06/01/2023 - Rogue AI, predicting the Supremes, and debt-ceiling dumbskullery: Mark and Carrie go all-in for summer

06/01/2023 - Rogue AI, predicting the Supremes, and debt-ceiling dumbskullery: Mark and Carrie go all-in for summer

Author: Mark and Carrie June 1, 2023 Duration: 39:04

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:

  • The US debt ceiling deal: nobody won, and it was all based on a deep ignorance of how the economy actually works
  • DeSantis goes peak geek and launches his presidential candidacy with on a glitchy Twitter Spaces™
  • Will Trump’s future criminal charges help or hurt him at the polls?
  • Predictions on the Supreme Court’s final cases of the term, including decisions on environmental protection, affirmative action, and student loans
  • Where does the US-China relationship go from here?
  • Mark and Carrie wonder what AI is thinking
  • The next demoralizing phase in the War in Ukraine. 
  • A surprise twist: good news!

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
09/15/2020 - Living Happily in the Past [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:20
Mark Blyth, political economist at Brown's Watson Institute, and political scientist Carrie Nordlund share their take on the news. On this episode: a global tour of climate catastrophes; Trump's immovable poll numbers; e…
08/20/2020 - Welcome to America. Let's Sue Each Other. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Mark Blyth, political economist at Brown's Watson Institute, and political scientist Carrie Nordlund share their take on the news. Steven Bannon's lack of imagination; the conundrum of reopening America's schools; follow…
07/31/2020 - Sentences We Never Thought We'd Say [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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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: {Not} containing coronavirus in the US; America's navel gazing and obses…
07/10/2020 - There Are No Facts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:29
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…
06/24/2020 - Controlled Burn [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:05
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…
06/06/2020 - The Anger Will Out [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:07
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]

Duration: 38:04
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…