Political Gabfest
Voted “Favorite Political Podcast” by Apple Podcasts listeners. Stephen Colbert says "Everybody should listen to the Slate Political Gabfest." The Gabfest, featuring Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz, is the kind of informal and irreverent discussion Washington journalists have after hours over drinks.
1
Gabfest Live! Grab the Steering Wheel Edition
The Gabfest is live from Sixth & I in Washington, DC discussing new insurrection revelations; the overturning of Roe; and the legitimacy of the U.S. Supreme Court.
59 min
2
Gabfest Reads: Corrections in Ink
Felony and figure skating in the same memoir.
33 min
3
SCOTUS Guts The Establishment Clause
The Supreme Court requires funding for religious schools, the January 6th hearings, and dissension at progressive organizations.
47 min
4
Drunk as Rudy Guiliani
The January 6th hearings, Jason Furman on the economy, and debates among providers of gender-affirming medical care.
51 min
5
Is San Francisco a Hellscape?
Tuesday’s primaries, the economy (is it as bad as we all think it is?), and Slow Burn: Roe v. Wade.
46 min
6
Forgive Me, Joe
The response to Uvalde, Biden’s plan for student loan forgiveness, and a bunch of ignored subpoenas.
47 min
7
Gabfest Reads: Coming of Age in the Nineties
Elif Bautman’s The Idiot sequel, Either/Or, looks back with a modern eye.
31 min
8
No Way to Prevent This
The Texas, Uvalde shooting, a bizarre social media bill, and what’s going on in China, Taiwan
53 min
9
More Fetterman!
The “replacement theory”-inspired massacre in Buffalo, Tuesday’s primaries, and the infant formula shortage.
47 min
10
Why Did White Evangelicals Get So Angry
Abortion in the U.S. post-Roe; Trump power over Republicans; and white evangelicals’ hard right turn.
56 min
11
The “End Of Roe Is Nigh!” Edition
The leaked draft decision overturning Roe, abortion politics after Roe falls, and J.D. Vance’s Senate primary win.
55 min
12
So Much Free Speech!
Elon Musk’s Twitter plans, school prayer at the Supreme Court, and post-pandemic asylum policy.
66 min
13
Farewell, Jocelyn!
Malcolm Turnbull on China & Ukraine; the mask mandate ruling, the RNC rejects presidential debates; and Gabfest producer Jocelyn Frank says goodbye.
63 min
14
Gabfest Reads: He Wanted to Die Holding Hands
Her husband’s Alzheimer's diagnosis led Amy Bloom to support his dying wishes.
17 min
15
Double Bazelon
Approaching midterms, inflation, and whether social media is imperiling U.S. democracy—with guest Simon Bazelon.
59 min
16
Hey, Groomer
Russia’s war crimes; Disney’s reaction to “don’t say gay”; and Amazon’s first union
65 min
17
Burner Phone
Biden speaks too honestly about Russia; Trump’s missing phone logs; and Ginni Thomas’s efforts to subvert the election.
60 min
18
Deep Sigh
Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearing; Ukraine keeps fighting through atrocity; and more allegations of Republican candidates committing domestic abuse.
51 min
19
Gabfest Reads: Invisible Kingdom: How Meghan 0'...
Germ theory isn’t everything.
26 min
20
I Call On You To Do More
Arming Ukraine, preparing for the next pandemic, and daylight savings debates—with guest host Juliette Kayyem.
58 min
21
Price of a Gallon of Gas
Ukraine holds on, rising gas prices, and conformity on campus.
57 min
22
I Need More Ammunition
Ukraine resists, the State of the Union, and backlash against reformer prosecutors.
62 min
23
Special: Justice Jackson
Nate Persily dishes about KBJ’s jurisprudence and high-school acting career.
18 min
24
Putin's War
Julia Ioffe on Putin, GOP attacks on transgender children, and Democrats’ “hack gap”—with guest host Jane Coaston.
46 min
25
Gabfest Reads: Heartbreak
It’s not just in your head; heartbreak can impact your immune system.
30 min
26
Angry Parents
Radicalized parents; what the midterms may bring; and the Sandy Hook families’ victory.
50 min
27
Legitimate Political Discourse
SCOTUS fails to enforce the Voting Rights Act, the GOP embrace of January 6th, and protests in Canada.
51 min
28
Am I Normal?
Trump’s attempts to seize voting machines, Racist attacks on the yet-to-be-named SCOTUS nominee, and Joseph Allen on updating COVID norms.
58 min
29
The Breyerwatch Hath Ended
Justice Breyer’s retirement, Anne Applebaum on Ukraine, and The Gist’s Mike Pesca.
63 min
30
Has It Only Been A Year?
Biden’s first year, SCOTUS blocks OSHA’s vax-or-test rule, and VA Governor Glenn Youngkin’s busy start.
57 min
31
Talking Filibuster
Voting rights; Russia, with guest Nina Jankowicz; and the increasing politicization of cable news.
63 min
32
Well, Obviously It’s Jan. 6
Jan. 6, with guest Jamelle Bouie, and discussion of omicron's impact on schools, and the Theranos case.
67 min
33
Conundrums 2021
Your pressing questions answered by the Gabfest hosts and special guest Dwayne Betts!
64 min
34
Build Back Never
Manchin says he’s out; Azmat Khan on U.S. killings of civilians overseas; and Omicron.
59 min
35
Build Back Later
January 6th revelations get worse; Build Back Better and voting rights; and Slow Burn Season 6: The L.A. Riots.
65 min
36
Ghislaine
The pandemic economy; a diplomatic boycott of the Olympics, and the Ghislaine Maxwell trial.
54 min
37
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health
The Supreme Court considers overturning Roe and Casey, Omicron, and the Cuomo brothers’ scandals.
70 min
38
Thanksgiving
Biden in 2024, the Rittenhouse verdict, and China.
54 min
39
No Joe Mojo
Biden’s approval numbers, authoritarianism on the rise, and Jay Caspian Kang on The Loneliest Americans.
65 min
40
Presidents Are Not Kings and Plaintiff Is Not P...
Biden’s infrastructure win, Trump’s January 6 obstruction, and the Rittenhouse trial.
59 min
41
Gabfest Reads: Kirsten Powers, Saving Grace
John Dickerson talks with Kirsten Powers about her new book Saving Grace.
19 min
42
Red All Over
The implications of the off-year election with guest Ross Douthat; and Supreme Court arguments on abortion in Texas and guns in New York.
62 min
43
Is Facebook Evil?
The Facebook Papers; Building Back (Somewhat) Better; and Pamela Paul’s new book: 100 Things We've Lost to the Internet.
61 min
44
Great Resignation
Steve Bannon’s contempt of Congress; supply chain woes; and Americans leaving their jobs.
61 min
45
Death of Democracy
U.S. democracy in peril, Democrats‘ strategy woes, and Andrea Elliott’s book Invisible Child
63 min
46
Profits Over People
Dangerous debt ceiling games; blowing the whistle on Facebook; and new revelations about January 6th and the plan to overturn the election—with guest host Mary Harris!
52 min
47
Get Those Huddled Masses Out of My Yard
Build Back Better on the rocks; vaccine mandates working; and Caitlin Dickerson on U.S. immigration amnesia.
66 min
48
True Crime
Saving the Biden agenda; an abortion doctor defies the Texas ban; and true crime mania.
58 min
49
Our Patience is Wearing Thin
The Biden’s administration’s vaccine rule, the legitimacy of the Supreme Court, and the new book from Woodward and Costa
62 min
50
20 Years Since 9/11
Reflecting on 9/11; the infrastructure agenda, and declining college enrollment among men.
64 min
51
$10,000 Bounty
SCOTUS lets Texas’ abortion ban go into effect; processing the Afghanistan exit; and Dr. Atul Gawande on how Costa Rica expanded life expectancy by getting serious about public health.
63 min
52
Back to School
The Afghanistan evacuation, starting school during delta, and the path forward for infrastructure--with guest host Jamelle Bouie!
59 min
53
Tragedy of Afghanistan
The Afghanistan withdrawal, with guest Annie Pforzheimer; California’s recall election; and personal pandemic ethics—with guest host Alexandra Petri.
58 min
54
Little Fires Everywhere
58 min
55
Impeach Today
Cuomo refuses to resign, the eviction moratorium survives for now, and the arrival of vaccine passports.
58 min
56
Medieval Battle
The January 6th Commission; the return of masks; and guests Annie Lowrey on the "time tax."
50 min
57
Actually It Is ‘Infrastructure Week'
Delta and the vaccination decline; the bipartisan infrastructure plan lives another day; and the pandemic Olympics.
48 min
58
Mature Minor
Escalating threats to democratic elections, minors’ rights to vaccination, and Josh Levin on the podcast One Year: 1977.
55 min
59
Gab Me Baby One More Time
New York City’s primary election, J.D. Vance’s Senate run, and injustice illuminated by Britney Spears
54 min
60
Failed Justice Breyer Countdown
Infrastructure negotiations, alarming Supreme Court decisions on democracy, and Bill Cosby’s release.
58 min
61
F School, F Softball, F Cheer, F Everything
The post-pandemic workforce, Tucker Carlson, and student wins at the Supreme Court.
49 min
62
New, New, New Cold War
Biden meets with Putin, McConnell’s plans to block a Biden Supreme Court nominee, and Melissa Murray on what “critical race theory” is and is not.
52 min
63
Manchin on the Hill
Joe Manchin, how the Trump DOJ lives on, and George Packer’s four Americas.
59 min
64
The “Murder Mystery” Edition
The Big Lie bill is bigger in Texas, Biden’s agenda stalls under minority rule, and Patrick Sharkey on the rise in violent crime.
61 min
65
The “Gain of Function” Edition
55 min
66
Hot Button Issue
Israel, abortion at the Supreme Court, and Nine Nasty Words with John McWhorter
56 min
67
Million Dollar Jab
The post-pandemic economy; vaccine hoarding; and Alex Stamos on the Colonial Pipeline hack.
62 min
68
Martyrdom of Liz Cheney
Liz Cheney defies the Trumpists; Trump’s Facebook suspension upheld; and going meatless gets political.
60 min
69
Live at 100 Days
A live Gabfest on the policies and politics of Biden’s first 100 days—with guest Jamelle Bouie!
46 min
70
Guilty, Guilty, Guilty
The Chauvin verdict with Dwayne Betts; Andrew Yang’s mayoral campaign; and why the U.S. invaded Iraq with Noreen Malone.
60 min
71
Blood Clot
The vaccine “pause,” the death of Daunte Wright, and Biden’s commission on the U.S. Supreme Court.
64 min
72
Midnight Train From Georgia
Voting restrictions, shamelessness in government and productive conflict with author Amanda Ripley.
75 min
73
Impending Doom
The fourth wave of the virus, Derek Chauvin’s murder trial, and fixing the U.S.’s caregiving infrastructure--with guest host Andrea Valdez
60 min
74
Unfulfilled
The situation at the border, Claire Jean Kim on violence against Asian Americans, and Alec MacGillis’s new book about Amazon.
70 min
75
I'll Get the Vaccine If You Give Me A Pony
The politics of vaccine acceptance, policing, and how Texas and many other states are threatening voting rights -- with guest host Josie Duffy Rice.
53 min
76
Zero Sum
The unprecedented American Rescue Plan; Heather McGhee on how racism hurts all Americans and Michael Mina on better pandemic-fighting tools.
63 min
77
I'm Sorry If...
The state of the stimulus bill, sexual harassment allegations against Andrew Cuomo, and escalating voter suppression efforts.
56 min
78
Shocked, Shocked! By Her Tweets
Rediscovering “civility” to take down Tanden, Merrick Garland‘s DOJ, and how to stop police killings of Black people with guest Jason Johnson
68 min
79
Let the Purge Begin
Republican allegiance to Trump, schools during COVID-19, and guest Jonathan Cohn on Obamacare and vaccinations.
53 min
80
The Impeachment Trial Again
Trump's impeachment trial; lawsuits about election lies; and the execution of a possibly innocent man.
59 min
81
Jewish Space Laser
The stimulus bill; Dr. Uché Blackstock on racial inequity in vaccine distribution; and Majorie Taylor Greene’s GOP.
68 min
82
Short Squeeze
The Senate obstruction ahead; delegating deplatforming; and GameStop.
69 min
83
End this Uncivil War
The unusual but uplifting inauguration, Joe Biden’s priorities, and the Trump aftermath.
52 min
84
The Greatest Betrayal
What happens after an insurrection, double impeachment, and the future of COVID-19 vaccine rollout with guest Juliet Kayyem.
69 min
85
Reaping the Whirlwind
The election lies that inspired the invasion of the U.S. Capitol and Democrats’ historic win in Georgia.
64 min
86
15th Anniversary
Celebrating 15 Years of Political Gabfesting
47 min
87
Conundrum 2020
Emily, John, and David end 2020 considering listeners’ most perplexing conundrums—with special guest Alexandra Petri!
63 min
88
Barr-Barr-Barr, Barr-Barr is Gone
The massive Russian hack-- with guest Alex Stamos, Bill Barr’s resignation, and Joe Biden’s cabinet.
65 min
89
Breaking Up Facebook
The coup attempt, Facebook’s legal troubles, and which presidential norms to restore or discard, with guest Tim Wu.
56 min
90
Neutral Laws of General Applicability
Presidential pardons, coronavirus exemptions for religious institutions; and former Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull on disinformation.
70 min
91
Sabotage for Christmas
Hobbling the Biden Administration; ethical problems in vaccine distribution; and dealing with the damage of the election fraud lie.
71 min
92
COVID Tsunami
The sabotage of Biden’s COVID-19 response, Trump clings to power, and guest Ta-Nehisi Coates.
75 min
93
Biden Biding
Trump’s scorched earth strategy, the Biden transition, and the Supreme Court challenge to the Affordable Care Act.
59 min
94
Special Episode: Biden Wins
Emily, John, and David reflect on Joe Biden's election and the upcoming transition.
25 min
95
President Joe Biden???
Trump’s election lawsuits, Democrats’ down-ballot disappointments, and polling problems.
66 min
96
Slate Plus Special: Counting the Votes
Emily, John and David discuss what we know and what to watch for as votes continue to be counted.
10 min
97
Almost
Voting accessibility, Election Day updates, and gratitude for life-changing individuals.
67 min
98
Last Debate of Donald Trump’s Career
The presidential debate, 545 children separated from their parents, and the coronavirus surge.
61 min
99
A Thursday Message
Slate's Political Gabfest will be published on Friday this week.
0 min
100
Empty Notepad
Barrett’s confirmation hearings; the First Amendment and disinformation; and the latest election machinations
71 min