S03E28 - It'll be Alright in the End

It’s our final episode and we’re having a stew party!  Stephen takes one last crack at sketching out a theory of everything. It’s basically things are bad, it takes a lot of work, then they get better.  Also, Kayla is going on vacation and Stephen has one last story about his kids.

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Links to find out more:

5 reasons to be Optimistic by Bill Gates
Reasons to be Cheerful

S03E27 - NORM!

For the most part, the way the government runs isn't set in laws, but rather is governed by norms of behavior. What happens when we have an abnormal president? The short answer is, things don't run. There's a longer answer though. Also, Kayla's got some hot Katy Perry gossip, and Stephen's got good news and bad news.

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Links to find out more:

The Academic paper I cited a bunch in the episode
Presidential Norms and the Special Investigation
Will Trump Destroy the Presidency

S03E26 - E P NO-WAY!

In any other administration the scandals at the EPA would have dominated the news cycle for weeks on end.  But, this one's... different.  So, what's the EPA?  What does it do? Who's running it? And what are the scandals?  Also, Kayla's been spring cleaning, and Stephen is doesn't know who is he is anymore (it's a dad, he's a dad).

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Links to find out more:

The list of Scott Pruitt scandals
Pruitt condo scandal
Pruitt trips with lobbyist
A tour of the EPA's R/V Lake Guardian 

S03E25 - Re-capt'n America

We follow back up on a bunch of stories from this season: Catalonia Independence, Kurdish Independence, the FCC and Net Neutrality, and Puerto Rico.  Basically things are either the same, or worse.  Also, Kayla getting ready for vacation and Stephen's phone is spying on him.

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Links to find out more:

Catalan Leaders held in prison
Russia make a proposal for Kurdish Oil
Germany's coalition government could be bad for refugees
Puerto Rico's outdated electrical grid
The FCC delays ending New Neutrality (but they're still probably evil)
Judge decides DACA has to stay in place (for now)

S03E24 - Pooblic EduKashun

Teachers are striking all over the country, especially in states that voted for President Trump.  So, how do schools get funded in America, and what do these strikes mean?  Also, Kayla's got the hot celebrity goss, and Stephen's big breakfast reminds him of his own mortality.

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Links to find out more:

A bunch of cool charts about funding in education
A punishing decade for school funding
Factors contributing to the strike
What's difference between this round of teacher strikes

S03E23 - They're TARIFF-ic

Trump slaps a YUGE tariff on steel and aluminum imports and China fights back. But, China's also gone running to the WTO. What are tariffs? What's the WTO? What does ANY OF THIS MEAN?! Also, Kayla goes to hot yoga, and Stephen gets work done on the house.

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Links to find out more:

Winners and losers from the Trump tariffs
China's president makes a speech about open trade (it's kind of weird)
China files a WTO complaint against the Trump Tariffs

S03E22 - Sudan from 30,000 ft.

We take a rip roaring tour of Sudanese history, starting in about oh, 2000 BC! You have to listen to the early albums to really get their recent stuff. So, yeah, it's a whole lot of genocide and war crimes. Also, Kayla is starting to get her family, and Stephen doesn't understand the tooth fairy.

Listen on Soundcloud:

Links to find out more:

Britannica's vast entry on Sudan

UN page on the South Sudan Refugee crisis
Mad Mike's Flat Earth Rocket Launch