A podcast produced by the Dole Institute Student Advisory Board
Just off the Senate Republican Leader's office at the U.S. Capitol Building lies a balcony with a sweeping view of the National Mall. It was here that Senator Bob Dole struck many of his famous bipartisan deals, worked the phones, and gave interviews. Upon his retirement from the U.S. Senate in 1996, the chamber unanimously approved to rename it the "Robert J. Dole Balcony." Our first-ever podcast, From the Balcony, brings that spirit to life by providing a place for candid, thoughtful, and engaging conversations on public policy and the defining issues of today.
The Dole Institute does not endorse the political positions or personal opinions of its guests.
An accessible version of the material represented on this site will be made available upon request. Please contact us at doleinstitute@ku.edu (mailto:doleinstitute@ku.edu) to request the material be made available in an accessible format, or for general assistance.
Higher education lobbyist Jack Cline joins Michael Redlich to discuss his journey into lobbying, the motivations behind his advocacy work, and the intricacies of navigating relationships with Congress.
12 Oct 2026
SAB Alum Nathan Binshtok on Connecting Media to Politics at the Dole Institute
Meet your host for Season 2 of From The Balcony, Michael Redlich!
In the first episode of this new season, Michael is joined by last season's co-host and Dole Institute Student Advisory Board alum Nathan Binshtok to discuss his journey through college, internship experiences, and the importance of political engagement.
11 May 2026
Kansas Farmers Union Executive Director Nick Levendofsky
In this extended interview, Kansas Farmers Union executive director Nick Levendofsky joins SAB member Ella Rhuems to discuss his experience in advocacy, the impact of recent trade policy on farmers, antitrust issues in agriculture, the importance and impact of the Farm Bill, and how organizations like the Kansas Farmers Union represent rural voters.
20 Apr 2026
Fmr. Chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Sheila Bair
Former Chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Sheila Bair speaks with Nathan Binshtok about her new children's book, "How Not to Lose a Million Dollars," her time working for Senator Bob Dole, her role at the FDIC during the 2008 financial crisis, and financial advice for college students.
13 Apr 2026
Republican Strategist Kristen Soltis Anderson
Republican strategist Kristen Soltis Anderson speaks with Ella Rhuems about how the American people are feeling ahead of the 2026 Midterm Elections. The pair also discussed presidential job approval trends, how voters are interpreting news and media coverage, trends of younger voters, and what to expect in the 2028 Presidential Election.
16 Mar 2026
Free Speech Expert Jacqueline Pfeffer Merrill
Free speech expert Dr. Jacqueline Pfeffer Merrill is the senior director of the Civic Learning and Free Expression Projects at the Council of Independent Colleges. She joins Dole Institute Student Advisory Board coordinator Abbie Clements to discuss the challenges and impact of free expression on college campuses, including influence of social media, self-censorship, legislation, and the role of the federal government.
2 Mar 2026
Public Educator Matt Beat
Public educator and Dole Fellow Matt Beat joins the podcast to discuss his journey from the classroom to YouTube, specifically touching on how he fosters civic engagement and education with his audiences, and the impact and benefits of digital education.
30 Jan 2026
Fmr. Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President & CEO Rob Kaplan
This episode was originally recorded in October 2025.
Former Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President and CEO Rob Kaplan joins Nathan Binshtok to discuss the state of the U.S. economy, and provide insight into economic policymaking.
5 Jan 2026
Kansas State Legislators Brandon Woodard and Chase Blasi
Kansas State Legislators Brandon Woodard (D) and Chase Blasi (R) join Ella Rhumes to discuss their journeys into public service and party leadership, how their parties are evolving, and priorities for the upcoming session of the Kansas State Legislature.
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