At The Square

In Episode #41 of Both Sides, Allan gives an update about his second dose of the vaccine. Mike and Allan share perspective on a recent article that features an interview with pollster David Shor and his claim that there are key methods that will indicate a midterm victory for Democrats. Allison weighs in and asks the pair for advice on the frustrating concept of online criticism. Point of reference: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2021/03/david-shor-2020-democrats-autopsy-hispanic-vote-midterms-trump-gop.html

In Episode #40 of Both Sides, Mike asks Allan to explain a recent blog post that highlighted Senator Mitch McConnell's closing remarks at the Senate Impeachment Hearing of Former President Donald J. Trump. The two offer thoughts on the hearing as a whole, then discuss a recent op-ed written by journalist Ezra Klein entitled 'California is making Liberals Squirm: If progressivism can’t work there, why should the country believe it can work anywhere else?' published originally in the New York Times on February 11th, 2021. 

Recorded Live on February 11th, 2021 on Zoom webinar. Recently Former Missouri Senator John C. Danforth made headlines chastising one of his fellow Republicans and statesman, Sen. Josh Hawley, after the insurrection on at the U.S. Capitol.   Join Danforth for an intimate conversation about the state of affairs in our country with the Cohosts of APS’ podcast Both Sides Ambassador Allan Katz and Mike McShane. The trio talk about the notion of “us versus them” that has taken hold in America today. Find the video of this event on the APS Youtube Page.  

In Episode #38 of Both Sides, Allan recounts his recent experience receiving the COVID 19 vaccine, answering Mike's questions about the logistics, notable side effects, and the emotional impact. The two then discuss how the United States roll out of vaccine distribution, though slower than what many would like it to be, is much more organized than European counterparts. 

In Both Sides Episode #37, Mike and Allan debrief on the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Mike and Allan discuss Biden's first 100 days, sharing thoughts on the use of Executive Orders as a form of policy making. Mike and Allan also discuss the post-Trump era of the Republican Party, making their predictions on whether or not some law makers may shift loyalty. 

In Episode #36 of Both Sides, Mike and Allan discuss the second Impeachment of President Trump in the House of Representatives and the permanent removal of his Twitter account. Mike explains why Twitter has the authority to do this, discussing the rights of a private company. Allan gives perspective on how and when he anticipates receiving the COVID 19 vaccine.  Join American Public Square at Jewell on 1/19/2021 at 5PM for 'Coming Together: Can we Bridge our Country's Divisions?' a panel discussion with experts from around the country. Registration is available at www.americanpublicsquare.org/events. 

Who should be held accountable? In Episode #35 of Both Sides, Mike and Allan share frustrations and reactions to the mob of rioters that breached the United States Capitol on January 6th, 2021 to prevent Congress from affirming the results of the 2020 Presidential Election. Mike and Allan analyze what lead to this unfortunate, historic event with attention to the inconsistency of how this group of rioters were treated versus how Black Lives Matter protestors were treated in the Summer of 2020. 

In the last episode of 2020, Episode #34 features a dive into the headlines including, but not limited: to the op-ed written in the Wall Street Journal about First-Lady Elect's (Dr. Jill Biden) title, the ongoing effort to undermine the 2020 Election Results, and the first doses of the COVID 19 vaccine. Mike and Allan round out the episode by sharing what they look forward to in 2021. Join APS and #BothSides in 2021 for continued civil dialogue and friendly banter. Look for new episodes in January 2021.

In Episode #33, Mike and Allan discuss an editorial Allan wrote in the Kansas City Star featuring a call to action. He wants all Americans to talk with folks across the aisle to help bridge political divides in what he calls, the #ComingTogetherProject. Mike and Allan also talk about the news of the day, including but not limited to, the most recent push back from the state of Texas on the 2020 Presidential Election Results.

In Episode #32 of Both Sides, Mike and Allan catch up on current events but primarily focus on the arrival of a coronavirus vaccine and the ongoing transition of power from the Trump Administration to the Biden Administration. Engage with our Both Sides team by submitting a question or suggesting a topic for Mike, Allan, and Allison to deliberate in an upcoming episode of Both Sides. Go to www.americanpublicsquare.org/atthesquare to submit.

In Episode #31 of Both Sides, Mike and Allan share thoughts on the evolution of President Trump's claims about election fraud and what those claims mean for our democracy. Mike and Allan also discuss Anti-Racism in relation to an upcoming American Public Square at Jewell panel discussion in partnership with The Forward. 'Anti-racism: The Solution or a Part of the Problem' taking place on Tuesday December 1st. Find registration and more at https://americanpublicsquare.org/event/anti-racism/. 

In Episode #30 of Both Sides, Mike and Allan discuss the aftermath of the election, the state of the presidency, and the remaining Senate seats to be filled. What will happen to President Trump in the future? Who will control a majority in the Senate? They also discuss the surge of COVID-19, and how it will effect the country in 2021. Hear predictions from Mike an Allan as well as a teaser to our upcoming event: 'I got Cancelled, Whats Next?' on November 17th, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Registration can be found on our website: www.americanpublicsquare.org

This special episode of At the Square features American Public Square at Jewell’s (APS) Fall 2020 Intern Team comprising of Luke Dema, Charisma Sewell, Jaycee Roe, Pria Jean-baptiste, Zachary Mertes, and Henry Clause as they explore the topic of Cancel Culture. This episode was created to complement APS's upcoming Student Program 'I Got Canceled. What’s Next?' taking place on November 17th from 6PM-730PM via Zoom Webinar. Find more information at at www.americanpublicsquare.org.

Both Sides Episode #29, recorded in front of a live virtual audience on November 4th, 2020 via Zoom Webinar and Facebook Live. Find the video recording and more at At the Square. This episode features a longer Both Sides conversation about: WHY the day-after-the-election results are inconclusive, HOW MO + KS voted, and WHAT finding common ground looks like post-2020.   Mikes Election Predictions: https://www.270towin.com/maps/kexNd Allan's Election Predictions: https://www.270towin.com/maps/Enpzv Allison's Election Predictions: https://www.270towin.com/maps/YXen2 Find recent Both Sides episodes and a place to submit your questions at www.americanpublicsquare.org/events/atthesquare/

In Both Sides Episode #28, Mike and Allan discuss their predictions for the upcoming General Election and explore Kansas and Missouri local ballots and initiatives. Specifically, the conversation covers an analysis from both Mike and Allan about Amendment 3 on the Missouri ballot. Tune in after November 3rd for commentary and analysis on the election! 

In Episode #27 of Both Sides, Mike and Allan begin by sharing reactions to Evening at the Square 2020 feat. The Lincoln project. Following that, Mike and Allan dive into a discussion of the Amy Coney Barrett Senate Hearings, APS's upcoming segment of Cocktails and Politics with Senator Sherrod Brown on 10/22 at 6PM, and talk about the spread of COVID 19 in the Executive Branch. 

In Episode #26 of Both Sides, Allan and Allison talk with Co-founders of The Lincoln Project, who will be featured at American Public Square at Jewell's Virtual Evening at the Square 2020 event on 10/13/2020. In a conversation with The Lincoln Project's Reed Galen, Jennifer Horn, Steve Schmidt, and Rick Wilson, behind the scenes insight is shared about political identity and how The Lincoln Project gained traction on social media. To learn more about the event and find tickets for Evening at the Square feat. The Lincoln Project please visit: www.americanpublicsquare.org/event/tlp/   Help us engage with our audience by way of answering YOUR questions as a part of our episodes! How do you get those questions to us? Go to and under the section ‘Write us’ fill out your info and leave us a question. You can ask a question specific to a topic of your choice and we'll answer it the following week.

In Episode #25 of Both Sides, Mike and Allan discuss the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and what it means for the future of The Supreme Court of the United States. Will Democrats try to pack the court? What could happen to Roe v. Wade? Tune in to hear Mike and Allan share their answers to these questions.  Help us engage with our audience by way of answering YOUR questions as a part of our episodes! How do you get those questions to us? Go to www.americanpublicsquare.org/contact and under the section ‘Write us’ fill out your info and leave us a question. You can ask a question specific to a topic of your choice and we'll answer it the following week.

Episode #24 of Both Sides features a recording of American Public Square at Jewell's (APS) LIVE virtual series 'Cocktails and Politics'. In a discussion moderated by Both Side's cohosts Allan Katz and Mike McShane, political consultant Terry Nelson shares insight about the Senate race and other topics regarding the 2020 election. APS's Program Director served as the Roving Reporter for this live event, recorded on September 15th, 2020.  Terry Nelson is a founding and managing partner at FP1 Strategies. Nelson helps lead FP1’s various practice areas, ensuring that our internal team and the candidates we work for stay focused on the big picture things they need to do to win on Election Day. Nelson has led successful media campaigns for Governors, Members of Congress and ballot measures. With more than two decades of experience in high-stakes races, Nelson has earned the reputation of being one of the most influential and respected voices in the Republican Party. He has expertise in media strategy, campaign m

Episode #23 marks the launch of Season Two of Both Sides with some time spent catching up on what happened during our two week break and a discussion about how Immigration is affecting the 2020 election versus how it affected the 2016 election.  In Season Two of Both Sides the podcast will complement American Public Square at Jewell's fall programming calendar. We'll tackle the election (of course), along with Immigration, gun violence, and race and identity issues both locally and nationally.  Help us engage with our audience by way of answering YOUR questions as a part of our episodes! How do you get those questions to us? Go to www.americanpublicsquare.org/contact and under the section ‘Write us’ fill out your info and leave us a question. You can ask a question specific to a topic of your choice and we'll answer it the following week.