Shows
We Made This Political PodcastEp. 11 Christina Dent: Rethinking Addiction with End It For GoodIn this episode of 'We Made This Political,' hosts Lura Forcum, President of the Independent Center, and Lauren Hall, author of the Substack the Radical Moderate’s Guide to Life, are joined by Christina Dent, founder of 'End It For Good.' The discussion dives into moving from a criminal justice mindset to a health-centered approach in dealing with drug addiction. Christina shares her personal journey, starting as a foster mom, and how it reshaped her views on substance use. Highlighting the complexities of addiction, the conversation also explores Christina's work in creating open, non-coercive spaces for dialogue ar...2025-07-281h 10
We Made This Political PodcastEp. 11: Dan Vallone on the Military, Democracy, and ParentingExploring Polarization and Moderation with Dan ValloneIn this episode, Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall are joined by Dan Vallone, a veteran and expert in depolarization work, who shares his experiences and insights on bridging divides, based on his work with More In Common and his military background. The conversation also touches on the challenges and rewards of parenting, the significance of genuine local engagement, and the hope for a more unified societal future.00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks01:26 Guest Introduction: Dan Vallone02:43 Dan Vallone's Journey to Depolarization Work03:40 The...2025-07-211h 02
We Made This Political PodcastEp. 10 Veronique de RugyEpisode Title: We Made This Political – Parenting, Policy, and the French-American ExperienceHosts: Lura Forcum & Lauren HallGuest: Veronique de Rugy, Senior Research Fellow, Economist, and French-American parentAbout Our Guest:Veronique de Rugy is a Senior Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, where she also holds a chair in economics. Originally from France, she earned her PhD in economics there before moving to the United States to complete her dissertation at George Mason. Veronique is a leading expert on budgetary and tax issues, government spending, and cronyism, and has worked at pr...2025-07-141h 13
We Made This Political PodcastFourth of July SpecialIn this special July 4th episode, we explore what patriotism looks like in 2025 and what we are truly celebrating on Independence Day. Lura and Lauren emphasize the importance of community, civic engagement, and the unique diversity of American life. They share personal stories and reflections on local events, discussing how shared spaces and sustained interactions with diverse groups can reduce prejudice and foster unity. The conversation also touches on the challenges of balancing personal responsibilities and community involvement, the historical context of American values, and the evolving role of the presidency.Recommendations for celebrating include listening to...2025-07-0450 min
We Made This Political PodcastEp. 09: Ben Klutsey on the Power of PluralismIn this episode, we're joined by Ben Klutsey of the Mercatus Center to discuss pluralism, politics, and parenting. Ben shares his background and personal experiences that fueled his passion for pluralism, including his childhood experiences in Germany contrasted against his warm welcome in Appleton, Wisconsin. He delves into his academic and professional journey exploring pluralism, informed by luminaries like John Izu and through extensive conversations with scholars and public intellectuals. The conversation also touches on how pluralism can be practiced through innovative approaches like the Pluralist Lab and the importance of fostering virtues and curiosity in children. Ben's hopeful...2025-06-3054 min
We Made This Political PodcastEp. 08: William Glass, Millennial Debt FoundationWilliam Glass, Millennial Debt FoundationWilliam Glass is communications director of the Millennial Debt Foundation, based in Chattanooga, TN. He heads up the In the Black license plate program and hosts the podcast Gross Domestic Problem, among other activities.He has nearly a decade of experience building brands in e-commerce spaces and a few political campaigns under his belt.Show Notes: Navigating the National Debt with William GlassIn this episode, we're joined by William Glass, Communications Director at the Millennial Debt Foundation. Our discussion dives deep into the complexities of...2025-06-2345 min
We Made This Political PodcastEp. 07: WMTP News Round UpShow Notes:Join us as we discuss the challenges of managing personal and professional lives amid the current chaotic world events. We delve into balancing bureaucracy in education with what's happening nationally, the impact of continuous news cycles, and the 'flood the zone' strategy. We talk about federalism's role in resisting authoritarianism, the importance of maintaining neutral spaces, and the significance of understanding and connecting with people from differing political spectrums. Strategies for fostering civil dialogue and preserving the dignity of all individuals are key themes. Expect optimism, concrete thoughts, and a long-awaited kid bomb!00:00...2025-06-1659 min
We Made This Political PodcastEp. 06: Building Resilient Communities with Seth KaplanShow Notes:Ep. 06: Building Resilient Communities with Seth KaplanIn this episode of 'We Made This Political,' we talk with Seth Kaplan, an expert on fragile states, social cohesion, and community resilience. We discuss Kaplan's work, including his book 'Fragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society One Zip Code at a Time.' The conversation covers Kaplan's transition from studying international communities to focusing on American neighborhoods, the importance of strong local institutions, and practical steps for building trust and connectedness in communities. Kaplan emphasizes the need for local engagement, stewardship, and...2025-06-091h 09
We Made This Political PodcastEp. 05: Shannon Watson - Reimagining Political Engagement with Insights from Majority in the MiddleReimagining Political Engagement: Majority in the Middle’s Shannon WatsonJoin us as we chat with Shannon Watson, founder of the nonprofit Majority in the Middle. We discuss the challenges of political partisanship, the importance of civic education, and how we can create spaces for constructive political engagement. Shannon shares insights on demographic shifts, the personal impacts of running for office, and the power of positive reinforcement in political discourse. Tune in to learn about making politics more inclusive and less adversarial.*There are a couple places where the audio in this episode is...2025-06-0252 min
We Made This Political PodcastEp. 04: Austen CampbellIn this episode of 'We Made This Political,' hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall introduce Austen Campbell, founder of the Independent National Coalition. Join them as they discuss the importance of independent thinking in politics, the challenges of the two-party system, and the need for coalition-driven strategies. They explore the potential of citizens' assemblies, the significance of representing diverse voices, and the necessity of genuine problem-solving over partisan politics. The conversation delves into the future of American politics, the role of technology, and the pressing issues facing the next generations.00:00 Introduction and Host Introductions00:36...2025-05-2748 min
We Made This Political PodcastEp. 03 Relational PoliticsEpisode three is up! We’re still working out the kinks over here, including experimenting a bit with sound quality and some other things. Hopefully each episode will get a bit better.Send us any and all feedback, including ideas for new episodes! And if you like what you read, please share and subscribe! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wemadethispolitical.substack.com2025-05-1936 min
We Made This Political PodcastEp. 01: We Made This Political!Welcome to the launch episode of 'We Made This Political,' a new podcast by Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall. In this introductory episode, Lura and Lauren discuss their goals, backgrounds, and what listeners can expect. The podcast aims to explore the intersections of modern life and politics, drawing on their diverse academic and personal experiences. They touch on parenting, polarization, and the need for better political discourse, setting the stage for future episodes. Expect candid conversations, tech hiccups, and even some pet and kid interruptions.00:00 Welcome to Our New Podcast!00:58...2025-04-2518 min
We Made This Political PodcastEp. 02: Control and Agency in Parenting and PoliticsNavigating Control and Agency in Politics and ParentingIn the second episode of 'We Made This Political,' hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall explore the concepts of control versus agency through the lenses of political science, psychology, and parenting. We discuss Mel Robbins' book 'The Let Them Theory' and its relevance to reducing anxiety by relinquishing control. We delve into psychological theories like illusory control, locus of control, and reactance to explain how people respond to attempts at control. The conversation also touches on the implications of these ideas for public policy, highlighting the...2025-04-2551 min