Episodes

With six days to go, we talk about important Senate races, the Trump effect in the Republican Party, and the commoditization of "nasty women" and "deplorables."

With one week to go before the election, there's plenty to discuss. In this episode, we kick off a week of daily podcasts. We're talking Wikileaks, the FBI, and our predictions.

In today's special episode, Beth moderates a debate between Robin Laverne Wilson (Green Party) and Alex Merced (Libertarian party), candidates for U.S. Senator from the State of New York. Thank you for your patience with the audio -- we recognize it's not perfect, but we love the content and hope that you will, too. Show Notes: Alex Merced - Website Robin Laverne Wilson - Website

On today's show, Sarah talks with Anne Bogel of the blog Modern Mrs. Darcy and podcast What Should I Read Next. Anne has suggestions for our listeners for "adjacent possible" political fiction, as well as thoughts on great political nonfiction and alternative histories.

Sarah gives a campaign update and we address tough political conversations we've had with other adults, before turning to how we handle these conversations with our kids. During one of the most polarizing presidential elections in an already polarized time, how do we talk to our kids about the news, our political values, and what the heck the electoral college does. Plus, we talk about our new favorite Facebook group.

We're bringing you an early edition of the Briefcase and a late night conversation following the third and final presidential debate.

We gave our best efforts to focus The Pearls on non-election events (by focusing on the FBI's thwarting of a bombing in Kansas, violence in Baghdad, a gun manufacturer liability ruling, and the Wells Fargo fallout). But, the 2016 race pulled us back in. In The Suit, we talk about the role of the Supreme Court today and how Trump and Clinton might approach the court. Finally, in The Heels, we talk about much-needed self-care during the election season. Show Notes: Ideological Leanings of SCOTUS Justices The October Term Heritage on Important Cases in the 2016-2017 Term FiveThirtyEight: Two Candidates Promise an Extreme Court The HRC Short List The DJT Short List Judicial Politics

Spend 20 minutes with Beth brushing up on the authority, composition, and cases pending before the Supreme Court in advance of Tuesday's episode.

We catch up on the latest round of upsetting campaign news and share incredibly insightful feedback from our listeners on flawed women, the patriarchy, and Columbia's peace deal.

We discuss the Trump Tapes and the fallout within the GOP and beyond. We also offer up our instant analysis on Sunday night's Town Hall Debate and the ugliness before, during, and after. Also, on a lighter note, Sarah shares about her vacation and outrunning Hurricane Matthew.

In this special episode, Beth interviews libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate (New York) Alex Merced. Alex talks about his background, why he's a libertarian, the current presidential and his positions on a "lightening round" of issues. Here's what you should know about Alex: Name: Alex Merced - Libertarian Party US Senate Candidate (NY) Age: 31 Married to wife for 2 years (together for 7 years) Profession: Corporate Trainer in Financial Industry, former retail store owner (Gamers Lounge in Bowling Green, oh), Podcaster/blogger, event promoter, social media consultant Education: BA from Bowling Green State University If Elected Would Be... - Youngest Serving US Senator (dethroning Tom Cotton) - First Puerto Rican or Guatemalan Elected US Senate - First Libertarian Elected to US Senate Main issues: - Rolling Back Regime Change to reduce new Instability abroad - Ending the drug war and the overcriminalization and violence that comes with it - Increasing families disposable incomes and ability to save with tax reforms and reforming the policy drivers of inflation in healthcare, housing and education - increasing visibility of Transgender issues and using the pulpit to bring attention to suicide, homelessness, and structural unemployment within the transgender community (have very close transgender issues, so this is more a personal thing than a policy issue) Economic Policy Proposals: - Rainy Day Account: rolling IRAs, HSAs, Coverdells into one tax favored savings account for all of life's events such as Unemployment, education, retirement, healthcare, parental leave, etc. - The America Corp: a new corporate designation with 0% corporate tax rate but requires all assets and employees be in the US and that employees vote for one member of the board of directors to give labor more of a seat in corporate governance. - 20% flat tax: instead of a complex tax code and complex web of aid programs, have a 20% flat tax with a refundable tax credit that will provide aid to anyone for anything. The amount of the tax credit amount changes with age (25k 18-26,65+ - 10k 27-64) Interesting facts: - Son of a immigrant from Guatemala in which regime change created instability in the 1950s which led to decades of civil wars and dictators and has contributed to the frustrations over the border (stability abroad effects border security, so regime change is very much against the countries national interests) - parents are divorced so mainly raised by mother who after divorced lived in poverty working multiple part time jobs, going to school, raising two kids but worked her way to the middle class by the time I was 18 and has been my inspiration for my belief that anything is possible with hard work and determination - grew up in suburban CT, went to school in Rural Ohio, and has lived in urban NYC so has experience the different setting Americans live in

While Sarah wraps up her family vacation, Beth brings you a special interview with former Congressman and Executive Director of republicEN.org Bob Inglis. Bob is a "climate realist and energy optimist." Hear his story of learning about the realities of climate change and advocating for conservative solutions. Bob also gives his take on the current election and the future of the Republican party.

Sarah's on vacation, but I watched the debate with many of you on Twitter. Here are a few quick thoughts. We'll talk more next week.

In the wake of Congress passing, overriding President Obama's veto on, and then regretting the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, we're examining the roles of our representatives. In 2016, should our leaders act as trustees, exercising independent judgment, or delegates, conforming to the will of the populace? But first, we talk about Colombian voters' rejection of the FARC peace agreement, the continued violence and breakdown of diplomacy in Syria, and, of course, Donald Trump's taxes. We end on a much lighter note: Sarah's trip to Disney World. Can you help her family find a better trip hashtag?

We talk further about the debate - both about our thoughts and your feedback. We also discuss the gendered politics of interrupting and share a listener voice mail.