Outrage, frustration, fear, and confusion are common feelings about politics in America today. It's no fun to feel this way. The Pothole Problem Podcast features interviews with activists, public servants, and political observers discussing how they work with and make use of their outrage. The intention is to examine different ways of looking at the world in order to cultivate a relationship to politics that is less frustrating and more satisfying.
In this episode, Jack interviews one of his colleagues at Portland State University, Dr. Melody Valdini, professor of political science and co-editor of the Journal of Women, Politics & Policy. Their conversation begins with Dr. Valdini’s experiences in graduate school that focused her thinking on the power of the patriarchy and ends with the message: don’t disengage. In between, they discuss ways to attempt to reduce inequalities in the world, the need for political zen, and some more of the experiences that formed Dr. Valdini’s thinking, teaching, and advocacy.
Dr. Valdini’s books: The Character of Democracy and The Inclusion Calculation: Why Men Appropriate Women's Representation
Length: 37:35
29 Apr 2024
#047—The Lesser of Two Evils
In this short episode, Jack editorializes on the question of voting or not voting for the candidate that’s less bad. Inspired by recent news stories about strong anti-Trump voices now saying they will vote for Trump because they think a second Biden term would be disastrous, combined with polls showing that a lack of enthusiasm among young and minority voters for President Biden is potentially going to result in many traditionally Democratic voters not voting for anyone, Jack reflects on this asymmetry in American politics: that Republicans are much more likely to vote for the lesser of two evils and Democrat more likely not to vote for anyone if they’re disappointed in their candidate.
12 Mar 2024
#046—Thirty Years of Division
The mid-term election of 1994, dubbed "The Republican Revolution," ushered in a new era of national politics characterized by combativeness, polarization, and a divisive style of campaigning. Thirty years later, we're still living with the consequences of that transformative election and witnessing heightened levels of the political ugliness that resulted from it.
This episode includes a recording of a lecture Jack gave on the era-defining nature of the 1994 midterm election, delivered live on the Portland State University campus on Thursday, February 29th, 2024.
To learn more about the book, read a free excerpt, or order online, go to 1994novel.com.
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