Potstirrer Podcast

In our multi-parter second installment of Riverside Chats, Jaye is joined by her husband Chuckles as they share just a little bit of their lively political conversations - as a couple with divergent political views. In Part 2, Jaye and Chuckles discuss poverty, police brutality, and the landscape for 2018 and 2020. Should the Republican Party, who is in control of all branches of federal government, consider courting voters outside of their core base? PLUS - Potstirrer Podcast has now...

In today's episode, Jaye discusses recent news stories related to undocumented immigration and refugees from Latin America. Where are the 1500 missing migrant children that were being tracked by the federal government? How are children in the custody of US Customs being treated? And is there any moral or ethical issue with calling MS-13 gang members "animals?" Jaye delves into past events as she makes the case that when we dehumanize other people, it becomes all too easy to treat them...

In our multi-parter second installment of Riverside Chats, Jaye is joined by her husband Chuckles as they share just a little bit of their lively political conversations - as a couple with divergent political views. In Part 1, Jaye and Chuckles debate the Stormy Daniels controversy, revisit health care, and begin discussing the 2018 midterm elections. Should the Democratic Party attempt to court Trump voters, and if so, how can they do that without losing their base? The Riverside Chats...

Do we have a "free press" in the United States? Jaye makes the case that even though the news media are not owned by the government, elite monopolistic ownership of media outlets and lack of federal regulations lead to outcomes not much different than state-run news media. What does the lack of free press mean for our democracy? Also - we debut a new segment called "Editorial by Jaye." In the first "editorial," Jaye gives her reaction to the Alfie Evans case. While the case is extremely...

In the concluding episode of a two-part series, Jaye continues her discussion on the decline of the United States within the framework of her hometown, Detroit, Michigan. She discusses the conditions in Detroit prior to the 1967 Detroit riots that led to the riots and the decline of the city, including workplace discrimination, housing segregation, the destruction of tight-knit black communities by urban renewal, racial strife between white and black Detroiters, and tensions between police...

In the first of a two-part series, Jaye discusses the decline of the United States within the framework of her hometown, Detroit, Michigan. She also outlines the conditions needed for a thriving country. Is "inefficient" government truly the problem? Is America a failed state? Thank you for listening! Subscribe, review, rate 5 stars, and share! Check us out online: Twitter: @potstirrercast IG: @potstirrerpodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/potstirrerpodcast/ Website:...

In this episode, Jaye contemplates her academic background and personal experiences in American evangelicalism when examining the recent focus by the mainstream media on white evangelicals. Over 80 percent of white evangelical voters supported Donald Trump in 2016, and many American evangelical leaders continue to defend Trump's rhetoric and actions, which sharply run against the very Bible evangelical doctrine states is the inerrant word of God. Are white evangelical believers being...

In this episode, Jaye discusses the recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida. What are the problems contributing to these school shootings, and what can be done to decrease the instances of these tragedies in the future? Jaye takes on the arguments made on both the extreme pro-gun and anti-gun sides - as Americans on all sides of the Second Amendment / gun control debate are needed to cooperatively craft lasting, working solutions that will save the lives of children and preserve our...

**WARNING: Mature Subject Matter Jaye concludes her two-part discussion of the abortion issue in Part II. She discusses the origins of the Religious Right after the Roe v. Wade US Supreme Court decision in 1973, and the role abortion as a political issue played in the formation of the Religious Right. Jaye also reacts to the tendency of the pro-life movement to co-opt equality movements for their own purposes. In addition, alternatives and solutions that would lower abortion rates are...

WARNING: Mature Subject Matter In Part I of a two-part series, Jaye begins to tackle what has arguably been the most controversial political issue in the United States for the past 50 years - abortion. She discusses her own views on the topic and how she arrived at her stance. Jaye also delves into the history of abortion rights in the United States up until the 1973 Roe v. Wade US Supreme Court decision. Thank you for listening! Listen, subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and share! Reach out...

This special Christmas/New Years episode takes a look at the “War on Christmas” – the belief that societal forces are attempting to attack or downplay the Christmas holiday. The “War on Christmas” tends to be a common idea in conservative Christian circles, and exploited by conservative politicians and media. Is there a “War on Christmas,” and what it the concern about Christmas truly about? Jaye also gives a year in review and gives her predictions regarding what we will see in US...

Today’s episode is a reminder that truth still matters, even in a “post-truth” era. Jaye discusses the abandonment of truth among many conservative evangelicals in the United States in pursuit of political power. What does the Bible say about truth, and what does it mean for those in American society who claim to hold the Bible as the inspired or literal word of God, yet also profess allegiance to Trump, nationalism, and the Republican Party? *Apologies in advance for unforeseen technical...

Today’s episode explores the Second Amendment to the US Constitution in light of the recent mass shootings and rhetoric from American politicians surrounding crime, terrorism, gun control and mental illness. Jaye presents what some listeners may consider a surprising take on the issue of gun control and the Second Amendment. Also, Jaye makes the argument that how politicians, interest groups and the media discuss these issues does the American people a disservice. Does the way we...

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes discussion of sexual violence. Listener discretion is advised. Today’s episode continues with the subject matter of alleged sexual misconduct on the part of famous and powerful figures, and how we react to these accounts. This time, Jaye focuses on the case of Roy Moore, the former state court judge running for the US Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions in the state of Alabama. Moore, a controversial politician strongly aligned with the Religious...

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes discussion of sexual violence. Listener discretion is advised. In today's episode, Jaye frames the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault scandal and other sexual misconduct incidents currently in the news as part of a larger discussion on how we respond to oppression and violence. Why are many of us inclined to take the word of the accused if we can relate to them, or if they are powerful figures we like? At the same time, why do we hide behind “they...

In today's episode, Jaye discusses the changes Donald Trump is making to health care, and the humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico. How has Trump reacted to the natural disaster and loss of life in Puerto Rico, and what does his reaction say about what the president values? In addition, Jaye delves into the role of a free press, and brings historical context to why Trump's constant attacks on the news media are dangerous for democracy. Citations: Barclay, Eliza, and Alexia Fernández...

In today's episode, Jaye interviews Allison K. Garcia, author of the highly rated novel Vivir el Dream. Allison shares her perspective as a writer, counselor, and Christian active in her church and the local Latino community. The stories of those she has known and lived life with serve as inspiration for her novel about the undocumented immigrant experience. Vivir el Dream is an evocative book with many themes woven throughout, such as Christian faith, desperation, empathy, and hope....

Episode 13 - Jemele Told the Truth In today's episode, Jaye discusses the controversial tweets by ESPN personality Jemele Hill regarding Donald Trump. What about the substance of her tweets? And why is the White House reaction to these tweets problematic for democracy? Jaye also talks authoritarianism, and speaks directly to people who supported Trump in November 2016. Citations: Gaines, Cork. 2017. "The Simple Explanation for Why ESPN Did Not Fire Jemele Hill but Did Fire Curt Schilling."...

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes sensitive subjects, such as sexual assault, rape, and child abuse, which may be triggering to some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. In today's episode, Jaye talks religious "insider baseball" regarding the Nashville Statement and American evangelicalism. After a turbulent August in the United States with Charlottesville and Hurricane Harvey, and Trump's words and actions regarding domestic terrorism, transgender people in the military, the...

In today's episode, host Jaye Pool reacts to the Charlottesville domestic terror attack, and the failure of presidential leadership in response. Jaye also seeks to encourage listeners that among the negativity, there are signs of light and hope for America's future. Citations: Angwin, Julia, Larson, Jeff, Mattu, Surya, and Lauren Kirchner. 2017. “Machine Bias.” Propublica. May 23. https://www.propublica.org/article/machine-bias-risk-assessments-in-criminal-sentencing (August 20,...