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The Ricochet Podcast

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Weekly episodes of Ricochet’s flagship podcast feature our hosts James Lileks, Steve Hayward, Charles C. W. Cooke, and guests discussing the issues of the week.

Listen to The Ricochet Podcast, along with more than 40 other original podcasts, at Ricochet.com. No paid subscription required.
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Episodes

Comrades In Arms

Direct link to MP3 file This week, Mollie Hemingway sits in for Peter, and of course we cover Syria, the Russians, and the President. Then, we’re joined by authors Tevi Troy and Rod Dreher. Tevi discusses his new book What Jefferson Read, Ike Watched, and Obama Tweeted: 200 Years of Popular Culture in the White House. Later Rod Dreher discusses his piece Story Lines, Not Party Lines and the dearth... Source

Sep 12, 20131 hr 18 minEp. 181

American Wonk with Avik Roy

Avik Roy and Manhattan Institute colleague Yevgeniy Feyman discuss their new interactive map, published at Forbes, which explores the impact of Obamacare on the cost of health insurance in every U.S. state plus D.C. Source

Sep 07, 201345 min

The Military Option

Direct link to MP3 file This week on the podcast, we parse the Syrian question with experts on both the Middle East and the political perspective. The Hoover Institution’s Fouad Ajami explains why we should take action, and National Review’s political correspondent, Robert Costa, examines the the political implications and how the Republican vote will play out. Finally, the topic that the hosts... Source

Sep 04, 20131 hr 24 minEp. 180

Summer's End

Direct link to MP3 file It’s our last podcast of the summer and to mark the change of season, we’ve reunited the crew after their far-flung vacations and adventures.This week, we answer the burning questions of the day: Is Rob Long actually a gift from God? What in Pharaoh’s name is going on in Egypt? What’s the deal with Chris Christie? And finally, will California change Paul Rahe or will Paul... Source

Aug 21, 20131 hr 9 minEp. 179

The Newspaper Rules

Direct link to MP3 file This week, Rob and James are cruising but their deck shoes are more than filled by Ricochet editor Mollie Hemingway. She and Peter discuss traditional households and the effect the ever changing culture has on them. Then, The Weekly Standard’s Phillip Terzian joins to discuss the sale of the Washington Post to Jeff Bezos. Later, we’re joined by Baseball Crank blogger Dan... Source

Aug 09, 20131 hr 14 minEp. 178

The Selfie

Direct link to MP3 file We get wordy and reflective this week with our guests, authors Andrew Klavan and C.J. Box. Of course, we talk about Weiners, wives, and the death of shame, but also some insight into the work habits of writers, James meets a radio legend, and Rob discusses his alleged coarsening of the culture. Andrew Klavan’s new book A Killer in the Wind is available here. C.J. Source

Jul 25, 20131 hr 6 minEp. 177

We're So Baked

Direct link to MP3 file We’re down one host this week (Lileks is on assignment), but it’s a super-sized edition of The Ricochet Podcast, clocking in at almost 90 minutes of chat time. This week on the podcast, Ricochet contributor Matthew Hennessey on that Rolling Stone cover, religion in daily life, living in a bubble with four kids, and why he shouldn’t be driving. Then, SCTV legend (and former... Source

Jul 18, 20131 hr 30 minEp. 176

Get Me My Glasses

Direct link to MP3 file This week on the world famous Ricochet Podcast, City Journal editor Brian Anderson on the state of California and his new book The Beholden State: California’s Lost Promise and How to Recapture It) , immigration, the Zimmerman trial, the worst President ever, and, Rob is aging, and live on the air, Lileks gets some coffee! Now, this is podcasting Music from this week’s... Source

Jul 11, 201355 minEp. 175

Independence Day

Direct link to MP3 file This week on the podcast, James and Peter talk Egyptian politics and culture with Hoover’s Fouad Ajami (read his WSJ Op-Ed piece here) and later, the Zimmerman trial and immigration reform with the WSJLive’s (and Ricochet’s newest contributor) Mary Kissel. What does the Zimmerman trial say about the current state of race relations? And what of the immigration bill currently... Source

Jul 03, 20131 hr 8 minEp. 174

Enforce The Law

Direct link to MP3 file This week, Peter Robinson returns with tales of the east, a fervent debate on the complications of the Supreme Court’s DOMA ruling, North Dakota Senator John Hoeven joins to discuss immigration (and is later abruptly cut off due to technical difficulties), and a raucous debate on the issue amongst the podcasters. Also, are we willingly giving up too many rights or are they... Source

Jun 27, 20131 hr 11 minEp. 173

Lesson From Lincoln

Direct link to MP3 file This week, Rich Lowry, National Review Editor and author of Lincoln Unbound: How an Ambitious Young Railsplitter Saved the American Dream–and How We Can Do It Again sits in for the perpetually vacationing Peter Robinson to discuss his new book, the NSA, the IRS, and a host of other 3 letter acronyms. Also, is Edward Snowden a hero or a traitor? Can Honest Abe resurrect the... Source

Jun 14, 20131 hr 3 minEp. 172

Listen Up

Lots to talk about this week, and we have the guests who are more than up to the task (Troy Senik is sitting in for Peter): Michael Barone, the dean of American political journalism, joins to discuss the scandals, the state of immigration, Minnesota politics, and, yes, even 2016. Then, our pal Claire Berlinski (follow her on Twitter here) calls in from Istanbul to give us a boots-on-the-ground... Source

Jun 07, 20131 hr 23 minEp. 171

Taking The Fifth

Direct link to MP3 file This week on the one and only Ricochet Podcast, Peter is MIA, but Rob and James soldier on in style with guests AEI President Arthur Brooks (read his WSJ op-ed The GOP’s Hispanic Opening) and The Weekly Standard’s Mark Hemingway on the IRS scandal. Also, we ponder whether taking the fifth always implies guilt, and Lileks v. Buzzfeed. We bet they’re going to regret taking... Source

May 24, 20131 hr 15 minEp. 169

Texas, Taxes, and Scandals

Direct link to mp3 file It’s another action-packed edition of the Ricochet Podcast, as we’re joined by Texas governor Rick Perry and National Review columnist and author Kevin Williamson. The governor explains why he won’t accept federal heath care dollars, why the President has come to his state twice in the past month, and what the immigration issue looks like from the perspective of a border... Source

May 17, 20131 hr 20 minEp. 168

Cookies and Underwear

This week, The Washington Examiner’s Byron York on Benghazi and immigration, Rob correctly ID’s a blintz and assails the lickspittle press, Peter orders some unmentionables online, and James keeps the whole show on track. In other word, a normal week. Music from this week’s show: Underwear by Pulp The Ricochet Podcast opening theme was composed and produced by James Lileks. Boxers or briefs... Source

May 10, 20131 hr 10 minEp. 167

Modern Men

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (visit his site, Gingrich Productions) stops by to discuss disruptive technology, rail against big government, celebrate the rise of the states, examine the future of education, and suggest how to get Congress to promote entrepreneurs. And, of course, he also has a few thoughts on where the party goes from here. Then, National Review’s Bob Costa on the Ted... Source

May 02, 20131 hr 9 minEp. 166

Just Over The Border

This week we’re all about The Big Issues. First, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus stops by to talk about how we get back to the business of winning elections — yes, we can! Better organization, better messaging, and more sophisticated databases. Then, our hosts take center stage for a rousing conversation on immigration and yes, gay marriage. Our thanks to Ricochet member GayFreedomLover for his post A... Source

Apr 25, 20131 hr 20 minEp. 165

Boston

This week on the podcast, we’re, of course, all about Boston. Also, our own Mollie Hemingway on the media and the Gosnell trial and National Review’s Andrew McCarthy on Boston, the investigation, and what comes next. Also, what happens if the perp is right wing, the Thatcher funeral, and high fives all around. Music from this week’s show: Dirty Water by The Standells You’re a wicked pissah, EJHill. Source

Apr 18, 20131 hr 19 minEp. 164

The Iron Lady

This week on the podcast, we take a look back at Margaret Thatcher with someone who knew and worked with her: the great John O’Sullivan. We discuss her policies, how she changed Britain, her relationship with this country and with Ronald Reagan, and the country Great Britain would be without her. Then, Mark Krikorian checks in to discuss immigration and what the Republican response and strategy... Source

Apr 12, 20131 hr 22 minEp. 163

Prager, Wilson, and Jaws

This week on the podcast, a double shot of big guests. First, our old pal Dennis Prager stops by for some cogent views on SSM, religion, and why it’s important to link and fight for both. Then, Ricochet contributor Rick Wilson gives perhaps a more pragmatic view on the issue from the perspective of someone whose job it is to win elections. Who is right? Tell us in the comments. Also... Source

Apr 05, 20131 hr 16 minEp. 162

Sowell Men

Do you like good debates about politics and policy? All right, then we’ve got a podcast for you. This week on The Ricochet Podcast, Rob and Peter (Lileks was temporarily banished by the Skype gods) get into a crackling debate on a progressive’s advice to conservatives (thanks, virus cop!). What do you think the great Republican achievements over the past 40 years have been? Tell us in the comments... Source

Mar 29, 20131 hr 16 minEp. 161

Angry Birds

This week, we’re all over the place. First, Fouad Ajami joins to discuss the 10th anniversary of the Iraq war. Was it worth it? Fouad says yes. Tell us what you think in the comments. Then Obama in Israel, Pat Caddell on the scourge of political consultants, Peter Robinson outs himself as an unabashed Rick Santorum supporter, and a crackling conversation on the role of video games in the... Source

Mar 22, 20131 hr 12 minEp. 160

Habemus CPAC

We’re live from CPAC this week, as we cover all the news and controversy from the conference with Troy Senik, our man on the ground in Maryland, and Keith Urbahn, one of the most plugged in members of the movement. Also, a franc (pun intended) discussion on French dogs, and we go around the horn on the new Pope. Music from this week’s show: Spirit In The Sky by Norman Greenbaum We devoutly thank... Source

Mar 14, 20131 hr 5 minEp. 159

Filibuster!

After a brief hiatus, the Ricochet Podcast returns this week with our old friends Pat Sajak and Mickey Kaus. We talk filibusters, drones, that dinner with the President, democracy Twitter-style, the benefits of free online courses, sequestration, immigration, and tax cuts. It’s a veritable verbal verisimilitude of vocal viscosity — in other words, our own homegrown filibuster. Music from this week’... Source

Mar 07, 20131 hr 4 minEp. 158

It's A Beautiful Day

This week on The Ricochet Podcast, social conservatives make their case to Rob, Haley Barbour makes his case for a new party coalition, Victor Davis Hanson is optimistic about the future and schools us in the finer points of pistachio farming, Lileks defends cruising, and Peter is under the weather. Still, it’s a sweet day for a podcast. Music from this week’s show: It’s A Beautiful Morning by The... Source

Feb 21, 20131 hr 7 minEp. 157

Not Much Love

It’s action packed post-State of the Union podcast. We chat with GOP rising star Artur Davis on the President’s speech, the GOP response, and how to attract more minorities to the party. Then, an actual President for a change: Hillsdale College’s Dr. Larry Arnn joins to discuss the Constitution, the rising cost of higher ed, and whether online education really is the future. Finally... Source

Feb 14, 20131 hr 5 minEp. 156

The Party of The Future

This week on The Ricochet Podcast, Lileks is MIA with Skype issues, but we soldier on without him as we ponder nothing less than the future of the party and the nation at large. Our guests are RNC Chairman Reince Priebus and Red State.com’s Erick Erickson. It’s an honest, self-critical, and perhaps even hopeful conversation about where we’ve been and where we’re going. Let us know what you think... Source

Feb 07, 20131 hr 2 minEp. 155

Silent Cal

This week on the Ricochet Podcast, Dr. Walter Russell Mead joins to discuss U.S. foreign policy. Then, author Amity Shlaes discusses her important new biography Coolidge. Also, Peter Robinson on the burdens of writing a Big Book, Rob Long reports on what he saw in DC, and James Lileks covers and an important legal dilemma ongoing in Minnesota. All that and more and just a click away. Source

Feb 01, 20131 hr 16 minEp. 154

Who's The Homer?

Inauguration blues, liberalism coming on strong, Roe v. Wade is 40: what to do, what to do? Our guests Fox News contributor and talk radio host Monica Crowley and Ricochet’s own Mollie Hemingway help sort through the low points and show us the way forward. Also, Peter asks a burning question late in the show that we ask you to answer in the comments: What Simpsons character best captures each of... Source

Jan 24, 20131 hr 16 minEp. 153

Guns and Vicodins

It’s another super-sized edition of the podcast with our guests The Weekly Standard‘s Andy Ferguson and The Washington Free Beacon’s Matt Continetti. We cover James’ dental adventures, Lance Armstrong, guns and the Chicago way, dueling Nixons, Republicans adrift, and Zero Dark Thirty. Music from this week’s episode: Bicycle Race by Queen The Ricochet Podcast opening theme was composed and produced... Source

Jan 17, 20131 hr 20 minEp. 152
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