Shows
Deep Dive with ShawnState of the Union: 2024 (w/ Drs. Sara Benesh, Edward Watts, & James Hawdon)It's the end of the year, and that means our annual State of the Union episode is here! In this episode, I'm joined by judicial scholar Dr. Sara Benesh, historian and expert on the fall of Rome, Dr. Edward Watts, and scholar of political violence, Dr. James Hawdon. We draw striking parallels between Rome's transition from a republic to an autocracy and the current state of American politics, and we discuss the erosion of institutional integrity, the rise of political violence, and the unsettling warning sign found in events like the January 6th Capitol attack. We question whether America's...2024-12-2953 min
Deep Dive with ShawnAre We Past the Rubicon? - After 'After America'Deep Dive returns! In this episode we bring back a number of contributors to our recently concluded limited series - After America - and ask if they have hope for American democracy, or if we already past the Rubicon. Can American democracy survive the storm of voter disenfranchisement, misinformation, and rising authoritarianism? This episode promises not just a look at the challenges, but also a glimmer of hope for our democratic future.We explore the perennial struggle to uphold the ideals of equality and the essential role of our political institutions. And, you'll hear insights into how...2024-09-2242 min
SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis MewhirterHermosa Open Recap: The Vibes, The Partnerships, The Play -- The Purest Beach Volleyball TournamentThe Hermosa Open was AWESOME, one of the purest beach volleyball tournaments we've been to in a long time. All good vibes from the players and fans, streamed on VBTV, fun new teams to watch -- all of it. And, we had some scintillating play, INCLUDING:
- A DOUBLE-FINAL on the women's side between Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes and Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft
- Finally a domestic win for Chase Budinger and Miles Evans, long-awaited, in a fun final against Miles Partain and Alex Ranghieri
- April Ross' final tournament as...2024-09-0908 min
SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis MewhirterManhattan Beach Open Preview: The Return of The OlympiansWelcome back to Beach Access, where Travis Mewhirter and Kyle Friend break down, preview, and chat about all things AVP Beach Volleyball and the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour. Today, we're previewing the Manhattan Beach Open, which begins with Thursday's qualifier and ends on Sunday with someone getting their name on the Pier. The big question: Who?
We chat about that and a whole lot more, including:
How will Kristen Nuss and Taryn Kloth, and Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes, rebound from a disappointing finish at the Paris Olympic Games?
Will Miles Partain and A...2024-08-1544 min
Deep Dive with ShawnAfter America E7: Courting Disaster - Exploiting Judicial Power for Authoritarian EndsWhat happens when a cornerstone of democracy begins to show cracks? On this episode of After America as we scrutinize the U.S. Supreme Court's transformation and its far-reaching impacts on American democracy. We trace key moments from Justice Antonin Scalia's death to the rapid confirmation of conservative justices under President Trump. This episode unpacks the historical roots of the judiciary, its intended role as an independent arbiter of justice, and the seismic shifts that have led to a 6-3 conservative supermajority.We confront the controversies marring the Supreme Court's image, from contentious nomination processes to ethical...2024-08-1154 minSANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis MewhirterParis Pod: USA Volleyball continues rolling; give me double-elim or give me deathWelcome back to the Paris Pod, where Travis Mewhirter and occasionally a guest break down the Olympic volleyball action. Today we're in the Bayview Studios with producers 1 and 2, previewing the Olympic beach volleyball playoffs, where all four USA teams -- Chase Budinger and Miles Evans, Miles Partain and Andy Benesh, Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes, Kristen Nuss and Taryn Kloth -- have made the playoffs, and a shout-out to the indoor teams for making it to the quarterfinals as well! On this episode, Travis chats about:
Chase and Miles’ excellent performance against Australians Thomas Hodges and Zach Schubert in...2024-08-0419 min
Deep Dive with ShawnAfter America E2: The Oppressed Majority - How the Constitution Aids AuthoritarianismWhat if the very institutions designed to protect American democracy are now its greatest threat? In this episode, we scrutinize why Donald Trump remains a formidable candidate nearly four years later, and how key democratic norms and institutions like the rule of law, free and fair elections, and a free press are being systematically eroded. This sets the stage for the 2024 election, framing it as a critical battle between authoritarianism and democracy.We also unpack the structural weaknesses that plague American democracy today, focusing on the Senate, the Electoral College, and the House of Representatives. These institutions...2024-07-0744 min
Deep Dive with ShawnCountdown to After America: What Extreme Shifts on the Court Mean for American Democracy with Dr. Sara Benesh As we count down to the release of the limited series After America, we are revisiting some past episodes of Deep Dive to help lay the groundwork for this important project that will attempt to answer the question - What would it actually look like if American democracy were to fail?Dark Tales: Music by Rahul Bhardwaj from Pixabay-------------As the gears of our democracy grind toward the 2024 election, the shadow of authoritarianism looms ever larger. Dr. Sara Benesh discusses the Supreme Court's seismic shift to the right and its implications for our na...2024-05-2656 min
SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis MewhirterRoad to Paris, World Champs Edition: SIX USA teams win poolThe Beach Volleyball World Championships have arrived, and we are halfway through, with six @USAVolleyball teams winning their pool: Kristen Nuss and Taryn Kloth, Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes, Betsi Flint and Julia Scoles, Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft, Trevor Crabb and Theo Brunner, and Miles Partain and Andy Benesh. But as anyone knows: The real tournament begins Wednesday, where it's single elimination from here on forward.
ENJOY!
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We FINALLY have an alcohol sponsor, y'all! Bartender In A Box is here. SANDCAST and Bartender in a Box invite you and 12 of your friends to...2023-10-1006 min
SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis MewhirterBeach Volleyball Mailbag: What’s up with the AVP’s streaming? Can anyone stop Benesh and Partain? Is Klineman coming back?What’s up with the AVP’s streaming? Is Alix Klineman making a run at the Olympics? Are Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes on a slump? (if so, I’d like to slump like them). Can ANYONE stop Miles Partain and Andy Benesh?
These are but a small sampling of the questions we tackled on this week’s SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball With Tri Bourne and Travis Mewhirter, as well as Savvy Simo. AVP Atlanta seemed to be a tipping point for the fans, as more than 60 percent of our record-setting number of questions was on the AVP streamin...2023-08-161h 22
SANDCAST: Beach Volleyball with Tri Bourne and Travis MewhirterRoad to Paris No. 10: Bend the Knee to Mel and Brandie -- the real Queens of CanadaMelissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson should be crowned the real queens of Canada after their GOLD MEDAL at home in the Montreal Elite16. They were phenomenal all weekend long, surviving one three-setter after another – against Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes, Kristen Nuss and Taryn Kloth, Xinyi Xia and Chen Xue, Betsi Flint and Julia Scoles – to win their second gold of the season. On this episode of The Road to Paris, where Travis Mewhirter breaks down the beach volleyball Olympic race, we cover that, as well as:
How Betsi Flint and Julia Scoles jumped up to No. 7 in the...2023-08-0128 min
Deep Dive with ShawnSara Benesh: SCOTUS 2023 (The End of Equal Dignity)The Supreme Court ended its most recent term on June 30th and it was another blockbuster term. The Court made some surprising and some not-so surprising decisions. It upheld precedent in some places and smashed it in others. While this new Court is still trying to figure out its character, the past two terms have made it pretty clear that this is a conservative majority that intends to reinterpret our long-held understanding of some important constitutional principles and in doing so, reshape the legal, social, and political landscape in the United States.In this episode, we welcome b...2023-07-1447 min