Best Spencer Duncan Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 8 | Traevor McPherson 1:13:50

18h ago1:13:50

1:13:50

In this episode of The Civic Circus Podcast, we’re joined by Traevor (Trae) McPherson—a 10-year Topekan originally from South Central Kansas, and a lifelong student of public affairs. With a background full of passion for game shows, entertainment, and marketing, Trae brings a unique lens to local leadership and civic engagement. We dive into his e…

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News - DRC-Rwanda Peace Deal, PKK Disarmament, US Airstrikes in Somalia 45:56

18h ago45:56

45:56

Subscribe now to skip the ads and get more content. Order our limited edition ⁠"Robo Washington Crossing the Delaware" ⁠poster now. Paid subscribers get a 50% discount! Our news roundups are sometimes big, but never beautiful. This week: the PKK to begin its disarmament in Turkey (1:17); Iran suspends its cooperation with the IAEA (4:30), but remai…

1
S6 Ep.23: Markets, MAGA and Megatrends 39:40

1d ago39:40

39:40

In this episode, we bring you the highlights from our Investment conference: Markets, MAGA and Megatrends. Covering topics such as:- Macro-economics, geopolitics and deglobalisation- Strategic asset allocation powered by demographics- How does USS, one of the UK’s largest pension funds integrates climate and demographics into its investment strateg…

1
Special - The DRC-Rwanda Ceasefire w/ Jason Stearns (Preview) 10:01

3d ago10:01

10:01

Subscribe now for the full episode and access to all news specials. Derek welcomes back to the show Jason Stearns, associate professor at Simon Fraser University and author of The War That Doesn't Say Its Name: The Unending Conflict in the Congo, to talk about the state of play between the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group and the Democratic Republic …

1
E217 - The Continued Assault on Gaza and the West Bank w/ Dalia Hatuqa 1:08:41

4d ago1:08:41

1:08:41

Subscribe now to skip the ads and get more content! Get our "Welcome to the Crusades" miniseries! Derek welcomes back to the show Dalia Hatuqa, a journalist specializing in Israeli/Palestinian affairs and regional Middle East issues, to talk about the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. They recap what has been happening to Palestinians in Gaza wh…

1
Bonus - Reading the Right w/ Richard Beck (Preview) 8:57

6d ago8:57

8:57

Subscribe now for the full episode. Don’t forget to purchase our “Welcome to the Crusades” series before the price increases next week. Subscribers get a 25% discount! Richard Beck, senior writer at n+1 and author of Homeland: The War on Terror in American Life, joins the program to talk about the rise of interest in studying the far right since 20…

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Episode 7 | Chris Schultz 1:16:43

8d ago1:16:43

1:16:43

This week on the podcast, we sat down with Chris Schultz — a true visionary and community builder in Topeka. From launching Field Of Greens & Cosmos Court to revitalizing downtown through his unique businesses. Chris has been at the center of Topeka’s transformation. He’s not just creating spaces — he’s creating opportunities, culture, and a sense …

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News - Iran Strikes and Ceasefire, Nato Ups Defense Budgets, Supreme Court Okays Government Trafficking Migrants 43:34

8d ago43:34

43:34

Don’t forget to purchase our “Welcome to the Crusades” series before the price increases next week. Paid AP subscribers get a 20% discount, so subscribe today! Danny and Derek broadcast from an undisclosed resort location. This week: an update on the conflict with Iran, including the ceasefire (2:34), Trump’s disagreement with US intelligence asses…

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Special - Reflections on Mamdani’s Victory plus the View from Tehran w/ Eli Clifton (Preview) 11:10

10d ago11:10

11:10

Subscribe now for the full episode and access to all of our breaking news specials. Investigative journalist Eli Clifton is back on the show, this time to share his thoughts on Zohran Mamdani's victory in New York's Democratic mayoral primary. Eli also just got back from Iran and analyzes where things stand amid a tenuous ceasefire. Learn more abou…

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Cam Johnson on Tyrese Haliburton's Injury and the 2025 NBA Champion OKC Thunder 44:43

10d ago44:43

44:43

Cam Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets returns to the show this week to discusses the Oklahoma City Thunder winning the NBA Finals, Tyrese Haliburton's injury in Game 7, how to build championship teams moving forward, some recent trades, and more. Let's go! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com…

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E216 - Tracking Think Tanks w/ Ben Freeman and Nick Cleveland-Stout 1:00:08

11d ago1:00:08

1:00:08

Subscribe now to skip the ads and get more content. Ben Freeman and Nick Cleveland-Stout from the Quincy Institute join the program to talk about their Think Tank Funding Tracker, a repository that tracks funding from foreign governments, the U.S. government, and Pentagon contractors to the top 50 think tanks in the United States over the past five…

1
Special - Iran Strikes US Base 30:02

11d ago30:02

30:02

Subscribe now for all breaking news specials and commercial-free content. Danny and Derek break down the details of today's strike by Iran against the US Al-Udeid air base in Qatar. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Daniel Bessner & Derek Davison

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Special - Trump Bombs Iran (Preview) 8:27

13d ago8:27

8:27

Subscribe now for the full episode. Danny and Derek discuss last night's attacks, what the strategy of the US was, what the strategy of Iran might be, what an invasion of Iran would look like, the US role in the Middle East, and the Axis of Resistance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Bonus - Trump, Israel, and Escalating the War With Iran w/ Trita Parsi (Preview) 10:58

13d ago10:58

10:58

Subscribe now for the full episode and much more content. Note: This episode was recorded Friday, June 20 in the afternoon. Danny and Derek welcome back to the program Trita Parsi, executive vice president of the Quincy Institute, to talk about when and how the US will become fully involved in Israel’s war with Iran. They discuss the major interest…

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Vibe Coding and The Rise of AI Agents with Amjad Masad and Yohei Nakajima 58:59

15d ago58:59

58:59

Amjad Masad (@amasad), founder and CEO of Replit, and Yohei Nakajima (@yoheinakajima), Managing Partner at Untapped Capital, joined Village Global partner Ben Casnocha for a live masterclass with Village Global founders. Takeaways: AI agents are rapidly evolving, with coding and deep research agents showing the most traction today. But general-purp…

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Episode 6 | Connor, My Son 44:05

15d ago44:05

44:05

We always see kids used in political ads, campaign flyers, or posed for the perfect picture — but how often do we actually hear from them? This week on the podcast, I brought on my son Connor for a conversation that was real, unfiltered, and refreshingly human. We talked everything from surviving a zombie apocalypse to what he’d do for the city if …

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News - Israel-Iran War, Russia Strikes Kyiv, Trump Expands Travel Ban 51:07

15d ago51:07

51:07

Subscribe now to skip the ads and get more content. No ChatGPT here—our em dashes are organic. This week: in the Iran-Israel war, an update on the casualties and targets (1:52), US involvement remains in question (7:45), Ayatollah Khamenei refuses to surrender (14:47), and US and Israeli intelligence agencies disagree over “evidence” of Iran pursui…

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Desmond Bane on Being Traded to the Magic, Defending Memphis After Stephen A.'s Comments, and the NBA Finals 26:57

16d ago26:57

26:57

On this week's episode, the newest member of the Orlando Magic joins us! Desmond Bane discusses his trade from the Memphis Grizzlies to the Magic and what he's looking forward to the most about playing Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner. He also shares his thoughts about Memphis in reaction to ESPN's Stephen A. Smith's recent comments about the city a…

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Special - Will the US Join the War With Iran? w/ Akbar Shahid Ahmed 33:00

16d ago33:00

33:00

Subscribe now for an ad-free experience and access to all breaking news specials. Derek welcomes back to the program ⁠⁠Akbar Shahid Ahmed⁠⁠, Senior Diplomatic Correspondent for HuffPost, to talk about the prospect of Trump bringing the US into a war with Iran. Akbar has written a number of articles on Israel-Iran in the last several days, including…

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S6 Ep.22: Duncan Johnson: Should institutions invest in the UK’s high growth science & technology ecosystem? 28:46

17d ago28:46

28:46

In this episode of Investment Uncut, we speak to Duncan Johnson (Chief Executive at Northern Gritstone) to delve into the UK’s high growth science and technology ecosystem. We explore why the UK is a global leader in this space, the types of companies attracting investment, and how to assess these opportunities that are on the cutting edge of scien…

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Welcome to the Crusades, Episode 1: Rome, 1095 1:17:36

18d ago1:17:36

1:17:36

In lieu of a typical AP episode this week, we're releasing the first two episodes of our standalone miniseries on the First Crusade with the crew from We're Not So Different⁠⁠. Get the rest of the series here. Our journey through the First Crusade starts where the Crusaders themselves did: in western Europe with Pope Urban II and the Council of Cle…

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Welcome to the Crusades, Episode 2: Taranto, 1096 1:12:15

18d ago1:12:15

1:12:15

We've released the first two episodes of our standalone miniseries with the folks from ⁠We're Not So Different⁠⁠⁠. Get the rest of the episodes ⁠here⁠! The expedition begins to take shape. We continue to explore the fallout from Pope Urban II’s call for Crusade at the Council of Clermont, as lords from across France prepare to set off. We look espe…

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Special - The Israel-Iran War, Ep. 2 (Preview) 12:04

19d ago12:04

12:04

For the full episode and access to all breaking news specials, subscribe now. Danny and Derek update us on what's been going on over the past few days between Israel and Iran. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Daniel Bessner & Derek Davison

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Bonus - Third Parties plus Analyzing Trump w/ Matt Karp (Preview) 12:53

20d ago12:53

12:53

Subscribe now for the full episode. "Top Secret" subscribers get a free one-year digital subscription to The Nation! Danny speaks with Matt Karp, associate professor of history at Princeton, about party formation in the 1850s as well as his take on the Trump phenomenon. They explore the downfall of the Whigs and rise of the Republicans, the structu…

1
Unlocked: The LA Protests and the Imperial Boomerang w/ Spencer Ackerman 33:41

20d ago33:41

33:41

Spencer Ackerman of ⁠Forever Wars⁠ is back on the podcast to talk about the LA protests and his piece on them for Zeteo, ⁠"The Imperial Boomerang Lands in Los Angeles."⁠ You can read the "director's cut" of Spencer's piece ⁠over at Forever Wars⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Special - Israel Attacks Iran w/ Séamus Malekafzali (Preview) 12:38

21d ago12:38

12:38

Subscribe now for the full episode and no ads. Danny and Derek speak with ⁠Séamus Malekafzali⁠ about Israel’s strike on Iran, Iran’s response and attack on Israel, U.S. and geostrategy, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Daniel Bessner & Derek Davison

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Episode 5 | Tricia Sublet 59:29

22d ago59:29

59:29

In this episode of The Civic Circus Podcast, we sit down with Tricia Sublett—a passionate community leader, businesswoman, and advocate for positive change. Tricia opens up about her journey, the lessons she's learned through leadership, and the power of showing up for your community. Whether you’re into local politics, personal growth, or just lov…

1
News - Tensions Rise with Iran, Sudan-Libya Border Clashes, Trump Creating Office of Remigration 39:13

22d ago39:13

39:13

Subscribe now for an ad-free experience and more content. "Top Secret" subscribers get a complimentary one-year digital subscription to The Nation! Danny and Derek are everyday people who still believe in you. This week: the AUKUS security partnership is under review at the Pentagon (1:47); the IAEA rebukes Iran, nuclear negotiations are going nowh…

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Executing as a Best-In-Class Firm: Operational Excellence From The Inside of Over 50 VC Firms with Kristen Ostro of Strut Consulting 50:23

23d ago50:23

50:23

Jacob Mullins, Venture Partner at Village Global, welcomes Kristen Ostro, founder and CEO of Strut Consulting, to discuss the foundational elements that set venture capital firms up for long-term success. Kristen shares how her career began under the mentorship of Dick Kramlich at NEA, where she was trained in the core values and operational excell…

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Tracy McGrady & Bun B Take Us Through Their Legendary NBA and Hip-Hop Careers 1:19:50

23d ago1:19:50

1:19:50

On this week’s episode we welcome two Houston icons: NBA legend Tracy McGrady and rap legend Bun B. They open the conversation with Bun B sharing the story of starting his extremely successful burger restaurant, Trill Burgers, and the importance of his relationships from the music industry. Then T-Mac shares why he was drawn to Houston and then tak…

1
Special - The LA Protests and the Imperial Boomerang w/ Spencer Ackerman (Preview) 8:31

24d ago8:31

8:31

Subscribe now for the full episode and access to all breaking news specials. Spencer Ackerman of ⁠Forever Wars⁠ is back on the podcast to talk about the LA protests and his piece on them for Zeteo, ⁠"The Imperial Boomerang Lands in Los Angeles."⁠ You can read the "director's cut" of Spencer's piece ⁠over at Forever Wars⁠. Learn more about your ad c…

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E215 - The Low Culture of 1999 Predicting Modern America w/ Ross Benes 59:57

25d ago59:57

59:57

For an ad-free experience and much more content, subscribe now. Subscribers at the "Top Secret" tier get a one-year digital subscription to The Nation! In this week’s episode, Danny speaks with journalist Ross Benes about his book 1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times. They discuss the connection between the…

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Bonus - Claudia Sheinbaum’s Presidency So Far w/ Alex Aviña (Preview) 10:57

27d ago10:57

10:57

Subscribe now for the full episode and much more content. "Top Secret" subscribers get a free one-year digital subscription to The Nation! Danny and Derek welcome back to the program AP Mexico desk Alexander Aviña, associate professor of Latin American history in the School of Historical, Philosophical, and Religious Studies at Arizona State Univer…

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Episode 4 | Cathy Terrell 1:02:07

29d ago1:02:07

1:02:07

On this week’s episode of The Civic Circus Podcast, we sat down with Cathy Terrell, a dedicated educator and the founder of Mama T James & Jellies. Whether she’s in the classroom inspiring young minds or in the kitchen crafting homemade goodness, Cath is living proof that you can lead with love and build a legacy at the same time.…

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News - Ukraine Drone Attack, Gaza Aid Center Massacres, IAEA Suggests “Secret Nuclear Activities” in Iran 47:38

29d ago47:38

47:38

Subscribe now for an ad-free experience and much more content. The "Top Secret" tier gets you the show plus a one-year digital subscription to The Nation! We’re sorry to say that we’re professionals, and Danny and Derek’s falling-out will be behind closed doors. In this week’s news: in Russia-Ukraine, Ukraine launches a massive drone strike and bom…

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The Secret to Startup M&A: How To Set Your Companies Up for Big Outcomes with Ezra Roizen of Advsr 55:20

30d ago55:20

55:20

Jacob Mullins, Venture Partner at Village Global, sits down with Ezra Roizen, General Manager of Advsr and author of "The Magic Box Paradigm," to demystify the world of startup mergers and acquisitions (M&A) on Jacob’s private podcast, VC Mastermind, which we are cross-posting on the Village Global podcast. Drawing on decades of experience as both …

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Nicolas Batum on Reviving His Career, Guarding Prime Kobe, Melo, and LeBron, and the NBA Finals. Plus, Cam Johnson Talks Thibs and the Finals 1:24:07

30d ago1:24:07

1:24:07

On this week’s episode we welcome Nicolas Batum of the Los Angeles Clippers and Cam Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets. Cam joins at the start of the episode to discuss the New York Knicks firing head coach Tom Thibodeau and his thoughts on the NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers. Then, Batum joins the show to preview the Fina…

1
S6 Ep.21: Alison Savas: From Alphabet to AI - how do you actually pick what to invest in? 38:01

1M ago38:01

38:01

If you’re trying to outperform the market, how do you actually decide where to invest? And what about areas like AI where the future is highly uncertain? And there’s risks too – how do you ensure you’re paying a fair price given the risks you’re exposed to? To answer these questions, we step into the mind of an equity manager. We’re talking to Alis…

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E214 - The History of Americans’ Global War on Prostitution w/ Eva Payne 58:57

1M ago58:57

58:57

Subscribe now for an ad-free experience. Subscribers at the "Top Secret" tier get a one-year digital subscription to the Nation! Danny and Derek welcome to the program author Eva Payne to talk about her book Empire of Purity: The History of Americans' Global War on Prostitution. They discuss American sexual exceptionalism, the legal definition of “…

1
Bonus - The State of History in America w/ Mike Duncan (Preview) 10:34

1M ago10:34

10:34

Subscribe now for the full episode. At the "Top Secret" tier, you get a 1-year digital subscription to The Nation! Danny and Derek are pleased to welcome to the podcast Mike Duncan, history podcaster and author, to talk about where history stands in the American academy, popular culture, and public consciousness. They discuss the trials and tribula…

1
Episode 3 | Clark Trammell 1:18:32

1M ago1:18:32

1:18:32

Clark is a longtime community advocate, nonprofit leader, and strategic thinker who’s helped shape some of Topeka’s most impactful initiatives. From fundraising to community development, his heart for service is undeniable.By Spencer Duncan

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News - Gaza Aid Disaster, Russia Offers New Peace Talks, Trump Freezes Student Visas 56:48

1M ago56:48

56:48

Subscribe now for an ad-free experience! In this week’s news roundup: US-Iran negotiations might be making progress (1:02); in Israel-Palestine, a new aid program implemented gets people killed (6:30), the US proposes framework for a new peace deal* (11:01), and Israel creates 22 new West Bank settlements (15:54); cases of cholera are spiking in Su…

1
Bomani Jones, Stavvy, and Trey Murphy III | The Most Eclectic Basketball Podcast Ever Recorded 59:43

1M ago59:43

59:43

On this week's episode we assembled a crew that you just need to hear to believe: the legendary Bomani Jones, comedian Stavros Halkias, and Trey Murphy III of the New Orleans Pelicans. The crew discusses NBA topics such as who can be the face of the league and the changing of the guard with young superstars, what changes need to be made to the leag…

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Unlocked - What Could Go Right? w/ Zachary Karabell 54:36

1M ago54:36

54:36

Enjoy the full version of this special we published last week! Subscribe now for an ad-free experience and much more content! Danny and Derek invite ⁠Zachary Karabell⁠, historian and founder of ⁠the Progress Network⁠, as well as host of the podcast ⁠What Could Go Right?⁠, to talk about the big things: liberalism, American political capitalism, Trum…

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E213 - South Sudan’s Failed Peace Deal w/ Joshua Craze 55:59

1M ago55:59

55:59

Subscribe now for an ad-free experience and much more content! Writer and researcher Joshua Craze returns to the program to talk about the situation in South Sudan. They cover the collapsed 2018 “peace deal,” the elite forces vying for power, the Nuer White Army, figures like Salva Kiir Mayardit and Riek Machar, how South Sudan’s troubles have been…

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Bonus - Democratic Backsliding w/ Francis Fukuyama (Preview) 11:25

1M ago11:25

11:25

Subscribe now for the full episode and much more content! Danny and Derek welcome to the program political scientist Francis Fukuyama to talk about his recent article for the Journal of Democracy, “Delivering for Democracy: Why Results Matter.” The group explores why Dr. Fukuyama felt the need to address democratic backsliding, what about Trump’s a…

1
Episode 2 | Lazone Grays 59:16

1M ago59:16

59:16

Our guest today is Lazone Grays — a mentor, a changemaker, and the president of IBSA, Inc., an organization that’s been empowering youth and underserved communities for decades. Whether it’s workforce development, social entrepreneurship, or advocating for systemic change, Lazone has been on the frontlines making it happen.…

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News - Ukraine Talks Collapse, India Threatens Pakistan’s Water Supply, IDF Operation Gideon’s Chariots 51:03

1M ago51:03

51:03

Subscribe now for an ad-free experience and much more content! This week in the news roundup: the Ukraine peace talks collapse (3:30) as Trump stuns European allies with his sudden pivot back to positions beneficial to Russia (7:21); in EU elections, a Romanian centrist wins the presidency (11:06), a Polish centrist wins the first round of the pres…

1
S6 Ep.20: Andy Howard - what could an ESG rollback in the US mean for European investors? 39:32

1M ago39:32

39:32

S6 Ep.20: Andy Howard - what could an ESG rollback in the US mean for European investors? by Lane Clark & PeacockBy Lane Clark & Peacock

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Jay Bilas on the State of NBA Prospects & Conference Finals Previews | With Trey Murphy 49:21

2M ago49:21

49:21

This week we welcome ESPN’s Jay Bilas to the show alongside the New Orleans Pelicans’ Trey Murphy III. This was such a great, well-round hoops conversation; the group begins by sharing their reactions to this past weekend’s Game 7 between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder. They then preview the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Finals b…

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