Podcasts by Between the Headlines

Joel Searby: Renewing the right-wing after Trump from 2022-05-12T10:00

"Those who are standing up for democracy, and defending the rule of law, and committed to working across party lines — those are the kind of candidates we want to support," says Joel S...

Mireille Bejjani: Community organizing for energy justice from 2022-04-28T11:00

"We believe that environmental threats are big, but the power of well-organized community groups is bigger," says Mireille Bejjani, who is the Energy Justice director for Community Act...

Julie Silverbrook: How civic education creates engaged citizens from 2022-04-14T09:00

"In order for a system of self-government to work, it required an informed and engaged citizenry," says Julie Silverbrook, a constitutional scholar who works for iCivics, a platform th...

Matthew Graham: How polarization kills democracy from 2022-03-31T09:00

Matthew Graham is a political scientist at George Washington University who studies the public's role in keeping politicians accountable. He said that this ability is severely compromised b...

Anais Marin: Belarus' ruthless authoritarianism from 2022-03-17T09:00

Anais Marin is the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus. She says, "The atmosphere I would describe now as one of fear and impunity for abuses against internati...

David Daley: How gerrymandering threatens democracy from 2021-11-11T10:00

"If we reach a place where state legislatures and the U.S. House are beyond the reach of a majority of voters, we have a really dangerous, undemocratic situation on our hands," says Da...

Ben Silberstein: North Korea and social structures of control from 2021-11-04T09:00

Ben Silberstein recently received his PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, writing his dissertation on original research of social structures in North Korea. He shares tragic glimpses into t...

David Alpher & Ivan Rasiah: American support to grassroots peacebuilding from 2021-10-28T09:00

"[Goal] number one is to help to build a more resilient, peaceful society in the places that we work," says David Alpher, a contractor for the Center for Conflict and Violence Preventi...

Alejandro Ortiz: Fighting for civil rights in court from 2021-10-21T09:00

"I hate bullies, and I see [civil rights work] as a way to help the bullied in society — people who are less powerful — against policies that corporations and governments use to unfairly hu...

Gilad Edelman: Free speech and content moderation on social media from 2021-10-14T09:00

"We need the industry to develop guidelines, and values, and professional ethics," says Gilad Edelman, a journalist at WIRED who covers the politics of technology.

Free speech...

Stijn Broecke: Automation and the future of work from 2021-10-14T09:00

"I think the future holds a tremendous amount of promise. We just need to make sure that no one's left behind," says Stijn Broecke, Senior Labor Economist at the OECD Future of Wo...

Why is democracy on the decline in America and the world? from 2021-10-14T09:00

We aren't an authoritarian country, but after the Trump presidency, the 2020 elections, and ongoing attacks on fair voting, it seems that our democracy is pretty low-quality. Across the wor...

Final Episode from 2021-06-11T11:00

Election Day will be relaunching relatively soon, new and improved. I'm very thankful for my audience, and proud of the content I've built up. Hopefully, you'll love the new topics and guests. M...

Solving the filibuster from 2021-06-04T11:00

There are three ways a president can beat the filibuster: win 60 seats in the Senate, negotiate with the minority party, or work on little things that both parties can agree upon. The first is i...

Israel-Palestine, Belarus, and North Korea (World News Roundup) from 2021-05-28T11:00

• Ramadan, evictions, and political interests sparking a conflict that easily escalated with Palestinian riots and Hamas against Israeli police and extremism
• Domestic reaction to ...
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Liz Cheney's downfall: how the GOP puts loyalty above courage from 2021-05-21T11:00

Kevin McCarthy and Mitch McConnell's caucuses understand that the election was NOT stolen and that President Trump IS responsible. But they refuse to act accordingly, instead punishing Wyoming R...

Season 7 Recap and Follow Up from 2021-05-07T11:00

0:48   Conspiracy theories and general distrust

5:09   The new electoral map, and thoughts on the electoral college and filibuster

10:28   Tucker Carl...

Border Crisis: Humanity and Security from 2021-04-30T11:00

In March, over 172,000 illegal immigrants were apprehended by Customs and Border Protection. The surge is stretching American border capacities, from patrolling to detainment to asylum hearings ...

American Diplomacy from 2021-04-23T11:00

A world tour of problems, and America's role in causing and resolving them.

• An incoherent strategy of navigating rivalries in the Middle East, in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, as a...
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Political Velocity and Stability: How Democrats and Republicans Hold Themselves Together from 2021-04-16T11:00

Politics is the means by which we as a society decide what to change and how.

So, let's think of political dispositions as a spectrum from wanting a return to the past, to no change, to c...

Political Engagement: A Guide to Caring & Thinking About Politics from 2021-04-09T11:00

There were so many news stories this week, from Asian-American hate to transgender sports to Georgia's voting rights law; but, even as a political person, I had a hard time actually caring about...

Propaganda vs. Real News: The War on Facts (starring Tucker Carlson) from 2021-04-02T11:16:32

Tucker Carlson is not a real journalist. FOX News is not real journalism. And increasingly, other news networks like CNN or NBC are drifting away from real news as well, by adopting FOX-style mo...

Fair Representation Act: Power to the People from 2021-03-26T11:00

Our electoral system — whoever has the most votes wins — is broken.

The seemingly obvious solution is actually incredibly dysfunctional and destroys democracy: the Spoiler Effect works ag...

Why do people believe in conspiracy theories? from 2021-03-19T11:00

Given the increasing political relevance of QAnon, claims of election fraud in 2020, and Plandemic, I discuss the psychology behind conspiracy theories.

There are three main motives — the...

Season 6 Recap and Follow Up from 2021-03-12T12:00

The most recent developments to issues I've covered in the past seven episodes, as well as reflections on interviews and ideas I missed out on.

Topics include: the state of the COVID-19 p...

Biden's Political Strategy: Navigating Republican Obstructionism from 2021-03-05T12:00

No policy matters unless it gets passed. How will Joe Biden navigate a Republican Party that opposes him in viewpoint and as a political maneuver?

Biden has shown an unwillingness to invo...

Biden's Racial Justice Policy: Reckoning With History (w/ Sabrina Ticer-Wurr) from 2021-02-26T12:00

In this episode, I discuss the state of the nation on issues of racial inequality and discrimination, both on the individual mindset and systemic / public policy levels, with Sabrina Ticer-Wurr,...

Biden's Health Policy: The Public Option & Responding to COVID-19 from 2021-02-19T12:00

The public option is Medicare For All for those who want it, and the main extension that was left out of the highly politicized Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).

Proponents of the public o...

Biden's Climate Policy: A Conversation with Thomas Lyons of the Sunrise Movement from 2021-02-12T12:00

In this episode, I discuss climate change and the associated politics with a passionate advocate for sustainability, Thomas Lyons, who leads a regional chapter of the Sunrise Movement — an organ...

Biden's Economic Policy: (How To) Build Back Better from 2021-02-05T12:00

America needs a large-scale economic stimulus package, now — in fact, it's essentially an emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most voters agree on this. Biden's $1.9 trillion plan inclu...

Biden's Foreign Policy: Restoring America's Global Standing from 2021-01-29T12:00

What are President Biden's main priorities and goals in his foreign policy; how does he envision America and the world?

First, he wants to re-engage with the international community, once...

The Biden Administration: Now In Charge from 2021-01-22T12:00

Since the inauguration on Wednesday, Joe Biden is officially the president of the United States. So what does that mean? Well, his White House is a refreshing and inspiring return to a normal, c...

Season 5 Recap and Follow Up from 2021-01-15T12:00

My final episode before the end of the Trump presidency — I explore the major themes of his chaotic final weeks by re-examining my episodes from season 5 in light of recent developments. Topics ...

Insurrection: A Selfish Man's Injured Pride from 2021-01-08T12:00

A lot happened in politics this week, but none more shocking than a violent mob storming the Capitol building while congressional Republicans objected to counting the electoral votes from Arizon...

Georgia's Senate Runoffs from 2021-01-01T12:00

On January 5th, the stakes will be just as high as on November 3rd. Mitch McConnell, the self-proclaimed "Grim Reaper" and Senate majority leader, will almost certainly adopt an obstructionist s...

The nonexistent "War on Christmas" from 2020-12-25T12:00

And what does it say about the 'evangelical Christian' or 'religious right' vote? There is so much irony and hypocrisy: that they worship Donald Trump, who is of low moral dignity and most anti-...

Why I have hope entering 2021 from 2020-12-18T12:00

2020 has been a dark year, both in politics and in our society, and I've talked extensively about everything that went wrong. But there are still positives—sources that provide optimism. Regardi...

Trumpism: Us Versus Them from 2020-12-11T12:00

This episode attempts to understand Trumpism, the divisive rhetoric that has dominated the past few years: triggering a fear-based instinct against a totem of the other side. I analyze the negat...

The Third Wave from 2020-12-04T12:00

This is, by far, the worst the COVID-19 pandemic has been. Cases, hospitalizations and deaths are peaking. Yet, the incompetence of Trump's response, along with Republican governors and senators...

The Biden Administration from 2020-11-27T12:00

Joe Biden has announced his Secretary of State and Treasury Secretary, along with other Cabinet and administration posts. From his Cabinet, what can we learn about his policies and priorities? I...

Why Trump Is Fighting from 2020-11-20T12:00

Trump is continuing to dispute their election loss, not accepting Biden's transition. He and his Republican colleagues, together with his media machine, are creating a false world of fraud based...

President-Elect from 2020-11-13T12:00

By electing Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States, we made a decision we can be proud of. The pain of election week was worth it, and now we can celebrate.

But, current pre...

Finally, Celebration from 2020-11-07T16:32:14

Joe Biden is our president-elect. I can't even describe how amazing that is.

Updated from 'Too Close To Call'.

Final Statement from 2020-10-30T11:00

In this final episode before election day, I take a moment to acknowledge and reflect upon the historic nature of the 2020 elections; the stakes are high, and we'll soon see an unimaginable futu...

October Surprises from 2020-10-23T11:00

Trump, currently behind, can only win if an October surprise like 2016 happens. 

There have been a couple opportunities: him contracting Covid-19, or the death of Justice Ginsburg an...

The Ballot Itself from 2020-10-16T11:00

Joe Biden could "win" the election, but not the presidency.

All statistical signs point to a Biden/Democrat victory: an expanded battleground and consistent polling leads in swing states....

Fix the Debates! & VP Debate Analysis from 2020-10-09T11:00

1. We need to change the way we conduct presidential debates, 2020 and election cycles beyond. I describe how exactly.

2. Biden-Kamala won the debates. They presented a more palatable ima...

First Presidential Debate Analysis from 2020-10-02T11:00

The first clash of Biden vs. Trump was utter chaos. 

The president was aggressive and interrupting his opponent the entire time. Meanwhile, Biden spoke to the American people, ridicu...

Season 3 Recap and Follow Up from 2020-09-25T11:00

Expanding on episodes from this season. Topics include: why a Trump upset is unlikely, why Trump keeps claiming 'America is great', why Trump is incentivized to create conflict, and the battle o...

Unacceptable from 2020-09-18T11:00

It's unacceptable that Trump is President — from when was his behavior allowed?

Covid-19 can be contained, but Trump's reckless mismanagement has gotten the situation out of control. As p...

Battleground 2020 from 2020-09-11T11:00

What are the most hotly contested issues in this election cycle, and what are the two campaigns saying about them?

"Battleground 2020" includes the coronavirus pandemic, racial and social...

The Decline of the American Empire - Part 2 from 2020-09-04T11:00

I have so many frustrations with modern American politics: Trump's authoritarianism; disconnect among the population; weaponizing fear; lack of trust in media; Trump's shamelessness in lying and...

DNC vs. RNC from 2020-08-28T11:00

Comparing the themes from last week's DNC to this week's RNC.

The Keys to the White House from 2020-08-21T11:00

Thoroughly discussing each of the thirteen aspects in Professor Allan Lichtman's election prediction model. Topics include: the effect of coronavirus on the economy, the role of incumbency and t...

Never or Only Biden from 2020-08-14T11:00

Voting cannot be abstracted down to a single left-right continuum; so there are many anti-Biden Democrats, who are liberal yet oppose their candidate. They include Bernie or bust voters who pref...

Season 2 Recap and Follow Up from 2020-08-07T11:00

Further elaborating on my last seven episodes. Topics range from education, to the Electoral College, to political participation. 

For more detail, listen to the full episode.

The Lincoln Project from 2020-07-31T11:00

The Lincoln Project has a very simple and specific aim: to sway anti-Trump moderate conservatives to vote against him and for Biden. The Biden campaign also recognizes the electoral importance o...

Comedy as Casual Politics from 2020-07-24T11:00

In this episode, I thoroughly analyze comedy as a political medium. It's opinionated journalism that is gaining trust. It's able to point out absurdity by taking itself and the world less seriou...

Simpatico from 2020-07-17T11:00

With Biden's VP pick expected to come out soon, what makes a VP so important—and especially important this year? What should Joe Biden look for in a candidate? I survey his various options, anal...

Change Your Expectations from 2020-07-10T11:00

We need to change the way we think about the 2020 elections. Joe Biden has a dominating, uncompetitive lead by every measure; the Senate race has now become a toss-up, with perhaps even a slight...

Trump's Political Revolution from 2020-07-03T11:00

Trump’s impact on America, as a political revolutionary, will last far beyond his presidency. In this episode, I discuss how he has changed the ideology and demeanor of American politics.

Phase Two from 2020-06-26T11:00

Wow, there's been a lot of news in the past week. In this episode, I break down the major developments and changes.

1. Two Supreme Court cases
2. Shocking yet irreverent revela...
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The Decline of the American Empire from 2020-06-19T11:00

Trump's rhetoric for the 2016 election was that we need to pull America out of a gradual decline — the same decline expedited by the coronavirus. Why, then, is America the great falling?

...

Season 1 Recap and Follow Up from 2020-06-12T11:00

Adding onto and updating points I mentioned from the first seven episodes. Topics range from Joe Biden's recent boost, to deep-rooted racial inequalities and racism, to the different kinds of un...

Polarized? - Part 2 from 2020-06-05T11:00

This episode suggests more potential reasons why America is so divided.

The first one is the role of race, the defining characteristic of American history; the vast cultural and socioecon...

Polarized? - Part 1 from 2020-05-29T11:00

Why is America so divided? — This is the question political junkies are answering when we talk about political polarization.

Firstly, while the country is polarized, it might not necessar...

Systems and Technicalities from 2020-05-22T11:00

Joe Biden is simply more popular than Donald Trump—by a lot, almost everywhere. Then, how can Donald Trump win the election? This episode explores a couple things that could help him and the GOP...

Math Can't Lie from 2020-05-15T11:00

Debunking the narrative that the 2020 elections are really close. They're not.

Joe Biden is ahead by surprisingly large margins in swing states, not to mention a 4.4 percentage point...

Please: Stay Home, Stay Safe from 2020-05-08T11:00

Exploring how the Covid-19 pandemic could impact the 2020 elections.

The United States' coronavirus response has been a total failure on every front. President Trump has delegated respons...

Vanilla Politician from 2020-05-01T11:00

Exploring Joe Biden's career in the Senate, as Obama's VP, and in the Democratic primary to find out what it means in the election.

Biden has become much more liberal over the years — com...

Mind of a Child from 2020-04-24T11:00

Understanding the psychology behind Donald Trump.

It's impossible to understand Donald Trump, his decisions and his presidency from a political and analytical point of view. He's not a ma...

Trailer from 2020-04-24T07:39:10

A short extract from the first episode, Mind of a Child.