Best Washington Square News Podcasts (2024)

1
Looking Out Quite Puzzled 54:21

2y ago54:21

54:21

This episode, the 11th of the season, marks the final episode recorded live in studio until the fall and this week has everyone looking out to various things quite puzzled. The segments this week are: Gideon explaining how Arizona will have a flat income tax rate after all, as the state Supreme Court threw out a referendum on it John discussing a r…

1
Jackie Robinson Day 51:48

2y ago51:48

51:48

The panel is missing Gideon on the 10th episode of the season and switches the regular segment order around a bit. The stories this week are: Haley talking about Jackie Robinson and his legacy on the 75th Jackie Robinson Day, marking the day when he broke the color barrier in baseball John discussing the issue of men who have sex with men not being…

1
David Jimenez on Second Chance Month 32:47

2y ago32:47

32:47

Chelsea Sobolik welcomes David Jimenez, manager of government affairs for Prison Fellowship. They discuss what Second Chance month is and why it is important for churches and communities to remember those in prison. They also discuss ongoing efforts to reform our prison and criminal justice systems in ways that promote the biblical ideas of justice…

1
Statelessness, Starting Up and Starbucks (w/ Tori Gantz) 52:36

2+ y ago52:36

52:36

The panel is missing Kirsten on the 9th episode of the season but is joined in the last segment by State Press politics reporter and fellow Blaze member, Tori Gantz. The stories this week are: John discussing a recent PBS NewsHour story on statelessness and how it affects people's lives Haley giving a rundown of some of the highlights of the MLB's …

1
We're All April Fools (w/ Rithwik Kalale) 54:40

2+ y ago54:40

54:40

The 8th episode of the season was recorded on a day of jokes and with people who rarely take themselves seriously, but is not a joke itself. The panel this week, minus John, was joined by Rithwik Kalale, friend of the pod and fellow Blaze member. The stories this week are: Gideon explaining the recently signed into law anti-trans bills in Arizona, …

1
Lotus and the Apocalypse (w/ Austin Davis) 53:47

2+ y ago53:47

53:47

The 7th episode of the season is mostly an interview with ASU student (also a returning Review Squared guest), poet and homeless outreach organizer Austin Davis. The stories this week are: The panel interviewing Austin Davis about his recent book of poetry "Lotus and the Apocalypse" and his work with AZ Hugs for the Houseless Kirsten continuing her…

1
Communities, for Worse 49:29

2+ y ago49:29

49:29

The 6th episode of the season mostly focuses on those seeking to tear at the very fabric of healthy communities for all as Ethan (this episode marking his official departure from the show for the rest of the season) and Haley are out. The stories this week are: Gideon looking into recent changes to a bill in the Arizona House, HB 2161, a controvers…

1
Child Abuse in the Name of Combatting "Child Abuse" 45:35

2+ y ago45:35

45:35

Gideon and Haley are the only panelists on the 5th episode of the season but such is life sometimes. The stories this week are: Gideon talking about a letter from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott calling for the state's child welfare agency to investigate any medical treatments provided to transgender teens as child abuse Haley taking a look at the response …

1
Dr. Rick Morton on how the Russian invasion of Ukraine impacts vulnerable children 32:15

2+ y ago32:15

32:15

As Russia continues to wage war in Ukraine, the most vulnerable people are suffering, including vulnerable children and children in need of safe, permanent, and loving families. Chelsea Sobolik welcomes Dr. Rick Morton, the Vice President of Engagement for Lifeline Children’s Services to discuss how the Russian invasion of Ukraine impacts orphans, …

1
The Education Episode (w/ Cami Parrish) 52:31

2+ y ago52:31

52:31

Gideon and John are the only regular panelists on the 4th episode of the season and are joined by local journalist, fellow Blaze Radio member and the Co-Executive Editor of the Downtown Devil, Cami Parrish for an episode almost entirely focused on education funding in Arizona. The stories this week are: Gideon giving brief updates on two Arizona le…

1
To a Better Future For All 53:45

2+ y ago53:45

53:45

The panel (minus Ethan) is back with a surprisingly high mix of hope for the future in the stories on the 3rd episode of the season. The stories this week are: Gideon explaining HB 2674, a bipartisan bill meant to tackle Arizona's housing shortage through zoning reform John talking about the efforts Afghan women are making to push back against the …

1
The World is a Bit of a Mess 53:49

2+ y ago53:49

53:49

The panel is smaller (with Gideon and Haley out) on the 2nd episode of the season and COVID once again being the leading discussion topic as the world continues to be a bit of a mess. The stories this week are: John talking about a bill in the Arizona Legislature that would make vaccine mandates harder to enforce and a bit about COVID in Arizona ge…

1
David Curry on the most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian 19:02

2+ y ago19:02

19:02

This week, Chelsea Sobolik sits down with David Curry, President and CEO of Open Doors USA. They discuss the release of Open Door’s 2022 World Watch List, and where it’s the most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian. David shares ways that Christians can pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. Guest Biography Open D…

1
Be Safe, Be Smart 56:33

2+ y ago56:33

56:33

The panel (minus Ethan) marks our 2nd anniversary on Blaze and is back to our usual business on the 1st episode of the fifth season. The stories this week are: Gideon and John talking about the omicron variant of COVID and what's going on there (Gideon doing a general overview, John focusing on cases in children) Kirsten discussing the case of Iren…

1
Jeanne Mancini on the March for Life 17:18

2+ y ago17:18

17:18

This week, Chelsea Sobolik sits down with Jeanne Mancini, President of the March for Life. They discuss how and why the March began, this year’s theme and how Christians can get involved in caring for women and their preborn children. Guest Biography Jeanne Mancini was appointed to the role of President of the March for Life Education and Defense F…

1
Vigilantism and the American Right (w/ Wallace Milner) 1:12:43

2+ y ago1:12:43

1:12:43

The panel is joined by Wallace Milner, a political science and history student at Portland State University on the 11th and final episode of the season to talk a bit about the history of right wing vigilantism in the United States, how it relates to current events and some other related topics. This episode was recorded on December 16th. You can fi…

1
RERUN: Kind of Odd, Don't You Think? 55:40

2+ y ago55:40

55:40

The panel is off this week, as many of us are traveling home or just taking a much needed break. This is season 3, episode 17 from May of 2021. We'll be back in about a week with our last episode of 2021. The panel, minus Ethan and Kirsten, come back from a brief hiatus on the 17th (and final) episode of the third season, just to go on a longer one…

1
Goofing Off (w/ Vaughan Jones) 50:40

2+ y ago50:40

50:40

The panel (minus John) goofed off this week with local reporter, verified on Twitter person and Blaze alum Vaughan Jones on the 10th episode of the season. The main activity this week: completing a Pixar tier list. Come and listen to the panel's hot and not so hot takes on Pixar movies as we celebrate Kirsten and Ethan's birthday. This episode was …

1
Ambassador John Cotton Richmond on human trafficking, forced labor, and God’s call on his life to serve the most vulnerable (Part 2) 23:38

2+ y ago23:38

23:38

Chelsea Sobolik welcomes Ambassador John Cotton Richmond, the former U.S. Ambassador to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons from 2018 to 2021 to human trafficking, forced labor, how Christians can get involved in caring for vulnarble people, and how the Lord led Ambassador Richmond into this work. Listen to part one here. Guest Biography Amba…

1
Ambassador John Cotton Richmond on human trafficking, forced labor, and God’s call on his life to serve the most vulnerable (Part 1) 28:37

2+ y ago28:37

28:37

Chelsea Sobolik welcomes Ambassador John Cotton Richmond, the former U.S. Ambassador to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons from 2018 to 2021 to human trafficking, forced labor, how Christians can get involved in caring for vulnarble people, and how the Lord led Ambassador Richmond into this work. Guest Biography Ambassador Richmond’s career …

1
The Discontented (w/ Nick Sanchez) 59:17

2+ y ago59:17

59:17

The whole panel is back for a dive into public discontent with the 9th episode of the season and is joined by Nick Sanchez, the Blaze Radio News Director. The stories this week are: Gideon explaining "Striketober" and how its spirit is finally hitting Arizona with a impeding strike at Sky Harbor Airport and a unionization push at a Mesa Starbucks J…

1
Herbie Newell on National Adoption Month 43:04

2+ y ago43:04

43:04

This week, Chelsea Sobolik sits down with Herbie Newell of Lifeline Children’s Services to discuss National Adoption Month, how the church can care for vulnerable children, and how we can be preparing for a post-Roe world. Guest Biography Herbie Newell is the President/Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and it’s ministry arms includ…

1
Britney is Free at Last 54:22

2+ y ago54:22

54:22

Gideon and Kirsten are the only ones in for the 8th episode of the season. The stories this week are: Gideon taking a look back at the now ended conservatorship over Britney Spears at the start of the episode and talking about Arizona being said to hit a rather dubious record: the only state where COVID was the leading cause of death at the end of …

1
RERUN: How to Finally Be OK with Yourself... 33:29

2+ y ago33:29

33:29

Director's note: we did an episode this week, forgot to record it. We're sorry. To make up, enjoy one of favorite episodes ever from a year ago. Because we couldn't stop doing bonus podcast episodes this time last year, one of the og friends of the pod, (now former) Blaze Radio Music Director, musician in local band Cablebox (among lots of other th…

1
The Crossover Episode (w/ Nicole Pinter) 55:34

2+ y ago55:34

55:34

CW for Nicole's segment at the end of the show: sexual assault The whole panel (including Ethan!) is back for a jam-packed 7th episode of the season, where Nicole Pinter (co-host of Blaze shows The Future is Female and Hypothetically Speaking) joins as a guest panelist to bring about one of the greatest crossover episode showdown in the history of …

1
The John and Kirsten Hour 53:00

2+ y ago53:00

53:00

John and Kirsten are all by themselves for the 6th episode of the season. The stories this week are: John talking about Alec Baldwin fatally shooting Halyna Hutchins, the director of photography on the set of the movie "Rust" with a prop gun, along with a viral incident of shaming a high school girl for her homecoming dress that led to a TikTok tre…

1
The Review Squared Season 4 Promo 0:36

2+ y ago0:36

0:36

Blaze Radio continues to force us to make a promo for our show as a condition of broadcasting it, so enjoy this prescription for the 4th season of The Review Squared. Music is by lesfm from Pixabay.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thereviewsquared/message

1
We Live in a Society 57:30

2+ y ago57:30

57:30

After a week's hiatus, the panel is back for the 5th episode of the season where we are reminded once again that we live in a society full of controversy and uncertainty. The stories this week are: Gideon taking a look at the vaccine mandate for employees of Arizona's public universities at the start of the episode and leading an impromptu discussi…

1
RERUN: A Conversation with Janelle Salanga 1:19:00

3y ago1:19:00

1:19:00

This episode contains some strong language. This is a rerun of season 2, episode 18 from the end of December 2020 because the panel is taking a much needed break this week. If you're an ASU student, have a restful fall break. If you are not, all the same, stay well. New, live episodes will resume next week (October 18th) at 7pm MST on Blaze Radio. …

1
Jason Thacker on the Digital Public Square 31:46

3y ago31:46

31:46

The digital age promised deep connections, rich communication, and more access to information than we could ever imagine. But while technology has brought incredible benefits and conveniences into our lives, it also has led to countless unintended consequences and deep ethical challenges that push us to consider how to live out our faith in a techn…

1
It's the Remix to Corruption 55:30

3y ago55:30

55:30

The panel is bigger once again, with our regular contributor Ethan Pelland back talking about international affairs on this episode as everyone focuses on corruption, both of the political and moral kind on the 4th episode of the season. The stories this week are: Gideon discussing the recent conviction of R. Kelly on sex trafficking charges and ra…

1
Lies, Disappearances and the Police (w/ Sarah Nelson) 56:00

3y ago56:00

56:00

Gideon and Kirsten are joined this week in really good discussions by Sarah Nelson, a public policy student at ASU on the 3rd episode of the season. The stories this week are: Gideon taking one (hopefully) final look at the Maricopa County "audit" as the report about it is released that leads to a discussion on voting rights Kirsten giving updates …

1
It is All at Least a Little Disappointing 49:13

3y ago49:13

49:13

It's a small panel this week but the stories are still big as always and are all disappointing (or even tragic, depending on what you think) on the 2nd episode of the season. The stories this week are: Gideon tackling both the intro story about SRP's controversial decision to expand a natural gas-burning power plant and the final story about Nicki …

1
Make Us Your Leader (Please Don't) 59:20

3y ago59:20

59:20

The panel makes a long-awaited return to being live in the studio and asks to become the Supreme Ruling Council in the season premiere of the 4th season. This episode is Haley's final episode this season as a regular member of the panel (she will be missed) and Ethan will be on the show biweekly this season (at least we have Ethan around sometimes)…

1
Top Three Public Policy Stories 17:26

3y ago17:26

17:26

ERLC’s acting director of public policy, Chelsea Sobolik shares the top three stories from Washington, D.C., that you need to know about, shares how Christians ought to think about these issues, and ways Christians can get involved. Resources from the Conversation Send Relief and World Relief work together to resettle Afghan refugees Why the U.S. s…

1
Matthew Soerens on Afghan refugees 21:46

3y ago21:46

21:46

As the United States departed from Afghanistan, there remains an urgent humanitarian crisis in the country, both for the U.S.’s Afghan allies and those fearing persecution from the Taliban. Chelsea Sobolik welcomes Matthew Soerens, the U.S. Director of Church Mobilization for World Relief to discuss how and why Christians can serve Afghans who qual…

1
August Profiles: Yuval Levin on institutions, public service at the White House and his family's immigration story 32:22

3y ago32:22

32:22

With Congress in August recess, we take a break from our usual policy focused conversations and host interviews with leaders we admire. This week, Chelsea Sobolik sits down with Yuval Levin of the American Enterprise Institute. Levin’s work in recent years have been instrumental to many of us here at the ERLC in thinking well about what has gone wr…

1
A Final Show Part 2: David French on religious liberty, pro-life policy, and January 6th 51:42

3y ago51:42

51:42

We are in a season of transition at the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission after Russell Moore’s move to Christianity Today. The team in D.C. is changing as well, and so we wanted to bring you a final show with the current team: Jeff Pickering, Chelsea Patterson Sobolik, and Travis Wussow. This show will air in two parts with reflections on the …

1
A Final Show Part 1: Reflections from the Leland House with Jeff, Chelsea, and Travis 59:40

3y ago59:40

59:40

We are in a season of transition at the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission after Russell Moore’s move to Christianity Today. The team in D.C. is changing as well, and so we wanted to bring you a final show with the current team: Jeff Pickering, Chelsea Patterson Sobolik, and Travis Wussow. This show will air in two parts with reflections on the …

1
Kind of Odd, Don't You Think? 55:40

3y ago55:40

55:40

The panel, minus Ethan and Kirsten, come back from a brief hiatus on the 17th (and final) episode of the season, just to go on a longer one for the summer. This episode is also Alejandro's last as a member of the panel, he will be missed. The stories this week are: Gideon updating everyone on the latest twists of the ongoing Arizona ballot audit or…

1
National Latino Evangelical Coalition’s Gabriel Salguero on the payday lending debt trap 36:24

3y ago36:24

36:24

Jeff Pickering and Brooke Kramer are joined by the Rev. Dr. Gabriel Salguero to discuss why Christians should care about ending the payday debt trap and how the Faith for Just Lending (FJL) coalition is advocating against payday lending. Salguero is the pastor at The Gathering Place, a Latino-led multi-ethnic Assemblies of God congregation in Orlan…

1
World Relief’s Matthew Soerens on President Biden’s refugee admissions decision 39:06

3y ago39:06

39:06

Jeff Pickering and Travis Wussow welcome Matthew Soerens of World Relief, a refugee resettlement agency, to the roundtable to talk about what happened with President Biden’s decision on the refugee admissions ceiling. The group also discusses the Evangelical Immigration Table advocacy both for refugee policy and for solutions to the ongoing migrati…

1
Ballot Audits, Newsroom Pay and Indie Film 59:40

3y ago59:40

59:40

The discussions were big even as half of the panel (Ethan, Kirsten and Haley) are away on the 16th episode of the season. The stories this week are: Gideon explaining the ongoing Arizona ballot audit ordered by the State Senate. John discussing a NewsGuild pay equity study that showed massive racial and gender pay disparities in Gannett owned newsr…

1
USCIRF Chair Gayle Manchin on the global threats to religious freedom 35:46

3y ago35:46

35:46

This week, Jeff Pickering, Chelsea Patterson Sobolik, and Travis Wussow are honored to welcome Gayle Manchin, Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom to discuss USCIRF’s recently released annual report. Comprised of nine commissioners, USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan federal body that is principally responsible…

1
Prison Fellowship's Heather Rice-Minus on the church and criminal justice reform 31:51

3y ago31:51

31:51

Jeff Pickering welcomes back Heather Rice-Minus of Prison Fellowship to talk about the church, criminal justice reform, and why Christians value second chances. This episode comes as we are engaged in Second Chance Month, a nationwide effort each April to raise awareness about barriers to reentry and unlock brighter futures for people with a crimin…

1
Who Matters? What Matters? 57:00

3y ago57:00

57:00

An important aspect of any story is the answer to the questions of "Who matters?" and "What matters?" and the panel takes stock of that as John and Haley are away on the 15th episode of the season. The stories this week are: Gideon talking about the push by Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich to resume executions and the death penalty more broad…

1
Three adoption issues you should know about and a farewell to our audio engineer Gary Lancaster 31:46

3+ y ago31:46

31:46

Adoption is a priority of the ERLC’s work, both in policy advocacy and family ministry. Jeff Pickering, Chelsea Patterson Sobolik, and Travis Wussow talk about three adoption issues you should be aware of. They cover the effects of the pandemic on adoption, the Adoptee Citizenship Act, and an important case at the Supreme Court for child welfare pr…

1
What's Past is Present and Future 54:00

3+ y ago54:00

54:00

Things that have happened lead to things that are happening (and more to come) and these stories this week are no exception as Alejandro is away on the 14th episode of the season. The stories this week are: Gideon taking a look at the failed attempt to unionize Amazon warehouse workers in Bessemer, Alabama and how it may just be getting started, al…

1
Phillip Bethancourt on how Christians can engage conversations about COVID vaccine hesitancy 35:35

3+ y ago35:35

35:35

Phillip Bethancourt, now lead pastor of Central in College Station, Texas and former ERLC executive vice president, joins Jeff Pickering, Chelsea Patterson Sobolik, and Travis Wussow to discuss how Christians can engage conversations on COVID vaccine hesitancy. Bethancourt’s church recently served their community as a vaccination site. Guest Biogra…

1
Infrastructure Week 46:55

3+ y ago46:55

46:55

Kirsten is away on the 13th episode of the season. The stories this week are: Gideon taking a look at one aspect of President Joe Biden's infrastructure plan: public transit funding. John talking about the various investigations and allegations surrounding Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz. Ethan giving updates on the aftermath of the Myanmar coup…

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