American Angst

Filibustered: When Debate Damages Democracy

In this episode of American Angst, political philosopher Michael Bailey offers a clear, engaging, and deeply informed exploration of the filibuster—what it is, how it has evolved, and why its modern use may be undermining democratic governance in the United States. Moving beyond the familiar image of marathon speeches, Bailey explains how today’s “silent filibuster” functions as a routine tool of obstruction, effectively requiring a supermajority for most legislation and raising serious questions about accountability, majority rule, and the balance of power. Drawing on constitutional principles, historical context, and contemporary political realities, he challenges the common defenses of the filibuster—particularly the idea that it protects minority rights—while arguing that it often suppresses deliberation rather than promoting it. Host Dale McConkey provides light humor and conversational flow. The views expressed on American Angst are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

Is This War Different? Putting the Iran Conflict in Context

After a break, American Angst returns with Dr. Michael Bailey bringing his sharp, historically grounded perspective to one of the biggest questions in political culture right now: how unusual is this latest American war footing, really? Rather than offering hot takes, Bailey carefully sorts through what feels familiar, what feels troublingly new, and what may signal a deeper shift in the way the United States talks about power, war, and presidential authority. With his trademark mix of intellectual seriousness, dry wit, and wide-ranging historical context, Bailey explores whether today’s rhetoric around conflict is simply more of the same—or something far more unsettling. If you want political commentary that is thoughtful, probing, and more interested in perspective than panic, this episode is worth your time. The views expressed on American Angst are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

Kitchen-Table Congressman? A Conversation with Candidate Shawn Harris

In this return appearance on American Angst, congressional candidate Shawn Harris joins Michael Bailey and host Dale McConkey for a candid, unscripted conversation about politics grounded in lived experience rather than partisan theater. Drawing on decades of military service as a brigadier general and his current life as a cattle rancher, Harris frames leadership as humility, responsibility, and a relentless focus on people over personality. The discussion moves from Northwest Georgia’s “kitchen-table” struggles—affordability, rural healthcare and mental health gaps, and PFAS contamination—to bigger questions about voter laws, institutional trust, and the risks of sliding into another “forever war.” Harris critiques celebrity politics and fear-driven narratives, arguing that real representation means showing up, listening, reading the fine print, and working with anyone—Democrat, Republican, or Independent—who’s serious about solving problems. What emerges is more than a campaign interview: it’s a reminder of what public service can look like when compromise is treated as progress, not weakness. The episode feels less like spin and more like a neighbor pulling up a chair, telling you what he’s seen, and inviting you to hold him accountable. The views expressed on American Angst are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

Protesting in God's Name: Faith, Immigration, and Public Witness

This week on American Angst, Mike shares a crossover episode with host Dale McConkey Church Potluck. They are joined by United Methodist pastors Rev. Ash McEuen and Rev. Karen Kagiyama for a timely and poignant conversation exploring immigration, protest, and the uneasy intersection of faith and public life in the United States. The episode begins with the real-world impact of current immigration policies. Ash McEuen, whose ministry is deeply rooted in immigrant and Latino communities, describes the daily fear many families face—detention uncertainty, deportation confusion, and the emotional toll of accompaniment. Karen Kagiyama provides theological grounding, framing clergy-led protest not as partisan politics but as Christian witness, solidarity, and lament shaped by prayer and Jesus’ confrontation with injustice. Bringing a political science lens, Michael Bailey examines when protest actually works, why nonviolent movements have historically driven change, and how public action raises moral urgency within democratic systems. Together, the group wrestles with Scripture—including Romans 13, Jesus turning over the tables in the temple, and the United Methodist baptismal vow to “resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.” Blending seriousness with warmth and humor, the conversation reflects the heart of American Angst: a thoughtful exploration of power, policy, morality, and the human cost of political decisions. The episode insists that immigration is not abstract, protest is not simple, and the questions facing the nation are inseparable from the lives—and suffering—of real people. The views expressed on American Angst are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

Jimmy Carter’s Living Legacy (Literally!) Josh Carter on Democracy, Global Health, and Caregiving

In this kickoff-to-2026 episode of American Angst, we’re joined by a truly special guest: Josh Carter—podcaster, advocate, and yes, Jimmy Carter’s grandson—who offers an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the values that shaped his grandfather’s public life and his own. Josh shares unforgettable stories from Plains Sunday school (where people of many faiths felt welcomed), the surprising role of music in Carter-world (including a wild Bob Dylan family anecdote), and how Jimmy Carter’s faith wasn’t a private label but a public engine—fueling peacemaking, global health, and a radically inclusive moral imagination. Then Dr. Michael Bailey brings his expert lens to the big civic themes underneath it all: what democracy really does (and how it can fail), why institutions matter most in fragile transitional moments, and how history turns on a few pivotal decisions. Josh connects these ideas to his own mission—demystifying government through stories—and to a deeply moving, present-day calling: caregiving advocacy, shaped by his son Jonathan’s rare disease journey and his family’s long experience with illness, disability, and care. Hosted by Dale McConkey, this conversation is heartfelt, funny, practical, and unexpectedly hopeful—one of those episodes that leaves you both more informed and more human. The views expressed on American Angst are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.