Political Gabfest

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the capitulation of American media and corporations to President-Elect Donald Trump; the government shutdown and surrender of House Republicans to Elon Musk; and the appeal of TikTok to the Supreme Court.  For this week’s Slate Plus bonus episode, Emily, John, and David discuss the drones over New Jersey.   In the latest  Gabfest Re...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the fall of the al-Assad dictatorship in Syria with  Steven A. Cook  of the Council on Foreign Relations; the killing of a health insurance CEO and the acquittal for the death of a troubled man; and the future of American birthright citizenship. For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, John, and David discuss President Joe B...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss President Joe Biden’s pardon of son Hunter and President-Elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Pete Hegseth; the Democrats’ debate on why they lost and how they might win in the future; and the Supreme Court case on treatment for transgender children.  For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, John, and David answer Conundrums....

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Donald Trump’s threatened tariffs and his pick for Treasury Secretary; the next Federal Communications Commission Chair and free speech; and the “bro-economy” with The Atlantic’s  Annie Lowrey .  For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, John, and David discuss the most fulfilling jobs in America. In the latest  Gabfest Reads...

(Note: The episode was recorded prior to the withdrawal of Matt Gaetz from consideration for Attorney General.) This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Donald Trump’s Cabinet selections and their involvement with sexual-assault allegations; the Texas elementary school curriculum that incorporates the Bible; and coming changes to health care with The Washington Post’s Dan...

Political Gabfest host Emily Bazelon talks with author Stephanie Gorton about her new book,  The Icon & The Idealist . They discuss racism and prudishness in the early suffragist movement, how eugenics played a role in the birth control movement, and how two different women fought each other, despite wanting the same things.  Tweet us your questions  @SlateGabfest  or email us at  gabfest@slat...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Donald Trump’s problematic picks for his Cabinet; the lessons to be learned and way forward for Democrats; and the possibilities and difficulties of mass deportation with  Caitlin Dickerson . Join us on December 4 for Political Gabfest Live in Brooklyn!  Tickets are on sale now . And send us your Conundrums at  slate.com/conundrum ....

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the big wins of Donald Trump and Senate Republicans; the what-next of the second Trump presidency; and the electoral victories and possible setbacks for abortion rights. Join us on December 4 for Political Gabfest Live in Brooklyn!  Tickets are on sale now . And send us your Conundrums at  slate.com/conundrum . Email your chatters,...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the final week of the presidential campaign; the threats to election integrity; and the consequences of not endorsing. Join us on December 4 for Political Gabfest Live in Brooklyn!  Tickets are on sale now . And send us your Conundrums at  slate.com/conundrum . Email your chatters, questions, and comments to  gabfest@slate.com . (Me...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Donald Trump’s fascism, disinhibition, and age; the state of young men in America with  Rachel Simmons ; and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of Michigan with  Nicholas Confessore  of The New York Times. Join us on December 4 for Political Gabfest Live in Brooklyn!  Tickets are on sale now . And send us your Conund...

Political Gabfest host John Dickerson talks with author Dan Harris about his re-released book,  10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, And Found Self-Help That Actually Works – A True Story  in light of the looming November 5 vote. They discuss the steps to coping with election anxiety, how to benefit from group dynamics (instead of letting the doom-s...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Kamala Harris’s voter outreach to black and Hispanic men; the close races for Republican senators in Nebraska, Texas, and Florida; and the conspiracy theories that endanger FEMA and aid for hurricane victims. And it’s never too early to send us your Conundrums at  slate.com/conundrum . For this week’s Slate Plus bonus episode, Emily...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the close race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump;  Why Legal Experts Are Worried About a Second Trump Presidency ; and Hurricanes Helene and Milton and climate change. And it’s never too early to send us your Conundrums at  slate.com/conundrum . For this week’s Slate Plus bonus episode, Emily, John, and David talk about media e...

 This week,  Jamelle Bouie  of The New York Times joins John Dickerson and David Plotz to discuss the vice-presidential debate between Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. JD Vance; the deadly conflict between Israel and Iran with Nathan Guttman of Israeli public television; and the federal indictment of New York City Mayor Eric Adams.  For this week’s Slate Plus bonus episode, Jamelle, John, and David talk wit...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss what’s happening with the Kamala Harris v. Donald Trump race, what to expect with the Tim Walz v. JD Vance debate, how crazy Mark Robinson’s gubernatorial campaign in North Carolina has become, and whether college can survive careerism.  For this week’s Slate Plus bonus episode, David, Emily, and John discuss the all-important Elect...

On this month’s edition of Gabfest Reads,  Political Gabfest  host David Plotz talks with author Elizabeth Strout about her new book,  Tell Me Everything . They discuss how Strout conceives of interconnected stories and characters across her work, including the return of beloved characters like Olive Kitteridge. They also dig into the importance of listening and the ways ordinary lives can be extr...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss political violence and its consequences; the state of the presidential race; and  The Rise of Fox News  with Slow Burn’s Josh Levin.  Podcast production by Cheyna Roth Research by Julie Huygen Public.com+Public Investing: All investing involves risk. Brokerage services for US listed securities, options and bonds in a self-directed b...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Kamala Harris’ win against Donald Trump in the presidential debate; the Harris endorsements by Taylor Swift and Dick and Liz Cheney; and election integrity with  Professor Nathaniel Persily  of Stanford Law School. Here are this week’s chatters: Emily: Willa Paskin and Cheyna Roth for Decoder Ring:  If You Give a Mouse a Cookie… Wil...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the state of the presidential race; the possibility of a hostages-for-Gaza-ceasefire deal with  Ruth Margalit  of The New Yorker; and foreign interference in U.S. politics.   In the latest  Gabfest Reads , Emily talks with Joshua Leifer about his book,  Tablets Shattered .  Email your chatters, questions, and comments to  gabfest@sl...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the Kamala Harris-Donald Trump debate and other campaign goings-on; the January 6th and classified documents cases brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith; and the national housing shortage with  Conor Dougherty  of The New York Times.  Here are this week’s chatters: Emily: Wayne Homes:  The Great Debate: Front Porch vs. Back Porch ; ...

This week, John Dickerson returns and joins Emily Bazelon and David Plotz to discuss the Democratic National Convention; presidential polls; and overtourism.  Here are this week’s chatters: John: @jdickerson on Threads: Background Sounds on iPhone Emily: Tablets Shattered by Joshua Leifer; Gabfest Reads: Where Does the American Jewish Experience Go from Here? ; and Ginia Bellafante for The New Yor...

Political Gabfest host Emily Bazalon talks with author Joshua Leifer about his new book,  Tablets Shattered: The End of An American Jewish Century and the Future of Jewish Life . They discuss Leifer’s experience growing up Jewish in America, the conflict in Gaza, how what it means to be Jewish has evolved, and more.  Tweet us your questions  @SlateGabfest  or email us at  gabfest@slate.com . (Mess...

This week, Emily Bazelon and David Plotz are joined by Marin Cogan of Vox to discuss how the media is reporting on election disinformation and misinformation and Donald Trump’s lies; Vice President Kamala Harris defining Candidate Kamala Harris; and more guns, less violent crime.  Here are some notes and references from this week’s show: Marin Cogan for Vox: What happens when everyone decides they...

This week, Emily Bazelon and David Plotz are joined by Juliette Kayyem of Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government to discuss the Democratic vice presidential nominee, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz; Google’s search monopoly and antitrust trial loss; and the guilty-plea deals in three 9/11 cases undone by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Here are this week’s chatters: Juliette: NBC: P...

This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the new Democratic line against JD Vance and Donald Trump; the Kamala Harris Veepstakes; and President Biden’s attempt to reform the Supreme Court. Here are this week’s chatters: John:  The World Jigsaw Puzzle Championship Emily:  Social Security and Trends in Wealth Inequality  and  The Sea Change David:  Who Goes Nazi? By Dorothy...