The Big Ben Show

Is Iran on the brink of collapse? Ben Domenech sits down with Ben Shapiro, Iran expert Behnam Ben Taleblu, and Buck Sexton to break down the decapitation strikes in the Middle East and the shocking results of the Texas Primaries. From the "fake moderation" of James Talarico to Donald Trump’s decisive military action against the IRGC, Ben dives deep into the strategies shaping 2026. Ben also explores Buck Sexton's new book, Manufacturing Delusion, to expose how elite propaganda and brainwashing are used to control the American mind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the U.S. heading toward a kinetic conflict with Iran? Host Ben Domenech is joined by Fox News’ Lucas Tomlinson and Fred Fleitz of the America First Policy Institute to break down the massive military buildup in the Middle East and the shifting "America First" doctrine in Trump’s second term. In this episode: Ben dives into the "Midnight Hammer" style air power currently assembling in the region and why negotiators are frustrated with Tehran's refusal to budge. Plus, a deep dive into the chaos in Mexico following the death of cartel leader El Mencho and what it means for border security. Finally, Ben celebrates Team USA’s "gutsy" Olympic Gold medal win over Canada which was a historic 46 years in the making Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this edition of The Big Ben Show, host Ben Domenech breaks down AOC’s recent trip to the Munich Security Conference, where her lack of foreign policy experience was on full display. Despite a "red carpet" rollout by the media, her answers on Taiwan and Venezuela geography suggest she may not be the serious candidate the Democratic establishment is hoping for. Later, Fox News’ Bill Melugin joins the show in the studio to provide an inside look at the growing instability within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). They discuss the future of Kristi Noem and Corey Lewandowski, the shift in mass deportation tactics under Tom Homan, and the "drip-drip" of negative media stories impacting the administration's internal stability. Finally, Ben dives into the "Late Night Chaos" at CBS. Stephen Colbert is railing against his own network over an interview with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico. Was it a Trump-led conspiracy or just a simple FCC "Equal Time" rule? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of The Big Ben Show, Ben Domenech covers the White House’s messaging problem, the political risk heading into the midterms, and why “being too online” can distort reality. Ben reacts to Ross Douthat’s argument that Trump is “losing the country,” then digs into how policy support can still lose the narrative. Plus, Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony List, joins to break down the surge in abortions post-Dobbs, the abortion pill (mifepristone) regulatory fight, and why pro-lifers are demanding a return to in-person dispensing rules that were rolled back during COVID. Later, author Lionel Shriver joins the show to discuss her new novel “A Better Life,” immigration, the literary world’s politics, and why fiction avoids telling the “settled population” side of the story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Domenech dives into the high stakes of the Super Bowl, exploring the $2 billion gambling surge and the national security risks posed by unregulated prediction markets. He is joined by New York Post correspondent Lydia Moynihan to discuss the "quality of life" collapse in NYC under socialist policies, the tragic consequences of ending forced-shelter laws for the homeless, and the ongoing media battle over ICE operations in Minnesota. The conversation shifts to the culture war in cinema with film producer Dallas Sonnier, who breaks down the making of the Daily Wire’s epic seriesThe Pendragon Cycle. Sonnier details why Hollywood’s "ideological bankruptcy" has created a vacuum for conservative creators and explains his commitment to practical effects over "AI slop". Ben concludes with a sharp critique of the Washington Post following a massive wave of layoffs and the shuttering of its iconic sports section. 🎙️ Listen and SUBSCRIBE for more candid conversations on speech, culture, media power and politics. Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3fRPRZRNC9O7S8u40CSk2D⁠ Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-big-ben-show/id1556479134⁠ Follow The Big Ben Show on all social platforms: X: ⁠https://x.com/BigBenShowFox⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/bigbenshowfox/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The American media landscape is no longer about excellence, it's about ideological capture. In this episode, Ben Domenech dissects the radical transformation of our institutions, from the shuttering of The Washington Post sports desk to the decline of late-night comedy into humorless activism. Ben is joined by Fox News Congressional Correspondent Bill Melugin to pull back the curtain on the internal strife within the Department of Homeland Security and the fallout from the Alex Pretti shooting. Then, Winston Marshall joins the program to discuss the "soft imperialism" of the CCP and why Greenland has become the strategic frontline in the face of Chinese global ambitions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of The Big Ben Show, Ben Domenech breaks down President Trump’s renewed push to “acquire” Greenland, framing it as a high-stakes Arctic security play amid China and Russia interest and a potential stress test for NATO. Next, he is joined by DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin for a wide-ranging interview on ICE operations, clashes with sanctuary jurisdictions, officer safety, detention standards, and the administration’s push to change how immigration enforcement is covered and understood. Finally, the episode also features an in-studio conversation with Brad Wilcox on the growing “dumb phone” movement, smartphone addiction, teen mental health, and school phone restrictions. 🎙️ Listen and SUBSCRIBE for more candid conversations on speech, culture, media power and politics. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3fRPRZRNC9O7S8u40CSk2D Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-big-ben-show/id1556479134 Follow The Big Ben Show on all social platforms: X: https://x.com/BigBenShowFox Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigbenshowfox/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Iran is at a breaking point, and the world is watching. Ben Domenech digs into the scale of Iran’s protests, the regime’s crackdown, internet shutdowns, and what “help is on the way” could realistically mean without U.S. boots on the ground. First, Behnam Ben-Taleblu from The Foundation for Defense of Democracies explains why this moment feels different from past uprisings, how the IRGC may signal cracks, and what U.S. policy tools could matter most.  Then, amid rising antisemitism and collapsing trust in elite institutions, Jordan Hirsch of Palantir lays out a provocative proposal: a Jewish “sovereign wealth fund” investing directly in America’s strategic industries to show tangible national value in a transactional era. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of The Big Ben Show, Ben Domenech breaks down the high-risk U.S. operation to capture Nicolás Maduro and what it could mean for Venezuela’s future, U.S. foreign policy, and America’s posture in the Western Hemisphere. Ben reacts to Democratic criticism in the aftermath and explains why the Trump administration framed the mission as a law-enforcement-style capture instead of an assassination. 🎙️ Listen and SUBSCRIBE for more candid conversations on speech,culture, media power and politics. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3fRPRZRNC9O7S8u40CSk2DApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-big-ben-show/id1556479134 Follow The Big Ben Show on all social platforms: X: https://x.com/BigBenShowFox Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigbenshowfox/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Domenech is joined by Chef Andrew Gruel for a special holiday edition of The Big Ben Show, covering Christmas cooking, last-minute kitchen gifts, and the state of food in America. Chef Gruel breaks down how to cook the perfect prime rib, what to look for when buying a rib roast, and the biggest mistakes home cooks make during the holidays. The conversation also dives into why restaurant supply stores beat fancy retailers, and how food policy, beef prices, and third-party delivery apps are impacting consumers and restaurants alike. Ben also reflects on the meaning of Christmas, family traditions, and why the season is about more than just what’s on the table. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Domenech breaks down the Candace Owens vs. Erika & Charlie Kirk feud and how “professionalized spite” and conspiracies are warping the modern right. He’s joined by Robby Starbuck to talk responsibility that comes with big platforms, DEI battles in corporate America, and why Congress is failing on key cultural fights.   Then DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin explains Trump’s immigration crackdown, asylum abuse, and rising threats against law enforcement. Plus, Ben reviews Fallout Season 2 and why the Amazon series nails post apocalyptic politics and dark humor.   Let us know your thoughts: Have political conspiracy theories become too dangerous? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Domenech starts off today’s episode with a deep dive into political discourse in the United States, highlighting the Left's continued tendency to blame Conservative rhetoric while overlooking vitriol within their own party. Next, Miranda Devine joins the show to further explore her reporting on the FBI and reveal what’s really happening behind the scenes with Kash Patel. Finally, Brian Cox, a retired member of the U.S. Army, weighs in with his perspective on the recent Venezuelan narco-boat strikes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of The Big Ben Show, Ben Domenech breaks down the media frenzy over alleged “war crimes” tied to the Trump administration’s crackdown on narco-boats and why key details in early reporting didn’t hold up under scrutiny. Ben examines Senator Mark Kelly’s controversial comments, Pete Hegseth’s fiery response, and the political machine driving these narratives. Later, investigative reporter Ryan Thorpe joins the show to expose the massive Minnesota welfare fraud networks including COVID-era food programs, housing scams, and the flow of stolen taxpayer dollars through Somali remittance channels. Finally, Aimee Huber of First Choice Women’s Resource Centers and ADF attorney Gabby McIntyre discuss their Supreme Court battle against a sweeping New Jersey subpoena targeting donor lists, internal communications, and religious activity. They explain what the case means for free speech, nonprofit privacy, and pregnancy centers nationwide. Question of the Day: What are your thoughts on the stories from this past Thanksgiving weekend? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben breaks down his experience attending an NFL game in Madrid, what international fans get right, what they don’t, and why the league’s global ambitions may never capture the uniquely American spirit of football. Next, ESPN senior writer and bestselling author Seth Wickersham joins Ben to unpack his acclaimed book American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback. Seth reveals the hidden demands and emotional realities of playing the most scrutinized position in sports. Finally, celebrated culinary mind Christopher Kimball joins Ben to talk all things Thanksgiving: cooking in a rental cabin, turkey strategy, pie mistakes, stocking a kitchen, picky-eating kids, the decline of home cooking, and how preparing food can strengthen families. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Senator John Kennedy joins Ben Domenech on The Big Ben Show to discuss his new book “How to Test Negative for Stupid: And Why Washington Never Will.” They dive into the state of American politics, the decline of civility in Congress, and how ideology has replaced common sense in D.C. Ben and Senator Kennedy talk about unqualified judicial nominees, the rise of socialism in the Democratic Party, AOC’s growing influence, and how the MAGA coalition is evolving. Kennedy also shares his trademark humor from dogs to squirrels, and his take on what it takes to lead with principle in Washington. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Domenech breaks down the growing fractures inside the American right and whether we are witnessing the beginnings of a MAGA movement crack-up. He’s joined by Mariam Wahba from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies to unpack the Christian persecution crisis in Nigeria, and by Michael Sobolik of the Hudson Institute to analyze Trump’s second-term China policy from TikTok to Taiwan.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Domenech dives into New York City’s shocking election of Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani and what it reveals about the far-left takeover of the Democratic Party. National Review columnist Caroline Downey joins to unpack Gen Z’s role, class resentment, and how socialism is reshaping America’s biggest city. Then, author and scholar Charles Murray discusses his new book Taking Religion Seriously exploring faith, science, and why smart people still believe. They also reflect on Thomas Sowell’s legacy, art’s decline, and whether religion is returning to public life. Let us know your thoughts: What are your thoughts on the financial burden with streaming services in order to watch your favorite sports games? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Domenech dives into America’s political and cultural chaos in this episode of The Big Ben Show. He opens with a sharp look at the Democratic Party’s growing internal divide and how progressive elites have lost touch with working-class voters. Next, journalist Ethan Strauss joins to unpack the FBI’s explosive NBA gambling investigation, revealing insider betting, mob ties, and why legalized sports betting may be eroding trust in the game. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares discusses how his race has become a referendum on decency and what rising crime and weak prosecution mean for voters. Finally, Ben breaks down Taylor Sheridan’s move from Paramount to NBC, exploring what it says about the power of creators in today’s streaming wars. Let us know your thoughts: What do you think about the threat of a Democratic Party that is run by its most extreme members?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this bonus episode of The Big Ben Show, host Ben Domenech sits down with Brent Scher, editor-in-chief at The Daily Wire for a candid discussion on the future of journalism and political media. They explore how the news landscape is shifting, what independent media means for public trust, and how new voices are challenging legacy outlets. From newsroom culture and political coverage to the influence of social platforms, Ben and Brent unpack what’s changing and what journalists, creators, and audiences should expect next. Recorded in Palo Alto, this wide-ranging conversation offers sharp insights into media, politics, and the evolving role of storytelling in democracy. What do you think is the biggest change in journalism today?  🎙️ Listen and SUBSCRIBE for more candid conversations on speech, culture, media power, and politics.   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3fRPRZRNC9O7S8u40CSk2D  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-big-ben-show/id1556479134   Follow The Big Ben Show on all social platforms:   X: https://x.com/BigBenShowFox  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigbenshowfox/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of The Big Ben Show, Ben Domenech unpacks a defining question of our time: What happens when you win the war but lose a generation? Ben explores how Israel’s global image is shifting among Gen Z, young Christians, and American conservatives and why social media, faith, and foreign policy are reshaping how a new generation views the Middle East, Trump, and America’s role in the world. Later, Fox News correspondent Lucas Tomlinson joins to break down President Trump’s brokered ceasefire deal in Israel, what it means for Netanyahu, JD Vance, and the future of “America First” foreign policy. Then, journalist Katie Herzog sits down with Ben to discuss her new book Drink Your Way Sober, a science-based approach to recovery that challenges traditional AA methods. They explore the rise of Gen Z sobriety, faith in modern America, and why our cultural relationship with alcohol is changing. Let us know your thoughts: Will JD Vance be the next President of The United States in 2028?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices