Pod Save America

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This week Ana Marie Cox sat down with Republican writer Rick Wilson (TheRickWilson). They delved into the recent testimony of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and the reactions from people across the country. The conversation shifted to the relationship between Democrats and Republicans and mistrust and miscommunication between the parties. They also discussed the women who have come forward with their own personal stories and the culture of sexual assault within this country. They ended by predicting the results of the confirmation and the future of the GOP’s message and direction.

Find the pod here or wherever you get your podcasts.

This week, the one and only Rick Wilson (TheRickWilson) stopped by to talk with Ana about his new book, Everything Trump Touches Dies. Ana kicked things off by asking Rick about things he regrets from his past as a political consultant.

“I should have realized it sooner, that at some point populism wasn’t a machine we could turn on and off or a stimulus we could apply and then remove. Once you start those people on that substance, they stay on it,” he said.

Find the pod here or wherever you get your podcasts.

This week, Rick Wilson (TheRickWilson) stopped by for his monthly check-in with Ana. They began their conversation by talking about how to cope with the constant distraction posed by Donald Trump’s Twitter account and stay focused on the real issues. Afterwards, they dove into Rick’s own political evolution, and the issues he’s willing to compromise on to gain allies against Trump leading into the midterms. Ana also asked Rick for an insight into what Republican lawmakers and staffers on Capitol Hill are thinking as they head towards November.

Find the pod here or wherever you get your podcasts.

It’s that time again: Ana’s monthly check-in with WFLT’s favorite Never Trumper Rick Wilson (RickWilson). [2:58] Find out what three-years-ago Rick would have been most surprised by about Trump’s first year, plus hear his thoughts on the future of a Republican Party he says is paralyzed by fear of a mean tweet. Also, we get some insight into what Rick’s been telling Republican elected officials when they call him up for advice.

Find the pod here or wherever you get your podcasts.

First, [3:17] author and theologian Diana Butler Bass (dianabutlerbass) drops by to give us an explainer on the really long theological history behind Trump’s decision to proclaim Jerusalem the capital of Israel, and how that decision appeals specifically to members of his conservative evangelical base who believe in dispositional premillennialism (more popular than one might think). Diana and Ana conclude it is possible to change people’s minds on Armageddon.

Then, [43:50] Ana checks in with GOP media guy Rick Wilson (TheRickWilson) for his insight on how his party is (mis)handling Roy Moore. The main question: can the Republican Party get any lower than standing behind a pedophile?

Find the pod here or wherever you get your podcasts.

First, [4:10] Sam Sinyangwe (samswey) joins us to talk about how media coverage of the Las Vegas massacre largely ignored America’s long history of mass shootings, including the deadliest mass shooting ever, perpetrated by white supremacists. You can read Sam’s tweets about the topic here. We also discuss why gun control policies need to be conscious of race and racism, and why mixing sports and politics continues to be a good thing.

Next, [40:16] regular friend and ally of the pod Rick Wilson (TheRickWilson) is back to point out the irony in the Right not being more alarmed by Trump’s expansion of federal power — in particular ICE and Homeland Security. We also discuss voting rights and Rick responds to a listener seeking advice on how to have productive conversations with conservatives about gun control in the wake of Vegas. Rick and Ana try and don’t entirely fail in modeling that conversation.

Get the pod here or wherever you get your podcasts.