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Midterms and Political Violence

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil preview the upcoming midterms, discuss political violence in the context of the attack on Paul Pelosi, break down the election results in Brazil and close with a look at Elon Musk and what his takeover of Twitter means for free speech.

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Devil Terms and Negative Partisanship

Bill and Phil examine data on the uniquely hostile language of the 139 House Republicans who challenged the Electoral College vote, listen to audio of Donald Trump from Bob Woodward’s new book, break down new polling data on American’s attitudes on U.S. foreign policy, and close by playing a game of “What’s More Upsetting?”

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The Future of Trumpism?

On this episode, Bill and Phil examine Kari Lake and the dynamics of the Republican Party in Arizona, discuss a playbook for saving democracy, and close with a reflection on the 60th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis and compare it to Putin’s recent nuclear threats.

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Democracy on the Ballot

On this episode, Bill and Phil discuss take a deep dive into the upcoming midterms, the evolving situations in Iran and Russia, and the challenges facing the Department of Justice as it weighs charging the former president with a crime.

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The Threat of Nuclear War

This week, Bill and Phil discuss the likelihood of Russia using nuclear weapons, explore the violent rhetoric on the political right, and close with a fun look at the politics of hair. 

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You Say You Want a Revolution

On this episode, Bill and Phil examine protests in Iran and Russia and whether the regimes will survive, preview the midterm elections, and play a game of what’s more stupid.

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A Cornered Putin?

Bill and Phil discuss Russia’s plans for a partial mobilization and annexation vote in Ukraine, Biden’s comments on U.S. soldiers fighting to defend Taiwan, far right movements in Sweden, Italy and Canada, and Donald Trump’s apparent embrace of QAnon.

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A Turning Point in Ukraine?

On this episode, Bill and Phil discuss last week’s controversial speeches from Joe Biden and Donald Trump, Chile’s attempt to create a new constitution, and whether the United States will soon follow suit and have a constitutional convention of its own.

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Competing Narratives

On this episode, Bill and Phil discuss last week’s controversial speeches from Joe Biden and Donald Trump, Chile’s attempt to create a new constitution, and whether the United States will soon follow suit and have a constitutional convention of its own.

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Democratic Decline and Semi-Fascism

This week, Bill and Phil discuss the death of Mikhail Gorbachev, new data on the state of global democracy, Biden’s use of the term ‘semi-fascist’ to describe the MAGA movement, and a big picture look at Biden's foreign policy doctrine.

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Debating History

Bill and Phil consider the contentious role of history in our current political environment, discuss whether the Ukraine war means the end of Francis Fukuyama’s end of history thesis, and explore some recent scholarship on the question of whether Trump supporters are capable of changing their minds

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Trump’s Legal Woes

Bill and Phil are back from their break and reflect on Donald Trump’s legal troubles, the success of pro-Trump candidates in Republican primaries, and Joe Biden’s wave of legislative success.

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Global Democracy Round-Up

Bill and Phil take an international focus and discuss elections in Brazil, growing unease about China and Taiwan, a dangerous constitutional referendum in Tunisia, and allegations of pro-nazi rhetoric coming from Hungary’s leader, Victor Orban.

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Hard Choices

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil discuss possible Supreme Court reforms, dreary poll numbers for both Biden and Trump, whether Ron DeSantis is the real threat to democracy, and Biden’s awkward trip to Saudi Arabia.

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Happy Fourth?

On this week’s 4th of July themed episode, Bill and Phil discuss the country’s mixed feelings about celebrating the 4th of July this year, how the country might go about fixing what ails it, how all of this fits within the broader debate about the rise and decline of great powers, and then close with a round of “Who Had the Better Political Insult?”

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A World Turned Upside Down

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil try to process the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe V. Wade and stunning new revelations from the January 6th Committee hearings.

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Democracy Round-Up

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil discuss the latest from the January 6th Committee hearings, results from this week’s French legislative elections, the Republican platform in Texas, and whether the Supreme Court should listen to public opinion.

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The January 6 Hearings

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil break down the January 6th Committee hearings, Chinese military aircraft harassing Australian and Canadian jets in Pacific waters, and the potential for bipartisan gun legislation.

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Ukraine, Trump, and Loan Forgiveness

This week, Bill and Phil discuss the state of the war in Ukraine, whether Trump has lost influence over the 2022 midterms, and the debate over student loan debt forgiveness.

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Gun Violence, Again

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil discuss the Buffalo shooting, Biden’s statement on the defense of Taiwan, the recent antics of Clarence and Ginni Thomas, and play a round of ‘What’s More Stupid?’

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