Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
A conversation with Maya Kornberg about money, media, violence, and the weakening of the people’s branch.
In this conversation, I talk with Maya L. Kornberg about her book Stuck: How Money, Media, and Violence Prevent Change in Congress.
This is not just another conversation about politics. It is about why Congress often cannot do the work we expect it to do. Maya explains how money, social media, political violence, weak staffing, and years of institutional neglect have left Congress less able to serve the country.
If we care about democracy, we have to care about whether Congress can function.
_____
LINKS
mayakornberg.com
bookshop.org/a/99692/9781421454580
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00:00 Maya Kornberg on a democracy that feels stuck - Maya explains why many Americans feel democracy is not delivering.
00:49 Introducing Maya Kornberg - Frank introduces Maya and her work on Congress, reform, and political violence.
02:40 Why this book matters - Frank explains why Stuck changed the way he thinks about Congress.
06:18 Political violence and public service - Maya reads from the book about threats against lawmakers and election workers.
10:34 Can Congress reform become a national issue? - Frank asks whether fixing Congress should be central to future elections.
13:34 Public engagement with Congress - Maya argues that citizens need to engage Congress beyond Election Day.
16:02 Tech power and misinformation - Frank and Maya discuss Elon Musk, social media, and the tech industry’s influence.
21:03 America’s history of political violence - Maya places today’s threats in a longer historical context.
23:49 Social media and performative politics - Maya explains why members use the megaphone when they lack governing power.
26:39 Why Congress cannot do its job - Frank lays out the structural problems Maya documents in the book.
31:47 Fear, violence, and voting conscience - Maya discusses members who are afraid to vote their conscience.
34:32 Money in politics - Maya explains Buckley, Citizens United, and how money reshaped Congress.
45:36 The 1974 reform class - Maya discusses the Watergate-era members who tried to strengthen Congress.
47:17 Newt Gingrich and the 1994 class - Maya explains how the Contract with America changed Congress from the top down.
52:05 The 2018 class and reform hopes - Maya talks about a younger, more diverse wave of members facing new obstacles.
55:07 Why this moment is urgent - Maya says Congress must be unstuck if democracy is going to survive.
57:34 What can be done now - Frank and Maya discuss protecting lawmakers, reforming money, and rebuilding capacity.
01:01:21 Paying and staffing Congress - Maya explains why member salaries and resources matter.
01:04:15 Campaign finance reform - Maya talks about public financing and limiting outside money.
01:05:35 Better data and expertise for Congress - Maya explains why Congress needs modern tools, research, and tech expertise.
_____
frankschaeffer.substack.com/p/why-congress-is-stuck-and-why-that?utm_source=youtube
A conversation with Maya Kornberg about money, media, violence, and the weakening of the people’s branch.
In this conversation, I talk with Maya L. Kornberg about her book Stuck: How Money, Media, and Violence Prevent Change in Congress.
This is not just another conversation about politics. It is about why Congress often cannot do the work we expect it to do. Maya explains how money, social media, political violence, weak staffing, and years of institutional neglect have left Congress less able to serve the country.
If we care about democracy, we have to care about whether Congress can function.
_____
LINKS
mayakornberg.com
bookshop.org/a/99692/9781421454580
_____
00:00 Maya Kornberg on a democracy that feels stuck - Maya explains why many Americans feel democracy is not delivering.
00:49 Introducing Maya Kornberg - Frank introduces Maya and her work on Congress, reform, and political violence.
02:40 Why this book matters - Frank explains why Stuck changed the way he thinks about Congress.
06:18 Political violence and public service - Maya reads from the book about threats against lawmakers and election workers.
10:34 Can Congress reform become a national issue? - Frank asks whether fixing Congress should be central to future elections.
13:34 Public engagement with Congress - Maya argues that citizens need to engage Congress beyond Election Day.
16:02 Tech power and misinformation - Frank and Maya discuss Elon Musk, social media, and the tech industry’s influence.
21:03 America’s history of political violence - Maya places today’s threats in a longer historical context.
23:49 Social media and performative politics - Maya explains why members use the megaphone when they lack governing power.
26:39 Why Congress cannot do its job - Frank lays out the structural problems Maya documents in the book.
31:47 Fear, violence, and voting conscience - Maya discusses members who are afraid to vote their conscience.
34:32 Money in politics - Maya explains Buckley, Citizens United, and how money reshaped Congress.
45:36 The 1974 reform class - Maya discusses the Watergate-era members who tried to strengthen Congress.
47:17 Newt Gingrich and the 1994 class - Maya explains how the Contract with America changed Congress from the top down.
52:05 The 2018 class and reform hopes - Maya talks about a younger, more diverse wave of members facing new obstacles.
55:07 Why this moment is urgent - Maya says Congress must be unstuck if democracy is going to survive.
57:34 What can be done now - Frank and Maya discuss protecting lawmakers, reforming money, and rebuilding capacity.
01:01:21 Paying and staffing Congress - Maya explains why member salaries and resources matter.
01:04:15 Campaign finance reform - Maya talks about public financing and limiting outside money.
01:05:35 Better data and expertise for Congress - Maya explains why Congress needs modern tools, research, and tech expertise.
_____
frankschaeffer.substack.com/p/why-congress-is-stuck-and-why-that?utm_source=youtube
