<![CDATA[From the Balcony]]>A podcast produced by the Dole Institute Student Advisory Board

Just off the Senate Republican Leader's office at the U.S. Capitol Building lies a balcony with a sweeping view of the National Mall. It was here that Senator Bob Dole struck many of his famous bipartisan deals, worked the phones, and gave interviews. Upon his retirement from the U.S. Senate in 1996, the chamber unanimously approved to rename it the "Robert J. Dole Balcony." Our first-ever podcast, From the Balcony, brings that spirit to life by providing a place for candid, thoughtful, and engaging conversations on public policy and the defining issues of today.

The Dole Institute does not endorse the political positions or personal opinions of its guests.

An accessible version of the material represented on this site will be made available upon request. Please contact us at doleinstitute@ku.edu to request the material be made available in an accessible format, or for general assistance.

]]>https://doleinstitute.org/Riverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Thu, 28 May 2026 10:53:07 GMTFri, 19 Dec 2025 15:05:10 GMT60The Dole Institute of Politics<p><b><i>A podcast produced by the Dole Institute Student Advisory Board</i></b></p><p></p><p>Just off the Senate Republican Leader's office at the U.S. Capitol Building lies a balcony with a sweeping view of the National Mall. It was here that Senator Bob Dole struck many of his famous bipartisan deals, worked the phones, and gave interviews. Upon his retirement from the U.S. Senate in 1996, the chamber unanimously approved to rename it the "Robert J. Dole Balcony." Our first-ever podcast, <i>From the Balcony</i>, brings that spirit to life by providing a place for candid, thoughtful, and engaging conversations on public policy and the defining issues of today.</p><p></p><p>The Dole Institute does not endorse the political positions or personal opinions of its guests.</p><p></p><p>An accessible version of the material represented on this site will be made available upon request. Please contact us at <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:doleinstitute@ku.edu" target="_blank">doleinstitute@ku.edu</a> to request the material be made available in an accessible format, or for general assistance.</p>episodicThe Dole Institute of Politicsdoleinstitute@ku.eduno<![CDATA[Kansas Farmers Union Executive Director Nick Levendofsky]]>In this extended interview, Kansas Farmers Union executive director Nick Levendofsky joins SAB member Ella Rhuems to discuss his experience in advocacy, the impact of recent trade policy on farmers, antitrust issues in agriculture, the importance and impact of the Farm Bill, and how organizations like the Kansas Farmers Union represent rural voters.

]]>9675bf51-8d30-4857-a3ce-ae5a5d7104f9Mon, 11 May 2026 05:00:00 GMT<p>In this extended interview, Kansas Farmers Union executive director Nick Levendofsky joins SAB member Ella Rhuems to discuss his experience in advocacy, the impact of recent trade policy on farmers, antitrust issues in agriculture, the importance and impact of the Farm Bill, and how organizations like the Kansas Farmers Union represent rural voters.</p>no01:03:4417Kansas Farmers Union Executive Director Nick Levendofskyfull<![CDATA[Fmr. Chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Sheila Bair]]>Former Chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Sheila Bair speaks with Nathan Binshtok about her new children's book, "How Not to Lose a Million Dollars," her time working for Senator Bob Dole, her role at the FDIC during the 2008 financial crisis, and financial advice for college students.

]]>4e0d7be5-5fd2-47c4-ae5c-f6c2aaec360fMon, 20 Apr 2026 14:00:00 GMT<p>Former Chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Sheila Bair speaks with Nathan Binshtok about her new children's book, "How Not to Lose a Million Dollars," her time working for Senator Bob Dole, her role at the FDIC during the 2008 financial crisis, and financial advice for college students.</p>no00:44:5916Fmr. Chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Sheila Bairfull<![CDATA[Republican Strategist Kristen Soltis Anderson]]>Republican strategist Kristen Soltis Anderson speaks with Ella Rhuems about how the American people are feeling ahead of the 2026 Midterm Elections. The pair also discussed presidential job approval trends, how voters are interpreting news and media coverage, trends of younger voters, and what to expect in the 2028 Presidential Election.

]]>eafd104c-c49b-4e71-a1b9-c88099e6f57eMon, 13 Apr 2026 05:00:00 GMT<p>Republican strategist Kristen Soltis Anderson speaks with Ella Rhuems about how the American people are feeling ahead of the 2026 Midterm Elections. The pair also discussed presidential job approval trends, how voters are interpreting news and media coverage, trends of younger voters, and what to expect in the 2028 Presidential Election.</p>no00:37:2115Republican Strategist Kristen Soltis Andersonfull<![CDATA[Free Speech Expert Jacqueline Pfeffer Merrill]]>Free speech expert Dr. Jacqueline Pfeffer Merrill is the senior director of the Civic Learning and Free Expression Projects at the Council of Independent Colleges. She joins Dole Institute Student Advisory Board coordinator Abbie Clements to discuss the challenges and impact of free expression on college campuses, including influence of social media, self-censorship, legislation, and the role of the federal government.

]]>5ccef0a6-77f7-4844-9344-c60a5b96a3dbMon, 16 Mar 2026 14:00:00 GMT<p>Free speech expert Dr. Jacqueline Pfeffer Merrill is the senior director of the Civic Learning and Free Expression Projects at the Council of Independent Colleges. She joins Dole Institute Student Advisory Board coordinator Abbie Clements to discuss the challenges and impact of free expression on college campuses, including influence of social media, self-censorship, legislation, and the role of the federal government.</p>no00:30:4214Free Speech Expert Jacqueline Pfeffer Merrillfull<![CDATA[Public Educator Matt Beat]]>Public educator and Dole Fellow Matt Beat joins the podcast to discuss his journey from the classroom to YouTube, specifically touching on how he fosters civic engagement and education with his audiences, and the impact and benefits of digital education.

]]>1bbf4ab8-f182-4b00-a1c1-4a757f268fa7Mon, 02 Mar 2026 16:51:29 GMT<p>Public educator and Dole Fellow Matt Beat joins the podcast to discuss his journey from the classroom to YouTube, specifically touching on how he fosters civic engagement and education with his audiences, and the impact and benefits of digital education.</p>no00:35:5413Public Educator Matt Beatfull<![CDATA[Fmr. Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President & CEO Rob Kaplan]]>This episode was originally recorded in October 2025.

Former Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President and CEO Rob Kaplan joins Nathan Binshtok to discuss the state of the U.S. economy, and provide insight into economic policymaking.

]]>b26f522c-3cf8-4205-9579-2456a065a0fdFri, 30 Jan 2026 21:02:03 GMT<p><b><i>This episode was originally recorded in October 2025.</i></b></p><p></p><p>Former Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President and CEO Rob Kaplan joins Nathan Binshtok to discuss the state of the U.S. economy, and provide insight into economic policymaking.</p>no00:40:4512Fmr. Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas President & CEO Rob Kaplanfull<![CDATA[Kansas State Legislators Brandon Woodard and Chase Blasi]]>Kansas State Legislators Brandon Woodard (D) and Chase Blasi (R) join Ella Rhumes to discuss their journeys into public service and party leadership, how their parties are evolving, and priorities for the upcoming session of the Kansas State Legislature.

]]>ac2b8a2e-21cd-47a7-a61e-094a94178013Mon, 05 Jan 2026 18:36:24 GMT<p>Kansas State Legislators Brandon Woodard (D) and Chase Blasi (R) join Ella Rhumes to discuss their journeys into public service and party leadership, how their parties are evolving, and priorities for the upcoming session of the Kansas State Legislature.</p>no00:42:4511Kansas State Legislators Brandon Woodard and Chase Blasifull