26 episodes

Every week, people from both sides of the political spectrum tell Mike how wrong he is, and why.

Tilting at Windmills Tilting at Windmills

    • News
    • 5.0 • 5 Ratings

Every week, people from both sides of the political spectrum tell Mike how wrong he is, and why.

    Mike is Wrong About Autocrats w/ Richard Abel

    Mike is Wrong About Autocrats w/ Richard Abel

    An Insightful Journey through Law, History, and Society with Professor Richard Abel
    In this episode, host Mike Donahue engages with the esteemed Professor Richard Abel, Emeritus and Distinguished Research Professor at UCLA, exploring his impressive academic journey and profound contributions to law and social science.
    Abel recounts his initial intention to be a civil rights lawyer, his impactful work in Mississippi, and his academic pursuit at Harvard, Columbia Law School, and the University of London. He discusses his significant role in developing the field of law and social science, his critical research on professional responsibility within the legal profession, and his shift in focus towards social issues in the U.S. and the UK due to familial responsibilities.
    Abel also delves into his inspiring research on the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa, sharing personal anecdotes about Nelson Mandela and the role of law in social change. The conversation transitions to Abel's concern over the U.S. response to 9/11, the war on terror, and the subsequent legal and moral ramifications under the Bush and Trump administrations.
    Abel highlights the erosion of democratic institutions, the polarization within the judiciary, and the pressing need for electoral reform in the U.S. to protect democracy. Despite concluding on concerns for democracy's future and the challenges ahead, Abel shares his passion for music as a source of transcendence and peace, reflecting on the therapeutic role it played for him, especially during difficult times such as 9/11.
    00:00 Welcome to Tilting at Windmills: Introducing Professor Richard Abel
    00:34 A Distinguished Career: From Civil Rights to UCLA
    01:31 Journey Through Law: Civil Rights, London, and Beyond
    02:27 Exploring Law and Social Science: A Shift in Focus
    04:59 The South African Adventure: Law Against Apartheid
    11:50 From South Africa to the War on Terror: Legal Battles
    24:26 The Trump Era: Autocracy and the Rule of Law
    30:27 Exploring Resistance and Democracy in the Trump Era
    31:12 The Decline of Book Reading and Political Polarization
    32:55 The Impact of Social Media on Political Echo Chambers
    33:28 The Role of Presidential Debates in Political Discourse
    35:17 The Decline of Journalism and Its Long-term Effects
    36:42 Judiciary's Role and Political Bias in Court Decisions
    42:40 The Importance of the Rule of Law and Democratic Institutions
    46:13 The Potential Threats to American Democracy and Optimism for the Future
    48:30 Improving Democracy: Election Laws and Political Polarization
    49:53 The Role of Media and Public Perception in Political Issues
    58:50 Personal Reflections and Recommendations
    01:02:12 Final Thoughts and Future Projects

    • 54 min
    Mike is Wrong About Political Psychology

    Mike is Wrong About Political Psychology

    Exploring the Psychology of Political Beliefs
    In this episode titled 'Exploring the Psychology of Political Beliefs', Mike Donoghue hosts Keegan Tatum, a creator specializing in political psychology, for an in-depth conversation on diverse topics. They begin by discussing Keegan's channel, Alien Perspective, which aims to understand and critique conservative ideologies from a political psychology perspective. Keegan shares insights on his educational background, his fascination with political psychology, and his critical stance on conservative politics, emphasizing a desire to maximize human well-being and freedom.
    The conversation delves into the complexities of convincing individuals with differing political views through empathy and compassion, drawing on examples from history and current politics to illustrate the psychological differences between conservatives and liberals. Keegan, openly autistic, reflects on how his condition influences his detached, analytical approach to politics.
    The discussion also covers proposals for improving American democracy, the psychology behind transphobia and the impact of media on public perception of political and social issues. Keegan recommends Democracy Now! as a news source and shares his admiration for a Lo-Fi remix of the Evenstar song from Lord of the Rings as a form of relaxation.
    00:00 Introduction to Alien Perspective: A Unique Take on Political Psychology
    01:05 Meet Keegan Tatum: A Political Psychology Expert
    02:19 Exploring the Mindset of Conservatism vs. Liberalism
    08:57 The Impact of Autism on Political Views
    10:52 Debunking Myths: Healthcare, Capitalism, and Conservatism
    14:12 Media Influence and Public Perception
    16:43 Conservatism: A Psychological Analysis
    31:20 Religion, Authoritarianism, and Political Ideologies
    34:29 Bernie Sanders: A Personal Political Journey
    36:07 The Political Landscape: Voting, Democracy, and Bernie Sanders
    36:29 Addressing the Bernie Bro Trope and Electoral Participation
    36:53 The Threat of Trump's Presidency and Authoritarianism
    38:14 Improving American Democracy: Proportional Representation and Mandatory Voting
    39:37 The Impact of Mandatory Voting and Political Engagement
    40:31 The Role of Empathy and Open-mindedness in Politics
    44:20 The Future of American Politics: Polarization and Progressivism
    47:46 Addressing Climate Change and Global Empathy
    51:38 The Evolution of Political Polarization and Authoritarianism
    01:02:11 Understanding Transphobia and Gender Identity
    01:08:44 Concluding Thoughts and Recommendations

    • 1 hr 13 min
    Mike is Wrong About US Oppression and Domestic Harm

    Mike is Wrong About US Oppression and Domestic Harm

    Exploring American Inheritance: A Tale of Oppression and Continued Harm to our Native Americans.
    In this episode of 'Tilting at Windmills,' host Mike Donahue interviews award-winning journalist and author Rebecca Claren about her latest book, 'The Cost of Free Land: Jews, Lakota, and an American Inheritance.' The book delves into the intertwined histories of Jews and Native Americans in the context of American colonialism and explores the complex legacy of escaping oppression only to become part of an oppressive system in America.
    They discuss the ongoing harm to Native Americans, the responsibility of current generations to rectify past and present injustices, and the concept of being a 'good ancestor' by acknowledging and working to remedy the benefits derived from the harm done to Native peoples.
    The conversation also addresses the challenges of grappling with America's colonial past, the need for a more truthful telling of American history, and suggests ways for individuals to contribute to repairing the harms caused.
    Additionally, the episode explores cultural sensitivity, assimilation, and offers tangible steps for personal remediation towards Native nations.
    00:00 Exploring the American Story of Oppression and Inheritance
    01:07 Introducing 'The Cost of Freeland' with Rebecca Claren
    01:33 The Interwoven Histories of Jews and Native Americans
    05:57 The Ongoing Harm and the Quest for Reparation
    14:42 Cultural Sensitivity, Empathy, and Learning from History
    35:26 Personal Remediation and Steps Towards Healing
    37:27 Drawing Parallels: From Native American Lands to Global Conflicts
    40:28 Media Recommendations and Closing Thoughts

    • 42 min
    Mike is Wrong about Countermobilization w/ Eric Patashnik

    Mike is Wrong about Countermobilization w/ Eric Patashnik

    In this episode, Mike learns about Countermobilization from Eric Patashnik, author of Countermobilization: Policy Feedback and Backlash in a Polarized Age. Eric is the professor and Department Chair of Political Science for the Watson Institute, Brown University. Eric

    • 45 min
    Mike is Wrong about Shiv

    Mike is Wrong about Shiv

    And women in general, apparently. Frequent contributors Shanna and Meghna let Mike know where he’s mistaken.

    • 1 hr 25 min
    Mike is Wrong about Meat

    Mike is Wrong about Meat

    In this episode, Mike interviews lawyer-cum-farmer Nicolette Hahn Niman, a rancher advocating for the ethical treatment of livestock. Nicolette is the author of Righteous Porkchop and Defending Beef.

    • 1 hr 4 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
5 Ratings

5 Ratings

Too Much Politics ,

Interesting & Authentic

Really interesting and authentic take of our current political climate. Good insight into and fair representation of your typical voter.

Top Podcasts In News

The Daily
The New York Times
Serial
Serial Productions & The New York Times
Up First
NPR
The Ben Shapiro Show
The Daily Wire
Pod Save America
Crooked Media
The Megyn Kelly Show
SiriusXM