Ron was always a bit heterodox but the shows were informative balanced and had energy. Now Ron sounds lifeless and sounds more like a tech bro than the last few years. I gave up my paid subscription two years ago when Ron was basically negative on nearly every topic on his weekly roundup. Now it’s not even balanced. I get that there is more money to be made from criticizing but it’s not from me.

I have been an avid listener for the last several years and have found comfort in your words and insights. Since the election though, I’ve noticed that you and your guests are sanewashing trump and his hangers-on rather than calling out the utter disruption and disgrace that is occurring in our country. The fact that your latest episode included a lengthy “policy” segment, shows me that you are the latest to capitulate to the “nothing to see here folks, it’s all fine” camp. This is not a normal time and shame on you for normalizing the abnormal and abhorrent.

The latest episode reveals that this podcast has finished its sad descent into un-American attitudes by condoning the January 6th attacks. I’m all for different perspectives but some perspectives are not valid. For example, if I was hosting a math podcast, it would be foolish of me to have someone on who says 2+2=47283. There’s just some lines that cannot be crossed and this podcast has crossed a line that has reveled itself to be un-American.

Ever since I cut the cord four+ years ago, I don’t get my news from TV. In fact, when I go to my Mother’s, it irritates me to have to see 5:00 local news from a station that I know has an extreme bias. I guess it would be correct to say I get my news through Substacks and podcasts that I have chosen for their analysis. I know their bias ahead of time. There is no “truth” in news.

Skip to 5-8 minutes in to actually get to the episode, some good hosts/guests but they don’t correct the misinformation they just don’t say it. People like Lucy Caldwell just saying stuff that’s been long disproven as if it’s fact and never going deeper than making a vague scandalous claim is probably a contributing factor to why Trump beat us in Nov. It’s frustrating to listen to sometimes and makes me think we learned nothing and won’t change our tactics.

Keep up the great work!

I have been listening for a few years now, and generally enjoy the conversation. Until recently, there were extras only available to subscribers, which is fine. But now, unless you’re a subscriber you only get half an episode. Unfollowing.

I think this is the best! Best at being truthful and explaining both sides! Great range of topics which all connect to politics! Thank you for your hard work at respectfully engaging the listener in the most important issues of our time!

Incredibly entertaining and informative. I appreciated the rhythm of the speakers and the way they shared the mic.

These two are great guest on foreign policies (Molly McKew) and on Latino voters (Mike Madrid).

I have listened to Politicology from the beginning. Several of Ron’s comments and interruptions seemed uncharacteristic of his typically outstanding interviewing. The equity is communism comment stuck with me and concerned me. I listen to Politicology because of Ron’s careful, thoughtful, insightful approach to every topic. I imagine a future when Trump and MAGA are defeated and I could listen to principled conservatives articulate their positions. I have imagined Ron being one of those people. I will keep listening because in that last round up Ron was uncharacteristically uncareful. He was uncareful in a way that he asks his loyal listeners not to be. I am hopeful it was just an anomaly. I rely on Politicology and have recommended it to far left family and left leaning friends. I will keep listening unless and until the anomaly becomes routine. I seek insight and understanding from people with whom I may disagree on some matters.

I love this podcast. Love everything it stands for, the guests, Ron, topics. But I am getting frustrated on Fridays that the weekly round up is either really late in the afternoon or is initially only available to members.

I’ve always appreciated the thoughtful analysis on the weekly round-ups, but the last one— good lord, are you trying to get Trump elected?!! I’m centrist, was not alarmed w/ her comments re:equality and equity…I though she had a interesting way of putting that concept. But the scare tactic dialogue re: progressive policies is really freaking stupid if you don’t want an autocrat to take office. You could take a cue from Steve Schmidt’s podcast content. That is actually serving the greater good in these perilous times. As a side note, one l of the reasons I tune into this podcast is because I love Mike Madrid.

I’ve listened since the LP days and I appreciate there are always a wide range of voices and generally, Ron is a good moderator. I’ve tried to post a review on this before but it appears it was not posted. In this weeks episode, I appreciated Hagar’s willingness to shift her position on Israel/Hamas and acknowledge that it is no longer humane to have unwavering support. You could tell Ron was forcing himself not to interrupt. Between this and his comments about ‘jihad’ from a couple weeks ago (that another guest had to ask him to walk back), he’s clearly biased and phobic. I really want to stick with this podcast, it brings so much value to our collective political understanding but I want a moderator who understands how to restrain his own bias. Adding… Ron has lost all sense of moderation. Calling Harris’ explanation of equity, communism. And referring to her reconsideration of positions on the border, “flip flopping”. He is also asking for his guests opinions and then proceeds to give his own before they can even answer!

I have been listening to this podcast for years and though we are on opposite sides of the political spectrum, I was open to what was being said. But the past couple episodes have really been a turn off. I understand that though Ron is a republican, he is also a never trumper. But since Kamala has moved to the top of the ticket he has become a double hater. There is no way to miss his contempt for her, and I personally am not interested in hearing it. The world under trump is a very scary place, and Ron has been one of the people making that clear for years. Now, when it is looking like we really have a chance to block that future once and for all, he is being so negative about out best hope?!? It’s his platform and his right, and so I will leave him to it and unsubscribe.

May I point out, that as a Biden voter and long time fan of the man himself, I have received many questionnaires over the last three years asking what issues are important to me and I answer them. I have continued to receive, perfectly, from Harris campaign and I answer them. So what you love to call, “flip-flopping,” I call, “”Wow!? They actually seem to be listening to me!” Politicians should, hopefully, be able to be responsive to voters without you immediately going to the negative take and saying, “they’ll be called flip-floppers.” No, ‘you’ just called them flip-floppers. And this is for everyone, please don’t one person feel criticized here, ok? I mean, seriously, listen to yourselves. I do. I listened to you criticize, often erroneously, Joe Biden for three years before you finally gave him an iota of credit. But you say and do a lot of good stuff, too. Just, be cool, not so hyper-negative.✌️🇺🇸🌊I love you so much but am so very tired of listening to podcasts say they don’t want to attack Biden then proceed to attack Biden and wonder why people don’t think more of him. I’m not a democrat or progressive. I have ears and hear you (and others who could do better)spend waaay too much time pontificating on what he could do better when he’s been doing good enough. The ‘press’ isn’t doing good enough praising him and that’s why people are missing the good. I don’t know why this is but it’s real and it’s not helping anything.

I have loved this podcast since it started because I started listening to the the Lincoln Project podcast during the pandemic and it was such a solace. Ron was so good as an interviewer with so much heart. I miss that Ron! He talke more about producers and seems more judgmental. Listen to that first Republican woman you interviewed with the Lincoln Project. You need to go back into the field. Word. 👁️

Keep campaigning for trump traitor

When you were describing Harris’s comments on Equality and Equity and called it straight up communism. That’s a very dangerous statement. As a teacher, I live and breathe this everyday. My personal interpretation is that she is talking about OPPORTUNITIES… not literally making everyone end up on the same level. I provide my students with opportunities to level the playing field. Do they all end up there? No. But they have access. Access and opportunities.

I have subscribed to Poiticology since its start, especially the weekly roundup. This past week has made me UN-SUBSCRIBE, as Mr. Seslow described VP Harris’ comments as Communism. He just unmasked himself like a stereotype white male. He has always been more conservative than I am; as a left-leaning centrist. Since so-called conservatives have led us to oligopolies, trickle-down, and economic policies that invest in Defense and investment bankers but not in infrastructure. Where any Econ 101 student understands that dollars into OUR economy expands it, while dollars to hedge fund managers buy yachts off Cannes and property in Patagonia. Harris is referring NOT to equal wages but advocacy for women and those without opportunity. Look at her record. She’s ambitious and succeeded. She doesn’t believe everyone could do what she did. But more investing in schools or training or trade schools for those in poverty (yes we have that in Appalachia and our cities) is called for rather than the real economy going to Silicone Valley infrastructure and med schools for the privileged etc. etc. We have not been balanced in where our tax dollars go and how we treat women and our lower class, whatever color.

This show has been a weekly listen of mine for several yrs. I always appreciate the panelist’s perspectives and I especially appreciate the chemistry of Ron, Lucy and Mike. Today’s episode was tough. There is a lot of energy around the Harris/Walz campaign and there is so much work to be done. It’s extremely disappointing to hear Ron’s debby-downer attitude today. Governing is abt compromise but without progressive voices the centrist moderate democrats largely maintain the status quo. Maintaining the status quo since the 70’s and never passing an actual law to protect abortion rights is the reason our 2024 reality is what it is. Voting rights have been chipped away, there was much progress on the ERA for decades but never implemented. Please Ron get out of your bubble before your own rights to marry are stollen.

It’s an enjoyable podcast with some expert guests. Unfortunately they are so completely pro-isreal it comes off as if AIPAC is funding their program. Listen to the most recent episode and draw your own conclusions (9 August 2024)

Politicology has opened my eyes and heart to the realities of American and Global politics. Ron and friends unpack the news behind the stories I follow daily and give me the Aha information to make it all make sense. Just thank you, thank you.

Episodes are bloated with ads, which would be fine if it wasn’t for the fact that episodes are then shortened, with all of the actual content behind the membership paywall. Gross and greedy

Frankly this podcast has devolved over time. It has turned into self congratulatory bunk of the Ezra Klein type. You love to hear each other talk even if your analysis is vapid. I have unsubscribed and urge other to look for better options. I certainly have found them. What a disappointment.

Crooked Media, Ezra Klein and now Politicology? I loved your last 2 analyses on the challenges and opportunities we faced in the race. Just listened to 7/26 episode. In first few minutes disappointed by a regular guest whom I love hearing from calling the mobilization behind Kamala as undemocratic vs the elites pushing our President out. That Sunday-Tuesday there was a coalition of new voters and angry Biden voters who felt shafted and wasn’t going to let the elites take our full ticket creating a catastrophic blood bath at the conference. Biden (the heir apparent) gave us the word who it was and we responded. It’s how democracy works.

Should be free.

Appreciate you guys

I really enjoy this show even when I am supremely gnashing my teeth at times because they are just pretty darned honest and candid. I have been listening for about a year, and just this last week decided to do the Politicology Plus subscription.

I love this. But regarding the recent debate, the host and guests seem to feel the ability to deliver an entertaining vaudeville act equates to the ability to run a country. We have jobs and a strong stock market - and no destructive trade wars or spats with America’s allies. And if Joe really did all this in his sleep, that makes him supernaturally potent!

Awesome Show!

I find this podcast to be worth my time, and I look forward to each episode. Balanced discussions, in-depth knowledge, needed in our current times. I have been enjoying the voice of Ron since the Lincoln Project days. Thank you Ron and all your regulars, especially Mike Madrid!

I listen to a lot of podcasts and I always hear things on Politicology that I don’t hear on other podcasts. I’m still skeptical about Ron Steslow’s advocacy of crypto, but Molly McKew’s contributions on Ukraine should actually be blared from the headlines every day. They are so important! The long deep Plus segments really make me think (Ron, I’ve gone from absolutely against crypto and bitcoin to merely skeptical!)

I understand that you don’t want to delude people into thinking Biden will win easily. But you are depressing me. I listen to meidastouch, crooked media, and the bulwark. I also get Simon Rosenberg’s hopium substack. I need to hear more positive things to continue listening.

love the weekly roundup

Love this balanced in depth podcast!

you guys are nuts and stupid to blame citizens for being happy that always criming trump. saying it’s not good for the country! are you serious? blaming us for being slimy for being happy that dirtball trump is FINALLY being held accountable?NO! you are wrong, our reaction is not wrong. trump is slimy and not good for america...period! you both still have republican stench on you to blame us for us believing in no one is above the law.

I just listened to the live broadcast with Mike Madrid and Ron Steslow. An hour wasn’t long enough! Simply wonderful and heartfelt. Mike obviously feels deep down to his core the hope that America use to extend to all hardworking immigrants. We need to embrace those feelings of hope once again. Ethnic diversity is a strength. Look all around us in nature. It is devoid of vulnerable monocultures. Instead, diversity abounds in every thriving ecosystem. I do have one assurance if global politics utterly fail future generations of H. sapiens: when humans no longer inhabit this planet with its complex life-supporting systems, the earth, along with the animals and plants, will stabilize naturally and continue without us.

Thank you for your thoughtful analysis and support of Israel. You should connect with Dan Senor from Call Me Back if you have not already.

Smart, informative. What you won’t hear on mainstream media. Easy for a progressive like me to listen to and hear former Republican conservatives POVs. (note: they include voices from all sides, except Trump’s — because of the danger of his movement)

Especially enjoy the podcasts in which Mike Madrid participates.

Always informative and especially important in these dire political times.

Tired of fear mongering or being talked down? This podcast respects your intelligence and breaks down complex ideas and situations, avoiding simple narratives, and showing a much more nuanced view of the complicated world we live in.

Good to hear the perspective of people who are not Democrats but are no longer Republicans. So they basically just tell it like it is. Great views you won’t get elsewhere.

This is a really engaging, thoughtful show. Appreciate the work…these guys feel like friends.

Your cover page today had the three of you sketched, and a small Politicology logo at the bottom. Better to have a large Politicology logo on the face, so we don’t overlook your podcast, as I did. Thank you.

Great show, informative, digging in really, bringing different points of view. In an era of misinformation this is a podcast that will always value the truth

I listen to this podcast every week, it’s the most balanced, non-spin political podcast out there. Keep up the awesome work Ron!

Very substantive and thorough…to the staff: appreciate all your hard work sharing the tough information that I pray is being heard everywhere. Would love to see your show live if you ever decided to record at a live town hall and travel to various cities, I think it would be quite popular.

A satirist speaking and laughing about the chain of command debacle at the Pentagon and White House, while Joe Biden is on vacation in the Caribbean and we and others are bombing in the Middle East - really?