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Today, Dr. Don Kettl agreed to stay around and help answer some listener questions.

Raymond from Albany, New York, writes:  

I know the panel would love to see a major shift in party control in the midterm elections, and honestly, I would too. But I’m also realistic. Even if Democrats were to retake both the House and the Senate, they still wouldn’t have the numbers to pass much. They almost certainly wouldn’t have the votes to override a veto in the House, and with the filibuster still in place in the Senate, Republicans could keep blocking most legislation.  

So, here’s my question: If Democrats regain control but remain short of the numbers needed to govern effectively, what options do they actually have beyond repeatedly pointing to Republican obstruction? Should they seriously consider pushing to end the Senate filibuster, or is that a political fight they’re unlikely to win?  

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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 welcome Dr. Don Kettl to the show. 

Donald Kettl specializes in public management and public policy. He previously served as dean of the University of Maryland School of Public Policy and is a nonresident senior fellow at the Volcker Alliance, the Brookings Institution, and the Partnership for Public Service. He has authored numerous books.

He has received three lifetime achievement awards: the American Political Science Association's John Gaus Award, the International Public Management Association's Warner W. Stockberger Achievement Award for Human Resources, and the American Society for Public Administration's Donald C. Stone Award.

Dr. Kettl has consulted for government organizations at all levels, including most recently the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. He has appeared frequently in national and international media. He has chaired two gubernatorial blue-ribbon commissions for the Wisconsin state government, one on campaign finance reform and the other on government structure and finance.

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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.

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Adam from Magdeburg, Germany, writes:  Maybe it’s time for the world to wake up to the political shifts happening across democracies. Here in Saxony‑Anhalt, the far‑right AfD just won 39 seats in the state parliament, thankfully still short of the 42 needed for a majority. But this party openly embraces ideas that echo white nationalism and, in some cases, the rhetoric of historical fascism. It’s unsettling, and yet people voted them in.  

I know the United States is wrestling with similar dynamics, with far‑right ideologies reshaping parts of the political landscape. Your panel has sometimes compared certain members of Congress to fascists, but with the AfD, it isn’t a metaphor. Their ideology aligns directly with historical fascist movements.  

What I really want to understand is why voters choose this path. What makes far‑right parties and their narratives so appealing? Why do these movements gain traction, here in Germany and there in America?  

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.

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Today we get an update on the digital democracy project from its CEO, Ramon Perez.

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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.

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Tim from Santa Fe, New Mexico, writes:

I sometimes find myself wondering just how gullible the American electorate can be.

 First, we got the Gulf of America. Then came Lake America. And now, apparently, “dumb Donny” wants to rename my state, New Mexico, as New America.

 If you’re an ultranationalist, maybe this all sounds perfectly reasonable. After all, putting “America first” seems to require little more than changing a name or hugging a flag. But it’s obvious these theatrics are meant to distract his shrinking base from the very real crises facing the country.

 That’s my rant. Here’s my actual question.

 I’ve seen commentary suggesting that if Republicans get thoroughly beaten in November, which many analysts expect, Trump might simply walk away from the presidency. 

He has no plan to fix the chaos he’s created, but he could leave with his pockets full. And while watching him exit stage right sounds appealing, that leaves us with Vance… and I’m not convinced that’s an upgrade.

There is a certain logic to the scenario: Trump resigns, Vance becomes president, Vance pardons him for everything, and Trump avoids the accountability he so richly deserves.

Is that a real possibility? And can a presidential pardon, even one issued by a sitting president, be overturned?

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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.

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Today we had the pleasure of interviewing James G Ellis, former businessman and entrepreneur, and Dean Emeritus of the Marshall School of Business at the University of California. He gave insights into his new book, A Journey of Insights: Lessons in Leadership and Legacy.  Available wherever books are sold. 

Learn about Jim www.jamesgellisauthor.com 

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.

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Tammie, from Atlanta, Georgia, writes, 

If you’d asked me six years ago who Jon Ossoff was, I probably wouldn’t have had an answer. Today, he’s become one of the most visible rising figures in the Democratic Party, openly challenging President Trump, calling out his unusual dynamic with Natalie Harp, and hammering the administration’s economic and foreign‑policy missteps. 

What’s striking is that Ossoff doesn’t seem intimidated by the traditional Trump backlash. If anything, it appears to energize him.

He even took aim at Trump’s attempt to defend Darline Graham’s widely criticized debate performance last week. 

So, it raises an interesting question: Has Ossoff found a way to neutralize Trump’s usual political playbook? And if so, should more Democrats adopt his approach? Given how unpopular many of them currently are, it’s hard to see what they have to lose.

I’ll admit that politics in Georgia can get rough, and as Dr. Mark has pointed out, the same is true just across the border in South Carolina. So, is this where American politics is headed? And more broadly, does the panel believe that “dirty politics” is simply an unavoidable part of democratic systems? 

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.

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Raymond from Birmingham, Alabama, writes:

Both major parties are experiencing unexpected turbulence in this year’s primaries, revealing deep internal power struggles and competing visions of party identity.

We’re seeing Bernie Sanders’ endorsement of Angie Nixon in Florida lead to a surprising upset in a traditionally red state. Freedom Caucus candidates, once dominant in conservative primaries, are now struggling to gain traction. Several long‑time incumbents have lost their House primaries, tying a modern record. And Democrats are wrestling with internal divisions over ICE, immigration enforcement, and border messaging, among other topics.

So, the real question becomes: What do these fractures tell us about the future of both parties as we head into the 2026 midterms and beyond? And why are these internal battles intensifying now? 

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.

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Jennifer from Detroit, Michigan, writes:

 Well, here we go, a trade war with one of our closest allies is apparently ready to begin. 

President Trump’s announcement of 50% tariffs on Canadian goods landed with a thud, and when Prime Minister Carney pushed back, Trump quickly backed off. (TACO). Does anyone in this administration understand how dependent we are on Canadian imports?

Anything made with wood, including paper products, will rise in price. And you can already imagine the MAGA crowd clearing out store shelves of toilet paper. Alcohol prices will climb as well, especially since Canada has sharply reduced its consumption of American alcoholic beverages in favor of domestic brands. Nearly all dairy products will increase, given Canada’s role as a major supplier to the U.S.

Meanwhile, Bessent is promoting a “D‑Day Economic Sanction Package” on Iran, claiming it will devastate Iran’s economy into submission.

 So, here’s the real question: With all the supposed economic expertise in this administration, how do they keep producing policies that are so consistently counterproductive? 

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.

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 Today, Zolal Habibi returns to offer a clear, unflinching look at conditions inside Iran, the Iran Freedom Organization’s ongoing efforts, and how the current conflict has ultimately strengthened the regime’s grip on power. She highlights developments and actions by Iranian authorities that many in the Western world may not know about, while outlining what she believes could come next. She closes with a message aimed not only at Iranians but at the global community watching this crisis unfold. 

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
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