05/17/24 - A galactic implosion of incompetence

05/17/24 - A galactic implosion of incompetence

Author: Mark and Carrie May 17, 2024 Duration: 36:14

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:

  • 2024 election update: Biden struggles to get his message to Americans, while Trump’s hush-money trial might be playing into his strengths
  • What to think of US presidential polling 6 months out from November’s election
  • SCOTUS term wraps up
  • The muddled political impact of campus protests over Israel’s invasion of Gaza
  • Can the dollar be too strong? 
  • Tariffs, foreign competition, reviving national industry – is it the 1930s or 1800s? 
  • The TikTok "ban” in Congress - national security priority, or tech extortion play?
  • Mark and Carrie are very nice to dogs

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
Podcast Episodes
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Mark Blyth, political economist at Brown's Watson Institute, and political scientist Carrie Nordlund share their take on the news. On this episode: unpacking the biggest SCOTUS cases of the last two weeks; Trump's not-so…
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Mark Blyth, political economist at Brown's Watson Institute, and Carrie Nordlund, political scientist and associate director of Brown's Master of Public Affairs program, share their take on the news. On this episode: Cov…
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Mark Blyth, political economist at Brown's Watson Institute, and Carrie Nordlund, political scientist and associate director of Brown's Master of Public Affairs program, share their take on the news. On this episode: Wha…
5/21/2020 - Every Day Feels Like Tuesday [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Mark Blyth, political economist at Brown's Watson Institute, and Carrie Nordlund, political scientist and associate director of Brown's Master of Public Affairs program, share their take on the news. On this episode: dif…
5/8/2020 - If You Open It, They Won't Come [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:41
Mark Blyth, political economist at Brown's Watson Institute, and Carrie Nordlund, political scientist and associate director of Brown's Master of Public Affairs program, share their take on the news. On this episode: tho…
4/24/2020 - Everyone Else is Doing This Better [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:51
Mark Blyth, political economist at Brown's Watson Institute, and Carrie Nordlund, political scientist and associate director of Brown's Master of Public Affairs program, share their take on the news. On this episode: Tru…