Episode 291: The Ripple Effects of Attacks on Higher Education
Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon
Release Date: 01/20/2026
Episode 303: Who Gets to Be an American?
Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon
Birthright citizenship has been part of the U.S. Constitution for more than 150 years, but why has it become the focus of such intense political debate in recent years? Professor breaks down the Supreme Court's decision in Trump v. Barbara, explains what birthright citizenship actually means, and traces the long history of who gets to be an American. Drawing from her new book, she separates fact from fiction on immigration, citizenship, and the Constitution, and explains why understanding that history matters today. For more on this topic: Check out Law’s new book, Read her blog post, ...
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Episode 302: The Christian Women Behind MAGA
Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon
Conservative Christian women are often portrayed as followers in American politics, but sociologist says that stereotype misses the bigger picture. Drawing on the research from her new book, she explains how these women have become a powerful force on the American right, what motivates their political engagement, and how faith, motherhood, and social media shape their growing influence. For more on this topic: Read Gaddini’s new book, Check out her commentary in TIME Magazine,
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Episode 301: The Cost of Incarceration
Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon
For many Americans, contact with the criminal legal system comes with a hidden price tag. Without their knowledge, incarcerated people can often rack up large bills owed to the government to pay for the cost of their own incarceration. Sociologist explains how these “pay-to-stay” laws work, how civil lawsuits are used to collect that money after release, and why the push to reform these criminal legal fines and fees has drawn bipartisan support. For more on this topic: Read the article mentioned in the episode, , co-authored by Friedman and published in the journal Social...
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Episode 300: Can America’s Political Parties be Fixed?
Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon
No Jargon celebrates its 300th episode with a conversation about where American democracy and politics stand today, featuring the Scholar Strategy Network’s new board chair, . Americans are increasingly frustrated with both the Democratic and Republican parties thanks to endless fundraising messages, political gridlock, and the sense that politicians don’t represent the people. Schmitt makes the case that political parties are still a vital part of a healthy democracy and talks through the kinds of structural changes that could help rebuild trust and bring more people into the political...
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Episode 299: Can Cash Improve Pregnancy Outcomes?
Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon
Pregnancy is often treated as a personal responsibility, but the effects don’t stay personal. When expectant parents can’t afford basics like stable housing or healthy food, it can have ripple effects for society. That’s why some communities are trying a different approach: giving expecting parents direct cash support during pregnancy. Professor explains how these programs work, focusing on the Philly Joy Bank, and why receiving money with no strings attached can ease stress and help families during a critical period. For more on this topic: Read Groves’ analysis in The...
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Episode 298: The Fight Over Climate Rules
Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon
The EPA’s 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding has been the legal foundation for U.S. climate regulation under the Clean Air Act for over a decade. In February, the Trump administration repealed it. That move puts the future of federal climate policy in question. Professor explains what the endangerment finding did and why it mattered for policies ranging from vehicle emissions to power plant rules. Drawing on his new book, he also puts this moment in context: showing how earlier waves of environmental policymaking took shape in the 1960s and ’70s, and why today’s approach is marked...
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Episode 297: New Rules for College Admissions
Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon
By now, most students who applied to college for the fall semester have received their decisions, bringing a mix of emotions, from excitement and relief to disappointment and uncertainty. For many, especially those turned away from top-choice schools, the admissions process can feel arbitrary and even unfair. Professor breaks down what’s changed for college applicants since the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision restricting race-conscious admissions. She also explores the uneven return of standardized testing and how policy shifts are reshaping who gets into selective colleges and what schools...
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Episode 296: The Politics of What We Eat
Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon
Nutrition policy is back in the spotlight. Under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” agenda, the federal government has been especially vocal about and involved in what Americans eat, including policies that change what can be bought with federal benefits. Nutrition policy researcher breaks down what the debate about ultra-processed foods is all about, how Americans' diets are shaped by both choice and policy, and what coming changes could mean for consumers and the food industry. For more on this topic: Read Rummo’s op-ed in The...
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Episode 295: The Affordable Housing Myth
Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon
Housing costs keep rising across the United States, and policymakers are scrambling for solutions. In Congress, policymakers from across the aisle are advancing legislation aimed at encouraging more housing construction, based on the idea that increasing supply will help bring prices down. But what actually makes housing “affordable” and who benefits from the policies meant to fix the problem? Drawing on decades of research and experience working on housing issues in New York City, Professor explains how politics and local housing markets affect who has access and why simply building more...
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Episode 294: What Did We Learn From Covid?
Scholars Strategy Network's No Jargon
Six years after the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a global emergency, are we any better prepared for the next pandemic? Professor Joseph Harris reflects on what Covid revealed about the strengths and weaknesses of the U.S. public health system and the fragility of global cooperation. Drawing on his research on universal health coverage and AIDS treatment politics in countries such as Thailand and Brazil, he explains how politics and power shape who has access to care—and how professional and social movements can drive reform. For more on this topic: Listen to Harris’s...
info_outlineThe Trump administration has made changes to how the federal government approaches diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, using executive actions, funding rules, and legal challenges that are reshaping how colleges operate. In response, campuses across the country are reassessing these programs — some ending them, others renaming offices or pausing services as they navigate new legal and funding realities. Professor Anthony Hernandez shares what he learned from a listening tour across New Mexico, California, Texas, and Wisconsin, where he spoke with students and educators experiencing these shifts firsthand. He explains what’s at stake for Hispanic-Serving Institutions and why these issues matter for college access, upward mobility, and the broader civic landscape.
For more on this topic:
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Read Hernandez’s op-ed in USA Today: Trump education cuts quietly declare that opportunity should be rationed on race
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Check out his op-ed in the Chicago Tribune: America cannot compete globally if it undermines its own people
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Read his op-ed in The Fulcrum: Tennessee’s Attack on Federal Support for Hispanic-Serving Colleges Hurts Us All