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Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Kevin Williamson, and Megan McArdle to discuss the growing popularity of socialism on the left and Anthony Fauci's testimony on Capitol Hill. The Agenda: —What is socialism? —Polling on American sentiment toward socialism —College dorm life as an ideology —Tea Party redux —When to start panicking —Anthony Fauci's testimony —NWYT: Living too long Show notes: —Kevin on socialism —Kevin on democratic socialism —Occupy Wall Street's puppet guild —Jonah: We're Not One Election Away From Ruin The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including audio versions of all our articles and newsletters—click here. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comMegan is an old friend, a journalist, and an OG blogger — starting way back in 2001. We were bloggers at The Atlantic together, and she went on to write for Newsweek, The Daily Beast, and Bloomberg View. She's now a WaPo columnist, a contributing writer at The Dispatch, and a co-host of the podcasts “Reasonably Optimistic” and “Central Air.” She's also the author of The Up Side of Down: Why Failing Well Is the Key to Success.For two clips of the episode — on the appeal of socialism to those under 30, and the secrecy of ailing politicians — head to our YouTube page.Other topics: growing up on the UWS; her prof dad meeting her mom while she TA'd for him; Frank Gannett in her family; peaking at 6'2'' in 7th grade; an eating disorder to try to counter her height; the heightism of women on dating apps; the coziness of elites in DC; Fauci worship by the Dems; his coziness with Jake Tapper and Hollywood celebs; his diary; Fauci's lie over masks; masks at the Floyd protests; vaccine mandates; lab leak; Mitch McConnell MIA; Rep. Granger in memory care; Rep. Kean's depression; Biden's infirmity; age limits on the presidency; FDR's overreach; post-Nixon reforms; the constitutional crisis over the Iran War; dwindling Tomahawks; Lindsey Graham's closeness with Bibi; 9/11 and Islamofascism; nuclear proliferation and the Saudis; whether Vance or Rubio would make a better successor to Trump; Rubio's designs on Cuba; Vance's populism and lecturing the Pope; presentism; Jon Ossoff; Rahm Emanuel; the Stonewall myth; misusing rape stats and the UVA hoax; critical theory; the DSA, and its over-educated, downwardly mobile youth.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy. Coming up: Ross Barkan on the DSA and Mamdani, John O'Sullivan on conservatism, Emily Eakin on postmodernism, Arianna Huffington on AI, and Azam Ahmed on terrifying new drugs. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.
Everything's great and nobody's happy? Megan joins the guys to talk about affluenza. Each generation has to figure it out — so take some risks, make some bad decisions, and embrace scar tissue.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comRobert P. George is a legal scholar and political philosopher. At Princetown, he's the McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence and the director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. He's also a senior fellow at both the American Enterprise Institute and the Witherspoon Institute, which he co-founded. His many books include Making Men Moral and In Defense of Natural Law. We spent many years sparring in print over marriage, gays, and Catholicism.For two clips of the episode — on disobeying unjust laws, and the supposed harms of gay marriage — head to our YouTube page.Other topics: his dad's harrowing service in WWII; Robby growing up in Appalachia with his grandfathers in the coal mines; first in his family to go to college; stories of both of us being at Oxford at the same time; the origins of bluegrass; Robert Byrd's legacy; Plato's Gorgias; Aristotle and friendship; Robby's close friendship with Cornel West; Montaigne; Aquinas; Vatican II; Eastern Orthodox liturgy; neo-scholasticism; Darwin's survival of the fittest; Nietzsche; loving one's enemy as uniquely Christian; just law and unjust law; MLK's letter from a Birmingham jail; Hume; Oakeshott; natural law theorists vs legal positivists; the AIDS crisis; Christian marriage vs civil marriage; divorce; the Manhattan Declaration; Henry VIII's annulments; the sexual habits of Clinton and Trump; illiberalism on the left and right; and the beached squids of Ptown.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy. Coming up: Ross Barkan on the DSA and Mamdani, John O'Sullivan on conservatism, Azam Ahmed on terrifying new drugs, and Megan McArdle on pretty much anything. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.
On this episode of The Karol Markowicz Show, Karol sits down with Peter Suderman, features editor at Reason Magazine, host of The Reason Roundtable podcast, and creator of the Cocktails with Suderman newsletter, for a wide-ranging conversation about culture, creativity, and connection. Peter shares how his passion for craft cocktails grew from a curiosity into a deeper appreciation for hospitality, friendship, and the art of bringing people together. He explains why making drinks at home has exploded in popularity, whether Gen Z’s move away from alcohol signals a lasting cultural shift, and why social spaces still matter for creativity and innovation. Karol and Peter also discuss remote work, the importance of in-person conversations, how the pandemic reshaped social habits, and why YouTube could become the dominant force shaping the future of entertainment, podcasts, and media. Plus, Peter reflects on his career at Reason, his marriage to fellow journalist Megan McArdle, and why his best life advice is simple: find your people.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comDavid is a historian and perhaps the greatest living film critic. He's the author of more than 20 books, including biographies of David O. Selznick and Orson Welles, and The New Biographical Dictionary of Film. His new book is called A Sudden Flicker of Light: A Revisionist History of Movies. It's a wonderful extended rant in some ways, a love letter and a searing indictment of cinema. I was a little intimidated talking with him, but it was a lot of fun.For two clips of the episode — on the uptight genius of Hitchcock, and the authoritarian nature of cinema — head to our YouTube page.Other topics: born in South London in 1941 and his home damaged by the Blitz; his father leaving when he was born; his boyish mix of fear and delight at the cinema; the shower scene in Psycho; how film denies you the chance to stop and think; the directors who relish white space (e.g. PT Anderson); Birth of a Nation and Triumph of the Will; newsreels before TV; real nuke explosions on screen; Oppenheimer; from communal theater viewing to solo smartphone viewing; Game of Thrones and the insane production value of TV these days; Breaking Bad; Trump the ultimate product of TV; his telegenic Cabinet; the danger of deepfakes; Paul Schrader's First Reformed; the audience's love of car crashes and villains; Godfather I and II; contrasting Hitchcock and Malick; Tree of Life; nature in Thin Red Line; Fincher's Seven; Robert Bresson's religious films; Scorsese's Silence and Last Temptation of Christ; the vulgarity of Spielberg (e.g. the red dress in Schindler's List); ep. 3 of Adolescence; and Nolan's new Odyssey.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy. Coming up: John O'Sullivan on conservatism, Azam Ahmed on terrifying new drugs, Robby George on natural law, and Megan McArdle on pretty much anything. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comStephen is a psychoanalyst and author. He used to teach clinical technique at the Institute of Psychoanalysis, and also psychoanalytic theory at University College London. He's the author of The Examined Life: How We Lose and Find Ourselves, and his latest book is Love's Labor: How We Break and Make the Bonds of Love.For two clips of the episode — on what psychoanalysis is really for, and the benefits of friendship vs romantic love — head to our YouTube page.Other topics: born in Gary, Indiana; his birth defect requiring many surgeries; his Jewish family emigrating from Eastern Europe; college at Berkeley and Oxford; arrested at the Chicago Dem convention; befriending Anna Freud; Sigmund and his studies in hysteria; loneliness in adolescence; how falling in love is very different than love; my own psychoanalyst of 25 years; trauma from my childhood; the losses that marriage entails; breakthroughs after breakdowns; detaching from the idea of yourself; legal marriages vs psychological ones; falling back into trauma because it's familiar; the power of love's precarity; victimology; Philip Roth's “the ecstasy of sanctimony”; lessons from Othello; surrender vs submission; Esther Perel's Mating in Captivity; seeking traits in a partner that mirror a dysfunctional parent; how sex is different for men and women; gay promiscuity; male-male marriages lasting the longest; HIV and the threat of deportation; dating with HIV in the ‘90s; and how to be a better listener.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy. Coming up: David Thomson on cinema in US history and culture, John O'Sullivan on conservatism, Robby George on natural law, and Megan McArdle on pretty much anything. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.
0:30 - Former Platner girlfriend Jenny Racicot with Tapper accusing Platner of rape 15:21 - Rep. Ro Khanna campaigning for Platner: if he can change, you can change, we can all change 33:38 - Unsung Americans 49:46 - Trump Accounts 01:02:50 - In-depth History with Frank from Arlington Heights 01:06:46 - William Thibeau, veteran of the Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment and currently Director of the American Military Project at The Claremont Institute, discusses autonomous lethal force and what he calls the "lowering of the bar to participate in conflict." Follow William on X @WilliamThibeau 01:28:16 - Founder of Wirepoints Mark Glennon says Governor Pritzker's "big tent" strategy relies on appealing to voters hostile to America. 01:43:12 - Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle looks at Why the transgender sports campaign was doomed. Megan is also the author of The Up Side of Down: Why Failing Well is the Key to Success 02:02:29 - America's next 250 years begin in the classroomSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mike Warren is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and David French to discuss the MAGA reaction to the Supreme Court's decision on birthright citizenship and the 250th anniversary of our nation's independence. The Agenda: —The state of SCOTUS —Transgender athletes —MAGA reactions —Freedom250 fair —Trump's influence on national celebrations —How to celebrate right Show notes: —Advisory Opinions —SCOTUSblog —Sean Davis on birthright citizenship —Matt Walsh on birthright citizenship —“Country Roads” at the World Cup Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comJohn is a political philosopher. He retired from academia in 2007 as Professor of European Thought at the London School of Economics, and he's now a regular contributor and lead reviewer at the New Statesman. He's the author of two dozen books, and the most recent is The New Leviathans: Thoughts After Liberalism, which we discussed on the Dishcast last year (after first having him on the pod in 2023).For two clips of the episode — on what the Founders would think of the 250th, and sizing up the next prime minister of the UK — head to our YouTube page.Other topics: the deadly heatwave in Europe and its lack of AC; the Putin-esque corruption of Trump; the Joker-esque nature of US politics; civic exhaustion; our broken trust with the rest of the world; losing the Iran War; the stranglehold of Hormuz; fears over the Strait of Malacca; the JCPOA; Fukuyama; edge-lording and DOGE; the embarrassment of Trump's 250; his plunge in the polls; the socialist wins in NYC; DEI collectivism; Vance's Catholicism; Rubio's future; Tucker 2028; the collapse of free speech in higher ed; Keir's departure; Andy Burnham's rise; his neo-Blairite populism; Farage and Reform; Restore Britain; Kemi Badenoch; Scott Wiener hounded by transqueers; masks used by ICE and activists; the surge of antisemitism on the left and right; the Le Pen and Bardella factions; AfD; the EU becoming more right-wing; mass migration and Boris; the Swedish crackdown; Islamism; Meloni becoming a centrist; Putin and Ukraine; the drone revolution and Taiwan; the hope of Ossoff; and the World Cup.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy. Coming up: Stephen Grosz on the struggles of love, David Thomson on cinema in American history and culture, John O'Sullivan on conservatism, Robby George on natural law, and Megan McArdle on pretty much anything. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Chris Stirewalt, and Megan McArdle for a live recording at 92nd Street Y to discuss what's left of the right. The Agenda: —What happened to Donald Trump? —The Trump doctrine —Truth-telling in government —Future of the Republican Party —Character in politics —2028 elections —NWYT: Seizing Greenland on Red Lobster's behalf The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including audio versions of all our articles and newsletters—click here. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comBob is a journalist and the author of many books, including The Moral Animal, Nonzero, The Evolution of God, and Why Buddhism Is True. He's written for countless magazines, including The New Republic, where he co-wrote the TRB column with Mickey Kaus. They also co-founded Bloggingheads TV, and Bob taught in the psych department at Penn and the religion department at Princeton. Today you can find him on Substack at the NonZero Newsletter, and his new book is The God Test: Artificial Intelligence and Our Coming Cosmic Reckoning.For two clips of the episode — how AI flatters its users, and the rapidly converging threats from AI — head to our YouTube page.Other topics: Bob's reporting on AI in the early 1980s; Geoffrey Hinton — “the godfather of AI” — warning us about AI; “doomer-in-chief” Eliezer Yudkowsky; Bob's own evolution on AI; the Tree of Knowledge; how AI is a more challenging global issue than nukes; the need for international regulation; the noosphere, our “global brain” — and its author, the visionary Christian, Teilhard de Chardin; neural networks; ChatGPT; Musk and self-driving cars; BF Skinner; philosopher John Searle; olfactory AI; virtual reality; AI designing drugs to induce spirituality; Anthropic's Dario Amodei; Sam Altman calling Trump an NPC; AI stoking conspiracies; Leo's encyclical; cognitive empathy; the Iran War; China vs Taiwan; kids befriending AI agents; Hal in 2001; the movie Her; silicon neurons that evolve; AI threatening the human need to be needed; job losses; scams; electoral risks; populism and tribalism; how is AI a continuation of human evolution; and the many positive potentials of AI.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy. Coming up: John Gray on Trump's new world, Stephen Grosz on the struggles of love, David Thomson on cinema history, John O'Sullivan on conservatism, Robby George on all our disagreements, and Megan McArdle on pretty much anything. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comTiffany is a cultural historian, writer, and broadcaster. She has been a critic and presenter on BBC Radio 4 and now serves as a trustee of the British Museum. Her latest book is Strangers and Intimates: The Rise and Fall of Private Life. It's a fascinating book of history and political insight: how privacy is deeply connected to liberal values, and why its abeyance matters.For two clips of the episode — on the first sexual revolution in England, and when privacy strengthened patriarchy — head to our YouTube page.Other topics: growing up in an Anglo-American household; losing and keeping accents; privacy a rare thing in history; the Greeks and Romans; the human tendency to gossip; the Reformation and private faith; Thomas More against Martin Luther; Cromwell banning Christmas; Hobbes and the right of conscience; Locke and natural rights; Marie Antoinette; Rousseau and self-creation; spying; the emergence of the back stairs; the Romantics and subjectivity; Wollstonecraft and women's equality; the Sodomites' Walk; the rise of coffee shops; John Stuart Mill; child abuse; marital rape; Betty Friedan; defending homosexuality based on privacy; outings; Lewinsky and the Starr Report; consent and policing sex; hook-up culture on campus; Obama's private life; Hunter's laptop; reality TV and Trump; Harry and Meghan's worldwide privacy tour; OnlyFans; and a defense of hypocrisy.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy. Coming up: Bob Wright on the evolutionary force of AI, John Gray on Trump's new world, Stephen Grosz on the struggles of love, David Thomson on cinema history, John O'Sullivan on conservatism, Robby George on all our disagreements, and Megan McArdle on everything. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.
Steve Hayes is joined by Kevin Williamson, Megan McArdle, and Scott Lincicome to discuss AI and state corporatism and what the national debt is costing us today. The Agenda: —Bernie Sanders' AI wealth fund proposal —Government ownership of tech —Anthropic's Mythos model —The national debt —America's most boring nightmare —NWYT: Optimism Show notes: —CATO Institute on a Social Security inflation calculator —Scott Lincicome on state corporatism —Europe 2031 —Klon Kitchen on Mythos —SCOTUSblog live event The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including audio versions of all our articles and newsletters—click here. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The average American household is now worth more than $1 million. Yet Gen Z is increasingly pessimistic about its economic future. Why does it feel like so many people are falling behind? Is homeownership out of reach? And how can young people build wealth in an economy that seems both richer and more uncertain than ever? Megan McArdle talks with Ed Elson, co-host of Prof G Markets, about wealth inequality, housing affordability, social media and the frustrations shaping younger generations' outlook.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and Mike Warren to discuss Pope Leo's encyclical on artificial intelligence and explain Jonah's looksmaxxing routine. The Agenda: —The encyclical —Can AI write good narratives? —AI disclosure laws —Creative destruction —Regulating AI —NWYT: Clavicular's take on books Show notes: —Ben Sasse at the Manhattan Institute —Klon Kitchen on the AI threat The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including audio versions of all our articles and newsletters—click here. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Libby Watson of What's All This Then? returns to the show to talk about the tragic downfall of Our Keir, whose Labour Party lost massively in recent local elections. We also talk about a golden statue of Trump built by Hasidic ultra-Orthodox Jews and the UK Parliament's (reported) drinking problem. Finally, we have a Chapo reading series double feature: Richard Dawkins thinks Claude is real and a babe, and Megan McArdle wants to heal the nation with memes. Check out What's All This Then? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-all-this-then-with-charlotte-mcdonnell-and/id1812045307 And catch her streams at: https://www.twitch.tv/libtron
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and Mike Warren to discuss the potential end of major combat operations against Iran and Trump's retribution campaign against Indiana Republicans who opposed his mid-decade redistricting efforts.The Agenda:—End of Operation Epic Fury—Did the U.S. achieve its military goals?—Post-Iran War U.S. economy—Trump's waning political capital—Indiana GOP primary revenge—The ballroom flip-flop—NWYT: A Dispatch cruiseDispatch Recommendations:—The Fading Trump Presidency—Will MAGA Come for Thomas Massie?—My Father's Conservatism—Anti-Zionism Is a Dead End for PalestiniansThe Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including audio versions of all our articles and newsletters—click here. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and Sarah Isgur to discuss the role of populism within the Democratic Party and the second Department of Justice indictment of James Comey. The Agenda:—Maine Gov. Janet Mills drops Senate bid—Right-wing vs. left-wing populism—Populism meets reality—The James Comey indictment—Indicting political opponents—Future of the justice system The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode of Unsupervised Learning Razib talks to returning guest Megan McArdle. She is the author of The Up Side of Down: Why Failing Well Is the Key to Success and a Washington Post columnist and op-ed board member. McArdle grew up in New York City and attended Riverdale Country School. She obtained an undergraduate degree in English from University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the University of Chicago. McArdle's previous positions were at The Economist, The Atlantic and Newsweek. She has a new podcast for the Washington Post, Reasonably Optimistic, and also contributes to Central Air and The Dispatch. Razib and McArdle talk about the follies of populism, left and right, and the damage being done to America in the name of anti-elitism. Razib asks McArdle if there is any way out of a national debt crisis and fiscal insolvency (answer: probably not). Then they discuss the role high cost of living and confiscatory tax rates on the flight of capital and high-income individuals from blue states, and McArdle explains the historical-structural reasons that liberal cities cannot cut back on their top-heavy labor force. Razib and McArdle discuss immigration, trade and globalization, and the short-sightedness of MAGA-populism. Finally, they address AI, McArdle's usage of it, and the promise it has in revolutionizing work and transforming our society.
Steve Hayes is joined by Mike Warren, Scott Lincicome, and Megan McArdle to discuss our overly complicated tax code and our launch of Dispatch Markets, featuring Scott's latest newsletter. Steve, Megan, and Mike then discuss New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's pied-à-terre tax and how the democratic socialist mayor has governed so far.The Agenda:—Donald Rumsfeld's tax letter—The cost of tax compliance—Political will for tax reform—Personal vs. corporate tax complexity—Mamdani's pied-à-terre tax—Economic policy in New York—NWYT: J.D. Vance's small crowdDispatch Recommendations:—Trump Retribution Campaign Threatens to Unravel Indiana GOP—Is Private Credit in Trouble?—The Decline and Fall of Orbánism Show notes: —Megan's podcast Reasonably Optimistic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week on Blocked and Reported, Jesse and Katie discuss a string of recent AI scandals in publishing: the Shy Girl debacle, Matt Goodwin's hallucinated data, Alex Preston's plagiarized book review, and more. Plus, controversy ensues when Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle admits to (gasp) using AI in her process. Watch Thin Skin (2023) - Free Movies | TubiMia Ballard on Her Horrific Feminine Rage Novel - BookstrA.I. Is Writing Fiction. Publishers Are Unprepared. - The New York TimesI Was Deemed Unfit to Be a Mother - The New York TimesNew York Times Cuts Ties with Book Review Writer Over AI Use | ExclusiveThe illusion and delusion of Matt Goodwin | The SpectatorSuicide of an author's credibility | Ben Sixsmith | The Critic MagazineMatt Goodwin and Andy Twelves caught in fiery clash over author's new book Suicide of a NationAI didn't write my book | The SpectatorInside the Dirty, Dystopian World of AI Data Centers - The AtlanticA billionaire, an AI supercomputer, toxic emissions and a Memphis community that did nothing wrong • Tennessee LookoutJournalism schools are teaching fear of the future: Letter from the Editor - cleveland.com This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.blockedandreported.org/subscribe
Jonah Goldberg is joined by Dispatch contributors David French, Megan McArdle, and Mike Nelson to discuss whether ground operations in Iran are still an option and the significance of Meta's two landmark losses in social media addiction trials. The Agenda:—Trump's prime-time address—Potential ground operations—How to reopen the Strait of Hormuz—True deterrence against Iran—Meta and Google addiction trials—Banning phones in schools—NWYT: Kid Rock's Army flyover Dispatch Recommendations—Why Rubio's Stock Is Rising With MAGA—Birthright Citizenship Oral Arguments—Birthright Citizenship Has a Long Historical Precedent—The Welfare-Warfare State, Redux The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jonah Goldberg is joined by Gil Guerra, Kevin Williamson, and Megan McArdle to discuss the nationwide blackouts in Cuba and whether the country will be next in Trump's crosshairs.The Agenda:—The state of play in Cuba—History of the blackouts—A Russian tanker arrives—How much does Cuba matter to the U.S.?—The case for regime case—The left's fascination with Cuba—How would the right react?—NWYT: Melania and the educational AI robotDispatch Recommendations:—Meet the Has-Beens, Never-Weres, and Felon Locked in a Trumpy Primary—The Era of Cookbooks Is Not Over—Our Almost-Promised Land—The Institutional Rot of the Right's Youth PoliticsShow Notes:—Will Cuba Be the Next to Fall? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Taxing billionaires to make up budget shortfalls is a popular idea — but maybe non-billionaires should think again? Megan McArdle is a Washington Post columnist, and she joins host Krys Boyd to discuss why the idea of a billionaire wealth tax is generating buzz around Capitol Hill, why she feels it's a short-sided idea, and to explain just how much cash these policies would potentially generate. Her recent piece on the topic is “The myth of the billionaire wealth tax.” Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
Artificial intelligence is such a big change to human civilization that our political class is struggling to keep up. The voters in our focus groups are struggling, too. The Washington Post's Megan McArdle joins the show to discuss how everyday Americans are using (and misusing!) AI, its impact on the political process and information environment, and how public policy can adapt to this brave new world.Megan McArdle's Washington Post Podcast, Reasonably OptimisticMake laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code THEFOCUSGROUP at https://laundrysauce.com/THEFOCUSGROUP #laundrysaucepodGet 60% off your first box with Tempo Meals at https://TempoMeals.com/THEFOCUSGROUP.
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and David French to discuss the growth of prediction markets and the differing goals that Israel and the U.S. may have in the war with Iran.The Agenda:—The harms of sports betting—Fantasy football podcasts and gambling—Monetizing insider trading—How does gambling affect sports?—The libertarian argument regarding addiction—Mismatched aims for the war in Iran—Tension between the U.S. and Israel—NWYT: Can a vegan candidate win in Texas? The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How can the U.S. lead in rebuilding industrial capacity? Christian Keil believes the answer lies with American dynamism. He is a partner at a16z, who sees technology as a key to our future. Even through uncertain times and sharp competition from China. He joins host Megan McArdle to discuss his experience — from innovating satellite technology during his time at Astranis to now investing in companies through venture capital. He also gives more detail on his recently published the report "More Perfect," which explores how technology has shaped and will reshape America.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
Steve Hayes is joined by Megan McArdle, Kevin Williamson, and Declan Garvey to discuss the Trump administration's new “war on fraud” and the young adult “dating recession.”The Agenda:—The “war on fraud”—The real driver behind government debt—Misconceptions about waste and abuse—The young adult dating recession —Looksmaxxing, explained—Risk aversion in teens—NWYT: Email inboxesShow Notes:—Alan Cole's bet on DOGE—Yuval Levin for The Dispatch: The Changing Face of Social Breakdown The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We hear a lot about what artificial intelligence can do. We hear a lot less about what it takes to run it. The explosion of AI depends on massive data centers — and massive amounts of energy. Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) joins host Megan McArdle to discuss how his views on AI have evolved, and to explore how his state — and the nation — can meet the energy and infrastructure demands of the AI boom.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, David French, and Megan McArdle to discuss Stephen Colbert's “pulled” interview with Texas U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico and whether the Trump administration is seriously considering bringing back the Fairness Doctrine. Plus: Are military strikes on Iran imminent? The Agenda:—The FCC and equal time rules—Should the government control airwaves?—FTC's threat to Apple News—Military escalation with Iran—Plausibility of regime change—NWYT: Going to the moon? Show Notes:—Paul Matzko's The Radio Right—Megan McArdle's podcast The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, we celebrated Presidents Day, which makes it a fitting time to recognize one of America's most underrated presidents. Herbert Hoover presided over the onset of the Great Depression and is widely viewed as the inferior predecessor to Franklin D. Roosevelt. But, as host Megan McArdle explains, that judgment is unfair to Hoover. It also reflects a larger problem: the assumption that a president can singlehandedly fix or wreck the economy.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
Open up some scientific papers, and you'll hear electroconvulsive therapy described as the most effective treatment for depression (especially very severe depression). But open up others, and you'll see it described as completely useless—and a sad indictment on a medical establishment who've completely failed to provide proper evidence on it. Not only that, but they've exposed patients to serious side effects, like memory loss, for no good reason.Who's right? In this episode, we look into the most controversial psychiatric treatment since lobotomy.NEXT WEEK: we'll follow this with an episode on another controversial psychiatric treament: antidepressants.On this week's episode we discussed the article “The Perks of Being a Mole Rat”, from our sponsor, Works in Progress magazine. As ever, we're very grateful for their support. You can find many more excellent articles at worksinprogress.co.Show notes* 1937 article by Egas Moniz, lobotomy Nobel Prize-winner* Weird 1998 article defending him on the Nobel Prize website* Megan McArdle on Walter Freeman* The ECT scene in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest* 2024 article discussing the possible mechanisms of ECT's effect* 2010 review about sham ECT studies* 2019 review of each individual sham ECT study and the meta-analyses that include them* 2022 response to the review* Response to the response* Contemporary news article about the controversy* 2021 article in defense of ECT* The parachute RCT* 2010 meta-analysis on cognitive effects* 2025 meta-analysis on autobiographical memory lossCreditsThe Science Fictions podcast is produced by Julian Mayers at Yada Yada Productions. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sciencefictionspod.substack.com/subscribe
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Kevin Williamson, and Megan McArdle to discuss the Trump administration's failed attempt to indict six Democrats and assess the state of the economy one year into the president's second term. The Agenda:—Democrats' 'Don't Give Up the Ship' video—Pam Bondi's testimony before Congress—Loyalty under Trump 2.0—Republican opposition to tariffs—January 2026 jobs report—CBO debt forecast—NWYT: Valentine's Day The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Artificial intelligence is moving fast, with new tools changing how people work, create and compete. Whether you're an AI doomer or AI boomer, it's hard to ignore what's coming. Economist and professor Tyler Cowen has spent years analyzing how these developments could reshape the economy and everyday life. He joins host Megan McArdle to talk through how AI could transform talent, human capital and competition — and how to make sure you don't get left behind.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
Alex Nichols is back to recap Turning Point USA's alternative halftime show featuring Kid Rock, Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert, and Gabby Barnett. We also read a Tablet article complaining that Robert Kraft's #StopJewishHate Super Bowl ad was too woke and before checking in on some old friends (including Megan McArdle) trying to downplay the significance of the Epstein scandal. Tickets for our ten year show are going fast, so buy now: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0900643BE404F182 Follow Chapo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chapotraphousereal/ And Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chapotraphousereal.bsky.social
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and David French to discuss Donald Trump's second term and when a cycle of norm violations turns into authoritarianism. The Agenda:—DHS targeting of Americans—Administrative subpoenas, explained—Abuses in immigration detention centers—Megan McArdle on fascism—Why language matters—Totalitarianism vs. fascism—NWYT: The Superbowl Show Notes:—A listener's injury story—David French: "This Is Not a Drill" The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Walkable neighborhoods, vibrant nightlife, the sheer bounty of it all. City living isn't for everyone, but it's amazing for the people who want it. Unless, that is, they also want a family.Today's cities are designed for demographic churn — as a rest stop en route to the suburbs, rather than a place you can live a full life. That's bad for families and for America. Bobby Fijan is one of the people trying to fix that. He is the co-founder of The American Housing Corporation, a real estate development company building affordable, family-sized rowhomes in cities across America.Fijan joins host Megan McArdle to explain how urban housing pushed families out of cities and how his company plans to bring them back.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
Steve Hayes sits down with Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and Kevin Williamson to discuss the events in Minnesota, sanctuary cities and immigration policies, and international tensions. The Agenda:–Kristi Noem, Stephen Miller, and the Leak Wars–The killing of Alex Pretti–Jedi mind tricks aren't working–Time for the purge?–Trump's political instincts–Overseas tensions–NWYT: Weird injuries Show Notes:–Dispatch Editorial: The Cost of Silence–Trump says 'violent day' of policing will end crime–The Immigration Frontlines–There's a way to stop Trump. First, drop the fascism debate. The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This month marks the 10-year anniversary of Jason Rezaian's release from imprisonment in Iran. In 2014, Rezaian — then The Washington Post's Tehran bureau chief — was arrested with his wife at their home and detained in Iran's notorious Evin Prison. He joins host Megan McArdle to discuss his time in captivity, Iran's trajectory since his release, and what his experience reveals about press freedom — and its fragility — around the world. Read more in Rezaian's book, “Prisoner: My 544 Days in an Iranian Prison.”Subscribe to The Washington Post here.
Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle joins us to discuss her favorite science fiction and her new podcast Reasonably Optimistic. Ad-free episodes are available to our paid supporters over at patreon.com/geeks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and Mike Warren to discuss their favorite books, TV shows, movies, meals, and products from 2025. Show Notes:—Megan McArdle's podcast, Reasonably Optimistic—Neal Stephenson's The Diamond Age: Or, a Young Lady's Illustrated Primer—The Lost History of Liberalism: From Ancient Rome to the Twenty-First Century—And a Bottle of Rum: A History of the New World in Ten Cocktails—The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World—Daniel B. Kline's essay on liberalism—The Ungovernable City—Severance—Burma Superstar—Montague Diner—Mississippi pot roast—OXO Steel double jigger—Costco robot vacuum—Living (2022)—D'Oliva Smoked Habanero Olive Oil—Angelita Madrid The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Steve Hayes invites Megan McArdle, Mike Warren, and Jonah Goldberg to review the biggest stories of the year, people we don't want to hear from in 2026, and the best writing not from The Dispatch. The Agenda:—Most important news story—Most undercovered story—Who is the most exposed?—Best piece of non-Dispatch journalism—Best good news of the year Show Notes:—Is the AfD Too Extreme for Democracy?—The Anti-Social Century—The Sierra Club Embraced Social Justice. Then It Tore Itself Apart—Donald Trump's Tariff Dealmaker-in-Chief—Revolutionary gene therapy brings hope of leukaemia cure Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
She's back folks! Amid unprecedented fanfare, Megan McArdle returns to The Remnant to discuss our economic situation, perceptions of generational inequity, free-range kids, civil rights, and what we owe the dead. Shownotes:—Megan's last appearance on The Remnant—President Trump addresses the nation—NYT Sierra Club piece—Megan's piece about her brother—Dispatch Pod on Megan's article—Megan on nostalgia—Matt Walsh tweet—Compact: “The Lost Generation” The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including access to all of Jonah's G-File newsletters—click here. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
At the end of a long day, Jonah Goldberg lights a Montecristo and reflects on the passing of Norman Podhoretz, Megan McArdle's weighty abortion article, the limits of ideas, originalism and Burkeanism, Trump's egomania, and his pride in The Dispatch. Shownotes:—Tevi Troy on Norman Podhoretz—GLoP Culture Pod—“My Negro Problem—And Ours”—Friday's Dispatch Pod—Megan McArdle's article—Tuesday's Dispatch Pod on Megan's article—Suicide of the West—Jonah - “The Specter of McDonald's”—Jonah - “Cocaine Is Not Mustard Gas”—MillionPodcasts.com—Furious Minds: The Making of the MAGA New Right—Yarvin tweet—AO Pod - Burkeanism and the Administrative State—The Rest Is History—Law, Legislation and Liberty—Last weeks' Ruminant—Excalibur—Dispatch Junto program The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including access to all of Jonah's G-File newsletters—click here. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Megan McArdle joins Steve Hayes, Jonah Goldberg, and Mike Warren to tell the story of her mother's deathbed confession and how it informed her opinions on abortion. Then, a brief discussion on the failed redistricting attempt in Indiana and a reflection on Rob Reiner's filmography. The Agenda:—Megan's Monday Essay: The Brother I Lost—Megan's thought experiment on abortion—Childhood and regrets—Do the dead have rights?—Emotional toll of adoption—Redistricting in Indiana—Favorite Rob Reiner movies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Steve Hayes is joined by Megan McArdle, Kevin Williamson, and Jonah Goldberg to discuss the confusing peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, the current state of the U.S. economy ahead of the holidays, and their least favorite Thanksgiving dishes. The Agenda:—Diplomatic developments in Ukraine—JD Vance, the Vice Poster—Corruption and personal influence in diplomacy (How's the Clinton Foundation doing?)—Household debt reaches record highs—Affordability and the illusion of affordability—NWYT: Sweet potato marshmallow pie Show Notes:—Steve Witkoff advised Russia on how to talk to Trump on Ukraine peace deal The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Michael Warren is joined by Megan McArdle, David French, and Kevin Williamson to discuss the popularity of President Donald Trump and whether he's influential in the MAGA party. Show Notes:—Media fatigue and Miss Piggy allegations —Cracks in the MAGA coalition—Trump's foreign policy agenda—Understanding Trump's relationship with Saudi Arabia—'The most populist black tie dinner ever'—Silicon Valley politics—Crisis in learning outcomes and dismantling the Department of Education Show Notes:—New York Times: The Sierra Club Embraced Social Justice. Then It Tore Itself Apart We're running a listener survey, which you can find at thedispatch.typeform.com/podcast. The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mike Warren is joined by Megan McArdle, Sarah Isgur, and Jonah Goldberg to discuss the end of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, what we've learned from the latest Epstein files drop, and the debate over postliberalism currently raging in the conservative movement. The Agenda:—Who won the shutdown?—Donald Trump's approval rating—The latest Epstein files—“The dog that hasn't barked”—Do scandals matter?—The postliberal divide—Why you don't want a factory job—Not Worth Your Time: The penny? Show Notes:—Take our listener survey!—Jonah's G-File on postliberalism The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Steve Hayes is joined by Megan McArdle, Jonah Goldberg, and Mike Warren to discuss the level of Tucker Carlson-philia displayed by Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts and what it means for the right moving forward. The Agenda:—Democrats steal November 4 elections—Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts tries to clean up his mess—Groyper staffers are a problem—Jonah is not unc!—Dick Cheney: Misunderstood legacy—The curious case of Sean Dunn—NWYT: best sandwiches Show Notes: —No pain, no pleasure The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices