The Nova Society
We address listener questions about the headlines shaping today’s world and the social and political forces behind them. Our mission is to offer clear, unbiased commentary rooted in critical thinking and analytical rigor. Through thoughtful, in‑depth conversations, we examine current events and the challenges facing society, while still keeping space for engaging, enjoyable dialogue. We hold that facts matter, and that misinformation and disinformation remain among the most serious threats to an informed and healthy civic culture.
Episodes
684 episodes
The Xi Visit and the American Press S5E117 10.02.2026
Mike from Houston, Texas, writes:I found it striking that during President Xi’s visit last week, most of the coverage circulating in the U.S. came from Chinese media. American news outlets, for the most part, are still absent from the Wh...
Is the US grievance culture a prime environment for authoritarianism in the future? S5E116 09.30.2026
Kelly, from Marquette University, writes:I’m a history student at Marquette University, and my thesis examines the recurring patterns that precede major global conflicts. In the 1920s, Germany became a pariah state under the ...
A Canadian Perspective with Markham Hilsop S5E115 09.28.2026
Today we welcome Markham Hilsop to the show. Markham is a Canadian journalist and CEO of Energi Media, one of Canada's leading independent news organizations. Our journalism currently averages over 6 million views/reads per month. We also have ...
Leaving our Bubbles with Wesley Warshawer S5E114 09.25.2026
Today we welcome Wesley Warshawer to the show.Wesley Warshawer is a business analyst in Silicon Valley’s semiconductor industry, a Fulbright Scholar to South Korea, essayist, podcast host, and speaker. He loves his work. For ...
Don Kettl helps us answer more listener questions. S5E113 09.23.2026
Today, Dr. Don Kettl agreed to stay around and help answer some listener questions.Tam from Boulder, Colorado, writes: Trump recently announced that if Republicans win both the House and Senate in the midterms, he will issue ...
Wild Pivot: Notes from a Political Life Rewritten with Jen Thompson S5E112 09.21.2026
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 congr...
Listener Questions with Dr. Don Kettl: Even if the Dems win isn't the math still against them? S5E111 09.18.2026
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 honest...
Talking Politics With Don Kettl S5E110 09.16.2026
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 th...
What does the AfD win in Germany Signal S5E109 09.14.2025
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 shor...
The Digital Democracy Project Update with Ramon Perez S5E108 09.11.2026
Today we get an update on the digital democracy project from its CEO, Ramon Perez.
Pardons and Possibilities S5E107 09.09.2026
Tim from Santa Fe, New Mexico, writes:I sometimes find myself wondering just how gullible the American electorate can be. First, we got the Gulf of America. Then came Lake America. And now, apparently, “dumb Donny” wants to r...
A Journey of Insights: Lessons in leadership and Legacy with James G Ellis S5E106 09.07.2026
Today we had the pleasure of interviewing James G Ellis, former businessman and entrepreneur, and Dean Emeritus of the Marshall School of Business at the University of California. He gave insights into his new book, A Journey of Insights: Lesso...
Has Jon Ossoff found a winning formula? S5E105 09.4.2026
Tammie, from Atlanta, Georgia, writes, If you’d asked me six years ago who Jon Ossoff was, I probably wouldn’t have had an answer. Today, he’s become one of the most visible rising figures in the Democratic Party, openly challenging...
Turbulence in the political parties and the economy S5E104 09.02.2026
Raymond from Birmingham, Alabama, writes:Both major parties are experiencing unexpected turbulence in this year’s primaries, revealing deep internal power struggles and competing visions of party identity.We’re seeing Bernie Sande...
What are we trying to do with Canada? S5E103 08.31.2026
Jennifer from Detroit, Michigan, writes: Well, here we go, a trade war with one of our closest allies is apparently ready to begin. President Trump’s announcement of 50% tariffs on Canadian goods landed with a thud, and ...
Iran Freedom Update with Zolal Habibi S5E102 08.28.2026
Today, Zolal Habibi returns to offer a clear, unflinching look at conditions inside Iran, the Iran Freedom Organization’s ongoing efforts, and how the current conflict has ultimately strengthened the regime’s grip on power. She highlights...
The USS Abraham Lincoln S5E101 08.26.2026
Today we talk about the USS Abraham Lincoln and other stories in the news that demonstrate a lack of care by the administration
Another Bromance with North Korea? S5E100 08.24.2026
Today, Scott brings up a tweet from Trump that might signal another change in American Foreign policy and a rekindling of the Trump-North Korean leader bromance.
A Journey to the Authentic Self with Jen Thompson S5E99 08.20.20265
Today, we are pleased to speak with our guest, Jen Thompson.Jen Thompson is a former high-powered Republican strategist and congressional lawyer who famously walked away from Washington at the peak of her career. She managed the national...
Does the US have a serious weapons shortage? S5E98 08.19.2026
Heiner, from Berlin, Germany writes, Unless anyone was wondering, there is very little public support here for President Trump’s war in Iran, and by all accounts, Americans are growing even less supportive as the conflict drags on...
Israel Rejects Trump's Peace Plan S5E97 08.17.2026
Mark from Tampa, Florida writes:Prime Minister Netanyahu has now publicly rejected Trump’s 15‑point plan, and watching the video, the dismissal looked like a direct and unmistakable rebuke. It raises real questions about the effectivenes...
Max Miller and the Ohio 7th S5E96 08.14.2026
Henry from Toledo, Ohio writes: Representative Max Miller says he intends to stay in his House race despite being accused of sexual abuse by his ex‑wife and despite Republicans publicly calling for him to step down. But...
A suggestion from Australia for the Iran Crisis S5E95 08.12.2026
Robby, from Melbourne, Australia writes, You all must be getting dizzy over there in America. Every day feels like Groundhog Day, the same cycle repeating itself. The war is supposedly won. Their capabilities are destr...
The Fauci Hearings and COVID S5E94 08.10.2026
Rachel from Monterey, California writes:Last week, Senator Rand Paul held a hearing aimed squarely at attacking Dr. Anthony Fauci, essentially a physician with a long record of controversial claims going after one of the world’s foremost...
The Reflecting Pool Case and the fate of Pirro S5E93 08.07.2026
Tammy from Bethpage, New York writes: So, it turns out Senators Tillis and Cornyn blocked the Blanche nomination for Attorney General because of the anti‑weaponization fund, a rare moment of backbone from Republicans. <...