Episode 5

full
Published on:

19th Feb 2025

Behind the Curtain with Farrah Bostic

Understanding political contradictions - from voters supporting seemingly opposing candidates to holding conflicting policy views - reveals deeper truths about American democracy and the complex systems that shape public opinion. Modern polling methods, rooted in both the study of fascism and eugenics, illuminate how we make sense of each other as voters and consumers. 

In this episode of Cross Tabs, host Farrah Bostic unveils five key areas the show will tackle this season: deep dives into local political transformations, the historical evolution of polling and surveys, the shift of campaign messaging from Madison Avenue to K Street, lessons from history about how other countries built democracies after surviving and overcoming authoritarianism, and a look forward into what kinds of democracies can be built when we're not steeped in Constitutional nostalgia. Drawing on her background in political science, law, and market research, Farrah aims to help listeners understand the systems that drive political change and imagine new possibilities for democracy's future. 

Want to be a part of the future of Cross Tabs Podcast? Here are a few simple ways to get involved:

- Subscribe, rate, and review Cross Tabs Podcast on your favorite podcast app 

- Subscribe to Cross Tabs Podcast Substack and suggest Cross Tabs to your audience if you have your own Substack - we’re happy to do the same! 

- Contact Farrah with guest or topic suggestions you’d like to hear about on the show 

Resources 

‘On Freedom’ by Timothy Snyder 

‘How Rights Went Wrong’ by Jamal Greene  

‘Just Evil Enough’ by Emily Ross and Alistair Croll  

Behind the Bastards podcast hosted by Robert Evans

 

Your Host 

Farrah Bostic is the founder and Head of Research & Strategy at The Difference Engine, a strategic insights consultancy. With over 20 years of experience turning audience insights into effective strategies for B2B and B2C companies, Farrah helps business leaders make big decisions across various industries. Learn more at thedifferenceengine.co and connect with Farrah on LinkedIn.

 

Subscribe to Cross Tabs 

Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to Cross Tabs on your favorite podcast platform: 

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for Cross Tabs

About the Podcast

Cross Tabs
People • Data • Power
Our world is governed by numbers — surveys, polling, algorithms, and data.

On Cross Tabs, we bring you the stories behind these numbers. This podcast is your introduction to the people, perspectives, and agendas that shape our reality, and call it “public opinion”.

We invite experts to discuss pressing issues and walk us through their methods. You’ll hear about the issues that matter from some of the brightest thinkers in policy and politics, tech and business.

Join us and you’ll learn about how polling works — or doesn’t work — and how research can be manipulated to advance a political agenda. Discover the history of topics in the news and hear insights on culture and society.

And learn what’s really at risk in the race to influence and optimize, well, everything.

The show is hosted by Farrah Bostic, founder of The Difference Engine, where she works as a qualitative researcher and strategist working outside The Beltway to understand what drives business leaders, experts, and people like you so we can all make better decisions.