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.
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1
Donald Trump Takes The Bait
Kamala Harris sinks Donald Trump in the presidential debate; Taylor Swift jumps into campaign politics and endorses Harris; and Professor Nathaniel Persily dives deep on election integrity
62 min
2
Why Isn’t Harris Doing Better?
Kamala Harris is beating Donald Trump in national polls – but just barely; Israelis are demanding a hostages-ceasefire deal; and Russia and China are interfering in U.S. politics.
55 min
3
Will Harris and Trump Actually Debate?
A campaign potpourri of the Kamala Harris-Donald Trump debate, endorsements, and issues; the return of Special Counsel Jack Smith and the federal cases against Trump; and the national housing shortage with Conor Dougherty
62 min
4
The Democrats ‘Do Something’ Convention
The Gabfest hosts break down the standout moments from the DNC
58 min
5
Gabfest Reads: Where Does the American Jewish E...
Joshua Leifer’s new book, Tablets Shattered, is an empathic and lived-in discovery of Jewish history
53 min
6
Are We Really Still Talking About Crowd Size?
Donald Trump is still lying about crowd size and spreading election misinformation; is the media reporting properly on his lies?
55 min
7
These Walz Could Talk
Will the vice presidential nomination of Governor Tim Walz have an impact on the Democratic ticket?
47 min
8
These [Republicans] Are Weird
The new Democratic line against JD Vance and Donald Trump; the Kamala Harris Veepstakes; and President Biden’s attempt to reform the Supreme Court
59 min
9
The Coronation of Kamala Harris
President Joe Biden drops out of the race; Kamala Harris goes from Veep to nominee; and the fallout of the Secret Service following the Donald Trump assassination attempt.
54 min
10
Gabfest Reads: Understanding the World Through ...
Roland Allen, author of The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper joins John Dickerson to talk about their shared favored pastime.
35 min
11
“Fight, Fight, Fight”
J.D. is Donald Trump’s VP pick and now Republicans can’t wait for November
43 min
12
Even George Clooney Has Abandoned Biden
Should Joe Biden stay or go; what is Project 2025; and does Justice Amy Coney Barrett deserve respect?
55 min
13
Trump Is So Immune
The Supreme Court gives absolute presidential immunity and takes away the administrative state; will Joe Biden be the Democratic presidential nominee?
62 min
14
Biden’s Catastrophic Debate
In the first presidential debate of 2024, Donald Trump didn’t win but Joe Biden definitely lost.
26 min
15
A Law Trapped In Amber
The Supreme Court rules on emergency abortions in Idaho and on guns for domestic abusers, and New York Democrats decide not to re-elect Congressman Jamaal Bowman.
55 min
16
Presidential Debate Preview
The Trump v. Biden rematch could decide all or nothing; the U.S. surgeon general and California's governor take on social media and smartphones; and a former Indiana governor attacks one-party rule.
58 min
17
Gabfest Reads: When a Sex Robot Catches Feelings
Sierra Greer’s debut novel Annie Bot explores what happens when robot designed to be the perfect girlfriend starts to think about herself
19 min
18
Biden’s Risky Asylum Policy
President Biden started a new asylum policy to stop illegal border crossings; the European Parliament’s newest movements; and New York City congestion pricing is a no-go for now.
55 min
19
Will Trump’s Conviction Help Biden?
The fallout from Donald Trump’s felony conviction; the spin-up for Hunter Biden’s trial; and the upshot for college speech from campus protests with Charles Homans.
54 min
20
John Dickerson’s Navel Gazing: The Meaning Behi...
The season finale of Navel Gazing explores John Dickerson’s search for meaning in a box of notebooks
36 min
21
Donald Trump is Convicted! Plus, Who is Winning...
The Democrats’ likely loss of the Senate; The Fall of Roe; and the rise of Lauren Boebert
72 min
22
John Dickerson’s Navel Gazing: Time Travel Via ...
Life in Maine, a medical scare, Mothers’ Day, and more are explored in this week’s audio essay from John Dickerson.
25 min
23
Justice Alito's Upside Down Flag
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito flags his right-wing views; David Leonhardt looks at A New Centrism; and OpenAI sounds like Scarlett Johansson.
59 min
24
John Dickerson’s Navel Gazing: Moving in New Yo...
Renting before Zillow, the orange carpet of the garret, September 11th, and more are explored in this week’s audio essay from John Dickerson.
40 min
25
Gabfest Reads: Why Americans Care About Animals
Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy’s new book, Our Kindred Creatures explores the evolution of our feelings about animals.
31 min