Compact Podcast

Pope Leo butts heads with Trump, Orban loses in Hungary, and an attempt is made on Sam Altman's life. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Trump threatens Iran, the Artemis Mission is launched, and Kanye gets banned in Britain. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Influencers go to war over Cuba, a progressive icon falls, and the UK Girl Guides kick out trans girls. Ashley Frawley joins Geoff Shullenberger. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

The 98th Academy Awards take place and rumors about the new Ayatollah's sexuality emerge. Ashley Frawley, Stephen Adubato, and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

An interview with Harvey Weinstein is released, due process is attacked in the UK, and Congress considers a bipartisan housing bill. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Trump goes to war against Iran and the EU goes to war against conversion therapy. Ashley Frawley, Stephen Adubato, and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

The team discusses President Trump's State of the Union address. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Marco Rubio speaks in Munich, the prospect of war with Iran emerges, and looksmaxxing-influencer "Clavicular" takes over the internet. Ashley Frawley, Stephen Adubato, and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Bad Bunny performs at the Super Bowl and the Epstein files crisis rages on. Ashley Frawley, Stephen Adubato, and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

New Epstein files are disclosed and and a new AI social media site is launched. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Alex Pretti was shot by federal agents during ICE protests in Minnesota and Trump changes the White House's decor. Ashley Frawley joins Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Trump lays out his Greenland deal and assisted dying bills move forward in the UK and US. Ashley Frawley joins Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Protests break out in Iran and a subpoena is issued to Jerome Powell. Ashley Frawley joins Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

US forces capture Nicolas Maduro, Tim Walz steps out of the ring, and Geoff Shullenberger has a run-in with Salvadorian authorities. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Zohran Mamdani is sworn in as Mayor of New York City, Trump threatens to attack Iran, and a new theory emerges about how the Frankfurt School destroyed the future. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

The team discusses the biggest events, as well as the best books they read and films they watched, in 2025. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Trump plans to reschedule cannabis, elections take place in Chile, and Jacob Savage's Compact piece goes viral. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Obamacare subsidies expire, Paramount vies to buy Warner Brothers, and a recent conference explores the future of postliberalism. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Lenny Benardo of the Open Society Foundations joins Matthew Schmitz to talk about Karl Popper, Bernie Sanders, Angela Merkel, and Donald Tusk. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Trump wages a drug war, the UK moves to limit trial-by-jury, and Senator Cory Booker gets married. Ashley Frawley, Geoff Shullenberger, and Stephen Adubato join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Trump introduces a 28-point peace plan to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani visits the Oval Office. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Marjorie Taylor Greene garners a newfound respect, UK Labour plans to restrict migration, and the Vatican returns artifacts to indigenous communities in Canada. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

The government shutdown ends, Trump threatens to sue the BBC, and a new book on the future of homosexuality is released. Ashley Frawley, Geoff Shullenberger, and Stephen Adubato join Matthew Schmitz. Read Stephen's excerpt from Inversion here: https://www.compactmag.com/article/how-gay-identity-trumped-gay-sex/ Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Zohran Mamdani is elected mayor of New York City, and the EU is promoting a concerning vision of gender. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Trump demolishes the East Wing of the White House and muses about pursuing a third term, and charges against Andrew Tate get dismissed. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

"Nazi-streaks" spread on the left and right, Trump suspends trade talks with Canada, and Trump pardons the crypto-billionaire behind Binance. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Trump brings peace to the Middle East, the UK attempts to ban spanking, and the government bails out libertarian heroes. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Two years have pass since the start of the war between Hamas and Israel, Trump battles with Chicago and Portland over the deployment of National Guard troops, and philosopher Nick Land stirs up controversy. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

The US government shuts down, Labour moves to introduce digital ID in Great Britain, and a peace plan is laid out for Gaza. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

The nation tunes into Charlie Kirk's funeral, California bans ICE agents from masking, and RFK Jr. announces that Tylenol can cause autism. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Charlie Kirk is killed and the debate over assisted suicide continues in the UK. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

The right fights over AI chips, the Department of War returns, and the right embraces "believe the women." Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Graham Linehan gets arrested for his tweets, Google finds out it won't have to sell off its search engines, and the AI bubble is at risk of bursting. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Trump pursues peace in Eurasia, Gavin Newsom tries out a populist style, and the White House launches a TikTok account. Ashley Frawley and Anna Wetzel join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

The conflict in Gaza escalates, Trump and Putin plan for a private summit, and DSA-style socialism continues its assault on the family. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

NASA is calling for a nuclear reactor on the Moon, a beach town in France is asking tourists to cover up, and heterofatalism is having a moment, again. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Oliver Bateman joins Geoff Shullenberger to discuss his new Compact piece "The Death of the Post-Left." https://www.compactmag.com/article/the-death-of-the-post-left/  

The United States and the European Union cut a trade deal, a gunman targets several NFL executives at their New York office, a recent Sydney Sweeney ad sparks controversy, and Channel 4 airs a documentary on Bonnie Blue. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Trump attacks Fed Chair Powell, Ari Aster's Eddington exposes the horrors of the Covid-era, and NPR and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert face funding cuts and cancellation. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

The hosts reflect on the Trump administration's successes and misses, the internet celebrates Cryptoweek, and Labubu skeptics worry the faddish toy is demonic. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

The Epstein controversy splits MAGA, Elon Musk may launch a new "America Party," and the hosts contemplate the nation of Greece. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

The Senate passes Trump's Big Beautiful Bill, a musical act leads violent chants at Glastonbury Festival, and Zohran Mamdani ignites a debate over "woke" table etiquette. Ashley Frawley and Anna Wetzel join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Zohran Mamdani wins the New York Democratic Mayoral Primaries, Obergefell v. Hodges turns 10, and Trump surprises hawks and doves. Ashley Frawley and Stephen Adubato join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe Read Daniel McCarthy's column "How Trump Surprised Hawks and Doves:" https://www.compactmag.com/article/how-trump-surprised-hawks-and-doves/  

Trump weighs US involvement in Iran, authorities investigate the shooting of two Minnesota lawmakers, and the trial of Sean Combs is underway. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

The Trump administration deploys US Marines to California to protect ICE agents, and the world mourns the death of the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Twelve people are injured in an antisemitic attack in Colorado, Britain increases its defense budget, the European Union goes after pornographers, and France bans public smoking. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Trump wages war on Harvard, Germany joins the US and other countries in a cautious escalation of the war in Ukraine, and the Trump administration proposes a program to turn every baby into a budding capitalist. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Trump negotiates his big beautiful bill, Biden is diagnosed with cancer, and South African refugees resettle in the United States. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

The new pope has taken the name Leo, alluding to Pope Leo XIII who developed modern Catholic social teaching, and the Trump administration might accept the gift of a luxury airliner from Qatar. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

The AfD gets labelled an extremist organization, and Trump plans to reopen Alcatraz and to impose tariffs on foreign film production. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe

Trump makes a mineral deal with Ukraine, the liberal candidate wins the Canadian election, and Spain faces power outages. Ashley Frawley and Geoff Shullenberger join Matthew Schmitz. Compact Magazine is reader-supported. Become a member and gain unlimited access. https://compactmag.com/subscribe