John Dickerson talks with author Ada Calhoun about her new memoir, Also a Poet: Frank O’Hara, My Father, and Me. What started as Calhoun’s attempt to finish the biography of Frank O’Hara that her father started, turned into a gripping story of Calhoun’s relationship with her father. Calhoun and Dickerson talk about not pulling punches when it comes to how nice family members are, why you can’t pre-plan a happy ending, and what her father thought of the book. Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest...
Sep 18, 2022•35 min
This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss Ukraine’s advances with Anne Applebaum; Lindsey Graham’s national abortion ban bill; and the controversy over requiring religious schools in New York to meet minimum educational standards. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Anne Applebaum for The Atlantic: “It’s Time to Prepare for a Ukrainian Victory” Anne Applebaum for The Atlantic: “The Other Ukrainian Army” Red Famine: Stalin's War on Ukraine, by Anne Ap...
Sep 15, 2022•57 min
This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss the inexplicable success of Trump’s special master gambit in the Espionage Act investigation, Biden calling out anti-democratic elements of the electorate; and the roots of the Jackson, MS water crisis. Here are this week’s chatters: John: Professor Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius for The Great Courses: Turning Points in Modern History Emily: Jerusalem Demsas for The Atlantic: “What’s Causing Black Flight?” David: Pepperidge Farm Farmho...
Sep 08, 2022•1 hr 7 min
This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss Trump’s strange legal maneuvering in the obstruction investigation; what Trump’s second term would do to U.S. democracy; and what voters deserve to know about a candidate’s health. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Jonathan Rauch for The Atlantic “Trump’s Second Term Would Look Like This” Age of Innocence, by Edith Wharton Portrait of a Lady, by Henry James Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad Lord Jim, by J...
Sep 01, 2022•1 hr 3 min
This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss what the special election results suggest for the midterms, an unprecedented $1.6B donation to a secretive conservative organization; and Biden’s student loan forgiveness and repayment plans. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together, by Heather McGhee The Sum of Us podcast Here are this week’s chatters: John: The Bullshit Generator; The Age ...
Aug 25, 2022•54 min
David Plotz talks with author Mat Johnson about his new novel Invisible Things. Johnson’s novel tells the story of a group of astronauts that land in a bubble colony on Jupiter's biggest moon. They talk about the challenges of writing satire when reality feels fake, how mediocre people rise up by sucking up, and why we need to look at the invisible things in our daily lives. Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at [email protected]. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the write...
Aug 21, 2022•30 min
This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and Benjamin Wittes discuss the Trump investigations; Liz Cheney’s defeat; and Dana Goldstein’s reporting on controversies over how to teach kids to read. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Jack Goldsmith for Lawfare: “Prosecuting Trump: A Reply to Josh Marshall” Dana Goldstein for The New York Times: “An Old and Contested Solution to Boost Reading Scores: Phonics” Dana Goldstein The New York Times: “In the Fight Over How to Teach Rea...
Aug 18, 2022•58 min
This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and Juliette Kayyem discuss the Mar-a-Lago search; the Inflation Reduction Act; and Caitlin Dickerson’s article investigating how separating families at the border became U.S. policy. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Caitlin Dickerson for The Atlantic: “An American Catastrophe: The Secret History of Family Separation” Juliette Kayyem for The Atlantic: “The Bad and Good News About Trump’s Violent Supporters” Curated Decay: Heritage B...
Aug 11, 2022•59 min
This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and Heather McGhee discuss the primaries and Kansan voters’ defense of abortion; Alex Jones on trial; and Annie Lowrey’s story of surviving pregnancy in the United States. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Sam Adler-Bell for The New York Times: “The Violent Fantasies of Blake Masters” Jason Beeferman for The Texas Tribune: “How Sandy Hook Lies and the Jan. 6 Inquiry Threaten to Undo Alex Jones” Annie Lowrey for The Atlantic: “America...
Aug 04, 2022•52 min
This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Emily Bazelon discuss the surprise deal for climate legislation, new January 6th revelations, and the deadliest road in America. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Carol D. Leonnig, Devlin Barrett, Josh Dawsey and Spencer S. Hsu for The Washington Post: “Justice Dept. Investigating Trump’s Actions In Jan. 6 Criminal Probe” Carol D. Leonnig and Maria Sacchetti for The Washington Post: “Secret Service Watchdog Knew in February That...
Jul 28, 2022•55 min
Emily Bazelon talks with author Vanessa Hua about her new historical fiction book, Forbidden City. The novel tells the story of sixteen-year-old revolutionary Mei who becomes a dancer in Chairman Mao’s inner circle. Emily and Vanessa talk about Vanessa’s inspiration for the novel, the complicated dynamics between Mei and Chairman Mao, and whether we’ll hear more from Mei. Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at [email protected]. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer s...
Jul 24, 2022•32 min
This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Josie Duffy Rice discuss Europe’s deadly heat wave, Joe Manchin’s balk at climate legislation, and the inevitable tragedies already happening post-Roe. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Lindsay Whitehurst, Camille Fassett, and Jasen Lo for the Associated Press: “Social Programs Weak in Many States With Tough Abortion Laws” The Ministry for the Future, by Kim Stanley Robinson The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness, by...
Jul 21, 2022•49 min
This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Mark Leibovich discuss Biden’s 2024 plans, the establishment Republicans who stand by Trump, and Herschel Walker’s alarming Senate campaign. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Thank You for Your Servitude: Donald Trump's Washington and the Price of Submission, by Mark Leibovich Anne Applebaum for The Atlantic: “History Will Judge The Complicit” Mark Leibovich for the New York Times Magazine: “Donald Trump Is Not Going Anywhere” M...
Jul 14, 2022•55 min
This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss the Supreme Court’s gutting of administrative authority in West Virginia v. EPA, the case coming next term that could upend U.S. elections, and the Highland Park shooting. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Julian Davis Mortenson and Nicholas Bagley for The Atlantic: “The Nondelegation Doctrine Is A Fable” Julian Davis Mortenson and Nicholas Bagley for The Columbia Law Review: "Delegation at the Founding" He...
Jul 07, 2022•1 hr 4 min
This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon and John Dickerson are live at Sixth & I in Washington, DC discussing the new insurrection revelations; the overturning of Roe; and the legitimacy of the U.S. Supreme Court. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: David French for The Dispatch: “The Case for Prosecuting Donald Trump Just Got Much Stronger” Kirsten M. J. Thompson, Hugh J. W. Sturrock, Diana Greene Foster, et al for JAMA Network Open: “Association of Travel Distance to Neares...
Jun 30, 2022•1 hr 4 min
Emily Bazelon talks with author Keri Blakinger about her new memoir, Corrections in Ink which recounts Blakinger’s path from Olympic ambitions, to heroin addiction, to prison, and ultimately a return to life on the outside. Blakinger launched a program to deliver her memoir to currently incarcerated readers. You can learn more here: https://800ceoread.com/coupons/redeem/donationcorrectionsinink Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at [email protected]. (Messages could be quoted by n...
Jun 26, 2022•39 min
This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon and John Dickerson discuss the Supreme Court decision requiring that government funding for private schools include religious ones, the January 6th hearings, and dissension at progressive organizations. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Jack Goldsmith for The New York Times: “Prosecute Trump? Put Yourself in Merrick Garland’s Shoes.” John Dickerson for Slate: Whistlestop podcast: “The Mulligan Letters” Ryan Grim for The Intercept: “El...
Jun 23, 2022•52 min
This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon and John Dickerson discuss the January 6th hearings, Jason Furman on the economy, and debates among providers of gender-affirming medical care. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Michael Dorf for Dorf on Law: “House Select Committee Hearing 2: Scoundrels, Patriots, and Collaborators” Mona Charen for The Bulwark: “Of Course Trump Is Responsible for His Lies” David Brooks for The New York Times: “The Jan. 6 Committee Has Already Blown It...
Jun 16, 2022•56 min
David Plotz, Emily Bazelon and John Dickerson discuss Tuesday’s primaries, the economy (is it as bad as we all think it is?), and are joined by Susan Matthews to talk Slow Burn: Roe v. Wade. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Nellie Bowles for the Atlantic: “How San Francisco Became a Failed City” Emily Bazelon for the New York Times: “America Almost Took a Different Path Toward Abortion Rights” Derek Thompson for the Atlantic: “Everything Is Terrible, but I’m Fine” Patric...
Jun 09, 2022•52 min
David Plotz, Emily Bazelon and John Dickerson discuss the response to the Uvalde shooting, Biden’s plan for student loan forgiveness, and a bunch of ignored subpoenas. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Jillian Peterson and James Densley, interviewed by Melanie Warner for Politico: “Two Professors Found What Creates a Mass Shooter. Will Politicians Pay Attention?” Here’s this week’s chatter: Emily: Heidi Przybyla for Politico: “‘It’s going to be an army’: Tapes reveal GOP ...
Jun 02, 2022•52 min
John Dickerson talks with author Elif Batuman about coming of age as a college student in the 1990’s, and the similarities between herself and her main character in Either/Or, the sequel to The Idiot. Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at [email protected]. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Podcast production by Cheyna Roth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 29, 2022•37 min
Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Kate McGee and Jolie McCullough for The Texas Tribune: “Confronted with mass shootings, Texas Republicans have repeatedly loosened gun laws” Bruce Leshan for WUSA9: “Other countries have been hit by school shootings – and done something” Carl Hulse for The New York Times: “How Congress Passed an Assault Weapons Ban in 1994” Rebecca Kern for Politico: “Tech companies removed the Buffalo shooting manifesto. A Texas law could make that illeg...
May 26, 2022•59 min
Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Thomas B. Edsall for The New York Times: “Status Anxiety Is Blowing Wind Into Trump’s Sails” Karn Yourish and Nicholas Confessore for The New York Times: “A Fringe Conspiracy Theory, Fostered Online, Is Refashioned by the G.O.P.” Jamelle Bouie for The New York Times: “The Slaughter in Buffalo Hasn’t Quieted the Great Replacement Caucus” Nathaniel Rakich for FiveThirtyEight: “What Went Down During the May 17 Primary Elections” David A. Gra...
May 19, 2022•52 min
Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Michael C. Dorf for Dorf on Law: “In a Post-Roe World, Can States Prevent Women From Seeking Abortions Out-of-State?” Ruth Graham for The New York Times: “A Pastor and His Congregation Part Ways” Ruth Graham and Elizabeth Dias for The New York Times: “The Growing Religious Fervor in the American Right: ‘This Is a Jesus Movement’” The Great Evangelical Recession: 6 Factors That Will Crash the American Church...and How to Prepare by John Di...
May 12, 2022•1 hr 2 min
Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Ruth Marcus for The Washington Post: “The Leaked Draft Roe Opinion Is A Disaster For The Supreme” Edwin Meese III for The Washington Post: “Did The Conservative Legal Movement Succeed? That All Depends On Whether The Supreme Court Overrules Roe V. Wade.” Reginald Dwayne Betts for The New York Times Magazine: “Could an Ex-Convict Become an Attorney? I Intended to Find Out” Here are this week’s chatters: Ruth: Julia Clancy for Eating Well: ...
May 05, 2022•1 hr 1 min
Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover, Title 42, and the current prayer in school debate. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Daphne Keller for The Center for Internet and Society: “What Does The DSA Say?” John Dickerson for Slate: “Born Identity” Here are this week’s chatters: David: Ed Kilgore for New York Magazine: “Utah Democrats Endorse Independent Evan McMullin in Challenge to Mike Lee”; CityCast.fm/jobs John: Reddit thread...
Apr 28, 2022•1 hr 12 min
Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss the ways that the war in Ukraine may be influencing China's future plans with guest Malcolm Turnbull; the mask mandate ruling; whether it matters that the RNC has rejected presidential debates; and Gabfest producer Jocelyn Frank signs off after many years of producing the show. Here are this week’s chatters: David: Mark Emem for CCN: “Jeff Bezos Missed 20,000% Gains After $250K Google Stake in 1998” John: Kathryn Olivarius: “Necropolis: Yello...
Apr 22, 2022•1 hr 8 min
David Plotz talks with author Amy Bloom about her journey to support the death, by suicide, of her husband, chronicled in her new book In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss. Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at [email protected]. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 17, 2022•23 min
Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss the approaching midterms, inflation, and whether social media is imperiling U.S. democracy—with guest Simon Bazelon. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Simon Bazelon for Slow Boring: “Democrats Are Sleepwalking Into A Senate Disaster” Thomas B. Edsall for The New York Times: “Trump Poses a Test Democracy Is Failing” Matthew H. Graham and Milan W. Svolik for The American Political Science Review: “Democracy in America? P...
Apr 14, 2022•1 hr 5 min
Emily, John and David discuss Russia’s war crimes; Disney’s reaction to “don’t say gay”; and Amazon’s first union. Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Andrew Exum for The Atlantic: “The Russian Military Has Descended Into Inhumanity” Noam Scheiber for The New York Times: “Amazon Workers Who Won a Union Their Way Open Labor Leaders’ Eyes” Microsoft: “The Rise of the Triple Peak Day” When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, by Daniel H. Pink Here are this week’s chatte...
Apr 07, 2022•1 hr 10 min
