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
A Thursday Message
Slate's Political Gabfest will be published on Friday this week.
0 min
2
Empty Notepad
Barrett’s confirmation hearings; the First Amendment and disinformation; and the latest election machinations
71 min
3
Spitting Into a Sheet of Plexiglass
The White House virus outbreak, vice-presidential debate, and Senate races.
58 min
4
Slate Plus Special: The President Has COVID
President Trump has tested positive for the coronavirus. What happens next?
6 min
5
What We WILL Know on Election Night
Trump’s miniscule tax payments, guest Nate Persily on election night reporting, and Judge Amy Coney Barrett.
67 min
6
Bonus: Would you Shut Up Man
Emily, John and David discuss the first presidential debate of 2020.
29 min
7
Not Even Cold in The Ground
A rush to replace Justice Ginsburg, the coming presidential debates, and 200,000 COVID-19 deaths.
68 min
8
Special: SCOTUS After Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Emily Bazelon and Mike Pesca on the Justice’s legacy, the looming Senate fight, and what could happen with a conservative court.
27 min
9
Giant Fires Everywhere
Wildfires and the climate crisis, apocalyptic election talk, and imagining the post-pandemic work week -- live as part of the Texas Tribune Festival!
76 min
10
Rage
What Trump knew about the virus, DOJ’s move to end E. Jean Carroll’s lawsuit, and Matthew Yglesias on One Billion Americans.
64 min
11
Who Should Get the Vaccine?
The politics of violence, Ezekiel Emanuel on vaccine distribution, and Edward Ball on his book, Life of a Klansman
70 min
12
Pool Boy
The Republican convention, violence in Kenosha, and the Falwell and Conway families’ dramas.
68 min
13
I Know a Predator When I See One
Democrats’ virtual convention, the U.S. Postal Service, and the bipartisan Senate report exposing more Trump ties to Russia.
63 min
14
Cheap, Mediocre Testing
The Biden-Harris ticket, stimulus gridlock, and guest Dr. Michael Mina on his proposal for rapid, ubiquitous coronavirus testing-- with guest host Josie Duffy Rice
58 min
15
Stop Counting Now
Messing with the census, undermining the election, and guest Juliette Kayyem on competent crisis response
62 min
16
Twilight of Democracy
Biden’s campaign, Big Tech, and Anne Applebaum’s new book Twilight of Democracy — with guest host Ruth Marcus.
68 min
17
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
18
Find Something New
Pandemic catastrophe, the racial justice movement, and “cancel culture”--with guest host James Forman, Jr.
77 min
19
Ministerial Exception
The presidential campaign, new Supreme Court decisions, and watching Hamilton during Trump times.
71 min
20
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
21
Global Pariahs
COVID rising, politicization of the DOJ, and Slow Burn’s Josh Levin on the rise of David Duke.
63 min
22
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
23
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
24
Inspecting the Bunker
Protests against police brutality and racism, Trump’s increasingly authoritarian response, and the pandemic--with guest Jamelle Bouie.
68 min
25
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
26
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
27
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
28
Vote By Mail
States reopen before it's safe; this year’s election security challenges; and economist Gene Sperling on “economic dignity.”
72 min
29
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
30
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
31
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
32
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
33
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
34
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
35
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
36
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
37
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
38
Wash Your Hands
Super Tuesday upends the Democratic race, COVID-19 spreads, and the Supreme Court hears a crucial abortion case.
66 min
39
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
40
Bern, Baby, Bern
The Democratic presidential primary, Harvey Weinstein’s conviction, and conservative ascendency in the courts.
66 min
41
[Special] How To Vote for the Next President
Can David Axelrod and Mike Murphy help a swing voter make up his mind?
28 min
42
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
43
Bernie Burns It and Biden Bites It
The Democrats after New Hampshire, Trump’s emboldened post-impeachment moves, and COVID-19.
63 min
44
The Most Abusive and Destructive
The Iowa debacle, Mitt Romney’s impeachment vote, and Trump’s expanded immigration ban
53 min
45
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
46
Nobody Likes Him
Trump on trial, the Democratic primary race, and Mohammed bin Salman’s hacking of Jeff Bezos.
67 min
47
If You Want Her Out
New impeachment revelations, the Warren-Sanders rift, and Bill Barr goes after Apple’s encryption
62 min
48
Bomb Iran--We’ve Had a Bomb Iran Edition Before
Iran with expert Suzanne Maloney, the Democratic presidential race, and John Bolton
62 min
49
Good Trouble
Impeachment fatigue, the twin canaries of anti-Semitism and philo-Semitism, and the incredible John Lewis.
57 min
50
Oakland Conundrum
The annual conundrum edition is live from Oakland California!
64 min
51
Read My Letter
Impeachment, pushback against Pete Buttigieg, and a review of the most important stories of 2019.
52 min
52
Slate Presents: Lockdown
Living through the era of school shootings, one drill at a time.
24 min
53
Crossfire Hurricane
Impeachment, the FBI Inspector General’s report on the Russia investigation, and the Afghanistan Papers
67 min
54
Badly Written & Reseached Disaster
Impeachment, Kamala Harris, and guest Ruth Marcus’ new book about Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation, Supreme Ambition.
55 min
55
Good Order and Discipline
The firing of the Navy Secretary, the case for prolonging impeachment investigations, and new holidays everyone should celebrate.
56 min
56
In The Loop
Impeachment bombshells, the Democratic presidential debate, and emails confirming that Steven Miller is a white nationalist
51 min
57
DP [Hearts] MB
The public impeachment hearings, fresh faces in Democratic presidential primary, and DACA at the Supreme Court.
58 min
58
One Year From This Week
New polls and election results, impeachment, and leaving the Paris climate accord
64 min
59
Halloween
The impeachment resolution, Twitter’s ban on political ads, and the downfall of Katie Hill.
71 min
60
Cooper, Taylor, SCIFer Spy
Damning new impeachment testimony, Facebook under fire, and taking to the streets against Trump.
64 min
61
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
62
Great and Unmatched Wisdom
Obstructing the impeachment investigations, the new Supreme Court term, and Bernie Sanders’ health.
59 min
63
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
64
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
65
Twin Cities
Democratic middle ground, “chaos voters,” and guest Curtis Sittenfeld’s fiction about living political figures.
72 min
66
Democratic Debate Special: Slate Plus Teaser
Castro versus Biden, healthcare, and how to effectively pick a fight with President Trump
1 min
67
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
68
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
69
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
70
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
71
Public Charge
Trump’s new move to punish documented immigrants, death in prison and Jeffrey Epstein, and recession.
61 min
72
Moscow Mitch
White supremacist violence, Mitch McConnell’s new nicknames, and the impact of Joaquin Castro tweeting the names of Trump donors.
67 min
73
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
74
Introducing: How To! With Charles Duhigg
29 min
75
Not Exculpated
Robert Mueller’s testimony, the downfall of Al Franken, and the deal to raise the debt ceiling.
62 min
76
Rescue Squad
63 min
77
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
78
My President Went to North Korea and All I Got ...
63 min
79
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
80
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
81
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
82
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
83
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
84
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
85
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
86
The "Abortion Ban" Edition
56 min
87
The “Contempt of Congress” Edition
Trump’s showdown with Congress, the trade war with China, and what “socialism” means to Democrats.
66 min
88
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
89
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
90
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
91
Introducing Charged: A True Punishment Story
27 min
92
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
93
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
94
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
95
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
96
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
97
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
98
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
99
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
100
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