Deep Dive with Shawn

Deep Dive with Shawn

Welcome to Deep Dive, the podcast where politics, history, and queer lives intersect in engaging, in-depth conversations. I'm Dr. Shawn C. Fettig, a political scientist, and I've crafted this show to go beyond the headlines, diving into the heart of critical issues with authors, researchers, activists, and politicians. Forget surface-level analysis; we're here for the real stories, the hidden layers, and the nuanced discussions that matter. Join me as we explore the intricate world of governance, democracy, and global stability. Expect empathy, unique perspectives, and thought-provoking dialogue—no punditry, just genuine insights. Ready to dive in? Catch us on your favorite podcast platform, and don't forget to follow the conversation: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/deepdivewithshawn.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjZ9grY02HMCUR34qaWhNmQ Got thoughts? Questions? We'd love to hear from you! Drop us a line at deepdivewithshawn@gmail.com. "Deep Dive" - Because the most important conversations happen below the surface.

Episodes

July 13, 2025 62 mins

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What happens when a three-month vacation accidentally becomes a 15-month immersion into island life? For Heidi and Tony, being stranded in the Philippines during the early pandemic lockdowns wasn't just an inconvenience – it became a transformative lesson in what truly matters.

In this conversation, we discover how a small Philippine island with unreliable electricity, occasional water shortages, and zer...

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The digital nomad movement has evolved from a fringe lifestyle into a global phenomenon, with Southeast Asia emerging as its undisputed headquarters. This episode explores the realities of remote work in paradise, cutting through Instagram filters to reveal what actually awaits Americans seeking escape through digital nomad visas.

We break down the distinct flavors of nomad life across four key destinations. ...

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Christina Korpi, fresh out of college with degrees in Spanish and psychology, arrived in Honduras with practical preparations but couldn't anticipate how profoundly this Central American nation would challenge her American perspective.

The cultural adjustments began immediately. Despite Spanish fluency from previous stays in Spain and Mexico, Honduras presented its own linguistic nuances. More surprising...

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Dreaming of a life where your morning coffee comes with a side of tropical birds rather than the military in your neighborhood? You're not alone. As more Americans find themselves struggling with rising costs and political tensions at home, Latin America has emerged as the promised land of affordable living and reclaimed time.

Mexico leads the charge as America's favorite escape hatch, with over 1.6...

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What if you could wake up tomorrow in a country that has peaceful protests without military intervention? Where healthcare is a right, not a privilege? Where a five-day hospital stay results in no bill, and where life moves at a pace that prioritizes enjoyment over hustle? This isn't fantasy—it's daily reality in France.

France beckons Americans with its seductive blend of art, food, architecture, a...

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The American dream increasingly feels like a nightmare for many – healthcare tied to employment, minimal vacation time, and a system that prioritizes profit over wellbeing. In this episode, we're focusing on one of the most popular destinations for Americans eyeing the exits - Europe - with its universal healthcare, work-life balance, and social stability. But is relocating across the Atlantic actually achievable...

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What if you could escape the endless news cycle, afford healthcare without a second mortgage, and actually use your vacation days without guilt? Welcome to "Leaving America," the limited series where we're diving into why a record 40% of Americans are now considering life beyond US borders, why so many are actually taking the leap, where to go, and how to get there.

This isn't just daydrea...

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American democracy faces a defining challenge as the judiciary—our system's intended steady hand—confronts unprecedented attacks from a presidency openly questioning its legitimacy. Trump's declaration that he can ignore Supreme Court rulings represents more than partisan rancor; it threatens constitutional governance itself.

Professor Tara Grove joins the pod and offers critical perspective by exam...

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Through his work with the Reformation Project, and his book God and the Gay Christian, Matthew Vines captures the essence of a journey shared by millions managing the complex intersection of faith and sexual identity.

In a political climate where White Christian Nationalism increasingly scapegoats LGBTQ people for societal ills, Vines offers something revolutionary: a thoughtful framework for understanding Sc...

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America stands at a democratic crossroads, facing threats not from invasion or coup, but from methodical dismantling from within. This is the reality: federal agencies are gutted, political opponents are targeted, judges are being arrested for not advancing Trump's agenda, and courts are delegitimized with alarming speed.

Dr. Laura Gamboa, democracy expert from Notre Dame University, and author of the bo...

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Freedom of expression stands as democracy's most essential and most vulnerable foundation. In this conversation, Danish journalist and author Flemming Rose shares profound insights from his experience at the center of the 2005 Muhammad cartoons controversy that sparked global protests and death threats.

Rose offers a surprising revelation: free speech is fundamentally unnatural. "Free speech is a co...

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American democracy is crumbling. The Republican Party, once defined by traditional conservatism, has transformed into a vehicle for Trumpism, while Democrats struggle to maintain their coalition after unexpected losses. Dr. Hans Noel, Associate Professor of Government at Georgetown University, and co-author of the book Political Parties, joins the pod to explain the complex forces reshaping our political landscape.

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When Canada's snap election was called for April 28th, few could have predicted how dramatically the political landscape would shift. What started as a predictable contest with Conservatives comfortably ahead has transformed into a national referendum on sovereignty and resilience in the face of unprecedented threats from south of the border.

Donald Trump's sudden targeting of Canada with punishing ...

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America's political divisions seem insurmountable, yet beneath the surface lies a compelling counternarrative: the moderate middle hasn't disappeared—it's just been silenced. In this episode, Dr. Lura Forcum, president of the Independent Center, to discuss the surprising vitality of centrist politics (and centrist voters) in a polarized age.

The numbers tell an unexpected story. With 35% of Ame...

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Josh Weil, Democratic candidate for Florida's 6th Congressional District, joins Deep Dive to discuss what could be one of the most consequential special elections in American history. A public school teacher and single father, Weil explains why his April 1st race represents more than just a local contest – it's potentially the first domino in Democrats' path to regaining control of the House.

W...

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In the United States, it's difficult to imagine how civil violence could break out in the United States - how civic and political breakdown could actually manifest in our neighborhoods. The Troubles - the conflict that tore Northern Ireland apart for decades - offer a stark warning for America's increasingly polarized society. In this episode, Oisin Feeney, creator of the acclaimed "The Troubles" p...

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Dr. Michael Albertus, professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago, and author of the book Land Power: Who Has It, Who Doesn't, and How That Determines the Fate of Societies, as well as the recent Foreign Affairs article The Coming Age of Territorial Expansion, joins the pod to discuss the history of land power, land owernship, territorial ambitions and their larger implications on global politics ...

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March 8, 2025 1 min

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Have you ever considered leaving the United States - for more affordable healthcare, a lower cost of living, less political chaos? 

If so, our limited podcast series "Leaving America" will be your guide to answering all of the questions you might have! 

Coming this summer on the Deep Dive with Shawn podcast feed. Follow us now for updates!

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Song: Happy Whistle by SoundHills 

Music provided by https://pr...

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Is Bill Clinton responsible for this Trump Era? In this episode, Dr. Nelson Lichtenstein, professor of History at UC Santa Barbara, and co-author of the book A Fabulous Failure: The Clinton Presidency and the Transformation of American Capitalism joins the pod to examine the complexities of Bill Clinton's presidency and its enduring effects on American democracy today. We discuss how Clinton’s embrace of neoliber...

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One month into Trump's second term and his actions, thus far, have been described as chaotic, anarchic, cruel, mercurial, authoritarianian, etc. At minimum, it's clear that Trump is single-mindedly focused on systematically dismantling the very institutions designed to uphold democracy. Our guest this week, Dr. Russell Muirhead, professor of Democracy and Politics at Dartmouth, and co-author of "Ungover...

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