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last q&a ep of 2024!! (Patreon)

Published:
2024-12-17 22:12:05
Imported:
2026-06

Content

what a year it's been! let's wrap it up with one more q&a. suggested question areas:

-cookies

-macarons

-cookie assortments

-wrapping paper, gift wrapping

-eggnog, nutmeg, this manner of thing

or whatever is on your mind!!!

Comments

J K

Matt what is your favorite squat variation?

Mary Kate Crenny

How do you decide how many children to have?

Old Mole

Thoughts on global warming/climate change?

victor recabarren

had my first eggnog recently (store bought) and hated it, felt like i was drinking cake batter or something. but i dont wanna give up. is there a homemade recipe out there i should try??

Riley Kaminer

Thoughts on Red Scare these days?

Thomas Henry

Gingerbread, cut before or after baking?

KB Scott

For Matt: good book about the origins of the Nordic welfare movement(s)? The Danish national museum really credited the folk school movement with laying foundation for the welfare state, and I’d love to learn more about that For Liz: merry Christmas! What are you making for Christmas Eve dinner/ Christmas morning brunch? Poetry recommendations for the new year?

pwnzorshiz

Best piece of Christmas media? Movie, TV episode, song, book (bible excluded)?

William Minnesota

What Christmas traditions have you established with your kids? I’ve got kids 5, 3, and 1 and it’s hard to establish routines amidst the busyness of the season and the regular craziness of having little kids.

Andrew Swann

Liz, how did you initially get into journalistic writing? Did you go into it with a specific set of topics you wanted to write about, or was it more of a general choice of journalism over the academy?

TC

Liz: did you ever go through an atheist (or maybe even specifically new atheist, since it was around that time) phase when you were a teen/young adult? And for Liz and Matt: what was your favorite content (books, movies, articles, music, TV, memes, podcasts, etc.) from 2024?

CatterpillarYarn

Hi Liz and Matt, I'm in stage one labour right now with my first kid. Feeling pretty good and relaxed, but if yall could riff about labour, birth, those early infant days, that'd be great. Also, if we could get a shout out to the Canada Post workers who were forced back to work today as per Labour Minster, Stephen Mackinny, that'd be great. Their union CUPW, agreed to drop the raise demand, but they still got fucked over because God forbid our x Mas holiday shopping gets delayed.

Kent Kersten

Liz- have you ever made any of the NYT cookie week cookies? If so- any especially good recipes?

Corey

If you won the lotto what would you do with the money?

Ben Trenary

Recommendations on a book for a long road trip with boys aged 8, 10, 12?

TW

Matt, would you ever run an ultramarathon with me? It’s a lot less “running” and a lot more speed hiking. 50 miles max.

Eric Neal

Matt, you seem to hate consumption in general. What is an item or items that you would pay/overpay for? Liz, what is your favorite unexpected ingredient to put into a holiday treat? Cayenne pepper? Turmeric? Chai seasoning?

George

Liz - If you're shopping for a Catholic church in the US, are there any ways to tell early on if you're joining one that thinks the current Pope is Cool and Good or if it's one that thinks he's Fake and/or Bad?

Carol Marg

I’m a public pre-k teacher with two days to make cookie boxes for ~10 classrooms (2-3 teachers each), what are 2-3 cookies (etc) I can batch bake for gifts? Easy but impressive? Ty! 🌟

Tim Masterson

Matt, is there more outreach to you from elected Democrats or potential Democratic candidates regarding healthcare policy given our new post-Luigi political climate?

Jack Mumby

what have you found to be th ebest gift wrapping materials or techniques

TC
>>158588467

Just go to whatever church is closest to where you live or work. "Shopping" for a church that fits your political priors is Prot behavior... (yes, it's the same when the trads do it)

Ollathe

Liz I've never tried egg nog before and decided this is the year, i was gonna go homemade but everyones telling me buying southern comfort brand is the way to go, I just want my first time to be special. Thoughts?Als Matt any tips from over indulging in holiday treats this time of year?

Garrett

1) what Christmas gifts do you give to extended family/acquaintances? 2) how do you involve your kids in picking out gifts for each other/mom and dad/family?

Alex Brown

Of all the competing "takes" or narratives surrounding Luigi Mangione's killing (mental illness, disability/chronic pain politics, his being a "class traitor", etc.) - what one is the most compelling to you? I have a feeling people will be dissecting this event for a very long time.

Bernie Mac

Liz do you ever bake bread

Bernie Mac

Matt do you like Ezra or Yglesias better

Josh B

Does Matt have any strong opinions on Workers' Comp law? Is it necessary in a society with an ideal welfare state already providing generous unemployment and disability benefits?

Phil R.

Matt, what are some of your favorite meals when backpacking?

David Diaz

Any thoughts on Freud? Was he a trailblazing genius who revealed the power of the unconscious mind or just a coked-up pervert with mommy issues?

LP3

Do you have any good cultural criticism/analysis to recommend? (Fisher-esque or Christman-esque or otherwise?) I am rereading Capitalist Realism and was reminded of the great event Liz did at Kramer books way back when.

Nick G

What is the workplace like at the Atlantic? How often do you interact with your boss or your coworkers? How free are you to choose your areas of reporting?

Fox

How early is too early to propose after beginning a relationship? Is it possible for a follower count gap relationship (30k gf 1k bf) to succeed?

William Kay

Curious about trumps proposals for federal employees. How much of that can actually get passed? Can he cancel existing contracts to add return to office, etc? Would the courts give him that power possibly

Payton McDermott

This is somewhat different from the suggested topics but Liz, are you familiar with the Confucian cultural tradition? I've been interested in China the last few years and have heard a lot about Confucianism being foundational to Chinese culture and I'm curious if you know any similarities or differences between Confucianism and Christianity? I think they've got something like the Golden rule but that's all I know. Thanks.

Orb

Hey Liz and Matt, I’m at about the age you were when I started listening to the pod (30). I’ve always admired how self assured you are and how committed you both are to your respective work. I constantly feel like I am searching, and everything I try ends up feeling empty. Do either of you ever find yourself wondering “is this really all there is?” And what do you do about it?

Brian Huang

The Mrs. and I are beginning a first time home buying journey. We have a bady girl and a reasonable expectation of another one on the way. Do you guys have any advice or things you wish you had done differently when shopping for a home? What is the ideal mortgage/income ratio? What did you look for in a home and what did you wish you looked for?

JoinDSA B4thePodcastEnds

What are some of the best ways for local governments to do public ownership? Would you be willing to work with DSA to help craft local policy?

Steven Noble

What's your take on taking combined household income for determining marginal rates? US combines them for married couples, while Canada determines marginal rates per individual. I cannot grasp the reasoning behind the Canadian way of doing things (seems sensible to figure out tax rates by taking income for the household and splitting by the number of people), but maybe you see something I'm missing.

David Cole

How do you think about housing policy? As a casual observer, I feel like the main divide is NIMBY/YIMBY, which don’t seem to have political valences and also seem poorly defined

Alex Nackerud

Favorite/preferred Bible translation? Any opinion on the wackier ones like The Message?

Meghan

White or color Christmas lights? (I think white is classic; husband thinks they betray a bourgeois sensibility.)

Wiliam Hoffman

What would you do if your brother joined an extreme and insular sect of Christianity because his pregnant girlfriend brainwashed him into it, and he is now refusing to speak to you or the rest of your family?

Paul G.

Matt: advice for first time home buyers—e.g., what to care/not care about in a house (electrical? Updated appliances?), and any financial advice? Liz: advice on making great chocolate cakes? I feel like those with butter have decent flavor but are dry and those with oil are moist but heavy and flavorless. Idk what to do!

Micah

I have a crush on a guy who is considering monastic life. He has expressed interest in me as well but as we live quite far apart, nothing has happened yet. Do you think I should continue pursuing anything romantic (I’d like to visit him this coming spring to see how things go) or should I back off and let him discern his possible call to monastic life without additional complications? It probably doesn’t matter but this is a gay relationship (we’re Episcopalian.)

Josh B
>>158592501

Always more to be said on the subject, but Matt goes a bit into this in his Socialism Series ep on Proudhon

Sarah

how do you deal with grandparents giving your kids garbage clutter for christmas now that they’re old enough that you can’t just quietly ferry stuff to goodwill overnight? we have made it very clear that books and legos are cool but that we do not want big plastic shit nevertheless the in-laws persist

Sarah
>>158595361

idk what liz will say but if i remember correctly king arthur says to do half and half of each!

Sarah
>>158588467

irl sedevacantists are rare and normal catholic churches will almost always have a picture of the pope in the narthex!

Jo To

Matt, what’s the best counter argument for conservatives saying we should privatize social security and get greater returns from the stock market.

Sarah
>>158587621

want me to drop my “baby essentials” google doc in the comments? i’ve posted it so much but people do actually sometimes thank me for it

Kiwi

My husband wants to ask Matt: why doesn’t OSHA regulate player safety in the NFL and should it? I’m asking Liz what her fav. Ep of SVU is.

Ian

chomsky's claims abt rawls

Patrick McGinnis

Matt: did you find the luggage? Liz: have you ever read the book Angels by denis Johnson? Beautiful prose about the death penalty, highly recommended if you haven’t. Merry Christmas!

CatterpillarYarn
>>158587621

When i posted that I got pregnant earlier this year, you did send it to me! It was very sweet, thank-you!

John

Ah dammit I had something for this

Noah French

Liz: Me and my girlfriend are making a cookie buffet for Christmas. We're going to load a table with a few hundred cookies and give everybody cute paper to-go boxes to fill. We need about a dozen different kinds of cookies. Any recommendations?

Andrea

Liz, do you knit? I get a knitter vibe from you.

Martin Ross

Can you recommend any post-holiday places of interest you might recommend for people planning on visiting the NYC area in the new year while they’re in town for work? Asking for a friend who’s only been there once. I think organizing a list of possible activities in advance might make things easier in that it provides options

Corndog

Have you ever seen a Bigfoot?

S

i’m about to get hitched! please share your best marriage advice.

James
>>158592024

I would like to co-sign this question as I’m in the exactly same circumstances.

madeline krane

What area of law, apart from labor law, would you recommend to a 0L looking to make a difference for the poor and working class?

William Carpenter

Tell us more about Matt’s running? Would he ever run a marathon?

Gina Burton

Liz, I’m a good cook but a terrible baker. I’m impatient and imprecise. Are there any easy recipes for Christmas baking that someone like me might be able to master? I’m not very good at decorating either. I once told my son’s kindergarten teacher that he had decorated the birthday cake that we brought into the classroom because it really looked like something a five year old might have done😂

John
>>158607139

I know you want Matt's answer but let me suggest that the poor need most kinds of law. Just don't focus exclusively on mergers and acquisitions. Just remember that the less debt that you have coming out of law school the more freedom you have to pursue whatever goals you have. Don't get suckered into paying more for school if you are not trying to get a high paying biglaw gig or a clerkship

Gina Burton
>>158587733

If you haven’t done Harry Potter, it’s a good choice. Entertaining for both children and adults. If I hadn’t read it to my boys I would have missed out on a terrific series.

Michael C

it seems that Pizzaballa is papabile. thoughts?

Sam Jacobs

Any thoughts as Texans on the movies of Richard Linklater, particularly Bernie? Any thoughts as a Catholic on Conclave?

Dogblood Leblume

Christmas cards: Do you do them? Family portrait? Year in review letter? If you don't do them is it because of strong ideological opposition?

James

Opinions on weed and spirituality/spiritual practice? Can the two work with each other, or is it best to keep them separated?

Ivan McGillicuddy

the NLRB has ruled that Love is Blind contestants are employees. What are your thoughts on the ruling and the show?

Henry George

Hi Liz, In your personal view and family traditions, where does Gingerbread Man rank among mythical Christmas icons like Santa, Rudolph, and Frosty? Do you think he’s an underrated or overrated figure in American holiday culture? Also, would you support a Netflix Christmas rom-com—a la Hot Frosty—where Gingerbread Man is a lovable playboy who discovers the true meaning of love and Christmas and reforms his womanizing ways?

Roberto Vargas

A favorite bit from past episodes is the "dignity up" or "dignity down" when refering to a specific policy 'encouraging' people to dignify themselves by rejecting government help and get a job (i.e. 'I see you are getting more money from the government' 'dignity down!') Interested to hear from both of you why dignity gets framed this way, either as a spiritual virtue or as a quality needed to financially succeed.

TC
>>158615324

Ain't no way we're going to have an Italian pope named Pizza Ball

Azmarino

Hello Bruenigs🙋‍♂️ My question is for Matthew and it has to do with egalitarianism, or more specifically, moral egalitarianism. By moral egalitarianism I mean that doctrine which states all human beings are of equal worth/ concern. Any feature one might identify as justifying equal treatment is not in fact shared equally. Given this, on what basis is it that all human beings are of equal moral worth? I can find no solution this conundrum so I defer to the egalitarian..err..king?🤔

Duncan

Any suggested reading on fascism? Liz it seems like you have a really sharp eye for fashy stuff in contemporary culture, curious how you’ve cultivated it.

JoinDSA B4thePodcastEnds
>>158601428

I can tell you. There's 1 general reason and 2 matt reasons. Most important is the working poor get more out of social security than they put in. The first Matt reason is that it's not really true that social security is about saving for the future; it's about younger workers paying for older non-workers. Second Matt reason is that if you want to get the benefit of greater returns from the stock market without harming people who could not afford to contribute, you could just fund social security with a large social wealth fund invested in the stock market.

Chance Walker

Do you really believe socialism can conquer

LP3

Can the friend come on the pod again and talk jury nullification? Very hot topic these days!

David Cannon

What was the response to the latest PPP report on America's disability programs? Did anyone new or interesting connect with you about it? What's the status of PPP? What's in the pipeline? Love your work, Matt and Liz. Thanks for all you do.

Brendan Comfort

What is the best not-Christmas-Christmas-movie Exempli gratia: Harry Potter and the sorcerer’s stone, Catch me if you can, Home Alone

andrew

Matt what did you think of the latest Sally Rooney book

andrew

Liz did you watch Gilmore Girls and do you have any takes?

andrew

Also Matt - do you think any version of socialism without markets is completely unworkable?

TC
>>158763342

Eyes Wide Shut is the new meme answer, but it's accurate

Lili Mandl

matt - people seem preoccupied by the idea of surveillance, data, big tech, and i’m curious about how this would work under nordic welfare model. could the money associated with selling people’s data be put into a social wealth fund?

Lili Mandl
>>158800803

or some equivalent that is either collectively owned or gets put back into the hands of the people somehow

Caryn Brooks
>>158601079

Say thank you to your parents. If your family does thank you cards, send them. What do you do at birthdays when they get something you don’t like? Do that. You are boss! If you have rules about what they can keep, work it out with your kids. Great opportunity. You got this and your kids are strong.

Sarah
>>158601079

eh yeah that's probably the christian thing to do but it chaps my ass that they ignore our very directly expressed wishes

carolyn

Liz are there any books you like to read or re-read at Christmastime?

KC Martel

Matt when will you do more socialism series? 🤞

Taylor Borie

Can you do weekly eps like you used to? Not trying to be rude, it used to always be something to look forward to.