In this episode of The TRM Podcast, we speak with Bowdoin College students Natalie Emerson and Larson Van Horn, creators of the Pine State Politics in Session podcast. What began as an academic project has become a powerful civic experiment in demystifying democracy. Emerson and Van Horn take us inside the process — petitions, ranked-choice voting, clean election funding — the often-invisible machinery that makes democracy work. Their mission is simple but profound: to replace cynicism with understanding by showing how the system actually functions, and how ordinary citizens can engage it with intelligence and purpose. From their experience gathering signatures on a Senate campaign to interviewing figures across the political spectrum, they remind us that democracy is not a spectator sport.
A grounded, hopeful conversation with two voices of the next generation who are learning — and teaching — what democratic participation really means.
In this episode of The TRM Podcast, we speak with Bowdoin College students Natalie Emerson and Larson Van Horn, creators of the Pine State Politics in Session podcast. What began as an academic project has become a powerful civic experiment in demystifying democracy. Emerson and Van Horn take us inside the process — petitions, ranked-choice voting, clean election funding — the often-invisible machinery that makes democracy work. Their mission is simple but profound: to replace cynicism with understanding by showing how the system actually functions, and how ordinary citizens can engage it with intelligence and purpose. From their experience gathering signatures on a Senate campaign to interviewing figures across the political spectrum, they remind us that democracy is not a spectator sport.
A grounded, hopeful conversation with two voices of the next generation who are learning — and teaching — what democratic participation really means.
In this episode, we are joined by Josh Ruebner — Policy Director at the Institute for Middle East Understanding, author, and scholar of U.S.–Palestine relations — for a deep dive conversation about genocide, accountability, and the state of U.S. politics. We reflect on how conditions for Palestinians have worsened over the past two decades, the role of social media in exposing atrocities in real time, and the dramatic shift in American public opinion toward ending military support for Israel. Yet, despite this overwhelming public sentiment, Congress continues to greenlight weapons and aid—laying bare the disconnect between the will of the people and the actions of their representatives. For TRM, this crisis is more than a foreign policy issue; it is a stark example of why our democracy must be restructured to reflect the collective wisdom and values of ordinary people. The conversation highlights both the urgency of addressing U.S. complicity in human rights abuses and the broader need for a political system that is truly representative.
In this episode, we are joined by Josh Ruebner — Policy Director at the Institute for Middle East Understanding, author, and scholar of U.S.–Palestine relations — for a deep dive conversation about genocide, accountability, and the state of U.S. politics. We reflect on how conditions for Palestinians have worsened over the past two decades, the role of social media in exposing atrocities in real time, and the dramatic shift in American public opinion toward ending military support for Israel. Yet, despite this overwhelming public sentiment, Congress continues to greenlight weapons and aid—laying bare the disconnect between the will of the people and the actions of their representatives. For TRM, this crisis is more than a foreign policy issue; it is a stark example of why our democracy must be restructured to reflect the collective wisdom and values of ordinary people. The conversation highlights both the urgency of addressing U.S. complicity in human rights abuses and the broader need for a political system that is truly representative.
In this episode of the TRM Podcast, we sit down with Christopher Ajluni, an independent candidate for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. From his roots as a 2008 Obama delegate to his bold decision to run a no-money campaign, Ajluni lays out a vision for politics that rejects the stranglehold of big donors and entrenched parties. We cover everything from campaign finance reform and universal healthcare to the promise of a four-day workweek and the urgent need for authentic, people-first leadership. Honest, unscripted, and unafraid to take on sacred cows, this conversation is a candid look at what it takes to challenge a broken system.
In this episode of the TRM Podcast, we sit down with Christopher Ajluni, an independent candidate for Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. From his roots as a 2008 Obama delegate to his bold decision to run a no-money campaign, Ajluni lays out a vision for politics that rejects the stranglehold of big donors and entrenched parties. We cover everything from campaign finance reform and universal healthcare to the promise of a four-day workweek and the urgent need for authentic, people-first leadership. Honest, unscripted, and unafraid to take on sacred cows, this conversation is a candid look at what it takes to challenge a broken system.
In this episode, we sit down with philosopher Robert Talisse to explore the ideas behind his book Civic Solitude: Why Democracy Needs Distance. Talisse argues that while democracy thrives on public participation, it also requires something quieter — moments of reflection and distance from the noise. We talk about polarization, the hidden costs of constant engagement, and why institutions like libraries and museums might be just as essential to democracy as voting booths. This conversation is about rethinking what it really means to be a citizen in today’s fractured political landscape.
In this episode, we sit down with philosopher Robert Talisse to explore the ideas behind his book Civic Solitude: Why Democracy Needs Distance. Talisse argues that while democracy thrives on public participation, it also requires something quieter — moments of reflection and distance from the noise. We talk about polarization, the hidden costs of constant engagement, and why institutions like libraries and museums might be just as essential to democracy as voting booths. This conversation is about rethinking what it really means to be a citizen in today’s fractured political landscape.
This episode of the TRM Podcast features an in-depth conversation with journalist Hugo Balta, Executive Editor of The Fulcrum. We explore the principles of solutions journalism reporting that not only identifies problems but also examines real-world responses with evidence and accountability. Balta challenges the myth of media objectivity, arguing instead for fairness, accuracy, and transparency shaped by diverse lived experiences. Drawing on his decades in mainstream outlets like MSNBC, CBS, and ABC, he shares firsthand insights into how newsrooms have shifted from journalism to ratings-driven entertainment. Together we discuss the press’s responsibility to hold power to account, the dangers of echo chambers, and why media literacy is essential for a healthy democracy.
This episode of the TRM Podcast features an in-depth conversation with journalist Hugo Balta, Executive Editor of The Fulcrum. We explore the principles of solutions journalism reporting that not only identifies problems but also examines real-world responses with evidence and accountability. Balta challenges the myth of media objectivity, arguing instead for fairness, accuracy, and transparency shaped by diverse lived experiences. Drawing on his decades in mainstream outlets like MSNBC, CBS, and ABC, he shares firsthand insights into how newsrooms have shifted from journalism to ratings-driven entertainment. Together we discuss the press’s responsibility to hold power to account, the dangers of echo chambers, and why media literacy is essential for a healthy democracy.
In this episode of The TRM Podcast our guest is Bill Pluecker, a farmer, small business owner, and independent representative for Maine’s 44th District. Bill’s work in the legislature is grounded in his life on the farm, giving him a rare perspective on how laws actually affect communities. In this conversation, we talk about what it means to serve in a citizen legislature, how Maine connects local farmers to those who need food most, and the delicate balancing act between economic development, environmental goals, and preserving farmland.
In this episode of The TRM Podcast our guest is Bill Pluecker, a farmer, small business owner, and independent representative for Maine’s 44th District. Bill’s work in the legislature is grounded in his life on the farm, giving him a rare perspective on how laws actually affect communities. In this conversation, we talk about what it means to serve in a citizen legislature, how Maine connects local farmers to those who need food most, and the delicate balancing act between economic development, environmental goals, and preserving farmland.
In this episode of the TR Podcast, we speak with Sung Jun Han, a promising political philosophy doctoral candidate, about the future of democratic governance. The conversation dives into Han’s research on "Lottocracy" — a radical yet historically grounded alternative to electoral representation that proposes selecting legislators by lottery rather than through elections. Han explores the philosophical underpinnings of the model, its potential to address elite capture and systemic bias, and introduces his unique "Madisonian framing," which tempers legislative power by emphasizing citizen filtering and referendum. Together, they unpack what meaningful democratic reform might look like in a time of deep political dysfunction.
More about our guest at: https://sungjunhan.com/
In this episode of the TR Podcast, we speak with Sung Jun Han, a promising political philosophy doctoral candidate, about the future of democratic governance. The conversation dives into Han’s research on "Lottocracy" — a radical yet historically grounded alternative to electoral representation that proposes selecting legislators by lottery rather than through elections. Han explores the philosophical underpinnings of the model, its potential to address elite capture and systemic bias, and introduces his unique "Madisonian framing," which tempers legislative power by emphasizing citizen filtering and referendum. Together, they unpack what meaningful democratic reform might look like in a time of deep political dysfunction.
More about our guest at: https://sungjunhan.com/
In this episode of the TRM Podcast, Dr. Jennifer Chace joins us to discuss her groundbreaking work in transforming schools into democratic spaces where students are genuinely heard and empowered. Drawing from her dissertation, A Search for Moral Equality: Becoming a Listening School, Dr. Chace shares how she turned a grassroots action into a research-driven movement that trains students to gather peer perspectives, collaborate with educators, and co-create policy changes—from securing AP exam fee waivers to designing mental health curricula. The conversation explores the broader implications of this model, including its potential to revitalize civic life and decision-making at the community level. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in education, participatory democracy, and the future of civic engagement.
#EducationReform #StudentVoice #DemocraticSchools #CivicEngagement #YouthEmpowerment #MoralEquality #ListeningSchool #TRMPodcast #JenniferChace #ParticipatoryDemocracy
In this episode of the TRM Podcast, Dr. Jennifer Chace joins us to discuss her groundbreaking work in transforming schools into democratic spaces where students are genuinely heard and empowered. Drawing from her dissertation, A Search for Moral Equality: Becoming a Listening School, Dr. Chace shares how she turned a grassroots action into a research-driven movement that trains students to gather peer perspectives, collaborate with educators, and co-create policy changes—from securing AP exam fee waivers to designing mental health curricula. The conversation explores the broader implications of this model, including its potential to revitalize civic life and decision-making at the community level. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in education, participatory democracy, and the future of civic engagement.
#EducationReform #StudentVoice #DemocraticSchools #CivicEngagement #YouthEmpowerment #MoralEquality #ListeningSchool #TRMPodcast #JenniferChace #ParticipatoryDemocracy
In this episode of the TRM Podcast, we sit down with Professor Scott Aikin to unpack the philosophy of "deep disagreement"—the idea that some of our political and cultural divides persist not because we’re irrational, but because we reason from fundamentally incompatible worldviews. From the theoretical roots of this concept to its exploitation by reactionary movements like the "Dark Enlightenment," Aikin explores how these divides are not just psychological but structural—and how bad-faith actors are using memes, mockery, and manufactured spectacle to bypass reason entirely. A powerful conversation about reason, identity, and the battleground of modern discourse.
#DeepDisagreement #DarkEnlightenment #PhilosophyPodcast #PoliticalDiscourse #CultureWars #TRMPodcast #RedPill #ReasonAndRhetoric #Polarization #MemePolitics
In this episode of the TRM Podcast, we sit down with Professor Scott Aikin to unpack the philosophy of "deep disagreement"—the idea that some of our political and cultural divides persist not because we’re irrational, but because we reason from fundamentally incompatible worldviews. From the theoretical roots of this concept to its exploitation by reactionary movements like the "Dark Enlightenment," Aikin explores how these divides are not just psychological but structural—and how bad-faith actors are using memes, mockery, and manufactured spectacle to bypass reason entirely. A powerful conversation about reason, identity, and the battleground of modern discourse.
#DeepDisagreement #DarkEnlightenment #PhilosophyPodcast #PoliticalDiscourse #CultureWars #TRMPodcast #RedPill #ReasonAndRhetoric #Polarization #MemePolitics
In this episode of the TRM Podcast, we sit down with veteran political reporter Jeff Shapiro to reflect on his nearly 45 years covering Virginia politics. From his long tenure at the Richmond Times-Dispatch to his continuing commentary on public radio, Shapiro brings a wealth of insight to a wide-ranging conversation that spans the reinvention of Virginia’s economy, the legacy of Jerry Connolly, the internal fractures within the Democratic Party, and the evolving role—and dysfunction—of political parties in American democracy. At once historical and timely, this discussion maps the deeper shifts behind today’s political turbulence.
#VirginiaPolitics #JeffShapiro #DemocraticParty #JerryConnolly #AOC #PoliticalJournalism #Redistricting #PartyPolitics #AmericanDemocracy #TRMPodcast
In this episode of the TRM Podcast, we sit down with veteran political reporter Jeff Shapiro to reflect on his nearly 45 years covering Virginia politics. From his long tenure at the Richmond Times-Dispatch to his continuing commentary on public radio, Shapiro brings a wealth of insight to a wide-ranging conversation that spans the reinvention of Virginia’s economy, the legacy of Jerry Connolly, the internal fractures within the Democratic Party, and the evolving role—and dysfunction—of political parties in American democracy. At once historical and timely, this discussion maps the deeper shifts behind today’s political turbulence.
#VirginiaPolitics #JeffShapiro #DemocraticParty #JerryConnolly #AOC #PoliticalJournalism #Redistricting #PartyPolitics #AmericanDemocracy #TRMPodcast