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Artwork for Government That Doesn't Suck

Government That Doesn't Suck

Rewind Studios
Government
Apollo Program
Weather Forecasting
Constitution
NASA
Moon
Civil Service Reform
National Weather Service
World Meteorological Organization
United States Government
European Centre For Medium-Range Weather Forecasting
Pendleton Civil Service Act
Patronage
Garfield Assassination
Chester A. Arthur
Weather Satellites

The government gets a bad rap. But the roads under your feet, the forecast on your phone, and the letter in your mailbox are all government too. Hosted by Professors Greg Jackson and Lindsey Cormack, Government That Doesn't Suck brings together the sharpest thinkers to reveal the real-world impact of American government, one episode at a time.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes6Founded3 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryGovernment

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Artwork for Government That Doesn't Suck

Latest Episodes

In 1735, a colonial printer named John Peter Zenger spent nine months in jail for printing someone else's criticism of a corrupt governor, and his trial helped plant the seeds of a free press in America decades before the First Amendment existed. Thi... more

Hurricane season is upon us. Did you know that the weather app on your smartphone and the forecasts from TV meteorologists wouldn’t exist without data from the National Weather Service? Yep. The National Weather Service (NWS), part of the National Oc... more

It used to be that federal government jobs were awarded via a "spoils system," where political patronage and loyalty were the primary criteria for hiring and firing government employees. This system led to widespread corruption, incompetence, and ine... more

With its lavishly funded mandate to put a man on the moon, the Apollo mission promised to reinvigorate a country that had lost its way. But a new breed of activists denounced it as a colossal waste of resources needed to solve pressing problems at ho... more

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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Andrew Blum
Author of The Weather Machine, A Journey Inside the Forecast
Author
Episode: National Weather Service
Zachary Carabelle
Author of a biography of Chester Alan Arthur
Author, Chester Alan Arthur biography
Episode: The Spoils System / Pendleton Civil Service Act
Neil Maher
Award-winning historian, author of Apollo in the Age of the Aquarius
University/author (as introduced)
Episode: Moonshot / NASA Apollo missions

Hosts

Greg Jackson
Host of the show, Historian; Professor
Lindsey Cormack
Co-host, Political Scientist; Professor

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 155 ratings
  • Wonderful!

    We need to understand how our government works FOR us. This podcast provides examples of our government working the way it is supposed to - for the people of this country. Great examples here!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    In depth and interesting!
    United Statesa month ago
  • Misguiding

    Stating that our vote counts or matters they way Congress and the senate decide to do whatever they want ignoring the people who put them there, they people they are supposed to represent, is a complete joke. And the electoral college pretty much takes away our voice. Couldn’t stand listening to the BS coming out of their mouths. I was hopeful

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    JustWantFacts
    United Statesa month ago
  • Oxymoronic title

    Boot licking for the sake of boot licking

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Deathsquad Sargent
    United Statesa month ago
  • Perfection

    The Professor delivers AGAIN!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Raven6771
    United Statesa month ago
  • Government That Doesn't Suck...Actually Doesn't

    Finally...a a podcast that treats citizens like participants instead of spectators!

    Greg and Lindsay manage to make constitutional government, Federalist No. 10, and the 26th Amendment both insightful AND entertaining. Chemistry terrific, history solid, optimism refreshing.

    Favorite line: "If we want to keep liberty, we're going to have to figure out how to navigate our differences instead of saying no liberty for anyone." Look forward to the rest of the series!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Publius Americanus 2026
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Positive reception of the educational yet entertaining approach.
Listeners appreciate how topics connect government to everyday life.
Guests and hosts come across as credible and well-researched.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#48
United States/History
Apple Podcasts
#243
Canada/History
Apple Podcasts
#147
Philippines/History
Apple Podcasts
#170
Hong Kong/History

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

National Weather Service
Q: Can you tell us what the impetus was for having some national approach to weather?
It came from a mix of social needs, like protecting citizens from storms on the Great Lakes, and technological advances, such as telegraph networks that could collect and share observations nationally, creating a continental view of weather.
The Spoils System / Pendleton Civil Service Act
Q: What did the Pendleton Act change, and what did it leave unfinished?
The Act established merit-based hiring for a portion of federal jobs via examinations and created the Civil Service Commission, but only covered a fraction of the federal workforce initially, leaving many positions under patronage for years to come.
The Spoils System / Pendleton Civil Service Act
Q: Why did Garfield's assassination become a turning point for civil service reform?
Garfield's assassination underscored the dangers of a patronage-heavy system and created political pressure to move toward merit-based hiring, especially after midterm losses weakened the old guard's resistance to reform.
The Spoils System / Pendleton Civil Service Act
Q: What exactly was patronage and how did it shape federal hiring in the era?
Patronage was the system of rewarding political supporters with government jobs, turning many appointments into rewards for campaign contributions and loyalty rather than merit, which led to widespread corruption and inefficiency.
Moonshot / NASA Apollo missions
Q: Can you tell me what you think the strongest criticisms of Apollo at the time were?
The criticisms centered on the enormous expenditure during a period of domestic social problems, with debates about whether resources should be redirected to housing, civil rights, or health instead of a lunar race; there was also debate about whether colonization beyond Earth was a misallocation of scientific effort.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Government That Doesn't Suck

What is Government That Doesn't Suck about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A civics-forward show that makes government tangible by linking institutions to everyday life. Episodes explore how public policy, constitutional design, and historical developments shape real-world outcomes—from weather forecasting and civil service reform to landmark space programs and constitutional literacy. The hosts bring rigorous historical and political analysis, paired with engaging storytelling, to illuminate how government operates, its victories, and its missteps. A standout trait is the clear emphasis on practical implications for citizens, not abstract theory, making it appealing to listeners who want accessible, evidence-based discussions about how governance affects daily life.

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Which podcasts are similar to Government That Doesn't Suck?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Government That Doesn't Suck:

1. History That Doesn't Suck
2. Hidden History with Dr. Harini Bhat
3. HISTORY This Week
4. American History Tellers
5. History Unplugged Podcast

How many episodes of Government That Doesn't Suck are there?

Government That Doesn't Suck launched 3 months ago and published 6 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Government That Doesn't Suck?

Recent guests on Government That Doesn't Suck include:

1. Andrew Blum
2. Zachary Carabelle
3. Neil Maher

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