Pothole Problem Podcast

In this episode, Jack interviews one of his colleagues at Portland State University, Dr. Melody Valdini, professor of political science and co-editor of the Journal of Women, Politics & Policy. Their conversation begins with Dr. Valdini’s experiences in graduate school that focused her thinking on the power of the patriarchy and ends with the message: don’t disengage. In between, they discuss ways to attempt to reduce inequalities in the world, the need for political zen, and some more of the experiences that formed Dr. Valdini’s thinking, teaching, and advocacy.

Dr. Valdini’s books: The Character of Democracy and The Inclusion Calculation: Why Men Appropriate Women's Representation

Length: 37:35

In this short episode, Jack editorializes on the question of voting or not voting for the candidate that’s less bad. Inspired by recent news stories about strong anti-Trump voices now saying they will vote for Trump because they think a second Biden term would be disastrous, combined with polls showing that a lack of enthusiasm among young and minority voters for President Biden is potentially going to result in many traditionally Democratic voters not voting for anyone, Jack reflects on this asymmetry in American politics: that Republicans are much more likely to vote for the lesser of two evils and Democrat more likely not to vote for anyone if they’re disappointed in their candidate.

The mid-term election of 1994, dubbed "The Republican Revolution," ushered in a new era of national politics characterized by combativeness, polarization, and a divisive style of campaigning. Thirty years later, we're still living with the consequences of that transformative election and witnessing heightened levels of the political ugliness that resulted from it.

This episode includes a recording of a lecture Jack gave on the era-defining nature of the 1994 midterm election, delivered live on the Portland State University campus on Thursday, February 29th, 2024.

To learn more about the book, read a free excerpt, or order online, go to 1994novel.com.

In this special episode, one of Jack’s students at Portland State University, Jorielle Livingston, interviews her former high school civics teacher, Amy Galloway, an educator in Fairbanks, Alaska, with over 25 years of teaching experience. They discuss, among other things, the importance of civic education, what civic education means beyond just knowing the facts of the U.S. system of government, how regular people can make a difference, and why it’s important not just to vote but to participate more broadly in the life of your community, state, nation, and world.

Jack interviews former Portland city commissioner JoAnn Hardesty. They talk about the human experience of being a city commissioner, the early experiences that led her into public service, and some of the lessons she's learned along the way and advice she has for young people looking to make the world a better place.  

This episode is sponsored by White Tiger Press, publisher of Jack's 2019 publication, 1994, a novel of politics. Click here for a sample chapter and online ordering.

Jack is giving a lecture and book talk on Thursday, February 29th at 12pm on the 7th floor of the Urban Center on Portland State Campus. Click here for the Eventbrite announcement with more details.

In the newest episode of the Pothole Problem Podcast, Jack talks with Wendy Willis, founding director of Oregon’s Kitchen Table, a statewide engagement program working to give every Oregonian an opportunity to participate in the political decisions that affect their lives and communities. They discuss a wide range of topics, from Wendy's early experiences with community, how going to law school impacted her life and her thinking, and the challenges of promoting civic engagement and participation in the public forum in a post-pandemic world where people are increasingly isolated from each other and from the communities that nourish them.

Links:

Oregon's Kitchen Table: https://www.oregonskitchentable.org/

Kitchen Table Democracy: https://www.kitchentable.org/

National Policy Consensus Center: https://www.pdx.edu/policy-consensus-center/

"Perhaps the World Ends Here" by Joy Harjo: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/49622/perhaps-the-world-ends-here

In this episode, Jack talks about discomfort, inclusion and exclusion, tolerance and acceptance, power dynamics, and various other things with Jessica Heilman, executive director of the Center for Women's Leadership.

Jessica mentions Adam Grant's book Think Again.

 Here's the glossary of terms Jessica mentions: https://www.pdx.edu/center-womens-leadership/defining-our-work

To learn about the values of the CWL, go here: https://www.pdx.edu/center-womens-leadership/admissions/our-values

In this episode, Jack examines the many sources of outrage surrounding the teachers strike in Portland, and strikes in general, and schools in general, and he discusses how we can navigate these hard feelings and the powerful and often conflicting feelings of others. He describes how humor, active listening, and a healthy media diet can help power down strong emotions and enable us to face complex, confusing, highly charged issues without melting down.

Segments include:

- “Exiquali,” from the Zane and Dad Radio Hour, Episode 2: Habits, Tics, and Addictions

- “Monkeys Dressed Like Cowboys,” Ian Karmel, recorded in the White Tiger Lounge, November 17, 2012

- “Strugglin’ in this Bitch,” written and recorded by Isaih Johnson

Length: 28:08

Jack takes seriously the idea that Washington is broken by looking at performative politics and the ways the other two branches respond to Congressional power vacuums. This episode was recorded when the U.S. House of Representatives had been 22 days without a Speaker, with no end to the impasse in sight at close of the news day.

Segments include “Performative Politics” and “Legislative Outsourcing.”

Podcasts mentioned: Two Ring Circus

Link to our sponsor: Center for Public Service

Length: 21:13

The guest this episode is Karen Pan, a young political activist and former student of mine who's currently taking a break from politics to see if she can recover from her outrages and disappointments. She talks about a few things that used to outrage her but no longer do and what still bothers her about politics. This episode also includes a segment on philosopher John Stuart Mill and his views about voting along with a comedy performance by local comedian Anthony Lopez.

Karen's new employer: Live Wire

Podcast sourced: Applied Political Philosophy

Anthony Lopez on Twitter (okay, X): @AnthonyLopezpt2

Link to our new sponsor: Center for Public Service