The Social Contract with Joe Walsh - podcast cover

The Social Contract with Joe Walsh

America, we gotta get back to doing what's expected of us as free citizens in this democracy. That means being tolerant, being respectful, staying informed, and being engaged. I'm former Congressman Joe Walsh. Follow me here and join the millions of Americans who are renewing their social contract with each other. The social contract. It's on us.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

We Vehemently Disagree On Elon’s New Party. So We Sat Down

Former CNN and Fox anchor Dave Briggs applauds Elon Musk for trying to launch a brand new political party and would eagerly jump on board to join him in the effort if asked. I think Elon Musk is an utterly horrible human being, this new party is just a vanity project for him, and I wouldn’t want a thing to do with it. So Dave and I did what two people who disagree should do. We sat down and had a conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jul 10, 202550 min

Lies, Lunacy, & Losers

The only important takeaway from this whole Epstein business is that Trump and the rest of them lied. They lied to their followers about a big conspiracy. And now they’ve been caught in that lie. Also, Trump doesn’t know who ordered the pause in aid to Ukraine. If Biden…never mind. And finally, the Governor of Texas doesn’t know who the real losers are. All that today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 09, 202531 min

Elon Musk Is A Bad Guy

So Elon Musk is launching a third party, huh? One of those most dishonest, divisive people in the world is launching a 3rd party? The guy who, more than anyone else, got Trump elected? He’s starting a 3rd party? Oh that sounds like something I’d love to be a part of. How about you? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 08, 202524 min

It’s Up To Democrats To Make Republicans Pay A Big Political Price For This Big Ugly Bill

The big, ugly bill is gonna pass. And the wealthy will get huge tax breaks, and working class Americans will lose health care and food assistance, immigrants will be cruelly harassed, and the debt will increase by trillions. Republicans must pay a political price in 2026 for what they’re doing right now. But it will be up to Democrats to make that case. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 03, 202521 min

Understanding Gen Z: A Conversation

I sat down with Rachel Janfanza, founder of The Up and Up, an organization dedicated to young voters in America. Fascinating conversation - what does Gen Z care about? Where are they at politically? How do they want to make a difference? Good stuff, give it a listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 02, 202545 min

A Conversation on Iran with Adam Kinzinger

Striking Iran's nuclear facilities might have been a good idea, but it would have been much better if there was a competent team in charge. Former Illinois Congressman Adam Kinzinger joined me to talk about it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 01, 202539 min

It’s A Big, Ugly Bill

Senate Republicans today look to advance a bill that gives tax breaks to the wealthy, cut health care & food assistance to the neediest among us, and adds trillions to the debt. How is that a beautiful bill? It isn’t. And…you can’t say you believe in freedom and say that billionaires shouldn’t exist. You just can’t. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 30, 202531 min

The Republican Party Embraces Fascism, And People Think The Democratic Party Is Messed Up?

Everyone seems to continue to just beat up on the Democratic Party, pile on how messed up and problematic the Democratic Party is. Ok. The Democratic Party has issues, but my former political party is an authoritarian embracing cult that’s given up on democracy and ignores the rule of law. So…WHICH party has issues? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 27, 202529 min

Trying To Figure Out What’s Really Happening (with Mike Madrid)

I sat down with one of the smartest political minds I know, Mike Madrid, to get at what happened in NYC Tuesday, what’s happening with the Democratic Party, what’s happening to our American institutions, and where this great experiment in democracy is heading. As only he can do, Madrid offered fascinating insights. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 26, 202553 min

Democrats Are Having Their Tea Party Moment

We all make too much out of off year and special elections, but this much is clear by now: the Democratic Party base is angry, fed up and feeling ignored by their party establishment. And they’re letting their party establishment know it. And hear it. This disruptive dynamic sounds so familiar to this former tea party guy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 25, 202536 min

This Is Not Who We Are

We’re detaining people in day care centers, schools, courthouses, places of work, parking lots, hospitals, etc, etc. we’re detaining veterans, wives of veterans, fathers of veterans, etc, etc. this is not who we are. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 24, 202530 min

Trump Is A Dangerous Idiot Who Can Never Be Trusted

No matter where you stand on what happened over the weekend in Iran, no matter where you stand on Israel, always know this basic truth: Donald Trump is a reckless, dangerous idiot who can’t be trusted. Ever. Our military knows that. And Israel knows that. His voters will learn that once again. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 23, 202532 min

It’s Not Just His Tariffs. Trump’s Deportations Are Wrecking Our Economy Too

Buckle up America. Not only is what Trump doing to immigrants stupid, cruel, divisive and un-American. It’s also gonna mess up our economy. Big time. Get ready to pay lots more at the grocery store for those peaches, that beef, and those onions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 20, 202532 min

Understanding Gen Z: A Conversation

I sat down with Rachel Janfanza, founder of The Up and Up, an organization dedicated to young voters in America. Fascinating conversation - what does Gen Z care about? Where are they at politically? How do they want to make a difference? Good stuff, give it a listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 19, 202543 min

What In God’s Name Are We Doing?

He fought alongside our troops in Afghanistan, he was a translator, he escaped the Taliban, he made it to our border, he entered America legally, he was attending his asylum hearing, and ICE snatched him and wants to send him back to the Taliban. What the hell are we doing? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 18, 202527 min

To My Fellow Democrats: Pull Up. It’s Time To Pull Up

My former friend and colleague Utah Senator Mike Lee sent out a gross, cruel, utterly insensitive post two days ago on the horrible Minnesota shootings. Well, Minnesota Senator Tina Smith didn’t look the other way or complain about what Lee did. She surprised him. And confronted him. There’s a lesson here for my new political party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 17, 202529 min

Stop With The Dangerous Partisanship. BOTH Sides Commit Political Violence

Upon hearing of the horrible politically motivated shootings in Minnesota over the weekend, damn near everyone instantly tried to prove the killer came from the “other side.” That’s all social media cared about all weekend. Not how horrible and tragic this event was, but rather looking only to score political points off of the killings. We have to be better than this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 16, 202531 min

Be Righteously Pissed Off This Weekend But Stay Peaceful

Quick hits this Friday: thank you Israel for once again doing the work of the free world; Kristi Noem said our military is going to overthrow the governments of Los Angeles and California; and, please ignore Trump’s Kim Jong Un parade tomorrow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 13, 202515 min

Trump, And Only Trump, Created All These Crises

The economy was doing really well when Trump was sworn in. And there were no trade wars when Trump was sworn in. And border crossings had been dropping precipitously for over a year when Trump was sworn in. There was no immigrant “invasion.” So if you think things are in crisis right now, then there’s only one person to blame - Trump. Am I right? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 12, 202530 min

June 14 Is No Kings Day. Find A Rally Near You

A conversation today with Ezra Levin, co founder of Indivisible (indivisible.org) one of the organizations behind the more than 1,800 No Kings rallies this Saturday, June 14th. Hear why it’s so damn important that millions and millions of us peacefully take to the streets this weekend to oppose the authoritarian in the White House. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 11, 202518 min

Abducting People in Home Depot & 7-Eleven Parking Lots. Not Who We Are

Trump immigration henchman Steven Miller last week demanded that ICE cops go to Home Depot and 7-Eleven parking lots to grab immigrants. And so they are. And this is what started the whole thing in Los Angeles last week. Is this really the kind of country we want to be? I don’t think so. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 10, 202529 min

Trump Desperately WANTS A Crisis. Don’t Give It To Him

What’s happening in Los Angeles right now, and what’s been happening for the past few days has made it crystal clear again that Trump is just itching to put the Marines on American streets against the American people. That’s his game plan. And that will be his game plan when he tries to cancel the 2026 midterms. Also, my conversations with the American people continue. This week, college students at the University of Delaware. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jun 09, 202535 min

A Conversation With A Friend Who Believes I Made A Mistake

I formally joined the Democratic Party this week. My friend and fellow political traveler Sophia Nelson thinks that was a mistake. Sophia is an author, speaker, and professor. So bcuz we disagree, we decided to have a conversation about it. I also ask her about “Redefining Freedom Center Of Virginia,” an exciting new organization she founded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 06, 202535 min

Policy Disagreements Are Okay. Disagreeing About Democracy Is Not

I gotta be honest, as a new Democrat, I don’t care that much right now about where we disagree on healthcare policy or border policy. We can figure all of that out down the road once we preserve our democracy, once we secure the rule of law. That makes sense, right? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 05, 202529 min

I’m Now A Democrat. And Republicans Are Still A Cowardly Mess

Yesterday, I uttered 3 words I never ever thought I would utter - “I’m A Democrat.” Why? Easy. Only one of our two political parties embraces freedom, democracy and the rule of law. And it’s not my former political party. So to best defeat my former political party, I became a Democrat. And btw…my former party is fighting with themselves again over that “big, beautiful” bill. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 04, 202522 min

It’s A Scary Time To Be A Jew In America

Once again, a violent act of antisemitism in America. Once again, Jews in America were targeted in an attempted terror attack. This is so wrong. No matter where you are on the situation in Gaza, every America must condemn what happened yesterday in Boulder, CO. And every American should stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 02, 202530 min

Elon Didn’t Do A Damn Thing About The Debt. But He Sure Destroyed Countless Lives

After 4 months, Elon is gone. Sort of. And what did DOGE accomplish? A lot of lives destroyed and a lot of starving and dead children around the world. But DOGE has had ZERO impact on the debt. ZERO impact. Also, a final look at my face to face conversation with Maze Jackson, black activist on Chicago’s South Side. Today…what about the black people? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 30, 202534 min

How This Country Got So Divided: A Black Man’s Perspective

Continuing my “face to face conversations across America” tour: South Side of Chicago with black activist Maze Jackson. His thoughts on our divide, he blames the tea party for a lot of it. And what do we do about the divide, the hate? Hint…it has to do with conversations. Having conversations. And giving grace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 29, 202531 min

Rahm Emanuel Is Right, and Rahm Emanuel is also Wrong

Rahm Emmanuel says the Democratic Brand is toxic. He’s right. But his answer is Dems must only talk about economic issues. He’s wrong. Also, yes, Trump lies all the time, but Democrats could also learn from him when it comes to accessibility. And…every day, we are disappearing people off of our streets. Without due process. That’s really wrong. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 28, 202535 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android