Politicology

Host Ron Steslow welcomes Mike Brock, CEO of TBD, a subsidiary of Block Inc. (formerly Square), the financial technology firm led by Twitter founder Jack Dorsey. The Internet is dominated by massive, corporate walled gardens like Google, Facebook, and Twitter (now X), where centralized control makes their users (us!) vulnerable to censorship and manipulation. In this episode, we explore how the movement to decentralize technology empowers individuals, protects against corporate and government abuse, and addresses real problems in finance and social media. We’ll also discuss how decentralized technology can enhance financial access and freedom, bypassing intermediaries and censorship, and shifting power from financial corporations to individuals. Finally, we turn to the political landscape, focusing on the Democratic party’s approach to decentralized technology and early signs it may be changing. Segments to look forward to: (04:45) Mike’s background  (10:50) Empowering individuals through decentralized finance and identity  (15:45) Building infrastructure for a decentralized future  (19:10) The potential of decentralized identity  (29:49) The importance of Bitcoin’s decentralization  (31:31) Financial Access and Freedom  (34:27) Preserving agency  (44:44) Changing the balance of power  (50:54) The varied stance of the Democratic party Follow Ron and Mike on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/brockm Email your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at ‪(202) 455-4558‬ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Arnold, writer and activist known for lyrical, essayistic takes on American politics. He discusses why essays are resurging now. He explores cadence and reading aloud, writers’ responsibilities online, and how long-form thinking helps make sense of protests, identity, and democratic renewal.

James Kirchick, journalist and author of Secret City, traces Washington’s hidden gay history. He explores how Cold War fears turned homosexuality into a security threat. He discusses the Lavender Scare, how gay social life cut across class, and the political uses of “gay” as a smear. He also examines Reagan’s complex ties and the challenges of researching this buried past.

Ron Steslow is joined by Hagar Chemali (Fmr. spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN) for a wide-ranging conversation on the war in Iran, the confusion surrounding the Trump administration’s goals, and its vision for the United States in the world. Then, in Politicology+, Marc Polymeropoulos joins to discuss the explosive new reporting about the CIA’s coverup of Anomalous Health Incidents—also known as Havana Syndrome—and the dangerous classified weapon that causes them. POLITICOLOGY+ Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don’t miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. CONTRIBUTE TO POLITICOLOGY politicology.com/donate SPONSORS & PROMO CODES https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8 Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬ Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/HagarChemali Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hagar Chemali and Marc Polymeropoulos join Ron Steslow to discuss the explosive new reporting about the CIA’s coverup of Anomalous Health Incidents—also known as Havana Syndrome—and the dangerous classified weapon that causes them. They break down what the latest investigations reveal: evidence that there's a device that could cause these symptoms, growing questions about whether the government tried to discredit victims, and why these revelations could force a broader reckoning inside the intelligence community.  Marc reflects on the personal toll of the saga, the “moral injury” of feeling abandoned by former colleagues, and why accountability matters now. Related Reading:  War on the Rocks - We Were Right About Havana Syndrome The Insider - Inside the CIA’s attempt to make Havana Syndrome disappear Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even after historic civil rights progress over the last sixty years, there’s no denying that certain groups of people still face real, serious, and even systemic discrimination. In pursuit of justice, many well-meaning activists have made identity central to their cause—arguing, for example, that in order to right wrongs, rules and laws must treat people differently, not equally, depending on the groups to which they belong. Whatever you think of the term “wokeness,” this new ideology has spread like wildfire through academia, journalism, entertainment, governments, and corporations, radically changing politics, policy, and our public discourse.   But what if they have missed the mark? What if crusading identitarianism is doing more harm than good? What if it’s actually chipping away at some of the bedrock principles of our liberal democracy? If we want honest answers, we have to take these ideas seriously. In this two part series, host Ron Steslow and Yascha Mounk break down his new book, “The Identity Trap: A Story of Ideas and Power in Our Time.”  In this second episode, they discuss how the identity synthesis moved from college classrooms, to Tumblr, to newsrooms and workplaces. They discuss the common “with us or against us” attitudes the identity synthesis produces and the infighting at progressive institutions over identity issues. They discuss the impact that “cancel culture” can have over trust in scientific research and why the identity synthesis isn’t compatible with liberal democracy. Segments to look forward to: (01:14) How the identity synthesis moved from college classrooms, to Tumblr, to the workplace (10:40) The “with us or against us attitude” that dominates institutions overtaken by the identity synthesis (16:00) The crippling infighting at progressive institutions over identity issues  (16:50) The identity synthesis and cancel culture  (26:32) How cancel culture erodes trust in research and institutions  (36:21) Why the identity synthesis is incompatible with liberal democracy  (44:00) How to handle backlash  Get the book:  Order a hardcover copy: https://amzn.to/3PKN6pR Get the audiobook: https://amzn.to/3Ps7CKe Get it on Kindle: https://amzn.to/3rpAB9B Follow Ron and Yascha on X (previously Twitter):  https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://twitter.com/Yascha_Mounk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yascha Mounk, political scientist and author focused on democracy and populism, appears with a short mini bio. He discusses the rise of 'identity synthesis' and why he calls it a trap. The conversation traces intellectual roots from Foucault to critical race theory and explores how identity-centered politics reshapes discourse and institutions.

Alua Arthur, a death doula, recovering attorney, and founder of Going With Grace, talks about embracing mortality and practical ways to prepare. Short, candid conversations about death, rituals and language around illness. Practical tools for planning, supporting loved ones, and prioritizing quality of life over sheer longevity.

Mike Madrid, political strategist and author of The Latino Century, offers sharp analysis of institutional trust and geopolitics. He examines the slow rollout of the Epstein files and why redactions deepen suspicion. He explores possible intelligence links, how powerful figures are compromised, and why global reactions differ. He argues the revelations signal a broader transformation in governance.

Rebecca Roiphe, Joseph Solomon Distinguished Professor of Law and former Manhattan prosecutor, explores attacks on liberal legalism and the view of law as raw power. She examines critical legal theory, shifts at elite legal institutions, the Trump administration’s legal philosophy, threats to DOJ independence, and how punitive moves against law firms chill representation.