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Political Reality

Political Reality
Political Polarization
Misinformation
Populism
Fascism
American Politics
Donald Trump
Public Policy
Democratic Backsliding
United States
Prescription Drug Pricing
Authoritarianism
Polling Data
Voting Systems
Social Media
Digital Literacy
Stephen Miller
January 6th
Iran, Iran (country)
Polarization
Algorithms

Our daily lives seem increasingly overwhelmed by polarization, misinformation, and dubious culture wars, while we face countless serious problems that require thoughtful and evidence-based solutions. To move forward, we need a shared reality of facts and reason with an equally shared dedication to democracy and fairness. The Political Reality podcast is here to fill that void – diving into how pol... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes11Founded3 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Political Reality

Latest Episodes

📰 Reporting on extent to which 2025 US strikes “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities: www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckglxwp5x03o

⚛️ Details about Iran’s uranium enriched to 60%: www.armscontrol.org/issue-briefs/2026-03/us-war-iran-n... more

More about Seth & his work: www.sethmasket.com

Seth’s book Learning from Loss: The Democrats 2016-2020

Preview of Seth’s new book (coming summer 2026): The Elephants in the Room: How Trump Voters Seized the Party from Republica... more

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Recent Guests

Seth Maskett
Professor of political science at the University of Denver
University of Denver
Episode: How Parties Learn... if at all with Prof. Seth Masket | Political Reality | S01E08
Tom Pepinsky
Professor of Public Policy and Government at Cornell University and Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution specializing in democratic backsliding and populism.
Cornell University / Brookings Institution
Episode: Fascism comes to America, it is wrapped in the flag w/ Prof. Tom Pepinsky | S01E06
Joshua A. Tucker
Co-director of the Center for Social Media and Politics at NYU
Center for Social Media and Politics, NYU
Episode: Misinformation is bad, but not for the reasons most of us think with Prof. Joshua A. Tucker | Political Reality | S01E03

Hosts

Steve
Co-host of the Political Reality Podcast, engaging in discussions on political matters, aiming to foster understanding and critical discourse among listeners.
Andrea
Co-host of the Political Reality Podcast, known for discussions focusing on enhancing civic engagement and understanding in politics.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 129 ratings
  • Two people explain why their opinion is correct.

    I thought this would be different, but it isn’t. The hosts seem to have no awareness of the depth of the topics. They just proffer data supporting their side. They give lip service to balance while throwing mud at the other tribe.

    I probably don’t even disagree with them, but I can tell they aren’t being objective.

    I really hope they can pierce through the echo chamber reviews and hear the dissenting voices as constructive criticism.

    btw, Love SGU since 2007

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Doubtiness
    United States14 days ago
  • It seems to be that in trying to be unbiased you are actually being biased towards centrism. If you are centrists just say so.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    aaronhagel
    14 days ago
  • I was so hopeful

    I hate how bias and tribal thinking has taken over podcasting (and most media). I’ve always respected Steve. So I figured great. This’ll be a podcast that deals with the complexity of big issues. It’ll recognize that whether it’s abortion, climate change, the debt, whatever, there are two sides. This doesn’t mean one side isn’t mostly wrong and the other mostly right but these are complex issues.

    The first episode promised just that. A couple others were ok. Then I listened to the one on immig... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Samson38$
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great discussions

    Wonderful shows so far.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Skeptic Steve
    United Statesa month ago
  • Thank you

    I’ve been a loyal follower of the SGU since the second TAM in Vegas. Finally, the brilliance of Stephen Novella and his new podcast partner(s) have come to help us know we aren’t alone in this nightmare of an administration. Love this podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rockin' the good life
    United States2 months ago

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#106
Argentina/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#172
Finland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#193
Colombia/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Cutting through the fog of war in Iran | Political Reality | S01E10
Q: What about AI's role in targeting and warfare—was AI involved in the strikes?
There is evidence the U.S. used AI tools to analyze imagery and assess damage, but it remains uncertain whether AI directly guided the specific targeting of missiles; the broader point is that AI could influence decision-making, with human oversight debated.
Cutting through the fog of war in Iran | Political Reality | S01E10
Q: Did the U.S. military action obliterate Iran's nuclear program?
The consensus discussed is that while the strike degraded some facilities and damaged progress, it did not destroy underground facilities or eliminate the enrichment path; multiple independent assessments suggest Iran remains months away from a bomb based on uranium enrichment levels.
How Parties Learn... if at all with Prof. Seth Masket | Political Reality | S01E08
Q: What can average listeners do to influence party direction after elections?
Engage early in the post-election discourse, contribute writings or op-eds, voice opinions locally, and stay active on platforms where insiders and pundits discuss the party's direction; being proactive and vocal soon after an election is seen as most influential.
How Parties Learn... if at all with Prof. Seth Masket | Political Reality | S01E08
Q: How have parties learned from past elections, and how reliable are these lessons?
Parties can learn from losses, but the interpretation of those lessons varies; internal debates often arise about whether to pivot on issues like moderation or identity politics, and sometimes lessons are exaggerated or used more for jockeying than for genuine strategic improvement.
Fascism comes to America, it is wrapped in the flag w/ Prof. Tom Pepinsky | S01E06
Q: What advice do you have for people wanting to defend democracy?
Run for school board, volunteer at a soup kitchen, and stop watching cable news to connect with your community effectively.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Political Reality

What is Political Reality about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Political Reality provides a thoughtful exploration of current political dilemmas, emphasizing the polarized landscape of modern society. Through conversations on topics like political discourse, misinformation, and immigration, hosts Steve and Andrea engage listeners with insights that aim to foster understanding and promote informed discussions. The podcast stands out for its commitment to navigating complex and often contentious issues by advocating for critical thinking and transparency, thereby encouraging a more nuanced perspective on the often divisive political climate.

Notable episodes discuss political polarization, the challenges of immigration narratives, and the dynamics of misinformation and its implications on society. The h... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Political Reality?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Political Reality:

1. StarTalk Radio
2. Sean Carroll's Mindscape: Science, Society, Philosophy, Culture, Arts, and Ideas
3. Science Vs
4. Science Friday
5. 99% Invisible

How many episodes of Political Reality are there?

Political Reality launched 3 months ago and published 11 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 Political Reality?

Recent guests on Political Reality include:

1. Seth Maskett
2. Tom Pepinsky
3. Joshua A. Tucker

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