This is the Pingry Politics Podcast.
We want to make the often complex issues of modern politics more accessible to Pingry students. The podcast will host a variety of students and members of the Pingry community to share on the political topics they are passionate about. Through this we hope inspire civil discourse and further political understanding.
To get in contact, email: mbrotman2021@pingry.org or slyons2021@pingry.org
Any views promoted on the podcasts are that of the participants and do not reflect the Pingry School.
By Marcus Brotman and Sean Lyons
Thank you all for listening over the last year! This will [most likely] be my last episode on the podcast. As a senior, I am completing my Independent Senior Project (ISP) as a financial intern at Amsted Rail, a Chicago-based rail manufacturing firm. In preparation, I have been extensively researching the landscape of freight rail, both in America and abroad. I decided to condense some of my more interesting findings into this video.
Again, I want to thank all the people who have made this podcast possible:
Sean Lyons, Shaan Lehal, Max Brotman, Andrew Wong, Dr. Wakefield, and all of our amazing guests!
Sean and I are excited to begin a new chapter our lives in college. We know that Shaan, Andrew, Kevin, and Max will do an amazing job with the podcast when we're done!
5 Feb 2021
Economics Education, with Mr. Barr
On today's episode, Sean Lyons interview Mr. Davidson Barr, an Economics and Math teacher at the Pingry School. They talk about how to popularize economics across disciplines in high school, the changing definition of the middle class, and how politicians interact with the study of economics more broadly. In this episode, Mr. Barr detailed the winding road which lead him to the Pingry math department. He began with aspirations in the banking world, but graduated in 2009, during the Great Recession. He soon found himself teaching economics, then joining Pingry. Currently, Mr. Barr is getting his doctorate in math education from Columbia.
Funnily enough, this episode was recorded two days before the Gamestop short squeeze, which has rallied much contention around the stock market and Hedge Fund influence on the American economy.
31 Jan 2021
The How's and Why's of Civil Discourse, with Dr. Peter Horn
In the wake of the Capital Riot on January 6th, we at the Politics club think it's important now, more than ever, to be able to engage with those you disagree with. Dr. Peter Horn founded his own education consulting firm Horn Ed, and has his own podcast called "Point of Learning". Members of The Pingry School and I talked asked Dr. Horn questions about our modern discourse. We focused on how to engage with people with different facts than ours, the impact of social media and echo chambers.
11 Jan 2021
Local Firms: Lombardi Pizza Co
This is the first in a series of interviews we’ll be conducting with small businesses in and around the Pingry area. We’ll be talking to them about their experience and strategy before and during Covid
What’s Pauly’s advice on getting into the food business?
Don’t do it.
Pauly tells us his story in founding and running Lombardi's Pizzeria. Lombardi’s Pizza was fortunate to increase their revenues by more than 30%! Of course, pizza restaurants are accustomed to the takeout model, which helped their transition.
We asked Pauly about his perspective on food delivery apps like Doordash and Grubhub, which cut into a restaurant's revenues. Pizza is in a good position, but Pauly commented on the unsustainable nature of the current business model for many restaurants. As a silver lining, many restaurants, like Lombardi’s, are looking into new innovative food services models, such as a delivery-only secondary location.
13 Dec 2020
South Asian Geopolitics and Teaching Abroad, with Saad Toor
On Today’s episode, I interview Mr. Toor, Pingry’s own World History teacher. Mr. Toor taught World Religions at the University of Connecticut, then taught at a Saudi Arabian international school for two years, and came to Pingry after studying South Asian Politics at Oxford. While at Oxford he also taught at Stanford University's Overseas Program. He told me about his experiences abroad, and the different cultures he encountered. We also dug into some modern geopolitical shifts, such as Trump’s pulling of troops from Afghanistan, Mohammed Bin Salman’s push to reform Saudi Arabia, and warming Israel-Arab relations.
If you'd like to be on the podcast, or have a cool idea, email mbrotman2021@pingry.org
19 Oct 2020
The Public Pensions Crisis, With Russel Kamp
On Today's episode, I interviewed Russel Kamp. Mr. Kamp is a managing partner at Ryan ALM, a public pensions consulting firm. Their strategy relies on Cash-Flow driven investments (CDIs) to cover monthly payouts to its participants. This short-term security allows protects them from the volatile changes in the stock market, thus allowing them to sell high volatility assets at opportune moments. Furthermore, Ryan ALM uses a Custom Liabilities index in order to measure the risks and real value within a pension system. You can find Russel's work at Kampconsultingblog.com
From this perspective, we asked Mr. Kamp about his opinion on why public pensions are currently in a state of rapid decline, as well as his solutions. We covered a wide range of topics from Pre to post-Covid pensions as well as the state of unions in America.
13 Oct 2020
Water and Native legal defense with the Native American Rights Fund (NARF)
On today's episode, Shaan and I talked with Del of the Native American Rights Fund(NARF). NARF focuses primarily on advocating for Native American Treaty Rights and enforcement of Native property. Water Law, Recognizing tribes, and Indian Child Welfare are all issues which the Native American rights fund is involved in. We spoke on issues from the Washington Redskins to the perception of Carlisle School by Native Peoples. We also touched on Supreme Court Justices, such as Justices Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett.
3 Oct 2020
Yom-Kippur and Modern America, with Rabbi Sagal
The Pingry Politics Podcast is back and better than ever! We've re-uploaded all of our content, with a new Interview with Rabbi Sagal of the B'nai Israel congregation in Rumson. We asked Rabbi Sagal about the Holiday of Yom Kippur and it's the lessons for modern America. Rabbi Sagal was the head rabbi at the Temple Emanu-El in Westfield for nearly my entire life, and isforemost authority I know on the subject of Jewish Theology.
Key Questions for the episode:
What is the historical importance of Yom-Kippur to the Jewish people?
Were Jews subject to reprisals over Yom-Kippur?
Are there any lessons from the Yom-Kippur war or holiday which you feel are especially poignant to the modern day?
If you'd like to contact us, email mbrotman2021@pingry.org, or slyons2021@pingry.org
Credit:
Marcus Brotman and Sean Lyons
3 Oct 2020
The Holy Grail of Energy; Nuclear Fusion with Dr. Brendan Lyons
This episode was initially published in may of 2020
On Today’s episode, we were joined by Plasma Physicists from Princeton, Dr. Brendan Lyons, to discuss what he has deemed “the holy grail” of energy production. On this episode, Sean and I asked Dr. Lyons a number of questions surrounding his research in the field of Nuclear Fusion, and how it works in the real world. This discussion of nuclear fusion’s implications, was followed by a live student Q/A. There, Dr. Lyons fielded questions around why he chose to be a nuclear physicist, details around the feasibility of fusion, and science in the age of Covid-19. Yeah this is episode description for the podcast
To what extent is the US government investing in nuclear energy. Do you think that the current level is insufficient? Or do you think that private
3 Oct 2020
AP US History 1812-1850
This episode was initially published in may of 2020
With the AP US history, tests one is bound to get lost in the forest of America’s complex history. We condensed the important information down into a podcast. The main point of this podcast is what happened in between the War of 1812 and The Civil War. It’s far too easy to forget the less tumultuous points in our history and we are here to cover it.
The war of 1812, Compromise of 1820, Monroe Doctrine, Market Revolution, Andrew Jackson, The Seneca Falls Convention
We used the textbook: "America's History 9th Edition" by Henretta, Edwards, Hinderaker, and Self
Credits
Marcus Brotman and Sean Lyons
3 Oct 2020
Mexico, the other side of the border; with Ricardo Vollbrecthausen
This episode was initially published in early april 2020
The discussion begins at 10:00
Our first guest speaker is Ricardo Vollbrechthausen, Pingry class of 2012. Ricardo studied neurobiology at Columbia University, and is now living and working in Mexico. In particular, we will dive into Mexico’s strengths and weaknesses, and how they impact the lives of their citizens as well as US foreign policy. Issues will include corruption, brain-drain, slow economic growth, poor monetary policy, and more. We will also analyze how Mexico will be affected by the new USMCA trade deal, and how president López Obrador (“AMLO”) has led the country. We will also compare and contrast how and why Mexico's response to the coronavirus has been so different to most other countries.
As the president of the Politics Club, I acknowledge Political bias is unavoidable. Regardless, the Politics Club leaders and I will make all attempts to present objective facts to our audience and provide counterpoints to ensure that no views go unchallenged. To ensure a neutral perspective we have students of opposing political views researching for each episode. If you’d like to share your views on the podcast or suggest a topic for us to discuss, please email me: mbrotman2021@pingry.org.
A special thanks to our guest, Ricardo Vollbrecthausen
Researchers: Marcus Brotman, Sean Lyons, Micah Elwyn
Editor: Marcus Brotman
Cover Art: Chris Ticas
Intro and outro music: Max Brotman
Advisor: Ms. Davlin
This Podcast is produced by the Politics Club of the Pingry School, however, any views or ideas discussed on the show are not representative of the Pingry School, only those individuals.
2 Oct 2020
Quantitative-Easing, with Dr. Luis Brunstein
This issue was initially published in April of 2020
On today’s episode, we talk with Lehigh Economist, Dr. Luis Brunstein. Dr. Brunstein shares his thoughts on a variety of issues pertaining to the current Economic crisis. Quantitative Easing, the efficacy of monetary policy, unemployment benefits and how the US should react are all topics of discussion. A discussion which was followed by a few student asked questions.
If you have any questions for Dr. Brunstein, you can find his email here: lfb417@lehigh.edu
Credits:
Sean Lyons and Marcus Brotman
Editor: Aidan Boylan and Marcus Brotman
Music: Max Brotman
Pingry Politics Cover Art: Chris Ticas
Episode Cover Art: Andrew Wong
Advisor: Dr. Wakefield
To get in contact: email mbrotman2021@pingry.org (mailto:mbrotman2021@pingry.org)
The beliefs promoted on this podcast are that of the participants, and do not reflect the views of the Pingry School.
Contact Pingry Politics
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Pingry Politics?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
