This week, Jeremi and Zachary have a discussion with Dr. Emily Whalen about Lebanon’s complex history and its current conflict. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, “A Prophecy”. Dr. Emily Whalen is a non-resident senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Her first book, The Lebanese Wars, which examines the history of U.S. […]
This is Democracy – Banking and Democracy
This week, Jeremi and Zachary have a conversation with Professor Mary Bridges, author of ‘Dollars and Dominion: U.S. Bankers and the Making of a Superpower.’ They explore the significant, yet often overlooked, role of banking institutions, particularly the Federal Reserve, in shaping American democracy and foreign policy. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, “Reserves”. […]
This is Democracy – Hubert Humphrey & Civil Rights
This week, Jeremi and Zachary sit down with Samuel G. Freedman to talk about the often overlooked contributions of Hubert Humphrey to American history and civil rights. The discussion traces Humphrey’s rise from a small-town boy in South Dakota to a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement and U.S. politics. Despite not achieving the […]
This is Democracy – Presidential Debates
This week, Jeremy and Zachary sit down with Paul Stekler to explore whether debates influence election outcomes, referencing major debates from past elections, and look closely at the recent debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, “Everyone is Laughing”. Paul Stekler is a nationally recognized documentary filmmaker whose […]
This is Democracy – How Congress Works
This week, Jeremy and Zachary sit down with John A. Lawrence to delve into the intricacies of the U.S. Congress. They discuss its historical significance, common misconceptions about its operations, and the inherent challenges in passing legislation. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, “The Speaker”. John A. Lawrence served for thirty-eight years as a […]
This is Democracy – New School Year
This is Democracy – Ukraine War
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Michael Kimmage to discuss the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled “Bloodstains.” Dr. Michael Kimmage is a professor of history at the Catholic University of America in Washington DC. He is also a fellow at the German Marshall Fund, and chair […]
This is Democracy – Political Conventions
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Jonathan Alter to discuss the upcoming Democratic National Convention. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled “When They Go Marching in Chicago” Jonathan Alter is an award-winning author, political analyst, documentary filmmaker, columnist, television producer, and radio host. He is the author of numerous books, including: His […]
This is Democracy – Venezuela Elections
Dr. Kurt Weyland is the Mike Hogg Professor in Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin. He has conducted original research in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, and Venezuela. Prof. Weyland is the author of seven books, including: The Politics of Market Reform in Fragile Democracies (Princeton, 2002); Making Waves: Democratic Contention in Europe […]
This is Democracy – Supreme Court Reforms
This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Sanford Levinson to discuss the current state of the Supreme Court, recent efforts by Joe Biden to propose reforms, and how effective these proposals would be in practice. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, “The Judges.” Sanford Levinson, who holds the W. St. John Garwood […]