Beyond Politics

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Obama's AI Advisor: What's Good, What's Bad, And What's Scary Apr 10, 2024

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The implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) could be profound, wonderful, and maybe terrifying. Eric Daimler -- a former AI advisor to President Obama -- helps us sort through the good, the bad, and whether the AI apocalypse is actually a risk (hint: yes, sort of).

01:36 The Real Concerns and Misunderstandings of AI

08:04 The Surprising Origins and Current Challenges of Cybersecurity

13:50 The Ubiquity of AI: From Everyday Anxieties to Real-World Applications

17:32 Flipping the Script: The Positive Side of AI

23:47 The Power of Data in Government and Business

26:37 The Future of AI

31:28 Debating the AI Apocalypse

38:52 Empowering Individuals in the Age of AI

The Best Movie About Politics EVER Isn't What You Think Apr 08, 2024

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We're talking about the best movie about politics ever today, and we'll bet it's not what you think. Maybe you brought to mind Mr. Smith goes to Washington, or the American President. Maybe even the Reese Witherspoon classic Election? NOPE. We want to make a case today that the most accurate, the most insightful, the most hilarious movie about politics ever made is this amazing classic from 30 years ago that not only captures real truths about how the system does and doesn't work, but is also downright hilarious, and even predicted the rise and fall of George Santos. We bring in the writer and Executive Producer of the film to discuss.

00:00 Introduction: Unveiling the Best Political Movie Ever

02:34 The Making of a Political Satire Masterpiece

10:38 Insider's View: The Realism Behind the Comedy

15:35 The Lobbyist System Exposed

21:17 The Art of Political Speechwriting

23:04 Breaking Down the Best Political Speech Ever

27:09 Navigating the Complex World of Congress

31:15 The Challenge of Satire in Today's Political Landscape

33:50 Envisioning a Sequel

40:26 Reflecting on the Impact and Legacy of the movie

How Trump Is Knifing Johnson Using Marjorie Taylor Greene Apr 05, 2024

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Marjorie Taylor Greene's is trying to remove Mike Johnson as House Speaker, supposedly over his government funding deal, but really over his proposal for Ukraine aid. But it's really a sign of how Trump's small MAGA sect -- and their patron Vladimir Putin -- continue to exercise leverage over the rest of America. Then, was there a critical shift in the Israel-Hamas war this week? Also, Trump's legal and financial maneuvers, and we highlight the most bizarre far-right conspiracy theories related to Monday's eclipse.

00:00 Diving into Trump's Political Maneuvers and House Speaker Drama

00:17 Exploring the Complex Dynamics of US and Israel Politics

00:50 Unpacking the Intricacies of the Ukraine Conflict and US Support

08:37 Analyzing the Political Landscape and Public Perception in Israel

15:17 Shifting Perspectives on Israel and the Impact on US Politics

19:36 A Lighter Take: This Week in Trump and Legal Battles

27:05 Navigating the World of Conspiracy Theories and Eclipse Madness

32:33 Wrapping Up: Reflections and Greek Independence Day

One Thing: the Right's Frankenstein Monster Is Back to Get Us Apr 02, 2024

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One thing to notice today is a news story in Politico about how the anti-abortion movement is scheming to turn the Republican party and ultimately all of America against in-vitro fertilization. What's amazing is that this is actually just the latest result of an intentional cynical, carefully calculated project begun in secret 50 years ago, it's sort of a Frankenstein monster of political power that's changed the face of America. And since it's broken lab containment, I may continue to affect all of us for decades to come.

***This mini-episode is part of a pilot project to try short, daily, focused episodes focusing on one key idea, number, or news item. We really want to know what you think of it. You can answer the poll question (on Spotify), or email us at matt.beyondpoliticspodcast@gmail.com.***

Are Republicans About to Melt Down...Again? And What About the Rest of Us? Apr 01, 2024

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On the surface, the day's big headline was about Republican dysfunction. Underneath, it really revealed something that's been going wrong with all of American politics for a long time. One polling number, and one long-forgotten episode of a television science fiction series, help illustrate the problem.

Inside the Right Wing's Not-So-Secret Plan for a Radical Takeover Apr 01, 2024

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Imagine the leaders of America's right wing sitting down and writing a plan for a radical re-shaping of American government and society, a blueprint to put in place if they manage to elect Donald Trump again. It actually happened. Today, we go inside 'Project 2025' with Ben Olinsky from the Center for American Progress Action Fund, and find out what's in the plan, and why on Earth if they have such an alarming set of ideas designed to scare swing voters they would ever write it down.

00:51 The Shocking Contents of Project 2025

04:17 Schedule F: Trump's Plan to Politicize the Federal Bureaucracy

09:14 Weaponizing the Department of Justice Under Trump

13:20 Immigration Policies in Project 2025: Expanding Expedited Removal

15:55 The Achievability of Project 2025's Goals

20:29 Hidden Agendas: Labor Policies and Christian Nationalism

24:07 The Strategy Behind Publicizing Project 2025

31:24 Defending Democracy: Strategies Against Project 2025

One Thing: How Daniel Kahneman Actually Changed the World Mar 29, 2024

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There were two significant deaths in the news on Wednesday: one got all the headlines, but the other one changed the world. And that's the one thing to pay attention to: how Daniel Kahneman led a quiet revolution in understanding how people think that is still rippling through the world and will for decades to come. He's even likely influenced the things you say and do.

We really want to know what you think. You can answer the poll question (on Spotify), or email us at matt.beyondpoliticspodcast@gmail.com.

Trump Just Made Billions. Does It Change Anything? Mar 29, 2024

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Donald Trump just made billions by taking his media company built on Truth Social public. Is that really going to change anything politically? Or in terms of the fact that he seemed to be nearly bankrupt at the beginning of the week? (01:09). Then the Ronna McDaniel saga at NBC where she got hired and promptly fired. Alicia Preston shuts down the Republican counter backlash in one line. (12:51) Also, which party should be more nervous about the rise of RFK Jr.(21:25) , the legacy of Joe Lieberman (24:46), AND, based on the news that Donald Trump is selling Trump-branded Bibles, we came up with our own list of Trump branded religious paraphernalia that he should try to sell next (28:45).

Wait, HOW Often Do Ships Run Into Bridges??? (Hint: A LOT) Mar 28, 2024

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Today, we're testing a new concept: 10 minute daily episodes highlighting the things happening in the news that are worthy of your attention, but that don't make the headline skim. The kind of important number or idea that somehow slips down 8 paragraphs in the story, or onto the back pages. Something that might make you think about the world a little differently, or help connect some dots that put current events in a new light.

We really want to know what you think. You can answer the poll question (on Spotify), or email us at matt.beyondpoliticspodcast@gmail.com.

Today, the thing to notice is the number 35. Earlier this week, a cargo ship lost power and plowed into the Francis Scott Key bridge in the port of Baltimore killing six bridge workers. The effects will ripple across America for years to come. But it's the number 35, tucked into a New York Times op-ed, that makes one think about the bigger role of the federal government and what it quietly does in the shadows.

He Stopped Trump from Stealing One Critical Swing State Mar 27, 2024

Show notes

Joe Khan was the lawyer for a critical swing county in Pennsylvania in 2020 when he noticed something...odd. He joins us to tell the story of how he and a group of lawyers banded together to defend the Pennsylvania election outcome - and ultimately American democracy - from the Trump onslaught. And now that he's running for Attorney General of Pennsylvania, what lessons will he apply in 2024, when Pennsylvania appears to be under even greater threat of Trump election interference?

01:30 The Early Signs of Election Interference in Pennsylvania

04:29 Building a Legal Coalition to Defend the Vote

09:01 Frontline Strategies: Preparing for Every Scenario

15:41 The Fight Against Social Media Giants

21:49 The Critical Role of the Attorney General in Future Elections

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