Politics minus bile plus jokes. Comedian and avowed independent Andrew Heaton interviews authors and thought leaders about policy and big thinky stuff.
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The Political Orphanage podcast is an absolute gem in the world of political podcasts. Hosted by Andrew Heaton, this show offers a refreshing and unique perspective on current events and political issues. The podcast is characterized by Heaton's authentic pithy optimism, which is both entertaining and enlightening. He brings together a diverse array of guests who provide insightful and thought-provoking discussions. The format of the show is engaging, with an Old Fashioned glass theme that adds a touch of charm and sophistication.
One of the best aspects of The Political Orphanage is Heaton's witty and humorous approach to politics. His comedic timing and clever sense of humor make even the most complex topics enjoyable to listen to. Heaton's skill at blending satire with intelligent analysis sets this podcast apart from others in its genre. Additionally, his commitment to doing thorough research ensures that the content presented is well-informed, well-rounded, and backed by evidence.
Another standout feature of this podcast is its ability to transcend the typical red team vs blue team narrative. Heaton recognizes that many listeners feel left out of the conversation due to the binary nature of political discourse. By providing a platform for alternative perspectives, The Political Orphanage offers a breath of fresh air for those seeking nuanced discussions that go beyond partisan bickering. This inclusive approach allows listeners to broaden their understanding of complex issues while also finding common ground with guests who may have differing opinions.
While there are countless positive aspects to The Political Orphanage, one potential drawback is occasionally seen in Heaton's apparent contempt for President Trump. While it's understandable that not everyone agrees with or supports Trump, some listeners may find this bias slightly off-putting or lacking objectivity. However, it's important to note that Heaton still maintains fairness and respect towards all guests on his show, regardless of their political views.
In conclusion, The Political Orphanage podcast is a must-listen for anyone tired of the polarizing and divisive nature of political discussions. Heaton's humor, intelligence, and open-mindedness create an engaging atmosphere that fosters meaningful conversations. Whether you're a libertarian, independent, or simply seeking a fresh perspective, this podcast will leave you entertained and enlightened. The Political Orphanage is truly a standout in the world of political podcasts.
Andrew Jackson was the first U. S. president who experienced an assassination attempt. It didn't stick. In today's episode we learn about the most grizzled executive in American history from the vantage point of his last near-brush with death.
How does American housing stack up compared to other countries, specifically in terms of full-blown housing communism or free market Japanese housing Nirvana? In this episode we take a look at what makes housing cheap, what makes housing expensive, and lessons we can steal from foreigners. LINKS: Reason TV: "Heaton solves the Housing Crisis" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VmEOgC0CWM Alain Bertaud: Sim City Was Always Wrong https://politicalorphanage.libsyn.com/sim-city-was-always-wrong
Conventional wisdom is brimming with economic myths: the Industrial Revolution impoverished the masses; bobber barons were the scourge of the Gilded Age; the Great Recession was caused by irresponsible deregulation. Senator Phil Gramm and economist Don Boudreaux attempt to set the record straight in their new book, “The Triumph of Economic Freedom: Debunking the Seven Great Myths of American Capitalism.”
Donald Trump is threatening to levy tariffs on films shot elsewhere, and actor John Voight is petitioning the federal government for taxpayer subsidies to protect Hollywood from foreign competition. Screenwriter C. Robert Cargill joins to discuss. https://www.scamstuff.com/products/brian-and-matt-june-2025
Rebecca Allensworth is the Associate Dean of Research at Vanderbilt Law, where she focuses on anti-trust and licensing. She is the author of "The Licensing Racket: How We Decide Who Is Allowed to Work, and Why It Goes Wrong." She joins to discuss licensing, and alternatives. Previous: Shoshanna Weissman on Grooming Licenses https://omny.fm/shows/something-s-off-with-andrew-heaton/ep-8-puppy-grooming-licenses-guest-shoshanna-weiss
Marc Beckman is a Senior Fellow of Emerging Technology at NYU, adjunct professor Stern, and the author of "Some Future Day: how AI is going to Change Everything." He joins to discuss practical implications of the unfolding AI Revolution.
Why do some people determine an action is racist, and others say nah? What are the mental protocols people use to exonerate or convict someone accused of beings sexist? Jessi Streib is the author of "Is it Racist? Is it Sexist? Why Red and Blue White People Disagree, and How to Decide in the Gray Areas."
Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson are the authors of “Abundance” a book about removing artificial scarcity and embracing a worldview that focuses on end goals, building, growth, and increasing the supply of everything we need and want. He joins to discuss the book, zoning, why America can't have nice trains, and how we can better lean into federal research funding.
Just what the hell is happening with tariffs? Are we entering a trade war? Are we negotiating? In today's show: A) An extended introduction about Napoleon III and Otto von Bismarck B) Austin Padgett, co-host of "History 102" on YouTube joins to discuss Trump's tariffs from the pro-Trump perspective C) Scott Lincicome of Cato takes a dim view of shenanigans
Cory Doctorow is a journalist, activist, and science fiction author known for his work on digital rights, monopolies, and the future of technology. He joins to discuss non-compete clauses, IP law, Right of Repair, and copyright regimes. His most recent book is "Picks and Shovels,” available at www.mightyheaton.com/featured.
Sebastian Junger is a decorated war correspondent and author of books like “The Perfect Storm” and “Tribes: On Coming Home and Belonging.” Heaton was going to interview him about his last book, “Freedom,” but then Junger very nearly died, and they decided to talk about that instead. His most recent book is "In My Time of Dying: How I Came Face to Face with the Idea of an Afterlife" Prior interview on “Tribes” https://omny.fm/shows/something-s-off-with-andrew-heaton/ep-50-what-your-hunter-gatherer-genes-really-want?in_playlist=something-s-off-with-andrew-heaton!podcast
Mahmoud Khalil has been detained, and will be potentially deported, by the Trump administration. Attorney Anna Gorisch joins to discuss the implications of this case, in terms of national security, immigration law, and the difference between protected and unprotected speech. Unabridged: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12QlJl8QgTKBffGXgtUjzMfLIrndTf3mW/view?usp=sharing
Andrea Jones-Rooy is a data scientist and former DEI consultant. She joins to discuss what DEI is, what DEI is not, and where it goes wrong.
What would happen if the Trump administration tried to abolish or defund the Department of Education? What does it do, and is it a net positive or net negative in terms of tax dollars and dispensing knowledge?
What is the government doing which is irritating, and what is irritating that the government can assist with? Topics covered today include: paper straws, low-flow toilets, pennies, nickels, mail, and quitting gym membership. Jeff Maurer, author of “I Might Be Wrong” on Substack joins to discuss.
Jonathan Rauch asserts that as the American Church has become increasingly concerned with the culture war and politics, it has become secularized and unappealing to its members, who are abandoning it. The result is a country increasingly spiritually adrift, churches distracted from their core missions, and a nation turning to politics as a substitute. He is the author of Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Promise with Democracy
Who's having sex, and how much of it are they having? Who's getting married and who's getting divorced? Does money, somehow, possibly, effect any of this? Cathy Reisenwitz of “Sex & The State” joins to discuss.
Trump erected, then delayed, tariffs on Canada and Mexico, but has levied tariffs on China–which is apt to escalate things shortly. What happens in a trade war and why are they bad? And what is happening now, specifically, in whatever's going on with Canada? Heaton breaks down the macroeconomics, and James Thatcher explains the unfolding situation. Discord: www.mightyheaton.com/discord
The Trump administration is reclassifying federal workers as Schedule F, making them easier to fire, and put a stop to remote work. In hopes of compelling federal employees to quit, and thereby shrink the government workforce. Heaton makes the case that if your goal is to shrink government, this is a counter productive way to do it.
Kirsten Brink is pen pals with prisoners who have been sentenced to death in Texas, as well as other people currently incarcerated in our penitentiaries. She joins to discuss how she got into the program, what it's like having friendships with people inside the klink, and how others can get involved and help. Write A Prisoner: https://writeaprisoner.com/ Wire of Hope: https://wireofhope.com/inmate-penpal-listings/ The Justice Network: https://www.thejusticenetwork.com/
Laura and John Arnold are the founders and co-chairs of Arnold Ventures. Started in 2008, Arnold Ventures is a self-funded philanthropy hyper-focused on pinpointing the root causes of our country's most pressing ills, whether that be disparities in health care and education, or dysfunction in our public finance systems. They advocate for evidence-based policy proposals that yield the kind of transformative change really only possible at the government level. They're also signatories of the Giving Pledge.
Pause for Paws is a charity in Tulsa, OK that fosters dogs on behalf of owners who need to seek help at a homeless shelter, rehab clinic, or mental health services. By giving people piece of mind with their pets during their absence, Pause for Paws takes care of two things–the pets in that moment, but also the people trying to get their affairs in order, to return to normal life. Evan Taylor and Cindy Webb join to discuss their organization. LINKS: Pause for Paws: https://www.pause4pawsok.org/ Charity Week: www.mightyheaton.com/charity Episodes Pertaining to Homelessness: “Homelessness, And Our Stupid Solutions” https://politicalorphanage.libsyn.com/homelessness-and-our-stupid-solutions “The Best Tiny House Village in America” https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-tiny-house-village-in-america/id1439837349?i=1000549032659
Morgan's Wonderland is an ultra-accessible amusement park in which all of the rides have been engineered so that no one is excluded, no one is ever sitting on the sidelines. If your child has special needs, is in a wheel chair, is Autistic, has hearing or vision loss, or some other issue--take them to Morgan's Wonderland. Gordon Hartman is Morgan's dad and the founder of Morgan's Wonderland. He joins to discuss.
Love Notes Chorus in Austin, Texas is a choir for people with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or their caregivers. Directors Edie Elkjer and Susie Higley join to discuss how music effects people with cognitive issues, and how their organization assists. Links: Love Notes Austin: www.lovenoteschorus.com The Giving Voice: www.givingvoice.com Charity Week: www.mightyheaton.com/charity
In an effort to challenge some of my priors, I bring Justin Robert Young to discuss stadium subsidies, and political action oriented around effectiveness and maximizing happiness, instead of focusing on what the government should or shouldn't do. Tickets to We're Not Wrong: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/were-not-wrong-inauguration-special-live-tickets-1135133608179?aff=oddtdtcreator
Russell Napier is the Keeper of the Library of Mistakes, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Napier has worked in the investment business for 30 years and has been advising global institutional investors on asset allocation since 1995. He also is the author of the book “Anatomy of The Bear: Lessons From Wall Street's Four Great Bottoms” and he is founder and course director of The Practical History of Financial Markets course that is part of the Edinburgh Business School MBA.
Turner Sparks and Phil Duckett are comedians who host the "Black and White Advice" podcast. They come on to crack jokes and talk about racial friction, and what to do about it.
Rebroadcast of the cult classic 1987 Christmas special of “Heaton and Monkey: Crimesolvers,” a groundbreaking police drama. Cast: Andrew Heaton, Andrew Young, Josh Jennings, Brian Sack, Jack Helmuth, Justin Robert Young, Anna Gorisch, Hilary Mann, Austin Bragg, Brett Weaver, and Brian Brushwood. Previous Specials: A Rugged Snuffy's Christmas - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-rugged-snuffys-christmas/id1439837349?i=100063936198 Snuffy's Explosion-Proof Christmas - https://politicalorphanage.libsyn.com/snuffys-explosion-proof-christmas A Rather Snuffy's Christmas - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-political-orphanage/id1439837349?i=1000545755269 A Grander Snuffy's Christmas - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a-grander-snuffys-christmas/id1439837349?i=1000503286243 Another Snuffy's Christmas - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/another-snuffys-christmas/id1439837349?i=1000460559897 A Very Snuffy's Christmas - https://politicalorphanage.libsyn.com/ep-30-a-very-snuffys-christmas-0
Jeff Belanger is a journalist, historian, and paranormal investigator. He's the author of “The Fright Before Christmas: Surviving Krampus and Other Yuletide Monsters, Witches, and Ghosts.” He joins to discuss the history of Christmas, and why we put trees in our living room to celebrate Jesus.
Crossover episode from my other podcast, Alienating the Audience: Brian Brushwood and I discuss the ethics of punishment and rehabilitation in "A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess.
Syrita Stieb was incarcerated between ages 19 and 29. Today she's the executive director of Operation Restoration, an organization designed to eradicate the roadblocks people leaving incarceration face as they re-enter society. She joins to discuss how we can help or hinder people's reintegration.
Dr. Sarah Brosnan is a primatologist and Director of the Primate Cognition, Evolution and Behavior Program at Georgia State University. She joins to discuss what we can learn about human society by observing primate behavior.
Musa al-Gharbi is the author of “We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite.” He join to discuss Elite Overproduction, and how it results in mass movements. Book at: www.mightyheaton.com/featured
James Thatcher (a.k.a “Big Jim”) is a trade and logistics expert. He joins the program to discuss what the president can and cannot do when it comes to trade policy, and what we might reasonably expect to happen under the forthcoming Trump administration.
Andrea Jones-Rooy voted for Kamala Harris. Josh Jennings voted for Donald Trump. We invite both onto our program to air out what they are afraid of, and what they're worried or hopeful about over the next four years.
A full-scale musical comedy about Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and the ill-fated 2024 election. Enjoy! If you'd like to follow along with the lyrics, go to www.mightyheaton.com/music
So does America suck if your candidate loses? In this live episode of the show, we hear an uplifting Nazi story, what POW treatment says about American character, domestic terrorism, and why America is ultimately pretty awesome. Musical guests: Toothy Gibbons; Mister Jenkins and the Hoofbeats ENJOY THE SHOW? BUY MY BOOK! "Tribalism is Dumb: Where It Came From, How it Got So Bad, and What to Do About It." https://www.amazon.com/Tribalism-Dumb-Where-Came-about/dp/B0DJKSZP6J
Austin Petersen joins to make the case for why independents should cast their vote for Donald Trump.
Jeremiah Johnson of the New Liberal Podcast and Jeff Maurer of I Might Be Wrong join the show to make the case for why independents should vote for Kamala Harris.
The Green Party is America's fourth-largest party, and also has sufficient ballot access to have a legal path to an electoral victory. The party is a blend of environmentalism, socialism, and non-interventionist foreign policy. Jen Briney joins to discuss the latter.
Cornel West is a philosopher, former professor, and civil rights activist, running for president as the People's Party candidate.
Chase Oliver is the Libertarian Party's presidential candidate, and the standard bearer for America's third largest political party. He joins to discuss his campaign, and make his pitch to independent voters.
Why did politics become so nasty, so partisan, so... tribal? Well now. I wrote a book for you on this very subject: "Tribalism is Dumb: Where it Came From, How it Got So Bad, and What to Do About It." It's out now! This episode features the first two chapters. Please grab a copy, and enjoy! www.mightyheaton.com/books
Jonathan Ainslie is a law lecturer at the University of Aberdeen, with a focus on Roman Law. He joins the show to discuss free speech rules in the United Kingdom, and the broader topic of what role the government ought to play in protecting you from yourself.
Kevin Williamson is national correspondent at The Dispatch, and writer-in-residence at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. He joins to give a thousand-foot view of what our political era will look like in retrospect.
What if we're focusing on jobs too much? Guy Standing is the author of “The Politics of Time: Gaining Control in the Age of Uncertainty.” He joins to discuss laborism, why GDP is a stupid economic indicator, and solutions to the economy's most vexing problems.
What is “woke” exactly? And why is it it irritating? Lawrence Titley joins to make the case that Wokeness is an older historical phenomenon of loudly drawing attention to cognitive dissonance and moral correction.
What's the difference between effective, ethical taxes vs. stupid stuff with a bunch of loop holes for rich people? Scott Hodge is President Emeritus & Senior Policy Advisor at the Tax Foundation. He is the author of “Taxocracy: What You Don't Know Abou Taxes And How They Rule Your Daily Life.” Book at: www.mightyheaton.com/featured
How do the histories of countries set up the greater context in which they become rich or poor? Daron Acemoglu believes it boils down to whether or not they've been organized according to extractive or inclusive institutions. He joins to discuss his book, Why Nations Fail.
Final thoughts on attending the Democratic National Convention; the underlying ideology and policy goals, and who will win in the face off between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
Who's this Tim Walz guy? Live from the Democratic National Convention, we go into his National Guard record, his tenure in Congress and as governor of Minnesota, and explore the underpinnings of his political philosophy.
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