Government 101

Host Taylor T. and Scott Granberg-Rademacker discuss political polarization, how to overcome it, and what it means to contemporary society.

Scott Granberg-Rademacker talks with Historian Matt Loayza and Political Scientist Kevin Parsneau in Part 2 of the series on electoral blowouts, featuring the 1972 landslide win by Richard Nixon over George McGovern. Scott insults Matt's favorite football team while considering the fallout from the 1972 burglary at the Watergate Hotel.

Host Ben L. talks with guests Sophie N. and Allyson W. about civic engagement and getting involved in your community.

Dr. Amelia Pridemore visits with singer/guitarist Dave Simonett from the band Trampled by Turtles to talk about entertainment policy and music.

Scott Granberg-Rademacker talks with Historian Matt Loayza and Political Scientist Kevin Parsneau in Part 1 of the series on electoral blowouts, featuring the 1984 landslide win by Ronald Reagan over Walter Mondale. Kevin is accused of getting election updates via telegraph which is still faster than the Pony Express that Scott gets his news from.

Taylor T. talks with Political Science Professor Dr. Fred Slocum about how American Presidents have been historically classified.

Scott Granberg-Rademacker talks with Dr. Pat Nelson from the Department of Criminal Justice about political violence and terrorism.

Minnesota State Mankato students Taylor T. talks with Salvatore A. and Sophie N. about President Trump's likely Cabinet appointments. As a note to our listeners, this episode was recorded on December 10th, before President Trump took office.

Scott Granberg-Rademacker talks with guests Allison W. and Ben L. about political branding, social media, and why the algorithms seem to know us better than we know ourselves.

Host Scott Granberg-Rademacker sits down with Urban and Regional Studies Professor Dr. Miriam Porter to talk about all things local government--including a "Top 5" list!

Taylor T. talks with Minnesota State Mankato Professor Dr. Tom Inglot about the war in Ukraine. This episode was also highlighted as the "Podcast of the Week" on KMSU.

Scott Granberg-Rademacker talks with MSU-Mankato Economics Professor, Dr. Atrayee Ghosh Roy, about the economic and political impacts of tariffs.

Taylor T. hosts a wide-ranging discussion on populism, extremism, and the election with Ben L., Sophie N., Dr. Amelia Pridemore and Dr. Josh Berkenpas.

Scott Granberg-Rademacker visits with Dr. Dale Zacher (Communication and Media Professor), Holly Marie Moore (Mankato Free Press Reporter), and Dr. Amelia Pridemore (Professor of Political Science) about media literacy and how people can make sense of the news. The ghost of Walter Cronkite makes a cameo appearance, "and that's the way it is."

Minnesota State, Mankato Political Science students Elijah K. and Salvatore A. break down the 2024 election results.

Scott Granberg-Rademacker sits down with Minnesota State Mankato students Allyson W. (Republican) and Ben L. (Democrat) to talk about politics on campus and the issues that are important to college students.

Individual messages and encouragement from some of us here at the Government 101 Podcast to go vote today.

Host Taylor T. and Political Science professors Amelia Pridemore, Kevin Parsneau, and Fred Slocum tell you what you need to know to survive election night!

Taylor T. interviews Minnesota State Mankato Political Science professors Fred Slocum, Amelia Pridemore, and Kevin Parsneau about elections and polling.

Taylor T. and Ben L. talk about ballot measures in Minnesota and the surrounding states.

Taylor T. is joined by Sophie N. and Ben L. to talk about the Vice Presidential candidates, J.D. Vance and Tim Walz.

In this second episode on historical elections, Scott Granberg-Rademacker talks with Historian Matt Loayza and Political Scientist Kevin Parsneau about the 1968 and 2000 elections.

In this first episode on historical elections, Scott Granberg-Rademacker talks with Historian Matt Loayza and Political Scientist Kevin Parsneau about why historical elections are more than just sepia postcards from the past that get lodged in our memories.

Ben L. talks with Republican Senator Steve Kolbeck of South Dakota about politics, public policy, and life as a state legislator.

Host Allyson W. talks with Dr. Kevin Parsneau and Dr. Scott Granberg-Rademacker about campaign strategy differences between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in part two of this two-part series.

Host Allyson W. talks with Dr. Kevin Parsneau and Dr. Scott Granberg-Rademacker about policy differences between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris in part one of this two-part series.

Ben L. sits down with Drs. Fred Slocum and Joe Kunkel to talk about Congressional Races in Minnesota and around the country.

Dr. Kevin Parsneau, Taylor T., Allyson W., and Ben L. discuss voter registration in Minnesota and the surrounding states.

Taylor T., a political science student at MSU, hosts Dr. Katie Brunner and Manny Reyes to talk about preparations for the Vice Presidential Debate and some practical advice for what to watch for as you're tuning in. Dr. Brunner is an Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at MSU, and Manny Reyes is an MSU Debate Coach.

Scott Granberg-Rademacker and Kevin Parsneau kick off the new Government 101 podcast with style and grace not seen since the days of Martin Van Buren.