Jason Pielemeier on Big Tech, Freedom of Expression and Privacy

Luke Thomas on Masculinity and Politics

Combat sports journalist and podcaster Luke Thomas joins us to discuss the changing landscape of masculinity and politics among young men. We dig into the appeal of the manosphere, the pull of right-wing influencers, and the role of digital life in shaping identity. Luke offers a candid look at how these forces affect young men—and […]

Jason Pielemeier on Big Tech, Freedom of Expression and Privacy

As Executive Director of the Global Network Initiative, Jason leads a dynamic multi-stakeholder human rights collaboration, building consensus for the advancement of freedom of expression and privacy amongst technology companies, academics, human rights and press freedom groups and socially responsible investors. Jason also worked in the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor […]

Filmmaker Dawne Langford on the Occupation of DC, Brandon Scott, and The Body Politic

On  August 19 2025, I sat down with documentary filmmaker and producer Dawne Langeford at a summer rental in Bethany Beach.  Dawne grew up in DC and has worked on powerful, socially resonant documentaries-  most recently, THE BODY POLITIC, which aired nationally in theaters and on PBS in 2024. The movie follows Baltimore mayor Brandon […]

Delphi Cleaveland on Women and Democracy

Patrick and Rob interview Delphi Cleveland from the Public Service Alliance, discussing the critical intersection of women's rights and democratic health. Delphi, a former policy advisor at the National Security Council and State Department, explores how the rollback of women's rights—particularly through the Dobbs decision - serves as a harbinger for broader democratic erosion. We get into the "chilling effect" discouraging political participation, the terrifying rise of "tradwife" culture on social media, and the normalization of violence against public servants. Delphi shares insights from her current work supporting civil servants facing threats and harassment, and we discuss the challenges of political discourse in increasingly polarized workplaces and communities.

Rob and Patrick on Medicaid, Elon, Inequality, and the Fifth Element

Rob and Patrick met on June 11th to discuss politics and policy from the podcast studio at Union Market in Washington, DC. Patrick shares a story about his father’s reliance on Medicaid for memory care, illustrating how social safety nets affect middle-class families facing astronomical long-term care costs. We cover the Trump-Elon Musk feud, wealth […]