Beerocracy!®

Emily Gross
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The fun political podcast! Designed to make the conversations surrounding politics a little less stuffy and a lot more entertaining! Every week, check in for a new episode where I, Emily Gross, talk to a leading expert about a current political issue circulating the news cycle - all while drinking a beer!

  1. APR 18

    Explaining Christian Nationalism and Why Trump As Jesus Was One Step Too Far

    It took one AI generated photo depicting Trump as Jesus Christ (or a doctor?) to cause rifts in his biggest supporting base: Evangelical Christians. Not his cheating, lying, or scamming or multitude of anti-Christian actions. So why was this too far? I'm joined by Pastor Ben Marsh of First Alliance Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina to explore the mentality behind Evangelical Christians and explain why this was a breaking point. Pastor Ben has been an outspoken critic of Trump and has faced death threats for speaking his views. For those that may not know much about the mentality of Christian nationalism and the evangelical movement, this is the episode for you. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to the Controversy 02:50 Understanding Christian Nationalism 05:33 The Role of the Pope and Catholicism 08:16 Generational Perspectives on Faith 10:49 The Appeal of Trump to Evangelicals 13:25 Diverse Views on Abortion 15:56 Navigating Political Identity as a Christian 18:46 The Intersection of Whiteness and Christianity 21:16 Hope and Future Conversations

    22 min

  2. APR 9

    The Big Myth: Election Fraud And The Facts Behind The Fear

    The claim that the 2020 election was "stolen" from Donald Trump has been repeatedly debunked - yet it continues to fuel legislation that could impact millions of voters. The SAVE America Act introduces strict ID requirements and other restrictive measures that experts warn could suppress access to the ballot for thousands of Americans. But how secure are our elections, really? And what does the data actually show about voter fraud? In this episode, I sit down with David Becker, Executive Director and Founder of the Center for Election Innovation & Research (CEIR), to separate fact from fiction on election integrity. We break down the key provisions of the SAVE America Act, examine how states are already moving to restrict voting access, and pull back the curtain on the safeguards that keep our elections secure.

    44 min

  3. APR 2

    War, AI, and Surveillance: Inside the Gang of 8 with Rep. Jim Himes

    The world feels like it is on fire. And if you're wondering where Congress is in all of this, well so am I. Which is why I'm joined by Representative Jim Himes (D-CT), a Gang of 8 intelligence insider and one of the most informed voices on Capitol Hill, to talk about war, surveillance, and the future of American democracy. Rep. Himes breaks down why Republicans are so scared to stand up to Trump, the limits of U.S. foreign policy, and whether the War Powers Resolution still means anything in an era where Trump acts with reckless abandon and little oversight. It's a raw conversation about power, accountability, and who really gets to decide when America goes to war. Then we get into the surveillance state. With FISA 702 safeguards at the center of a fierce national debate, Himes tackles the uncomfortable question: how do you keep Americans safe without turning the intelligence apparatus against the very citizens it's supposed to protect? This is a conversation you don't want to miss. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Touches 04:26 Current State of Foreign Policy 06:39 Insights from the Gang of Eight 10:47 Congress and War Powers 14:20 Political Accountability and Elections 16:09 Healthcare and Affordability 20:04 FISA and Surveillance Concerns 25:15 AI Legislation and Future Concerns 27:30 National Security and Domestic Issues Keywords foreign policy, Congress, war powers, intelligence, AI, surveillance, civil liberties, Iran, Middle East, legislation, accountability, democracy

    30 min

  4. MAR 26

    Is It Still Safe To Fly?

    It feels like every other week there's a near-miss or tragic accident involving airplanes — bringing fear and anxiety to the hundreds of millions who fly every year. The devastating LaGuardia Airport runway collision on March 22nd, where an Air Canada Express jet struck a fire truck on landing and killed both pilots, is only the latest example. So why is this keep happening? And are we actually seeing an increase? This week, I'm joined by Margaret Wallace, Assistant Professor of Air Traffic Control at the Florida Institute of Technology, to dive into the inadequate air traffic system at the heart of so many of these mishaps — from the chronic air traffic controller shortage leaving our busiest airports understaffed, to the outdated aviation technology, and what actually needs to be done to make flying feel safe again. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Aviation Safety Concerns 02:24 Understanding Air Traffic Control Shortages 04:50 The Challenges of Air Traffic Control Training 07:03 The Role of Technology in Aviation Safety 09:40 Current State of Aircraft Safety 12:07 Legislative Action for Aviation Improvements 14:14 Future of Air Traffic Control Hiring

    17 min

  5. MAR 20

    How The U.S. Is Causing A Crisis In Cuba

    Cuba is in crisis - and it's getting worse by the day. Blackouts now stretch up to 30 hours. Pharmacies are bare. Families are going hungry. Why? Because the U.S. has implemented a blockade on the island since January, when the U.S. captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, cutting off Venezuelan fuel from the fragile island.  In this episode, we’re joined by Philip Brenner, Professor Emeritus of international relations at American University to unpack how the U.S. is causing this humanitarian crisis. We unpack the history of the U.S. and Cuba, what is happening now and why, and what a future could look like. The U.S. foreign policy towards Cuba is causing chaos, and it’s not getting enough media coverage.

    26 min

  6. MAR 15

    Iranian Dissident Gives Inside Look Into Regime

    The war with Iran is showing no signs of slowing down, and thousands have been killed and injured. The Trump administration has launched the Middle East into uncertainty, and there is no one better to discuss the chaos than Kian Tajbakhsh. Tajbakhsh is an Iranian-American scholar and democratic activist who was arrested and imprisoned by this brutal regime. Released as part of the Obama Nuclear Deal of 2015, he makes a pretty controversial argument that's going to stop you mid-sip: that the United States isn't starting a war with Iran — it's finishing one that Iran started back in 1979. This is an episode you don't want to miss.

    43 min

  7. MAR 4

    WTF Is The Endgame With Iran

    The U.S. and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran - hitting major cities, taking out top military commanders, and assassinating Supreme Leader Khamenei. This isn't a warning shot. This is war. And now, uncertainty is everywhere. Thousands have died, the U.S's Middle Eastern allies are being attacked, and Donald Trump changes his answers on "How long?" and "Why?" and "What's next?" every time he is asked. I'm joined by Ross Harrison, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington DC and author of the new book “Decoding Iran’s Foreign Policy." We break down all the questions surrounding this military advancement, providing historical context and analyzing potential outcomes. This is a scary time, but this podcast provides insights and answers. Ross's Book: Decoding Iran's Foreign Policy

    41 min

  8. FEB 19

    Minor Victim #1: Epstein Survivor Shares Her Story

    Content Warning: This episode discusses sexual abuse.  When Marina Lacerda was 14 years old, she found herself giving a massage to Jeffrey Epstein in his NYC mansion - the beginning of what would be years of abuse. As Minor Victim #1, Lacerda’s testimony in the 2019 indictment of Epstein helped lead to his arrest. And for years, she hid this secret. But now, she’s ready to speak out for herself and survivors everywhere.

    45 min
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4.7
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About

The fun political podcast! Designed to make the conversations surrounding politics a little less stuffy and a lot more entertaining! Every week, check in for a new episode where I, Emily Gross, talk to a leading expert about a current political issue circulating the news cycle - all while drinking a beer!

Information

  • Creator
    Emily Gross
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    104
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Emily Gross
  • Show Website
    Beerocracy!®

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