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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

26:02

Does the US have a serious weapons shortage? S5E98...

The Nova Society ·

2026/08/19

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! 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 with no clear end in sight. During wartime, my countrymen and I understand the need for strategic secrecy; you’ve mentione...

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31:12

Israel Rejects Trump's Peace Plan S5E97 08.17.2026

The Nova Society ·

2026/08/17

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! 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 effectiveness and relevance of Trump’s “Board of Peace,” especially at a moment when American support for Israel is showing signs of strain and...

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22:35

Max Miller and the Ohio 7th S5E96 08.14.2026

The Nova Society ·

2026/08/14

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! 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 the filing deadline has passed, and the party is now effectively stuck with him on the ballot. Most people would assume Mill...

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17:15

A suggestion from Australia for the Iran Crisis S5E95...

The Nova Society ·

2026/08/12

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! 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 destroyed. Then suddenly we’re bombing again. More service members are hurt. We’re talking. We have a deal. Then we don’t have a deal. O...

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25:52

The Fauci Hearings and COVID S5E94 08.10.2026

The Nova Society ·

2026/08/10

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! 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 experts on infectious diseases. Senator Hawley jumped in as well, trying to score points while Dr. Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendme...

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25:55

The Reflecting Pool Case and the fate of Pirro S5E93...

The Nova Society ·

2026/08/07

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! 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. But now it appears the DOJ is moving to rescind that fund entirely. If that happens, those two senators may end up supporting Blanc...

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16:31

Are we seeing a change in Trump support for Ukraine?...

The Nova Society ·

2026/08/05

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! Orin, from Boise, Idaho writes, President Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this week, and according to Zelenskyy, the talks were constructive. Meanwhile, Russia has continued its attacks on Ukraine, and just yesterday an errant missile, believed to be Russian, struck Poland. With the conflict escalating and NATO countries now findi...

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30:21

A Nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia S5E91 08.03.2026

The Nova Society ·

2026/08/03

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! Tam from Buffalo, NY writes: It appears that the Trump administration and Saudi Arabia have reached an agreement that would allow the Saudis to begin enriching uranium. The announcement frames the program as strictly civil and commercial, but the reality is that shifting from civilian enrichment to weapons‑grade capability is well within Saudi technical reach....

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28:41

A Change in Casualty Numbers S5E90 07.31.2026

The Nova Society ·

2026/07/31

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! Mike from San Diego, California writes: The Department of Defense has now acknowledged that roughly 600 U.S. service members have been injured or killed in the ongoing conflict in Iran. This is a stark shift from earlier statements that placed the number below twenty. As a veteran, I understand that in times of war, transparency is often limited to avoid discouraging...

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32:10

Trump Addresses the Nation S5E89 07.29.2026

The Nova Society ·

2026/07/29

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! David, from Charleston South Carolina writes, I’m not sure if anyone on the panel listened to President Trump’s national address the other day, but it was another rambling speech that drifted from complaints about the 2020 election to promoting the SAVE America Act, which, if you actually read it, doesn’t seem to “save” much of anything beyond Repub...

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41:08

Could the Current World Conflicts Escalate into...

The Nova Society ·

2026/07/27

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! Jaz from Atlanta, Georgia writes: The war in Iran continues to drain taxpayer resources and claim the lives of American service members. This on‑again, off‑again conflict feels endless, and now the so‑called peace memorandum of understanding appears to be dead. Iran has effectively kept the Strait of Hormuz closed, global markets are facing gasoline shor...

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27:57

Red State Logic S5E87 07.24.2026

The Nova Society ·

2026/07/24

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! Trudy from Mt Washington, New Hampshire writes: I’ve been a listener for more than three years, and like many of you, I’m still trying to understand how Trump continues to hold onto any meaningful support. His approval rating sits in the mid‑to‑low 30s in most polls, while his disapproval remains firmly in the high 50s and even low 60s. He managed to embarrass ...

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31:07

the Passing of Lindsey Graham S5E86 07.22.2026

The Nova Society ·

2026/07/22

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! We had a flood of emails yesterday asking for our take on the reported death of South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham. So let’s talk about what his passing could mean for Ukraine aid, for the balance of power in the Senate, and for South Carolina politics more broadly. There are a lot of moving parts here, and listeners clearly want to understand the implications.&nb...

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21:58

Changes in the Maine Senate Race. Did Collins dodge a...

The Nova Society ·

2026/07/20

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! Roberta from Bangor, Maine writes: Susan Collins must live a charmed political life. For a moment, it looked like Democrats finally had a challenger who could seriously threaten her seat, and then, this past week, he’s out after yet another allegation of past sexual misconduct. Democrats knew Platner was a flawed candidate, but they backed him anyway, a...

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25:39

Kentuckians are Asking Where's Waldo (Mitch)? S5E84...

The Nova Society ·

2026/07/17

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! Keneth from Lexington, Kentucky writes: Maybe the panel can shed some light on this, because honestly, folks here aren’t sure anymore: Is Mitch McConnell still alive? I know that sounds strange, but the uncertainty has become a running joke, and not a very comforting one. A lot of Kentuckians, even lifelong conservatives, are starting to think that age limits a...

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31:13

Where do we go from here? A Question from South...

The Nova Society ·

2026/07/15

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! Barry from Johannesburg, South Africa writes Since South Africa has been eliminated from the World Cup, I’ve finally had time to catch up on your episodes. And I have to say, binge‑listening gives a very different kind of clarity. I’ve actually started sorting the downloaded episodes into themes so I can evaluate whether there’s a consistent position across you...

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40:49

Why are we so sad? A listener says "Don't worry, be...

The Nova Society ·

2026/07/13

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! Tennison from Olympia, Washington writes: I listen to every episode, and sometimes I wonder why. Some of the panel are back at it again: the sky is falling; the sky is falling. Honestly, if Brooklynn didn’t have Trump to worry over, a fresh QAnon conspiracy to dissect, or some imaginary apocalyptic disaster looming in our future, I’m not sure what ...

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35:52

Birthright Citizenship in the SCOTUS S5E81 07.10.2026

The Nova Society ·

2026/07/10

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! Brian from Denver, Colorado writes: It feels like the Supreme Court may have rediscovered its backbone. This past week delivered several significant setbacks for Donald Trump’s legal agenda. The Court overturned his attempt to fire FTC Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, reaffirming the limits on the president's removal power. More consequentially, the justic...

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28:10

Democratic Socialists, Are they a new wave or passing...

The Nova Society ·

2026/07/08

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! Renee from Jersey City, New Jersey writes With the recent primary results in New York, there’s growing talk that Democrats may be facing a Democratic Socialist challenge from within their own ranks. Some analysts warn that this progressive bloc could complicate or even undermine Democratic efforts to retake the House and Senate in November. There’s no que...

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33:04

Is the Clock Ticking for the US in Iran? S5E79...

The Nova Society ·

2026/07/06

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! Randy from Sacramento, California writes: Well, that didn’t take long. The peace framework already looks on the verge of collapse. Iran and the United States are still exchanging fire, commercial shipping is under attack in the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran has launched strikes against Bahrain. Israel does appear to be pulling back in Lebanon, but I don’t see how...

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