Politicology

This week, Ron Steslow and Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN) connect a headline-grabbing jewel heist at the Louvre to China’s push to dethrone the dollar. Then, they turn to the escalating conflict with Venezuela: the strikes on alleged “drug boats,” CIA’s new covert action authority, and what’s really at stake for Maduro’s regime. In Politicology+ they discuss the Gaza ceasefire, why early flare-ups aren’t a sign of failure, the new “yellow line,” and why disarmament is the sticking point. They talk about who could actually keep the peace and tension between economic incentives of reconstruction and the risks of corruption in this unconventional diplomacy. Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Contribute to Politicology at politicology.com/donate Find our sponsor links and promo codes here: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8 Get 15% off OneSkin with the code RON at  https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬ Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https:/x.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/HagarChemali Related Reading:  Andrei Jikh—China Is Using Gold To Replace the U.S. Dollar Fortune - Top analyst says China is playing a ‘key role’ in the price of gold going through the roof, and he’s got the data to prove it | Fortune The Dispatch — Will Trump Overthrow the Leader of Venezuela? NYT — U.S. Attacks More Boats as Tensions With Venezuela Rise: What’s Happened So Far NYT - Trump Administration Authorizes Covert C.I.A. Action in Venezuela - The New York Times Politico - Trump’s boat strikes unite regime change advocates and immigration hardliners - POLITICO Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marcus Collins, an award-winning marketer and former digital strategist for Beyoncé, dives into the intricate relationship between culture and consumer behavior. He emphasizes that "social media is people," and discusses how understanding this can transform marketing strategies. Collins explores the importance of purpose in advertising, showcasing how brands like Patagonia leverage cultural convictions to resonate deeply with consumers. He also examines the interplay between culture and politics, shedding light on hyperpolarization and decision-making.

This week, Ron Steslow and Susan Del Percio (MSNBC political analyst and crisis communications expert) break down New York City’s mayoral race and what a likely Zoran Mamdani win would signal for Democrats, how “personality politics” and populism are reshaping both parties, and what’s driving the current government shutdown fight.     In Politicology+ they unpack the disturbing revelations surrounding Virginia Democratic Attorney General candidate Jay Jones. Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Contribute to Politicology at politicology.com/donate Find our sponsor links and promo codes here: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8 Get 15% off OneSkin with the code RON at  https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬ Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https:/x.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/DelPercioS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin Talbot Zorn, a policymaker and meditation teacher, and Leigh Marz, a collaboration consultant and leadership coach, dive into the noise that surrounds us daily. They explore the transformative power of silence, offering insights from their book, "Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise." Discover how the Amish assess new technology, the failures of the attention economy, and the Japanese concept of 'ma' for resolving conflicts. Plus, they share practical tips to incorporate silence into your life and discuss the intriguing links between psychedelics and deeper states of quiet.

Mike Madrid, a Senior Advisor at the California Latino Economic Institute and author of The Latino Century, dives into the impact of our post-literate society on political violence. He explores how screen culture erodes critical thinking and parallels it with the disruptive influence of the printing press. The conversation touches on how flattened information flows challenge American institutions and the implications of visible violence on public consciousness. Madrid emphasizes storytelling and high-quality discourse as tools for navigating cultural upheaval.

This week, Ron Steslow and Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN) break down the headlines and hidden stories from the United Nations General Assembly and the Trump administration’s surprise Gaza peace proposal.    In Politicology+ they discuss the future of Hagar’s show My World, and what it’s like to navigate media and geopolitics in today’s fractured landscape. Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Contribute to Politicology at politicology.com/donate Find our sponsor links and promo codes here: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8 Get 15% off OneSkin with the code RON at  https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬ Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https:/x.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/HagarChemali Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus In this episode Ron talks to Leopoldo Lopez (Venezuelan opposition leader and co-founder and general secretary of the World Liberty Congress) about his journey fighting for freedom against the Maduro regime. They discuss the collapse of democracy in Venezuela, the importance of grassroots movements, and the role of Bitcoin as a revolutionary tool for freedom.  They also touch on the human toll of autocracy, the power of music and identity, and the need for open-source technologies and philanthropy to support democracy and the fight against autocracy.  They discuss: (2:50) Bitcoin as a tool for freedom  (5:56) Leopolodo’s journey  (8:49) The collapse of democracy in Venezuela  (14:44) The fight against Maduro's regime  (20:57) The human toll of autocracy  (23:52) The power of music and identity  (27:07) Bitcoin and the future of freedom  (30:00) Decentralized resistance and global movements  (32:33) The role of philanthropy in democracy  (35:12) The future of money and values  (41:24) The importance of open source technologies  (44:11) The potential of Bitcoin in Venezuela  (47:02) Creating a new economic paradigm  (50:00) The crisis of trust in institutions  (53:07) The role of citizens in democracy  (56:03) The future of autocracies and democracies  (58:49) The path forward for freedom  This episode features a sample of the song “Free Venezuela” by Alejandro Preschel with permission from the artist: https://open.spotify.com/track/3n8Ik5DLU1ql6BixMGmq9q?si=636cb6290ea44e6a Lean more about the World Liberty Congress here: https://worldlibertycongress.org/  Find our sponsor links and promo codes here: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8 Get 15% off OneSkin with the code RON at  https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬ Follow Ron and Leopoldo  on X: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/leopoldolopez Email your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at ‪‪(703) 239-3068‬ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Brower, a former FBI assistant director and U.S. Attorney, sheds light on the complexities of the Epstein investigations. He discusses the controversial non-prosecution agreement in Florida and the interplay of victims' rights and prosecutorial decisions. The conversation delves into the ongoing House Oversight investigation and its political implications, along with the challenges surrounding Maxwell's appeal. Brower also touches on how the Epstein scandal intersects with constitutional law, revealing the political maneuvers at play.

Join Justin Talbot Zorn, a Harvard- and Oxford-trained policymaker, and Leigh Marz, a leadership coach, as they explore the transformative power of silence in our noise-filled lives. They share their personal journeys to embrace silence and its surprising benefits, discuss why it can evoke fear, and define different types of noise affecting our wellness. Delving into history, they reveal how silence has shaped great thinkers and movements, showcasing its potential to enhance creativity and collaboration in today’s chaotic world.

For the ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus In this episode Ron talks to Molly McKew (writer and lecturer on Russian influence and information warfare) about Ukraine’s resilience and global fatigue 3.5 years into Russia’s invasion.  They discuss: (07:56) The Ukrainian refugee murdered in Charlotte(09:52) Ukrainian morale and shifting public opinion  (20:37) Russia’s strategy  (27:11) Trump and Putin’s meeting  (32:41) The Allies meeting  (42:14) Europe’s internal politics and security challenges  (46:50) European security dynamics  (51:09) China’s military parades and global alliances  (53:39) India’s positioning  (1:09:22) Ukraine moving forward  Read Molly’s work: https://www.greatpower.us/ Read Molly’s piece ‘Half-Baked Alaska: https://bit.ly/4n1nnHX Find our sponsor links and promo codes here: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8 Get 15% off OneSkin with the code RON at  https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬ Follow Ron and Molly  on X: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/MollyMcKew Email your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at ‪‪(703) 239-3068‬ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices