Byline with Ben Dennis

Is There Such a Thing as a Fair Election?

Is there such a thing as a fair election? This week on Byline, Penn State mathematics professor Andrea Boito joins me to unpack the hidden math behind democracy — from ranked-choice voting and the Electoral College to apportionment, strategic voting, and why mathematicians say a perfectly “fair” voting system may actually be impossible. We dive into the formulas and theories that shape how leaders are elected, why the same votes can produce different winners under different systems, and what Americans should understand before the next major election cycle. It’s a fascinating conversation about politics, power, and the numbers quietly deciding who wins. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Who Controls Your Feed? What You See Now—and How AI Is Changing It

You open your phone. Within seconds, you’re scrolling—posts, videos, headlines, all arranged in a way that feels almost intuitive. But why that post? Why that video? Why that story—right now? In this episode, Ben Dennis speaks with Katie Harbath, former Facebook public policy director and CEO of Anchor Change, about how those decisions are made—and how quickly they’re changing. Because what shows up in your feed isn’t random. It’s shaped by signals—what you watch, what you skip, what you engage with, and what you don’t. But that’s only part of the story. As artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in these systems, the process of deciding what you see is starting to shift—moving beyond simple recommendation into something more dynamic, and less visible. So what does that mean for what you’re seeing today? And what might it mean for what you see next? This conversation explores how platforms interpret behavior, why certain content rises, and how AI could reshape not just your feed—but how information itself is delivered. 🎧 Listen to the full episode.

Is the U.S. Ready for War? A General Warns We’re Running Low on Weapons

The missiles have flown. The ceasefire looks fragile. What happens if this conflict doesn’t stay overseas? How long could this fighting last? What happens to gas prices if it drags on? And what does it mean for Americans here at home? In this episode of Byline with Ben Dennis, I sit down with retired U.S. Army Major General John Ferrari to go beyond the headlines and break down what’s actually happening—and what comes next. We get into what happens after strikes are launched… how prepared the U.S. really is for a prolonged conflict… and whether America is built for sustained warfare. Ferrari also explains a critical imbalance: the U.S. has to succeed on multiple fronts—military, strategic, and public perception—while an adversary may only need one to claim success. This isn’t about fear. It’s about understanding what comes next. Because while the conflict is happening thousands of miles away… the real question is what it means if it doesn’t stay there.

Inside the Secret Service: what it takes to protect the president — and understand threats

What does it actually take to protect the President of the United States? In this episode of Byline with Ben Dennis, I sit down with Jeff James — a former Secret Service agent who spent more than two decades on protective detail — to discuss what it actually takes to protect the President of the United States. From the day-to-day volume of threats, to protecting foreign leaders, to how intelligence informs national security decisions, Jeff shares insight into a role that is often misunderstood. We also discuss how the U.S. tracks emerging threats — including weapons of mass destruction — and how decisions are made when information is incomplete or evolving. Key topics: -Life on a presidential protective detail -Common misconceptions about the Secret Service -How threats are identified and assessed -Protecting visiting world leaders -Intelligence and decision-making under pressure -Challenges in preventing large-scale threats 🎧 Listen to the full episode and follow for more conversations that go beyond the headlines.⚡️ Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@broadcastben📸 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/broadcastben/?hl=en🐦 Follow on Twitter: https://x.com/broadcastben_

Can the U.S. Strike Without Congress? War Powers, Iran & Executive Authority | Todd Huntley

Before the public ever hears about a U.S. strike, decisions have already been made inside the Pentagon. But the bigger question is: What happens next? As tensions rise with Iran, most coverage focuses on what just occurred — missiles launched, statements issued, retaliation promised. Inside the Defense Department, though, officials are already assessing risk, modeling escalation, and preparing for what the next 24 to 72 hours could bring. In this episode of Byline with Ben Dennis, I sit down with Todd Huntley to walk through what unfolds behind closed doors before a strike — and the critical decisions that follow immediately after. We break down: • How strike options are developed • What intelligence and risk assessments shape military action • How leaders prepare for potential escalation • What signals policymakers watch in the hours after action • And the key questions Americans should be asking right now Because the real story isn’t just about what happened. It’s about what that decision sets in motion. If you want to understand not only today’s headline — but what may come next — this conversation helps you think ahead. 🎙️ Byline with Ben Dennis focuses on why stories matter — and what they may lead to next. Subscribe for weekly conversations designed to make you smarter about what’s coming.