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
Stop Counting Now
Messing with the census, undermining the election, and guest Juliette Kayyem on competent crisis response
62 min
2
Twilight of Democracy
Biden’s campaign, Big Tech, and Anne Applebaum’s new book Twilight of Democracy — with guest host Ruth Marcus.
68 min
3
Invading America
Trump’s assault on Portland, scrapping the filibuster, and Julian Zelizer’s new book on Newt Gingrich’s power tactics -- with guest host Jamelle Bouie.
64 min
4
Find Something New
Pandemic catastrophe, the racial justice movement, and “cancel culture”--with guest host James Forman, Jr.
77 min
5
Ministerial Exception
The presidential campaign, new Supreme Court decisions, and watching Hamilton during Trump times.
71 min
6
Open the Damn Schools
The Supreme Court’s abortion decision, reopening schools--with guest Emily Oster, and Russia’s bounties for U.S. Troops.
68 min
7
Global Pariahs
COVID rising, politicization of the DOJ, and Slow Burn’s Josh Levin on the rise of David Duke.
63 min
8
Because of Sex
Trump’s Tulsa rally, Bolton’s book, and this week’s historic Supreme Court ruling on LGBTQ rights--with attorney Chase Strangio.
74 min
9
He Is Going to Change the World
A live Gabfest on police abuse, the 2020 election, and John’s new book about the presidency, The Hardest Job in the World.
75 min
10
Inspecting the Bunker
Protests against police brutality and racism, Trump’s increasingly authoritarian response, and the pandemic--with guest Jamelle Bouie.
68 min
11
It's Not a Lie, It's a Tweet
Trump vs. Twitter, the realities of a partisan pandemic, and U.S.-China relations with Sheena Chestnut Greitens.
75 min
12
L-Shaped Recovery
The state of the pandemic; insider trading allegations in the Senate; and Trump’s firing of the watchdog investigating Mike Pompeo.
69 min
13
There Is No Plan
COVID without federal leadership; Trump’s taxes at the Supreme Court; and novelist Isabel Allende on crisis as an opportunity for change.
71 min
14
Vote By Mail
States reopen before it's safe; this year’s election security challenges; and economist Gene Sperling on “economic dignity.”
72 min
15
Come On, Man, I Heard You Liked Me
Tara Reade’s allegations against Biden, reopening schools, and astronaut Scott Kelly on living in confined spaces.
75 min
16
Georgia Out of Its Mind
Pushback against COVID-19 restrictions, the success of female political leaders, and Mark Bittman on eating well during isolation.
63 min
17
I Alone Can Open It
Trump claims “total authority”, Heather Boushey on fighting the recession, and Amanda Ripley on lessons from Katrina and other disasters.
57 min
18
Relationships During a Pandemic
Therapist Esther Perel joins the show to talk about how the coronavirus is affecting our relationships, and what we can do to support each other and ourselves.
24 min
19
It’s Easy to Talk About Lysol
Where efforts to curb virus transmission go from here, Trump’s purge of investigators general, and what Sanders’ exit should mean for the Democratic party’s agenda .
58 min
20
Maybe It Is Infrastructure Week
Guests include economics professor Jason Furman on how to save the economy and novelist Geraldine Brooks on living through a plague.
56 min
21
Two Trillion Dollars
Guests include epidemiologist Gregg Gonsalves about the latest pandemic debates and Civil War historian David Blight on what history can teach us about living through catastrophe.
70 min
22
How Long Will It Last?
Dr. Amesh Adalja on efforts to address the pandemic, journalist Neil Irwin on whether the U.S. economy can be saved, and author Jon Mooallem on his new book This is Chance! about communities uniting in a crisis
73 min
23
Flatten the Curve
The coming COVID-19 crisis, Biden becomes the presumptive nominee, and guest Leon Neyfakh on Fiasco Season Two: Iran-Contra.
66 min
24
Wash Your Hands
Super Tuesday upends the Democratic race, COVID-19 spreads, and the Supreme Court hears a crucial abortion case.
66 min
25
Slate Plus Bonus Episode: South Carolina and Su...
Joe Biden's win in South Carolina and what it could mean for Democrats on Super Tuesday.
2 min
26
Bern, Baby, Bern
The Democratic presidential primary, Harvey Weinstein’s conviction, and conservative ascendency in the courts.
66 min
27
[Special] How To Vote for the Next President
Can David Axelrod and Mike Murphy help a swing voter make up his mind?
28 min
28
Two Stents
A fiery Democratic debate, Trump’s white-collar pardoning spree, and A Very Stable Genius with authors Philip Rucker and Carol Leonnig.
63 min
29
Bernie Burns It and Biden Bites It
The Democrats after New Hampshire, Trump’s emboldened post-impeachment moves, and COVID-19.
63 min
30
The Most Abusive and Destructive
The Iowa debacle, Mitt Romney’s impeachment vote, and Trump’s expanded immigration ban
53 min
31
49 years and 364 days of Plotz
Outlandish impeachment defenses, the approaching Iowa caucuses, and the Supreme Court allows the “public charge” rule to go into effect.
69 min
32
Nobody Likes Him
Trump on trial, the Democratic primary race, and Mohammed bin Salman’s hacking of Jeff Bezos.
67 min
33
If You Want Her Out
New impeachment revelations, the Warren-Sanders rift, and Bill Barr goes after Apple’s encryption
62 min
34
Bomb Iran--We’ve Had a Bomb Iran Edition Before
Iran with expert Suzanne Maloney, the Democratic presidential race, and John Bolton
62 min
35
Good Trouble
Impeachment fatigue, the twin canaries of anti-Semitism and philo-Semitism, and the incredible John Lewis.
57 min
36
Oakland Conundrum
The annual conundrum edition is live from Oakland California!
64 min
37
Read My Letter
Impeachment, pushback against Pete Buttigieg, and a review of the most important stories of 2019.
52 min
38
Slate Presents: Lockdown
Living through the era of school shootings, one drill at a time.
24 min
39
Crossfire Hurricane
Impeachment, the FBI Inspector General’s report on the Russia investigation, and the Afghanistan Papers
67 min
40
Badly Written & Reseached Disaster
Impeachment, Kamala Harris, and guest Ruth Marcus’ new book about Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation, Supreme Ambition.
55 min
41
Good Order and Discipline
The firing of the Navy Secretary, the case for prolonging impeachment investigations, and new holidays everyone should celebrate.
56 min
42
In The Loop
Impeachment bombshells, the Democratic presidential debate, and emails confirming that Steven Miller is a white nationalist
51 min
43
DP [Hearts] MB
The public impeachment hearings, fresh faces in Democratic presidential primary, and DACA at the Supreme Court.
58 min
44
One Year From This Week
New polls and election results, impeachment, and leaving the Paris climate accord
64 min
45
Halloween
The impeachment resolution, Twitter’s ban on political ads, and the downfall of Katie Hill.
71 min
46
Cooper, Taylor, SCIFer Spy
Damning new impeachment testimony, Facebook under fire, and taking to the streets against Trump.
64 min
47
Don't Be a Tough Guy. Don't Be a Fool! I Will C...
Abandoning the Kurds, the Democratic presidential debates, and guest Daniel Markovits’s new book The Meritocracy Trap
75 min
48
Great and Unmatched Wisdom
Obstructing the impeachment investigations, the new Supreme Court term, and Bernie Sanders’ health.
59 min
49
We’re Not Fooling Around Here
The impeachment investigation, a new theory of why conservatives can’t quit Trump, and the court ruling upholding Harvard’s affirmative action program.
64 min
50
I Would Like You To Do Us A Favor
The Ukraine scandal, the politics of impeachment, and Jodi Kantor about investigating Harvey Weinstein and She Said, a new book written with co-author Megan Twohey.
71 min
51
Twin Cities
Democratic middle ground, “chaos voters,” and guest Curtis Sittenfeld’s fiction about living political figures.
72 min
52
Democratic Debate Special: Slate Plus Teaser
Castro versus Biden, healthcare, and how to effectively pick a fight with President Trump
1 min
53
Last Mustache in Washington
The cancelled Taliban talks, John Bolton’s departure, and guest Paul Tough’s new book The Years That Matter Most.
62 min
54
Prolix Prorogue
The state of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination; the newest Brexit chaos--with guest Amanda Taub; and hope for accountability and funding to stem the opioid crisis.
67 min
55
Don't Worry I'll Pardon You
Trump’s offer to pardon lawbreakers who help build a border wall, whether the U.S. is a republic or a democracy, and how journalists can choose to punch up or punch down internet harassment.
63 min
56
1619
The New York Times Magazine’s "1619 Project" examining slavery in the U.S. (with guest Wesley Morris), corporate responsibility, and the policy changes niche groups are scoring federally.
69 min
57
Public Charge
Trump’s new move to punish documented immigrants, death in prison and Jeffrey Epstein, and recession.
61 min
58
Moscow Mitch
White supremacist violence, Mitch McConnell’s new nicknames, and the impact of Joaquin Castro tweeting the names of Trump donors.
67 min
59
Dark Psychic Force
The Democratic primary debates, Trump’s nominee for director of national intelligence, and whether heat waves across the globe could inspire real action on climate change.
61 min
60
Introducing: How To! With Charles Duhigg
29 min
61
Not Exculpated
Robert Mueller’s testimony, the downfall of Al Franken, and the deal to raise the debt ceiling.
62 min
62
Rescue Squad
63 min
63
You the North, We the South
The impact of the US health care debate on the primary season, white supremacy from Canada with guest Jesse Brown, and who’s at fault in addition to sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein.
70 min
64
My President Went to North Korea and All I Got ...
63 min
65
The “Please Send Soap and Toothpaste” Edition
President Trump’s backpedalling, the Supreme Court’s recent decisions on gerrymandering and the U.S. Census and conservative “Frenchism.”
68 min
66
The “Keep America... Oh Forget it” Edition
Trump’s latest campaign relaunch, Elizabeth Warren’s rise, and Harvard’s decision to rescind Kyle Kashuv’s acceptance.
69 min
67
The “Little Diddy About Mitch and Elaine” Edition
Mitch McConnell and Elaine Chao’s conflicts of interest, partisanship in state legislatures, and YouTube’s radicalizing recommendation algorithm.
61 min
68
Slate Plus Bonus: The "Live from Chelsea New Yo...
The Democratic Primary and the crucial African American vote, potential antitrust investigations of Big Tech and how the resegregation of America's public schools is ruining our future.
8 min
69
The “Underhanded Undercount” Edition
New revelations in the census case, Trump’s threatened tariffs, and the criminal charges against the school safety officer who failed to confront the Parkland shooter, on the Political Gabfest.
55 min
70
The "Freedom Gas" Edition
What the E.U. election means for the world, Trump’s war on climate science, and the deaths at Mount Everest--with guest host Julia Ioffe
65 min
71
The “Legitimate Legislative Purpose” Edition
Trump’s refusal to cooperate with Congress; whether Democratic presidential candidates should appear on Fox News; and the new book The Queen with Slate’s National Editor Josh Levin.
59 min
72
The "Abortion Ban" Edition
56 min
73
The “Contempt of Congress” Edition
Trump’s showdown with Congress, the trade war with China, and what “socialism” means to Democrats.
66 min
74
The “A Bit Snitty” Edition
Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss William Barr’s spin on the Mueller report, whether to hope for an infrastructure deal, and Joe Biden’s non-apology tour.
63 min
75
The “Forgive Everything and Count Every One” Ed...
Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Democrats’ impeachment dilemma, the Supreme Court case that could wreck the census, and Elizabeth Warren’s plan for college debt forgiveness.
62 min
76
The “Oh My God. This is Terrible. This is the E...
Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the release of the Mueller Report, Trump’s refusal to respond to Congressional subpoenas, and the resurgence of measles.
51 min
77
Introducing Charged: A True Punishment Story
27 min
78
The “Wahoo” Edition
Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, David Plotz, and Jamelle Bouie discuss the arrest of Julian Assange; Trump’s purge of the Department of Homeland Security; and the 2020 contenders for President.
73 min
79
The "Just a Note" Edition
Just a note to let you know that the Gabfest, this week, will be showing up with a full episode on Saturday April 13th!
0 min
80
The “He's a Natural Toucher” Edition
Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Joe Biden; the White House’s stonewalling of Congress; and Brexit--with guest Anne Applebaum.
65 min
81
The "Live From Washington DC" Edition
Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss William Barr’s puzzling description of the Mueller report; Emily’s new book Charged; and House Democrats’ legislative agenda with guest Congresswoman Lauren Underwood.
78 min
82
BONUS: The "No Conspiracy, No Collusion, Full E...
Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation and the summary Attorney General William Barr submitted to Congress.
11 min
83
The “The President is Not a White Supremacist” ...
Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and guest host Jamelle Bouie discuss the Christchurch massacre; why Democratic presidential candidates who are straight, white and male are dominating the news coverage; and whether the Electoral College should be abolished.
60 min
84
The “Operation Varsity Blues” Edition
John Dickerson, and David Plotz, and guest host Josie Duffy Rice discuss Trump’s budget proposal, the college admissions scandal, and the changing debate over reparations for slavery.
59 min
85
The "Fox is in the White House" Edition
Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the House of Representatives’ investigation of Trump, Amanda Ripley’s article about political prejudice in America, and the Fox News White House.
69 min
86
The “He is a Racist, He is a Con Man, He is a C...
Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Michael Cohen’s testimony, Trump’s failed North Korea summit, and Patrick Radden Keefe’s new book Say Nothing.
49 min
87
The "Feel the Bern" Edition
Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Trump’s national emergency declaration, Bernie Sanders’s presidential campaign, and Amazon abandoning its New York plans.
55 min
88
The “All About the Benjamins” Edition
Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the deal to avoid a second shutdown, Jeff Bezos claims of sextortion, and Ilhan Omar’s tweets about Israel.
52 min
89
The “Just A Little Bit of Shoe Polish” Edition
Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Virginia Democrats in turmoil, Trump’s State of the Union speech, and the appalling conditions at a federal prison in New York.
64 min
90
The “But Every Politician’s Gonna Say That” Edi...
Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Howard Schultz’s threat to run for president, Mitch McConnell’s legacy (with guest Charles Homans), and performative workaholism.
57 min
91
The “Great Blotch” Edition
Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the government shutdown, the 2020 Democratic presidential field, and Brexit doom with guest Tanya Gold.
68 min
92
The “Pocketing Your Notes” Edition
Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the continued government shutdown, the counterintelligence investigation of Trump, and the racism of Steve King.
61 min
93
The “Infinity War” Edition
Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the government shutdown, new Russia connections revealed in the Mueller investigation, and why Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is getting so much attention.
69 min
94
The “Exploratory Committee” Edition
Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and guest David Leonhardt discuss the government shutdown, 2020, and whether there are signs of hope that the climate crisis could be addressed.
53 min
95
The “2018 Conundrum” Edition
Emily, John, and David close out the year considering listeners’ most confounding conundrums with special guest Simon Doonan.
50 min
96
The “A Liberal is a Conservative Who’s Been to ...
Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and John Dickerson discuss the bipartisan criminal justice reform bill, Michael Flynn’s legal troubles, and new revelations about Russian trolling and Facebook’s privacy violations.
61 min
97
The “Tinkle Contest With a Skunk” Edition
Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and John Dickerson discuss Michael Cohen’s sentencing, the search for America’s next White House chief of staff, and Trump’s threat to shut down the government over border wall funding
48 min
98
The "Last Wasp" Edition
Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss the legacy of George H.W. Bush, the power-grab by Wisconsin Republicans, and election fraud in North Carolina.
74 min
99
The "Not Off the Table" Edition
Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and John Dickerson discuss the mounting number of liars linked to the Trump administration, President Trump’s confrontation with the courts over asylum, and the future of the census.
79 min
100
The "Sealed Indictment" Edition
Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and John Dickerson discuss what may be next for the Mueller investigation, the California wildfires, and new revelations about Facebook’s leadership team
72 min