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The Nova Society

Dr. Mark George Bound, Dr. Scott Gerschwer, & Dr. Brooklynn Ann Welden

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

science social sciences

All Episodes

15:27

Trump's A+++++ Economy S4E254 12.29.2025

The Nova Society ·

2025/12/29

Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Today we hear from Steven, who lives in Tidewater, Virginia, writes, Well, the 'numbers' are out and the A++++++ economy doesn’t seem to be as +++++ as Trump is touting. Unemployment is being reported as 4.8%, the highest in many years. The Federal jobs report numbers are shady, to say the least, and as Dr. Scott has pointed out, the most reliable information seems t...

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25:49

What the death of Rob Reiner reveals about Trump...

The Nova Society ·

2025/12/26

Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Today, we hear from Tammy, who lives in Millbrook, Washington, and asks, "I hope this gets to you soon enough to address this question." As I’m sure you know, Rob Reiner and his wife were tragically murdered, allegedly by their son. Trump put out a disgusting “truth” that is even getting backlash from the Republicans. Although this type of behavior is no surprise to ...

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23:56

The Blockade of Venezuela S4E252 12.23.2025

The Nova Society ·

2025/12/23

Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Today, our email is from Roberta from New Orleans, Louisiana. Trump is bragging about detaining an oil tanker from Venezuela. He has recently authorized a blockade on tankers entering and leaving Venezuela's sovereign waters. It seems to me that he is escalating his “War on Fentanyl” against the alleged drug cartels of Venezuela to include other exports and imports. ...

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29:54

An ACLU report about ICE detention centers S4E251...

The Nova Society ·

2025/12/22

Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Today we have a report from Michael from El Paso, Texas, writes I would like for your group to discuss this urgent matter that may save the lives of these immigrants in these detention centers. I have just begun listening to your podcasts, and I admire your perspectives and straightforwardness, which many people avoid for the sake of saving face. Your podcast m...

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14:19

Trump's FIFA Peace Prize and the Trump Institute of...

The Nova Society ·

2025/12/19

Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! So today we hear from David, who lives in Paul’s Valley, Oklahoma, asks, Well, Trump got his peace prize. What an embarrassment for FIFA. But in usual Trump fashion, he was almost gleeful and acted like a child winning his first spelling bee. FIFA is a large, influential international organization, and it seems to be massaging Trump's ego. Why? Who knows, since...

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23:12

Democrats flipping more elections S4E249 12.18.2025

The Nova Society ·

2025/12/18

Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Today, we hear from Tonya, who lives in Zephyrhills, Florida, and asks, I see that the GOP has lost another seat in an area that Trump won by double digits. Eric Gislder beat the Republican in the 121st House District in Georgia. I know you were talking about the different Republican congresspeople possibly leaving early. Do you think this trend of special elec...

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17:17

ICE and the World Cup S4E248 12.17.2025

The Nova Society ·

2025/12/17

Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Today, our question is from Europe Mario, who lives in Rennes, France. I feel fortunate that I have no plans to visit the US. In a recent podcast, your entire panel basically said Don’t come. It was, I thought, honest advice based on the current chaos in the US. But I did see that someone in your government, I’m sorry I can’t remember who, is suggesting that vi...

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13:53

Denmark's report that the US is a security risk...

The Nova Society ·

2025/12/16

Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Today we hear from Ted from Quincy, Illinois, who asks, I don’t know if the panel is aware, but for the first time, the US has been placed on a security risk paper from Denmark. The paper says that the US might use its economic and even military power to take over Greenland. That ranks us right up there with China and Russia. Not the list I’d want to be on. So,...

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31:08

Will lowering interest rates help prices? S4E246...

The Nova Society ·

2025/12/15

Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Today, we hear from Tori from Scranton, Pennsylvania, who asks: "I was reading a report that stated the FED is divided and preparing to consider lowering interest rates." I’m a little confused as to what impact this might have on our economy. So, should they lower the rate? If so, by how much? And can you explain what the effect might be of reducing the rate or...

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33:19

Democrats Outperforming, Affordability, The Bar...

The Nova Society ·

2025/12/12

Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Today, we answer an email from Emily, who lives in Olympia, Washington, asking, So there is a lot of talk about Democrats outperforming Kamala Harris in recent special elections. The pundits are claiming that this is a bellwether for things to come in the 2026 midterms. First, do you agree with that? Second, is this shift due to Harris being a terrible candidate or a...

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27:55

Russia threatens War with Europe. Where does the US...

The Nova Society ·

2025/12/11

Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Today we hear from Jasmine, who lives in Sacramento, California, and asks, “I saw that NATO head Mark Rutte is warning Vladimir Putin that 'NATO isn’t going anywhere. ' This is after Putin said that Russia is willing to go to war with Europe. Do you guys see this as an empty threat by Putin? If so, what do you see as the purpose? If Russia did go to war with Europe a...

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16:57

The Forward Party. Are they a thing? S4E243 12.10.2025

The Nova Society ·

2025/12/10

Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Today we hear from Amanda, who lives in Morrisville, North Carolina, asks, I’ve been getting a lot of unsolicited emails from something called the 'Forward Party”. Do you know anything about them? They present as a bipartisan coalition of former Democrats and Republicans. I recognize some big names they claim to have as members. With all that is going on, and I...

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36:29

Soft Power and the G20 S4E242 12.09.2025

The Nova Society ·

2025/12/09

Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Today we hear from Thomas from Toledo, Ohio, who asks, I do listen and rarely agree with anything your panel says. But I try to keep an open mind. So, you were arguing over the US boycotting the G20 summit. I don’t get it. The US has the greatest economy, and it's all down to the President’s leadership. What do we need these other countries for anyway?&nb...

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38:47

A Response to a Trump Supporters praising the actions...

The Nova Society ·

2025/12/08

Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Today we answer a listener's email from John from Tallahassee, Florida, who asks: I really don’t get you guys sometimes. Our Secretary of War is killing dangerous drug smugglers coming out of Venezuela, and all you and the other lefty liberals can do is complain. Now they, and probably all of you, want Secretary Hegseth to be arrested for war crimes because he had th...

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25:47

MTG and the future of the GOP with Dr. Stephen Ducat...

The Nova Society ·

2025/12/05

Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Today, we end our week with Dr. Stephen Ducat, and we answer a listener email from Georgia, Trudy, who lives in Augusta, Georgia, asks, So MTG is leaving Congress on January 5th. No significant loss there. MTG has been a Trump super supporter for some time now. She also says she will not seek reelection in 2026. Now, there has been a lot of speculation as to why she ...

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28:15

Misinformation, Disinformation, Conformation Bias,...

The Nova Society ·

2025/12/04

Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Today, we are again joined by Dr. Steven Ducat, and our question is from Roseland, who lives in Tampa, Florida. I think we all understand that there is a lot of misinformation and disinformation in today's news. If you agree, how does media framing exploit the psychological tendencies of voters? Are they looking to speak to confirmation bias or motivational reasoning...

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20:01

What drives Voters? Emotion or Policy? With Dr....

The Nova Society ·

2025/12/03

Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Dr. Stephen Ducat again joins our panel, and today's question is from Toby, who lives in Seneca Falls, New York, and asks, "What do you guys see as the impact of emotions on voting habits?" Do voters vote through their emotions? Trust? Identity? Or do policies really matter? Support the show The Nova Society Podcast Season 4 every Monday - Friday! In sea...

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22:34

Is Trumpism a product of Group Consensus or...

The Nova Society ·

2025/12/02

Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! We have Dr. Stephen Ducat as a guest again, and our question today is from Roberta from Boulder, Colorado, who asks, "I remember reading about the dynamics of Group Consensus and groupthink way back when I was in college." It seems to me that there are elements of both in Trump supporters. They have a consensus to follow him, but their overall ideology appears to lea...

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27:49

The Psychology of Democracy with Dr. Stephen Ducat...

The Nova Society ·

2025/12/01

Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Today, we have our guest, Dr. Stephan Ducat. And our email is from Roger in Atlanta, Georgia, who asks: "I enjoyed the discussion about Trump’s mental status and that of his followers." But I don’t think the issues with the electorate were fully addressed. It is obvious to me that Trump is an authoritarian. Since the United States was founded as an alternative ...

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22:49

ICE in North Carolina S4E235 11.28.2025

The Nova Society ·

2025/11/28

Do you have a question or comment? Want to suggest a topic for our panel or be a guest on the Nova Society? Send us a message! Today, our question is from Tammy, who lives in Savanna, Georgia. I see that ICE raids are starting to go into full force in North Carolina—First Charlotte, now Raleigh. Better watch out, Dr. Mark, they are getting closer. But seriously, these actions are being condemned by almost everyone, even those with the most limited mental capacity. People are dying because of...

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