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PODCAST

Scholars Strategy Network"s No Jargon

The Scholars Strategy Network

No Jargon, the Scholars Strategy Network"s bi-weekly podcast, presents interviews with top university scholars on the politics, policy problems, and social issues facing the nation. Powerful research, intriguing perspectives -- and no jargon. Find show notes and plain-language research briefs on hundreds of topics at https://scholars.org/podcast.

government social sciences

All Episodes

41:37

Episode 289: The Rising Costs of Healthcare

Scholars Strategy Network"s No Jargon ·

2025/12/02

In the wake of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, millions of Americans are left wondering what comes next for their healthcare. Professor Miranda Yaver breaks down what fueled the shutdown, why the Affordable Care Act is once again under strain, and what rising healthcare costs will mean for families, healthcare providers, and entire communities. She also previewed her forthcoming book, Coverage Denied, which examines the impact of coverage denials to patient health. For more on

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37:04

Episode 288: Recognizing Defendants' Disabilities

Scholars Strategy Network"s No Jargon ·

2025/11/18

The criminal legal system often misunderstands—and mishandles—people with intellectual disabilities. Law professor Katie Kronick explains how and why these individuals so often fall through the cracks in a system built around efficiency and rigid rules. She breaks down the stakes with real examples, including a high-profile death penalty case now before the Supreme Court, and shares ideas for building a criminal justice system that recognizes and respects the needs of defendants with intellectual

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37:06

Episode 287: Why Local Elections Matter

Scholars Strategy Network"s No Jargon ·

2025/11/04

This Election Day is the perfect moment to look beyond the national headlines and focus on what's happening closer to home. As Americans head to the polls, Professor Brian Adams breaks down why state and local elections matter—from the mayors, town councils, and school boards shaping daily life to the policies that affect housing and public safety. He explains how voters make decisions with limited information in these races, the growing partisanship in local politics, and new initiatives aimed at

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39:54

Episode 286: The Past, Present, and Future of...

Scholars Strategy Network"s No Jargon ·

2025/10/21

As access to abortion and contraception are curtailed across much of the U.S., Professor Lina-Maria Murillo explains that today’s reproductive rights debates are part of a much longer story. Her research in the U.S.-Mexico borderlands show how race and power have always influenced who can get care and who cannot. She connects how earlier attempts to control women’s bodies still shape current laws and discussions, and she shares what history can teach us about defending reproductive freedom now. For

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37:20

Episode 285: The Big Business of Immigration Detention

Scholars Strategy Network"s No Jargon ·

2025/10/07

The number of people held in immigration detention centers in the U.S. has exploded in recent years, reaching record highs under multiple administrations. And thanks to the Republican-led budget bill that became law in July, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency has seen a major influx of federal funding, further fueling the expansion of detentions. Professor Nancy Hiemstra explains how detention became a multi-billion-dollar industry, breaking down who profits, who pays, and how

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26:01

Episode 284: The New Reality of College Debt

Scholars Strategy Network"s No Jargon ·

2025/09/23

Student loans are shaping the college experience more than ever. As tuition rises and financial aid rules keep changing, more students are taking on college debt. Professor Monnica Chan explains what’s happening with student loans, Pell Grants, and repayment plans, and how these choices affect students long after graduation. She discusses the real impact of debt on college affordability, career decisions, and family life—and what solutions could make paying for college less stressful. For more on

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36:11

Episode 283: How Maps Decide Elections

Scholars Strategy Network"s No Jargon ·

2025/08/26

Political maps decide who has a voice in government, and who doesn’t. And right now, big legal battles in Texas and California are putting redistricting in the spotlight. Professor Michael Latner breaks down the difference between redistricting and gerrymandering, why unfair maps weaken voters’ voices, and what today’s gerrymandering fights mean for the future of American democracy. For more on this topic: Check out the book Latner co-authored, Gerrymandering the States: Partisanship, Race, and

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39:38

Episode 282: The Unequal Costs of Climate Change

Scholars Strategy Network"s No Jargon ·

2025/08/12

In the U.S., 2025 began with devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, followed by hundreds of tornadoes across the central states, and has recently been marked by catastrophic flooding in Texas and across the South and Midwest. These escalating weather disasters aren’t isolated events—they’re part of a global pattern in which climate change is making disasters worse, with the most vulnerable communities often getting hit hardest. Professor Farhana Sultana explains how the history of colonialism and

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33:55

Episode 281: When the Safety Net Shrinks

Scholars Strategy Network"s No Jargon ·

2025/07/29

On July 4, President Trump signed a sweeping new law that makes major changes to the social safety net—with serious consequences for families and children. Child and family policy expert Professor Taryn Morrissey breaks down the Republican-backed legislation, which slashes Medicaid, SNAP, and other key supports that millions of families rely on. She examines how the law shifts resources away from low-income and younger Americans—especially children—and toward wealthier, older households. Morrissey

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42:59

Episode 280: Is the Drop in Gun Violence at Risk?

Scholars Strategy Network"s No Jargon ·

2025/07/15

Gun violence is down, but you wouldn’t know it from the headlines. This progress didn’t happen by accident—it’s at least partially the result of smart, targeted strategies that address the root causes of violence. Professor Daniel Semenza explains what’s working, drawing lessons from Camden’s dramatic shift from “murder capital” to record-low homicide rates, and what we stand to lose as federal support for violence prevention is being rolled back. For more on this topic: Read Semenza’s op-ed in

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34:27

Episode 279: Clearing Up Vaccine Confusion

Scholars Strategy Network"s No Jargon ·

2025/07/01

When Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed the entire federal vaccine advisory committee and installed new members, it raised alarms across the public health world. At the same time, measles is making a comeback as more Americans are hesitant about getting vaccines. Professor Lindsey Haynes-Maslow explains how we got here and what it will take to rebuild public trust. Drawing on her work in community-based health outreach, she shares why clear, consistent communication

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29:25

Episode 278: How Taxes Can Save Lives

Scholars Strategy Network"s No Jargon ·

2025/06/17

Congress is in the middle of a high-stakes budget debate that includes fighting over tax policy and funding for many vital public programs. But what’s often missing from that budget debate is a focus on the people these decisions affect, especially kids. Professor Jean Junior explains how tax policy choices made on Capitol Hill directly affect health and well-being, and why taxes can be a powerful tool to improve health outcomes for everyone. Drawing from her experience as a pediatrician, Professor

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37:17

Episode 277: Consumer Protection Under Fire

Scholars Strategy Network"s No Jargon ·

2025/06/03

Under the Trump administration, major changes at key consumer protection agencies, including widespread staff cuts and rule rollbacks, are raising concerns about the future of efforts to curb unfair or deceptive financial practices. Professor Terri Friedline explains what’s been happening at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, why it matters, and how these shifts impact the people who can least afford to be left unprotected. And she draws on her research to highlight how the financial system

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44:54

Episode 276: The Fight Over Medicaid

Scholars Strategy Network"s No Jargon ·

2025/05/15

As Republican lawmakers push for major budget cuts, Medicaid is in the crosshairs. Professor Nicole Huberfeld breaks down why Medicaid matters to millions of Americans and what makes proposed changes—like work requirements and block grants—so complex and potentially harmful. She moves beyond policy details to explore the real-world impact: how budget cuts could hit the most vulnerable, put pressure on hospitals, and widen healthcare disparities between states. For more on this topic: Read

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45:49

Episode 275: Higher Ed on the Frontlines

Scholars Strategy Network"s No Jargon ·

2025/05/06

Higher education is under fire—from attacks on DEI to threats against research funding, political pressure is mounting fast. While headlines often focus on elite and Ivy League schools, Professor Cecilia Orphan reminds us that regional public universities and rural institutions are also in the crosshairs. These essential but often-overlooked institutions serve diverse student bodies, support regional infrastructure, and anchor local communities. Orphan traces the roots of today’s political backlash

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28:11

Episode 274: What’s Happening With Social Security

Scholars Strategy Network"s No Jargon ·

2025/04/22

As the Social Security Administration faces a wave of staffing cuts and administrative shakeups, what’s at stake for the millions who depend on it? Brookings Institution economist Dr. Gopi Shah Goda discusses what these behind-the-scenes changes mean—and why some of the loudest political talking points about fraud and inefficiency don’t hold up. She also explores what is needed to keep the program strong amid looming financial shortfalls. For more on this topic: Read Goda’s commentary about

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47:48

Episode 273: The Four Threats to Democracy

Scholars Strategy Network"s No Jargon ·

2025/04/08

As President Donald Trump’s second term unfolds, one big question looms: How resilient is American democracy? Professor Suzanne Mettler has spent years studying the forces that put democracy at risk and in this episode, she draws on her most recent book to share lessons from events across U.S. history that feel eerily relevant today. From Trump’s expanded executive power to deepening political divisions, she explores the forces that threaten American democracy, and what everyday citizens can do to

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11:26

Episode 272: Bonus: One Man’s Stand During Watergate

Scholars Strategy Network"s No Jargon ·

2025/03/25

Political scientist Ryan LaRochelle stays post-interview to highlight a lesser-known but powerful chapter of the Watergate era. LaRochelle delves into the story of William S. Cohen, a Republican congressman from Maine who chose truth over party loyalty, helping hold President Richard Nixon accountable. Cohen’s moral courage offers timely lessons for navigating today’s deeply divided political landscape.

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34:12

Episode 271: Trump, Nixon, and the Dismantling of...

Scholars Strategy Network"s No Jargon ·

2025/03/18

President Donald Trump kicked off his second term with a wave of executive actions, including efforts to shrink the federal government by gutting or entirely dismantling some federal agencies. While some of these moves are unprecedented, it’s not the first time a president has tried to unilaterally undermine a federal agency. Political scientist Ryan LaRochelle breaks down how President Richard Nixon attempted to shutter the Office of Economic Opportunity and the legal and political pushback he

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33:16

Episode 270: The Ripple Effects of Immigration Raids

Scholars Strategy Network"s No Jargon ·

2025/03/04

Discussions about immigration and deportation often focus on politics, policies, and legal battles. But what happens to the people at the heart of it all? Professor William Lopez shares the story of one family’s experience to illustrate the far-reaching consequences of deportation. He breaks down the emotional, health, and financial toll of these enforcement actions—not just on those directly affected, but on teachers, faith leaders, and entire communities caught in the ripple effects. For more on

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306 results

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