This week on Madison’s Notes, we continue our discussion with Stephen Macedo, co-author of In COVID’s Wake: How Our Politics Failed Us (Princeton UP, 2025). The book examines the institutional failures during the pandemic, including the politicization of science, inconsistent messaging, and the disproportionate impacts of policies.
We cover key questions: Wh ... Show More
Mar 2
Claire Provost and Matt Kennard, "Silent Coup: How Corporations Overthrew Democracy" (Bloomsbury, 2023)
As European empires crumbled in the 20th century, the power structures that had dominated the world for centuries were up for renegotiation. Yet instead of a rebirth for democracy, what emerged was a silent coup – namely, the unstoppable rise of global corporate power.
Exposing t ... Show More
44m 32s
Feb 28
Barbie Zelizer, "How the Cold War Broke the News: The Surprising Roots of Journalism's Decline" (Polity, 2025)
Most of us would agree that American journalism has problems. Rushed reporting and thin coverage. Timidity in the face of adversity. Polarized perspectives and euphemistic language. Groupthink about complicated events.While much blame has been levelled at big tech, in How the Col ... Show More
40m 29s
Feb 21
Josh Milburn, "Food, Justice, and Animals: Feeding the World Respectfully" (Oxford UP, 2023)
How would we eat if animals had rights? A standard assumption is that our food systems would be plant-based. But maybe we should reject this assumption. Indeed, this book argues that a future non-vegan food system would be permissible on an animal rights view. It might even be de ... Show More
1h 16m
Feb 2025
Ep103 Navigating Political Backlash and Keir Starmer's Mega Ordering Opportunity
Today, Jason and Alexandra answer some probing listener questions. They discuss the role of the UK in global politics, and the implications of Brexit. Dissect the challenges of maintaining progressive values amidst backlash, and the potential for Keir Starmer's leadership in navi ... Show More
51m 35s
Nov 2024
On the Edge of History: Shrink-Wrapping the Election Stakes
In our 27th episode, hosts Dr. John Gartner and Dr. Harry Siegel are joined by Dr. Stefan Ducat, to dive into all the latest drama in the pivotal pre-election landscape, underlining the dramatic importance of the imminent election on global stability and America’s future.
Make s ... Show More
2h 22m
Apr 2025
Adam J. Berinsky, "Political Rumors: Why We Accept Misinformation and How to Fight It" (Princeton UP, 2023)
Political rumors and misinformation pollute the political landscape. This is not a recent phenomenon; before the currently rampant and unfounded rumors about a stolen election and vote-rigging, there were other rumors that continued to spread even after they were thoroughly debun ... Show More
42m 47s
Jan 2025
Trump Transition: No Calm Before the Storm
As Donald Trump prepares to assume office again, Dr. John Gartner and Dr. Harry Siegel discuss this unsettling transition period, the nomination of Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, and the alarming tactics that have compromised the Senate's confirmation process. Alongside o ... Show More
1h 51m
<p><strong><a href= "https://donate.stripe.com/3csaEWg0i6rn7XGfYY">Donate (no account necessary)</a> | <a href= "https://wrightreport.substack.com/">Subscribe (account required)</a></strong></p> <p>In this episode of The Wright Report on Martin Luther King Day, Bryan Dean Wright ... Show More