01/24/2023 - Mars Is Lovely in the Summer

01/24/2023 - Mars Is Lovely in the Summer

Author: Mark and Carrie January 25, 2023 Duration: 39:56

Mark Blyth, political economist at Brown University's Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, and Carrie Nordlund, political scientist and Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs at Brown University, share their take on the news.

On this episode:

  • Is there any way to reduce mass shootings in the US?
  • ‘Atmospheric rivers’ and California’s weather woes
  • The debt ceiling showdown in Congress, Kevin McCarthy’s shameful job hunt: life with a divided Congress is back. 
  • Mark’s invite to Davos was clearly lost in the mail. 
  • Can the UK’s political leadership go a week without a bone-headed scandal? (No.) 
  • Understanding Germany’s reluctance to send tanks to Ukraine. 
  • New currencies: the ‘bike lanes’ of international economic policy. 
  • The Royal Family is weird. 

Learn more about the Watson Institute's other podcasts.


Every week, Mark and Carrie brings together the distinct perspectives of Mark Blyth, a political economist at Brown University’s Watson Institute, and Carrie Nordlund, a political scientist who helps run Brown’s Master of Public Affairs program. Instead of rehashing headlines, they dig into the forces shaping them, offering a blend of academic insight and straight-talking analysis that clarifies more than it confuses. What you’ll hear is a real conversation-one that can pivot from a deep dive into economic policy to a sharp, witty observation about the day’s political theater, often within the same segment. The result is a refreshing break from the predictable rhythms of news commentary. This podcast thrives on the chemistry between its hosts, making complex topics accessible without oversimplifying them. Tuning in feels less like a lecture and more like sitting in on a lively discussion between two experts who aren’t afraid to challenge each other, or to find the humor in even the most serious subjects. For anyone weary of the media haze, Mark and Carrie provides a thoughtful, topical, and genuinely engaging way to understand the stories that define our world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Mark and Carrie
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