Sarah and Beth react to both the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk and the response online from people on both sides of the political aisle. If we truly believe every human life has value (and we here at Pantsuit Politics do), what does that mean as we reckon with political violence? Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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38:49
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38:49
Why Congressional Democrats Are Failing Their Moment
Should Democrats shut down the government to stop Trump's authoritarian overreach? Sarah and Beth break down Ezra Klein's New York Times op-ed calling on Democrats to use the September 30th funding deadline to confront Trump's illegal pocket rescissions, growing corruption, and dismantling of congressional oversight, while examining whether traditional bipartisan governance enables authoritarianism. Why has Congress abandoned its constitutional duty to control government spending? They explore how the broken appropriations process—where the last complete budget was passed in 1997—has created a system of continuing resolutions that empowers the executive branch, as Trump's team openly admits they want Congress to "just keep doing what you're doing" while they consolidate power and enrich themselves. When is it okay to sing along at public events, and when should you stay quiet? Outside of Politics, they tackle the etiquette dilemmas of candlelight concerts, Broadway shows, movie sing-alongs, and graduation ceremonies, exploring how our "you owe me perfection and I owe you nothing" culture has broken down basic public courtesy and shared behavioral standards. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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53:21
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53:21
Is Trump A Dictator?
Is Trump a dictator, or just a wannabe? Sarah and Beth define authoritarianism and examine how decades of expanding executive power set the stage for Trump's emergency declarations, ICE army, and attacks on expertise, while exploring whether American institutions can resist the authoritarian playbook. What happens when courts push back but the Supreme Court stays silent? They analyze Trump's use of emergency powers to justify military action in the Caribbean, mass deportations without due process, and the renaming of the Department of Defense to the Department of War, discussing how legal challenges create incentives for escalation. Why are we giving our kids adult experiences earlier and earlier? Outside of Politics, Sarah and Beth dive into the phenomenon of elaborate dorm room decorating, the pressure to make kids popular, and how parents navigate the fine line between support and performance in an Instagram-driven world. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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1:03:56
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1:03:56
What Is Happening? Trump’s Health and the CDC
What happens when we can't tell truth from rumors anymore? Sarah and Beth process the bizarre weekend when Trump death rumors dominated X while official news sources stayed silent, exploring what this reveals about our fractured media landscape and the breakdown of institutional trust. How do you rebuild expertise once it walks out the door? They examine the chaos at CDC under RFK Jr.'s influence, including the firing of Director Dr. Susan Monarez and mass resignations of top leadership, discussing whether institutions can be reformed or must be torn down entirely. Why are we all craving slower, more tangible things? Outside of Politics, Sarah and Beth reflect on the movement toward point-and-shoot cameras, canceling Amazon Prime, and pushing back against digital overwhelm in search of more intentional living. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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56:16
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56:16
Minneapolis & DC (Plus: Taylor Swift's Engagement)
How do we talk about safety without demonizing entire communities? Sarah and Beth grapple with the complex psychology behind violence while examining Trump's federal takeover of DC police and exploring why crime statistics show progress even as public fear remains high. When does federal intervention help versus harm local communities? They analyze the deployment of National Guard troops to DC, the disconnect between data-driven policing successes and public perception of chaos, and what it means when emotions drive policy more than evidence. Why do so many (including us) find so much joy in Taylor Swift's engagement? In Outside of Politics, they discuss the joy of choosing community celebration over doom-scrolling, what this royal-level romance might mean for modern marriage, and why some people want to politicize everything. Ready to go deeper? Visit our website for complete show notes, exclusive premium content, merchandise, chats and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
"Compelling and thoughtful listening" - the New York Times
Hosted by Kentuckians Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers, Pantsuit Politics is an independent podcast that takes a different approach to the news and culture. Pay attention without the anxiety. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
Sales and Distribution by Lemonada Media https://lemonadamedia.com/
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