Bipodisan: Recent Episodes
Jean Card & Cicely Simpson
Since the 2016 election, there have been more than 1,600 political podcasts launched in the United States. Almost all of them feature Democrats talking to Democrats and Republicans talking with Republicans. Isn’t it time for a podcast in which the other side talks back? Welcome to“Bipodisan,” because it's time for a podcast in which opposites respectfully talk, not shout, about the issues dividing America!
Jean and Cicely share their personal memories of 9/11 and of life in Washington, DC since that day before taking a balanced look at the more recent past, including the United States’ disastrous exit from Afghanistan and President Biden’s announcement on vaccine mandates.
After a summer hiatus, Bipodisan is back! Jean Card introduces new co-host Cicely Simpson and gets us ready for more political debate that's "red & blue, not black & blue".
Former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales joins Robert and Jean in their last episode before going on summer hiatus. Their discussion about the current fight over elections covers issues ranging from voter ID to the results of the 2020 presidential election, culminating in agreement around the need for Americans to find a “shared truth.” As always, there is hope at the end of this episode.
Note: This will be our last episode of summer 2021 -- enjoy and we'll see you in the fall.
Bipodisan welcomes long-time friend Elizabeth Pinkerton to the show to discuss a week of national conversation and her experience running the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships — work which has informed Elizabeth’s writings on strategies that could bring Americans closer together. This episode ends on a particularly strong and meaningful moment of hope.
The Atlantic's Edward-Isaac Dovere joins the pod to discuss his new book, "Battle for the Soul," a newsy, inside account of how the Democrats went from 2016 defeat to 2020 victory. He tells Jean and Robert about Kamala Harris's favorite epithet, Bernie Sanders' travel tastes, why Obama is aloof to political reporters, and, more seriously, they discuss what President Biden is like in private, what Harris's political future may hold and what the GOP can learn from the Democrats' battle. Warning: This episode contains strong language.
U.S. News & World Report Senior Political Writer Susan Milligan joins Jean and Robert for an insightful discussion about legislation to create a bipartisan commission to investigate the January 6th storming of the U.S. Capitol. Susan also shares new data on independent voter trends, and the three find hope in new additions to the pandemic lexicon, including “exponential-decay phase."
Freelance technology columnist Rob Pegoraro joins Jean and Robert to break down the Facebook v. Trump decision, including the big news most people are overlooking. The trio looks more broadly about the power of both big tech and The Donald.
Jean and Robert agree that Derek Chauvin’s murder conviction was justice and discuss the pros and cons of bipartisan, federally mandated policing reform before finding common ground on the issue of D.C. statehood.
Jean and Robert dig in on infrastructure, speculate about where the parties might be able to build some bridges and then have a broader(band) discussion of the parties' philosophy about the size of government. Later, Jean discloses her secret lust.
This week, Robert and Jean discuss one issue on which the partisan divide is as wide as possible (mass shootings and gun control) and another on which there is significant consensus and hope for bipartisan action (infrastructure investment). The hosts round out this episode by finding hope in history and hugs.
Jean and Robert welcome back Diana Berrant, founder of Survivor Corps, for an update on the massive volunteer effort by COVID survivors to engage in citizen science. The second half of this episode is a thoughtful, appreciative and bipartisan analysis of President Joe Biden’s COVID-19 anniversary speech.
Jean and Robert wonder whether to fret a squelch of Seuss.
And why Democrats have not cut Andrew Cuomo loose.
Tune in right now so you can see
Where they align and where (respectfully) disagree.
One year in to the COVID-19 pandemic and one month into a new presidency, Robert and Jean discuss their own COVID experiences (including the depth of nasal testing), changes in politics and news, the importance of a balanced information diet and the refreshingly normal push-and-pull in Congress over the size and specifics of the Biden COVID relief package. The co-hosts find hope in commissions and candles.
David Murray, author of the forthcoming book “An Effort to Understand," is Bipodisan’s special guest this week. Robert, Jean and David apply their public speaking expertise to the matter of the speech that happens (or doesn’t happen) among our friends, neighbors and family members with whom we disagree. This episode ends on high hopeful notes of baseball and Yardi Gras.
Jean and Robert have a fascinating discussion with legal scholar Bruce Fein about the constitutional issues surrounding the second Trump impeachment trial. Then Robert shares why extraterrestrials are making him hopeful.
Jean and Robert politely wrestle with the question of what should be done with Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. Is she simply the GOP’s problem? Should Congressional majorities tell Congressional minorities how to manage members of their own party? The hosts share concerns and manage to find hope on their respective sides of the aisle this week.
Robert and Jean take a look at two tracks of policy and politics in Washington during the first week of Joe Biden’s presidency, as the remains of the Trump era are hashed out on Capitol Hill and the new president leans heavily on his pen to keep campaign promises. Will the two ends of Pennsylvania Avenue eventually work together to make the sausage of public policy, and will that sausage be palatable?
Jean and Robert discuss President Joe Biden's inaugural address from the point of view of professional communicators (as well as from the point of view of Americans and partisans) and the prospects of bipartisan cooperation going forward.
Jean and Robert are joined by U.S. News & World Report Senior Political Writer Susan Milligan to analyze the ongoing politics around Trump’s second impeachment and the aftermath of the January 6th mob-attack on the U.S. Capitol. Their conversation explores the possible strategy of Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, as well as speculation about how deep the GOP fractures may go, before ending on a shared, bipartisan note of hope.
Robert and Jean reflect on the previous day, when rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, including the moment when Robert’s son asked if the country was going into civil war. The co-hosts agree that we are not, and share their observations, perspectives, shared sorrows and hopes.
What makes a great leader -- and how much of it can they control? Jean and Robert explore the topic with David Rubenstein, who has a new book out on the topic, "How to Lead: Wisdom From the World's Greatest CEOs, Founders, and Game-Changers."
Jean and Robert discuss the political prospects for 2021 and whether Biden will be able to break the Republicans' fever next year.
Jean and Robert discuss the never-ending election dispute. Angry, Robert calls it an attempted coup while Jean does her best to explain what's going on in the GOP. But they still find reasons for hope.
Back from a week away, Jean and Robert survey the state of the presidential transition process and discuss how much Trump is a sideshow or an ongoing danger to the country and how much Biden's cabinet picks matter. Then Robert takes a provocative stand on a polarizing issue: The extent to which "Die Hard" is a Christmas movie.
Robert and Jean examine the difference in points-of-view between Donald Trump’s most ardent supporters — who see a stolen election — and those who see an election result that is fair and square. Jean worries about extreme information diets on both sides of the political spectrum while Robert remains frustrated about Trump’s degradation of democracy and creeping both-sides-ism. The co-hosts find bipartisan hope in the upcoming, all-American holiday of Thanksgiving.
Co-hosts Robert and Jean discuss the two sides of the presidential transition: one traditional, one rebellious (to say the least!). Agreement is found one the importance of inclusive messaging (i.e. Biden’s speech on 11/7) and the reality of factions within each party going forward.
Jean and Robert are joined by U.S. News & World Report's Susan Milligan to unpack what the election means for the country and where we go from here. Come for the insightful, constructive discourse, stay for Robert getting choked up at the end.
Jean and Robert look hopefully toward the end of campaign season. They discuss the state of play in characteristic fashion: Robert floods the zone with stats while Jean speaks from the gut. Like the election, the discussion focuses much more on Trump than Biden. Come for the politics, stay for the comity.
Jean and Robert are joined by Susan Milligan, senior political correspondent at U.S. News & World Report, to break down the theatrics and the substance of the final presidential debate. They find some areas of common ground and a lot on which to (respectfully) disagree. Also Robert is shocked that Jean doesn't know what a horcrux is while neither she nor Susan is surprised that Robert does.
Robert and Jean agree that political theatre in the U.S. Senate was downright un-watchable this week as Judge Amy Coney Barrett reminded the world of an unflinching Buckingham Palace guard while Senators from both sides put on annoying, over-the-top shows of partisanship. More agreement is found on the bungled attempt of Twitter and Facebook to correct their past wrongs by blocking posts of a controversial New York Post story about Hunter Biden’s laptop.
While Jean and Robert find little to agree on this week (other than the need for the Biden campaign to confirm or deny an intent to pack the Supreme Court), the two hosts share a sense that presidential and Vice Presidential debates don’t really matter — especially this year. Robert finds hope in voting and Jean scrapes the bottom of the barrel of hope by looking forward to the return of trashy reality television.
Co-hosts Robert and Jean reflect widespread agreement that the first Trump-Biden debate was excruciating to watch. Jean revisits her theory that President Trump is a message-tester who functions like a social media or search engine algorithm; Robert is relieved his children weren’t watching and looks forward to the next moderator muting the mic. In spite of their shared blues about the debate, the co-hosts manage to find hope in entrepreneurship and baseball.
Co-hosts Robert and Jean find agreement on the importance of voting and the danger of court-packing while sharing different viewpoints on Republicans’ decision to quickly nominate and vote on a nominee to the Supreme Court. Along the way, their conversation touches on civic understanding, gerrymandering and power addiction before finishing with a shared concern about volatility surrounding the upcoming election.
Co-hosts Robert and Jean dive into the many considerations of a COVID economic relief package — from deficits and unemployment to vaccine hopes and masked (or umasked) economic re-openings. They also illuminate how the politics around the policy debate are both partisan and bipartisan this week.
Co-hosts Robert and Jean discuss a range of revelations from the news of the week. Robert calls revelations about Trump “not surprising but shocking” and Jean highlights the revelation that Disney worked with Chinese Communist Party propaganda departments to produce their new film, “Mulan.” Will revelations in either category — Trump behavior or corporate behavior — change votes or consumer behavior? We’ll find out in a thousand yestermorrows.
Jean, Robert and Claude discuss ongoing social unrest and the presidential candidates’ response. The co-hosts find agreement on their desire for more media attention around truly peaceful protests, and on the need for national leaders to be reassuring as the election — and its anticipated lagging results — approaches.
Robert and Jean respectfully share their perspectives on four days of inspiring American stories (Jean’s view) and irrational Trump adulation (Robert’s view).
This special episode of Bipodisan features President Trump’s former Chief of Staff for the Department of Homeland Security Miles Taylor. Taylor discusses why he is a conservative (and why Trump is not) as well as why he is supporting Joe Biden and organizing a group of Republicans to rebuild the party after the era of Donald Trump is over.
Robert and Jean examine the Democrats’ convention week through their unique lens as speaking and speechwriting experts — from overall messaging to favorite lines and whether the lack of a live audience mattered. Political commentary runs throughout the episode as well, with moments of agreement and respectful disagreement.
Jean and Robert welcome U.S. News & World Report's Susan Milligan to discuss Joe Biden's selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate. They discuss the politics, the optics, the GOP reaction and how to pronounce her name.
Economist William Dunkelberg joins Robert and Jean to talk about the impact of COVID-19 on the small-business sector and the unique ability of America’s entrepreneurs to ultimately rise from the ashes of any situation, including this one. The co-hosts go on to discuss the importance (or lack thereof) of political conventions and nomination acceptance speech venues.
As the virus spreads and the economy continues to decline, Robert and Jean explore that which is inextricably bound together (COVID and the economy) a well as that which seems irreparably torn apart (left and right, the masked and the unmasked). This thoughtful episode concludes with notes of hope, including the legacy of The Honorable John Lewis and the persistence of science.
This week’s show features Kevin Wilhelm, author of “How to Talk to the ‘Other Side.’” Kevin, Jean and Robert discuss tactics for productive conversations about the most difficult political issues. Robert and Jean subsequently have no trouble finding agreement on President Trump’s politically motivated insertion of federal law enforcement into local jurisdictions.
This episode features the co-chairs of the congressional Problem Solvers Caucus: Democrat Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) and Republican Tom Reed (NY-23). Their conversation covers how the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus works, what the political ramifications can be for joining this collaborative group, and what hope lies ahead for issues from police reform to COVID recovery.
Human rights advocate Jewher Ilham, daughter of imprisoned Uyghur economist Ilham Tohti, joins Jean and Robert for a discussion about the threat the communist government of China poses to human liberty, globally. Recording on the eve of July 4th, the group agrees the United States of America is, and must remain, the beacon of liberty for the world. Jean and Robert also discuss the latest in the COVID-crisis.
This week, Robert and Jean discuss the uncomfortable facts around the ongoing pandemic and political and societal gridlock. COVID still holds us, and our economy, hostage; social unrest continues, and Americans and our representatives continue to disagree on what to do about any of it. And yet, hope shines like a diamond (a baseball diamond, that is) by the end of this episode.
U.S News & World Report Senior Political Writer Susan Milligan offers her knowledge and perspective on recent Supreme Court decisions as well as on Joe Biden’s possible vice presidential pick, inspiring a lively discussion about the changing role of the Court and the importance (or lack thereof) of running mates in presidential elections.
Team Bipodisan is joined this week by speaker, author and diversity engagement specialist Karith Foster, who sets the stage for a conversation about conversations. The group discusses the benefits of employing humor, courage, empathy and curiosity in difficult discourse.
Robert, Jean and Claude engage in an open, respectful and emotional discussion about injustice, reactions and human connections. Hope is woven throughout this week’s show.
Technology journalist Rob Pegoraro joins Jean and Robert this week for a tutorial on the communications statute Trump seeks to tweak. The co-hosts find bipartisan agreement on: the long-overdue need for new federal legislation to regulate social media monoliths; their longing for a moment of national pandemic mourning; and the crisis-level need for a global coalition to stand up against the communist government of China.
This week, Robert and Jean embark on a bipartisan search for clarity on COVID-19 data and the political and class divisions underlying the pandemic.
While sticking to their ideological underpinnings, Robert and Jean engage in an exploratory conversation about COVID-era spending, deficits, debt, inflation and the dollar. The conversation is a little nerdy, but also accessible and even fun.
Is wearing a mask a political statement? Jean and Robert respectfully discuss the different perspectives on reopening.
Congressman Dusty Johnson (R-SD) joins the show to talk about the COVID-related work of the congressional Problem Solvers Caucus, then co-hosts Robert and Jean delve into the latest news in presidential politics — including the possible implications of third-party candidates like Independents Justin Amash and Jesse Ventura.
Co-hosts Robert and Jean examine the politics and cultural division surrounding the ongoing reopening debate. What is the role of the president, governors, mayors and individuals? And is everyone doing the best they can?
Robert and Jean dissect two levels of executive leadership (and lack thereof) and find bipartisan agreement around some of their shared COVID-19 concerns.
COVID-19 survivor and Survivor Corps founder Diana Berrent joins Robert and Jean for an informative, hopeful, non”pod”isan conversation about what those who have survived the deadly virus can — and will — do to help the world recovery physically and economically.
Co-hosts Robert and Jean weave COVID 19 cultural observations into this week’s discussion of headline news, including: messaging and policy shifts by governors and the White House and revelations about China’s COVID-19 disinformation campaign.
Senior Political Writer for U.S. News & World Report Susan Milligan joins co-hosts Robert and Jean in a discussion about New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s COVID-19 leadership and how the rescue/disaster package sausage was made in Congress this week.
Jean and Robert discuss life under the coronavirus lockdown and what it means both in Americans’ day-to-day lives and what it tells us about politics, including Trump’s 2020 fate.
Should Democrats’ messaging take a page from the RFK campaign playbook? This week's guests say “yes.” Robert and Jean find bipartisan agreement on Trump’s most formidable re-election opponent: the Coronavirus.
Robert experiences happiness and hope, Jeanie feels patriotic and U.S. News & World Report Senior Political Writer Susan Milligan gives unique perspective from the Democratic primary campaign trail. This week’s episode also ponders: What is the responsibility of national leaders in a pandemic?
While agreeing that panic is almost never helpful, co-hosts Jean and Robert discuss the important alarm bells around Democratic politics (the twin specters of Bernie and a contested convention) and the coronavirus.
Robert and Jean interview Keith Allred, the executive director of the National Institute for Civil Discourse, before comparing notes on the Democratic debate in an episode that is replete with agreement about the need for respectful conversation…and for preparation (we’re looking at you, Mike Bloomberg!).
Jean and Robert discuss Bernie Sanders’ status as the Democratic frontrunner, including a detour into Jean’s Land of Make Believe, where the political parties have leaders, not just winners. A discussion of Trump’s “post-acquittal behavior” (Jean), or “vengeance tour” (Rob) rounds out this episode’s bipartisan look at non-leadership in politics.
Robert and Jean agree that the State of the Union Address is always an affront to public speaking, and that this year’s spectacle was a stunning display of political division. Their subsequent discussion of the Iowa caucuses’ debacle leads to ideas about, and agreement on, presidential primaries reform.
A vigorous conversation about the impeachment trial, the Democratic race for the nomination and executive power leads Robert and Jean to bearish agreement that both political parties may be allowing the presidency to continue to balloon in a way that Jean calls “un-American."
Jean and Robert debate the whether the Senate impeachment trial is a waste of time and then discuss whether the future of the Democratic Party lies with Bernie Sanders.
Robert and Jean interview one of the authors of a new citizens’ election guide; she shares the bipartisan progress being made by her movement group, No Labels. Listen to the rest of the episode to find out why why this Senate trial will be different from any other in history.
Is the Iran reaction to Soleimani’s killing over? Does Pelosi or McConnell have the upper hand on impeachment? Robert and Jean discuss the most dramatic news of the week before finding hope in news about cancer survivors.
Taking a break from the news, our intrepid interlocutors discuss the intertwined history of politics and alcohol with author and mixologist Derek Brown. They talk about why partisans should drink together, what George Washington served, and Richard Nixon's surprising favorite cocktail, among other things.
Two writers — liberal Robert and conservative Jean — discuss President Trump’s lengthy letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi before dissecting the importance of this week’s historic vote to impeach him. The episode ends with a sweet contrast to the partisan warfare in Washington, D.C.
Co-hosts Jean and Robert discuss what's impeachable, what the Justice Department IG reports tells us and the politics & substance of the new trade agreement.
Is the United States still the leader of the free world? Have American politics become a joke, or, as co-host Robert says, a dystopian hell-scape? This week, the Bipodisan duo takes a look at the big picture of America’s role in global policy and politics before exploring the pros and cons of a fast-track impeachment. By the end, they find hope in the political center, sleigh bells and their youngest listeners.
Jean and Robert offer an idea on how to talk impeachment civilly; then they tackle the Democrats' primary fight and the broader topic of purity in politics; finally they discuss how each side views the power of social media.
This week, Robert and Jean discuss the importance, entertainment value and the importance of the entertainment value of the public impeachment hearings before examining why the Democratic pundit & donor class yearns for more candidates to an already-vast field.
Robert and Jean are joined this week by Democratic presidential candidate John Delaney, the former Congressman from Maryland’s 6th district, to talk about what’s wrong with politics today and what a future president could do to make things better. The co-hosts go on to discuss EU Ambassador Gordon Sondland’s revised impeachment inquiry testimony and the results of this week’s state-level elections.
The Bipodisan duo talk Trump, impeachment and Baghdadi, quid pro quos and witch hunts. Then they take another look at the power of social media, discussing Twitter's political ad ban and Facebook's dominance.
From the “lynching” tweet, to William Taylor’s testimony, to Republican’s storming into a secure meeting room — Jean and Robert discuss the nuances of impeachment action on both sides of the aisle before delving into a look at the state of presidential power, then turn a spotlight on the power of Facebook and social media. Robert’s “hopeful” moment wraps the show, and it is worth listening all the way to the poetic end.
Co-hosts Robert and Jean come to several moments of bipartisan agreement this week as they discuss the conflict in Syria and President Trump’s week in word choices. While covering serious topics, these red-and-blue friends also find occasion to laugh about wild conspiracy theories…one of which they may or may not hope is real.
Jean comes to a decision about President Donald Trump; Robert and Jean first discuss Trump, Turkey and the Kurds and then the White House's response to impeachment.
As impeachment continues to consume Washington and the nation, Jean and Robert discuss ongoing accusations and revelations on both sides. The co-hosts go on to find agreement on things that are unpredictable, including the Democratic presidential race and the American economy.
No hyperbole. No insults. No shouting. This reasoned and informative conversation about the inquiry to impeach President Trump even contains a few good laughs.
Our interlocutors discuss the burgeoning Middle Eatern crisis involving Saudi Arabia and Iran; then they weigh in on whether the 2020 Democratic primary is coming down to Warren and Biden.
Co-hosts Jean Card (Republican) and Robert Schlesinger (Democrat) agree that imperial presidencies are un-American as they dissect the biggest moments in politics this week, including the Democratic debate and the White House exit of National Security Advisor John Bolton.
Welcome to Bipodisan's exciting relaunch! Co-hosts Jean Card and Robert Schlesinger tackle some of the biggest news of the globe this week, running from trade wars to China to Walmart's announcement that it will stop selling ammunition. Can our industrious interlocutors find any areas of agreement?