Pantsuit Politics

You know things have gone terribly wrong when we're having a national conversation about whether a 14-year-old girl consented to a relationship with a man in his thirties. We discuss the responses to Roy Moore, the President's presence in Asia, and the process and substance of the Republican tax cut plan. Thanks so much to everyone supporting our work on Patreon and to today's sponsors: ModCloth, The Flex Company, and VirtueLabs. We are scheduling speaking events for 2018. Please email Beth for more information. We take a minute to extend our thoughts and prayers to everyone impacted by the terrible earthquake in Iran and Iraq. The Washington Post story on Roy Moore has prompted some truly outrageous reactions. We try to unpack the partisanship and tribalism at the root of these reactions as well as what all of this says about voters' shifting standards of conduct for political figures and communities of faith. Beth wishes we could take a look at Roy Moore's conduct on its own instead of trying to connect it to our personal political perspectives. Sarah shares her perspective on stories that Sutherland Springs, Texas, is relying on faith to help cope with the devastating mass shooting that killed so many loved ones in the community. She draws on her experience from the shooting at Heath High School in 1997. We also discuss President Trump's trip to Asia, during which he complimented China's President, neglected to discuss human rights and democracy, and took Vladimir Putin at his word regarding Russian election attacks. To compliment the other side, Sarah appreciates Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin's approach to sexual... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We kick off a series on the U.S. Constitution by talking about the structure of Articles I-VI. This is a very basic review that reminds us of the intricate balance between state and federal responsibilities the framers envisioned. On Tuesday's episode, we'll be talking about tax reform, so we spend some time on a specific power granted to Congress -- the power of the purse. Recommended resources:  Budget Basics from National Priorities  Congressional Research Service's Intro to Appropriations Stan Colander in Forbes: The GOP Has Murdered the Federal Budget   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A democratic wave on Tuesday signals that America might not be feeling great again. We discuss the election, listener feedback, and some fascinating articles on today’s episode. Thanks to everyone supporting our work on Patreon. And thanks to the sponsors of today's podcast: ModCloth and The Flex Company. We talk about the Virginia gubernatorial race, the election of Danica Roem, and other Democratic victories on Tuesday. Next, at listener Eva's recommendation, we discuss Peter Beinart's article, "Republican Is Not a Synonym for Racist."  We also, at listener Lisa's recommendation, discuss Conor Friedersdorf's "Four Defenses of Trump's Dissembling on Russia." Listener Karla left beautiful feedback on our website about our discussion of Sutherland Springs that we share.  Finally, at listener Debbie's recommendation, we talk about Erica Komisar's new book on motherhood and "The Politicization of Motherhood."    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The weekend's headlines painted an incredibly depressing picture. In the wake of these events, we're realizing that America needs a serious conversation about what kind of country we want to be. Thanks so much to our listeners who support us via Patreon. And thanks to today's sponsors: Crane & Canopy, ThirdLove, The Flex Company, and ModCloth. We discuss the horrific shooting in a Sutherland Springs, Texas, church and ask how we can move past talking points on gun violence. Do we want to live in a country where church-goers carry weapons? Do we want to feel safe at concerts and in public venues? When we say this about "mental health," what do we mean? We also discuss reporting about Wilbur Ross's financial ties to Russia. Finally, we talk about what's on our minds outside of politics. Sarah is ready to move, and Beth is thinking about a beautiful New York Times piece on platonic relationships.     Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pantsuit Politics is two years old! We celebrate, reflect, and discuss the week's news. We are so excited about our new book coming next year and our new podcast The Nuanced Life - coming soon!Thanks so much to all of you who financially support Pantsuit Politics. If you'd like to support our work, please visit our Patreon page. This month we're giving a shout-out to our international patrons! We also were so excited to be named in The Guardian's Best podcasts of 2017!Thanks to ModCloth and The Flex Company for sponsoring today's episode. We are heartbroken about the deadly attack in New York this week. We discuss the President's response, a merit-based immigration system, and the Islamic State. We also talk about Facebook and Twitter making an appearance during Senate hearings and the interference in our 2016 election - as well as this article Why Is the U.S. So Susceptible to Social-Media Distortion?. We discuss Donna Brazile's Politico article about the DNC and the role of Obama (or absence of a role) in the Democratic Party.We respond to a listener's question about a friend who is changing her positions because of a new relationship (with an assist from Roxane Gay's fantastic article about women's friendships). Finally, we reflect on the past two years and on the future of Pantsuit Politics.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy Halloween! Paul Manafort and Rick Gates surrendered to the FBI this week, and George Papadopoulos plead guilty to lying to the FBI. We discuss the news of the week and share our conversation with Gretchen Carlson about her book, Be Fierce. Thanks to Virtue Labs and ModCloth for sponsoring today's episode. You can also support Pantsuit Politics through our Patreon page. We review what we know so far about George Papadopoulos's guilty plea and the indictment issued against Paul Manafort and Rick Gates.To compliment the other side, Sarah compliments John Boehner for his post-office reflection, and Beth compliments Senator Claire McCaskill for her willingness to be moderate. We had the privilege of talking with Gretchen Carlson during an event at the Taft law firm. We share portions of her remarks and our discussion. Finally, we share what's on our minds outside of politics. Sarah's still moving and thinking about Halloween. Beth shares another tip on approaching others with a little more compassion.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Republican Senator Jeff Flake rebuked the tone of our politics on the Senate Floor this week. We discuss his remarks and the hard conversations we need to keep having to do real work in America. Thanks so much to ModCloth for sponsoring this episode. Here's Beth's favorite new piece. We begin by discussing the breaking news that five(+) women have described sexual harassment from Mark Halperin. We also talk about Senator Jeff Flake's speech on the Senate floor and the revolving doors of news related to the 2016 election. We end with listener feedback from Liz on the Boy Scouts of America and Janice on end-of-life care.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We received an overwhelming amount of discussion from listeners about sexual harassment and assault. We've learned a lot and continue the conversation in today’s episode.  Thank you to our sponsors for this episode: BaubleBar, Away, and ModCloth.  To support Pantsuit Politics, please visit our Patreon page and rate, subscribe, and review the podcast on the Apple Podcast Player.  We discuss the horrific ambush of US troops in Niger and try to provide some context to military engagement in western Africa. While details are still emerging about what took place, the President's team seems more engaged in a battle with Sgt. La David Johnson's family than in confronting the difficult intelligence and foreign policy questions implicated.  Next, we turn to the legislature. We talk about the bipartisan work Senators Murray and Alexander are doing on healthcare and the wholly partisan approach Congressional Republicans are taking to tax cuts and the federal budget.   For our compliments to the other party, Sarah compliments Former President George W. Bush for his recent remarks on civility in our discourse. Beth compliments Former President Jimmy Carter for his willingness to engage with North Korea in order to prevent escalating conflict.  Because of the overwhelming feedback we received in response to our discussion of Mayim Bialik's New York Times editorial, we resume the discussion of sexual assault and harassment, sharing the lessons we have learned over the past week. We also share a message from a listener who came to understand after the fact that he engaged in non-consensual sex with a woman in college and offered up his learnings from that experience about what men must do to stop the violence.  We end, as always, with what's on our minds outside of politics. Beth weighs in on personality types following Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anne Bogel, author of Reading People: How Seeing the World Through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything, host of What Should I Read Next?, and the creator of Modern Mrs. Darcy, joins Sarah to discuss personalities. Thanks to ModCloth for sponsoring today's episode!    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Capitol Hill, it feels like the gap between parties is increasingly wide. But across America, Republicans and Democrats build lives, homes, and families together every day. Today, we’re talking about how houses don’t have to be divided when you’re in a nuanced relationship.  Thanks so much to the sponsors of today's episode: Crane & Canopy, ThirdLove, and ModCloth.  We begin with a discussion on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (the "JCPOA") and President Trump's unwillingness to certify that this agreement on Iran continues to be in America's best interests. We talk about Congress's options in light of Trump's decision.  As we continue to learn more from Harvey Weinstein's victims, we discuss Mayim Bialik's controversial New York Times editorial on being a feminist in Hollywood.  To compliment the other side, Sarah praises Secretary Mattis for his mature and measured service in the Trump administration. Without knowing his politics, Beth compliments Cameron Gordon, a former NFL player in training to be a police officer.  Many listeners responded to our call, started by Chelsea's email, to discuss being in relationships with people from the other side of the aisle. We loved hearing from and talking with so many people and take a few minutes to reflect on what nuanced relationships can teach America.  We end, as always, by talking about what's on our minds outside of politics. Sarah is in the packing mode. Beth is unsubscribing from email lists.       Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.