America in 2024: A Problem Solving Exercise

We are delighted to share a conversation we had with Casper ter Kuile in early 2023 about the power of ritual. It feels so right for this moment, and we know you are going to enjoy it, whether you are hearing it for the first time or returning it for a second listen. Join our Premium Community on Substack for news, deep dives, and processing all this together.  Looking for a gift for the Pantsuit Politics fan in your life? Check out our Pantsuit Politics Fan Gift Guide. Check out our premium community gifting spreadsheet if you want to share the love within our community or add your own name to potentially receive a premium subscription from another listener. Visit our website for complete show notes and episode resources.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If we know anything about 2025, it's that we know very little about what it will actually hold. Even with the anticipated unpredictability, there are indicators from this current moment that offer us some suggestions. Sarah and Beth are together to share what they are expecting in 2025 and to share their words of the year. TOPICS DISCUSSED: Elon Musk and Funding the Government  What We Expect in 2025 Outside of Politics: Words of the Year Join our Premium Community on Substack for news, deep dives, and processing all this together.  Visit our website for complete show notes and episode resources.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” Zora Neale Hurston Sarah and Beth the questions and answers they still have from 2024. TOPICS DISCUSSED: Reflecting on 2024 Outside of Politics: Open Houses Join our Premium Community on Substack for news, deep dives, and processing all this together.  Looking for a gift for the Pantsuit Politics fan in your life? Check out our Pantsuit Politics Fan Gift Guide. If you’d like to order a Pantsuit Politics Cameo for the holidays, the deadline for that is this Thursday, December 19  Check out our premium community gifting spreadsheet if you want to share the love within our community or add your own name to potentially receive a premium subscription from another listener. Visit our website for complete show notes and episode resources.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'Tis the season for overconsumption - or is that every season now? Sarah and Beth talk about the struggles they are facing in their own lives with consuming and being consumed.  TOPICS DISCUSSED: Overconsumption Outside of Politics: Microtrends for 2025 Join our Premium Community on Substack for news, deep dives, and processing all this together.  Looking for a gift for the Pantsuit Politics fan in your life? Check out our Pantsuit Politics Fan Gift Guide. Check out our premium community gifting spreadsheet if you want to share the love within our community or add your own name to potentially receive a premium subscription from another listener. Visit our website for complete show notes and episode resources.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, Sarah and Beth are following up on some of our conversations from the headlines last week, discussing social media in the context of overconsumption and the many (many) words of the year.TOPICS DISCUSSED: Good News Makes Headlines Social Media, Our Brains, and How We Handle It Outside of Politics: So Many Words of the Year Join our Premium Community on Substack for news, deep dives, and processing all this together.  Looking for a gift for the Pantsuit Politics fan in your life? Check out our Pantsuit Politics Fan Gift Guide. Check out our premium community gifting spreadsheet if you want to share the love within our community or add your own name to potentially receive a premium subscription from another listener. Visit our website for complete show notes and episode resources.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the wake of the 2024 Presidential Election, everything is different. In the US, around the world, and in our own lives, Sarah and Beth discuss how Donald Trump's re-election seems to have shaken things loose for better (and certainly) for worse.TOPICS DISCUSSED: Killing of United Health Care CEO Brian Thompson International News from South Korea, France, Lebanon, and Syria Outside of Politics: Errand Brain Join our Premium Community on Substack for news, deep dives, and processing all this together.  Looking for a gift for the Pantsuit Politics fan in your life? Check out our Pantsuit Politics Fan Gift Guide. Visit our website for complete show notes and episode resources.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Biden has chosen to pardon his son, Hunter. Sarah and Beth discuss that choice in light of incoming president Trump's latest nominations and how Biden's choices over the last few years have had rippling consequences. Plus, Sarah and Beth are divided on their Wicked takes!TOPICS DISCUSSED: President Biden Pardons Hunter Biden  The Joe Biden of It All Outside of Politics: Wicked Join our Premium Community on Substack for news, deep dives, and processing all this together.  Looking for a gift for the Pantsuit Politics fan in your life? Check out our Pantsuit Politics Fan Gift Guide. Visit our website for complete show notes and episode resources.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re revisiting an episode from September 2023 about safe storage, the portrayal of weapons in media, and reducing gun violence. We hope this episode is helpful to you as you prepare to spend time with friends and family over the holidays. Join our Premium Community on Substack for news, deep dives, and processing all this together.  Looking for a gift for the Pantsuit Politics fan in your life? Check out our Pantsuit Politics Fan Gift Guide. Visit our website for complete show notes and episode resources.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back in the spring, Sarah was featured on the cover of her hometown magazine, Paducah Life. As part of that cover story, she sat down with fellow Paducah native Chef Sara Bradley. They talked about leaving Paducah, coming back, and how they have worked to integrate personal and professional choices. You can see a video version of this interview on YouTube. Join our Premium Community on Substack for news, deep dives, and processing all this together.  Looking for a gift for the Pantsuit Politics fan in your life? Check out our Pantsuit Politics Fan Gift Guide. Visit our website for complete show notes and episode resources.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah and Beth use the Future Problem Solving process to look at what we know about America today and brainstorm solutions about where we go next.TOPICS DISCUSSED: Future Problem Solving: America Outside of Politics: Paying Kids for Chores Join our Premium Community on Substack for news, deep dives, and processing all this together.  Looking for a gift for the Pantsuit Politics fan in your life? Check out our Pantsuit Politics Fan Gift Guide. Visit our website for complete show notes and episode resources.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.