On this final episode of Politics of Truth we'll wrap up the 2020 election with two of our favorite returning guests, Washington Post National Political Reporter Bob Costa and Mark McKinnon, a veteran political advisor, former musician, and co-host of Showtime's The Circus.We try to make some sense of the electoral warfare being waged on the results of the presidential election, and who it's playing to. We also consider the historic turnout numbers across the country combined with razor thin margins in so many races, and unpack the tribal allegiances behind what look like Democrat/Republican splits.Then we look ahead to the 2 upcoming special elections for Senate seats in Georgia, which will determine the balance of power for the next two years and make or break important parts of any Biden agenda.Finally, Bob updates us on his daughter Hallie's battle with cancer and the inspiring will she's been showing during her recent treatment.  Thank you all for joining us on this journey. We've had a great time bringing you these conversations and this show has been a bright spot for many of us amidst the craziest year any we'll ever go through.  Politics of Truth is brought to you by Osiris Media. Executive Producer is Adam Caplan. Produced by RJ Bee. Edited, mixed and mastered by Brad Stratton. Art by Mark Dowd. To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply with the music you love, check out osirispod.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Politics of Truth

Series Finale: Bob Costa and Mark McKinnon

This week CNN's Doug Heye takes over hosting duties for Bob on Politics of Truth. Doug's first guest is ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl. Jonathan has covered four presidents and has become a recognizable face in the last few years for his lively barbs with various Trump White House press secretaries. Jonathan shares this inside perspective in his recent best-selling book "Front Row at the Trump Show," and he and Doug discuss how White House reporters have to do their jobs differently when confronted by an administration who views them as the enemy.Later Doug speaks with Susan King, Dean of the UNC School of Media and Journalism, about the next generation of reporters that she works with every day inside and outside the classroom. Susan describes the challenges and opportunities presented by new media technologies, and why her students leave her feeling optimistic about the future of our news industry. Thanks for listening, and please remember to vote on November 3rd. Politics of Truth is brought to you by Osiris Media. Executive Producer is Adam Caplan. Produced by RJ Bee. Edited, mixed and mastered by Brad Stratton. Art by Mark Dowd. To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply with the music you love, check out osirispod.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 25: Doug Heye + Jonathan Karl + Susan King

Bob's guest this week is Pete Rouse, former Counselor to President Obama and a man whose government experience is so widely respected that he's known as "the 101st Senator".  Pete describes how Barack Obama decided to run for President in late 2006, and shares his insider insights on Obama's leadership style and Presidential legacy.  He also explains his surprising role in reuniting the Grateful Dead, and tells the remarkable story of his mother's life journey from Japan to rural Alaska to the Yale faculty.  At a time when a competent government can feel beyond reach, Pete is a welcome reminder of the exemplary public servants committed to making our country better.  Please remember to vote on November 3rd.Politics of Truth is brought to you by Osiris Media. Executive Producer is Adam Caplan. Produced by RJ Bee. Edited, mixed and mastered by Brad Stratton. Art by Mark Dowd. To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply with the music you love, check out osirispod.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 24: Pete Rouse

This week Bob welcomes back Bob Costa of the Washington Post, and the two of them speak with the legendary Bob Weir, founder and guitarist of the Grateful Dead and many other musical endeavors across five decades.  In this episode Bob Weir explains what he misses most about being on the road performing, and how he and his bandmates are safely rehearsing to prepare for an eventual return. He also shares what the state of California means to him and whether he'd consider running for local office, as people have been asking him for years.   Finally, the Bobs discuss the political relevance today of some old Grateful Dead tunes, and which characters from those songs they think about during these challenging times in America.  Enjoy the show, and please remember to vote on November 3rd.Politics of Truth is brought to you by Osiris Media. Executive Producer is Adam Caplan. Produced by RJ Bee. Edited, mixed and mastered by Brad Stratton. Art by Mark Dowd. To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply with the music you love, check out osirispod.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 23: Bob Weir

Bob's guest this week is JD Scholten, the Democratic candidate for Congress in Iowa's 4th district. JD grew up on his family farm near Sioux City and travelled the world as a pro baseball player before taking an unexpected turn into politics in 2018.  Without any political experience JD took on longtime incumbent Steve King, who for 15 years has been the face of white nationalist immigration policy on Capitol Hill.  Scholten lost that race by three points but he gave King his closest contest to date, piling his underdog campaign into a Winnebago RV, visiting all 39 counties, and earning 25,000 more votes than there are registered Democrats. Scholten hopes to build on that foundation in his 2020 race against Randy Feenstra, who defeated King in the primary.  JD explains how his agricultural district has been hit hard by the trade war, and why a promise to his grandmother that he’d save his family farm pushed him to run for office.  Scholten also discusses his choice to run a campaign independent from the national party and why that’s important to him. Politics of Truth is brought to you by Osiris Media. Executive Producer is Adam Caplan. Produced by RJ Bee. Edited, mixed and mastered by Brad Stratton. Art by Mark Dowd. To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply with the music you love, check out osirispod.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 22: JD Scholten

Bob's guest this week is Chris Shiflett, the lead guitarist for the Foo Fighters who has multiple solo records including 2019's "Hard Lessons". Chris is also a podcasting veteran, having hosted his own show "Walking the Floor" since 2013. In this episode Chris describes how music created his social consciousness as a young kid and how playing music around the world exposed him to new perspectives that shaped his own political identity.  Chris and Bob debate the failures of centrism and whether the Democratic Party is still an effective vehicle for real progressive change, as well as why Bernie Sanders is labeled "radical" for supporting policies that are mainstream across the developed world. They also get into how Chris joined the Foo Fighters, adjusting to life off the road, and what he's learned in seven years as a podcaster. Politics of Truth is brought to you by Osiris Media. Executive Producer is Adam Caplan. Produced by RJ Bee. Edited, mixed and mastered by Brad Stratton. Art by Mark Dowd. To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply with the music you love, check out osirispod.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 21: Chris Shiflett of Foo Fighters

Bob's guest this week is legendary guitarist Warren Haynes of The Allman Brothers, The Dead, and Gov't Mule. When he became part of the Allmans, Warren had the surreal experience of getting to join his favorite band, and we've been fans of his music ever since.  They discuss the Allman Brothers shows Warren played at Madison Square Garden just days before the Covid shutdown and what he's working on with touring life on hold. Warren also the roots of Christmas Jam, the annual benefit concert he hosts in his native Asheville which has raised millions of dollars for Habitat for Humanity.  Finally Bob and Warren turn to the upcoming election, Warren's work with Headcount, and why he believes voting should be mandatory.  Politics of Truth is brought to you by Osiris Media. Executive Producer is Adam Caplan. Produced by RJ Bee. Edited, mixed and mastered by Brad Stratton. Art by Mark Dowd. To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply with the music you love, check out osirispod.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 20: Warren Haynes

Bob's guest this week is political reporter Ben Jacobs, who's been doggedly covering Kanye West's bizarre campaign for president in The Guardian, New York Magazine, and other outlets. Despite having no campaign infrastructure and zero chance of victory, Kanye is paying Republican operatives to get him on state ballots and is skirting FEC deadlines to avoid disclosing whose interests he is serving. Ben's been digging into this story all summer and what he's uncovered about the shadowy operations of Kanye's newest marketing endeavor should concern us all. Enjoy the show and please stay vigilant as this surreal election season marches on.Politics of Truth is brought to you by Osiris Media. Executive Producer is Adam Caplan. Produced by RJ Bee. Edited, mixed and mastered by Brad Stratton. Art by Mark Dowd. To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply with the music you love, check out osirispod.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 19: Ben Jacobs

On this episode Bob speaks with country singer-songwriter Kendell Marvel, who's written chart-topping hits for Gary Allen, Jamey Johnson, Chris Stapleton and many others. Kendell wrote his first hit song, "Right Where I Need To Be" on the day he moved to Nashville in 1998, and after two decades as a writer and guitarist for big name acts, he's broken out as a solo artist with his records "Lowdown & Lonesome" and "Solid Gold Sounds."  Kendell's dad taught him most everything he knows, gave him a guitar at age 5, and had him playing at bars with his buddies by age 10. He and Bob discuss his musical upbringing, his unique political views, and why he voices them on Twitter instead of in his lyrics.  Politics of Truth is brought to you by Osiris Media. Executive Producer is Adam Caplan. Produced by RJ Bee. Edited, mixed and mastered by Brad Stratton. Art by Mark Dowd. To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply with the music you love, check out osirispod.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 18: Kendall Marvel

This week Bob speaks with author and political consultant Stuart Stevens, whose brand new book "It Was All A Lie: How the Republican Party Became Donald Trump" explain how the GOP and Trump came to represent each other so completely. Stuart has been an advisor to Republican candidates since the 1980s, culminating with him leading Mitt Romney's Presidential campaign in 2012, and his view from the inside about what he and others got wrong is honest and refreshing.Stuart and Bob discuss when it all veered off course for the GOP (hint: 1964), how "the dark side" won, and why the future of America will be decided by the battles currently playing out within the Democratic Party.  Finally they turn to the 2020 election and how sometimes the historical moment picks the right leader for that time, as may be happening now with Joe Biden.Politics of Truth is brought to you by Osiris Media. Executive Producer is Adam Caplan. Produced by RJ Bee. Edited, mixed and mastered by Brad Stratton. Art by Mark Dowd. To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply with the music you love, check out osirispod.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 17: Stuart Stevens

On this very special episode of Politics of Truth Bob is joined by Bob Costa, National Politics Reporter for the Washington Post and they're honored to welcome former US Senator Harry Reid of Nevada. Senator Reid served in the Senate for more than 30 years, including his final 8 years in office as the Senate Majority Leader, passing signature legislation like the Affordable Care Act and earning his reputation as a respected leader and fierce negotiator.Bob Crawford and Bob Costa speak with Senator Reid about the legacy of Congressman John Lewis, this summer of protests against racial injustice, seeing Elvis perform in Vegas, The Grateful Dead, and the Democrats' chances of retaking the Senate in November.Politics of Truth is brought to you by Osiris Media. Executive Producer is Adam Caplan. Produced by RJ Bee. Edited, mixed and mastered by Brad Stratton. Art by Mark Dowd. To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply with the music you love, check out osirispod.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 16: Harry Reid

Bob's guest this week is Margaret Talev, White House and Politics Editor at Axios and a CNN political analyst. Margaret is also a huge music fan who's paid close attention to the soundtracks of campaigns for as long as she's been on the trail.  Margaret and Bob discuss which campaigns have harnessed the power of music effectively, and why it's worked. There's also the inevitable awkwardness (and occasional lawsuit) when a campaign co-opts the music of a political opponent, as is happening now with the Trump campaign on multiple fronts.Finally they examine Joe Biden's VP shortlist and which factors the campaign should consider most as they make their final choice. Featured Music:Chris Martin, "Til' Kingdom Come" (From Beau Biden's funeral)They Might Be Giants, "Tippecanoe and Tyler Too"The Rolling Stones, "You Can't Always Get What You Want"Tom Petty, "I Won't Back Down"Curtis Mayfield, "Move On Up"Politics of Truth is brought to you by Osiris Media. Executive Producer is Adam Caplan. Produced by RJ Bee. Edited, mixed and mastered by Brad Stratton. Art by Mark Dowd. To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply with the music you love, check out osirispod.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 15: Campaign Music with Margaret Talev of Axios

On this episode Bob speaks with legendary soprano Renée Fleming about her research with the Kennedy Center and NIH exploring the intersection between neuroscience and music, called the Sound Health Initiative.  Renée also explains what she's up to musically during this time, including a new musical collaboration and conversation with the Kennedy Center, bassist Victor Wooten, and neuroscientist Dr. Daniel Levitin.  Finally, Renée talks about being on Joe Biden's Artists Council and how musicians can strike the right balance when taking a stand for what they believe in.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 14: Renee Fleming on Neuroscience and Music

This week Bob speaks with Dr. Peter A. Wish, a psychologist who has advised candidates for Congress, Senate, and the Presidency on how to connect with voters.  Dr. Wish's latest book, "The Candidate's 7 Deadly Sins", details the biggest mistakes that candidates make when trying to connect emotionally. He explains the forces that dissuade candidates from being their most authentic selves, and why so few choose to project their most likable qualities to the voters whose support they need to win. Then we turn to the November elections and how Biden, Trump, and down-ticket candidates can offer the optimistic messages voters overwhelmingly want during a time of such suffering and uncertainty. Past, Present, Future, Live! is brought to you by Osiris Media. Hosted and Produced by RJ Bee. Executive Producers are Adam Caplan and Kirsten Cluthe. Production, Editing, Mixing and original theme music by Brad Stratton. Art by Liz Bee Design. To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply with the music you love, check out osirispod.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 13: Dr. Peter A. Wish on Connecting with Voters

States have begun relaxing restrictions on a range of outdoor activities as the weather heats up and the Covid case numbers slowly come down in some areas. Regardless of the success of these "Phase 1" reopening plans live concerts, where I earn my living and experience some of my greatest joys, will be among the last things to come back as we knew them (though it's exciting to see some bands experimenting with drive-in concerts and other outside the box ideas)  So this week I speak with my good friend Chuck Morris, legendary concert promoter and longtime head of AEG Rocky Mountains, which has dominated the Colorado live music scene even as LiveNation and other behemoths have swallowed most of the industry whole. I intended to speak with Chuck about what we should expect for live music in the near future, but that'll have to wait for another episode because Chuck's amazing history in the music business was simply too hard to ignore. He's been right there at the start with some of the most successful bands of the last 50 years and those stories are worth sharing with you all.In 1971, before The Eagles had even recorded a record, Chuck brought them to play some of their first ever gigs in Aspen and Boulder, starting a decades-long friendship spanning hundreds of shows together.  On U2's first trip to Colorado in 1980 Chuck took them to see Red Rocks, convinced that soon they'd be big enough to play that legendary venue. Just three years later, Chuck booked them at Red Rocks for a show that became U2's live album "Under A Blood Red Sky".  Chuck recently moved on from running AEG day-to-day to fulfil another dream; creating a Music Business Program at Colorado State University. It's simply the next remarkable chapter in the story of one of my favorite characters in all of music.  Politics of Truth is brought to you by Osiris Media. Executive Producer is Adam Caplan. Produced by RJ Bee. Edited, mixed and mastered by Brad Stratton. Art by Mark Dowd. To discover more podcasts that help you connect more deeply with the music you love, check out osirispod.com.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Episode 12: Chuck Morris

Politics of Truth, hosted by Bob Crawford of The Avett Brothers, focuses on politics, music and the path to the 2020 election. In each episode, Bob will talk with a political journalist and/or a politically-active musician—discussing the latest in the campaign and the intersection of music, politics and activism—with the goal of educating and empowering listeners at this crucial time. Brought to you by Osiris Media.

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Politics of Truth

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