When politics turns into policy, everyday Americans feel the consequences.

On this episode of Normally, Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz break down the real-world impact of the ongoing DHS funding standoff—why TSA agents aren’t getting paid, how airport chaos unfolded during peak travel season, and why the blame game in Washington isn’t telling the full story.

They also dive into:

• The truth behind TSA delays, airport security breakdowns, and ICE deployments
• How political gridlock is directly affecting travelers and federal workers
• Why Boston’s “record” graduation rates may not be what they seem
• The growing trend of lowering academic standards instead of improving outcomes
• School shutdown culture, remote learning fallout, and rising absenteeism

Plus, a lighter (but important) conversation on reclaiming normal life in a hyper-online world—why logging off, reading more, and staying grounded might be the most radical thing you can do today.