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.
Want more Political Gabfest? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Political Gabfest show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/gabfestplus to get access wherever you listen.
1
One Measly Report
The Donald Trump legal wars end with barely a whisper; billionaires capitulate to MAGA; and the LA wildfires continue.
60 min
2
The “Thank You, Jimmy Carter” Edition
President and Citizen Jimmy Carter: Elon Musk v. MAGA; and Citizens’ Assemblies
59 min
3
The “2024 Conundrums” Edition
Emily, John, and David end 2024 answering questions, big and small.
52 min
4
Gabfest Reads: The Life and Legacy of John Lewis
David Greenberg’s new biography on the Civil Rights icon shows what makes Lewis a legend.
32 min
5
The Shutdown and the Great Capitulation
The capitulation of media and corporate America to Donald Trump; the government shutdown and surrender of House Republicans; and the appeal of TikTok.
58 min
6
Syria’s Collapse, Israel’s Delight
What comes next for Syria after the fall of the al-Assad dictatorship; what it means when one killer is celebrated and another is acquitted; and what could happen to American birthright citizenship.
63 min
7
Is The Democratic Party Doomed?
President Joe Biden pardons son Hunter while President-Elect Donald Trump might un-nominate Pete Hegseth; Democrats ponder what-next; and SCOTUS considers treatment for transgender children.
59 min
8
Are These Trump Tariffs for Real?
Donald Trump’s tariff threat will get real for the next Treasury Secretary; the incoming Federal Communications Commission Chair might endanger free speech; and the “bro-economy” could create financial havoc.
49 min
9
Trump’s Cabinet Keeps Getting Weirder
Donald Trump continues to fill his Cabinet; Texas plans to teach the Bible in public elementary schools; and The Washington Post’s Dan Diamond educates us on health care policy in the next administration.
60 min
10
Gabfest Reads: How Two Rivals Shaped Birth Cont...
Stephanie Gorton’s new book, The Icon & the Idealist digs into the history of two women who changed reproductive rights forever
27 min
11
Attorney General Matt Gaetz?
Donald Trump fills his Cabinet; Democrats work on a way forward; and mass deportation will be difficult and horrible
73 min
12
This IS Who We Are
Donald Trump and Senate Republicans win big; Americans could be the biggest losers; and abortion rights won state battles but might lose the national war.
59 min
13
Floating Island of Garbage
The presidential race: where we stand; the election: what we worry about; and the backlash from non-endorsements: why we care.
63 min
14
The Disinhibited Fascist
Donald Trump might be a fascist…but should we call him out on it?
56 min
15
Gabfest Reads: Finding Happiness During This El...
On the 10th anniversary of Dan Harris’s book, 10% Happier, the author sits down with John Dickerson to talk about how to get through this stressful time.
43 min
16
15 Percent of Black Voters Support Trump
Kamala Harris makes her pitch to Black and Hispanic men; Republican senators in Nebraska, Texas, and Florida are in surprisingly close races; and when conspiracies win, hurricane victims lose on disaster relief.
58 min
17
Is The Blue Wall Cracking?
With Election Day in sight, the race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is too close to call; legal experts are worried about a Trump win; and Hurricanes Helene and Milton prove climate change is real.
59 min
18
JD Vance's Damning Non-Answer
VP candidates Tim Walz and JD Vance have a “nice” debate; Israel and Hezbollah and Iran fire missiles and 2,000 Lebanese die; and New York City Mayor Eric Adams pleads not guilty
49 min
19
North Carolina Crazies
Kamala Harris v. Donald Trump and Tim Walz v. JD Vance, Josh Stein v. Mark Robinson in North Carolina, and College v. Careerism
58 min
20
Political Gabfest: A Murder Mystery that Uncove...
Elizabeth Strout’s new book, Tell Me Everything returns to Crosby, Maine, and to beloved characters like Olive Kitteridge
20 min
21
Who Is Responsible For Political Violence?
Who is inciting political violence? And who is suffering the consequences?
58 min
22
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
23
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
24
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
25
The Democrats ‘Do Something’ Convention
The Gabfest hosts break down the standout moments from the DNC
58 min