55) FIRE moving off campus to create a culture of free speech 

(41:05) Why they decided to take on off campus speech issues

(50:31) Limits to protected speech

(59:10) Free speech and Big Tech

(1:04:25) Creating a culture of free speech

Visit FIRE’s Website: thefire.org

Follow Greg and Ron on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/glukianoff

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

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Molly McKew joins Frank Salder, Andy Kroll, and Ron Steslow to discuss Russia's decision to halt Ukraine's Black Sea grain exports and its ramifications on the conflict and the rest of the world—especially Africa. She also addresses the US running out of the ammunition it pledged to Ukraine.

What we read: 

Bloomberg—US Suspends Wuhan Institute of Virology’s Access to Federal Funding - Bloomberg

Newsweek—Pentagon Making Race-Specific Bioweapons to Target Citizens, China Says

NYPost—RFK Jr. says COVID may have been 'ethnically targeted' to spare Jews

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Donald Trump has a plan to consolidate even more power if he wins in 2024. So, where’s the political will to constrain such a power grab while there’s time?

Join our host, Ron Steslow, as he and guests Frank Sadler (Chief of Staff to Carly Fiorina) and Andy Kroll (Investigative Reporter at ProPublica) delve deep into these pivotal discussions.

Segments to look forward to:

(2:11) We dive into Donald Trump’s announcement that he's the target of the grand jury investigation into 2020 election subversion, and other Republican candidates' reluctance to confront him.

(12:23) We then examine Trump's re-election agenda to reshape the executive branch for more control over independent agencies, explore the 'unitary executive theory,' and consider the implications of Congress’ failure to check growing executive power. (We'll also delve into Julian Assange's indictment for leaking classified materials.)

(42:12) We inspect the Health and Human Services' move to halt funding for the Wuhan Institute of Virology, probe the handling of the COVID-19 origin investigation, and discuss how failures in dominant media breed uncertainty.

[Politicology+] Molly McKew joins the panel for this week’s Politicology+ episode to unpack Russia's decision to halt Ukraine's Black Sea grain exports and its ramifications on the conflict and the rest of the world—especially Africa. She also addresses the US running out of the ammunition it pledged to Ukraine.

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 Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/AndyKroll

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

CNN—Donald Trump says he's a target of special counsel's criminal probe into 2020 election aftermath | CNN Politics

NBC News—Trump lashes out after target letter from special counsel leading Jan. 6 probe

CBS News—16 Michigan residents face felony charges for fake electors scheme after 2020 election - CBS News

Segment 2: 

NYT—Trump Plans to Expand Presidential Power Over Agencies in 2025 - The New York Times

Rolling Stone—Biden's DOJ Is Pressuring Journalists to Help Build Its Case Against Assange

Segment 3

Bloomberg—US Suspends Wuhan Institute of Virology’s Access to Federal Funding - Bloomberg

Newsweek—Pentagon Making Race-Specific Bioweapons to Target Citizens, China Says

NYPost—RFK Jr. says COVID may have been 'ethnically targeted' to spare Jews

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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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Shouldn’t we hold our leaders like President Biden to higher standards than the ones Republicans set for Donald Trump?

Join our host Ron Steslow, as he discusses this and more with Susan Del Percio (MSNBC political analyst and crisis communications expert), and Hagar Chemali (Former spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN). We'll learn why Susan still holds onto financial disclosure forms from two decades ago and Hagar explains how the Barbie movie is impacting geopolitics.

Segments to look forward to:

(02:44) Unpacking ongoing investigations concerning the Biden family

(24:50)This week's NATO summit and what it could mean for the on the war in Ukraine

(48:50) Exploring the movement in eastern Oregon to shift state borders and align with Idaho and what it says about our hyperpartisan times

[Politicology+] Tune in as we dive into Meta's latest venture, Threads, whether it can really challenge Twitter, and the escalating dispute between tech titans Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk.

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 Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/DelPercioS

https://twitter.com/HagarChemali

What we read: 

Segment 1: 

NYT—Competing Accounts of Justice Dept.’s Handling of Hunter Biden Case - The New York Times

NYT—U.S. Attorney in Hunter Biden Case Defends Investigation to House Republicans - The New York Times

NYT—David Weiss Rebuts I.R.S. Official’s Account of Request in Hunter Biden Case - The New York Times

NYT—The G.O.P. Backed Gal Luft on Hunter Biden Claims. Now He’s Indicted. - The New York Times

WP—Indictment of GOP’s ‘missing’ informant becomes conspiracy fodder

WP—Opinion | Millions flowed to Biden family members. Don’t pretend it doesn’t matter. - The Washington Post

Segment 2: 

BBC—Turkey backs Sweden's Nato membership - BBC News

NYT—Despite Successes at NATO Summit, Divisions Remain - The New York Times

WP—Zelensky slams NATO’s declaration on Ukraine membership - The Washington Post

UnHerd—Fiona Hill: Pax Americana is over - The Post

Segment 3

Idaho State Journal—Greater Idaho movement wins over another Oregon county | Local | idahostatejournal.com

Idaho Statesman—Greater Idaho Movement claims 12th Oregon county to vote in favor of moving the state line

NYT—Opinion | Are Your Neighbors Mostly Democrats or Republicans? - The New York Times

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How does murder during a robbery-gone-wrong become an international conspiracy theory?

What even is a true crime story in the post-truth era?

Andy Kroll (Investigative Reporter at ProPublica, former DC Bureau Chief for Rolling Stone) joins host Ron Steslow to discuss his new book, A Death on W Street: The Murder of Seth Rich and the Age of Conspiracy.

(01:34) What drew Andy to the Seth Rich story

(08:48) The facts of the Seth Rich case

(12:44) How conspiracy theories have changed in the 21st Century

(21:08) Russia, the DNC leak, and the need for a scapegoat

(24:22) The intersection of conspiracy theories

(29:06) The conspiracy theory economy

You should read A Death on W Street: https://andy-kroll.com/

Follow Andy and Ron on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/AndyKroll

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

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Mike Madrid (Lincoln Project cofounder), Tom Nichols (Staff Writer at The Atlantic) and host Ron Steslow discuss some of the most important stories of the week and how they’re shaping the political landscape:

(05:38) The Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action

(27:00) The short-lived rebellion in Russia and the invasion of Ukraine

(40:34) America’s relationship with war and the difference between patriotism and nationalism

[Politicology+] The Federal Court ruling restricting the Biden administration's communications with social media platforms.

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 Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/RadioFreeTom

https://twitter.com/madrid_mike

What we read: 

Segment 1: 

NPR—Supreme Court guts affirmative action, effectively ending race-conscious admissions

WSJ—Can Colleges Be Racially Diverse Without Affirmative Action? Experience Suggests No

WP—Biden faces renewed pressure to embrace Supreme Court overhaul - The Washington Post

NYT—Opinion | On Race and Academia - The New York Times

Segment 2: 

CNN—Ukraine warns Russia might attack the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. How worried should we be?

NYT—After Armed Rebellion, Putin Tries to Reinforce His Defenses

CBS—U.S. could decide this week whether to send cluster munitions to Ukraine - CBS News

Insider—Russia has 'lost nearly half' of its combat effectiveness since invading Ukraine, UK defense official says

Segment 3

Atlantic—Reclaiming Real American Patriotism - The Atlantic

Politico—Opinion | It's Time For Progressives to Reclaim the Fourth of July - POLITICO

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Katty Kay (veteran reporter and four-time NYT bestselling author) joins host Ron Steslow to discuss her new book The Power Code: More Joy. Less Ego. Maximum Impact for Women (and Everyone), co-written with Claire Shipman. 

(02:12) Katty’s background and why she started looking at power 

(07:07) Women are passing men in college degrees, but not the boardroom 

(13:10) Why women have been more likely to avoid power 

(16:10) “Power over” vs “power to”

(20:20) How reframing power changes how women approach power

(25:57) The connection between power and status 

(33:04) Your brain on power

(38:30) Does power corrupt? 

(54:30) What can you do to improve your power code? 

Get The Power Code: https://www.kayandshipman.com/books

Follow Ron and Katty on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/KattyKay_

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Susan Del Percio ((MSNBC political analyst and crisis communications expert), Liz Gilbert Cohen (President of the 2020 Democratic National Convention), Zack Czajkowski (Principal at Title Fight) and host Ron Steslow unpack some of the most important stories of the week and how they’re shaping the political landscape:

(02:20) The President’s bold bet on “Bidenomics”

(16:20) How Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is appealing to voters

(45:2 0) Liz Cheney: “We’re electing idiots”

[Politicology+] Canada’s new law requiring social media companies to pay licensing fees for news stories shared on the platform and a bill in the U.S. Senate that could bring the same policy here…

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 Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/ZackCz

https://twitter.com/DelPercioS

Follow Liz on Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/lizgilbertcohen/

What we read: 

Segment 1: 

Politico—Biden puts all his chips on the table with a push on ‘Bidenomics’ - POLITICO

CNN—The 'Bidenomics' plan, explained | CNN Politics

CSPAN—President Biden Delivers "Bidenomics" Speech in Chicago | C-SPAN.org

Segment 2: 

The Free Press—What RFK Jr. Gets Right—and What He Gets Wrong | The Free Press

NYT—Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Draws Support From Outside the Democratic Party - The New York Times

WP—RFK Jr. is surging only in polls among Republicans - The Washington Post

NYT—Go Ahead. Debate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Twitter—RFK Jr and Bill Maher 

Segment 3

WP—Liz Cheney on what’s wrong with politics: ‘We’re electing idiots’ - The Washington Post

WP—House votes to send articles of impeachment against Biden to committees

CNN—McCarthy attempts damage control after questioning Trump's strength as a candidate | CNN Politics

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Frank Sharry (Founder of America’s Voice) and David Bier (Associate Director of Immigration Studies at the Cato Institute) join host Ron Steslow to discuss some of the biggest issues in immigration policy and what’s getting in the way of immigration reform

(01:52) Why Frank and David started focusing on immigration policy 

(04:25) What the first principles of immigration policy should be

(14:00) Areas of policy agreement on the center-left and center-right

(28:20) The movement toward nativism on the far-right

(33:21) Robert Kenney Jr’s trip to the border

(36:32) A closed border vs Secure border

(46:40) How difficult it is to legally immigrate to the U.S. 

(1:02:20) Seeing immigration as a problem to be managed vs opportunity to for country to grow

(1:09:00) What meaningful immigration reform could look like

Follow Ron, Frank, and David on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/FrankSharry

https://twitter.com/David_J_Bier

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