Best Michael Baranowski Podcasts (2025)

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Ukraine Peace Deal, Comey Case Tossed, Military Orders 1:07:47

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6h ago1:07:47

1:07:47

Mike, Tim, and Michael open with Trump’s 28-point Ukraine peace plan, built on Russian terms that demand territorial concessions, a NATO ban, limits on Ukraine’s army, and sweeping amnesty. Tim focuses on trading some Ukrainian territory for ironclad security guarantees, including foreign troops on the ground as real deterrence. Mike argues the U.S…

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Comey Indictment, ACA Subsidies, the MAGA Theory of Power 17:36

5d ago17:36

17:36

Mike and Joey open with the spiraling Comey prosecution, where a Trump-aligned U.S. attorney faces judicial scorn for alleged grand-jury missteps that could collapse the case. Mike argues the real play is intimidation and precedent-setting revenge politics rather than a credible legal charge. Joey counters that Comey was central to what he consider…

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Epstein Files, Trump MBS Meeting, California vs ICE 1:10:16

7d ago1:10:16

1:10:16

Mike and Joey open with the blowback to Joey’s claim that “the hubris of the left” is the biggest obstacle to national unity . Mike frames Trump’s behavior as the more obvious example of hubris, while Joey argues that Trump’s personality is massive but incidental and that the real divide is between people focused on ideas and people hung up on iden…

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A.I. in Political Campaigns 50:57

9d ago50:57

50:57

Travis talks with Dr. Michael Cohen, author of Modern Political Campaigns, and Julie Sweet, author of the American Association of Political Consultants’ Deepfake Law Compliance Guide for Political Campaigns, about the role of artificial intelligence in political campaigns. Topics Travis, Julie, and Michael cover include: How campaigns are using AI …

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Federalist Paper No 1 32:23

2h ago32:23

32:23

Trey & Ken begin a new supporter's series on The Federalist Papers. This week's episode includes an overview of The Federalist Papers themselves and introduces Federalist Paper No. 1. Topics covered include: The history behind writing the original essays The attack on the Constitution by Anti-Federalists How Hamilton and Madison became the principa…

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Government Shutdown Ends, Epstein Documents Continue, Tucker Carlson and the Heritage Foundation 1:03:12

15d ago1:03:12

1:03:12

In this episode, Trey and Ken discuss the recent end of the US government shutdown, including the implications for both parties, with a focus on the ACA subsidies. Trey argues that he was ultimately correct, and the shutdown did not benefit Democrats nor lasted into December. While Ken concedes that the shutdown didn’t last as long as he anticipate…

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Saving Ourselves From Big Car 51:41

18d ago51:41

51:41

Mike talks with David Obst, a former journalist, publisher, screenwriter, and film producer. He’s also the author of a new book on the automotive industry called Saving Ourselves from Big Car, which is the focus of their conversation. Topics Mike & David cover include: How “Big Car” became a self-perpetuating system The deadly legacy of leaded gaso…

1
Ideologies: Conservatism 13:06

18d ago13:06

13:06

Trey & Justin continue their dive into contemporary political ideologies. This week, they dive into conservatism. Topics covered include: The underlying principles of conservatism, including tradition and gradual change The relationship between tradition and conservatism The relationship between religion and conservatism The differences between the…

1
Democrats Win, Government Shutdown, Senate Filibuster, Nancy Pelosi 1:02:22

22d ago1:02:22

1:02:22

Trey and Justin open the show by bypassing the shutdown, at least for a moment, and starting with the 2025 elections. Trey argues that the results are a victory for Democrats, but must be contextualized. His key point is that the economy is becoming an issue for Republicans. Both hosts outline what off-year elections such as this can and don’t mean…

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Nations Apart: Colin Woodard on the Regional Cultures That Divide Us 1:01:48

19d ago1:01:48

1:01:48

Mike talks with New York Times bestselling author, historian, and journalist Colin Woodard. His latest book is Nations Apart: How Clashing Regional Cultures Shattered America, which they discuss on this episode. Topics Mike & Colin discuss include: America as a federation of rival regional cultures How early settlers shaped lasting political divide…

1
AI Bubble, Trump’s Pardons, Biden’s Autopen 18:51

20d ago18:51

18:51

Mike, Michael, and Tim open with a discussion of the missing economic data and what that means for understanding the current economy. Tim explains that while unemployment remains low and markets are strong, uncertainty looms because key government reports haven’t been released. Mike argues that the apparent strength is concentrated almost entirely …

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Shutdown Showdown, Trump’s Asia Trip, the CFPB’s Slow Demise 1:08:32

28d ago1:08:32

1:08:32

Mike, Tim, and Michael open with the fifth week of the government shutdown, now poised to become the longest ever. Tim argues that while the disruption is real, the economic impact will be minor and short-lived, suggesting resolution will come after the elections. Michael delivers a fiery critique, calling the shutdown political theater that hurts …

1
Deprogramming Democrats: Why Insider Lisa Ekman Left the Party 1:08:30

1M ago1:08:30

1:08:30

Mike talks with former Democratic activist Lisa Ekman, whose recently released book is titled Deprogramming Democrats & unEducating the Elites: How I Escaped the Progressive Cult. Topics Mike & Lisa discuss include: Ekman’s background in Democratic politics government and expert failure during COVID the tension between public health policy and libe…

1
The Constitution's 26th and 28th Amendments 14:06

1M ago14:06

14:06

This episode marks the finale in Trey and Ken’s three-year journey through the U.S. Constitution! In this final episode of the Constitution series, Trey and Ken discuss the 26th and 27th Amendments, exploring their historical significance and political implications. They also look at the journey of the Equal Rights Amendment and its “almost” status…

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Shutdown Continued, The East Wing, The 9th Circuit on Portland, Arizona Sues Johnson, The Era of Group Chat 54:15

1M ago54:15

54:15

Trey and Ken start by letting Ken weigh in on the government shutdown. Ken argues that the Democrats are winning and are doing the right thing. Trey disagrees and sees Democrats as eventually the party that will back down and let people get paid. Ken doubles down by saying the shutdown will last until December when Republicans will then back down. …

1
John Campbell on Conservative Myths About Tax Cuts for the Rich 47:38

1M ago47:38

47:38

Mike talks with John L. Campbell, the Class of 1925 Professor and Professor of Sociology Emeritus at Dartmouth College. He’s the author of the recently released book, Pay Up! Conservative Myths About Tax Cuts for the Rich, which they discuss on this episode. Topics Mike & John cover include: the main conservative tax cut myths the Laffer Curve and …

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Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Test & Trump’s DOJ Power PlaySupreme Court’s Voting Rights Test & Trump’s DOJ Power Play 19:18

1M ago19:18

19:18

Mike and Joey open with the Supreme Court’s unusual re-argument in Louisiana v. Calais, a case that could reshape Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Joey outlines the tangled history of Louisiana’s redistricting and argues that race-based districts may themselves violate equal-protection principles. Mike predicts Justice Kavanaugh will be the key …

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Shutdown Showdown, Middle East Peace, Portland Protests 1:13:15

1M ago1:13:15

1:13:15

Mike and Joey open with the continuing government shutdown and whether blame is shifting. Mike criticizes Republicans for spreading false claims about Democrats’ immigration spending demands. Joey maintains that Democrats are increasingly seen as the problem, adding that media silence signals their growing liability. Next, the guys debate Trump’s f…

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Paul Star on Trumpism, Revolution, and Revenge 58:29

2M ago58:29

58:29

Mike talks with Paul Starr, a professor of sociology and public affairs at Princeton University and the author of multiple books, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Social Transformation of American Medicine. His latest book is American Contradiction: Revolution and Revenge from the 1950s to Now, which they discuss in this episode Topics Mike…

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What is liberalism? 14:58

2M ago14:58

14:58

Trey and Justin continue their series on contemporary political ideologies by examining liberalism. They explore its historical roots, key thinkers like Hobbes and Locke, and the evolution of liberal thought through figures such as Mill and Rawls. The discussion highlights the differences between classical and social liberalism, the implications of…

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Shutdown, Gaza, Insurrection, Pam Bondi 1:07:21

2M ago1:07:21

1:07:21

In this episode of The Politics Guys, Trey and Justin discuss what they call an episode on the unilateral presidency and nihilism. The show kicks off the ongoing budget standoff and government shutdown, including Trey’s overarching point that the imperial presidency comes to us one small move at a time and is not limited to President Trump. Next, t…

1
Rethinking Economic Growth with Dan Varroney 58:09

2M ago58:09

58:09

Travis talks with entrepreneur and trade industry leader Dan Varroney about his new book, Rethinking Economic Growth: How Small Businesses Can Help Consistently Grow the Economy, in which he writes about some of the biggest challenges facing small business owners and how American policymakers can support these businesses. Topics Travis and Dan cove…

1
Trump’s Gaza Gamble, Pfizer Deal, Economic Policy 18:14

2M ago18:14

18:14

By Michael Baranowski

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Shutdown Blame Game, Military Speeches, Troops to Portland 1:04:30

2M ago1:04:30

1:04:30

Mike, Tim, and Joey open with the ongoing government shutdown. Joey argues Democrats will be blamed because their messaging is fractured and influenced by the left wing of the party. Tim highlights ballooning deficits and sees rebellious Republicans forcing fiscal discipline. Mike concedes Democrats bear responsibility but stresses that Democrats h…

1
Bruce Schneier on AI and the Future of Democracy 49:54

2M ago49:54

49:54

Mike talks with Bruce Schneier, an internationally renowned security technologist, a lecturer at Harvard’s Kennedy School, and the New York Times bestselling author of 14 books. They focus on his latest book, co-authored with Nathan Sanders: Rewiring Democracy: How AI Will Transform Our Politics, Government, and Citizenship. Topics Mike & Bruce dis…