Best Washington State Magazine Podcasts (2025)

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Are journalists safe? 36:18

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3d ago36:18

36:18

At least 124 journalists and media workers were killed in 2024, about two-thirds of whom were Palestinian. Why is reporting becoming more dangerous and what can we do to protect journalists? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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The Michigan Man Podcast - Episode 802 - Football news from Isaiah Hole at WolverinesWire 48:24

4d ago48:24

48:24

Michigan sits down with the NCAA next week and we'll see if sparks fly. Joining us to discuss that and more is Isaiah Hole from USA Today's WolverinesWire. Our listener lines are open 24/7 for your thoughts on that or anything else Maize N Blue. Call us at 313 351-2631. Tell us your name, where your calling from, and then sound off. Maybe you'll he…

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Explainer 469: Who are India’s Maoists? 6:46

6d ago6:46

6:46

Indian security forces killed 27 rebels this week, including a top Maoist leader. This week, Andrew Mueller explains the nearly half-century long conflict between the state and the Communist Party of India (Maoist). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Why does Russia still have influence in eastern Europe? 31:55

11d ago31:55

31:55

While eyes are fixed on Ukraine, Putin’s influence continues to spread across eastern Europe, with many countries seeing a rise in far-right parties with Soviet-era sympathies. But why is this a winning policy? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Explainer 468: Tantrum or tactic? Why has Australia’s National Party split from the Liberals? 7:39

13d ago7:39

7:39

After a humiliating general election defeat, Australia’s National Party has bid farewell to its coalition partners of more than 60 years. But what is behind this seemingly self-defeating manoeuvre? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Does the dream of a Kurdish state end with the PKK? 32:01

18d ago32:01

32:01

After 40 years of war with Turkey, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) lay down their arms. So, where does that leave hopes for a sovereign Kurdish state? Or ambitions for a more democratic Turkey? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Explainer 467: Why does Qatar want to gift Trump a jet? 8:08

21d ago8:08

8:08

President Trump is currently fielding accusations of corruption after being offered a $400m (€356m) jet by the Qatari royal family. While the US grapples with the ethics, we explain what’s in it for Qatar. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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The Trump factor 33:53

25d ago33:53

33:53

To what extent can the centre-left’s landslide victories in Australia and Canada be attributed to Trump? And will the opposite be true in upcoming elections in Eastern Europe? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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The Michigan Man Podcast - Episode 801 - Sherrone Moore suspended 35:54

27d ago35:54

35:54

Are you surprised that Michigan self imposed a 2 game suspension on Sherrone? Was this an overreaction by the university? Share your thoughts with me by calling our listener line at 313 351-2631. Tell us your name, where you're calling from, then let it rip. Joining me to discuss that and more on today's show is the longtime editor of The Wolverine…

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Explainer 466: What actually happens during a papal conclave (as far as we know)? 7:29

27d ago7:29

7:29

As the eligible cardinals assemble at the Vatican, Andrew Mueller explains the expected and unexpected goings on during a papal conclave. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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The most extraordinary first 100 days of any US presidency? 40:42

1M ago40:42

40:42

Trump’s first 100 days have been busy. But what has he actually achieved? And what can we expect from the next 1,360 days? We are joined by experts to assess five policy areas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Explainer 465: Who is behind the terrorist attack on Kashmir? 7:45

1M ago7:45

7:45

The fraught history of India and Pakistan’s seemingly perpetual fight over Kashmir. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Live from Delphi: What’s brewing in the Eastern Mediterranean? 27:34

1M ago27:34

27:34

With the change of the past 12 months, we ask experts: what does Turkey want in the Eastern Mediterranean? Is Cyprus actually solvable? And do we understand how the Middle East is being reshaped? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Explainer 464: The threats facing Ecuador: real or invented? 6:30

1M ago6:30

6:30

Ecuadorian officials have placed the country on high alert, claiming imminent terrorist attacks and presidential assassination attempts. There is, however, very little evidence of these dangers. This week, Andrew Mueller explains whether the threats in Ecuador are real, invented, politicised or all the above. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy…

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Live from Delphi: has the sun set on the transatlantic relationship? 34:09

2M ago34:09

34:09

In fewer than 100 days in power, Donald Trump has upended his country’s historic alliance with Europe, told the continent that it can no longer rely on security guarantees from the US and launched a trade war that threatens the global economy. Reporting from the Delphi Economic Forum, we spoke with attendees with experience at the Pentagon, Nato, t…

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The Michigan Man Podcast - Episode 800 - Spring game talk and more with beat guy Aaron McMann from MLive 27:37

2M ago27:37

27:37

Bryce Underwood makes his big house debut in this Saturday's spring game. With me to discuss that and more is beat writer Aaron McMann from MLiveBy Mike Fitzpatrick

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Explainer 463: Why is a UK MP facing corruption charges in Bangladesh? 7:02

2M ago7:02

7:02

Nepo-corruption or a politically motivated smear? Andrew Mueller explains why Bangladesh has issued a warrant for the arrest of UK MP Tulip Siddiq. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Live from Delphi: how to respond to Trump’s trade war 36:32

2M ago36:32

36:32

In the days before this year’s edition of the Delphi Economic Forum, Donald Trump launched, and then only partially retreated from, a global trade war in which the EU was a target. Reporting from Delphi, Andrew speaks with Greece prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on what it’s like to lead an EU and Nato country in this moment. Plus: former Italian…

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Rock on: Digging into the history of rock ‘n’ roll 36:20

2M ago36:20

36:20

“It’s only rock n roll, but I like it,” is not really a good answer in Washington State University’s popular history of rock music class. Hundreds of WSU students learn how to really dig into the tunes. They study how rock ‘n’ roll is tied into American society, history, and culture, by analyzing lyrics and music styles from over the decades. A.J. …

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Explainer 462: Is Mali and Algeria’s feud really about drones? 7:30

2M ago7:30

7:30

Andrew Mueller explains why what could have been a minor diplomatic dispute has sparked a massive feud between Mali and Algeria. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Why has Israel gone back to war? 35:57

2M ago35:57

35:57

As the ceasefire in Gaza falls apart, Tahani Mustafa, Nimrod Goren and Faysal Itani join ‘The Foreign Desk’ to weigh possible paths forward. Is Netanyahu even interested in peace? How will Lebanon fare? And as Trump, the Arab League and the EU push for their own ends, what will become of Gaza? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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The Michigan Man Podcast - Episode 799 - Wolverine basketball radio play by play voice Brian Boesch is my guest 28:11

2M ago28:11

28:11

Dusty May's first team in Ann Arbor was frustrating to watch at times, but they thrived on the chaos they created and what a season they gave us. Joining me with his thoughts on that and more is the radio play by play voice of the Wolverines, Brian BoeschBy Mike Fitzpatrick

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Explainer 461: Marine Le Pen and the movable feast of far-right law and order 8:06

2M ago8:06

8:06

This week Marine Le Pen was convicted of embezzlement and banned from seeking public office for five years. Andrew Mueller explains why the far right cares deeply about law and order – until its own is in the dock. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Is Erdoğan’s crackdown backfiring? 32:46

2M ago32:46

32:46

Hundreds of thousands of protestors have poured onto Turkey’s streets after president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his authorities arrested Istanbul mayor and presidential candidate, Ekrem İmamoğlu. Since then, thousands more have been arrested, detained and, in the case of some foreign journalists, deported. So, what prompted the move? And, after 22 y…

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Appreciation for the farming life 48:05

2M ago48:05

48:05

Farming life and the essential work of producing food for the world has long been celebrated in art, literature, and essays. Richard Scheuerman, an educator, author, and 1972 history graduate from Washington State University, wrote three books that take a deep dive into art and books about farming. He covers a huge span of time and geography, from …

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Explainer 460: Jeffrey Goldberg has exited the war chat 8:40

2M ago8:40

8:40

As the US government scrambles to explain why the editor in chief of ‘The Atlantic’ was added to a group chat discussing war plans, Andrew Mueller considers just how serious a security breach this is. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Syria: Is this going to work? 38:16

2M ago38:16

38:16

The unloading of Bashar al-Assad in December was a hopeful moment for Syria. The installation of his successor, jihadist commander Ahmed al-Sharaa, was a more nervous one. We discuss the mood among civilians with journalist Zaina Erhaim and Monocle’s Hannah Lucinda Smith, following the latter’s trip to Damascus in February. We also hear Slovenia’s …

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Explainer 459: Why has Rwanda severed ties with Belgium? 7:23

3M ago7:23

7:23

Following Rwanda’s expulsion of Belgium’s diplomats this week, Andrew Mueller explains the European nation’s troubled history of involvement in Rwanda and the DRC. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Nato’s frontline: the view from the Baltics 38:19

3M ago38:19

38:19

‘The Foreign Desk’ speaks to leaders from Nato’s Baltic members about the vexing, existential questions they face: what happens if Russia strikes one of them? Is Nato’s Article 5 the unassailable security that it used to be? Is it worthwhile to keep telling Western Europe “we told you so”? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Explainer 458: Why is Rodrigo Duterte being sent to The Hague? 9:14

3M ago9:14

9:14

Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, has been arrested and sent to The Hague, where he will face charges for crimes against humanity. Andrew Mueller explains the former president’s bloody ‘war on drugs’ and its marked popularity with voters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Has the US given up? 37:44

3M ago37:44

37:44

It is clear by now that Donald Trump’s second administration will not be a rerun of the first. Why has the United States tilted away from Europe? Is there any method to the apparent madness? And how should Europe adjust? Leaders from the CIA, Nato and the US military join ‘The Foreign Desk’ to sift through the US’s new reality. See omnystudio.com/l…

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Explainer 457: What does Ukraine do now? 7:01

3M ago7:01

7:01

What shape will the war in Ukraine take now that president Trump has paused all military aid? Andrew Mueller unpacks the nation’s prospects following Friday’s showdown in the Oval Office. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Russia’s ripple effect 39:06

3M ago39:06

39:06

Russia’s rampage in Ukraine has had knock-on effects elsewhere, few if any of them positive. At the Munich Security Conference, Georgia’s president Salome Zourabichvili told us how she’s fighting Russian interference at home, and Belarus’s exiled opposition leader discussed how Moscow is underpinning her country’s tyrant. Leaders from the countries…

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The Michigan Man Podcast - Episode 798 - Michigan basketball is on fire 34:15

3M ago34:15

34:15

Michigan enters the last week of the regular season tied for first in the B10. Joining us with his thoughts on that and much more is beat writer Tony Garcia from The Detroit Free PressBy Mike Fitzpatrick

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Explainer 456: What’s halting Germany’s defence? History. 7:19

3M ago7:19

7:19

As security risks on the European continent rise and the US retreats from its historic role, will Germany be able to shake off its history and arm itself to meet the moment? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Very well, alone? 39:25

3M ago39:25

39:25

In the week following US vice president JD Vance’s explosive speech at the Munich Security Conference, European leaders scrambled to two emergency summits to consider the prospect of American detachment. In this special episode recorded at the conference, we reflect on this new reality almost exactly three years on from the invasion of Ukraine. We …

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The Michigan Man Podcast - Episode 797 - Michigan radio basketball voice Brian Boesch joins us 26:51

3M ago26:51

26:51

Tom Izzo and his red hot spartans visit Crisler to take on first place Michigan this Friday. Joining us to preview the game is the radio play by play voice of Michigan basketball Brian BoeschBy Mike Fitzpatrick

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Explainer 455: Mauritius’s money-laundering prime minister 6:54

3M ago6:54

6:54

Former Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth was arrested last weekend after the country’s Financial Crimes Commission recovered suitcases full of banknotes worth over €2m. We explain why the scandal is not just bad news for Mauritius but the UK too. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Is Serbia OK? 38:38

4M ago38:38

38:38

Between the infrastructure disaster that has sparked prolonged protests and the ongoing troubles with Kosovo, Albania and Nato, is Serbia OK? Andrew Mueller speaks to the country’s minister of foreign affairs, Marko Đurić, and our Balkans correspondent, Guy De Launey, for the view from the ground. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information…

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Explainer 454: New Zealand’s beef with its neighbours 6:02

4M ago6:02

6:02

Why has New Zealand fallen out with the Cook Islands and Kiribati? And what does China have to do with it? Andrew Mueller explains. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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The Michigan Man Podcast - Episode 796 - Football & basketball news with Clayton Sayfie from The Wolverine ON3 38:12

4M ago38:12

38:12

Dusty May and Michigan basketball get ready for a frenzied February while Sherrone and staff prepare for spring ball. Joining me with his thoughts on that and more is Clayton Sayfie from The Wolverine ON3By Mike Fitzpatrick

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How to win a trade war 30:40

4M ago30:40

30:40

It seems clear that the newly inaugurated US president Trump has a philosophy on trade wars: they are good and easy to win. Tina Fordham, Alex von Tunzelmann and Elisabeth Braw join us to discuss whether the history of trade wars can tell us anything about how to wage one. And are these new economic tussles really anything remarkable, or just part …

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Explainer 453: Does China really control the Panama Canal? 7:49

4M ago7:49

7:49

Is there any truth to Donald Trump’s claims that China controls the Panama Canal or is he out of his depth? Following secretary of state Marco Rubio’s meeting with Panama’s president, Andrew Mueller explains the US’s rocky history with the country and its waterways. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

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Lessons from the pandemic 57:59

4M ago57:59

57:59

Students, teachers, and schools learned a lot during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the challenges and opportunities were already there, just emphasized by the global health emergency, says Johnny Lupinacci, associate professor at the Washington State University College of Education. Lupinacci teaches future teachers and education researchers, and …

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What is Rwanda doing in the Democratic Republic of Congo? 36:05

4M ago36:05

36:05

The idea of Rwanda invading the Democratic Republic of Congo looks, on paper, preposterous. However, as an alliance of rebel groups seized Goma, the biggest city in the DRC’s east, we ask: what is the plan? Fred Bauma joins Andew Mueller with the latest from Kinshasa. Then: Jason Stearns and Michela Wrong tell us about the history behind this confl…

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The Michigan Man Podcast - Episode 795 - Football recruiting with EJ Holland from The Wolverine ON3 31:43

4M ago31:43

31:43

Sherrone Moore and his staff are working hard to make it back to back top 10 classes. They've been on the road most of January and are offering many of the best in the class of 2026. Joining us with his thoughts on that and more is recruiting writer EJ Holland from The Wolverine ON3By Mike Fitzpatrick

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Explainer 452: Trump’s Greenland grab 7:09

4M ago7:09

7:09

Why is US president Donald Trump eyeing up Greenland? And if it’s not for sale, would he take it by force? Andrew Mueller explains the likelihood of an old-school territorial conquest. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle

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Can the Israel-Hamas ceasefire become lasting peace? 34:09

4M ago34:09

34:09

Relative calm has descended over Gaza after 15 months of war. A ceasefire agreement has been enacted but what happens next is unclear. Nada AlTaher, Esther Solomon and Aaron David Miller join Andrew Mueller to discuss how Palestinians would like to move forward, the domestic political tensions in Israel and whether real peace is on the table. See o…

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The Michigan Man Podcast - Episode 794 - Michigan football & basketball beat writer Tony Garcia from The Detroit Free Press 34:14

4M ago34:14

34:14

It's cold outside but things are heating up for Dusty May and his team. Joining me with his thoughts on that and more is Wolverine football & basketball beat writer Tony Garcia from The Detroit Free PressBy Mike Fitzpatrick

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Explainer 451: The veteran rebels behind Colombia’s violent turf war 7:22

4M ago7:22

7:22

At least 100 people were killed this week during renewed fighting in Colombia’s northeast. Who is involved? And what are they fighting over? Andrew Mueller explains. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By Monocle