Our American Discourse, Ep. 35: It’s Not Just Where You’re Going, It’s Also How You Get There
In this episode, Marlon G. Boarnet weighs the pros and cons of different transportation modes and shows how the infrastructure we build now will shape our quality of life for generations to come.
Bedrosian Book Club Podcast: "Draft No. 4"
In today's episode, we use McPhee's thoughts on structure and nonfiction to discuss some of the difficulties of communicating policy and research in today’s frenetic climate of news and propaganda and anti-elitism.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 34: The Eternal Struggle for Power on Capitol Hill
In this episode, Jeffrey A. Jenkins teaches us the strategy of legislative power: who has it, how they get it, what they do with it, and why we should care.
Bedrosian Book Club Podcast: "The Myth of Independence"
The authors advocate that through legislation over the years, Congress has set up the Federal Reserve to bear the brunt of blame during times of financial crisis. This blend of political science, history, and economics was a hit for our panel.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 23: Let Every Voice Be Heard! How to Elevate the Public Debate in 2018
In this episode, Aubrey Hicks takes us inside the Bedrosian Center and their never-ending mission to bust open the doors of democracy and give us all a seat at the table.
Bedrosian Book Club Podcast: "The Death of Expertise"
Tom Nichols' "The Death of Expertise" is a broad look at the antipathy toward "experts" and "expertise" among the citizenry of contemporary United States. We discuss the argument, the nature of expertise, the role of the academic in civic education, and the state of civics in general.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 13: How to Stop Feeling Marginalized and Start Engaging in Politics
You may think politics isn’t for you. In this episode, inspirational speaker and social work professor Melissa Bird knocks down the misconceptions that marginalize us and replaces them with the attitude we need to take on the injustices in our nation today.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 8: Who's Really in Charge? Government Bureaucracy Under Attack
The people who run our government from day to day aren’t the ones you voted for. They’re the bureaucracy, and the very survival of our democracy depends on them. In this episode, William Resh is their voice, and we would be wise to listen.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 7: Citizens Can't Get No Satisfaction
Americans are fed up. The government is not living up to their expectations. Trust is deteriorating every year. In this episode, we question these perceptions -- and the solutions they imply -- with Gregg Van Ryzin.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 5: The Art of Leadership in Precarious Times
Negativity, disrespect, and divisiveness seem to be the order of the day. Is good leadership dead? In this episode, we get a more realistic take on leadership from the contrarian guru Rob Asghar.
Our American Discourse, Ep. 4: The Ethics of Governing
Planners and policymakers have to balance competing needs, never more so than in today’s polarized environment. How do they do the right thing? In this episode, we find sagacity and even humor in the hard work of ethical governing with Lisa Schweitzer.
Listen to My New Podcast on "White Trash"!
The Bedrosian Center at USC hosts a monthly "Book Club" podcast, and this month they invited me to join them to discuss Nancy Isenberg's new book "White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America."