Go Fact Yourself, Ep. 181.5: The Best of Politics Special (Nov 7, 2025) – Detailed Summary

Main Theme & Purpose

This "Best of Politics" special episode compiles standout political trivia and interviews from previous "Go Fact Yourself" episodes. Hosted by J. Keith van Straaten and Helen Hong, the show celebrates the lighter and quirkier side of politics, featuring celebrities, politicians, and experts tackling trivia about governance, elections, and American political history. The focus is on sharing fascinating stories from public figures, political experts, and notable guests—engaging listeners without diving into partisanship.

Notable Segments & Key Discussion Points

1. Vermont & Political Firsts

Episode 45, 2019 – Segment Starts: [00:46]

Guests

• Peter Sagal (Host, "Wait, Wait...Don’t Tell Me")
• Rebecca Makkai (Pulitzer Prize finalist author)
• Expert Guest: Madeleine May Kunin (First female governor of Vermont)

Discussion Highlights

• Trivia Q: Vermont’s state marine fossil (beluga whale), first/longest-serving/female governors.
  • Makkai recalls meeting her husband in Vermont and developing a personal attachment.
  • Sagal jokes: “Bernie Sanders.” – [01:25]
  • Expert reveals that beluga whale fossils are unique because the species is still alive. “It is the only state fossil of an animal that is not extinct…” – Governor Kunin, [02:56]
• Governor Kunin’s Reflections
  • Her journey into poetry and prose post-politics: “I felt sort of liberated that I could write about things that as a politician, I couldn’t talk about.” – [05:19]
  • Aging: “You can still keep on enjoying life…life is a continuous adventure. It doesn't stop at 80…I’m actually 85.” – [06:01]
  • Her focus on women in politics, child care, and health care: “Women naturally reflect their life experiences…” – [08:28]
  • On beating Bernie Sanders in a campaign: “He actually ran against me once…I beat him.” – [09:23]
• Governor Quiz Answers
  • First Governor: Thomas Chittenden. ✔️
  • Longest-serving: Howard Dean.
  • First Female: Madeleine Kunin.

Memorable Quotes

• "I would vote for you even if it were on a beluga platform." – Rebecca Makkai, [04:59]

Key Timestamps

• [01:39] – Vermont state marine fossil trivia
• [04:05] – Governor Kunin joins
• [05:19] – On writing about aging
• [06:44] – Getting more women in office
• [08:19] – First female governor reflections

2. Themed Towns & Local Politics

Episode 79, 2021 – Segment Starts: [11:49]

Guests

• Lewis Black (Comedian)
• Helen Zaltzman (Podcaster)
• Expert Guest: Charlie Urig (Mayor of Solvang, CA)

Discussion Highlights

• Trivia Q: Solvang, CA – Its Danish theme, Little Mermaid statue, and which US President (Ronald Reagan) voted there.
  • Mayor Urig’s background as both law enforcement and mayor, and a musician in multiple bands. – [15:17]
  • Solvang’s unique traditions like the Christmas tree burn (“…about 4 to 500 Christmas trees…1500 to 2000 people will come out…”) – [16:55]
  • Community pride and Danish celebrations.
  • Reagan's ranch proximity and voting at Solvang's Veterans Memorial Hall.

Memorable Quotes

• “Are people stealing windmills or clogs?” – Helen Hong, [15:25]
• “We actually caught Don Quixote for trespassing.” – Charlie Urig, [15:25]
• “Def Leppard here—No, no, no, no. I’m sorry, we don’t.” – Mayor Urig, [17:46]

Key Timestamps

• [14:19] – Mayor Urig joins
• [16:55] – Solvang Christmas tree burn described
• [19:27] – Ronald Reagan voting at Solvang

3. Mayors as Contestants: Antonio Villaraigosa

2025, Pre-Gubernatorial Campaign – Segment Starts: [20:59]

Guest

• Antonio Villaraigosa (Former Mayor of Los Angeles, gubernatorial candidate)

Discussion Highlights

• Reflects on being LA's first Latino mayor since 1872.
• Favorite part of being mayor: engaging with diverse neighborhoods.
• “I wanted to be a mayor for everybody, and I was, which is why I spent so much time on our schools—went from a 44% graduation rate to a 72.” – [21:34]
• Humor about perks: "When’s the last time you had to look for parking in LA? Today." – [22:16]
• Demonstrates Korean language skills live, impressing hosts – [22:50]

Key Timestamps

• [21:18] – Villaraigosa on favorite days as mayor

4. The Roosevelts’ Legacy

Episode 51, 2020 – Segment Starts: [23:17]

Guests

• Kitty Felde (Writer, podcaster, Roosevelt children expert)
• Charlie Hankin (Cartoonist)
• Expert Guest: Kermit Roosevelt III (Law professor, Roosevelt descendant)

Discussion Highlights

• Trivia Qs about Kermit Roosevelt I: steamship business, co-authored books with Ted, service in British army.
• Kitty Felde shares stories about Alice Roosevelt’s infamous sass (“If you don’t have anything nice to say about someone, come sit by me.”) – [23:39]
• Prof. Kermit Roosevelt III recounts attending Alice’s birthday party with President Ford present. – [28:10]
• Discussion of growing up with a famous legacy: “It’s double-edged…it implicates me in a history that I feel I can’t live up to…” – [28:27]
• Another Roosevelt family tradition: confusion over Kermit’s generational suffix (III vs. IV). – [30:46]

Memorable Quotes

• “Do you have a really cool mustache?” – Helen Hong, [28:49]
• “You have the genetics for it.” – J. Keith van Straaten, [29:01]

Key Timestamps

• [26:05] – Prof. Roosevelt joins, discusses legal career and family history
• [28:10] – On attending Alice Roosevelt’s party
• [30:46] – Wikipedia dispute about his suffix

5. 1990s–2000s California Women Senators

Episode 96, 2022 – Segment Starts: [32:13]

Guests

• Parker Molloy (Writer)
• Kevin Allison (Writer)
• Expert Guest: Barbara Boxer (Former US Senator)

Discussion Highlights

• Trivia Q: Three women representing CA in the Senate from 2000–2021 (Kamala Harris, Dianne Feinstein, Barbara Boxer).
• Boxer's reflections on:
  • Early political losses and humility: “I agreed…that I could only ask for $2 [campaign contribution]…the money came in the door…” – [36:11]
  • The intersection of personal stories and politics: “All politics is personal…what happened to them as kids…their story…” – [37:19]
  • Female underrepresentation and the “Year of the Woman” as only a first step: “We went from two to six [women], so we did triple our numbers. But this was not the revolution.” – [42:13]
  • Film & television cameos and reactions: “I get stopped at the Capitol...are you Senator Boxer? ‘Oh, I’m a real fan.’…What legislation did you like? ‘Saw you on Curb!’” – [44:31]
  • Cross-partisan collaboration, including working with Republican John Ensign on federal after-school funding.

Memorable Quotes

• "I nabbed about four pairs [of Boxer shorts], which I still wear." – Barbara Boxer, [36:39]
• "You generally have a better chance of convincing someone to vote for someone when they're looking at your boxers." – J. Keith van Straaten, [36:39]
• "All politics is personal—what's your story?" – [37:19]

Key Timestamps

• [34:29] – Sen. Boxer joins, reflects on political journey
• [37:19] – Importance of personal story in politics
• [41:48] – On being a rare woman in politics
• [44:46] – Trivia answers with confirmation

6. Congressional Representation on Long Island

Episode 178, 2025 – Segment Starts: [46:25]

Guests

• Mimi Rogers (Actor)
• Matt Rogers (Podcaster/Comedian, Long Island trivia buff)
• Expert Guest: Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-4, Nassau County)

Discussion Highlights

• Trivia Qs:
  • How many US House members represent Long Island? (Four)
  • Which rep was sentenced to prison for wire fraud? (George Santos)
  • Which county does Rep. Laura Gillen represent? (Nassau, not Suffolk)
• Congresswoman Gillen on local pride: “We do have really nice people, Matt…not just loud, drunk people.” – [49:01]
• On flipping her district from red to blue: “I like to say it’s one more vote for the normal.” – [49:38]
• Describes serving in Congress during partisan polarization, but seeks common ground on committees and with colleagues on the other side: “It’s not as polarized as it seems on tv…I try to build relationships with them.” – [52:59]
• She invites listeners to visit her office if in DC.

Memorable Quotes

• “If George Santos is on the phone, I’m setting this place on fire.” – Matt Rogers, [47:51]
• “You can come visit us in Nassau anytime. And we do have bagel boss.” – Laura Gillen, [52:19]
• “It’s not as polarized as it seems on TV…hopefully we can get to a more collegial time where we’re less divided…” – Laura Gillen, [52:59]

Key Timestamps

• [48:20] – Congresswoman Gillen joins
• [50:09] – On working in the minority party
• [52:59] – On polarization and collaboration in Congress

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• "I felt sort of liberated that I could write about things that as a politician, I couldn't talk about..." – Gov. Madeleine Kunin, [05:19]
• "Are people stealing windmills or clogs?" – Helen Hong to Mayor Urig, [15:25]
• "We actually caught Don Quixote for trespassing." – Charlie Urig, [15:25]
• "If you don't have anything nice to say about someone, come sit by me." – Quoted by Kitty Felde re: Alice Roosevelt, [23:39]
• "All politics is personal—what's your story?" – Barbara Boxer, [37:19]
• “I agree…ask for what you need, you know?” – Barbara Boxer on fundraising humility, [36:12]
• “It’s not as polarized as it seems on TV.” – Congresswoman Laura Gillen, [52:59]

Additional Insights

• The show frequently punctuates trivia with laughter, banter, and moments of surprise as real-life political figures share personal stories that demystify public service.
• Across all segments, a unifying thread is the importance of representation—whether about gender, party, local culture, or family heritage—and the way “personal is political.”
• Each expert’s appearance not only serves to fact-check trivia answers but enriches context through anecdotes and advice—offering listeners a look behind the political curtain.

Practical Takeaways

• Get Involved & Contact Your Rep: Congresswoman Gillen encourages constituents to reach out directly—either at their district or DC offices—for both personal matters and policy advocacy. – [50:40]
• Women in Politics: Gov. Kunin and Sen. Boxer stress the pivotal role of lived experience for women in setting policy priorities.
• Bipartisanship and Authenticity: Sen. Boxer and Rep. Gillen highlight the shifting nature of cross-party collaboration, and urge politicians to root politics in personal stories instead of just positions.

Where to Listen & Learn More

• Complete episodes at gofactyourpod.com
• Follow the experts’ work at their personal/professional websites (e.g., madelinekunin.org; lauragillenhouse.gov; Barbara Boxer on Twitter @BarbaraBoxer)

End Note:
J. Keith van Straaten and Helen Hong cap the episode encouraging listeners to “get out there and vote early and often,” reminding everyone of the value of democracy and informed civic participation.

(Summary compiled based on selected segments; timestamps correspond to full episode audio.)