Current Affairs Unfiltered

Public school teacher Sam Smeaton returns to break down the controversial overhaul of Texas' teaching standards and what it means for classrooms across the state. We discuss the ideological and religious influences shaping the proposed curriculum, the role outside organizations have played in rewriting educational standards, and why so many Texas teachers have sounded the alarm. The conversation also explores what the State Board o...

As America marks its 250th anniversary, Tony Williams and David Bobb join to discuss their new book, Divided Over the Declaration, and why disagreement has always been central to the American experiment. We explore how generations of Americans from the Founders to Frederick Douglass to the Civil Rights Movement have interpreted the Declaration of Independence to expand the promise of liberty and equality. The conversation exam...

In this episode, Paige breaks down the latest developments in the Iran conflict, including the collapse of the ceasefire and what it means for U.S. involvement in the region. She also unpacks the growing controversy surrounding Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner, reflects on Mitch McConnell's political legacy following his latest health scare and examines Trump's efforts to inject politics into the 2026 World Cup. Plus, a look a...

Keira Havens returns to Current Affairs Unfiltered to discuss the rapid growth of Citizens Impeachment's Courage Candidates and what their campaigns could mean for the future of the Democratic Party. We dive into how the organization recruits candidates, why they require a commitment to pursuing impeachment, and the policy priorities that unite their slate. Keira also explains Citizens Impeachment's new policy matrix, their long-te...

In this week's episode of Current Affairs Unfiltered, Paige breaks down the Senate's effort to rein in Trump's war powers in Iran and why the administration's latest deal looks surprisingly similar to the Obama-era agreement Republicans once condemned. She also examines the results of key New York primary elections and what they reveal about the future of the Democratic Party. Plus, a look at the latest Trump controversies from the...

In this episode, Paige sits down with fitness professional and health advocate Jenna to explore the growing intersection of wellness culture, misinformation, and politics. They discuss how seemingly harmless health journeys can sometimes lead people down the MAHA pipeline, why wellness influencers have become such powerful political messengers, and how to distinguish evidence-based advice from conspiracy thinking. The conversation ...

In this episode, Paige sits down with veteran Democratic strategist and organizer Andrew Grossman to discuss the launch of Battleground Alliance and the strategy behind Democrats’ effort to flip the House. Grossman explains why field organizing, relational outreach, and early voter engagement still matter in an era dominated by digital media and political outrage cycles. The conversation explores how Battleground Alliance wor...

In this conversation, Rich Barton, a fellow with Unite America, discusses the evolution and impact of primary elections on political polarization and governance. He explores how the Citizens United ruling has influenced campaign finance, the decline of party establishments, and the fear lawmakers have of being primaried. Barton advocates for open primaries as a solution to the current issues within the electoral system, highlightin...

EPISODE RERELEASE!! This is an episode from way back when (before I truly figured out the audio on my mic so excuse the quality). BUT now that Overlap is released nationwide, it deserves to see the light of day once again.

In this episode of Current Affairs Unfiltered, Paige is joined by Katya, the co-founder of Overlap—the app that's making civic engagement way less confusing and a lot more person...

This week Paige sits down with John Beccia, a candidate for Congress in Massachusetts’s 6th District, to talk about what it means to run on working-class values in a chaotic political moment. John, a Lynnfield father and business leader, shares why he decided to step into politics and how his campaign is rooted in representing everyday people who feel ignored by Washington. Drawing on his background in the private sector, he ...

Meet Savanna & Emily, co-founders of Pink Poster Club. Pink Poster Club is a grassroots organization founded in response to political frustration after Trump was inaugurated. They discuss the importance of community engagement, the role of art in activism, and the need to make activism joyful and approachable. Savanna and Emily offer the roadmap for community building and share insights on sustaining growth, navigating challeng...

In this solo episode, Paige breaks down the escalating(descalating?)  conflict with Iran and the confusing back-and-forth coming from the Trump administration. After negotiations collapsed, the U.S. moved toward a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, raising questions about escalation and what the actual strategy is. She also examines the latest wave of sex scandals and alleged crimes involving members of Congress. The...

In this episode, Paige speaks with Keira Havens, executive director of Citizens Impeachment, about the growing grassroots push for impeachment and the role ordinary citizens play in holding elected officials accountable. Havens explains how citizen activism can pressure Congress to act, even when political institutions appear frozen by partisanship and political risk. The conversation also explores why many lawmakers avoid difficul...

In this episode of Current Affairs Unfiltered, Liz Minnella comes on to help break down the chaotic Illinois 9th Congressional District primary and what it revealed about modern campaigning. We examine the role social media played in shaping narratives around the race and how online discourse often diverged from what voters were experiencing on the ground. We'll also look at the impact of massive outside spending, including AIPAC-b...

In this conversation, Alan Bradstock, a candidate for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 14th Congressional District, discusses his extensive background in public service, including his time in the U.S. Army and the FBI, and how those experiences shaped his views on leadership, democracy, and the urgent need to rebuild trust in government. He emphasizes the importance of an economy that rewards hard work rather than wealth, the remov...

In this solo episode Paige breaks down a chaotic few weeks in global and domestic politics. She covers the escalating Iran-U.S.-Israel conflict and what it signals about leadership and risk. Closer to home, Paige walks through key primary elections in Illinois and Texas, a judge halting RFK Jr.’s vaccine overhaul, leadership instability within the government (aka Kristi Noem has a worse day than you), and the ripple effe...