Hot Girl Briefing

Welcome to the Club! - Finland Joins NATO May 02, 2023

Hey y'all the Hot Girls are back! This week we are talking a bit more about alliances and NATO specifically! How does a country join NATO? Why is it such a big deal that Finland joined the alliance? What does this mean for Ukraine and Sweden? Find out the answers the these questions and more on this week's Hot Girl Briefing!

Beijing and the Two New Besties: Iran and Saudi Arabia Apr 04, 2023

Hey y'all! Super sorry we forgot to press the upload button! In this week's episode we are talking about the newly forming relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia. How does China fit into this? Why not someone else? What does this mean for the United States? Find out the answer to these questions and more on this week's episode of your Hot Girl Briefing!

South Korea and Japan's Blossoming Friendship Mar 27, 2023

Hey Hot Girls! Your hosts, Hunter and Erica are back! We do apologize, finals season and new work roles had us pressed but now we are back to talk about a different reunion! South Korea and Japan are on a new track of friendship starting out with a bang. What does this mean for the two countries? Why were they not vibing in the first place? Find out on this week's episode of your Hot Girl Briefing!

President's Day: Fun Presidential Facts Feb 21, 2023

Hi everybody! To celebrate President's Day here in the United States we wanted to head back to our roots and compile a list of fun/interesting facts about presidents and their lives at the White House and more. The funny, the goofy, the creepy, and the just no-fun, this episode has it all. Thank you all for tuning in and we will see you all next time for your Hot Girl Briefing.

Who Lost Their Balloon? The Chinese Spy Balloon Feb 06, 2023

Hi everybody! Welcome back to another episode of your Hot Girl Briefing! This week your hosts, Hunter and Erica, will be breaking down the topic of the Chinese Spy Balloon that has been quite the topic of conversation this last week. Was the balloon a weather research device or was it a spy device? What does this mean for US-China relations? How are politicians reacting to the balloon? Find out the answers to these questions and more on this week's episode of your Hot Girl Briefing!

The Ozone Layer is Back Baby! The Hot Girls Stan the Montreal Protocol Jan 31, 2023

Hi everybody! First of all, a giant thank you to everyone who made 300,000 listens possible! As we surpass a monumental number we wanted to bring in a feel-good episode as well! This week we will be talking about the ozone layer and how it is reported to be back on track to recovery per a United Nations (UN) report. What exactly happened to make a hole in the ozone layer? What happened in order to stop it and lead to recovery? Also, why do the Hot Girls stan the Montreal Protocol and what even is it? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this week's Hot Girl Briefing and we will see you on an all-new episode next week!

Sports Diplomacy and Soft Power Jan 25, 2023

Hi everybody! The Hot Girls are back again this week with an all-new episode. This week we talk about major sporting events and how they can help a country gain soft power! Are there any drawbacks? How did it work for China with the 2008 Beijing Olympics? What about Qatar with the 2022 World Cup? We will look at the stories that have come from both and see why there may be a difference. As always, for sourcing, please check out our website at hotgirlbriefing.com - and we will see you all next week for your Hot Girl Briefing!

Japan's Big New D...efense (we're shocked btw) Jan 10, 2023

Hey Hot Girls! This week your hosts, Erica and Hunter, are back with a new full-length episode! We will be talking about Japan's new defense strategy and why it is changing the security environment of East Asia like we have not seen before. How big is big for a defense strategy overhaul? Why shift strategy now, and what was the tipping point? Find out the answers to these questions and more on this week's episode of your Hot Girl Briefing!

Extra, Extra, Extradition! Dec 20, 2022

Hi everybody! The Hot Girls are back this week with another requested episode! This week we will be talking about everything extradition and how exactly it works! Turns out it's a bit more of a process than people think. How exactly does it work? Can you give up your right to not be extradited? What happens if you are arrested in a country without an extradition treaty? How does INTERPOL fit into all of this? Find out the answer to these questions and more on this week's briefing and leave with a little bit more knowledge of the high profile extraditions that are going on now!

Growing Unrest in China Dec 06, 2022

Hi everybody! The Hot Girls are officially back and off of sabbatical, so thank you all for being so understanding! This week we will be discussing an increase of protests in China! These stem from the 'zero Covid' policy which we did an episode on a while ago, so feel free to go and check out that episode here for more information! We are happy to back and can't wait to see you all next week!

Go Vote! Nov 08, 2022

Hey y’all we know we’ve been a bit MIA but we wanted to make an announcement for our American listeners to get out and vote! It is so important to do so and make sure that your voice is heard! With that, we will see you all on Monday for a brand new episode!

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization - Kiki's, Trip's Abroad, and Clause's Galore! Oct 04, 2022

Hi everybody! Thank you for your patience as the Hot Girls have been wrecked from the last week and this week! Thank you all for tuning in for this week's Hot Girl Briefing where your hosts, Hunter and Erica, will be discussing the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) . Who attended the overnight trip? Who had fun on it and who supplied the drama? Find out what got signed and how the world leaders of the SCO got along for their summit!

Space Force: Coming to a Country Near You? Sep 20, 2022

Hi everybody! This week we finally fixed Hunter's audio! In addition that we are talking about Space Forces! Which countries possess the ability to take down satellites? How can you even take down an adversary's satellite? Is this even legal? What rules are currently governing the whole concept of space? Find out the answers to these questions and more on this week's episode of your Hot Girl Briefing!

UNGA Resolution on Survivors of Sexual Violence Sep 13, 2022

This episode does contain a discussion pertaining to sexual assault and issues surrounding sexual assault. Please be advised of this before listening as this episode is rated as explicit to help serve as a possible trigger warning for those who may be uncomfortable with the discussion of the topic.

Hello everyone! The Hot Girls are back from our summer vacation this week with a more serious episode this week that we felt a need to talk on. We will be covering the recent resolution to come out of the United Nations General Assembly. This resolution is monumental for furthering the rights necessary to combat sexual assault and gender-based violence. As the tone of this episode will be more serious we hope to see further progress being made in the future on issues of sexual assault and gender-based violence and acknowledge that this is a movement in a positive direction. Thank you all for tuning in and we hope we can leave every listener a little more informed than they were before the episode! We will see you all next Monday for a brand new episode of your Hot Girl Briefing.

Update on the Philippine Election Aug 24, 2022

Hello everyone! This week your hosts, Erica and Hunter, will discuss updates regarding the recent Presidential election in the Philippines! Come and check out all the new drama and scandals that have come to the surface since we last talked! How is the new President doing? How has he reckoned with the legacy of the past administration? Is China or the United States the new bestie? Find out the answer to these questions and more in this week's Hot Girl Briefing!

The Trip To Taiwan & Our Incoming Patreon Aug 10, 2022

Hey everybody! Big news! The Hot Girls will be setting up a Patreon with exclusive content at the end of this month! Erica and Hunter discuss the incoming Patreon and how the content there will be slightly different from what we're used to on the pod! For this week's episode, we will be giving y'all a bit of insight into how we imagine the Patreon episodes will be structured with a little less sourcing and a little more of our personal opinions and thoughts on specific events, and policies, or issues in domestic and foreign affairs. For this episode, we will discuss House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her visit to Taiwan, and the Chinese Ambassador to the United States, Qin Gang, and his thoughts on the matter. As always, thank you all so much for tuning in and we will see you all next week on another episode of Hot Girl Briefing!

The International Space Station - Out of this World Aug 02, 2022

Hey everybody! First! Please let us know on Spotify or our other social media or website what y'all want to be called as an audience! This week your hosts, Hunter and Erica, will be discussing the International Space Station AKA the ISS. Have you ever wondered how it came to be? How did the United States and Europe end up collaborating with Russia as well as Japan and Canada? What exactly are Canada's integral contributions to the ISS? How exactly do all of these entities cooperate and who is the head boss? Check out the answer to these questions and more on this week's Hot Girl Briefing!

Shinzo Abe and His Legacies Jul 26, 2022

Hey everybody! Thank you all for tuning into another episode of your Hot Girl Briefing! This week we will be covering Shinzo Abe and his legacies. Shinzo Abe was the Prime Minister of Japan from 2012 to 2020 and left behind large shoes to fill. As an effective leader and organizer in the international system, Abe's legacy is positively thought of when it comes to Japanese foreign policy. We will talk about Abe's career as a whole in this episode and what exactly it means for Japan. Once again, thank you all for tuning in and we will see you all next week for another episode of your Hot Girl Briefing!

The Great Political Resignation Jul 12, 2022

Hello everyone! So we've all heard of the great resignation with everyone resigning from corporate girly status but turns out government leaders and employees are doing the same. Now there may be a scandal or two, or maybe even several, BUT politicians and government employees are resigning in the month of July. Not only has the UK seen Boris Johnson speak on his soon-to-be resignation, but Sri Lanka's President Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe have also signaled that they will be resigning in the near future. Three powerful politicians in one week? Oh, wait there's more? How about the 300+ Virginia government employees that have resigned? And to think the month of July isn't even halfway over. Check out this episode to hear all about scandals and floundering policy to learn why these politicians and government employees are on their way out of office. Thank you all so much for tuning in Hot Girls and we will see you all next week for another episode of your Hot Girl Briefing!

Summit of the Americas Jul 07, 2022

Hello everybody! After the holiday weekend, your Hot Girl hosts are back! This week we are talking about the Summit of the Americas! Ever heard of it? That's okay if you didn't because we are here to talk about it from its birth to just this last month's summit! Check in with us as we spill the tea on why the President of Mexico said that he would not be in attendance and why the Biden administration had to commit a party faux pas and call certain guests to make sure they would even be RSVPing. Turns out the Western hemisphere and specifically, Latin America has some disdain over the US-hosted summit this time around. As always, thank you for tuning in and we will see you all next week for another episode of your Hot Girl Briefing!

Gun Control Legislation Jun 28, 2022

Hello everyone! The Hot Girls are back! We will be discussing gun control legislation in the United States as well as gun control abroad! We will be looking at studies as well as overall policy that is being discussed in the debate on regulations concerning firearms. Thank you all for listening and we will see you all next week for another episode of Hot Girl Briefing!

The Hot Girls Are Back! Jun 28, 2022

Thank you to all of our loyal fans who have checked in and have been wanting more of the pod! After a bit of summer vacay, school is back in session at Hot Girl Briefing and your Hot Girls, Erica and Hunter, are here to brief you all. Thank you so much for tuning in and check out our newest episode on video!

Keep It Brief - Baby Formula Shortage and Monopoly Jun 01, 2022

Hello everybody! On this not so brief Keep It Brief, we will be discussing the baby formula shortage! How did we get here? Could it be because of putting our eggs in one basket? Maybe a little bit of a monopoly on the market? What about tariffs? Find out how this whole situation came to be on this week's episode of your Hot Girl Briefing!

American Exceptionalism Part II May 26, 2022

Hi everybody! We are back for part two of our American Exceptionalism episode and are happy to be talking more about the concept! In this episode, we talk about some of the myths of American exceptionalism as well as where else in the world we have seen such a concept arise. Turns out it's not just an American ideal but other countries have some quite similar concepts! Thank you all for tuning in and we will see you all on Monday for a Keep It Brief!

American Exceptionalism Part I May 24, 2022

Hello everybody! This week your hosts, Hunter and Erica, will be engaging in a talk about American exceptionalism! How does this play into America's image domestically? What about in the international system? Is America holding itself to a standard that is different from what it expects from the rest of the world? How can we reconcile those two views? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this first part of our episode on American exceptionalism and soft power!

Keep It BRI - A Recap and Farewell May 19, 2022

Hello everybody! On this special sendoff episode you hosts, Hunter and Erica, will going through and providing a recap and key takeaways on what we have learned throughout our Keep It BRI segment dedicated to China's one and only Belt and Road Initiative. We will be discussing past episode's key takeaways ranging from specific sector areas, renewable energy infrastructure, how we can compare China's lending style, where China is investing, specific regional focuses, how the One China Principle impacts the Belt and Road, the debt trap myth, to what exactly even is the Belt and Road Initiative? We really do want to thank you all for tuning in every episode and making this our most popular segment to date and hope that you all do understand our moving back to one episode a week. Thank you all so much and do not worry, our transition back to once a week episodes is not going to be cold turkey, as next week we will be releasing a two part episode coming out on Monday and Thursday to help us transition to our new schedule. Once again, thank you all so much and we cannot wait for this new era in Hot Girl Briefing history and can't wait to see you on Monday!

Keep It Brief - Hawai'i Naval Water Contamination May 17, 2022

Hello everyone, on this episode of your Keep It Brief we are talking about the current water contamination in Hawai'i! The US Navy is currently overseeing efforts to defuel and help solve the ongoing water crisis after one of its fuel tanks has leaked. Tune in to hear more on the situation and how the Pentagon has been dealing with this process throughout. Thank you for listening and we will see you all on Thursday!

Denmark - Country Analysis May 13, 2022

Hello everyone! Thank you all so much for tuning in for all of our country analysis segments! We will be shelving our country analysis segment (but don't worry we will make sure to drop in some surprise episodes now and then for all of you Hot Girls ;) ) for the time being! We decided to pick Denmark as our final country for the segment to really get down to the root of this segment! There is always something in a country's domestic politics that does not make the news and we sure do have it for the Hot Girls. Once again, thank you all so much and we can't say how appreciative we are for everyone giving this segment so much love! See you all on Monday for a Keep It Brief segment!

The 4 Day Workweek - The New Norm? May 10, 2022

Hi everybody! This week we will be talking about changes in labor, specifically, the four-day workweek! This is not only an ongoing topic in America but also in other countries such as Japan and Spain! Hear about the pros and the cons and how this is starting to take shape as a global labor trend! Thanks so much for tuning in and we will see you all on Thursday!

Keep It BRI - Renewable Energy & A Green Girl Summer May 05, 2022

Hi everybody! We all want a green girl summer but what exactly is China doing about that through the Belt and Road? The BRI knows coal is going out of style so China has to combat that but how? Is it through wind farms? Nuclear power plants? Solar energy projects? What is so special about Argentina? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of your Hot Girl Briefing!

Keep It Brief - The Philippines' 2022 Election May 02, 2022

Hi everybody! This episode we will be talking about the upcoming election in the Philippines! This election is filled with information that seems a little similar to America's past few presidential elections in terms of alleged scandals, political dynasties, as well as foreign policy as a core issue. Thank you all for tuning in and we will see you all on Thursday for a new episode of our Keep It BRI segment!

The United Nations - The Revised Draft Apr 28, 2022

Hi everybody! As a follow-up to our League of Nations episode (if you haven't listened to that yet, check it out!), we wanted to give a brief overview of the United Nations. We will be going over the history of the United Nations, the main bodies of the UN, specialized agencies, funds and programs, and other related bodies! Specifically talking about the Security Council and why it was created as well as how the UN differs from the League of Nations. Count how many times Geneva is mentioned in this episode and we will make sure to give you a shoutout on our next episode if you can keep track!

Thank you all so much for tuning in for this special episode of your Hot Girl Briefing! Stay hot and stay informed and we will see you all on Monday!

The League of Nations - The UN's Rough Draft Apr 25, 2022

Hi everybody! Ever wondered about what came before the United Nations? Ever heard of the League of Nations? What about Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points? Check out our thoughts on what the biggest takeaways (positives and negatives) of the League of Nations are and how they helped to shape the modern international system! See you all on Thursday for a special follow-up episode on the United Nations!

Ethiopia - Country Analysis Apr 21, 2022

Hi everybody! This week we decided to take a further look into Ethiopia! How does Ethiopia stack up to its neighbors? What about their history with Italy? What about the time? Come and get some more information in this week's Country Analysis!

Keep It Brief - Homing Pigeons Apr 18, 2022

Hey everybody! This week we will be discussing the drama that went on in Washington back in the 1940s over homing pigeons of all things! Why was there drama? Who got the War Department involved? Did FDR like the pigeons? WHO IS Cher Ami?? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this week's Keep It Brief!

Keep It BRI - Latin America and the Digital Silk Road Apr 14, 2022

Hey everybody! On this week's segment covering the Belt and Road Initiative, your hosts will be discussing the digital component of the BRI in Latin America! How does China invest in Latin America? What are the big projects we have seen so far? How is the United States reacting to this investment? What else can we expect in the future? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this week's Keep It BRI! Thank you all so much for tuning in and we will see you all next Monday for a Keep It Brief!

How Gas Prices Are Set Apr 11, 2022

Hi everybody! Every wonder how gas prices are set? How much does the President of the United States have to do with these prices? Does OPEC play a role? What about the oil and gas companies? Find out the answers to these questions and more! Thank you all for tuning in and we will see you all on Thursday!

New Zealand - Country Analysis Apr 07, 2022

Hi everybody! This week we will take a deep dive into New Zealand! Learn the capabilities and current allegiances that New Zealand has in addition to their ongoing domestic issues. Thank you all so much for tuning in and we will see you on Monday!

Keep It Brief - Save The Daylight Apr 04, 2022

Hi everybody! This week we will be discussing the bill that was recently passed by the Senate regarding Daylight Saving Time! How would this impact America? Why is this a thing? Who supports it? Who hates it? Find out the answers to these questions and more on this weeks Keep It Brief!

Keep It BRI - China's Lending Style Apr 01, 2022

Hi everybody! So we know that China lends a lot of money to other countries but how does it lend to those countries? Does it have its own prerogative or can we see similarities elsewhere? Check out the episode to find out and we will catch you on Monday for a Keep It Brief!

African Trade and US Investment Mar 29, 2022

Hi everybody! This week your hosts, Erica and Hunter, will discuss trade in Africa and how the United States is investing and trading with Africa! We will be looking at how other countries or blocs have influenced African development and trade as well as looking at how the continent trades within itself. Thank you all for tuning in and we will see you on Thursday for a new episode of our Keep It BRI segment!

Delayed Episode Mar 28, 2022

Hi everybody! We do apologize for the delay but we will be putting out our full-length episode tomorrow on Tuesday the 29th, rather than today on our normal schedule of today on Monday. Thank you for bearing with us and we will see you all tomorrow!

Japan - Country Analysis Mar 24, 2022

Hi everybody! In this episode, your hosts, Hunter and Erica, will be discussing everything you need to know about Japan. Covering everything from an aging population, to a heavy work culture, to fun facts provided by your lovely host Erica. Thank you all for listening and we will see you all on Monday!

Keep It Brief - Reactions to CFR's "Five Good Foreign Policy News Stories in 2021" Mar 21, 2022

Hi everybody! This week your hosts, Hunter and Erica, will be discussing the Council on Foreign Relations, "Five Good Foreign Policy News Stories in 2021". We will be running through the top 5 as well as the honorable mentions and getting into a bit of a Hot Girl take on each of them to bring a bit of positivity to the pod. As always, thank you so much for tuning in and we will see you all on Thursday for our country analysis segment!

Keep It BRI - Getting Railroaded Mar 17, 2022

Hi everybody! This episode we will be discussing how the war instigated by Russia in Ukraine is impacting the Belt and Road Initiative. What does the war mean for China? How will China go forward with the BRI? Does the war mean that a piece of the BRI is failing? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Keep It BRI!

Ukraine, Russia, and the World with Dr. Paul Kubicek Mar 14, 2022

Hello everybody! This episode we will be covering any and all updates from the current conflict in Ukraine with the one and only, Dr. Paul Kubicek. Heavily discussed will be President Putin's viewpoint of the world, potential solutions to ending the conflict, as well as what we might expect in the future. Thank you all for tuning in and we will continue to provide updates on the ongoing conflict.

Country Analysis: Haiti - Trouble In Paradise Mar 10, 2022

Hello everybody! This week's country analysis we will be discussing Haiti! A country that started out hopeful with large potential, Haiti has been limited in its development from a number of factors. How does it rank in the international system today? Who is the President? Check out these answers and more on this country analysis!

Kazakhstan's Russian Itinerary with Tyler Murray Mar 07, 2022

Hello everybody! This week the hosts of Hot Girl Briefing are joined by Tyler Murray to talk about Kazakhstan and the recent civil unrest that has occurred within its borders. We will also be discussing how Kazakhstan fits into the larger regional order, especially with how Kazakhstan works with Russia. Thank you all so much for tuning in and we will see you on Thursday for our country analysis episode!

Keep It BRI - Burkina Faso and the Taiwan Issue Mar 03, 2022

Hi everybody! In this episode on your biweekly Belt and Road segment we will be discussing Burkina Faso and the Taiwan issue. We will be discussing how the timeline of Chinese BRI investment lines up with Burkina Faso recognizing the One-China Principle. Thank you all for tuning in and we will see you all on Monday for a full-length episode!

Keep It Brief - Catholic Church Baptism Bamboozle Feb 28, 2022

Hello everybody! This week on our Keep It Brief we will be discussing the recent events in the Catholic Church where Baptisms have been invalidated due to incorrect phrasings. How does religion have an impact on policy and what does this mean for the Holy See? Find out the answer to these questions and more on this week's episode of your Hot Girl Briefing!

Albania - Country Analysis Feb 24, 2022

Hello everybody! This week your hosts will be discussing Albania! How does Albania stack up to other countries? Have you ever heard about how nearly two-thirds of a country were part of a pyramid scheme? We have the stats and the stories on this week's country analysis. Thank you for tuning in and we will see you next Monday for a Keep It Brief!

Burkina Faso - The Latest Coup Feb 21, 2022

Hello everyone! This episode we will be discussing the latest coup in Africa that has taken place in Burkina Faso. Your hosts will be discussing what has ultimately led to the coup, who the key players are, and a bit of history surrounding coups in the region. Thank you so much for tuning in and we will see you on Thursday for another country analysis!

Keep It BRI - Port of Piraeus Feb 17, 2022

Hi everybody! This week we will be discussing the Port of Piraeus! We know we have talked about the Greek port in passing in some of our Belt and Road Initiative episodes but this week we wanted to take a deep dive and discuss why this port is so important to China's Belt and Road plans. Thank you for tuning in and we will see you all on Monday for a full length episode!

Keep It Brief - Canadian Trucker Blockade Feb 14, 2022

Hello everybody! On this week's Keep It Brief segment we will be discussing the ongoing trucker blockades in Canada! Why are these blockades happening? What does this mean for supply chains? Should we expect more? Find out the answers to these questions and more in the episode! We will see you all on Thursday for a Keep It BRI!

Update on the Hot Girl Briefing Team Feb 11, 2022

Hello all, we are truly sorry that there will not be an episode being dropped today! Sickness has come for the Hot Girls at Hot Girl Briefing so we will be dropping the country analysis episode as soon as we record it which will hopefully be sometime this weekend! Thank you all so much for bearing with us and we do apologize! We hope to see you all VERY soon.

Hawaii - Perfect Getaway or Illegal Occupation? Feb 07, 2022

Hello everyone! Thank you for tuning in to today's episode where we will be discussing the history of Hawaii. How was Hawaii incorporated into the United States? What led up to Hawaii's last queen? Why do we at the pod love President Cleveland so much? Find out the answer to these questions and more this episode. We will see you all on Thursday for a country analysis!

Keep It Brief - Ukraine Update Jan 31, 2022

Hello everybody! We at Hot Girl Briefing wanted to fill all of you in on any and all updates on Ukraine since our last episode! We will be discussing the talks that were happening immediately following our first episode on Ukraine, new troop movements, additional aid, and more. Thank you all for tuning in and we will see you all on Thursday for a Keep It BRI!

Venezuela - Country Analysis Jan 27, 2022

Hi everybody! This week on our country analysis we will be discussing Venezuela! We will be discussing the domestic capacities, domestic leadership, as well as Venezuela in foreign policy! How much control over Venezuela does Nicolas Maduro have? Is Venezuela a military contender? Who are Venezuela's allies in the global system? Find out the answer to these questions and more in our latest episode! See you all on Monday!

China's Covid Policy - No Covid Allowed Jan 24, 2022

Hello everybody! Welcome to another episode of your hosts, Hunter and Erica, talking about China. This week we will be discussing China's "Zero Covid" policy and how we got here. How did the SARS pandemic shape Chinese policy? Is it possible to eliminate Covid? What are the current policies for Covid in China? Find out these answers and more in today's episode! Thank you all for tuning in and we will see you all on Thursday for a new country analysis episode!

Keep It BRI - The EU Component Jan 20, 2022

Hello everybody! This week we will be exploring the Belt and Road and how it relates to the European Union as well as the countries that compose Europe as a continent! We will be discussing the recently unveiled Global Global Strategy offered by the EU as a global infrastructure alternative to the Belt and Road. We will also be discussing some of the main Belt and Road projects in Europe such as the Piraeus Port in Greece. Thank you all for tuning in and we will see you all on Monday for a full length episode!

Keep It Brief - 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics Jan 17, 2022

Hi everybody! This week for your Keep It Brief, your hosts will be discussing the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Have y'all every heard of a diplomatic boycott? Get familiarized this episode and listen in on the who's who of this boycott and who won't be attending the Olympics this time around and the reasons different countries are giving for their RSVPs. Thank you all for tuning in and we will see you all on Thursday for a Keep It BRI!

Analysis: Turkey Tea Time feat. Dr. Paul Kubicek Jan 13, 2022

Hi everybody! Thank you all for tuning into our newest segment of individual country analysis. We are fortunate this week to be joined by the lovely Dr. Paul Kubicek who has extensive knowledge in Turkey. We will be discussing the domestic strengths, issues, and capabilities of Turkey as well as looking into how these domestic constraints and capabilities impact Turkey's foreign policy as well as examining what exactly Turkey's foreign policy ambitions are. Thank you all for tuning in and PLEASE ANSWER THE Q/A ON SPOTIFY IF YOU ARE A SPOTIFY LISTENER as this will help us better construct episodes for all of y'all! We will see you all on Monday for a Keep It Brief so have a great weekend y'all!

Ukrainian Security - Crying Over Crimea? feat Dr. Paul Kubicek Jan 10, 2022

Hello everybody! For the first time ever, your hosts will be joined by a subject matter expert! Join us in welcoming Dr. Paul Kubicek! Dr. Kubicek will be assisting your hosts in covering Ukraine's past relationship with Russia, the annexation of Crimea, the current security threats from Russia towards Ukraine and more. We are so excited to have had Dr. Kubicek on the podcast and we hope that you all do too. We will see you THIS Thursday for the start of a brand new segment on individual country analysis starting with Turkey! Thank you all for tuning in and we will see you on Thursday!

Keep It BRI - Evergrande and How Domestic Policy Impacts the BRI Jan 06, 2022

Hi everybody! First, welcome to the new year! This week your hosts will be discussing the ongoing situation with the Chinese conglomerate Evergrande and its financial hardship. Find out why the fall of this domestic conglomerate is such an issue for China's foreign policy goals and what China can do to mitigate a crisis. Thank you for tuning in and we cannot wait to see you all on Monday for our first ever episode with a guest!

New Year Update Jan 03, 2022

Hello everybody! Due to the holiday season, we will not have a new Keep It Brief releasing today but we will be back to our regularly scheduled content on Thursday with a Keep It BRI. Thank you all so much for tuning in to your Hot Girl Briefing and we hope that you have had a great start to the New Year so far!

Taiwan - One China or Two? Dec 27, 2021

Hi everybody! This week your hosts will be discussing Taiwan and the intricacies involved between China, Taiwan, and the United States. How did the feud between China and Taiwan start? Why is the United States in a defensive agreement with Taiwan? Is Taiwan even recognized as a country? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this week's episode! Thank you all for tuning in and we will see you with new episodes in the new year!

Keep It BRI - What Gets Invested Into? Dec 23, 2021

Hi everybody! On our last episode of Keep It BRI we discussed who gets Belt and Road investment and this week we will be discussing what gets invested into within the Belt and Road Initiative. We will be discussing the different sectors of investment and how many projects have been designated within these sectors including private security! Thank you all so much for tuning in and we will see you next week for a full length episode of your Hot Girl Briefing!

Keep It Brief - Illegal Organ Trade Dec 20, 2021

Hi everybody! This week your hosts will explore the illegal organ trade and the implications of it! We will be discussing the one and only country that allows for legal organ trade, Iran, and will also talk about what we might see in the future. Thank you all for tuning in and we will see you on Thursday for a Keep It BRI!

The Pandora Papers - Part Two Dec 16, 2021

Hi everybody! First like last week we would like to insert the disclaimer that neither of your hosts are financial or legal advisors and nothing mentioned during this podcast is meant to be taken as advice whether that be financially or legally. In this episode, we will discuss the three main institutions that were discussed in the Pandora Papers and how they impact the international economic order. Thank you all so much for tuning in and please let us know on Spotify if you would like more episodes on the topic of the Pandora Papers! See you all on Monday!

The Pandora Papers - Part One Dec 13, 2021

Hi everybody! This week we will be discussing the Pandora Papers and what exactly they are while relating to the international system. In this first part, we will focus on what precisely the Pandora Papers are and how they came to be and understand who some of the major actors named in the papers. We would like to once again say that we will be sourcing very heavily from the ICIJ and that they are the sourcing for this week's episode. We also will reiterate that we are neither legal nor financial advisors and we are not giving out any legal or financial advice at any point throughout the episode and any commentary should not be taken as such. Thank you all for listening and tune in on Thursday for Part Two of the Panama Papers!

Keep It BRI - Who Gets Invested Into? Dec 09, 2021

Hi everybody! This week your hosts will discuss who actually is receiving Belt and Road investments! Is the stereotypical country a low-income country that just receives energy infrastructure or are the BRI investments a little bit more nuanced than that? Find out when you tune in and we will see you all on Monday for a full-length episode of your Hot Girl Briefing!

Update on Danny Fenster! Dec 07, 2021

Hi everybody! We are bringing you an update on Danny Fenster who was mentioned in our episode on The Rules Based Order! Danny Fenster is a journalist who was imprisoned in Myanmar after the military takeover of the Myanmar government. Check out the episode titled "You Can't Sit With Us - The Rules Based Order" for more background and context on the case. We are happy to finally have a resolution to our infamous "wait and see" endings of an episode and to have it be a positive situation! Welcome home Danny!

Keep It Brief - Chip Shortage Dec 06, 2021

Hi everybody! This week we will be discussing the chip shortage! Your hosts will dive into what the chip shortage is, why there is a chip shortage, and what solutions to the shortage we might see in the future. As always, thank you so much for tuning in, and please give us a comment on our social media about how you have been impacted by the chip shortage!

Keep It BRI - Djibouti Dec 03, 2021

Hi everybody! This week on your Keep It BRI segment, Hunter and Erica will be discussing the latest and greatest (and the only) offshore military base of China's located in Djibouti! Are there more bases to come? What about the United States military base located in Djibouti as well? Tune in and hear your hosts discuss it all. We will see you all next week on our regularly scheduled programming of a Keep It Brief and another Keep It BRI!

COP26 - Environmental Revolution? Nov 29, 2021

Hi everybody! This week your hosts, Erica and Hunter, will be discussing the most recent world conversation on climate change which is COP26! The summit was held in Glasgow and we will be going over the highlights, what was agreed to, what was missing, and what should be thought of going ahead in regards to climate change! Stay tuned this week for an episode of Keep It BRI so we can catch up from the holiday and return to our normal release schedule next week! Let us know in the comments on our social media what you do to help fight against climate change and be more eco-friendly!

Keep It Brief - Kony 2012 Nov 22, 2021

Hello everybody! Today we wanted to revisit the viral sensation of Kony 2012 and talk about it a little more in-depth than how most of us heard it in 2012. We will be talking about an update with the Kony 2012 situation as well as what we can take away from the entire viral event of 2012. Thank you so much for joining us and please let us know your experience with Kony 2012! We will see you all on Thursday morning for a new episode of Keep It BRI.

Free Trade - Just Enough Cheddar Nov 15, 2021

Hi everybody! Your hosts, Hunter and Erica, will be taking you on a journey through America's greatest hits with free trade. Every wanted to know what the differences between NAFTA and the USMCA are? Look no further. While there may be clashes over dairy, we will look at why free trade is beneficial to the global system and why the United States engages in these agreements. Thank you all for tuning in and we will see you next week for our Keep It Brief and Keep It BRI segments!

Keep It BRI - Chinese Private Security Firms Nov 11, 2021

Hey everybody! This episode we wanted to talk about Chinese private security firms and how they relate to the Belt and Road Initiative! Join your hosts, Hunter and Erica, on an exploration of how private security firms relate to the BRI, whether this is a new form or overseas militant forces, and whether or not we should see this trend continuing in the future! Thank you all for tuning in and if you are listening to this episode on Spotify please make sure to comment what you would like to hear about on this series for the future! Also check out our new website at hotgirlbriefing.com for the latest source material for this episode! Have a great weekend and we will see you all on Monday with a full length episode of your Hot Girl Briefing!

Keep It Brief - Concert Safety Nov 08, 2021

Hi everybody! After the horrible events that occurred at Astroworld, your hosts Hunter and Erica thought that it would be imperative to bring up the topic of public safety! As it relates to concerts we can see alleged problems with logistics as well as past behaviors that may have contributed to the mass casualty event of Astroworld 2021. Hopefully after this conversation we may be able to see some new pathways for change to our public safety system to ensure that such an event never happens again. Thank you all for tuning in and we will see you on Thursday for a Keep It BRI!

A Hippopotamus Sized Update! Nov 01, 2021

Hello everybody! In a bombshell of an update your hosts, Erica and Hunter, are here to supply you with the latest and greatest information! Have you been keeping up with the hippos of South America? Don't you worry because we have! In this special update episode we will talk about the updated status and methods of dealing with the hippos that Pablo Escobar has left behind as well as how they ended up with their own court case in the United States! Thank you all for tuning into this special episode and we will see you all next week on our Keep It Brief and Keep It BRI episodes!

South China Sea - The West Philippine Sea? Nov 01, 2021

Hi everybody! Welcome to another episode of your Hot Girl Briefing! This week your hosts, Hunter and Erica will be talking about the South China Sea. We will go over a timeline of recent events, the shift of US foreign policy to the Asia-Pacific region, as well as bring in a surprise update relating to one of our first episodes. This episode has been suggested to us by one of our loyal listeners and we would like to extend a thank you to said listener! Please let us know if there are any topics that you would like to have us cover and we will most definitely take them into consideration! Thank you all for tuning in and we will see you next week on a Keep it Brief and a new Keep it BRI!

Keep It BRI - The Debt Trap Oct 28, 2021

Hello everyone! Welcome to the first episode of our new Keep It BRI series where we talk all things Belt and Road Initiative! This week we will be talking about the infamous debt trap and whether or not we should give this take much airtime. From Sri Lanka to Malaysia we will be giving examples of how the BRI is interacting with these other countries and what we have seen thus far. Thank you for tuning in and we are excited to see you all next week for another episode!

Keep It Brief - DC! News Oct 25, 2021

Hi everybody! This week you hosts, Erica and Hunter, will be discussing celebrity opinions on politics and what that means for their followers! We will be talking about he impact this has had on politics and why we have seen such a rise in celebrities talking politics lately. We also have a very special announcement at the end of this weeks episode that you won't want to miss! Thank you all for tuning in and we will see you all very soon!

Nuclear Weapons - Duck and Cover Oct 18, 2021

Hi everybody! After a busy work and school week, your hosts Hunter and Erica are back at it again this week talking about all things nuclear! Hear about different treaties, the tactical abilities of nuclear weapons, and some new terms for the pod in the realm of nuclear weapons. Thank you for tuning in and remember to please rate, review, and subscribe! It really does help with our listenership to find new listeners! We will see you all next week for a Keep It Brief episode!

Keep It Brief - China's Population Policies Oct 04, 2021

Hi everybody! This week your hosts, Hunter and Erica will be discussing China's population policies. We will cover legal policies, the cultural reasons behind population demographics and birth rates, and how exactly this policy issue may be remedied! Thank you all for tuning in and please remember to rate, review, and subscribe - it really does help us reach new listeners! We will see you all next week for a full length episode of your Hot Girl Briefing!

Immigration - "How?" Sep 27, 2021

Hi everybody! This week your hosts Erica and Hunter will be discussing immigration. We will be comparing and contrasting this administration's and lasts policies to understand how they differ and how they are the same. We talk fundamentals and issues with both President Trump's and President Biden's immigration policies and have to wonder why we have not seen more policies enacted with the current administration. Thank you so much for tuning in and we look forward to seeing you all next week for a Keep It Brief!

Keep It Brief - When In Rome Statute: The International Criminal Court Sep 21, 2021

Hi everybody, your hosts Hunter and Erica apologize for the delay in the episodes! This week we will be talking about the Rome Statute and the International Criminal Court. Find out why the US is not party to the Rome Statute despite having a heavy hand in it's creation and enjoy a bit of a throwback to 2012. Thanks so much for tuning in and we can't wait to see you all next week for a full length episode!

US Alliances - You CAN Sit With Us Sep 13, 2021

Hi everybody! This week your hosts talk all things alliances ranging from Five Eyes to The Quad to NATO. Be prepared for some fun facts about intelligence collection, Tsunami documentary recommendations, and overall thoughts on alliances. Thank you guys so much for tuning in and we will see you next week with a Keep It Brief episode!

Keep It Brief - Quirky Policies Sep 06, 2021

Hey everybody! Welcome back to another Keep It Brief with your hosts, Hunter and Erica! Have you ever wondered why some policies exist? Or even better which policies are the quirkiest? Well fret no more as we have brought you policies from the Royals, to the Presidents of The United States to show you a plethora. Your hosts also take a bit of a dive into the ever so popular on this podcast theory, the Shopping Cart Theory. Thanks so much for tuning in and also thank you to all of the international listeners! We appreciate each and every listener we have so thank you all so much for helping us make this a global experience of a podcast. See you all next week for a full length episode!

Afghanistan - The 'Forever War' Aug 30, 2021

Hi everybody! This week your hosts are back after a quick break! We will be talking about the ongoing situation with Afghanistan looking at where things started and how we got to where we are today. You will receive a breakdown of what might be to come and how exactly this event will impact The United States and others. Thank you so much for tuning in and we will see you all next week for an episode of Keep It Brief!

Keep It Brief - The Tokyo Olympics Aug 16, 2021

Hi everybody! This week your hosts, Erica and Hunter discuss the Tokyo Olympics and how they relate to foreign policy! Whether it's behind the scenes drama or a very large sum of money, there's more to the Olympics than sits on the surface level. We find out how important the Olympics are in soft power and why a state may want to beat another in having the first 'post-pandemic games' and hear about a bit of scandal as well. Thank you all for tuning in and we will see you next week with a full length episode!

Model UN - The Origin Story (Bonus Episode) Aug 11, 2021

Hey everybody! Surprise, surprise, this is an episode your hosts, Hunter and Erica, have been wanting to do for a while now. We wanted to share a bit about our past experience with Model UN (MUN for all the cool kids out there) since it is how we met and the reason why we became such good friends. In this episode you'll hear some of our favorite experiences as well as some tips and tricks we picked up along the way. Whether you're new to Model UN or could just use a refresher course hopefully this will be a good episode for you to listen to or even just learn about what Model UN is! If you enjoy this episode please let us know and we will make more like it in the future! Have a great rest of your week and tune in next Monday for our next Keep It Brief episode.

You Can't Sit With Us - The Rules Based Order Aug 09, 2021

Hi everybody, this week your hosts Hunter and Erica will be discussing the international rules based order. The concept itself is bit of a mouthful but we will take a dive into exploring this phenomenon of reciprocity between various international actors with some real world examples. Let us know what you all think of the episode and how we can improve, the feedback really does make a difference! See you all next week for a Keep It Brief episode!

Keep It Brief - Presidential Emergencies Aug 03, 2021

Hi everybody! This week your hosts will discuss presidential emergencies and how they are protected whether that is in a bunker, riding in a car, or five stories deep in the ground. Turns out the President has options. Thank you all for tuning in and we can't wait to see you all next week!

The New Silk Road - China's Belt and Road Initiative Jul 26, 2021

Hi everybody! This week your hosts, Hunter and Erica, will discuss the latest and greatest foreign policy made in China. You might have heard about the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in the news but here you can get a bit of a deeper understanding as to how it relates to the world. Thank you so much for tuning in and please leave us a rate and review on whatever platform you are listening from (maybe a subscribe if you're really liking the podcast too), it helps us reach other listeners! Have a great week and we will see you next week for another Keep It Brief!

Keep It Brief - Rainbow Capitalism Jul 19, 2021

Hi everybody! Isn't it just oh so funny how every logo turns to rainbow colored for the month of June but the second it hits July 1st the rainbows disappear? In this week's podcast your hosts, Erica and Hunter will take a dive into rainbow capitalism and discuss how profits and political correctness can go hand in hand. Thanks for tuning in and leave us a rate and review wherever you're listening from. See you all next Monday for a full length episode!

Vaxed and Waxed - Vaccine Passports Jul 12, 2021

Hi everybody! Welcome back to another fun filled weekly episode with your hosts, Erica and Hunter! This week we will be talking vaccine passports and if you might see them coming to a government office near you. What are the problems with a vaccine passport and could the world really adopt these vaccine passports? Let's listen and find out while our hosts work through these questions and more. Please feel free to rate and review the pod wherever you are listening to it from, it helps other people find us! This has been your Hot Girl Briefing.

Keep It Brief - D.C. Statehood Jul 07, 2021

Hi everyone, thank you for bearing with us for the delay on the episode as we abide by national observances of holidays! We hope you all had a happy fourth and are ready to get back into engaging in some good old American patriotism through talking about Washington D.C. and it's potential statehood. As always, Erica and Hunter will be providing you with the latest updates and their own takes on the issue at hand and will be making sure you're up to date. Please don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe as it really does help out the podcast reach a larger audience. See you all next week for a full length episode. This has been your Hot Girl Briefing.

Ice or No Ice? - The Arctic Jun 28, 2021

Join your host's Erica and Hunter this week on a trip to the Arctic to talk foreign policy! In one of the coolest rising issues in foreign policy we will examine why this area is heating up in a big way to a number of countries and organizations. As always, thank you so much for listening and we hope you enjoy the episode!

Keep It Brief - The Supreme Court Jun 21, 2021

Hi everybody! This week Erica and Hunter will be keeping it brief on the topic of the Supreme Court! We have some pretty interesting facts about the Supreme Court and want to share them with all of you. Thank you for once again tuning in to your weekly briefing, we will be back next Monday with a full length episode!

P.S. Thank you all for bearing with us throughout our beginning times of podcasting so that we are able to one day (hopefully very soon) get a grip on how to best record our audio.

Keep It Brief - Invasive Species Jun 15, 2021

This week for our Keep It Brief minisode, Erica and Hunter will talk about invasive species and how detrimental they can be to the environment around them. Is there a specific policy that can be made to combat all invasive species or is it just a bit more nuanced than that? Once again we thank you for tuning in and supporting the podcast and can not wait for our new Keep It Brief to come out next Monday, June 21st.

Introduction to Theory Jun 15, 2021

Hi everybody and welcome to our introductory episode where we will be going over some terms to know and some different theories that we will be utilizing to examine policy in future episodes. While we know this is a heavy episode and a bit longer than our normal episodes, we felt as though it is important to get the ball rolling with some common ground for how to examine policy to help us on our journey with future policies we will be looking at. We thank you so much for tuning in and will also be releasing a Keep It Brief episode (one of our minisodes if you will) to truly showcase how we would like to have the vibe of the podcast going forward.

Welcome to your Hot Girl Briefing Jun 15, 2021

Hi everybody and welcome to your Hot Girl Briefing! Each week your hosts, Erica Potter and Hunter Willis, will brief you on a new piece of policy to help keep you up to date with domestic and global politics. The goal of the podcast is to have fun and let loose while bringing in facts and research to have a substantial talk on each topic. We do apologize for the technical errors - we clearly were not STEM majors in undergrad but we DO hope to learn and bring an even better podcast with each new recording. Thank you for tuning in and we can't wait to bring you more content!

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected