Current Affairs Unfiltered

The Case for Primary Reform w/ Rich Barton

In this conversation, Rich Barton, a fellow with Unite America, discusses the evolution and impact of primary elections on political polarization and governance. He explores how the Citizens United ruling has influenced campaign finance, the decline of party establishments, and the fear lawmakers have of being primaried. Barton advocates for open primaries as a solution to the current issues within the electoral system, highlighting evidence from states that have implemented reforms such as Alaska and California. He expresses hope for future reforms and the potential for a more representative political landscape.   Follow me on Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/currentaffairsunfilteredpod/?hl=en] Subscribe to my Substack [https://sheknowsthescore.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips] Learn more about Paige [https://currentaffairsunfilteredpod.podbean.com/]   Read 'The Primary Solution' [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Primary-Solution/Nick-Troiano/9781668028254] Read more from Rich: * "The Influence of Special Interests in Primary Elections" [https://259b2dad.streak-link.com/CyYblFx8fH76neebngxtm_a0/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uniteamericainstitute.org%2Fresearch%2Fthe-influence-of-special-interests-in-primary-elections] * California’s Top-Two Primary: The Effects on Electoral Politics and Governance [https://259b2dad.streak-link.com/CyYblF5QULUJp0ACaQS1-MG2/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uniteamericainstitute.org%2Fresearch%2Fcalifornias-top-two-primary-the-effects-on-electoral-politics-and-governance] * Louisiana's Long-Term Election Experiment: How Eliminating Partisan Primaries Improved Governance and Reduced Polarization [https://259b2dad.streak-link.com/CyYblF1CQjYqRhXsTgJqAszg/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.uniteamericainstitute.org%2Fresearch%2Flouisianas-long-term-election-experiment-how-eliminating-partisan-primaries-improved-governance-and-reduced-polarization]

RERELEASE: From Doomscrolling to Doing: How Overlap is Changing Political Engagement w/ Katya Arutyunyan

EPISODE RERELEASE!! This is an episode from way back when (before I truly figured out the audio on my mic so excuse the quality). BUT now that Overlap is released nationwide, it deserves to see the light of day once again. In this episode of Current Affairs Unfiltered, Paige is joined by Katya, the co-founder of Overlap—the app that's making civic engagement way less confusing and a lot more personal. We'll talk about how a couple of 23-year-olds decided they were done feeling politically hopeless and built a tool to fix it. Katya shares how Overlap is helping users actually understand their political reps, track legislation, and figure out where they stand—without the usual noise. We get into everything from app specifics like memory retention and clean UX, to what it takes to stay unbiased in a chaotic political world. Plus, we talk about why political engagement doesn’t have to be boring, and what it looks like when tech meets democracy in a smart, user-friendly way. If you’ve ever felt lost trying to “get involved,” this episode’s for you. Download Overlap here! [https://apps.apple.com/us/app/overlap-politics/id6739261327] Follow me on Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/currentaffairsunfilteredpod/?hl=en] Subscribe to my Substack [https://sheknowsthescore.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips] Learn more about Paige [https://currentaffairsunfilteredpod.podbean.com/]

Working Like a Lobster, Paid Like a Clam w/ John Beccia (MA06)

This week Paige sits down with John Beccia, a candidate for Congress in Massachusetts’s 6th District, to talk about what it means to run on working-class values in a chaotic political moment. John, a Lynnfield father and business leader, shares why he decided to step into politics and how his campaign is rooted in representing everyday people who feel ignored by Washington. Drawing on his background in the private sector, he explains how building businesses and creating jobs shaped his understanding of the economy and affordability pressures facing families. The conversation explores why cost of living, consumer protection, and economic fairness are central to his platform. John also speaks candidly about the threat posed by Donald Trump to democratic institutions and why defending democracy is a core motivation for his campaign. He outlines a vision for leadership that prioritizes accountability, stability, and governing over political theater. Throughout the episode, John emphasizes making government work for people again — not corporations or partisan interests. This episode offers insight into how lived experience, democratic values, and practical solutions can shape a new kind of congressional leadership.   Follow me on Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/currentaffairsunfilteredpod/?hl=en] Subscribe to my Substack [https://sheknowsthescore.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips] Learn more about Paige [https://currentaffairsunfilteredpod.podbean.com/]   Learn more about John [https://www.becciaforcongress.com/] Connect with John on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/becciaforcongress]  Connect with John on Twitter  [https://x.com/JABeccia] Connect with John on Instagram  [https://www.instagram.com/becciaforcongress/]

Civic Engagement for People Who Hate Meetings w/ Savanna Essig-Fox & Emily Miller

Meet Savanna & Emily, co-founders of Pink Poster Club. Pink Poster Club is a grassroots organization founded in response to political frustration after Trump was inaugurated. They discuss the importance of community engagement, the role of art in activism, and the need to make activism joyful and approachable. Savanna and Emily offer the roadmap for community building and share insights on sustaining growth, navigating challenges, and the lessons learned throughout their organizing journey. They emphasize the significance of small steps in community building and envision a future where civic engagement is vibrant and inclusive.\ Follow me on Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/currentaffairsunfilteredpod/?hl=en] Subscribe to my Substack [https://sheknowsthescore.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips] Learn more about Paige [https://currentaffairsunfilteredpod.podbean.com/]   Follow Pink Poster Club on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/pink.posterclub/]:  @pink.posterclub  Watch their candidate forum and other interviews on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@PinkPosterClub] G [https://www.pinkposterclub.com]et involved with Pink Poster Club [https://www.pinkposterclub.com] Website [https://www.pinkposterclub.com] In the News: Evanston RoundTable [https://evanstonroundtable.com/2026/02/20/call-outs-over-cash-take-over-pink-poster-club-congressional-forum/], Daily Northwestern [https://dailynorthwestern.com/2025/04/08/city/pink-poster-club-uses-community-organizing-to-redefine-politics/] and Evanston Now [https://evanstonnow.com/pink-poster-club-draws-hundreds-for-tense-candidate-forum/] have documented many Pink Poster Club events. CNN [https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/13/us/evanston-moms-border-patrol] also wrote about ICE's presence in Evanston and Pink Poster Club's role in community action.  Interested in starting your own version of Pink Poster Club? Read Garrett Bucks' piece on us in The White Pages: We still don't need a "Joe Rogan of the left." We just need a thousand Pink Poster Clubs [https://thewhitepages.net/p/we-still-dont-need-a-joe-rogan-of]

From Hormuz to Hungary

In this solo episode, Paige breaks down the escalating(descalating?)  conflict with Iran and the confusing back-and-forth coming from the Trump administration. After negotiations collapsed, the U.S. moved toward a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, raising questions about escalation and what the actual strategy is. She also examines the latest wave of sex scandals and alleged crimes involving members of Congress. The moment raises broader questions about accountability, power, and how misconduct is handled inside American political institutions. Paige also tackles why online political voices actually play a meaningful role in shaping narratives. And lastly, we'll get religious with Pope Leo as he begins speaking out on global conflicts and criticizing the Trump administration’s rhetoric. The new pope has made it clear he isn’t intimidated by political pressure, creating an unusual moment where religion, geopolitics, and American politics intersect.   Follow me on Instagram! [https://www.instagram.com/currentaffairsunfilteredpod/?hl=en] Subscribe to my Substack [https://sheknowsthescore.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips] Learn more about Paige [https://currentaffairsunfilteredpod.podbean.com/]