Getting to the Bottom of It
News & Politics
About
Podcast by The GW Hatchet
Episodes
- Incoming, prospective students talk new three-year housing requirement
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, Maddie Flesch and Ida Liben speak with students who are committed to or were considering attending GW about their thoughts on the new three-year on-campus housing requirement.
- SGA presidential candidates discuss their experience, goals if elected
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, Max Porter and Lizzie Jensen for the last time as hosts speak with Student Government Association presidential hopefuls Liz Stoddard and MJ Childs about their campaigns for the position.
- DC Metro celebrates 50 years of operation
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, host Lizzie Jensen speaks with GW professor and Regulatory Studies Center Director Roger Nober about the DC Metro's history and construction. Reporter Maddie Flesch sits down with local journ…
- Inside DC's viral 'situation room' bar and the prediction market boom driving it
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, co-hosts Max Porter and Lizzie Jensen discuss D.C.'s pop-up prediction market themed bar, while reporter Aadarshini Vijesh speaks with GW Law’s Associate Dean for Strategy and Innovation Mich…
- SGA leaders, Muslim students break down GW's Ramadan dining hall offerings
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, host Lizzie Jensen speaks with Student Government Association President Ethan Lynne and Executive Director of Policy Mashal Sohani about their push to improve Ramadan dining hall options, whi…
- GW professor, student activist discuss historic Potomac sewage spill
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, co-host Max Porter speaks with GW professor Yun Shen about what caused the historic Potomac sewage spill and what's being done to fix it, while reporter Maddie Flesch speaks with student acti…
- Architect, public historian talks Trump’s changes to DC’s physical landscape
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, reporter Ida Liben speaks with Neil Flanagan of the Heurich House Museum about the history of D.C.’s architectural landscape and President Donald Trump’s vision for the city.
- GW Historians prepare for America 250 commemoration
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, reporter Maeve Hanscom speaks with GW historians about how they're commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S.' founding.
- Experts preview upcoming DC mayor race
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, reporters Maddie Flesch and Aadarshini Vijesh speak with a GW professor and a District journalist about what GW community members can expect as the 2026 mayoral race heats up.
- Georgetown cat cafe employees move to unionize over safety, workplace concerns
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, Crumbs & Whiskers employees talk to co-hosts Max Porter and Lizzie Jensen and reporter Maddie Flesch about their efforts to unionize and what led to the decision.
- Professors discuss American intervention in Venezuela, caution Trump to avoid the mistakes of Iraq
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, three GW professors provide co-hosts Max Porter and Lizzie Jensen and reporter Ida Liben with insight on the ongoing American intervention in Venezuela and discuss troubling parallels with th…
- Men's, women's basketball tip off determined to claw up A-10 ranks
On this week's episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, co-hosts Max Porter and Lizzie Jensen take a look into the upcoming GW Men's and Women's Basketball season. Podcast reporters Aadarshini Vijesh and Jessica Rowe sit down with Senior Sp…
- Understanding GW's FY2026 budget cuts
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, co-hosts Max Porter and Lizzie Jensen break down the University's decision to slash expenditures in recent months as it responds to pressures from headwinds compounding higher education finan…
- How the government shutdown affects GW students
On this week's episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, co-hosts Max Porter and Lizzie Jensen explore how the government shutdown is impacting GW students. Podcast reporter Maddie Flesch speaks with members of the GW community about the shu…
- To squash or not to squash: professor, students talk spotted lanternflies
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, co-hosts Max Porter and Lizzie Jensen discuss the invasive spotted lanternfly's intrusion into Washington, D.C. Podcast reporter Ida Liben speaks with students and John Lill, a professor of b…
- The Washington Commanders return to DC
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, co-hosts Max Porter and Lizzie Jensen discuss the Washington Commanders' planned relocation to Robert F. Kennedy Stadium in DC. Podcast reporters Alyssa Wismar, Jessica Rowe and Maddie Flesch…
- Democratic, Republican students come together in listening circles after Charlie Kirk's killing
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, co-hosts Max Porter and Lizzie Jensen attend bipartisan discussions hosted by student groups after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and speak with attendees and organiz…
- Recapping Summer 2025 News
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, co-hosts Max Porter and Lizzie Jensen sit down with assistant news editor Gianna Jakubowski covering the University administration and finances beat and news editor Ella Mitchell covering met…
- GW Ice Hockey president discusses the Washington Capitals' historic season
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, host Max Porter speaks with Kieran Laffey, the president of GW Ice Hockey, about Alex Ovechkin's record-breaking season and the Washington Capitals' Stanley Cup playoff hopes.
- Former Student Government Association presidents provide updates on post-presidencies, give advice to current candidates
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, host Max Porter speaks with John Richardson, the SGA president between 2011 and 2012, and Nick Gumas, the SGA president between 2014 and 2015, about life after office and the upcoming SGA ele…
- Ukrainian-American student dives into Russo-Ukrainian War peace talks, personal impact
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, host Max Porter speaks with Vladyslav Zaytsev, a first-year and a member of the GW Ukrainian-American Student Association, about the negotiations between the U.S., Ukraine, and Russia.
- GW alum discusses work on upcoming memorial honoring journalists killed
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, host Max Porter speaks with reporter Aidan Farrell about his conversation with Alan Harwood, an urban planner who has helped plan the Fallen Journalist Memorial in D.C.
- Student TikTok creators face uncertainty on app, brace for potential ban
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, host Max Porter speaks with student TikTok creators Marwa Medjahed and Cierra O'Sullivan about the Trump administration’s pause of a ban on TikTok and where they see the app heading next.
- DC ACLU breaks down the fate of DC statehood under second Trump administration
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, co-hosts Max Porter and Lizzie Jensen follow reporter Aidan Farrell's sit down with Amber Taylor from the ACLU of D.C. to discuss the future of D.C. statehood activism under a second Trump ad…
- Experts, local business managers talk economic impact of National Zoo pandas' return
On this week's episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, co-hosts Max Porter and Lizzie Jensen dive into how the return of pandas at the National Zoo will affect the local economy through conversations with Larry Yu, a professor of hospitali…
- Foggy Bottom leader unpacks DC’s 911 response issues
On this week's episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, co-hosts Lizzie Jensen and Max Porter speak with a member of the Foggy Bottom and West End Advisory Neighborhood Commission about the problems that have disrupted DC's 911 response sys…
- Where is GW's football team?
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, co-hosts Max Porter and Lizzie Jensen speak with a pair of GW historians to learn about the University's football team and why it no longer exists.
- GW College Democrats and GW College Republicans share plans for 2024 election programming
On this week's episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, co-hosts Lizzie Jensen and Max Porter speak with executive board members of GW College Democrats and GW College Republicans to discuss their plans to mobilize student voters.
- How faculty, student leaders are implementing textiles, dress and fashion studies at GW
On this week's episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, co-hosts Lizzie Jensen and Max Porter speak with members of GW's Fashion Business Association and the program associate at the George Washington University Museum and the Textile Museu…
- Summer 2024 news rundown
On this week's episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, co-hosts Lizzie Jensen and Max Porter provide a recap of the summer's top news stories and spoke with Hatchet News Editors to better understand how these stories will progress in the f…
- Unhoused residents, ANC commissioner talk clearing of Triangle Park encampment
On this week’s episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, podcast co-hosts Lizzie Jensen and Max Porter discussed D.C. officials' plan to clear a homeless encampment in Triangle Park on Virginia Avenue between 21st and 22nd streets on May 15.…
- Expert talks GW Tuition Hike
On this week’s episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, host Lizzie Jensen spoke with Higher education expert Sandy Baum about the implications of the recently announced increase in GW tuition for the 2024-25 school year
- GW TRAiLS provides stress relief for students entering midterms season
On this week’s episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, host Lizzie Jensen spoke with GW TRAiLS guides and executive board members Spencer Wilcox, Liz Hartmetz and Jenna Brown about the organizations positive benefits for mental health amid…
- DeRay Mckesson talks DC Crime Bill opposition
On this week’s episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, host Lizzie Jensen spoke with author, activist and executive director of Campaign Zero, DeRay Mckesson, on his opposition to the new proposed DC crime bill.
- GW Physics Professor talks future of AI and possible misuse
On this week's episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, host Lizzie Jensen spoke with GW professor of physics, Neil Johnson, on his recently published research outlining the future of Artificial Intelligence and how "bad-actors" can use it…
- Mid-season Check-in: GW Basketball
On this week's episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, host Lizzie Jensen recaps the season's notable moments of men's and women's basketball teams with the Hatchet Sports team — Sports Editor Sandra Koretz and Contributing Sports Editor B…
- Human sciences fraternity founded at GW establishes a national presence
On this week's episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, Host Lizzie Jensen speaks to executive board members -- Erin Anderson, Amy Longtan and Lucia Kustra-- of GW's first and only human sciences fraternity, Delta Iota Gamma, on their expan…
- Student-led republican organizations on campus get a head start on 2024 election campaigning
On this week's episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, Host Lizzie Jensen spoke with GW Student's for DeSantis president, Carson Sturgis, on the mission of his organization and presence of republican campaigning on campus.
- 2024 Presidential candidate Marianne Williamson makes her case to GW students
On this week’s episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, Host Lizzie Jensen spoke to author, activist and 2024 democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson on her campaign and policies prior to her visit to GW on Oct 17.
- Smithsonian National Zoo panda departure sparks diplomacy conversation
On this week's episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, Host Lizzie Jensen spoke with Panda Palooza attendees and GW professor Bruce Dickson on panda diplomacy and the significance of the Smithsonian pandas' departure.
- Recapping Summer 2023
On this week's episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, Host Lizzie Jensen recaps the summer's top headlines with the Hatchet News team -- Academics Editor Fiona Riley, Metro Editor Erika Filter, Contributing Metro Editor Max Porter, Studen…
- Community picklers comment on Bowser's pickleball expansion proposal
On this week's episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, Host Lizzie Jensen spoke with community pickleball players and D.C. Parks and Recreation Interim Director Thennie Freeman regarding Mayor Muriel Bowser's plan to expand pickleball cour…
- GW experts talk TikTok's uncertain future
On this week's episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, host Sejal Govindarao spoke with a pair of GW professors with expertise in technology and political communication about their views on TikTok's future after Montana became the first st…
- GSEHD professor talks tuition hike's impact on diversity in enrollment
On this week's episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, reporter Aidan English joins Hosts Sejal Govindarao and Max Porter. He discusses his conversation with Dwayne Wright, an assistant professor of higher education administration and the…
- Student leaders celebrate Women’s History Month at annual gala
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, host Max Porter reports from Girl Up GW’s annual Women’s Gala that featured a series of female panelists who shared their experiences navigating their professional careers before a crowd of a…
- Student pushing D.C. legislation to prevent sexual violence on campus
On this week's episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, reporter Grace Eickel speaks with senior Mathena Jencka and discusses her work with D.C. lawmakers to propose legislation outlining sexual violence prevention rules for college campuse…
- Where's all the snow? Explaining winter weather in D.C.
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, Hosts Sejal Govindarao and Max Porter discuss the shortage of snow in D.C. this winter. Nikolay Shiklomanov, a professor of climate and environmental change at GW, joins the episode to share…
- Understanding the opposition to the rejected "Hippos" moniker
On this week's episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, Hosts Sejal Govindarao and Max Porter speak with podcast reporters Lizzie Jensen and Jenna Toulan about how students, especially student-athletes, are reacting to the University's deci…
- Meet the student behind the scenes of the House Speaker election
On this week's episode of Getting to the Bottom of It hosted by Sejal Govindarao and Max Porter, Sejal speaks with senior Payson Thomas – a staff aide to Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, who was elected earlier this month after a five-…
- Inside the District’s crime prevention agenda for 2023
On this episode of Getting to the Bottom of It, Hosts Sejal Govindarao and Max Porter dive into city leaders’ agenda to combat crime and gun violence in D.C. Ward 2 D.C. Council member Brooke Pinto joins the show to discuss her work to ref…