The Ricochet Podcast

After a week off, we’re back and putting our best foot forward with guests Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) and our good friend and podcaster Professor Richard Epstein. The Senator talks to us about Iran, Guantanamo, and his controversial “endorsement” of Bernie Sanders. Speaking of Sanders, our hosts explain why they admire him and wish Republicans would emulate him. Yes, you read that right. Later... S...

Welcome to 2016, faithful podcast listeners. We start off the year strongly with two of our most popular guests: the great Victor Davis Hanson and the no less great Andrew Klavan. There’s lots of talk about warriors ancient and modern, some Trump, some Europe. Even some talk about the current crop of movies. But seriously, no spoilers. A few links related to this show: Victor Davis Hanson’s The......

Hey, it’s our last show of the year and we go out with a jump to hyperspace as Rob has already seen Star Wars: The Force Awakens, much to James’ chagrin. We also discuss the debates, the upcoming primaries, some of our favorite member posts from 2015, and more. Thanks for a great year and Merry Christmas to everyone. We’ll see you in 2016. Music from this week’s episode: Christmas (Baby Please......

Current events have you pulling your hair out? We’ve got some audio Rogaine for you: Niall Ferguson, author of the newly published biography of Henry Kissinger stops by to give us some perspective on terrorism and international relations. Then, our good pal Larry Kudlow (you listen to his podcast, don’t you?) joins the show to give some perspective on his friend The Donald, the state of the... Sou...

In the wake of the shooting in San Bernardino, we get into the “thoughts and prayers” debate that broke out last night after the NY Daily News published its provocative front page. Then, Dinesh D’Souza joins to discuss his new book Stealing America: What My Experience with Criminal Gangs Taught Me about Obama, Hillary, and the Democratic Party and get into detail about his experiences while... Sou...

Last week’s podcast concluded just before the attacks in Paris began, so this week, we’ve assembled a couple of guests who can help us make sense of it all and divine what response the U.S. should make both the terrorists and the refugees soon to be arriving en masse. Herb Meyer served during the Reagan Administration as Special Assistant to the Director of Central Intelligence and Vice Chairman.....

Because we have to, we spend an inordinate amount of time discussing the recent events at college campuses around the country. Luckily, we have a Yale grad on the show to help us parse all of the cruel injustices taking place in New Haven. Then, the Mad Dog himself, National Review’s Kevin Williamson joins to discuss his new Encounter Broadside The Case Against Trump. Finally, all the way from......

In a recent post, Ricochet member anonymous posits that the U.S. has become “an unserious country.” Today, we do our best to dispel that notion just a bit (despite the disturbing image above from EJHill) with our guests economist Russ Roberts from the Hoover Institution as well as his legendary EconTalk podcast and Fox News chief Washington correspondent James Rosen (read his new book Cheney One.....

Got a post-debate hangover? We’ve got the cure with this week’s installment of the world-famous Ricochet Podcast. On deck for today’s installment: Ricochet Editor-In-Chief Jon Gabriel sits in for James Lileks and we welcome two powerhouse guests — Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) who recaps the debate, the House, Iran, and yes, mayonnaise. And then, our old pal David Limbaugh checks in with another... So...

This week on the podcast, we recap last night’s Democratic debate with the help of guests Byron York from the Washington Examiner and Hoover’s (and Ricochet’s) Bill Whalen. Who won, who lost, who will never be heard from again, and who we wish would just go away. Also, Lileks reviews The Martian, and Long reviews Hamilton, the hot new Broadway musical. Spoiler alert: both are raves. Source Become...

It’s not often we get the chance to cover breaking news on the Ricochet Podcast, but as we were recording the show this morning, the news that Kevin McCarthy was dropping out of the race for Speaker came across the series of tubes and our team provides instant commentary that you can use in the office, on the Stair Master, walking the dog, or where ever it is that you listen to the show (tell us.....

It’s always good when when our friend Dr. Thomas Sowell stops by to impart some of his wisdom and common sense and this visit is no different. We talk economics (read his new book Wealth, Poverty & Politics: An International Perspective), Ben Carson, yes, even a bit about that candidate who shall to be named. Also, those Planned Parenthood videos and Cary Fiorina’s response, and finally, are R...

This week, the Pope is in town — there’s a lot to say about that and we do, pretty much in real time as it’s happening (shout out to Ricochet member Egg Man for providing updates in the chat room). Later in the podcast, a very special announcement concerning Ricochet and Jon Gabriel (no, we’re not getting married — but close). But first, our good friend and fellow podcaster Jay Nordlinger stops by...

Google, YouTube, and National Review present a discussion with the campaign managers of the 2016 season moderated by Rich Lowry, editor of National Review. Discussion participants include John Brabender (Rick Santorum), Chip Englander (Rand Paul), Terry Sullivan (Marco Rubio), Danny Diaz (Jeb Bush), and Barry Bennett (Ben Carson). You can also watch the video of the event here... Source Become a s...

Debate number two is in the history books now, and to help us parse all the performances we call on two experts: Michael Barone and Rick Wilson. Who won, who lost, who scored and who fumbled? All questions answered within. Also, whither Scott Walker? And, We’re Number 1! Music from this week’s episode: King For a Day by XTC The opening sequence for the Ricochet Podcast was composed and produced by...

This week, our old friend and proto-podcaster Mark Steyn returns to the fold to discuss his terrific new book Disgrace to the Profession. In the addition to the book, we also cover Trump (of course), Mark’s neighbor, Bernie Sanders; the dissing of President McKinley, water levels in Alaska, and an update on Steyn vs. Mann. Yep, we got the band back together. Music from this week’s episode: Get......

A couple of times a year, we assemble our far flung editorial staff (that’s Troy Senik, Jon Gabriel, Claire Berlinski, and Tom Meyer) on the Ricochet Podcast and let them riff on the issues of the day and give some dap to their favorite Ricochet member posts of the recent past. And in this, the last show of the Summer of Trump®, that’s exactly what we’ve done. Spoiler alert: Lileks checks in from....

As promised, this week we present a debate on what popularly known as anchor babies — the idea that any child born in the U.S.A is automatically a U.S. citizen no matter what the immigration status of the parents may be. Our debaters: Constitutional law professor and Ricochet podcast host John Yoo and author, lawyer, and columnist Ann Coulter. Not much else to say about this show except do the......

It’s the dog days of summer and that means we load the podcast up with a panoply of guests. To kick things off, the great Victor Davis Hanson, who opines on the academic view of Trump and the Iran deal. Then, the dulcet tones of David Limbaugh (aka El Rush Bro) joins. Yep, he also has some views on The Donald as well as Hillary. Not to be missed. Finally, stick around as we give some podcast fame....

This week, a full recap of last night’s debate, Who lost, who won, who got trumped, who’s campaign is probably over, whose campaign got a big boost. Also, is Senator Shumer’s opposition to the Iran deal sincere or just politics? All answers lie within, so tune in. Music from this week’s episode: Cracklin’ Rosie by Neil Diamond The opening sequence for the Ricochet Podcast was composed and produced...

It’s #Throwback Thursday here on the Ricochet Podcast as we go old skool with just Peter Robinson and Rob Long hosting and we’re joined by long standing podcast guest Mickey Kaus, who returns to discuss his thought provoking essay Coulter’s Challenge on –what else– immigration. Then, Angelo Codevilla, he of the now famous column Does Trump Trump? He also proposes a shall we say... Source Become a...

Long and Lileks are away, but that’s OK — we’re in extremely capable hands with guest hosts Troy Senik and Need To Know’s Mona Charen. This week, we’re joined by Senator Tom Cotton to discuss the Iran deal (or lack thereof). Then, the Weekly Standard’s Andrew Ferguson stops by to discuss Hillary, Trump, and Buster (his dog). Andy’s participation makes it an official quorum of White House... Source...

This week, a discussion of the many wonders of the universe, from Donald Trump’s candidacy, to AEI president Arthur Brook’s vision for the conservative heart (buy his book, The Conservative Heart: How to Build a Fairer, Happier, and More Prosperous America), and of course, Pluto. On that topic, let’s just say that Rob and James have a more romantic outlook than Peter. Music from this week’s... Sou...

A busy news week mean we have to book the best experts to parse what’s important and what’s not. This week, we call on Ricochet podcaster (on hiatus) and Perry campaign advisor Avik Roy to help talk us through what the fallout will be from the SCOTUS ACA decision that came down last week. Also, he gives some insight on Perry’s speech on race and why the Texas economy is the best in the country. So...

This week on the Ricochet Podcast, we cover the SCOTUS rulings with the best panel anywhere on the internets: Ricochet Editor emeritus Mollie Hemingway stops by to give perspective on how the media covered the rulings, and Ricochet contributor Adam Freedman (buy his new book, A Less Perfect Union) visits to give us the legal rationale — as well as a way the ruling might be circumvented. Also... So...