Best Simplest State Podcasts (2025)

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Timeless Wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita with Dr. William Sands 1:39:54

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24d ago1:39:54

1:39:54

In this insightful episode, we explore the profound teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, a revered text that addresses the universal themes of duty, righteousness, and the true purpose of life. Our guest is Dr. William Sands, an esteemed academic and researcher. Dr. Sands, a Sanskrit scholar, highlights the significance of the Gita across various cultur…

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Ruth Ben-Ghiat on Trump, Hegseth, and the State of Our Democracy 55:44

11h ago55:44

55:44

Ruth Ben-Ghiat is Professor of History at New York University. She writes about fascism, authoritarianism, and propaganda. She is the recipient of Guggenheim and other fellowships; an advisor to Protect Democracy; an MSNBC opinion columnist and television commentator; and publishes Lucid, a newsletter on threats to democracy. Her latest book, Stron…

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Toscano with Syrah: Trader Joe’s Holiday Star 36:43

1d ago36:43

36:43

Send us a text If there’s one cheese that deserves a spot on every holiday table, it’s Trader Joe’s Creamy Toscano soaked in Syrah. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly why this wine-washed beauty has become a cult favorite—and why it might just be your new December must-have. We’ll talk about what Toscano cheese actually *is*, how Syrah tran…

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Rep.James Clyburn Discusses his Terrific New Book and the Hegseth SIgnalGate and 'Doubel-Tap' Scandals 30:06

3d ago30:06

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James E. Clyburn represents South Carolina’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he previously served as Majority Whip. A more than 30-year Congressional veteran, he has been an influential and effective legislative leader and an unwavering voice for civil rights. Born in Sumter, South Carolina, during the Jim Cro…

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Ex-MAGA Granny” Pam Hemphill on Trump, MAGA, Epstein, Ice Raids and More 23:09

4d ago23:09

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Pam Hemphill is a 72-year-old former Trump supporter known as the “MAGA Granny”. She was imprisoned over her role on January 6th, refused a pardon, and has spent the last several years working to debunk the stolen 2020 election Big Lie and the lies about the Capitol riot. She is a cancer survivor, a retired Substance Abuse Counselor, and a recoveri…

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Nick Thompson on his Terrific New Book "The Running Ground: A Father, a Son, and the Simplest of Sports” 45:06

7d ago45:06

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Nicholas Thompson is the CEO of The Atlantic, an American magazine founded in 1857, which earned the top honor for magazines, General Excellence, at the National Magazine Awards in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Before joining The Atlantic, he was the editor in chief of Wired and an editor at The New Yorker. He has long been a competitive runner; in 2021, h…

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Cornerstone: One Recipe, Three States 16:20

11d ago16:20

16:20

Send us a text In this audio-only episode, Brittany dives into Cornerstone—the raw-milk American Original cheese crafted from one shared recipe across three states. Created by Parish Hill Creamery, Cato Corner Farm, and Birchrun Hills Farm, Cornerstone is part collaboration, part terroir experiment, and entirely delicious. I break down how this che…

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Michael Steele on the Good, the Bad and the Ugly with Trump, the GOP and Democrats 43:30

12d ago43:30

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Michael Steele is the co-host of MS NOW’s “The Weeknight” and host of ‘The Michael Steele Podcast.’ Prior to joining MS NOW as a political analyst, he was elected Lt. Governor of Maryland in 2003. Following his time as Lt. Governor, he served as Chairman of the Republican National Committee from 2009 to 2011. Steele was the first African-American t…

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S.E. Cupp on MAGA, Marjorie, Megyn, Mamdani, Midterms and SO Much More! 40:06

13d ago40:06

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S.E. Cupp is a nationally syndicated columnist, author, podcaster and TV commentator. She hosts Off the Cupp, a podcast which focuses on mental health, and which features interviews with celebrities and newsmakers. She is a columnist at the New York Daily News and has also been published in the New York Times, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, Washington…

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Jess Michaels on her Epstein Survivor Sisters' Huge Victory in Congress and the Uncertainty that Remains Over Releasing the Full Files 58:24

15d ago58:24

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Jess Michaels is a 3x Founder, TEDx speaker, Advocate, and 1991 Jeffrey Epstein survivor who has lived with PTSD for 30+ years. She is founder and CEO of 3Joannes Inc and the #withyoutoo Social Safety App, which guides users to "know what to do when someone says #metoo”. Jess is back with us to share her thoughts on this week's emotional roller-coa…

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Jonathan Freedland on his New Book, British Politics, Nigel Farage's Reform UK, and the Populist Parallels to MAGA 53:45

17d ago53:45

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Jonathan Freedland is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Escape Artist: The Man Who Broke Out of Auschwitz to Save the World and he’s a weekly columnist for the Guardian and previously the Guardian’s Washington correspondent. He hosts the Guardian's Politics Weekly America podcast, presents BBC Radio 4's The Long View and co-hosts the …

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Humboldt Fog: An American Icon 30:47

18d ago30:47

30:47

Send us a text In this episode, Brittany digs into Cypress Grove's Humboldt Fog, one of the most iconic American goat cheeses. She breaks down everything you need to know: its creamy texture, the tangy yet gentle flavor, that famous ash line, and how the cheese ripens from a firm core to a luscious cream line. She also shares the story behind Cypre…

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Ron Reagan on Trump, Epstein, Elections, Shutdown, East Wing, Canadian Tariff Ads, his Dad and More! 48:38

19d ago48:38

48:38

For forty years, Ron Reagan has been a television and radio correspondent, host and political commentator with ABC, MSNBC and Air America among others. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller My Father at 100. Join us for this fun, insightful chat about the Epstein shitstorm, the blue wave election, the shutdown, the East Wing demolition,…

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Tara Palmeri on the BOMBSHELL Epstein Emails 40:36

22d ago40:36

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Tara Palmeri is the host of The Tara Palmeri Show and author of The Red Letter newsletter. She has spent more than 15 years covering national politics and foreign affairs, previously working as a White House Correspondent for ABC News and chief national correspondent for Politico. She has hosted multiple podcasts, including Broken: Jeffrey Epstein …

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Michael Cohen on the Epstein Emails, the Shutdown Shitshow, the Election and If He's Running For Congress! 25:24

24d ago25:24

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Michael Cohen is the former personal attorney for Donald Trump and served for years as an executive in the Trump Organization. He is host of the YouTube channel The Michael Cohen Show, host of the Mea Culpa With Michael Cohen podcast and co-host of Political Beatdown with Michael Cohen and Ben Meiselas podcast. He’s also a 2x NYT best-selling autho…

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Ossau Iraty: How a 1,000-Year-Old Cheese Still Steals the Show 40:28

25d ago40:28

40:28

Send us a text In this episode, Brittany dives into the world of Ossau Iraty, a traditional Basque sheep’s milk cheese from the French Pyrenees that’s as ancient as it is delicious. Discover how this AOP-certified cheese captures the essence of mountain pastures, seasonal rhythms, and centuries-old shepherding traditions. Brittany explores Ossau Ir…

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Jonathan Karl on the Election, the Shutdown and his Terrific New Book "Retribution: Donald Trump and the Campaign That Changed America" 33:58

26d ago33:58

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Jonathan Karl is the chief Washington correspondent for ABC News and co-anchor of This Week with George Stephanopoulos. He’s covered every major beat in Washington, D.C., including the White House, Capitol Hill, the Pentagon, and the State Department. He’s reported from the White House under four presidents and fourteen press secretaries, and isa f…

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Rick Wilson's Election Takeaways 44:44

29d ago44:44

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Co-founder and Board Member of The Lincoln Project, Rick Wilson is a renowned political strategist, infamous award-winning ad-maker and podcast host, writer, speaker, and political commentator on MSNBC, CNN, ABC News, NPR, Real Time with Bill Maher, and various American and international news national outlets. A 30-year veteran of national Republic…

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Paul Begala on Tuesday's Blue Tidal Wave! 26:28

1M ago26:28

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Paul Begala is a CNN political commentator, consultant and NY Times best-selling author... his most recent book was the election-year hit You’re Fired: The Perfect Guide to Beating Donald Trump. He’s also been a columnist for Newsweek and The Daily Beast, and was one of the founding contributing editors of his late friend JFK Jr’s magazine George. …

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Amy McGrath on her U.S. Senate Campaign, Trump's Military Exploitation, Nation Guard Deployment, Nuclear Testing, the Shutdown and More 41:54

1M ago41:54

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Amy McGrath is a political and national security analyst, a former fighter pilot and U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, founder of Democratic Majority Action PAC, Democratic nominee for the U.S. House and Senate from Kentucky and the author of "Honor Bound: An American Story of Dreams and Service." She, along with co-host Denver Riggleman, recently …

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Kate Shaw on National Guard Deployment; DOJ Weaponization; the Comey, James and Bolton Indictments; SNAP Funding; and More 56:39

1M ago56:39

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Kate Shaw is a Professor of Law at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, where she teaches and writes about the presidency, the law of democracy, the Supreme Court, and reproductive rights and justice. Her scholarly writing has appeared, among other places, in the Harvard Law Review, the Columbia Law Review, the Michigan Law Review, and …

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Andrew Durham on his New Film FAIRYLAND 37:41

1M ago37:41

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A graduate of the USC School of Cinema and Television, Andrew Durham has worked under such directors as David Lynch, Christopher Guest, Wes Craven, and Oliver Stone. He began his collaborative relationship with Sofia Coppola when he produced her first short film, LICK THE STAR, and Coppola’s television series, HI-OCTANE, for the Comedy Central Netw…

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Aidan Walker on Bill Maher, Memes and More! 42:02

1M ago42:02

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Aidan Walker is a writer, creator, and internet culture researcher. He has covered memes and tech for the BBC, The Daily Beast, and other outlets. He posts on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram as @aidanetcetera and writes the Substack newsletter How To Do Things With Memes. What are memes, where do they come from, what's their impact today as a commun…

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Janet Napolitano on Trump 2.0, Homeland Security, Immigration, DOJ Weaponization, No Kings, and More 1:09:00

1M ago1:09:00

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Janet Napolitano is currently the Founder and faculty director of the Institute for Security and Governance at UC Berkeley. In her distinguished career she’s served as former Secretary of Homeland Security, president of the University of California, Governor of Arizona, Attorney General of Arizona, and as U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona. …

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Richard Reeves on Manhood, Masculinity and Why Boys and Young Men Are Struggling So Much 40:51

1M ago40:51

40:51

Richard Reeves is the founder and president of the American Institute for Boys and Men. Before founding AIBM in 2023, he was a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. While at Brookings, he focused on policies related to economic inequality, racial justice, social mobility, and boys and men. He is the author of several books, including “Of Boys…

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Nancy Schwartzman on her New Docuseries DEATH IN APARTMENT 603: WHAT HAPPENED TO ELLEN GREENBERG? 29:04

2M ago29:04

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Nancy Schwartzman is an Emmy winning and Peabody nominated documentary filmmaker, showrunner and a member of the Directors Guild of America and the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences. Her latest project is the limited series Death in Apartment 603: What Happened to Ellen Greenberg? now streaming on Hulu. Her other films and series include Sash…

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Juliette Kayyem on Homeland Security, Venezuela, and Trump 2.0's Foreign Policy and Military Strategy or Lack Thereof 58:02

2M ago58:02

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In academia, private sector, government and media, Professor Juliette Kayyem is an international leader in crisis management and homeland security. She serves as the faculty chair of the Homeland Security and Security and Global Health Projects at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. Previously, she served as President Obama's Assistant Secretar…

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Andrew Weissmann on his Interview with Jack Smith, and the Comey and James Indictments 31:40

2M ago31:40

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Andrew Weissmann is the co-host of the popular podcast Main Justice and is a frequent legal analyst for NBC/MSNBC. He serves on the board of Just Security and writes frequently for it, as well as The New York Times, The Atlantic, & The Washington Post. From 2017-2019 Andrew served as a lead prosecutor in Robert S. Mueller’s Special Counsel’s Office…

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Jill Schlesinger on the Shutdown, Economy, Stock Market, and Advice for Investors...and...Taylor Swift! 59:44

2M ago59:44

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Jill Schlesinger is the Emmy and Gracie Award winning Business Analyst for CBS News. She appears on CBS radio and television stations nationwide covering the economy, markets, investing and anything else with a dollar sign. She is a weekly guest on NPR’s “Here and Now” and writes the nationally syndicated column “Jill on Money”. She is the author o…

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Cait Conley on her NY District 17 Congressional Campaign and the Fight to Defeat Mike Lawler 1:08:13

2M ago1:08:13

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Cait Conley is a fourth-generation Hudson Valley native, daughter of a postal worker and a construction worker, a decorated combat veteran and national security expert. And she’s running for the House in NY’s 17th Congressional district. Cait discusses the shutdown, affordability, national security, Trump, Hegseth, her campaign and the fight to def…

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Cass Sunstein on his new book, On Liberalism: In Defense of Freedom 38:57

2M ago38:57

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Cass Sunstein is currently the Robert Walmsley University Professor at Harvard. He is the founder and director of the Program on Behavioral Economics and Public Policy at Harvard Law School. In 2018, he received the Holberg Prize from the government of Norway, sometimes described as the equivalent of the Nobel Prize for law and the humanities. In 2…

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Jake Tapper on the Eagles, the Shutdown and his Terrific New Book 44:26

2M ago44:26

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By Produced by RFR and Andy Ostroy

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Peter Baker on the Shutdown, Trump's DOJ Weaponization, and Lutnick's New Epstein Bombshell 54:37

2M ago54:37

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Peter Baker is the Chief White House Correspondent for The New York Times and a political analyst for MSNBC. He has covered the last five presidents for The Times and The Washington Post. At The Post, he also served as Moscow Co-Bureau Chief and covered the opening months of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He is author of seven books, including t…

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Supreme Awakening with Dr. Craig Pearson 1:20:28

2M ago1:20:28

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In this engaging conversation, Ron speaks with Dr. Craig Pearson, a distinguished scholar and PhD in Vedic Science. Dr. Pearson discusses his book 'The Supreme Awakening' which explores the universality of experiences of enlightenment across different cultures and eras, and has been praised by prominent figures like David Lynch. Dr. Pearson shares …

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Osita Nwanevu on his New Book About Democracy's Flaws and the Need to Amend the Constitution 43:00

2M ago43:00

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Osita Nwanevu is a contributing editor at The New Republic, a columnist at The Guardian, and the Democratic Institutions fellow at the Roosevelt Institute. He is a former staff writer at The New Republic, The New Yorker, and Slate, and his work has also appeared in The New York Times, The New York Review of Books, The Nation, Harper’s Magazine, the…

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Consciousness and Physiology with Dr. Keith Wallace 57:11

2M ago57:11

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By Simplest State

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Filmmaker Marc Levin and Author David Paul Kuhn on the New Documentary HARD HAT RIOT 40:51

2M ago40:51

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Marc Levin is an award-winning, independent filmmaker. He has made over 50 films, including documentaries, TV series, dramatic feature films and episodic television. He’s won four Emmys and four duPont-Columbia Awards, among other prominent accolades. Highlights include his dramatic hit SLAM; the groundbreaking docuseries Brick City; and several fi…

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Katie Phang on Trump, Comey, Kimmel, Kamala and More! 1:07:05

2M ago1:07:05

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Katie Phang is an independent journalist and trial lawyer. Formerly the host of “The Katie Phang Show” on MSNBC, Katie also has served as a legal contributor/legal correspondent for several media outlets, such as NBC, MSNBC, and Fox News. She’s had a front-row seat to some of the most consequential moments in recent history, including the unsealing…

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Mark Zaid on Kimmel, Free Speech, the CDC Monarez Firing, Trump and the Weaponization of the DOJ, and the Future of Democracy 55:11

2M ago55:11

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Mark S. Zaid is a Washington, D.C. based attorney specializing in crisis management and handling administrative and litigation matters relating to national security, international law, foreign sovereign and diplomatic immunity, and the Freedom of Information/Privacy Acts. His clients typically include former/current federal employees, particularly …

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Vicky Ward on her New Book About the Idaho Four College Murders and her 22-Year Journey Through the Jeffrey Epstein Scandal 55:03

2M ago55:03

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Vicky Ward is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, podcaster, documentary host and producer, former CNN Senior Reporter, magazine editor at large, entrepreneur, and Visiting Fellow at the University of Oxford. Her investigative reporting focuses on power, money, and corruption in the United States and abroad. She is the author of the bestselling…

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George Conway on Kimmel, Kirk, and Epstein 1:08:19

3M ago1:08:19

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George Conway is an attorney, political activist, and legal and political commentator. He is board president of the Society for the Rule of Law, and a founder of the Lincoln Project. He is also a host of The Bulwark’s podcast George Conway Explains It All (to Sarah Longwell), and he is a contributing writer to The Atlantic. He previously worked as …

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Russell Moore on the Charlie Kirk Assassination, the Epstein Scandal, and Christianity in America Today 1:03:32

3M ago1:03:32

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Russell Moore is Editor in Chief of Christianity Today and is the author of several books, including Losing Our Religion: An Alter Call for Evangelical America. An ordained Baptist minister, Moore served previously as President of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and, before that, as the chief academic offic…

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Tom Nichols on Russian Drones, SCOTUS's Ruling on ICE Raids, and the Charlie Kirk Assassination and Aftermath 45:45

3M ago45:45

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Tom Nichols is a staff writer at The Atlantic and a contributor to the Atlantic Daily newsletter. He's back in THE BACK ROOM for a discussion about the concerns involving Russian drones over Poland, the reaction from NATO, and Trump's response (or lack thereof). We also discuss the recent Supreme Court ruling on ICE raids in LA involving racial pro…

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Elie Honig on his New Book About 50+ Years of DOJ Special Counsels; and the Latest SCOTUS and Lower Court Rulings 1:01:46

3M ago1:01:46

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Elie Honig is CNN’s Senior Legal Analyst. He previously worked for 14 years as a federal and state prosecutor. He is also the national bestselling author of two books, “Hatchet Man: How Bill Barr Broke the Prosecutor’s Code and Corrupted the Justice Department” and “Untouchable: How Powerful People Get Away With It”. He writes a weekly column for N…

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Aziz Huq on the Lastest Supreme Court and Lower Court Rulings For and Against Trump 29:06

3M ago29:06

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Aziz Huq is the Frank and Bernice J. Professor at the University of Chicago Law School and associate professor of sociology. His books include How to Save a Constitutional Democracy, The Collapse of Constitutional Remedies, and The Rule of Law: A Very Short Introduction. His scholarship is published in leading law, social science, political science…

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Filmmaker James Sweeney and his Co-Star Dylan O'Brien on Their New Film TWINLESS 24:54

3M ago24:54

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James Sweeney is a multi-hyphenate filmmaker. He wrote, directed, produced, and co-stars in his new film TWINLESS, and which premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, winning the US Dramatic Audience Award and a Special Jury Award for Acting for Dylan O'Brien. Roadside Attractions will release the movie this summer. James was recently named one…

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Ofirah Yheskel on the Critical Importance of Governors in the Fight Against Trump's Autocratic Overreach 1:01:13

3M ago1:01:13

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Ofirah Yheskel is the External Affairs Director and senior spokesperson at the Democratic Governors Association. Prior to joining the DGA in 2023, she served as the Democratic National Committee’s Deputy Communications Director. She has worked across presidential and statewide races, acting as a spokesperson for the 2020 DNC War Room, as Director o…

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Michael Strassner on his Terrific New Film THE BALTIMORONS and his Collaboration with The Duplass Brothers 50:52

3M ago50:52

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Michael Strassner is an actor, writer, and director. His credits include Young Rock, A Spy Movie, Modern Family, Parks and Recreation and more. He also wrote, directed, and starred in the award winning short film BIG BOY. He stars in the new film THE BALTIMORONS, which he co-wrote with Jay Duplass, and which opens in theaters tomorrow, September 5t…

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Ophira Eisenberg on Stand Up and Storytelling! 57:39

3M ago57:39

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Ophira Eisenberg is a standup comedian, writer, and host of the award-winning comedy podcast Parenting Is a Joke. She also regularly hosts and tours with the Peabody Awarding winning radio show and podcast, The Moth Radio Hour, and podcast. She also hosted NPR’s Ask Me Another for 9 years where she interviewed and played silly games with hundreds o…

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Robin Peguero on his Campaign to Flip Florida's 27th Congressional District Seat 32:58

3M ago32:58

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Robin Peguero is running for Congress in Florida’s 27th District. He’s a writer, lawyer, professor and former federal prosecutor and political aide. He also served as the investigative counsel on the Select Committee Investigating the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol. And he is the author of two fiction novels, With Prejudice, a legal thrille…