Steve Hayes is joined by Megan McArdle, Kevin Williamson, and Jonah Goldberg to discuss the confusing peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, the current state of the U.S. economy ahead of the holidays, and their least favorite Thanksgiving dishes. The Agenda: — Diplomatic developments in Ukraine — JD Vance, the Vice Poster —Corruption and personal influence in diplomacy (How’s the Clinton Foundation doing?) — Household debt reaches record highs — Affordability and the illusion of afforda...
Nov 28, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Mike Warren is joined by Dr. Jean Twenge, author of 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World , for a discussion about what modern research says about parenting in the digital and A.I. age. The Agenda: —Screen time before sleep —Conversations with children about tech —What phones and at what age —Social media regulation — Wait Until Eighth Pledge —Laptops vs. smartphones —Celebrating parental wins The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media company covering poli...
Nov 24, 2025•51 min
Michael Warren is joined by Megan McArdle, David French, and Kevin Williamson to discuss the popularity of President Donald Trump and whether he's influential in the MAGA party. Show Notes: —Media fatigue and Miss Piggy allegations —Cracks in the MAGA coalition —Trump's foreign policy agenda —Understanding Trump's relationship with Saudi Arabia —'The most populist black tie dinner ever' —Silicon Valley politics — Crisis in learning outcomes and dismantling the Department of Education Show Notes:...
Nov 21, 2025•1 hr 19 min
Andy Mills, host of The Last Invention podcast, joins Dispatch CTO Steve Hayes to discuss the artificial intelligence revolution, the competing visions of utopia among the tech bros, and where AI will take us next. The Agenda: —The great conspiracy theory of our time —Understanding AI, AGI, and ASI —Alan Turing and the birth of AI —The Cold War’s influence on AI —Race against China —Where is the bipartisan policy? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Nov 17, 2025•1 hr 41 min
Mike Warren is joined by Megan McArdle, Sarah Isgur, and Jonah Goldberg to discuss the end of the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, what we’ve learned from the latest Epstein files drop, and the debate over postliberalism currently raging in the conservative movement. The Agenda: —Who won the shutdown? — Donald Trump’s approval rating —The latest Epstein files —“The dog that hasn’t barked” —Do scandals matter? —The postliberal divide —Why you don't want a factory job — Not Worth Your ...
Nov 14, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Michael Warren speaks with Mike Cosper, host of the podcasts Devil and the Deep Blue Sea and The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill , to discuss ideological shifts in mass shootings, extremism among young conservative men, and the role of figures like Nick Fuentes and Tucker Carlson in shaping narratives. The Agenda: — The Great Unbundling of Humanity —The rise of ideological mass shootings —Nick Fuentes and his influence —Christian Zionism and its implications —The future of the American church The Dis...
Nov 10, 2025•55 min
Steve Hayes is joined by Megan McArdle, Jonah Goldberg, and Mike Warren to discuss the level of Tucker Carlson-philia displayed by Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts and what it means for the right moving forward. The Agenda: —Democrats steal November 4 elections — Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts tries to clean up his mess — Groyper staffers are a problem —Jonah is not unc! — Dick Cheney: Misunderstood legacy — The curious case of Sean Dunn —NWYT: best sandwiches Show Notes:...
Nov 07, 2025•1 hr 35 min
Steve Hayes invites seasoned conservative Tim Chapman , president of Advancing American Freedom, to discuss the controversy surrounding Tucker Carlson’s recent interview of Nick Fuentes, the current state of the conservative movement, and the impact of populism on the political landscape. The Agenda: —A crisis of consciousness —Populism and the New Right — Nick Fuentes is not a good person —What happened to the Heritage Foundation? —Politicos are too online —Where are the principled conservative...
Nov 03, 2025•56 min
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Kevin Williamson, and Megan McArdle to discuss the strength of the current U.S. economy, the prospect of an A.I. bubble, and President Donald Trump’s recent trip through Asia. The Agenda: —How's the economy doing? —The A.I. bubble — Why presidents can’t save the economy —American investor confidence —Bonzo goes to Busan —Losing the trade war with China —Trump’s gifted crown — NWYT: Grade inflation at Harvard Show Notes: — Amazon blog post on layoffs The D...
Oct 31, 2025•1 hr 26 min
Steve Hayes interviews Jonathan Karl and our very own executive editor, Declan Garvey, about Karl's new book Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign That Changed America , which delves into Donald Trump’s 2024 political campaign. The three discuss insights from Steve Bannon’s prison experience, the decisions behind ending President Joe Biden’s campaign, and the authenticity crisis in modern politics. The Agenda: —The process of writing Retribution and key interviews —Bannon prison experiment ...
Oct 27, 2025•1 hr 17 min
Join newly minted Dispatch contributor Megan McArdle as she joins Steve Hayes, Jonah Goldberg, and David French to discuss the Trump administration’s strikes against alleged drug runners in Latin America, the confusing messaging over Russia and Ukraine in the space of one week, and the freak out over the East Wing remodel. The Agenda: —Some good news and bad news —Breaking down Article II —Reading the Trump tea leaves on the Russia-Ukraine conflict — White House East Wing remodel and billionaire...
Oct 24, 2025•1 hr 28 min
Steve Hayes is joined by John McCormack, Mike Warren, and Grayson Logue to discuss their recent reporting for The Dispatch on vaccine skepticism , immigration enforcement in Chicago , and Pam Bondi’s Department of Justice . The Agenda: —Pediatricians and vaccine refusal —2014 measles outbreak —ICE in Chicago —'Operation Midway Blitz' —Climate of fear —Pam Bondi at the DOJ —Young Republicans chat Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Oct 20, 2025•1 hr 12 min
Steve Hayes, Jonah Goldberg, Kevin Williamson, and Megan McArdle discuss the Trump administration’s planned bailout for farmers, ICE agents’ aggressive tactics, and Jonah’s fight against the cat lobby. The Agenda: —Steve Hayes’ farmer arc —Bailout on the way? — ICE, ICE, no baby —Trump is not Hitler, but he is Juan Perón —‘Hitler could have gotten rid of Obamacare.’ —NWYT: The best pieces of their career Show Notes: — Jonah Goldberg: To Hell with You People — Kevin Williamson: Zombie Dick Gephar...
Oct 17, 2025•1 hr 26 min
Steve Hayes is joined by C-SPAN CEO Sam Feist to discuss the state of news media and how C-SPAN’s new show might offer a way forward. The Agenda: —News consumption in 2025 —Being a “clinician” — C-SPAN’s “Ceasefire” —Challenging the consumer —Camera’s in Washington —C-SPAN’s funding —How C-SPAN is different The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The D...
Oct 13, 2025•50 min
The OG crew—Steve Hayes, Jonah Goldberg, Sarah Isgur, and David French—discuss President Donald Trump’s diplomatic efforts on Israel and Gaza, the violent text messages from Virginia attorney general candidate Jay Jones, and Attorney General Pam Bondi’s performance during a congressional hearing earlier this week. The Agenda: —Is the Gaza war finally over? —Right-wing antisemites —Should the Nobel Peace Prize be awarded to the IDF? — Mary Katherine Hamm presents her case — Former Dispatch report...
Oct 10, 2025•1 hr 27 min
Kevin Williamson is joined by Phillip Rossetti, a contributor to the new Dispatch Energy newsletter and fellow at the R Street Institute. The two dive into the “Abundance” movement and why some traditionally pro-regulation Democrats are rethinking their stance and finding common ground with free-market advocates. Show Notes: — Philip for Dispatch Energy: “ The Advent of the ‘Abundance’ Movement” — Subscribe to our new Dispatch Energy newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.f...
Oct 06, 2025•59 min
Steve Hayes is joined by Kevin Williamson, Jonah Goldberg, and Mike Warren to discuss the gathering of generals at Quantico earlier this week, debate who is to blame for the government shutdown, and dive into the controversy surrounding a comedic festival in Saudi Arabia. The Agenda: — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's performance — Blame the Democrats? —Kevin and Newt Gingrich are kindred spirits —Saudi Arabia: just for laughs? —NWYT: Grilled cheese and comfort foods The Dispatch Podcast is a pro...
Oct 03, 2025•1 hr 24 min
Jonathan Martin, senior political columnist at POLITICO , joins Steve Hayes to discuss President Donald Trump’s retribution campaign and the Democratic Party’s messy coalition of convenience that doesn’t stand for anything ideologically. The Agenda: —The role of Trump’s inner circle —Sen. Ted Cruz’s political calculations —Election integrity concerns —The future of Trump’s legal battles — Kamala Harris has nothing to say on what Dems should stand for on policy Show Notes: — Jonathan ’ s column o...
Sep 29, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, David French, and Mike Warren to discuss President Donald Trump’s recent shift on Ukraine and how the MAGA movement might respond to it before revisiting ABC’s brief suspension of Jimmy Kimmel. The Agenda: —Russia’s rising aggression —The situation on the Ukrainian frontline —MAGA’s response —Trump’s U.N . speech —Free speech under the Trump administration —Trump's Department of Justice —Jimmy Kimmel update — Comey indictment —NWYT: Being a dumb child Sho...
Sep 26, 2025•1 hr 35 min
Kevin Williamson sits down with Adam Lankford, professor of criminology and criminal justice at the University of Alabama , to delve into the complex factors behind mass violence and ideological killings—from video games and social media to sexual frustrations and extremist ideologies. The Agenda: — Trends in mass shootings —Performative nature of violence —The role of ideology in mass violence —The impact of video games — Incels and femcels —Policy suggestions The Dispatch Podcast is a producti...
Sep 22, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Steve Hayes, Kevin Williamson, Sarah Isgur, and Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle discuss the Trump administration’s attempted crackdown on free speech following the assassination of Charlie Kirk before digging into the details of a new TikTok “deal.”Plus: Is fall the best season, or overrated? The Agenda — Jimmy Kimmel gets suspended —The role of the Federal Communications Commission —Obama administration vs. Trump administration on free speech —‘LOL nothing matters’ —TikTok dilemma —Why ...
Sep 19, 2025•1 hr 12 min
AI is racing ahead. Regulation? Not so much. Kevin Williamson talks with Adam Thierer, senior fellow at the R Street Institute, about the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence. They dive into the policy fights shaping its future, the role of Big Tech, and how AI could reshape global competition. The Agenda: —Defining AI —Hardware vs. software —Economic and geopolitical implications of AI —Job replacement concerns —Tech skeptics Show Notes: — Defending Technological Dynamism & Th...
Sep 15, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Political activist Charlie Kirk’s tragic and shocking assassination at Utah Valley University on Wednesday has sparked an outpouring of grief, anxiety, and recriminations over how we arrived at this moment. Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Kevin Williamson, David French, and Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle to unpack what we know (and don’t) about the murder, discuss how we should think about this political moment, and explore how we can step back from the brink. The Agenda: —Prol...
Sep 12, 2025•1 hr 2 min
In a battle of flagship podcasts, Steve Hayes invites Sarah Isgur to share her biggest takeaways from her interview with Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Then, listen in as the Advisory Opinions crew speaks with ACB about the strengths and limitations of originalism, insights from her new book , and her writing style. The Agenda: —Sarah’s takeaways —Lightning round! —Give up, “equity docket,” David —Do oral arguments even matter anymore? —All about originalism —Life as a Justice Antonin ...
Sep 09, 2025•57 min
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, David French, and Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle to discuss the chaotic fiefdoms within the Trump administration, from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s tenure atop the Department of Health and Human Services to Kash Patel’s leadership of the FBI. Plus: How is The Dispatch crew thinking about artificial intelligence? The Agenda: — Firing Dr. Susan Monarez — The GOP divide over anti-establishment figures — How we got to the point of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. le...
Sep 05, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Steve Hayes, Jonah Goldberg, Sarah Isgur, and Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle debate whether Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Donald Trump exhibit similar authoritarian tendencies, discuss the role of elites in democracies, and explore the Democratic Party’s ongoing identity crisis. The Agenda: —Trump’s first and second terms —Can the president do whatever he wants? —Historical context of presidential power —Weak democracies and crisis —Is this all our fault? — The future of Democrat...
Aug 29, 2025•1 hr 24 min
In Jamie Weinstein’s final Dispatch Interview Podcast, he invites Matt Lewis, podcaster and columnist for the Los Angeles Times , to grade President Donald Trump's foreign policy, national security, and economic policy objectives. The Agenda: —The raid of John Bolton’s house —The new three legs of conservatism —D.C. crime and the national guard — California Gov. Gavin Newsom ’ s trolling —Who will be the presidential candidates for the 2028 election? The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The D...
Aug 25, 2025•50 min
Steve Hayes invites Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and famed New York Times columnist David French to discuss the latest in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and dive into the ingredients for a potential financial collapse. The Agenda: — Post-Alaska analysis —Tease 'em, goad 'em, kill ‘em —Security guarantees —We're in debt! —Tariff rebates — NWYT: Backer inners Show Notes : — Listen to Kevin Williamson's interview with Tim Mak on Ukraine —Read Kenneth Rogoff's Foreign Affairs article on the debt cris...
Aug 22, 2025•1 hr 14 min
Tim Mak, Dispatch contributor and founder of The Counteroffensive , joins Kevin Williamson to discuss the details of President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladamir Putin in Alaska. The Agenda: —Life in Kyiv amidst war —Analyzing the outcomes of the summit —Trump’s “diplomatic” approaches —The fragmentation of European unity —Mak’s reporting on human interest stories in Ukraine Show Notes: — Tim Mak's piece for The Dispatch on war machines The Dispatch Podcast is a production of...
Aug 18, 2025•43 min
Steve Hayes returns to the host chair, joined by coastal elitists Jonah Goldberg, Michael Warren, and Megan McArdle to discuss a wild week in Washington. The Agenda: —The crime debate in D.C. — Shifting toward state capitalism —Does the GOP even believe in free markets anymore? —Best- and worst-case scenarios from the Trump-Putin summit —The DC's 4H has to be pretty modest The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch , a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a...
Aug 15, 2025•1 hr 20 min
