Neon Liberalism

Join Samantha and guest Toby Buckle of the Political Philosophy Podcast as they explore the foundations of Trump's enduring popular support, the legacy of the Southern Strategy, and the importance of taking people's beliefs seriously.

The Civil Rights Movement, which stretched across decades, caused big changes in society that persist today. As some of the gains it brought about are now threatened by racists in the White House, what can we learn from the tactics and, more importantly, the strategy pursued by the movement's leaders and activists? Samantha and Jason are joined by Liberal Currents editor-in-chief Adam Gurri.

Taiwan is a free country, a powerhouse in technology, and it has about one-twentieth the population of Europe less Russia. JD Vance talks about the U.S. possibly disengaging with Europe, but is such disengagement necessary for, and does it really herald, increased engagement with Asia, and particularly with China and Taiwan? Liberal Currents contributing editor Matthew Downhour joins Samantha and Jason to talk about Taiwan's history and importance.

The chaos coming out of Washington, D.C., over the past week seems to be emanating from one man, and for once it's not Donald Trump—it's Elon Musk. Project 2025 is still happening, but Musk's seizure of government computer systems is happening more quickly. Samantha and Jason are joined by guest Adam Gurri to ask what this means for the country and the world.

Tariffs were central to mercantilist economic policy—deployed to generate funding for government, protection for industries, or pain for enemies. But can or will tariffs be put to a genuinely public-spirited use for today's United States? Samantha, Jason, and guest Maia Mindel talk about purposes and consequences of the Trump administration's proposed tariffs.

Trump II is upon us, and the administration has already taken aim to reduce citizenship rights and deport immigrants, despite the longstanding truth that arguments against immigration don't hold much water. Liberal Currents associate editor Paul Crider joins Samantha and Jason to describe the new Republican restrictionism and to give some of those arguments another drubbing.

Is Donald Trump going to give Americans an education in war on the homefront? Samantha, Jason, and guest Matthew Downhour evaluate new challenges to the liberal international order and assess the incoming administration's taste for territorial aggrandizement.

Samantha, Jason, and guest Vikas Valiveti talk the science, politics, and ethics of youth transition. Spoiler: there are a lot of people spreading lies about trans healthcare. What don't they want you to know?

Social media powered the Arab Spring, the George Floyd protests, and (seemingly) much of our politics for the last decade. Since Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter, many liberals have hoped that Bluesky might become what Twitter once was. But is social media really always a tool of progress? Or is it more like radioactive waste, invisibly poisoning our minds and politics? Join Samantha, Jason, and guest Katherine Cross to discuss the nature of social media and whether Bluesky will save us.

Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham has dislodged the regime of Bashar al-Assad after a lightning offensive, raising new hopes for Syria's future. Having won on the battlefield, can HTS implant a successful government in Damascus? Liberal Currents contributing editor Matthew Downhour joins Samantha and Jason to talk about war, autocracy, and democracy.