The Nova Society
Dr. Mark George Bound, Dr. Scott Gerschwer, & Dr. Brooklynn Ann Welden

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- Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message!
Today we welcome Markham Hilsop to the show. Markham is a Canadian journalist and CEO of Energi Media, one of Canada's leading independent news organizations. Our journalism currently averages over 6 million views/reads per month. We also have a sizable and growing US audience. Energi Media is celebrating its 18th year.
This was an enjoyable episode for all of us here at the Nova Society.
We will apologize in advance for some of the poor quality of the recording, but we found this guest so engaging that our team worked overtime to salvage as much of this interesting interview as possible.
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The Nova Society Podcast
In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations.
Stay tuned for more information about our proposed weekly second channel, The Nova Society-Side Projects, where we have conversations with guests about topics important to them and to you, our listeners.
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... - Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message!
Today we welcome Wesley Warshawer to the show.
Wesley Warshawer is a business analyst in Silicon Valley’s semiconductor industry, a Fulbright Scholar to South Korea, essayist, podcast host, and speaker.
He loves his work. For a living, he analyzes situations with data and communicates about it.
But outside of semiconductors, he is passionate about exiting the safety of his “bubble” to learn. After a profound epiphany during a study abroad semester in India at 19, Wesley has sought wisdom through travel. Travel can be across the world or across town. It can be as simple as visiting a new neighborhood, trying a new restaurant, or meeting someone new. Outside your comfort zone, you are a sponge for personal insight and growth.
Wesley shares his epiphany moments and encourages audiences to leave the comfort of their bubble to learn more about themselves.
Support the show
The Nova Society Podcast
In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations.
Stay tuned for more information about our proposed weekly second channel, The Nova Society-Side Projects, where we have conversations with guests about topics important to them and to you, our listeners.
Our Buzzsprout Home Landing Page
Direct SMS message to the podcast from the “message us” link on our page.
Support the Nova Society
Email us your Questions
Subscribe to the Nova Society
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Join Our Facebook Page & YouTube Channel
Past episodes & read our blog Here.
JCIS
Apple Podcasts/ I-Tunes
Spotify
... - Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message!
Today, Dr. Don Kettl agreed to stay around and help answer some listener questions.
Tam from Boulder, Colorado, writes:
Trump recently announced that if Republicans win both the House and Senate in the midterms, he will issue a $5,000 check to every American. Speaker Johnson has hinted that the House might be willing to work with him on something like this, though he added, “no promises.”
To me, this sounds uncomfortably close to buying votes, and I must imagine there are legal or ethical boundaries around even suggesting something like this.
So, my question is: Is this kind of promise actually illegal, or does it fall into the category of political messaging that’s technically allowed?
And more importantly, given all the previous financial‑incentive promises, checks, rebates, cryptocurrency ideas, and so on, has any of this been effective politically, or does it mostly fade once the election is over?
We also had time for a bonus question.
Support the show
The Nova Society Podcast
In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations.
Stay tuned for more information about our proposed weekly second channel, The Nova Society-Side Projects, where we have conversations with guests about topics important to them and to you, our listeners.
Our Buzzsprout Home Landing Page
Direct SMS message to the podcast from the “message us” link on our page.
Support the Nova Society
Email us your Questions
Subscribe to the Nova Society
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Join Our Facebook Page & YouTube Channel
Past episodes & read our blog Here.
JCIS
Apple Podcasts/ I-Tunes
Spotify
... Wild Pivot: Notes from a Political Life Rewritten with Jen Thompson S5E112 09.21.2026
21/09/2026 | 54 mins.Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message!
Today, we’re delighted to welcome back Jen Thompson as she joins us on the eve of her forthcoming book, Wild Pivot: Notes from a Political Life Rewritten.
A former high‑powered Republican strategist and congressional lawyer, Jen built her career at the center of national politics before a near‑fatal car accident forced her to step away from Washington and rethink everything, professionally, personally, and philosophically. Her story is one of ambition, impact, and ultimately, transformation.
www.jenthompsonwritethings.substack.com
Support the show
The Nova Society Podcast
In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations.
Stay tuned for more information about our proposed weekly second channel, The Nova Society-Side Projects, where we have conversations with guests about topics important to them and to you, our listeners.
Our Buzzsprout Home Landing Page
Direct SMS message to the podcast from the “message us” link on our page.
Support the Nova Society
Email us your Questions
Subscribe to the Nova Society
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Join Our Facebook Page & YouTube Channel
Past episodes & read our blog Here.
JCIS
Apple Podcasts/ I-Tunes
Spotify
...Listener Questions with Dr. Don Kettl: Even if the Dems win isn't the math still against them? S5E111 09.18.2026
20/09/2026 | 22 mins.Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message!
Today, Dr. Don Kettl agreed to stay around and help answer some listener questions.
Raymond from Albany, New York, writes:
I know the panel would love to see a major shift in party control in the midterm elections, and honestly, I would too. But I’m also realistic. Even if Democrats were to retake both the House and the Senate, they still wouldn’t have the numbers to pass much. They almost certainly wouldn’t have the votes to override a veto in the House, and with the filibuster still in place in the Senate, Republicans could keep blocking most legislation.
So, here’s my question: If Democrats regain control but remain short of the numbers needed to govern effectively, what options do they actually have beyond repeatedly pointing to Republican obstruction? Should they seriously consider pushing to end the Senate filibuster, or is that a political fight they’re unlikely to win?
Support the show
The Nova Society Podcast
In season 5, we will transition to 3 episodes per week and expand episode lengths for more in-depth conversations.
Stay tuned for more information about our proposed weekly second channel, The Nova Society-Side Projects, where we have conversations with guests about topics important to them and to you, our listeners.
Our Buzzsprout Home Landing Page
Direct SMS message to the podcast from the “message us” link on our page.
Support the Nova Society
Email us your Questions
Subscribe to the Nova Society
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Join Our Facebook Page & YouTube Channel
Past episodes & read our blog Here.
JCIS
Apple Podcasts/ I-Tunes
Spotify
...
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About The Nova Society
We address listener questions about the headlines shaping today’s world and the social and political forces behind them. Our mission is to offer clear, unbiased commentary rooted in critical thinking and analytical rigor. Through thoughtful, in‑depth conversations, we examine current events and the challenges facing society, while still keeping space for engaging, enjoyable dialogue. We hold that facts matter, and that misinformation and disinformation remain among the most serious threats to an informed and healthy civic culture.
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