
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.
Latest episodes

May 21, 2025 • 48min
[+] The “Fighting Oligarchy” Tour
Mike Madrid and host Ron Steslow discuss Bernie Sanders and AOC’s “Fighting Oligarchy Tour” and where economic populism on the left is heading.Related media:CNN - Bernie Sander's Town Hall Clip Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 20, 2025 • 45min
ENCORE: The Sinister Threat of Digital Dollars
For the ad-free and full version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus
In this episode, Ron talks to Nick Anthony (Policy Analyst at the Cato Institute and a Fellow at the Human Rights Foundation) about Central Bank Digital Curriences, their potential to invade privacy, alter the dynamics of financial control, how governments are trying to justify them, and why those arguments are insufficient.
They discuss:
(04:16) Intro to CBDCs
(07:58) How CBDCs would give unprecedented control over how you can spend money
(12:15) The Arguments for and against CBDCs
(19:53)The hidden assumptions behind CBDC arguments
(24:50) The real world privacy implications of CBDCs
(33:05) CBDCs around the globe
(36:21) The political dynamics in the U.S.
(47:47) Bitcoin vs CBDCs
Check out the HRF’s CBDC Tracker: https://bit.ly/3WtFb3g
Follow Ron and Nick on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/RonSteslow
https://x.com/EconWithNick
Email your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at (202) 455-4558
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May 16, 2025 • 1h 32min
Teaching For An A.I. Future—The Weekly Roundup
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In this week’s wide-ranging Roundup, Ron Steslow and Lucy Caldwell (Board Advisor to the Renew Democracy Initiative and advisor to the Forward Party) discuss how and why we’ll need to rethink our education system in the rapidly changing world.
Finally, in Politicology+, they discuss Steve Bannon’s recent speech at Hillsdale College, the escalating rhetoric about being on the verge of war, and how legitimate class and cultural grievances—from the left and the right—are meeting ascendant illiberal ideas and pushing us toward the destruction of liberalism.
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.
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/lucymcaldwell
Related media:
The Ezra Klein Show - Educating Kids in the Age of A.I. | The Ezra Klein Show
National Geographic - What if you could delay menopause? How scientists are working to slow down ovarian aging
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May 10, 2025 • 1h 28min
Islamism vs. Democracy—The Weekly Roundup
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To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus
In this week’s wide-ranging Roundup, Ron Steslow and Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN) discuss the escalating tensions between two nuclear powers, India and Pakistan, in Kashmir.
Then, they talk about the spread of Islamism in the West and the threat it poses to global democracy.
Finally, in Politicology+ they discuss what foreign policy would look like with a progressive nominee for the Democratic party.
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.
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 media:
UATX - Our Crisis of Antisemitism & Islamism | Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Ben Habib -The TRUTH About Islamism in the West | Ben Habib x Ayaan Hirsi Ali | The News At Ben Ep 24
Ben Habib - Local Elections, DEI, Multiculturalism and Islamism | Ayaan Hirsi Ali x The News At Ben Ep 25
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May 7, 2025 • 53min
As The West Wavers, Ukraine Fights—Part 2
For the ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus
In the second part of this two-part episode, Ron talks to Molly McKew (writer and lecturer on Russian influence and information warfare) about whether Russia is truly isolated, and what the future of American influence could look like as our self-isolation creates a power vacuum.
Read Molly’s work: https://www.greatpower.us/
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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May 7, 2025 • 58min
As The West Wavers, Ukraine Fights—Part 1
For the ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus
In the first part of this two-part episode, Ron talks to Molly McKew (writer and lecturer on Russian influence and information warfare) about the recent drone attacks in Ukraine, Trump’s “Peace Plan” and what a lasting peace might require.
Read Molly’s work: https://www.greatpower.us/
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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May 2, 2025 • 38min
AI Giveth, AI Taketh
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To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plus
Nick Gillespie (Editor at Large at Reason) and host Ron Steslow discuss AI, what it’s doing to us, and our relationship with what it means to be human.
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.
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/nickgillespie
Related media:
NBC - Some of her closest relationships are with chatbots. That's more common than you think.
Vox - The rise of chatbot “friends” | Vox
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Apr 30, 2025 • 1h 1min
The Devil’s Advocates—Part 2
For the ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus
In part two of this series, Ron talks to Rebecca Roiphe (Joseph Solomon Distinguished Professor of Law at New York Law School) about critical legal studies, the attacks on our understanding of what the law is and how it should function from across the political spectrum. They focus on how the chilling actions of the Trump Administration stem from a belief that law is merely an instrument of power, and why that belief is corrosive—to the everyday practice of law and to liberal democracy itself.
They discuss:
(08:00) Understanding liberalism vs progressivism
(09:08) Fairness in the legal system
(16:43) The role of the Federalist Society and its shift at Harvard
(21:19) The Trump Administration’s legal philosophy
(25:39) The independence of the Justice Department
(28:33) The impact of executive orders targeting law firms
(32:33) The future of legal representation
Follow Ron and Rebecca on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/RonSteslow
https://x.com/rroiphe
Email your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at (703) 239-3068
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Apr 25, 2025 • 1h 23min
Crosses & Crowns—The Weekly Roundup
Mike Madrid, author of 'The Latino Century' and senior advisor at UC Irvine, joins for a riveting discussion on current political dynamics. They delve into alarming AI advancements and their potential to outpace humanity. The conversation shifts to the implications of Pope Francis's death on the Catholic Church and the troubling merger of Christianity with MAGA politics, questioning the future of liberalism in America. Additionally, they explore Bernie Sanders and AOC's economic populism efforts, highlighting the evolving landscape of leftist politics.

Apr 23, 2025 • 54min
The Devil’s Advocates—Part 1
Rebecca Roiphe, a distinguished law professor specializing in legal ethics, joins the conversation to unravel the complexities facing the rule of law today. They delve into critical legal studies and its evolution, emphasizing the importance of intersectionality and power dynamics. The discussion critiques the current U.S. legal system's objectivity and the implications of its perceived neutrality. Roiphe highlights the tension between justice and representation, especially in light of high-profile cases that have impacted public trust in legal institutions.