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.
Episodes
12 episodes
Campaigns, Congress, and Cattle: A Conversation with Candidate Shawn Harris
In this special episode of American Angst, political scientist Michael Bailey and host Dale McConkey welcome retired Brigadier General Shawn Harris, a Democratic candidate for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District. The conversation ran...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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1:06:09
End of an Era? Dems in the Hot Seat, Part 4
In our fourth and final installment of our "Democrats in the Hot Seat" series, political scientist Dr. Michael Bailey shifts the focus squarely onto the Democratic Party—its historic dominance since the New Deal, the vision it set forth,...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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1:02:50
Patriarchy in the Pulpit and the Pentagon: Pete Hegseth and Doug Wilson
CROSSOVER EPISODE! In this first-ever crossover episode between Church Potluck and American Angst 101, host Dale McConkey, political scientist Michael Bailey, and historian Christy Snider dive into a hot-button political...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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56:35
Limits to Pluralism? Dems in the Hot Seat, Part 3
Political scientist Dr. Michael Bailey leads this episode of American Angst 101 with a sweeping exploration of how the United States’ founding-era vision of a liberal federal government—meaning one grounded in Enlightenment id...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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49:05
Elitism, Crime, and Borders: Dems in the Hot Seat, Part 2
In this follow-up to the previous conversation on MAGA critiques of the Democratic Party, Political Scientist Michael Bailey dives into the final three charges: (1) being elitist cultural snobs, (2) soft on crime, and (3) favoring open borders....
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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58:33
Wokeness, Patriotism, and Religion: Dems in the Hot Seat, Part 1
In this episode of American Angst, political philosopher Michael Bailey analyzes the first three of six major criticisms often leveled against the Democratic Party by conservatives and MAGA supporters: that Democrats are (1) “woke” and...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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50:54
The Phrase That Won’t Die: “We’re a Republic, Not a Democracy"
In this thought-provoking episode of American Angst 101, Michael Bailey and his longtime friend and fellow political scientist Dr. Steven Taylor join forces to examine the phrase “We’re a republic, not a democracy”—a line increasingly ...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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1:02:19
Why July 4th? The Truest Meaning of Independence Day
In this episode of American Angst 101, political historian and resident expert Michael Bailey takes center stage to explore a deceptively simple question: why do we celebrate Independence Day on July 4th? With Dale McConkey hosting, Ba...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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53:36
The Mandate Mirage: When Presidents Stretch Thin Margins into Sweeping Claims
In this episode of American Angst 101, political scientist Dr. Michael Bailey unpacks one of the most pervasive myths in American politics: the presidential mandate. With insight, clarity, and a touch of dry wit, Bailey walks through w...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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37:38
No Kings, New Terrain? Is Today's Political Climate Unprecedented?
Political scientist Michael Bailey brings his deep knowledge, sharp wit, and characteristic humility to this episode of American Angst 101, hosted by sociologist Dale McConkey. Launching from the massive “No Kings” protest—which coinci...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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56:42
Truth Decay, Part 2: Democracy as Pro Wrestling
In this second episode of American Angst 101, political philosopher Dr. Michael Bailey and host Dale McConkey continue their dig into the nature of political truth in the age of Trump—and what it means for democracy today. Bailey argue...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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46:55
Truth Decay: Our Inaugural Angst
Political philosopher Michael Bailey has spent years thinking carefully about American democracy—its roots, its ideals, and its increasingly shaky relationship to truth. In American Angst 101, he sits down with his friend Dale McConkey...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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1:14:58