The Dispatch Live

The Dispatch Live in podcast form.

News
76
Speaker Who?
After a full day of voting, the House of Representatives has not elected a new speaker. Kevin McCarthy has not been able to lock in enough votes to gain the title. Audrey and Harvest joined Dispatch Live to talk about what happened in the halls of Congress and what we can all expect in the next few days. Then, Sarah and Jonah offer their thoughts on the day’s proceedings. Would they vote for Kevin McCarthy for speaker? And what’s the deal with Chip Roy? Plus, a few words on David’s (quasi) departure from The Dispatch.
60 min
77
2022 Year in Review
As 2022 comes to a close, David, Kevin, and Price take a look back on the highlights and lowlights of the past year in this Dispatch Live. Tune in to hear their personal “Person of the Year” and “Rat Bastard of the Year.” Plus, what was the most significant event to take place in the last year? And the crew had plenty of time to answer questions from the audience. From all of us at The Dispatch, have a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
60 min
78
A Lame Duck Congress
This week on Dispatch Live is focused entirely on Congress. With an omnibus spending package framework announced just moments before Steve, Haley, and Declan went live and a fight to become speaker of the House for Kevin McCarthy, there was no shortage of things to talk about for this trio. Tune in to see which Star Wars movie poster is in Haley’s background.
68 min
79
Georgia Holds Its Senate Runoff Election
In this week’s Dispatch Live, Steve is joined by Andrew, Esther, and Price for a conversation about the Georgia Senate runoff, a case testing the limits of Supreme Court redistricting power, and the ongoing repercussions of imposing price caps on Russian oil. Steve and Andrew discuss why Gov. Brian Kemp went out of his way to campaign for Herschel Walker, and what the election means for the future of the post-Trump GOP. Plus: The crew discusses what goes into making a Dispatch explainer piece and how young reporters can make it in the field of journalism.
62 min
80
China Protests, Elon vs Apple, & More
On this Dispatch Live, David, Declan, and Andrew started with a discussion of Elon Musk’s feud with Apple, and whether Apple’s threat to remove Twitter from the app store would be an abuse of monopoly power. They then dive into the protests in China—why the protests are happening now and what tech companies and the U.S. government are doing right (and wrong) in their relationship with China. Also from today’s episode, David offers some of his signature perspectives on space exploration and Declan and Andrew debate the merits of soccer games having stoppage time.
64 min
81
Dispatch Live for November 22
In the pre-Thanksgiving edition of Dispatch Live, David, Kevin, Declan and Esther started with some good old-fashioned rank punditry. They probably had a few takes that would upset one of your uncles around the dinner table this week. Then, Esther—admitting she might be the least fun person to have at a World Cup viewing party—dove into the human rights abuses surrounding the host country, Qatar. Finally, the gang discussed what the special counsel appointed to the Trump investigations means for the country and for Trump himself, and why NASA’s Artemis mission had David suddenly not caring about the national budget.
64 min
82
Trump and GOP Leadership Fights
It was a busy night for the Republican Party. After some squabbling, the House GOP voted to nominate Rep. Kevin McCarthy to be speaker of the House. Senate Republicans will decide between Sen. Mitch McConnell and Sen. Rick Scott to be the minority leader in that chamber of Congress. And Donald Trump officially announced his run for president. Join Steve, Declan, and Andrew as they discuss what all of that means. Could Liz Cheney become the next speaker? Why should we care about this anyway? And why did Declan ask for a raise? (Hint: It has to do with having a Truth Social account.)
62 min
83
Election Night in America
As results were coming in and races were slowly called, Jonah, Steve, David, and Kevin joined Dispatch Live to break it down for members. Plus, Andrew popped in the live stream to explain what the heck was going on in Maricopa County and Audrey shared some perspective on fundraising and spending in the election cycle. The panel ended the broadcast by taking questions from the audience.
79 min
84
One Week Until Election Day
Election Night in America is about one week away, and lots of Dispatch staff members are on Dispatch Live to break down the latest news and headlines from some of the key races in the country. Sarah hosts Audrey, Price, Andrew, and Chris Stirewalt in the first half of the show. Audrey, Price, and Andrew give updates from the races they’ve been reporting on. Then, Steve joins for some rank punditry and questions from members.
70 min
85
Ukraine, China, and the Midterms
Declan hosts a packed Dispatch Live with David, Andrew, and Esther (in her Dispatch Live debut). To start, a conversation about the possible use of a dirty bomb in the war between Ukraine and Russia. What would happen if Russia actually used one? Then, an update on China and Xi’s grip on the Chinese Communist Party. Finally, Andrew joins with an update from his campaign trip to Arizona and what to make of the Pennsylvania Senate debate.
61 min
86
Ask Steve and Declan Anything
Steve and Declan sat down for a conversation about all things Dispatch in the latest Dispatch Live. They discussed how The Morning Dispatch was born, how the launch of the new website is going, and much more. Many (if not all) of members’ burning questions were answered and the next Dispatch event was even announced (it’s in Chicago on November 3). We’ll be back next week with the regularly scheduled programming.
62 min
87
Dispatch Live for October 11
To kick off this Dispatch Live, Adam was joined by The Dispatch’s chief operating officer Justin Fritz to talk about the new website and why we’re leaving Substack. Justin talked through what to expect once the new site is live and answered some frequently asked questions surrounding the migration. Then, Adam, Kevin, Jonah, and Sarah talked about Sen. Ben Sasse leaving the senate and the midterm elections. What’s the point of opposition research? Do debates still matter? And how disappointed will Kevin’s neighbors in Texas be when Beto doesn’t break 40 percent in the governor’s race?
63 min
88
Herschel Walker, Ukraine, SCOTUS, and Home Runs
The Dispatch Live crew discusses how allegations that Herschel Walker paid for an abortion of a past girlfriend will affect the Georgia Senate race … if it even affects it at all. Then, the panel discusses just how dangerous the situation in Ukraine is as Vladimir Putin threatens nuclear war: Would the U.S. respond if Putin ever actually used tactical nukes? What would that mean for the world? And finally, a brief overview of the new Supreme Court term and a quick debate on whether or not Yankees’ slugger Aaron Judge is the true home run king after hitting his record-setting 62nd home run of the season.
63 min
89
A Dispatch Live Potpourri (feat. The Brisket)
This Dispatch Live started with a very special guest from Sarah’s house singing his ABCs—and no it wasn’t Jonah (that happened later). Then, a very wonky conversation about Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan and the U.S. higher education system as a whole with Sarah, Jonah, Declan, and Andrew. Following that was an even wonkier debate about the ethics of a meritocracy. And finally, a refreshingly honest reason the January 6 committee has delayed its final hearing.
63 min
90
Introducing Kevin Williamson
There were no shortage of topics to discuss when it came to the direction of the Republican Party (not to be confused with just “the party”) on Dispatch Live. David, Jonah, Andrew, and Kevin Williamson—making his Dispatch Live debut—discussed the ongoing situation involving Gov. Ron DeSantis and Martha’s Vineyard, just how exactly a DeSantis/Trump showdown would go, and what happened to the Heritage Foundation. Plus, what all is on Andrew’s bar cart, and what will be Kevin’s “beat” at The Dispatch?
61 min
91
An Update on Ukraine
If you have felt behind on all of the news coming out of Ukraine in the last few weeks, this is a Dispatch Live you will want to be sure to watch and/or listen to. David, Klon, Jonah, and Adam break down all of what has been going on in the war and the recent gains Ukraine has made against Putin’s army. Can Ukraine actually win this war? What are they most worried about? What does Taiwan have to do with this? Plus, why has the “new right” been opposed to Ukraine aid?
60 min
92
Midterms and Mar-a-Lago
In a jam-packed extra-long Dispatch Live, Steve is joined by Declan, Sarah, and friend of The Dispatch Dave Kochel to talk about what to expect in the next few weeks when it comes to the 2022 midterms. Plus, what is going on with the “special master” in the Mar-a-Lago investigation? Sarah gives an explanation that sounds a lot like a mini Advisory Opinions. Finally, Steve talks to The Dispatch’s new executive editor, Adam O’Neal, about his background and why he joined The Dispatch.
89 min
93
Brian Riedl on Student Loan Forgiveness
Brian Riedl, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, joins David for a conversation on President Biden’s plan to provide tens of millions of Americans with student loan debt relief. What are the consequences of the president’s executive action? What does this reveal about progressive priorities? Do Republicans have a response?
59 min
94
Election Night in Wyoming
Sarah, Steve, David, and Andrew join Dispatch Live tonight to talk about Rep. Liz Cheney. Steve—who is on the ground in Wyoming—offers his behind-the-scenes insight into the campaign. Did she have a chance? What’s next for her? Will Steve wear boots to her election night event? Plus, a primary happens in Alaska using a ranked-choice voting system. But will it really give a good look at the capabilities of using the system across the country? Watch now for all of these answers and more.
57 min
95
Future of Family Policy
Jonah is joined by Andrew Egger and Andy Smarick, s​​enior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, for a conversation on the future of family policy. How does the principle of subsidiarity play into this conversation? And where do Smarick and Egger differ on Sen. Mitt Romney’s Family Security Act? Plus: What does the FBI”s search of former President Donald Trump’s home mean for the strength of our institutions?
72 min
96
Pelosi Goes to Taiwan, Zawahiri Is Dead
On this week’s Dispatch Live, Steve is joined by David and Klon Kitchen. They discuss Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan and the operation that killed al-Qaeda co-founder and leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.
67 min
97
Dispatch Live from July 26
Sarah, Steve, David, and Jonah all joined a rousing edition of Dispatch Live this week. As Sarah said at the end of the broadcast everyone was on their “medium” behavior. The recent news that the Department of Justice is investigating Donald J. Trump's role in an effort to overturn the 2020 election results, when Trump will announce his candidacy for president, who may choose to run against him, and more are all discussed. Plus, all of them had books behind them in their camera shots. But which one is the most important to them? Tune in to find out.
63 min
98
2024 and Life at The Dispatch
The average age of those joining Dispatch Live this week was shockingly lower than it normally is. Editor of The Morning Dispatch Declan Garvey and associate editor Andrew Egger take the reins to talk about campaigns, 2024, and life as an original employee of The Dispatch. Tune in to hear what Andrew makes of his home state’s senate race, if they think Biden will run in 2024, and what it was like being a reporter in the early days of the company. Plus, stick around to hear them debate which city is a better baseball town: St. Louis or Chicago.
63 min
99
Paul Miller and Klon Kitchen Join Dispatch Live
On this week’s Dispatch Live, David hosts a conversation with Paul Miller, professor at Georgetown University, and our own Klon Kitchen. They start with a discussion of Miller’s new book, "The Religion of American Greatness," move to the dangers of TikTok, and finish with thoughts on the situations in Ukraine and Afghanistan.
59 min
100
Dispatch Live on July 5
We are happy to be back for another Dispatch Live, but not happy to be discussing yet another mass shooting. Steve, Jonah, and David start the conversation by discussing David’s latest newsletter which looks at why these mass shootings keep occurring. Why are young men in America committing these horrible acts of violence? Then, the trio talk about Donald Trump’s grip on the GOP… or lack thereof. Will Trump announce his run for president too soon? Who else will run against him in the primary?
62 min