Get Educated- Politics and Current Events
We live in a fast-paced world! Chances are you get your information from social media or better yet from your friends who post on their stories. On the off chance, you’re one of those informed people in trending topics than either you're the one sharing those stories or rolling your eyes like ‘Oh, I knew that already.”
We’re not here to judge you- we’re here to get you prepared to have a conversation and not be looked at like a fool when you’re at some mixer and people ask you about the foreign policy of Denmark. Instead, you’ll be able to confidently comment on current events like a pro and even wow people with your knowledge of the Danish GPD.
We’re gonna do a series this is the first installment in the ‘get educated- you silly goose’ series where we’re covering the political future of what will be America. We’re not gonna talk social media accounts or news channels- they’ve let us down or we’ve relied on them far too long.
podcasts
Podcasts
Let’s kick it off with podcasts. Some of the easiest and cheapest ways to get your information without really having anything to do other than press play. Chances are you want to be informed! You want to learn how to vote accordingly or be able to debate your uncle in a show of politics (key to win a debate is have them defend and waste time- keep probing with questions and asking them to explain).
This is a shameless plug because ya girl’s gotta have her coffee but check out Podcoin (my referral link and the only time you’ll ever see it on this post)- it’s an app that pays you to listen to podcasts. It takes a while but you’re already listening to them so why not?
if you lean left
If you lean left
Crooked Media is gonna be your best friend! It’s also the easiest way to consume the left agenda as they say because they’re really approachable. I do lean left and typically podcasts tend to be consumed by people on the left so there will be more that lean this way.
Pod Save America
has its own cult following having people ask, “are you a friend of the pod?” Know how I know this? I’ve been asked if I was. Hosted by Jon Favreau; Dan Pfeiffer; Jon Lovett; Tommy Vietor former President Obama staffers they dive deep into everything from political criticism to foreign policy. They’re all highly intelligent and present their opinion with a lot of things to back them up.
Lovett or Leave It
is going to be the easier layman’s version that’s more entertaining. Lovett, a former speechwriter approaches the topics from a humor point of view with the help of comedians. He’s got various segments and it makes the show really enjoyable especially with the growing issues in the modern political landscape.
Slate’s Political Gabfest
is known to be Slate’s most popular podcast. I personally like it because it’s a three-way discussion into politics told at a more serious level from the point of view of the three host’s backgrounds. They’ve said they don’t really discuss the topics beforehand so it feels like more conversation over the coffee table vibe.
Chapo Trap House
is here if you’re ready to take the gloves off and really dive deep into the conversation and don’t let anything slip by them. While they roast the usual conservative values they’re not letting left-wing politics off that easy especially if they’re going after the “upper-class white liberal” lifestyle.
Rachel Maddow
is actually the audio version of the show that’s released about an hour or two after the show airs every evening. Sometimes it comes out the next morning but it’s a great way to still hear some liberal TV opinion without having to sit and watch the tv.
The Daily Show
also has its own audio version of their show too! While this one might be harder to enjoy since much of the charm of The Daily Show is from its visuals- we’re still standing by it.
if you lean right
If you lean right
I’d like to preface that I don’t identify as a conservative. I can respect some political values and we can talk politics if you’d like but currently, I cannot find myself aligning with their views. I’d also like to mention that yes I’ve omitted several big-name podcasts because chances are you probably already listen to them but they’re also really full of hate something neither I or the lovelist brand can stand behind. The following (while I don’t agree with) are some pods that I feel offer their message in a well-mannered way.
Ricochet Podcast
is part of a brand that offers a center-right/ libertarian perspective to modern-day politics.
Commentary Podcast
is described as the following “commentary is America's premier monthly magazine of opinion: General, yet Jewish. Highly variegated, with a unifying perspective.”
Free Thoughts Podcast
is a libertarian based podcast that covers all topics in politics and liberty. They include conversations with several top scholars, historians, economists, philosophers, and public policy experts.
The Fifth Column Podcast
is the last of the podcasts. Their publishing schedule is a little off-center but they might be for you.
if you’re here for the balance of things
If you’re here for the balance of things
The following pods are a mix of all sides of politics, completely neutral podcasts where they deliver straight news or political commentary that is a debate focused so you’re able to see it from both points of view.
The Daily
this New York Times podcast will give you your daily dose of all the important current events.
Left, Right, Center
want to have a room full of experts that can each debate and present their points of views? This one’s for you.
NPR Political Podcast
is a neutral podcast that delivers the news of the political landscape. Don’t be mad it doesn’t favor one over the other.
Politico’s Nerdcast
is literally “geeking out on Trump and the new politics of Washington,” but it views politics as a game. We’re here to see how that comes out.
Hacks on Tap
is a brand new podcast. It’s like maybe 15 episodes old but it’s hosted by political consultants Mike Murphy (conservative) and David Axelrod (liberal) who both have been in the political atmosphere for years. They really breakdown the structure of politics and campaigning so you’re able to understand how that works.
political learning podcasts
Political Learning Podcasts
So there are probably a lot of things about politics you don’t know about and wanna know more about. So the following pods are for you to learn about specific topics.
The Report
is a podcast that does the explaining of the Mueller Report from an academic standpoint. They actually read parts of it for you so you’re able to form your own opinions.
The Oath Podcast
with Chuck Rosenberg is a conversation interview-style podcast. Rosenberg talks with Washington Hotshots about everything from life to challenges. It’s actually a really cool pod. Example- he had James Comey on to talk about himself and his career and Comey reveals he suffered from major imposter syndrome. It really made me feel like I wasn’t alone with that.
Crooked Minis Podcast
is an endless rotation of different themed pods that aren’t long enough to be their own series.
The Wilderness
from Crooked Media is the history of the Democratic Party from its inception. I looked for a similar one from the Republican standpoint but could not find one.
Can He Do That?
Is a new Podcast that looks into what the President can and can’t do and how it’ll change the political landscape in the future.
phone apps
Apps
Phone apps are like super accessible forms of information. Granted some are hidden behind a paywall but there are plenty of options for you to choose from so when you’re on the toilet you’re browsing this instead of scrolling through Instagram. Apps like Slate, NYTimes, Quartz, AP News and BuzzFeed News apps all are versions of their websites just made easier for consumption. You can also rely on social media like Reddit and subscribe to different subreddits and get your news that way too!.
Some of the news aggregator apps are going to be similar but it’ll be up to you on what design or feel you like.
This AM by Refinery 29
is my favorite news aggregator app. My morning routine consists of waking up, playing some lo-fi beats and reading through This AM’s 8 stories you need to know. It not only gives me a perspective on what’s going on but also chooses stories they think I should focus on. Don’t worry they don’t just put big stories.
no current android
Newsvoice
is a trending news app. This one is good if you plan on checking it out throughout the day.
Hash
is today’s talking points which is cool if you’re looking for the top stories since you don’t have a lot of time.
theSkimm
is a news aggregator app but it’s under a paywall $2.99 a month or $29.99 a year includes audio access.
Nuzzel
is another news aggregator that is based on stories your friends, people you follow or celebrities share.
Sip News
is a notifications only app which is another one of my faves. It only shows you alerts in really important tech news and that’s it. You’re always up to date.
is another news aggregator that offers customization.
Ground News
is another aggregator of news that curates news to you. Care about politics dope, care about Europe, etc. they push notifications too and limit how much you wanna see.
TuneIn Radio
are you at a bar or doctors office and can’t hear the news? This app tunes in to the channel and plays the audio for you to listen. They offer a paid subscription too!
Blendle app
is for those who don’t want to pay for NYTimes or any other newspaper subscription but would rather read just one article. They allow you to pay like 20-80 cents per article instead of having to pay an actual subscription. You also get a mini dose of news at the top of the app.
Mic
is another notifications app. Meaning you’ll only get push notifications with live news updates.
no android version currently
tv shows
TV Shows
I know I said no tv but I’m a sucker for TV and sometimes humor is the best way for you to understand what’s really going on. The goal of this blog post is to make you able to learn to talk about current events and not look like a fool.
Comedy Central: The Daily Show with Trevor Noah
is the most obvious of all the news satire shows to list and certainly one of my favorites.
Comedy Central: The Jim Jeffrey’s Show
is a topic-based news satire show where each episode covers a specific topic but it has its controversies.
Netflix: Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj
is more if you’re on the binge train like me. Minhaj is my current addiction because it’s so easy to just watch.
TBS: Fully Frontal with Samantha Bee
the former Daily Show alum is now on her own show. Which imo is really well deserved the only downside- it’s a half-hour once a week.
HBO: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
for you HBO snobs… us snobs. He explains the dangers of MLMs and Boris Johnson all the while making us feel like we’re getting educated.
Bonus: Websites
Goods Unite Us
Is a website for checking into where companies donate their funds.
Countable and Gov Track
are both websites that allow you to track your Congress Person and Senator and see how they vote- as they vote. So when someone debates you- you have receipts.
National Priorities Project
This is a website that exists to educate you about the federal government budget, how they spend and ways they can get involved in the process.
USA.gov
A government website that makes it easier to find who to communicate with based on your issue.
Congress.gov
The official website of the Senate and House of Representatives gives you the history but best of all it offers all those numbers and contacts so you can actually get involved.
The 65
This lil guy is for the anti-Trump fan and how to express yourself eloquently when talking to lawmakers.
People For the American Way
Need a script? These are meant to fight extreme right-wing rhetoric.
The Conservative Caucus
We gotta stay fair so this is for the conservatives.
Open Secrets
Want to know if your politician is really gonna represent your or if they’re all about special interests?
Politifact
My personal favorite, especially during debates. Fact check them and see if what they’re saying matches their receipts?
I hope this helps you out in the following election and in the future! As always follow my food and lifestyle instagram for the latest @sanantoniolovelist