Playoffs and Politics

On today's episode of the Playoffs and politics podcast, we discuss the US military's latest drone strike to kill an innocent family overseas, a coalition of female athletes stepping up as the Supreme Court eyes repealing Roe vs Wade, and the discourse around AOC's "Tax the Rich" dress at the Met Gala.

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On today's episode of the Playoffs and politics podcast, we discuss the American withdrawal of Afghanistan after 20 years of war. We'll talk about the failed execution of the withdrawal, the takeover of the Taliban, and debate who deserves the most blame for the failed, two-decade long, military occupation. 

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On today's episode of the podcast, we discuss the findings that Gov. Andrew Cuomo of New York repeatedly sexually harassed women in his administration and even retaliated against them when they told their stories. We will also react to the lawsuit filed against the NCAA alleging a systematic practice of gender discrimination towards college athletes. We're joined by Sydney Feder to add some perspective!

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On this week's episode of the Playoffs and Politics podcast, we discuss the narratives around the vaccinated vs unvaccinated populations, the push for vaccine passports, and the NFL dropping the hammer with its new policies around COVID for the upcoming season and how that may affect your favorite team!

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On this episode of the Playoffs and Politics podcast, we discuss some recent controversies in the sports industry that served as fireworks in the lead-up to the 4th of July. We will break down the sexual assault accusations against Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer and the leaked audio of Rachel Nichols attributing the rise of Maria Taylor towards ESPN feeling pressured on diversity. That and much more!

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On today's episode of the Playoffs and Politics podcast, we speak with Amanda Farnan, who was elected Commissioner to represent ANC1B-11 in Washington, D.C. During our conversation, we discuss what she views as the biggest problem in American politics today, D.C.'s fight to become a state, and the impact that sports have as a unifying force in a community.

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Stephen catches you up on what he's been working on behind the scenes, discusses Playoffs and Politics' newest show, and the search to expand the team.

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On today's episode of the Playoffs and Politics podcast, we recap some major happenings over the past two weeks in the world of sports and politics. We discuss Inauguration Day and how Bernie Sanders broke the internet, check-in on how COVID-19 is impacting the start of the NBA and NHL season, look at the differences in how the media will cover a Joe Biden Presidency, and Stephen shares his take on Biden's first major lie as President.

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In our first show of 2021, we discuss the violent invasion of the Capitol building that took place on January 6th, who needs to be held responsible for inciting these attacks, and how we as a country move forward in response.

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Thanksgiving serves as the checkered flag of each year-long race, which in 2020 seemed like it would never end. This year, the basic traditions of the holiday looked different due to COVID-19. As America bleeds out the clock towards a vaccine, we see growing resistance to the basic policies designed to prevent the spread of the virus, which expects to lead to a massive winter spike. Can we blame these people though? When the same leaders who are responsible for implementing these restrictions on people's lives avoid playing by the same rules? We will discuss that, along with the most recent updates on how COVID is impacting the NFL season, and how the league is responding.

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Let's play the Blame Game. On this week's episode of the Playoffs and Politics podcast, we discuss the biggest takeaways from the 2020 election and who is to blame for Democrats' poor performance down the ballot. We also review the pivotal week for the Celtics and Patriots, and who bears the responsibility for both team's current trajectories. 

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Recent history has shown us what the energy in opposition to an unpopular President can accomplish. Record-setting fundraising, mass mobilization across demographics, and a spike in voter turnout. Recent history also shows us the pitfalls of what happens when all of that energy disappears once the goal of seating a new President has been accomplished. As the 2020 Presidential Election cycle comes to an expected close this week, this conversation will serve as a call to action. For those who have been energized by the last 4 years. Or to the people that decided their silence was no longer tolerated as the country faces a pandemic, growing income inequality, a worsening climate crisis, and its largest protest movement ever recorded. Regardless of the outcome of this election, the answer is not to withdraw back into our phones and our lack of attention to the world around us. The problems we face will not disappear with a new President. We all have something to give, and it is up to us to stay energized and fight for the change that is needed. There is no going back to brunch.

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On today's episode of the podcast, we chat with Twitch Streamer and Podcaster ArmstrongFC. Rob and Steve began their friendship amidst the chaos that was the 2016 election. As two people who find themselves apart on the ideological spectrum, they discuss the upcoming Presidential election, perceptions of both candidates from a conservative-leaning perspective, and how levels of selfishness and empathy correlate to the development of one's political views. We also get Rob's insight into how the COVID-19 pandemic and the #BlackLivesMatter movement have impacted soccer both in the United States and internationally.

Check out Rob's content here: 

Twitter - @ArmstrongFC3

Twitch - twitch.tv/armstrongfc

Podcasts - @futlivepod and @FantasyFrenZPod

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With two weeks until election day, you would assume everyone has their mind made up as to who they plan on voting for, right? Wrong. Each Presidential election cycle places extreme emphasis on this small group of voters who are less swayed by their own personal convictions but by the vision that each candidate can paint of the future. In this week's episode of our podcast, we have a conversation with someone who has never missed an election, but with time running out, has still yet to be convinced as to who deserves his vote. We talk about the big-ticket items of 2020 and how they're impacting his view of the candidates, the failures by the media to responsibly do the news, and the poor leadership displayed on both sides when it comes to serving regular people during the pandemic. Will our guest come to a decision as to who will get his vote? Listen until the end to find out!

Our guest Ben is cohost of the Fantasy Frenzy Podcast! Check him out on Twitter @BenPaddles and follow their podcast @FantasyFrenZPod to win your Fantasy Football league this year, and get some good laughs in the process!

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On this week's episode of the podcast, we chat with an often forgotten member of the political process: the Non-Voter. Hear what made this Millennial give up on being a participant in the political process here in America, how he feels being disengaged, and who he feels will win the 2020 Presidential election. 

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With under a month until the 2020 Presidential Election,  I am joined by a personal friend, and a former volunteer for the Joe Biden campaign, Clay Gendron. We do our best to breakdown a wild first debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden and also dive into the release of almost two decades worth of Donald Trump's tax returns and what the main takeaways are. Lastly, Clay responds to some of the most common criticisms that people continue to level against Joe Biden. Wait until you hear his case for defending the former VP.

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For the 10th year in a row, the Celtics fail to secure a spot in the NBA Finals. In an extremely up and down series, the more talented team lost out to the team who simply showed they wanted it more. With the wounds fresh, what are the immediate takeaways on what to expect next for the team? Also featured are brief previews of the NBA Finals now set between the LA Lakers and Miami Heat and the major bombshell from the New York Times reveal of President Donald Trump's elusive tax returns. 

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In another severe blow to the nation's morale in 2020, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away Friday, September 18th. Little time was allowed for mourning the Women's RIghts icon, as the now-vacated seat on the Supreme Court sent people on both sides into a fierce political battle that should only expect to intensify with each day that passes. On today's episode, we discuss what an open Supreme Court seat means for the 2020 election, what issues would be immediately affected by a 6-3 conservative-leaning court, and what to expect from President Trump, Mitch McConnell, and the Democrats in this fight. Stephen also shares his take on where the Eastern Conference Finals matchup between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat stand.

*Editor's note: Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the first woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court who was liberal, not the first woman overall. 

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In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, which continues to take its toll on the United States, the 2020 Presidential campaigns have been anything but traditional. Now with less than 2 months until voters head to the polls, and even less time until mail-in ballots are submitted, we take a look in this episode at the state of the race for President, recap reach party's nominating convention, and look at where each campaign is heading as they enter the final stretch. Stephen also closes out the show with a sports update!

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In the midst of the largest protest movement that the United States has ever seen, the NBA designed the restart of its season. With players across the league involved in their communities' response to continued police brutality, many weren't interested in getting back to basketball, as they worried it would serve as a distraction from the gravity of the moment. Months later, with the playoffs in full swing and the players feeling the scale tipping out of balance, they united to take action, which would send shockwaves across the sports world and political sphere, showcasing the power that workers hold when they come together.

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When vague allegations of making unwanted and inappropriate advances towards students were levied against Mayor, former adjunct professor, and Massachusetts Congressional Candidate Alex Morse, it seemed as if his political career was over. In the days that followed, efforts to deliberately sink his campaign were revealed, from students attempting to entrap Morse in an inappropriate situation, all the way to the top of the Massachusetts Democratic Party helping publicize these false allegations to aid Morse's primary opponent, Richie Neal, who has held his seat in Congress for over 30 years. 

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In this week's episode of the Playoffs and Politics podcast, we discuss Kamala Harris being tabbed as Joe Biden's Vice President and what that means for the 2020 election. Other big political news being Donald Trump's bold plan to circumvent a floundering Congress to bring COVID-19 relief to the American people, is it actionable or simply political theater? And in major sports news, dominos have begun to fall as major college athletic programs and conferences have decided they will be canceling their fall seasons, while other programs struggle to create plans to ensure their seasons can move forward while keeping their student-athletes safe.

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This week on the Playoffs and Politics podcast I have a conversation with Natasha Brown, formerly an organizer for the Bernie Sanders 2020 Presidential campaign. We discuss performative allyship vs creating real change, have a conversation about what reparations would actually look like, and after Bernie Sanders' second unsuccessful attempt at securing the Democratic nomination for President, Natasha shares her take on what happens to the progressive movement now and in the post-Bernie political era. 

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In the second half of a two-part interview, I am the featured guest on the Armed Citizen Podcast to discuss the BlackLivesMatter movement surging across the country. In this episode the host Will, who is a self-described Constitutional Patriot, tries to focus the conversation on the original founders of the BlackLivesMatter organization, discusses his experiences being held back by "reverse racism", and we find some common ground around abuses of civil liberties at the hands of the police. 

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In part one, of a two-part interview, I am the featured guest on the Armed Citizen Podcast to discuss the BlackLivesMatter movement surging across the country. The host Will, who is a self-described Constitutional Patriot, takes issue with the BlackLivesMatter movement, disagrees with the existence of systemic racism in society and I connect the racist foundations of the United States and how this connects to the disproportionate inequalities we see in society today.

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As the United States struggles to manage the Coronavirus the first day of school for students and teachers is right around the corner. Today we interview a Middle School Social Studies teacher to gain her perspective on what she thinks a classroom in a pandemic would look like, concerns over health and safety of her students and fellow teachers, and Mikaela also sheds light on the difficult, yet important conversations that she has with her students around the darker side of American History and how it connects to today's reality.

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A major pillar of the identity of this show, and the nation, has vanished for roughly 100 days. Major American sports leagues have had to shut down operations or push back their regularly scheduled activities due to the Coronavirus. As we enter July, there appears to be a sense of optimism that these leagues will return as scheduled, but what will they look like in this new world we live in, and is it even possible to do safely?

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This week Lexie Soucy joins the Playoffs and Politics podcast. Formerly of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, and currently working at the YWCA, for years Lexie has committed herself towards promoting education and awareness surrounding the topics of systemic racism, poverty, and politics. Today we discuss the policy changes that have been born out of the Black Lives Matter protests we have seen around the globe, explain what "Defund the Police" actually means, and Lexie shares tips on how to truly educate yourself on these issues to become an ally in the movement towards change. 

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This week Sal Martinez of @NOBULLPROJECT drops by to recap Michael Jordan's "The Last Dance" documentary and discuss the impact that Jordan had on society with his shoe phenomenon. We also discuss the state of sneaker culture and where the hottest trends are right now. 

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Reaction and reflection on the murder of George Floyd by 4 Minneapolis police officers and a conversation surrounding the week full of protests and riots around the nation and world in response. 

Resources for those looking to donate to anti-police brutality protestors and causes:

George Floyd Memorial Fund: https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd

Minnesota Freedom Fund: https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/

Reclaim the Block: https://www.reclaimtheblock.org/home

Campaign Zero: https://www.joincampaignzero.org/

Unicorn Riot: https://unicornriot.ninja/

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Schools have been a foundation of society rocked hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, I interview a public school teacher from New York state to gain an important perspective on the Coronavirus conversation. We discuss how the end of the school year went down, the lasting effect the pandemic will have on schoolchildren, and the likelihood that students and teachers are able to safely return to their classrooms in the Fall. 

After 9 months away, Playoffs and Politics is back. Stephen shares why he needed to stop the production of the podcast, what has changed due to Coronavirus, and details on plans for the future. 

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First Mock Draft following the start of the 2020 Democratic Presidential Primary debates.