How to Build a Policy School

“We’re not reading the IKEA instructions.”

Sep 29 • Santi Ruiz

13

4

3

57:02

How to Build an Authoritarian Regime

“We write as if democracy is super common. It’s really not.”

Sep 10 • Santi Ruiz

24

2

5

1:21:35

July 2026

The James C. Scott Memorial Episode

“Scott, by God, that man has earned it.”

Jul 30 • Santi Ruiz

52

5

13

1:03:46

June 2026

Merit vs. Tenure: Reforming Federal Firing

”The current rules are just so incredibly unadministerable”

Jun 17 • Santi Ruiz

17

6

1

45:45

"The Strongman Presidency"

“Most of the employees of the federal government were mailmen”

Jun 12 • Santi Ruiz

23

3

3

58:17

April 2026

What Trump Can Learn From Nixon

A review of "The Plot That Failed: Nixon and the Administrative Presidency," by Richard P. Nathan

Apr 30 • Santi Ruiz

47

4

6

March 2026

How the National Security Strategy Gets Made

“Leverage is the favorite verb of the Washington policy community.”

Mar 12 • Santi Ruiz

27

2

1

58:21

Ten Thoughts on Government Data

Government data often underpins policy debates.

Mar 5 • Santi Ruiz

38

1

3

13:00

February 2026

When FAFSA Broke, They Called This Guy

“Two moms can’t produce a baby in 4.5 months”

Feb 26 • Santi Ruiz

22

3

3

1:15:07

How a Congressional Office Actually Works

“You need zen”

Feb 19 • Santi Ruiz

47

1

3

1:09:16

How to Rewire City Hall

“Mayors have a lot of FOMO”

Feb 13 • Santi Ruiz

28

2

5

1:01:49

What’s Wrong with Nonprofits?

“It’s one sign of just how far nonprofits have fallen”

Feb 4 • Santi Ruiz

57

8

9

1:26:11