The Great Purple State

In this episode, we look at Wisconsin's recently-concluded, head-spinning Democratic primary for governor. We talk about Francesca Hong campaign's surge, what she did well, why she ultimately fell short, how David Crowley mounted an impressive comeback, good reasons to support him for governor, and what this all means for November amid the ongoing cruelties and attacks of the second Trump administration.

In this episode, recorded a few weeks ago, Conall and Emerson offer their thoughts on Trump's handling of the war he started with Iran, and why the US is losing that war. Among other things, we note the fact that this is an administration filled with people incapable of empathizing with others - who view it as a weakness - and how this makes them weak, incompetent opponents against the much more motivated Iranians. We make the case: in war, you must empathize with your enemy. 

In this episode, Conall and Emerson have yet another discussion about how to deal with rising fascism in the United States, and we both emphasize the importance of the simple power of naming things as they are. When we name evil and malice as such, we begin to be able to confront them. We also discuss what accountability and justice may look like in the face of the Trump administration's continued assault on democracy and decency.

Conall also discusses the Spanish Civil War of the 1930s, and how by studying an example of where fascism triumphed against democracy, we can impart wisdom to the people of today about fascism's dangers. 

In what may be their best pod yet, Conall and Emerson have a deep, heartfelt discussion on navigating a perilous moment in history, and how to cultivate hope when things feel deeply bleak. Conall offers his broad perspective on the state of democracy in America, a little over one year after Trump has been back in office, alongside his analysis of the scandalous revelations and redactions of the Epstein files by the Department of Justice. Emerson offers a deep perspective on what community and resistance looks like from the heart of Minneapolis amid its invasion by the Department of Homeland Security. Finally, Conall and Emerson pay tribute to the late civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, and repeat his message from nearly 40 years ago: keep hope alive. 

In a far-reaching interview with the redoubtable climate journalist Samantha Harrington of Yale Climate Connections, Conall and Emerson talk with Sam about how climate change is transforming Wisconsin and other parts of the country, how the climate crisis is being successfully fought by Native American communities, along with the Trump administration's latest threats to FEMA and how this threatens disaster response across the US. We cover all of that and more in this hopeful, edifying interview with someone who is an expert in her field.

Sam's author page at Yale Climate Connections: https://yaleclimateconnections.org/author/sam/ 

Please support Sam's life-saving and informative work by reading and sharing it with friends and family. Some of the articles referenced in the podcast are: 

Sam's article about FEMA's struggles - https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/06/fema-is-unprepared-for-the-next-hurricane-katrina-disaster-experts-warn/

Sam's article about Wisconsin's tribal nations fighting climate change with great success - https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/06/by-paying-attention-tribes-in-the-northwoods-are-leading-the-way-on-climate-change/

Additional sources cited in the podcast: 

WPR article on the new natural gas plants being built in Oak Creek and Paris: https://www.wpr.org/news/public-service-commission-approves-we-energies-plan-wisconsin-natural-gas-plants

Conall and Emerson discuss the recent Wisconsin Supreme Court election that saw Susan Crawford defeat Elon Musk’s millions in a landslide, alongside other recent events here and in America. We speak about hope, resistance, and the importance of not listening to those who would tell us that what we do doesn’t matter. 

In The Great Purple State's first-ever interview, Conall and Emerson speak with Christian Phelps, a Wisconsin state representative for Assembly District 93 (Eau Claire and the rural areas around it). We cover a wide array of topics, from the Trump administration's illegal funding freeze's impact on farmers in western Wisconsin, our upcoming state Supreme Court race and Elon Musk's attempt to buy it, to the importance of education funding and public schools for all communities, regardless of their political lean. Vote for Susan Crawford and Jill Underly on or before Tuesday, April 1st!

In this pre-inauguration episode, Conall and Emerson discuss the presidential transition, Elon Musk's attempt to buy the American government, and how to stay calm and collected in a time of political crisis. 

Donald Trump has won the 2024 presidential election. He is set to return to Washington more empowered and vengeful than ever. Conall and Emerson give their election retrospectives and more in the Great Purple State's return episode in order to answer that vexing question: "what now?"

In this brief episode, Conall and Emerson discuss broader political trends in the state of Wisconsin and ask ourselves what the future holds for our podcast's titular state. 

Op-ed Conall cites about rural American political trends: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/25/opinion/rural-voters-republican-realignment.html