Beerocracy!®

After a shocking Oval Office meeting between Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, it’s clear—America’s foreign policy is shifting toward a pro-Russia stance. With military aid and intelligence sharing to Ukraine now on hold, the U.S. is isolating key allies and reshaping the Ukraine-Russia war. I’m joined by former Foreign Service Officer Colin Cleary—who served in both Russia and Ukraine—to break down the latest developments, the geopolitical fallout, and what this means for the future of U.S. foreign policy, NATO, and global stability.

With Donald Trump's aggressive return to power, the term "fascist" has been thrown around to describe the current American president. But what exactly is a fascist? And Is Trumpism a form of fascism, or does it belong to a different category of right-wing populism? Well, Robert Griffin, a leading expert on fascism, joins us to discuss and provide his take on Trumpism. We examine the key parallels between Trump’s actions and past fascist regimes, while also discussing the crucial differences. What are your thoughts?

The GOP's new budget proposal is here and it’s bad news for working families - critical social programs are on the chopping block to make room for a revival of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts. Meanwhile, with Russel Vought’s confirmation putting the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in the spotlight, it’s time to break down what this all really means. I’m joined by Michael Linden, former OMB official and economic policy expert, to unpack the GOP’s plan, the OMB’s role, and how these budget decisions could impact you. Don’t miss this essential deep dive into the politics of spending and taxation.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is one of today’s most talked-about—and controversial—topics. But what does DEI really mean, and why has it sparked such intense debate in politics, workplaces, and schools? I’m joined by Nani Vishwanath, consultant and facilitator at The Courage Collective, a DEI consultancy firm, to break it all down. We tackle the true goals of DEI, why and how it’s facing pushback, and why it's important. If you’ve ever wondered what’s behind the headlines, this conversation is for you.

DOGE, DOGE, DOGE! Elon Musk is tearing up Washington with hisDepartment of Government Efficiency. Musk is slashing federal contracts, gaining access to sensitive systems, and firing waves of federal workers in his quest to create a leaner, faster government. But is it going to work? While his supporters hail it as a much-needed shake-up, critics argue it’s chaos and authoritarianism disguised as progress. Departments are in disarray, long-standing processes are being dismantled, and no one knows what’s coming next. And many of his actions are blatantly illegal, yet, it doesn't appear that anything is stopping him. I'm joined by David Super, Professor of Law and Economics at Georgetown Law, to unpack Musk's actions from a legal standpoint. This is an episode you don't want to miss.

Since his inauguration on January 20, 2025, President Trump has rolled out a series of executive orders ramping up immigration enforcement, creating uncertainty and fear in migrant communities. ICE has intensified raids in major cities, while the administration’s hardline stance is raising concerns about labor shortages in industries like agriculture and hospitality that rely on immigrant workers. I’m joined by Cori Alonso-Yoder, a GW Law professor and immigration law expert, to break down these policies and what they mean for the future of immigration in the U.S.

From repealing DEI measures, to trying to end birthright citizenship, to making federal workers easier to fire, President Donald Trump was quite busy on his first day in office, signing 26 Executive Orders. I'm joined by James Goodwin, Policy Director at the Center for Progressive Reform, to unpack each and every Executive Order from Day 1. We go through all 26, pulling out the most important parts for you to know, and James helps us read between the lines at the ulterior motives. It's been 4 days from when this podcast was recorded to the end of Trump's first week, and he has already signed plenty more EO's that have detrimental effects on the nation, specifically targeting DEI and immigrants.

Wildfires have become an increasingly frequent and devastating part of life in Los Angeles, but what made the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires so destructive? With 40,000 acres burned, and the fires still roaring, I'm joined by Char Miller, Professor of Environmental Analysis and History at Pomona College, to discuss the present, past, and future of wildfires in America. We dive into the reasons behind LA's wildfires, exploring the science of climate change, urban expansion, and natural ecosystems. Char also shares practical advice for protecting your lungs during a wildfire, offering critical insights for Los Angeles residents navigating these smoky conditions.

TW: This episode discusses violence, extremist acts, and suicide. In the wake of the tragic New Years Day with the New Orleans terrorist attack and the Las Vegas Tesla suicide explosion - both conducted by veterans - this episode delves into the rise of extremism among military veterans. Todd Helmus, a senior behavioral scientist at RAND and expert on extremism among veterans, helps breakdown how individuals with military backgrounds may become radicalized. We examine the unique challenges veterans face when reintegrating into civilian life and how extremist groups exploit these vulnerabilities, offering a sense of belonging and mission that can lead to devastating consequences. We also dive into the alarming trend of veterans committing suicide, especially very publicly, in order to make a political statement.

After a tumultuous year of fighting in the Middle East, the future of the region is uncertain, especially as the United States prepares for a transfer of power. I'm joined by Mouin Rabbani, a researcher, analyst, and commentator specializing in Palestinian affairs and contemporary Middle East issues, to recap the multiple Middle Eastern conflicts. From Israel and Gaza to Syria, Mouin helps break down the past year, the most recent updates, and where things may be headed.

Nearly 670 bills targeting transgender individuals have been introduced across the country this year—a staggering and unprecedented rise. Transgender rights have become a focal point in the broader culture war, largely driven by conservative movements. But what are the real-world consequences of this surge in anti-trans rhetoric and legislation? Joining me to unpack this critical issue is Sasha Buchert, Director of the Non-Binary and Transgender Rights Project at Lambda Legal. Together, we explore the implications of these attacks on a small, but resilient, community simply striving to live authentically, and what this moment means for the fight for equality.

The shocking murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has brought long-simmering anger and frustration with the American health insurance industry to the forefront. In this episode, we unpack the systemic issues that have left so many Americans buried in debt, disillusioned, and fed up with the healthcare system. Joining me is Linda Blumberg, a research professor at Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms and an Institute Fellow at the Urban Institute. Together, we explore the roots of widespread claims denial, the rise of sprawling hospital conglomerates, and the potential fallout if the Affordable Care Act were repealed.

Syria is back in the news cycle as opposition force, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), launched a surprise, and successful, offensive against Dictator Bashar al-Assad. With territorial gains reshaping the conflict, Jihad Yazigi, Editor-in-Chief of The Syria Report, joins us to provide context for this recent development and what it means for Syria's future. We explore how this stalled war reignited, the latest changes, and the global forces at play.

Trump’s second-term vision is coming into focus with his latest cabinet nominations. There have been some shockers (a la Matt Gaetz' short time as potential AG) but what about the other nominations? And what's normal and what isn't with this appointment season? I'm joined by Dr. Matt Glassman, Senior Fellow at the Government Affairs Institute at Georgetown University, to discuss the ins and outs of the appointment process and what you need to know about Trump's nominations. One thing is for certain, loyalty is playing a key part in these picks.

Economy, Economy, Economy. Say it three times and a politician appears claiming it's either booming or on the brink of collapse. So which one is it? While headlines from economists suggest the economy is in a strong position, the reality for most Americans feels a lot different. To help make sense of this disconnect, I’m joined by Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody’s Analytics and co-founder of Economy.com. Together, we dive into the latest trends in inflation, housing, and the job market. Plus, we tackle the million-dollar question: What will happen to the economy if Trump follows through on his economic plans? Spoiler alert—it’s not good. Tune in for an eye-opening discussion on the state of the economy and what lies ahead.

America has voted and Donald Trump has been elected as president, again. For many, this might come as a shock. However, it shouldn't. In this post election analysis, I'm joined by pollster Travis Brodbeck, the Associate Director of Data Management at Siena College. If that name sounds familiar, you're not going crazy, he was on the show two episodes ago to break down the pre-election New York Times/Siena College polls. We dive deep into the election results discussing what the exit polls were showing and how voting demographics have changed.

It's almost election day. Yet, the courts are swamped in election law and voting rights lawsuits. For the past year, there has been a united effort to purge voter rolls and restrict the access to vote. Luckily, there are people fighting, like Kevin Hamilton, an election lawyer from Perkins Coie. Leading the offensive is the Republican National Committee who say they are working to ensure election integrity by making sure votes are properly counted and that people do not vote illegally. Yet, democrats see this litigation blitz as a prelude to Republicans again contesting a potential Trump loss. We break down some of these court cases, including one that Kevin was litigating right before being on Beerocracy! Go vote!

It's election season, and that means the polls are in full swing. Luckily, I am joined by seasoned pollster Travis Brodbeck, Associate Director of Data Management at Siena College, to dive deep into the world of political polling ahead of the 2024 elections. The New York Times/Siena College poll is widely viewed as one of the best gages of where things stand in the Presidential and Congressional races. Travis shares how the NYT/Siena poll is conducted, other polling methodology, and what the current numbers are showing.

It's been a little over one year since October 7th, where Hamas militants stormed into Israel, killing over 1,200 people. And since, Israel's response in Gaza has led to 42,000 Palestinians killed and an Israeli incursion into Lebanon killing over 2,300. So now, big picture, where do things stand? What is the end game for Hezbollah, Hamas, and Israel? Hussein Ibish, a senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute, and contributor to The Atlantic, provides big picture analysis and history for all the players in this war, with a special focus on Hezbollah.

Two months ago, the entire world watched as Alsu Kurmasheva ran down the steps of a plane at Joint Base Andrews, greeted President Biden and VP Harris, and rushed into the arms of her family. It had been 14 months since she had been able to hug them, and 10 months spent in Russian prison. Her crime? Being an American journalist. Alsu is ready to open up about her harrowing experience and no question is off limits. From the day she was arrested, to the 10 months without sunlight, and the moment it finally clicked she was being released, every question you've had about what it's like to be unfairly detained by an American adversary, and released in a prisoner exchange, is answered. This episode contains a trigger warning due to the brutal environment Alsu experienced and what she witnessed.