It’s off-year election season, but how much significance do these elections have? With the New York City mayoral election in the national spotlight, Kirby and Todd touch on the effects of the election’s outcomes. To what extent does the mayor truly hold power? Although voter mobilization encourages people to get up and vote, it’s the persuasion that truly makes a difference. Later, they touch on the ongoing government shutdown, the longest shutdown in U.S. history. Kirby and Todd question whether the differing benefits for Democratic Party leaders and Republican Party leaders are worth the government standstill. Kirby says if the shutdown truly had profound immediate effects, then our government leaders wouldn’t risk playing the political game – but at what cost?

For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience

Have government shutdowns become a strategy for political parties? With the recent American government shutdown, Kirby and Todd say we’ve been here before, except they predict the impact might be greater. Both sides are decisive and don’t want to reach a compromise, but can either party make their case? The two discuss how the shutdown could impact the American people, and they hope that politicians recognize this. They raise questions about who is affected and how they’re affected. As Americans' trust in institutions declines, what impact does this have on democracy? Kirby says, “If we expect the government to do less, the government should do less better.” They share hope that the government shutdown could be a unifying force for our nation, but we’ll have to wait and see.

For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.

With recent events in America, many people are questioning the American system. Kirby and Todd sit down with Texas A&M Visiting Professor Clifford Young to weigh in on the current state of the country and possible solutions to political challenges. The three discuss how, as satisfaction levels of democracy have decreased, so has political unification. Is the increase in political violence and extremism because of U.S. leaders? Cliff believes the world should have leaders who don’t add fuel to the fire. As educators, their ultimate goal is to provide students with frameworks to make sense of the world. Join the conversation and ease your anxiety with Kirby, Todd, and Cliff as they give context to the political concerns in America. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.

The United States of America is entering a new political climate since President Trump took office nine months ago – what are the people saying? Is there a shift in the crime rate? Do people agree with the immigration policies being enforced? What is going on with the economy? With so much change, it can be hard to keep up. Kirby and Todd say President Trump seems to be realigning the political system of the United States. Given the Republican Party's typical ideological alignment with business, they wonder whether increased government involvement could lead American businesses to lose their freedom. What does the Republican Party ultimately want for the country and the American people? Will the Democratic Party be able to bounce back? Kirby and Todd discuss these questions and more in the latest episode of Inside Political Science. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.

Texas Republicans and Democrats are at odds over redistricting – what does this mean for the future? There’s a lot going on in Texas and across the country. As President Trump embarks on his seventh month in office, Kirby and Todd say he embraces uncertainty, including asking Texas to find more Republican-leaning Congressional districts. Will the evasive strategies of the Texas Democratic Party stop the redistricting push? Kirby and Todd talk about the risks that come with gerrymandering, and why both sides are guilty depending on who’s in power. Later, they dive into party factions and the economy, arguing that politicians tend to overpromise and underperform. The battle for Texas’ Senate seat heats up, as our hosts discuss John Cornyn and Ken Paxton’s attack strategies. Finally, how will tariffs affect the next election cycle? For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.

How are German politics different from American politics? And which country does it better? Todd presents a special student-focused episode from Passau, Germany, during a Bush School Study Abroad trip. Two Texas A&M students and two University of Passau students engage in a roundtable discussion about the future of politics in the United States and Germany. With election season wrapped up in both nations, students discuss the outcomes and repercussions, and say that after talking about elections for so long, they’re ready for a break. With the rise of social media, students say they don’t know many peers who are in the political center; instead, they believe more young people are moving to political extremes. Plus, the students share their views on American and German governance and which political system works better. Could the U.S. ever replicate the EU? Later, populism hits the debate floor, making students question whether political parties will turn back to their values if political destabilization continues. Finally, Todd asks how students get their news. Do they feel more informed than older generations? Yes and no, but the students can agree on one thing: they’re far less likely to fall for fake news than their parents. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.

What’s the role of a pollster? Is it about getting the numbers right? Or can they help us predict the future? Kirby invites Cliff Young from Ipsos to the show to discuss how pollsters measure and interpret public opinion. Cliff says pollsters serve as a bridge between those who govern and those who are governed. They try to understand what people are thinking and how that affects future political outcomes. He says people only see the accuracy of the polls, but there’s a lot more to it: providing narrative and context is critical, and ultimately, their goal is to avoid election surprises. Later, Kirby and Cliff break down nativism and its impact on immigration and tariff policies. There’s a clash over what makes someone an American - is it about birthplace or is it about ideals? With Trump’s focus on immigration and current events in California, Cliff and Kirby agree that nativism isn’t necessarily increasing, but is becoming more polarized. Will we reach a consensus and move on as a nation to another issue? They say no, at least not in the short term. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.

What issues matter to college students? Is there hope for a political common ground among the next generation? Three Texas A&M students join Kirby and Todd for a robust discussion of student perspectives. As young voters, they are discovering how to be a part of the political process. They bring up national issues like the economy, debt and free speech, but also local issues that directly affect them, including affordable housing and immigration. Rent concerns are a big part of the conversation, as the students debate if and how they can create change. Kirby and Todd ask where students get their news and how social media coverage influences the narrative. Are Aggie students inherently political or are they too nice to disagree? Plus, the students ask: where are the high-paying jobs we were promised if we went to college? For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.

Will the U.S. lose its world power? Are we on a path to a lower quality of life? In this episode, Kirby and Todd bring on Dr. Matt Motta to talk about the politicization of scientific research and how it affects our lives and power. As the federal government makes budget cuts, Dr. Motta wonders what will happen to important research. He argues that things like GPS, the internet and medicine are direct results of scientific investment. Plus, how will universities, which do much of the country’s research, be affected? Universities can be valuable assets to local communities, but will the decision makers realize that? Finally, the group discusses our technically complex world full of expertise and opinions. Dr. Motta says it’s okay to be skeptical of science and recognizes that scientists aren’t always perfect. He wants to push them to better explain the value of their work, admit when they’re wrong and show people how the power of science can change the world for the better. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.

Keeping people in jail can get expensive. But public safety is vital. So is letting people out on bail effective? Kirby and Todd bring two guests to the show to discuss bail reform in their new episode. First, Ken Good, a bail attorney and board member for the Professional Bondsmen of Texas, shares what he thinks good bail reform looks like. He encourages accountability and wants to give judges and police officers the tools to do their jobs. Later, George Naufal, a research scientist at Texas A&M’s Public Policy Research Institute, discusses his work on a Harris County equitable bail study. He shares what his team found and why he hopes judges can use research and data in the future rather than just their instincts. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.

If it feels hard to keep up with the whiplash of politics these last few weeks, you’re not alone! Kirby and Todd are back with a new episode about everything happening: from tariffs and the constant battle between free trade and fair trade; to Elon Musk proclaiming that “the entire destiny of humanity” rests on a Wisconsin Supreme Court election. Plus, is President Trump’s ‘third term’ discussion a distraction ploy, or is he serious - and are Democrats taking the bait? And why are right-wing podcasts so much more popular than left-wing podcasts? Later in the episode, Kirby is joined by George Washington University professor Dr. Christopher Warshaw. They discuss why state and local politics are so complicated to study and why they don’t get as much attention as national politics. Stay for the end to get a little nugget from Kirby and Todd as they explain why Californians moving to Texas likely won’t turn Texas blue. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.

Our Constitution was built for presidents like Donald Trump. That’s the argument from Kirby and Todd in their latest episode. Kirby says the Constitution was set up for presidents to grab power and Congress to provide checks and balances - much like Trump is doing. But everyone knows the next mid-term election will change the balance again. Kirby and Todd discuss a variety of topics in this episode, including judge clashes, immigration, the economy, Republican messaging and why Democrats just can’t seem to get their party back together. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.

President Trump is doing what we expect leaders to do. Congress isn’t - and that’s a problem. Kirby and Todd back to discuss the sledgehammer the president is taking to the government and the budget. They say so much is happening that no one really knows what’s happening! But what they do know is that our checks and balances system isn’t working. Trump is using his power as leaders should. Congress should be checking him to keep things balanced… except they aren’t. And that’s their fault. Our hosts discuss why, plus how cutting a trillion dollars from the budget won’t be enough to bring down the national debt. By the way, did you know the last balanced budget was in 2001? And they explore messaging: why Republicans are winning with their government waste message and why Democrats can’t find a message to shift the focus. Later in the episode, Kirby is visited by Harvard professor Josh Kertzer. They discuss why Americans have strong opinions about foreign policy, why political elites have ordinary problems and how Trump will handle negotiations, influence, Russia, tariffs and more. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.

Things aren’t cheap. Good thing Texas has money. Kirby and Todd talk Texas politics with guest Brandon Rottinghaus in this new episode. As the legislative session kicks into high gear, what are Governor Abbott’s priorities? Will the state House or Senate help him get more done? There are a lot of expensive things on the governor’s agenda, so what can get done? The trio discusses how the school voucher issue has become a national concern, how higher education institutions will fare and if the governor is thinking about a 2028 run. Plus, how do state Democrats respond to another cycle of their purple movement failing? After a break, the topic shifts to national politics and scandals. Kirby and Todd ask Brandon if scandals still matter. Brandon argues they’re no longer career-ending. They discuss who really sets a president’s agenda and how President Trump continues to break norms. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.

Who do you love and who do you hate? In terms of foreign policy, that's a complicated question. Kirby and Todd are back with their first episode of 2025. They bring in foreign policy expert Dr. John Schuessler to discuss how newly returned President Donald Trump might handle foreign relations. As his second term begins, how will Trump take on a world that has changed so much in the past four years? Does his experience mean he is better prepared to transition back into office? And what kind of negotiation tactics will he use? While he may seem to use "hard power," John argues he uses "soft power" more than people realize. How will he balance structure versus agency? Will he rethink our relationships with our allies? Plus, have other nations figured out Trump's tell? The group discusses whether his tendency to compromise for 'little wins' is worthwhile. Finally, Kirby and Todd analyze some of Trump’s strengths and weaknesses as the president gets to work. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.

Do presidents need better, simpler, narrower agendas? In this episode, Kirby and Todd argue yes - presidential approval ratings are dropping. Why? That’s what Kirby and Todd answer as they discuss presidential honeymoons, what presidents should focus on and traditional politics. How will political parties continue to adapt to voters? Plus, $587,000 a year!? Why Gen Z thinks that’s the number needed for comfort. Speaking of comfort, why does Trump seem so comfy during chaos? And Kirby and Todd discuss the Hunter Biden pardon: the broadness of the pardon, why we won’t remember this in ten years, what it might mean for term limits, and if Biden should pardon Trump. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.

What really happens during a presidential transition? Historically, the transition period was a time for vacation. Campaigning is tough and exhausting! But to keep the country safe and secure every day, a thorough, decisive and professional transition is needed. Kirby and Todd are joined by presidential transition expert Heath Brown, who has extensively researched this relatively secret part of governing. He shares his thoughts on the history of presidential transitions - including how the Cold War and later 9/11 impacted transitions - plus why it’s so important to have a full team ready to go on day one, why vetting is important, and how this transition could compare to the 2020 transition. And did you know each president has to appoint more than 4,000 people to federal jobs? Then, Kirby and Todd think ahead to 2028 and continue to analyze what went wrong for Democrats. Did they go too far left? Or did they get too close to the center? And finally, why governance can be compared to fighting over the thermostat. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.

We have a new president, and it happened quicker and more decisively than anyone expected. Kirby and Todd react to Donald Trump’s victory, calling it one of the best political comebacks in history. They give kudos to his campaign for choosing strategies that seemed odd on the surface but paid off in a big way. They discuss what the Harris campaign may be second-guessing and if the results would have been different if Biden dropped out earlier. Plus, can anyone be the Democrat version of Trump in the 2028 cycle, are podcasts and social media replacing the political value of a “60 Minutes” appearance, why were the polls so off and why are so many incumbent parties around the world losing this year? And why did the Democrats lose when they had more money? Finally, Kirby and Todd look ahead, discussing why governing is harder than campaigning and how Trump might handle ‘revenge,’ foreign affairs, and the economy. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.

Guess what? This presidential election isn’t the nastiest in history, even if it feels like it at the moment. As Election Day dawns, Kirby and Todd provide their final insights before the nation decides on new elected officials. They discuss why this election won’t be the end of the world. Which party represents the working class? It may not be who it used to be. Plus, Congressional control is up in the air and more people than ever are turning out to vote. It’s Election Day! For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience. Episodes will continue after the election, as our hosts break down what’s next for the winner and loser and prepare for the Texas legislature to convene in 2025.

Kamala on Fox News, Arnold Palmer and McDonald’s french fries: media coverage of politics isn’t simple anymore. Candidates are exploring digital content creation more than ever before and it’s making it hard to keep up. For the last time before the election, Kirby and Todd give their perspectives on the presidential campaigns. Guest Katie Searles joins from South Carolina to discuss how the media is grappling with two different personalities - Trump because he’s tough to predict and Harris because some say she’s too scripted. The crew discusses the digital age and why content strategy is now a part of politics. Plus, why this election will be written about in textbooks for years, why Democrats are experimenting with data and how microtargeting plays a role in digital political marketing. Finally, Kirby and Todd wrap up with a few things to watch just a few days before decision day. For more on this show and to listen to past episodes, visit tx.ag/insidepoliticalscience.