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
Is Antisemitism Back?
Trump elevates proud antisemites Ye and Fuentes; protestors challenge China’s authoritarian regime, and Congress protects marriage equality.
49 min
2
What If Twitter Dies?
The future of Twitter, a ghoulish World Cup, and Justice Alito is accused of a pre-Dobbs leak.
57 min
3
Gabfest Reads: Rethinking J. Edgar Hoover
Beverly Gage talks about writing the first major J. Edgar Hoover biography in over a quarter century.
33 min
4
SBF FTX WTF?
Candidate Trump, election denying candidates lose, and a crypto firm’s implosion shakes the Effective Altruism movement.
46 min
5
Extremely Surprising Midterms
Midterm surprises; what the midterm results might mean for governance in the U.S.; and the challenge to the Indian Child Welfare Act at the Supreme Court
48 min
6
Live From Atlanta!
Georgia & the midterms, the potential for more political violence, and affirmative action at the Supreme Court.
77 min
7
Bonus Episode: The PA Midterms Edition
A special episode of the Political Gabfest on the midterm races in Pennsylvania.
20 min
8
Are British Politics More Or Less Crazy Than Ours?
The final midterm sprint; Adrian Wooldridge on the UK’s latest Prime Minister; and Trump’s legal troubles.
50 min
9
Gabfest Reads: Tracy Flick Returns
The original ambitious woman returns in author Tom Perrotta’s new novel, Tracy Flick Can’t Win
26 min
10
The Polls Do Not Look Amazing For Democrats
Some dire polls for Dems; women demand human rights in Iran; and Arkansas’ law targeting trans kids goes on trial.
45 min
11
Bonus Edition: Michigan and Arizona Midterms
A special episode of the Political Gabfest on the midterm races in Michigan and Arizona.
25 min
12
Clarence Thomas Is A Prince Fan
LA’s racism & redistricting scandal, the Andy Warhol copyright case at the Supreme Court, and Anne Applebaum on Ukraine.
55 min
13
What Is Herschel Walker Lying About Today?
The Supreme Court tees up another radical term; Herschel Walker’s abortion lies; and the legal mess Dobbs created for doctors providing abortion via telemedicine.
49 min
14
Is the Polling Wrong?
Potential polling pitfalls; Brett Favre and the greater scandal of states misusing federal welfare funds; and Ruth Ben-Ghiat on Italy’s neo-fascist Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
52 min
15
Ron DeSantis’ Sadistic Plan
New York alleges massive fraud by the Trumps; Ron DeSantis trafficks asylum seekers; and Dahlia Lithwick’s Lady Justice.
48 min
16
Gabfest Reads: Searching for a Happy Ending
Ada Calhoun’s memoir, Also a Poet, started as a biography about Frank O’Hara. It became a reflection on Calhoun’s relationship with her father.
29 min
17
What if Ukraine Wins?
Anne Applebaum on Ukraine’s advances, Lindsey Graham’s national abortion ban bill; and the controversy over minimum education standards for religious schools in New York.
51 min
18
Semi-Fascist
61 min
19
Diligent Search
Trump’s classified document stash; what Trump’s second term would do to U.S. democracy; and what voters deserve to know about a candidate’s health.
58 min
20
Could the Democrats Actually Win?
Changing tides ahead of the midterms; Conservatives score an unprecedented $1.6B donation; and Biden’s student loan forgiveness and repayment plans.
49 min
21
Gabfest Reads: Life on Europa Looks Too Much Li...
Mat Johnson’s Invisible Things compares our reality with life in a bubble on Jupiter’s largest moon
25 min
22
The Martyrdom of Liz Cheney
The Trump investigations; Liz Cheney’s defeat; and controversies over how to teach kids to read
51 min
23
What’s in Trump’s Safe?
The Mar-a-Lago search; the Inflation Reduction Act; and seeking accountability for family separation at the border.
52 min
24
Nothing’s The Matter With Kansas
The primaries & Kansans’ defense of abortion; Alex Jones on trial; and surviving pregnancy in the United States.
45 min
25
Did You Apologize to Manchin Yet?
The surprise deal for climate legislation, new January 6th revelations, and the deadliest road in America.
50 min
26
Gabfest Reads: Revolution Through Teenage Eyes
Vanessa Hua’s Forbidden City follows a sixteen-year-old dancer into Mao’s China.
26 min
27
Hot, Hotter, Hottest
Europe’s deadly heat wave, Joe Manchin kills climate legislation, and the inevitable post-Roe healthcare chaos has begun.
43 min
28
Lowest Approval Rating
Biden’s 2024 plans, the establishment Republicans who stand by Trump, and Herschel Walker’s baffling Senate campaign.
49 min
29
The “Is The Major Questions Doctrine Bogus?” Ed...
59 min
30
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
31
Gabfest Reads: Corrections in Ink
Felony and figure skating in the same memoir.
33 min
32
SCOTUS Guts The Establishment Clause
The Supreme Court requires funding for religious schools, the January 6th hearings, and dissension at progressive organizations.
47 min
33
Drunk as Rudy Guiliani
The January 6th hearings, Jason Furman on the economy, and debates among providers of gender-affirming medical care.
51 min
34
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
35
Forgive Me, Joe
The response to Uvalde, Biden’s plan for student loan forgiveness, and a bunch of ignored subpoenas.
47 min
36
Gabfest Reads: Coming of Age in the Nineties
Elif Bautman’s The Idiot sequel, Either/Or, looks back with a modern eye.
31 min
37
No Way to Prevent This
The Texas, Uvalde shooting, a bizarre social media bill, and what’s going on in China, Taiwan
53 min
38
More Fetterman!
The “replacement theory”-inspired massacre in Buffalo, Tuesday’s primaries, and the infant formula shortage.
47 min
39
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
40
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
41
So Much Free Speech!
Elon Musk’s Twitter plans, school prayer at the Supreme Court, and post-pandemic asylum policy.
66 min
42
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
43
Gabfest Reads: He Wanted to Die Holding Hands
Her husband’s Alzheimer's diagnosis led Amy Bloom to support his dying wishes.
17 min
44
Double Bazelon
Approaching midterms, inflation, and whether social media is imperiling U.S. democracy—with guest Simon Bazelon.
59 min
45
Hey, Groomer
Russia’s war crimes; Disney’s reaction to “don’t say gay”; and Amazon’s first union
65 min
46
Burner Phone
Biden speaks too honestly about Russia; Trump’s missing phone logs; and Ginni Thomas’s efforts to subvert the election.
60 min
47
Deep Sigh
Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearing; Ukraine keeps fighting through atrocity; and more allegations of Republican candidates committing domestic abuse.
51 min
48
Gabfest Reads: Invisible Kingdom: How Meghan 0'...
Germ theory isn’t everything.
26 min
49
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
50
Price of a Gallon of Gas
Ukraine holds on, rising gas prices, and conformity on campus.
57 min
51
I Need More Ammunition
Ukraine resists, the State of the Union, and backlash against reformer prosecutors.
62 min
52
Special: Justice Jackson
Nate Persily dishes about KBJ’s jurisprudence and high-school acting career.
18 min
53
Putin's War
Julia Ioffe on Putin, GOP attacks on transgender children, and Democrats’ “hack gap”—with guest host Jane Coaston.
46 min
54
Gabfest Reads: Heartbreak
It’s not just in your head; heartbreak can impact your immune system.
30 min
55
Angry Parents
Radicalized parents; what the midterms may bring; and the Sandy Hook families’ victory.
50 min
56
Legitimate Political Discourse
SCOTUS fails to enforce the Voting Rights Act, the GOP embrace of January 6th, and protests in Canada.
51 min
57
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
58
The Breyerwatch Hath Ended
Justice Breyer’s retirement, Anne Applebaum on Ukraine, and The Gist’s Mike Pesca.
63 min
59
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
60
Talking Filibuster
Voting rights; Russia, with guest Nina Jankowicz; and the increasing politicization of cable news.
63 min
61
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
62
Conundrums 2021
Your pressing questions answered by the Gabfest hosts and special guest Dwayne Betts!
64 min
63
Build Back Never
Manchin says he’s out; Azmat Khan on U.S. killings of civilians overseas; and Omicron.
59 min
64
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
65
Ghislaine
The pandemic economy; a diplomatic boycott of the Olympics, and the Ghislaine Maxwell trial.
54 min
66
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health
The Supreme Court considers overturning Roe and Casey, Omicron, and the Cuomo brothers’ scandals.
70 min
67
Thanksgiving
Biden in 2024, the Rittenhouse verdict, and China.
54 min
68
No Joe Mojo
Biden’s approval numbers, authoritarianism on the rise, and Jay Caspian Kang on The Loneliest Americans.
65 min
69
Presidents Are Not Kings and Plaintiff Is Not P...
Biden’s infrastructure win, Trump’s January 6 obstruction, and the Rittenhouse trial.
59 min
70
Gabfest Reads: Kirsten Powers, Saving Grace
John Dickerson talks with Kirsten Powers about her new book Saving Grace.
19 min
71
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
72
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
73
Great Resignation
Steve Bannon’s contempt of Congress; supply chain woes; and Americans leaving their jobs.
61 min
74
Death of Democracy
U.S. democracy in peril, Democrats‘ strategy woes, and Andrea Elliott’s book Invisible Child
63 min
75
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
76
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
77
True Crime
Saving the Biden agenda; an abortion doctor defies the Texas ban; and true crime mania.
58 min
78
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
79
20 Years Since 9/11
Reflecting on 9/11; the infrastructure agenda, and declining college enrollment among men.
64 min
80
$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
81
Back to School
The Afghanistan evacuation, starting school during delta, and the path forward for infrastructure--with guest host Jamelle Bouie!
59 min
82
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
83
Little Fires Everywhere
58 min
84
Impeach Today
Cuomo refuses to resign, the eviction moratorium survives for now, and the arrival of vaccine passports.
58 min
85
Medieval Battle
The January 6th Commission; the return of masks; and guests Annie Lowrey on the "time tax."
50 min
86
Actually It Is ‘Infrastructure Week'
Delta and the vaccination decline; the bipartisan infrastructure plan lives another day; and the pandemic Olympics.
48 min
87
Mature Minor
Escalating threats to democratic elections, minors’ rights to vaccination, and Josh Levin on the podcast One Year: 1977.
55 min
88
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
89
Failed Justice Breyer Countdown
Infrastructure negotiations, alarming Supreme Court decisions on democracy, and Bill Cosby’s release.
58 min
90
F School, F Softball, F Cheer, F Everything
The post-pandemic workforce, Tucker Carlson, and student wins at the Supreme Court.
49 min
91
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
92
Manchin on the Hill
Joe Manchin, how the Trump DOJ lives on, and George Packer’s four Americas.
59 min
93
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
94
The “Gain of Function” Edition
55 min
95
Hot Button Issue
Israel, abortion at the Supreme Court, and Nine Nasty Words with John McWhorter
56 min
96
Million Dollar Jab
The post-pandemic economy; vaccine hoarding; and Alex Stamos on the Colonial Pipeline hack.
62 min
97
Martyrdom of Liz Cheney
Liz Cheney defies the Trumpists; Trump’s Facebook suspension upheld; and going meatless gets political.
60 min
98
Live at 100 Days
A live Gabfest on the policies and politics of Biden’s first 100 days—with guest Jamelle Bouie!
46 min
99
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
100
Blood Clot
The vaccine “pause,” the death of Daunte Wright, and Biden’s commission on the U.S. Supreme Court.
64 min