Politicology

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.

Gil Durán, journalist and author of The Nerd Reich, maps a tech-driven political project that seeks to sidestep democratic rule. He traces the network state idea, billionaire-backed narrative control, and how Silicon Valley money reshapes city politics. Short, sharp stories about power, escape tactics, and the rise of technocratic political brands.

Rebecca Roiphe, Joseph Solomon Distinguished Professor of Law and former Manhattan prosecutor, explores how legal ideas shape democracy. She traces critical legal studies, intersectionality, and power dynamics. Short, sharp conversations defend the adversarial system and warn about weaponizing institutions. The talk focuses on law’s role, legitimacy, and why equal protections matter.

Jeh Johnson, former Secretary of Homeland Security and DoD counsel, offers concise, seasoned perspective. He discusses how deterrence and perception can quickly cut border crossings. He contrasts border dynamics with interior enforcement and warns that quota-driven ICE tactics erode local cooperation. He highlights accountability, warrants, and why agency leadership and targeted reforms matter.

David Gushee, Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and author on Christianity and political life, offers a short tour of how certain Christian movements brush up against authoritarian politics. He traces reactionary Christianity in Europe, the politics of nostalgia and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, the allure of strong-man leaders, and democratic resources in covenantal and Baptist traditions.

Dmitri Mehlhorn, serial entrepreneur and founder of the Atoll Society focused on democratic resilience. He explores scenario-based salons that surface institutional blind spots. Short, vivid conversations cover simulation design, mass mobilization, uneven state power, and how small choices reshape political norms over time.

David Gushee, Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and author, reflects on his journey from Baptist roots to a post-evangelical scholar. He explores tensions between Christian traditions and democratic values. He defines “Authoritarian Reactionary Christianity,” traces religious counter-revolutions after secular change, and examines how certain Christian movements can erode democratic norms.

Susan Del Percio, crisis communications expert and political analyst, unpacks whether America’s ideals match its reality. She tackles government overreach, secrecy, and erosion of due process. They explore fading soft power, shrinking freedoms like privacy and bodily autonomy, and how institutional breakdown and political exhaustion reshape the nation.

In a gripping discussion, Jay Solomon, an investigative journalist specializing in Iran, joins guest host Hagar Chemali to dissect the ongoing protests in Iran. They explore how a bank collapse sparked nationwide unrest and delve into the regime's economic fragility. Solomon reveals the weakening of Iran's regional power and the implications for U.S. strike strategies. The conversation also touches on the complexities of protest narratives and the potential outcomes if the government were to fall. Insights on international influence, particularly from Qatar, add depth to the analysis.

Jorge Jraissati, an economist and president of the Economic Inclusion Group, delves into financial systems and exclusion. He explains FATF’s hidden influence on global banking rules and how it pressures nations through gray lists. The conversation reveals the consequences of debanking, including asset freezes that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Jorge emphasizes the potential of Bitcoin as a lifeline for the unbanked, while highlighting the critical need for reforms to safeguard due process and ensure financial inclusion.