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Clay is joined by Pulitzer Prize winning columnist and author of “Profit and Punishment” Tony Messenger to look at the ways our criminal justice system has prioritized money, punishment and power over lives during a time when we are finally reevaluating the way our country pursues justice.  How does the system impact the poor?  Is it something that we should all be concerned about?  And what can we do to fight inequity and restore a belief in true fairness and common sense? Get more from Tony Messenger Twitter | STL Today Articles | Pulitzer.org |  Author of “Profit and Punishment” Host: Clay Aiken has sold 6 million albums, authored a New York Times bestseller, and ran for Congress in North Carolina in 2014.  Follow Clay Aiken further on:  Twitter Email your questions to podcast@politicon.com. Follow @politicon and go to Politicon.com

In this special Thanksgiving episode, Clay is joined by his good friend and frequent political sparring partner Meghan McCain for a deep conversation about the factors dividing the country.  They discuss the importance of speaking your mind and staying true to your values, avoiding the extremes of both parties, and talking to the other side and making sure they have a seat at the table.  Would that be enough to reunite us as a country once again? Get more from Meghan McCain Twitter | Instagram |Daily Mail |  Author of “Bad Republican” | Meghan’s Other Books Host: Clay Aiken has sold 6 million albums, authored a New York Times bestseller, and ran for Congress in North Carolina in 2014.  Follow Clay Aiken further on:  Twitter Email your questions to podcast@politicon.com. Follow @politicon and go to Politicon.com

Clay is joined by author of “The Broken Constitution”, Harvard Law Professor Noah Feldman, for a discussion about the legacy of President Lincoln and the salience of race in contemporary debates about schooling and CRT.  Did his leadership represent an overcoming of the original sin of slavery during the Revolutionary era, or are we doomed to politicians leveraging our differences for gain until the nation and our constitution are pushed to the brink once again?     Get more from Professor Noah Feldman Twitter | Bloomberg | Host of Deep Background | Author of “The Broken Constitution” & Other Books Host: Clay Aiken has sold 6 million albums, authored a New York Times bestseller, and ran for Congress in North Carolina in 2014.  Follow Clay Aiken further on:  Twitter Email your questions to podcast@politicon.com. Follow @politicon and go to Politicon.com

With the Virginia Governor’s race decided next Tuesday, Clay is joined by WaPo’s data expert David Byler for a deep dive into the mechanics of the race, what is driving the electorate, and how it relates to national politics.  Does either candidate have a lock on things?  What messaging are they using in pursuit of victory?  And looking at the election, have we become a country of ideological down ballot voters or do local issues and personal politics still win the day? Get more from David Byler Twitter | WaPo  Host: Clay Aiken has sold 6 million albums, authored a New York Times bestseller, and ran for Congress in North Carolina in 2014.  Follow Clay Aiken further on:  Twitter Email your questions to podcast@politicon.com. Follow @politicon and go to Politicon.com

Clay is joined by author of the book “Her Honor”, Judge LaDorris Cordell for an insider's look at the state of our country’s legal system, the hurdles it places in the way of so many of us, and the reforms it needs to truly serve the nation as a whole.  How can we stop the politicization and special interest influence of the judiciary so judges can remain impartial?  And what other reforms and activism are needed to restore a sense of justice to our laws?     Get more from Judge Cordell Twitter | Website | Author of “Her Honor” Host: Clay Aiken has sold 6 million albums, authored a New York Times bestseller, and ran for Congress in North Carolina in 2014.  Follow Clay Aiken further on:  Twitter Email your questions to podcast@politicon.com. Follow @politicon and go to Politicon.com

Clay is joined by Harvard philosopher, Professor Michael Sandel, for an in depth discussion about the forces in our country that create its winners and its losers, and how that  tyranny of meritocracy divides us.  Have modern democracies fallen prey to credentialism and a financial system that enriches individuals instead of the common good?  And can we fix our discourse and create systems of inclusion to make us all feel like valued stakeholders in our society? Get more from Michael Sandel Harvard | Justice w/ Michael Sandel | TED Talks | Author of “Tyranny of Merit” and Other Books Host: Clay Aiken has sold 6 million albums, authored a New York Times bestseller, and ran for Congress in North Carolina in 2014.  Follow Clay Aiken further on:  Twitter Email your questions to podcast@politicon.com. Follow @politicon and go to Politicon.com

Clay is joined by atmospheric scientist and author of "Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World", Katharine Hayhoe, for a intensive look at the climate risk facing the planet and the difficulty scientists, policy makers, and even our fellow citizens face in building coalitions for effective action.  What does it take to change minds?  And will we be able to build bi-partisan majorities to do enough in time? Get more from Katharine Hayhoe Website |Twitter | Author of “Saving Us” and Other Books Host: Clay Aiken has sold 6 million albums, authored a New York Times bestseller, and ran for Congress in North Carolina in 2014.  Follow Clay Aiken further on:  Twitter Email your questions to podcast@politicon.com. Follow @politicon and go to Politicon.com

Clay is joined by the Congressional challenger in NJ-9, Republican Billy Prempeh for a wide ranging discussion about what it takes to win a House seat, the challenges candidates face running in a district historically controlled by the opposing party, and how to appeal to disenchanted independents.  What policies will it take to win over those skeptical of both parties?  And does Billy have the solutions that will bring voters from both sides together to support him? Get more from Billy Prempehr Campaign Website |Twitter | Instagram  Host: Clay Aiken has sold 6 million albums, authored a New York Times bestseller, and ran for Congress in North Carolina in 2014.  Follow Clay Aiken further on:  Twitter Email your questions to podcast@politicon.com. Follow @politicon and go to Politicon.com

Clay welcomes author and journalist Joshua Prager to look at the impact of Roe vs. Wade and the woman who drove the case, Norma McCorvey (aka Jane Roe).  They discuss how her life and the Supreme Court decision still affect the people involved and our country to this day.  What led her to go all the way to the highest court in the land and then identify with the other side?  And how can we reconcile the toughest challenges of human life with our laws? Get more from Joshua Prager Website |Author of “The Family Roe” & “The Echoing Green” Host: Clay Aiken has sold 6 million albums, authored a New York Times bestseller, and ran for Congress in North Carolina in 2014.  Follow Clay Aiken further on:  Twitter Email your questions to podcast@politicon.com. Follow @politicon and go to Politicon.com

Clay welcomes founder of the Millennial Action Project and 2022 Wisconsin Senate candidate Steven Olikara for a discussion about the process of running for national office and how he would tackle the critical issues facing his state and our country.  With a focus on bi-partisanship and solutions that move us towards a better country for all, is it still possible to break through the media gauntlet with a positive message?  Steven is betting that he can. Get more from Steven Olikara Campaign Website |Twitter | Millennial Action Project Clay Aiken has sold 6 million albums, authored a New York Times bestseller, and ran for Congress in North Carolina in 2014.  Follow Clay Aiken further on:  Twitter Email your questions to podcast@politicon.com. Follow @politicon and go to Politicon.com