Politicology

Washington just lived through a “Seinfeld shutdown”—a 43-day government closure over… basically nothing. Or was it nothing? This week, Ron Steslow is joined by Peter Suderman (features editor at Reason and host of the Reason Roundtable) to unpack the weirdest shutdown in modern memory and the deeply broken healthcare system underneath it. They dig into why Democrats picked this fight, why they folded even while winning the blame game, and what it says about Obamacare that it now needs emergency subsidies for the emergency subsidies. Then, from World War II wage controls to Hillarycare to the ACA, Peter walks through how America accidentally built three-and-a-half overlapping healthcare systems—and why both parties are in denial about the bill coming due.    In Politicology+ they dive into the battle between the Abundance Agenda and the ascendent socialism on the left 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. Listen to The Reason Roundtable: https://reason.com/podcasts/the-reason-roundtable/ Listen to Across the Movie Aisle: https://movieaisle.substack.com/ Check out Cocktails with Suderman: https://cocktailswithsuderman.substack.com/ 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/petersuderman Related Reading:  Axios - The bill to reopen the government would shut down these THC products Politico - Senators distance themselves from controversial payout provision - POLITICO CNBC - What Democrats are — and aren't — getting in the deal that could end the government shutdown Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ron Steslow and Peter Suderman dive into the battle between the Abundance Agenda (Ezra Klein & Derek Thompson’s answer to America’s scarcity mindset) and the newly ascendant socialist wing embodied by New York City’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani. Related Reading:  The Atlantic - Mamdani Has a Point About Rent Control - The Atlantic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Susan Del Percio, an MSNBC political analyst and crisis communications expert, joins to dissect the recent election outcomes. They delve into how Democratic victories in New Jersey and Virginia reflect an identity crisis within the party. Susan highlights the dynamics behind Mamdani’s win in New York City and the challenges of governing amidst fiscal constraints. Additionally, they explore the shifting political landscape in Georgia and what it means for future elections. Insights into the lessons Democrats must learn from these results round out a thought-provoking conversation.

Nick Gillespie, a Libertarian journalist and former Reason editor, joins to unpack the complex relationship between AI and humanity. He discusses how privacy norms evolve, the risks of offloading reasoning to AI, and the rise of chatbot companions in an increasingly lonely digital landscape. Gillespie also explores the balance between creation and consumption, highlighting AI's role in easing creative blocks while stressing the importance of preserving hands-on artistic processes. Ultimately, he sees AI as a transformative tool that can enhance human creativity.

This week, Ron Steslow and Mike Madrid (Author of The Latino Century) discuss the proposed wealth tax on billionaires in California, the signs of worsening economic conditions, and how class warfare could dominate our politics. In Politicology+ they discuss the redistricting wars, the Supreme Court case that could upend a central part of the Voting Rights Act, how Latinos becoming the largest minority group will make us rethink what being a “minority” even means, and how partisanship is becoming our primary identity. 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:  Axios - What to know about California's billionaires tax ballot proposal - Axios San Francisco Fortune - Everyone thinks AI is replacing factory workers, but Amazon’s layoffs show it’s coming for middle management first WSJ - Tens of Thousands of White-Collar Jobs Are Disappearing as AI Starts to Bite CNN - Live updates: Fed looks set to cut rates for second time this year despite data blackout due to government shutdown | CNN Business Fortune - The economy is reliant on the ‘fortunes of the well-to-do’ says Moody’s—if the ultra-rich get nervy that means recession The Bulwark - My Last Day as an Accomplice of the Republican Party The Great Transformation - Leaving MAGA - The Great Transformation with Mike Madrid SOFR Volume November 2023-Present  Fed Balance Sheet QE/QT  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.