Let's Talk Government Episodes

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Join the Department of Criminal Justice  and Department of Government as they explore a variety of hot topics related to courses, programs and majors in the departments. Guests will include department faculty and community guests. The podcast is hosted by department Chair Dr. Pat Nelson.

Available on Apple Podcast and Spotify:

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Coming Soon!


View episodes under the previously titled Let's Talk Gov podcast:

Episode 1: Defund the Police, Abolish the Police, and Policing Today

Guests: Dr. Thor Dahle, John Reed, and Carl Lafata
Air Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Download Episode 1 Transcript

Episode 2: Protests, Riots, and Outlaw Citizenship

Guests: Dr. Pat Nelson, Dr. Amelia Pridemore
Air Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2020

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Episode 3: Democrats and Republicans: What is the difference?

Guests: Dr. Kevin Parsneau, Dr. Fred Slocum
Air Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2020

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Episode 4: U.S. Foreign Policy – How Does the World View Us?

Guests: Dr. Tom Inglot, Dr. Abdalla Battah, Dr. Jackie Vieceli
Air Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2020

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Episode 5: In Defense of Bureaucracy

Guests: Dr. Scott Granberg-Rademacker, Dr. Josh Berkenpas, Dr. Eiji Kawabata, Dr. Amelia Pridemore
Air Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Download Episode 5 Transcript

Episode 6: Why does voting matter?

Guests: Dr. Kevin Parsneau, Dr. Fred Slocum
Air Date: Tuesday, November 3, 2020

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Episode 7: Examining Election Results

Guests: Dr. Kevin Parsneau, Dr. Josh Berkenpas
Air Date: Tuesday, November 10, 2020

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Episode 8: Dark Tourism and Memorials

Guests: Dr. Beth Heidelberg, Dr. Pat Nelson
Air Date: Tuesday, November 17, 2020

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Episode9: The International Impact of Election

Guests: Dr. Tom Inglot, Dr. Jackie Vieceli
Air Date: Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Download Episode 9 Transcript

Episode 10: Qualified Immunity and Importance of Supervision in Law Enforcement

Guests: Dr. Carl Lafata, Dr. John Reed, Dr. Thor Dahle
Air Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Download Episode 10 Transcript

Episode 11: Media, Tweeting, Fake News

Guests: Dr. Amelia Pridemore, Dr. Josh Berkenpas, Dr. Kevin Parsneau, 
Air Date: Tuesday, December 8, 2020

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Episode 12: Democracy under Assault

Guests: Dr. Kevin Parsneau, Dr. Carl Lafata 
Air Date: Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Download Episode 12 Transcript

Episode 13: Comparing Police Response to Demonstrations

Guests: Dr. Thor Dahle, Dr. Carl Lafata
Air Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Download Episode 13 Transcript

Episode 14: Outlaw Citizenship: Post Reality

Guests: Dr. Amelia Pridemore
Air Date: Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Download Episode 14 Transcript

Episode 15: International impact of the rise of undemocratic forces and the violent anti-establishment right-wing movement in the United States

Guests: Dr. Tom Inglot, Dr. Abdalla Battah
Air Date: Tuesday, February 9, 2021

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Episode 16: Where do you get your news?

Guests: Dr. Amelia Pridemore, Dr. Josh Berkenpas
Air Date: Tuesday, February 16, 2021

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Episode 17: Helping Vets in the Criminal Justice System

Special Guests: Penny Nelson and Luke Weinandt
Air Date: Tuesday, February 23, 2021

As discussed in this episode, if you are interested in becoming a mentor, download the Fifth Judicial District Veteran’s Court brochure for details.

Download Episode 17 Transcript

Episode 18: Changing Organizational Culture in Law Enforcement

Guests: Dr. John Reed
Air Date: Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Download Episode 18 Transcript

Episode 19: Components of Sustainable Development: What about Equity?

Guests: Dr. Russell Fricano
Air Date: Tuesday, March 09, 2021

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Episode 20: Impeachment: Constitutional Questions and Impact

Air Date: Tuesday, March 16, 2021

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Episode 21: Law Enforcement and Racial Equity

Guests: Dr. Miriam Porter, Dr. Pat Nelson
Air Date: Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Episode 22: Disasters and Local Government

Guests: Dr. Miriam Porter
Air Date: Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Episode 23: Satire and Politics

Guests: Dr. Amelia Pridemore
Air Date: Tuesday, April 13, 2021 

Episode 24: The Impact of the Chauvin Trial

Air Date: Tuesday, April 27, 2021

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