In this episode, Ben and Kate discuss the status of the 2024 election after the Super Tuesday primary/caucus results. Research/Resources: “A brief history of the Super Tuesday primaries” by NCC staff. Published on the National Constitution Center website February 29, 2016 and available on https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/a-brief-history-of-the-s…

In this episode, your hosts, Ben and Kate, discuss the latest Federal Reserve meeting that just happened as well as a big change in the structure used for relator commission fees from the National Association of REALTORS® . Research/Resources: “March Fed Meeting: Stocks Reach Record Highs on News of Future Rate Cuts” by Wayne Duggan and reviewed by…

In this episode, your hosts, Ben and Kate, discuss what BRICS is, the group's goal and what nations are included in BRICS. Research/Resources: “Brics: What is the group and which countries have joined?” by BBC. Published in BBC website February 1, 2024 and available on https://www.bbc.com/news/world-66525474 “BRICS: Acronym for Brazil, Russia, Indi…

In continuing our lite byte episodes, Ben and Kate welcome past guest, Chester, back to discuss this years' Super Bowl commercials. How did the rate compared to last year's commercials? Let your hosts know your thoughts about these ads by leaving a comment or emailing them at info@artofdiscussing.com. Check out our website at http://artofdiscussing…

In this episode, Kate and Ben discuss Celebrity in America. What makes people like Taylor Swift, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dolly Parton or Kelly Clarkson (to name a few examples) famous? Is there any difference between celebrity versus being famous? Join your hosts in this episode discussing the influence of celebrity and fame on our current society a…

In this episode, Kate and Ben discuss the cases that the Supreme Court is hearing in the first half of 2024. Research: “Supreme Court of the United States Granted and Noted List October Term 2023 Cases for Argument.” Published in the Supreme Court website Jan 22, 2024 and available on https://www.supremecourt.gov/orders/23grantednotedlist.pdf “Lope…

In this episode, Ben and Kate discuss the recent protests on university campuses, the three university presidents that testified in front of Congress and the future of higher education. Research/Resources: Click here for the link to our pdf with the resources sourced for this episode (the list was too long to fit everything all here on the show not…

Happy New Year! Your hosts, Kate and Ben, discuss what they anticipate the major themes/topics will be during 2024. Check out our website at http://artofdiscussing.buzzsprout.com, on Facebook at Art of Discussing and on Instagram @artofdiscussing. Got a topic that you'd like to see discussed? Interested in being a guest on our show? Just want to re…

In this lite byte episode, Kate and Ben discuss the Army-Navy Game including history, past and future locations, wining statistics and predictions of who will win the 2023 game. Research/Resources: "Army vs. Navy - Gillette Stadium". Published in Gillette Stadium website and available on https://www.gillettestadium.com/army-vs-navy/ "Why 2023 Army-…

In this episode, you will hear the preparation conversation that became the final episode. Kate and Ben discuss Brittney Griner's release from Russia one year ago, how many American detainees and hostages abroad, and the hostage situation in Israel/Hamas conflict. Resources/Research: Click here for the link to our pdf with the resources sourced for…

In this episode, Ben and Kate discuss the 2024 U.S. election including but not limited to, updates on candidates running for President, changes in the electoral college numbers per state, and primaries and caucuses. Research/Resources: “Democrats make South Carolina first presidential primary voting state” by Alex Seitz-Wald. Published in NBC News …

In this episode, Ben and Kate discuss the Israel vs Hamas conflict including Israel's history, what happened on October 7th and the potential future of the conflict. Research and Resources: Creation of Israel, 1948 by Office of the Historian, Foreign Service Institute. Published in United States Department of State and available on https://history.…

In this episode, Kate and Ben discuss October being Cybersecurity Awareness Month and ways to protect yourself and your information in the electronic and "smart" age. Research/Resources "America's Cyber Defense Agency". Published in Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency website and available on https://www.cisa.gov/ Check out our website a…

In this episode, Ben and Kate continues the conversation about the current presidential candidates running for the 2024 Election. This episode is part two covering the remainder of the republican candidates that are being tracked by nation-wide polling. Research/Resources: “Presidential candidates, 2024”. Published in Ballotpedia website and availa…

In this episode, Ben and Kate discuss the current presidential candidates running for the 2024 Election. This episode is part one of two covering the current president and the other democratic candidates as well as the replication candidate that is ahead currently based on the polls. Research/Resources: “Presidential candidates, 2024”. Published in…

In this episode, your hosts does a deep dive, as promised, into The Fed including the federal reserve system, federal reserve bank and the FDIC. Research/Resources: “Federal Reserve.” Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia, Wikimedia Foundation, September 9, 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Reserve “Structure of the Federal Reserve System.” Wik…

In this episode, your hosts discuss the outcome and controversies from the FIFA Women's Final World Cup 2023. Research/Resources: All Roads Lead Down Under. Published in FIFA website and available on https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tournaments/womens/womensworldcup/australia-new-zealand2023?intcmp=(p_fifaplus)_(c_webheader-main)_(sc_tournaments)_(…

In this episode, Kate and Ben discuss the recent laws that went into effect the first half of 2023 as well as the Supreme Court decisions that were published at the end of June 2023. Research/Resources: Here are some of the major new laws that go into effect in 2023 by Ivan Pereira. Published in ABC News website Jan 1, 2023 and available on https:/…

In this episode, Ben and Kate discuss the Women's World Cup and the team competing in the 2023 Finals in July and August. Research/Resources: All Roads Lead Down Under. Published in FIFA website and available on https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tournaments/womens/womensworldcup/australia-new-zealand2023?intcmp=(p_fifaplus)_(c_webheader-main)_(sc_to…

In this episode, Kate and Ben discuss the impacts of the overturning of Roe v Wade in June 2022. Research/Resources: Bennet, Hickenlooper Reintroduce Bill to Codify Roe v Wade. Published in Michael Bennet U.S. Senator website March 10, 2023 and available on https://www.bennet.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2023/3/bennet-hickenlooper-reintroduce-bill-t…

In this episode, Kate and Ben discuss potential changes to military regulations and recruitment requirements and potential reasons the nation's trust in the military has been declining. Resources/Research: Army Expects to Miss Its Recruiting Goal Again This Year by Steve Beynon. Published in Military.com website May 2, 2023 and available on https:/…

Recently your hosts, Ben and Kate, have mentioned during recent episodes about conversations they have had in preparing the episodes you hear. This week they thought listeners may want to hear one of those prep conversations which was about natural gas production. Research/Resources: What the Potential Ban on Gas Stoves Mean If you Have One by Nik …

In this episode, Kate and Ben discuss the recent bank failures including history of bank runs and FDIC, what led to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and how the government and private sector responded. Resources/Research: SVB collapse was driven by ‘the first Twitter-fueled bank run’ by Jennifer Korn. Published in CNN Business website March 14, …

In this episode, Ben and Kate discuss the proposed reparations in California that is being developed through the state's taskforce that is providing a final report in July 2023. Resources/Research: California reparations task force aims at more than dollars, seeks policies to prevent harm by Wendy Fry. Published in Cal Matters website January 26, 2…

In this discussion, Ben and Kate talk about the history of the tax system, what taxes are included in the U.S. Constitution and the tax code legislation that has passed over the years. Research/Resources: A Brief History of Taxes in the US by Amy Fontielle, reviewed by Lea D. Uradu, and fact checked by Suzanne Kvilhaug. Published in Investopedia.co…

In this episode, Kate and Ben discuss the outcome of the Federal Reserve meeting that just occurred March 22, 2023. Research/Resources: Semiannual Monetary Policy Report to the Congress by Chair Jerome H. Powel. Published in Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System website March 7, 2023 and available on https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsev…

In this episode, Kate and Ben discuss the student loan forgiveness cases that were argued in front of the Supreme Court on February 28, 2023. They also provide a quick update on the Title 42 Supreme Court case status. Research/Resources Will student loan forgiveness pass the Supreme Court? Here’s what we know so far by Kamaron McNair. Published in …

In this episode, Ben and Kate discuss the economy using January 2023 labor report numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Research/Resources: Employment Situation News Release: The Employment Situation – January 2023 USDL -23-0151. Published in U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website and available on https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archi…

In this quick update, Ben and Kate discuss what has happened over the last year since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Research/Resources: Examining the war in Ukraine, one year after Russian invasion by Billy Morgan. Published in UChicago News website February 8, 2023 and available on https://news.uchicago.edu/story/examining-war-ukrai…

In this episode, Kate and Ben discuss the discovery of classified documents in unauthorized locations in possession of high level government officials including President Biden, former President Trump, and former Vice President Pence. Research/Resources: 18 U.S. Code 1924 – Unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents or materials. Pu…

In continuing our lite byte episodes, Ben and Kate welcome past guest, Chester, back to discuss this years' Super Bowl commercials. Let your hosts know your thoughts about these ads by leaving a comment or emailing them at info@artofdiscussing.com. Check out our website at http://artofdiscussing.buzzsprout.com, on Facebook at Art of Discussing and …

In this episode, Ben and Kate discuss the Title 42 immigration law that was enacted in March 2020, due to the public heath concern during the COVID-19 pandemic and the current legal case that will be heard by the Supreme Court. Research/Resources: DHS Continues to Prepare for End of Title 42; Announces New Border Enforcement Measures and Additional…

In this episode, Ben and Kate complete the conversation about Web 3.0 (Part 2), the oft-discussed, potential next version of the internet including what makes it different from the current version, feasibility and timeline for development, and impact on the everyday person using the internet. Research/Resources: What is Web3? The Future of the inte…

In this episode, Ben and Kate discuss Web 3.0 (Part 1), the oft-discussed, potential next version of the internet including what makes it different from the current version, feasibility and timeline for development, and impact on the everyday person using the internet. Research/Resources: What is Web3? The Future of the internet, cryptocurrency and…

In this episode Ben and Kate discuss the last 50 years of immigration policy and the current events now such as the stats around illegal immigration as of end of 2022, transporting migrants to other states and what solutions we may need. Research/Resources: Click here for the link to our pdf with the resources sourced for this episode. Check out ou…

In this episode, Kate and Ben discuss Cryptocurrency (Part 2) including the history of cryptocurrency and how it differs from fiat currency, the definitions of different concepts and terms, the current status of cryptocurrency and the future of cryptocurrency. Your hosts also provide an update to the episode since the FTX bankruptcy filing was anno…

In this episode, Kate and Ben discuss Cryptocurrency (Part 1) including the history of cryptocurrency and how it differs from fiat currency, the definitions of different concepts and terms, the current status of cryptocurrency and the future of cryptocurrency. Research/Resources: Click here for the link to our pdf with the resources sourced for thi…

In this episode, Ben and Kate discuss the economy, specifically what is happening with inflation and the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act. Research/Resources: Senate-Passed Inflation Reduction Act: Estimates of Budgetary and Macroeconomic Effects by PWMB staff and written by Jon Huntley, John Ricco, and Alex Arnon and prepared for the website …

Welcome to the new format of Art of Discussing! We are changing how we release episodes. We will be releasing episodes each month with relevant topics that your hosts want to discuss for their listeners. Ben and Kate will be discussing topics and bringing in guests. In this episode, Ben and Kate discuss the overturning of Roe v Wade in June and wha…

A quick message from your hosts about what's next for Art of Discussing! Check out our website at http://artofdiscussing.buzzsprout.com, on Facebook at Art of Discussing and on Instagram @artofdiscussing. Got a topic that you'd like to see discussed? Interested in being a guest on our show? Just want to reach out to share an opinion, experience, or…

This week on the Season 3 finale episode, your hosts, Ben and Kate, will discuss the different topics from Season 3 and what they learned from this season. Check out our website at http://www.artofdiscussing.com, on Facebook at Art of Discussing and on Instagram @artofdiscussing. Leave us a comment below or contact us at info@artofdiscussing.com! M…

In this episode, we discuss with our guest, Dr. John Mueller, senior fellow at the Cato Institute and political science department member at Ohio State University, the current U.S. Foreign policy challenges that we face including the war in Ukraine as well as the challenges we could face in the future. About our guest: John Mueller is a senior fell…

In this episode, we discuss with our guest, Dr. Peter Cowhey, Dean and Qualcomm Chair Emeritus at University of California San Diego, the current challenges with digital commerce and cybersecurity as well as the challenges we could face in the future. About our guest: Peter F. Cowhey is Dean and Qualcomm Chair Emeritus of the School of Global Polic…

In this episode, The Events of January 6th, 2021, we discuss with our returning guest, Frank, what happened, timeline of events, actions and impact of key leaders and the Congressional Commission investigating the event. Research/Resources Notes: The Capitol Riot: A Chronology Edited by Claire Harvey and Lauren Harper. Published in National Securit…

In this episode, we discuss with our guest, Dr. Samuel Popkin, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at University of California San Diego, the two main political parties and their possible future. Join us and our guest as we discuss political parties. About our guest: Popkin has published in unusually diverse areas across subfields. His influent…

**Content warning: This episode contains discussion about sexual crimes and mature descriptions of events occurring inside of correctional facilities.** In this episode, U.S. Domestic Policy: Justice System, we discuss with our guest, Dustin, the justice system from law enforcement to pre-trial confinement to criminal trial/plea process to sentenci…

In this episode, U.S. Domestic Policy: Voting System, we discuss with our guest, Dr. Douglas Brattebo, Associate Professor and Director of the James A. Garfield Center of the Study of the American Presidency at Hiram University, the electoral college, voting behavior and possible future changes to the system. Join us and our guest as we discuss the…

In this episode, The Constitutional Conversation, we discuss with our guest, Dr. Douglas Brattebo, Associate Professor and Director of the James A. Garfield Center of the Study of the American Presidency at Hiram University, the United States Constitution, it's goal and structure and how we determine constitutionality. Join us and our guest as we d…

In this episode Role of Government, we discuss with our guest, Jake, what role government should have at the federal, state and local levels. Join us and our guest for our discussion about the role of government. Check out our website at http://artofdiscussing.buzzsprout.com, on Facebook at Art of Discussing and on Instagram @artofdiscussing. Got a…

Your hosts, Ben and Kate, introduce the new topic for the upcoming season 3: Statecraft. Join us as we explore what encompasses statecraft and ask some questions around what is meant by the affairs of running a state. Check out our website at http://artofdiscussing.buzzsprout.com, on Facebook at Art of Discussing and on Instagram @artofdiscussing. …