It’s easy to feel bleak in the times we live. Can our democracy withstand so many forces trying to break it? In this week’s episode, SE shares an optimistic take: Just because we can’t see the solution doesn’t mean there isn’t one out there to any number of seemingly unsolvable problems facing the nation ahead of its 250th anniversary. She would never have predicted, for one, that a self-identifying “iPad kid” would, through the deus-ex-machina of good old fashioned peer pressure, one day aspire to be a “touch grass kid” instead. Sometimes solutions can be found that one never thought possible!

There’s plenty of news to get to this week as well, from Trump’s big reversal on housing, to a breakdown of the Iran fiasco with returning guest Josh Rogin.

If you have any thoughts about coffee, the news, or mental health, reach out to us at offthecupp@gmail.com, and your message could be read on a future show!