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
150 episodes
Dead Democracy Walking: A Farewell (w/ Dr. Sara Benesh)
What does it feel like to watch democracy crumble in real time? In this raw, deeply personal conversation that marks the (maybe) final episode of Deep Dive, host Shawn C. Fettig and political scientist D...
Leaving America E12: Taxation without Representation and Renunciation
The invisible chain that follows every American abroad isn't nostalgia—it's the IRS. Unlike citizens of virtually every other nation, Americans must file tax returns no matter where they build their lives, creating a bureaucratic burden that tu...
Leaving America E11: Spotlight on South Africa!
What if the perfect expat destination for Americans isn't Portugal or Costa Rica, but South Africa? A country where your dollars stretch four times further, world-class healthcare costs pennies on the dollar, and English is widely spoken across...
Leaving America E10: The Golden Passports - Citizenship by Investment and by Lineage
The American passport was once considered the gold standard of global mobility. Today, a growing number of US citizens are seeking second citizenship as insurance against political instability, rights erosion, and uncertainty. This episode delv...
Leaving America E9: Spotlight on New Zealand!
Ever fantasized about leaving America's polarized politics for New Zealand's pristine landscapes? Before you pack your bags for Middle Earth, listen to the unfiltered truth from two expats who took the leap without ever visiting first.M...
Leaving America E8: The English-Speakers - Canada, Australia, and New Zealand
When Americans consider moving abroad, one of the first questions is often "Can I go somewhere where they speak English?" But, it's not just about avoiding language barriers—it's about finding a place where cultural references, legal systems, a...
Leaving America E7: Spotlight on The Philippines!
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 transforma...
Leaving America E6: The Digital Nomad Life - Southeast Asia
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 filt...
Leaving America E5: Spotlight on Honduras!
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.T...
Leaving America E4: The Latin American Dream
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, Lat...
Leaving America E3: Spotlight On France!
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 prior...
Leaving America E2: The Easy Escapes in Europe
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...
Leaving America E1: Should You Stay or Should You Go?
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 Americ...
Order in the Court: Is the Judiciary in Crisis Under This Trump Presidency? (w/ Professor Tara Grove)
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 r...
The Bible Belt Tightens: When Theology Becomes Policy (w/ Matthew Vines)
Through his work with the Reformation Project, and his book
The Final Bulwark Against Authoritarianism: Free Elections and the Courts (w/ Dr. Laura Gamboa)
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 ...
Trump's America: The End of Free Speech and a Free Press (w/ Flemming Rose)
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 ...
The Great Party Shake-Up: What Happens When Both Parties Lose Their Way? (w/ Dr. Hans Noel)
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.
Never America's 51st State: The Trump Effect on Canadian Politics (w/ Dr. Andre Lecours)
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 ref...
The Politically Homeless Majority: How Independents Could Save Democracy (w/ Dr. Lura Forcum)
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 Forc...
Retaking the House (and Democracy) with Florida House Candidate Josh Weil
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...
From Belfast to Boston: Can the Troubles Happen Here? (Featuring Oisin Feeney)
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 apa...
Ground Control: How Trump’s Territorial Ambitions Threaten Global Stability (w/ Dr. Michael Albertus)
Dr. Michael Albertus, professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago, and author of the book Land ...