Reconsider

OK, you're fired up. What now? Dr. David Campt returns to give all of us a powerful guide and spiritual teaching to take our energy to fight racism, and turn that energy into a lifetime of effective conversations with white Americans to make the world a better place for our fellow black citizens.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Spike Cohen, the Libertarian Party's candidate for Vice President of the United States, shares his ticket's platform on police violence, and militarization, racial inequality, pandemic responses, civil rights (and their violations), the economy, the fed, and... well, everything. Join us for a deep, thorough conversation on some radically different ideas about how to solve the most pressing issues for the United States in 2020.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Xander and Erik ask Dr. Johnson to help us understand the statistical bombs of 2020: police violence, COVID-19, economy, and election.Dr. John Johnson is a PhD economist who specializes in applying economicanalysis to large and complex data sets for Fortune 100 companies to help them make high-stakes decisions in litigation and strategy. John is the author of the book Everydata: The Misinformation Hidden in theLittle Data You Consume Every Day.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Our nation is largely united that police reform is necessary. In this episode we talk about the causes of police brutality: training, traditions, and unions.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The nation, us included, have been moved by the killing of George Lloyd by police in Minneapolis. There is clear evidence of a problem with police brutality.We need not argue over how much this is a problem for black Americans vs. Americans of other colors.. You don’t have to be black for this to be your problem. If Americans are being brutalized or killed unnecessarily by police, this is your problem.In this episode we dive into some of the potential causes of systemic police brutality, and--most importantly--how to make a unified stand with any American, no matter their political leanings, tribal affiliations, or other cultural crap that always seems to get in the way.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The world is undergoing intense collective trauma. It's incredibly hard. How can we thrive while in quarantine?Xander and Erik share how the philosophy of the Stoics has helped them with many challenges in their lives, including this. Hopefully it can help you, too.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

We continue through Westeros, China, Rome, and talk a bit more about contemporary leaders, their struggles, and the people at their backs that have to make some very hard choices.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What do the lieutenants of troubled leaders do to cope, help... or manipulate? Today we use Trump's struggles as a launchpad to explore history (and Westeros) to understand how and why supporting casts act differently when a leader has rough edges.Xander and Erik grab a few pints for this one and have a good time; you might consider the same, if it fits your fancy :)  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Xander and Erik record one of our longest episodes yet--with a lot of beer. We talk about Modern Monetary Theory and its role in the COVID-19 policy conversation, and the impacts plagues have had on societies in the past. Prepare for laughs.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Last time we were introduced to the Peace Officer concept by Lisa Broderick, who leads Police2Peace. Today we learn from Sheriff Lott of Richland County how he's implementing the Peace Officer program and what impact it's had.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A stimulus bill just got passed. Is it the right bill? What the heck happens with that $2T and what are the consequences? Erik and Xander take a crack.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Xander and Erik advocate for two different positions on the appropriate response by the US government to the coming recession, an exercise in a passionate and respectful disagreement, and an opportunity for Xander and Erik to share what we actually believe needs doing, as well. Stay safe, everyone.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Climate change will, in addition to all of its other havoc, cause major changes to the geopolitical future. The entire board will change.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jacob Shapiro joins the show again to take a snapshot of the global geopolitical environment at the turn of the decade.(Sorry it's late; been a crazy month!)  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It's Iowa Caucus time, which means people make hay by predicting a brokered convention!...But what is a brokered convention? How does it work? How likely is it?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Iftah Burman, founder of the Middle East Learning Academy, joins us to go over Iran’s broader role in the Middle East, particularly its operations outside of its own borders: what are its goals, what is the impact, and is Iran succeeding?Itfah is a Middle East scholar that regularly briefs diplomats, foreign officials, academics, and different levels of young professionals. He also acts as the director of foreign senior-level mission to Israel of US government officials, US military officers, and different think-tank researchers. He’s also deeply involved with education, and regularly gives lectures to students and tour groups seeking broader context and understanding of the complexities in the region. He’s currently working on his PhD, with a dissertation focused on Hezbollah and Syria, but also studies and briefs experts on the Arab-Israeli conflict and Iranian-Western relations. Clearly, a relevant topic right now.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jacob Shapiro (cofounder of Geopolitical Futures) joins us today to help us break down what in the absolute heck happened in Iran, what might happen next, and what the heck might be the strategic/geopolitical driver behind it.We also do a followup about our last episode, where we cover some key errata about our analysis of the UK election that our listeners pointed out for us #humblepie and get a bit of help from Jacob on the implications.Lots of good stuff :)  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Boris Johnson won big and Brexit is go for launch.Donald Trump was impeached… and still his popularity holds steady. Heck, he might get re-elected.Americans and Britons seem to have, within themselves, two incompatible narratives about these men. How is that possible?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Recently Erik saw an article in which nobel-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz says an obsession with looking at GDP has become a problem: “The world is facing three existential crises: a climate crisis, an inequality crisis and a crisis in democracy,” he writes. “Yet the accepted ways by which we measure economic performance give absolutely no hint that we might be facing a problem.” “If we measure the wrong thing, we will do the wrong thing,”Do we need to reconsider how useful GDP can be as a measure of economic health?  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A few isolated Lebanese protests over a tax on WhatsApp calls have become, perhaps a national revolution, with huge consequences for the region and perhaps even American strategy. Why?How could such a small thing have such a large potential impact? And how can we possibly spot what "small things" in the world really matter, and which big ones are more smoke than substance?Getting this one out earlier than normal because the topic is timely!  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.