features
fall 2024
By Andrea Grant
The questions come fast and furiously.
Can I still vote if I’m from out of state and I’ll be on campus during Election Day? If I don’t live in a battleground state, does my vote really matter? What is ranked choice voting, anyway?
As these and many more stream into their Election Connection podcast, hosts Rachael Cobb and Shoshana Madmoni-Gerber dispatch them like experienced doubles tennis partners, each calling shots according to their specialty.
Yes, here’s how. YES, here’s why. It’s not as complicated as it seems, and I’ll show you with an analogy about ice cream.
Cobb, an associate professor of political science & legal studies at Suffolk and a highly regarded expert on the history and mechanics of American democracy, calls listening to podcasts her secret weapon for staying engaged in the grind of politics. But she recognizes that her tastes run to programs made for listeners just like her: insiders who are already familiar with the nuances and lexicon of politics.
“This can alienate individuals from the discourse, which is harmful,” says Cobb. “We want everyone to understand how things work.”
So this winter, she teamed up with longtime colleague Madmoni-Gerber, professor and chair of the Department of Communication, Journalism & Media, to launch Election Connection, a weekly nonpartisan political podcast designed to break down complex topics and promote civic engagement.
The result doesn’t feel like a wonky lecture, but rather a fascinating conversation between two exceptionally well-informed friends. Together, they combat misinformation by diving deep into topics such as the primaries and the Electoral College. They’ve hosted special guests like Stephanie King, director of strategic initiatives at the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, and discussed bipartisanship with former members of Congress in front of a live audience.
“We think that if people understand these concepts better, if they know the historical context and are aware of their complexity, they are more likely to take an active part in the election process,” says Madmoni-Gerber.
Political science and journalism are natural partners, she says. Students from her program help produce the podcast in Suffolk’s Studio 73, and she makes sure they’re aware of the critical role they play as journalists in maintaining a functioning democracy.
Cobb agrees, and hopes Election Connection can help energize people from all fields and demographics to get involved. So far it seems to be working. Listeners aged 13 to 82—but predominantly college students—have submitted so many questions that the pair has devoted multiple episodes just to responding.
“I believe that the only way progress is made is by engaging as many voices as possible to understand the issues,” says Cobb, “and be part of the conversation.”
You can find Election Connection on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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Professors Shoshana Madmoni-Gerber (left) and Rachael Cobb