Pothole Problem Podcast

A podcast exploring political outrage in a way that won't make you more outraged.

11/20/2023

As we enter another week of the Portland public school teachers' strike, the latest episode of the Pothole Problem Podcast offers some reflections on outrage and a bit of advice about navigating it. I discuss how humor, active listening, and a healthy media diet can help power down strong emotions and enable us to face complex, confusing, highly charged issues without melting down.

10/26/2023

The latest battle to choose a Speaker of the House is finally over, but there's no reason to expect that Congress will suddenly become a smooth and effectively functioning institution. In the newest episode of the Pothole Problem Podcast, Jack takes seriously the idea that Washington is broken. He discusses the rise of performative politics and examines the ways the other two branches respond to Congressional power vacuums. (Link in bio)

10/03/2023

The Pothole Problem Podcast is back. (Link in bio) In this return episode, I reveal the set of alter egos I’ve developed over the past 2 years and reflect on the need to get back to exploring political outrage and trying to help people navigate the powerful emotions ramping up as the 2024 presidential election looms in the not-so-distant future. New episodes twice monthly on Thursdays.

11/10/2021

Republican state senator Kim Thatcher on this week's Pothole Problem Podcast -

Republican state senator Kim Thatcher on this week's Pothole Problem Podcast On this week's new episode, Jack interviews Oregon State Senator Kim Thatcher (R-District 13) about her nearly two decades of experience in the state legislature. They discuss the changes the senator has seen in state politics during this time and how social media and cultural differences between pa...