In this episode, Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz examine the nation’s troubling literacy rates, spotlighting how red states like Mississippi are seeing surprising success, while many others fall behind. They also tackle controversial school leadership hiring practices, media bias in covering education reform, and the struggles facing cities like Portland under federal intervention. Normally is part of the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Podcast Network - new episodes debut every Tuesday & Thursday

Visit IFCJ

Email the Show

In this episode, Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz examine the nation&rsquo;s troubling literacy rates, spotlighting how red states like Mississippi are seeing surprising success, while many others fall behind. They also tackle controversial school leadership hiring practices, media bias in covering education reform, and the struggles facing cities like Portland under federal intervention. Normally is part of the Clay Travis &amp; Buck Sexton Podcast Network - new episodes debut every Tuesday &amp; Thursday
<a href="ifcj.org">Visit IFCJ</a>
<a href="mailto:normallythepod@gmail.com">Email the Show</a>

Normally is the podcast for normal people, by normal people. We’re going to limit the hysteria, tone down the crazy, and talk about what really matters. Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz have been in the political commentary world a long time. Both are known for being funny, and a bit irreverent, but also serious and thoughtful about the issues that are important to the country. Catch Normally every Tuesday & Thursday on the iHeartRadio App, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Normally is the podcast for normal people, by normal people. We&rsquo;re going to limit the hysteria, tone down the crazy, and talk about what really matters. Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz have been in the political commentary world a long time. Both are known for being funny, and a bit irreverent, but also serious and thoughtful about the issues that are important to the country. Catch Normally every Tuesday &amp; Thursday on the iHeartRadio App, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.&nbsp;

Normally

The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

In this episode, Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz examine the nation’s troubling literacy rates, spotlighting how red states like Mississippi are seeing surprising success, while many others fall behind. 

Normally Podcast: Portland, Crime, and Classrooms: What Failing Cities Teach Us About Accountability

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/515eadea-2131-4fe0-939c-b3680028619c/transcript

On this episode of Normally, Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz break down the latest in the U.S.–Iran conflict and the administration’s argument that the operation is delivering air supremacy and rapid results. They react to Secretary of War's Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine, discuss the media narrative vs. operational success, and dig into Marco Rubio’s explanation of why the U.S. moved now—and why claims that “Israel forced America into war” don’t hold up.

They also look at early public opinion: how support changes depending on whether Americans believe the conflict will last days, weeks, months, or years, and why that matters politically. Plus, they note the real cost of war, honoring the American troops killed in Kuwait and the families left behind.

Then it’s politics: the shockwaves from Texas primaries, including James Talarico defeating Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic Senate primary, Cornyn vs. Paxton heading to a GOP runoff, and Dan Crenshaw losing his primary. Mary Katharine and Karol debate “electability vs. bombast,” what Latino-heavy counties turning out in a Democratic primary could signal, and how Trump endorsements may shape the next round.

The conversation also touches the early 2028 terrain—Gavin Newsom’s Israel comments, the left’s growing comfort with “apartheid” rhetoric, and why Democrats may be steering into an intraparty fight over America’s closest Middle East ally. They flag a Virginia storyline too: why “moderate” branding may not survive hard questions on crime and immigration enforcement.

Finally, they close with a major Supreme Court development: the Court granting relief to California parents challenging school policies around social transition and parental notification—why the justices signaled parents are likely to win on religious exercise and the right to direct the upbringing and education of their children.

On this episode of Normally, Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz break down the latest in the&nbsp;U.S.&ndash;Iran conflict and the administration&rsquo;s argument that the operation is delivering air supremacy and rapid results. They react to&nbsp;Secretary of War's Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan &ldquo;Razin&rdquo; Caine, discuss the media narrative vs. operational success, and dig into Marco Rubio&rsquo;s explanation of why the U.S. moved now&mdash;and why claims that &ldquo;Israel forced America into war&rdquo; don&rsquo;t hold up.
They also look at early public opinion: how support changes depending on whether Americans believe the conflict will last days, weeks, months, or years, and why that matters politically. Plus, they note the real cost of war, honoring the American troops killed in Kuwait and the families left behind.
Then it&rsquo;s politics: the shockwaves from Texas primaries, including James Talarico defeating Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic Senate primary, Cornyn vs. Paxton heading to a GOP runoff, and Dan Crenshaw losing his primary. Mary Katharine and Karol debate &ldquo;electability vs. bombast,&rdquo; what Latino-heavy counties turning out in a Democratic primary could signal, and how Trump endorsements may shape the next round.
The conversation also touches the early 2028 terrain&mdash;Gavin Newsom&rsquo;s Israel comments, the left&rsquo;s growing comfort with &ldquo;apartheid&rdquo; rhetoric, and why Democrats may be steering into an intraparty fight over America&rsquo;s closest Middle East ally. They flag a Virginia storyline too: why &ldquo;moderate&rdquo; branding may not survive hard questions on crime and immigration enforcement.
Finally, they close with a major Supreme Court development: the Court granting relief to California parents challenging school policies around social transition and parental notification&mdash;why the justices signaled parents are likely to win on religious exercise and the right to direct the upbringing and education of their children.

On this episode of Normally, Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz break down the latest in the U.S.–Iran conflict and the administration’s argument that the operation is delivering air supremacy and rapid results. They react to Secretary of War's Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan “Razin” Caine, discuss the media narrative vs. operational success, and dig into Marco Rubio’s explanation of why the U.S. moved now—and why claims that “Israel forced America into war” don’t hold up.

Normally Podcast: Iran Strikes, Hegseth & Rubio’s Case, Texas Primary Shockers, and a Major Supreme Court Win for Parents

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1fb84a3e-0fe3-4eaf-bd63-b404002b5943/transcript

On this episode of Normally, Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz break down the biggest—and weirdest—headlines as the U.S. and Israel escalate military action against Iran in Operation Epic Fury. They discuss what the strikes targeted, why Trump kept plans close to the vest, and the growing debate over Congressional authorization, deterrence, and whether the administration can keep this operation short.

They also examine Iran’s regional retaliation—missile and drone attacks across the Middle East—and why the widening fallout is pushing more countries to align against Tehran. Plus: what the endgame could look like, the concerns about terror recruitment and “blowback”, and early reports of possible retaliatory violence in the U.S.

In the second half, it’s the weekly check-in on Democrat dysfunction: a Maine Senate candidate dogged by Nazi-tattoo / antisemitism controversies, Bernie’s new billionaire tax pitch (and why incentives matter), and a grim Northern Virginia case that puts crime, prosecutions, and immigration enforcement back in the spotlight. Finally, they close with peak DC: a parenting group chat that implodes after activists demand it take official positions on global conflicts—because in 2026, even playdates can’t escape politics.

On this episode of Normally, Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz break down the biggest&mdash;and weirdest&mdash;headlines as the U.S. and Israel escalate military action against Iran in Operation Epic Fury. They discuss what the strikes targeted, why Trump kept plans close to the vest, and the growing debate over Congressional authorization, deterrence, and whether the administration can keep this operation short.
They also examine Iran&rsquo;s regional retaliation&mdash;missile and drone attacks across the Middle East&mdash;and why the widening fallout is pushing more countries to align against Tehran. Plus: what the endgame could look like, the concerns about terror recruitment and &ldquo;blowback&rdquo;, and early reports of possible retaliatory violence in the U.S.
In the second half, it&rsquo;s the weekly check-in on Democrat dysfunction: a Maine Senate candidate dogged by Nazi-tattoo / antisemitism controversies, Bernie&rsquo;s new billionaire tax pitch (and why incentives matter), and a grim Northern Virginia case that puts crime, prosecutions, and immigration enforcement back in the spotlight. Finally, they close with peak DC: a parenting group chat that implodes after activists demand it take official positions on global conflicts&mdash;because in 2026, even playdates can&rsquo;t escape politics.

On this episode of Normally, Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz break down the biggest—and weirdest—headlines as the U.S. and Israel escalate military action against Iran in Operation Epic Fury. They discuss what the strikes targeted, why Trump kept plans close to the vest, and the growing debate over Congressional authorization, deterrence, and whether the administration can keep this operation short.

Normally Podcast: Operation Epic Fury: U.S.-Israel Strikes Iran, Retaliation Fears & The Left’s Weird Week

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/4384e14f-224a-41fb-9d14-b402003506ff/transcript

On this episode of Normally—the show with normal-ish takes for when the news gets weird—Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz break down President Trump’s State of the Union and the political chaos swirling around it.

They dig into the Democrats’ optics problem (from heckling to refusing to stand for honored guests), why the U.S. men’s hockey team became the latest target of online outrage, and how “unity” moments keep getting treated like a partisan offense.

Plus, they tackle two bigger cultural flashpoints:


The manufactured hockey “locker room talk” scandal—and why normal people aren’t buying it


The State of the Union response—what worked, what didn’t, and why it still feels small next to the main event


The ugly Candace Owens campaign targeting Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erica Kirk—and why the right can’t keep looking away


A surprising New York Times admission on literacy—how states with weaker teachers unions are seeing better reading results, and what that means for public education

They close with a reminder: don’t let extremists, outrage merchants, or bots steal your joy—or your common sense.

On this episode of Normally&mdash;the show with normal-ish takes for when the news gets weird&mdash;Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz break down President Trump&rsquo;s State of the Union and the political chaos swirling around it.
They dig into the Democrats&rsquo; optics problem (from heckling to refusing to stand for honored guests), why the U.S. men&rsquo;s hockey team became the latest target of online outrage, and how &ldquo;unity&rdquo; moments keep getting treated like a partisan offense.
Plus, they tackle two bigger cultural flashpoints:
<ul data-start="718" data-end="1229">
<li data-start="718" data-end="815">
The manufactured hockey &ldquo;locker room talk&rdquo; scandal&mdash;and why normal people aren&rsquo;t buying it
</li>
<li data-start="816" data-end="933">
The State of the Union response&mdash;what worked, what didn&rsquo;t, and why it still feels small next to the main event
</li>
<li data-start="934" data-end="1058">
The ugly Candace Owens campaign targeting Charlie Kirk&rsquo;s widow, Erica Kirk&mdash;and why the right can&rsquo;t keep looking away
</li>
<li data-start="1059" data-end="1229">
A surprising New York Times admission on literacy&mdash;how states with weaker teachers unions are seeing better reading results, and what that means for public education
</li>
</ul>
They close with a reminder: don&rsquo;t let extremists, outrage merchants, or bots steal your joy&mdash;or your common sense.

On this episode of Normally—the show with normal-ish takes for when the news gets weird—Mary Katharine Ham and Karol Markowicz break down President Trump’s State of the Union and the political chaos swirling around it.  They dig into the Democrats’ optics problem (from heckling to refusing to stand for honored guests), why the U.S. men’s hockey team became the latest target of online outrage, and how “unity” moments keep getting treated like a partisan offense.

Normally Podcast: Trump’s State of the Union: Hockey Controversy, Democrat Optics & the Teachers Union Literacy Wake-Up Call

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/3ebfed2a-8e92-4899-bfc5-b3fc0151e7c9/transcript

Normally Podcast: Portland, Crime, and Classrooms: What Failing Cities Teach Us About Accountability

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