05/05/2022 - Despite the Despair, It Was Great Seeing You

05/05/2022 - Despite the Despair, It Was Great Seeing You

Author: Mark and Carrie May 5, 2022 Duration: 40:55

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

On this episode:

  • The political implications of the Supreme Court’s leaked decision overturning Roe v. Wade
  • Bipartisan support in Congress for arming Ukraine, and what the next phase of this war might look like
  • Making sense of the Republican Senate Primary in Ohio, and the extent of Trump’s continued influence on the GOP
  • China’s struggle with news Covid waves, and the limits of top-down China’s governing model
  • Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter. Is he trying to own ‘the public square’ and change the world, or is he just trying to make some money?
  • Inflation, recessions, and the limits of the Fed’s ability to fix either. 
  • Tucker Carlson’s concerns about male fertility
  • Watching the world burn and the Met Gala at the same time. 

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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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