Politicology

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

This week, Ron Steslow and Katherine Mangu-Ward (Editor in Chief of Reason) examine some major current developments through a libertarian lens, focusing on negative liberties, free expression, and privacy. They discuss the threats to privacy and free expression from age-verification laws to "misinformation" regulation to the battle over values on the Internet. Then, in Politicology+ they discuss “surveillance pricing,” the role of government in data collection, the third-party doctrine that allows the government to buy personal data, and the marriage of corporate and state centralized power. 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 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/kmanguward Related Reading:  Reason - The end of online anonymity? Age checks spread worldwide. Wired -The Age-Checked Internet Has Arrived | WIRED Reason - Canada seeks to jail Freedom Convoy organizers for 8 years FOX Business - CBS insiders warn that Skydance merger brings 'hall monitor' to news division Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Contribute to Politicology at politicology.com/donate To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, Ron Steslow and  Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN) examine how efforts to “protect democracy” can sometimes undermine its foundations. They unpack the ongoing Epstein investigation and what it reveals about the importance of impartial justice and truth. They dig into the U.K.’s Banter Bill and its chilling effect on free speech—an essential pillar of democratic society. And they discuss the Tornado Cash trial unfolding in Manhattan, and how it could set a precedent that reshapes Americans’ digital privacy rights. These aren’t just headline stories—they’re stress tests for the core values that make democracy function. Then, in Politicology+ they discuss Javier Milei proving his detractors wrong and the remarkable turn around in Argentina this year.  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. Find our sponsor links and promo codes here: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8 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://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/HagarChemali Related Reading:  WSJ- Justice Department Told Trump in May That His Name Is Among Many in the Epstein Files Axios - Deputy attorney general seeking meeting with Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell FP - Britain’s War on Speech Comes for the Pub NYTimes - As Trump Quits UNESCO, China Expands Influence - The New York Times Axios - The trial of a Tornado Cash developer begins Coindesk - Legitimate Privacy Tool or Dirty Money ‘Laundromat’? Lawyers Debate Role of Tornado Cash on Day 1 of Roman Storm Trial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Catherine Sanderson (@SandersonSpeaks), Poler Family Professor, Chair of Psychology at Amherst College and the author of Why We Act: Turning Bystanders Into Moral Rebels joins host Ron Steslow (@RonSteslow) to analyze why Trump was able to exert control on the Republican party, how to recognize leaders who will stand up for what’s right—and what we can do to become moral rebels . To contribute to Politicology, visit https://politicology.com/donate/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re doing it! This December, Ron Steslow and Mike Madrid are excited to host our first-ever salon-inspired retreat. Unscripted: A Politicology Gathering is a 3 night/4 day in-person retreat at a luxury villa in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico from December 5-8, 2025. You can find more information and apply at politicology.com/unscripted. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Byron Tau, a journalist and author specializing in law and national security, delves into his book about the partnership between tech and government in creating a surveillance state. He discusses insights from Edward Snowden's revelations on data collection and how vendors sidestep privacy laws. Tau also addresses the battle over encryption's role in protecting privacy, the risks of foreign data misuse, and potential reforms to legislate against mass surveillance. His expertise sheds light on the intricate dynamics of surveillance and personal privacy.

Contribute to Politicology at politicology.com/donate To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus This week, Ron Steslow and Mike Madrid (author of The Latino Century) discuss the unraveling of our political institutions, the devolution of political parties, what’s happening with them, where they’re heading and what it means. They dive into the Epstein Files and the MAGA backlash, Mamdani’s primary win in New York City, the turmoil at the DNC, and Elon Musk’s new party, and what all this says about what America’s two-party system is becoming.   Then, in Politicology+ they discuss some predictions made in the 1997 book, “The Sovereign Individual,”many of which have already come to pass, as well as the future role of government in the information age. 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. Find our sponsor links and promo codes here: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8 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://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/madrid_mike Related Reading:  The Great Transformation: Why the Epstein Case Is Not Going Away The Great Transformation: Musk's America Party Signals the Collapse of Philosophical Politics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Byron Tau, a journalist specializing in law, courts, and national security, dives into his new book exploring the hidden alliance between tech and government. He discusses the evolution of data brokering and how metadata can pinpoint individuals, raising critical concerns for personal privacy. The conversation also touches on the changing landscape of privacy rights in the U.S. and the alarming increase in public-private surveillance relationships since 9/11, revealing how social media has transformed data collection practices.

Isaac Stone Fish, CEO of Strategy Risks and a fellow at the Atlantic Council, dives into the escalating AI race with China and the associated risks of authoritarian values shaping our future. He highlights China's ambitious strategies in the tech space and the implications for global governance. The discussion also addresses the U.S.-China tensions and how China's actions could threaten net neutrality and free speech. With insights on the ethical dilemmas in foreign policy, Fish unveils the complexities of navigating international relations in a tech-driven world.

In this conversation, Susan Del Percio discusses Zohran Mamdani’s win in the Democratic Primary for New York City Mayor, what it means for New York, and what it will mean for Democrats in and outside the state.  Listen to our episode with Mike Madrid about the Fighting Oligarchy Tour: https://bit.ly/45Rr2lL Find our sponsor links and promo codes here: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8 Follow Ron and Susan on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/DelPercioS 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