Episode 211: American Society Lives with COVID

This week on Polilogue, we look at how leaders attempt to get the next phase of normalcy as COVID continues to be a threat. Governor Andy Beshear from Kentucky prioritized teacher vacinnes and getting children into schools. Meanwhile, Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota deflects the criticisms about the death toll in her state.

We continue to wait for guidance from Dr. Fauci and other public health officials regarding the transmissibility of vaccinated people.

Chapters

  • Introduction

  • Quality: Kentucky Opens Schools

  • Quality: Conceding that Biden Won

  • Questionable: Zero Details in Cuomo Conversations

  • Questionable: Missing COVID Urgency

  • Journalism: Talking About Jamal Koshoggi

  • Politics: Jen Psaki Interview

  • Politics: The COVID Relief Bill

  • Journalism: Noem Falls Apart

  • Show Ratings

  • Dialogue Challenge

Shows discussed 

Resources

Contact us

Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @PolilogueCast. You can also follow us at @sotonaomi_ and @bsteidle.

Support the show: We produce Polilogue out of our own pocket. If you’d like to support the show with a one-time or recurring donation, please visit our donate page here. Or leave a review on iTunes, Apple Music, or the Apple Podcast library. Thank you!

Check out some of our other work: 

Brendan’s website: www.armisticedesigns.com  

Naomi's website: www.startwithaquestion.org

Naomi Soto
Episode 210: Crisis in Texas

This week on Polilogue, we examine the questions and conversations about the crisis in Texas. Millions of people were without electricity or water for days during a winter storm. In less than a week, dozens of lives were lost, people suffered and went hungry, and billions of dollars in property and infrastructure were damaged. How did an energy-rich state like Texas drop the ball the minute the temperatures dropped?

We also continue to look at the language and recommendations by public health officials to Americans regarding COVID mitigations.

Chapters

  • Introduction

  • Questionable: Fauci on Safe Behaviors

  • Questionable: Too Much Trump

  • Quality: Fauci on the 1-Dose Vaccination

  • Quality: The Direct Teacher COVID Question

  • Journalism: FTN’s COVID Exit Interview

  • Journalism: Tough Biden Admin Questions

  • Politics: The Case for and Against Relief

  • Politics: A Failure on Texas

  • Show Ratings

  • Dialogue Challenge

Shows discussed 

Resources

  • How Texas’ Drive for Energy Independence Set It Up for Disaster (NYT)

Contact us

Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @PolilogueCast. You can also follow us at @sotonaomi_ and @bsteidle.

Support the show: We produce Polilogue out of our own pocket. If you’d like to support the show with a one-time or recurring donation, please visit our donate page here. Or leave a review on iTunes, Apple Music, or the Apple Podcast library. Thank you!

Check out some of our other work: 

Brendan’s website: www.armisticedesigns.com  

Naomi's website: www.startwithaquestion.org

Naomi Soto
Episode 209: Missing Questions

This week on Polilogue, the Director of the CDC re-appears. It remains unclear if and how the Biden administration will stick with the science to determine if schools should reopen. Either way, the Director of the CDC leans on very little data to communicate these new public health guidances. We also discuss the importance of recognizing which questions weren’t being asked.

Chapters

  • Introduction

  • Power Player of the Week

  • Stealing Insight

  • The Maga Siege (New Details)

  • Missing Questions

  • CDC Reappears

  • Panel Worth Watching

  • The Witness Vote

  • Graham’s Lucky Interview

  • Show Ratings

  • Dialogue Challenge

Shows discussed 

Contact us

Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @PolilogueCast. You can also follow us at @sotonaomi_ and @bsteidle.

Support the show: We produce Polilogue out of our own pocket. If you’d like to support the show with a one-time or recurring donation, please visit our donate page here. Or leave a review on iTunes, Apple Music, or the Apple Podcast library. Thank you!

Check out some of our other work: 

Brendan’s website: www.armisticedesigns.com  

Naomi's website: www.startwithaquestion.org

Naomi Soto
Episode 208: Impending Impeachment

This week on Polilogue, we look at the conversations that took place on the Sunday shows with Republican senators about the impending impeachment trial. Very few Republicans were were willing to suggest clear accountability measures against the former president who encouraged an insurrection at the Capitol. We also spoke about President Biden’s proposed COVID relief bill. Some shows put their attention on people suffering, other shows focused on the Washington insider baseball game.

Chapters

  • Introduction

  • Highlights Throwback

  • N Quality: Impeachment Timing Question

  • B Quality: Tapper Defends AOC

  • N Quality: Global Vaccination Efforts

  • B Questionable: Fauci’s Non-Answer

  • N Politics: Holding Trump Accountable

  • B Politics: FNS and Impeachment

  • N Journalism: Pandemic Impact on Women

  • B Journalism: Questioning Republicans with Facts

  • Show Ratings

  • Dialogue Challenge

Shows discussed 

Links Discussed

  • Kevin McCarthy McCarthy: You had at me at hello (MSNBC)

Contact us

Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @PolilogueCast. You can also follow us at @sotonaomi_ and @bsteidle.

Support the show: We produce Polilogue out of our own pocket. If you’d like to support the show with a one-time or recurring donation, please visit our donate page here. Or leave a review on iTunes, Apple Music, or the Apple Podcast library. Thank you!

Check out some of our other work: 

Brendan’s website: www.armisticedesigns.com  

Naomi's website: www.startwithaquestion.org

Naomi Soto
Episode 207: Case for Relief

This week on Polilogue, we examine how journalists are interrogating Biden’s proposed COVID Relief bill. We question if and how Republican priorities should be included in the Biden package. We also examine access, equity, and changes to the COVID vaccination rollout.

Chapters

  • Introduction

  • N Quality: Republican Voices on MTP

  • B Quality: Firm Questions, Competent Answers

  • N Questionable: Vague Questions on FNS

  • B Questionable: Inaccurate summaries

  • N Politics: Interrogating Biden’s COVID Relief Plan

  • B Journalism: Racial Equity & Vaccines

  • N Journalism: Incomplete Vaccine Explanations

  • B Politics: COVID Gridlock in Florida

  • Show Ratings

  • Dialogue Challenge

Shows discussed 

Contact us

Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @PolilogueCast. You can also follow us at @sotonaomi_ and @bsteidle.

Support the show: We produce Polilogue out of our own pocket. If you’d like to support the show with a one-time or recurring donation, please visit our donate page here. Or leave a review on iTunes, Apple Music, or the Apple Podcast library. Thank you!

Check out some of our other work: 

Brendan’s website: www.armisticedesigns.com  

Naomi's website: www.startwithaquestion.org

Naomi Soto
Episode 206: Responsibility & Reflection

This week on Polilogue, we discuss if and how Republicans will levy any consequences on President Trump. We also review the extensive interview with Dr. Deborah Birx on Face the Nation, which illuminates the destructive chaos of the Trump White House during a deadly pandemic.

Chapters

  • Introduction

  • Missing COVID Questions & Answers

  • Uncertain Certainty from Jon Karl

  • Responsibility in the Senate

  • Birx Looks Back

  • The Missing Filibuster Explainer

  • Trump’s Thriving Lies

  • Show Ratings

  • Dialogue Challenge

Shows discussed 

Contact us

Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @PolilogueCast. You can also follow us at @sotonaomi_ and @bsteidle.

Support the show: We produce Polilogue out of our own pocket. If you’d like to support the show with a one-time or recurring donation, please visit our donate page here. Or leave a review on iTunes, Apple Music, or the Apple Podcast library. Thank you!

Check out some of our other work: 

Brendan’s website: www.armisticedesigns.com  

Naomi's website: www.startwithaquestion.org

Naomi Soto
Episode 205: GOP Shakeups

This week on Polilogue, we discuss how the Republican Party is coming to terms with the Trump base. We also discuss which Republicans are dissenting and how they are expressing their dissent. We reflect on a powerful interview with Congressman Jamie Raskin, who is leading the impeachment charge while also surviving a painful personal loss.

Chapters

  • Introduction

  • GOP Reckoning

  • Not a Politician

  • Lackluster persuasion

  • Journalistic Theft

  • Impeachment & Humanity

  • Republican Accountability

  • New Republican Voices

  • The Other Side

  • Insurrection Videos

  • Dialogue Challenge

Shows discussed 

Contact us

Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @PolilogueCast. You can also follow us at @sotonaomi_ and @bsteidle.

Support the show: We produce Polilogue out of our own pocket. If you’d like to support the show with a one-time or recurring donation, please visit our donate page here. Or leave a review on iTunes, Apple Music, or the Apple Podcast library. Thank you!

Check out some of our other work: 

Brendan’s website: www.armisticedesigns.com  

Naomi's website: www.startwithaquestion.org

Naomi Soto
Episode 204: Attack on Democracy

This week on Polilogue, we discuss the horrifying attack on the US Capitol by Trump a rabid mob and white supremacist domestic terrorists. We analyze the half a dozen ways the shows explained Wednesday’s gut-wrenching attack and we share what we’re expecting next in forthcoming news coverage.

Chapters

  • Introduction

  • How the Attack was Characterized

  • Lack of Preparation

  • Trump the Instigator

  • The Republican Party’s Role

  • Demanding Accountability

  • Looking Ahead

  • Dialogue Challenge

Shows discussed 

Contact us

Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @PolilogueCast. You can also follow us at @sotonaomi_ and @bsteidle.

Support the show: We produce Polilogue out of our own pocket. If you’d like to support the show with a one-time or recurring donation, please visit our donate page here. Or leave a review on iTunes, Apple Music, or the Apple Podcast library. Thank you!

Check out some of our other work: 

Brendan’s website: www.armisticedesigns.com  

Naomi's website: www.startwithaquestion.org

Naomi Soto
Episode 203: The Maddening Vaccination Rollout

The vaccination rollout is moving at a snail pace. Vulnerable nursing home residents wait in limbo for their promised vaccine. for A cohort of Republican senators are attempting a last ditch effort to prevent the certification of the electoral college votes. All eyes on Georgia this week to determine control of the Senate.

Chapters

  • Introduction

  • Quality: Qanon Explainer

  • Quality: The Case for Voting Rights

  • Questionable: New House Rules

  • Questionable: Waiting Nursing Homes

  • Journalism: Vaccination Rollout

  • Journalism: MTP Grills Ron Johnson

  • Politics: Republicans Contest Election

  • Show Ratings

Shows discussed 

Contact us

Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @PolilogueCast. You can also follow us at @sotonaomi_ and @bsteidle.

Support the show: We produce Polilogue out of our own pocket. If you’d like to support the show with a one-time or recurring donation, please visit our donate page here. Or leave a review on iTunes, Apple Music, or the Apple Podcast library. Thank you!

Check out some of our other work: 

Brendan’s website: www.armisticedesigns.com  

Naomi's website: www.startwithaquestion.org

Naomi Soto
Episode 202: Republicans Split With Trump

The COVID economic relief bill passes — just barely — in the nick of time. Nine months into a global pandemic, the public health messaging from administration officials still flounders. One voice on Face the Nation remains steady. Republicans seem fed up with the whiplash policy priorities of the Trump administration.

Chapters

  • Introduction

  • Quality: Holiday Book Club

  • Quality: Biden Review

  • Questionable: Expert Interview

  • Questionable: COVID Messaging

  • Journalism: Appreciating Gottlieb

  • Journalism: Reporter Commitments

  • Politics: Republicans vs Trump

  • Show Ratings

Shows discussed 

Contact us

Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @PolilogueCast. You can also follow us at @sotonaomi_ and @bsteidle.

Support the show: We produce Polilogue out of our own pocket. If you’d like to support the show with a one-time or recurring donation, please visit our donate page here. Or leave a review on iTunes, Apple Music, or the Apple Podcast library. Thank you!

Check out some of our other work: 

Brendan’s website: www.armisticedesigns.com  

Naomi's website: www.startwithaquestion.org

Naomi Soto
Episode 201: Of Hacks and Coups

We can hardly keep up with the TOP stories this week—from the new cybersecurity hack by Russia to the Presiden't’s flirtation with turning America into a military dictatorship. Using our new structure, we cover it all—and more! As we lead into this holiday week!

Chapters

  • Introduction

  • Questionable Moments

  • Quality Moment on Cybersecurity

  • The Journalism Discussion

  • Quality Moments from Joe Kennedy and Mary Daly

  • Political Standout - Future Cabinet Members

  • Political Standout - The Future of the GOP

  • Show Ratings

  • Dialogue Challenge

Shows discussed 

Links & Resources

Contact us

Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @PolilogueCast. You can also follow us at @sotonaomi_ and @bsteidle.

Support the show: We produce Polilogue out of our own pocket. If you’d like to support the show with a one-time or recurring donation, please visit our donate page here. Or leave a review on iTunes, Apple Music, or the Apple Podcast library. Thank you!

Check out some of our other work: 

Brendan’s website: www.armisticedesigns.com  

Naomi's website: www.startwithaquestion.org

Naomi Soto
Episode 200: A Polilogue Shake Up

For our 200th episode, we decided to change up the structure and examine the Sunday shows with a new lens. Brendan viewed 3 shows: State of the Union, Face the Nation, and Meet the Press. Naomi watched Fox News Sunday and This Week. And so without knowing what happened on the other’s shows, we shared with each other what stood out.

From both political and journalistic standpoints, we had a lot to unpack!

Chapters

  • Introduction

  • Questionable/Quality Moment

  • The Politics Moment

  • The Journalism Moment

  • Show Ratings

  • Dialogue Challenge

Shows discussed 

Links & Resources

  • Conservatives grumbling about censorship say they’re flocking to Parler. They told us so on Twitter. (WaPo)

  • The four latest contenders to Facebook’s social media throne (CNBC)

  • The President Is Acting Crazy, so Why Are We Shrugging It Off? (The New Yorker)

  • The great podcast “You're Wrong About” and their outstanding episode on misinformation: https://yourewrongabout.com

Contact us

Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @PolilogueCast. You can also follow us at @sotonaomi_ and @bsteidle.

Support the show: We produce Polilogue out of our own pocket. If you’d like to support the show with a one-time or recurring donation, please visit our donate page here. Or leave a review on iTunes, Apple Music, or the Apple Podcast library. Thank you!

Check out some of our other work: 

Brendan’s website: www.armisticedesigns.com  

Naomi's website: www.startwithaquestion.org

Naomi Soto
Episode 199: Covid Relief on the Table

Almost six months since the supplemental federal unemployment benefits expired, Congress is finally seriously considering a new relief bill. Americans are desperate for economic support. Businesses want to keep their doors open. State and local jurisdictions are struggling to balance their budgets.

On today’s episode, we dissect the arguments from bipartisan members of the group pushing this new $908 billion proposal. We also look at emerging news of the Coronavirus Vaccine—which is expected to receive FDA authorization by the end of this week. Finally, we directly address the buzziest conversation out of this Sunday’s shows—George’s controversial interview on This Week with Republican Senator (and Trump election disinformation booster) Mike Braun.

Chapters

  • Introduction

  • Highlight/Lowlight

  • Vaccine Issues

  • Pending Relief

  • Georgia (The Controversial Mike Braun Interview)

  • Show Rankings

  • Dialogue Challenge

Shows discussed 

Links & Resources

Contact us

Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @PolilogueCast. You can also follow us at @sotonaomi_ and @bsteidle.

Support the show: We produce Polilogue out of our own pocket. If you’d like to support the show with a one-time or recurring donation, please visit our donate page here. Or leave a review on iTunes, Apple Music, or the Apple Podcast library. Thank you!

Check out some of our other work: 

Brendan’s website: www.armisticedesigns.com  

Naomi's website: www.startwithaquestion.org

Naomi Soto
Episode 198: A Holiday Surge?

As millions of Americans return home after traveling for Thanksgiving, public health officials went on the Sunday shows to give advice and amplify warnings. Members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force reiterated that there are actionable steps people can take to reduce the spread of the virus, especially if Americans celebrated the holiday with friends or family outside of their personal pod.

We also discuss the fallout of President Trump’s baseless allegations of massive voter fraud. Most notably, the GOP needs to convince Republican voters to vote in an election they believe is fraudulent.

Chapters

  • Introduction

  • Highlight/Lowlight

  • The Holiday Surge?

  • Election fallout

  • Show Rankings

  • Dialogue Challenge

Shows discussed 

Links & Resources

Contact us

Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @PolilogueCast. You can also follow us at @sotonaomi_ and @bsteidle.

Support the show: We produce Polilogue out of our own pocket. If you’d like to support the show with a one-time or recurring donation, please visit our donate page here. Or leave a review on iTunes, Apple Music, or the Apple Podcast library. Thank you!

Check out some of our other work: 

Brendan’s website: www.armisticedesigns.com  

Naomi's website: www.startwithaquestion.org

Naomi Soto
Episode 197: Vaccine Messaging Strategy

It’s been almost two weeks since the election was called for Joe Biden… and (still), President Donald Trump has yet to concede. President Trump’s legal team continues to flounder, and now we are seeing the Biden transition team strategically respond and plan for January 20.

Today on Polilogue, we also discuss the developing coronavirus vaccine that is likely just weeks away from being administered. Will people trust the vaccine? And if they do, when and where will the vaccine be available?

Chapters

  • Introduction

  • Highlight/Lowlight

  • Concession Waiting Game

  • Vaccine Waiting Game

  • Show Rankings

  • Dialogue Challenge

Shows discussed 

Contact us

Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @PolilogueCast. You can also follow us at @sotonaomi_ and @bsteidle.

Support the show: We produce Polilogue out of our own pocket. If you’d like to support the show with a one-time or recurring donation, please visit our donate page here. Or leave a review on iTunes, Apple Music, or the Apple Podcast library. Thank you!

Check out some of our other work: 

Brendan’s website: www.armisticedesigns.com  

Naomi's website: www.startwithaquestion.org

Naomi Soto
Episode 196: Tolerating a Tantrum

It’s been almost two weeks since the presidential election and eight days since the election was called for Joe Biden… and yet, President Donald Trump has yet to concede. The Trump Campaign continues to pursue legal recourse though they have yet to win a single legal challenge or provide the American people with any evidence of systemic voter fraud. Today on Polilogue we look at the risks of an incomplete transition or underprepared Biden administration.

We also discuss yet ANOTHER Covid surge as Americans begin their winter and holiday season isolated and weary from the long year.

NOTE: Early in episode Naomi mistakingly combined the hosts names of the podcast You’re Wrong About. Sarah Marshall creates a new tagline for every episode; Michael Hobbes applauds every effort.

Chapters

  • Introduction

  • Highlight/Lowlight

  • Republicans Tolerate Trump

  • A Covid Spike Returns

  • Show Rankings

  • Dialogue Challenge

Shows discussed 

Contact us

Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @PolilogueCast. You can also follow us at @sotonaomi_ and @bsteidle.

Support the show: We produce Polilogue out of our own pocket. If you’d like to support the show with a one-time or recurring donation, please visit our donate page here. Or leave a review on iTunes, Apple Music, or the Apple Podcast library. Thank you!

Check out some of our other work: 

Brendan’s website: www.armisticedesigns.com  

Naomi's website: www.startwithaquestion.org

Naomi Soto
Episode 195: A New Era

After five days, television networks finally called the 2020 Presidential election: Joe Biden will be the 46th president of the United States of America. Kamala Harris will be the first woman and person of color to serve as the nation’s Vice President. President Donald Trump will end his term being the only one term president who has been impeached or resigned and also lost the popular vote.

Today on Polilogue, we review our biggest media impressions from Election Week. We also examine how the Sunday shows recapped Biden’s wins and discussed Trump’s refusal to concede.

Chapters

  • Introduction

  • Media Coverage

  • President-Elect Biden

  • Trump Won’t Let Go

  • New Goverance

  • Show Rankings

  • Dialogue Challenge

Shows discussed 

Contact us

Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @PolilogueCast. You can also follow us at @sotonaomi_ and @bsteidle.

Support the show: We produce Polilogue out of our own pocket. If you’d like to support the show with a one-time or recurring donation, please visit our donate page here. Or leave a review on iTunes, Apple Music, or the Apple Podcast library. Thank you!

Check out some of our other work: 

Brendan’s website: www.armisticedesigns.com  

Naomi's website: www.startwithaquestion.org

Naomi Soto
Episode 194: Ballot Countdown

The Presidential 2020 election is less than 48 hours and the Sunday shows, understandably, focused their shows entirely on the state of the race. Today on Polilogue, we explore how the shows explain their polls and how they contextualize the campaigns’ messaging.

We also examine what else could be motivating people’s votes in the final few days.

REMINDER: We are taking emails, tweets, and voice memos this week! Please send us any and all election news observations that catches your attention this week. If you see or read some news content that is really well-done OR really poorly-done, send a brief description to us and we’ll include it in next week’s show.

Chapters

  • Introduction

  • Highlight / Lowlight

  • The State of the Race

  • Last Minute Messaging

  • Senate Talk

  • Show Rankings

  • Dialogue Challenge

Shows discussed 

Contact us

Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @PolilogueCast. You can also follow us at @sotonaomi_ and @bsteidle.

Support the show: We produce Polilogue out of our own pocket. If you’d like to support the show with a one-time or recurring donation, please visit our donate page here. Or leave a review on iTunes, Apple Music, or the Apple Podcast library. Thank you!

Check out some of our other work: 

Brendan’s website: www.armisticedesigns.com  

Naomi's website: www.startwithaquestion.org

Naomi Soto
Episode 193: New Election Perspectives

The 2020 election is just around the corner and the Sunday shows explained just what is at stake. Several Senate elections that were originally expected to win alongside President Trump are now toss ups. Today on Polilogue we look at the discussions that took place on the Sunday talk shows about the presidential election, the Senate races, and the now third spike in Covid cases.

Chapters

  • Introduction

  • Highlight / Lowlight

  • Election Momentum

  • COVID Spikes

  • Show Rankings

  • Dialogue Challenge

Shows discussed 

The Instagram clip: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CGU4MT1AwrT/?igshid=16h2cci4w2uk5

Contact us

Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @PolilogueCast. You can also follow us at @sotonaomi_ and @bsteidle.

Support the show: We produce Polilogue out of our own pocket. If you’d like to support the show with a one-time or recurring donation, please visit our donate page here. Or leave a review on iTunes, Apple Music, or the Apple Podcast library. Thank you!

Check out some of our other work: 

Brendan’s website: www.armisticedesigns.com  

Naomi's website: www.startwithaquestion.org

Naomi Soto
Episode 192: The Final Debate Trump vs. Biden

In this special episode, we analyze the final presidential debate between President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden. We look critically at all sides of the debate. We divide our episode into three segments: Kristen Welker’s outstanding moderation, President Trump’s constrained temperament, and how Vice President Biden sets the record straight.

CHAPTERS:

  • Introduction

  • First Impressions

  • Kristen Welker Shines

  • President Trump Tones it Down

  • Joe Biden’s Vision

  • Who Won the Debate?

  • End of Debate Season!

Email us at podcast@polilogue.com or you can send us your feedback @PolilogueCast. You can also follow us at @sotonaomi_ and @bsteidle.

Support the show: We produce Polilogue out of our own pocket and a significant commitment of time every week. If you’d like to support the show with a one-time or recurring donation, please visit our donate page here. Thank you!

Brendan’s website: www.armisticedesigns.com  

 Naomi's website: www.startwithaquestion.org

Naomi Soto