Send us a textReflecting on the 2025 Off-Cycle Election ResultsIn this bonus episode of Discourse, host Wayne Unger offers a reflection on the recent off-cycle election held on November 4th, 2025. With an unscripted approach, he shares his thoughts on key outcomes including the Democrats' wins in Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial races, and the historic victory of Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani in New York City's mayoral race. Unger discusses voter turnout dynamics, the political implications for the Trump administration, and the future direction for the Democratic Party. Additionally, he tackles the contentious issue of partisan gerrymandering with a focus on recent developments in California and Texas. The episode closes with a call for seasoned politicians like Chuck Schumer to make way for the next generation of leaders.00:00 Introduction and Context00:43 Election Day Recap01:48 Key Election Results03:30 Analysis of New York City Mayoral Race04:18 Comparing Gubernatorial Races08:01 Implications for the Democratic Party09:34 Trump Administration and Voter Sentiment16:07 California's Gerrymandering Controversy25:03 Final Thoughts and ConclusionSupport the show
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The Shutdown Showdown: Explaining the Government Shutdown
Send us a textNavigating the Longest Federal Government Shutdown: Causes, Consequences, and PredictionsIn this episode of Discourse, host Wayne Unger breaks down the ongoing federal government shutdown, discussing its causes, potential length, and impact on American citizens. Unger delves into the history of government shutdowns, the failure of Congress to pass a budget, and the political stalemate between Democrats and Republicans over the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. He explains how the removal of the individual mandate by Republicans has destabilized the ACA cost structure, leading to rising healthcare premiums. With a focus on the real-world consequences, such as missed paychecks for federal employees and loss of SNAP benefits, this episode provides an in-depth analysis of the political leverage and gridlock fueling the shutdown. Unger also critiques both parties for their roles in this governance failure while predicting how the shutdown might eventually come to an end.00:00 Introduction to Discourse00:32 Episode Overview and Main Topic Introduction00:44 Federal Government Shutdown: Background and Predictions02:10 Marjorie Taylor Greene's Perspective04:13 Impact of the Shutdown on Federal Employees and Services05:54 Understanding Continuing Resolutions09:19 History of Government Shutdowns10:40 Political Leverage and Partisan Gridlock12:28 Current Shutdown: ACA Subsidies and Political Standoff20:24 Affordable Care Act: Design and Challenges27:38 Republican Efforts to Undermine the ACA29:29 Impact of Repealing the Individual Mandate30:23 Insurance Marketplaces and Premium Dynamics34:35 Subsidies and Their Importance38:31 Current Political Standoff and Predictions48:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts50:39 Closing Remarks and Podcast InformationSupport the show
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Ceasefires & Government Shutdowns
Send us a textDeep Dive into Middle East Ceasefire, Government Shutdown, and Healthcare PoliciesHost Wayne Unger, a law professor and former Silicon Valley insider, navigates through today's pressing issues from the Middle East ceasefire brokered by the Trump administration to the 21-day U.S. government shutdown. The episode critiques Congress's use of continuing resolutions, the political tug-of-war over Affordable Care Act subsidies, and the court's role in enabling presidential overreach. Unger also discusses the economic impact of the shutdown and the contentious construction of a White House ballroom. Engaging and insightful, this episode emphasizes the importance of understanding different perspectives in today's complex world.00:00 Introduction to Discourse00:45 Today's Agenda: Ceasefire, Government Shutdown, and More01:19 Deep Dive: Israel-Palestine Ceasefire05:47 Government Shutdown: Causes and Consequences18:42 Affordable Care Act and Healthcare Subsidies33:48 White House Ballroom Construction36:56 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsSupport the show
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We're Back! First Amendment and Political Violence
Send us a textNavigating Stare Decisis, Political Violence, and Free Speech: A Deep DiveIn this episode of Discourse, host Wayne Unger returns after a brief hiatus to discuss his recent academic work on the doctrine of stare decisis and its application in civil rights cases. He delves into the complexities of the Supreme Court’s handling of precedents and judicial activism, especially in light of the recent Dobbs decision. The episode also addresses the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, examining its implications on free speech and political violence. Additionally, Wayne critiques the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel by ABC following comments about Kirk’s death, exploring the potential First Amendment violations by government officials. The episode wraps up with a strong message about the importance of maintaining constitutional boundaries and respecting diverse viewpoints.00:00 Introduction to Discourse00:33 Professor Wayne Unger's Absence Explained02:13 Understanding Stare Decisis and Civil Rights10:19 The Assassination of Charlie Kirk20:29 First Amendment and Jimmy Kimmel's Suspension34:14 Constitutional Concerns and Political Power39:03 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsSupport the show
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Trump's MO: Mail-In Ballots, Redistricting, and Peace Deals
Send us a textAnnouncement: Follow the Discourse podcast on TikTok (@discoursepodcast1) and Instagram (@discoursepodcast) where we post daily shorts!In this episode of Discourse, host Wayne Unger delves into major current events, focusing on two key election topics: redistricting battles between Texas and California, and Donald Trump's controversial push to end mail-in voting. Unger discusses Trump's proposed executive order against mail-in ballots. He also discusses the recent meetings between Trump, Putin, and Zelensky, and the Oklahoma State Superintendent's latest measures against 'woke' teachers. The episode further critiques the Trump administration's tactics and examines international relations, notably the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.00:00 Introduction to Discourse00:41 Today's Main Topics01:22 Trump's Push Against Mail-In Voting06:57 Midterm Election Strategies09:29 Redistricting Battle: Texas vs. California18:09 Oklahoma's Controversial Education Policies45:35 International Relations: Trump, Putin, and Zelensky01:00:41 Conclusion and Social Media EngagementSupport the show
Welcome to Discourse with Wayne Unger—where we cut through the noise and make sense of the chaos. On this podcast, we take a deep dive into the pressing issues shaping our world in politics, law, technology, business, and more. No echo chambers. No corporate influence. Just thoughtful analysis and respectful civic dialogue. Because understanding different perspectives isn’t just important—it’s necessary.
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