About the Midterms

The gang discusses the 2026 midterms. Also, Haley Stevens swapping her endorsement of Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan. But mostly, the midterms.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:02:41 - The Midterms00:40:15 - Haley Stevens (but really, the midterms)01:02:12 - Emails01:27:30 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The gang digs into the protests and riots across France, where anger over struggling schools has broadened into frustration with living costs and public services. Are student grievances driving the unrest, or is something bigger going on? Then they turn to Mitch McConnell’s warning that Trump’s approach to Putin could prolong the war in Ukraine. Can McConnell push the administration to change course, and what leverage does he have left?Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:13:40 - France's Riots00:45:09 - McConnell01:24:30 - Emails01:50:12 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The gang digs into America’s divide over empathy and the argument that compassion can do more harm than good. When should empathy guide our decisions, and when does it get in the way of sound judgment? Then they turn to 49ers owner Jed York’s punishment following a prostitution sting. Were his fines and suspension fair, and does the NFL hold owners and players to the same standard?Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:17:15 - Empathy01:07:56 - Jed York's Suspension01:21:03 - Emails01:49:47 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The gang digs into the Pentagon’s plan to livestream the execution of the Fort Hood shooter. Does broadcasting an execution serve the public, or turn justice into a spectacle? Then they turn to California’s effort to shut down a human-versus-robot fight club. Should consenting adults be allowed to take on a robot, and does a regulator whose rules cover fights between people get a say?Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:10:48 - Livestreamed Executions00:42:23 - Fighting Robots00:57:10 - Emails01:38:09 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The gang digs into the sexual assault allegations against the Cornell Seven, the handling of the investigation, and the debate over New York’s consent law. Should the state close the loophole around voluntary intoxication? Then they turn to concerts that require fans to lock their phones away. Is a clearer view and fewer distractions worth giving up photos, videos, and easy contact with the outside world?Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:04:44 - Cornell Seven01:26:46 - Phone-Free Concerts01:40:34 - Emails02:00:15 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The gang digs into the nearly $1.5 million in taxpayer money spent on ads praising President Trump. Where’s the line between a public-service announcement and campaigning on our dime? Then they turn to a study that found no clear improvement in students’ social wellbeing after a school smartphone ban. What should we expect these bans to accomplish, and what would convince us they aren’t working?Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:19:08 - Taxpayer-Funded Trump Ads00:43:22 - Iran01:04:55 - School Phone Bans01:16:44 - Emails01:58:48 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The gang digs into the backlash against Ed Sheeran after Macklemore was dropped from his tour over his pro-Palestinian performances. How much control does a headliner have, and who gets to decide what’s said onstage? Then they turn to the states’ settlement over Paramount’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Did the attorneys general secure meaningful protections, or trade away their leverage for corporate promises?Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:06:57 - Ed Sheeran00:36:18 - Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger01:08:20 - Emails01:46:26 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The gang digs into an Anthropic whistleblower’s warning about the race toward superintelligent AI and the growing calls to slow development. Should Washington step in, and how much should we trust the companies sounding the alarm about their own technology? Then they turn to Canada’s pursuit of a closer alliance with Europe and renewed independence pushes within the UK. What do these moves tell us about the future of some of America’s closest allies?Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:19:36 - Slowing AI01:18:47 - Canada's European Pivot01:40:07 - Emails02:09:44 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The gang digs into Germany's AfD party, which scraped together nearly 44% of the vote in the country's recent election. Is this another example of far right politics on the rise, or is there a bit of nuance to this victory? Then they turn to the 'Kirkaversary,' a meme-filled online event centered around the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Charlie Kirk. How far is too far when it comes to jokes about political violence?Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:21:25 - AfD Victory00:55:06 - Kirkaversary01:18:48 - Emails01:40:53 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The gang talks through Trump's 100-year oil deal with Venezuela, asking both whether it's a good deal and whether it's a deal the government should be making in the first place. Then they turn to Justin's alma mater, Syracuse University, which faces funding issues amid reduced enrollment and increased tuition. Is it a one-off problem for this specific school, or a sign of larger issues facing higher education?Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:22:06 - Trump's Venezuela Oil Deal00:47:03 - Syracuse01:21:52 - Emails01:49:02 - Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.