America Has A Trust Problem with Alexander Theodoridis

The Home Front

Reed Galen

News, Government, Politics, News Commentary

5 • 632 Ratings

🗓️ 31 July 2025

⏱️ 46 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Host ⁠Reed Galen⁠⁠ is joined by Alexander Theodoridis, Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Co-Director of the UMass Poll, for an honest look at why trust in American politics and institutions is at an all-time low. They talk about what’s really driving voter dissatisfaction, the roots of polarization, and why approval ratings and party loyalty don’t mean what they used to. Alex shares insights from his research on public opinion, hyper-polarization, and how Americans are reacting to an era of constant political gridlock. They break down the frustrations of voters who feel like neither party is offering real solutions, the rise of populism, and what happens when people feel the system just isn’t working for them. Plus, how material concerns shape political choices, why it’s so hard to break out of our bubbles, and whether either party can earn back the public’s trust. For more from Alexander Theodoridis, keep an eye out for the latest UMass Polls and follow his research on public opinion, democracy, and polarization. For more from Reed Galen subscribe to⁠⁠ The Home Front⁠⁠, check out⁠⁠ Sez Us⁠⁠ for a new social media platform for sane people, and if you want to personally join the fight to save our nation’s democracy, visit⁠⁠ JoinTheUnion.us⁠⁠ and sign up today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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1:12.0	We've grown up surrounded by beauty ideals that promised confidence but often delivered shame. In a special episode of a millennial mind, I sat down with Nicola Adams to explore how appearance-based compliments and body talk shape our self-worth without us realizing it. In partnership with the Dove
1:17.3	Self-Esteen project, we unpack the tools to change the conversation for ourselves and for future
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1:30.4	Hey everyone, it's Reid. I need you to do me a favor today. I am trying to grow my subscriptions on substack. I need you to go to the home front on substack. You can just type in Reed Galen's substack. It will come up. Please subscribe today. I need your help growing the movement
1:46.8	and the conversation we're having. And now, on with the show. Welcome back to the home front.
1:53.6	I'm your host, Reid Galen. Today, I'm joined by Alex Theaturitis, Associate Professor of Political
1:59.4	Science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst,
2:02.3	and co-director of the UMass poll. Prior to UMass, he spent time teaching at the University
2:07.4	of California, Merced, and at Vanderbilt. His work seeks to understand the ways in which citizens
	...

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