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Palm Court Podcast

Palm Court Podcast

By: Palmer Media
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 Join voices of New College of Florida through the years as we share our stories and reflections on the cultural movement that has emerged from the small, quirky, public liberal arts college in Sarasota, Florida. Dig deeper into the history and meaning of the college that's been pulled into the Culture Wars being fought on U.S. campuses in these polarized times.Copyright 2025. All rights reserved. Political Science Politics & Government Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Political Science Scholarship and Fresh Takes on the Lorax Rebellion with Dr. Eric Schickler Author of Partisan Nation

    Political Science Scholarship and Fresh Takes on the Lorax Rebellion with Dr. Eric Schickler Author of Partisan Nation
    Jun 25 2025
    This episode of the Palm Court Podcast features an engaging conversation with Dr. Eric Schickler, a New College alum from the class of '87, who shares his unique journey and insights into political science and the current state of higher education. We kick off with Eric's unexpected path to New College. He recounts his initial culture shock upon arriving in Florida, but quickly highlights the transformative social and academic experience that followed. Eric emphasizes the profound impact of his professors, particularly Gene Lewis, who challenged assumptions and fostered critical thinking. The conversation then delves into Eric's career as a political science professor at UC Berkeley since 1997, where he continues to be inspired by his New College education. We explore his research on nationalized polarization in the U.S., as detailed in his book, Partisan Nation, co-authored with Paul Pierson. Eric explains how this polarization differs from historical divides, as everything, including state politics, has become nationalized, leading to concerning dynamics within American politics. Crucially, Eric connects this broader political trend to the recent events at New College, viewing the "hostile takeover" by Governor DeSantis as a microcosm of nationalized polarization. He illustrates how traditionally supportive local Republican legislators, who once valued New College for its community benefits, now align with a national culture war agenda, prioritizing national political aspirations over local interests. We also discuss Eric's ongoing research into the polarization of higher education over the past 45 years. He points out a significant shift in the Republican party, moving from general support for higher education in the 1980s and 90s to increasing criticism and diminishment of its value. Then we pivot to Eric's eyewitness account of the Lorax Rebellion in 1988, a key event in New College's history. As SAC Chair at the time, Eric provides an insider's perspective on the student-led efforts to save the "grove" from airport expansion. He details the strategic involvement of lawyers, the formation of the "Save the Green Space" nonprofit, and the challenges faced in securing legal and financial support. Eric vividly recounts the emotional day of the bulldozing, the arrests of students, and the subsequent legal battles, emphasizing the unity and determination of the student body. Finally, Eric shares insights into his baccalaureate thesis, which explored government policy toward technology in the early 1990s. We close with Eric's reflection on New College's profound and lasting impact on his life and intellectual development, underscoring its unique ability to foster iconoclastic thinkers. Notes: Eric's Spring 2023 Appearance on Trending in Ed with Mike Palmer Partisan Nation: The Dangerous New Logic of American Politics in a Nationalized Era, by Paul Pierson & Eric Schickler We know Nick Tampio, editor, Journal of Politics (and Schickler too) Rolling admissions comes up a lot August 1987 SRQ: officially “hot” to “sweltering” Gene Lewis, bureaucracy scholar “Welfare Queen” was a Reagan tentpole Local conservatives like Sen. Bob Johnson and Gen. Rolland V. Heiser “My civil rights book” 1968: “the campus stuff” 1980: “end of liberal Republicans” Higher ed has risen from $385 to $9,750 annually in today’s $. Dean Barylski, dealmaker “Secure the land to the north” still cooking We know Jonathan White and Merlin Mann, too “SAC” is “Student Allocation Committee” Rob Westerfeldt on Barylski Col. Adam Oler Judy Kavanaugh We know Jen Granick The Fauves were unrelated to Grant Morrison’s UK band. Langdon Winner and Jacques Ellul, tech theorists P Funk, “Flash LIght” Dee-Lite, “Groove is in the Heart
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    52 mins
  • From Palm Court to It's Christmastown - Jeb Lund's Journey

    From Palm Court to It's Christmastown - Jeb Lund's Journey
    May 20 2025
    Jeb Lund joins Mike, Megan, and Grant to talk about his work in journalism at places like Rolling Stone, The Nation, and GQ, among others and on It's Christmastown, his popular podcast about Hallmark Channel movies. We learn how Jeb wound up at New College, how his thesis about British cryptography in World War 2 got turned into pulp, and how he wound up covering the Alt Graduation Event for The Nation in 2024. Jeb also provides advice on how to get active in shaping the coverage of New College as political tides in Florida continue to shift. Want to learn how this podcast was almost named The Canary in the Swamp? Or why people might actually want to listen to smart people talk about inane movies on the Hallmark Channel? Listen in to find out. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Video episodes now up on Youtube and Spotify. 00:00 Introduction and Welcoming the Guest 01:06 Jeb Lund's Origin Story 03:30 College Life and Challenges 07:57 Career Journey and Writing 11:03 Freelancing and Journalism 11:42 Public Facing Role and Podcasting 14:58 Involvement with New College Alumni 21:25 The Recency Bias in News Reporting 22:39 Challenges in Speculative Journalism 23:11 New College: A Canary in the Swamp 24:01 The Power of Public Pressure 25:03 Corruption in Florida Politics 28:36 The Future of New College 30:14 Sports and Campus Culture 32:10 Journalistic Challenges and Personal Reflections 40:18 Concluding Thoughts and Final Messages NOTES: CEDA is the “Cross-Examination Debate Association” Ephedra is the herb that produces ephedrine, a formerly legal stimulant sold as Mini-Thins, a.k.a. “trucker’s speed.” (Today’s Mini-Thins are ephedrine-free.) Frederick Winterbotham revealed Bletchley Park’s Ultra secrets 30 years after WWII. It’s Christmastown is Jeb and Dave Roth exploring Hallmark Network cultural productions. Livy, Roman historian Gawker was sued out of existence by Tampa-based wrestler Hulk Hogan, backed by tech billionaire Peter Thiel, in 2016. Pablo Torre Finds Out went deep into NCF’s sports Mobute Sese Seko did have fantastic hats Shanon Ingles chatted here back in Ep. 4 Watch Alt Grad live on May 22, 2025 Write state legislators to make things happen The Hope Florida scandal is still growing The Rick Piccolo scandal also, though less about his father’s NCF involvement Property law is a theme Mighty Banyans’ deep roster The Great Books program Don Gaetz busts trustees
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    43 mins
  • An Antarctic Wedding and Alumni Engagement - A Conversation with Monica Lewman Wulf and Stuart Clarry

    An Antarctic Wedding and Alumni Engagement - A Conversation with Monica Lewman Wulf and Stuart Clarry
    Apr 17 2025
    Join Mike Palmer, Grant Balfour, and Megan Citron, along with "friend of the show" Joanne Dramko, for a captivating conversation with New College of Florida (NCF) alumni and NCAA Board Members Monica Lewman Wulf and Stuart Clarry. This episode offers a delightful mix of personal stories and reflections on the New College experience with a focus on Alumni Engagement. Monica shares the details of her recent Antarctic wedding to fellow New College alum, Henry, a celebration that uniquely incorporated their desire for unique experiences and, of course, penguins. Stuart, who was Grant's roommate, reminisces about their time on campus, sharing anecdotes about the self-reliance cultivated at New College and some memorable dorm-life moments. Beyond the personal stories, Monica and Stuart, who are both involved in the Alumni Association, provide valuable insights into alumni engagement and the complexities of navigating trust and communication with the new college administration, including their perspectives on the recent contentious alumni event with President Richard Corcoran. Whether you're an alum or simply interested in the unique dynamics of a liberal arts college, this episode is a must-listen. Don't forget to subscribe to the Palm Court Podcast for more engaging conversations and updates from the New College community! Troy Winfrey was in an earlier episode; his spouse just published a touching piece on how a terminal diagnosis shaped their relationship. Ben Brown, the former New College Alumni Association (NCAA) chair, resigned dramatically shortly before the College Hall event. He gave five reasons. Henry and Monica at the 1988 semi-formal and in Antarctica. Morning Bob: p. 5, left. James P. Kelly: journalist, naturalist, scholar. “Big weekend”: Alt Liberal Arts hosts a rival speaking event, and then NCF’s upcoming star speaker was charged with rape. “Being at UF and the state politics and all” means Ben Sasse, Joseph Ladapo, and the Hamilton Center (no relation to NCF’s Ham Center). John Lithgow reads “20 Lessons on Tyranny” by Timothy Snyder. “Bought a brick”: in Palm Court, custom-engraved. Nimbus was charmingly homespun, then got glossy, then vanished. “Gender at the state level.” The Novo Collegian Alliance is (sort of) a shadow NCAA oriented to student needs; NCF Freedom is oriented toward governance issues. The Q&A was a crash. Florida universities face “performance-based funding” based on KPIs, one of which is “alumni engagement.” “Florida will no longer be full of Boomers.” Things might change sooner; ruby-red Escambia County, home of now-embattled UWF, just flipped blue.
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    1 hr and 8 mins

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