Katie Halper and Aaron Maté

Useful Idiots with Katie Halper and Aaron Maté

News EN ↓ 510 episodes

Useful Idiots is an informative and irreverent politics podcast with journalist Aaron Maté and podcaster/writer Katie Halper. Episodes feature on-the-road coverage of the 2020 campaign and exclusive interviews, with humor, commentary and dissection of the politics news of the week. Join Katie and Aaron as they examine important stories that have slipped through the cracks and what the media got wrong – and laugh about whatever is left to laugh about. www.usefulidiotspodcast.com

Author

Katie Halper and Aaron Maté

Episodes

Adam McKay on 'Coke vs. Pepsi' Politics, Plus Biden vs. Trump, Matt on Congressional Insider Trading 27.03.2020 1:55:27

Acclaimed writer/director/producer Adam McKay joins the show to talk 'Coke vs. Pepsi' politics, making political movies, and more. Matt and Katie play a Trump vs. Biden quote game, field questions from fans, and Matt breaks down his recent piece about congressional insider trading Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this...

Noam Chomsky on the Primary and Media Criticism, Plus a Breakdown of Biden's Lies 19.03.2020 1:37:02

Special guest Noam Chomsky joins this under-quarantine episode to talk Democratic primary and media criticism. Katie and Matt break down a list of Biden's lies Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.usefulidiotspodcast.com/subscribe

Bernie vs Trump vs Biden with James Adomian and Anthony Atamaniuk, Plus the Primary 12.03.2020 2:00:29

Comedians James Adomian and Anthony Atamaniuk discuss playing Trump and Bernie, Matt and Katie break down the latest on the campaign Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.usefulidiotspodcast.com/subscribe

Super Tuesday Review, Sanders’ Strategy Moving Forward, and Saying Goodbye to Chris Matthews 05.03.2020 58:56

*Disclaimer*: This episode was taped on Wednesday, March 4, before Elizabeth Warren suspended her campaign Matt and Katie discuss the results of Super Tuesday, say goodbye to Pete, Klobuchar, Bloomberg and Chris Matthews, and how Bernie needs to change his strategy. *Merch Link*: https://teespring.com/stores/useful-idiots Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a pub...

Felix Salmon on Bloomberg, Wall Street, Michael Milken, and the 2020 Campaigns. Plus the Latest WaPo Op-eds 27.02.2020 1:51:17

Financial journalist Felix Salmon, of Axios, joins the show to discuss Trump's pardon of Michael Milken, Bloomberg's history on Wall Street, the 2020 election and more. Rolling Stone politics editor Patrick Reis guests for a segment on some recent Washington Post op-eds. *Merch Link*: https://teespring.com/stores/useful-idiots Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is...

Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti on Bipartisan Elitism, Plus a Treasure Trove of 'Stoned Moments' 21.02.2020 1:33:17

Krystal Ball and Saagar Enjeti, co-hosts of the popular show Rising on the Hill, join the show to discuss themes from their book ‘The Populist’s Guide to 2020,’ democrats and republicans co-existing, Mike Bloomberg’s campaign and more. *Merch Link Here!*: https://teespring.com/stores/useful-idiots Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you'd lik...

Ro Khanna on Military Spending, FOSTA-SESTA, and the 2020 Primary, Plus Chris Matthews' Rant 13.02.2020 1:14:46

Representative Ro Khanna joins the show to talk about his work in on military spending, FOSTA-SESTA, Bernie's campaign. Matt and Katie dissect a Chris Matthews rant and more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.usefulidiotspodcast.com/subscribe

Lee Fang on Iowa Shadow App and Bloomberg's Growing Political Machine, Plus the Whole World Sucks After Iowa 07.02.2020 1:42:48

Lee Fang, investigative journalist at The Intercept, joins the show from California to talk everything Iowa regarding apps and caucus reporting, the security of upcoming primaries in New Hampshire and beyond, and Mike Bloomberg's ambitions for running. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or ge...

Tim Robbins on Art, Activism, and Bernie, Plus Coronavirus in the Media 31.01.2020 1:02:29

Actor, writer, and director Tim Robbins joins the show to discuss his play The New Colossus, balancing art and activism, and Bernie Sanders. Matt and Katie catch up on the coronavirus story and talk Iowa caucus. **We now have Useful Idiots merch! Feel more useful with our mugs, t-shirts, and totes: https://teespring.com/stores/useful-idiots Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch...

Introducing The Topical 29.01.2020 3:45

Our friends at The Onion created a new podcast called 'The Topical', a satirical takedown of daily news shows. The show premieres January 29, anywhere you listen to podcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.usefulidiotspodcast.com/subscribe

Dennis Kucinich on Surviving Three Assassination Attempts, Plus an Update on Glenn Greenwald 24.01.2020 1:50:22

Former presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich talks foreshadowing the progressive shift in the Democratic party, governing, and handling repeated assassination attempts. Matt gives an update on Glenn Greenwald Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.usefu...

Glenn Greenwald on Warren vs Sanders, Russiagate, & Bolsonaro 16.01.2020 1:43:43

Glenn Greenwald, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and co-founder of the Intercept, joins the show from Brazil to talk about Russiagate, Bolsonaro, and the 2020 election Matt and Katie discuss Sanders vs. Warren*. *This was taped before the Jan 15 Democratic debate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subs...

Nina Turner on Campaigning for Bernie, MLK, and Why Class Matters, Plus a Discussion on Iran 09.01.2020 1:34:56

Former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner talks campaigning with Bernie, and getting her start in politics. Matt and Katie discuss Iran/Soleimani, and a strange Florida story involving turkey vultures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.usefulidiotspodca...

Ani DiFranco on Prison Music Project and Centrist Dems, Plus Matt on Playing Pro Basketball in Mongolia 02.01.2020 53:36

Legendary songwriter Ani DiFranco discusses her Buffalo roots, new music projects, and lefty politics. Katie finally asks Matt about his professional basketball career in Mongolia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.usefulidiotspodcast.com/subscribe

Bonus Holiday Episode! Michael Moore Pt. 2, Matt on the Afghanistan Papers 26.12.2019 44:17

Part two of the Useful Idiots conversation with Michael Moore on his childhood, Rumble, the environment and more. Matt discusses the Washington Post's Afghanistan Papers, and a bonus episode of the Most Stoned Moments Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit w...

A Conversation With Michael Moore, Plus Debate Bias, The Horowitz Report, and Penis Worms 19.12.2019 1:33:25

Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Michael Moore joins the show. Matt discusses the Horowitz report, and Katie dives into debate bias Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.usefulidiotspodcast.com/subscribe

Cenk Uygur on The Young Turks, His Campaign, and Media Coverage of Progressives 13.12.2019 1:44:26

Cenk Uygur joins the show to talk about founding the Young Turks, his congressional campaign, and covering progressive politics. Matt and Katie debut a new segment ‘The Most Stoned Moments of the Campaign’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.usefulidi...

Andrew Yang on the Yang Gang, Universal Basic Income, and the Press 05.12.2019 1:22:13

Presidential candidate Andrew Yang joins the show to discuss his campaign, the Yang Gang, and the press. Matt and Katie talk UK politics, and the British press treatment of Jeremy Corbyn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.usefulidiotspodcast.com/sub...

Bonus Ep! Max Blumenthal Pt 2 on The Grayzone, Syria, and more 27.11.2019 28:37

Part 2 of Max Blumenthal's interview on his publication the Grayzone and the current state of reporting. Matt and Katie discuss a special Thanksgiving animal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.usefulidiotspodcast.com/subscribe

Max Blumenthal on His Arrest, the Bolivian Coup, and Biden's War on Raves, Plus an Investigation of #Fartgate 22.11.2019 1:43:28

Journalist Max Blumenthal joins the show to discuss his recent arrest and trial, the Bolivian coup, and Biden's war on raves. Matt and Katie dive into #Fartgate, plus a #YangGang challenge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.usefulidiotspodcast.com/su...

Shahid Buttar on Defeating Pelosi and Impeaching Trump, Plus the Return of Lizholio 14.11.2019 1:15:45

Shahid Buttar on defeating Pelosi and impeaching Trump, plus Matt and Katie discuss the return of Lizholio and Big Structural Bailey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.usefulidiotspodcast.com/subscribe

Jeffrey Epstein with TrueAnon's Liz Franczak, Plus Elizabeth Warren's Dog 07.11.2019 54:48

Matt and Katie dive deep into the reopening of the Epstein saga with Liz Franczak from TrueAnon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.usefulidiotspodcast.com/subscribe

CIA Whistleblower John Kiriakou on Impeachment, "Assets," and the Espionage Act, plus Max Blumenthal's Arrest 31.10.2019 1:32:36

Former CIA agent and whistleblower John Kiriakou talks impeachment, "Assets," and the Espionage Act, plus Max Blumenthal's arrest. Matt gives his take on coverage of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's death Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.usefulidiotspodcast....

Abby Martin on Hillary's NeoMcCarthyism and 'Gaza Fights for Freedom,' Plus #BerniesBack 24.10.2019 1:03:26

Abby Martin joins the show to discuss Hillary vs. Tulsi and her film 'Gaza Fights for Freedom, Katie recaps Bernie's rally in Queens Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.usefulidiotspodcast.com/subscribe

Chris Hedges Pt. 2 on Media "Objectivity," Plus Matt Hits the Biden Campaign Trail 17.10.2019 54:11

Journalist Chris Hedges finishes up his conversation about the media, plus Matt talks details his time following the Biden campaign trail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.usefulidiotspodcast.com/subscribe