Politics feels louder. Angrier. More exhausting.

In this episode of Byline with Ben Dennis, I sit down with political communication expert Peter Loge to unpack why outrage motivates voters, why affordability dominates elections, and how leadership rhetoric can either calm a nation or escalate distrust.

We discuss:
• Why anger drives political incentives
• The racist AI depiction of the Obamas and leadership accountability
• Immigration messaging and voter punishment
• America’s global standing
• And one simple strategy both parties should adopt before the midterms: fix stuff.

If politics feels broken, this conversation explains why — and what could change

⚠️ This is a featured segment from Monday’s full episode of Byline with Ben Dennis. For full context and the complete conversation, watch or listen to the entire interview.

In this excerpt, we examine the impact of racist political imagery — including depictions of former President Obama — and the broader question of leadership and responsibility in American politics.

Do presidents set the tone for how Americans treat one another?

We discuss:

• ​The ethical boundaries of political communication
• ​How racist imagery shapes public discourse
• ​Whether presidential rhetoric influences everyday behavior
• ​What accountability looks like in a polarized climate
• ​How Americans can engage more constructively — online and in person

This conversation focuses on facts, responsibility, and the real-world consequences of tone and leadership.

🎧 Full episode available here: [INSERT LINK]🎙 Subscribe to Byline with Ben Dennis for weekly conversations that go beyond the headlines.

#PoliticalCommunication #PresidentialLeadership #CivilDiscourse #RaceInAmerica #MediaEthics #BylineWithBenDennis

Is it AI? Is it legit?
Those are questions many of us ask while scrolling TikTok and Instagram—often after a video has already been shared thousands of times.

In this episode of Byline with Ben Dennis, I talk with Tracee Stanford of the News Literacy Project, who works with educators nationwide to help students learn what information can be trusted—and how to verify it for themselves.

We recorded this conversation during News Literacy Week, at a moment when AI-generated content is spreading faster and becoming harder to spot. Tracee draws on her background in local news and media literacy work in underserved communities to break down the real challenges students face online today.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How students are encountering misinformation

• Why media ethics still matter in an algorithm-driven world

• Practical ways educators and parents can help young people think critically about what they see online

Subscribe for free (yes, free) for new posts and episodes that question tomorrow’s headlines.

🎧 Watch or listen to the full episode of Byline with Ben Dennis now.

Dive into the complexities of press freedom with Ben Dennis and legal expert Anna Diakun, an attorney with the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University. Discover the challenges citizens and journalists face today, and the impact of social media algorithms on free speech.

The conversation covers a range of topics; delving into the First Amendment, the role of influencers, government accountability, and the challenges faced by journalists in the current media landscape.

#PressFreedom #Journalism #FreeSpeech

Join Ben Dennis for a conversation with Jesse Rodriguez, Vice President of Editorial and Booking at MS NOW, examining how news organizations are adapting to changes in how audiences consume information—and how editorial decisions shape what viewers ultimately see.

Rodriguez reflects on how his early newsroom experience in Miami informed his transition to network news, and how MS NOW is approaching coverage in a media environment increasingly influenced by digital platforms, social media, and algorithm-driven content. Ben and Jesse also discuss how audiences distinguish between traditional newscasts and more opinion-driven programming at a time when influencers and nontraditional sources often produce news-adjacent content.

The conversation explores what these shifts mean for journalism, audience trust, and the evolving relationship between national networks and local reporting.

One U.S. Capitol Police Officer beaten during the January 6th riots recalls the moments a mob attacked him and his colleagues while protecting Congress. Five years later Winston Pingeon tells Ben how he looks toward a future without political violence, his journey finding peace and how he hopes people don't rewrite history.

Byline with Ben Dennis goes beyond the headlines to explore why they matter — and how they shape our lives. Journalist Ben Dennis talks with experts, community leaders, and everyday voices you might not hear elsewhere to ask the questions headlines leave behind. From politics and culture to stories shaping our neighborhoods, Byline makes sense of the world in a way that’s real, relatable, and eye-opening — no spin, no talking points, just honest conversations that make you think.

Join us as we delve into the U.S. military's bold move in Venezuela, capturing Nicolas Maduro, and the ensuing political debate. Discover how this pivotal event could shape the midterm elections and influence global politics.

Byline with Ben Dennis goes beyond the headlines to explore why they matter — and how they shape our lives. Journalist Ben Dennis talks with experts, community leaders, and everyday voices you might not hear elsewhere to ask the questions headlines leave behind. From politics and culture to stories shaping our neighborhoods, Byline makes sense of the world in a way that’s real, relatable, and eye-opening — no spin, no talking points, just honest conversations that make you think.
️ Listen to any episode you like here

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#VenezuelaCrisis #USPolitics #Midterms2026

2025 was a political inflection point—and the fallout isn’t over. On this episode of Byline with Ben Dennis, Ben looks back at the year’s biggest political moments, from Donald Trump’s reemergence at the center of power, and what it all means heading into 2026.

Ben revisits his enlightening interview with Peter Loge, a political analyst and professor at George Washington University, for a candid conversation about one of the biggest unanswered questions in American politics: Can we rebuild civility in an era fueled by outrage? A grounded, thoughtful discussion about how we got here—and whether a healthier political culture is still possible.

Byline with Ben Dennis goes beyond the headlines to explore why they matter — and how they shape our lives. Journalist Ben Dennis talks with experts, community leaders, and everyday voices you might not hear elsewhere to ask the questions headlines leave behind. From politics and culture to stories shaping our neighborhoods, Byline makes sense of the world in a way that’s real, relatable, and eye-opening — no spin, no talking points, just honest conversations that make you think.
️ Listen to any episode you like here

Find Ben on Social Media