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Jack interviews former Portland city commissioner JoAnn Hardesty. They talk about the human experience of being a city commissioner, the early experiences that led her into public service, and some of the lessons she's learned along the way and advice she has for young people looking to make the world a better place.   This episode is sponsored by White Tiger Press, publisher of Jack's 2019 publication, 1994, a novel of politics. Click here for a sample chapter and online ordering. Jack is giving a lecture and book talk on Thursday, February 29th at 12pm on the 7th floor of the Urban Center on Portland State Campus. Click here for the Eventbrite announcement with more details.

In the newest episode of the Pothole Problem Podcast, Jack talks with Wendy Willis, founding director of Oregon’s Kitchen Table, a statewide engagement program working to give every Oregonian an opportunity to participate in the political decisions that affect their lives and communities. They discuss a wide range of topics, from Wendy's early experiences with community, how going to law school impacted her life and her thinking, and the challenges of promoting civic engagement and participation in the public forum in a post-pandemic world where people are increasingly isolated from each other and from the communities that nourish them. Links: Oregon's Kitchen Table: https://www.oregonskitchentable.org/ Kitchen Table Democracy: https://www.kitchentable.org/ National Policy Consensus Center: https://www.pdx.edu/policy-consensus-center/ "Perhaps the World Ends Here" by Joy Harjo: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/49622/perhaps-the-world-ends-here

In this episode, Jack talks about discomfort, inclusion and exclusion, tolerance and acceptance, power dynamics, and various other things with Jessica Heilman, executive director of the Center for Women's Leadership. Jessica mentions Adam Grant's book Think Again.  Here's the glossary of terms Jessica mentions: https://www.pdx.edu/center-womens-leadership/defining-our-work To learn about the values of the CWL, go here: https://www.pdx.edu/center-womens-leadership/admissions/our-values

In this episode, Jack examines the many sources of outrage surrounding the teachers strike in Portland, and strikes in general, and schools in general, and he discusses how we can navigate these hard feelings and the powerful and often conflicting feelings of others. He describes 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. Segments include: - “Exiquali,” from the Zane and Dad Radio Hour, Episode 2: Habits, Tics, and Addictions - “Monkeys Dressed Like Cowboys,” Ian Karmel, recorded in the White Tiger Lounge, November 17, 2012 - “Strugglin’ in this Bitch,” written and recorded by Isaih Johnson Length: 28:08

Jack takes seriously the idea that Washington is broken by looking at performative politics and the ways the other two branches respond to Congressional power vacuums. This episode was recorded when the U.S. House of Representatives had been 22 days without a Speaker, with no end to the impasse in sight at close of the news day. Segments include “Performative Politics” and “Legislative Outsourcing.” Podcasts mentioned: Two Ring Circus Sponsor: Center for Public Service Length: 21:13

The guest this episode is Karen Pan, a young political activist and former student of mine who's currently taking a break from politics to see if she can recover from her outrages and disappointments. She talks about a few things that used to outrage her but no longer do and what still bothers her about politics. This episode also includes a segment on philosopher John Stuart Mill and his views about voting along with a comedy performance by local comedian Anthony Lopez. Karen's new employer: Live Wire Podcast sourced: Applied Political Philosophy Anthony Lopez on Twitter (okay, X): @AnthonyLopezpt2 Link to our new sponsor: Center for Public Service Length: 25:39

The return of the show after a long hiatus has Jack revealing the set of alter egos he's developed over the past 2 years, showing his work, and reflecting 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. Segments include “Multiple Personality Disorder,” “Hating on Congress,” and “William U’Ren, Father of the Oregon System.” Podcasts mentioned: Two Ring Circus and Applied Political Philosophy Link to our new sponsor: Center for Public Service Length: 20:36

This week's episode is a solo recording by Jack describing his experience with mediation and its relationship to his state of mind, his emotions, and his participation in the tumultuous world of politics. Recorded the night before he leaves for a five-day silent meditation retreat, Jack attempts to explain why and how his meditation practice has been important for sustaining his participation in and observation of the political system.

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 party members contribute to the widening political divide.

Portland City Commissioner Mingus Mapps describes the unsustainable nature of his job in city government and the structural reasons why the City of Portland faces extra challenges addressing the city’s problems and simply doing its job. He and Jack also discuss the need for reforming the city charter and the current effort to propose changes to that charter. You can find out more about the charter review process currently going on—and participate in it—by going here: https://www.portland.gov/omf/charter-review-commission

Jack talks to Jesse Cornett, a longtime political activist in Oregon and national politics and Bernie Sanders’ body man in the 2020 campaign, about his commitment to a life in politics and the motivations and practices it takes to sustain that commitment.

Jack answers a listener question about the current direction of the Supreme Court by asking us to cast our minds back half a century to try imagining what it felt like to conservatives as the Warren Court got going with its liberal revolution. He also examines the impact of anti-intellectualism on our current political discourse.