The Nova Society

Dr. Mark George Bound, Dr. Scott Gerschwer, & Dr. Brooklynn Ann Welden
  • 2.0 (4)
  • Social Sciences
  • Updated Daily

We answer listener questions about the stories shaping today’s headlines and the social and political issues influencing our world. Our mission is to inform with clear, unbiased commentary grounded in critical thinking and analytical depth. Through thoughtful, in‑depth conversations, we explore current events and the challenges facing society, while still making space to enjoy the discussion along the way. We believe facts matter, and that misinformation and disinformation pose some of the greatest risks to an informed and healthy civilization.

  1. 3d ago

    Is social media harming our children's mental health? S5E64 06.01.2026

    Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Corbin from Portland OR writes, I’d like to talk about a couple of health issues in the news. New studies show that teens may be experiencing severe mental health issues due to screen time. I can see it everywhere I go.  Young people glued to their phones. Conversation seems to be a thing of the past. Should tech companies be held responsible? Should government try to legislate tech usage if this is a real problem. As Online professors, is distance learning part of the problem?   Second I just saw that Trump has shut out key US researchers from working with the rest of the world about virus response plans. Why do you think he would do that? Didn’t we learn anything from the COVID pandemic? Who do you think suffers more from this move? The US or the rest of the world?  Support the show The Nova Society Podcast  In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations. Stay tuned for more information about our proposed weekly second channel, The Nova Society-Side Projects, where we have conversations with guests about topics important to them and to you, our listeners. Our Buzzsprout Home Landing Page Direct SMS message to the podcast from the “message us” link on our page. Support the Nova Society Email us your Questions Subscribe to the Nova Society Subscribe to our RSS Feed Join Our Facebook Page & YouTube Channel Past episodes & read our blog Here. JCIS Apple Podcasts/ I-Tunes    Spotify  ...

    37 min

  2. 6d ago

    Shootings and Weddings. Conspiracy theories? S5E63 05.29.2026

    Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Ted from Little Rock AR writes, OK maybe I’m being a conspiracy theorist here but is all seems just a bit convenient. Trump skips his oldest sons wedding and low and behold, shots are fired on the White House grounds, making it look like a really pathetic assassination attempt. I know there are crazy people out there and Trump is unpopular, but, I don’t know this all seems so, conveniently staged. What does the panel think?   Support the show The Nova Society Podcast  In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations. Stay tuned for more information about our proposed weekly second channel, The Nova Society-Side Projects, where we have conversations with guests about topics important to them and to you, our listeners. Our Buzzsprout Home Landing Page Direct SMS message to the podcast from the “message us” link on our page. Support the Nova Society Email us your Questions Subscribe to the Nova Society Subscribe to our RSS Feed Join Our Facebook Page & YouTube Channel Past episodes & read our blog Here. JCIS Apple Podcasts/ I-Tunes    Spotify  ...

    18 min

  3. May 28

    The Texas Primaries S5E62 05.27.2026

    Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Renee from Dallas Texas Writes, Even though his poll numbers are in the low 30s it would seem the Trump hold on the Republican party is still strong. Here in Texas, Paxton has won the primary ousting John Cornyn. It wasn’t only a win, it was a massive win for Paxton. (As I write this Paxton is up by more than 20 points.)  Now I was never a fan of Cornyn, but Paxton is on a different level of POS. Democrats seem happy that Paxton won, I’m guessing because they think they will have an easier time beating Paxton in the general.  What does the panel think? Is Paxton the easier candidate. Rumors have it that Cornyn might run as an independent. Do you think he will and will this have an impact on the general? Might Cornyn, like Massie, use his remaining time to trash Trump?  Support the show The Nova Society Podcast  In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations. Stay tuned for more information about our proposed weekly second channel, The Nova Society-Side Projects, where we have conversations with guests about topics important to them and to you, our listeners. Our Buzzsprout Home Landing Page Direct SMS message to the podcast from the “message us” link on our page. Support the Nova Society Email us your Questions Subscribe to the Nova Society Subscribe to our RSS Feed Join Our Facebook Page & YouTube Channel Past episodes & read our blog Here. JCIS Apple Podcasts/ I-Tunes    Spotify  ...

    21 min

  4. May 25

    Questions from ASU S5E61 05.25.2026

    Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! John from Tempe Arizona writes, I’ve listened to the Nova Society for over 3 years now and enjoy the show. I teach political theory at the local university, (ASU) and my classes are in a heated discussions regarding the state of politics in America today. I have listened with interest to your take regarding the Trump Presidency. I think the panel has some different views as to what and why we are seeing what we are seeing. This may be an unusual request, but I hope the panel will consider it. My class cannot agree if Trump is the symptom or the disease. They cannot decide if the problem is the system, just Trump, or the people. They also cannot come up with a clear plan on how to fix the current state of American politics. I was wondering if the panel would take up these questions and with your permission, I’d like to present that episode to my 5 classes to further our discussions. Thank you for considering this request.  Support the show The Nova Society Podcast  In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations. Stay tuned for more information about our proposed weekly second channel, The Nova Society-Side Projects, where we have conversations with guests about topics important to them and to you, our listeners. Our Buzzsprout Home Landing Page Direct SMS message to the podcast from the “message us” link on our page. Support the Nova Society Email us your Questions Subscribe to the Nova Society Subscribe to our RSS Feed Join Our Facebook Page & YouTube Channel Past episodes & read our blog Here. JCIS Apple Podcasts/ I-Tunes    Spotify  ...

    41 min

  5. May 22

    Shootings and Weddings. Conspiracy theories? S5E63 05.29.2026

    Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Ted from Little Rock AR writes, OK maybe I’m being a conspiracy theorist here but is all seems just a bit convenient. Trump skips his oldest sons wedding and low and behold, shots are fired on the White House grounds, making it look like a really pathetic assassination attempt. I know there are crazy people out there and Trump is unpopular, but, I don’t know this all seems so, conveniently staged. What does the panel think?   Support the show The Nova Society Podcast  In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations. Stay tuned for more information about our proposed weekly second channel, The Nova Society-Side Projects, where we have conversations with guests about topics important to them and to you, our listeners. Our Buzzsprout Home Landing Page Direct SMS message to the podcast from the “message us” link on our page. Support the Nova Society Email us your Questions Subscribe to the Nova Society Subscribe to our RSS Feed Join Our Facebook Page & YouTube Channel Past episodes & read our blog Here. JCIS Apple Podcasts/ I-Tunes    Spotify  ...

    18 min

  6. May 22

    Trump's IRS settlement and a slush fund for the Proud Boys S5E60 05.22.2026

    Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Tonya from Westminster, Indiana writes, So Trump’s suit against the IRS is personally paying off for him. His DOJ signed off on a deal that not only forbids looking back at Trump and his families tax evasion over the years but creates a over 1-billion-dollar slush fund to reward the January 6th traitors that attacked our capital. This is so obviously corrupt it’s almost mindboggling. I know the numbers are on the Republican side, and there is little Democrats can do but whine. But after the midterms isn’t there something that can be done? Some Republicans are complaining about the slush fund but we don’t hear much about the Trump IRS pass, I doubt they will stand up and do what’s right but I can always hope. Can these 2 corrupt policies be challenged in any way that avoids having to deal with the spineless Republicans, or are we the people just going to simply accept this? We pay taxes Trump doesn’t. We stand for law-and-order Trump pardons and gives money, our money, to his supporting traitors. WTF  Support the show The Nova Society Podcast  In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations. Stay tuned for more information about our proposed weekly second channel, The Nova Society-Side Projects, where we have conversations with guests about topics important to them and to you, our listeners. Our Buzzsprout Home Landing Page Direct SMS message to the podcast from the “message us” link on our page. Support the Nova Society Email us your Questions Subscribe to the Nova Society Subscribe to our RSS Feed Join Our Facebook Page & YouTube Channel Past episodes & read our blog Here. JCIS Apple Podcasts/ I-Tunes    Spotify  ...

    45 min

  7. May 21

    The Post China visit analysis S5E59 05.20.2026

    Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Thomas from Bridgeport, RI writes Well Trump is back from his China trip and as expected he is touting his great success.  I did note that this week President Putin visited China and not only did he also get the red-carpet treatment but Xi personally showed up to welcome him, unlike when Trump arrived. For me that spoke volumes. From what we’ve been told Trump was ambiguous regarding Tiwan and didn’t really accomplish much. One of your previous episodes the panel was thinking that we need to keep an eye on the CEOs and the moves they make before we can start to understand what really went on in the talks. I did see where China will buy 200 aircraft from Boing and a deal that includes a reduction to US tariffs on Chinese goods and a pause to Beijing's restrictions on exports of rare earth minerals and magnets. What is the panels take on the trump China visit and have you seen any CEO moves that might be of interest?  Support the show The Nova Society Podcast  In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations. Stay tuned for more information about our proposed weekly second channel, The Nova Society-Side Projects, where we have conversations with guests about topics important to them and to you, our listeners. Our Buzzsprout Home Landing Page Direct SMS message to the podcast from the “message us” link on our page. Support the Nova Society Email us your Questions Subscribe to the Nova Society Subscribe to our RSS Feed Join Our Facebook Page & YouTube Channel Past episodes & read our blog Here. JCIS Apple Podcasts/ I-Tunes    Spotify  ...

    26 min

  8. May 18

    Redistricting in Virginia S5E58 05.18.2025

    Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Today our question in from Tammy from Roanoke, Virginia writes, “I am very angry at the Virginia Supreme Court, overturning the redistricting decision made by the people. How is it possible for a group of judges to reject a democratically approved law? The people spoke and it seems our voices don’t matter anymore. I know this question might cause a fight on the Podcast. Dr. Brooklynn will see this as a validation of her position the system is being rigged, where Dr. Mark will push back on any such notation.  So, all I can say is Sorry Dr. Scott, you’ll need to use all your skills to mediate this.  Support the show The Nova Society Podcast  In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations. Stay tuned for more information about our proposed weekly second channel, The Nova Society-Side Projects, where we have conversations with guests about topics important to them and to you, our listeners. Our Buzzsprout Home Landing Page Direct SMS message to the podcast from the “message us” link on our page. Support the Nova Society Email us your Questions Subscribe to the Nova Society Subscribe to our RSS Feed Join Our Facebook Page & YouTube Channel Past episodes & read our blog Here. JCIS Apple Podcasts/ I-Tunes    Spotify  ...

    33 min
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Ratings & Reviews

2
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

We answer listener questions about the stories shaping today’s headlines and the social and political issues influencing our world. Our mission is to inform with clear, unbiased commentary grounded in critical thinking and analytical depth. Through thoughtful, in‑depth conversations, we explore current events and the challenges facing society, while still making space to enjoy the discussion along the way. We believe facts matter, and that misinformation and disinformation pose some of the greatest risks to an informed and healthy civilization.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Mark George Bound, Dr. Scott Gerschwer, & Dr. Brooklynn Ann Welden
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    631
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Nova Society
  • Show Website
    The Nova Society