The World and stuff

DC Councilmember Brianne Nadeau joins me to break down the on-the-ground reality of President Trump’s asserted “federal takeover” of Washington, DC — from ICE riding along with MPD and federal agents patrolling neighborhoods, to National Guard deployments and what it’s doing to trust, safety, and civil liberties.

We get into the roots of DC’s crime swings, 2020-era police reforms, the legal limits of federal power, political fallout for Mayor Bowser, DC statehood prospects, and yes — the Commanders stadium fight.

If you care about how American cities are policed — and who actually holds the power — this one’s for you.

👉 If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, rate, and share. It helps a ton.

Chapters

00:00 – Intro & what this episode covers

00:35 – How DC government actually works (Home Rule 101)

2:44 – Council roles, workload & compensation

4:15 – Why crime ebbs & flows in DC (post-COVID reality)

11:12 – 2020 reforms, MPD staffing & trust with communities

20:17 – What the “takeover” really means inside MPD

22:07 – ICE, federal agents & day-to-day policing on DC streets

31:07 – National Guard on patrol: impact, optics & morale

37:34 – Bowser’s strategy, DC statehood & political fallout

50:42 – Commanders stadium, the name fight & closing thoughts

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#WashingtonDC #DCPolitics #Policing #CriminalJustice #PublicSafety #Immigration #ICE #NationalGuard #CivilRights #Project2025 #MPD #UrbanPolicy #Podcast #WorldAndStuff #BrianneNadeau #twaspod

In this episode of The World and Stuff, I sit down with Todd Schulte, President of FWD.us, to tackle the tough questions on immigration.

We discuss why anti-immigrant sentiment is on the rise, the economic impact of immigrants, the politics behind border enforcement, and how both Trump and Biden have shaped U.S. immigration policy.

Todd shares data, context, and personal insights from years of advocacy, while addressing the myths that dominate the national conversation.

Whether you agree or disagree, this is a candid, fact-driven conversation you won’t want to miss.

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction & Why Immigration Matters

00:33 – Todd Schulte’s Background & Political Roots

02:02 – Why Immigration Benefits America

04:07 – The Global Swing Toward Anti-Immigrant Politics

06:10 – Immigration Levels, Birth Rates & Public Opinion

12:36 – Rethinking “Illegal” Immigration

17:50 – Biden’s Border Policy & Missed Opportunities

22:13 – The Asylum System: Intended Use vs. Reality

27:26 – Economic Impact & Myths About Immigrant Labor

30:33 – Corporate Exploitation & Workplace Enforcement

34:50 – Trump’s Mass Deportation Agenda & Economic Consequences

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Jeremy Hutchinson is the son of a U.S. Senator, the nephew of a Governor, and a former Arkansas State Senator himself.

In 2023, he was sentenced to 8 years in federal prison for bribery, tax fraud, and misuse of campaign funds. But just two years later—he was pardoned by Donald Trump.

In this unfiltered and emotional conversation, no questions are off the table. We talk about the Hutchinson political dynasty, the evidence against him, life inside federal prison, and the presidential pardon that set him free.

⏱️ CHAPTERS:

00:00 - From Political Royalty to Federal Prison

01:04 - Growing Up a Hutchinson

06:00 - Moderate Republican in a MAGA Takeover

09:34 - Fast Life & Fallout

11:16 - The Bribery Case: Clients, Lobbying, and Legal Lines 21:29 - “This Is What’s Wrong With Politics”

25:27 - Campaign Funds, Netflix, and Divorce

28:00 - The FBI Comes Knocking

33:02 - Facing Trial, Relevant Conduct, and the Plea Deal

40:40 - Sentenced to 8 Years: Despair, DoorDash, and the Drive Home

49:17 - Inside Federal Prison: Survival, Contraband, and Redemption

1:11:13 - The Trump Pardon That Changed Everything

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#PodcastInterview #TheWorldAndStuff #twaspod #DrewPetrimoulx #MustWatchPodcast #JeremyHutchinson #TrumpPardon #ArkansasPolitics #PoliticalCorruption #FederalPrison #WhiteCollarCrime #CriminalJusticeReform #PrisonStories #PoliticalDynasty #TrueStory #RealTalk #Unfiltered #Scandal #RedemptionStory #Trump2024 #MAGA #CorruptionInPolitics #PardonPower #NoQuestionsOffLimits

🎧 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe if you enjoyed the episode!

In this conversation, Drew Petrimoulx interviews Pranay Vaddi, a nuclear weapons expert, discussing his journey from biochemistry and political science to becoming a key figure in nuclear arms control.

They explore the complexities of the nuclear fuel cycle, the challenges of weaponization, and the evolution of Iran's nuclear program, including the implications of the JCPOA. The discussion also covers the impact of political changes on nuclear diplomacy, military options versus diplomatic strategies, and the effectiveness of recent military strikes on Iran's nuclear capabilities.

Finally, they reflect on the lessons learned regarding nuclear proliferation and the future of international relations in the context of nuclear weapons.

📍Chapters:

00:00 – Meet Pranay Vaddi: Nuclear Policy Insider

03:10 – How Nuclear Weapons Are Made

06:42 – Enriching vs. Weaponizing Uranium

11:54 – The Origins of Iran’s Nuclear Program

16:12 – From Revolution to Proliferation

21:10 – What the JCPOA Actually Did

24:17 – Criticism of the Iran Deal

28:52 – Behind the Biden “Freeze-for-Freeze” Policy

36:35 – Did Something Fundamentally Change?

4:18 – Were the U.S. Strikes Effective?

🎧 Watch the full episode on YouTube: 🔗 https://www.youtube.com/@drewpetrimoulx

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#Iran #NuclearWeapons #PranayVaddi #ForeignPolicy #ArmsControl #BidenNSC #NPT #JCPOA #MiddleEast #Geopolitics #NationalSecurity #twaspod #theworldandstuffpodcast

Africa is the youngest, fastest-growing region on Earth—and central to the future of the global economy, security, and climate. My guest is Judd Devermont, former CIA analyst and President Biden’s top Africa advisor, who’s worked on Africa policy during four U.S. administrations.

We talk coups, colonialism, China’s growing footprint, the legacy of U.S. aid programs like PEPFAR, and whether the U.S. still has moral authority on the continent. Judd explains how intelligence is gathered on African politics, the continent's impact on the rest of the globe, and why he believes the future of Africa hangs in the balance.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Meet Judd Devermont: CIA to the White House

01:13 – Why Africa? Devermont’s Origin Story

03:03 – Traveling the Continent: 42 of 54 African Nations

04:47 – Africa’s Diversity, Innovation, and Misunderstanding

08:05 – Colonialism, the Berlin Conference, and Lasting Borders

15:36 – Religion, Geography, and Conflict in Africa

19:34 – Comparing U.S. Africa Policy: Obama to Trump to Biden

26:46 – George W. Bush’s Underrated Legacy in Africa

35:05 – China’s Belt and Road and the Global Competition

43:39 – Coups, Crisis, and the New Cold War in Africa

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#AfricaRising #USForeignPolicy #TheWorldAndStuff #ChinaInAfrica

#Geopolitics #SubSaharanAfrica #AfricanPolitics #ForeignPolicyPodcast

#YouthPower #GlobalSouth #twaspod

Retired Lt. Colonel Will Selber joins The World and Stuff for a raw, emotional, and brutally honest conversation about America’s longest war — and what we owe the people left behind.

A veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan, Selber opens up about his harrowing deployments, the betrayal of Afghan allies during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal, and the moral injury now haunting veterans like him.

He blames both Trump and Biden for the fallout, details the failures of the Doha Agreement, and warns of the looming deportation of 9,000 Afghan refugees — many of whom served shoulder-to-shoulder with U.S. forces.

We also talk about:

— The collapse of U.S. strategy in Afghanistan

— The heartbreak of the Kabul airport evacuation

— The refugee community in the U.S.

— Psychedelics and PTSD treatment

— Why honor still matters in American foreign policy

— And what Americans can do to help

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drewpetrimoulx

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#Afghanistan #Veterans #Refugees #MoralInjury #DohaAgreement #AfghanAllies #MilitaryPodcast #Biden #Trump #TheWorldAndStuff #WarOnTerror #ForeignPolicy #twaspod

What really happened inside the 2024 election? 

Bestselling political journalist Amie Parnes joins The World and Stuff to talk about her explosive new book Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House. 

We explore some of the juicest stories from the book, including why Obama and Pelosi didn’t want Harris to be the nominee, Trump’s campaign strategy (including Baron's surprising role), Biden’s debate collapse, and the advice Mike Pence had for the Harris team. 

Packed with behind-the-scenes moments and untold stories, this episode is essential listening for anyone trying to make sense of the 2024 presidential campaign.

📅 Recorded: May 12, 2025

📖 Guest: Amie Parnes

⏱ Chapters

00:00 – Intro: Who is Amie Parnes?

02:41 – The 2000 Recount and Getting Hooked on Politics

06:14 – Inside the Obama Years at Politico

09:40 – Did Democrats Misread the 2020 Mandate?

13:50 – Why Biden Ran Again — and Should He Have?

18:37 – Inside Debate Prep: The Red Flags No One Heeded

23:28 – Pelosi’s Dagger and Why Obama Wouldn’t Back Harris

30:31 – Kamala’s Struggles and Trump’s Disciplined Campaign

39:54 – Baron Trump’s Podcast Strategy and Rogan Fallout

54:48 – Final Pitches, Missed Moments, and Election Night Shock

🔗 Connect with Drew

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📚 #AmieParnes #Fight2024 #KamalaHarris #JoeBiden #DonaldTrump #Election2024 #BarackObama #Pelosi #TheWorldAndStuff #PoliticalPodcast #BehindTheScenes #WhiteHouseDrama #MikePence #JonathanAllen #RoganGate #twaspod #theworldandstuffpodcast

International pollster and Republican strategist Alex Tarascio joins The World and Stuff to unpack what the data says about global political realignment, gender fault lines, polling blind spots, the U.S. retreat from democracy-building, and how the world is reacting to Trump 2.0.

This episode goes deep — from why polls keep underestimating Trump to the hidden costs of gutting foreign aid programs like USAID.

Alex offers a behind-the-scenes look at how campaigns really choose their messages, and what global allies think of America’s recalibration of its role on the world stage.

Recorded: April 16, 2025

📍 Chapters

00:00 – Intro: Who is Alex Tarascio?

01:06 – The Tea Party & Citizens United's Impact

06:03 – Inside the International Republican Institute

11:29 – Democratic Backsliding & Bias in NGOs

14:30 – Why USAID & IRI Were Gutted Under Trump

17:35 – The Real Reason the Trump Admin Targeted Foreign Aid

27:42 – What Private GOP Pollsters Actually Do?

35:26 – Why Trump Keeps Overperforming Polls

38:29 – How Americans Are Reacting to Trump’s Second Term

52:12 – Gender Fault Lines, Brain Drain & Global Trends

🔗 Connect with Drew:

🌐 Website: [https://www.drewpetrimoulx.com/](https://www.drewpetrimoulx.com/)

📸 Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/drewpetrimoulx/](https://www.instagram.com/drewpetrimoulx/)

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#RepublicanStrategist #PoliticalPolling #AlexTarascio #Trump2024 #USAID #Democracy #USPolitics #TheWorldAndStuff #twaspod #PoliticalRealignment #GOPPollster

Chuck Rocha is a self-described redneck farm boy from East Texas who has become one of the most influential political strategists in America. He was a single dad at 20, never went to college, and got his start as a union rep at a rubber factory.

From there, he rose through the labor movement to become the architect of Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign. In this episode, we talk about the Democrats' working-class problem, how Latino voters are shifting right, and why it "ain’t cool to be a Democrat no more."

Plus, Chuck shares stories from his fishing adventures and lays out a blueprint for progressives to win in red states.

📆 Recorded: April 11, 2025

📲 Follow me on social:

TikTok: [https://www.tiktok.com/@drewpetrimoulx](https://www.tiktok.com/@drewpetrimoulx)

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Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/drew.petrimoulx](https://www.facebook.com/drew.petrimoulx)

Website: [https://www.drewpetrimoulx.com]

📍Chapters:

00:00 – Chuck Rocha’s unlikely journey to DC

04:07 – Life in a rubber factory & union organizing roots

13:14 – Legal trouble, redemption, and second chances

17:15 – Behind the scenes of Bernie Sanders' 2020 campaign

26:22 – Latino voter shifts & the Democrats’ messaging problem

35:29 – Making Democrats cool again

42:43 – How to rebuild the party and win in the South

57:06 – Fishing, conservation, and Chuck’s retirement plan

#ChuckRocha #LatinoVoters #BernieSanders #DemocraticParty #PoliticalStrategy #UnionStrong #TheWorldAndStuff #twaspod #DrewPetrimoulx #2024Election #RubenGallego #AOC #WorkingClassVotes #PoliticalPodcast

David Hogg was thrust into the national spotlight in 2018 after surviving the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

At the time, he was just 17 years old, and he quickly became one of the most recognizable and outspoken advocates for gun reform in America. Today, he’s a Harvard grad, political organizer, and recently elected Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee.

In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk about the legacy of Parkland, the failures of the Democratic Party, why young men are shifting right, the return of Trump, whether Hogg and other progressives overreached post-2020, and how Democrats aim to reconnect with working-class voters and win online.

⏱ Chapters

00:00 Intro – Who is David Hogg?

01:15 John Oliver saved me!

02:17 From student journalist to activist after Parkland 04:08 Developing extreme discipline as a teen

07:55 Guns, family background, and the Second Amendment

12:08 The trauma and backlash of overnight fame

16:16 Why David never backed down

17:43 How COVID shifted Gen Z rightward

23:32 Did progressives go too far?

26:36 Reflecting on past rhetoric and growth

29:02 On Biden, the 2024 campaign, and Democratic messaging

33:23 The inner circle problem in politics

38:53 Why David ran for Vice Chair of the DNC

42:58 Fixing the Democratic Party’s social media strategy 47:41 Why better communicators need the mic

49:05 Can progressives reach the manosphere?

51:36 Spectacle vs substance in modern politics

55:45 Why “democracy is at stake” isn’t working

57:37 Final thoughts and a quote to remember

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