Byline with Ben Dennis

Ben Dennis
  • 5.0 (8)
  • News Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

Byline with Ben Dennis is a weekly interview series exploring how power moves through political communication and media. Hosted by journalist Ben Dennis, the show looks beyond the headlines to ask what’s really driving the moment — from messaging strategy to media incentives and institutional pressure. Rather than reacting to noise, Byline focuses on understanding how communication shapes democracy. New episodes every Monday.

  1. Jun 9

    What Happens After Trump? The Midterms, Affordability and the Fight for 2028

    The 2026 midterms are still months away, but the political fight for 2028 may already be taking shape. Will voters cast their ballots based on affordability, foreign policy, cultural issues, or frustration with Washington? Are Democrats building a message beyond opposition to President Trump? And what does the future of the Republican Party look like once Trump is no longer on the ballot? Political analyst and Randolph-Macon College professor Rich Meagher joins me to discuss the issues driving voters, why affordability remains one of the most powerful forces in American politics, and whether both parties are preparing for a post-Trump era. In this episode: • Why affordability continues to dominate political conversations• Whether Democrats are finding a message beyond anti-Trump politics• Signs some Republicans are beginning to distance themselves from Trump• Why younger voters may be looking for a new generation of leaders• Whether cultural issues still resonate with voters the way they once did• What the race for 2028 could look like before the 2026 midterms are even over• The role AI, technology, and economic uncertainty could play in future elections What issue do you think will matter most to voters this November?

    44 min

  2. Jun 3

    AI, Courts, And Consequences

    AI is changing how people find information, make decisions, and interact with technology. But what happens when it gets something wrong? Law professor and former Google trust and safety expert Jess Miers joins me to discuss AI liability, chatbot lawsuits, free speech, and the legal questions courts are being forced to answer in real time.

    43 min

  3. May 26

    The Constitution Meets Artificial Intelligence: Who’s in Charge of America’s Future?

    Artificial intelligence is no longer theoretical. It’s already shaping how we search for information, communicate with coworkers, consume news, and increasingly how society functions behind the scenes. But as AI systems become more embedded into everyday life, a larger question is emerging: Who decides the rules? In this episode of Byline with Ben Dennis, Ben sits down with legal scholar and former Department of Justice attorney Alan Rozenshtein to explore whether America is entering a new constitutional era driven by artificial intelligence. The conversation examines: — whether democratic institutions can realistically keep pace with AI development— how executive power could expand alongside AI systems— the growing influence of private tech companies over public life— whether the Constitution is flexible enough to adapt to machine learning and algorithmic governance— and what kinds of legal guardrails Americans may ultimately demand — or reject Rozenshtein argues the Constitution was designed to survive periods of massive technological and political change. The founders never imagined AI chatbots, recommendation algorithms, or machine-generated speech. But they also never imagined electricity. So what happens when innovation moves faster than regulation? And if government fails to establish meaningful boundaries, are Americans comfortable allowing the people building these systems to increasingly shape the economy, culture, and flow of information themselves? As the United States approaches 250 years since its founding, this conversation asks a broader question: What technological guardrails are Americans willing to accept before AI becomes fully embedded into the next chapter of public life? #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #Constitution #Technology #Politics #SamAltman #ElonMusk #AIGovernance #ExecutivePower #MachineLearning #BylineWithBenDennis

    57 min

  4. May 12

    Is There Such a Thing as a Fair Election?

    Is there such a thing as a fair election? This week on Byline, Penn State mathematics professor Andrea Boito joins me to unpack the hidden math behind democracy — from ranked-choice voting and the Electoral College to apportionment, strategic voting, and why mathematicians say a perfectly “fair” voting system may actually be impossible. We dive into the formulas and theories that shape how leaders are elected, why the same votes can produce different winners under different systems, and what Americans should understand before the next major election cycle. It’s a fascinating conversation about politics, power, and the numbers quietly deciding who wins. 🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.

    39 min

  5. May 4

    Who Controls Your Feed? What You See Now—and How AI Is Changing It

    You open your phone. Within seconds, you’re scrolling—posts, videos, headlines, all arranged in a way that feels almost intuitive. But why that post? Why that video? Why that story—right now? In this episode, Ben Dennis speaks with Katie Harbath, former Facebook public policy director and CEO of Anchor Change, about how those decisions are made—and how quickly they’re changing. Because what shows up in your feed isn’t random. It’s shaped by signals—what you watch, what you skip, what you engage with, and what you don’t. But that’s only part of the story. As artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in these systems, the process of deciding what you see is starting to shift—moving beyond simple recommendation into something more dynamic, and less visible. So what does that mean for what you’re seeing today? And what might it mean for what you see next? This conversation explores how platforms interpret behavior, why certain content rises, and how AI could reshape not just your feed—but how information itself is delivered. 🎧 Listen to the full episode.

    51 min

  6. Apr 27

    Is the U.S. Ready for War? A General Warns We’re Running Low on Weapons

    The missiles have flown. The ceasefire looks fragile. What happens if this conflict doesn’t stay overseas? How long could this fighting last? What happens to gas prices if it drags on? And what does it mean for Americans here at home? In this episode of Byline with Ben Dennis, I sit down with retired U.S. Army Major General John Ferrari to go beyond the headlines and break down what’s actually happening—and what comes next. We get into what happens after strikes are launched… how prepared the U.S. really is for a prolonged conflict… and whether America is built for sustained warfare. Ferrari also explains a critical imbalance: the U.S. has to succeed on multiple fronts—military, strategic, and public perception—while an adversary may only need one to claim success. This isn’t about fear. It’s about understanding what comes next. Because while the conflict is happening thousands of miles away… the real question is what it means if it doesn’t stay there.

    47 min

  7. Mar 23

    Inside the Secret Service: what it takes to protect the president — and understand threats

    What does it actually take to protect the President of the United States? In this episode of Byline with Ben Dennis, I sit down with Jeff James — a former Secret Service agent who spent more than two decades on protective detail — to discuss what it actually takes to protect the President of the United States. From the day-to-day volume of threats, to protecting foreign leaders, to how intelligence informs national security decisions, Jeff shares insight into a role that is often misunderstood. We also discuss how the U.S. tracks emerging threats — including weapons of mass destruction — and how decisions are made when information is incomplete or evolving. Key topics: -Life on a presidential protective detail -Common misconceptions about the Secret Service -How threats are identified and assessed -Protecting visiting world leaders -Intelligence and decision-making under pressure -Challenges in preventing large-scale threats 🎧 Listen to the full episode and follow for more conversations that go beyond the headlines.⚡️ Follow on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@broadcastben📸 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/broadcastben/?hl=en🐦 Follow on Twitter: https://x.com/broadcastben_

    49 min

  8. Mar 3

    Can the U.S. Strike Without Congress? War Powers, Iran & Executive Authority | Todd Huntley

    Before the public ever hears about a U.S. strike, decisions have already been made inside the Pentagon. But the bigger question is: What happens next? As tensions rise with Iran, most coverage focuses on what just occurred — missiles launched, statements issued, retaliation promised. Inside the Defense Department, though, officials are already assessing risk, modeling escalation, and preparing for what the next 24 to 72 hours could bring. In this episode of Byline with Ben Dennis, I sit down with Todd Huntley to walk through what unfolds behind closed doors before a strike — and the critical decisions that follow immediately after. We break down: • How strike options are developed• What intelligence and risk assessments shape military action• How leaders prepare for potential escalation• What signals policymakers watch in the hours after action• And the key questions Americans should be asking right now Because the real story isn’t just about what happened.It’s about what that decision sets in motion. If you want to understand not only today’s headline — but what may come next — this conversation helps you think ahead. 🎙️ Byline with Ben Dennis focuses on why stories matter — and what they may lead to next. Subscribe for weekly conversations designed to make you smarter about what’s coming.

    33 min
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About

Byline with Ben Dennis is a weekly interview series exploring how power moves through political communication and media. Hosted by journalist Ben Dennis, the show looks beyond the headlines to ask what’s really driving the moment — from messaging strategy to media incentives and institutional pressure. Rather than reacting to noise, Byline focuses on understanding how communication shapes democracy. New episodes every Monday.

Information

  • Creator
    Ben Dennis
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Ben Dennis
  • Show Website
    Byline with Ben Dennis