Feudal Future

Joel Kotkin & Marshall Toplansky
  • 4.6 (37)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

With the new class structure resembling that of the Medieval times, opportunity is quickly disappearing for small business people, property owners, skilled workers and private sector professionals. Join world-renown author Joel Kotkin and tech-entrepreneur Marshall Toplansky as they explore what we can do to liberate the global middle class. They sit down with business, government, and citizen leaders to uncover the trends and give you the insights and tools to forge a better future. Joel Kotkin is the Presidential Fellow in Urban Futures at Chapman University, Executive Director of the Urban Reform Institute, and an internationally-recognized authority on global, economic, political and social trends. His most recent book, The Coming of Neo-Feudalism is now available for pre-order. Marshall N. Toplansky is a widely published and award-winning marketing professional and successful entrepreneur. He co-founded KPMG's data andanalytics center of excellence and now teaches and consults corporations on their analytics strategies. This show is supported by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.

  1. 1D AGO

    Populism’s Pulse Today

    Populism gets blamed for everything from polarization to democratic decay—but what if the louder story is a search for voice and belonging? We sit down with sociologist Frank Furedi to unpack why so many voters are breaking with legacy parties and why the energy behind these movements is less about recession and more about culture. From national identity and neighborly trust to the norms families rely on, we explore the deeper drivers that explain why reform-minded parties are rising across the West. We trace how media fragmentation reshaped the battlefield. As old gatekeepers lost their monopoly, social and alternative outlets gave “outsiders” room to speak—and to find each other. Furedi highlights examples from the UK and Europe, including GB News’ surge and the growth of platforms that challenge the status quo. That shift helps explain both the momentum behind new movements and the fierce backlash to them, as cultural elites struggle to reassert legitimacy. The conversation moves through the demographics of support—why towns and smaller cities, where people raise children and invest in place, often embrace cultural populism more than hyper-urban cores. We dig into whether a left version of populism can last, what happens when movements become bigger than parties, and how “common sense” doubles as both a set of taken-for-granted truths and a social glue. Furedi argues we’re not in a neat cycle; we’re in a new landscape with diffuse elites, weak class identity, and rising pre-ideological movements seeking a public language that feels real. If you’re curious about why voters are rejecting legacy institutions, how culture outpaces economics in shaping allegiance, and what it would take to rebuild a shared civic conversation, this episode offers a grounded, hopeful lens. Subscribe, share with a friend who cares about the future of democracy, and leave a review to join the debate. Support Our Work The Center for Demographics and Policy focuses on research and analysis of global, national, and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time. It involves Chapman students in demographic research under the supervision of the Center’s senior staff. Students work with the Center’s director and engage in research that will serve them well as they look to develop their careers in business, the social sciences, and the arts. Students also have access to our advisory board, which includes distinguished Chapman faculty and major demographic scholars from across the country and the world. For additional information, please contact Mahnaz Asghari, Associate Director for the Center for Demographics and Policy, at (714) 744-7635 or asghari@chapman.edu. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feudal-future-podcast/ Tweet thoughts: @joelkotkin, @mtoplansky, #FeudalFuture #BeyondFeudalism Learn more about Joel's book 'The Coming of Neo-Feudalism': https://amzn.to/3a1VV87 Sign Up For News & Alerts: http://joelkotkin.com/#subscribe This show is presented by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.

    31 min

  2. JAN 20

    Censorship, Power, And The Internet

    What if the internet that promised liberation ended up centralizing control over what we see, share, and believe? We sit down with Jake Siegel—journalist, former Army intelligence officer, and author of The Information State—to trace how a tool built for openness became the backbone of a new information order. Starting with the Internet Freedom Agenda and moving through 9/11’s surveillance shift, we connect the dots between national security priorities, platform consolidation, and the collapse of the traditional press. Jake explains why tech has never been just another private industry; it’s a strategic one, born from wartime research and guided for decades by government direction. That origin story matters when assessing how Google, Facebook, and other platforms became the de facto publishers of our time. We talk through programs like Total Information Awareness, the rebranding of surveillance power under progressive aims, and the moment distribution power slipped from newsrooms to feeds. The Hunter Biden laptop saga becomes more than a controversy—it’s a case study in how quickly platforms can narrow the public square. The conversation turns to first principles. If algorithms optimize for niches rather than a shared audience, polarization isn’t a bug—it’s the business model. Add generative AI and the volume, velocity, and personalization of influence campaigns explode, while the provenance of speech grows murkier. Jake argues that anti-censorship alone can’t solve a system tuned to turn speech into noise. We weigh remedies: reining in information monopolies, rebuilding local journalism, demanding transparency in ranking systems, and developing verifiable provenance for synthetic media. If you care about free speech, election integrity, and the future of democratic debate, this is a candid map of how we got here and what needs to change. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves media history and tech policy, and leave a review with your take on the toughest fix we discussed. Support Our Work The Center for Demographics and Policy focuses on research and analysis of global, national, and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time. It involves Chapman students in demographic research under the supervision of the Center’s senior staff. Students work with the Center’s director and engage in research that will serve them well as they look to develop their careers in business, the social sciences, and the arts. Students also have access to our advisory board, which includes distinguished Chapman faculty and major demographic scholars from across the country and the world. For additional information, please contact Mahnaz Asghari, Associate Director for the Center for Demographics and Policy, at (714) 744-7635 or asghari@chapman.edu. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feudal-future-podcast/ Tweet thoughts: @joelkotkin, @mtoplansky, #FeudalFuture #BeyondFeudalism Learn more about Joel's book 'The Coming of Neo-Feudalism': https://amzn.to/3a1VV87 Sign Up For News & Alerts: http://joelkotkin.com/#subscribe This show is presented by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.

    41 min

  3. JAN 8

    How Automation Is Reshaping Jobs, Education, And Opportunity

    Want a clear-eyed map of where AI is taking jobs, education, and leadership over the next five years? We dig past the headlines to examine why tech profits can soar while layoffs spread, why white-collar roles are suddenly vulnerable, and how students and mid-career professionals can protect their earnings in a market that rewards speed, strategy, and human touch. We unpack the difference between robots and cobots, showing how “human-in-the-loop” work changes which skills pay. Our guests lay out the roles most at risk—process-bound, formulaic, and repetitive—and the ones likely to endure: teachers, therapists, coaches, skilled trades, hands-on healthcare, and high-variance problem solvers. We also confront the student debt crisis head-on, tracing how policy fueled runaway tuition and what would change if bankruptcy protections returned. From there, we outline a practical reset for higher education: teach with AI, not against it; rebuild core critical thinking; expand internships and live projects; and use hybrid learning to cut costs while preserving high-value, face-to-face mentorship. Leadership gets a hard reboot too. Process optimization will be automated; intuition, synthesis, and empathy rise in value. Breadth beats narrow specialization as careers stretch across a dozen roles and multiple industries. We close with a grounded forecast: consolidation among AI winners, pressure on mid-tier firms, rapid white-collar automation, on-demand expectations everywhere, and a premium on social, strategic, and tactile work. If you’re choosing a major, planning a pivot, or leading a team, this conversation offers concrete ways to stay relevant and resilient. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick rating. Your feedback helps more listeners find conversations that prepare them for the future of work. Support Our Work The Center for Demographics and Policy focuses on research and analysis of global, national, and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time. It involves Chapman students in demographic research under the supervision of the Center’s senior staff. Students work with the Center’s director and engage in research that will serve them well as they look to develop their careers in business, the social sciences, and the arts. Students also have access to our advisory board, which includes distinguished Chapman faculty and major demographic scholars from across the country and the world. For additional information, please contact Mahnaz Asghari, Associate Director for the Center for Demographics and Policy, at (714) 744-7635 or asghari@chapman.edu. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feudal-future-podcast/ Tweet thoughts: @joelkotkin, @mtoplansky, #FeudalFuture #BeyondFeudalism Learn more about Joel's book 'The Coming of Neo-Feudalism': https://amzn.to/3a1VV87 Sign Up For News & Alerts: http://joelkotkin.com/#subscribe This show is presented by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.

    56 min

  4. 12/23/2025

    2025 in Review: A Decade of Demographics & Policy

    The headlines shout about winners and losers, but the real story this year is a quiet break in the social fabric: rising costs, collapsing civility, and a middle class pushed to the margins while trillion-dollar platforms set the rules. We take stock without the wishful thinking—where leadership fell short, why media trust eroded, and how populist energy devolved into a performance economy. Then we chart a path that doesn’t wait for national saviors: rebuild the basics at the scale where life is actually lived. We dig into the mechanics of housing failure—land costs, fee stacks, and “solutions” that produce $3,500 one-bedrooms—and connect the dots to fertility declines and stalled mobility. We separate immigration myths from needs, arguing for policy that matches real shortages in skilled trades and technical roles rather than defaulting to elite preferences. And we confront the AI wildcard: consolidation of market power, creative jobs under pressure, and a creeping culture of low-effort knowledge that hollows out curiosity. The turnaround starts hyperlocal. Parents are reasserting standards through charter, parochial, and homeschool options. Neighbors who disagree politically still shovel each other’s driveways and show up for city hall, building the trust that national media can’t supply. Homeownership emerges as social glue—creating stake, stability, and responsibility—and we explore practical ways to expand it alongside vocational pipelines that open high-wage work. If the system feels feudal, the counterweight is community: family first, neighborhood next, and a renewed civic culture that values competence over slogans. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who cares about their block as much as their feed, and leave a review to help others find it. Your voice in your community is the lever—let’s put it to work. Support Our Work The Center for Demographics and Policy focuses on research and analysis of global, national, and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time. It involves Chapman students in demographic research under the supervision of the Center’s senior staff. Students work with the Center’s director and engage in research that will serve them well as they look to develop their careers in business, the social sciences, and the arts. Students also have access to our advisory board, which includes distinguished Chapman faculty and major demographic scholars from across the country and the world. For additional information, please contact Mahnaz Asghari, Associate Director for the Center for Demographics and Policy, at (714) 744-7635 or asghari@chapman.edu. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feudal-future-podcast/ Tweet thoughts: @joelkotkin, @mtoplansky, #FeudalFuture #BeyondFeudalism Learn more about Joel's book 'The Coming of Neo-Feudalism': https://amzn.to/3a1VV87 Sign Up For News & Alerts: http://joelkotkin.com/#subscribe This show is presented by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.

    36 min

  5. 12/09/2025

    Faith in Flux: Tracking America’s Religious Shift

    The ground beneath American religion is shifting, but not in a straight line. We dig into why the country’s casual middle is shrinking while conviction grows at the edges—among communities that ask more, not less. With Charles Murray and Terry Mattingley, we trace the data on mainline decline, the plateau of the “nones,” and the surprising surge in tradition-forward spaces where authority, discipline, and community still shape everyday life. We share stories of parishes packed with young families, churches doubling in size, and the blunt metrics that signal real health: marriages, infant baptisms, converts, and the courage to pursue priestly and pastoral vocations. We also confront the cultural currents pulling people away from depth—screen addiction, self-curated spirituality, and institutions that trade doctrine for vague activism. This isn’t a nostalgia tour; it’s a sober look at what actually sustains faith communities and why some pews fill while others empty. Then we turn to the frontier where science and meaning meet. From fine-tuning in cosmology to open debates about consciousness, we explore how modern research sometimes reopens questions many thought were closed. That’s helping restore intellectual space for belief among scholars and professionals who once stayed silent. As cultural flashpoints force practical choices—about family, education, and fairness in sports—the so‑called muddy middle faces a reckoning. The future seems clearest where belief makes demands and communities deliver belonging. Join us for a candid, data-aware tour of America’s religious present and near future. If this conversation challenged or encouraged you, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review so more curious listeners can find us. Support Our Work The Center for Demographics and Policy focuses on research and analysis of global, national, and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time. It involves Chapman students in demographic research under the supervision of the Center’s senior staff. Students work with the Center’s director and engage in research that will serve them well as they look to develop their careers in business, the social sciences, and the arts. Students also have access to our advisory board, which includes distinguished Chapman faculty and major demographic scholars from across the country and the world. For additional information, please contact Mahnaz Asghari, Associate Director for the Center for Demographics and Policy, at (714) 744-7635 or asghari@chapman.edu. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feudal-future-podcast/ Tweet thoughts: @joelkotkin, @mtoplansky, #FeudalFuture #BeyondFeudalism Learn more about Joel's book 'The Coming of Neo-Feudalism': https://amzn.to/3a1VV87 Sign Up For News & Alerts: http://joelkotkin.com/#subscribe This show is presented by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.

    39 min

  6. 11/03/2025

    Newsom’s Next Move: And Who’s Got Next for California

    A governor with national ambitions, a party tug‑of‑war, and a state wrestling with affordability—this conversation goes straight at the question on everyone’s mind: can Gavin Newsom sell hope to a country tired of anger without getting buried by California’s record? We bring together seasoned strategists to weigh why prediction markets love his chances, how a relentless work ethic and podcast‑first media game reshape reach, and whether a transactional political style beats an old‑school “vision thing” when attention is fragmented and narratives move at internet speed. We dig into real fault lines. Supporters say Newsom can frame an abundance agenda for a broad coalition and avoid the foreign‑policy buzz saw that rarely swings U.S. elections. Skeptics hit back with hard California indices: stubborn poverty, high costs, safety concerns, and a housing market that locks out families. The housing debate gets sharp—CEQA trims and transit‑oriented zoning vs a “war on the suburbs”—with both sides agreeing production must grow but splitting over where, how, and who pays. If Newsom heads east, who fills the vacuum? We map the chessboard with Alex Padilla, Rick Caruso, Tom Steyer, and Rob Bonta as pivotal pieces. We also interrogate the GOP’s puzzle in a deep‑blue state—out‑migration, donor drain, and flickers of Latino realignment—while testing potential 2028 matchups beyond Trump. Does a figure like J.D. Vance have a national gear, or does the race hinge on who best harnesses long‑form media and emotional tone? By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of the stakes: the message Newsom needs to win nationally, the policies California needs to keep its middle class, and why the next governor’s housing choices may define the decade. Like what you hear? Follow the show, share this episode with a friend, and leave a review to help more listeners find us. Your feedback shapes our next deep dive. Support Our Work The Center for Demographics and Policy focuses on research and analysis of global, national, and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time. It involves Chapman students in demographic research under the supervision of the Center’s senior staff. Students work with the Center’s director and engage in research that will serve them well as they look to develop their careers in business, the social sciences, and the arts. Students also have access to our advisory board, which includes distinguished Chapman faculty and major demographic scholars from across the country and the world. For additional information, please contact Mahnaz Asghari, Associate Director for the Center for Demographics and Policy, at (714) 744-7635 or asghari@chapman.edu. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feudal-future-podcast/ Tweet thoughts: @joelkotkin, @mtoplansky, #FeudalFuture #BeyondFeudalism Learn more about Joel's book 'The Coming of Neo-Feudalism': https://amzn.to/3a1VV87 Sign Up For News & Alerts: http://joelkotkin.com/#subscribe This show is presented by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.

    46 min

  7. 10/28/2025

    Why Iranian American Immigrants Excel: Grit, Education, and the Fight for a Free Iran

    What explains the outsized success of Iranian Americans—and can that same resolve help tilt the future of Iran? We bring together two sharp voices to unpack a story that spans kitchen-table sacrifice, elite migration, and a culture where A’s are expected and grit is non-negotiable. From early professional cohorts in medicine and engineering to founders in Silicon Valley, we trace the “immigrant trifecta” of aspiration, constraint, and discipline that turned upheaval into momentum. The conversation takes a turn as we examine a new surge of identity among Gen Z. Campus Persian classes fill up, clubs form overnight, and students study Iranian rap as political speech—all sparked by the Woman Life Freedom movement. That awakening reframes the assimilation question: instead of fading ties over generations, political courage in Tehran is restoring pride in Boston, Irvine, and beyond. We then wrestle with the hardest part: how change might actually happen. One guest makes the case for a single unifying figure—often pointing to Reza Pahlavi—to synchronize a divided diaspora and guide a path toward the ballot box. The other argues for system-first thinking, a coalition over charisma, and legitimacy grown from within Iran. Both agree on two truths: the regime is weaker than it looks, and enduring transformation must be led by Iranians inside the country. History offers context and hope—more than a century of Iranian constitutionalism and secular aspirations provides a deep native tradition to build upon. You’ll leave with a clear map of the forces at play: the economics of a strained state, the psychology of exile politics, the power of youth networks, and the quieter heroism of families who traded comfort for possibility. If this conversation challenged you or sparked a new angle, share it with a friend, subscribe for future episodes, and tell us: does Iran’s path forward need one voice—or many? Support Our Work The Center for Demographics and Policy focuses on research and analysis of global, national, and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time. It involves Chapman students in demographic research under the supervision of the Center’s senior staff. Students work with the Center’s director and engage in research that will serve them well as they look to develop their careers in business, the social sciences, and the arts. Students also have access to our advisory board, which includes distinguished Chapman faculty and major demographic scholars from across the country and the world. For additional information, please contact Mahnaz Asghari, Associate Director for the Center for Demographics and Policy, at (714) 744-7635 or asghari@chapman.edu. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feudal-future-podcast/ Tweet thoughts: @joelkotkin, @mtoplansky, #FeudalFuture #BeyondFeudalism Learn more about Joel's book 'The Coming of Neo-Feudalism': https://amzn.to/3a1VV87 Sign Up For News & Alerts: http://joelkotkin.com/#subscribe This show is presented by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.

    48 min

  8. 10/15/2025

    How Cities Really Work

    Tired of big talk that falls apart when the trash doesn’t get picked up? We bring together two insiders who’ve lived the fight from the council chamber to the mayor’s office to map how cities actually move: coalitions, budgets, police staffing, and the messy business of making streets feel safe. Houston’s recent pivot toward a centrist, basics-first agenda shows how bipartisan votes still form when leaders fix pensions, rebuild infrastructure, and keep patrol cars rolling. San Francisco’s saga is different: recalls, ranked-choice twists, and a culture war over tech tools like ALPR, drones, and even AI—right in the capital of technology. We dig into why “progressive vs. moderate” has stopped explaining outcomes when residents judge government by Tuesday service delivery. You’ll hear how national polarization—especially around Trump and ICE—distorts local debates about data sharing and community protection, while neighborhoods most affected by crime and cost spikes struggle for practical relief. Our guests argue for a measurable playbook: fully staff police with accountability, modernize routing for garbage and repairs, streamline permitting for small businesses, and price services transparently. Along the way, we unpack insurance shocks, electricity bills, and the overlooked voters who decide general elections without ever touching a primary ballot. The next five years will be shaped by younger leaders and a quieter embrace of technology. From Waymo’s rising approval in San Francisco to Houston’s likely re-election momentum for coalition builders, the future looks less like slogans and more like uptime, response times, and clear trade-offs between fees and services. If you care about how cities actually work—and how they can work better—this conversation gives you a grounded, BS-free roadmap. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves city politics, and leave a quick review so more listeners can find conversations that put results over rhetoric. Support Our Work The Center for Demographics and Policy focuses on research and analysis of global, national, and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time. It involves Chapman students in demographic research under the supervision of the Center’s senior staff. Students work with the Center’s director and engage in research that will serve them well as they look to develop their careers in business, the social sciences, and the arts. Students also have access to our advisory board, which includes distinguished Chapman faculty and major demographic scholars from across the country and the world. For additional information, please contact Mahnaz Asghari, Associate Director for the Center for Demographics and Policy, at (714) 744-7635 or asghari@chapman.edu. Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-feudal-future-podcast/ Tweet thoughts: @joelkotkin, @mtoplansky, #FeudalFuture #BeyondFeudalism Learn more about Joel's book 'The Coming of Neo-Feudalism': https://amzn.to/3a1VV87 Sign Up For News & Alerts: http://joelkotkin.com/#subscribe This show is presented by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.

    38 min
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4.6
out of 5
37 Ratings

About

With the new class structure resembling that of the Medieval times, opportunity is quickly disappearing for small business people, property owners, skilled workers and private sector professionals. Join world-renown author Joel Kotkin and tech-entrepreneur Marshall Toplansky as they explore what we can do to liberate the global middle class. They sit down with business, government, and citizen leaders to uncover the trends and give you the insights and tools to forge a better future. Joel Kotkin is the Presidential Fellow in Urban Futures at Chapman University, Executive Director of the Urban Reform Institute, and an internationally-recognized authority on global, economic, political and social trends. His most recent book, The Coming of Neo-Feudalism is now available for pre-order. Marshall N. Toplansky is a widely published and award-winning marketing professional and successful entrepreneur. He co-founded KPMG's data andanalytics center of excellence and now teaches and consults corporations on their analytics strategies. This show is supported by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.

Information

  • Creator
    Joel Kotkin & Marshall Toplansky
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    142
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Feudal Future
  • Show Website
    Feudal Future

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