GD POLITICS

Join Ryan Burge, a professor at Eastern Illinois University and former Baptist pastor, as he delves into the changing landscape of religion in America. He examines the plateauing number of secular Americans and the stability of Christian demographics. The conversation covers the intersection of religion and politics, especially among different faiths. Ryan also discusses Denmark's unique community model, contrasting low church attendance with strong societal bonds, and explores the challenges of fostering community in a secular world.

A lively discussion unfolds as the speakers humorously analyze the current political landscape, including Trump’s presidency and the intriguing search for a new pope. They delve into potential papal candidates and their chances while drawing parallels between church leadership and political elections. The conversation also tackles how changing demographics are reshaping American religious identity and the implications for future values. Engaging games and audience interactions add a fun twist to the insightful political banter.

John Burn-Murdoch, chief data reporter at the Financial Times, dives deep into the latest societal trends and their political implications. He highlights critical data like the plummet in European tourism to the U.S. and its economic uncertainty. The conversation also touches on the rising class stratification, shifting views on free trade and immigration, and the growing skepticism among young voters towards democracy. Additionally, they explore the widening digital divide and its impact on socioeconomic disparities, offering a nuanced view of modern challenges.

Nate Silver, a renowned statistician and founder of FiveThirtyEight, joins to delve into the fast-approaching 2028 Democratic primary landscape. He shares insights on the potential candidates making early moves, including AOC and Cory Booker. The conversation highlights the balance between progressive values and economic issues while exploring the implications of candidates' backgrounds, like governors versus senators. The evolving dynamics surrounding LGBTQ+ rights also spark discussions about voter perceptions. It's a lively preview of what's to come!

Kristen Soltis Anderson, founder of Echelon Insights and a contributor to The New York Times and CNN, dives into the shifting sentiments around Trump's economic policies. She reveals alarming trends from her latest voter survey, showing declining approval ratings and rising discontent among voters regarding the economy. The discussion navigates the complex relationships between tariffs, American manufacturing, and cultural perceptions, hinting at electoral consequences. It’s a captivating blend of politics, economics, and voter emotions.

The video version of this podcast is available to paid subscribers here.Nathaniel Rakich, Mary Radcliffe and I say goodbye to FiveThirtyEight (and talk about Gavin Newsom's podcast). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.gdpolitics.com/subscribe

Elliott Morris, a data-driven political and economic analyst, teams up with Mary Radcliffe, a Ph.D. mathematician, to dissect the fallout from Trump's trade policies. They discuss the dramatic market fluctuations following tariff announcements and critically analyze how these policies impact consumer prices and manufacturing jobs. Elliott and Mary reveal the math behind public sentiment towards tariffs and explore voter reactions amid economic pressures, shedding light on how younger voters might shift the political landscape.

In one of the biggest election nights of the year, liberal judge Susan Crawford easily won a state Supreme Court race in Wisconsin and Democrats overperformed by double digits in two Florida congressional races.Deputy editor of Inside Elections Jacob Rubashkin and political reporter at The 19th Grace Panetta joined me to break down the results.GD POLITICS is a listener-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.gdpolitics.com/subscribe

The video version of this podcast is available to paid subscribers here.Tuesday’s Wisconsin Supreme Court race serves as a test of how voters in the consummate battleground state are feeling ten weeks into Trump’s second term, and one of the main themes of Trump’s presidency is taking center stage: the role that Elon Musk is playing in government.The race is nominally nonpartisan, but liberal judge Susan Crawford and conservative judge Brad Schimel have been very clear about where they stand on state and even national politics. At stake is the ideological balance of the state’s court, which flipped to liberal for the first time since 2008 in 2023.Director of the Marquette Law School Poll Charles Franklin and Political Reporter for CBS58 Milwaukee Emilee Fannon joined me to talk about it all.Subscribe to GD POLITICS at www.gdpolitics.com and wherever you listen to podcasts! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.gdpolitics.com/subscribe

At the start of the year it looked like Canada was getting ready to repeat a political story we’ve seen play out across the globe. After decades-high levels of inflation, amid a shortage of affordable housing and a backlash to liberal immigration policies, the unpopular incumbent, the Liberals, seemed destined for electoral defeat.But then two things happened: On January 6th, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, boasting a mere 22 percent approval rating, announced he would resign. And two weeks later, President Trump took office, talking about turning Canada into America’s 51st state and threatening many — and then levying some — new tariffs on Canada.I could think of no one better to talk to about all this than the election forecasters of Canada: Philippe Fournier, Editor-in-Chief of 338Canada and Eric Grenier, author of The Writ.The video version of the podcast is available to paid subscribers here. Subscribe to GD POLITICS at www.gdpolitics.com and wherever you listen to podcasts! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.gdpolitics.com/subscribe