Trial Balloon - Free Version

Taegan Goddard and Chris Riback•trialballoon.fm

Rise above the political chatter with Trial Balloon, a new podcast from Chris Riback and Taegan Goddard. This is the free version. The paid version offers more episodes and a private feed. See trialballoon.fm for more information.

Last refreshed: August 16th, 2025 at 12:57 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

A Walk Down Memory Lane

Before Political Wire and before Chris Riback's Newsletter -- in the very early days of the internet -- there was Political Insider . Meanwhile, an economic civil war has broken out in the states. Links we discussed: Screenshot of Political Insider just after the 2000 presidential election. Other links: Taegan Goddard's Political Wire Chris Riback's Newsletter...

Mar 24, 2023•24 min•Ep. 8

Every Four Years We Discuss a Third Party

We evaluate the odds that a third party "Unity Ticket” might finally break through in 2024. And we look at the Chicago mayoral primary results and what they say about the politics of crime in America. Links for items we discussed: When Sen. Howell Heflin (D-AL) saw this photo of Sen. Ted Kennedy in a boat, he quipped : "Well Teddy, I see you've changed your position on offshore drilling." And a Harvard study : "Democratic mayors have no effect on crime, but do reduce the Black share of arrests f...

Mar 10, 2023•20 min•Ep. 6

Biden Sneaks Into a War Zone

President Biden makes a surprise visit to Ukraine, a grand juror talks too much and Fox News hosts text too much. Other links: Political Wire Chris Riback's Newsletter Politics Extra

Feb 24, 2023•22 min•Ep. 4

Biden's Third Rail Dare

We review President Biden's challenge to Republicans at the State of the Union address, the GOP's focus on schools and the power to remove Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Links: Political Wire Chris Riback's Newsletter Politics Extra

Feb 10, 2023•21 min•Ep. 2

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