

Beyond Politics
Matt Robison
Politics may be dismal, but the ideas that swirl around it and shape it are fascinating. This is a show that looks not just at politics, but the deeper ideas from history, science, psychology, economics, and technology that are shaping our world. We feature smart, lively, upbeat discussions with people who know what they're talking about and can help us understand the world better. Hosted by Matt Robison: writer, former senior congressional staffer, and campaign manager.
Episodes
Mentioned books

4 snips
Feb 14, 2024 • 31min
$17 Billion in Political Ads. Does It Even Work?
Analyzing the effectiveness of political ads and the trust gap in political advertising. Exploring the influence and limitations of political ads from a data perspective. Examining the impact of negative political ads and the role of money in campaigns. Highlighting the need to rethink political campaign strategies. Discussing the power of person-to-person contact in politics and the future of political advertising.

Feb 12, 2024 • 50min
"Disenfranchisement and Chaos": Inside the Supreme Court's Biggest Case
ProPublica's star investigative reporter Andy Kroll takes us behind the scenes, inside the issues and internal debates within the Supreme Court as it hears the 14th Amendment case against former President Donald Trump.
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01:17 Case Overview: Donald J. Trump vs Norma Anderson
05:54 The Debate on the 14th Amendment
11:40 The Tension Between Strict Constructionism and Legal Interpretation
20:19 The Three Core Questions for the Court
25:28 Understanding the Concept of Insurrection
26:55 The Role of States in Enforcing the 14th Amendment
36:13 The Role of the Supreme Court in Political Decisions
41:38 The Potential for Future Political Crises
46:42 The Importance of a Functional Congress

Feb 11, 2024 • 31min
A Disaster Day for Democrats: Sunday Roundtable Edition
A Bad Day for Democrats, the 14th Amendment, and Questions about Joe Biden's Fitness for Office. A special Sunday bonus roundtable discussion with Matt, Paul, and Alicia on how the Supreme Court is crushing Democrats dreams of getting saved from Trump, while the Special Counsel crushed Biden's age and memory in a way that could have lasting echoes throughout the Presidential race.
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***Check out another great podcast at Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other ***
00:40 The Impact of Special Counsel's Investigation on Joe Biden
09:15 The Political Impact of the Special Counsel's Report
14:42 The Age Factor in Politics: Biden vs Trump
18:19 The Supreme Court and the 14th Amendment
22:16 The Immunity Question: Trump's Legal Challenges
24:30 The House of Representatives: A Study in Dysfunction
30:14 The Swift Bowl

Feb 10, 2024 • 24min
Bonus Episode: Trump CAN Run, But He AIN'T Immune
Two cases in the federal courts this week had very different outcomes for Donald Trump. A Federal Appeals Court demolished Trump's claims of immunity from prosecution, but the US Supreme Court seemed poised to allow him to remain on the ballot despite a constitutional challenge over his role in the Insurrection. Matt Robison joins radio legend Howard Monroe to break it down.
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***Check out another great podcast at Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other ***
02:51 Discussion on Court Rulings and Presidential Immunity
08:37 Conversation on the 14th Amendment Case
18:12 Discussion on the Biden Special Prosecutor's Report

Feb 9, 2024 • 27min
Top Expert's Election Forecast Is In, And the Winner Is...
Top forecaster Mark Zandi, Chief Economist of Moody's Analytics and the host of 'Inside Economics' has released his election forecast model. We dive into the factors that will truly matter in 2024, and announce the predicted winner.
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***Check out another great podcast at Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other ***
02:49 The Impact of the Economy on Voter Behavior
04:40 The Influence of Voter Turnout
07:00 The Significance of Election Forecast Models
09:42 The Role of Third-Party Candidates in Elections
19:43 The Impact of Economic Factors on Elections
23:35 Predicting the Next President

Feb 7, 2024 • 48min
Part 2: Can We Talk Politics & Religion Without Killing Each Other?
Corey Nathan of the hit podcast Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other joins Matt Robison for Part Two of their conversation about whether the divides in America are really that big for the vast majority of people, and how to connect with people who seem to have major differences with you.
If you haven't heard Part One yet, click on the link for Corey's pod and check it out (and then come right back here)! And PLEASE hit follow on both of our shows, and if you're on the Apple Podcast app especially, scroll to the bottom of the episode list and leave us a rating and review!
05:04 The Journey from Judaism to Christianity
07:42 The Importance of Engaging in Political Discussions
10:36 The Role of Religion in Politics
18:07 The Dangers of Avoiding Political Discussions
21:16 The Exit Ramp for Trump Supporters
23:48 Understanding Deplorability and Open-Mindedness
30:31 The Power of Listening and Understanding
37:40 The Threat of Authoritarianism to Democracy
40:44 The Value of Maintaining Conversations Across Differences

Feb 5, 2024 • 40min
Why 2024 Might Be the Most Important Year
2024 may be the most pivotal year in decades, one that could shape the world's future in profound ways. Xenia Wickett, a geopolitical expert who has worked at the White House, State Department, Chatham House, and the Harvard Kennedy School explains what the big drivers of instability and change are, and suggests how to think about the complicated cross currents in the world in 2024.
02:57 The Key Challenges in 2024
06:02 The Pillars of Global Structure
16:11 The New Role of Corporations Across Societies
20:19 The Four Global Systems
22:49 The Interplay of Global Systems and Foundational Pillars
28:40 The 'Rooms' - Localized Issues Impacting the Global System
31:07 Understanding the Interconnectedness of Global Events
38:48 Learning to Manage Volatility

Feb 2, 2024 • 41min
Who Actually Won the Hollywood Bloodbath?
Smart insights on the future of streaming and entertainment with Chris Hill, the former host of Motley Fool Money. Now that Netflix seems to have come out on top int he streaming wars, what does the mix of emerging company strategies mean for various forms of media that Americans watch, including television, movies, and sports. 🙂🙏🤛QUICK Favor: After you Hit "Follow" or "Subscribe" Can You Please Leave Us a Rating & Review in the Apple Podcasts App?
02:02 The Future of Streaming and Entertainment
04:30 The Streaming Wars: Are They Over?
08:11 The Impact of the Pandemic and Strikes on the Entertainment Industry
13:48 The Role of Advertising in Streaming Platforms
14:35 Is the Change in the Entertainment Industry Good for Viewers?
18:51 The Evolution of Viewer Behavior and Business Response
21:44 The Rising Cost of Streaming Services
22:19 The Future of Cable Bundle Business Model
27:24 The Evolution of Movie Content
30:10 The Future of Movie Theaters and Releases
37:18 The Rise of International Content on Streaming Platforms
39:23 Predictions for the Future of Streaming

Jan 31, 2024 • 40min
Why Taylor Swift Is Driving Republicans Insane
Also, what does Donald Trump's move to kill an immigration deal tell us about shifting power centers in America? And, what will the latest developments in the Middle East and changes in voter perceptions of the economy do to the political landscape in 2024?
00:09 Taylor Swift and the Political Landscape
02:55 The Politics of Jealousy
08:27 The Impeachment of Alejandro Mayorkas
13:32 The Border Issue and Political Power
18:32 The Power Shift in the Republican Party
25:57 The Current State of the Middle East
32:26 The Impact of the Economy on Politics

Jan 29, 2024 • 42min
A Sneaky New Supreme Court Case Could Upend the Trump Trial
Renowned Constitutional scholar and law professor Kim Wehle explains how an unheralded Supreme Court case could eliminate the core of the election subversion case against Donald Trump, and give him many more paths to delay and escape justice.
03:04 Discussion on Kim's New Book on Pardon Power
07:10 How Fisher vs United States Could Upend the Trump Trial
15:26 Critique of the Supreme Court's Approach to Precedent
21:47 Unpacking the Legal Implications for Donald Trump
30:56 The Role of Regulatory Agencies and the Supreme Court
37:50 The Threat of State Secession