Political Curiosity

Join us this week at the Lounge for another captivating policy discussion! We dive into the issue of campaign and election financing, an important topic affecting the state of our democracy. We look through some of the legislative and judicial history around this issue leading up to the Citizens United case. How was the first amendment used in this case? How did the changes from this ruling affect campaign finance policy as well as transparency in our elections? In addition, we compare how elections are financed in other countries around the world and look for options moving forward. Given that it is a heavy topic, our bartender Marky J brought some Hopslam beers all the way from Kalamazoo, MI!

This week we are excited to introduce the PC Lounge's VIP Interview Booth!  We're opening  up a space in the lounge to speak to people who may be policy experts in certain fields or people who have been impacted by a specific policy. We want to link personal stories and experiences to policies enacted by governments so that everyone at the lounge develops a level of consciousness on how we are all connected and influenced by policy. Our first guest is our college friend Abu Yousufzai, who was born in Afghanistan came to the U.S. as a refugee in the 90s. He shares with us his family's story and later we discuss U.S. foreign policy in Afghanistan over the past decades.Abu isn't a cocktail guy, so this week we have the Coeur de Cuvee (Side Project Brewer). Coeur de Cuvée is a series of blends of some of Side Project's  finest wine barrel-fermented and aged saisons. Make sure to tune in this week and let us know what you think! If you have any suggestions for future interviews let us know!

Happy New Year Everyone! Season 3 starts out with a bang as the PC Lounge celebrates one full year in business. The gang dives into their views on MLK's legacy and if government is capable of transforming society like they did during the civil rights movement during Bar Side Banter. After the break, FDR kicks off Policy with Character as the lounge analyzes political eras and  whether we're in the midst of a change in eras in a post-Reagan world.Plus this week's tasty cocktail is a Tequila Marking Jay.DRINK RECIPE (Tequila + Aperol Drink) 2 ounces of Reposado tequila; ¾ ounce Fresh Lime Juice½ - ¾ ounce Aperol½ ounce Simple Syrup2 dashes of angostura bitters1-2 dashes of hot sauce (optional, but makes it way better, just saying)Directions – ain’t no thang – ice, mix, shake, pour in glass over ice, enjoy OR for a simpler approach, just put ice in a glass, mix in the rest, stir for 15-20 seconds and you’re good 

The PC Lounge opens for the last time in 2021! It's been an incredible journey for us at the Political Curiosity podcast and during this episode we take some time to review the pod and politics, particularly the Biden administration. We had big expectations for Biden as he took office; thus, we discuss his successes as well as his disappointments. In addition, we take a moment to reflect on the first year of the podcast, our favorite episodes and moments! Finally, Marky J puts together a quick game of "facts and stats" for us. We hope you enjoy this last episode, we thank you for your support during 2021 and we send you our best wishes from the PC Lounge for 2022!

As we approach the holidays, we decided to take things a bit lighter at the Lounge this week! With two hosts being Michigan alumni, during the Barside Banter we could not pass the opportunity to discuss UM's victory over OSU! Marky J mixed up some Apple Cider Margarita's as he attempted to disrupt our joy talking about his Tar Heels. During Policy with Character , we kept the sports theme giving our perspective on Name, Image and Likeness, and how college sports would change if athletes' received some sort of monetary compensation. Finally, during the Last Call, we took a few minutes to reflect on Thanksgiving!The recipe for 1 serving of the Apple Cider Margarita:   Mix the following in a cocktail shaker: - 1.75 ounces of blanco tequila - I like a smidge more - 1.5 ounces of apple cider- 1/2 ounce of orange liqueur (eg triple sec) - I like a smidge less- 1/2 ounce of lime juice - I like a smidge more - 1/2 teaspoon of maple syrup - I like a smidge less Add ice and shake until the shaker frosts at its bottom halfThen rim a rocks glass with equal parts flaky (margarita) salt, cinnamon powder, and sugar (I like going less sugar to keep it a little saltier)Then add ice to the rocks glass Pour contents of shaker into glass, then add a splash of ginger ale for carbonationGarnish with 2 thin slices of apple, 1 cinnamon stick, rosemary, and a lime wedge (wedge and all garnishes, really, optional) & enjoy!

This week we took on some complex issues @ the PC Lounge, so to make the conversations a little lighter Marky J mixed up some Aperol Spritz for us! During the Barside Banter, we discussed why voters are more attracted to the GOP's cultural values while at the same time preferring the DNC's policies? In Policy with Character, we were briefly joined by venture capitalist Alec who gave us his impressions of a global minimum corporate tax. This recent initiative embraced by more than 130 countries around the world appears promising but also idealistic.  We run through the basics behind this policy and try to understand its feasibility and results in the long-term.Also...we know what you must be wondering: What's going with Tony this week? Listen and find out!For an individual aperol spritz:- Lots of ice - 5 ounces of Prosecco- 2.75-3 ounces of Aperol- Small splash of club soda - Bigger splash of limoncello (optional but recommended)- Garnish with a lemon twist in the drink- Garnish with an orange wheel on the glass For a large pitcher, just multiply:- Bottle of Aperol = 25.4 ounces (basically good for 8 servings, so you’ll want at least 2, probably 3)- Bottle of Prosecco = Same, 25.4 ounces (so, basically good for 5 servings, so you’d want 5 bottles of Prosecco to match 3 bottles of Aperol)- Only need 1 bottle of limoncello if you get this, and 6-12 small bottles of club soda 

Things get a little bit spicy at the PC Lounge this episode. The lounge's lawyer provides a disclaimer before we start sipping on the cocktail of the week: "The Spicy Watermelon Margarita". Once Luis joins us, we dive into the Bar Side Banter topic this week: The Labor Shortage. Luis and Pete discuss the complexities and realism of trying to rebound the labor market as the pandemic moves into this new phase. In Policy with Character, Tony's son 'Pep' introduces the topic of the Child Tax Credit through how it's benefited him with back to school supplies. Luis guides the Lounge through policy using the lens of child poverty. Our bartender Mark highlights his discomfort with this being a tax credit with no targeting of how parents are using the monthly checks. We close down the lounge with an update on Pete's presidential priorities for his 2024 campaign. The Spicy Watermelon Margarita:4 oz Fresh Watermelon Juice1.5oz Blanco Tequila<1oz triple secBar Spoon of Agave nectar Lime Juice (0.5 lime)2 fresh jalapeno spicesTo serve: Rim a glass with Salt and Chili Powder (recommend first lining glass with lime juice) and garnish with frozen watermelon slice

We are back at the PC Lounge this week! During our bar-side banter, we take some time to discuss what's behind the history of October 12th, until recently known as Columbus Day. How do we make sense of this part of history in the 21st Century? Next, in our policy with character segment, we dive into the clean energy policy as part of Biden's Build Back Better bill. What's included? What are the benefits? Who is negatively impacted? How do we make sense of the politics around this important issue? Join us as we try to answer these and more questions while we sip on Marky J's drink for the week: the hot spiked mulled apple cider!

This week we are back at the PC Lounge for another great episode! We discuss what may be behind the crime surge in the U.S. and what that says about our society. We also dive into housing policy: should housing be a right? what is the role of government in providing housing? As always, Marky J surprises us with a new drink "the Sazerac" and we have a interesting chat with a new guest!The recipe for The Sazzie is simple:Chill a rocks glass (very cold), Add rye whiskey (preferably Sazerac Rye) and Peychaud’s bitters to a mixing glass full of ice, a bar spoon of simple syrup, stir for 15-20 seconds, grab your chilled rocks glass, “rinse” it with just a barspoon’s worth of absinthe, pour your mixing glass contents (minus the ice) into your rinsed chilled rocks glass, add a lemon twist, and enjoy! 

Settle in as this week we are excited to welcome you to the PC Lounge for season 2 of Political Curiosity! Our captivating conversations will now continue at the Lounge where we will be joined by the famous bartender Marky J! We never know who we might encounter at the Lounge, this week it was Tony, who shared with us some of his concerns regarding childcare. We dive into that topic and we also hit on vaccine mandates during the first pod at the Lounge!And also, here's a look at Marky J's first recipe to try out as you listen:Old Fashion Cocktail, the old fashion way: 1-2 teaspoons simple syrup (DM us for our simple secret for whipping up your own simple syrup at home!); 3 dashes of Angostura bitters;2 ounces mid-range bourbon or rye whiskey (no need to use higher end whiskeys in an old fashioned - doing so is a colossal waste); and A large whiskey rock of ice (regular ice will melt faster and dilute the drink)Stir gently for a few seconds and enjoy!

We are back for another great episode of Political Curiosity this week! We discuss the flaws of the education system in the US, particularly in rural areas around the country. What impact does this have on our society and politics? We also talk a little bit about political fatigue, why does this occur? What are the causes behind this issue that many of us seem to be experiencing? This week we have a mystery caller, look out for what words he has for us and the pod!Resources:Rural Education

In this week's episode, our conversation is centered around recent polls that show Biden losing ground in his approval rating. We discuss to what extent we should trust polls and how public opinion may be influenced by mainstream media narratives. Can Biden bounce back from the recent developments at home and abroad? To talk about this and more, our favorite permanent guest Mark joins us to give us his valuable takes!

This week we bring you part 3 of the Political Curiosity Special Series on democracy vs, authoritarianism! In this last part, we discuss the confrontation between the United States and China in three different aspects: geopolitical, economic and cultural. We each have different views on how this will unfold during the 21st Century and the potential implications. Our friend Mark Johnson join us to give us his take too! As always, we welcome any feedback or comments.

What's inflation? Why does everyone seem to be talking about this issue? To what extent does it matter and should we be worried? This week we attempt to answer and give our take on these important questions. We hope our conversation sparks your curiosity about inflation and we look forward to your feedback as well!References:What is Inflation?What's going with inflation now?

Welcome back to another episode of Political Curiosity! This week our discussion stems from the word "loyalty". What drives loyalty in the political sphere? Are people loyal to ideas, leaders or political organizations? What are the implications of extreme political loyalty? We dive into these and many other interesting questions this week. Also, make sure to listen to the end to see if the quote-game score was updated!

This week we bring you Part 2 of our 3 part Special Series on democracy vs. authoritarianism. In this second part, we analyze the Chinese model for development; its successes as well as its controversies. We also discuss the consolidation of power under Xi Jinping in the past years and how that may compare to the centralized/decentralized political system in the U.S. We are joined again by Mark Johnson, who is looking to gain another honorary point in "who said it?".  We'll be back for part 3 next month!References:Xi Jinping's power grabBelt and Road Initiative 

In this week's episode Pete and Luis discuss Luis's wedding, Ezra Klein's latest book 'Why we're polarized', and dive head first into their conversation starter 'access'. Stay til the end to take your shot at 'Who said it?'. 

A lucky fan's suggestion of generosity was this week's conversation starter. Pete and Luis explore Madame Vice President Harris's disastrous trip to Central America, the Biden's recent G7 vaccine donation announcement, and if being generous is part of fundamental human behavior. They also touch on current events like inflation and infrastructure negotiations. While Luis continues to destroy Pete in 'Who said it?'

This week we bring you the first of a three part series on democracy vs. authoritarianism! In many ways the 21st century will be a confrontation between these two governing models, and in particular, between the United States and China. In this first part, we discuss what the state of democracy is in the U.S: how did we get here? To help answer this question, Mark Johnson joins us for this series of episodes. Stay tuned for part two and three over the next few weeks!

This week's conversation starter is paradigm! What is an economic/political paradigm and why is it significant? The latest speeches and actions by the Biden administration seem to be signaling a paradigm shift from Reaganomics and neoliberalism to a more progressive/inclusive vision for the 21st Century. We discuss the importance of embarking on a new paradigm a for the United States and the world. Resources:Biden Speech in Ohio