A little more than 6 years ago on a rainy day in the back room of a bungalow in Venice, California, we recorded the first Ricochet Podcast on an old school MacBook. The cast has changed slightly since then, but through one and a half Presidential cycles, two mid-terms, countless culture wars, good guests, bad guests, Skype glitches, and even bad weather, we have persevered. So it’s with great... Source
This week, some insight into the TV viewing habits of your favorite podcasters, followed by the very smart opinions of Wall Street Journal Opinion Page Editor Bret Stephens. Then, #NeverTrump progenitor and founder of The Resurgent Erick Erickson stops by to make the case (as if we needed the help) as to why Trump cannot be allowed to win the White House. Also, Lazy_Millennial‘s post Bernie: The... Source
Well, it’s another week that we must bring you yet another sobering meditation on the state of the Grand Old Party. Today, the Wall Street Journal’s Dan Henninger stops by to discuss his recent column Obama’s Greatest Triumph (it’s paywalled, but the gist is that The president is “is now close to destroying his political enemies—the Republican Party, the American conservative movement and the... Source
Another week, another set of brand name guests to debate the issues of the day. This week, first up is Karl Rove who stops by the discuss his terrific new book, The Triumph of William McKinley: Why the Election of 1896 Still Matters. How is an election held a 120 years ago relevant today. “The Architect” spills the beans. Then, our old friend David Limbaugh (AKA El Rushbro) cruises by to educate... Source
This week, we bring you two very different views of the current state of the Republican Party courtesy of two of the smartest observers we could find. First, former RNC chair and Mississippi governor Haley Barbour stops by to remind us to be adults and remember that Donald Trump will be a better president than Hillary Clinton. But later, the great Charles Murray (read his incredible essay “Trump’s... Source
This week’s podcast is a large as the plains that our guest, Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE) hails from. We go from Trump, to party loyalties, to Rubio vs. Cruz, to remembering Nancy Reagan, Camille Paglia, and more. With the Senator, we delve into his very public argument against Donald Trump as the party standard bearer, why he’s a conservative, and the upcoming battle over the next Supreme Court... Source
As we recorded this week’s podcast, Mitt Romney was giving the stem-winding speech of his life in Utah against the candidacy of Donald Trump. We cover that in real time with our guest Rick Wilson. Prior to that, our old friend and Ricochet Super Fan, Purdue University President Mitch Daniels stops by to talk about political correctness on campus and throw some light in the state of the country at... Source
A few times a year, we take break from guests and the news cycle and throw the floor open to you, our valued Ricochet members. Even with one man down, we take on favorite trees, the election, best books, and a plethora of other topics. Thanks to all who submitted questions. We’ll do this again in the summer. Music from this week’s episode: What Do You Mean? by Justin Bieber The opening sequence... Source
We’re all over the galaxy this week with our guests The Federalist’s Ben Domenech and Ricochet’s own Saturday Night Science guy himself, the always awesome anonymous. Ben stops by to discuss the unpredictable election cycle and throw some shade The Donald (you comment, we listen). Then, we get our wonk on with anonymous who explains gravitation waves (we were told there’d be no math on this... Source
Let’s get right to the point: we’ve got Larry Kudlow (shameless plug: listen to Kudlow and Pawlenty’s Money & Politics podcast) who may or may not be the next Senator from Connecticut to school on why Donald Trump ought to be taken seriously and other matters both political and economic, followed by the great Michael Barone, who joins us from the side of the road in South Carolina. Source
We’re into the meat of the primary season now, so the time for talk is over — it’s time for action! Unless you produce a podcast — then we need more talk. And this week, we bring you two of the best talkers in the biz: the great John O’Sullivan and Fox News analyst and columnist and editor for The Washington Times Monica Crowley. We talk Ted, Trump, Bernie, Hillary, and yes, even some folk music. Source
This week, we settle all family business (so the saying goes) as after 18 months of jabbering about the election, voters in Iowa are actually going to the polls. To get the best insight into this long awaited event, we go to two experts actually at Ground Zero, aka Des Moines. The Washington Examiner’s Byron York weighs in on the race and National Review editor Rich Lowry describes the aftermath... Source
After a week off, we’re back and putting our best foot forward with guests Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) and our good friend and podcaster Professor Richard Epstein. The Senator talks to us about Iran, Guantanamo, and his controversial “endorsement” of Bernie Sanders. Speaking of Sanders, our hosts explain why they admire him and wish Republicans would emulate him. Yes, you read that right. Later... Source
Welcome to 2016, faithful podcast listeners. We start off the year strongly with two of our most popular guests: the great Victor Davis Hanson and the no less great Andrew Klavan. There’s lots of talk about warriors ancient and modern, some Trump, some Europe. Even some talk about the current crop of movies. But seriously, no spoilers. A few links related to this show: Victor Davis Hanson’s The... Source
Hey, it’s our last show of the year and we go out with a jump to hyperspace as Rob has already seen Star Wars: The Force Awakens, much to James’ chagrin. We also discuss the debates, the upcoming primaries, some of our favorite member posts from 2015, and more. Thanks for a great year and Merry Christmas to everyone. We’ll see you in 2016. Music from this week’s episode: Christmas (Baby Please... Source
Current events have you pulling your hair out? We’ve got some audio Rogaine for you: Niall Ferguson, author of the newly published biography of Henry Kissinger stops by to give us some perspective on terrorism and international relations. Then, our good pal Larry Kudlow (you listen to his podcast, don’t you?) joins the show to give some perspective on his friend The Donald, the state of the... Source
In the wake of the shooting in San Bernardino, we get into the “thoughts and prayers” debate that broke out last night after the NY Daily News published its provocative front page. Then, Dinesh D’Souza joins to discuss his new book Stealing America: What My Experience with Criminal Gangs Taught Me about Obama, Hillary, and the Democratic Party and get into detail about his experiences while... Source
Last week’s podcast concluded just before the attacks in Paris began, so this week, we’ve assembled a couple of guests who can help us make sense of it all and divine what response the U.S. should make both the terrorists and the refugees soon to be arriving en masse. Herb Meyer served during the Reagan Administration as Special Assistant to the Director of Central Intelligence and Vice Chairman... Source
Because we have to, we spend an inordinate amount of time discussing the recent events at college campuses around the country. Luckily, we have a Yale grad on the show to help us parse all of the cruel injustices taking place in New Haven. Then, the Mad Dog himself, National Review’s Kevin Williamson joins to discuss his new Encounter Broadside The Case Against Trump. Finally, all the way from... Source
In a recent post, Ricochet member anonymous posits that the U.S. has become “an unserious country.” Today, we do our best to dispel that notion just a bit (despite the disturbing image above from EJHill) with our guests economist Russ Roberts from the Hoover Institution as well as his legendary EconTalk podcast and Fox News chief Washington correspondent James Rosen (read his new book Cheney One... Source
Got a post-debate hangover? We’ve got the cure with this week’s installment of the world-famous Ricochet Podcast. On deck for today’s installment: Ricochet Editor-In-Chief Jon Gabriel sits in for James Lileks and we welcome two powerhouse guests — Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) who recaps the debate, the House, Iran, and yes, mayonnaise. And then, our old pal David Limbaugh checks in with another... Source
This week on the podcast, we recap last night’s Democratic debate with the help of guests Byron York from the Washington Examiner and Hoover’s (and Ricochet’s) Bill Whalen. Who won, who lost, who will never be heard from again, and who we wish would just go away. Also, Lileks reviews The Martian, and Long reviews Hamilton, the hot new Broadway musical. Spoiler alert: both are raves. Source
It’s not often we get the chance to cover breaking news on the Ricochet Podcast, but as we were recording the show this morning, the news that Kevin McCarthy was dropping out of the race for Speaker came across the series of tubes and our team provides instant commentary that you can use in the office, on the Stair Master, walking the dog, or where ever it is that you listen to the show (tell us... Source
It’s always good when when our friend Dr. Thomas Sowell stops by to impart some of his wisdom and common sense and this visit is no different. We talk economics (read his new book Wealth, Poverty & Politics: An International Perspective), Ben Carson, yes, even a bit about that candidate who shall to be named. Also, those Planned Parenthood videos and Cary Fiorina’s response, and finally, are Rob... Source
This week, the Pope is in town — there’s a lot to say about that and we do, pretty much in real time as it’s happening (shout out to Ricochet member Egg Man for providing updates in the chat room). Later in the podcast, a very special announcement concerning Ricochet and Jon Gabriel (no, we’re not getting married — but close). But first, our good friend and fellow podcaster Jay Nordlinger stops by... Source
Google, YouTube, and National Review present a discussion with the campaign managers of the 2016 season moderated by Rich Lowry, editor of National Review. Discussion participants include John Brabender (Rick Santorum), Chip Englander (Rand Paul), Terry Sullivan (Marco Rubio), Danny Diaz (Jeb Bush), and Barry Bennett (Ben Carson). You can also watch the video of the event here... Source
Debate number two is in the history books now, and to help us parse all the performances we call on two experts: Michael Barone and Rick Wilson. Who won, who lost, who scored and who fumbled? All questions answered within. Also, whither Scott Walker? And, We’re Number 1! Music from this week’s episode: King For a Day by XTC The opening sequence for the Ricochet Podcast was composed and produced by... Source
This week, our old friend and proto-podcaster Mark Steyn returns to the fold to discuss his terrific new book Disgrace to the Profession. In the addition to the book, we also cover Trump (of course), Mark’s neighbor, Bernie Sanders; the dissing of President McKinley, water levels in Alaska, and an update on Steyn vs. Mann. Yep, we got the band back together. Music from this week’s episode: Get... Source
A couple of times a year, we assemble our far flung editorial staff (that’s Troy Senik, Jon Gabriel, Claire Berlinski, and Tom Meyer) on the Ricochet Podcast and let them riff on the issues of the day and give some dap to their favorite Ricochet member posts of the recent past. And in this, the last show of the Summer of Trump®, that’s exactly what we’ve done. Spoiler alert: Lileks checks in from... Source
As promised, this week we present a debate on what popularly known as anchor babies — the idea that any child born in the U.S.A is automatically a U.S. citizen no matter what the immigration status of the parents may be. Our debaters: Constitutional law professor and Ricochet podcast host John Yoo and author, lawyer, and columnist Ann Coulter. Not much else to say about this show except do the... Source
