The gang digs into the sexual assault allegations against the Cornell Seven, the handling of the investigation, and the debate over New York’s consent law. Should the state close the loophole around voluntary intoxication? Then they turn to concerts that require fans to lock their phones away. Is a clearer view and fewer distractions worth giving up photos, videos, and easy contact with the outside world?

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:04:44 - Cornell Seven

01:26:46 - Phone-Free Concerts

01:40:34 - Emails

02:00:15 - Wrap-up

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The gang digs into the nearly $1.5 million in taxpayer money spent on ads praising President Trump. Where’s the line between a public-service announcement and campaigning on our dime? Then they turn to a study that found no clear improvement in students’ social wellbeing after a school smartphone ban. What should we expect these bans to accomplish, and what would convince us they aren’t working?

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:19:08 - Taxpayer-Funded Trump Ads

00:43:22 - Iran

01:04:55 - School Phone Bans

01:16:44 - Emails

01:58:48 - Wrap-up

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The gang digs into the backlash against Ed Sheeran after Macklemore was dropped from his tour over his pro-Palestinian performances. How much control does a headliner have, and who gets to decide what’s said onstage? Then they turn to the states’ settlement over Paramount’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Did the attorneys general secure meaningful protections, or trade away their leverage for corporate promises?

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:06:57 - Ed Sheeran

00:36:18 - Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger

01:08:20 - Emails

01:46:26 - Wrap-up

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The gang digs into an Anthropic whistleblower’s warning about the race toward superintelligent AI and the growing calls to slow development. Should Washington step in, and how much should we trust the companies sounding the alarm about their own technology? Then they turn to Canada’s pursuit of a closer alliance with Europe and renewed independence pushes within the UK. What do these moves tell us about the future of some of America’s closest allies?

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:19:36 - Slowing AI

01:18:47 - Canada's European Pivot

01:40:07 - Emails

02:09:44 - Wrap-up

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The gang digs into Germany's AfD party, which scraped together nearly 44% of the vote in the country's recent election. Is this another example of far right politics on the rise, or is there a bit of nuance to this victory? Then they turn to the 'Kirkaversary,' a meme-filled online event centered around the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Charlie Kirk. How far is too far when it comes to jokes about political violence?

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:21:25 - AfD Victory

00:55:06 - Kirkaversary

01:18:48 - Emails

01:40:53 - Wrap-up

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The gang talks through Trump's 100-year oil deal with Venezuela, asking both whether it's a good deal and whether it's a deal the government should be making in the first place. Then they turn to Justin's alma mater, Syracuse University, which faces funding issues amid reduced enrollment and increased tuition. Is it a one-off problem for this specific school, or a sign of larger issues facing higher education?

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:22:06 - Trump's Venezuela Oil Deal

00:47:03 - Syracuse

01:21:52 - Emails

01:49:02 - Wrap-up

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The gang discusses the recent Supreme Court decision that allows the Trump administration to implement parts of its executive order restricting mail-in voting during the midterms. They also dig into a recent New York Magazine piece about youth sports, which have grown increasingly expensive through year-round travel programs.

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:22:22 - Mail-in Voting

00:51:24 - Travel Sports

01:10:48 - Emails

01:42:10 - Wrap-up

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The gang digs into the fallout following a jab Jon Ossoff made about Trump assistant and long-time fan Natalie Harp, who previously worked at One America News prior to joining his team in 2024. Are these sorts of comments and insinuations fair, or did Ossoff cross a line? They also discuss a recent NYT profile around matchmaking, and wonder if these paid services are worth it as an alternative to apps like Tinder.

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:17:14 - Natalie Harp

00:43:47 - Matchmaking

01:11:33 - Emails

01:24:44 - Wrap-up

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.