Pantsuit Politics

Jason Kander joins Pantsuit Politics to break down Missouri's redistricting fight and what Democrats need to do to win in 2026 and beyond — including why the party needs to stop running on familiar ideas and start offering something genuinely new. Topics Discussed: Will Missouri Voters Veto Partisan Redistricting? What Democrats need to win elections in 2026 and beyond Outside of Politics: Kansas City Stadiums Explaine Join our Good Neighbor T-Shirt Contest! Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before we head out on spring break, we need to let off some steam. Today's episode is a moment of catharsis about just a few of the things President Trump, his administration, and Congress are screwing up right now.  Topics Discussed: The DHS Funding Standoff: Right Back Where We Started Donald Trump’s Primetime Speech on Iran The Corruption Is the Point: Coins, Pardons, and a $1.4B Year Outside of Politics: The Best Long Weekend Setup Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah and Beth catch up on the headlines — from the ongoing war in Iran and global energy disruptions to congressional gridlock — before diving into a conversation on punishment and accountability through two recent cases: an elderly driver who killed a family of four in San Francisco and two teenagers sentenced for creating AI-generated nude images of classmates. Outside of Politics, they answer a listener's question on whether they believe in karma. Topics Discussed: Iran and the Energy Crisis Punishment and Accountability Outside of Politics: Karma is a Vibe Join us in Minneapolis for our live show this August! Tickets are on sale now! Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more. Thanks to our sponsor: Get 50% off Monarch, the all-in-one financial tool, at www.monarch.com/pantsuit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we look at the news right now — Iran, the airports, the corruption, the measles — it's tempting to decide none of it matters because, individually, we can't fix any of it. Nihilism is tempting, and we talk about how sometimes nihilism represents pride, but maybe in the right dose, it’s more like humility. Either way, “nothing matters” is being proven wrong every day. Special elections are producing surprising results. Courts are holding tech companies accountable. And people are figuring it out when institutions fail (I’m especially moved by the story of an underground railroad set up to bring Ukrainian children home from Russia). I say in this episode that my emotional cocktail has a splash of nihilism in it. But the main ingredient is my conviction that our attention and our care and our efforts make a difference.  Plus: please clap for my favorite segue in the history of Pantsuit Politics. From: “perhaps we aren’t sleepwalking into a dystopian nightmare” to “are we in a smut renaissance?” facilitated by the shelving of an erotic chatbot. If this doesn’t end your Friday with joy, I don’t know what will. -Beth   Topics Discussed: Nihilism is Having A Moment  Signs of Hope Outside of Politics: Smut Renaissance Join us in Minneapolis for our live show this August! Tickets are on sale now! Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more. Thanks to our sponsor: Save 20% Off Honeylove by going to Custom URL: https://www.honeylove.com/PANTSUIT #honeylovepod #adSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah sits down with Isaac Saul, founder of Tangle News, a daily newsletter that breaks down major political stories from across the ideological spectrum all in one place. Topics Discussed: News, Journalism, Influencers, and Commentary in the Age of Trump Outside of Politics: Navigating Early Parenthood Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah and Beth discuss Markwayne Mullin's confirmation hearing as well as the housing crisis in America and the new legislation aimed at solving it. Plus, outside of politics, they phone a friend to talk about her recent experience with colorectal cancer.  Topics Discussed: DHS Nominee Markwayne Mullin Confirmation Hearing Housing in America Outside of Politics: Colorectal Cancer Awareness with Jessica Lotz Join us in Minneapolis for our live show this August! Tickets are on sale now! Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah and Beth take stock of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s first year leading the Department of Health and Human Services — from purging vaccine experts, gutting public comment rules, the growing measles outbreak, and what it all means for the future of American public health. Outside of politics: Sarah's annual Oscar recap! Topics Discussed: RFK Jr Guts Public Health Outside of Politics: Our Annual Oscars Recap Join us in Minneapolis for our live show this August! Tickets are on sale now! Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah and Beth process the escalating war in Iran, then turn closer to home to discuss America's car accident crisis and the Hyacinth Fellowship — an organization supporting people who have unintentionally killed someone on the road. Outside of politics, they dig into parenting styles and how to strike the Goldilocks balance of authoritative parenting. Topics Discussed: Iran: The Costs We Can’t Undo Fatal Car Accidents: The Trauma Nobody Talks About Outside of Politics: Why Your Kids Need Rules, Not Just Love Join us in Minneapolis for our live show this August! Tickets are on sale now! Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beth is joined by Rep. Greg Landsman to discuss the role of Congress, the decision to strike Iran, and why we need a Department of AI. Plus, they check in on their New Year's resolutions.  Topics Discussed: What "being done" looks like and whether that's realistic with this president The difference between Iran and what's happening in Venezuela and Cuba Congress's role in military action and Landsman's 30-day War Powers Resolution Whether the 2026 midterms can actually constrain this administration The Anthropic/Department of Defense standoff and why Landsman wants a Department of AI New Year's resolution check-ins (gluten-free life, no-shopping challenges, and sleep studies) Join us in Minneapolis for our live show this August! Tickets go on sale to premium members today (Tuesday, March 10) at 12pm EST and to the general public on Thursday, March 12 at 12pm EST. You will receive the link to purchase tickets directly if you are subscribed to Substack. If you aren’t subscribed, you can check our main page to see that post at the appointed time. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah and Beth are joined by expert Kerry Anderson to discuss what's happening in Iran, US and Israeli objectives, regional implications, and potential pathways for regime change and stability.  Topics Discussed: What are the objectives in Iran?  Is regime change likely?  What might happen throughout the Middle East because of this war?  Will this war make the people of Iran better off?  Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah and Beth mark the fourth anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, examining the staggering human cost of the war, what it reveals about the changing nature of modern warfare, and whether America's military is prepared for the conflicts ahead. Outside of politics, they share their philosophies on high heels. Topics Discussed: Four Years into Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine The Changing Nature of War Outside of Politics: Listener Question: High Heels? Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah and Beth react to Trump's State of the Union address, Governor Abigail Spanberger's response, and what it all signals for 2028. Outside of politics, they turn inward and share their experience with Dan Pink's AI-powered self-reflection exercise. Topics Discussed: Trump’s State of the Union Looking Ahead to 2028 Outside of Politics: Brutal Truths from AI Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act does not give President Trump the authority to impose sweeping global tariffs. Sarah and Beth discuss how the tariff case is just one piece of a bigger and more troubling economic picture: a weakening dollar, a bond market under pressure, and a private credit sector showing signs of serious stress. Plus, Beth has finally watched The Pitt, and she and Sarah make the case that an emergency room drama might be exactly what America needs right now. Topics Discussed: The Supreme Court says Trump’s Tariffs are Illegal Economic Indicators are Changing Outside of Politics: The Pitt Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s a theme in today’s episode of holding the breath, which is something I’ve been doing about unrest and possible US military action in Iran. Sarah and I discuss reporting that the administration seems increasingly likely to take what they term “kinetic” action (and what Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie and Senators Tim Kaine and Rand Paul would call acts of war).  Then there’s the way that our guest and friend Natalia Terfa describes holding her breath in Minneapolis. Even as Operation Metro Surge “winds down,” there are still agents and agitators. There is still fear and tension. There is damage left to repair after “it’s over,” and a sense that it’s not really over yet. We’re grateful to Natalia for her leadership on the ground and her willingness to discuss it with us today.  We often talk about outside of politics as an exhale, and we hope it is today. We talk about our very-non-sports-y Winter Olympics takes, with a special shout out to all of you who participated in the Spice Cabinet Opening Ceremonies.  If you’ve listened for a long time, you know that I love yoga. One of my favorite parts of a yoga class is taking a collective breath. It reminds me that we’re here. We’re alive, right now, and that’s its own form of miracle. It reminds me that we’re not alone. I hope this episode gives you that sense, too. -Beth  Topics Discussed: Unrest in Iran and Potential Military Action  On the Ground in Minneapolis with Natalia Terfa Outside of Politics: The Winter Olympics Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re sharing today’s good news brief with all of our followers. Join us every Thursday for more good news with Sarah. You can subscribe to PantsuitPoliticsShow.com Good morning, friends. It’s Thursday, February 19th — the Good News Brief. And since we were hard on AI this week, I thought we should remind ourselves that AI is also quietly doing something extraordinary: remaking the future of human medicine. Today’s stories are a mix of awe and genuine hope.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we're discussing the latest instance of large companies pre-emptively caving to the Trump Administration: Stephen Colbert's blocked interview with Texas Senate candidate James Tallarico. With that backdrop, the House of Representatives passed the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote. Sarah and Beth discuss why this is a conversation about voter suppression disguised as election integrity. Next, we discuss the standoff between Anthropic and the Department of Defense over the use of Claude in military operations and domestic surveillance. Outside of politics, Sarah and Beth answer a listener's question about astrology and what it means to hold those frameworks loosely in an age of data and critical thinking. Topics Discussed The Save America Act Artificial Intelligence Overwhelm  Outside of Politics: Astrology and Tarot Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When every moment could become viral fodder, what's the cost of just living your life? Sarah and Beth examine several recent news stories that address this question of privacy and surveillance. Plus, First Ladies Abby Cox and Joanna Lydgate join to discuss political violence and the mental toll of public service. Plus, outside of politics, they express finding validation away from the obsequiousness of artificial intelligence.  Topics Discussed The Glare of the Internet’s Spotlight First Ladies Abby Cox and Joanna Lydgate on Political Violence  Moment of Hope: Cecilia Giménez and the Monkey Jesus Fresco Outside of Politics: Alexa Updates Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the proliferation of prediction markets, we're sharing this premium episode of More to Say from January with the full audience. We hope this helps you understand better what's happening in this industry and why it matters.  If you enjoy this episode, we'd love for you to join us on Substack as a premium member. Go to pantsuitpoliticsshow.com for a written version of this episode (available for free) and to become a subscriber. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah and Beth discuss President Trump's racist meme-posting and why it's landing differently this time. Next, we contrast that with Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show. Plus, we discuss elite incompetence at institutions like the Washington Post, the latest Epstein file releases, Super Bowl ads, and a little football. Topics Discussed President Trump Shares a Racist Meme Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show The Washington Post layoffs and Bezos’s priorities The Epstein files illustrate a moral bankruptcy Outside of Politics: The Super Bowl commercials (and a little football) Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more. Get 50% Off Monarch, the all-in-one financial tool at www.monarch.com/pantsuit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah and Beth dig into why China suddenly feels both harder to understand and more important to pay attention to — from Xi Jinping's latest purges of military leadership to what his consolidating power means for the U.S. They also sit down with veteran journalist Jane Perlez to discuss what Americans get wrong about China. Plus, they talk about where they would hypothetically set up Pantsuit Politics International. Topics Discussed What We’re Missing On China Jane Perlez on Trade, President Xi, and the Future of China Outside of Politics: Pantsuit Politics International Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.