More Than Politics

MTP 24: Digesting Dobbs

June 28, 2022 19:00 - 12 minutes - 8.53 MB

Friends, it has been a long time. It has been a long time since we've published an episode of More Than Politics. There is an explanation, and we have much catching up to do, but for now we wanted to break in with some thoughts as we try to digest last Friday's U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Dobbs vs. Jackson Women's Health Organization. Here we go. Host: Julie Varner Walsh Follow Julie on Instagram and visit www.thesewallsblog.com/morethanpolitics to learn more about this podcast. Theme mu...

MTP 23: Where Free Speech Meets Big Tech (Part 2) with David Hancharik

March 05, 2021 02:00 - 37 minutes - 26.1 MB

In this week’s episode (the second of a two-part conversation) Julie Walsh talks with David Hancharik, an electrical engineer who has worked in the telecommunications industry for over 36 years. David and Julie discuss the controversy regarding free speech and “Big Tech” – the technology companies that make our internet and social media usage possible. In the wake of the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, social media companies suspended accounts (President Trump’s most notable among ...

MTP 22: Where Free Speech Meets Big Tech (Part 1) with David Hancharik

February 26, 2021 13:00 - 51 minutes - 35.5 MB

In this week’s episode Julie Walsh talks with David Hancharik, an electrical engineer who has worked in the telecommunications industry for over 36 years. David and Julie discuss the controversy regarding free speech and “Big Tech” – the technology companies that make our internet and social media usage possible. In the wake of the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, social media companies suspended accounts (President Trump’s most notable among them) and hosting companies took website...

MTP 21: Reconstruction and Criminal Justice: discussing the era and its continued impact with Dede Miller

February 12, 2021 05:00 - 41 minutes - 28.4 MB

In this episode Julie Varner Walsh talks with historian Dede Miller for the second part in a series on Reconstruction. Reconstruction was the period immediately following the Civil War, in which the Confederate south was brought back into the fold and millions of formerly enslaved people began to make their way in a new America. While Reconstruction is perhaps less well-known to most Americans than slavery, Jim Crow, or the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s, its impact has nevertheless co...

MTP 20: From One Presidency to the Next with Dr. Michael Towle

January 28, 2021 18:00 - 52 minutes - 35.9 MB

Julie Walsh and Dr. Michael Towle discuss this moment of transition from one presidential administration to the next: the end of the Trump administration, including the Capitol insurrection and the president’s second impeachment – and the beginning of the Biden administration, including where our parties, our politics, and our country might be heading next. Dr. Michael Towle is a professor in the Department of Political Science at Mount Saint Mary’s University, where he has taught since 199...

MTP 19: Reconstruction and Voting: discussing the era and its continued impact with Dede Miller

January 20, 2021 00:00 - 1 hour - 53.9 MB

In this episode Julie Varner Walsh talks with historian Dede Miller for the first part in a series on Reconstruction. Reconstruction was the period immediately following the Civil War, in which the Confederate south was brought back into the fold and millions of formerly enslaved people began to make their way in a new America. While Reconstruction is perhaps less well-known to most Americans than slavery, Jim Crow, or the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s, its impact has nevertheless con...

MTP 18: Unreal: Insurrection at the Capitol and an Unconceded Election

January 07, 2021 16:00 - 42 minutes - 29 MB

Julie Varner Walsh goes solo for this episode, reflecting on the storming of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, as well as the 2020 election and its aftermath. *** A onetime federal government employee, onetime lobbyist, and longtime student of politics, Julie Varner Walsh’s life has always centered around politics and her Catholic faith. And that has made for some strange combinations. Raised Republican, she worked mostly with Democrats when she was a lobbyist for the Catholic Church...

MTP 17: Make An Honest Stand with Kevin Heider

November 19, 2020 17:00 - 2 hours - 86.6 MB

In this episode Julie Varner Walks talks with singer/songwriter Kevin Heider. Kevin, who lives with his wife and four children in Dayton, Ohio, writes hymns, drinking songs, and everything in between. He has recently released an EP called Make An Honest Stand. A collection of six beautiful songs, Make An Honest Stand is perfect for this moment of political discord and cultural upheaval. With lyrics that wrestle with our nation’s history and with the concepts of freedom, patriotism, and ju...

MTP 16: Stories of Saints in Politically Troubled Times with Meg Hunter-Kilmer

November 10, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 45.4 MB

In this episode Julie Varner Walks talks with Meg Hunter-Kilmer on a topic that is more explicitly Catholic than others she’s covered – but which will also have something to offer listeners of different faiths, or no faith at all: stories of saints who lived in politically troubled times. Given the divisiveness of the 2020 presidential election and how existentially threatening both sides seem to consider it, it’s good to take a longer view. The sad fact is, people have long lived under unj...

Bonus: Why You Should Vote, Even When It Feels Like It Doesn't Make a Difference

November 03, 2020 16:00 - 11 minutes - 8.16 MB

In this brief, bonus episode (which should have been posted a bit before the election -- c'est la vie), Julie Varner Walsh revisits a blog post she wrote in 2014. Adapting it a bit for the moment, Julie posts it to encourage any remaining reluctant voters to get on out there, even if it feels like your vote can't make a difference. This bonus episode pairs well with last week's regular episode. So if you liked that one, you should like this one too.

MTP 15: Election Day Run-up Round-up with Rita Buettner

October 30, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 46 MB

This episode is a little different from our usual format. Instead of inviting on a friend to ask them questions, this time Julie Varner Walsh is joined by a friend who’s asking her the questions. In the run-up to election day, Julie and her friend Rita Buettner thought it would be helpful to do a round-up of topics that might be of interest to listeners just before the election. They cover modes of voting, write-in and third-party voting, how to make your final choices (if you haven’t yet)...

MTP 14: Talking to Children About Politics and Current Events with Laura Kelly Fanucci

October 22, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 53.3 MB

In this episode Julie Varner Walsh talks with Laura Kelly Fanucci about how to talk to children about politics and current events. In their conversation, Julie and Laura discuss the importance of forming children’s consciences regarding political matters as well as personal. They talk about how to make big issues feel small and approachable, how to incorporate prayer into family discussions on politics and current events, and why politics isn’t as simple as “good guys vs. bad guys.” And ...

MTP 13: The Kitchen Sink Pundit, Debates Edition with Dr. Jill Scheibler

October 16, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 47.7 MB

In this episode Julie Walsh is again joined by her friend, Dr. Jill Scheibler, for a conversation about the presidential and vice-presidential debates, the president’s Covid diagnosis, the plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor, absentee voting (and the tallying of absentee votes). They also talk about polling: How polling works, what it’s been showing lately about the presidential race, and why we shouldn’t write it off. Jill is a community psychologist, a college professor and research coordi...

MTP 12: Impossible Dreams of a Better Civic Future with Julia Harrell

October 08, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 50.5 MB

Julie Walsh talks with Julia Harrell in her most freewheeling podcast conversation yet. They discuss some of the biggest challenges of our time – and then they dream about what a better world would look like. From democracy to education to the news media, Julie and Julia spend some time following Vaclev Havel’s advice: “[W]e must not be afraid of dreaming the seemingly impossible if we want the seemingly impossible to become a reality.” Julia Harrell is an author, a freelance writer, and ...

MTP 11: The Importance of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Dissent, and Running for Office with Abigail Benjamin

October 04, 2020 22:00 - 1 hour - 49.1 MB

Julie Walsh and Abigail Benjamin discuss the life and legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the importance of good-hearted political debate and being willing to dissent from your peers, and Abigail’s experience of running for public office for the first time. Abigail Benjamin is a lay Carmelite, a Catholic wife of 20 years, and a homeschooling mom to seven kids ages 17 to 2. She is an environmental and real estate lawyer in her small hometown in Central West Virginia. This year she ran for public ...

MTP 10: On Executive Power with Dr. Michael Towle

September 25, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 41.8 MB

Julie Walsh and Dr. Michael Towle discuss the concept of executive power – the power assigned by our constitution to the executive branch of government – and given to it (or taken by it), over more than two hundred years of muddling through the checks and balances instituted by our founders. At a time when the presidency seems to be growing ever more powerful, it’s good to stop and consider the history, and wonder about the future, of executive power in the United States. Dr. Michael Towl...

MTP 9: Being Open to the Idea that You Might Be Wrong with Dr. Linda Wansi

September 17, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 43.1 MB

Julie Walsh and Dr. Linda Wansi discuss a topic that any good citizen – and especially any good Christian – should be willing to wrestle with: being open to the idea that we could be wrong. From abortion to race to spiritual hang-ups in their own lives, the two discuss the work it takes to be honest with yourself in considering the idea that you could be wrong, and that you need to change. Such work is important in building up one’s own spiritual health, but it’s also important in buildin...

Bonus: The Blue Sky Day

September 11, 2020 17:00 - 11 minutes - 8.14 MB

In this special, bonus episode, Julie Walsh commemorates the anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. She was very near the tragedy that day – working in her office just a half-mile from the Pentagon when the plane struck the building. Julie has written a little about her experience over the years, and now that she’s podcasting, has decided to share her story here too. Visit www.thesewallsblog.com/morethanpolitics to learn more about this podcast. Theme music is by pu...

MTP 8: The Kitchen Sink Pundit, Conventions edition (Part 2) with Dr. Jill Scheibler

September 06, 2020 03:00 - 53 minutes - 36.6 MB

In this episode Julie Walsh is again joined by her friend, Dr. Jill Scheibler, for the second part of their conversation on the 2020 Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Jill is a community psychologist, a college professor and research coordinator, an art therapist, and the cofounder and Operations & Program Director of the nonprofit Make Studio, which empowers artists with disabilities to grow as professionals with visibility and voice in their communities. Although not formal...

MTP 7: The Kitchen Sink Pundit, Conventions edition (Part 1) with Jill Scheibler

September 01, 2020 05:00 - 47 minutes - 32.4 MB

In this episode Julie Walsh is joined by her friend, Dr. Jill Scheibler. The two put on their amateur pundit hats to discuss the 2020 Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Jill is a community psychologist, a college professor and research coordinator, an art therapist, and the co-founder and Operations & Program Director of the nonprofit Make Studio, which empowers artists with disabilities to grow as professionals with visibility and voice in their communities. Although not form...

MTP 7: The Kitchen Sink Pundit, Conventions edition (Part 1) with Dr. Jill Scheibler

September 01, 2020 05:00 - 47 minutes - 32.4 MB

In this episode Julie Walsh is joined by her friend, Dr. Jill Scheibler. The two put on their amateur pundit hats to discuss the 2020 Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Jill is a community psychologist, a college professor and research coordinator, an art therapist, and the co-founder and Operations & Program Director of the nonprofit Make Studio, which empowers artists with disabilities to grow as professionals with visibility and voice in their communities. Although not form...

MTP 6: On Being Politically Uncomfortable with Leslie Sholly

August 25, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 42.7 MB

In this episode Julie Walsh talks with writer Leslie Sholly about the experience of being politically uncomfortable. The two enjoy a kinship of sorts: their political views are similar to one another, but make them outliers in their respective communities. Leslie, who lives in a conservative, southern, Republican state, identifies as a pro-life Democrat. And Julie, who lives in a liberal, east coast, Democratic state, finds herself as a sort of moderate, uncomfortable Republican. Both iden...

MTP 5: The U.S. on the World Stage (Part 2) with Dr. Kristen Urban

August 13, 2020 21:00 - 51 minutes - 35.5 MB

In this episode Julie Walsh talks with Dr. J. Kristen Urban, Professor Emerita from Mount St. Mary’s University. Dr. Urban, who has taught a variety of courses related to international politics, has spent time in Israel/Palestine, Russia, Romania, Italy, Turkey, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. In 2003/04, she was a Senior Fulbright Scholar to Bahrain. In this second of a two-part conversation on the current state of the U.S. on the world stage, Julie and Dr. Urban discuss the Obama and Trump admini...

MTP 4: Providing Context on Lebanon with Dr. Kristen Urban (Emergency Episode)

August 09, 2020 02:00 - 36 minutes - 24.8 MB

In this “emergency” episode, Julie Walsh seeks to provide context on Lebanon for those who are tracking developments related to the August 4th explosion in Beirut, but who don’t know much about the country where it took place. She talks with Dr. J. Kristen Urban, Professor Emerita from Mount St. Mary’s University. Dr. Urban, who has taught a variety of courses related to international politics, has spent time in Israel/Palestine, Russia, Romania, Italy, Turkey, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. In 20...

MTP 3: The U.S. on the World Stage (Part 1) with Dr. Kristen Urban

August 06, 2020 17:00 - 43 minutes - 29.9 MB

In this episode Julie Walsh talks with Dr. J. Kristen Urban, Professor Emerita from Mount St. Mary’s University. Dr. Urban, who has taught a variety of courses related to international politics, has spent time in Israel/Palestine, Russia, Romania, Italy, Turkey, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. In 2003/04, she was a Senior Fulbright Scholar to Bahrain. In this first of a two-part conversation on the current state of the U.S. on the world stage, Julie and Dr. Urban review the international developmen...

MTP 2: Discussing This Moment (of Pandemic and Protest) with John Miller

July 30, 2020 17:00 - 42 minutes - 29.3 MB

In this episode Julie Walsh talks with John Miller, an award-winning journalist and filmmaker who, as a staff reporter for the Wall Street Journal for 13 years, reported from over 40 countries. John, an American, grew up in Brussels. He now lives in Pittsburgh. Julie and John discuss the moment we find ourselves in, both here and abroad: the coronavirus pandemic, the economic uncertainty it has unleashed, and the movement against racial injustice that has followed the death of George Floyd...

MTP 1: Introducing “More Than Politics” (and Myself)

July 27, 2020 21:00 - 27 minutes - 18.7 MB

This first episode of “More Than Politics” is an introduction to the ideas behind the podcast: the personal and professional stories that brought the host to this point, and the political philosophy those stories engendered in her. Julie Varner Walsh’s life has always centered around politics and her Catholic faith, and that has made for some strange combinations. Raised Republican, she worked mostly with Democrats when she was a lobbyist for the Catholic Church on poverty, immigration, and...

Coming Soon: More Than Politics

July 16, 2020 03:00 - 1 minute - 1.18 MB

Introducing: “More Than Politics”, a podcast for those of us who want something more than what we’ve come to expect from politics – and from our political discourse. Each week, More Than Politics will feature a conversation that helps us put today’s politics in context, that honestly and charitably explores the issues of the day, that encourages us to engage in politics with an attitude of love toward others – even and especially those with whom we disagree. Check back here soon to talk, ...