Episodes

On most days, you can bank on the news being brought to a grinding halt by a tweet from the President. Today we discuss all of the problems we aren’t solving because we are fixated on his 140 character musings. When you support Pantsuit Politics, you get more nuance! This month's bonus episode is a news fast that we're excited to share with you. Check it out! Thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Redbox has the video games to keep you entertained. With over 40 thousand locations nationwide, you can rent and return anywhere. Better yet, you’ll get a FREE 1-night game rental from Redbox when you use the promo code PANTSUIT7. Swing by a Box in your neighborhood, or if you want to make sure the game you want is there when you arrive, reserve it online at Redbox.com/games. Offer valid through August 8, 2017. Subject to additional terms. Charges apply for additional nights. Payment card required. Getting into video games has never been so easy! Hello Fresh is on a mission to save home cooking! Their recipes make you feel unstoppable, and your taste buds will thank you! Go to hellofresh.com and enter PANTSUIT30 for $30 off your first week of Hello Fresh! The Pearls Sean Spicer is out, and Anthony Scaramucci is in. We struggle to care about that, but we do get a little fired up about "the Mooch" making sexist comments about new Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Surprise! There's more stuff that Jared Kushner left out of required disclosures. We try to put the constant barrage of information in perspective. We'd love to offer a nuanced analysis of the healthcare bill that will be voted on this week. If only we knew what's in it. Listener Leslie compliments Senators Rand Paul and Kamala Harris. The Suit We're as guilty as anyone of focusing too much on the President's tweets. But there's a giant world of problems that we aren't solving because of this obsession. We start making that list. We think that the country's opiate crisis requires all hands on deck. Sarah recommends The House We All Live In. We also talk about our caregiving crisis and new ways to think about death. Technology is changing everything. We don't seem to be adapting our principles rapidly enough to affirmatively decide what kind of world we want to live in. What do we want from artificial intelligence? (Beth references this quote.) How do we adapt our educational systems to a post-industrial society? (We detour a little to discuss multipotentialites, why college isn't for everyone, and the limitations of valedictorians). Thanks to our listeners and patrons Meg (educational inequality), Aaron (inefficient military spending), and Katy (foster care as punishment) for contributing to our conversation. We ultimately think that on a lot of these issues, we need to go back to the drawing board. The Heels We discuss the music festival Beth worked on this weekend (check out The Flower Man) and Sarah learning to water ski.

It's been another whirlwind week, so we experiment with covering five topics each in 20 minutes. Please help support Pantsuit Politics by becoming a patron and enjoying all of our bonus content. Thanks to our sponsors for this episode: School’s out for summer! And Redbox has the video games to keep you entertained. With over 40 thousand locations nationwide, you can rent and return anywhere. Better yet, you’ll get a FREE 1-night game rental from Redbox when you use the promo code PANTSUIT6. Swing by a Box in your neighborhood, or if you want to make sure the game you want is there when you arrive, reserve it online at Redbox.com/games. Offer valid through August 4, 2017. Subject to additional terms. Charges apply for additional nights. Payment card required. Getting into video games has never been so easy! Rent the Runway allows you to finally get the wardrobe you love. Rent the Runway’s Unlimited subscription gives you access to premium designer styles for work, weekends and everything in between – at a flat monthly price. Rent unlimited designer pieces – including tops, jackets, handbags, and jewelry – on rotation, and enjoy the thrill of new clothes without the commitment, closet space, or buyer’s remorse. And now, our listeners can get 25% off their first month by entering the code PANTSUIT at checkout. Sarah's Top Five: 1. The President's interview with the New York Times is really something. 2. We're sending our thoughts to Senator McCain. 3. Our maternal death rates are shockingly high. 4. This episode of Criminal about the clergy abortion network blew us away. 5. Our listener Peggy thinks the President's remarks about Brigitte Macron were directed at the French President. Beth's Top Five: 1. Apologies to Ann Coulter -- she paid for extra leg room not an extra seat. 2. Leah asked for our thoughts on Charles Koch's interview with Freakonomics. 3. Jana gave Beth a great intro suggestion, as the struggle to identify with the parties continues. 4. The President's remarks on healthcare are concerning. 5. Kris Kobach, please stop talking.

We take a look at the frightening possibilities ahead for humanity because the planet is getting warmer. In the Pearls we discuss Colombia's continued peace process and President Trump's comment to Brigitte Macron and compliment the other party. In the Heels, we discuss cooking and eating. Thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Crane & Canopy is an online bedding brand that wants to give you an amazing night’s sleep with their luxurious duvet covers, quilts, and sheets. Crane & Canopy bedding combines superior quality with modern style. Their bedding collection is made from the finest cotton sateen, so it’s silky-soft and incredibly comfortable. Crane & Canopy’s bedding comes in a variety of stylish patterns and colors, making it simple to find bedding that’s perfect for you and your home. Casper Mattress Casper’s award-winning sleep surface combines supportive memory foams and a springy comfort layer for just the right levels of sink and bounce. Not to mention, its breathable design keeps you cool all night. Buying the Casper is easy. Just order online and it’s delivered to your door in a compact, “how did they do that” sized box. Considering we spend one third of our lives on our mattress, it’s so important to truly sleep on a mattress before committing. That’s why Casper gives you 100 nights to try it out, risk-free. If you don’t love it, they’ll pick it up and refund you everything. Get $50 toward any mattress purchase by visiting www.casper.com/PANTSUIT and using the code PANTSUIT. Terms and Conditions Apply. School’s out for summer! And Redbox has the video games to keep you entertained. With over 40 thousand locations nationwide, you can rent and return anywhere. Better yet, you’ll get a FREE 1-night game rental from Redbox when you use the promo code PANTSUIT5. Swing by a Box in your neighborhood, or if you want to make sure the game you want is there when you arrive, reserve it online at Redbox.com/games.Offer valid through August 1, 2017. Subject to additional terms. Charges apply for additional nights. Payment card required. Getting into video games has never been so easy! The Pearls Sarah provides an update on the peace process in Colombia. We discuss the President's comments to Brigette Macron on her appearance and how objectifying women is never appropriate. Really. Between the President's statements and Ann Coulter's ridiculous twitter fit over the weekend, we share some reflections on those who rail against "political correctness." For our compliments to the other party, Sarah tips her hat to Representative Martha McSally for raising the need to update the Congressional dress code. Beth compliments Senators Claire McCaskill and Tom Carper for their bipartisan work (with Senator Rob Portman) on online sex trafficking. The Suit We take a deep dive into David Wallace-Wells' stunning essay in New York Magazine: The Uninhabitable Earth. We discuss why we're all in denial about the real scope of possibilities presented by climate change, what this means for our children, and why we still have hope. The Heels Beth has been cooking. You should go make this and this, and use this for all your pie crusts. Unless, like Sarah, you're tracking and counting all the things.

Today, we discuss the reporting regarding Donald Trump, Jr., and the Russian influence in the United States today. We're SO CLOSE to our $3000 monthly goal. Please head over to Patreon today for our special promotion! Thank you to our sponsor for this episode: School’s out for summer! And Redbox has the video games to keep you entertained. With over 40 thousand locations nationwide, you can rent and return anywhere. Better yet, you’ll get a FREE 1-night game rental from Redbox when you use the promo code PANTSUIT4. Swing by a Box in your neighborhood, or if you want to make sure the game you want is there when you arrive, reserve it online at Redbox.com/games.Offer valid through July 28th 2017. Subject to additional terms. Charges apply for additional nights. Payment card required. Getting into video games has never been so easy! Donald Trump, Jr.'s behavior has us reeling. Plus, we discuss Leah's feedback on our antitrust episode: On antitrust, your discussion of the very grey area was so important. I'm a policy lawyer in the agricultural industry, and consolidation and mergers are a huge topic for our industry like most. Obviously, there are concerns about putting market share into less and less companies, and I share those concerns. At the same time, the costs, for example, of bringing new seed or a new drug to market are prohibitive and possibly insurmountable for any new/small company to actually hurdle. So, along with this discussion of what the corporations are doing to limit market access, is a question of, has the government through regulation or other means also (unintentionally) encouraged that consolidation and lack of market access? I'm totally in support of reasonable regulation and I see the need for a lot of the reviews/permits/etc that have to be done for many of these companies that create high tech solutions like seeds, pharmaceuticals/etc. At the same time, if those requirements are making it impossible for new innovation to be explored (and if that new innovation is not going to be properly funded through public research-but that's another issue) than aren't we (collectively as the govt/people demanding this) at least contributing to the issue of the consolidation? We also appreciate our listener Sarah explaining that paper was indeed invented by a person at a specific time: Sarah, you made an off-hand comment in the latest episode about how no one really invented paper, and societies all simultaneously invented it. It was actually invented in China in 105 AD by Tsai Lun. Papyrus, because it is woven, is not technically paper, so it was definitely invented in China at one time (approximately).

We spend a lot of time talking about the size and scope of government. Today, we turn those questions to private industry. Thanks to everyone who has become a Patreon supporter. We're still focused on our initial $3000 monthly goal so that we can create additional content. Head over the Patreon to sign up and unlock the secret garden of content! Thank you to our sponsors for this podcast: School’s out for summer! And Redbox has the video games to keep you entertained. With over 40 thousand locations nationwide, you can rent and return anywhere. Better yet, you’ll get a FREE 1-night game rental from Redbox when you use the promo code PANTSUIT3. Swing by a Box in your neighborhood, or if you want to make sure the game you want is there when you arrive, reserve it online at Redbox.com/games.Offer valid through July 25th 2017. Subject to additional terms. Charges apply for additional nights. Payment card required. Getting into video games has never been so easy! Away offers high-quality luggage that is designed to be resilient, resourceful, and essential to the way you travel. Available in nine colors and four sizes – including Carry-On sizes that are compliant with all major US airlines – the Away suitcase is lightweight and unrivaled in strength and impact resistance. For $20 off a suitcase, visit awaytravel.com/PANTSUIT and use promo code PANTSUIT during checkout! Kiva.org is the world's largest crowdfunding platform for social good. With Kiva, you can back the dreams of refugees, small business owners, students, and those needing a chance - at home in the U.S. and abroad. The best part is that it's a loan, not a donation, so as you get repaid you can continue to recycle your money to fund more individuals. Join in the movement today at kiva.org/PANTSUIT, and if you make your first loan during July or August, Kiva will give you a $25 credit to back a second dream. The Pearls Chancellor Angela Merkel hosted the G20 in Hamburg, and it was a tough time. Merkel and others (including this Australian journalist) criticized the United States for the President's decision to exit the global climate accord. Ivanka Trump sat in for her father for part of the summit, prompting controversy. The President met with Vladimir Putin -- a meeting that generated conflicting accounts, consternation for Americans, and according to the President,"tremendous" results. For our compliments to the other party, Sarah gives kudos to Republican Representative Shelley Capito for her stance on the BCRA. Beth compliments former Representative Donna Edwards for her moving Washington Post op-ed on health care and MS. The Suit Antitrust laws are receiving increased attention. We were particularly struck by Steve Hilton's comments on the importance of antitrust laws in this Freakonomics interview. So, today we consider how the US economy is becoming less competitive. We talk about the importance of stability in the people and policies enforcing antitrust laws. We consider the mergers over the past two years (the most on record). We wonder about our myopic focus on price is causing us to miss other important aspects of private power. European countries seem to be taking a harder line on large tech companies, and we wonder if America needs to follow suit. But antitrust is complex, and who knows where the President will come out on these issues? The Heels Based on y'all recommendations, Sarah has gotten into Harlots. Beth discusses her visit to Country Concert and saying "yes" to the universe.

In this quick primer, we set the table for a discussion of federal antitrust laws and enforcement. Resources: Federal Trade Commission Website Current FTC Personnel Why Antitrust Laws Matter

Mitch McConnell has been our Senator since we were toddlers. We have thoughts. We're SO close to our first Patreon goal and hope that you'll find enough value in our discussions to contribute to the nuance! Come check out the secret garden of content! Thanks to our sponsors for this episode: School’s out for summer! And Redbox has the video games to keep you entertained. With over 40 thousand locations nationwide, you can rent and return anywhere. Better yet, you’ll get a FREE 1-night game rental from Redbox when you use the promo code PANTSUIT. Swing by a Box in your neighborhood, or if you want to make sure the game you want is there when you arrive, reserve it online at Redbox.com/games.Offer valid through July 18th 2017. Subject to additional terms. Charges apply for additional nights. Payment card required. Getting into video games has never been so easy! Kiva.org is the world's largest crowdfunding platform for social good. With Kiva, you can back the dreams of refugees, small business owners, students, and those needing a chance - at home in the U.S. and abroad. The best part is that it's a loan, not a donation, so as you get repaid you can continue to recycle your money to fund more individuals. Join in the movement today at kiva.org/PANTSUIT, and if you make your first loan during July or August, Kiva will give you a $25 credit to back a second dream. North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile, and the Trump administration is considering U.S. options. We discuss how we'd handle this escalating situation if we were in the White House. Representative Clay Higgins filmed himself discussing his public service in a gas chamber in Auschwitz. He has apologized. We reflect on whether we're losing our sense of sacred spaces. We discuss listener feedback on patriotism before turning to our thoughts on Kentucky Senator and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Believe it or not, McConnell used to be a moderate and even helped work toward passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. But the Senator has built his career on tactical, rather than legislative, achievements and is now seeking the tactical victory of repealing the Affordable Care Act. We talk about what we've observed and hoped for in our Senator.

It's an interesting year to celebrate America's birth. We talk about our patriotism here in 2017. We're SO close to our first Patreon goal and hope that you'll find enough value in our discussions to contribute to the nuance! Come check out the secret garden of content! Thanks to our sponsors for this episode: School’s out for summer! And Redbox has the video games to keep you entertained. With over 40 thousand locations nationwide, you can rent and return anywhere. Better yet, you’ll get a FREE 1-night game rental from Redbox when you use the promo code PANTSUIT. Swing by a Box in your neighborhood, or if you want to make sure the game you want is there when you arrive, reserve it online at Redbox.com/games.Offer valid through July 18th 2017. Subject to additional terms. Charges apply for additional nights. Payment card required. Getting into video games has never been so easy! ThirdLove is committed to giving you a bra that fits perfectly and comfortably all day long. Answer a few simple questions and ThirdLove will recommend your perfect fit. Use the promo code PANTSUIT to receive a free 30-day trial with your new favorite bra. Rent the Runway allows you to finally get the wardrobe you love. Rent the Runway’s Unlimited subscription gives you access to premium designer styles for work, weekends and everything in between – at a flat monthly price. Rent unlimited designer pieces – including tops, jackets, handbags, and jewelry – on rotation, and enjoy the thrill of new clothes without the commitment, closet space, or buyer’s remorse. And now, our listeners can get 25% off their first month by entering the code PANTSUIT at checkout. The Pearls We discuss the President's vile tweets about Mika Brezenski and CNN. We also talk about lectureporn and its manifestation in a recent HuffPo piece. We're frustrated by the general approach of the Trump administration (and Sarah discusses the downside of the cautious Obama administration). While the lectureporn essay is aimed at liberal narcissism, it applies to the conservative narcissism on display in the new NRA ad. We both compliment Secretaries of State today. Beth appreciates Kentucky's Secretary Alison Lundergan Grimes, and Sarah compliments Mississippi's Secretary Delbert Hosemann. The Suit We discuss our patriotism and the nature of America in 2017. You can find the Pantsuit Politics book club selection here and the episode of On Being Sarah discusses here. The Heels We talk about Sarah's #lakelife and Beth's Big Brother viewing.

We discuss the Supreme Court's decision on the President's travel ban and your overwhelming health care feedback. Our membership drive continues, and we hope you'll head over to our Patreon page to support the podcast and receive bonus content. We're close to our first goal of $3,000 per month, and we'll be producing a new series of podcasts when we reach that goal. Thank you for supporting us! Thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Aaptiv is more than a fitness app -- it's on-demand audio fitness with the advice of a professional trainer and a perfect playlist. Go to aaptiv.com and enter the promo code PANTSUIT for a 30-day free trial when you sign up for a monthly subscription. ModCloth is your go-to spot for fashion as unique as you. Whip up your wardrobe with quirky prints and classic silhouettes. Make every day extraordinary by going to modcloth.com and entering the code PANTSUIT to receive $30 off your purchase of $100 or more. Leave us a review on iTunes by clicking here! Subscribe to Episodes: iTunes | Android Subscribe to our weekly email and get a free Pantsuit Primer audiobook! Follow Us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook We discuss the Supreme Court and the difficulty created by its new order on the President's travel ban. We also talk about political questions and the unintended consequences of Supreme Court decisions. The Senate delayed its vote on the BCRA. We discuss the politics and substance, along with your fantastic feedback.

In today's podcast, we discuss Mitch McConnell's Better Care Reconciliation Act. We also talk about PRIDE month and the gentrification of gay neighborhoods and Trump's Africa policy in the Pearls. In the Heels, we discuss the tragedy of Sarah's cell phone and too many birthday gifts. We're SO close to our first Patreon goal and hope that you'll find enough value in our discussions to contribute to the nuance! Come check out the secret garden of content! Thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Aaptiv is more than a fitness app -- it's on-demand audio fitness with the advice of a professional trainer and a perfect playlist. Go to aaptiv.com and enter the promo code PANTSUIT for a 30-day free trial when you sign up for a monthly subscription. Hello Fresh is on a mission to save home cooking! Their recipes make you feel unstoppable, and your taste buds will thank you! Go to hellofresh.com and enter PANTSUIT30 for $30 off your first week of Hello Fresh! Credo Mobile allows you to turn your phone into a powerful tool in the fight for social justice. By using Credo, you generate donations for progressive causes at no extra cost to you. Fight for justice and forget data limits by going to credomobile.com/pantsuit. ModCloth is your go-to spot for fashion as unique as you. Whip up your wardrobe with quirky prints and classic silhouettes. Make every day extraordinary by going to modcloth.com and entering the code PANTSUIT to receive $30 off your purchase of $100 or more. Leave us a review on iTunes by clicking here! Subscribe to Episodes: iTunes | Android Subscribe to our weekly email and get a free Pantsuit Primer audiobook! Follow Us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook The Pearls We celebrate PRIDE month and all the progress that has been made for LGBTQ+ rights. We also discuss the New York Times's fascinating piece on the gentrification of gayborhoods, gentrification in general, and the affordable housing crisis. The President's proposed Pentagon budget for Africa indicates an increase in military spending and a sharp decrease in humanitarian spending. We talk about the possible consequences of this policy. To compliment the other party, Sarah gives a shout out to the Republican senators considering voting against the BCRA. Beth compliments Tim Kaine and Tom Karper, who've been discussing specific bipartisan solutions to health care problems. The Suit *We recorded this episode on Sunday, June 25 -- before the CBO released its score of the BCRA* We talk about the Better Care Reconciliation Act, Mitch McConnell's controversial proposal to "repeal and replace Obamacare." For a detailed comparison of how the BCRA compares to the House's AHCA and the ACA, check out the Kaiser Foundation and the Washington Post's comparison. In reality, the BCRA is not a total repeal or replacement of the ACA -- it's a Medicaid reform bill, which is making it unprecedentedly unpopular. Almost all sides find large points of contention, as well as more minor issues that over time will have unintended consequences. (For a positive view of the BCRA, read Avik Roy's analysis in Forbes). We discuss the future of health insurance and health care, including the trillions of dollars we currently spend on end-of-life care and the Americare proposal. The Heels Sarah's cell phone is the in Kentucky Lake. Beth's daughter, Ellen is 2.

The Briefcase: Osoff, Spicer, and Kalanick Are Out

Pedro Freyre, a nationally-recognized expert on US-Cuba relations with deep personal ties to Cuba, joins Beth for a brief discussion of the country and its relations with the United States.  Show Notes:  Trump's Cuba Policy Huffington Post: Ending Insular Thinking 

Senate Republicans say they’re going to fix the health care system by July 4th, but they won’t say how. A jury couldn’t convict Bill Cosby or the officer who shot Philander Castile, and we’re wondering about the effectiveness of all three branches of government. Our membership drive continues, and we hope you'll head over to our Patreon page to support the podcast and receive bonus content. We're close to our first goal of $3,000 per month, and we'll be producing a new series of podcasts when we reach that goal. Thank you for supporting us! Thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Aaptiv is more than a fitness app -- it's on-demand audio fitness with the advice of a professional trainer and a perfect playlist. Go to aaptiv.com and enter the promo code PANTSUIT for a 30-day free trial when you sign up for a monthly subscription. Credo Mobile allows you to turn your phone into a powerful tool in the fight for social justice. By using Credo, you generate donations for progressive causes at no extra cost to you. Fight for justice and forget data limits by going to credomobile.com/pantsuit. CREDO Mobile What if you could make the world a little bit better every time you used your cell phone? Well, it turns out you can, thanks to CREDO Mobile. Because, whenever you use a CREDO product or service, you generate critical donations for progressive causes and vital activism work – at no extra cost to you. With over $150,000 donated every month to nonprofits like Planned Parenthood and the ACLU, CREDO truly does give you the power to make positive social change every day. Not to mention, they offer coverage on the nation’s largest and most dependable 4G LTE network, and you can easily transfer over with your existing number. So, if you want a better world for all of us, AND a better way to stay connected to it, you want CREDO mobile. And, right now, CREDO has a special deal for our listeners. Go to CREDOMobile.COM/pantsuit and get 2 smartphones FREE plus 50% off unlimited talk and text. Or call 1-866-689-0099. It’s time your phone company represented your values. Leave us a review on iTunes by clicking here! Subscribe to Episodes: iTunes | Android Subscribe to our weekly email and get a free Pantsuit Primer audiobook! Follow Us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook The Pearls We discuss the verdict in the Philando Castile murder trial and the hung jury in Bill Cosby's case. We're wondering how much the near universal outcry regarding the Castile verdict is influenced by the gun industry, and we're struggling with the Cosby jury's inability to reach a unanimous verdict. Should the standard for convicting a police officer be so high? What about the standard for sexual assault convictions? We also briefly discuss Michelle Carter's conviction for texting encouragement for her boyfriend's suicide. Beth compliments Senator Claire McCaskill for taking her colleagues to task on the health care law. Sarah compliments President Trump for his DACA announcement. The Suit We discuss the process by which Senate Republicans are secretly drafting health care legislation. The AHCA continues to be extraordinarily unpopular. Even fellow Republicans are frustrated by the process of drafting an alternative. Governors and most constituents are urging Senators to rethink the bill, and we are aghast at the process of drafting this legislation in secret then attempting to ram it through the Senate through the reconciliation process. Even Republicans who are close to the process can't describe what the policy objectives are. The Heels Sarah talks about a new perfume she's loving, and Beth discusses Leah Remini's Scientology and The Aftermath.

Three very strange things happened this week: the Attorney General testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee; the Cabinet lavished praise on the President in a public meeting; and a man fired shots at Congressional Republicans during their baseball practice in what we've learned was a politically-motivated act of violence. Our membership drive continues, and we hope you'll head over to our Patreon page to support the podcast and receive bonus content. We're close to our first goal of $3,000 per month, and we'll be producing a new series of podcasts when we reach that goal. Thank you for supporting us! Thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Aaptiv is more than a fitness app -- it's on-demand audio fitness with the advice of a professional trainer and a perfect playlist. Go to aaptiv.com and enter the promo code PANTSUIT for a 30-day free trial when you sign up for a monthly subscription. Harry and David has the perfect gift for any dad! Father's Day is right around the corner. Go to harryanddavid.com, click the radio icon, and enter the code PANTSUIT for 20% off select Father's Day treats! ModCloth is your go-to spot for fashion as unique as you. Whip up your wardrobe with quirky prints and classic silhouettes. Make every day extraordinary by going to modcloth.com and entering the code PANTSUIT to receive $30 off your purchase of $100 or more. Leave us a review on iTunes by clicking here! Subscribe to Episodes: iTunes | Android Subscribe to our weekly email and get a free Pantsuit Primer audiobook! Follow Us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook We talk about Attorney General Jeff Sessions's testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee. Summary: he doesn't remember much. We also discuss the Cabinet meeting, during which Reince Preibus said the group is blessed to work for President Trump, and President Trump said that the administration is the most accomplished in history. Finally, we talk about the horrifying attempt to kill Congressional Republicans, our immediate reactions, and the aftermath of the discussion.

We cover the latest Senate Intelligence Committee hearings in the Pearls. In the Suit, we talk about free speech and political correctness. In the heels, we discuss Stonehenge and Orange is the New Black. Our membership drive continues, and we hope you'll head over to our Patreon page to support the podcast and receive bonus content. We're close to our first goal of $3,000 per month, and we'll be producing a new series of podcasts when we reach that goal. Thank you for supporting us! Thanks to our sponsors for this episode: Aaptiv is more than a fitness app -- it's on-demand audio fitness with the advice of a professional trainer and a perfect playlist. Go to aaptiv.com and enter the promo code PANTSUIT for a 30-day free trial when you sign up for a monthly subscription. ThirdLove is committed to giving you a bra that fits perfectly and comfortably all day long. Answer a few simple questions and ThirdLove will recommend your perfect fit. Use the promo code PANTSUIT to receive a free 30-day trial with your new favorite bra. Credo Mobile allows you to turn your phone into a powerful tool in the fight for social justice. By using Credo, you generate donations for progressive causes at no extra cost to you. Fight for justice and forget data limits by going to credomobile.com/pantsuit. ModCloth is your go-to spot for fashion as unique as you. Whip up your wardrobe with quirky prints and classic silhouettes. Make every day extraordinary by going to modcloth.com and entering the code PANTSUIT to receive $30 off your purchase of $100 or more. The Pearls We discuss the Senate Intelligence Committee hearings last week. First, we talk a little about Dan Coats and Admiral Mike Rogers. Coats is the Director of National Intelligence, a position created in the late 1970s to serve as the principal intelligence advisor to the White House. Rogers is the Director of the National Security Agency, which collects intelligence and focuses on both offensive and defensive actions in cyberspace. Coats and Rogers, along with Andrew McCabe and Rod Rosenstein, were unwilling to answer questions about their conversations with the President, prompting the ire of Senators like Angus King of Maine and John McCain of Arizona. We also briefly discuss Senator Kamala Harris's questioning of Rod Rosenstein regarding the independence of Special Counsel Robert Mueller. We also discuss the hearing during which former FBI Director James Comey offered both verbal and written testimony regarding interactions with the President. We talk about the strong testimony on Russia's hostile actions toward the United States and the ways in which Comey's willingness and ability to push back against the President were questioned. Our listener Katy shared Joe Biden's encouragement of Mitt Romney to run for Senate as a real world compliment to the other side. The Suit We continue our ongoing exploration of political correctness and free speech by diving into the Kathy Griffin and Bill Maher controversies. We also discuss speech and political correctness at college campuses generally and the situation at Evergreen State specifically. In our wide-ranging conversation, we talk about the importance and limitations of freedom of speech under the First Amendment, the influence of implicit bias, and the power we have to change our brains as discussed in the new season of Invisibilia. The Heels Beth just returned from England and talks about Stonehenge. She was especially influenced by Jacquetta Hawkes's observation that every era gets the Stonehenge it deserves. Sarah is not so psyched about the new season of Orange is the New Black.