The Filibuster podcast
The Filibuster seeks to objectively and civilly explain the great debates of the day. Join Union University's political science faculty as they analyze politics from their academic, political, and faith perspectives.
2026 Episodes
Episode 6: The Enduring Influence of the Declaration of Independence
July 1, 2026 - David Thomas and Sean Evans discuss the implications of the Declaration of Independence for 1776, the past 250 years, and what it means today.
Episode 5: Historical Context of the Declaration of Independence
July 1, 2026 - History professor David Thomas joins Sean Evans to discuss the reasons for the American Revolution and breakdown the historical, religious, and intellectual influences behind the Declaration of Independence.
Episode 4: Iran Israel Consequences
June 30, 2026 - Seth Brake and Christopher Jones explain the next steps both the U.S. and Iran will take and the consequences of the war for the U.S., Middle East, and the world.
Episode 3: Iran US War
June 30, 2026 - Seth Brake and Christopher Jones explain why the US attacked Iran, the two sides competing goals, and what counts as winning.
Episode 2: Iran US Historical Context
June 30, 2026 - Seth Brake and Christopher Jones provide the historical context that explains why the U.S. and Iran fought a military conflict.
Episode 1: The Donroe Doctrine
Jan. 8, 2026 - Seth Brake explains why the U.S. kidnapped Venezuelan President Maduro so he stands trial for drug trafficking and the impact this will have on politics in the Western Hemisphere and the world.
2025 Episodes
Episode 4: Trump's Middle East Peace Plan
Oct. 16, 2025 - Seth Brake explains President Trump's Middle Peace Plan, how it came to be, its prospects for success, and how Christians should think about Middle East peace.
Episode 3: Charlie Kirk
Sept. 23, 2025 - Dr. Evans discusses how we should react to the deaths of public figures, the importance of free speech to democracy, political violence in America, the impact of social media, and the importance of civil society.
Episode 2: DOGE
Feb. 13, 2025 - Dr. Evans discusses the rise of the administrative state, why and how presidents seek to control the bureaucracy, how DOGE fits into this history, and the good and bad surrounding DOGE.
Episode 1: Shock and Awe
Feb. 13, 2025 - Dr. Evans discusses President Trump's executive actions, the basis for them, whether they will stand legal challenge, and their impact on liberal democracy.
2024 Episodes
Episode 6: Trump's Foreign Policy Appointments
Dec. 18, 2024 - Seth Brake and Sean Evans discuss the mainstream and disruptors in President-elect Trump's foreign policy appointments and whether a "deep state" exists.
Episode 5: Trump's Foreign Policy Challenges
Dec. 18, 2024 - Seth Brake discusses the challenges of threading the needle on Russia, the Middle East, and China will challenge Trump.
Episode 4: The 2024 Election
Nov. 12, 2024 - Dr. Evans discusses why Trump won, Democrats lost, and how the two parties are changing.
Episode 3: Harris-Trump Presidential Debate
Sept. 11, 2024 - The faculty discuss the politics and debate strategies of former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris in the first presidential debate. The episode ends with a discussion of how Christians should think about the debate and election.
Episode 2: Presidential Leadership
Feb. 15, 2024 - This episode examines underappreciated and overrated presidents to identify the factors (e.g., vision, success, moral authority/character) that make good and great presidents. David Thomas of the History Department joins the Political Science faculty for this conversation.
Episode 1: 2024 Presidential Campaign in Review
Jan. 26, 2024 - This episode explains why Donald Trump and Joe Biden have had coronations more than tough nomination races.