Pantsuit Politics

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.

Today we're discussing rampant corruption and speculation in the Trump administration. From UAE interests investing in Trump companies days before his second inauguration, apparent payment for pardons, and Amazon's outsized investment and promotion in the Melania "documentary." We also discuss the ways that Federal Courts are pushing back on ICE enforcement throughout the US. Tickets for our Minneapolis live show and first-ever Spice Conference go on sale soon! Details here Topics Discussed UAE Corruption Scandal Bitcoin, Chips, and Pardons Federal Courts vs. ICE Outside of Politics: The Grammys 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 delighted to be joined by Senator Andy Kim to discuss what Congress can and should be doing to respond to the nation's current crises. Plus, we discuss the need for accountability, the importance of community engagement, and the impact of corruption on our governmental systems. Outside of politics, you won't want to miss hearing about the Senator's many delightful hobbies.  Topics Discussed Senator Andy Kim on the Role of Congress Outside of Politics: Movies, Music, and Bagels Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more. We're preparing for our 2026 Team Retreat. Please help us get ready by filling out this quick surveySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This weekend has shaken us deeply. We talk about the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis, the detention of children as young as two and five years old, and the protests erupting across Minnesota in sub-zero temperatures. We're struggling with the distance between what we can see with our own eyes and what the administration is telling us, and wrestling with the question of where we go from here. Topics Discussed Alex Pretti Shot By ICE Agents in Minneapolis Greed, Corruption, and Show Running in the Trump Administration Outside of Politics: Cultivating and Nurturing Online Communities Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more. We're preparing for our 2026 Team Retreat. Please help us get ready by filling out this quick survey Get 50% Off Monarch, the all-in-one financial tool at www.monarch.com/pantsuit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week has been emotionally exhausting, and we're feeling it too. We talk about what's been broken and lost domestically due to ICE actions in Minnesota and internationally due to President Trump's desire to acquire Greenland. We are asking ourselves how we build something more stable on the other side of all of this, whenever that comes. We want to be ready build coalitions and make changes that actually last. Topics Discussed ICE Continues to Escalate in Minnesota Greenland, Davos, and the Rupturing of the International Order Outside of Politics: The Incoming Winter Storm Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why does support for Israel fuel antisemitism on the right, while criticism of Israel fuels it on the left? The Atlantic's Yair Rosenberg returns to explain what he calls the "no-win dynamic" of prejudice—where any argument can be twisted to justify hatred. Sarah and Beth talk with Yair about his recent research revealing a surprising generational shift: younger Americans are significantly more likely to express antisemitic views than older generations, and age matters more than political party. He unpacks why this is happening—from the fading memory of World War II to the culture of edginess and transgression online—and explains why it's so hard to distinguish "a punchline from a punch." The conversation also moves beyond Israel as symbol to Israel as actual country, exploring the upcoming election, Netanyahu's grip on power, the internal battles over university diversity programs and film funding, and why understanding these complexities matters for productive conversations about the Middle East. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As things continue to escalate in Minneapolis, Sarah and Beth discuss their concerns about what the administration's actions portend. Plus, they discuss how Fed Chair Jerome Powell is pushing back as the administration targets him. For our America250 moment, they are reflecting on Common Sense by Thomas Paine and, outside of politics, they discuss 2026 predicted food trends.  Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah and Beth are joined by Elizabeth Oldfield, writer and host of The Sacred. We know the headlines are heavy this week, and Elizabeth has made a career of considering how we can stay engaged and grounded in these turbulent times. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sarah and Beth are together to discuss the tragic death of Renee Good in Minneapolis. They process the news, work through their feelings, discuss the unacceptable response from the administration and other elected leaders, and reflect on how the administration’s choices created the circumstances for this event. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to our first new episode of 2026. We're thrilled to be back with you to process and discuss the news. Topics Discussed The United States Removes Venezuelan President Maduro in "Police" Action America 250: George Washington and Smallpox Superflu, Whooping Cough, and Measles Outside of Politics: Wishes for 2026 Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As our team takes time off for the holidays, we are sharing the conversations Sarah and Beth had this year about Habits of the Heart. This final episode originally aired in December for our premium members on Substack. Whether you’re also taking a well-deserved break, spending time with family, or just looking for something meaningful to listen to, we hope you’ll join us to revisit (or enjoy for the first time!) this thoughtful exploration from Sarah and Beth of this powerful, prescient book. Beth subtitled this section, “Good Luck, Babes.” They talk about the problem of individualism, how we need to make not just a good life, but a good society, why we need to argue more, and the struggle in realizing that nothing systemic can save us from personal suffering. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As our team takes time off for the holidays, we are sharing the conversations Sarah and Beth had this year about Habits of the Heart. This third episode originally aired in September for our premium members on Substack. Whether you’re also taking a well-deserved break, spending time with family, or just looking for something meaningful to listen to, we hope you’ll join us to revisit (or enjoy for the first time!) this thoughtful exploration from Sarah and Beth of this powerful, prescient book. In this episode, they get into the different types of citizens laid out in the book, Beth’s dreaded “swooping,” the role of religion in public life, and what it truly means to care. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As our team takes time off for the holidays, we are sharing the conversations Sarah and Beth had this year about Habits of the Heart. This second episode originally aired in May for our premium members on Substack. Whether you’re also taking a well-deserved break, spending time with family, or just looking for something meaningful to listen to, we hope you’ll join us to revisit (or enjoy for the first time!) this thoughtful exploration from Sarah and Beth of this powerful, prescient book. In this episode, they discuss the value of doing things in community, the social construct of marriage, the authors’ disdain for therapeutic culture, and the structures of friendship. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As our team takes time off for the holidays, we are sharing the conversations Sarah and Beth had this year about Habits of the Heart. This first episode originally aired in February for our premium members on Substack. Whether you’re also taking a well-deserved break, spending time with family, or just looking for something meaningful to listen to, we hope you’ll join us to revisit (or enjoy for the first time!) this thoughtful exploration from Sarah and Beth of this powerful, prescient book. In this episode, they discuss the introductory, and imagine where the authors would push them, and investigate what the meaning of “the pursuit of happiness” was to the founders in comparison to how we define it now. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.