Episodios

  • In this special six-part narrative series, Mike Madrid, in partnership with the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology, takes a deep dive into Orange County, California to explore the transformations that have redefined politics there, and what it means for the rest of the country.

    In this episode, Mike talks to Jean Pasco who covered local politics in the ‘80s and ‘90s for the Orange County Register and the Los Angeles Times about how military base closures and enormous job losses at defense contractors upended the southern California economy. 

    Then he talks to former Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez about her victory over Bob Dornan. 

    He also talks to Dave Wasserman (Senior Editor & Elections Analyst for The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter)  about what Sanchez’s victory meant for Orange County politics

    (01:05) The economic impact of the Cold War ending 

    (04:21) The closure of El Toro Air Force Base 

    (10:12) Loretta Sanchez’s victory and the rise of the Democratic party in Orange County

    (15:19) Looking back at Bob Dornan

    (17:36) What Dornan’s loss to Sanchez meant for Orange county politics 

    Learn more about the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology: https://socialecology.uci.edu/

    Visit the Red County, Blue County, Orange County website: https://sites.uci.edu/orangecounty/

    Read Mike’s book, The Latino Century: https://bit.ly/4a7ZCqg


    Follow Mike and the UCI School of Social Ecology  on X (formerly Twitter):

    https://twitter.com/madrid_mike

    https://twitter.com/Social_Ecology


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    This week, we discuss the Democratic National Convention, the effort to appeal to more moderate voters, and Kamala Harris’s masterful acceptance speech.

    Next, we talk about Harris’s “price gouging” plan and economic policy proposals and the consequences of using Congress’s dysfunction as a backstop for bad policy proposals.

    Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we talk about the different ways foreign countries are trying to shape public opinion and the election. We also dive into the tension between protecting free speech and preventing foreign election interference.

    Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

    Zack Czajkowski (Fmr. Lincoln Project Political Director)

    Craig Snyder (Fmr. Chief of Staff for Arlen Specter)

    Segments this week:

    (02:38) The Democratic National Convention 

    (25:58) Harris’s Economic Plan

    [Politicology+] The influence of foreign countries on our elections and the tension between protecting free speech and preventing election interference. 

    Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss the extra episodes on our private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.

    Contribute to Molly’s fundraiser: https://bit.ly/3YFktit

    Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬

    Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):

    https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

    https://twitter.com/ZackCz

    https://twitter.com/wednesdaysnyder

    Related reading:
    Segment 1:
    CNN - Takeaways from the third night of the Democratic National Convention | CNN Politics
    ABC News - Former Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger set to round out slate of GOP speakers at DNC supporting Harris - ABC News
    WP - Protest march on DNC draws crowds but doesn't overwhelm

    Segment 2: 
    Financial Times - Harris’s economic plan: grocery prices, housing credits and tax rises
    WP - Opinion | Kamala Harris’s price gouging proposal is a terrible idea - The Washington Post
    WP - Harris one-ups Trump on populist plays
    CNBC - Biden slams corporations over high consumer costs

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  • Claire Wardle (co-founder and co-director of the Information Futures Lab, and Professor of the Practice at the Brown School of Public Health) joins Ron Steslow to discuss the challenges( and failures) in improving our information landscape

    (02:12) Claire’s background and how it led to her research

    (05:52) Why terms like “misinformation,” “disinformation,” and “malinformation” have become less and less useful 

    (08:45) How the real world doesn’t fit the framework of “misinformation” and “disinformation”

    (10:50) Why we share stories online and how that shapes the information environment

    (21:40) The problems that arise from research silos

    (25:13) How platforms can include users in content moderation decisions 

    (37:07) What role do troll farms actually play in information pollution?

    (39:44) How the focus on foreign actors stops researchers, academics, and government officials from reflecting sincerely on their failures

    (44:00) Why we share stories online and how that shapes the information environment

    (50:28) Improving community-led resistance 

    (55:53) How viewing social media users as a product shapes content moderation decisions 

    (1:01:30) How AI could impact the information landscape…

    Watch Operation InfeKtion from the New York Times: https://bit.ly/3IjJUxo

    Read Claire’s piece “Misunderstanding Misinformation”: https://bit.ly/3IlSFa1

    Watch the video op-ed where the NYT turned Claire into Adele: https://bit.ly/3MzvNq5

    Follow Ron and Claire on Twitter:

    https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

    https://twitter.com/cward1e
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  • In this special six-part narrative series, Mike Madrid, in partnership with the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology, takes a deep dive into Orange County, California to explore the transformations that have redefined politics there, and what it means for the rest of the country.

    In this episode, Mike talks to Jean Pasco who covered local politics in the ‘80s and ‘90s for the Orange County Register and the Los Angeles Times about how California’s Prop 187 originated in Orange County. 

    Then he talks to L.A. Times columnist Gustavo Arellano about how the Mexican and Asian communities shaped county politics, and the change in political sorting from ethnic lines to ideological lines. 

    (01:13) The Impact of Proposition 187 and the Save Our State Initiative

    (05:55) Demographic Shifts and the Changing Political Landscape

    (15:40) Why both parties are recruiting Asian candidates in Orange County 

    (22:49) The Influence of the Vietnamese Community in Orange County

    Learn more about the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology: https://socialecology.uci.edu/

    Visit the Red County, Blue County, Orange County website: https://sites.uci.edu/orangecounty/

    Read Mike’s book, The Latino Century: https://bit.ly/4a7ZCqg


    Follow Mike and the UCI School of Social Ecology  on X (formerly Twitter):

    https://twitter.com/madrid_mike

    https://twitter.com/Social_Ecology
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  • This week, we discuss Donald Trump’s interview with Elon Musk, content moderation, and broader hostility to free speech .

    Next, we highlight Kamala Harris’s pivot away from some progressive policies, and how rising populism is pushing both Harris and Trump to change their positions. 

    We also discuss the potential consequences of the Trump campaign hack, likely by a foreign adversary,  and how newsrooms are handling the leaked information.  

    Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we talk about the impact of endorsements of former Republicans for Harris as well as the ideological shifts within the Never Trump movement.

    Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

    Stef Kight (Politics Reporter at Axios) 

    Matt Lewis (Author of Filthy Rich Politicians and Too Dumb to Fail) 

    Segments this week:

    (02:36) Donald Trump's Interview with Elon Musk and Hostility to Free Speech

    (20:25) Vice President Harris’s Pivot 

    (38:34) Trump Campaign hacked 

    [Politicology+]  Republicans for Harris

    Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss the extra episodes on our private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.

    Contribute to Molly’s fundraiser: https://bit.ly/3YFktit

    Check out Matt’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/mattlewis

    Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬

    Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):

    https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

    https://x.com/StefWKight

    https://x.com/mattklewis

    Related reading:
    Segment 1:
    AP - Trump and Musk talk assassination attempt, deportations on X | AP News
    Politico - EU takes shot at Musk over Trump interview — and misses
    Reason - Free Speech Is Under Attack in the U.S., but It’s on the Ropes Elsewhere

    Segment 2: 
    Axios - Now atop the ticket, Harris pivots from some progressive policies
    Bloomberg - Kamala Harris 4.0: Liberal, Moderate or Something Else? - Bloomberg
    Axios - Harris campaign's Google ads rewrite news headlines
    NYT - From Tips to TikTok, Trump Swaps Policies With Aim to Please Voters - The New York Times

    Segment 3: 
    AP - News outlets were leaked insider material from the Trump campaign. They chose not to print it
    Politico - Trump campaign confirms it was hacked after POLITICO received internal documents from "Robert"
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  • Host Ron Steslow welcomes Poler Family Professor of Psychology at Amherst College Dr. Catherine Sanderson back to Politicology to talk about how to curb election anxiety. 

    Then they discuss the psychological factors that contributed to January 6th, how they might impact this election cycle, the climate on college campuses, and the blacklisting of “Zionist” therapists amid a professional trend of ‘critical social justice therapy.’

    Segments to look forward to:

    (03:30) How higher stakes elections produce more anxiety 

    (05:18) Coping Strategies 

    (08:51) Making a plan for stressful moments

    (10:54) The pitfalls of doom scrolling 

    (17:14) Forming connections to combat anxiety 

    (20:45) How getting involved in election efforts can reduce anxiety 

    (31:10) Empathy in leadership 

    (33:25) Concerns about the Peaceful Transfer of Power 

    (35:43) The psychological factors that contributed to January 6th 

    (48:27) The trend of increasing acceptance of political violence 

    (51:49) The problem of blacklisting ‘Zionist’ therapists and the trend toward ‘critical social justice therapy’

    (56:34) The challenges on college campuses 

    Follow Ron and Catherine Sanderson on X (formerly Twitter):

    https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

    https://x.com/SandersonSpeaks

    Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬
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  • In this special six-part narrative series, Mike Madrid, in partnership with the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology, takes a deep dive into Orange County, California to explore the transformations that have redefined politics there, and what it means for the rest of the country.

    In this episode, Mike talks to legendary political strategist Stu Spencer about how Orange County became Reagan Country. 

    Then he discusses the county’s changing political demographics with one of the best election forecasters, Dave Wasserman from the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter.


    (02:19) Orange County: Reagan Country and the American Dream

    (09:41) A data driven take on what’s changing the political demographics

    (11:53) What Loretta Sanchez’s victory meant 

    (24:38) How Asian voters are impacting county politics 

    Learn more about the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology: https://socialecology.uci.edu/

    Visit the Red County, Blue County, Orange County website: https://sites.uci.edu/orangecounty/

    Read Mike’s book, The Latino Century: https://bit.ly/4a7ZCqg


    Follow Mike and the UCI School of Social Ecology  on X (formerly Twitter):

    https://twitter.com/madrid_mike

    https://twitter.com/Social_Ecology

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  • To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus

    This week, we discuss Kamala Harris and Tim Walz being the most progressive presidential ticket in American history. 

    Next, we break down the storm of major news stories about escalating wars and conflict across the globe—in the Middle East, in Venezuela, and Ukraine, what they mean for Americans here at home. 

    We also discuss the influence of the presidential election on President Biden’s foreign policy decisions and the challenges the next president will inherit.

    Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we talk about new research that voters might be less racist and sexist than we think—and why journalists weren’t interested in the story.

    Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

    Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN)

    Molly McKew (writer and lecturer on Russian influence and information warfare)

    Segments this week:

    (04:11) Walz 
    (28:49) Massive stories from around the globe


    [Politicology+]  Negativity Bias in Journalism

    Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss the extra episodes on our private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.

    Contribute to Molly’s fundraiser: https://bit.ly/3YFktit

    Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬

    Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):

    https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

    https://twitter.com/HagarChemali

    https://twitter.com/MollyMcKew

    Related reading:
    Segment 1:
    WSJ - ‘Top Gun Democrat’ Tim Walz Cultivated Centrist Record in Washington - WSJ
    NYPost - How progressive is Tim Walz? Here's where the Minnesota governor stands on key issues
    MSNBC - Kamala Harris choice of Tim Walz for VP disappoints anti-Trump Republicans
    Axios - Behind the Curtain: The Harris Cabinet

    Segment 2: 
    NBC - Israel bracing for attack after assassinations in Beirut and Tehran
    CNN - UN probe finds 9 UNRWA employees 'may have' been involved in October 7 attack
    AP - A cratered field, a mangled fence. Clues emerge from strike that killed 12 children in Golan Heights
    Al-Monitor - US to deploy more forces to Middle East to deter Iran - Al-Monitor
    CBS News - U.S., Russia prisoner swap secures release of Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan and others - CBS News
    CNN - Venezuela election: US says opposition candidate won as anti-Maduro figurehead says she’s in hiding | CNN
    WP - Left and right have denounced Venezuela's Maduro. Not the authoritarians.
    NYT - Ukraine Has Received F-16 Fighter Jets, Zelensky Says - The New York Times

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    Michele Gelfand (Professor of Organizational Behavior at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a Professor of Psychology by Courtesy at Stanford University) joins host Ron Steslow to discuss culture, social norms, and her book Rule Makers, Rule Breakers: How Tight and Loose Cultures Wire Our World 

    (01:46) Why she decided to study culture 

    (04:34) What are tight and loose cultures

    (06:12) Why tight and loose cultures evolve

    (10:38) The tradeoffs between tight and loose and how different cultures responded to the Covid pandemic

    (16:19) Tightness-looseness and willingness to change

    (19:57) Red and Blue vs Tight and Loose 

    (30:36) Tightening around core values, even in loose cultures

    (34:56) Real and manufactured threats 

    (44:15) How we we can put this framework into action 

    You should read Rule Makers, Rule Breakers: https://amzn.to/3Qy8DQc

    Follow Michele  and Ron on Twitter:

    https://twitter.com/MicheleJGelfand

    https://twitter.com/RonSteslow
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  • In this special six-part narrative series, Mike Madrid, in partnership with the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology, takes a deep dive into Orange County, California to explore the transformations that have redefined politics there, and what it means for the rest of the country.

    In this first episode, Mike talks to Jon Gould (Dean of the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology) about their work, their Orange County poll, and how politics has changed in Orange County. 

    (04:23) Orange County: A Microcosm of the Emerging American Political System

    (05:47) The UC Irvine School of Social Ecology and the UCI OC Poll

    (10:33) Transformations in Orange County: Redefining Politics for Every Group

    (11:12) Orange County: A Purple County Where Republicans and Democrats Coexist

    Learn more about the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology: https://socialecology.uci.edu/

    Visit the Red County, Blue County, Orange County website: https://sites.uci.edu/orangecounty/

    Read Mike’s book, The Latino Century: https://bit.ly/4a7ZCqg


    Follow Mike and the UCI School of Social Ecology  on X (formerly Twitter):

    https://twitter.com/madrid_mike

    https://twitter.com/Social_Ecology
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  • To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus

    This week, we discuss the Trump and Harris campaigns battling to define Kamala Harris for voters.

    Next, we talk about the Democratic messaging shifting to focus on MAGA being “weird” and reporting that Trump is regretting choosing Vance as his running mate .

    Then, we talk about Donald Trump’s appearance at the largest Bitcoin conference of the year and how crypto is an emerging issue in presidential politics. 

    Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we discuss Joe Biden’s proposed reforms for the Supreme Court.

    Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

    Zack Czajkowski (Fmr. Lincoln Project Political Director)

    Susan Del Percio  (MSNBC political analyst and crisis communications expert) 

    Segments this week:

    (3:29) Defining Harris
    (25:29) Dems pivot to “weird”  
    (36:13) Bitcoin as a campaign issue

    [Politicology+]  Joe Biden’s proposals for SCOTUS Reform 

    Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss the extra episodes on our private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.

    Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬

    Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):

    https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

    https://x.com/DelPercioS

    https://x.com/ZackCz

    Related reading:
    Segment 1:
    WP - Trump campaign attacks Kamala Harris in a new immigration-focused ad - The Washington Post
    NYT - With Dueling Ads, Harris and Trump Both Try to Define Her as a Candidate - The New York Times
    Politico Playbook 7/25 – The race to define Harris
    Kyle Becker Tweet 
    NYT - Why the Kamala Harris of Four Years Ago Could Haunt Her in 2024

    Segment 2: 
    NBC - The inside story of how Trump chose JD Vance as his running mate
    CNN - It’s not just ‘cat ladies’: JD Vance has a history of disparaging people without kids | CNN Politics
    The Hill - Some House Republicans slam Vance as Trump's VP pick: 'The worst choice'
    Tim Alberta Tweet about Trump Second guessing pick

    Segment 3: 
    NBC - Trump hails crypto at largest bitcoin conference
    CNBC - Trump stops short of establishing a bitcoin strategic reserve
    Yahoo! Finance - Senator Cynthia Lummis Proposes Bill for U.S. To Buy 5% of Bitcoin’s Supply
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  • Over the last 100 years, we have streamlined the process of food production. A hundred years ago, 99% of people were engaged in the agricultural process in some way. Today, that number is 1%. As a result, our relationship with food has become desperately impersonal. But what are the consequences of all that efficiency?

    Embark on a transformative journey into the heart of our food systems with Jeff Tkatch (CEO of the Rodale Institute) and host Ron Steslow. In this captivating conversation, we dig deep into the living soil beneath our feet, our disconnection from nature, and the mechanisms driving our extractive farming systems.

    Jeff provides a comprehensive understanding of the difference between soil and dirt, explaining why one gives life while the other is lifeless. He shares his personal journey towards regenerative agriculture and elaborates on the role Rodale Institute plays in shaping the future of farming.

    Segments to look forward to:

    (2:10) Understanding the difference between soil and dirt: "If soil could talk to us, what would it be saying right now? Feed me. Rest me. Water me. Feed me. Rest me. Water me. I'm a living, breathing organism just like you. And by the way, you depend on me for life."

    (03:30) Jeff's journey into regenerative agriculture and the role of the Rodale Institute

    (13:30) How we became disconnected from nature and our food

    (15:30) Who feeds the world?

    (16:20) A deep dive into the extractive farming system and the need for sustainable agricultural practices

    (19:50) Unraveling the incentives that have shaped our agricultural system

    (23:00) The various faces of agriculture: sustainable, regenerative, and organic regenerative

    (27:35) The cost of organic food and the unseen cost of not eating organic

    (30:00) “Agriculture is the great healer of our time”

    (37:15) Policy changes that could revolutionize farming and an overview of the Pennsylvania State Farm Bill

    (40:52) The challenge of organic food fraud

    (51:10) How changing our understanding of food production could reduce polarization: “It starts with gratitude...when we begin to see our brother and sister through food, we're creating a metaphorical table. We're actually sitting down at a table every moment of every day here in this country and hopefully around the world."

    Learn more about the Rodale Institute: https://www.rodaleinstitute.org/

    Get involved and connect with local farmers near you. As Jeff says, "Everybody should get to know a farmer."

    Follow Ron on Twitter: 

    https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

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  • To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus

    This week: Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the presidential race, Kamala Harris clears the field as she rides a tidal wave of support to the top of the Democratic ticket , Republicans switch gears to campaign against her, and the dizzying narrative change about Joe Biden’s capacities that have devastated trust in media. 

    Finally, in our exclusive Politicology+ episode we discuss the Secret Service Director resigning in the wake of the assassination attempt of Donald Trump and how the lack of transparency about the attack has allowed conspiracy theories to flourish.

    Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss the extra episodes on our private, ad-free version of the podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.

    Joining guest host Hagar Chemali on this week’s panel: 

    Stef Kight (Politics Reporter at Axios) 

    Andy Kroll (Investigative Reporter at ProPublica)

    James Lynch (Communications Strategist)  

    Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬

    Check out Oh My World!: https://www.ohmyworld.tv/

    Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):

    https://x.com/HagarChemali

    https://x.com/StefWKight

    https://x.com/AndyKroll

    https://x.com/JamesGLynch


    Related reading:

    Axios - Inside Harris' sprint to the Democratic nomination
    WSJ - Democrats Destroy Democracy to Save It - WSJ
    CNN - Harris’ immigration work comes under scrutiny as campaign takes shape | CNN Politics
    Deadline - White House And 'Morning Joe' Blast Wall Street Journal Report That Joe Biden "Shows Signs Of Slipping"
    (from July 2) CNN - Biden’s mental fitness could have been better covered leading up to the debate, some White House reporters acknowledge | CNN Business
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  • Host Ron Steslow welcomes Mike Brock, CEO of TBD, a subsidiary of Block Inc. (formerly Square), the financial technology firm led by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey.

    The Internet is dominated by massive, corporate walled gardens like Google, Facebook, and Twitter (now X), where centralized control makes their users (us!) vulnerable to censorship and manipulation.

    In this episode, we explore how the movement to decentralize technology empowers individuals, protects against corporate and government abuse, and addresses real problems in finance and social media.

    We’ll also discuss how decentralized technology can enhance financial access and freedom, bypassing intermediaries and censorship, and shifting power from financial corporations to individuals.

    Finally, we turn to the political landscape, focusing on the Democratic party’s approach to decentralized technology and early signs it may be changing.


    Segments to look forward to:

    (04:45) Mike’s background 

    (10:50) Empowering individuals through decentralized finance and identity 

    (15:45) Building infrastructure for a decentralized future 

    (19:10) The potential of decentralized identity 

    (29:49) The importance of Bitcoin’s decentralization 

    (31:31) Financial Access and Freedom 

    (34:27) Preserving agency 

    (44:44) Changing the balance of power 

    (50:54) The varied stance of the Democratic party




    Follow Ron and Mike on X (formerly Twitter):

    https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

    https://x.com/brockm

    Email your questions to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ 

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  • To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus

    After three of the most chaotic weeks in American political history, Ron Steslow and Mike Madrid (Cofounders of the Lincoln Project) discuss:

    - Joe Biden leaving the Presidential race after the pressure campaign from Democrats

    - Kamala Harris consolidating support and whether it changes the electoral college map

    - Whether Harris helps or hurts with the erosion of non-white, non-college educated voters away from the Democratic ticket, and whether her VP pick will matter, electorally

    - How a change in the Democratic nominee will impact the Trump campaign operation

    - How to read developments in the coming weeks smartly and what movement Mike will be looking for in polling

    To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus

    Get Mike’s book, The Latino Century: https://bit.ly/4a7ZCqg
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  • To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus

    This week, we discuss the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, the Republican National Convention, the state of the Republican Party, and the state of the Democrats’ effort to oust Joe Biden.

    Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

    Matt Bennett (Founder & Executive Vice President for Public Affairs at Third Way)

    Lucy Caldwell  (Board Advisor to the Renew Democracy Initiative and advisor to the Forward Party)

    Segments this week:

    (02:58) The assassination attempt 

    (17:42) The Republican National Convention

    (40:50) Renewed attempts from Democrats to push Biden out of the race

    [Politicology+]  What you need to know about J.D. Vance, Donald Trump’s new running mate

    Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss the extra episodes on our private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.

    Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬

    Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):

    https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

    https://x.com/ThirdWayMattB

    https://x.com/lucymcaldwell

    Related reading:
    Segment 1:
    NYT - Rally Shooter’s Phone Had Searches for Trump and Biden, FBI Officials Say - The New York Times
    ABC News - Secret Service spotted Trump rally shooter on roof 20 minutes before gunfire erupted

    Segment 2: 
    Axios - Trump tramples unity theme in two-act convention speech
    Politico - Opinion | Trump Derailed His Own Convention Speech - POLITICO
    Politico - A new kind of Republican Party is forming at the RNC - POLITICO

    Segment 3:
    AP - Biden is isolated at home as Obama, Pelosi and other Democrats push for him to reconsider 2024 race
    NYT - People Close to Biden Say He Appears to Accept He May Have to Drop Out - The New York Times
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  • What are the psychological forces driving that partisan animosity?

    What’s causing Americans to vote for anti-democracy candidates? 

    Are there any interventions that might actually work  to turn down the heat and save our democracy? 

    Robb Willer, professor of sociology, psychology, and organizational behavior at Stanford University talks with Ron Steslow about Stanford’s Strengthening Democracy Challenge, reducing partisan animosity and support for anti-democracy candidates .

    (01:31) Robb’s background

    (02:46) The growth of polarization and partisan animosity 

    (15:08) The Strengthening Democracy Challenge

    (22:40) Negative partisanship and support for undemocratic candidates

    (29:46) How cues from leaders can reduce support for anti-democracy candidates

    (32:17) Working together and respectfully discussing differences reduces partisan animosity 

    (37:47) Misperceptions about how how you’re viewed by members of another party fuels animosity 

    (46:47) Is there hope for overcoming animosity and acceptance of undemocratic candidates? 

    (53:16) How to implement these ideas

    (59:23) The role of emotions in decision making

    You should check out the interventions we discussed: 

    Elite Cues: https://bit.ly/3TEeS6Z

    Positive Contact (Heineken Ad): https://bit.ly/3N74PEM

    Misperceptions: https://bit.ly/3W4iMaN

    Fear of Democratic Collapse: https://bit.ly/3W4awHO

    Follow Robb and Ron on Twitter:

    https://twitter.com/RobbWiller

    https://twitter.com/RonSteslow
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  • To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus

    This week, we discuss the spectacle of the continuing Democratic attacks on Joe Biden’s candidacy that ignore or misunderstand his path to victory.

    We also show the contrast of Trump’s own top advisors seeming more concerned about the dark consequences of reelecting him than many Democrats.

    Then, we talk about how Bidenworld can repair their credibility with reporters after his inner circle worked to keep the signs of his aging under wraps.

    Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we discuss how conservative students benefit from liberal college campuses.

    Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

    Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN)

    Liam Donovan (Principal at Bracewell LLP; host of The Lobby Pod)

    Segments this week:

    (01:20) Democratic Backlash 

    (44:26) Biden’s decline and how his inner circle tried to keep it under wraps

    [Politicology+]  How conservative students benefit from liberal college campuses.

    Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss the extra episodes on our private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.

    Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬

    Check out Oh My World!: https://www.ohmyworld.tv/

    Listen to The Lobby Shop: https://bit.ly/3Y094tp

    Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):

    https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

    https://x.com/HagarChemali

    https://x.com/LPDonovan

    Related reading:
    Segment 1:
    Axios - 1 big thing: Biden resistance despairs
    Axios - Scoop: Biden rebels in Congress see their revolt crumbling
    Emerson Poll — July 2024 National Poll: Trump 46%, Biden 43%
    Mike Madrid Twitter Tread on whether Biden should be replaced

    Segment 2: 
    WSJ - How Biden’s Inner Circle Worked to Keep Signs of Aging Under Wraps - WSJ
    Deadline - White House And 'Morning Joe' Blast Wall Street Journal Report That Joe Biden "Shows Signs Of Slipping"
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • Have you ever thought about what it means to be anonymous? 

    Have you considered what it means that you can walk down the street or go to the grocery store or out to dinner without someone you’ve never met knowing your name, everything you’ve posted online, or your political leanings?

    Or when you go on a first date with someone, they’d walk in knowing your dating history, your political affiliations, your credit score or what groceries you buy?

    Advancements in facial recognition and a secretive startup could end privacy as we know it. 

    In this two-part conversation, New York Times Tech Reporter Kashmir Hill joins host Ron Steslow to discuss privacy, anonymity, facial recognition software and her book Your Face Belongs to Us: A Secretive Startup’s Quest to End Privacy as We Know It.


    In part 2:

    (01:40) “Technical sweetness” and the lack of ethical considerations by the people building these new technologies 

    (12:30) Privacy laws in the U.S. and Europe 

    (15:24) The trend of law enforcement agencies skirting constitutional protections by buying information from private companies.

    (27:20) Balancing security and privacy in the age of ubiquitous surveillance

    (30:50) What the future of privacy might look like 


    Read Your Face Belongs to Us: https://bit.ly/49qsbQm

    Follow Ron and Kashmir  on X (formerly Twitter):

    https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

    https://twitter.com/kashhill

    Email your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬.

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  • To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus

    This week we discuss the fallout from Joe Biden’s debate performance, the calls for him to end his campaign, and the electability argument for him to stay in. 

    Then we talk about the rising stakes of the election and how emboldened Trump will be in a second term. 

    Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we discuss Third Way’s initiative to create a talent bank of moderate and center-left to staff the next Democratic administration. 

    Joining Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: 

    Matt Bennett (Founder & Executive Vice President for Public Affairs at Third Way)

    Susan Del Percio  (MSNBC political analyst and crisis communications expert) 

    Hans Nichols (White House Reporter at Axios)


    Segments this week:

    (03:42) The Debate fallout 

    (37:20) An Emboldened Trump 

    [Politicology+]  Third Way’s talent bank 

    Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss the extra episodes on our private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus.

    Send your questions and thoughts to [email protected] or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬


    Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):

    https://twitter.com/RonSteslow

    https://x.com/ThirdWayMattB

    https://x.com/DelPercioS

    https://x.com/HansNichols

    Related reading:
    Segment 1:
    WP - The Democrats who have called on Biden to drop out of the 2024 election
    CNN - CNN Poll: Most voters think Democrats have a better chance of keeping White House if Biden isn’t the nominee
    CBS - Increasing numbers of voters don't think Biden should be running after debate with Trump — CBS News poll
    NBC - Hunter Biden has joined White House meetings as he stays close to the president post-debate
    Semafor - Biden's Democrat debate crisis: Blame the media? | Semafor
    Mike Madrid Twitter Tread on whether Biden should be replaced

    Segment 2: 
    Axios - Behind the Curtain: Trump's imperial presidency in waiting
    NYT - Trump Amplifies Calls to Jail Top Elected Officials, Invokes Military Tribunals
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices