The Nexus with Art Swift: Recent Episodes
Art Swift
The Nexus with Art Swift is a show devoted to the crossroads between politics, communications and culture. It is not "right" or "left" but finds the central point to explore a variety of topics and possibilities. We look at finding common ground, in an objective way.
Matt Castelli, a former CIA officer, is running for Congress in Upstate New York against prominent GOP House leader Elise Stefanik. What’s it like to run for Congress as a Democrat in what may be a Republican “wave” election? We discuss the landscape of Castelli’s unique congressional district, his background in the CIA and the Biden agenda. Also, I wonder if there is a “real America” out there, especially after in light of tornadoes devastating Kentucky.
Poppy MacDonald, the President of USAFacts, a not-for-profit organization and website devoted to making government facts and data accessible to the public, joins me in The Nexus to discuss the mission of this organization and why combatting misinformation is so vital. Will people ever be able to accept one set of facts in national discourse? Also, I wonder what has happened to “strong and silent” men and why so many powerful men have become overly emotional and irresponsible.
Thomas Bingham, a senior grassroots trainer at Americans for Prosperity, discusses the pending PRO Act in Congress and how it will have an impact on the “gig” economy. Is this legislation a way for independent workers to be protected with benefits and the ability to unionize or will it force many freelancers out of their side jobs? We explore these issues and I tackle Hurricane Ida and climate change.
Michael Karlis from Salon.com joins us to discuss the trend of concerned citizens who are taking booster shots for COVID-19 even if they haven’t been legally approved yet. By fervently monitoring their antibody levels, these folks are becoming “citizen scientists.” Are they crazy or on the cutting edge? Also, I’ll offer my personal thoughts on my experience in Afghanistan and how this current crisis compares to Vietnam. The two conflicts are very much not the same, as the world has changed dramatically in 50 years.
Lane Garrison, screenwriter and producer, as well as one of the stars of the new movie “12 Mighty Orphans” joins me in the Nexus to discuss why this film about an underdog high school football team in the Great Depression may be the perfect movie to see post-pandemic. Yet some critics have lambasted the film for so-called “toxic masculinity” and not having enough of a spotlight on women and struggles of Latino players. Garrison talks about these issues, along with working with the legendary Robert Duvall, and provides some enlightening memories about starring in Prison Break and as a recurring character on Yellowstone. Also, I’ll talk about my thoughts on America reopening far and wide.
Meet Robe Imbriano, the creator and executive producer of “Amemd: The Fight for America,” a star- studded limited series about the 14th Amendment, hosted by Will Smith. We discuss why equal protection under the law is vital now and how this controversial amendment has had an impact on civil rights, women’s equality, marriage equality and immigration. Robe also mentions how a top shelf Netflix series is made. Also, I’ll talk about the new 2020 Census results and what they mean.
The Nexus welcomes Greg Schaefer, longtime friend of the show, and a recent investor of cryptocurrency as we explore his journey into this brave new world. Greg is bullish about the prospects of blockchain technology saving the world while redefining how finance is conducted. But is the negative, volatile reputation of cryptocurrency still justified? Also, I’ll discuss whether I think Washington DC should be the 51st state or not. The answer may surprise you.
Molly Ball, the national political correspondent for Time magazine, discusses her best-selling book “Pelosi,” about the most powerful woman in American history, Nancy Pelosi. We tackle her rise through the Baltimore Democratic political machine, her signature legislative achievement, how she handled President Trump’s two impeachments, and whether there is still a rivalry with “The Squad.” Also, I’ll ponder whether Nancy Pelosi will ever give up power and retire, and who might succeed her as a leader.
Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes, authors of the #1 New York Times best seller “Shattered,” return to The Nexus with their brand new book “Lucky: How Joe Biden Barely Won the Presidency.” They explain why the 2020 presidential race was much closer than commonly reported, how Biden beat the odds and unseated an incumbent, the fierce competition to be vice president, and the dubious role of President Barack Obama.
“Are the Islamic State and QAnon Similar?” That is the question asked of Brent Giannotta, a writer and former counterintelligence analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency. Giannotta discusses his new op-ed in the Los Angeles Times where he compares the terror group with the conspiracy theorists. How do those from QAnon who stormed the Capitol align with the rest of the 30 million Americans who follow this bizarre story? Also, I’ll talk about the disastrous vaccine rollout and how it’s become something of a random free-for-all to get dosed.
The CIA’s former director of operations, Jack Devine, joins me to discuss Russian aggression relating to Alexei Navalny, cyber attacks against the US, Russian bounties and Vladimir Putin’s power. Devine also talks about his new book, “Spymaster’s Prism” and chronicles his overseeing “Charlie Wilson’s War,” among other high profile CIA operations. And I’ll ponder whether we should tolerate those espousing QAnon and election fraud.
With “In the Crosshairs of Twitter,” I am joined by Jordan Tygh, a Coast Guard veteran and former political operative in the California Republican Party. Jordan became a notorious overnight celebrity when he posed with a ballot box in October 2020, asking people to vote for now-Congresswoman Michelle Steel. His life was turned upside down when he was accused of illegal activities on Twitter, drawing the ire of Jimmy Kimmel, Alex Padilla & Xavier Becerra. But was he at fault? This is his story.
In “The Enticing World of Nostalgia,” Estelle Erasmus, an author and professor, joins the Nexus to discuss her article in Wired, “Friends, Fleetwood Mac and the Viral Comfort of Nostalgia.” We dive into why nostalgia is so comforting in 2020, what are some of the cultural items people are nostalgic about, and whether there is a dark side to nostalgia. Also, I’ll talk about the new COVID-19 vaccine and the troubling anti-vaxxer movement.
In “The Golden Age of Television,” legendary broadcasting announcer Randy West talks about his decades in show business. Randy has worked on some of the greatest game shows and reality shows in history, from The Price is Right to Deal or No Deal, The Weakest Link to Big Brother. He will share his views on the golden eras in television and where the industry is going. His stories about Dick Clark, Ryan Seacrest and other luminaries are priceless. Also, in this very hard year for us all, I will explain what I am thankful for this Thanksgiving.
In “Joe Biden’s Victory,” we break down the impact of the election with Danny Barefoot, a political strategist and managing partner at Anvil Strategies. Barefoot talks about why this victory is a mixed bag, whether President Trump will return, the impact of Nancy Pelosi and why “defund the police” was such a toxic saying in 2020. Also, I’ll reflect on the improbable journey of Joe Biden and why there is a lot of hope for his administration, despite our current rancor.
Your polling questions answered! We speak with Jay Leve, the president & CEO of Survey USA, a survey research firm with an “A” rating from website Five Thirty Eight. Leve breaks down what brand new presidential and Senate polls in Georgia & North Carolina mean, while saying Americans should have a “healthy skepticism” about polling overall. Leve provides a lively and witty history of polling, explaining how we got to where we are now. Also, I discuss Fleetwood Mac and Van Halen, why they’re big again and what they mean to me.
In “A Dog Called Hope,” former special operations officer Jason Morgan joins to discuss his best-selling book about the service dog who stepped into his life. We trace Staff Sergeant Morgan’s journey from being a combat meteorologist for the Air Force to an injury that rendered him paralyzed. Morgan’s recovery takes on a whole new dimension when he meets Napal, a service-trained Labrador who helps Jason find a sense of purpose again. I’ll also talk about how this warrior’s recovery is an inspiring tale for finding our way in these pandemic times.
In "The Tragedy of China's Uyghurs," I'm joined by Nury Turkel, a human rights lawyer who serves on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. Turkel, who was born in a "re-education" camp in China during the Cultural Revolution, goes in depth about what is happening in that region in China - concentration camps, exploitation and destroyed families. Are the Trump Administration's efforts to fight the problem working? Also, I'll tackle the mail-in voting morass.
I'm joined by Spike Cohen, the Libertarian Party nominee for Vice President. Cohen explains why he is ideally suited to govern the United States with presidential nominee and recent Nexus guest Jo Jorgensen. He also details how we can defeat coronavirus, improve race relations and living with multiple sclerosis fuels him. Spike Cohen also offers biting thoughts on Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Finally, a tribute to my father, Arthur Swift Sr., who passed away from coronavirus and how much he inspired me.
In “Putin’s People,” reporter and Russia expert Catherine Belton discusses her new book about Vladimir Putin’s rise to power. We cover the fall of the Soviet Union, Putin’s hand in the downfall of Boris Yeltsin, the rise of the Russian oligarchs and the relationship between Donald Trump and Russia. Will Putin rule forever? There are some dark clouds on the horizon that may surprise you. Also, we will look back at 25 great episodes of The Nexus.
On “The Libertarian Nominee for President,” Jo Jorgensen enters the Nexus to discuss her platform to win the White House, her plan to alleviate civil unrest and why a third party is the right choice in 2020. Immigration, drug laws, healthcare, coronavirus, defunding the police, foreign military involvement – all are examined in depth in this special episode. I’ll also wrestle with my own feelings about police brutality, peaceful protesting and the silver lining I see on the horizon.
Rudy Reyes, the United States Force Recon Marine who starred in the HBO miniseries “Generation Kill,” offers his thoughts about how to stay motivated in a pandemic. We also discuss how he got involved with Generation Kill, the legacy of this seminal miniseries and how his foundation, Force Blue: Coral Reef Conservation serves as a model for the world getting back on its feet. Also, which TV shows am I watching during the pandemic and are they recommended for you?
In “Finally, a Two Man Race,” David Lauter, the Washington Bureau Chief from the Los Angeles Times assesses how the 2020 presidential race stands now that President Trump and Vice President Biden are the presumptive nominees. Lauter discusses the meaning of an array of new polls, surprising parallels to previous elections, why senior citizens and young people are such crucial voting blocs and the big story the media is missing so far this election cycle. Also, why the US needs to open by this fall.
On “The Instacart Shopper,” we meet Matt Gillette, an immunocompromised Washington DC resident who is a personal shopper at Instacart. Matt is risking his life to shop for food and groceries so residents in the DC/Maryland/Virginia area don’t have to. This is a story about a new type of first responder. Instacart shoppers are paid based on the speed and volume of the shopping they do. But with new restrictions at supermarkets, are Instacart shoppers getting exploited? I’ll also offer my predictions for what I think will change after coronavirus is gone from our lives.
In "An Economic Plunge, Coronavirus and My Dad," Mark Hamrick, the Washington Bureau Chief and Senior Economic Analyst at Bankrate.com, joins us to discuss the skyrocketing jobless claims and unemployment situation due to coronavirus. Hamrick breaks down what all the numbers mean and why nothing we've experienced before prepares us for this economically. Also, I'll talk about my father, who is now a presumed COVID-19 patient and what we are going through.
On this episode, Greg Bice of GAP Solutions, a consultant to the federal government on public health preparedness and response, discusses the ongoing efforts by the Trump Administration and government at large to battle COVID-19, the coronavirus. Bice talks about what the agencies are doing and how this pandemic will affect businesses and the public at large. How does this compare to Ebola? Could air travel get shut down? Also, the winners, losers and political outcomes of the virus gripping the nation.
In “Gunfight at the Virginia Corral,” we explore the highly controversial gun control legislation in Virginia, which may become a test case in the rest of the country. Will the state compel firearms owners to register their weapons? Will certain semi-automatic weapons be banned or confiscated? My guests include Adam Winkler, the nation’s foremost constitutional scholar on the Second Amendment and a law professor at UCLA, along with Phil Hochevar, a former US Marine, firearms owner & instructor in Virginia. I’ll also explain my thoughts on this contentious issue as a Virginia gun owner myself.
In “Better Off Than Four Years Ago,” Jonathan Allen from NBC News and author of the #1 New York Times bestseller “Shattered” discusses whether voters are swayed by “game changing” moments or if they are generally set in their voting patterns election to election. We also discuss the aftermath of “Shattered” and what the Clintons may have thought of the book. Also, I’ll talk about what I’ve learned in the first year of the two year presidential campaign.
In this episode, The Long Southern Strategy, Angie Maxwell and Todd Shields from the University of Arkansas make the case about how and why the South went from solidly Democratic to rock ribbed Republican. The reasons aren’t what you may think. Hint: much of it has to do with women and religion. Also, an unofficial look back at the 2010s. It’s the Facebook Decade!
In Boris, Brexit and Britannia, we speak with Garret Martin, a transatlantic scholar who will break down what the UK election means for Boris Johnson and for Brexit. Is this the end of the United Kingdom as we know it? Or will Britain thrive with the clarity of this outcome? Also, I draw parallels to the current prospects of Donald Trump coming out of this election.
The New Hampshire presidential primary, first in the nation, is coming up soon and Paul Steinhauser, political reporter at Fox News and author of “The 603,” offers his insights into the state of play right now with the campaign. Is Mayor Pete the frontrunner? Is Vice President Biden sagging? How about any Amy-mentum? Everything you need to know about the history of this quirky primary and what to expect in February 2020 is explored in this episode.
Sherrod Brown, the senior senator from Ohio and the Ranking Member of the Banking Committee, talks about his new book "Desk 88." Brown mentions the eight progressive senators who shared his desk and why he wrote about them. From Robert Kennedy to Hugo Black to unknown Glen Taylor, Senator Brown explains what he learned from profiling them. And this long-time rumored presidential candidate also explains why he isn't running in 2016 and how the race is shaping up.
Jonathan Ward, author of “China’s Vision of Victory,” joins us for “Big Trouble in Big China,” an examination of the increasing problems the world is facing with the Communist superpower. Ward discusses the NBA fiasco, where China has cut ties with the Houston Rockets over a tweet supporting the protesters in Hong Kong. We cover the Trump trade war, currency manipulation, organ harvesting, concentration camps and the craven nature of US companies looking to maintain favor with this totalitarian government.
With the impeachment inquiry moving at warp speed, our guest is Glenn Carle, a 23-year member of the Clandestine Services of the Central Intelligence Agency, who constructs a profile of who the whistleblower might be. Carle explains how the whistleblower complaint was compiled and what he believes lies ahead as the case against President Trump unfolds. Also, it’s baseball playoff season and I explain why baseball is still my favorite sport, despite Major League Baseball’s continual efforts to mess with the national pastime.
In our 10th episode, longtime US Congressman Jim McGovern of Massachusetts, Chair of the House Rules Committee and a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, will be delivering a major address on human rights at American University September 16 and in this episode he discusses stopping arms sales to Saudi Arabia, how to handle the genocide in China and the plight of displaced peoples in Syria. Rep. McGovern also mentions why President Trump needs to be “impeached yesterday” and how he is “the most corrupt president of (his) lifetime,” which includes Nixon.
Also, I make the case for impeaching the president. The Democrats have nothing to lose.
On “The Dane and the American,” we speak with Chris Hastrup, a student at American University in Washington who holds dual Danish and American citizenship. Hastrup, who has lived in Denmark and visited Greenland, speaks about President Trump’s gambit to buy the Arctic nation and what Danes really think of Americans. Also on the show, the September edition of the 2020 Democratic Primary Power Rankings.
In “Are Polls Accurate?” we speak with Molly O’Rourke, a pollster and partner at Hart Research, a public opinion research firm in Washington. In a billion-dollar industry, more people than ever are motivated by and place tremendous stock in survey research. O’Rourke talks about whether polling is accurate in 2019, what went wrong in 2016 and why Mayor Pete Buttigieg shouldn’t be concerned about polls at this stage of the 2020 race. I’ll also mention some persistent truths I’ve noticed in the survey research industry, particularly regarding online polling and “push polls.”
Amie Parnes from The Hill and author of the #1 New York Times bestseller "Shattered" speaks about the 2020 campaign. Parnes discusses how Joe Biden is bouncing back from an "underwhelming" first debate performance but also how Elizabeth Warren is running a very smart campaign which may cause problems for Biden early next year. With a "top five" slate of candidates in place, who have been the surprises and disappointments? I also offer my predictions for the end of July debates.
In The Music Episode, we speak with Matthew Bates, the former chief of rock programming at Pandora about the state of the streaming music industry and its thundering sucesss, how it is squaring off with terrestrial radio, the impact of Taylor Swift particularly on sites like Spotify and why free or cheap satellite radio may never happen. Also, a commentary on how music has changed over my lifetime and why I have never been more excited about listening to music as I am right now.
In this episode we explore the complexities of the immigration debate and what is happening at the southern border. What's the truth about illegal immigration and those seeking asylum? We go beyond President Trump's and the Democrats' talking points with Ted Hesson, immigration and employment reporter at POLITICO.
Also, in a commentary, how can we get to the truth about China and the trade war?
David Catanese, senior politics writer at US News and World Report joins The Nexus to discuss why Pete Buttigieg is doing so well, whether Elizabeth Warren's fundraising is working and if President Trump is vulnerable. Also, an essay on why people see the same economy in very different, partisan ways.
In this episode, we speak with Gabe Eisner, a one-time Democrat who has become a Republican but is also an "undecided voter" in the 2020 election. It's unclear which way he will go and we probe what is motivating him this cycle.
Also, the 2020 Democratic Power Rankings. Who's doing well among the 15 declared candidates?
In this episode, Angela Greilling Keane of Politico discusses how some prominent states are moving ahead on issues such as medical marijuana, abortion, the minimum wage and sports betting. These developments are often at odds with the Trump White House.
The Nexus with Art Swift is a show devoted to the crossroads between politics, communications and culture. It is not "right" or "left" but finds the central point to explore a variety of topics and possibilities. We look at finding common ground, in an objective way.
In our debut episode, Eric Kowalczyk, former captain in the Baltimore Police Department and author of "The Politics of Crisis," discusses the Baltimore Riots of 2015, the case for police reform and how this issue will impact the 2020 Democratic presidential race.