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In this episode, Ron talks to longtime Washington D.C. public defender Heather Shaner about her work representing dozens of January 6th defendants. They’re joined by Liz Gilbert Cohen who worked as a consulting producer on the documentary about Heather’s work with January 6 defendents—Public Defender. 

Segments to look forward to:

(02:41) The personal impact of January 6th

(05:43) The role of public defenders

(10:39) Understanding Heather’s clients’ perspectives 

(18:04) Media representation and public perception 

(30:53) The legal and ethical considerations

(43:42) The Trump factor 

(48:41) American society and the way forward

Watch the documentary Public Defender: https://bit.ly/4gJCRgp

RSVP to the screening event at MLK Memorial library on Jan 9: https://bit.ly/424oDCw

Follow Ron on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

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

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We live in a loud world that’s getting louder.

We encounter noise all around us—from the chatter of polite conversations, to street noise in a big city, to the constant intrusion of the dings of notifications.

But what is all of this noise doing to us, and what does it mean to find quiet in the midst of it?

In fact, what is silence, anyway?

How can it affect our minds, our bodies, and our relationships?

Harvard and Oxford trained policymaker Justin Zorn and NASA consultant Leigh Marz join host Ron Steslow to discuss their new book, Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise

(02:38) What we can all learn from how the Amish evaluate new technology

(07:25) The attention economy and why it’s not working for us

(13:44) Understanding “ma” and how we can use it to resolve conflict

(22:14) Using quality over quantity to measure productivity

(26:26) Ways to incorporate silence in your everyday life

(35:35) Silence and expanded states of consciousness using psychedelics

You should read Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise : http://bit.ly/3UIGJU2

FollowJustin, Leigh, and Ron on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/JustinZorn

https://twitter.com/LeighMarz

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

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

We live in a loud world that’s getting louder.

We encounter noise all around us—from the chatter of polite conversations, to street noise in a big city, to the constant intrusion of the dings of notifications.

But what is all of this noise doing to us, and what does it mean to find quiet in the midst of it?

In fact, what is silence, anyway?

How can it affect our minds, our bodies, and our relationships?

Harvard and Oxford trained policymaker Justin Zorn and NASA consultant Leigh Marz join host Ron Steslow to discuss their new book, Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise

(02:33) Leigh and Justin’s backgrounds

(07:04) Why they began practicing silence in their own lives

(12:50) Why silence feels scary

(18:30) What is noise?

(22:12) Internal silence is what people think it is

(30:19) The connection between noise and rigid thinking

(37:27) The historical significance of silence

You should read Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise : http://bit.ly/3UIGJU2

FollowJustin, Leigh, and Ron on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/JustinZorn

https://twitter.com/LeighMarz

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

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To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus

This week, we discuss President Biden carrying out the largest single-day act of clemency in American history and the controversial commutations of sentences for corrupt public officials.

Then, we talk about the rash of reported drone sightings in New Jersey and the confirmed UAV sightings around military bases, and how we can sort fact from fiction to make sure we address real security concerns.  

Later, we talk about Mitch McConnell’s call to reject isolationism and the Atlantic’s deep reporting on how our crumbling military manufacturing infrastructure makes us vulnerable in a turbulent world.

Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we discuss CNN admitting that the person they showed being freed from a Syrian prison last week was actually an intelligence officer in the Assad regime and the growth of mediated media. 

Joining host Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

Liam Donovan (Principal at Bracewell LLP)

Olivier Knox (Senior National Political Correspondent at U.S. News & World Report)

Segments this week:

(04:31) Biden’s pardons and commutations 

(26:13) Drones

(41:04) The precarious state of our military manufacturing infrastructure 

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

Get Olivier’s newsletter “Decision Points”: https://bit.ly/3ZTK8TU

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

https://x.com/RonSteslow

https://x.com/LPDonovan

https://x.com/OKnox

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

WSJ - Mystery Drones Swarmed a U.S. Military Base for 17 Days. The Pentagon Is Stumped. - WSJ

CNN - Key US Air Force base closes airspace amid drone sightings | CNN

Segment 2: 

AP - Biden commutes roughly 1,500 sentences and pardons 39 people in biggest single-day act of clemency

CNN - Victims ‘shocked’ after Biden grants clemency to ‘kids-for-cash’ judge and $54 million embezzler | CNN Politics

Segment 3: 

Foreign Affairs - Mitch McConnell: The Price of American Retreat

The Atlantic - The Crumbling Foundation of America’s Military - The Atlantic

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Journalist, Public Speaker and Author Celeste Headlee (@CelesteHeadlee) joins host Ron Steslow (@RonSteslow) to reveal the science and history behind human communication, share keys to unlock deeper conversations, and explain how critical empathy is for our ability to listen and connect. For more information, to contact us, or to contribute to Politicology, visit Politicology.com

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To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus

This week, we dive into the fandom that’s developed around the assassin who killed United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson

Then, we’ll look at how Donald Trump’s team pulled the Pete Hegseth nomination back from the brink in the Senate. 

Later, we talk about the younger Democrats pushing for generational  change in House committee leadership positions. 

Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we discuss how Citizens United moved the balance of power toward rich donors and pulled the Democratic party to the left. 

Joining guest host Zack Czajkowski on this week’s panel: 

David Weigel (politics reporter at Semafor)  

James Lynch (Communications Strategist)  

Segments this week:

(02:19) Assassin fandom

(31:54) Hegseth Nomination saved in the Senate

(45:48) Generational change in the Democratic Party

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

Get David’s Newsletter “Americana”: https://bit.ly/4iB6HFd

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

https://x.com/ZackCz

https://x.com/JamesGLynch

https://x.com/daveweigel

Related reading:

Segment 1: 

CNN- 1-star McDonald’s reviews and sympathetic merch: Companies try to stop online support for CEO killer suspect | CNN Business

Wired - The Internet’s Obsession With Luigi Mangione Signals a Major Shift | WIRED

Yahoo News - Black Lives Matter activist calls on ‘black vigilantes’ after Daniel Penny’s acquittal: ‘F—k America’

Segment 2: 

Politico - Ron who? How Trump brought Hegseth back from the brink - POLITICO

NYT - Ernst Suggests She Will Not Oppose Hegseth for Defense Secretary - The New York Times

Segment 3: 

NBC News - 'The end of seniority': Younger Democrats are challenging elders for powerful positions

AP - Rep. Ocasio-Cortez announces bid for top Oversight job as Democrats push for generational change

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

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/

Are you learning from Politicology? Contribute now at https://politicology.com/donate!

Follow Catherine and Ron on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/SandersonSpeaks

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

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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.

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/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):

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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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

Follow Ron, Lucy, and Liam on X:

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

https://twitter.com/lucymcaldwell

https://twitter.com/LPDonovan

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