Michael Sargent

FYI, Kristi Noem’s full
initials are K.L.A.N.

Decline and Fall A discussion with two political scientists about how we in the U.S. got here, and what change might require.

New episode's out. circumscription.fireside.fm/15

Circumscription Episode 15 ("Decline and Fall")--Teaser 1 YouTube video by Michael Sargent

New episode drops Tuesday morning. I speak to political scientists Chris Federico and Eric McDaniel about how we got here: youtu.be/vBsWGFmfNok

Rough A discussion of homelessness, with philosopher Paul Schofield.

My new podcast episode is out, featuring my conversation with philosopher Paul Schofield, about homelessness. circumscription.fireside.fm/14

Circumscription Episode 14 ("Rough")--Teaser 1 YouTube video by Michael Sargent

Here's a teaser for a new episode of my podcast coming out tomorrow: youtu.be/qkdqFba-jzo It's my conversation on homelessness, with colleague Paul Schofield.

Lewiston mayor asks for calm as increased ICE presence confirmed in city Reports of the presence of ICE agents across Maine intensified on Tuesday.

I haven't witnessed anything personally. I'm just hearing general reports of increased activity via social media, and in the news (e.g., www.sunjournal.com/2026/01/20/l...).

200. Five Questions About the Maduro Arrest Operation Friday night's U.S. military operation in Venezuela was a textbook violation of international law. It's also entirely unauthorized by U.S. law, which ought to (but probably won't) matter.

The most informative thing I've seen written on last night's military operation. open.substack.com/pub/stevevla...

Episode 13: Exile

A new episode is out. A discussion of belonging, ostracism, and the law, with Danieli Evans. open.spotify.com/episode/1nxX...

Circumscription Episode 13 ("Exile")--Teaser 1 YouTube video by Michael Sargent

New episode drops tomorrow, featuring my conversation with law professor Danieli Evans, about belonging, ostracism, and the law. youtu.be/T6bP66a4OJQ

Wrong Tool for the Job (Brian Kalt, on the 25th Amendment) My conversation with Michigan State's Brian Kalt, as we discuss the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, Section 4.

Social media posts (especially one quite deranged post) remind me, sadly, of this old podcast episode I once did, on the limits of Section 4 of the 25th Amendment. tatter.fireside.fm/50

Extract from Rob Reiner's Wikipedia Filmography 1986 - Stand By zme 1987 - The Princess Bride 1989 - When Harry Met Sally 1990 - Misery 1992 - A Few Good Men

Rob Reiner: I'm going to make a coming of age drama, a fantasy adventure story, a romantic comedy, a psychological horror and then a courtroom drama.

Us: Across your entire career?

Reiner: In a 6 year period.

Us: That sounds-

Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.

This Land Is Your Land A discussion of birthright citizenship and injunctions, with law professor Jacob Hamburger.

New episode is up. Check out my conversation about birthright citizenship and statewide vs. nationwide injunctions, with Marquette law professor Jacob Hamburger. It's nerdy stuff, but important stuff. circumscription.fireside.fm/12

Interested in birthright citizenship? Then check out my new podcast episode coming Wednesday morning.

Tatter Politics and Policy

For more on Tatter, tatter.fireside.fm

Tatter Archives: "Slurred Speech" I'm pulling an episode from the archives of my previous podcast, Tatter. This is a discussion of slurs--especially gendered slurs, as well as racial and ethnic slurs--with philosopher Lauren Ashwell.

The semester got busy and I didn't manage to produce a new podcast episode. So I went into the archives of my old podcast, Tatter, and dug out one of my favorite episodes, featuring my colleague and friend, philosopher Lauren Ashwell, as we discuss slurs over whiskey: circumscription.fireside.fm/11

Service is the truest measure of patriotism. On Veterans Day, we honor all who have taken the oath and worn the uniform - and our nation recommits to keeping its promises to every veteran who served our country.

The Cloth of Protection A discussion of academic freedom with law professor David Rabban.

Interested in academic freedom? Check out my interview with UT law professor and former AAUP general counsel, David Rabban. circumscription.fireside.fm/10

And it's a good day when I get to use the word "spurn" in a post.

Bible Gateway passage: Luke 7:37-50 - New International Version A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she...

And for those who are unmoved by Tim, and who think Talarico should spurn the escorts and porn stars because of their engagement in "sin," Luke 7: 37-50 is worth a re-read. (But what do I know? I'm an atheist.) www.biblegateway.com/passage/?sea...

Circumscription Episode 10--Teaser 2 YouTube video by Michael Sargent

Here's a second teaser: youtu.be/fqv2eQxaDI4

Circumscription Episode 10--Teaser 1 YouTube video by Michael Sargent

Interested in academic freedom? Check out my new podcast episode this upcoming Tuesday. I talk with law professor David Rabban, an expert on academic freedom and freedom of speech. Here's a teaser: youtu.be/PSvQzWPI3rE

Gerald Higginbotham Gerald Higginbotham is an assistant professor of public policy and psychology at the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy at the University of Virginia. Utilizing social and cultural ps...

batten.virginia.edu/people/geral...

Triggered A conversation with social psychologist Gerald Higginbotham about race and gun rights.

The new episode went live early this morning. Here's my conversation with Gerald Higginbotham. If you're interested in race and gun rights, check it out: circumscription.fireside.fm/9

Circumscription Episode 9--Teaser 1 YouTube video by Michael Sargent

Coming up the morning of October 28, a new episode of Circumscription. This new episode is about race and gun rights, and it features my fellow social psychologist, Gerald Higginbotham: youtu.be/99iLylkjb0Q

Opinion | When ICE came for a U.S. citizen and Army veteran George Retes is suing the federal government for unconstitutional detention.

www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...

Military Plans to Fire Artillery Over California Freeway on Saturday

JD Vance's spokesperson: "If Gavin Newsom wants to oppose the training exercises that ensure our Armed Forces are the deadliest and most lethal fighting force in the world, then he can go right ahead."

Wow. "Deadliest" *and* "most lethal." Gotta cover one's bases.

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/u...

Trump Administration Authorizes Covert C.I.A. Action in Venezuela

Well, if we aren't in a war with Venezuela that would justify the recent boat strikes, I suppose Trump's plan is to create just such a war. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...

Circumscription Episode 8: Unreconstructed A conversation with political scientist Julia Azari about three racially transformative presidents, and their backlash successors.

And the new episode with @juliaazari.bsky.social is out! share.fireside.fm/episode/6lb2...

Fainting goat - Wikipedia

I didn't expect this Wikipedia entry to be a relevant link to include on the episode page for my next episode, but @juliaazari.bsky.social made sure it became relevant: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faintin...

Circumscription Where We Set The Limits

Tomorrow at 5am Eastern, the next episode of Circumscription drops (episode title: "Unreconstructed"), featuring my conversation with @juliaazari.bsky.social about transformative presidents and their backlash successors. Check it out: circumscription.fireside.fm