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The Nova Society
By Dr. Mark George Bound, Dr. Scott Gerschwer, & Dr. Brooklynn Ann WeldenSociety & CultureScienceSocial SciencesGovernment
The Nova Society episodes
- SCOTUS, Louisiana, and the Voting Rights Act S4E208 10.22.2025
Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message!
Today our question is from Spencer, who lives in Reno, NV, and Spencer asks Sometime next week, the SCOTUS will be hearing a case from Louisiana that is challenging the Voting Rights Act of (I think) 1963. In the past, the SCOTUS has pretty much weakened the Act over time. In a 1980 decision, the Supreme Court effectively concluded that only intentional discrimination violated the law. That decision drew significant criticism. Two years later, Congress amended the provision to sweep in voting laws that had a discriminatory effect, regardless of whether challengers could prove intent. The new language, crafted by the late Sen. Bob Dole, barred any voting practice that “results in a denial or abridgement of the right of any citizen of the United States to vote on account of race or color.” Chief Justice John Roberts recently explained that “our country has changed” for the better. And that the deplorable conditions that prompted Congress to pass the voting rights law in the 1960s “no longer characterize voting in the covered jurisdictions.” Do you think Roberts is correct? If the SCOTUS sides with Louisiana, what might be the consequences for American Democracy?
INFORMEDISH: Real life. Artificial cohost.
Movies, parenting and life's absurdities. Jason and his AI cohost Heather take sides.Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Support the show
The Nova Society Podcast
In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations.
Stay tuned for more information about our proposed weekly second channel, The Nova Society-Side Projects, where we have conversations with guests about topics important to them and to you, our listeners.
Our Buzzsprout Home Landing Page
Direct SMS message to the podcast from the “message us” link on our page.
Support the Nova Society
Email us your QuestionsSubscribe to the Nova Society
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Join Our Facebook Page & YouTube Channel
Past episodes & read our blog Here.
JCIS
Apple Podcasts/ I-Tunes
Spotify
...32 min - The release of the Israeli hostages. What's next? S4E207 10.21.2025
Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message!
Today, our question is from Travis, who lives in Greensboro, NC, and Travis asks The peace deal seems to be moving forward. Hostages and prisoners are being traded. Yet, for all I can see in the news, there still seems to be some issues moving past this stage. I can’t really see the plan moving forward. So I’m asking if the panel sees something I don’t? International pressure is being placed on both sides. Do you guys think one of the players will break down and scrap the deal? Right now, if I were to guess, I’d say Israel will break the deal first. If so, where do we go from here?
INFORMEDISH: Real life. Artificial cohost.
Movies, parenting and life's absurdities. Jason and his AI cohost Heather take sides.Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Support the show
The Nova Society Podcast
In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations.
Stay tuned for more information about our proposed weekly second channel, The Nova Society-Side Projects, where we have conversations with guests about topics important to them and to you, our listeners.
Our Buzzsprout Home Landing Page
Direct SMS message to the podcast from the “message us” link on our page.
Support the Nova Society
Email us your QuestionsSubscribe to the Nova Society
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Join Our Facebook Page & YouTube Channel
Past episodes & read our blog Here.
JCIS
Apple Podcasts/ I-Tunes
Spotify
...31 min - Protesting ICE S4E206 10.20.2025
Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message!
Today, our question is from Braden, who lives in Tallahassee, FL, and Braden asks, Protests against ICE agents are in full swing in Portland and Chicago. In Chicago, ICE agents and Kristi Noem have been denied access to bathrooms and restaurants. In Portland, people dress up in Frog costumes and taunt ICE. There is a current hold on sending the National Guard to these cities. So, I would ask, do you think these protests are effective? Do you think they are supported by the general population? If this were to go to SCOTUS, do you think they would uphold the lower courts' decisions? Finally, I saw where a pastor was hit in the head with a pepper ball. Should the shooter be charged? Can he be charged?
INFORMEDISH: Real life. Artificial cohost.
Movies, parenting and life's absurdities. Jason and his AI cohost Heather take sides.Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Support the show
The Nova Society Podcast
In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations.
Stay tuned for more information about our proposed weekly second channel, The Nova Society-Side Projects, where we have conversations with guests about topics important to them and to you, our listeners.
Our Buzzsprout Home Landing Page
Direct SMS message to the podcast from the “message us” link on our page.
Support the Nova Society
Email us your QuestionsSubscribe to the Nova Society
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Join Our Facebook Page & YouTube Channel
Past episodes & read our blog Here.
JCIS
Apple Podcasts/ I-Tunes
Spotify
...37 min - The Death Penalty S4E205 10.17.2025
Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message!
Today, a listener asks the panel a philosophical question. Our question is from Tonya, who lives in Austin, Texas, and Tonya asks, Just this week, there are 4 executions scheduled in the US. This will make this the busiest month for executions since 2011. I’d like to know the panel’s take on capital punishment and whether the death penalty should be outlawed.
Support the show
The Nova Society Podcast
In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations.
Stay tuned for more information about our proposed weekly second channel, The Nova Society-Side Projects, where we have conversations with guests about topics important to them and to you, our listeners.
Our Buzzsprout Home Landing Page
Direct SMS message to the podcast from the “message us” link on our page.
Support the Nova Society
Email us your QuestionsSubscribe to the Nova Society
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Join Our Facebook Page & YouTube Channel
Past episodes & read our blog Here.
JCIS
Apple Podcasts/ I-Tunes
Spotify
...20 min - Week 3 of the Government Shutdown S4E204 10.16.2025
Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message!
Today our question is from Timothy, who lives in Green Bay, WI, and Timothy asks, AS we enter the third week of the government shutdown, both sides are blaming the other for the impasse. Many outlets, including yours, place the blame on Republicans since they hold both houses of Congress and the presidency. Yet, the math says that Republicans do need some Democratic votes to reach a deal. Does your panel see a pathway to breaking this political deadlock? If not, as this goes on, what real-world consequences could there be for the economy and Americans in general?
INFORMEDISH: Real life. Artificial cohost.
Movies, parenting and life's absurdities. Jason and his AI cohost Heather take sides.Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Support the show
The Nova Society Podcast
In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations.
Stay tuned for more information about our proposed weekly second channel, The Nova Society-Side Projects, where we have conversations with guests about topics important to them and to you, our listeners.
Our Buzzsprout Home Landing Page
Direct SMS message to the podcast from the “message us” link on our page.
Support the Nova Society
Email us your QuestionsSubscribe to the Nova Society
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Join Our Facebook Page & YouTube Channel
Past episodes & read our blog Here.
JCIS
Apple Podcasts/ I-Tunes
Spotify
...26 min - Is Portland Burning? S4E203 10.15.2025
Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message!
Today, our question comes from Chizoba, who lives in Puna, Hawaii. Chizoba asks, Judges are stopping deployments into American cities like Chicago and Portland, but the Trump administration is counter-suing? I listen to your show almost every day, and I know you’ve talked about Posse Comitatus and that it is illegal to deploy troops in the US proper. So I have a few questions. If this were true, why is this such a hard thing to stop? If it’s against the law, why is this question even being brought up? Why do people believe Portland is on fire when, on the ground, news reports show a totally different story? If this succeeds in Portland and Chicago, where do you think Trump will target next? There are a lot of protesters protesting ICE. They are being labeled as terrorists; could they be in trouble for protesting? Could they be deported?
Support the show
The Nova Society Podcast
In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations.
Stay tuned for more information about our proposed weekly second channel, The Nova Society-Side Projects, where we have conversations with guests about topics important to them and to you, our listeners.
Our Buzzsprout Home Landing Page
Direct SMS message to the podcast from the “message us” link on our page.
Support the Nova Society
Email us your QuestionsSubscribe to the Nova Society
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Join Our Facebook Page & YouTube Channel
Past episodes & read our blog Here.
JCIS
Apple Podcasts/ I-Tunes
Spotify
...20 min - The Gaza Peace Plan S4E202 10.14.2025
Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message!
Today, our question comes from Travis, who lives in Greensboro, NC. Travis asks, Yesterday, 10/7/2025, was the anniversary of the attack on Israel 2 years ago. Trump has presented a peace plan that seems to be working as the Israelis and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire. So, on the back of Trump’s success, do you think the war might be ending? Do you see any possible obstacles to this peace plan that might derail all of Trump’s good work?
INFORMEDISH: Real life. Artificial cohost.
Movies, parenting and life's absurdities. Jason and his AI cohost Heather take sides.Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Support the show
The Nova Society Podcast
In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations.
Stay tuned for more information about our proposed weekly second channel, The Nova Society-Side Projects, where we have conversations with guests about topics important to them and to you, our listeners.
Our Buzzsprout Home Landing Page
Direct SMS message to the podcast from the “message us” link on our page.
Support the Nova Society
Email us your QuestionsSubscribe to the Nova Society
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Join Our Facebook Page & YouTube Channel
Past episodes & read our blog Here.
JCIS
Apple Podcasts/ I-Tunes
Spotify
...27 min - Why is travel to the US down? S4E201 10.13.2025
Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message!
Today, our question is from Deidra, who lives in Miami, FL. Deidra asks, the government shutdown is having a serious impact on air travel here in the US. I know agencies like the Post Office and IRS are still up and running, but Air Traffic controllers seem to be in short supply. I know that travel numbers from foreign countries are down this year, but I’ve noticed that travel to Miami’s beaches is also down. Do you think this has anything to do with the flight being cancelled due to the shutdown or something else?
Support the show
The Nova Society Podcast
In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations.
Stay tuned for more information about our proposed weekly second channel, The Nova Society-Side Projects, where we have conversations with guests about topics important to them and to you, our listeners.
Our Buzzsprout Home Landing Page
Direct SMS message to the podcast from the “message us” link on our page.
Support the Nova Society
Email us your QuestionsSubscribe to the Nova Society
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Join Our Facebook Page & YouTube Channel
Past episodes & read our blog Here.
JCIS
Apple Podcasts/ I-Tunes
Spotify
...17 min - What is ICE and Should a Foreigner feel safe visiting the US? S4E200 10.10.2025
Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message!
Today we have a question from Elena, who lives in Brandenburg, Germany. Elena asks, I’ve always wanted to travel to the United States, but the recent events in your major cities and reports of the detention of foreigners, even those just visiting, concern me. I know this might sound like a dumb question, but here in Europe, we are a little confused by all the conflicting reporting. What is ICE actually? Is ICE a real agency of the government? What is their actual function? And lastly, why are so many Americans protesting against them?
Support the show
The Nova Society Podcast
In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations.
Stay tuned for more information about our proposed weekly second channel, The Nova Society-Side Projects, where we have conversations with guests about topics important to them and to you, our listeners.
Our Buzzsprout Home Landing Page
Direct SMS message to the podcast from the “message us” link on our page.
Support the Nova Society
Email us your QuestionsSubscribe to the Nova Society
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Join Our Facebook Page & YouTube Channel
Past episodes & read our blog Here.
JCIS
Apple Podcasts/ I-Tunes
Spotify
...18 min - What is Fascism and are we moving toward it? S4E199 10.09.2025
Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message!
Today, we answer an interesting question from Rebecca, who lives in Seattle, WA. Rebecca asks, all we hear on the news from the democratic side is that Trump is a fascist. I’ve heard a lot of people define the term fascist, but I’d like the panel's take on what fascism really is. What is going on in the US today that makes you think, if you even do, that we are moving toward fascism?
INFORMEDISH: Real life. Artificial cohost.
Movies, parenting and life's absurdities. Jason and his AI cohost Heather take sides.Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify
Support the show
The Nova Society Podcast
In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations.
Stay tuned for more information about our proposed weekly second channel, The Nova Society-Side Projects, where we have conversations with guests about topics important to them and to you, our listeners.
Our Buzzsprout Home Landing Page
Direct SMS message to the podcast from the “message us” link on our page.
Support the Nova Society
Email us your QuestionsSubscribe to the Nova Society
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Join Our Facebook Page & YouTube Channel
Past episodes & read our blog Here.
JCIS
Apple Podcasts/ I-Tunes
Spotify
...37 min
About The Nova Society
From the publisher's feed
We address listener questions about the headlines shaping today’s world and the social and political forces behind them. Our mission is to offer clear, unbiased commentary rooted in critical…
thinking and analytical rigor. Through thoughtful, in‑depth conversations, we examine current events and the challenges facing society, while still keeping space for engaging, enjoyable dialogue. We hold that facts matter, and that misinformation and disinformation remain among the most serious threats to an informed and healthy civic culture.