Mike Madrid (author of The Latino Century) joins host Ron Steslow trace how eroding trust, the kind that backs the electoral map and the dollar, is reshaping American politics and everyday affordability. 
They start with the redistricting wars and how they eroded trust in institutions and how both parties traded credibility by using zero-sum tactics.
Next, they turn to dealignment, the generation of Americans untethering from both parties, and how younger voters’ belief that the American dream was stolen shows their lack of trust in the stewards, not the republic. 
Then they examine affordability through the bond market, where rising yields price mortgages and loans, and why the crisis can’t be understood without it. 
Finally, they weigh the dollars fading neutrality, gold leaving U.S. vaults, reserves diversifying, and a world reorganizing around an America it trusts less. 
In Politicology+, they discuss why some of the biggest AI companies are begging to be regulated and an essay by a Franciscan sister about why our fear of AI is really a fear of confronting what it means to be human. 
POLITICOLOGY+
Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at <a href="http://politicology.com/plus">politicology.com/plus</a>.
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Send your questions and ideas to <a href="mailto:podcast@politicology.com">podcast@politicology.com</a>
Ron Steslow on X: <a href="https://x.com/RonSteslow">https://x.com/RonSteslow</a>
Mike Madrid on X: https://x.com/madrid_mike
 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Mike Madrid (author of The Latino Century) joins host Ron Steslow trace how eroding trust, the kind that backs the electoral map and the dollar, is reshaping American politics and everyday affordability. They start with the redistricting wars and how they eroded trust in institutions and how both parties traded credibility by using zero-sum tactics. Next, they turn to dealignment, the generation of Americans untethering from both parties, and how younger voters’ belief that the American dream was stolen shows their lack of trust in the stewards, not the republic. Then they examine affordability through the bond market, where rising yields price mortgages and loans, and why the crisis can’t be understood without it. Finally, they weigh the dollars fading neutrality, gold leaving U.S. vaults, reserves diversifying, and a world reorganizing around an America it trusts less. In Politicology+, they discuss why some of the biggest AI companies are begging to be regulated and an essay by a Franciscan sister about why our fear of AI is really a fear of confronting what it means to be human. POLITICOLOGY+ 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. SPONSORS & PROMO CODES: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8 Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com Ron Steslow on X: https://x.com/RonSteslow Mike Madrid on X: https://x.com/madrid_mike Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Madrid (author of The Latino Century) joins host Ron Steslow trace how eroding trust, the kind that backs the electoral map and the dollar, is reshaping American politics and everyday affordability.&nbsp;
They start with the redistricting wars and how they eroded trust in institutions and how both parties traded credibility by using zero-sum tactics.
Next, they turn to dealignment, the generation of Americans untethering from both parties, and how younger voters’ belief that the American dream was stolen shows their lack of trust in the stewards, not the republic.&nbsp;
Then they examine affordability through the bond market, where rising yields price mortgages and loans, and why the crisis can’t be understood without it.&nbsp;
Finally, they weigh the dollars fading neutrality, gold leaving U.S. vaults, reserves diversifying, and a world reorganizing around an America it trusts less.&nbsp;
In Politicology+, they discuss why some of the biggest AI companies are begging to be regulated and an essay by a Franciscan sister about why our fear of AI is really a fear of confronting what it means to be human.&nbsp;
POLITICOLOGY+
Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at <a href="http://politicology.com/plus" rel="noopener noreferrer">politicology.com/plus</a>.
SPONSORS &amp; PROMO CODES: <a href="https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8</a>
Send your questions and ideas to <a href="mailto:podcast@politicology.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">podcast@politicology.com</a>
Ron Steslow on X: <a href="https://x.com/RonSteslow" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://x.com/RonSteslow</a>
Mike Madrid on X: https://x.com/madrid_mike
 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices" rel="noopener noreferrer">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Full Faith And Credit—The Weekly

Hagar Chemali (former spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the United Nations) and Nick Anthony (Policy Analyst at the Cato Institute and a Fellow at the Human Rights Foundation) join host Ron Steslow to trace how the financial surveillance regime born after 9/11 is being rebuilt for programmable money.
They begin with the machinery of financial surveillance: reporting, identification, blocking, seizing, and exclusion powers banks and payment companies wield on the government’s behalf, without warrants or recourse. 
Next, they examine how private institutions became the system’s front line with millions of suspicious-activity reports a year, billions in compliance costs, and a public that wrongly assumes Fourth Amendment protection.  
Then they turn to the shift underway, as stablecoins move those controls off intermediaries and onto individual digital dollars that can be frozen, seized, or burned coin by coin. 
Finally, they weigh whether Americans still hold a right to transact privately, and what permissioned money would mean. 
In Politicology+, they discuss an unspoken contradiction in the human rights movement: it backs sanctions that rely on centralized financial choke points while also championing Bitcoin, a currency built to erase that system. 
POLITICOLOGY+
Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at <a href="http://politicology.com/plus">politicology.com/plus</a>.
SPONSORS & PROMO CODES: <a href="https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8">https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8</a>
Send your questions and ideas to <a href="mailto:podcast@politicology.com">podcast@politicology.com</a>
Ron Steslow on X: <a href="https://x.com/RonSteslow">https://x.com/RonSteslow</a>
Hagar Chemali on X: <a href="https://x.com/HagarChemali">https://x.com/HagarChemali</a>
Nick Anthony on X: <a href="https://x.com/EconWithNick">https://x.com/EconWithNick</a>
 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Hagar Chemali (former spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the United Nations) and Nick Anthony (Policy Analyst at the Cato Institute and a Fellow at the Human Rights Foundation) join host Ron Steslow to trace how the financial surveillance regime born after 9/11 is being rebuilt for programmable money. They begin with the machinery of financial surveillance: reporting, identification, blocking, seizing, and exclusion powers banks and payment companies wield on the government’s behalf, without warrants or recourse. Next, they examine how private institutions became the system’s front line with millions of suspicious-activity reports a year, billions in compliance costs, and a public that wrongly assumes Fourth Amendment protection. Then they turn to the shift underway, as stablecoins move those controls off intermediaries and onto individual digital dollars that can be frozen, seized, or burned coin by coin. Finally, they weigh whether Americans still hold a right to transact privately, and what permissioned money would mean. In Politicology+, they discuss an unspoken contradiction in the human rights movement: it backs sanctions that rely on centralized financial choke points while also championing Bitcoin, a currency built to erase that system. POLITICOLOGY+ 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. SPONSORS & PROMO CODES: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8 Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com Ron Steslow on X: https://x.com/RonSteslow Hagar Chemali on X: https://x.com/HagarChemali Nick Anthony on X: https://x.com/EconWithNick Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hagar Chemali (former spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the United Nations) and Nick Anthony (Policy Analyst at the Cato Institute and a Fellow at the Human Rights Foundation) join host Ron Steslow to trace how the financial surveillance regime born after 9/11 is being rebuilt for programmable money.
They begin with the machinery of financial surveillance: reporting, identification, blocking, seizing, and exclusion powers banks and payment companies wield on the government’s behalf, without warrants or recourse.&nbsp;
Next, they examine how private institutions became the system’s front line with millions of suspicious-activity reports a year, billions in compliance costs, and a public that wrongly assumes Fourth Amendment protection.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Then they turn to the shift underway, as stablecoins move those controls off intermediaries and onto individual digital dollars that can be frozen, seized, or burned coin by coin.&nbsp;
Finally, they weigh whether Americans still hold a right to transact privately, and what permissioned money would mean.&nbsp;
In Politicology+, they discuss an unspoken contradiction in the human rights movement: it backs sanctions that rely on centralized financial choke points while also championing Bitcoin, a currency built to erase that system.&nbsp;
POLITICOLOGY+
Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at <a href="http://politicology.com/plus" rel="noopener noreferrer">politicology.com/plus</a>.
SPONSORS &amp; PROMO CODES: <a href="https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8</a>
Send your questions and ideas to <a href="mailto:podcast@politicology.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">podcast@politicology.com</a>
Ron Steslow on X: <a href="https://x.com/RonSteslow" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://x.com/RonSteslow</a>
Hagar Chemali on X: <a href="https://x.com/HagarChemali" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://x.com/HagarChemali</a>
Nick Anthony on X: <a href="https://x.com/EconWithNick" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://x.com/EconWithNick</a>
 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices" rel="noopener noreferrer">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

From 9/11 to Surveillance Dollars — The Weekly

Molly McKew (writer and lecturer on Russian influence and information warfare) joins host Ron Steslow to examine how Ukraine’s widening reach is bringing the war home to Russia and what a defeated Russia could become. 
They begin with the war’s new geography: strikes that have idled a quarter of Russia’s refining capacity, and drones now reaching the Caspian corridor between Russia and Iran. 
Next, they trace Ukraine’s rise from scrappy insurgent to serious power, erasing Russian sanctuary and moving to the center of Europe’s security future.
Then they examine The Economist’s profile of oligarch Andrey Melnichenko, who warns against breaking Russian sovereignty and sketches four dangerous futures for a defeated Russia.  
Finally, they confront what holding Russia responsible would truly require. 
In Politicology+, they take stock of Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death and what his absence means for the Republican Party’s fading support for Ukraine.
POLITICOLOGY+
Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at <a href="http://politicology.com/plus">politicology.com/plus</a>.
Check out Great Power: <a href="https://www.greatpower.us/">https://www.greatpower.us/</a>
Read The Economist’s coverage of Andrey Melnichenko: https://bit.ly/4x5YvDk
SPONSORS & PROMO CODES: <a href="https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8">https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8</a>
Send your questions and ideas to <a href="mailto:podcast@politicology.com">podcast@politicology.com</a>
Ron Steslow on X: <a href="https://x.com/RonSteslow">https://x.com/RonSteslow</a>
Molly McKew on X: https://x.com/MollyMcKew
 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Molly McKew (writer and lecturer on Russian influence and information warfare) joins host Ron Steslow to examine how Ukraine’s widening reach is bringing the war home to Russia and what a defeated Russia could become. They begin with the war’s new geography: strikes that have idled a quarter of Russia’s refining capacity, and drones now reaching the Caspian corridor between Russia and Iran. Next, they trace Ukraine’s rise from scrappy insurgent to serious power, erasing Russian sanctuary and moving to the center of Europe’s security future. Then they examine The Economist’s profile of oligarch Andrey Melnichenko, who warns against breaking Russian sovereignty and sketches four dangerous futures for a defeated Russia. Finally, they confront what holding Russia responsible would truly require. In Politicology+, they take stock of Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death and what his absence means for the Republican Party’s fading support for Ukraine. POLITICOLOGY+ 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. Check out Great Power: https://www.greatpower.us/ Read The Economist’s coverage of Andrey Melnichenko: https://bit.ly/4x5YvDk SPONSORS & PROMO CODES: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8 Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com Ron Steslow on X: https://x.com/RonSteslow Molly McKew on X: https://x.com/MollyMcKew Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Molly McKew (writer and lecturer on Russian influence and information warfare) joins host Ron Steslow to examine how Ukraine’s widening reach is bringing the war home to Russia and what a defeated Russia could become.&nbsp;
They begin with the war’s new geography: strikes that have idled a quarter of Russia’s refining capacity, and drones now reaching the Caspian corridor between Russia and Iran.&nbsp;
Next, they trace Ukraine’s rise from scrappy insurgent to serious power, erasing Russian sanctuary and moving to the center of Europe’s security future.
Then they examine The Economist’s profile of oligarch Andrey Melnichenko, who warns against breaking Russian sovereignty and sketches four dangerous futures for a defeated Russia.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Finally, they confront what holding Russia responsible would truly require.&nbsp;
In Politicology+, they take stock of Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death and what his absence means for the Republican Party’s fading support for Ukraine.
POLITICOLOGY+
Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at <a href="http://politicology.com/plus" rel="noopener noreferrer">politicology.com/plus</a>.
Check out Great Power: <a href="https://www.greatpower.us/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.greatpower.us/</a>
Read The Economist’s coverage of Andrey Melnichenko: https://bit.ly/4x5YvDk
SPONSORS &amp; PROMO CODES: <a href="https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8</a>
Send your questions and ideas to <a href="mailto:podcast@politicology.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">podcast@politicology.com</a>
Ron Steslow on X: <a href="https://x.com/RonSteslow" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://x.com/RonSteslow</a>
Molly McKew on X: https://x.com/MollyMcKew
 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices" rel="noopener noreferrer">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

An Oligarch’s Warning—The Weekly

Katherine Mangu-Ward (Editor in Chief of Reason) joins host Ron Steslow to examine the growing revolt against automated license-plate surveillance company Flock and what it reveals about privacy in the age of AI. 
They begin with the backlash against flock: cameras cut down across dozens of states, communities canceling contracts, and an unlikely coalition uniting against the technology.  They dive into what the anger is really about and whether it channels a broader anxiety about losing control. 
From there, they turn to what these systems can now do, as leaked code points to tools that track people—not just license plates—and invites comparisons to China’s surveillance state. 
Then, they weigh the deeper tension of a company whose only customer is the state, the problem of overcriminalization, and the specter of automated law enforcement. 
Finally, they consider the Supreme Court’s geofence ruling, the data-broker loophole it leaves wide open, and what privacy is ultimately for. 
In Politicology+, they look at a single case that tests how far privacy itself can be treated as a crime: an American Citizen charged with a felony for deleting his phone’s data. 
POLITICOLOGY+
Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at <a href="http://politicology.com/plus">politicology.com/plus</a>.
SPONSORS & PROMO CODES: <a href="https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8">https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8</a>
Send your questions and ideas to <a href="mailto:podcast@politicology.com">podcast@politicology.com</a>
Ron Steslow on X: <a href="https://x.com/RonSteslow">https://x.com/RonSteslow</a>
Katherine Mangu-Ward on X: <a href="https://x.com/kmanguward">https://x.com/kmanguward</a>
Related Reading: 
Wired - <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/flock-safety-os-investigate/">Flock Has a Powerful New AI Tool for Police. We Got Its Code | WIRED</a>
Reason - <a href="https://reason.com/2026/08/14/flock-safetys-new-privacy-rules-do-little-to-ease-concerns-over-alpr-surveillance/">Flock Safety’s new privacy rules do little to ease concerns over ALPR surveillance</a>
Reason - <a href="https://reason.com/2026/08/21/america-is-building-a-surveillance-state-like-chinas/">America is building a surveillance state like China's</a>
Pirate wires - <a href="https://www.piratewires.com/p/flocks-case-for-the-panopticon-an">Flock's Case for the Panopticon</a>
Wired - <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/flock-safety-os-investigate/">Flock Has a Powerful New AI Tool for Police. We Got Its Code | WIRED</a>
ACLU - <a href="https://www.aclu.org/news/national-security/tracking-alpr-cameras/surveillance-company-flock-now-using-ai-to-report-us-to-police-if-it-thinks-our-movement-patterns-are-suspicious?ref=rangemedia.co">Surveillance Company Flock Now Using AI to Report Us to Police if it Thinks Our Movement Patterns Are “Suspicious”</a>
 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Katherine Mangu-Ward (Editor in Chief of Reason) joins host Ron Steslow to examine the growing revolt against automated license-plate surveillance company Flock and what it reveals about privacy in the age of AI. They begin with the backlash against flock: cameras cut down across dozens of states, communities canceling contracts, and an unlikely coalition uniting against the technology. They dive into what the anger is really about and whether it channels a broader anxiety about losing control. From there, they turn to what these systems can now do, as leaked code points to tools that track people—not just license plates—and invites comparisons to China’s surveillance state. Then, they weigh the deeper tension of a company whose only customer is the state, the problem of overcriminalization, and the specter of automated law enforcement. Finally, they consider the Supreme Court’s geofence ruling, the data-broker loophole it leaves wide open, and what privacy is ultimately for. In Politicology+, they look at a single case that tests how far privacy itself can be treated as a crime: an American Citizen charged with a felony for deleting his phone’s data. POLITICOLOGY+ 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. SPONSORS & PROMO CODES: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8 Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com Ron Steslow on X: https://x.com/RonSteslow Katherine Mangu-Ward on X: https://x.com/kmanguward Related Reading: Wired - Flock Has a Powerful New AI Tool for Police. We Got Its Code | WIRED Reason - Flock Safety’s new privacy rules do little to ease concerns over ALPR surveillance Reason - America is building a surveillance state like China's Pirate wires - Flock's Case for the Panopticon Wired - Flock Has a Powerful New AI Tool for Police. We Got Its Code | WIRED ACLU - Surveillance Company Flock Now Using AI to Report Us to Police if it Thinks Our Movement Patterns Are “Suspicious” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katherine Mangu-Ward (Editor in Chief of Reason) joins host Ron Steslow to examine the growing revolt against automated license-plate surveillance company Flock and what it reveals about privacy in the age of AI.&nbsp;
They begin with the backlash against flock: cameras cut down across dozens of states, communities canceling contracts, and an unlikely coalition uniting against the technology.&nbsp; They dive into what the anger is really about and whether it channels a broader anxiety about losing control.&nbsp;
From there, they turn to what these systems can now do, as leaked code points to tools that track people—not just license plates—and invites comparisons to China’s surveillance state.&nbsp;
Then, they weigh the deeper tension of a company whose only customer is the state, the problem of overcriminalization, and the specter of automated law enforcement.&nbsp;
Finally, they consider the Supreme Court’s geofence ruling, the data-broker loophole it leaves wide open, and what privacy is ultimately for.&nbsp;
In Politicology+, they look at a single case that tests how far privacy itself can be treated as a crime: an American Citizen charged with a felony for deleting his phone’s data.&nbsp;
POLITICOLOGY+
Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at <a href="http://politicology.com/plus" rel="noopener noreferrer">politicology.com/plus</a>.
SPONSORS &amp; PROMO CODES: <a href="https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8</a>
Send your questions and ideas to <a href="mailto:podcast@politicology.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">podcast@politicology.com</a>
Ron Steslow on X: <a href="https://x.com/RonSteslow" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://x.com/RonSteslow</a>
Katherine Mangu-Ward on X: <a href="https://x.com/kmanguward" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://x.com/kmanguward</a>
Related Reading:&nbsp;
Wired - <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/flock-safety-os-investigate/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Flock Has a Powerful New AI Tool for Police. We Got Its Code | WIRED</a>
Reason - <a href="https://reason.com/2026/08/14/flock-safetys-new-privacy-rules-do-little-to-ease-concerns-over-alpr-surveillance/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Flock Safety’s new privacy rules do little to ease concerns over ALPR surveillance</a>
Reason - <a href="https://reason.com/2026/08/21/america-is-building-a-surveillance-state-like-chinas/" rel="noopener noreferrer">America is building a surveillance state like China's</a>
Pirate wires - <a href="https://www.piratewires.com/p/flocks-case-for-the-panopticon-an" rel="noopener noreferrer">Flock's Case for the Panopticon</a>
Wired - <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/flock-safety-os-investigate/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Flock Has a Powerful New AI Tool for Police. We Got Its Code | WIRED</a>
ACLU - <a href="https://www.aclu.org/news/national-security/tracking-alpr-cameras/surveillance-company-flock-now-using-ai-to-report-us-to-police-if-it-thinks-our-movement-patterns-are-suspicious?ref=rangemedia.co" rel="noopener noreferrer">Surveillance Company Flock Now Using AI to Report Us to Police if it Thinks Our Movement Patterns Are “Suspicious”</a>
 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices" rel="noopener noreferrer">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

The Surveillance Revolt — The Weekly

Zack Czajkowski (co-founder of Civly) joins host Ron Steslow to map the first election of the chatbot era and to ask why the party that once led on campaign technology is now the one recoiling from it. 
They begin with voters already asking chatbots how to vote, perhaps millions directly and tens of millions more nudged by AI summaries without even realizing it. 
Next, they turn to how campaigns are adapting, the next era of search-engine optimization, a fight over how a candidate appears across major AI models, and why Republican operatives have leaned in faster. 
Then they discuss the cultural resistance on the left, from a reflexive disdain for AI-assisted work to the class fault lines beneath the “slop” discourse in prestige media. 
In Politicology+, they break down the abrupt resignation of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and the bipartisan praise trailing him out the door.
POLITICOLOGY+
Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at <a href="http://politicology.com/plus">politicology.com/plus</a>.
Read Pax Machina: <a href="https://paxmachina.ai/welcome-to-pax-machina">https://paxmachina.ai/welcome-to-pax-machina</a> 
SPONSORS & PROMO CODES: <a href="https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8">https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8</a>
Send your questions and ideas to <a href="mailto:podcast@politicology.com">podcast@politicology.com</a>
Ron Steslow on X: <a href="https://x.com/RonSteslow">https://x.com/RonSteslow</a>
Zack Czajkowski on X: https://x.com/ZackCz
 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Zack Czajkowski (co-founder of Civly) joins host Ron Steslow to map the first election of the chatbot era and to ask why the party that once led on campaign technology is now the one recoiling from it. They begin with voters already asking chatbots how to vote, perhaps millions directly and tens of millions more nudged by AI summaries without even realizing it. Next, they turn to how campaigns are adapting, the next era of search-engine optimization, a fight over how a candidate appears across major AI models, and why Republican operatives have leaned in faster. Then they discuss the cultural resistance on the left, from a reflexive disdain for AI-assisted work to the class fault lines beneath the “slop” discourse in prestige media. In Politicology+, they break down the abrupt resignation of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and the bipartisan praise trailing him out the door. POLITICOLOGY+ 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. Read Pax Machina: https://paxmachina.ai/welcome-to-pax-machina SPONSORS & PROMO CODES: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8 Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com Ron Steslow on X: https://x.com/RonSteslow Zack Czajkowski on X: https://x.com/ZackCz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zack Czajkowski (co-founder of Civly) joins host Ron Steslow to map the first election of the chatbot era and to ask why the party that once led on campaign technology is now the one recoiling from it.&nbsp;
They begin with voters already asking chatbots how to vote, perhaps millions directly and tens of millions more nudged by AI summaries without even realizing it.&nbsp;
Next, they turn to how campaigns are adapting, the next era of search-engine optimization, a fight over how a candidate appears across major AI models, and why Republican operatives have leaned in faster.&nbsp;
Then they discuss the cultural resistance on the left, from a reflexive disdain for AI-assisted work to the class fault lines beneath the “slop” discourse in prestige media.&nbsp;
In Politicology+, they break down the abrupt resignation of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll and the bipartisan praise trailing him out the door.
POLITICOLOGY+
Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at <a href="http://politicology.com/plus" rel="noopener noreferrer">politicology.com/plus</a>.
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Ballot Bots — The Weekly

This episode was recorded when Ron Steslow was host of The Lincoln Project Podcast (www.lincolnproject.us). He is no longer affiliated with the organization. This feed is now the home of Politicology. Lifelong Republicans have broken ranks with their party to defeat Donald Trump. Ron Steslow sits down with his fellow founders at The Lincoln Project to share with listeners who they are, what The Lincoln Project means to them, and why this movement is resonating with so many people.

This episode was recorded when Ron Steslow was host of The Lincoln Project Podcast (www.lincolnproject.us). He is no longer affiliated with the organization. This feed is now the home of Politicology. Lifelong Republicans have broken ranks with their party to defeat Donald Trump. Ron Steslow sits down with his fellow founders at The Lincoln Project to share with listeners who they are, what The Lincoln Project means to them, and why this movement is resonating with so many people.

This episode was recorded when&nbsp;Ron&nbsp;Steslow was host of The Lincoln Project Podcast (www.lincolnproject.us). He is no longer affiliated with the organization. This feed is now the home of Politicology. Lifelong Republicans have broken ranks with their party to defeat Donald Trump. Ron Steslow sits down with his fellow founders at The Lincoln Project to share with listeners who they are, what The Lincoln Project means to them, and why this movement is resonating with so many people.

Meet the Founders of The Lincoln Project

This episode was recorded when Ron Steslow was host of The Lincoln Project Podcast (www.lincolnproject.us). He is no longer affiliated with the organization. This feed is now the home of Politicology. American politics is in crisis. Together, the founders of The Lincoln Project have spent over 200 years electing Republicans. But now, they’ve sparked a nationwide movement with a singular mission: To defeat Donald Trump and Trumpism. Make sure to subscribe for updates! The Lincoln Project's new podcast is launching June 8th.

This episode was recorded when Ron Steslow was host of The Lincoln Project Podcast (www.lincolnproject.us). He is no longer affiliated with the organization. This feed is now the home of Politicology. American politics is in crisis. Together, the founders of The Lincoln Project have spent over 200 years electing Republicans. But now, they’ve sparked a nationwide movement with a singular mission: To defeat Donald Trump and Trumpism. Make sure to subscribe for updates! The Lincoln Project's new podcast is launching June 8th.

This episode was recorded when&nbsp;Ron&nbsp;Steslow was host of The Lincoln Project Podcast (www.lincolnproject.us). He is no longer affiliated with the organization. This feed is now the home of Politicology. American politics is in crisis. Together, the founders of The Lincoln Project have spent over 200 years electing Republicans. But now, they’ve sparked a nationwide movement with a singular mission: To defeat Donald Trump and Trumpism. Make sure to subscribe for updates! The Lincoln Project's new podcast is launching June 8th.

The Lincoln Project Podcast Trailer

Politics in America is transforming. We’re embarking on a new series to deepen our understanding of who we are, how we got here, and how we rebuild without repeating the mistakes of the past. Ron Steslow hosts academics, behavioral economists, social psychologists, politicos, philosophers, anthropologists, journalists, poets, and storytellers—and more—to discuss America’s political present and future and dive into the deeper problems we face as a nation. Email us questions or comments: podcast@politicology.com.

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