Older/Wiser with Linda Chavez

The Democratic Drain

This week, Linda speaks with George Mason University professor Justin Gest to discuss his new book Democratic Drain, and why the global movement of people is quietly reshaping the fate of democracy. From Hungary to Russia to the United States, Gest explains why the people most likely to emigrate are often those democracies can least afford to lose. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thenextmove.org/subscribe [https://www.thenextmove.org/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

From the Red Sea to the Strait of Hormuz

The Renew Democracy Initiative and The Next Move are excited to bring you Older/Wiser with Linda Chavez. Linda is a veteran of multiple presidential administrations, author, and columnist. This week, Linda speaks with Fatima Abo Alasrar, founder of The Ideology Machine [https://www.ideologymachine.com/]on Substack and expert on Iran’s axis of resistance. Together, Linda and Fatima examine America’s recurring pattern of military intervention without staying power, the sophisticated propaganda machine Iran’s proxies deploy on social media, and why declaring victory before it is achieved only hands these regimes exactly what they want. If you’re a premium subscriber to The Next Move, you are among the first to hear this episode of the Older/Wiser podcast—24 hours before the rest of the world gets to tune in. Early access to this podcast is just one of the ways we’re saying “thank you” for your support. Premium subscribers also receive automatic entry into exciting raffles and contests and invitations to Zoom calls with Garry Kasparov and other pro-democracy leaders. If you’re not yet a premium subscriber and you’d like to get access to these perks and support our work, there’s never been a better time to join our community. Your support drives the work of the Renew Democracy Initiative, including bringing political dissidents [https://www.thenextmove.org/p/watch-its-time-for-americans-to-hear] to meet students, business leaders, and elected officials, as well as providing humanitarian assistance to frontline communities in Ukraine. Click here for an update [https://www.thenextmove.org/i/190072683/an-update-on-the-renew-democracy-initiatives-work-in-ukraine] on our on-the-ground work in Ukraine. ICYMI: Tune in to last week’s episode of Older/Wiser: More from The Next Move: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thenextmove.org/subscribe [https://www.thenextmove.org/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

The Gerrymandering Wars

In this week’s episode of Older/Wiser, Linda speaks with Walter Olson, legal commentator and senior fellow at the Cato Institute’s Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies. Linda and Walter discuss the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Louisiana v. Callais, the future of the Voting Rights Act, and the rise of hyper-partisan redistricting battles across the country. They examine how race and party politics have become deeply entangled in efforts to draw and redraw electoral districts, consider the unintended consequences of such efforts, and explore whether Congress still has the power—or the political will—to put a stop to these gerrymandering practices. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thenextmove.org/subscribe [https://www.thenextmove.org/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Afghan Allies Abandoned

On today’s episode, Linda speaks with veteran, immigration attorney, and MacArthur Genius Fellow Margaret Stock. A retired US Army Reserve lieutenant colonel, Margaret explains the plight of Afghan refugees left in limbo after America’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. From bureaucratic failures to the shocking proposal to relocate Afghan refugees to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Linda and Margaret examine how US immigration policy is abandoning those who once worked alongside American troops and discuss what our nation can do better. Editor’s Note: Since the recording of this episode, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has seen a major ebola outbreak, meaning relocation to the DRC could be a double death sentence for Afghan refugees. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thenextmove.org/subscribe [https://www.thenextmove.org/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

President vs. Pope

This week, Linda speaks to Catholic theologian George Weigel, distinguished senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, and biographer of Pope St. John Paul II. From Donald Trump’s use of religious imagery to JD Vance’s criticism of Pope Leo, George and Linda examine the weaponization of faith in modern politics, the dangers of political “idolatry,” and the erosion of democratic discourse. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thenextmove.org/subscribe [https://www.thenextmove.org/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]