S6 Ep32: It's "Messing With Me Mentally" (with Ashley Parker)

In 'Hillbilly Elegy,' J.D. Vance recounts his life growing up in a dysfunctional family in Middletown, Ohio, with roots in Kentucky's Appalachia. The book details his experiences with poverty, addiction, and family violence, as well as his journey to joining the marines and eventually graduating from Yale Law School. Vance provides a personal and insightful look into the decline of the white working class in America, exploring themes of family, culture, and the loss of the American dream. The memoir also touches on the political swing of the region, particularly in relation to the 2016 presidential election and the appeal of Donald Trump to this demographic.

This book chronicles the inside story of Trump's 2020 campaign, from his first impeachment to his second, detailing how his team's initial momentum unraveled due to COVID-19, economic collapse, and civil rights upheaval. Bender provides fresh insights through interviews and internal campaign documents, offering a comprehensive look at Trump's final year in office.

Sarah Longwell's How to Eat an Elephant: One Voter at a Time draws on her experience conducting hundreds of focus groups to explain how to communicate effectively with voters. The book blends personal memoir with practical lessons on persuasion, detailing why listening matters and how targeted messaging can change minds. Longwell connects political strategy to real-world conversations, offering case studies and guidance for building coalitions across the political spectrum. She also reflects on founding The Bulwark and her journey in politics, using voter insights to frame long-term approaches to defeating movements like MAGA. The book is positioned as both a how-to manual for communicators and a readable account of grassroots voter engagement.