The Dispatch Podcast

Steve Hayes, Kevin Williamson, Sarah Isgur, and Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle discuss the Trump administration’s attempted crackdown on free speech following the assassination of Charlie Kirk before digging into the details of a new TikTok “deal.”Plus: Is fall the best season, or overrated? The Agenda—Jimmy Kimmel gets suspended—The role of the Federal Communications Commission—Obama administration vs. Trump administration on free speech—‘LOL nothing matters’—TikTok dilemma—Why fall is the best season Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI is racing ahead. Regulation? Not so much. Kevin Williamson talks with Adam Thierer, senior fellow at the R Street Institute, about the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence. They dive into the policy fights shaping its future, the role of Big Tech, and how AI could reshape global competition. The Agenda:—Defining AI—Hardware vs. software—Economic and geopolitical implications of AI—Job replacement concerns—Tech skeptics Show Notes:—Defending Technological Dynamism & The Freedom to Innovate in the Age of AI The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Political activist Charlie Kirk’s tragic and shocking assassination at Utah Valley University on Wednesday has sparked an outpouring of grief, anxiety, and recriminations over how we arrived at this moment. Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Kevin Williamson, David French, and Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle to unpack what we know (and don’t) about the murder, discuss how we should think about this political moment, and explore how we can step back from the brink. The Agenda:—Proliferation of violent videos—Navigating threats in political life—Playing into the worst stereotypes—The FBI fumbles investigation—President Donald Trump’s remarks Show Notes:—Yascha Mounk for The Dispatch: “The Assassin’s Veto” The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a battle of flagship podcasts, Steve Hayes invites Sarah Isgur to share her biggest takeaways from her interview with Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett. Then, listen in as the Advisory Opinions crew speaks with ACB about the strengths and limitations of originalism, insights from her new book, and her writing style. The Agenda:—Sarah’s takeaways—Lightning round!—Give up, “equity docket,” David—Do oral arguments even matter anymore?—All about originalism—Life as a Justice Antonin Scalia clerk—Law school: to go or not to go?—Click HERE to subscribe to Advisory Opinions Advisory Opinions is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, David French, and Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle to discuss the chaotic fiefdoms within the Trump administration, from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s tenure atop the Department of Health and Human Services to Kash Patel’s leadership of the FBI. Plus: How is The Dispatch crew thinking about artificial intelligence? The Agenda:—Firing Dr. Susan Monarez—The GOP divide over anti-establishment figures—How we got to the point of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. leading the CDC—The effects of AI on journalism—The gang’s favorite TV shows Show Notes:—Aaron MacLean for The Dispatch: Not Letting AI Master Us—Jim Pethokoukis for The Dispatch: AI: An Engine of Human Progress—Sen. Bill Cassidy’s floor speech in support of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Hayes, Jonah Goldberg, Sarah Isgur, and Washington Post columnist Megan McArdle debate whether Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Donald Trump exhibit similar authoritarian tendencies, discuss the role of elites in democracies, and explore the Democratic Party’s ongoing identity crisis. The Agenda:—Trump’s first and second terms—Can the president do whatever he wants?—Historical context of presidential power—Weak democracies and crisis—Is this all our fault?—The future of Democratic messaging Show Notes:—Nick Catoggio's Boiling Frogs newsletter—Megan McArdle's column on lawfare The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Jamie Weinstein’s final Dispatch Interview Podcast, he invites Matt Lewis, podcaster and columnist for the Los Angeles Times, to grade President Donald Trump's foreign policy, national security, and economic policy objectives. The Agenda:—The raid of John Bolton’s house—The new three legs of conservatism—D.C. crime and the national guard—California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s trolling—Who will be the presidential candidates for the 2028 election? The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Hayes invites Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and famed New York Times columnist David French to discuss the latest in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and dive into the ingredients for a potential financial collapse. The Agenda:—Post-Alaska analysis—Tease 'em, goad 'em, kill ‘em—Security guarantees—We're in debt!—Tariff rebates—NWYT: Backer inners Show Notes:—Listen to Kevin Williamson's interview with Tim Mak on Ukraine —Read Kenneth Rogoff's Foreign Affairs article on the debt crisis The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Mak, Dispatch contributor and founder of The Counteroffensive, joins Kevin Williamson to discuss the details of President Donald Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladamir Putin in Alaska. The Agenda:—Life in Kyiv amidst war—Analyzing the outcomes of the summit—Trump’s “diplomatic” approaches—The fragmentation of European unity—Mak’s reporting on human interest stories in Ukraine Show Notes: —Tim Mak's piece for The Dispatch on war machines The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Hayes returns to the host chair, joined by coastal elitists Jonah Goldberg, Michael Warren, and Megan McArdle to discuss a wild week in Washington. The Agenda:—The crime debate in D.C.—Shifting toward state capitalism—Does the GOP even believe in free markets anymore?—Best- and worst-case scenarios from the Trump-Putin summit—The DC's 4H has to be pretty modest The Dispatch Podcast is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including access to all of our articles, members-only newsletters, and bonus podcast episodes—click here. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when America’s Middle East policy collides with conservative skepticism? Jamie Weinstein goes head-to-head with Curt Mills, executive director of The American Conservative, to unpack the politics, power plays, and high-stakes history behind U.S.–Israel relations. The Agenda: —Why some on the right don’t back Israel —Israel-Iran tensions —Israel’s endgame in the region —How U.S. politics gets shaped from abroad —The problem with “forever wars” —Epstein, Mossad, and the right-wing connection The Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dispatch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonah Goldberg grabs the host’s chair and steers Megan McArdle, Chris Stirewalt, and Kevin Williamson through a lively discussion into the political turbulence in Texas. The Agenda:—How upset should we be about redistricting in Texas?—Collin Allred versus Ken Paxton—Megan McArdle is mad about the BLS firing—Nielsen ratings are fake, but they are reliably fake—'It's a race to the bottom and everyone loses.'—The impact of postmodernism on politics—NWYT: Rule followers are suckers The Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dispatch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jamie Weinstein sits down with Emmy-winning journalist and bestselling author Bernard Goldberg to discuss the evolution of conservative journalism over his career and the modern-day news influencers taking over media. The Agenda:—The three buckets of news media eras—How political interviews are changing—The rise of antisemitism—Covering the Israel-Hamas war—The future of CBS Show Notes:—Bernie’s Substack The Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dispatch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Megan McArdle joins Steve Hayes, Jonah Goldberg, and Sarah Isgur to discuss President Donald Trump’s various trade deals and their effect on the latest economic numbers. The Agenda:—Thank you, Scott Bessent—Texas’ mid-cycle redistricting—DoorDash discourse—Parsing Israel news coverage—Famine is a plural word—The new political tribes—NWYT:What are our hosts’ favorite movies? Show Notes:—John McCormack for The Dispatch: ‘We’re Just Hoping the Ship Sinks’—Michael Brendan Dougherty’s National Review—Jason Furman’s New York Times piece The Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dispatch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

General H.R. McMaster joins Jamie Weinstein to discuss Iran’s weakened military state, the United States’ backtracking in Ukraine, and the conditions needed for a new Palestinian political order. The Agenda:—Iran’s nuclear program: Maybe not obliterated, but definitely devastated—Israeli and U.S. coordination—“Whenever an Iranian leader is speaking, they’re lying to you.”—War in Ukraine—Transparency of the modern battlefield—Putin doesn’t have all the cards—Pressuring Egypt to open their border to Gaza’s population Show notes:—Tucker Carlson interview of President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian—H.R. McMaster’s piece for The Dispatch: Trump Ends the Folly of De-escalation— H.R. McMaster’s book: Battlegrounds: The Fight to Defend the Free World The Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dispatch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Megan McArdle, John McCormack, and Grayson Logue join Mike Warren to discuss President Donald Trump’s recent trade deal with Japan, the latest in the Jeffrey Epstein story (sigh), Russiagate (another sigh), and the cancellation of shared culture. The Agenda:—A sweetheart deal for Japanese automakers—America’s surprisingly resilient economy—Getting the housing market back in balance—Three weeks into the Epstein drama: “unverified hearsay”—Russiagate is just exhausting—Colbert cancelled The Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dispatch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jamie Weinstein is joined by Michael Smerconish, host of SiriusXM’s The Michael Smerconish Program and CNN’s Smerconish, to discuss the state of centrism and the future of the Republican Party. The Agenda:—Centrism in 2025—Third-party viability—Government efficiency—The role of media in political division—Trump’s Epstein problem—Trump’s letter to Epstein—Republicans in 2028 The Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dispatch⁠⁠⁠⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—⁠⁠⁠⁠click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is the Jeffrey Epstein issue blowing up the MAGA base? Jonah Goldberg, Mike Warren, and David French join Steve Hayes to discuss the Epstein files and their implications for Vance 2028, delayed resolve toward Russia, and the Supreme Court’s apparent greenlight for Department of Education cuts.And, of course, an extended Not Worth Your Time on soda. The Agenda:—Jeffrey Epstein catch-up—Little Epstein, big Epstein—Why can’t Trump shut this down?—Kudos to First Lady Melania Trump—Putin’s dark determination meets Trump’s hurt feelings—Monday’s SCOTUS decision looks good for Trump administration—for now —Stuart Stevens’ on killing the DOE—The Platonic ideal of Coca-Cola Show notes: David’s July 13 New York Times column Jonah’s June 6 G-File: “The Inevitable Splintering to Come” Mike’s piece: “The Epstein Conspiracy Eats Its Own.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re flipping the script this week, with executive producer Adaam James Levin-Areddy talking to Jamie Weinstein about Jamie’s interviewing philosophy and the future of the show. The Agenda:—Interviewing bad-faith actors—The Mehdi Hasan interview—Douglas Murray/Dave Smith debate—Future guests and format—Jamie’s most regretted interview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Warren is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Sarah Isgur, and Kevin Williamson to react to the latest internal fights within Donald Trump’s White House on Ukraine and explain the logic behind flip-flops on immigration enforcement. The Agenda:—Rogue pause on Ukraine aid—Freelancing at the Pentagon—Trump vs. the restrainers—ICE raids in Los Angeles—Trump’s flip-flop on immigration—The Hispanic vote—UFC on the South Lawn The Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠⁠⁠The Dispatch⁠⁠⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including members-only newsletters, bonus podcast episodes, and weekly livestreams—⁠⁠⁠click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices