Politics and Parenting Podcast

It’s been a while since I put out a Politics and Parenting podcast. With so much going on with work and family, I have decided to focus my energy on No Cap Fund and Hardhits over Politics and Parenting.

There isn’t much in this special episode hosted by my wife, Vanessa, about the traditional politics of Washington; however, the politics of business and marriage are front and center. She shares her story of leaving her career at a midsize corporation to join me and run Hardhits, a small community branding company that prints custom apparel.

She asks me the pressing questions like Why did you start Hardhits? And what is it like working with your wife?

The episode is longer than normal because there is no one in the world I enjoy talking with more than my wife, and so we just kept going. It was a ton of fun to shoot. We discuss the importance of communication in both business and personal relationships, the challenges and rewards of running a small business, and the role of youth sports in community building and personal development. We also discuss the value of teamwork and leadership on business success and personal growth.

If you run a small business, have a family, work with your spouse, or want to run a small business, you don’t want to miss this episode!

If you need custom apparel, contact Vanessa at [email protected] or visit our website www.hardhits.net.

Peace and Love,

Jeff Mayhugh

Thanks for reading Politics and Parenting! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicsandparenting.com

Today, in The Hill, I challenge the Trump administration to think bigger. Every significant President that exerts their power, follows it up by bringing Congress to heel in a bipartisan way. If Trump wants to be one of the greats, he will find a way to reach across the aisle and work with Democrats on reform.

He needs to walk into members of the Blue Dog coalition’s offices in the Longworth building and start a serious conversation about reform. There is a silent majority in America ready for this and mandates require the people’s backing.

In this Pod, I am joined by my good friend Stephen Kent from Geeky Stoics. We discuss a recent pod from Ezra Klein and his description of Congress as a Non-Player member. (In gaming, a Non-Player Member is a participant who isn't actively controlling a character.) We also talk about Elon and DOGE, and why bipartisanship matters.

As a personal note, I just want to share what a joy it was to record with Stephen. He is a great guy. I love his profession, optimism, and seriousness. It was great to get together in person. I had a lot of fun. Thanks, Stephen! Show him some love and subscribe to Geeky Stoics, for all things stoicism, philosophy, and pop culture.

If you like this pod and want more, show me some encouragement and become a paid subscriber.

Peace & Love,

Jeff Mayhugh

Politics and Parenting is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicsandparenting.com

I got a little behind on work and am releasing this one a little late. But better late than never, right?

In the episode, Walter and I discussed my November 26th article and substack about Nikki Haley and Ronald Reagan. Then, we debated whether our founders were Revolutionaries or Reformers.

In the pod, I mentioned Tim Carny's article from January 2024 about Trump's business relationship with China. I also found this article relevant to Walter and my discussion about Boeing.

Enjoy!

Peace and Love,

Jeff Mayhugh

Politics and Parenting is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicsandparenting.com

Happy Day after Thanksgiving! I recorded this pod last Sunday but didn't get a chance to edit it until yesterday. So when I talk about my latest article, it’s the one that came out on Tuesday the 26th.

In the pod, I share some stories about my new job at Home Depot, a road trip with my son Oliver, and a coffee date with my twins.

In the beginning, I shared how the responsibilities of customer service at Home Depot are similar to those of our congressional representatives. Then, I talked about how Oliver and I bonded on a trip to mourn a good friend's father. After I shared how reading Matthew 5:21-26 with my girls makes parenting just a little easier.

Sometimes, it feels like I can’t do anything right; sometimes, it feels like I am failing everyone around me. It’s times like that when I lean on Jesus the most.

Peace and Love,

Jeff Mayhugh

Politics and Parenting is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicsandparenting.com

Today on Politics and Parenting, I play you know what grinds my gears, parenting edition. I share stories from our house of children: Julia and the fan, Sadie being tired, and Oliver’s tendency to be grumpy.

In the second half of the show, I play, you know what grinds my gears politics edition. I talk about my latest article in The Hill, a conversation on X, and why we should repair representation over saving democracy.

During the second part of the show, I mentioned the formation of a select committee on election reforms, but I forgot to mention the members' names. It is a bipartisan committee announced by Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) and Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) to tackle election reform. Part of the reforms they recommend center on representation and specifically expanding the House of Representatives. 

Peace and Love,

Jeff Mayhugh

Politics and Parenting is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicsandparenting.com

Walter Clapp from No Cap Fund is back by popular demand.

At the beginning of the show, I air my grievances about Tom Nichols from the Atlantic blocking me on X.

Then, we discuss whether there is a secret Harris vote and if women will decide the election.

Check out these USA Today and Newsweek articles.

If either candidate loses, what could they have done differently to win?

Check out these articles from National Review (1, 2, & 3), Wired, Huffington Post, and CBS News.

Finally, we will finish the show by talking about Representation. How does illegal immigration affect our representation and electoral system?

Enjoy!

Peace & Love,

Jeff Mayhugh

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicsandparenting.com

In this episode, my friend from the No Cap Fund, Walter Clapp, joins me. Walter guest hosts the show as we discuss the upcoming presidential election.

What if Texas goes Blue?

Walter and I discuss my latest article in The Hill about the possibility that Ruby Red Texas could turn blue in 2024.

Could JD Vance become the most powerful Vice President in American History?

Walter and I discuss the possibility of Texas going purple and JD Vance becoming the tie-breaking vote in the Senate and the key to the 25th Amendment.

What was that about Trump and Mike Johnson having a secret plan?

Walter and I discuss whether the secret plan has anything to do with the 1876 election and what it might mean for America.

Let’s Talk about Representation!

Walter and I do what we do best: we talk about Representation in America. While Alexis de Tocqueville made Democracy in America famous, it’s Representation where American Democracy is held. Walter and I discuss the importance of Representation and how and why the House of Representatives was capped at 435.

Visit Why435.org to donate to the No Cap Fund and help us uncap the House of Representatives. Don’t forget to subscribe to Politics and Parenting so you don’t miss out on new and exciting conversations like this one.

Thank you for listening.

Peace & Love,

Jeff Mayhugh

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicsandparenting.com

On today’s pod, I speak with Yuval Levin. He is the director of Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), and he has written three books that have been very influential to me: The Fractured Republic, A Time to Build, and American Covenant.

Levin and I discuss our current political dysfunction and how a renewal of the Constitution can help. We also discuss Congress's ineffectiveness and what reforms can be made to strengthen the institution.

Levin was a delight to have on the show. He is one of the country's most important thought leaders. America would be doing much better if we listened to his (and other reformers’) ideas about representation, incentives, and balance of power. Few in the country understand what makes America Great, like Yuval Levin. In an age of negativity and fear, Levin offers an optimistic vision of America, where citizens are empowered to govern themselves. Enjoy the Show!

Peace & Love,

Jeff Mayhugh

Politics and Parenting is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicsandparenting.com

In this episode, I am joined by Michael Johnson, Co-Author of Fixing Congress: Restoring Power to the People. Mike and I discuss the importance of Congress, a little history of the House of Representatives and Speaker, and reforms we can make to restore Congressional power back to the people.

Fixing Congress is full of insightful ideas and important and interesting information. Whether you are a nerd like me or just someone looking to become more informed about our political divide, Fixing Congress is a great read. You can purchase your copy by clicking here.

Don’t forget to subscribe to keep up-to-date with great information about Congressional Reform.

Politics and Parenting is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicsandparenting.com

What does American Covenant and Everybody Loves Raymond have in common? Surprisingly, a lot. I wrote an article about it, and look, I recorded a pod, too! In the pod, I compare the dysfunction of Ray and Deborah’s relationship to that of the majority and minority ruling parties, Republicans and Democrats.

The article connected with this pod is the second part in a series of excerpts from American Covenant Chapter One: What is the Constitution? Levin explains the Constitution as five frameworks: Legal, Policymaking, Institutional, Political, and Unity. The second excerpt is about the policy framework.

Did you miss the first one? No worries, you can find it here. If you download the Substack app, it will read it to you, so it’s like a 2-minute podcast with some random AI guy’s voice.

Thank you for tuning in!

Peace & Love,

Jeff Mayhugh

Politics and Parenting is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicsandparenting.com