Politicology

Susan Del Percio, an MSNBC political analyst with a knack for crisis communications, joins Stef Kight, a politics reporter at Axios, to explore President-elect Trump’s ambitious agenda. They discuss the potential of a 'mega MAGA moonshot' that could revolutionize legislation. The conversation shifts to cryptocurrency, spotlighting a proposed strategic Bitcoin reserve and evolving bipartisan support. The duo also addresses the chilling effects of January 6th on political dialogue, considering how narratives around the attack are changing in light of Trump's possible re-election.

Heather Shaner, a seasoned Washington D.C. public defender, discusses her extensive work representing January 6th defendants, focusing on their emotional struggles and the complexities of their motivations. Joining her is Liz Gilbert Cohen, a political advisor and documentary producer who sheds light on the media representation of these individuals. They explore the balance between legal representation and public perception, the societal impact on diverse defendants, and the ethical challenges faced within a contentious political landscape.

Justin Zorn, a Harvard and Oxford trained policymaker and meditation teacher, dives into the often-overlooked significance of silence in our noisy world. He discusses the Amish approach to technology, which emphasizes thoughtful evaluation over haste. Zorn and co-author Leigh Marz explore the attention economy, advocating for a shift towards mindful engagement and quality over quantity. They also highlight practical ways to incorporate silence into daily life and discuss the impact of silence on mental well-being and relationships.

Justin Zorn, a policymaker and meditation teacher, and Leigh Marz, a collaboration consultant, dive into the transformative power of silence. They explore the impact of constant noise on our minds and relationships, revealing why silence often feels intimidating. Their personal journeys highlight silence's dual role as both a source of inspiration and discomfort. They also discuss societal tendencies that discourage quietness, linking this fear to modern distractions and the pressure of constant connectivity.

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plusThis week, we discuss President Biden carrying out the largest single-day act of clemency in American history and the controversial commutations of sentences for corrupt public officials.Then, we talk about the rash of reported drone sightings in New Jersey and the confirmed UAV sightings around military bases, and how we can sort fact from fiction to make sure we address real security concerns.  Later, we talk about Mitch McConnell’s call to reject isolationism and the Atlantic’s deep reporting on how our crumbling military manufacturing infrastructure makes us vulnerable in a turbulent world.Finally, we head to Politicology+ where we discuss CNN admitting that the person they showed being freed from a Syrian prison last week was actually an intelligence officer in the Assad regime and the growth of mediated media. Joining host Ron Steslow on this week’s panel: Liam Donovan (Principal at Bracewell LLP)Olivier Knox (Senior National Political Correspondent at U.S. News & World Report)Segments this week:(04:31) Biden’s pardons and commutations (26:13) Drones(41:04) The precarious state of our military manufacturing infrastructure 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 thoughts to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬Get Olivier’s newsletter “Decision Points”: https://bit.ly/3ZTK8TUFollow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):https://x.com/RonSteslowhttps://x.com/LPDonovanhttps://x.com/OKnoxRelated reading:Segment 1: WSJ - Mystery Drones Swarmed a U.S. Military Base for 17 Days. The Pentagon Is Stumped. - WSJCNN - Key US Air Force base closes airspace amid drone sightings | CNNSegment 2: AP - Biden commutes roughly 1,500 sentences and pardons 39 people in biggest single-day act of clemencyCNN - Victims ‘shocked’ after Biden grants clemency to ‘kids-for-cash’ judge and $54 million embezzler | CNN PoliticsSegment 3: Foreign Affairs - Mitch McConnell: The Price of American RetreatThe Atlantic - The Crumbling Foundation of America’s Military - The Atlantic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Journalist, Public Speaker and Author Celeste Headlee (@CelesteHeadlee) joins host Ron Steslow (@RonSteslow) to reveal the science and history behind human communication, share keys to unlock deeper conversations, and explain how critical empathy is for our ability to listen and connect. For more information, to contact us, or to contribute to Politicology, visit Politicology.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Weigel, a politics reporter at Semafor, and James Lynch, a communications strategist, delve into the curious phenomenon surrounding the fandom for Luigi Mangione, the assassin of a healthcare CEO. They explore the political implications of public reactions to violence and the healthcare crisis. The discussion shifts to the urgent need for generational change within the Democratic Party, highlighting younger leaders' ambitions. Weigel and Lynch also analyze how recent political moves are reshaping narratives in a polarized landscape.

Dr. Catherine Sanderson, Polar Family Professor at Amherst College and expert on happiness, shares insights on the connection between giving and happiness. She delves into whether giving truly makes us happier or if happy people are simply more inclined to give. The conversation also uncovers the different types of giving and their unique impacts on mood. Plus, Sanderson discusses the benefits of gratitude letters in enhancing well-being, revealing the transformative power of generosity in our lives.

To unlock Politicology+ visit politicology.com/plusThis week, Ron Steslow calls Hagar Chemali to talk about some of the most important stories going on around the world: First, we discuss President Biden pardoning his son, Hunter, and weighing other preemptive pardons Then, we talk about what Trump’s defense, intelligence, and national security nominations could meanNext, we look at South Korea’s president invoking martial law After that, we break down the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire deal Finally, for our Politicology+ subscribers, we keep going around the world to talk about Iranian assassination plots (including one against a famous Iranian women’s rights activist), the pros and cons of an undisciplined and unpredictable Donald Trump, why Russian propaganda is using AI TV commentators, how the incoming administration might try to end the war in Ukraine, and more.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.Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):https://twitter.com/RonSteslowhttps://x.com/HagarChemali Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this insightful discussion, Alex Gladstein, Chief Strategy Officer at the Human Rights Foundation, explores Bitcoin's empowering role in human rights advocacy. He shares his journey into human rights and delves into the cryptocurrency's unique ability to foster financial independence, particularly for women in Afghanistan. The conversation highlights Bitcoin's potential to challenge authoritarianism, facilitate secure transactions, and combat monetary colonialism in West Africa. Gladstein paints a hopeful picture of Bitcoin as a lifeline for those in repressive regimes.