Tangle

Laurie Styron, the executive director of CharityWatch.org, is dedicated to improving charitable practices with years of expertise in nonprofit analysis. In this discussion, she emphasizes the importance of choosing charities wisely to avoid impulsive donations. Laurie highlights the limits of automated charity ratings, warning of hidden abuses in high scores. She shares practical tips for vetting local charities, and encourages proactive, informed giving strategies. This conversation is essential for anyone looking to make meaningful end-of-year donations.

Will Kaback chats with Simon Bazelon, a political researcher and lead author of the Deciding to Win report, about the future of politics. They discuss how voter priorities are shifting, with a focus on identity over economic themes. Simon argues that moving left won't mobilize nonvoters and emphasizes the importance of candidate quality. The duo also dives into the need for authenticity aligned with popular policies and explores potential 2028 nominees with crossover appeal. This engaging conversation spotlights key insights on electoral dynamics.

On Christmas Day, U.S. forces launched strikes on ISIS camps in Nigeria’s Sokoto state. These actions were taken with the Nigerian government’s approval, marking a significant military effort against insurgents. Responses varied, with some left-leaning critics accusing the strikes of being politically motivated while conservatives praised the demonstration of military resolve. Nigerian editorial perspectives reflected caution about potential backlash and welcomed support. The discussion also delved into the broader implications of such military actions in the region.

A scheduled segment on CBS's 60 Minutes about Venezuelan deportations was abruptly pulled by Bari Weiss, igniting controversy over editorial freedom. Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi criticized the decision as politically motivated, sparking a debate on media integrity. The hosts explore varying perspectives, from right-wing defenses of Weiss's editorial choices to left-wing accusations of censorship. The discussion also touches on broader implications of media ownership and trust, making for a compelling and thought-provoking analysis.

The podcast opens with holiday greetings and a quick news roundup before announcing a break. A subscription drive emphasizes the end-of-year goal, inviting listeners to subscribe or gift memberships. Highlights of the past year include impressive audience growth and product launches. Testimonials showcase the show's impact on facilitating open conversations. Exciting plans for the next year feature new contributors and expansion into different media. The hosts conclude with warm holiday wishes and encourage support for the show.

The latest release of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents from the DOJ includes photographs, grand jury records, and victim interviews, stirring controversy with significant redactions. Both left and right perspectives are explored, with critiques focusing on transparency and the lack of incriminating evidence. Isaac Saul highlights key revelations, including Maria Farmer's unaddressed 1996 complaint and gaps in Alex Acosta's emails regarding the plea deal. Overall, listeners can expect more gradual disclosures as the investigation continues.

So, today, I’m going to run it back and see how I do. As I did in 2021, I’m going to accompany each prediction with a one- to two-sentence explanation and a “confidence rating” (or “CR”), so you can see how strongly I hold the belief. The scale is 1 to 10, with 10 being maximum confidence and 1 being lowest confidence. However, I’m not including any prediction that I don’t think has a higher than 50% chance of coming true (otherwise I’d just be throwing darts randomly at the wall). So the 1–10 rating is more like a 51% to 100% rating than 0 to 100.I’d love to hear what you think, or hear predictions of your own. Need a last-minute gift?The holiday season is here, which is a good time to remind you: You can give the gift of Tangle to friends and family! There are two great options: Gift a Tangle subscription. Whether it’s an earnest present to a friend or family member who would love our work, or a passive-aggressive gift for your favorite relative who doesn’t share your politics, a Tangle subscription is a great way to find some common ground and keep your loved ones informed. It takes thirty seconds! Hit the merch shop. We have hoodies, shirts, mugs, stickers, hats, and even onesies for the little ones. Snag something fresh with our new logo or grab a vintage Tangle brain on any garment you’d like. You will want to hop on these quickly to make sure they arrive before the holidays!Ad-free podcasts are here!To listen to this podcast ad-free, and to enjoy our subscriber only premium content, go to ReadTangle.com to sign up!You can subscribe to Tangle by clicking here or drop something in our tip jar by clicking here. Our Executive Editor and Founder is Isaac Saul. Our Executive Producer is Jon Lall.This podcast was written by Isaac Saul and edited and engineered by Dewey Thomas. Music for the podcast was produced by Jon Lall.Our newsletter is edited by Managing Editor Ari Weitzman, Senior Editor Will Kaback, Lindsey Knuth, Bailey Saul, and Audrey Moorehead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charles C.W. Cooke, a Senior Writer at National Review and a keen analyst of conservatism, joins for an insightful chat about Trump 2.0 and its implications. He examines the historical view of Trump's nonconsecutive presidency and the impact on conservative ideals. Cooke critiques tariffs and spending, warns about immigration policy execution, and forecasts midterm outcomes based on economic conditions. The hosts also discuss Trump's controversial tweet about Rob Reiner and explore the dynamics of conservative reactions, showcasing a vibrant exchange of ideas.

President Trump's recent national address spotlighted his administration's achievements, particularly in immigration and economic policies. He introduced a $1,776 'warrior dividend' for military members, stirring discussions about funding. Reactions varied, with conservatives praising his accomplishments while liberals deemed the address ineffective. Fact-checking revealed discrepancies in Trump's claims, raising questions about his motives. Meanwhile, a focus on Colorado River negotiations offered a glimpse into pressing environmental issues.

A tragic shooting at Brown University left two students dead and many injured, sparking a manhunt for the assailant. As the community grapples with grief, personal reflections highlight the emotional toll of such events. Discussions explore varying perspectives on gun laws and the importance of patient responses amid misinformation. Blueprinting a path forward, voices from the Brown community emphasize solidarity and safety while contrasting current events with promising stories of conservation efforts.