Democracy will be won or lost in America's exurbia. In today's episode, Rick speaks with author David Masciotra, discussing his new book "Exurbia Now! The Battleground for American Democracy." The conversation dives into the transformation of American political life influenced by the migration from urban to suburban and ultimately to exurban areas. Masciotra sheds light on how these shifts reflect broader societal changes, contributing to the rise of authoritarian right-wing ideologies in...

Introducing The 5 Shifts of Manhood from The Art of Manliness. Follow the show: The Art of Manliness In the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he wrote, “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” What does putting away the ways of childhood and stepping into manhood look like? My guest says it requires making five key shifts in mindset and perspective. His name is Jon Tyson, and...

American political discourse has become more toxic than ever. In today's episode, Rick speaks with Frank Bruni, author of the new book "The Age of Grievance," which examines the pervasive culture of outrage and grievance driving contemporary American politics. Together, they analyze the roots of this phenomenon, tracing it back to historical and media influences, such as the rise of conservative media figures like Rush Limbaugh and Fox News. They explore how social media has intensified this...

Introducing The Power of Collaboration: How IBM Teams Up with Microsoft from Smart Talks with IBM. Follow the show: Smart Talks with IBM Entire industries are being reshaped around the new capabilities of generative AI. In this special bonus episode of Smart Talks with IBM, Tim Harford leads a conversation between two leaders in the field. Srinivasan Venkatarajan is the Director of Global Partner Business at Microsoft, focusing on Azure Data & AI and Azure OpenAI. And Chris McGuire is the...

Trump will be the next president, according to today's guest, if we do not learn the lessons of the past. On this episode Rick connects with author of the book Blowback and a vocal critic of Donald Trump, Miles Taylor. They dive into the potential dangers of a second Trump presidency, particularly focusing on the drastic changes he could impose on American democracy and government functionality. Taylor elaborates on his concerns about Trump's vindictive use of power, the politicization of...

In the event of a Republican victory in the 2024 presidential election, there potential implications for the country are darker than you may imagine. Project 2025 is one such outcome. In this episode, Rick is joined by author Andra Watkins to discuss her Substack publication, "How Project 2025 Will Ruin Your Life." Watkins, a former Christian nationalist, dives into the details of Project 2025, a hypothetical policy proposal she believes could dramatically alter American society through...

The Republican party has changed. On this episode Ricks sits with Isaac Arnsdorf, a Washington Post reporter and author to discuss the profound transformation within the Republican Party instigated by the MAGA movement. Arnsdorf shares insights from his book, revealing how grassroots activism, led by figures like Steve Bannon, has reshaped the party from the bottom up. The episode explores the strategic takeovers of local party positions by MAGA supporters, the creation of a new political...

Conservatives in America are not typically known as lovers of environmental advocacy. Well, our guest bucks that trend. Benji Backer, an environmental advocate and author of "The Conservative Environmentalist" joins Rick to discuss the urgent need for practical and innovative solutions to environmental challenges, critiquing both extreme denial and radical approaches currently dividing the political landscape. Backer emphasizes a historical bipartisan approach to environmental issues and...

It feels like all anyone wants to talk about these days is how AI is taking over. Well, we thought it time to have an expert on to break it all down. In this episode Rick speaks with AI expert Daniel Faggella in a comprehensive discussion on the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. They speak to the implications of AI on the workforce, economy, and society, examining both the current state and future possibilities. Faggella brings insights from his experience in market research,...

The participation of talented young people is a critical element in a functioning democracy. On this episode, Rick sits down with Gevin Reynolds, a rising figure in Democratic politics with experience in the Biden White House. They dive into the 2024 campaign landscape, focusing on Biden's presidency and the strategic positioning of the Democratic party. Reynolds shares insights on the administration's handling of crises like COVID-19, economic challenges, and racial justice issues. The...

From polls and pundits to dramatic headlines, sorting through the chaos of the presidential election is no easy task. To help parse madness, Rick had a conversation with Elaine Kamarck, political expert and senior fellow at the Brookings Institute. The two give their view of the current state of American politics and the presidential election. They discuss the dynamics of the primary elections, voter demographics, and the strategic approaches of both political parties. The discussion also...

Big tech collects our data, this much we know. But to what extent? To explore this question Rick speaks with Byron Tau, a former Wall Street Journal reporter and author of "Means of Control." Together, they unravel the complex alliance between technology companies and government agencies, exposing how this partnership has birthed a new American surveillance state. They explore the evolution of data brokers, the commercialization of personal data, and the implications for individual privacy...

America is no stranger to extremist political groups, a phenomenon further highlighted on January 6th. However, one thing we don't understand clearly enough is the overlap with our veteran community. On this episode Rick speaks with Ken Harbaugh, veteran and co-producer of "Against All Enemies," a documentary exploring why veterans are drawn into extremist groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. Harbaugh discusses the search for belonging post-military service, the political endorsement...

Many Americans are asking the question "what's going on with Trump's legal battles?" Today on the show Rick speaks with author and legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin to dissect the intricate legal battles Trump faces in Georgia, Florida, and D.C., scrutinizing their procedural complexities and wider implications. Their discussion extends to the repercussions of Trump's actions on American democracy, examining themes of executive power and the rule of law. They discuss the societal impact of Trump's...

Barbara Comstock is a former Republican Congresswoman and longtime RNC veteran. We were excited to have her on the show to discuss the dramatic shifts within the Republican Party and the repercussions of its current trajectory. Together, the two discuss the challenges posed by aligning the party too closely with Trump, the impact on election integrity, and the future of the party. Comstock shares insights from her work on bipartisan efforts to combat election denialism, underscoring the...

In a time when it can be difficult to find common ground in American politics one thing feels widely agreed upon, our collective dread for the upcoming presidential election. This week on the show we discuss just that with Time Magazine's Charlotte Alter, dissecting the current political landscape and the looming "Dread Election." Rick and Charlotte examine the widespread political fatigue among activists, the crucial role of young voters, and the influence of cancel culture on political...

It’s difficult to tell where white Evangelicalism ends and Trumpism begins, so we’re excited Rick is joined by Sarah McCammon, NPR's national political correspondent and co-host of the NPR Politics podcast, about her book "The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church." McCammon shares her personal narrative of growing up within the evangelical movement in the Midwest, her gradual estrangement from its teachings, and her eventual departure. The two discuss the...

This week on The Enemies List, Rick is joined by former Governor of Arkansas Asa Hutchinson. As a Republican who ran in the primary against Donald Trump, Hutchinson shares his unique perspective on the state of the Republican Party, emphasizing the importance of returning to its traditional values of limited government, fiscal responsibility, and integrity. The discussion explores the challenges and strategies for reviving these core principles in today's insane political climate. The two...

This week on The Enemies List, Rick is joined by Michael Cohen, former attorney and fixer for Donald Trump, to dive into the complex web of legal and financial troubles surrounding the former president. With Cohen's insider knowledge, the conversation illuminates the recent legal developments, including Alan Weisselberg's guilty plea and its limited impact on Trump. Cohen provides a candid look at Trump's precarious financial situation, debunking myths of his wealth and detailing the...

This week on The Enemies List, Rick is joined by Jonathan Martin, Senior political columnist at Politico, for a pointed conversation on the state of American politics. They dive into the legacy of Mitch McConnell and the future of Senate leadership, analyzing potential successors and the evolving dynamics within the Republican Party. They cover the impact of Donald Trump on the party, examining his influence over potential leaders and the direction of the GOP. Furthermore, they discuss the...

This week on The Enemies List, Rick rants on the Michigan republican primary and its implications for the GOP, spotlighting Trump's failure to solidify the Republican base and the notable dissatisfaction among Republican voters. He calls out CPAC for embracing extremist elements (including neo-Nazis), arguing it has lost significance and has become part of the extreme MAGA ecosystem. He dissects Trump's CPAC speech, casting it as a harbinger of divisive and revenge-driven politics. The...

This week on The Enemies List, Rick is joined by author political commentator Tara Dublin for a cheeky, candid discussion on the challenges and absurdities of the current political climate. They touch on their experiences with online trolling, the inefficacy of the GOP, and the impact of Donald Trump's legal troubles. Despite the serious subject matter, their conversation is laced with wit and humor, offering insightful commentary on American politics with a satirical edge. For more...

This week on The Enemies List, Rick is joined by former Maryland Lieutenant Governor and RNC Chairman, Michael Steele. Together, they discuss what they describe as a tumultuous week for the Republican Party. Both former Republicans who have been vocal critics of the party's direction in recent years, they dissect the various political missteps and internal conflicts within the GOP. They touch on the leadership challenges faced by Mike Johnson, the party's stance on immigration, the GOP's...

This week on The Enemies List, Rick is joined by journalists Michael Isikoff and Daniel Klaidman, authors of the new book "Find Me the Votes," to explore the Georgia investigation led by Fani Willis into efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. The conversation highlights the case's breadth and complexity, from pressure campaigns on state officials, intimidation tactics against election workers, and the strategic use of RICO charges. The episode also details the challenges facing...