

Politicology
Politicology
Politics in America is transforming. We’re embarking on a new series to deepen our understanding of who we are, how we got here, and how we rebuild without repeating the mistakes of the past. Ron Steslow hosts academics, behavioral economists, social psychologists, politicos, philosophers, anthropologists, journalists, poets, and storytellers—and more—to discuss America’s political present and future and dive into the deeper problems we face as a nation. Email us questions or comments: podcast@politicology.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 4, 2025 • 1h 7min
Post-Literate Politics—The Weekly
This week, Ron Steslow and Mike Madrid (Author of The Latino Century) trace a through-line from our screen-first, post-literate society to America’s escalating political violence.
In Politicology+ they continue the conversation, discussing the institutions, laws, and norms we’ve put in place to prevent violence from becoming a political tool, how they’re breaking down, and how we move forward.
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/madrid_mike
Related Reading:
The dawn of the post-literate society - by James Marriott
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Oct 3, 2025 • 1h 23min
The Deal That Could End the Gaza War—The Weekly
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
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Oct 1, 2025 • 1h 26min
Decentralized Resistance: Leopoldo López on The Fight for Freedom
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
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9 snips
Sep 19, 2025 • 60min
Epstein’s Unusual Deal—The Weekly
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.

9 snips
Sep 18, 2025 • 53min
ENCORE: The Power of Silence — Part 1
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.

Sep 13, 2025 • 1h 24min
Attrition, Attention, Exhaustion
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
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Sep 11, 2025 • 25min
ENCORE: Of Boys and Men—Part 2
Richard Reeves (author of Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It) joins Ron Steslow to discuss his book and the struggles facing boys and men.
(02:04) The toxicity of “toxic masculinity”
(08:00) The “right” at war and the “left” in denial
(13:00) How negative partisanship only increases the problem
(15:00) The differences in funding and institutional support for men and women
(23:00) Redshirt the boys
(28:00) The criticism Richard has faced for his writing on boys and men
You can order the book here: https://www.brookings.edu/book/of-boys-and-men/
Follow Ron and Richard on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/RonSteslow
https://twitter.com/RichardvReeves
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Sep 6, 2025 • 1h 21min
What’s In A Nation?—The Weekly
This week, Ron Steslow and Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN) discuss information warfare and the biased reporting about Israel ahead of their ground offensive in Gaza City.
Then, the backlash against parties in power in Europe and why Americans need to care about it.
In Politicology+ they discuss China’s military parade, the meetings between the leaders of China, Russia, and India and why it matters so much right now.
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:
TOI - Tens of thousands of reservists drafted ahead of Gaza City takeover, but turnout down | The Times of Israel
TOI - At stormy cabinet meet, IDF chief said to warn Gaza op will lead to full-fledged occupation | The Times of Israel
FP - WATCH: Gazan Journalists Say Al Jazeera Works Hand in Glove with Hamas
FP - They Became Symbols for Gazan Starvation. But All 12 Suffer from Other Health Problems.
The Dispatch - White Hats and Black Hats in the Middle East
WSJ - Populist Right-Wing Parties Lead Polls in Europe’s Biggest Economies
The Spectator - Migrant protests and the twilight of luxury beliefs
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Sep 4, 2025 • 21min
ENCORE: Of Boys and Men—Part 1
Richard Reeves (author of Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It) joins Ron Steslow to discuss his book and the struggles facing boys and men. (02:13) Richard’s work and how it led to studying boys and men (04:00) The risks if the problems are not addressed (07:30) The gendered education gap(0z8:20) How economic shifts have impacted men(11:20) Intersectionality in the research on gender (30:30) Recognizing these problems as structural and not individual(34:40) Weighing the biological differences between women and men You can order the book here: https://www.brookings.edu/book/of-boys-and-men/Follow Ron and Richard on Twitter:https://twitter.com/RonSteslowhttps://twitter.com/RichardvReeves Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 30, 2025 • 1h 11min
Money And State—The Weekly
This week, Ron Steslow and Mike Madrid (Author of The Latino Century) unpack President Trump’s move to remove a sitting Federal Reserve governor, the overt politicization of the Fed, and how it raises questions about whether it even makes sense for an institution this powerful to exist as it does.
Then, the administration’s deal for a 10% stake in Intel and what it signals about a turn toward state capitalism.
In Politicology+ they discuss Trump’s flag-burning executive order and the use of popular moves to erode civil liberties.
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/madrid_mike
Related Reading:
CNN -How an obscure housing director launched Trump’s firing of Fed governor Lisa Cook | CNN Politics
NBC News - Trump tampering with Fed independence is risky for the economy, experts say
WP - Opinion | The Trump-engineered government stake in Intel is a dangerous move - The Washington Post
Reason - Trump Says He 'Paid Zero' for the Government's $11 Billion Stake in Intel. Here's the Downside.
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