The Nova Society

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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
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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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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?  
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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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Today we welcome Dr. Don Kettl to the show. 
Donald Kettl specializes in public management and public policy. He previously served as dean of the University of Maryland School of Public Policy and is a nonresident senior fellow at the Volcker Alliance, the Brookings Institution, and the Partnership for Public Service. He has authored numerous books.
He has received three lifetime achievement awards: the American Political Science Association's John Gaus Award, the International Public Management Association's Warner W. Stockberger Achievement Award for Human Resources, and the American Society for Public Administration's Donald C. Stone Award.
Dr. Kettl has consulted for government organizations at all levels, including most recently the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. He has appeared frequently in national and international media. He has chaired two gubernatorial blue-ribbon commissions for the Wisconsin state government, one on campaign finance reform and the other on government structure and finance.
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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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Adam from Magdeburg, Germany, writes:  Maybe it’s time for the world to wake up to the political shifts happening across democracies. Here in Saxony‑Anhalt, the far‑right AfD just won 39 seats in the state parliament, thankfully still short of the 42 needed for a majority. But this party openly embraces ideas that echo white nationalism and, in some cases, the rhetoric of historical fascism. It’s unsettling, and yet people voted them in.  
I know the United States is wrestling with similar dynamics, with far‑right ideologies reshaping parts of the political landscape. Your panel has sometimes compared certain members of Congress to fascists, but with the AfD, it isn’t a metaphor. Their ideology aligns directly with historical fascist movements.  
What I really want to understand is why voters choose this path. What makes far‑right parties and their narratives so appealing? Why do these movements gain traction, here in Germany and there in America?  
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
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Today we get an update on the digital democracy project from its CEO, Ramon Perez.
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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.

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

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Past episodes & read our blog Here.

JCIS

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Spotify 
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