American Angst
American Angst is a podcast where political scientist Dr. Michael Bailey unpacks the founding ideals and present tensions of American democracy with clarity, depth, and concern. Hosted and produced by his longtime friend Dale McConkey, the show blends serious civic reflection with honest, good-humored conversation for anyone trying to make sense of this American moment.
Podcasting since 2025 • 26 episodes
American Angst
Latest Episodes
Thanksgiving: The Most American Holiday?
It's a special Thanksgiving crossover episode of American Angst and Church Potluck! Dr. Michael Bailey and Dale McConkey start off-topic with a quick overview of 10 dizzying days in American politics. From there,...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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1:04:36
Election Results and Shutdown Breakthrough: Who Won the Week?
In this episode of American Angst, Michael Bailey briefly updates us on the apparent breakthrough in the government shutdown. The deal reopens the government and restores furlough pay, but Bailey emphasizes that
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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58:59
American Dream on Hold: The Rising Barriers to Homeownership for Young Adults
Homeownership used to be the on-ramp to the middle-class American Dream. For many young adults, that on-ramp now feels barricaded—by high prices, high mortgage rates, high rents, and student debt. In this episode, Michael Bailey and Dale McConk...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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53:06
The Government Shutdown: Why Our System Fails on Purpose
Boo! In this Halloween edition of American Angst, political philosopher Dr. Michael Bailey leads a brisk, illuminating tour of the current government shutdown and what it reveals about our constitutional machinery. Michael lays out why...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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1:11:24
Democratic Backsliding: How Democracies Erode (with Dr. Sam Call)
We may begin talking about sweater weather and niceties about upstate New York, but we quickly let the angst flow deep and wide. Join us as Sam Call (comparative politics) joins Michael Bailey (political science and philosophy) an...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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1:06:11