Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Professor Mary Ellen Curtain to discuss the life and legacy of Barbara Jordan, a pioneering legislator, civil rights activist, and the first African American woman elected to Congress from the South. Curtain’s new book, ‘She Changed the Nation: Barbara Jordan’s Life and Legacy in Black Politics,’ explores Jordan’s impact ..read more

This week, Jeremi and Zachary delve into the reactions, and broader ramifications, of the 2024 US election. The discussion focuses on community responses, with particular attention to young people and their engagement. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, “Election Day ..read more

This week, Jeremi and Zachary have a discussion with Dr. Emily Whalen about Lebanon’s complex history and its current conflict. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, “A Prophecy”. Dr. Emily Whalen is a non-resident senior associate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Her first book, The Lebanese Wars, which examines the history ..read more

This week, Jeremi and Zachary have a conversation with Professor Mary Bridges, author of ‘Dollars and Dominion: U.S. Bankers and the Making of a Superpower.’ They explore the significant, yet often overlooked, role of banking institutions, particularly the Federal Reserve, in shaping American democracy and foreign policy. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, “Reserves ..read more

This week, Jeremi and Zachary sit down with Samuel G. Freedman to talk about the often overlooked contributions of Hubert Humphrey to American history and civil rights. The discussion traces Humphrey’s rise from a small-town boy in South Dakota to a pivotal figure in the civil rights movement and U.S. politics. Despite not achieving the ..read more

Dr. Gönül Tol is the founding director of the Turkey program at the Middle East Institute, a think tank in Washington DC. She is the author of Erdogan’s War: A Strongman’s Struggle at Home and in Syria, which was published in January. She has taught at both George Washington University and the National Defense University ..read more

This week, Jeremy and Zachary sit down with Paul Stekler to explore whether debates influence election outcomes, referencing major debates from past elections, and look closely at the recent debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, “Everyone is Laughing”. Paul Stekler is a nationally recognized documentary filmmaker whose ..read more

This week, Jeremy and Zachary sit down with John A. Lawrence to delve into the intricacies of the U.S. Congress. They discuss its historical significance, common misconceptions about its operations, and the inherent challenges in passing legislation. Zachary sets the scene with his poem, “The Speaker”. John A. Lawrence served for thirty-eight years as a ..read more

Jonathan Alter is an award-winning author, political analyst, documentary filmmaker, columnist, television producer, and radio host. Alter’s most recent book is “His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life.” (2020), which received uniformly favorable reviews. His earlier books include three New York Times bestsellers: “The Center Holds: Obama and His Enemies” (2013), “The Promise: President Obama ..read more

This week, Jeremi and Zachary are joined by Dr. Geoffrey Kabaservice to discuss the Midterm Elections. Zachary sets the scene with his poem entitled, “My First Vote: 10/24/22” Dr. Geoff Kabaservice is Director of Political Studies at the Niskanen Center in Washington D.C. He is the author of several books including: The Guardians: Kingman Brewster ..read more