SEASON 1
EPISODE 1: ELLEN
BOCA RATON, FL
Ellen and I discuss #BlackLivesMatter, the Women's March, progressive vs. regressive, whether riots are a "new thing," the efficacy of the Electoral College, and the big problem of Islamophobia in this 90-minute conversation with a woman who's life experiences have been nothing like my own. I learned a lot, and I hope you will, too. Released June 6, 2017
EPISODE 2: YOLANDA
LONG ISLAND, NY
Yolanda blew my mind with her beliefs about politics, the government, and the world. This conversation got heated. We didn't agree on almost anything related to politics - and both of us are equally passionate about the issues we disagree on. But we still found a way to connect and relate to each other. You have to hear it to believe it. Released June 13, 2017.
EPISODE 3: ASHLEY PART 1
FREEHOLD, NJ
Ashley Rollo is a smart, passionate lifelong conservative. Part 1 of our conversation starts out with immigration and what Ashley considers to be proper vetting procedures, followed by an intense discussion about rape culture and sexual assault in America. And I learned something that I'd always believed might be totally wrong. Released June 20, 2017.
EPISODE 4: ASHLEY PART 2
FREEHOLD, NJ
In Part 2 of my conversation with Ashley Rollo, we talk the economy and really get into what went down with Benghazi and the ensuing investigation. We also shared a laugh about how a conservative and a liberal can talk politics over coffee without it coming to blows. I left with a real fondness for Ashley, and a feeling I'd made a new friend. Released June 27. 2017.
EPISODE 5: ALLEY PART 1
NEW ROCHELLE, NY
This episode was recorded the same day as Episode 2: Yolanda, and I was feeling really shaken at how starkly different Yolanda's perception of reality was from my own. Alley is my friend in real life, so I ended up going off on a looooong rant about Russia thanks to my frayed nerves. And she was cool enough to let me. Released July 4, 2017.
EPISODE 6: MELISSA
SAN JOSE, CA
Melissa voted for Trump for several reasons, but the big one for her was abortion. She's adamantly against the procedure. The thing is...she's had three abortions herself. This interview is deeply personal and emotional, and while I don't agree with her - at all - I had to respect her bravery and honesty. Released July 11, 2017.
EPISODE 7: ANNE
SEGUIN, TX
Anne is a self-described "gun-totin' Texan" who disliked Obama because he expressed support for gun control laws. I thought I knew all there was to know about the gun control debate, but talking to Anne made me realize I was missing a major part of why the debate is so fiery - the emotional/psychological part. Released July 18, 2017.
BONUS EPISODE: ANNE & MARSHA
AUSTIN, TX
In this special bonus episode, my Episode 7 guest, Anne, who is white, asks our mutual friend Marsha what the deal is with white privilege. Marsha is black, and she teaches diversity classes at a university. She unpacked white privilege for Anne without a hint of hostility or indignation - and Anne really listened. I'm just glad I turned the mic back on. Released July 25, 2017.
EPISODE 8: SARAH
GREENWICH, CT
Sarah Ito is many things: an Army vet, a career Wall Streeter, a lesbian, a feminist, an actor, and a writer. She's worked alongside legendary feminist and gay rights icons like Jean O'Leary and Ginny Vida. She's the most unlikely Trump voter I could ever have imagined, but she sure knew her stuff and had really clear, well-formed opinions. Released August 1, 2017.
So much has happened in politics since Sarah and I last spoke in early March, so I gave her a call to see if her opinions have evolved since then. I'm so glad I did - she had a lot to say. Released August 4, 2017.
This episode features Part 2 of my conversation with the wonderful Alley Mulrain, who sensed my need to rant at length on all sorts of issues important to liberals. was willing to listen with an open mind, and somehow didn't strangle me. We talked climate change, terrorism, social programs, why liberals see Trump as scapegoating minority groups, and why the GOP is against marriage equality. Released August 8, 2017.
This mini-episode features my phone call update with Alley Mulrain, recorded on August 10, 2017. We talk about how Alley thinks President Trump is doing so far, the situation with North Korea, the Paris Climate Agreement, and LGBTQ rights under the Trump administration. Released August 11, 2017.
Burlesque dancer and model Niky Shea describes herself as a moderate, and she wanted to come on the show to explain why comparisons between Trump and Hitler make no sense. We ended up talking for over three hours with no breaks about nearly every major issue surrounding the 2016 election and the Trump administration. This is the first half of that conversation. Released August 15, 2017.
In Part 2 of my conversation with Niky Shea, we talk Antifa protestors, how extremism is making it hard for the rest of us to communicate with each other, how Trump legitimized the alt-right, LGBTQ rights under the Trump administration, the Russia investigation, climate change, and how life experiences can deeply affect your political decisions. A smorgasbord of topics to wrap up Season 1. Released August 22, 2017.