The Great Purple State

Conall & Emerson

Conall and Emerson talk history and politics in Wisconsin and around the world. From presidential elections to nuclear disarmament treaties, from the history of Wisconsin to the history of the rise and fall of fascism in Europe, we cover a wide breadth of topics in a conversational way.

  1. MAR 4

    Keep Hope Alive: Thoughts on hope, rage, and the state of things

    In what may be their best pod yet, Conall and Emerson have a deep, heartfelt discussion on navigating a perilous moment in history, and how to cultivate hope when things feel deeply bleak. Conall offers his broad perspective on the state of democracy in America, a little over one year after Trump has been back in office, alongside his analysis of the scandalous revelations and redactions of the Epstein files by the Department of Justice. Emerson offers a deep perspective on what community and resistance looks like from the heart of Minneapolis amid its invasion by the Department of Homeland Security. Finally, Conall and Emerson pay tribute to the late civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, and repeat his message from nearly 40 years ago: keep hope alive.

    1h 2m

  2. 07/03/2025

    "A Better World Is Possible": An interview with Samantha Harrington, climate journalist

    In a far-reaching interview with the redoubtable climate journalist Samantha Harrington of Yale Climate Connections, Conall and Emerson talk with Sam about how climate change is transforming Wisconsin and other parts of the country, how the climate crisis is being successfully fought by Native American communities, along with the Trump administration's latest threats to FEMA and how this threatens disaster response across the US. We cover all of that and more in this hopeful, edifying interview with someone who is an expert in her field. Sam's author page at Yale Climate Connections: https://yaleclimateconnections.org/author/sam/  Please support Sam's life-saving and informative work by reading and sharing it with friends and family. Some of the articles referenced in the podcast are:  Sam's article about FEMA's struggles - https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/06/fema-is-unprepared-for-the-next-hurricane-katrina-disaster-experts-warn/ Sam's article about Wisconsin's tribal nations fighting climate change with great success - https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2020/06/by-paying-attention-tribes-in-the-northwoods-are-leading-the-way-on-climate-change/ Additional sources cited in the podcast:  WPR article on the new natural gas plants being built in Oak Creek and Paris: https://www.wpr.org/news/public-service-commission-approves-we-energies-plan-wisconsin-natural-gas-plants

    1h 6m

  3. 05/05/2025

    Wisconsin’s message to the world: Don’t give up the ship

    Conall and Emerson discuss the recent Wisconsin Supreme Court election that saw Susan Crawford defeat Elon Musk’s millions in a landslide, alongside other recent events here and in America. We speak about hope, resistance, and the importance of not listening to those who would tell us that what we do doesn’t matter.

    45 min

  4. 02/23/2025

    An interview with Christian Phelps, Wisconsin state representative

    In The Great Purple State's first-ever interview, Conall and Emerson speak with Christian Phelps, a Wisconsin state representative for Assembly District 93 (Eau Claire and the rural areas around it). We cover a wide array of topics, from the Trump administration's illegal funding freeze's impact on farmers in western Wisconsin, our upcoming state Supreme Court race and Elon Musk's attempt to buy it, to the importance of education funding and public schools for all communities, regardless of their political lean. Vote for Susan Crawford and Jill Underly on or before Tuesday, April 1st!

    45 min

  5. 01/18/2025

    President Musk, and the calm before the storm

    In this pre-inauguration episode, Conall and Emerson discuss the presidential transition, Elon Musk's attempt to buy the American government, and how to stay calm and collected in a time of political crisis.

    59 min

  6. 11/14/2024

    The Return

    Donald Trump has won the 2024 presidential election. He is set to return to Washington more empowered and vengeful than ever. Conall and Emerson give their election retrospectives and more in the Great Purple State's return episode in order to answer that vexing question: "what now?"

    50 min

  7. 08/02/2023

    Of politics and purple states: Is Wisconsin a future red state?

    In this brief episode, Conall and Emerson discuss broader political trends in the state of Wisconsin and ask ourselves what the future holds for our podcast's titular state.  Op-ed Conall cites about rural American political trends: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/25/opinion/rural-voters-republican-realignment.html

    29 min

  8. 03/27/2023

    One (state supreme court) election to rule them all: Wisconsin's Supreme Court election battle

    In this episode, Conall and Emerson discuss the upcoming high stakes supreme court election that will determine the fate of things like Wisconsin's abortion ban, voting rights, and fair maps in the state. We explain our endorsement of Janet Protasiewicz and encourage others to vote for her!

    19 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Conall and Emerson talk history and politics in Wisconsin and around the world. From presidential elections to nuclear disarmament treaties, from the history of Wisconsin to the history of the rise and fall of fascism in Europe, we cover a wide breadth of topics in a conversational way.

Information

  • Creator
    Conall & Emerson
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Great Purple State
  • Show Website
    The Great Purple State