Claim OwnershipThe Spectacle Podcast: The Official Podcast of The American Spectator
Subscribed: 26Played: 3,323
Subscribe
© 2022 - The American Spectator
Description
Commentary on current events and interviews with prominent figures in politics, media and culture.
522 Episodes
Reverse
Artificial intelligence is constantly advancing and improving its technology. The question remains — Are we ready for it, and what do we do when it takes over human labor?
On this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay talk through the intricacies of artificial intelligence. Melissa shares some of her experiences learning about AI, offering insight into what she’s discovered about learning language models and if morality exists for AI. Scott also shares his usage of AI for entertainment, highlighting the groundbreaking work by The Dor Brothers for creating a $200 million AI-generated movie that took a day. Tune in to hear their discussion!
If you were forced to choose between dogs and Muslims, which would you choose? For Nerdeen Kiswani, a key supporter of Zohran Mamdani, dogs are unclean in Islam and therefore don’t have a place in society.
On this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay respond to the debate and give reasons why Americans would choose dogs over Muslims. Melissa and Scott criticize Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who called for Florida Rep. Randy Fine to be punished for saying that the “choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one.” They also talk about the bigger implications of this debate, which is how American values do not mesh with Muslim culture. They discuss how Sharia law does not belong in America, and what Republicans need to do to halt Islam from destroying life in America as we know it. Tune in to hear their discussion!
Just like at Davos, the Democrats showcased themselves once again as America’s laughingstocks at the Munich Security Conference.
The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay scrutinize Democrat leaders — namely, Gavin Newsom, Mark Kelly, Hillary Clinton, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez — for their worthless offerings at the Munich conference. Melissa and Scott criticize Newsom for his complaint about President Trump repealing EPAs, Kelly for continuing to victimize himself, Clinton’s self-absorbed behavior, and AOC for simply being embarrassing. Melissa and Scott contrast their speeches to those of JD Vance and Marco Rubio, who are eloquent speakers. Tune in to hear their discussion!
The Epstein files continue to reveal insight into the horrors committed by global elites.
On this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay continue their deep dive into the Epstein files. Melissa calls out corporations like Wayfair and Walmart for their roles in child trafficking, and other high-profile individuals like Bill Gates and Steve Bannon. Melissa also details the evil research into children that Epstein explored for his own perverted interests, such as the baby’s suck reflex. Melissa and Scott address the systemic corruption from both the Left and the Right, and emphasize the importance of committing to living faithful lives to combat the spiritual warfare that is before us. Tune in to hear their discussion!
While most Americans couldn’t understand Bad Bunny’s Spanish halftime performance, the songs selected were inappropriate in nature and simply not enjoyable.
The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss Bad Bunny’s performance and the reactions it received from the Left and the Right. Scott criticizes Jay Z, whose company is responsible for selecting the halftime performer, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell for being complicit. Scott and Melissa also contrast Bad Bunny’s performance with Turning Point USA’s alternative Super Bowl halftime, and the opportunity it presents for conservatives. Scott also criticizes Olympian Hunter Hess for his political comments regarding the U.S. and explains why that was a poor decision. Tune in to hear their discussion!
There’s a pandemic much worse than COVID — and it’s not spread through body contact, but from mind to mind.
University of Texas Professor and author J. Budziszewski joins The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay and offers insight into his new book, Pandemic of Lunacy: How to Think Clearly When Everyone Around You Seems Crazy. Melissa and Scott inquire about higher academia and how J instructs college students in a world of AI. J also shares his experiences teaching as a professor and his hope for young conservatives. Tune in to hear their discussion!
Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton are expected to testify in a deposition about their relationships with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Recent documents released in the Epstein files revealed Maxwell and Epstein’s part in funding the start of the Clinton Global Initiative.
On this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo speculate on the relationship between Epstein and the Clintons. They discuss the evidence that points to the Clintons’ friendship with Maxwell and Epstein, which suggests the Clintons knew much more than they’ve publicly admitted. Tune in to hear their discussion!
The evil atrocities detailed in the 3.5 million documents on Jeffrey Epstein and his connections with the global elite are continuing to be exposed.
On this episode of The Spectacle Podcast, hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay discuss what’s in the Epstein files. They talk about high-profile individuals who were revealed to be complicit in Epstein’s pedophilia, such as the Clintons, Bill Richardson, Prince Andrew, and Bill Gates. They also discuss the allegations of child trafficking, sacrifice, and the eating of children that Epstein and various elites mention in their emails. Melissa and Scott talk about the grave situation of the files and how it reveals the corruption within the world and our government.
When evil runs amok, how can we bring about justice? Tune in to hear their discussion!
Communism continues to show its failures here in the U.S. and globally.
Join The Spectacle Podcast hosts, Scott McKay and Melissa Mackenzie, as they continue to unpack the latest news on the ills of communism. They discuss the recent fallout of British ambassador Peter Mandelson due to his connections with Jeffrey Epstein. Scott and Melissa probe into the problems within the United Nations, noting the UN’s financial struggles and its lack of relevance. Additionally, they discuss the ramifications of Cuba and Venezuela’s collapse. Melissa and Scott also criticize Hollywood communists at the Grammys like Billie Eilish, who made a fool of herself for suggesting that “no one is illegal on stolen land.”
Tune in to hear their discussion!
What happens when you vote for a socialist to govern New York City? Piles of garbage at your doorstep and no one to plow off the snow from the streets.
The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay highlight the best of communism’s worst this week — kicking off with New York City and its newly elected Mayor, Zohran Mamdani. Melissa and Scott discuss the current rotten state of the Big Apple and contrast its governance with that of Mamdani’s predecessor, Bill de Blasio. They discuss the implications of Mamdani’s socialist policies, which could usher in black markets, increasing crime and the cost of living.
Also, is Mamdani the son of Jeffrey Epstein? Tune in and find out!
Eileen Gu is a two-time Olympian gold medalist who was born and raised in San Francisco but insists on competing for China because the “U.S. has enough representation.”
The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo criticize Gu for staying silent on China’s human rights violations and pocketing money from her Chinese sponsorships. Ellie and Lyrah probe Gu’s refusal to answer any questions about China or the Chinese government, and how Gu cannot be both for the United States and China at the same time. Tune in to hear their discussion!
Two New York doctors pushed Fox Varian to get a double mastectomy when she was just 16 years old. Varian, who is now 22 years old and detransitioned, filed a lawsuit against the doctors for pushing the surgery on her and won. This is the first time a plaintiff in such a case has won a judgment.
On this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo unpack the case and praise the ruling for bringing to light the harms of “gender-affirming care.” Ellie and Lyrah discuss how this decision serves as a warning to medical professionals who perform life-altering surgeries that claim to transition people to the opposite sex. Tune in to hear their discussion!
Last week, elite leaders from around the world gathered at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay recap the WEF event and criticize the WEF for its lack of relevance and influence. They discuss President Trump’s deal with Greenland, and ‘WEF sweethearts’ like Gavin Newsom, Alex Soros, and Justin Trudeau being mocked on the world’s stage. Melissa and Scott also criticize WEF policies that inevitably failed, such as the net-zero emissions and the elimination of farms.
Tune in to hear their discussion!
The rising escalations against ICE in Minnesota continue to show the Left’s ignorance of what ICE is actually doing — making our cities safer by removing and detaining illegal criminals.
Listen to The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay as they analyze and discuss the challenges faced by ICE in performing their jobs, such as the lack of cooperation from the local and state governments. Scott points to an example in his home state of Louisiana, where over 400 of the worst criminal illegal aliens were arrested by ICE. He also points out the culprits behind the insurgency in Minnesota, such as Minnesota’s Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan’s admin role in an “Anti-ICE” Signal chat. Melissa and Scott also discuss the implications of the Minnesota crisis for the rest of the country, and how this is prompting the Trump administration to unravel the corruption in left-wing NGO funding, voter fraud, and more!
Tune in to hear their discussion!
A couple of weeks have gone by since the U.S. captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, leaving the country’s future potential up to the interests of the U.S. Additionally, the U.S. actions in Venezuela has pressured other corrupt government leaders to follow suit or face conflict with the United States.
Canadian conservative and political theorist William Barclay joins The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay to discuss the future of Venezuela, the relationship between Canada and the U.S., and the rising problems posed by progressive ideology and identity politics. William, Melissa, and Scott unpack the political influence of China on Canada and criticize Prime Minister Mark Carney for his endeavor to make Canada more like the CCP. Melissa and Scott gain further insight from William about the current political climate in Canada, such as how the Canadian government responded during the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative impact on the Canadian people.
Tune in to hear their discussion!
Erin Reed, who self-identifies as a transgender journalist, helped transgender Girl Scouts receive over 70,000 cookie donations for various activities and excursions.
On this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo criticize the inclusion of biological males in Girl Scouts. Ellie and Lyrah dive into the transgender Girl Scout list and explain the harms of the transgender ideology on young kids. Tune in to hear their discussion!
Thousands of pro-lifers from across the country braved the impending snowstorm to attend the national March for Life at Washington, D.C., this past weekend. The event featured prominent guests like Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson. Even Pope Leo XIV sent a message extending his support.
Join The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo as they recap highlights from the march. Ellie and Lyrah talk about other pro-life wins since the reversal of Roe v. Wade, such as banning aid to abortion services. They also discuss the pro-life movement’s ongoing challenge to ban the abortion pill and the continued fight to end abortion. Tune in to hear their discussion!
The Left is in anguish over a new policy paper from the Heritage Foundation that encourages pro-family values to save America. Jessica Grose, an opinion writer for the New York Times, expressed her disdain for Heritage’s “retrograde” claim that traditional marriage is the cornerstone of civilization.
The Spectator P.M. Podcast hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo analyze the claims made by Grose and provide reasons why Heritage is right about the family. Ellie and Lyrah also explain the importance of a healthy marriage and family for a flourishing civilization and a child’s well-being. Tune in to hear their discussion!
In her new fashion book, The Look, Michelle Obama shares her philosophy and insight behind her style choices as the former first lady. Obama received backlash on social media for sharing her preference for wearing pieces from people of color, and her earlier comments in 2025 on her avoidance of wearing the color white.
On this episode of The Spectator P.M. Podcast, hosts Ellie Gardey Holmes and Lyrah Margo discuss Obama’s comments and criticize the racial motivation behind her fashion choices. They also talk about Obama’s recent appearance on Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast, where Obama and Cooper make claims about objectifying women and women’s rights. Tune in to hear their discussion!
The University of Kansas caught backlash for offering a course called “Angry White Male Studies” — yet another example of indoctrination disguised as education.
Join The Spectacle Podcast hosts Melissa Mackenzie and Scott McKay as they discuss higher education and the growing political bias on campus that is increasingly targeting conservatives. Melissa and Scott talk about the different challenges that conservatives face in academia, such as the political climate and university staff being inundated with crazed liberals. They discuss possible solutions to make universities a place for conservatives to thrive, such as state action, dismantling biased research grants and funding, and for conservative students to document and report universities for their left-leaning practices. Tune in to hear their discussion!
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States
Another great show.
I love this installment of your podcast. Great stuff.
I am new to the podcast but not the magazine. Great show so far.