2020 has been a political whirlwind, with the pandemic, social unrest, and crazy conspiracy theories dominating the headlines.

Listen as Jeanne Destro interviews local and national political experts, to get their take on what will most definitely go down in history as one of the wildest, weirdest, and most consequential years in politics.

First, we asked Kent State University Political Science Professor, Mark Cassell to talk about how the pandemic has affected politics both here in the US, and around the world:

Dr. Mark Cassell, Kent State University

We also talked to Dr. John Green, recently retired Political Science Professor, Bliss Institute Director, and former University of Akron Acting President. In this interview, we focused on the hotly contested Presidential election, President Trump's continuing unsubstantiated claims that he won, and what happens if he refuses to leave office. Could that really happen?

Dr. John Green, University of Akron 

Next, CBS News National Security Advisor and Military Consultant, Jeff McCausland, weighs in on President Trump's veto of the National Defense Authorization Act. This is the first time in 59 years the bill, which sailed through both the House and Senate with a wide margin of approval, was not immediately signed by the President. Now, it goes back to Congress for a possible override.

But will they actually do it, or will our military run out of money? How will our soldiers get paid?

Jeff McCausland, CBS News National Security Consultant & Military Analyst

With all that in mind, we next talked to University of Akron Political Science Professor, Dr. Karl Kaltenthaler, who's research and teaching focuses on issues including political violence, terrorism, counterterrorism, and xenophobia.

He offered his predictions on the big issues President Elect Joe Biden will face in 2021, and discusses the rising threat of far right extremism.

Dr. Karl Kaltenthaler, University of Akron

Because all of this chaos has become "business as usual" in Washington, D.C.; Katherine M. Gehl and co-author, MIchael Porter wrote a new book called "The Politics Industry: How Political Innovation Can Break Partisan Gridlock and Save Our Democracy."

We asked Katherine Gehl why she thinks the system ought to change, and if that is even possible: