Takeaways

• Human interest stories and immersive journalism can create empathy and understanding in war reporting.
• Empathy and authoritarianism cannot coexist.
• Reporting on traumatic events requires self-care and attention to mental well-being.
• The war in Ukraine has implications for the global order, and the United States' engagement is crucial.

Titles

• The Challenges of Reporting in a War Zone
• The Incompatibility of Empathy and Authoritarianism

Sound Bites

• "Empathy and authoritarianism can't mix."
• "Ukrainians are obsessed with sushi despite being nowhere near any ocean."
• "This is a war that is emblematic of a new Cold War."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:07 The Goal of Creating Empathy and Inspiring Action

08:00 The State of the War in Ukraine and Its Impact

10:07 Surprising Aspects of Ukrainian Culture

12:14 The Challenges of Reporting in a War Zone

22:11 Ukrainian Sentiments Towards the West and the US

24:51 Why Americans Should Care About the War in Ukraine

27:17 Lightning Round: Precarious Situations, Reading, and White Whale Scoops

33:27 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

ABOUT MASTERING THE ROOM

Mastering the Room is produced by the George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management and hosted by political analyst and professor Casey Burgat. In less time than the average D.C. morning commute, you'll get an inside take on today’s issues with information and perspectives you won’t get anywhere else.

MTR challenges guests to go beyond the Sunday show talking points and offer a deeper understanding of polarizing topics, discussing ideas that few have heard before.

Whether you agree with them or not, you’ll see unique arguments from surprising new angles. Packed with influencers, experts, and familiar names in DC and beyond, Mastering the Room is a podcast with access, connections, and proximity to power. 

To listen to vintage episodes from the original Mastering the Room podcast, click here.

ABOUT CASEY BURGAT

Mastering the Room host, Casey Burgat, is the Director of the Legislative Affairs program at the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management. 

Before joining GSPM, Dr. Burgat was a Senior Governance Fellow at the R Street Institute where his research focused on issues of Congressional capacity and reform. Mr. Burgat is known for his regular contributions to scholarly and journalistic publications, including CNN, the Washington Post, and Politico, and has appeared on various television and radio outlets. 

Dr. Burgat is the author of the 2025 Amazon best-seller  We Hold These "Truths," exploring society's myths and misconceptions about how government works (published by Authors Equity). He's also co-authored Congress Explained: Representation and Lawmaking in the First Branch, a textbook on all things Congress, published by Sage/CQ Press in the fall of 2022.