China expert Dr. Kate Kaup joins the crew to discuss China and its role in the world. We cover how the Chinese Communist Party treats ethnic minorities, the Middle Kingdom mentality and China's geopolitical ambitions, and the future of US-China relations.

The crew takes a break from politics to discuss the challenges COVID-19 has created for campus communities around the country. We reflect on the unique difficulties that the class of 2021 will experience in transitioning into the world after college and ask what leaders can learn about liberal education from our current moment.

"The Horsemen'' in reference to Revelation, is a new mini-series that features four Paladins past & present who are interested in politics and attempting to make sense of our current moment, which seems semi-apocalyptic far too often. This week, the focus was on impeachment, polarization, America’s institutions, and what we can about our current predicament.

Rev. J.P. Sibley is a Furman alum and church planter in his hometown, Orangeburg, SC, with a deep passion for racial reconciliation and unity in the church. He joins the crew to discuss how institutions-- like the Presbyterian Church in America and Furman University--can and should grapple with racism in the past and present.

The crew is joined by State Department veteran Larry Richter.  We discuss how the US posture and position on the world stage has evolved over Larry's 30+ year career, how the China challenge informs US policy, and how the State Department facilitates US foreign policy and protects American interests.

Price St. Clair, Opinions Editor for The Paladin Newspaper and Host of the brand new Red, White, Blue, & Purple Podcast which examines politics and policy from a Furman perspective, joins the crew to discuss his new show, COVID-19 policy on campus this spring, and how the Furman community should address political polarization in the student body.

We invite Sam Whitley from the Coalition for Good Governance to return to the podcast and reflect on how the Georgia senatorial elections turned out earlier this month. We discuss the details of election integrity in Georgia, the dynamics that led to a Democratic victory, and what actions are needed to reestablish bipartisan faith in the electoral system.

The crew sits down with Associate Vice President for Student Life and Furman's COVID-19 czar, Jason Cassidy, for a conversation on how the administration is adjusting its policies to meet the challenges of a new semester. We discuss Furman's plan for students to return to campus, how new metrics will allow for more policy flexibility, solving the all-important problem of quarantine space, and (of course) vaccines.

In the wake of yesterday's riots on Capitol Hill, the crew is joined by Former Democratic Congressman, Dan Lipinski, who served eight terms as the U.S. Representative for Illinois' 3rd congressional district, and Professor Danielle Vinson, who teaches Politics and International Affairs at Furman. 

We discuss the state of democracy in America today and the underlying causes of the current moment's chaos.

Dr. Nelsen and I break down what we learned from the fall and what we are looking forward to this spring. We cover everything from campus and COVID-19 to Trump and China. It is a great conversation. Thanks for listening. We will be back in the new year with more!