Sarah and Beth talk with Simon Bazelon, one of the authors of Deciding to Win, a report focused on how Democrats can strengthen their electoral chances moving forward. This is a wonderful, pragmatic conversation about what that will take. Then, outside of politics, they discuss food for Christmas Day. Topics Discussed Simon Bazelon on How Democrats Can Win Outside of Politics: Christmas Day Food Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more. 

Today, Sarah and Beth discuss Marjorie Taylor Greene's dramatic exit from Congress and what that says about the current state of our nation. Then Julie K Brown, the Miami Herald investigative reporter who wrote the book on Jeffrey Epstein, joins Sarah and Beth to discuss her latest reporting and what happens next with the Epstein files.  Topics Discussed Marjorie Taylor Greene walks away from Congress What Everyone Gets Wrong about the Epstein Files with Julie K Brown Outside of Politics: Holiday Traditions for Big Kids Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats, and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more. 

Here at Pantsuit Politics, we wanted to approach our gratitude a little differently this year. We reached out to a bunch of people in our community and asked them to do that with us. What you’ll hear today are members of our team, listeners like you, some friends of the show, and many of the guests we had on throughout this year sharing the absolute smallest things they are thankful for. What we got is a beautiful mix of poignant, funny, heartfelt, and honest answers. If you’ve never watched us on video, this episode is a great one to do so. It’s so fun to see everyone’s faces and spaces as they share what they are grateful for. Plus, Studio D was kind enough to work with me to put everyone’s names on the video as well, in case you don’t recognize them on voices alone. We’d love to know the smallest thing you are grateful for as well. We’ve made the Substack comments open to everyone for this episode, so make sure to share your small gratitude there. Our team is, today and always, grateful for each and every one of you who make our work possible. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more.  Get 50% Off Monarch, the all-in-one financial tool at www.monarch.com/pantsuit.

We are honored to have author Diana Carlin with us today to talk about the role of First Lady — both in its history and the modern approach our recent and current First Ladies have taken. Plus, outside of politics, Sarah and Beth share their Thanksgiving must-haves. Topics Discussed First Ladies Past and Present with Diana Carlin Outside of Politics: Thanksgiving Favorites Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more. 

Sarah and Beth discuss the news of the week and the increasing prices across the economy. Topics Discussed: ICE Operations in Charlotte, NC Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud at the White House  Congress Votes to Force Release of Epstein Files Pricing Increases and Import Decreases Outside of Politics: Moving Forward After Grief Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more. 

In today's new episode, Sarah and Beth discuss the rapid decline of drinking in the US and what that means for our relationships, our economy, and our politics. Topics Discussed The Decline of Drinking in the US Outside of Politics: How do I ask my neighbor to stop smoking? Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more. 

Health insurance premiums are skyrocketing this year. Understanding why pulls in a multitude of topics: aging populations, expensive new drugs and treatments, rising costs across sectors, the consolidated profit layers baked into our system, and more. Sarah and Beth untangle why and how we got here, what's actually driving costs, and why the solution is not as simple as wishing for a universal healthcare fix. Plus: why everyone seems so angry about everything.  Topics Discussed No Dumb Questions About Health Insurance Why Premiums Are Skyrocketing Insurance as Financial Security vs. Healthcare Solution Outside of Politics: Customer Service and Community Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more. 

Sarah and Beth discuss the priorities of the Trump Administration in the face of the longest government shutdown in history, the negotiations between eight Democratic senators and Republicans to reopen the government, and the ways the shutdown is impacting air travel as the holidays approach. Topics Discussed The Trump Administration’s Shutdown Priorities: Coins, Renovations, Pardons, and Cutting SNAP Benefits The Senate Plan to Reopen the Government The Generational Impact of the Air Traffic Controller Strike Outside of Politics: Getting Ready for the Holidays Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more. 

We're joined by Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan to talk about this week's election results, her work in Michigan, our current political moment, and her beloved Detroit Lions. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more. 

Note: This week, we’re sharing the spicy bonus episode with all our subscribers - free and paid. If you’re a free subscriber, we hope you enjoy this preview. These are the types of robust, free-flowing conversations we’re sharing every Thursday for paid subscribers. We hope you’ll consider joining us as a paid subscriber so you can enjoy all our premium content, access the comments and community, and support our small business. On this week’s spicy bonus episode, Sarah and Beth discuss the encouraging election results from around the country. They discuss Nancy Pelosi’s announced retirement and how this administration is leaving so many missed opportunities on the table. This could have been a time of real change, but, instead, they are just breaking things. Speaking of breaking things, the political right is facing a real breakdown within its ranks. There’s a real divide happening. All this, plus the desire to do real work and be connected with each other, and the difference between virtue and moralizing. It’s all here in one of our characteristically wide-ranging episodes. *This episode is explicit. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more. 

Rep. Sarah McBride, who represents the entire state of Delaware, joins us to talk about her experience in Congress, the stakes of the shutdown, working with her colleagues across the aisle, and her connection to Taylor Swift. It's a fabulous conversation you won't want to miss.  Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more. 

Today, we're talking about the spookiest thing we can think of: the economy. The stock market is up in 2025, but the gains are concentrated in a handful of companies, primarily driven by speculation about what AI will be. Sarah and Beth discuss what the AI economy means for regular people, our jobs, and our future. Topics Discussed The AI Economy Crypto Speculation Outside of Politics: Steven King and Louise Penny Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more. 

Today, Sarah and Beth are joined by Lacy Boling of the Paducah Cooperative Ministry, who shares how government cuts are impacting Food Banks across the US, their ability to meet their community needs, and how we can help. Topics Discussed How federal assistance has slowed to a trickle What could happen to families when SNAP benefits run out What happens to food pantries when need skyrockets What all of us can do that actually helps Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more. 

The East Wing of the White House being torn down during a government shutdown might be the most egregious physical manifestation of America’s problems right now. Corruption abounds, Congress is adrift, and our international impact is murky at best. Plus, healthcare costs are skyrocketing for millions of Americans.  Sarah and Beth break it all down together. They discuss the destruction of the East Wing, the government shutdown, ICE in Chicago, the Gaza ceasefire, the strikes on Venezuelan boats, the healthcare costs, and more. Topics Discussed Corruption at the White House Government Shutdown and Congress Adrift Donald Trump’s International Legacy and Actions Healthcare Cost Increases Outside of Politics: Our Switzerland Trip Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more. If you're not already subscribed, you can use this link to ensure you're getting our show notes, weekly newsletter, and more. 

Should SNAP benefits cover soda and candy? Six states get federal approval to exclude them, and Sarah and Beth debate whether this is smart public health policy or government overreach—wrestling with the tension between the "nutrition" and "assistance" parts of the program's mission. Should tax dollars subsidize products that make people less healthy? Sarah and Beth explore the "common sense politics" of restricting junk food purchases, Sarah's personal experience using SNAP cards during COVID, and whether the Biden administration should have approved state waivers as experiments instead of blocking them. Is the soda industry the real villain? Sarah calls soda "poison" and predicts it will be viewed like cigarettes in decades to come, while Beth argues the government should regulate the industry upstream rather than police individual purchases downstream. Plus: Bedtime routines, sleep struggles, and why Beth can sleep through anything while Sarah wakes up at the slightest sound. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more.

What happens when a college "greet line" handshake turns into a 24-year friendship? Sarah welcomes her longtime friends Mike and Smith to explore how their trio has survived decades of different life phases, cross-country moves, and major life changes, from their freshman year at Transylvania University through careers, marriages, and parenthood—all anchored by a book club that became their lifeline. Why are platonic male-female friendships so rare in American culture? They examine the social dynamics that make cross-gender friendships uncommon, how romantic assumptions complicate these relationships, and what it takes for friendships to survive when partners enter the picture, exploring whether having sisters, shared interests, or just good "riffing" chemistry makes the difference. Is America heading toward a "soft secession" by blue and red states? They flip the script on our usual Outside of Politics segment and tackle the current political moment, debating whether fertile ground exists for a viable third party, why Trump's cultural omnipresence makes him irreplaceable, and whether the country's "bimodal" split on everything from news consumption to local governance signals a fundamental breaking point in American democracy. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.

Sarah and Beth tackle the complicated state of climate discourse in America. While extreme weather events become increasingly common and climate change shows up in our daily lives—from electricity bills to insurance rates—the national conversation remains frustratingly frozen in partisan gridlock. They explore why climate change has become such a divisive political issue despite its visible effects, discuss the tension between climate catastrophism and practical solutions, and examine what effective climate messaging might look like going forward. From the “mile wide, inch deep” nature of public support to the challenges facing both progressive and conservative climate advocates, this conversation captures the full complexity of where we are—and where we might need to go. Finally, Sarah introduces Beth (and us) to junk journaling, a creative practice of transforming everyday ephemera into meaningful keepsakes. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more. Don't miss our limited-edition holiday sale!

Will there finally be peace in Gaza? Sarah and Beth discuss President Trump's efforts to coordinate a peace deal between Israel and Gaza. They reflect on what it must mean to families on both sides of the conflict to see a potential end to this war in sight.  Why isn't Congress back in session to end this shutdown and what does it have to do with Epstein?. Sarah and Beth talk to Rep. Ro Khanna about the government shutdown and his efforts to get the Epstein files released. Rep. Khanna also shares why the two are intertwined.  How much cleaning is too much cleaning? Outside of politics, we're talking about cleaning content and what level of cleaning goes past reasonable standards of cleanliness.  Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more. Don't miss our limited-edition holiday sale!

Government shutdown drags on with no end in sight. Sarah and Beth explore why Republicans lack motivation to resolve it—from giving Russell Vought a runway to shut down agencies, to avoiding responsibility, to the Epstein document discharge petition battle.  Federal troops and ICE operations escalate in American cities. Sarah and Beth break down the National Guard deployments to Los Angeles, DC, Memphis, and the blocked attempt in Oregon, plus aggressive ICE raids across the country.  What "war zones" actually look like versus Portland protests. Sarah and Beth push back on the administration's characterization of cities, discuss ice impersonators endangering citizens, and debate whether Gavin Newsom and JB Pritzker are handling federal overreach differently.  Plus: Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl album—what worked and what didn't. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, chats and more. Don't miss our limited-edition holiday sale!

Can Trump's Gaza peace plan actually work? Sarah and Beth break down the 20-point proposal and why Netanyahu is finally feeling the heat. They discuss what's changed—from polling on Israel to Ukraine's drone warfare lessons—and whether this administration's transactional approach might accidentally deliver lasting peace. Why are so few panicking about the government shutdown? With funding lapsed and Congress in recess, Beth and Sarah explore the "giant shrug" response from those not directly affected and whether crying wolf has made actual shutdowns feel disminished. They debate Democratic strategy on healthcare protections, discuss the problem with shutdown threats, and propose what a genuine budget process reform could look like. What happened when Pete Hegseth called 800 generals to Quantico? Sarah and Beth dissect the defense secretary's retreat featuring Christian nationalism, complaints about "fat" people in the military, and Trump's "enemy within" rhetoric. They work through the tension of taking legitimate military critiques seriously while resisting the administration's trap of making everything a partisan thunderdome—and why the calm response from cities with National Guard deployments offers a better model. Plus: The treats roundup you need this week, from The Pitt to fall magazines to cinnamon toast blondies. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.

What is the path forward for Gaza and the West Bank? Beth and Sarah discuss Trump's fourth meeting with the Israeli Prime Minister as European countries recognize Palestinian statehood. They examine Tony Blair's transition proposal, Trump's 21-point plan, and whether the Trump administration can be a reliable partner in peace. What happens to a government shutdown when "we don't have local politics anymore"? As the government funding deadline hits tomorrow, Sarah and Beth explore why the old political playbooks may not work in today's splintered media environment. Sarah and Beth evaluate Democratic negotiating priorities - from healthcare tax credits to PBS funding - and debate whether representatives should act as delegates or trustees when Constitutional order itself is at stake. Is the Comey indictment as flimsy as it looks? Beth breaks down the two-page indictment charging the former FBI Director with lying to Congress about a 2016 leak. With a grand jury already refusing one charge and a statute of limitations that barely applies, they discuss what it means when the Justice Department has fully become "the revenge department for the president" rather than serving the American people. Plus: Sarah shares her Common Ground Pilgrimage to England and achieves her life dream of comforting a crying baby on a transatlantic flight. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.

Is the President authorized to blow up boats and kill suspected drug smugglers? Beth speaks with Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) about Trump's use of military force to strike vessels in the Caribbean Sea without due process, trials, or congressional authorization. The Senator explains why these extrajudicial killings violate constitutional war powers and put America at greater risk internationally. Why aren't Republicans checking executive overreach? Senator Van Hollen describes how the GOP has become a "rubber stamp" for Trump, abandoning its constitutional duty to provide checks and balances. From dismantling congressional war powers to remaining silent on due process violations, he explores what it means when an entire party contracts out its judgment to one person. What levers does Congress actually have right now? As the government funding deadline approaches, Van Hollen discusses the Democratic strategy of "creative confrontation" - from showing up at ICE detention centers to challenging book bans at the Naval Academy. He explains why he won't give Trump a "blank check" even from the minority, and what safeguards against illegal withholding of funds could look like in any budget deal. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.

Can Democrats move beyond defending broken institutions? Beth and guest host Mike Nellis explore how the party has become trapped in protecting a status quo that isn't working, while Republicans offer only grievance without solutions. Nellis argues that both parties lack a positive vision for America, leaving Americans choosing between institutional failure and billionaire-funded chaos. Why does Trump strategically pick fights he can win? From Jimmy Kimmel's suspension to targeting ActBlue, Beth and Mike examine how Trump chooses vulnerable opponents while avoiding stronger figures, and how his "retribution arc" exploits existing weaknesses in media and activist organizations. How do we have real conversations when algorithms profit from division? Drawing on everything from pro wrestling metaphors to advice from his Trump-voting FBI father, they discuss why billionaires benefit from keeping Americans fighting their neighbors, the loneliness epidemic among young people, and finding common ground beyond political identity. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.

What happens when a 22-year-old's "mission mindset" leads to political assassination? Sarah and Beth grapple with the charging documents and online footprint of Charlie Kirk's shooter, exploring how video game culture, sedentary leisure, and the deadly confluence that defies simple political categorization. Can we stop using historical figures as props to end arguments? They examine how both sides wield Hitler comparisons and identity markers to avoid engaging with actual ideas, discussing Sarah's personal reckoning with years of ad hominem attacks and why "you're a Nazi" has become a conversation killer rather than a call for critical thinking. Why do young people know Charlie Kirk but reject his ideas? From the 90% name recognition but only 30% approval among Gen Z to the "sedentary alone leisure time" crisis among young men, Sarah and Beth explore how we ceded intellectual territory to figures like Jordan Peterson and Andrew Tate by refusing to engage with questions about masculinity and purpose. How do we debate ideas without destroying relationships? Drawing on everything from couples therapy techniques to sibling fights, they discuss moving from "sneering" to intellectual rigor, why the personal being political doesn't mean emotions should dominate arguments, and how to choose relationship over being right. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.

What happens when a polarizing figure's death becomes a cultural Rorschach test? Sarah and Beth process the assassination of Charlie Kirk and its aftermath, exploring how the same person can be seen as both saint and monster depending on your media diet, and why we're all seeing different versions of the same story. How do we have "soft conflict" in a world demanding verbal war? They examine the death spiral of online discourse where nuance dies and everyone becomes either completely good or irredeemably evil, discussing why we've lost the ability to disagree without destroying each other and how algorithmic social media poisons every conversation. Can we escape the cycle of cancellation and retribution? From firing people over social media posts to the deification and demonization of public figures, Sarah and Beth explore how both left and right use the same punitive playbook, and why someone has to go first in laying down weapons. Why are we all craving something real when everything feels like performance? Outside of Politics, they discuss the exhaustion of being extremely online, the appeal of house plants and tangible hobbies, and why even award shows feel hollow when streaming has fractured our shared cultural experiences. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.

Sarah and Beth react to both the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk and the response online from people on both sides of the political aisle. If we truly believe every human life has value (and we here at Pantsuit Politics do), what does that mean as we reckon with political violence? Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.

Should Democrats shut down the government to stop Trump's authoritarian overreach? Sarah and Beth break down Ezra Klein's New York Times op-ed calling on Democrats to use the September 30th funding deadline to confront Trump's illegal pocket rescissions, growing corruption, and dismantling of congressional oversight, while examining whether traditional bipartisan governance enables authoritarianism. Why has Congress abandoned its constitutional duty to control government spending? They explore how the broken appropriations process—where the last complete budget was passed in 1997—has created a system of continuing resolutions that empowers the executive branch, as Trump's team openly admits they want Congress to "just keep doing what you're doing" while they consolidate power and enrich themselves. When is it okay to sing along at public events, and when should you stay quiet? Outside of Politics, they tackle the etiquette dilemmas of candlelight concerts, Broadway shows, movie sing-alongs, and graduation ceremonies, exploring how our "you owe me perfection and I owe you nothing" culture has broken down basic public courtesy and shared behavioral standards. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.

Is Trump a dictator, or just a wannabe? Sarah and Beth define authoritarianism and examine how decades of expanding executive power set the stage for Trump's emergency declarations, ICE army, and attacks on expertise, while exploring whether American institutions can resist the authoritarian playbook. What happens when courts push back but the Supreme Court stays silent? They analyze Trump's use of emergency powers to justify military action in the Caribbean, mass deportations without due process, and the renaming of the Department of Defense to the Department of War, discussing how legal challenges create incentives for escalation. Why are we giving our kids adult experiences earlier and earlier? Outside of Politics, Sarah and Beth dive into the phenomenon of elaborate dorm room decorating, the pressure to make kids popular, and how parents navigate the fine line between support and performance in an Instagram-driven world. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.

What happens when we can't tell truth from rumors anymore? Sarah and Beth process the bizarre weekend when Trump death rumors dominated X while official news sources stayed silent, exploring what this reveals about our fractured media landscape and the breakdown of institutional trust. How do you rebuild expertise once it walks out the door? They examine the chaos at CDC under RFK Jr.'s influence, including the firing of Director Dr. Susan Monarez and mass resignations of top leadership, discussing whether institutions can be reformed or must be torn down entirely. Why are we all craving slower, more tangible things? Outside of Politics, Sarah and Beth reflect on the movement toward point-and-shoot cameras, canceling Amazon Prime, and pushing back against digital overwhelm in search of more intentional living. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.

How do we talk about safety without demonizing entire communities? Sarah and Beth grapple with the complex psychology behind violence while examining Trump's federal takeover of DC police and exploring why crime statistics show progress even as public fear remains high. When does federal intervention help versus harm local communities? They analyze the deployment of National Guard troops to DC, the disconnect between data-driven policing successes and public perception of chaos, and what it means when emotions drive policy more than evidence. Why do so many (including us) find so much joy in Taylor Swift's engagement? In Outside of Politics, they discuss the joy of choosing community celebration over doom-scrolling, what this royal-level romance might mean for modern marriage, and why some people want to politicize everything. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.

What can Canada's death laws teach us about policy limits? Sarah and Beth examine Canada's medical assistance in dying (MAID) program, where assisted deaths now account for 1 in 20 deaths nationwide - more than Alzheimer's and diabetes combined. They trace how policies that began with terminally ill patients have expanded to include those with treatable conditions and mental health issues alone. When does personal autonomy go too far? Sarah and Beth explore the moral injury experienced by healthcare workers, question whether doctors should make ethical decisions, and examine what happens when individual autonomy becomes society's dominant value.  How do you deepen friendships by sharing life stories? In Outside of Politics, Sarah describes a weekend exercise where friends told their complete life stories from birth to present, plus creative alternatives like wedding album tours and conversation games like Hygge. Featured:Canada Gave Citizens the Right to Die. Doctors Are Struggling to Meet Demand. by Elaina Plott Calabro (The Atlantic) Contact:hello@pantsuitpoliticsshow.com with "crime" in the subject line for listener perspectives on federal law enforcement in Washington DC. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.

How have our perspectives changed since October 7th? Sarah and Beth open up about the difficulty of covering a conflict where any words will cause pain to someone. They share how their perspectives have evolved since October 7th and grapple with the moral complexities of Israel's actions, America's role, and what comes next. How do you hold complexity without losing moral clarity? Sarah and Beth explore how the Israeli government's actions have shifted their thinking, the limits of international law, and whether America should continue military aid without conditions. What is the best summer reading? In Outside of Politics, Sarah breaks down her summer reading wins and fails, from nonfiction gems to "trash" novels, while Beth plans her "fiction fall" reading list. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.

Today, we're sharing our spicy bonus episode from last week with everyone. We do an episode like this once a week for our premium subscribers on Substack. If you enjoy this conversation, we'd love for you to join us on Substack. We're running an end of summer sale through August 31st with 15% off an annual subscription. Use this link to get your savings while they last!  http://pantsuitpoliticsshow.com/subscribe/summersale  SHOW NOTES: Today’s spicy bonus episode is about the tension between our personal choices and our community responsibilities as well as the different roles we have in the world, our public lives, and our private lives (which lines up very nicely with Taylor Swift’s big album announcement). More to Say About Showing Up at School (Pantsuit Politics Premium) More to Say About Getting Kids to School (Pantsuit Politics Premium) Taylor Swift on Reclaiming Her Masters, Wrapping The Eras Tour, and The Life of a Showgirl (NHTV) Daily Stoic Newsletter Blazing Eye Sees All: Love Has Won, False Prophets, and the Fever Dream of the American New Age by Leah Sottile

Are President Trump's diplomatic gambles paying off or backfiring? Sarah and Beth analyze Trump's summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, examining whether giving Putin a platform on American soil legitimizes his regime or advances genuine peace negotiations.  What does the Jeffrey Epstein case reveal about justice in America? Sarah and Beth debate how wealth and power corrupt our justice system. They wrestle with distinguishing between legitimate concerns about institutional failures around the Justice Department's handling of Epstein's case and conspiracy theories. How do you find genuine stress relief in chaotic times? In Outside of Politics, Sarah and Beth discuss managing stress and finding hobbies. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.

Are we ready for the AI revolution transforming our world? Sarah and Beth dive into the lightning-fast rise of artificial intelligence that's reshaping how we work, connect, and live our daily lives. From workplace automation to community impacts, they unpack our collective anxieties about this technological shift and explore practical approaches to AI regulation and engagement. What does it mean to stay resilient in an AI-driven world? In Outside of Politics, they tackle the modern epidemic of burnout and share insights on building lasting resilience in uncertain times. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, and show merchandise that lets you take the conversation with you.

Sarah and Beth return from their summer break to discuss how they decide what to cover in today's chaotic political landscape. They dive into the Texas gerrymandering battle and explore the broader shift toward state-level governance happening across America. Topics Discussed:  How We Choose Our Topics for the Show The Shift from Federal to State Power (and What It Means) Texas Gerrymandering and the National Response Outside of Politics: Hosting Parties Visit our website for complete show notes, premium shows, show merchandise, and more.

Pantsuit Politics is celebrating ten years of podcasting this year! A lot has happened politically, culturally, and personally in the last ten years. This summer, we’re revisiting each of the years we’ve been podcasting with a special flashback episode. In our final flashback, we ponder how much we’re still sorting through the remnants left by the whirlwind that was 2024. Topics Discussed The Whirlwind of 2024 Violence At Home and Abroad Outside of Politics: Beyonce and Pop Girl Summer Visit our website for complete show notes, premium shows, show merchandise, and more.

We are thrilled to be sharing a conversation today between Beth and Dr. Casey Burgat, a professor and author of the new book, We Hold These "Truths": How to Spot the Myths that are Holding America Back. Beth and Casey talk about the balance of power between the branches of government, what a reset would look like, where they would start fixing things, and — perhaps most importantly — their shared love of the Three Pines series by Louise Penny. Visit our website for complete show notes, premium shows, show merchandise, and more.

Pantsuit Politics is celebrating ten years of podcasting this year! A lot has happened politically, culturally, and personally in the last ten years. This summer, we’re revisiting each of the years we’ve been podcasting with a special flashback episode. Today, we look back at how emerging technology and the start of the war in Gaza changed the world. Topics Discussed Emerging Technology in 2023 October 7th and the Start of the War in Gaza Outside of Politics: Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Visit our website for complete show notes, premium shows, show merchandise, and more.

Sarah is joined by journalist and author Sara Kehaulani Goo about her new book, Kuleana: A Story of Family, Land, and Legacy in Old Hawai'i. Sara talks about tourism, belonging, and her familial roots in Hawaiian land.  Visit our website for complete show notes, premium shows, show merchandise, and more.

Pantsuit Politics is celebrating ten years of podcasting this year! A lot has happened politically, culturally, and personally in the last ten years. This summer, we’re revisiting each of the years we’ve been podcasting with a special flashback episode. Today, we look back at 2022. Sarah explains why she thinks the slap at the Oscars was such a pivot point, and we reflect on the invasion of Ukraine and the January 6th hearings as big moments as well.  Topics Discussed 2022 as a Pivot Year What Mattered Most in 2022? Outside of Politics: Cultural Highlights of 2022 Visit our website for complete show notes, premium shows, show merchandise, and more.

Today’s spicy bonus episode is available to all listeners. These bonus episodes are where Sarah and Beth let loose a bit more than the main show. Their feelings are often more raw and their conversation often has more heat. This episode, like many of our spicy bonus episodes, is explicit. If you enjoy this type of conversation from Sarah and Beth, we hope you’ll join us as a paid subscriber here on Substack. Being part of the Spice Cabinet — as we lovingly refer to our paid subscribers — gets you access to this weekly spicy bonus episode, as well as Sarah and Beth’s two premium shows: Good Morning and More to Say. Plus, access to the comments, extras like our film club, and more. Join our Spicy Cabinet community on Substack. In this episode, Sarah and Beth talk about their feelings of powerlessness and frustration at how the system feels unresponsive right now. They also reflect on the Cincinnati live event and how we try to avoid a consumption model in our events. Plus, they share how they are thinking about our production as we head into a short summer break. How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States by Daniel Immerwahr (MacMillan)

Today, we're sharing our conversation with Stanford University College of Medicine researcher Keith Humphreys about his research on what went wrong with post-COVID and post-George Floyd drug policy, and how communities can effectively support people in recovering from addiction. Visit our website for complete show notes, premium shows, show merchandise, and more.

Pantsuit Politics is celebrating ten years of podcasting this year! A lot has happened politically, culturally, and personally in the last ten years. This summer, we’re revisiting each of the years we’ve been podcasting with a special flashback episode. Today, we look back at 2021 and present our theory that it - not 2020 - is the year that actually broke us. Topics Discussed January 6th What We Got Wrong in 2021 Outside of Politics: Nostalgia in a Disrupted Time Visit our website for complete show notes, premium shows, show merchandise, and more.

Sarah and Beth talk to Michigan representative Haley Stevens about how the BBB will impact her constituents in Michigan and why she actually loves Congress and the work of being a representative.  Join us for our live show in Cincinnati with a virtual ticket! Visit our website for complete show notes, premium shows, show merchandise, and more.

Pantsuit Politics is celebrating ten years of podcasting this year! A lot has happened politically, culturally, and personally in the last ten years. This summer, we’re revisiting each of the years we’ve been podcasting with a special flashback episode. Today, we are looking at the big moments and lessons learned from the rich text that is 2020. Topics Discussed Parts of 2020 that were Not Covid Covid-19 Outside of Politics: Tiger King and TikTok Visit our website for complete show notes, premium shows, show merchandise, and more.

This week, we’re introducing you to a show we think you’ll really enjoy—it’s called Hasan Minhaj Doesn’t Know, and it blends humor with genuine curiosity in a way that feels both fresh and thoughtful. You probably know Hasan from The Daily Show or Patriot Act, but in this podcast, he sits down with guests from across politics, culture, and tech to ask big, sometimes absurd, but always honest questions. In this episode, he talks with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ronan Farrow about his HBO documentary on spyware technology, his new podcast Not a Very Good Murderer, and—of course—trades hair care tips with a fellow hair bro. After you listen, search Hasan Minhaj Doesn’t Know wherever you get your podcasts, or head to: https://lemonada.lnk.to/hasanminhajdoesntknowfd

Sarah and Beth discuss the news of the weekend, the heartbreaking flooding in Texas, the FBI's admission that the Epstein files aren't real, and the passage of the Republican Reconciliation bill. Topics Discussed The Big Backward Bill The Epstein Files are Not Coming Flash Flooding at Texas Camp Mystic Austyn Gaffney on Local Climate Resilience and Rebuilding Outside of Politics: Summer Music Visit our website for complete show notes, premium shows, show merchandise, and more.

Pantsuit Politics is celebrating ten years of podcasting this year! A lot has happened politically, culturally, and personally in the last ten years. This summer, we’re revisiting each of the years we’ve been podcasting with a special flashback episode. Today, we are looking at the big moments and lessons learned from 2019. Topics Discussed The Year of Ugh: Government Shutdown, the First Impeachment, and Jeffrey Epstein Learning Lessons and Rising Temperatures on Social Media Outside of Politics: Cultural Highlights of 2019 Visit our website for complete show notes, premium shows, show merchandise, and more.

Sarah and Beth discuss the status of the President's Reconciliation bill, the end of the Supreme Court term, and share their big ideas for our three branches of government to work better. Topics Discussed The One Big Beautiful Bill and Budget Reconciliation The Supreme Court Avoids Big Decisions Outside of Politics: Little Things that Make Life Better Visit our website for complete show notes, premium shows, show merchandise, and more.