Podcasts

As the election inches closer, polling data seems favorable to the Democrats, especially in a number of Senate races. Yet some say the Democrats are being too optimistic and overly confident, mirroring some of the sentiments from 2016. In this episode of Politics & Polls, Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang discuss what will happen next — and the problems that are different from 2020. They go into the uncertainty not just on Election Day, but after — even in the new Congress. ABOUT THE HOSTS Wang is a professor at Princeton University, appointed in neuroscience with affiliate appointments in the Program in Law and Public Affairs and the Center for…

The Republican Party seems to be divided: Is it the old guard, advocating for small government and tax cuts? Or has it moved into more of an America-first, isolationist space under the leadership of President Donald Trump? In this episode, Jacob Hacker of Yale University joins Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang to discuss how the current combination of plutocratic economic priorities and right-wing populist appeals threatens the pillars of American democracy. This is the subject of Hacker’s latest book with Paul Pierson of the University of California at Berkeley: “Let Them Eat Tweets: How the Right Rules in an Age of Extreme Inequality.” Hacker is the…

After a Rose Garden ceremony last week, President Donald Trump, members of his staff, and several Republican senators have all tested positive for Covid-19. The news has sparked a fiery debate about how the administration is addressing the pandemic. Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, who was the youngest city health official in America at age 30 - leading the Detroit Health Department, joins this week's episode to discuss what he calls America's "epidemic of insecurity." El-Sayed is a physician, epidemiologist, public health expert, and progressive activist. He ran for governor of Michigan in 2018. He is the author of "Healing Politics: A Doctor’s Journey into…

Some criticize the way the media covers political issues, spurring conversations about how journalism can be improved, especially within the next generation of reporters. One 12-year-old — Jaden Jefferson — is already on his way to contributing to the news world through his local reporting efforts in Toledo, Ohio. Jefferson, who joins Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang in this episode, has already interviewed a number of prominent figures including Sen. Elizabeth Warren. He's been interviewed by Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, and others. You can find his stories on his YouTube channel at Jaden Reports. ABOUT THE HOSTS Wang is a professor at Princeton…

Regardless of who wins the 2020 presidential election, American politics will be forever impacted by Trump's presidency. In this episode, author David Frum discusses how America can rebuild — the subject of his new book, "Trumpocalypse: Restoring American Democracy" — with Julian Zelizer. Frum is a senior editor The Atlantic. He virtually visited the School as a Leadership Through Mentorship guest; this episode was a live recording. ABOUT THE HOSTS Wang is a professor at Princeton University, appointed in neuroscience with affiliate appointments in the Program in Law and Public Affairs and the Center for Information Technology Policy. An…

A vexing part of our democracy is that even overwhelmingly popular policies are sometimes not enacted into law because of political stalemates. This not only threatens the stability of our democracy, but also creates disillusionment among voters.This week, Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang discuss important questions about the health and future of our democracy with David Litt, former speechwriter to President Barack Obama and author of “Thanks Obama: My Hopey, Changey White House Years" and "Democracy in One Book or Less.” They touch on Mitch McConnell’s “rules of the game,” down-ballot elections, and how humor can change minds.ABOUT THE HOSTSWang is a…

With nationwide protests in support for the Black Lives Matter movement and growing economic frustration from the Covid-19 pandemic, this election year will surely be eventful. This week, Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang discuss the Black Lives Matter protests and how social media and technology have boosted the movement. They look into the underlying resentment with, and potential reforms for, the current criminal justice system.ABOUT THE HOSTSWang is a professor at Princeton University, appointed in neuroscience with affiliate appointments in the Program in Law and Public Affairs and the Center for Information Technology Policy. An alumnus of Caltech,…

The U.S. postal or mail system, the purse strings of which are controlled by Congress, has been running at a deficit for years, calling into question its financial viability. Yet, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the system has taken on greater importance for Americans. In addition, as we look to the 2020 presidential election, its necessity for mail-in voting has erupted into a partisan battle. Richard John, a historian at Columbia University’s School of Journalism, joins Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang to talk about the U.S. postal system’s role as a key part of America’s infrastructure and the new reality of the challenges it faces. With…

When COVID-19 first emerged in South Korea, the country’s rapid response and decisive intervention enabled the country to detect cases early, slowing the spread of the infection and controlling mortality rates. Now, the country faces a new spike in cases, leaving many to wonder if a second wave is coming.Sam Wang and Julian Zelizer discuss South Korea’s response to Covid-19 in this episode – recorded live on May 19 – which features Dr. Asaph Young Chun, director-general of Statistics Research Institute in South Korea, the state-run think tank of official statistics and data innovation.Dr. Chun is faculty chair and director of the Pyongyang Summer…