Political Gabfest

Trump Will Be Indicted Next Tuesday Mar 23, 2023

This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Emily Bazelon discuss Trump’s announcement he expects to be arrested; what ChatGPT means for the world; and interview Rachel Donadio, contributing writer for The Atlantic, about the unrest in France.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Rachel Donadio for The New York Times: “Macron May Keep the Presidency, But Le Pen Has Already Won”

Annie Gowen for The Washington Post: “Iowa’s Sharp Right Turn: From Centrist State To ‘Florida Of The North’”

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: Imprint app

Emily: Madame Restell: The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Old New York’s Most Fabulous, Fearless, and Infamous Abortionist, by Jennifer Wright; The Atlantic’s podcast Holy Week: The Story of A Revolution Undone(Host Vann R. Newkirk II, Senior Producer Jocelyn Frank)

David: Blue Collar Cats; Andrea Sachs for The Washington Post: “‘These Are Working Cats’: Meet The Feral D.C. Felines Tasked With Hunting Rodents”

Listener chatter from Alexandra Phelps: Kavitha Surana for ProPublica: “Doctors Warned Her Pregnancy Could Kill Her. Then Tennessee Outlawed Abortion.”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, John, and Emily discuss how Iowa became so conservative.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap and Julia Huygen

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Gabfest Reads: How Do You Solve a Problem Like Semiconductors? Mar 18, 2023

John Dickerson talks with author Chris Miller about his new book, Chip War: The Fight for The World’s Most Critical Technology.They discuss how semiconductor chips became so important, why everyone is so dependent on Taiwan for chips, and what lessons China can glean from what’s happening in Ukraine.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Go Ahead, Call It A Bailout Mar 16, 2023

David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Emily Bazelon discuss the Silicon Valley Bank bailout with David Leonhardt; Ron DeSantis coming out against aid to Ukraine; and free speech fights at elite law schools.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

William Saletan for The Bulwark: “The Ukraine Untruths of Disingenuous DeSantis”

Ken White for The Popehat Report: “Hating Everyone Everywhere All At Once At Stanford”

David Lat for Original Jurisdiction: “Yale Law Is No Longer #1—For Free-Speech Debacles”

Jordan Metzl for The New York Times: “Working From Home Is Less Healthy Than You Think”

Here are this week’s chatters:

Emily: Maurice Chammah for The Marshall Project: “The Mercy Workers”

John: OpenAI example recipe generator

David: Robyn Dixon for The Washington Post: “A Railroad Fan Photographed Putin’s Armored Train. Now He Lives In Exile.”

Listener chatter: Alex Traub for The New York Times: “Judy Heumann, Who Led the Fight for Disability Rights, Dies at 75”; Being Heumann: An Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist, by Judith Heumann;

Crip Camp; The Power of 504, Judy's Heumann’s Ted Talk

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John discuss the health benefits and drawbacks of working from home.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another Florida Man Is Running For President Mar 09, 2023

David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Emily Bazelon discuss Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign, the end of pandemic-era medicaid & food security protections, and the many legal fights over medication abortion.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show

Hannah Dreier and Kirsten Luce for The New York Times: “Alone and Exploited, Migrant Children Work Brutal Jobs Across the U.S.”

Jeff Stein and Tony Romm for The Washington Post: “Biden Calls For Trillions In Tax Hikes And New Domestic Spending”

Emily Bazelon for The New York Times: “The Abortion Pill Fight”

Redaction, by Reginald Dwayne Betts and Titus Kaphar

Information on the New York reading and book signing for Redaction

Here are this week’s chatters:

Emily: The Declassification Engine: What History Reveals About America's Top Secrets, by Matthew Connelly

John: Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology, by Chris Miller

David: Defending Democracy with Malcolm Turnbull;

Listener chatter from Rebecca Carr: Pat Sangimino for The Lincoln Journal Star: “Leading Off: In The Heat Of The Sexual Revolution, A Woman And Her Invention Made A Difference”; Pagan Kennedy for The New York Times: “Could Women Be Trusted With Their Own Pregnancy Tests?”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily talks to Reginald Dwayne Betts and Titus Kaphar about their book, Redaction.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Make an impact this Women’s History Month by helping Macy’s on their mission to fund girls in STEM. Go to macys.com/purpose to learn more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So It Was A Lab Leak? Mar 02, 2023

This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Emily Bazelon discuss the Supreme Court challenge to loan forgiveness; lab leak v. wet market Covid politics; and the future of humanities education–with John Plotz.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Nathan Heller for The New Yorker: “The End of The English Major”

Recall This Bookpodcast with John Plotz

Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea, by John Plotz

“The Eden of the Author of Sleep,” by Brian Teare

Sarah Fullerton for UC Berkeley: “Defying Negative Stereotypes, Humanities Majors Are Booming At UC Berkeley”

Culture: The Story of Us, From Cave Art to K-Pop, by Martin Puchner

The Golden Compass; The Subtle Knife; and The Amber Spyglass, by Philip Pullman

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: Drew Harwell for The Washington Post: “Tech’s Hottest New Job: AI Whisperer. No Coding Required.”

Emily: Michelle Goldberg for The New York Times: “Don’t Let Politics Cloud Your View of What’s Going On With Teens and Depression”; Matthew Yglesias for Slow Boring: “Why Are Young Liberals So Depressed?”; Ross Douthat for The New York Times: “American Teens Are Really Miserable. Why?”

David: Ben Taub for The New Yorker: “How the Biggest Fraud in German History Unravelled”

Listener chatter from Arthur Baraf: The National High School Ethics Bowl

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, John, and Emily discuss the Bidens ordering the same entree at a restaurant.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Make an impact this Women’s History Month by helping Macy’s on their mission to fund girls in STEM. Go to macys.com/purpose to learn more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What Tucker Carlson is Saying When You’re Not Listening Feb 23, 2023

* Due to an audio issue, the original episode has been replaced.

This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Emily Bazelon discuss the year of war on Ukraine with Anne Applebaum; the smoking gun Fox News text messages; and Google’s defense of Section 230 at the Supreme Court.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Anne Applebaum and Nataliya Gumenyuk for The Atlantic: “‘They Didn’t Understand Anything, But Just Spoiled People’s Lives’”

Anne Applebaum for The Atlantic: “Biden’s Hope vs. Putin’s Lies”

Anne Applebaum for The Atlantic: “Biden Went to Kyiv Because There’s No Going Back”

Emily Bazelon for The New York Times Magazine: “Billionaires vs. The Press in the Era of Trump”

Jenna Russell for The New York Times: “In Vermont, a School and Artist Fight Over Murals of Slavery”

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: The Kid Should See This: “How It’s Made” videos

Emily: Jill Filipovic: “Fear of a Female Body”

David: Morgan Wade; City Cast DC live

Listener chatter from Dylan O’Leary: Miles Ellingham for The Financial Times: “After Hours With 10 Foot, London’s Most Notorious Graffiti Writer”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, David, John, and Emily discuss the artist suing to keep his mural depicting slavery on display at a school that doesn’t want it.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth and Tori Dominguez.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Make an impact this Black History Month by helping Macy’s on their mission to fund UNCF scholarships for HBCU students. Go to macys.com/purpose to learn more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gabfest Reads: A Boarding School Thriller, But Make It Feminist Feb 18, 2023

Emily Bazelon talks with author Rebecca Makkai about her new book, I Have Some Questions For You. They discuss why it’s so easy to suspend disbelief with this type of story, the “cancelled” subplot, and whether we’d be better off without Twitter.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Nikki Haley? Feb 16, 2023

This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Emily Bazelon discuss Nikki Haley’s presidential campaign; the legal history likely to lead to the end of affirmative action; and Slate How To! podcast host Amanda Ripley’s reporting on the congressional committee that got things done.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Emily Bazelon for The New York Times Magazine: “Why Is Affirmative Action in Peril? One Man’s Decision.”

Amanda Ripley for The Washington Post: “These Radically Simple Changes Helped Lawmakers Actually Get Things Done”

Julia Ioffe for The New Yorker: “Russia on Fire”

Becky Sullivan for NPR: “What To Know About The Train Derailment in East Palestine, Ohio”

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: CBS Sunday Morning: “Almanac: Abraham Lincoln's Beard”

Emily: John J. Lennon for The New York Review of Books: “Peddling Darkness”

David: David French for The New York Times: “Men Need Purpose More Than ‘Respect’”; City Cast DC live

Listener chatter from Tim Anderson: CNN: “Johannes Vermeer Exhibition Stuns With Scientific Revelations”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, John, and Emily discuss the derailment of a train carrying hazardous materials in Ohio.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth and Tori Dominguez.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Biden Gets Frisky Feb 10, 2023

This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Emily Bazelon discuss the raucous State of the Union; the spy balloon and U.S.-China relations; and Susan Dominus’s reporting on missed opportunities in treating menopause.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Zolan Kanno-Youngs, Katie Rogers and Peter Baker for The New York Times: “Kamala Harris Is Trying to Define Her Vice Presidency. Even Her Allies Are Tired of Waiting.”

Susan Dominus for The New York Times Magazine: “Women Have Been Misled About Menopause”

Stephen I. Vladeck for The New York Times: “Don’t Let Republican ‘Judge Shoppers’ Thwart the Will of Voters”

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: Andor; Kialo.com

Emily: Sabawoon Samim for Afghanistan Analysts Network: “New Lives In The City: How Taleban Have Experienced Life In Kabul”

David: City Cast DC live; The Brothers Ashkenazi, by I. J Singer. Join David Plotz for a live taping of the City Cast DC podcast at the Politics & Prose Union Market location, Wednesday March 1 at 6:30 pm. You can register here for a free ticket.

Listener chatter from Ryan Clements: The Outlaw Ocean: Journeys Across the Last Untamed Frontier, by Ian Urbina; The Outlaw Oceanpodcast

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, John, and Emily discuss the use of “judge shopping”—picking a preferred judge by suing in a single-judge district—to invalidate legislation nationwide.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth and Tori Dominguez.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Make an impact this Black History Month by helping Macy’s on their mission to fund UNCF scholarships for HBCU students. Go to macys.com/purpose to learn more.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Police Reform Possible? Feb 02, 2023

This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Emily Bazelon discuss the killing of Tyre Nichols; violence interruption efforts–with guest Alec MacGillis; and the upcoming State of the Union.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Jamelle Bouie for The New York Times: “The Police Cannot Be a Law Unto Themselves”

Radley Balko for The New York Times: “Tyre Nichols’s Death Proves Yet Again That ‘Elite’ Police Units Are a Disaster”

Alec MacGillis for The New Yorker and ProPublica: “Can Community Programs Help Slow the Rise in Violence?”

Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration, by Emily Bazelon

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: The Fight of His Life: Inside Joe Biden's White House, by Chris Whipple; The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency, by Chris Whipple

Emily: Deep Cover: Never Seen Againpodcast; Dan Charnas: Breaking Atoms: The Hip Hop Podcast

David: City Cast Madison; City Cast Portland; Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver

Listener chatter from David Foreman: Artnet News: “See Scores of Unbuilt Frank Lloyd Wright Structures That Have Been Computer-Rendered With Incredible Realism”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, John, and Emily discuss The Banshees of Inisherin.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth and Tori Dominguez

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DeSantis University Jan 26, 2023

This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and guest host Josie Duffy Rice discuss the rise of Marjorie Taylor Greene; Ron DeSantis’ attacks on educators; and the bipartisan bashing of monopolist Ticketmaster.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Jonathan Swan and Catie Edmondson for The New York Times: “How Kevin McCarthy Forged an Ironclad Bond With Marjorie Taylor Greene”

God's Harvard: A Christian College on a Mission to Save America, by Hanna Rosin

Josie Duffy Rice for iHeartPodcasts: Unreformed: the Story of the Alabama Industrial School for Negro Children

The Nickel Boys, by Colson Whitehead

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness, by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz

Josie: The Uninnocent: Notes on Violence and Mercy, by Katharine Blake

David: Vintage Contemporaries, by Dan Kois

Listener chatter from Pherabe Kolb: Fred Clasen-Kelly for The Greenville News: “Key Findings From The Cost Of Unity, A Series On The Displacement Of Black Greenville”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, John, and Josie discuss Josie’s new podcast, Unreformed: the Story of the Alabama Industrial School for Negro Children.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gabfest Reads: Two Horrifying Days in D.C. Jan 21, 2023

David Plotz talks with author Shahan Mufti about his new book, American Caliph: The True Story of a Muslim Mystic, a Hollywood Epic, and the 1977 Siege of Washington, DC. They discuss an Islamic group’s multi-location attack in D.C., the terror that hostages experienced while held captive for the two days, and the movie that started the whole thing.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does Alito Hate Sotomayor? Jan 19, 2023

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss the discovery of classified documents at Biden’s home; the justices of the Supreme Court exhibiting open animosity toward one another; and fears of a “polycrisis” at Davos.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Matt Viser, Tyler Pager, Carol Leonnig and Yasmeen Abutaleb for The Washington Post: “Inside The White House Document Strategy And Its Pitfalls”

Steven Mazie for The Atlantic: “The Supreme Court Justices Do Not Seem to Be Getting Along”

Jess Bravin and Sadie Gurman for The Wall Street Journal: “Supreme Court Investigators Have Narrowed Leak Inquiry to Small Number of Suspects”

Andrew Van Dam for The Washington Post: “The Happiest, Least Stressful, Most Meaningful Jobs In America”

Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do, by Studs Terkel

Here is the poem (by an unknown author) that listener Christina Roosen sent to David after his cat died:

Eyes bright,

claws sharp,

tail held high.

Go keenly into the mist, old warrior.

Valhalla waits for you

A compilation of poems about pet loss: Rome Thorstenson for In Valhalla: “Pet Loss Poems”

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: Joseph Berger for The New York Times: “Adolfo Kaminsky Dies at 97; His Forgeries Saved Thousands of Jews”

Emily: Joshua Vaughn for Penn Live: “Dauphin County Made Millions On Jail Phone Calls And Spent It On Staff Perks, Contractors”

David: His Dark Materialson BBC One; The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass, by Philip Pullman

Listener chatter from Muirinn O'Neill: Josh Baker’s I'm Not a Monsterpodcast

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John discuss the jobs people find most meaningful.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Weaponization of Government Jan 12, 2023

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss the House GOP’s “Weaponization of Government” subcommittee; the insurrection in Brazil–with Marcos Nobre; and what Prince Harry’s book, Spare, means for the British

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Matthew Yglesias for Slow Boring: “A New Plan To Get Around The Debt Ceiling Hostage”

Matt Levine for Bloomberg: “Financial Engineering the Debt Ceiling”

Spare, by Prince Harry

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: David Wallace-Wells for The New York Times: “Electric Vehicles Keep Defying Almost Everyone’s Predictions”

Emily: Josie Duffy Rice for iHeartPodcasts: Unreformed: the Story of the Alabama Industrial School for Negro Children

David: Julia Moskin for The New York Times: “Noma, Rated the World’s Best Restaurant, Is Closing Its Doors”

Listener chatter from Erich Morgenbesser: AI illustrates countries as villains

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John discuss the status of “return to office.”

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin McCarthy In Hell Jan 05, 2023

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss GOP’s speakership debacle; George Santos; and improving access to medication abortion.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Emily Bazelon for The New York Times: “The Dawn of the Post-Clinic Abortion”

Emily Bazelon for The New York Times: “Risking Everything to Offer Abortions Across State Lines”

Mark Oppenheimer for The New York Times: “Why Did George Santos Lie About Being Jewish?”

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: Winesburg, Ohio, by Sherwood Anderson

Emily: The Furrows, by Namwali Serpell; Tár ; Zadie Smith for The New York Review of Books: “The Instrumentalist”; Amanda Hess for The New York Times: “Breaking Out of the #MeToo Movie Formula”; Dan Kois for Slate: “Tár Is the Most-Talked-About Movie of the Year. So Why Is Everyone Talking About It All Wrong?”

David: Gastrodiplomacy

Listener chatter from Nathan Kamps: Miles Klee for Rolling Stone: “‘A Celebrity in the Land of Celebrities’: Remembering P-22, L.A.’s Favorite Mountain Lion”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John discuss the ethics of watching football in light of Damar Hamlin’s life threatening injury.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Conundrum 2022 with Alison Bechdel Dec 29, 2022

Special thanks to:

Andy Andrews

Sarah Chapin

Marc Colello

David Duesing

Alan Dybner

Phil Goldstein

Jason Howard

Andrew James Pierce

Eric Koleda

Carrie

Jerm

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Inciting Insurrection Dec 22, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss the January 6th Committee’s findings and criminal referrals; the brewing water crisis in the West–with Washington Post reporter Josh Partlow; and the biggest stories of 2022.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Joshua Partlow for The Washington Post: “Officials Fear ‘Complete Doomsday Scenario’ For Drought-Stricken Colorado River”

Joshua Partlow for The Washington Post: “Disaster Scenarios Raise The Stakes For Colorado River Negotiations”

Joshua Partlow for The Washington Post: “‘Where There’s Bodies, There’s Treasure’: A Hunt As Lake Mead Shrinks”

Adam Liptak for The New York Times: “An ‘Imperial Supreme Court’ Asserts Its Power, Alarming Scholars”

Marin Cogan for Vox: “The Deadliest Road in America”

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: Gabfest Reads: How to Avoid Disastrous Presidents; Picking Presidents: How to Make the Most Consequential Decision in the World, by Gautam Mukunda

Emily: Mario Ariza and Miranda Green for Floodlight News, and David Folkenflik for NPR: “In The Southeast, Power Company Money Flows To News Sites That Attack Their Critics”

David: Li Cohen for CBS News: “Could Jack Have Fit On The Door With Rose In 'Titanic’? Director James Cameron Conducted A Study To Find Out ‘Once And For All.’”

Listener chatter from Sam Rutledge: Kaj Tallungs for Wikimedia Commons: data visualization showing the change in U.S. population demographics over time.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John discuss Elon Musk’s tumultuous tenure at Twitter.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gabfest Reads: Everything You Need to Know About Choosing a President Dec 17, 2022

John Dickerson talks with author Gautam Mukunda about his new book Picking Presidents: How to Make the Most Consequential Decision in the World. They talk about how Mukunda’s first book, Indispensable: When Leaders Really Matter laid the groundwork for Picking Presidents. Later, Dickerson and Mukunda dig into why ‘intellectual brilliance’ – which goes beyond IQ - is a strong predictor of presidential performance and how the human portion of the job of president is changing.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Kyrsten Sinema Toast? Dec 15, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss Krysten Sinema leaving the Democratic party; Republicans’ good turnout, poor performance midterms; and the new documentary, Pelosi in The House.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Pelosi in the House

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: Watch Richard Nixon’s Watergate speeches at the Miller Center’s website.

Emily: Jessica Blatt Press for The Philadelphia Citizen: “Hey, Phillly! Let’s Hire A Mayor!”

David: Courtney Kan, Nick Miroff, Scott Higham, Steven Rich and Tyler Remmel for The Washington Post: “Cartel Rx: Fentanyl’s Deadly Surge: From Mexican Labs To U.S. Streets, A Lethal Pipeline”; The EverCrisp apple

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John get philosophical in preparation for the annual Political Gabfest Conundrum episode.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can We Stop Talking About Georgia Now? Dec 09, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss Raphael Warnock beating Herschel Walker, and oral arguments at the Supreme Court in the anti-gay marriage website designer case and the “independent state legislature” election case.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Fr. James Martin, S.J. for Outreach: “When Is Religious Liberty A Fig Leaf For Homophobia?”

Ian MacDougall for ProPublica: “What’s Really at Stake in a Politically Charged Supreme Court Case on Elections”

Jed Sugarmen’s thread on oral arguments in Moore v. Harper.

Kevin Roose for The New York Times: “The Brilliance and Weirdness of ChatGPT”

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: Associated Press: “HBO To Air Nancy Pelosi Doc Shot By Daughter Alexandra”; Pelosi in the House

November 28, 2022

Emily: The Janes

David: Tour Fort DeRussy with David; City Cast Portland has launched; Caitlin Doughty for The New York Times: “If You Want to Give Something Back to Nature, Give Your Body”

Listener chatter from Adam Barhamand: Karen Bakker for Noema: “How To Speak Honeybee”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John discuss ChatGPT.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Kevin Bendis.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Antisemitism Back? Dec 01, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss Trump hosting prominent antisemites Ye (f/k/a Kanye West) and Nick Fuentes; Chinese protestors challenging their authoritarian government–with Sheena Chestnut Greitens; and Congress legislating to protect marriage equality through the Respect For Marriage Act.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Sheena Chestnut Greitens for Foreign Affairs: “Xi Jinping’s Quest for Order”

Sheena Chestnut Greitens and Julian Gewirt for Foreign Affairs: “China's Troubling Vision For The Future Of Public Health”

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: Darby Saxbe and Magdalena Martínez García for The Conversation: “Fatherhood Changes Men’s Brains, According To Before-And-After MRI Scans”

Emily: A compilation of Gabfest listeners favorite salad dressing recipes.

David: City Cast is expanding to new cities; Nicole Eustace for The New York Times: “300 Years Ago, There Was a Brutal Murder. We Could Learn From the Treaty That Followed.”

Listener chatter from Richard Medlicott: The Economist:”Shyam Saran Negi Never Failed In His Democratic Duty”; Alex Binley for the BBC: “Shyam Saran Negi: Man Dubbed 'india's First Voter' Dies Aged 105”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John discuss the Supreme Court challenge to the Biden administration’s immigration policy in United States v. Texas.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

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What If Twitter Dies? Nov 24, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss the future of Twitter, the ghoulish World Cup, and a minister’s allegation that Justice Alito leaked the outcome of the Hobby Lobby case.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Jodi Kantor and Jo Becker for The New York Times: “Former Anti-Abortion Leader Alleges Another Supreme Court Breach”

Jodi Kantor for The New York Times: “Allegation of Supreme Court Breach Prompts Calls for Inquiry and Ethics Code”

Rob Schenck for The New York Times: “I Was an Anti-Abortion Crusader. Now I Support Roe v. Wade”

Kara Voght and Tim Dickinson for Rolling Stone: “SCOTUS Justices ‘Prayed With’ Her — Then Cited Her Bosses to End Roe”

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: Variety: “Bob Dylan Fans Who Bought $600 ‘Hand-Signed’ Books With Replica Autographs Will Receive Refunds From Publisher”

Emily: Rozina Ali for The New York Times Magazine: “‘How Did This Man Think He Had the Right to Adopt This Baby?’”

David: Politics and Prose: City Cast DC Live Taping with Michael Schaffer, David Plotz, and Anton Bogomazov - at Union Market; Slate’s One Year, Season 4: 1942

Listener chatter from Laurent Dugois: In Broad Daylight: A Murder in Skidmore, Missouri, by Harry N MacLean; All That's Interesting: “The Story Of Ken McElroy — The Vicious Bully Killed By His Town”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John contemplate the conundrum of what they would like to tell their younger selves but wouldn’t be able to convince them of. Submit your conundrums for the 2022 conundrum episode at slate.com/conundrum.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Gabfest Reads: Rethinking J. Edgar Hoover Nov 19, 2022

Emily Bazelon talks with author Beverly Gage about her new book, G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century, a detailed account of the life of the first FBI Director, J. Edgar Hoover. They discuss Hoover’s hostile relationship with Martin Luther King Jr., why he should have quit at the end of the 1950s, and how Hoover’s childhood shaped his reign [MOU1] as director.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth

[MOU1]“tenure”? Maybe I’m overthinking this.

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SBF FTX WTF? Nov 17, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss Trump’s campaign announcement, election denying candidates’ failures in the midterms, and guest Matthew Zeitlin on the impact the implosion of Sam Bankman-Fried’s crypto exchange FTX may have on the Effective Altruism movement.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Donie O'Sullivan for CNN: “Facebook Fact-Checkers Will Stop Checking Trump After Presidential Bid Announcement”

Matthew Zeitlin for Grid: “Sam Bankman-Fried Gave Millions To Effective Altruism. What Happens Now That The Money Is Gone?”

Kelsey Piper for Vox: “Sam Bankman-Fried Tries To Explain Himself”

What We Owe the Future, by William MacAskill

William MacAskill for Effective Altruism Forum: “EA And The Current Funding Situation”

This American Life: “Watching the Watchers”

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: Jason P. Frank for Vulture: “Stephen Colbert, Emma Watson, and More Celebs to Relish in Pickleball Tournament”; Isabel Gonzalez for CBS News: “Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield Partner To Create Ear-Shaped, Cannabis-Infused Edibles”

Emily: William Melhado for The Texas Tribune: “Federal Judge In Texas Rules That Disarming Those Under Protective Orders Violates Their Second Amendment Rights”

David: Politics and Prose: City Cast DC Live Taping with Michael Schaffer, David Plotz, and Anton Bogomazov - at Union Market; Justin Jouvenal for The Washington Post: “D.C.’s Bitcoin King: Yachts, Penthouses, A Python — And Tax Dodging?”

Listener chatter from Kelly Mills: The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine Who Outwitted America's Enemies, by Jason Fagone

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John contemplate the Thanksgiving traditions they would like to adopt or improve.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Extremely Surprising Midterms Nov 10, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss the midterm results we have so far and the Supreme Court case that could upend family law and more for Native Americans.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Stefan Becket for CBS News: “The Unresolved 2022 House And Senate Races That Will Determine Control Of Congress”

Rebecca Nagle for The Atlantic: “The Supreme Court Case That Could Break Native American Sovereignty”

Leah Litman and Matthew L.M. Fletcher for The Atlantic: “The Necessity of the Indian Child Welfare Act”

Here are this week’s chatters:

Emily: Sarah McCammon for NPR: “Where Abortion Was On The Ballot, Midterm Voters Largely Signaled Support”

David: David chattered about how going on a “Twitter fast” is improving his well-being.

Listener chatter from Scott Grant: Sarah Linn for KCET: “The Dunites: Building a Utopia in the Oceano Dunes”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John take the under-the-radar state and local midterm results they find most interesting.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live From Atlanta! Nov 03, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson are Live in Atlanta discussing Georgia’s midterm election with NPR-WABE’s Rose Scott, as well as increasing political violencein the U.S.; and affirmative action at the Supreme Court.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Closer Look with Rose Scott

John Dickerson for CBS Primetime: “Political Threats And Violence In The U.S.” (Inteview with Robert Pape)

Steal This Book, by Abbie Hoffman

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: Carrie McBride for The New York Public Library: “100 Years Ago Men and Boys Fought on the Streets of New York Over Wearing Straw Hats Past Summer”

Emily: Fleishman Is in Trouble

David: The Candy House, by Jennifer Egan; Fall; or, Dodge in Hell, by Neil Stephenson; The Immortal King Rao, by Vauhini Vara; Cloud Cuckoo Land, by Anthony Doerr; The Circle, by Dave Eggers

Listener chatter from John Campbell McMillian: Atlanta Police Department’s Citizen's Police Academy

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John take listener questions live.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Bonus Episode: The PA Midterms Edition Oct 30, 2022

David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson talk to civil rights journalist and WHYY radio host Cherri Gregg about the Pennsylvania midterm campaigns.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are British Politics More Or Less Crazy Than Ours? Oct 27, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss the final midterm sprint; the latest British Prime Minister; and Trump’s legal troubles.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Adrian Wooldridge for Bloomberg: “Rishi Sunak Is a New and Old-Fashioned Tory”

Barton Gellman for The Atlantic: “The Impeachment of Joe Biden”

The Trump Tapes: Bob Woodward's Twenty Interviews with President Donald Trump

Nathaniel Rakich for FiveThirtyEight: “The Most Important Elections Of 2022 Could Be In State Legislatures”

Brittany Bernstein for The National Review: “Why Some Trump-Country Pennsylvanians Still Aren't Sold on Dr. Oz”

Anna Bower for Lawfare: “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Georgia Special Purpose Grand Juries But Were Afraid to Ask”

Emily Bazelon for The New York Times: “I Write About the Law. But Could I Really Help Free a Prisoner?”

The Prison Letters Project

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: States United Democracy Center; Third Way Paul Revere Project

Emily: Charlie Savage for the New York Times: “Garland Formally Bars Justice Dept. From Seizing Reporters’ Records”

David: Dhruv Mehrotra for Wired: “Hot on the Trail of a Mass-School-Shooting Hoaxer”; Ben Collins’ Twitter thread collecting favorite tweets.

Listener chatter from Brian DeGeer: Theresa Vargas for The Washington Post: “Fiona Apple Uses Her Voice To Call Out Prince George’s Justice System”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily discusses The Prison Letters Project with John J. Lennon and Reginald Dwayne Betts.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Gabfest Reads: Tracy Flick Returns Oct 22, 2022

David Plotz talks with with author Tom Perrotta about why Tracy Flick doesn’t have the life she dreamed of in his new novel, Tracy Flick Can’t Win. A sequel to Perrotta’s 1998 novel Election, Tracy Flick Can’t Win meets up with Tracy Flick decades later where she’s a single mother and assistant principal of a New Jersey high school.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

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The Polls Do Not Look Amazing For Democrats Oct 20, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson concerning polls for Democrats, women protesting Iran’s regime, and the trial of Arkansas’ law targeting trans kids.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Roya Hakakian for The Atlantic: “The Bonfire of the Headscarves”

A Beginner’s Guide to America for the Immigrant and the Curious, by Roya Hakakian

Matthew Yglesias for Slow Boring: “Pre-Registering Some Takes On The Midterms: Why I Think Democrats Will Undershoot Their Polling And What It Means”

Kelli María Korducki for The Atlantic: “'I Think the Women Are Winning': Roya Hakakian on Iran”

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: The Trump Tapes: Bob Woodward's Twenty Interviews with President Donald Trump; Michael Wines and Neil Vigdor for The New York Times: “Videos Show Confusion as Florida Police Arrest People on Voter Fraud Charges”

Emily: Emily Heil for The Washington Post: “Olivia Wilde Solves Salad Dressing Mystery With A Nora Ephron Recipe”

David: Jeff Maysh for The Atlantic: “The $30 Million Lottery Scam”

Listener chatter from Lara Lowenstein: The Mountain Dogs

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John discuss Ye buying Parler.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bonus Edition: Michigan and Arizona Midterms Oct 16, 2022

David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson talk to Craig Mauger of The Detroit News about the major midterm elections in the swing state of Michigan. Then the hosts speak with the Washington Post’s Yvonne Wingett Sanchez about the MAGA diehards and their opponents in Arizona’s midterm election.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clarence Thomas Is A Prince Fan Oct 13, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson LA’s racism & redistricting scandal, the Andy Warhol copyright case at the Supreme Court, and developments in Putin’s war on Ukraine.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Anne Applebaum for The Atlantic: “Putin’s Newest Annexation Is Dire for Russia Too”

Anne Applebaum for The Atlantic: “The Kremlin Must Be in Crisis”

They Might Be Giants - Gab On (Theme to the Slate Political Gabfest)

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: The Cormac McCarthy Journal

Emily: The Fight for Privacy: Protecting Dignity, Identity, and Love in the Digital Age, by Danielle Keats Citron; The Other Side of Prospect: A Story of Violence, Injustice, and the American City, by Nicholas Dawidoff

David: David chattered about dining outside in Texas.

Listener chatter from Lara Lowenstein: The Mountain Dogs

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John interview John Flansburgh and John Linnell of They Might Be Giants about their work and the Gabfest’s new theme song.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What Is Herschel Walker Lying About Today? Oct 06, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss the new Supreme Court term; Herschel Walker’s abortion lies; and the legal mess Dobbs created for doctors providing abortion via telemedicine.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Emily Bazelon for The New York Times Magazine: “The Doctors Risking Everything to Offer Abortions Across State Lines”

The New York Times: “Is Elon Musk’s Deal to Buy Twitter Back On? Here’s What We Know.”

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: Brian Hutton for The Irish Times: “Irishman Nears Galway After 112 Days of Rowing Across Atlantic From New York”; Damian Browne on Instagram: auld_stock

Emily: CNN: “‘We've Got Weights In Fish!': See The Moment Cheaters Are Caught During Fishing Tournament’”

David: Adam Dalva, The New Yorker: “Letters to Jeb Bush”

Listener chatter from Jamaica Popejoy: Staged

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John discuss the latest in the saga of Elon Musk and Twitter.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Is the Polling Wrong? Sep 29, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss potential polling inaccuracy, Brett Favre and the larger scandal of states misusing federal welfare funding, and Ruth Ben-Ghiat’s take on Italy’s neo-fascist future Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Nate Cohen for The New York Times: “Yes, The Polling Warning Signs Are Flashing Again”

Anna Wolfe and Mississippi Today’s coverage of the Mississippi welfare scandal.

Annie Lowry for The Atlantic: “The Time Tax”

Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present, by Ruth Ben-Ghiat

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: Adrienne LaFrance for The Atlantic: “What It's Like to Fly Into the Eye of a Hurricane”

Emily: Roya Hakakian for The Atlantic: “The Bonfire of the Headscarves”

David: The Guardian, YouTube: “Michael Sheen Gives Rousing Speech for Wales Football Team on A League of Their Own”

Listener chatter from Meredith Francis: Paul Fairie’s Twitter thread of "A List of Things People Blamed on Jazz."

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John discuss NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ron DeSantis’ Sadistic Plan Sep 22, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson New York’s massive fraud case against the Trumps; Ron DeSantis’ treatments of asylum seekers; and Dahlia Lithwick’s Lady Justice.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Trading Barriers: Immigration and the Remaking of Globalization, Margaret E. Peters

Lady Justice: Women, the Law, and the Battle to Save America, by Dahlia Lithwick

Ruth Igielnik for The New York Times: “Trump Support Remains Unmoved by Investigations, Poll Finds”

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: It was supposed to be...The Philosophy of Modern Song, by Bob Dylan

Emily: Somebody Somewhere; Reservation Dogs

David: The Space Force Anthem

Listener chatter from Danny Edgel: Frank Vaisvilas and Sarah Volpenhein for The Green Bay Press-Gazette: “Oneida Nation Steps In To Defend Indian Child Welfare Act In Us Supreme Court Case”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John discuss the vacation of Adnan Syed’s murder conviction.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gabfest Reads: Searching for a Happy Ending Sep 18, 2022

John Dickerson talks with author Ada Calhoun about her new memoir, Also a Poet: Frank O’Hara, My Father, and Me. What started as Calhoun’s attempt to finish the biography of Frank O’Hara that her father started, turned into a gripping story of Calhoun’s relationship with her father. Calhoun and Dickerson talk about not pulling punches when it comes to how nice family members are, why you can’t pre-plan a happy ending, and what her father thought of the book.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth

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What if Ukraine Wins? Sep 15, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss Ukraine’s advances with Anne Applebaum; Lindsey Graham’s national abortion ban bill; and the controversy over requiring religious schools in New York to meet minimum educational standards.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Anne Applebaum for The Atlantic: “It’s Time to Prepare for a Ukrainian Victory”

Anne Applebaum for The Atlantic: “The Other Ukrainian Army”

Red Famine: Stalin's War on Ukraine, by Anne Applebaum

Shtisel

Fill The Void

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: A Swim in a Pond in the Rain: In Which Four Russians Give a Master Class on Writing, Reading, and Life,

by George Saunders

Emily: Shaila Dewan for The New York Times: “Philadelphia Prosecutor Is Found in Contempt by State Representatives”

David: Mosaic Magazine: “The Royal Mohel and the House of Windsor’s Relationship with the Jews”

Listener chatter from Andrea: NPR’s Planet Money: “Best By, Sell By, Use By”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John discuss the Death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Semi-Fascist Sep 08, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss the inexplicable success of Trump’s special master gambit in the Espionage Act investigation, Biden calling out anti-democratic elements of the electorate; and the roots of the Jackson, MS water crisis.

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: Professor Vejas Gabriel Liulevicius for The Great Courses: Turning Points in Modern History

Emily: Jerusalem Demsas for The Atlantic: “What’s Causing Black Flight?”

David: Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Hearty White Bread

Listener chatter from Cynthia Lerner: Ruth Marcus for The Washington Post: “I Usually Ignore The Sexism And Ageism Directed at Me. Now I’m Calling It Out.”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily and David interview John about his new streaming nightly news show, CBS News Primetime.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Kevin Bendis.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Diligent Search Sep 01, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss Trump’s strange legal maneuvering in the obstruction investigation; what Trump’s second term would do to U.S. democracy; and what voters deserve to know about a candidate’s health.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Jonathan Rauch for The Atlantic “Trump’s Second Term Would Look Like This”

Age of Innocence, by Edith Wharton

Portrait of a Lady, by Henry James

Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad

Lord Jim, by Joseph Conrad

Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do, by Studs Terkel

This Is Chance!: The Shaking of an All-American City, a Voice That Held It Together, by Jon Mooallem

The Way We Live Now, by Anthony Trollope

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: Ella Koeze, Denise Lu and Charlie Smart for The New York Times: “Can You Gerrymander Your Party to Power?”

Emily: Aaron Byrd, Weiyi Cai, Geoff Macdonald, Emily Rhyne, Noah Throop, Joe Ward and Jeremy White for The New York Times: “The Toss”

David: CityCast DC; Bad Sisters

Listener chatter from Michael Koehler: Christo Grozev for Bellingcat: “Socialite, Widow, Jeweller, Spy: How a GRU Agent Charmed Her Way Into NATO Circles in Italy”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John discuss the non-political books that most influenced their understanding of politics.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Kevin Bendis.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Could the Democrats Actually Win? Aug 25, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss what the special election results suggest for the midterms, an unprecedented $1.6B donation to a secretive conservative organization; and Biden’s student loan forgiveness and repayment plans.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together, by Heather McGhee

The Sum of Us podcast

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: The Bullshit Generator; The Age of Acrimony: How Americans Fought to Fix Their Democracy, 1865-1915 Hardcover, by Jon Grinspan

Emily: Igor Derysh for Salon: “‘That’s Not What Our Report Said’: Ex-Mueller Prosecutor Says Barr's Trump Memo Is ‘legally Wrong’”; The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law

David: Courtney E. Smith for Ultimate Classic Rock: “35 Years Ago: Los Lobos’ ‘La Bamba’ Returns Ritchie Valens to Spotlight”

Listener chatter from Rebecca Vernon: Sarina E. Miller for the Washington Post: “Thanks To Middle-Schoolers Like Me, There Are At Last No More Salem ‘Witches’”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John discuss Gavin Newsom’s veto of a bill allowing safe injection sites in California.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gabfest Reads: Life on Europa Looks Too Much Like America Aug 21, 2022

David Plotz talks with author Mat Johnson about his new novel Invisible Things. Johnson’s novel tells the story of a group of astronauts that land in a bubble colony on Jupiter's biggest moon.

They talk about the challenges of writing satire when reality feels fake, how mediocre people rise up by sucking up, and why we need to look at the invisible things in our daily lives.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Martyrdom of Liz Cheney Aug 18, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and Benjamin Wittes discuss the Trump investigations; Liz Cheney’s defeat; and Dana Goldstein’s reporting on controversies over how to teach kids to read.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Jack Goldsmith for Lawfare: “Prosecuting Trump: A Reply to Josh Marshall”

Dana Goldstein for The New York Times: “An Old and Contested Solution to Boost Reading Scores: Phonics”

Dana Goldstein The New York Times: “In the Fight Over How to Teach Reading, This Guru Makes a Major Retreat”

Dana Goldstein The New York Times: “New Reading Curriculum Is Mired in Debate Over Race and Gender”

Belinda Luscombe for Time: “Inside the Massive Effort to Change the Way Kids Are Taught to Read”

Ronald Brownstein for The Atlantic: “Liz Cheney’s Kamikaze Campaign”

Invisible Things by Mat Johnson

Here are this week’s chatters:

Emily: Sam Levine for The Guardian: “Memphis Prosecutor Who Charged Black Woman Over Voting Error Loses Re-Election Bid”; Kim Bellware and Lateshia Beachum for The Washington Post: “Desantis Sued By Prosecutor Suspended Over Stance On Abortion-Related Crime”

Ben: The Lawfare Podcast: Allies

David: Dwight Garner for The New York Times: “Jared Kushner’s ‘Breaking History’ Is a Soulless and Very Selective Memoir”

Listener chatter from Josh Forsythe: Elizabeth P. Derryberry, Jennifer N. Phillips, Graham E. Derryberry, Michael J. Blum, and David Luther for Science: “Singing In A Silent Spring: Birds Respond To A Half-Century Soundscape Reversion During The Covid-19 Shutdown”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and Ben discuss Ben’s performance art protests at the Russian embassy in D.C.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s in Trump’s Safe? Aug 11, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and Juliette Kayyem discuss the Mar-a-Lago search; the Inflation Reduction Act; and Caitlin Dickerson’s article investigating how separating families at the border became U.S. policy.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Caitlin Dickerson for The Atlantic: “An American Catastrophe: The Secret History of Family Separation”

Juliette Kayyem for The Atlantic: “The Bad and Good News About Trump’s Violent Supporters”

Curated Decay: Heritage Beyond Saving, by Caitlin DeSilvey

Serena Williams and Rob Haskell for Vogue: “Serena Williams Says Farewell to Tennis On Her Own Terms—And In Her Own Words”

Claudia Rankine for The New York Times Magazine: “The Meaning of Serena Williams”

King Richard

Here are this week’s chatters:

Emily: “Downbad” by PJ Frantz

Juliette: Jim Farber for The New York Times: “Olivia Newton-John, Pop Singer and ‘Grease’ Star, Dies at 73”

David: Jack Fitzpatrick for Bloomberg Government: “Old Capitol Stones to Be Stored Away After Decades Piled in Park”

Listener chatter from Sebastian Cray: The Bingham Cup

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, Juliette, and David discuss Serena Williams’ retirement from tennis.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nothing’s The Matter With Kansas Aug 04, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and Heather McGhee discuss the primaries and Kansan voters’ defense of abortion; Alex Jones on trial; and Annie Lowrey’s story of surviving pregnancy in the United States.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Sam Adler-Bell for The New York Times: “The Violent Fantasies of Blake Masters”

Jason Beeferman for The Texas Tribune: “How Sandy Hook Lies and the Jan. 6 Inquiry Threaten to Undo Alex Jones”

Annie Lowrey for The Atlantic: “American Motherhood”

Annie Lowrey for The Atlantic: “The Most Important Study in the Abortion Debate”

The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together, by Heather McGhee

The Sum of Us podcast

Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration, by Emily Bazelon

Black Reconstruction in America, by W. E. B. Du Bois

Forbidden City, by Vanessa Hua

Here are this week’s chatters:

Emily: The Law & Justice Journalism Project

Heather: A Court of Thorns and Roses, by Sarah J. Maas

David: Piranesi, by Susanna Clarke; Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, by Susanna Clarke; Testament of Youth, by Vera Brittain

Listener chatter from Mohamed El-Sheik: Adriana E. Ramírez for The Atlantic: “Everyone Loses on Jeopardy Eventually”

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did You Apologize to Manchin Yet? Jul 28, 2022

This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Emily Bazelon discuss the surprise deal for climate legislation, new January 6th revelations, and the deadliest road in America.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Carol D. Leonnig, Devlin Barrett, Josh Dawsey and Spencer S. Hsu for The Washington Post: “Justice Dept. Investigating Trump’s Actions In Jan. 6 Criminal Probe”

Carol D. Leonnig and Maria Sacchetti for The Washington Post: “Secret Service Watchdog Knew in February That Texts Had Been Purged”

Forbidden City, by Vanessa Hua

Dan Kaufman for The New Yorker: “Will Wisconsin’s Republicans Make Voting Meaningless, or Just Difficult?”

Richard L. Hasen for Slate: “What the Critics Get Incredibly Wrong about the Collins-Manchin Election Bill”

Marin Cogan for Vox: “The Deadliest Road In America”

Robert James Schneider, Rebecca Sanders, Frank Proulx, Hamideh Moayyed for the Journal of Transport and Land Use: “United States Fatal Pedestrian Crash Hot Spot Locations And Characteristics”

Unsafe At Any Speed, by Ralph Nader

Strong Towns: A Bottom-Up Revolution to Rebuild American Prosperity, by Charles L. Marohn Jr.

Allison Russell’s Outside Child

John Dickerson for Slate: “Getting Naked Every Night: Girlyman and the Pursuit of Creative Risk.”

Here are this week’s chatters:

Emily: Jonathan Bernstein for Rolling Stone: “‘She Schooled Us All’: Inside Joni Mitchell’s Stunning Return to Newport Folk Festival”; David McCabe and Mike Isaac for The New York Times: “F.T.C. Sues to Block Meta’s Virtual Reality Deal as It Confronts Big Tech”

John: Oliver Whang for The New York Times: “‘Parentese’ Is Truly a Lingua Franca, Global Study Finds”

David: April Rubin and Jesus Jiménez for The New York Times: “4,000 Mistreated Beagles Need Homes. These Folks Stepped Up.”

Listener chatter from Mark Allender: The Dollop #283: “James Clark McReynolds, the Worst Supreme Court Justice Ever”

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gabfest Reads: Revolution Through Teenage Eyes Jul 24, 2022

Emily Bazelon talks with author Vanessa Hua about her new historical fiction book, Forbidden City. The novel tells the story of sixteen-year-old revolutionary Mei who becomes a dancer in Chairman Mao’s inner circle. Emily and Vanessa talk about Vanessa’s inspiration for the novel, the complicated dynamics between Mei and Chairman Mao, and whether we’ll hear more from Mei.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hot, Hotter, Hottest Jul 21, 2022

This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Josie Duffy Rice discuss Europe’s deadly heat wave, Joe Manchin’s balk at climate legislation, and the inevitable tragedies already happening post-Roe.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Lindsay Whitehurst, Camille Fassett, and Jasen Lo for the Associated Press: “Social Programs Weak in Many States With Tough Abortion Laws”

The Ministry for the Future, by Kim Stanley Robinson

The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness, by Meghan O'Rourke

Forbidden City, by Vanessa Hua

Homesick and Happy: How Time Away from Parents Can Help a Child Grow, by Michael Thompson

John Dickerson for Slate: “My Daughter Went Away to Camp and Changed”

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: Carol D. Leonnig and Maria Sacchetti for The Washington Post: “Secret Service Watchdog Knew in February That Texts Had Been Purged”

Josie: Zak Cheney-Rice for New York Magazine: “Larry Wilmore Knows No Bounds”;

David: Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps; Elias Esquivel for World Athletics: “Patterson Takes Surprise High Jump Gold In Oregon”

Listener chatter from Mark Wegener: Gamaliel Bradford for the January 1930 issue of The Atlantic: “The Genius of the Average: Calvin Coolidge”

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lowest Approval Rating Jul 14, 2022

This week, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and Mark Leibovich discuss Biden’s 2024 plans, the establishment Republicans who stand by Trump, and Herschel Walker’s alarming Senate campaign.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Thank You for Your Servitude: Donald Trump's Washington and the Price of Submission, by Mark Leibovich

Anne Applebaum for The Atlantic: “History Will Judge The Complicit”

Mark Leibovich for the New York Times Magazine: “Donald Trump Is Not Going Anywhere”

Mark Leibovich for the New York Times: “Kevin McCarthy, Four Months After Jan. 6, Still on Defensive Over Trump”

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: The New York Times: “168 Writing Prompts to Spark Discussion and Reflection”

Mark: Mark shared his thoughts on whether life was better before cell phones.

David: City Cast DC’s July 12, 2022 newsletter.

Listener chatter from Josie Beyer: Julia Medina for Sleepopolis: “Sleeping While Rowing in the Great Pacific Race”; Lat 35 Racing Team on Instagram

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The “Is The Major Questions Doctrine Bogus?” Edition Jul 07, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon, and John Dickerson discuss the Supreme Court’s gutting of administrative authority in West Virginia v. EPA, the case coming next term that could upend U.S. elections, and the Highland Park shooting.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Julian Davis Mortenson and Nicholas Bagley for The Atlantic: “The Nondelegation Doctrine Is A Fable”

Julian Davis Mortenson and Nicholas Bagley for The Columbia Law Review: "Delegation at the Founding"

Here are this week’s chatters:

Emily: Susan Elizabeth Shepard for Willamette Week: “A Student at an Oregon Community College Says Instructors Flunked Her for Being a Porn Actress. She’s Suing.”

John: How Normal Am I?

David: Twitter thread about: Jaroszewicz, et al: “How Effective Is (More) Money? Randomizing Unconditional Cash Transfer Amounts in the US”

Listener chatter from Jocelyn Frank: “Humanity’s First Cosmic Gallery of Children’s Art: What the Youngest Members of Our Young Species Most Cherish About Life on Earth”

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Kevin Bendis.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gabfest Live! Grab the Steering Wheel Edition Jun 30, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon and John Dickerson are live at Sixth & I in Washington, DC discussing the new insurrection revelations; the overturning of Roe; and the legitimacy of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

David French for The Dispatch: “The Case for Prosecuting Donald Trump Just Got Much Stronger”

Kirsten M. J. Thompson, Hugh J. W. Sturrock, Diana Greene Foster, et al for JAMA Network Open: “Association of Travel Distance to Nearest Abortion Facility With Rates of Abortion”

Sacred Hunger, by Barry Unsworth

Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War, by Karl Marlantes

Meridith McGraw and Matt Dixon for Politico: “Trump Fatigue Sets In: ‘Some Donors Are Getting Sick Of The Sh--Show'”

Here are this week’s chatters:

Emily: Christopher Clarey for The New York Times: “Tennis Tours Penalize Wimbledon Over Ban on Russian Players”

David: Emily Temple for LitHub: “Famous Authors Who Died on the Exact Same Day”

John: Terri Jo Ryan for Waco History: “Crash at Crush”

Don’t miss Emily’s conversation with author Keri Blakinger on her new book, Corrections in Ink, for the June 26, 2022 episode of Gabfest Reads.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gabfest Reads: Corrections in Ink Jun 26, 2022

Emily Bazelon talks with author Keri Blakinger about her new memoir, Corrections in Ink which recounts Blakinger’s path from Olympic ambitions, to heroin addiction, to prison, and ultimately a return to life on the outside.

Blakinger launched a program to deliver her memoir to currently incarcerated readers. You can learn more here: https://800ceoread.com/coupons/redeem/donationcorrectionsinink

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

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SCOTUS Guts The Establishment Clause Jun 23, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon and John Dickerson discuss the Supreme Court decision requiring that government funding for private schools include religious ones, the January 6th hearings, and dissension at progressive organizations.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Jack Goldsmith for The New York Times: “Prosecute Trump? Put Yourself in Merrick Garland’s Shoes.”

John Dickerson for Slate: Whistlestop podcast: “The Mulligan Letters”

Ryan Grim for The Intercept: “Elephant in the Zoom”

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: “Watergate Trial Records Digitized For 50th Anniversary of Watergate”

Emily: Agnes Callard for The Boston Review: “Against Persuasion”

David: Hustle

Listener chatter from Cyrus Farivar: Tim Folger for Scientific American: “Record-Breaking Voyager Spacecraft Begin to Power Down”

Be sure to tune into Emily’s conversation with author Keri Blakinger on her new book, Corrections in Ink, on Gabfest Reads on June 26, 2022.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drunk as Rudy Guiliani Jun 16, 2022

This week, David Plotz, Emily Bazelon and John Dickerson discuss the January 6th hearings, Jason Furman on the economy, and debates among providers of gender-affirming medical care.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Michael Dorf for Dorf on Law: “House Select Committee Hearing 2: Scoundrels, Patriots, and Collaborators”

Mona Charen for The Bulwark: “Of Course Trump Is Responsible for His Lies”

David Brooks for The New York Times: “The Jan. 6 Committee Has Already Blown It”

Derek Thompson for The New York Times: “The Crypto Crash Is Just the Start”

Emily Bazelon for The New York Times Magazine: “The Battle Over Gender Therapy”

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: Sharon LaFraniere and Noah Weiland for The New York Times: “F.D.A. Panel Recommends Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines for Youngest Children”

Emily: Joan Walsh for The Nation: “The Backlash Against Sex Ed”

David: Explore a Civil War fort with David; The New York Times: “Anthony Mancinelli, World's Oldest Working Barber, Dies at 108”; Kate Springer for CNN: “Philippines' Oldest Tattoo Artist -- Meet Whang Od Oggay”; Teller Report: “‘Working For 77 Years’ The Secret of The Long Run of a 100-Year-Old Civil Servant”

Listener chatter from Andy Scarpelli: The Biodesign Challenge

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, John, and David discuss what they are looking forward to reading and watching this summer.

Cloud Cuckoo Land, by Anthony Doerr

The Immortal King Rao, by Vauhini Vara

Swann's Way, by Marcel Proust

PhysicalSeason Two

Loving Day, by Mat Johnson

Invisible Things, by Mat Johnson

Manhattan Beach, by Jennifer Egan

A Visit From The Goon Squad, by Jennifer Egan

The Americans

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is San Francisco a Hellscape? Jun 09, 2022

David Plotz, Emily Bazelon and John Dickerson discuss Tuesday’s primaries, the economy (is it as bad as we all think it is?), and are joined by Susan Matthews to talk Slow Burn: Roe v. Wade.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Nellie Bowles for the Atlantic: “How San Francisco Became a Failed City”

Emily Bazelon for the New York Times: “America Almost Took a Different Path Toward Abortion Rights”

Derek Thompson for the Atlantic: “Everything Is Terrible, but I’m Fine”

Patricia Cohen for the New York Times: “Global Growth Will Be Choked Amid Inflation and War, World Bank Says”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

David: Jack Hitt for the New York Times: “Want to Do Less Time? A Prison Consultant Might Be Able to Help.”

John: The Economist, “The coming food catastrophe”; The Paris Review, “Henry Miller, The Art of Fiction No. 28”

Emily: Moore v. Harper

Listener chatter from Daniel Reich: “The Path to Power” by Robert Caro

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John talk about the 20th anniversary of The Wire.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research and show notes by Grace Woodruff.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Forgive Me, Joe Jun 02, 2022

David Plotz, Emily Bazelon and John Dickerson discuss the response to the Uvalde shooting, Biden’s plan for student loan forgiveness, and a bunch of ignored subpoenas.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Jillian Peterson and James Densley, interviewed by Melanie Warner for Politico: “Two Professors Found What Creates a Mass Shooter. Will Politicians Pay Attention?”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: Heidi Przybyla for Politico: “‘It’s going to be an army’: Tapes reveal GOP plan to contest elections”

David: Ezra Klein for the New York Times: “What America Needs Is a Liberalism That Builds”

John: AP: “Over 37K voters crossed over in Georgia GOP primary in effort to block Trump-based nominees”; LiveScience: “Male mice are terrified of bananas. Here's why.”

Listener chatter from Barbara Tanzler: The 11th World Potato Congress in Dublin, Ireland

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss Elon Musk’s ultimatum for a full return to work.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research and show notes by Grace Woodruff.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gabfest Reads: Coming of Age in the Nineties May 29, 2022

John Dickerson talks with author Elif Batuman about coming of age as a college student in the 1990’s, and the similarities between herself and her main character in Either/Or, the sequel to The Idiot.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No Way to Prevent This May 26, 2022

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Kate McGee and Jolie McCullough for The Texas Tribune: “Confronted

with mass shootings, Texas Republicans have repeatedly loosened gun laws”

Bruce Leshan for WUSA9: “Other countries have been hit by school shootings – and done something”

Carl Hulse for The New York Times: “How Congress Passed an Assault Weapons Ban in 1994”

Rebecca Kern for Politico: “Tech companies removed the Buffalo shooting manifesto. A Texas law could make that illegal”

Emily Woodbury for St. Louis Public Radio: “Sheena Chestnut Greitens analyzes China’s tightrope walk amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine”

Lara Seligman for Politico: “‘Deadly serious’: U.S. quietly urging Taiwan to follow Ukraine playbook for countering China”

Here are this week’s chatters:

David: The Congressional Naming Commission planning to rename forts originally named for Confederate leaders

Emily: The women in her New York Times piece “America Almost Took a Different Path Toward Abortion Rights”

John: Trump’s losses in the Georgia Republican primary and Jason Willick’s Washington Post piece, “Why Trump’s 2024 chances are even worse than Georgia suggests”

Listener chatter from Rebecca Vernon: Marisa lati for The Washington Post: “In a massive Chinese sinkhole, scientists find a secret forest”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment John, Emily and David talk to Jody Rosen about bicycles and his new book, Two Wheels Good: The History & Mystery of the Bicycle.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More Fetterman! May 19, 2022

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Thomas B. Edsall for The New York Times: “Status Anxiety Is Blowing Wind Into Trump’s Sails”

Karn Yourish and Nicholas Confessore for The New York Times: “A Fringe Conspiracy Theory, Fostered Online, Is Refashioned by the G.O.P.”

Jamelle Bouie for The New York Times: “The Slaughter in Buffalo Hasn’t Quieted the Great Replacement Caucus”

Nathaniel Rakich for FiveThirtyEight: “What Went Down During the May 17 Primary Elections”

David A. Graham for The Atlantic: “John Fetterman Wins on Vibes”

Greg Sargent for The Washington Post: “Say it Clearly: Republicans Just Nominated a Pro-Trump Insurrectionist”

Lauren Debter for Forbes: “A Startup Wanted To Make A Better Baby Formula. It Took Five Long Years.”

Mary McNamara for Los Angeles Times: “Worried About The Declining Birthrate? How About Giving Mothers a Break”

Ruth Marcus for The Washington Post: “For Justice Thomas, The Roberts Court is More Feud Than Family”

Here are this week’s chatters:

John: Steven Goff and Molly Hensley-Clancy for The Washington Post: “U.S. Women’s And Men’s National Soccer Teams Close Pay Gap With ‘Game-Changing’ Deal”

Emily: Patricia Campos Mello for Poynter: “An Unholy Coalition Torpedoes Social Media Reform Legislation in Brazil”

David: “The Final Dance in Dirty Dancing, But They’re Dancing To The Muppet Show Theme Tune” by @Pandamoanimum

Listener chatter from Dylan Bindman: Christophe Haubursin for Vox: “Who Made These Circles in The Sahara?”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John discuss Justice Clarence Thomas’ recent comments and the legitimacy of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why Did White Evangelicals Get So Angry May 12, 2022

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Michael C. Dorf for Dorf on Law: “In a Post-Roe World, Can States Prevent Women From Seeking Abortions Out-of-State?”

Ruth Graham for The New York Times: “A Pastor and His Congregation Part Ways”

Ruth Graham and Elizabeth Dias for The New York Times: “The Growing Religious Fervor in the American Right: ‘This Is a Jesus Movement’”

The Great Evangelical Recession: 6 Factors That Will Crash the American Church...and How to Prepare by John Dickerson

Here are this week’s chatters:

Emily: Forbidden City, by Vanessa Hua;A River of Starsby Vanessa Hua; Nasty, Brutish, and Short: Adventures in Philosophy with My Kids, by Scott Hershovitz

John: Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival & Hope in an American City, by Andrea Elliott; Jon Ward for Christianity Today: “Being a Political Journalist Made Me a Better Christian”; The Bob Dylan Center; John Dickerson for CBS This Morning: “Bob Dylan Center: A Window Into the Voice of a Generation”

David: Mother Jones: “How Private Equity Looted America”; Our Earth: “Cool Airplane

Camera Views on Lufthansa”

Listener chatter from Nicholas Gaffney: Alex Hanson for The Valley News: “Croydon Reverses Slashing Of School Budget After Voters Turn Out For Special Meeting”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John discuss the things they do today that would horrify their 25-year-old selves.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The “End Of Roe Is Nigh!” Edition May 05, 2022

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Ruth Marcus for The Washington Post: “The Leaked Draft Roe Opinion Is A Disaster For The Supreme”

Edwin Meese III for The Washington Post: “Did The Conservative Legal Movement Succeed? That All Depends On Whether The Supreme Court Overrules Roe V. Wade.”

Reginald Dwayne Betts for The New York Times Magazine: “Could an Ex-Convict Become an Attorney? I Intended to Find Out”

Here are this week’s chatters:

Ruth: Julia Clancy for Eating Well: “What Is an Air Fryer and Should You Buy One?”

James: The Other Side of Prospect: A Story of Violence, Injustice, and the American City,

by Nicholas Dawidoff

Emily: She’s getting a puppy! Send your advice.

Listener chatter from Joe Stracci: Kevin Kelly for The Techium: “103 Bits of Advice I Wish I Had Known”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily and Ruth interview James about his innovative programs at Yale’s Center for Law and Racial Justice.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So Much Free Speech! Apr 28, 2022

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover, Title 42, and the current prayer in school debate.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Daphne Keller for The Center for Internet and Society: “What Does The DSA Say?”

John Dickerson for Slate: “Born Identity”

Here are this week’s chatters:

David: Ed Kilgore for New York Magazine: “Utah Democrats Endorse Independent Evan McMullin in Challenge to Mike Lee”; CityCast.fm/jobs

John: Reddit thread: “This is a 3200-year old attendance sheet found in Deir el-Medina, Egypt. Reasons for worker absence include ‘embalming brother’, ‘brewing beer’ and ‘bitten by scorpion’”; The British Museum: Ostracon

Emily: Ronald Brownstein for The Atlantic: “Why California Wants to Recall Its Most Progressive Prosecutors”; Vanessa Romo for NPR: “The LA Sheriff Now Says No Charges For The Reporter Who Wrote About A Cover-Up”

Listener chatter from J.T. Horn: Mary Pols for Downeast Magazine "Why Maine Owes Its Most Breathtaking Public Lands to One 1972 Newspaper Story"

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John discuss John’s prescient 2011 piece about Trump’s birtherism.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Kevin Bendis.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Farewell, Jocelyn! Apr 22, 2022

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss the ways that the war in Ukraine may be influencing China's future plans with guest Malcolm Turnbull; the mask mandate ruling; whether it matters that the RNC has rejected presidential debates; and Gabfest producer Jocelyn Frank signs off after many years of producing the show.

Here are this week’s chatters:

David: Mark Emem for CCN: “Jeff Bezos Missed 20,000% Gains After $250K Google Stake in 1998”

John: Kathryn Olivarius: “Necropolis: Yellow Fever, Immunity, And Capitalism In The Deep South, 1800-1860”

Emily: Rachel M. Cohen for the Intercept: “At a Pivotal Moment, Democrats Failed to Modernize Elections”

Listener chatter from Randy Switt: Christopher P. Hammon and Victoria L. Vish for National Law Review:

“Eleventh Circuit: Service Charges Are Wages, Not Tips, Under FLSA”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment long-time Gabfest producer Jocelyn Frank shares her experiences making the show with Emily, David, and John.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gabfest Reads: He Wanted to Die Holding Hands Apr 17, 2022

David Plotz talks with author Amy Bloom about her journey to support the death, by suicide, of her husband, chronicled in her new book In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Double Bazelon Apr 14, 2022

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss the approaching midterms, inflation, and whether social media is imperiling U.S. democracy—with guest Simon Bazelon.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Simon Bazelon for Slow Boring: “Democrats Are Sleepwalking Into A Senate Disaster”

Thomas B. Edsall for The New York Times: “Trump Poses a Test Democracy Is Failing”

Matthew H. Graham and Milan W. Svolik for The American Political Science Review: “Democracy in America? Partisanship, Polarization, and the Robustness of Support for Democracy in the United States”

Jonathan Haidt for The Atlantic: “Why The Last Ten Years of American Life Have Been So Stupid”

Paul Krugman for The New York Times: “Inflation Is About to Come Down — but Don't Get Too Excited”

Stolen Focus: Why You Can't Pay Attention--and How to Think Deeply Again, by Johann Hari

The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom, by Jonathan Haidt

Here are this week’s chatters:

David: Little Dorrit, by Charles Dickens

John: Macbeth on Broadway

Emily: Christine Charnosky for Law.com: “A University of Arizona Law Grad on How the GRE Changed Her Life”; University of Arizona Law’s Innovation for Justice work

Listener chatter from Nick Gaffney: Alex Hanson for the Valley News: “Croydon School Budget Cut Sets Up High-Stakes Battle Over Future of Town's Education System”; Alex Hanson for the Valley News: “Budget Cut Looks Bleak For Schools After Croydon Meeting”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, John, and David discuss what constitutes time well spent.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey, Groomer Apr 07, 2022

Emily, John and David discuss Russia’s war crimes; Disney’s reaction to “don’t say gay”; and Amazon’s first union.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Andrew Exum for The Atlantic: “The Russian Military Has Descended Into Inhumanity”

Noam Scheiber for The New York Times: “Amazon Workers Who Won a Union Their Way Open Labor Leaders’ Eyes”

Microsoft: “The Rise of the Triple Peak Day”

When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing, by Daniel H. Pink

Here are this week’s chatters:

David: Jessica Contrera for The Washington Post: “The Remarkable Brain of a Carpet Cleaner Who Speaks 24 Languages”; The Wedding Party; Smithsonian National Museum of African Art: “Iké Udé: Nollywood Portraits”

John: Jill Lawless for The Associated Press: “Darwin Notebooks Missing For 20 Years Returned to Cambridge”; Darwin Correspondence Project: “Fanny Owen”

Emily: Twitter thread by Manvir Singh @mnvrsngh on time spent “doing nothing” in small-scale, non-industrial societies.

Listener chatter from Kate Conquest: “The Avian Soap Opera Unfolding Atop This Berkeley Bell Tower Has Humans Riveted”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, John, and David discuss the trend of working a “third shift.”

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Burner Phone Mar 31, 2022

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss Biden's gaffe in speaking too honestly about Russia; Trump’s missing phone logs; and Ginni Thomas’s efforts to subvert the election.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Bob Woodward and Robert Costa for The Washington Post: “Jan. 6 White House Logs Given To House Show 7-Hour Gap In Trump Calls”

Hugo Lowell for The Guardian: “Trump Used White House Phone For Call On January 6 That Was Not On Official Log”

Bob Woodward and Robert Costa for The Washington Post: “Virginia Thomas Urged White House Chief to Pursue Unrelenting Efforts to Overturn the 2020 Election, Texts Show”

Benjamin Wittes for Lawfare: “Donald Trump, John Eastman and the Silence of the Justice Department”

Karl Rove for The Wall Street Journal: “Republicans’ Jan. 6 Responsibility”

Here are this week’s chatters:

David: Beforeigners; City Cast

John: Anna P. Kambhampaty for The New York Times: “Want to See the Weirdest of Wikipedia? Look No Further.”; Morning Brewnewsletter; Elden Ringvideo game

Emily: “The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Refutation”; Anne Frank House

Listener chatter from Andre Walker: All The Sex I've Ever Hadat the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, John, and David discuss what they would do if they needed to disappear.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deep Sigh Mar 24, 2022

David Plotz and John Dickerson are joined by Ruth Marcus to discuss Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearing; Ukraine keeps fighting through atrocity; and more allegations of Republican candidates committing domestic abuse.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Dana Milbank for the Washington Post: “Cruz Attacks Jackson For ‘Critical Race Theory’—But Sends His Own Daughters to Learn It”

Henry Olsen for the Washington Post: “Republicans Are Right to Oppose Ketanji Brown Jackson”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

David: BioHacked: Family Secrets: “The Genius Experiment: Part 1”; The Genius Factory, by David Plotz; The Last Days of the Dinosaurs: An Asteroid, Extinction, and the Beginning of Our World, by Riley Black

John: Camera Man: Buster Keaton, the Dawn of Cinema, and the Invention of the Twentieth Century, by Dana Stevens

Ruth: Christine Emba for The Washington Post: “Consent Is Not Enough. We Need A New Sexual Ethic.”; Rethinking Sex: A Provocation, by Christine Emba

Listener chatter from Eric Jason Martin: Nick Paumgarten for the New Yorker: “Retirement the Margaritaville Way."

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Ruth, John, and David discuss their strangest behaviors.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gabfest Reads: Invisible Kingdom: How Meghan 0'Rourke became a detective of her own illness. Mar 22, 2022

Emily Bazelon talks with author Meghan O’Rourke about germ theory, biomarkers, medical mysteries, long COVID and the quest to return to health as chronicled in her new book The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I Call On You To Do More Mar 17, 2022

Emily and David are joined by guest host Juliette Kayyem to discuss the arming of Ukraine, how to prepare for the next pandemic or catastrophe, and daylight savings time debates.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Megan Garber for The Atlantic: “The Grim Stagecraft of Zelensky’s Selfie Videos”

Atul Gawande for The New Yorker: “Costa Ricans Live Longer Than We Do. What's the Secret?”

The Devil Never Sleeps: Learning to Live in an Age of Disasters, by Juliette Kayyem

Here’s this week’s chatter:

David: Nina Siegal for The New York Times: “She Discovered What Happened to 400 Dutch Jews Who Disappeared”

Emily: Paul Blest for Vice: “Josh Hawley Accused Biden’s SCOTUS Pick of Being Soft on Child Porn”; Emily Bazelon for The New York Times: “The Price of a Stolen Childhood”

Juliette: Maria Cramer for The New York Times: “A Year After Suez Blockage, Another Evergreen Ship Is Mired in the Chesapeake”

Listener chatter from Jonas Barciauskas: This Land podcast

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Juliette, Emily and David talk about what they think about when they want to increase their happiness.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Price of a Gallon of Gas Mar 10, 2022

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Ukraine's fighting spirit, rising gas prices, and conformity on campus.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

The Science of Politics podcast: “Does the Public Respond to Threats to Democracy?”

The Basic Writings of John Stuart Mill: On Liberty, the Subjection of Women and Utilitarianism

The Guns of August, by Barbara W. Tuchman

Emma Camp for the New York Times: “I Came to College Eager to Debate. I Found Self-Censorship Instead.”

David A. Plotz for the Harvard Crimson: “‘Politically Correct’ Thought Control”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

David: Kayla Stewart for The New York Times: “One Huge Hog, One Long Day and a Nourishing Southern Tradition”

Emily: Pam & Tommy

John: Henry Fountain for The New York Times: “At the Bottom of an Icy Sea, One of History’s Great Wrecks Is Found”

Listener chatter from Carol Walker: BBC podcast 1914: Day by Day

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment John, Emily and David discuss the people they carry with them.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I Need More Ammunition Mar 03, 2022

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss Ukraine's resistance, the State of the Union, and an increasing backlash against reformer prosecutors.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Thomas L. Friedman for The New York Times: “I See Three Scenarios for How This War Ends”

Anne Appelbaum for the Atlantic: “The Bad Guys Are Winning”

Gal Beckerman for The Atlantic: “How Zelensky Gave the World a Jewish Hero”

Rebecca Davis O’Brien for The New York Times: “How This ‘Progressive Prosecutor’ Balances Politics and Public Safety”

Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad

Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration, by Emily Bazelon

Here’s this week’s chatter:

David: The Postman, by David Brin

Emily: In Love: A Memoir of Love and Loss, by Amy Bloom; Away, by Amy Bloom

John: New York Times, Feb. 22, 1862: “The Execution of Nathaniel Gordon”

Listener chatter from Leslie Camp: Phil Davison for The Washington Post: “Monique Hanotte, Belgian resistance member who rescued 135 downed Allied airmen in World War II, dies at 101”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment John, Emily and David discuss what they do to find and boost their courage.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Special: Justice Jackson Feb 25, 2022

Stanford Law professor Nathaniel Persily joins David and Emily to discuss President Biden’s nomination for associate justice of the Supreme Court, Ketanji Brown Jackson.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Putin's War Feb 24, 2022

Emily and David are joined by guest host Jane Coaston. The three discuss Putin's war with guest Julia Ioffe and also the GOP attacks on transgender children, and Democrats’ “hack gap.”

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Julia Ioffe for Puck News: “Will Putin Get His World War III?”

Anne Appelbaum for The Atlantic: “The Reason Putin Would Risk War”

The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood

Here’s this week’s chatter:

David: Work at City Cast; David’s “Exploring a Secret Fort” tour for Atlas Obscura; Florida’s Mount Trashmore

Emily: Danny Hakim and Jo Becker for The New York Times Magazine: “The Long Crusade of Clarence and Ginni Thomas”; Jane Mayer for The New Yorker: “Is Ginni Thomas a Threat to The Supreme Court?”

Jane: Sports Twitter

Listener chatter from Charlie Hunt: Christopher Ingraham for the Washington Post “The Owl Pellet Economy: Meet The Entrepreneurs Who’ve Devoted Their Lives to Bird Vomit.”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, following the death of public health hero Paul Farmer, Emily and David discuss the concept of heroes and the roles they can play in contemporary life.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gabfest Reads: Heartbreak Feb 20, 2022

Gabfest reads is a new monthly series from the hosts of the Political Gabfest. This month David Plotz talks with author Florence Williams about divorce, affection, good friendships, and her new book Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey.

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Angry Parents Feb 17, 2022

Josie Duffy Rice, David Plotz and John Dickerson discuss America's radicalized parents; what the midterms may bring; and the Sandy Hook families’ victory.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Clara Jeffrey for Mother Jones: “What Pundits Don’t Understand About the San Francisco Recall”

Jasper Scherer and Benjamin Wermund for The Houston Chronicle: “We Asked All 143 Texas GOP Congressional Candidates About Biden's Win. Only 13 Call it Legitimate.”

John Dickerson for the Atlantic: “The GOP Has No Standards Now”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

John: Rosalind S. Helderman for the Washington Post: “All The Ways Trump Tried to Overturn The Election — And How it Could Happen Again.”

Josie: The School for Good Mothers, by Jessamine Chan

David: Watch some Olympic curling.

Listener chatter from Paul Hiebing: Annie Rauwerda for Input Magazine: “The Adorable Love Story Behind Wikipedia’s ‘High Five’ Photos”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Josie, John, and David discuss their hiding places as children and adults.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legitimate Political Discourse Feb 10, 2022

Emily, John and David dig into SCOTUS's failure to enforce the Voting Rights Act, the GOP's embrace of January 6th rioters, and protests in Canada.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

John Dickerson for The Atlantic: “The GOP Has No Standards Now”

Adela Suliman for The Washington Post: “Marjorie Taylor Greene says Nancy Pelosi leads ‘gazpacho police,’ causing collective spit take”

Brett Samuels for The Hill: “Pence breaks with Trump: 'I had no right to overturn the election'”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: Sam Levine for The Guardian: “The Black Woman Sentenced To Six Years In Prison Over A Voting Error”

John: “John Grisham Reads Soggy Sweat's Whiskey Speech”

David: Oliver Holmes for The Guardian: “Putin’s Massive Table: Powerplay or Paranoia?”

Listener chatter from Cason Reily: BBC: “Who Is Sue Gray?”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, John, and David ponder what makes something qualify as a sport or a game.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Am I Normal? Feb 03, 2022

Emily, John and David discuss Donald Trump’s attempts to seize voting machines, the racist attacks on the yet-to-be-named SCOTUS nominee, and they are joined by Joseph Allen, director of the Healthy Buildings program at Harvard University's T. H. Chan School of Public Health, to discuss ways we might update U.S. COVID norms.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Joseph G. Allen for The Washington Post: “Our Playbook to Fight Covid-19 Is Outdated. Here Are 10 Updates for 2022.”

Joseph G. Allen and Celine R. Gounder for The Hill: “We Have a Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity to Fix Our Crumbling Schools”

Healthy Buildings: How Indoor Spaces Drive Performance and Productivity, by Joseph G. Allen and John D. Macomber

Adam Serwer for The Atlantic: “Republicans Seem to Think Putting a Black Woman on the Supreme Court Is the Real Racism”

Meltdown: What Plane Crashes, Oil Spills, and Dumb Business Decisions Can Teach Us About How to Succeed at Work and at Home, by Chris Clearfield and András Tilcsik

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: Kristin Toussaint for Fast Company: “How Do Workers Take on a National Chain Like Starbucks? One Store at a Time”; Noam Scheiber for The New York Times: “Taking On Starbucks, Inspired by Bernie Sanders”

John: Adam Gopnik for The New Yorker: “Molière to the Panthéon!”; History, Art and Archives: United States House of Representatives: Representative Clement Vallandigham of Ohio

David: Neil Vigdor for the New York Times: “A Teenager Tracked Elon Musk’s Jet on Twitter. Then Came the Direct Message.”

Listener chatter from Erin Arizzi-Shores: The Double Shift: “The Check's Not In The Mail”

More listener chatter from Larry Williams: Barbara J. King for NPR: “Watch The Moment A Dying Chimpanzee Recognizes An Old Friend”; Mama's Last Hug: Animal Emotions and What They Tell Us about Ourselves, by Frans De Waal.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, John, and David offer advice about how to establish a work/life balance.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Breyerwatch Hath Ended Jan 27, 2022

John, Emily and David discuss Justice Breyer’s retirement. They are joined by Anne Applebaum to talk about what global moves may be coming to address threats to Ukraine, and The Gist’s Mike Pesca covers a round robin of the week's news.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

The Authority of the Court and the Peril of Politics, by Stephen Breyer

Anne Applebaum for The Atlantic: “The Bad Guys Are Winning”

The Gist

Slow Burn: Watergate

Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel

Station Elevenseries on HBO Max

The Way We Live Now, by Anthony Trollope

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: Vauhini Vara for Believer Magazine: “Ghosts”; This American Life: “The Ghost in The Machine”

John: Dylan Matthews for Vox: “Can Giving Parents Cash Help With Babies’ Brain Development?”

David: Tiffany Lukk for Mpls.St.Paul Magazine: “Where to Go Dog Sledding in Minnesota”; Nicole Wetsman for The Verge: “CDC Emails Show That Vaccine Cards Are Supposed To Fit In Your Wallet: The Covid-19 Cards Do Not Fit In Wallets”

Listener chatter from Tom McIlroy: Michael Zhang for PetaPixel: “Photographer Finds Polar Bears That Took Over Abandoned Buildings”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, John, and David discuss the screen adaptation of Station Eleven.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Has It Only Been A Year? Jan 20, 2022

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss Biden’s first year, SCOTUS's block of OSHA’s vax-or-test rule, and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin’s busy start.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

John Dickerson for CBS Sunday Morning: “President Joe Biden: The First Year”

Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel

Station Elevenseries on HBO Max

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: Deep Cover, Season 2: Mob Land

John: Take Note Podcast; Adam Webb for Take Note: “How to Keep a Notebook”

David: Paul Schwartzman for The Washington Post: “Missing Jewels And Art: A Lawsuit Against a Retired Professor Is Ruffling The Well-To-Do From Georgetown to Newport, R.I.”

Listener chatter from Alissa Surges: Allison Robicelli for The Washington Post: “I Spent The Night in an Empty Airport. it Was a Dream Come True”; Work at City Cast

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, John, and David talk about why to keep a journal.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Talking Filibuster Jan 13, 2022

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss voting rights, Russia's recent moves, with guest Nina Jankowicz; and the increasing politicization of cable news.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute:Electoral Count Act of 1887

David Becker on Face the Nation: “Elections Expert David Becker Denounces ‘Efforts to Sow Confusion and Chaos’ ”

Emily Bazelon for the New York Times: “Democracy Worked This Year. but It Is Under Threat.”

Christina A. Cassidy for AP News: “Far Too Little Vote Fraud to Tip Election to Trump, AP Finds”

How to Lose the Information War: Russia, Fake News, and the Future of Conflict, by Nina Jankowicz

Anne Applebaum for the Atlantic: “The Science of Making Americans Hurt Their Own Country”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: Jan Ransom for the New York Times: “A Look Inside Rikers: ‘Fight Night’ and Gang Rule, Captured on Video”

David: Nathanael Johnson thread on Twitter and We Are Lady Parts TV show

John: The Mezzanine, by Nicholson Baker and “On Keeping a Notebook,” by Joan Didion

Listener chatter from Bea Scott: The History of Democracy Has Yet to Be Written by Thomas Geoghegan

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment John, Emily, and David discuss rule-breaking and Novak Djokovic’s moves in Australia.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Shayna Elliot.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, Obviously It’s Jan. 6 Jan 06, 2022

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss Jan. 6, with guest Jamelle Bouie and what to make of omicron's impact on schools, and the Theranos case.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Matt Levine for Bloomberg: “Slaying the Blood Unicorn”

Wall Street Journal: Theranos and Elizabeth Holmes: History of the WSJ Investigation

Emily Bazelon for the New York Times Magazine: “I Write About the Law. But Could I Really Help Free a Prisoner?”

Ruddy Roye Photography

Walker Evans

Anastasia Taylor-Lind

Sally Mann

Larry Fink Photography

Edward Hopper: Night Shadows, 1921

Alexander Calder: Finny Fish

Wolfgang Laib: Wax Room

Caravaggio: The Conversion of Saint Paul

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: Crossroads, by Jonathan Franzen; Parul Sehgal for the New Yorker: “The Case Against the Trauma Plot”

John: Window-Swap.com

David: Fight Club; Free Guy; City Cast

Listener chatter from Cynthia Weiner: Corryn Wetzel for Smithsonian Magazine: “Ten Hilarious Winners of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, John, David, and Jamelle discuss the famous works of art they would most like to possess.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Conundrums 2021 Dec 30, 2021

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz wrap up 2021 considering life’s many conundrums—with special guest Dwayne Betts!

Questions this year include: if you could eliminate one word from the English language what would it be? If you could transport the characters of one book into the time and place of another, which would you choose? If you were ONLY able to brush your teeth in the morning or the night- which would be optimal?

Special thanks to everyone who sent in conundrums for consideration.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, John attempt a conundrum lightning round.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Give the gift of Slate Plus to a fellow Slate fan and they’ll receive all the benefits of membership: unlimited reading, ad-free listening, bonus content, and so much more.

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Build Back Never Dec 23, 2021

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss the future of the Democratic party's agenda, Omicron's spread across the United States and they're joined by investigative journalist Azmat Khan to talk about the deaths of civilians overseas and the lack of accuracy from the U.S. military.

Give the gift of Plus to a fellow Slate fan and they’ll receive all the benefits of membership: unlimited reading, ad-free listening, bonus content, and so much more.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Matthew Yglesias for Slow Boring: “$1.75 Trillion Is Plenty of Money to Write a Good Build Back Better Bill Here Are Some Solid Options”

Simon Bazelon and David Shor for Slow Boring: “A Permanent CTC Expansion With a Sharper Means-Test Would Protect Poor Kids Better And Be More Popular”

Jonathan Chait for New York Magazine: “Biden Should Take Manchin's Deal Right Now”

David Wallace-Wells for New York Magazine: “Gauteng’s Omicron Wave Is Already Peaking. Why?”

Derek Thompson for the Atlantic:”Is Omicron Milder?”

Azmat Khan for The New York Times: “Hidden Pentagon Records Reveal Patterns of Failure in Deadly Airstrikes”

Azmat Khan for The New York Times Magazine: “The Human Toll of America’s Air Wars”

Azmat Khan for The New York Times Magazine: “The Uncounted”

Heart of Darkness, by Joseph Conrad

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: Katie Benner, Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Charlie Savage for the New York Times: “Some Inmates Can Stay Confined at Home After Covid Emergency, Justice Dept. Says”

John: The Power of Meaning, by Emily Esfahani Smith, Mozhan Marno, and On the Meaning of Life, by Will Durant

David: Hard Knocks In Season: The Indianapolis Colts

Listener chatter from Mo Trent: stuffin.space

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, John, and David discuss their most and least useful years of formal education. Special thanks to listener Sean McPherson for the suggestion.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Build Back Later Dec 16, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss January 6th revelations, Build Back Better and voting rights and they are joined by Slow Burn host Joel Anderson to talk about Season 6: The L.A. Riots.

Give the gift of Plus to a fellow Slate fan and they’ll receive all the benefits of membership: unlimited reading, ad-free listening, bonus content, and so much more.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

David A. Graham for the Atlantic: “The Paperwork Coup”

Barton Gellman for the Atlantic: “Trump’s Next Coup Has Already Begun”

Charles Homans for the New York Times: “In Bid for Control of Elections, Trump Loyalists Face Few Obstacles”

Slow Burn Season 6: The L.A. Riots

Slow Burn Season 3: Biggie and Tupac

Emily Bazelon for Slate: “The Nazi Anatomists”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: Ain't I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism, by bell hooks; We Real Cool: Black Men and Masculinity, by bell hooks

John: Sharyn Alfonsi for 60 Minutes: “Negotiating With the Taliban to Save Lives Iin Afghanistan”; The Daily: “Economic Catastrophe in Afghanistan”; Christina Goldbaum for the New York Times: “Facing Economic Collapse, Afghanistan Is Gripped by Starvation”

David: Julian Mark for the Washington Post: “Rapper Logic Wrote the Song ‘1-800-273-8255’ To Save Lives. He May Have Saved Hundreds, Study Finds.”

Listener chatter from Adrian Monthony: Geraldine DeRuiter for The Everywhereist: “Bros., Lecce: We Eat at The Worst Michelin Starred Restaurant, Ever”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, John, and David share their best holiday gift ideas.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ghislaine Dec 09, 2021

Emily and David are joined by guest host David Leonhardt to discuss the pandemic economy; a diplomatic boycott of the Olympics, and the Ghislaine Maxwell trial.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

John J. Mearsheimer for Foreign Affairs: “The Inevitable Rivalry: America, China, and the Tragedy of Great-Power Politics”

Corey Robin for The New York Times: “Why the Biden Presidency Feels Like Such a Disappointment”

The Enigma of Clarence Thomas, by Corey Robin

Mike Baker for The New York Times: “The Sisters Who First Tried to Take Down Jeffrey Epstein”t

Andrew Anthony for The Guardian: “Meet Julie K Brown, The Woman Who Brought Down Jeffrey Epstein”

Jill Filipvoc’s newsletter

Matthew Yglesias’ Slow Boring newsletter

Joe Sheehan’s baseball newsletter

Matt Levine’s Money Stuff newsletter

Heather Cox Richardson’s Letters from an American newsletter

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: Leah Litman for NBC News: “The Death Penalty Cases Before The Supreme Court That Could Keep Innocent People In Prison”: Amy Howe for SCOTUSblog: “Conservative Justices Scoff at Maine’s Exclusion of Religious Schools From Tuition-Assistance Program”

David Leonhardt: Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite

David Plotz:: Work at City Cast; Sex Lives of College Girls

Listener chatter from Andrew Lacko: “Miracle and Wonder: Conversations with Paul Simon”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and David talk about newsletters and what they do well.

Give the gift of Slate Plus to a fellow Slate fan and they’ll receive all the benefits of membership: unlimited reading, ad-free listening, bonus content, and so much more. Here's how!

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Dec 02, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss the Supreme Court's consideration of Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization with guest Ross Douthat. The Political Gabfest hosts also talk about how best to approach the news of the Omicron variant, and why the Cuomo brothers’ scandals matter.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Diana Greene Foster for The New York Times: “What Happens When It’s Too Late to Get an Abortion”

University of California, San Francisco, Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH), The Turnaway Study

Ross Douthat for The New York Times: “The Case Against Abortion”

Will Saletan for Slate: “Republicans Will Be Sorry if the Supreme Court Overturns Roe”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: On The Media: “A Different Hanukkah Story”

John: Garret Keizer for Harper's Magazine: “The Third Force”

David: Hannah Towey for Insider: “Check Out Theranos Founder Elizabeth Holmes' Handwritten 4 A.M. Schedule That Was Submitted as She Testified That Her Ex-Boyfriend Was Abusive”

Listener chatter from Chuck Piehl: Mankato Free Press: “Making Havoc Not the Point of Public Records”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, John, and David share their best holiday gift ideas. Give the gift of Slate Plus to a fellow Slate fan and they’ll receive all the benefits of membership: unlimited reading, ad-free listening, bonus content, and so much more. Here's how!

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanksgiving Nov 24, 2021

Emily, John and David talk about whether President Biden ought to run in 2024, the Rittenhouse verdict and former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull joins the Gabfest to talk about international relations with China.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Edward-Isaac Dovere and Jasmine Wright for CNN: “Exasperation and Dysfunction: Inside Kamala Harris' Frustrating Start as Vice President.”

Jonathan Chait for New York magazine: “Joe Biden’s Big Squeeze”

High Conflict, by Amanda Ripley

David French for the Atlantic: “Kyle Rittenhouse’s Acquittal Does Not Make Him a Hero”

A Bigger Picture, by Malcolm Turnbull

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: Cloud Cuckoo Land, by Anthony Doerr

David: Conversation topic generator thanxiety.com

John: Jonathan Edwards for the Washington Post: “A Michigan Woman Tried to Hire an Assassin Online at RentAHitman.com. Now, She’s Going to Prison.”

Listener chatter from Keith Watabayashi @KeithWatabayash: Hieronymus Burps @hieronymus_burps about Long Boom Wired Cover

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment John, Emily, and David ask Malcolm Turnbull about the mundane details of life as the leader of a nation.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Shayna Elliot.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No Joe Mojo Nov 18, 2021

John, Emily and David discuss Biden’s approval numbers, authoritarianism on the rise, and they are joined by author Jay Caspian Kang to talk about his new book, The Loneliest Americans.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

FiveThirtyEight, Latest Polls

Isaac Chotiner for the New Yorker: “Can Biden’s Agenda Survive Inflation?”

Jason Furman for the Wall Street Journal: “Biden Can Whip Inflation and Build Back Better”

The Loneliest Americans, by Jay Caspian Kang

Pew Research Center: “Where Do You Fit In The Political Typology?”

Christopher Borrelli for the Chicago Tribune: “What We’re Reading: 4 Korean American Memoirs, From Personal Stories To An Unsettling Confrontation on Identity and Assimilation”

Anne Appelbaum for the Atlantic: “The Bad Guys Are Winning”

Freedom House: “Freedom in the World 2021: Democracy Under Siege”

The Dictator's Learning Curve: Inside the Global Battle for Democracy, by William J. Dobson

Twitter and Tear Gas: The Power and Fragility of Networked Protest, by Zeynep Tufekci

Zeynep Tufekci for the Atlantic: “How the Coronavirus Revealed Authoritarianism’s Fatal Flaw”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: Ashley Southall and Jonah E. Bromwich for the New York Times: “2 Men Convicted of Killing Malcolm X Will Be Exonerated After Decades”

John: The Faber Book of Reportage, by John Carey; The Way We Live Now, by Anthony Trollope audiobook

David: Geoffrey Leavenworth for the New York Times: “One Chaste Marriage, Four Kids, and the Catholic Church”; Spencer Buell for Boston magazine: “New England Hidden Gems You’ll Find on the New Atlas Obscura App”; City Cast Houston

Listener chatter from Melissa Ocepek: A fox listens to the banjo

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, John, and David discuss the most useful friend to have.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Presidents Are Not Kings and Plaintiff Is Not President Nov 11, 2021

John and David are joined by guest host Ruth Marcus to discuss Biden’s infrastructure win, Trump’s January 6 obstruction, and the Rittenhouse trial.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Adie Tomer, Joseph W. Kane, Caroline George, and Andrew Bourne, for The Brookings Institution: “America Has An Infrastructure Bill. What Happens Next?”

Ruth Marcus for the Washington Post: “At Yale Law School, a Party Invitation Ignites a Firestorm”

Josh Dawsey, Isaac Stanley-Becker, and Michael Scherer for The Washington Post: “Donors Threatened to Shun the Gop After Jan. 6. Now, Republicans Are Outraising Democrats.”

Sandy West for Kaiser Health News: “‘Drinking Through a Lead Straw’ — $15B Approved to Fix Dangerous Water Pipes”

The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth, by Jonathan Rauch

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Ruth: Julian Mark for The Washington Post: “A Fertility Center Mixed Up Two Couples’ Embryos, Lawsuit Says. When They Found Out, They Had To Trade Babies.”

David: David is leading an “Exploring a Secret Fort” tour of Fort DeRussy in Washington, D.C. for Atlas Obscura and Airbnb; Jonathan D. Karl for The Atlantic: “The Man Who Made January 6th Possible”

John: Pew Research Center: “Where Do You Fit In The Political Typology?”

Listener chatter from Tsur Somerville: Reuters: “Wandering Dog is Istanbul Commuters' Best Friend”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Ruth, John, and David discuss the controversy over the founding of the University of Austin.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gabfest Reads: Kirsten Powers, Saving Grace Nov 07, 2021

John Dickerson talks with Kirsten Powers about her new book Saving Grace: speak your truth, stay centered and learn to coexist with people who drive you nuts.

Powers offers advice about on how to navigate the toxic divisions within our culture without compromising personal convictions and emotional well-being.

Kirsten Powers is a New York Times bestselling author, USA Today columnist, and senior political analyst for CNN, where she appears regularly on Anderson Cooper 360, CNN Tonight with Don Lemon, and The Lead with Jake Tapper. Her writing has been published in The Washington Post, Elle, The Daily Beast, The Wall Street Journal, The Dallas Morning News, The New York Observer, Salon, the New York Post, and The American Prospect online. Raised in Fairbanks, Alaska, Powers lives in Washington, D.C, with her fiancé, Robert Draper, and their two fur children, Lucy and Bill.

Gabfest Reads is an occasional author interview series with the hosts of Slate's Political Gabfest. Join John Dickerson, Emily Bazelon and David Plotz in one on one conversations with thought-provoking authors discussing books that range from the overtly political to the politically adjacent.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Red All Over Nov 04, 2021

NYTimes columnist Ross Douthat joins the show to help untangle the implications of the off-year elections and John, Emily and David discuss the Supreme Court arguments on abortion in Texas and guns in New York.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

The Deep Places: A Memoir of Illness and Discovery, by Ross Douthat

Emily Bazelon for The New York Times: “It’s Amy Coney Barrett’s Supreme Court Now”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: Associated Press: “University Of Florida Faces Investigation After Blocking Professors From Voting Case”

David: Scott MacFarlane, Rick Yarborough, and Steve Jones for NBC 4 Washington: “DC Tunnel History Site Flagged Suspicious Activity Before Capitol Insurrection”

John: Jeff Stein for The Washington Post: “Financial Firms Announce $130 Trillion In Commitments For Climate Transition, But Practical Questions Loom”

Listener chatter from JD Cameron @J_D_Cameron: John Muller for FiveThirtyEight: “Soccer Looks Different When You Can’t See Who’s Playing”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment John, Emily, and David talk to Ross about his new book, The Deep Places.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Facebook Evil? Oct 28, 2021

Emily, John and David talk about the Facebook Papers; Building Back (somewhat) Better; and are joined by author Pamela Paul to talk about the trivial and serious sides of her new book: 100 Things We've Lost to the Internet.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Casey Newton for Platformer on Substack: “How The American Internet Is Turning European”

Farhad Manjoo for The New York Times: “Facebook Is Bad. Fixing It Rashly Could Make It Much Worse.”

Adrienne LaFrance for The Atlantic: “‘History Will Not Judge Us Kindly’”

Nitish Pahwa for Slate: “The Facebook Crisis in India Might Be the Worst Facebook Crisis of All”

Alan Rappeport and Jim Tankersley for The New York Times: “Hunting for Money, Democrats Rush to Rewrite Tax Code”

100 Things We've Lost to the Internet, by Pamela Paul

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: Alix Wall for Berkeleyside: “This Couple Loves Berkeley Bowl So Much, They Took Their Engagement Photos There” (hat tip: Cyrus Farivar @cfarivar)

David: Andrea Salcedo for The Washington Post: “A Hiker Got Lost In Colorado, Then Ignored Rescuers’ Calls Because They Came From An Unknown Number”

John: Bailey Vogt for Washington City Paper: “Iconic D.C. Barber Diego D’Ambrosio Died At 87”; The Lost Daughter

Listener chatter from Kerry Donovan @KerryDonovanCO: Bill Chappell for NPR: “A Mysterious 'A Team' Just Rescued Dogs From a Volcano's Lava Zone in La Palma”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment John, Emily, and David discuss the best things the internet has given them.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Great Resignation Oct 21, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss Steve Bannon’s contempt of Congress, supply chain woes, and Americans pro-actively leaving their jobs.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Jordan Weissmann for Slate: “The Absolute Simplest Explanation for America’s Supply Chain Woes”

David J. Lynch for The Washington Post: “Inside America’s Broken Supply Chain”

Derek Thompson for The Atlantic: “The Great Resignation Is Accelerating”

Matt Bruenig for The People’s Policy Project: “Democratic Child Care Plan Will Spike Prices for the Middle Class by $13,000”

The Unknowns, by Gabriel Roth

Tonja Jacobi and Dylan Schweers for The Harvard Business Review: “Female Supreme Court Justices Are Interrupted More by Male Justices and Advocates”

Kate Murphy for The New York Times: “You’re Not Listening. Here’s Why”

Deborah Tannen for The New York Times: “In Real Life, Not All Interruptions Are Rude”

Elan Morgan for Medium: “99% Invisible Podcast’s Brilliant Response to Criticism of Women’s Voices”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: Paul Shechtman for The New York Law Journal: “Understanding the Significance of Supreme Court Cert in ‘Shinn v. Jones’”

David: Hetty McKinnon for the New York Times: “Sook Mei Faan (Cantonese Creamed Corn With Tofu and Rice)”

John: “One Hour to Think,” in On Democracy, by E.B. White; Vera

Listener chatter from Adrian Monthony: Twitter thread on the strange story of an abandoned airplane by Chris Croy @ChrisCroy; Harish Pullanoor for Quartz: “The Crazy Story Behind a Rickety Boeing 720 Parked at an Indian Airport For 24 Years”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment John, Emily, and David discuss the data provided by listener Lindsay Lee about which host does the most interrupting on the Political Gabfest. Check out Lee's blog post here.

Go to Slate.com/gabfestplus to become a slate plus member today!

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Death of Democracy Oct 14, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss the ways that U.S. democracy is in peril, the Democrats‘ strategy woes, and they are joined by author Andrea Elliott to talk about her new book Invisible Child.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Ezra Klein for The New York Times: “David Shor Is Telling Democrats What They Don’t Want to Hear”

Jamelle Bouie for The New York Times: “Bill Clinton, Race and the Politics of the 1990s”

The Ezra Klein Show. “Transcript: Ezra Klein Interviews Heather McGhee About the Cost of Racism”

The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together, by Heather McGhee

Simon Bazelon and David Shor for Slow Boring: “A Permanent CTC Expansion With a Sharper Means-Test Would Protect Poor Kids Better and be More Popular”

Matt Yglesias for Slow Boring: “If You Want To Talk About Racism, Talk About Racism”

Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival & Hope in an American City, by Andrea Elliott

Andrea Elliot for The New York Times Magazine: “When Dasani Left Home”

Andrea Elliot for The New York Times: 2013 Invisible Child series

Here’s this week’s chatter:

David: Gastro Obscura: A Food Adventurer's Guide, by Cecily Wong and Dylan Thuras

John: John’s donation page for the Covenant House Sleep Out; Gurwinder @G_S_Bhogal’s Twitter thread about the 40 powerful concepts for understanding the world.

Emily: Jan Ransom, Jonah E. Bromwich and Rebecca Davis O’Brien for The New York Times: “Inside Rikers: Dysfunction, Lawlessness and Detainees in Control”

Listener chatter from Nettie Hendricks: The Fetler Family Band on YouTube

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment John, Emily, and David discuss what they’d do with their days if they didn’t need to work. Visit www.slate.com/gabfestplus to become a member today!

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Profits Over People Oct 07, 2021

Emily and John are joined by guest host Mary Harris (host of What Next) to talk about the dangerous debt ceiling games; blowing the whistle on Facebook; and new revelations about January 6th and the plan to overturn the election.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Wall Street Journal: The Facebook Files

Wall Street Journal: The Facebook Files, A Podcast Series

Nathaniel Persily for the Washington Post: “Facebook Hides Data Showing It Harms Users. Outside Scholars Need Access.”

Charlie Warzel’s Substack, Galaxy Brain: “The Algorithm Tweaks Won't Save Us”

Katie Benner for The New York Times: “Report Cites New Details of Trump Pressure on Justice Dept. Over Election”

Mike Stobbe for The Associated Press: “More Than 120,000 Us Kids Had Caregivers Die During Pandemic”

YouTube video: “Richard Feynman Magnets”

Slate’s What Next With Mary Harris

Here’s this week’s chatter:

John: The President Is a Sick Man: Wherein the Supposedly Virtuous Grover Cleveland Survives a Secret Surgery at Sea and Vilifies the Courageous Newspaperman Who Dared Expose the Truth, by Matthew Algeo

Mary: Gary Shteyngart for The New Yorker: “A Botched Circumcision and Its Aftermath”; Robert Kolker for The New York Times Magazine: “Who Is the Bad Art Friend?”

Emily: Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law: Annual Awards Virtual Event–Championing Disability Rights for 49 Years; Sabrina Tavernise and Katie Benne for The New York Times: “Federal Judge Pauses Strict Texas Law Banning Most Abortions”

Listener chatter from Kyle Amann: Matthew Fox for Insider: “A Hamster Has Been Trading Cryptocurrencies In A Cage Rigged To Automatically Buy And Sell Tokens Since June - And It's Currently Outperforming The S&P 500”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment John and Emily talk to Mary about work as a daily podcaster. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Danny Lavery's show Big Mood, Little Mood and you’ll be supporting the Political Gabfest.

Sign up now at slate.com/gabfestplus to help support our work.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get Those Huddled Masses Out of My Yard Sep 30, 2021

John, Emily and David discuss the fate of the Build Back Better agenda; vaccine mandates working; and journalist Caitlin Dickerson helps explain the recent U.S. immigration actions and to identify some fresh strategies for change.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Jamelle Bouie for The New York Times: “It’s All or Nothing for These Democrats, Even if That Means Biden Fails”

Josh Marshall for Talking Points Memo: “Kill the Bill”

Caitlin Dickerson for The Atlantic: “Democrats’ Free Pass on Immigration Is Over”

Caitlin Dickerson for The Atlantic: “America’s Immigration Amnesia”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

John: Glamourdaze YouTube video: “A Walk in the Park - c.1900 | Bois de Boulogne Paris - AI Enhanced; Peril, by Bob Woodward and Robert Costa

Emily: CNN: “Florida Man Fights Alligator With Trash Can”; Jonathan Mann’s folk song celebrating the Florida Man Who Caught An Alligator In A Trash Can

David: The Cult of We: WeWork, Adam Neumann, and the Great Startup Delusion, by Eliot Brown and Maureen Farrell

Listener chatter from Matthew Ringel: Veritasium YouTube video, about the history of potash: “These Pools Help Support Half The People On Earth”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment John, David, and Emily talk about earlier times in history they would have liked to have been podcasting together. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Danny Lavery's show Big Mood, Little Mood and you’ll be supporting the Political Gabfest.

Sign up now at slate.com/gabfestplus to help support our work.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

True Crime Sep 23, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss what it will take to save the Biden agenda, the abortion doctor's defiance of the Texas ban; and true crime mania.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Josh Marshall for Talking Points Memo: “Policy vs Positioning Has Dems in a Stalemate”

Michael Dorf for Dorf on Law: “Texas Could Not Get Away With This Absent SCOTUS-Created Limits On Constitutional Adjudication”

Emily Bazelon for The New York Times: “The Dawn of the Post-Clinic Abortion”

Impeachment: American Crime Story

The Clinton Impeachment - Slow Burn: Season 2

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: Susan Dominus for The New York Times Magazine: “He Was the ‘Perfect Villain’ for Voting Conspiracists”

John: Elizabeth Elkin for Bloomberg: “Food Prices Poised to Surge With Fertilizer at Highest in Years

By”

David: CityCast: “City Cast Houston Launches Oct. 5”; “Evidence That A Cosmic Impact Destroyed Ancient City In The Jordan Valley”; Ted E. Bunch et al, for Scientific Reports: “A Tunguska Sized Airburst Destroyed Tall El-hammam A Middle Bronze Age City In The Jordan Valley Near The Dead Sea”

Listener chatter from Jeffrey Itell: You Tube: “15 Unfinished Buildings in Kunming Were Demolished by Blasting”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment John, David, and Emily discuss the merits of revisiting the stories of Bill Clinton’s impeachment. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Danny Lavery's show Big Mood, Little Mood and you’ll be supporting the Political Gabfest.

Sign up now at slate.com/gabfestplus to help support our work.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Patience is Wearing Thin Sep 16, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss the Biden’s administration’s vaccine rule, the legitimacy of the Supreme Court, and the new book from Bob Woodward and Robert Costa.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Isaac Stanley-Becker for The Washington Post: “Top General Was So Fearful Trump Might Spark War That He Made Secret Calls To His Chinese Counterpart, New Book Says”

Peril, by Bob Woodward and Robert Costa

Susan B. Glasser for The New Yorker: “‘You’re Gonna Have a Fucking War’: Mark Milley’s Fight to Stop Trump from Striking Iran”

I Alone Can Fix It: Donald J. Trump's Catastrophic Final Year, by Carol Leonnig and Philip Rucker

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: Georgia Wells, Jeff Horwitz and Deepa Seetharaman for The Wall Street Journal: “Facebook Knows Instagram Is Toxic for Teen Girls, Company Documents Show”

John: Harlem Shuffle, by Colson Whitehead

David: “College Students Reported Record-High Marijuana Use and Record-Low Drinking in 2020, Study Says”

Listener chatter from James Evans: Verity Stevenson for CBC News: “In Facing Death, Concordia Neuroscientist Nadia Chaudhri Has Built a Lasting Legacy and Inspired Thousands”;

@DrNadiaChaudhri’s Twitter feed

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment John, David, and Emily discuss the contentiousness of daylight saving time. If you enjoy the show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus.

Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Danny Lavery's show Big Mood, Little Mood and you’ll be supporting the Political Gabfest. Sign up now at slate.com/gabfestplus to help support our work.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

20 Years Since 9/11 Sep 09, 2021

Emily, John and David reflecton 9/11; the fight for the infrastructure agenda, and declining college enrollment among men.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Garrett M. Graff for the Atlantic: “After 9/11, the U.S. Got Almost Everything Wrong”

The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11, by Garrett M. Graff

Ady Barkan for The New York Times: “Home Care Keeps Me Alive. It Should Be Fully Funded.”

Jamelle Bouie for The New York Times: “$1 Trillion Isn’t as Much as It Sounds”

Douglas Belkin for The Wall Street Journal: “A Generation of American Men Give Up on College: ‘I Just Feel Lost’”

Emily Bazelon for The New York Times: “How Will America Recover From a Broken School Year?”

Kevin Carey for The New York Times: “Men Fall Behind in College Enrollment. Women Still Play Catch-Up at Work.”

The Case Against Education: Why the Education System Is a Waste of Time and Money, by Bryan Caplan

Here’s this week’s chatter:

John: Lee Drutman for The New York Times: “Quiz: If America Had Six Parties, Which Would You Belong To?”; John Dickerson for The Atlantic: “Every Dog Is a Rescue Dog”

Emily: Ben Rothenberg for The New York Times: “At U.S. Open, Teen Spirit Rules and It’s Contagious”

David: Wilson Wong for NBC News: “Original 'Blue's Clues' Host Steve Tells Millennials He Never Forgot Them. He Just Went To College.”

Listener chatter from Michael Sagmeister: Philip Oltermann for The Guardian: “‘Scholz Will Sort It’ – The Catchphrase Winning the Hearts of German Voters”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment John, David, and Emily discuss television’s most indelible characters in the wake of Michael K. Williams’ death.

If you enjoy the show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Danny Lavery's show Big Mood, Little Mood and you’ll be supporting the Political Gabfest. Sign up now at slate.com/gabfestplus to help support our work.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

$10,000 Bounty Sep 04, 2021

John, Emily and David discuss SCOTUS letting the Texas abortion ban go into effect; the Afghanistan exit; and Dr. Atul Gawande joins the show to explain how Costa Rica has surpassed US life expectancy by getting serious about public health.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Atul Gawande for the New Yorker: “Costa Ricans Live Longer Than Us. What’s the Secret?”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

John: Erin Donaghue for CBS News: “Officers and Paramedics Charged in Death of Elijah McClain”

Emily: Jed Kolko for The New York Times: “The Downtown Decade: U.S. Population Density Rose in the 2010s”

David: The Very Nice Box, by Eve Gleichman and Laura Blackett; Nile Cappello for The Atavist: “The Girl In The Picture”

Listener chatter from Karl Richter: A compilation of Nanci Griffith’s performances on Letterman

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment John, David, and Emily share their advice for people starting college.

If you enjoy the show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Danny Lavery's show Big Mood, Little Mood and you’ll be supporting the Political Gabfest. Sign up now at slate.com/gabfestplus to help support our work.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back to School Aug 26, 2021

Jamelle, Emily and David discuss the Afghanistan evacuation, starting school during delta, and the path forward for infrastructure.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Jamelle Bouie for the New York Times: “$1 Trillion Isn’t as Much as It Sounds”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Jamelle: Godzilla: The Album

Emily: Jessica Stoya for Slate: “What We Can Really Learn From the OnlyFans Debacle”

David: Atul Gawande for the New Yorker: “Costa Ricans Live Longer Than Us. What’s the Secret?”

Listener chatter from Nilo Garza: The Daily: “Why Mexico is Suing U.S. Gun Manufacturers”; James Fredrick for NPR: “Mexico's Suit Against U.S. Gun Companies May Seek More Than A Court Win”

If you enjoy the show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Danny Lavery's show Big Mood, Little Mood and you’ll be supporting the Political Gabfest. Sign up now at slate.com/gabfestplus to help support our work.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Jamelle, Emily, and David talk about electric bikes and scooters.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Tragedy of Afghanistan Aug 19, 2021

Emily, David and Alexandra Petri discuss the Afghanistan withdrawal, with guest Annie Pforzheimer; California’s recall election; and personal pandemic ethics.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

AnniePforzheimer for the Washington Post, “Leaving Afghanistan Will Lead to Yet Another Civil War There”

AnniePforzheimer for the Washington Post, “In Afghanistan, a Summer of Pain Awaits”

AnniePforzheimer for the New York Times, “The Long Road Out of Afghanistan”

Rachel Feintzeig for the Wall Street Journal: “These People Who Work From Home Have a Secret: They Have Two Jobs”

Daniel Lavery’s Substack newsletter: The Chatner

Nothing Is Wrong and Here Is Why, by Alexandra Petri

A Field Guide to Awkward Silences, by Alexandra Petri

The Best of Wodehouse: An Anthology

Clouds, by Aristophanes

Raymond Chandler: Collected Stories

Three Men In A Boat: (To Say Nothing of the Dog), by Jerome K. Jerome

Solutions and Other Problems, by Allie Brosh

Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened, by Allie Brosh

New Teeth, by Simon Rich

Ant Farm: And Other Desperate Situations, by Simon Rich

Simon Rich for the New Yorker: “Sell Out”

Simon Rich for the New Yorker: “The Big Nap”

Simon Rich for the New Yorker: “Raised by Wolves”

Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen

My Life and Hard Times, by James Thurber

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, by Jules Verne

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: Meira Levinson, Alan C. Geller, and Joseph G. Allen for The Lancet: “Health Equity, Schooling Hesitancy, and the Social Determinants of Learning”

Alexandra: Never a Dull Moment: The Memoirs of Countess Marguerite Cassini

David: Dahlia Lithwick for Slate: “The Fierce Legal Battle at the Heart of the Fight Over Reclining Airline Seats”

Listener chatter from Lesley Gild: Bored Panda: “People Are Sharing ‘Alternate Angles’ of Iconic Events and Places in History, Here Are 30 of the Best”

If you enjoy the show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Danny Lavery's show Big Mood, Little Mood and you’ll be supporting the Political Gabfest. Sign up now at slate.com/gabfestplus to help support our work.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Alexandra, Emily, and David discuss their favorite funny books.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap and Shayna Elliot.

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Little Fires Everywhere Aug 12, 2021

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report

Little Fires Everywhere, by Celeste Ng

Public Citizens: The Attack on Big Government and the Remaking of American Liberalism, by Paul Sabin

Paul Sabin for the New York Times: “How Liberals Can Attack From the Left—and Win”

Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration, by Emily Bazelon

The Genius Factory: Unravelling the Mystery of the Nobel Prize Sperm Bank, by David Plotz

The Most Dangerous Writing App

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Josie: How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America, by Clint Smith; Maya and the Robot, by Eve L. Ewing

Emily: Ally Mutnick and Zach Montellaro for Politico: “Redistricting Sprint Begins With Major Census Data Drop”

David: Jen Senior for the Atlantic: “What Bobby McIlvaine Left Behind”

Listener chatter from Matt Gousman: “Starbase Tour With Elon Musk”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Josie, David, and Emily share their experiences and advice about trying to write a book.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jess Miller.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap and Grace Woodruff.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Impeach Today Aug 05, 2021

John and David are joined by Andrea Valdez of The Atlantic to discuss New York Mayor Andrew Cuomo refusing to resign, the survival of the eviction moratorium and the arrival of vaccine passports.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Annie Lowery for the Atlantic: “The Time Tax”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Andrea: Planet Money: “Three Reasons for the Housing Shortage”; Jerusalem Demsa for Vox: “Homeownership Can Bring Out the Worst in You”

John: Jason Kottke for Kottke.org: “This App Identifies Birds by Their Songs”; Merlin Bird ID app

David: Right of Way: Race, Class, and the Silent Epidemic of Pedestrian Deaths in America, by Angie Schmitt; The @FrogandToadbot Twitter account

Listener chatter from Noah Lieberman: David Gilbert for Vice: “‘I’m a Parkland Shooting Survivor. QAnon Convinced My Dad It Was All a Hoax.’”

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Medieval Battle Jul 29, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss the January 6th Commission, the return of masks and they are joined by guest Annie Lowrey to talk about the "time tax."

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Annie Lowrey for The Atlantic: “The Time Tax: Why is so much American bureaucracy left to average citizens?”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

John: Max Fisher for the New York Times: “Disinformation for Hire, a Shadow Industry, Is Quietly Booming”

Emily: The Vanishing Halfand The Mothers by Brit Bennet

David: Louis Maurice Botet de Monvel’s Joan of Arc series on display at the National Gallery of Art

Listener chatter from Ryan Good, @RyanScGood: Gabriel Hoyle’s Twitter thread of modern presidential branding schemes

If you enjoy the show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Danny Lavery's show Big Mood, Little Mood and you’ll be supporting the Political Gabfest. Sign up now at slate.com/gabfestplus to help support our work.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, David, Emily, and John discuss: Have you really read a book if you’ve completely forgotten it?

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Grace Woodruff.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Actually It Is ‘Infrastructure Week' Jul 22, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss the Delta variant and the vaccination decline, the bipartisan infrastructure plan living another day, and the pandemic Olympics.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

David Leonhardt for The New York Times: “Why Aren’t the Vaccines Approved?”

Matthew Yglesias for Slow Boring: “Let's Get More People Vaccinated”

Ross Douthat for The New York Times: “How to Reach the Unvaccinated”

John Dickerson for CBS News: “Governor Asa Hutchinson on ‘Face the Nation,’ June 27, 2021”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

John: Jack Thomas for The Boston Globe: “I Just Learned I Only Have Months to Live. This Is What I Want to Say”; Susan B. Glasser for The New Yorker: “‘You’re Gonna Have a Fucking War’: Mark Milley’s Fight to Stop Trump from Striking Iran”

Emily: Eliza Apperly for The Guardian: “‘Stumbling Stones’: A Different Vision of Holocaust Remembrance”; Atlas Obscura: “The Bebelplatz, Berlin, Germany: The Site of the Famous Nazi Book Burning Campaign of 1933 Remembers It’s ‘Night of Shame.’”

David: The Quiet American, by Graham Greene; Catherine Bosley for Bloomberg: “Women Are Still Suffering More Than Men in Pandemic Job Hit”

Listener chatter from Ragav Venkatesan: “W Series: Off Track”; Giles Richards for The Guardian: “Hamilton Commission Report Aims to Improve Diversity in Motorsport”

If you enjoy the show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Danny Lavery's show Big Mood, Little Mood and you’ll be supporting the Political Gabfest. Sign up now at slate.com/gabfestplus to help support our work.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss billionaires in space.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Mature Minor Jul 15, 2021

John, David and Josie discuss the escalating threats to democratic elections, minors’ rights to vaccination, and Josh Levin on the podcast One Year: 1977.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Slate’s One Year: 1977

The Queen: The Forgotten Life Behind an American Myth, by Josh Levin

Citizen Kane

Ulysses, by James Joyce

Here’s this week’s chatter:

John: Gaia Pianigiani and Emma Bubola for The New York Times: “Italy’s Government to Ban Cruise Ships From Venice”; The New York Times: “How Much Hotter Is Your Hometown Than When You Were Born?”

Josie: Detransition, Baby, by Torrey Peters

David: City Cast: “City Cast Expands to 8 New Cities”

Listener chatter from Chris Heuberger, @chrisbup: David Owen for The New Yorker: “How a Young Activist Is Helping Pope Francis Battle Climate Change”; Solvable podcast: “Mapping Catholic Lands Can Help Solve Biodiversity Loss and Climate Change.”

If you enjoy the show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Danny Lavery's new show Big Mood, Little Mood" and you’ll be supporting the Political Gabfest. Sign up now at slate.com/gabfestplus to help support our work. For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, John, Josie and David give classical music another review.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gab Me Baby One More Time Jul 08, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss New York City’s primary election, J.D. Vance’s Senate run, and injustice illuminated by Britney Spears.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, by J.D. Vance

Molly Ball for Time: “Breakfast with J.D. Vance, Anti-Trump Author Turned Pro-Trump Candidate”

Ronan Farrow and Jia Tolentino for The New Yorker: “Britney Spears’s Conservatorship Nightmare”

Caitlin Flanagan for The Atlantic: “You Really Need to Quit Twitter”

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, by Cal Newport

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: This American Life: “There. I Fixed It.”

John: John Dickerson for CBS News: “Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch III: Full Face the Nation Interview”; Julian Mark for The Washington Post: “Rep. Andy Kim’s Suit in the Capitol Cleanup Photo Was From A J. Crew Sale. It Now Belongs to the Smithsonian.”; Emily Bazelon for The New York Times: “I Write About the Law. But Could I Really Help Free a Prisoner?”

David: Visiting the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness with Navajo Tours USA

Listener chatter from William Quill: Russell Goldenberg for The Pudding: “The World Through the Eyes of the US”

If you enjoy the show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Danny Lavery's show Big Mood, Little Mood and you’ll be supporting the Political Gabfest. Sign up now at slate.com/gabfestplus to help support our work.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss whether it is a good idea to quit social media.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Failed Justice Breyer Countdown Jul 01, 2021

Emily Bazelon is joined by Ruth Marcus and Jamelle Bouie to discuss the infrastructure negotiations, alarming Supreme Court decisions and Bill Cosby’s release.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Catherine Rampell for The Washington Post: “Three Things That Could Still Blow Up The Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal”

Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Struggle for Voting Rights in America, by Ari Berman

Ruth Marcus for The Washington Post: “I’ve Urged Supreme Court Justices to Stick Around — But Never to Retire. Until Now.”

The New Book of Middle Eastern Food: The Classic Cookbook, Expanded and Updated, with New Recipes and Contemporary Variations on Old Themes, by Claudia Roden

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: Emily Bazelon for the New York Times: “I Write About the Law. But Could I Really Help Free a Prisoner?”; My Octopus Teacher

Ruth: Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum

Jamelle: Croupier; Athletic Brewing Company

If you enjoy the show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Danny Lavery's show Big Mood, Little Mood and you’ll be supporting the Political Gabfest. Sign up now at slate.com/gabfestplus to help support our work. For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, Jamelle, and Ruth talk about their favorite summer foods and recipes.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

F School, F Softball, F Cheer, F Everything Jun 24, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss the post-pandemic workforce, Tucker Carlson, and student wins at the Supreme Court.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Ben Smith for the New York Times: “Tucker Carlson Calls Journalists ‘Animals.’ He’s Also Their Best Source.”

Slate: “David Plotz and Tucker Carlson Debate Scott Brown, Health Care, and More”

Andrew Van Dam for the Washington Post: “The Seven Industries Most Desperate for Workers”

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, by Cal Newport

John Dickerson for 60 Minutes: “Colleges and Universities Prepare for Fall Classes in the Middle of the Coronavirus Pandemic”

The Sound Scene Festival: an annual free and interactive audio arts festival organized by the D.C. Listening Lounge, an audio collective of Washington-based sound artists and enthusiasts.

Here’s this week’s chatter:

John: Steve Rathje, Jay J. Van Bavel, and Sander van der Linden for the Proceedings of The National Academy of Sciences: “Out-Group Animosity Drives Engagement On Social Media”

Emily: Associated Press: “Connecticut Is Firstst State to Make All Prison Phone Calls Free”

David: Mad Men

Listener chatter from Laura Forsythe: Stephanie Lai for the Washington Post: “26 Years After Being Convicted Of Murder, A D.C. Jail Inmate Is Elected To Public Office”; campaign videos at https://neighborsforjusticedc.org/takeaction/

If you enjoy the show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Danny Lavery's new show Big Mood, Little Mood" and you’ll be supporting the Political Gabfest. Sign up now at slate.com/gabfestplus to help support our work. For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, John, and David discuss things that have gotten better since their childhoods.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Morgan Flannery.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New, New, New Cold War Jun 17, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss President Biden's G7 summit and the meeting with President Putin, McConnell’s plans to block a Biden Supreme Court nominee, and they are joined by guest Melissa Murray on what “critical race theory” is and is not.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Julia Ioffe for Tomorrow Will Be Worse: “‘Everyone Gets What They Deserve’: Biden Takes On the Putin Singularity”

Strict Scrutiny podcast

Amicus podcast

The New York Times Magazine: “The 1619 Project”

Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World, by Cal Newport

Here’s this week’s chatter:

John: Elizabeth Dilts Marshall for Reuters: “Morgan Stanley Ceo to Staff: Be Back at New York Headquarters by September”; Lauren Weber for The Wall Street Journal: “Forget Going Back to the Office—People Are Just Quitting Instead”

Emily: Adam Liptak for The New York Times: “Affordable Care Act Survives Latest Supreme Court Challenge”; Adam Liptak for the New York Times: “Supreme Court Backs Catholic Agency in Case on Gay Rights and Foster Care”

David: Six Months Later: Episode 22: David Plotz

Listener chatter from Leslie Camp: Doug Fraser for The Cape Cod Times: “‘I Was Completely Inside’: Lobster Diver Swallowed by Humpback Whale Off Provincetown”

If you enjoy the show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Danny Lavery's new show Big Mood, Little Mood" and you’ll be supporting the Political Gabfest. Sign up now at slate.com/gabfestplus to help support our work

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, John, and David discuss the things they miss doing which modern technology has pushed out of circulation.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Manchin on the Hill Jun 10, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss Joe Manchin, how the Trump DOJ lives on, and George Packer’s four Americas.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

John Dickerson for CBS News: “Sen. Joe Manchin on Face the Nation, June 6, 2021”

Ruth Marcus for the Washington Post: “Attorney General Garland, Please Stop Digging”

George Packer for the Atlantic: “How America Fractured Into Four Parts”

Last Best Hope: America in Crisis and Renewal, by George Packer

George Packer for the Atlantic: “Can Civics Save America?”

The Ezra Klein Show: “Obama Explains How America Went From ‘Yes We Can’ to ‘MAGA’ ”

Jane Mayer for the New Yorker: “Inside the Koch-Backed Effort to Block the Largest Election-Reform Bill in Half a Century”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

John: Elizabeth Weise for USA Today: “This Man Spent Last Year Flushing Hundreds of Toilets. The New Fear as the Pandemic Wanes: Legionnaires' Disease”

Emily: Michael Powell for the New York Times: “Once a Bastion of Free Speech, the A.C.L.U. Faces an Identity Crisis”

David: Rachel Gutman for the Atlantic: “A Crumpled, Dried-Out Relic of the Pandemic”

Listener chatter from Andrew Goetz: Mick West's YouTube videos explaining UFO footage.

If you enjoy the show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Danny Lavery's new show Big Mood, Little Mood" and you’ll be supporting the Political Gabfest. Sign up now at slate.com/gabfestplus to help support our work. For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, John, and David consider how their names may have shaped their personalities.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The “Murder Mystery” Edition Jun 03, 2021

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

The Ezra Klein Show: “Obama Explains How America Went From ‘Yes We Can’ to ‘MAGA’”

Uneasy Peace: The Great Crime Decline, the Renewal of City Life, and the Next War on Violence, by Patrick Sharkey

AmericanViolence.org

Monica C. Bell for the Yale Law Journal: “Police Reform and the Dismantling of Legal Estrangement”

Penn Wharton Budget Model: “COVID-19 School Closures: Long-Run Macroeconomic Effects”

Hang Up and Listen: “The Naomi Osaka Withdraws Edition”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

John: Kathryn Schulz for TED: “Don’t Regret Regret”; Cal Newport for The New Yorker: “What if Remote Work Didn’t Mean Working from Home?”

Emily: Mare of Easttown; Julie Miller for Vanity Fair: “Kate Winslet on Mare of Easttown and Creating a Real Heroine for Tired Times”

David: CityCast Denver: “Responding to 911 Calls With Sweatpants and Snacks, Not Guns”

Listener chatter from James Williams: Arnstein Aassve, Guido Alfani, Francesco Gandolfi, and Marco Le Moglie for Health Economics: “Epidemics and Trust: The Case of the Spanish Flu”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, John, and David talk about Naomi Osaka withdrawing from the French Open.

If you enjoy the show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the Political Gabfest. Sign up now at slate.com/gabfestplus to help support our work.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Margaret Kelley.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Hosts

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, David Plotz

Follow

@SlateGabfest on Twitter / https://twitter.com/SlateGabfest

Slate Gabfest on Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/Gabfest/

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The “Gain of Function” Edition May 27, 2021

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

David Leonhardt for The New York Times: “The Lab-Leak Theory”

Nicholson Baker for New York Magazine: “The Lab-Leak Hypothesis”

Nicholas Wade for The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: “The Origin of COVID: Did People or Nature Open Pandora’s Box at Wuhan?”

Anne Applebaum for The Atlantic: “Other Regimes Will Hijack Planes Too”

The Skies Belong to Us: Love and Terror in the Golden Age of Hijacking, by Brendan I. Koerner

Eric Levitz for New York Magazine: “David Shor on Why Trump Was Good for the GOP and How Dems Can Win in 2022”

Eric Levitz for New York Magazine: “David Shor’s Unified Theory of American Politics”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

John: Mark Mortensen and Heidi K. Gardner for Harvard Business Review: “WFH Is Corroding Our Trust in Each Other”

Emily: Patrick Smith for WBEZ: “Mayor Lori Lightfoot Blamed Gun Violence On Judges, But Emails Show Her Staff Knew It Wasn’t True”

David: Apple Photos “Memories” feature

Listener chatter from Jen Overbeck: Alan Burdick for The New York Times: “So You Want to End the Conversation?”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, John, and David talk about the difficulties of ending a conversation that has run its course.

If you enjoy the show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the Political Gabfest. Sign up now at slate.com/gabfestplus to help support our work.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Margaret Kelley.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Hosts

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, David Plotz

Follow

@SlateGabfest on Twitter / https://twitter.com/SlateGabfest

Slate Gabfest on Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/Gabfest/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hot Button Issue May 20, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss the violence between Israel and Gaza, abortion at the Supreme Court, and the book Nine Nasty Words with author John McWhorter.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

John Dickerson for CBS: “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on "Face the Nation," May 16, 2021”

Bernie Sanders for the New York Times: “Bernie Sanders: The U.S. Must Stop Being an Apologist for the Netanyahu Government”

Nine Nasty Words: English in the Gutter: Then, Now, and Forever, by John McWhorter

John McWhorter for the Atlantic: “How ‘White Fragility’ Talks Down to Black People”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

John: Tariro Mzezewa for the New York Times: “Hear a Harlem Choir Rejoice Again”

Emily: Adam Liptak for the New York Times: “Ban on Non-Unanimous Verdicts Is Not Retroactive, Supreme Court Rules”

David: Children of Timeby Adrian Tchaikovsky

Listener chatter from Susan Bates: AMORALMAN: A True Story and Other Lies by Derek DelGaudio.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, John, and David talk about the objects that most define them.

If you enjoy the show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the Political Gabfest. Sign up now at slate.com/gabfestplus to help support our work.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Million Dollar Jab May 13, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss the post-pandemic economy; vaccine hoarding; and they're joined by Alex Stamos to talk about infrastructure, cybersecurity and the Colonial Pipeline hack.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

David Leonhardt for the New York Times: “A Misleading C.D.C. Number”

Dana Goldstein for the New York Times: “President of Key Teachers’ Union Shares Plea: ‘Schools Must Be Open’ in Fall”

Brian Krebs for Krebs on Security: “A Closer Look at the DarkSide Ransomware Gang”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

John: Craig Welch for National Geographic: “Groundbreaking Effort Launched to Decode Whale Language”

Emily: A Good Mother by Lara Bazelon; America on Fire: The Untold History of Police Violence and Black Rebellion Since the 1960s by Elizabeth Hinton

David: B-Side Books: Essays on Forgotten Favorites by John Plotz “

Listener chatter from Adam Schear: Walker Caplan for LitHub: “The Key to Dodging Cyber Censorship Rules Might Be . . . A Minecraft Library?”

If you enjoy the show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the Political Gabfest. Sign up now at slate.com/gabfestplus to help support our work.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, John, and David each recount a decision that changed the trajectory of their lives (not marriage related).

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Martyrdom of Liz Cheney May 06, 2021

David, John and Emily discuss Liz Cheney's defiance of Trumpists; Trump’s Facebook suspension; and meatlessness getting (more) political.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Kimberly Robinson for Bloomberg Law: “Video: The Wild Hypotheticals Posed by Justice Stephen Breyer”

John Dickerson for CBS News: “Ron Klain on ‘Face the Nation,’ May 2, 2021”

Evelyn Douek for Lawfare: “It's Not Over. The Oversight Board's Trump Decision is Just the Start.”

These Truths: A History of the United States, by Jill Lepore

Ezra Klein for the New York Times: “Let’s Launch a Moonshot for Meatless Meat”

John Dickerson for Slate: “Go for the Throat!: Why if He Wants to Transform American Politics, Obama Must Declare War on the Republican Party.”

John Dickerson for JohnDickerson.com: “End of the Year Thoughts 2020 (Five Months Too Late).”

Never Let Me Go, by Kazuo Ishiguro

Hard Knocks, HBO

Here’s this week’s chatter:

John: Klara and the Sun, by Kazuo Ishiguro

Emily: Mom Genes: Inside the New Science of Our Ancient Maternal Instinct, by Abigail Tucker

David: Formula 1: Drive to Survive, Season 3, Episode 9: Man on Fire

Listener chatter from Michael Sagmeister: Mitchell Clark for The Verge: “Bad Software Sent Postal Workers to Jail, Because No One Wanted to Admit It Could Be Wrong.”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, John, and David discuss how the freedom they feel to share their opinions has changed with their jobs and the journalism environment.

If you enjoy the show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get benefits like zero ads on any Slate podcast, bonus episodes of shows like Slow Burn and Dear Prudence—and you’ll be supporting the Political Gabfest. Sign up now at slate.com/gabfestplus to help support our work.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live at 100 Days Apr 29, 2021

A live Gabfest with Emily, David and John on the policies and politics of Biden’s first 100 days— with special guest Jamelle Bouie!

A reference from this week’s show:

Thomas B. Edsall for The New York Times: “Should Biden Emphasize Race or Class or Both or None of the Above”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

John: The Premonition: A Pandemic Story by Michael Lewis; Gertrude Stein on punctuation from Lectures in America.

Emily: Rosanna Xia for The Los Angeles Times: “DDT Waste Barrels Off L.A. Coast Shock California Scientists”

David: Steven Johnson for The New York Times Magazine: “How Humanity Gave Itself an Extra Life”

Listener chatter from David Friedlander-Holm: Cara Giaimo for The New York Times: “One of the World’s Oldest Science Experiments Comes Up From the Dirt”

Slate Plus members get great bonus content from Slate, a special segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show. For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, John, and David take questions from the live audience.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guilty, Guilty, Guilty Apr 22, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial with guest Dwayne Betts; Andrew Yang’s campaign for Mayor of New York City; and why the U.S. invaded Iraq with guest Noreen Malone (host of the Slow Burn podcast).

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Netflix Is A Joke: “Richard Pryor's 1979 Joke About Police Still Applies”

“When I Think of Tamir Rice While Driving” by Reginald Dwayne Betts

Jack Shafer for Politico: “How Substack Revealed the Real Value of Writers’ Unfiltered Thoughts”

The Million Book Project

Felon by Reginald Dwayne Betts

A Question of Freedom: A Memoir of Learning, Survival, and Coming of Age in Prisonby Reginald Dwayne Betts

Slow Burn Season 5: The Road to Iraq

Here’s this week’s chatter:

John: The Ezra Klein Show: “That Anxiety You’re Feeling? It’s a Habit You Can Break”; Bob Yirka for Phys.org: “Teaching Children to Play Chess Found to Decrease Risk Aversion”; Joe Trippi’s Twitter thread about Walter Mondale

Emily: PBS’s Philly D.A.

David: Michael E. Ruane for the Washington Post: “Harriet Tubman’s Lost Maryland Home Found, Archaeologists Say”; Peter Jamison for The Washington Post: “An ‘Insane’ Covid Lockdown Two Miles From the Capitol, With No End in Sight”

Listener chatter from Adam Siegel: The Economist: “How spooks are turning to superforecasting in the Cosmic Bazaar”

Slate Plus members get great bonus content from Slate, a special segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show. For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Dwayne Betts recites his poem, “When I Think of Tamir Rice While Driving.”

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Blood Clot Apr 15, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss the vaccine “pause,” the death of Daunte Wright, and Biden’s commission on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Ronald Brownstein for The Atlantic: “The Decision That Will Define Democrats for a Decade”

Ryan D. Doerfler and Samuel Moyn for The Atlantic: “Reform the Court, but Don’t Pack It”

Emily Bazelon for The New York Times: “How To Fix the Supreme Court: How We Got Here”

The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson

Tom Whyman for The New York Times: “Why, Despite Everything, You Should Have Kids (if You Want Them)”

This week’s chatter:

John: Call My Agent; The Irregulars

Emily: Daniele Selby for The Innocence Project “8 Things You Need to Know About Pervis Payne Who Is Facing Execution”

David: Janelle Bitker for The San Francisco Chronicle: “Boba Shortage: Bay Area and the Rest of the U.S. May Soon Have No Bubbles for Tea”

Listener chatter from Gabe Jacobs: 99% Invisible: “Freedom House Ambulance Service”

Slate Plus members get great bonus content from Slate, a special segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show. For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, John, David, and Emily talk about the decision to have children in the face of climate change and other catastrophes which could make the future more painful than today.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest, or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Midnight Train From Georgia Apr 08, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss the corporate backlash to Georgia’s voting restrictions, Matt Gaetz and shamelessness in government, and they are joined by Amanda Ripley to talk about her new book High Conflict.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Jonathan Rauch for the Atlantic: “How American Politics Went Insane”

Insecure Majorities: Congress and the Perpetual Campaign by Frances E. Lee

High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Outby Amanda Ripley

The Gottman Institute’s “Love Lab”

Emotions in Conflict: Inhibitors and Facilitators of Peace Makingby Eran Halperin

L. M. Hartling, E. Lindner, U. Spalthoff and M. Britton for Psicología Política: “Humiliation: A Nuclear Bomb of Emotions?”

Stephen Hawkins, Daniel Yudkin, Míriam Juan-Torres, Tim Dixon for More In Common: “Hidden Tribes: A Study of America’s Polarized Landscape”

The Irregulars

Here’s this week’s chatter:

John: Dan Zak for the Washington Post: “Goodbye to Gate 35x, Cursed Portal to the Rest of America”

Emily: Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution

David: City Cast Denver

Listener chatter from Paul John Rudoi: Passing English of the Victorian era, a Dictionary of Heterodox English, Slang and Phrase available at The Public Domain Review; Karen Strike for Flashbak: “Not Up To Dick: 100 Wonderful Victorian Slang Words You Should Be Using”

Slate Plus members get great bonus content from Slate, a special segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show. For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, John, David, and Emily contemplate whether vaccinated people have a moral obligation to go out and spend.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest, or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Impending Doom Apr 01, 2021

Emily, David and guest host Andrea Valdez discuss the fourth wave of the virus, Derek Chauvin’s murder trial, and fixing the U.S.’s caregiving infrastructure.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

How to Be a Texan: The Manual, by Andrea Valdez

Ko Bragg for the 19th: “Four Girls Testified in the Derek Chauvin Trial. Here’s What They Told the Jury.”

The University Will Require All Students to Be Vaccinated Before Arriving on Campus in the Fall, Rutgers University March 21, 2021

Bill Chappell for NPR, ”I Believe I Witnessed A Murder,' Witness Says Of 911 Call In Chauvin Case

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Andrea: Skip Hollandsworth for Texas Monthly: “The Larry McMurtry I Knew”; Paula Mejía for Texas Monthly: “Selena at 50: Celebrating the Life, Art, and Influence of a Tejano Legend”

Emily: Elie Mystal for the Nation: “The Supreme Court May Be About to Blast Another Hole in Gun Control”

David: City Cast Chicago podcast, hosted by Jacoby Cochran.

Listener chatter from Wally Vinovskis: Theresa Machemer for Smithsonian Magazine: “This High Schooler Invented Color-Changing Sutures to Detect Infection"

Slate Plus members get great bonus content from Slate, a special segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show. For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Andrea, David, and Emily discuss running a media startup.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest, or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unfulfilled Mar 25, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss immigration, violence against Asian Americans and how Amazon is shaping the American economic landscape.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Emily Bazelon for Slate: “Stop Telling Ruth Bader Ginsburg to Retire: It's Counterproductive”

David Leonhardt for The New York Times: “The Democrats’ Immigration Problem”

Nicole Narea for Vox: “Migrants Are Heading North Because Central America Never Recovered From Last Year’s Hurricanes”

One Billion Americans: The Case for Thinking Bigger by Matthew Yglesias

Slate’s Political Gabfest, “The “Rage” Edition” (with Matthew Yglesias)

Claire Jean Kim for Politics and Society: “The Racial Triangulation Of Asian Americans”

How the Irish Became White by Noel Ignatiev

Fulfillment: Winning and Losing in One-Click Americaby Alec MacGillis

Michael Corkery and Karen Weise for The New York Times: “Amazon Workers’ Union Drive Reaches Far Beyond Alabama”

Lina M. Kahn for The Yale Law Journal: “Amazon’s Antitrust Paradox”

The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson

The Hardest Job in the World: The American Presidency by John Dickerson

John Dickerson for 60 Minutes: “Studying Coronavirus Spread in One Georgia School System”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily chattered about her forthcoming article about the exoneration of Yutico Briley. Matt Sledge for The New Orleans Advocate: “A Man Serving 60 Years For Armed Robbery Is Free After Jason Williams Clears The Way For Release”

John: Howard Schneider for Reuters: “U.S. Covid Response Could Have Avoided Hundreds of Thousands of Deaths - Research”

David: Janelle Shane for Substack: “GPT-3 Tries Pickup Lines”

Listener chatter from Mathew Dicks: Philip Hoare for The Guardian: "Sperm Whales in 19th Century Shared Ship Attack Information"

Slate Plus members get great bonus content from Slate, a special segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss a wrong but unappealable call by high school basketball referees.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest, or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'll Get the Vaccine If You Give Me A Pony Mar 18, 2021

David, John and Josie discuss the politics of vaccine acceptance, the changed conversation on policing, and how Texas, undeterred by failing to find voter fraud, continues its assault on voting rights.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Dan Diamond for The Washington Post: “‘We Want To Be Educated, Not Indoctrinated,’ Say Trump Voters Wary of Covid Shots”

Charles Duhigg for The New Yorker: Seattle’s Leaders Let Scientists Take the Lead. New York’s Did Not”

The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes - and Why by Amanda Ripley

Washington Post Editorial Board: “Reimagining Safety”

Locking Up Our Own: Crime and Punishment in Black America by James Forman Jr.

Josie Duffy Rice for Vanity Fair: “Abolition’s Promise”

Vann R. Newkirk II for The Atlantic: “American Democracy Is Only 55 Years Old—And Hanging by a Thread”

Ross Douthat for The New York Times: “Can Anything End the Voting Wars?”

This American Life: “Squirrel Cop”

“Irish Family vs Bat”

Zak Cheney-Rice for New York Magazine: “Ahmaud Arbery's Death and the Politics of Black Joy”

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Josie: We Do This 'Til We Free Us: Abolitionist Organizing and Transforming Justice (Abolitionist Papers) Paperback by Mariame Kaba

John: “Ian McKellen Explains the Difference Between Acting on Stage and in Movies | The Dick Cavett Show”

David: The Atlas Obscura Podcast

Listener chatter from Rebecca Vernon: Andrew Chamings for SF Gate: “The Bizarre Tale of the World's Last Lost Tourist, Who Thought Maine Was San Francisco”

Slate Plus members get great bonus content from Slate, a special segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show. For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Josie, David, and John discuss the art and literature they wish they could experience for the first time again.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest, or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zero Sum Mar 12, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss the unprecedented American Rescue Plan. Author Heather McGhee joins the Gabfest to talk about her new book outlining how racism hurts all Americans and Dr. Michael Mina answers questions about how to improve the nation's pandemic-fighting strategies.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Pew Research Center: “Broad Public Support for Coronavirus Aid Package; Just a Third Say It Spends Too Much”

The Debrief with Major Garrett: “$2 Trillion For What?”

The Sum of Usby Heather McGhee

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: The Whiteness of Wealth: How the Tax System Impoverishes Black Americans--And How We Can Fix Itby Dorothy A. Brown

John: “‘The Secret Apartment’ Is The Story Of A Vietnam Vet Who Claims To Have Lived In Veterans Stadium For Years”; The Secret Apartment: Vet Stadium, a surreal memoirby Tom Garvey; Jeremy Irons Reads the Psalms

David: The Fourth Child by Jessica Winter

Listener chatter from Seth Milhoan: Sarah Brookbank for the Cincinnati Enquirer: “Del Hall, The Cincinnati Man Who Lives on a Beer-only Diet for Lent, Is Doing It Again and Raising Money”

Slate Plus members get great bonus content from Slate, a special segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show. For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss how they decide whether to rescue or abandon a failing project.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest, or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'm Sorry If... Mar 04, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss the stimulus bill, sexual harassment allegations against Andrew Cuomo, and escalating voter suppression efforts.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Dahlia Lithwick for Slate: “Maybe It’s a Good Thing Andrew Cuomo Is Still Governor”

Charlotte Klein for Vanity Fair: “Pence Can’t Quit The Big Election Lie That Nearly Got Him Killed”

The Brennan Center’s State Voting Bills Tracker 2021

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: Elizabeth Nolan Brown for Reason: “Science-Based Policy Means Decriminalizing Sex Work, Say Hundreds of Researchers”; Heads of the Colored People by Nafissa Thompson-Spires

John: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Civics Test

David: David chattered in Seussian rhyme about the controversy over Dr. Seuss Enterprises’s decision to take six books with racist imagery out of print.

Listener chatter from Lily Shield: Amy Littlefield for the Nation: “As the Pandemic Raged, Abortion Access Nearly Flickered Out”

Slate Plus members get great bonus content from Slate, a special segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show. For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss when they first realized the coronavirus would be life-changing.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest, or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shocked, Shocked! By Her Tweets Feb 25, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss the Tanden take down, Merrick Garland‘s DOJ, and how to stop police killings of Black people with guest Jason Johnson.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Isaac Chotiner on Twitter @IChotiner

Mitch Daniels for the Washington Post: “Senate Republicans Could Restore a Bit of Civility by Confirming Neera Tanden”

Jacob Jarvis for Newsweek: “Neera Tanden Once Criticized Joe Manchin's Pharma CEO Daughter”

Wesley Lowery for GQ: “The Most Ambitious Effort Yet to Reform Policing May Be Happening in Ithaca, New York”

Slate’s A Word … With Jason Johnson

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: Yes In My Backyard’s Mapping Inequality: Digitizing Our Redlining History

John: Isabella Kwai for the New York Times: “Von Trapped: The Family Is Stuck Inside, So Why Not Sing Parodies?”

David: Children get off a school bus in Mongolia

Listener chatter from @Yayadesigns1: “Watch an Archaeologist Play the “Lithophone,” a Prehistoric Instrument That Let Ancient Musicians Play Real Classic Rock”

Slate Plus members get great bonus content from Slate, a special segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show. For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss our cultural predispositions when it comes to risk and how to better deal with, ignore or address risks.

Tweet us your questions and chatters @SlateGabfest, or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let the Purge Begin Feb 18, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss Republican allegiance to Trump, schools during COVID-19, and they're joined by guest Jonathan Cohn to look back on Obamacare and to explore the current state of COVID-19 vaccinations.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Susan Dominus for the New York Times Magazine: “Rhode Island Kept Its Schools Open. This Is What Happened.”

Shawn Hubler for The New York Times: “Vaccinating Oregon’s Teachers Might Not Be Enough to Reopen its Schools.”

The Ten Year War by Jonathan Cohn

Here’s this week’s chatter:

Emily: Anna Holmes for the Atlantic: “The Magazine That Helped 1920s Kids Navigate Racism”

John: Radio Garden

David: Pick of The Litter

Listener chatter from Ming Richie: Cathy Free for the Washington Post: “This Man Mistakenly Left his Wallet in Antarctica. Some 53 Years Later, He Got it Back.”

Slate Plus members get great bonus content from Slate, a special segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show. For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss the legacy of Rush Limbaugh.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Impeachment Trial Again Feb 11, 2021

David, Emily and John discuss Trump’s impeachment trial; lawsuits about election lies; and the execution of a possibly innocent man.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Talk Radio’s America: How an Industry Took Over a Political Party That Took Over the United States by Brian Rosenwald

“New US Capitol Riot Video Shows Mob Rifling Through Senators' Desks” The Telegraph

Emily Bazelon for the New York Times: “Did Tennessee Execute an Innocent Man?”

Slate Culture Gabfest: “‘Magic or Manipulation’ Edition”

Slate’s The Gist: “Illusions, Delusions, and Flat Out Lies”

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

Emily: Christopher Z. Mooney for the Chicago Tribune: “How the Census Delay Could Hand Control of Illinois Redistricting to the GOP”

John: A letter from George Washington that ended with the sign-off: “Your Most Humble and Obedient Servant" may reveal, or remind us, what our contemporary sign-offs mean.

David: The New York Times Presents: “Framing Britney Spears”

Listener chatter from James Dillard: Amanda Ripley for Comment: “The Mystery of Trust”

Slate Plus members get great bonus content from Slate, a special segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show. For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss Derek DelGaudio’s In & Of Itself.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jewish Space Laser Feb 05, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss the stimulus bill, racial inequities in vaccine distribution, the return to in-person learning, and Majorie Taylor Greene’s GOP.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Ezra Klein for the New York Times: “The Senate Has Become a Dadaist Nightmare”

Uché Blackstock and Oni Blackstock for the Washington Post: “White Americans Are Being Vaccinated at Higher Rates Than Black Americans. Such Inequity Cannot Stand.”

Shreya Kangovi and Uché Blackstock for the Washington Post: “Community Health Workers Are Essential in This Crisis. We Need More of Them.”

Thomas B. Edsall for the New York Times: “The QAnon Delusion Has Not Loosened Its Grip”

David Blight’s Open Yale Course: “HIST 119: The Civil War and Reconstruction Era, 1845-1877”

Lords of Finance: The Bankers Who Broke the World, by Liaquat Ahamed

Monica Potts for The New York Times: “In the Land of Self-Defeat”

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

Emily: Moe Tkacik for Slate: “The Lousy Tippers of the Trump Administration”

John: Vala Afshar’s tweet of a clip from DisruptTV, Episode 91.

David: Stefanos Chen for the New York Times: “The Downside to Life in a Supertall Tower: Leaks, Creaks, Breaks”

Listener chatter from Phillip Cleveland @pwcleveland: a Twitter thread by Mark R. Miller

@4T9NER about a meaningful family photograph

Slate Plus members get great bonus content from Slate, a special segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, listener Norman Townsend asks John, Emily, and David to discuss David’s new startup, CityCast.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Short Squeeze Jan 28, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss the Senate obstruction that may be ahead; delegating deplatforming; and GameStop.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Jamelle Bouie for the New York Times: “Democrats Should Act as if They Won the Election”

Tom Wilson and Kate Starbird for The Harvard Kennedy School Misinformation Review: “Cross-Platform Disinformation Campaigns: Lessons Learned and Next Steps”

Matt Levine for Bloomberg: “GameStop is Just a Game”

David Leonhardt for the New York Times: “Underselling the Vaccine”

Andy Rose for CNN: “Health Workers, Stuck in the Snow, Administer Coronavirus Vaccine to Stranded Drivers”

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

Emily: A Children’s Bibleby Lydia Millet; Matt Stieb for New York Magazine: “The Fyre Festival of Vaccine Rollouts”

John: Derek DelGaudio’s In & Of Itself

David: David Blight’s Open Yale Course: “HIST 119: The Civil War and Reconstruction Era, 1845-1877”; Dessa’s “Who’s Yellen Now?”

Listener chatter from Ghael Fobes @GhaelFobes: a Twitter thread of animals interrupting wildlife photographers by @JoaquimCampa

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment a listener asks John, Emily, and David to discuss how they organize their work, lives, and minds.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

End this Uncivil War Jan 21, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss the unusual but uplifting inauguration, Joe Biden’s priorities, and the Trump aftermath.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Joe Biden’s inauguration speech

Inauguration video from former Presidents Obama, Bush, and Clinton

Kevin Quealy for the New York Times: “The Complete List of Trump’s Twitter Insults (2015-2021)

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

John: The books of P.G. Wodehouse read by Jonathan Cecil

Emily: Beth LeBlanc and Craig Mauger for the Detroit News: “Michigan Republicans Seek to Replace GOP Canvasser Who Certified Election”

David: Jules Suzdaltsev’s Twitter thread of photos of weird things Trump did in office.

Listener chatter from Clay Jeffries @clayjeffries: Sam Kean for the Atlantic: “22 Orphans Gave Up Everything to Distribute the World’s First Vaccine”

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John imagine some classes they would like to teach.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Greatest Betrayal Jan 14, 2021

Emily, David and John talk about impeachment, whether Americans can be deradicalized, and guest Juliette Kayyem joins in to discuss vaccine distribution.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Emily Bazelon for the New York Times Magazine: “People Are Dying. Whom Do We Save First With the Vaccine?

Identity Crisis: The 2016 Presidential Campaign and the Battle for the Meaning of America by John Sides, Michael Tesler, and Lynn Vavrek

Amarnath Amarasingam’s Twitter thread on de-platforming extremists.

Amarnath Amarasingam, Shiraz Maher, and Charlie Winter for the Centre for Research and

Evidence on Security Threats: “How Telegram Disruption Impacts Jihadist Platform Migration”

The music of Ludovico Einaudi

The music of Joan Armatrading

The music of John Prine

The music of M.I.A.

The music of Joan Jett

The music of Maren Morris

The music of Joni Mitchell

The music of Bob Mould and Husker Du

The music of Nick Thompson

Nicholas Thompson for Wired: “To Run My Best Marathon at Age 44, I Had to Outrun My Past”

“Iko Iko” performed by the Grateful Dead

“You’ll Never Walk Alone” performed by Gerry and the Pacemakers

Tusk by Fleetwood Mac

Desire by Bob Dylan

In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

John: Nathaniel Popper for The New York Times: “Lost Passwords Lock Millionaires Out of Their Bitcoin Fortunes”

Emily: Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

David: The Dancing Bird of Paradise Scene from “Our Planet”

Listener chatter from Richard Medlicott: Steven Levy for Wired: “A 25-Year-Old Bet Comes Due: Has Tech Destroyed Society?”

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John talk about the music they turn to in order to clear their heads.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reaping the Whirlwind Jan 07, 2021

Emily, John and David discuss the invasion of the U.S. Capitol and Democrats’ historic win in Georgia.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Yuval Levin for the National Review: “Failures of Leadership in a Populist Age”

Anne Applebaum for the Atlantic: “History Will Judge the Complicit”

Emily Bazelon for the New York Times Magazine: “The Pandemic Election”

Emily Bazelon for Slate in 2013: “Voting Rights 2.0”

Steven Lance for Atavist: “The Secret Formula: Could Shrunken Heads From the Amazon Hold the Key to Curing Cancer? One Man Thought So—and Spent a Lifetime Trying to Prove It.”

A Midwife's Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812,by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

John: Agence France-Presse, “Exceptionally Well-Preserved Snack Bar Unearthed in Pompeii”

David: David Segal for the New York Times: “It’s Mother vs. Son in Britain’s Priciest Divorce War”

Emily: Tweet by Kyle Machulis @qDo of the most important competitive dog dancing video

Listener chatter from Cyrus Farivar @cfarivar: Jason Kottke for Kottke.org: “The Last Documented Widow of a Civil War Veteran Has Died at the Age of 101”

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John consider in what time period they would first go to see a doctor, given what we know now about the history of medicine.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

15th Anniversary Dec 31, 2020

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz reminisce about 15 years of podcasting together. They look back on past mistakes and deliver fresh kindnesses. This live show was recorded on Dec 9, 2020.

You can watch a special tribute video here and a video of the entire 15th Anniversary Show is here.

Here are some references from this week’s show:

Jonathan Rauch for the Atlantic: “How American Politics Went Insane”

Conor Friedersdorf for the Atlantic: “Working Mom Arrested for Letting Her 9-Year-Old Play Alone at Park”

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

John: The Washington Post: “Sept. 8 in History: Evel Knievel’s Canyon Jump, Nixon Pardon”

Emily: Catrin Einhorn and Christopher Flavelle for The New York Times: “A Race Against Time to Rescue a Reef From Climate Change”

David: Washington Post: “Plastic Surgeons Say Business Is Up, Partly Because Clients Don’t Like How They Look On Zoom”

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John share politically-themed cocktail recipes from listeners and of their own.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Conundrum 2020 Dec 24, 2020

Emily, John, and David end 2020 considering listeners’ most perplexing conundrums—with special guest Alexandra Petri!

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

The Life of George Washington: With Curious Anecdotes, Equally Honourable to Himself, and Exemplary to His Young Countrymenby Mason Locke Weems

Marching Bands Are Just Homeless Orchestras, Half-Empty Thoughts Vol. 1 by Tim Siedell

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James

David G. Savage for The Los Angeles Times: “Clarence Thomas is His Own Man

The Glory and The Dream by William Manchester

The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family by Annette Gordon-Reed

Eminent Victorians by Lytton Strachey

The Twelve Caesars by Suetonius

The Complete Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Waterson

FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened, Netflix

Fyre Fraud, Hulu

Black Mirror: “Nosedive,” Netflix

Black Mirror: “Arkangel,” Netflix

Here are some of the conundrums tackled on the show:

To save the world from eventual destruction, you have to live and work in one of two locations that you cannot leave for three years: one on the ocean floor, the other on the moon. Which do you choose and why?

What pre-1900 social custom (especially one related to how people interact with each other in public) that has fallen out of fashion should be revived in 2021 and beyond?

Would you rather have read War and Peace but not be able to talk about it, or to have read Atlas Shrugged and have to talk about it?

A pair of 80s style magical leg warmers must be visibly worn all day to activate superhuman cheetah speed. Do you wear them?

For the rest of quarantine, you must share your home with a fictional character. Who is your new roommate?

You can have your portrait painted by any artist from any period of history, or your biography written by any author. Whom would you pick?

If you could banish any widely accepted canard from people’s minds, what would it be?

If you, and only you, could see one statistic hovering over every person’s head, what would you want it to be?

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show. For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, John, and Alexandra explore some bonus conundrums.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Barr-Barr-Barr, Barr-Barr is Gone Dec 17, 2020

Emily, John and David discuss the massive Russian hack-- with guest Alex Stamos, Bill Barr’s resignation, and Joe Biden’s cabinet.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Alex Stamos for The Washington Post: “Enough Is Enough. Here’s What We Should Do to Defend Against the Next Russian Cyberattacks.”

John Dickerson for 60 Minutes: “Excited Delirium: The Controversial Syndrome That Can Be Used to Protect Police From Misconduct Charges”

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

John: Thomas B. Edsall for The New York Times: “America, We Have a Problem”; The New Yorker Documentary, Episode 30: “The Man Who Invented More Than Eight Hundred Iconic Toys”

Emily: Daniel Nichanian for The Appeal: “Newly Elected Prosecutors Are Challenging The Death Penalty”; Rob Hayes for KABC: “LA County Da George Gascon's Plan To Reduce Sentences Sparks Concern From His Own Prosecutors”; Daniel Nichanian’s Twitter feed, @taniel

David: Azam Ahmed for The New York Times: “She Stalked Her Daughter’s Killers Across Mexico, One by One”

Listener chatter from @greenneck: Eric Simons for Bay News: “With Fewer than 2,000 Butterflies Counted So Far, Western Monarch Takes an Astonishing Step Closer to Extinction”

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John discuss John’s reporting on “excited delirium,” the dubious medical justification for an increasing number of deaths of young Black men in police custody.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Breaking Up Facebook Dec 10, 2020

Emily, John and David talk about the coup attempt, Facebook’s legal troubles, and which presidential norms to restore or discard, with guest Tim Wu.

It's conundrum season! Pass along your most pressing conundrums here: www.slate.com/conundrum. Our annual Conundrum show is coming soon.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Tim Wu for the New York Times: “What Really Saved the Republic From Trump?”

Zeynep Tufekci for the Atlantic: “ ‘This Must Be Your First’ ”

They Might Be Giants

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

John: Dalya Alberge for the Guardian: “ ‘Sistine Chapel of the Ancients' Rock Art Discovered in Remote Amazon Forest”

David: Armando Iannucci’s The Personal History of David Copperfield

Emily: Esmé E. Deprez for Bloomberg Businessweek: “How Medela Lost Moms”

Listener chatter from Charlotte Hope, @charlottehope: Elizabeth Yuko for Architectural Digest: “How Previous Epidemics Impacted Home Design”

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John consider a question from listener Daniela Koontz about ideal road trips.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neutral Laws of General Applicability Dec 03, 2020

It's conundrum season! Pass along your most pressing conundrums here: www.slate.com/conundrum. Our annual Conundrum holiday show is coming soon.

Emily, John and Jamelle discuss presidential pardons; coronavirus exemptions for houses of worship; and David joins in for a conversation with Australia's former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull about disinformation.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Jamelle Bouie for The New York Times: “It Started With ‘Birtherism’”

Greg Nunziata for The Atlantic: “Republicans With Any Love of Country Must Acknowledge That Trump Has Lost”

Spencer S. Hsu for The Washington Post: “Court-Appointed Adviser in Michael Flynn Case Says Justice Dept. Yielded to Corrupt ‘Pressure Campaign’ Led by Trump”

Amy Howe for SCOTUSblog: “Christian School in Kentucky Asks Justices to Intervene in Dispute Over In-Person Classes at Religious Schools”

Emily Bazelon for the New York Times Magazine: “The Problem of Free Speech in an Age of Disinformation”

A Bigger Picture, by Malcolm Turnbull

To celebrate our 15th anniversary we'd love to know about your clever, politically themed, original cocktail! Please send us the details here: www.slate.com/cocktail

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

Jamelle: Jamelle chatted about the superior experience of watching films on a Blu-Ray player, as opposed to streaming.

John: Caroline Lange for Food52: “A History of The American Milkman”; Matt Novak for Smithsonian Magazine: “The Milkman’s Robot Helper”; Atticpaper.com’s prints from the Mid-century advertising campaign “Beer Belongs”

Emily: The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John learn about navigating water sports in shark-infested waters from Former Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Turnbull.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sabotage for Christmas Nov 26, 2020

It's conundrum season! Pass along your most pressing conundrums here: www.slate.com/conundrum. Our annual Conundrum holiday show is coming soon.

This week, Emily, David and John discuss the Trump Administration's efforts to hobble the Biden transition; ethical problems in vaccine distribution; and how to deal with the damage of the election fraud lie.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Alex Kalman for the Atlantic: “The Letters That Outgoing Presidents Wrote to Their Successors”

John Dickerson for The Atlantic: “Why You Don’t Mess Around With Presidential Transitions”

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: “A Framework for Equitable Allocation of Vaccine for the Novel Coronavirus”

Kathryn Olivarius for The New York Times: “The Dangerous History of Immunoprivilege”

Jeanna Smialek and Alan Rappeport for The New York Times: “Mnuchin Cites Principles in Clawing Back Fed Money. Democrats See Politics.”

Kevin Roose, Mike Isaac, and Sheera Frenkel for The New York Times: “Roiled by Election, Facebook Struggles to Balance Civility and Growth”

Colin Dickey for Medium: “How to Talk to a Conspiracy Theorist”

To celebrate our 15th anniversary we'd love to know about your clever, politically themed, original cocktail! Please send us the details here: www.slate.com/cocktail

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

John: W.E.B. Du Bois: Writings; The Vintage Book of Contemporary American Poetry

David: Death, Sex & Money: “51 Years Loving A Man Named Sissy”; David’s twitter thread pitch for remaking Love Actually every year.

Emily and listener Barbara Torrey Workman @thethirdbarbara: Twitter thread by United Farm Workers @UFWupdates featuring farm workers at work harvesting the ingredients in favorite Thanksgiving recipes.

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John discuss the elements of pre-pandemic Thanksgiving that they won’t miss this year and don't plan to reinstate next year.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

COVID Tsunami Nov 20, 2020

As part of our 15th anniversary celebration please share an original political cocktail recipe with us. Visit www.slate.com/cocktail to submit your recipe!

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Emily Bazelon for The New York Times Magazine: “The Pandemic Election”

Isaac Chotiner for The New Yorker: “How We Can Contain the Second Wave of the Coronavirus”

Mike Pence for The Wall Street Journal: “There Isn’t a Coronavirus ‘Second Wave’”

Between the World and Meby Ta-Nehisi Coates

Between the World and Me on HBO

Ta-Nehisi Coates for The Atlantic: “The Case for Reparations”

The Water Dancerby Ta-Nehisi Coates

Josie Duffy Rice for Vanity Fair: “The Abolition Movement”

Barack Obama for The Atlantic: “I’m Not Yet Ready to Abandon the Possibility of America”

Jed Sugerman for The Washington Post: “Trump’s Legal Challenges to the Election Will Help Democrats”

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

Emily: Blood Runs Coal: The Yablonski Murders and the Battle for the United Mine Workers of America by Mark A. Bradley

John: John’s fundraising page for Covenant House's Virtual Sleep Out; Charlotte Regan’s short documentary, “No Ball Games: Life and Play Through the Eyes of Children Across the UK”

David: Washington Post: “Fort Hood is named for a Confederate traitor. Is it time for ‘Fort Benavidez’?”

Listener chatter from Mike @rifenbury: Kanazawa Kenichi video

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David and John discuss the holiday movies they’d like to see made.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Biden Biding Nov 12, 2020

The Slate Political Gabfest is turning 15 years old! We will be celebrating with a special live show on Dec 9th-- with wine! Please join us (drinking is optional). Learn more here.

Notes and references from this week’s show:

Karl Rove for The Wall Street Journal: “This Election Result Won’t Be Overturned”

Rich Lowry for Politico: “The Completely Insane Electoral College Strategy”

The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency by Chris Whipple

Michael D. Shear and Lisa Friedman for the New York Times: “Biden Could Roll Back Trump Agenda with Blitz of Executive Actions”

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

As part of our 15th anniversary celebration we'd love to have your ideas for politically themed cocktails. Please submit an original recipe (or 2) here!

Emily: Reis Thebault for the Washington Post: “Robin Kemp Lost Her News Job in Clayton County, Ga. — But She Kept Reporting the News. It Paid Off on Election Week.

John: The Queen's Gambit; Garner's Quotations: A Modern Miscellanyby Dwight Garner

David: Robyn Dixon for the Washington Post: “Azerbaijan’s Drones Owned the Battlefield in Nagorno-Karabakh — and Showed Future of Warfare”

Listener chatter from Joshua Weaver @we4v3r: Grace Perry for Chicago Magazine: “No One Can Agree On What Malört Tastes Like, But the Descriptions Are Always Amazing”

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John discuss how to redesign the inauguration in order to account for the COVID-19 pandemic.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Special Episode: Biden Wins Nov 07, 2020

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz reflect on the election results, the upcoming transition, how senior Republicans are dealing with Donald Trump's loss, and what comes next for Stacey Abrams and Pete Buttigieg.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest.

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by June Thomas.

Sign up for Slate Plus to support the Political Gabfest and the rest of Slate's journalism.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Joe Biden??? Nov 05, 2020

Professor Nate Persily of Stanford-MIT's HealthyElections.org joins the Gabfest to discuss vote counting and election lawsuits. Emily, John and David also discuss Democrats’ down-ballot disappointments, and the problems with polling.

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

Emily: Adam Liptak for the New York Times: “Supreme Court Weighs Legacy of Same-Sex Marriage Case”

John: Margaret McAleer for the Library of Congress Blog: “The Taft Papers and a Titanic Tragedy”

David: Katie Pickens for Eater: “Watch: How Benton’s Makes Its Perfectly Smoky Bacon”

Listener chatter from @ionictonic: Twisted Sifter: “This Animation of How Bridges Were Constructed in 14th Century Prague is Amazing”

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John talk about the lighter stories they want to indulge in whenever the Trump era comes to close.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Slate Plus Special: Counting the Votes Nov 04, 2020

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest.

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Almost Oct 29, 2020

Here are some references from this week’s show:

David Wasserman for the Cook Political Report: “What One Florida County Could Tell Us About a ‘Gray Revolt’ on Election Night”

Rosemary Quigley’s Slate diary

The Betsy-Tacy Treasury book series by Maud Hart Lovelace

Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

The Anne of Green Gables book series by L.M. Montgomery

John Dickerson for Slate: “To the Teacher Who Changed My Life”

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

Emily: Casey Newton’s newsletter, Platformer

John: El País: “A Room, a Bar and a Classroom: How the Coronavirus Is Spread Through the Air”; The Intuitionist by Colson Whitehead

David: David asked whether there is a word for the extreme discomfort he felt watching people embarrassed in terrible ways in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm

Listener chatter from Alana @snarkoutgirl: Wikitongues: “Aydyn Speaking Tuvan”

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show. For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment ahead of Halloween, Emily, David, and John share memories of times they were deeply scared.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last Debate of Donald Trump’s Career Oct 23, 2020

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss Jeffrey Toobin’s suspension from The New Yorker.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Here are some references from this week’s show:

Yanna Krupnikov and John Barry Ryan for the New York Times: “The Real Divide in America Is Between Political Junkies and Everyone Else”

Caitlin Dickerson for the New York Times: “Parents of 545 Children Separated at the Border Cannot Be Found”

Michael D. Shear, Katie Benner, and Michael S. Schmidt for the New York Times: “ ‘We Need to Take Away Children,’ No Matter How Young, Justice Dept. Officials Said”

Jake Tapper for CNN: “Administration Officials Alarmed by White House Push to Fast Track Lucrative 5G Spectrum Contract, Sources Say”

Eric Lipton for the New York Times: “Trump Issues Order Giving Him More Leeway to Hire and Fire Federal Workers”

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

Emily: Joe Sexton for ProPublica: “He’d Waited Decades to Argue His Innocence. She Was a Judge Who Believed in Second Chances. Nobody Knew She Suffered from Alzheimer’s.”

John: Nate Chinen for the New York Times: “Keith Jarrett Confronts a Future Without the Piano”

David: David Plotz for Medium: “The Future is Local: That’s Why I’m Launching City Cast, a Network of Daily Local Podcasts.”

Listener chatter from @greenneck: Rose Eveleth for Smithsonian Magazine: “There Are Whales Alive Today Who Were Born Before Moby Dick Was Written”

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Thursday Message Oct 22, 2020

Slate's Political Gabfest will be published on Friday this week. Listen to this 15 second note to find out why!

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Empty Notepad Oct 16, 2020

Emily, John and David discuss Barrett’s confirmation hearings; the First Amendment and disinformation; and the latest election machinations.

Here are some references from this week’s show:

Emily Bazelon for the New York Times: “The Problem of Free Speech in an Age of Disinformation”

On Liberty by John Stuart Mill

The Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt

These Truths: A History of the United States by Jill Lepore

The New York Times interactive: “How To Vote”

“Better Know A Ballot: Stephen Colbert's State-By-State Guide To Voting In The 2020 Election”

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

Emily: Angela Morris for Texas Lawyer: “Chief Justice's Election Bid Puts Spotlight on Texas' Mandatory Judicial Retirement”; Shtisel

John: “Learning in War-Time” by C. S. Lewis; Antonia Cundy for the Financial Times: “What Would a City Designed by Women Look Like?”; McDonald & Dodds

David: Dan Goodspeed’s data visualization of COVID cases state-by-state by date; Fighting With My Family; Ted Lasso

Listener chatter from Kevin O'Donnell @kevinodIRL: Patrick Blanchfield for The New Republic “The Town That Went Feral”

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss their voting plans.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spitting Into a Sheet of Plexiglass Oct 08, 2020

Emily, John and David discuss the White House virus outbreak, vice-presidential debate, and Senate races

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

Emily: Matt Zapotosky for the Washington Post: “New Justice Dept. Election Fraud Guidance Could Allow Boosting Of Trump’s Exaggerated Claims, Legal Observers Say”; Jim Rutenberg for the New York Times Magazine: “The Attack on Voting”

John: Dave Philipps for the New York Times: “The Army Rolls Out a New Weapon: Strategic Napping”

David: 99% Invisible podcast; The 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Designby Roman Mars and Kurt Kohlstedt

Listener chatter from Kevin Collins @kevinkwc: colorized footage of an 1896 snowball fight in Lyon, France.

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss whether White House staff and journalists should report for work at the White House during the outbreak.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Slate Plus Special: The President Has COVID Oct 02, 2020

In this special episode of Slate's Political Gabfest, Emily, John and David talk about President Trump's coronavirus diagnosis and what happens next.

Here are some references from the show:

Matt Stevens for the New York Times: “Kristin Urquiza, a Debate Attendee Whose Father Died of the Virus, Says Trump Showed ‘No Regard For Human Life.’

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

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What We WILL Know on Election Night Oct 01, 2020

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Russ Buettner, Susanne Craig and Mike McIntire for the New York Times: “Long-Concealed Records Show Trump’s Chronic Losses And Years Of Tax Avoidance”

Adam Davidson’s Twitter thread on signs that Trump might have engaged in money laundering.

Daniel Shaviro for Just Security: “Ten Quick Takeaways from the New York Times’ Bombshell Article on Trump’s Tax Returns”

NYT: Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Noah Weiland for The New York Times: “Study Finds ‘Single Largest Driver’ of Coronavirus Misinformation: Trump”

Nathaniel Persily and Charles Stewart III for the Wall Street Journal: “Actually, We Will Know a Lot on Election Night”

Edward-Isaac Dovere for The Atlantic, “The Deadline That Could Hand Trump the Election”

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

Emily: Jordan Nickerson and David H. Solomon: “Car Seats as Contraception”

John: McDonald and Dodds

David: Raymond Antonio Vargas for the New Orleans Advocate: “In New Orleans, Case of Staged Accidents, Disbarred Lawyer, Stuntwoman Attorney Takes a Dark Turn”

Listener chatter from Megan Murray @mkmurray9: Alec MacGillis for The New Yorker: “The Students Left Behind by Remote Learning”

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss what unprofitable businesses they would like to run if they were engaging in tax evasion or avoidance schemes.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bonus: Would you Shut Up Man Sep 30, 2020

In this special bonus episode Emily, John and David debrief and decompress after the first presidential debate of 2020.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Not Even Cold in The Ground Sep 24, 2020

Emily, John and David discuss the unseemly rush to replace Justice Ginsburg, the coming presidential debates, and 200,000 COVID-19 deaths.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Emily Bazelon for the New York Times Magazine: “Why Ruth Bader Ginsburg Refused to Step Down”

The Long Game by Mitch McConnell

Thomas B. Edsall for the New York Times: “Five Things Biden and His Allies Should Be Worried About”

Linda Chavez for the New York Times: “Democrats, You Can’t Count On the Hispanic Vote”

John Dickerson for the Atlantic: “The Slow-Fingered President”

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

Emily: Shaila Dewan for the New York Times: “Few Police Officers Who Cause Deaths Are Charged or Convicted”; Michael Tanenbaum for Philly Voice: “Pennsylvania's 'Naked Ballot' Ruling Will 'Cause Electoral Chaos,' Philly Commissioner Warns”

John: Tariro Mzezewa for the New York Times: “The Flight Goes Nowhere. And It’s Sold Out.”

David: Tara Parker-Pope for the New York Times: “Does Wearing Glasses Protect You From Coronavirus?”

Listener chatter from Katerina Barry: Mike Pomranz for Food & Wine: “Italy's 'Wine Windows' Were a Product of the Plague—Now They're Making a Comeback”

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss where they’ve found moments of peace amidst the chaos.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Special: SCOTUS After Ruth Bader Ginsburg Sep 19, 2020

Emily Bazelon joins Mike Pesca, host of Slate's Gist, for a special episode on the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. After discussing Ginsburg’s history as a justice and legacy on the court, they begin to unpack the future political ramifications of her death. Emily and Mike talk through the ways a nomination could quickly slip through the Senate before January, the impact a conservative court could have on issues besides abortion rights, and if Ginsburg should have stepped down under President Obama.

Email us at thegist@slate.com

Podcast production by Daniel Schroeder and Margaret Kelley.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Giant Fires Everywhere Sep 17, 2020

Emily, John, David and Jamelle discuss the impacts and threats of wildfires and the climate crisis, apocalyptic election talk, and the four of them envision a new and improved post-pandemic work week.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s special show -- part of the Texas Tribune Festival!:

Abrahm Lustgarten for The New York Times Magazine: “The Great Climate Migration”

Galen Durke for FiveThirtyEight “The Challenges Of Holding An Election During A Pandemic”

Jamelle Bouie for The New York Times: “Trump’s Perverse Campaign Strategy”

Thomas B. Edsall for The New York Times: “Whose America Is It?”

Isaac Stanley-Becker for The Washington Post: “Pro-Trump Youth Group Enlists Teens in Secretive Campaign Likened to a ‘troll farm,’ Prompting Rebuke by Facebook and Twitter”

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamont

Here are the week cocktail chatters for this week:

Emily: Janet Malcolm for The New York Review of Books: “A Second Chance”

John: @AmeliaFrappolli’s, twitter thread about the mad hatter who shot John Wilkes Booth, Boston Corbett, as chronicled in Legends and Lies: Great Mysteries of the American West by Dale L. Walker.

Jamelle: Jubilee: Recipes from Two Centuries of African American Cookingby Toni Tipton-Martin; The Mandalorian, Season 2

David: The Oddly Satisfying channel on YouTube.

Listener chatter from Janet Green @janetcetera: Jonathan Ore and Kevin Ball for CBC: “Paddle of the Century”

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, John, and Jamelle take questions from viewers of the Texas Tribune Festival livestream.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rage Sep 10, 2020

What Trump knew about the virus, DOJ’s move to end E. Jean Carroll’s lawsuit, and Matthew Yglesias on One Billion Americans.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Rage by Bob Woodward

The Washington Post: “32 Times Trump Said the Coronavirus Would Go Away”

One Billion Americans: The Case for Thinking Bigger by Matthew Yglesias

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

Emily: Jaclyn Peiser for the Washington Post: “A Black Seventh-Grader Played with a Toy Gun During a Virtual Class. His School Called the Police.”

John: Laurie Gwen Shapiro for The New Yorker: “The Improbable Journey of Dorothy Parker’s Ashes”

David: Cecily Zander @CNZander’s Twitter thread on Civil War generals as Muppets

Listener chatter from Paul: The Economist: “Marvin Creamer Died on August 12th”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss TV shows from their youth that they would like to see rebooted.

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who Should Get the Vaccine? Sep 03, 2020

Emily, David and John discuss the politics of violence in the U.S. and are joined by bioethicist Ezekiel Emanuel to talk about COVID vaccine distribution, and by Edward Ball to talk about his new book, Life of a Klansman: A Family History in White Supremacy.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Jamelle Bouie for The New York Times: “Trump Needs His Own Sister Souljah Moment”

Science Magazine: “An Ethical Framework for Global Vaccine Allocation”

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: “National Academies Release Draft Framework for Equitable Allocation of a COVID-19 Vaccine, Seek Public Comment”

Life of a Klansman: A Family History in White Supremacy by Edward Ball

Slaves in the Family by Edward Ball

Julian Kozlowski, Laura Veldkamp, and Venky Venkateswaran for the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis: “Scarring Body and Mind: The Long-Term Belief-Scarring Effects of COVID-19, Working Paper 2020-009A”

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

Emily: Marc Levy for the Associated Press: “Pennsylvania High Court Takes Up Another Election Lawsuit”

John: Elizabeth Bernstein for the Wall Street Journal: “The One Thing You Can Control Right Now: Yourself”

David: Beowulf: A New Translation by Maria Dahvana Headley

Listener @GreenNeck: Bridget Alex for Discover: “Which Ancient City Is Considered the Oldest in the World?”

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show. For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John discuss whether we’ll consider this the most important election of our lifetimes thirty years from now.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pool Boy Aug 27, 2020

The Republican convention, violence in Kenosha, and whether the Falwell and Conway families’ dramas matter.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Thomas B. Edsall for the New York Times: “‘I Fear That We Are Witnessing the End of American Democracy’”

Omar Wasow for the Washington Post: “The Protests Started Out Looking Like 1968. They Turned Into 1964.”

Black Lives Matter Protests in Wisconsin: Charles Franklin Marquette Law School Poll 2020-08-26

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

John: Keith Johnston for Independent Voter News: “The 18th-Century Reason Biden's VP Pick Should Be a Night Owl”

Emily: Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of The Dead by Olga Tokarczuk ; Honeyland

David: Erin Berger for the New York Times: “Meet the National Parks’ ‘Ranger of the Lost Art’”

Listener Qiyu Liu @BlueSuedeQ: the Ikea Museum’s collection of 70 years of catalogues.

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John discuss what they wanted to be when they grew up and how close they came.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I Know a Predator When I See One Aug 20, 2020

Emily, John and David discuss the Democrats’ virtual convention, the U.S. Postal Service, and the bipartisan Senate report exposing more Trump ties to Russia.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

PowerToThePolls.org

Vote-absentee.com

Election Protection Hotline

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

John: Keith Johnston for Independent Voter News: “The 18th-Century Reason Biden's VP Pick Should Be a Night Owl”

Emily: Claire Cain Miller for the New York Times: “‘I’m Only One Human Being’: Parents Brace for a Go-It-Alone School Year”

David: Shtisel

Listener Rich Bravo: “Hieronymus Bosch Butt Music”

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show. For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John talk about the first concerts they attended.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cheap, Mediocre Testing Aug 13, 2020

David, John and Josie Duffy Rice discuss the Biden-Harris ticket, stimulus gridlock, and rapid, ubiquitous coronavirus testing-- with guest Dr. Michael Mina.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Monica Potts for The New York Times: "In the Land of Self Defeat"

Zak Cheney-Rice for New York Magazine: "Tara Reade Is Making It Harder to Hide Joe Biden"

This Week in Virology, “Episode 640: Test Often, Fast Turnaround, with Michael Mina”

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

John: Denise Lu for the New York Times: “The True Coronavirus Toll in the U.S. Has Already Surpassed 200,000”; Jamie Gangel and Elizabeth Stuart for CNN: “Details, Title and Cover Revealed for Bob Woodward's Upcoming Book on Trump”

Josie: Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman; WorthRises.org, dismantling the prison industry and ending the exploitation of those it targets

David: Carla Marinucci for Politico: “San Francisco Becomes First County in the Nation to Offer Free Calls to Jail Inmates”

Listener Tim Anderson @TimAnderson_r2: Mark Johanson for the BBC: “How a Long-Forgotte Word Rallied a Nation”

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Josie, David, and John talk about what they would do with their time if the world was free from the pandemic for one day.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stop Counting Now Aug 06, 2020

Messing with the census, undermining the election, and guest Juliette Kayyem on competent crisis response.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Alex Thompson for Politico: “Trump’s Campaign Knocks on a Million Doors a Week. Biden’s Knocks on Zero.”

Ben Smith for the New York Times: “How the Media Could Get the Election Story Wrong”

Franklin Foer for the Atlantic: “Putin Is Well on His Way to Stealing the Next Election”

Alice Miranda Ollstein for Politico: “Lawmakers Demand Explanation for Cutting Federal Funding to States for National Guard Deployments”

Juliette Kayyem for The Atlantic: “Reopening Schools Was Just an Afterthought”

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

John: Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson

Emily: Deep Cover: The Drug Wars

David: This Week in Virology, “Episode 640: Test Often, Fast Turnaround, with Michael Mina”; Elian Peltier for The New York Times: “3 Men Marooned in the Pacific Are Rescued After Writing SOS in the Sand”

Listener Carol Palmer, @AgnetaAnderso: Larry Kanter for Medium “Inside the Company Trying to Solve the Global Bicycle Shortage”

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John talk about missing their work friends.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Twilight of Democracy Jul 30, 2020

David, John and Ruth Marcus discuss Biden’s campaign, Big Tech, and author Anne Applebaum joins to discuss her new book Twilight of Democracy.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

John Dickerson for the Washington Post: “The Ultimate Test of Presidential Character Is Restraint”

Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianismby Anne Applebaum

Anne Applebaum for the Atlantic: “History Will Judge Trump’s Enablers Harshly”

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

John: The Underground Railroad and The Nickleboys by Colson Whitehead; Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton

Ruth: Sophie Haigney for The New Yorker: “An Elegy for the Landline in Literature”

Anne: MBS: The Rise to Power of Mohammed bin Salman by Ben Hubbard

David: Meredith Cash for Business Insider: “Take a Peek at Alabama Football's Stunning New Locker Room That Was Part of a $16 Million Renovation”

Listener chatter from Mark Allender @markwallender for ProPublica: Jodi S. Cohen for ProPublica: “A Teenager Didn’t Do Her Online Schoolwork. So a Judge Sent Her to Juvenile Detention.”

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Ruth, David, and John discuss David’s dilemma concerning the best interests of his cats.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Invading America Jul 23, 2020

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz and Jamelle Bouie discuss Trump’s assault on Portland, the filibuster, and Julian Zelizer’s new book about Newt Gingrich’s power tactics.

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Jamelle, David, and Emily discuss the people they consider the greatest living Americans after the death of John Lewis.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Jamelle Bouie for the New York Times: “The Border War in Portland”

Burning Down the House: Newt Gingrich, the Fall of a Speaker, and the Rise of the New Republican Party by Julian E. Zelizer

The Weeds: “Biden Reloaded”

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

Jamelle: Plenty: Vibrant Vegetable Recipes from London's Ottolenghi by Yotam Ottolenghi

Emily: Amicus Presents: “The Class of RBG” by Dahlia Lithwick

Dahlia Lithwick and Molly Olmstead for Slate: “The Class of RBG”

Dahlia Lithwick for Slate: “It’s Amazing to Me How Distinctly I Remember Each of These Women

The Lie That Bindsby Ilyse Hogue and Ellie Langford

David: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Listener chatter from Joshua Bennet: Ann Gibbons for Science: “Why 536 Was 'the Worst Year to Be Alive'”

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Find Something New Jul 16, 2020

Emily, David and guest host James Forman Jr. discuss the pandemic catastrophe, the racial justice movement, and “cancel culture.”

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment James, David, and Emily discuss the program James has started at Yale Law School to help individuals from the New Haven area to get law degrees, who wouldn’t otherwise be able to.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Neil Gross for the New York Times: “Want to Abolish the Police? Consider Becoming an Officer Instead”

Paul Butler for the New York Times: “The System Must Counteract Prosecutors’ Natural Sympathies for Cops”

Ghettoside: A True Story of Murder in America by Jill Leovy

Unpacking the Boston Police Budget, ACLU Massachusetts

Harper’s Magazine: “A Letter on Justice and Open Debate”

Ross Douthat for The New York Times: “10 Theses About Cancel Culture”

David Plotz for Business Insider: “Government Data Is Getting Worse.”

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

James: Vertellis card game

Emily: Pam Fessler and Elena Moore for NPR’s Morning Edition: “Signed, Sealed, Undelivered: Thousands Of Mail-In Ballots Rejected For Tardiness”

David: Kerry Allen for the BBC: “US-China: Pompeo Dog Photo Has Netizens Asking If US Is Toying With China”

Listener chatter from James Edward Dillard @jamesdillard: ChinaTalk podcast: “How Corruption Works in China”

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank. Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ministerial Exception Jul 09, 2020

Emily, John and David discuss Biden's understated presidential campaign, the new Supreme Court decisions, and Hamilton.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Jamelle Bouie for The New York Times: “Maybe This Isn’t Such a Good Time to Prosecute a Culture War”

David Weigel for The Washington Post: “The Trailer: Who's Afraid of Joe Biden?”

Michael W. McConnell for the New York Times: “On Religion, the Supreme Court Protects the Right to Be Different”

Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings: An American Controversy by Annette Gordon-Reed

The New York Times Magazine: “The 1619 Project”

Winds of Change podcast

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

Emily: Sea Wife by Amity Gaige; “426 Years: An Examination of 25 Wrongful Convictions

in Brooklyn, New York”

John: Jake Rossen for Mental Floss: “10 Examples of the Mandela Effect”; Chess.com: “What is Zugzwang?”

David: Meghann Myers for Military Times: “Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, Who Testified Against Trump, Announces Retirement From the Army”

Listener chatter from Emmy Rald @RaldEmmy: Phoebe Weston for The Guardian: “‘Landscape of Fear’: What a Mass of Rotting Reindeer Carcasses Taught Scientists”

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David and Emily discuss the shaming of wealthy companies that took Paycheck Protection Program loans.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Open the Damn Schools Jul 02, 2020

Emily, John and David discuss the Supreme Court’s abortion decision, reopening schools--with guest Emily Oster, and Russia’s bounties for U.S. Troops.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Melissa Murray for The Washington Post: “The Supreme Court’s Abortion Decision Seems Pulled From The ‘Casey’ Playbook”

Linda Greenhouse for The New York Times: “How Chief Justice Roberts Solved His Abortion Dilemma”

Jeffrey Toobin for The New Yorker: “John Roberts Distances Himself from the Trump-McConnell Legal Project”

Emily Oster for the Atlantic: “Parents Can’t Wait Around Forever”

Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong--and What You Really Need to Know by Emily Oster

Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschoolby Emily Oster

Charlie Savage, Mujib Mashal, Rukmini Callimachi, Eric Schmitt and Adam Goldman for the New York Times: “Suspicions of Russian Bounties Were Bolstered by Data on Financial Transfers”

Susan E. Rice for The New York Times: “Why Does Trump Put Russia First?”

Carl Bernstein for CNN: “From Pandering to Putin to Abusing Allies and Ignoring His Own Advisers, Trump's Phone Calls Alarm US Officials”

David Plotz for Business Insider: “What If Your Boss Acted Like This?”

This Day in Esoteric Political History: “The Man Who Didn't Sign The Declaration (1776)”

Ross Douthat for the New York Times: “The Ghost of Woodrow Wilson”

David W. Blight for the Washington Post: “Yes, the Freedmen’s Memorial Uses Racist Imagery. But Don’t Tear It Down.

Race and Reunion: The Civil War in American Memoryby David Blight

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

John: Jen Doll for Mental Floss: “How A Wrinkle in Time Changed Sci-Fi Forever”; Money Heist

Emily: Alison Dirr for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: “Milwaukee Election Commission Executive Director To Stay On For Time Being, Filling Leadership Void”;

Scott Neuman for NPR: “Federal Court In Wisconsin Upholds Voting Restrictions Favored By Republicans”; Derry Girls

David: Call My Agent

Listener chatter from Randy Koehn @noonan66: Matthew Rosenberg @AshcanPress’s Twitter thread with a beautiful story about Carl Reiner, who passed away this week.

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John discuss whether history should be taught backwards.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Global Pariahs Jun 25, 2020

Emily, John and David discuss the rising numbers of COVID cases, the politicization of the DOJ, and they are joined by Slow Burn's Josh Levin to talk about the new season focused on David Duke.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Austan Goolsbee and Chad Syverson: “Lockdown, and Diversion: Comparing Drivers of Pandemic Economic Decline 2020, University of Chicago, Becker Friedman Institute for Economics Working Paper No. 2020-80.”

Kasra Zarei and John Duchneskie for the Philadelphia Inquirer: “Coronavirus Cases Rise in States with Relaxed Face Mask Policies”

Carol D. Leonnig and Joshua Partlow for the Washington Post: “Dozens of Secret Service Officers and Agents Told to Self-quarantine After Trump’s Tulsa Rally”

Jonathan Martin, Alexander Burns, Matt Stevens for the New York Times: “Biden Takes Dominant Lead as Voters Reject Trump on Virus and Race”

Slate’s Slow Burn, Season 4: David Duke

Rising Out of Hatred: The Awakening of a Former White Nationalist by Eli Saslow

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

John: Maria Konnikova for Wired: “Poker and the Psychology of Uncertainty”; The Biggest Bluff: How I Learned to Pay Attention, Master Myself, and Win by Maria Konnikova

Emily: Christoph Koettl, Nilo Tabrizy, Muyi Xiao, Natalie Reneau and Drew Jordan for The New York Times: “How the Philadelphia Police Tear-Gassed a Group of Trapped Protesters”

David: Melissa Fay Greene for the Atlantic: “30 Years Ago, Romania Deprived Thousands of Babies of Human Contact”

Listener chatter from Fredrik Hilding @FHilding: Jessica Leigh Hester for Atlas Obscura’s Show & Tell podcast: “Show and Tell With Colored-Pencil Cartographer Anton Thomas”

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John discuss some of the nicer changes the pandemic has brought to their daily lives.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Because of Sex Jun 18, 2020

Emily, John and David discuss Trump’s Tulsa rally, Bolton’s book, and this week’s historic Supreme Court ruling on LGBTQ rights--with attorney Chase Strangio.

Episode Notes

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Kathryn Dunn Tenpas for Brookings: “Tracking Turnover in the Trump Administration”

Anne Applebaum for the Atlantic: “History Will Judge Trump’s Enablers Harshly”

Dylan Scott for Vox: “What Mike Pence Got Wrong About the New Coronavirus Spikes”

Margo Vansynghel and David Kroman for Crosscut: “The Future of Capitol Hill’s Protest Zone May Lie in Seattle History”

Ashley Garcia Ashley for the Washington Post: “Seattle’s Protest is the Latest in a Long History of Experimental Living”

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

John: Carl Hulse for The New York Times: “Senate Passes Major Public Lands Bill”

Emily: Jonathan Chait for New York Magazine: “The Still-Vital Case for Liberalism in a Radical Age”

David: David Plotz for Business Insider: “DC Statehood Is a Great But Doomed Cause. Here's a Better Idea.”

Listener chatter from D Holstein @The_Pophouse: Kaitlyn Tiffany for the Atlantic: “Why K-pop Fa Are No Longer Posting About K-pop”

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John discuss Seattle’s Capitol Hill Organized Protest, also known as “CHOP.”

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

He Is Going to Change the World Jun 11, 2020

David, Emily, and John present a special livestream of the Political Gabfest on police abuse, the 2020 election, and John’s new book, The Hardest Job in the World.

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

Emily: Charlie Savage and Adam Goldman for the New York Times: “Outsider Tapped in Flynn Case Calls Justice Dept. Reversal a ‘Gross Abuse’ of Power”

David: Emily Cochrane for the New York Times: “That Trump Tweet? Republicans Prefer Not to See It”; Aaron Blake for the Washington Post: “No, It’s Not Just a Trump Tweet”

John: Whistlestop: “The Spring of 1787”

Listener chatter from Josh Delaney @jddelaney and Andy O))) @alchemistscave: Johnny Diaz for the New York Times: “Someone Found the Buried Treasure That an Art Dealer Hid in the Rocky Mountains”

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John answer questions from viewers of the special livestream of the show.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Thomas B. Edsall for the New York Times: “How Much Is America Changing?”

Matthew Yglesia for Vox: “Study Suggests Democrats Should Be Running More Ads About Biden, Fewer About Trump”

Anne Applebaum for the Atlantic: “History Will Judge Trump’s Enablers Harshly”

Frederick Douglass: Prophets of Freedom by David W. Blight

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inspecting the Bunker Jun 04, 2020

Emily, John and David discuss the protests against police brutality and racism, Trump’s increasingly authoritarian response, and the pandemic--with guest Jamelle Bouie.

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

John: Emily Bazelon for the New York Times Magazine: “What Will College Be Like in the Fall?”

Emily: A River of Starsby Vanessa Hua

David: The Ballad of Songbirds And Snakes by Suzanne Collins; Anne Applebaum for the Atlantic: “History Will Judge Trump’s Enablers Harshly”

Listener chatter from David Foreman: Aeon Video: “‘Quite A Height, Ah?’ A Tour of the Chrysler Building by Those Building It”

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show. For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John discuss James Mattis speaking out about Trump’s work to divide Americans during crisis.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

The New York Times: “After 6 Months, Important Mysteries About Coronavirus Endure”

The Lancet: “Physical Distancing, Face Masks, and Eye Protection to Prevent Person-to-Person Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”

Monmouth University Polling Institute: “Protestors’ Anger Justified Even If Actions May Not Be: Most Say Police More Likely to Use Excessive Force on Black Individuals”

Shant Shahrigian for The New York Daily News: “De Blasio Staffers Demand ‘Radical Change From Mayor’ in Open Letter: Read Full Text”

German Lopez for Vox: “How to Reform American Police, According to Experts”

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Not a Lie, It's a Tweet May 28, 2020

Emily, John and David discuss the Trump vs. Twitter battle, the realities of this partisan pandemic, and U.S.-China relations with guest Sheena Chestnut Greitens.

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

John: Lori Dorn for Laughing Squid: “A Timeline of the Most Popular TV Shows (1951-2019)”

Emily: Willa Paskin for Slate: “Mrs. America’s Showrunner on the Show’s Lessons and Its Detractors”

David: NASA Office of the Inspector General: “Examining the Future of the International Space Station”

Listener (Producer) chatter from Jocelyn Frank: “Building the Perfect Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder”

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Jeff Horwitz and Deepa Seetharaman for the Wall Street Journal: “Facebook Executives Shut Down Efforts to Make the Site Less Divisive”

Talk Radio’s America: How an Industry Took Over a Political Party That Took Over the United States by Brian Rosenwald

These Truths: A History of the United States by Jill Lepore

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John envision what a post-covid-stay-at-home-order office might look and feel like. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

L-Shaped Recovery May 21, 2020

Emily, John and David discuss the state of the pandemic; insider trading allegations in the Senate; and Trump’s firing of the watchdog investigating Mike Pompeo.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John discuss the online videos that have educated and entertained them during social isolation. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Episode Notes

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Ed Yong for the Atlantic: “America’s Patchwork Pandemic Is Fraying Even Further”

Ryan Grim for the Intercept: “David Perdue Got Sweetheart Deal That Grew North of $6 Million After Election to The Senate”

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

John: These Truths: A History of the United States by Jill Lepore;

Tribe of Mentors: Short Life Advice from the Best in the World by Tim Ferriss

The Hardest Job in the World, by John Dickerson

Emily: Meredith Blake for the Los Angeles Times: “The Woman Behind ‘Roe vs. Wade’ Didn’t Change Her Mind on Abortion. She was Paid”

David: Normal People by Sally Rooney ; “Abhushan Gautam for the Nepali Times: When The Air is Clean:

Photographs of Kathmandu Valley With Air Pollution Removed by the Coronavirus Lockdown”

Listener chatter from Valerie Minor: LavaMae‘s design for a DIY handwashing station you can build for the use of people experiencing homelessness.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There Is No Plan May 14, 2020

Emily, John, and David discuss COVID without federal leadership; challenges to Trump at the Supreme Court; and novelist Isabel Allende joins the show to talk about her new book A Long Petal of the Sea, and how crisis can be an opportunity for change.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John discuss (what would be) epic historical counterfactuals. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Here are some notes and references from this week’s show:

Marty Makary for The New York Times: “How to Reopen America Safely”

Norbert J. Michel and Drew Gonshorowski for the Heritage Foundation: “1% of Counties Home to Half of COVID-19 Cases, Over Half of Deaths”

Scott Clement and Dan Balz for The Washington Post: “Many Governors Win Bipartisan Support for Handling of Pandemic, But Some Republicans Face Blowback Over Reopening Efforts”

Zeynep Tufekci for The Atlantic: “How Hong Kong Did It”

Perri Klass for The New York Times: Rethinking Covid-19 in Children

Maria DeCotis @MariaDeCotis performs Governor Mario Cuomo’s comments on his daughter’s boyfriend.

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

John: Heran Mamo for Billboard: “Relive Prince & the Revolution's Iconic 1985 Purple Rain Concert During a Three-Night Livestream”; Olivia Clement for Playbill: “Audra McDonald to Host Star-Studded Covenant House Benefit With Meryl Streep, Dolly Parton, and More”

Emily: The Music Lab’s Tone-Deafness Test and Rodham, by Curtis Sittenfeld

David: Haven Orecchio-Egresitz for Business insider: “A White Man Ran Through a Florida Neighborhood Carrying a TV to Prove That Looking 'Suspicious' Wasn't an Excuse for Killing Ahmaud Arbery”; Monica Humphries for Business Insider: “A BBC Sports Broadcaster Held a Zoom Meeting With His 2 Dogs to Deliver Their Annual Performance Reviews”

Listener chatter from Team@shah_of_shaw: Rutger Bregman for the Guardian: “The Real Lord of the Flies: What Happened When Six Boys Were Shipwrecked for 15 Months”

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vote By Mail May 07, 2020

Emily, John and David discuss states reopening as numbers of cases continue to climb; this year’s election security challenges; and they're joined by guest Gene Sperling to talk about “economic dignity.”

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John discuss how to save the summer. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Notes and references from this week’s show:

Nicholas Confessore, Andrew Jacobs, Jodi Kantor, Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Luis Ferré-Sadurní for the New York Times: “How Kushner’s Volunteer Force Led a Fumbling Hunt for Medical Supplies”

Jason Dearen and Mike Stobbe for the Associated Press: “US Shelves Detailed Guide to Reopening Country”

Emily Bazelon for the New York Times Magazine: “Will Americans Lose Their Right to Vote in the Pandemic?”

Mark Joseph Stern for Slate: “Trump Can’t Cancel the Election. But States Could Do It for Him.”

Economic Dignity by Gene B. Sterling

Gene B. Sperling for the New York Times: “Martin Luther King Jr. Predicted This Moment”

Jason DeParle for the New York Times: “As Hunger Swells, Food Stamps Become a Partisan Flash Point”

Harry Potter and the Sacred Text’s online classes

Spy Hop’s on demand art classes

National Karate’s online classes

This week’s cocktail chatters:

Emily: Richard L. Hansen for Slate: “We Cannot Hold an Election Without a Functional Post Office”; Strict Scrutiny: “Stay Frustrated”

John: The New York Times’ The Daily: “One Meat Plant. One Thousand Infections”; Mike Baker for the New York Times: “‘Murder Hornets’ in the U.S.: The Rush to Stop the Asian Giant Hornet”

David: Benjamin Wofford for The Washingtonian: “Sally Quinn Modeled the Erotic Hero of Her 1991 Bestseller on…Anthony Fauci. Yes, that Anthony Fauci.”; Perry Stein and Donna St. George for the Washington Post: “Despite Pushback, Sidwell and Other D.C.-area Prep Schools are Keeping Their Small-Business Loans”

Listener chatter from Dave Campbell @DaveCampbell116: Twitter thread from Rhodri Davies

@Rhodri_H_Davies about Irish people donating to a crowdfunding campaign to help Choctaw & Navajo people hit by Covid-19, in recognition of support given by Choctaw during Irish famine of 1845.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Come On, Man, I Heard You Liked Me Apr 30, 2020

Emily, John and David discuss Tara Reade’s allegations against Joe Biden, the debate over reopening schools, and the three hosts are joined by astronaut Scott Kelly to talk through tips for living in confined spaces.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John discuss the ethics of human challenge trials for vaccine development. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Here are notes and references from this week’s show:

Michael J. Stern for USA Today: “Why I'm Skeptical About Reade's Sexual Assault Claim Against Biden: Ex-Prosecutor”

Brian & Eddie Krassenstein for Medium: “Biden Accuser, Tara Reade, Allegedly Stole from Non-Profit Organization”

Seren Morris for Newsweek: “What is 1 Day Sooner? Scientists Seek Volunteers to Become Infected with Coronavirus to Speed Up Vaccine Development”

Peter Singer and Richard Yetter Chappell for the Washington Post: “Pandemic Ethics: The Case for Experiments on Human Volunteers”

Eminent Victorians by Lytton Strachey

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

Emily: Linda Villarosa for The New York Times Magazine: “‘A Terrible Price’: The Deadly Racial Disparities of Covid-19 in America”

John: Kathryn Krawczyk for The Week: “Michigan Governor Introduces a GI Bill for Frontline Workers”; Rosalind Adams and Ken Bensinger for Buzzfeed: “After One Tweet To President Trump, This Man Got $69 Million From New York For Ventilators”

David: David’s new newsletter for Business Insider; Johnny Diaz for the New York Times: “Cities Close Streets to Cars, Opening Space for Social Distancing”

Listener chatter from Püblic Üniversal Fiend @UniversalFiend: Associated Press: “Dutch Students Complete Trans-Atlantic Voyage Forced by Coronavirus”

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Georgia Out of Its Mind Apr 23, 2020

Emily, David and John discuss the pushback against COVID-19 restrictions, the success of female political leaders, and they're joined by Mark Bittman to talk about eating and cooking well during isolation.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John discuss their all-time must-read lists. The list is here. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I Alone Can Open It Apr 16, 2020

Trump claims “total authority”, Heather Boushey on fighting the recession, and Amanda Ripley on lessons from Katrina and other disasters.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John discuss what they would do about the pandemic if they were billionaires. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Relationships During a Pandemic Apr 10, 2020

In this special episode of the Political Gabfest John, Emily and David are joined by therapist Esther Perel to discuss how the coronavirus is affecting relationships, and what we can all do to support one another, process grief and tap into increased compassion during this time.

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Easy to Talk About Lysol Apr 09, 2020

Emily, John and David discuss where efforts to curb virus transmission go from here with epidemiologist Amesh Adalja, Trump’s purge of investigators general, and what Sanders’ exit should mean for the Democratic party’s agenda.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John improvise a story together.

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maybe It Is Infrastructure Week Apr 02, 2020

Emily, John and David discuss the security of U.S. elections, are joined by guest economics professor Jason Furman to help estimate by when we can anticipate a financial recovery, and the hosts talk with novelist Geraldine Brooks to learn more about living through a plague.

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show. For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John discuss their best social distancing hacks.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two Trillion Dollars Mar 27, 2020

Emily, John and David are joined by epidemiologist Gregg Gonsalves to discuss the latest pandemic debates and also by Civil War historian David Blight on what history can teach us about surviving catastrophe.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David, Emily, and John discuss insights they have gained from their experiences with social distancing. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Long Will It Last? Mar 20, 2020

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz are joined by Dr. Amesh Adalja to discuss efforts to address the pandemic, journalist Neil Irwin on whether the U.S. economy can be saved, and author Jon Mooallem on his new book This is Chance! aboutcommunities uniting in a crisis.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment David challenges Emily and John to a surprise topic that invites them to examine their quirky private mental routines.

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Flatten the Curve Mar 12, 2020

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and John Dickerson discuss the coming COVID-19 crisis, Biden as the presumptive nominee, and guest Leon Neyfakh joins the show to talk about his podcast Fiasco Season Two: Iran-Contra.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss how to make the most of social distancing. Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest each week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support our show.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wash Your Hands Mar 05, 2020

Emily, John and David discuss Super Tuesday, COVID-19's spread and the Supreme Court's hearing of a crucial abortion case.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss pandemics in fiction.

Slate Plus members get a bonus segment on the Gabfest every week, and access to special bonus episodes throughout the year. Sign up now to listen and support the show.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Slate Plus Bonus Episode: South Carolina and Super Tuesday Mar 01, 2020

David Plotz and John Dickerson discuss Biden's win in South Carolina and what it could mean for Super Tuesday and the Democratic Primary overall.

Become a Slate Plus today to hear this bonus episode in full www.slate.com/gabfestplus

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bern, Baby, Bern Feb 27, 2020

Emily, John and David discuss the Democratic presidential primary, Harvey Weinstein’s conviction, and conservative ascendency in the courts.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment: with inspiration from Hilary Mantel’s The Mirror and the Light, Emily, David, and John discuss the historical figures and events they’d like to read about in novels (not yet written).

Join today: www.slate.com/gabfestplus

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

[Special] How To Vote for the Next President Feb 26, 2020

Hey Gabfest listeners, today we're featuring a special election-themed episode of the Slate podcast How To! with Charles Duhigg.

Anthony is that rarest of things in American politics—a swing voter who is up for grabs in 2020. Caught between his Republican voting history and his current dislike of President Trump, Anthony is now registered as an Independent. So should he follow his head or his heart? In this episode of How To!, we bring in veteran political advisors David Axelrod, chief strategist for Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns, and Mike Murphy, a Republican consultant, who co-host the podcast Hacks on Tap. David and Mike discuss how to weigh ideology vs. electability and rank the issues that really matter. Can their advice help Anthony—and all of us—make sure our vote counts in November?

Subscribe to How To! with Charles Duhigg — the show Adweek honored as 2019’s "Interview Podcast of the Year" — wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Two Stents Feb 20, 2020

Emily, John and David discuss the fiery Democratic debate, Trump’s white-collar pardoning spree, and A Very Stable Genius with authors Philip Rucker and Carol Leonnig.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss how they would design a new source of news. Join slate plus today!

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Bernie Burns It and Biden Bites It Feb 13, 2020

David Plotz, Emily Bazelon and John Dickerson discuss the Democrats after New Hampshire, Trump’s emboldened post-impeachment moves, and COVID-19.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss the possibility that Trump will order that future federal buildings have only neoclassical designs.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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The Most Abusive and Destructive Feb 06, 2020

John Dickerson, Emily Bazelon and David Plotz discuss the Iowa debacle, Mitt Romney’s impeachment vote, and Trump’s expanded immigration ban.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss George Packer’s acceptance speech for the Hitchens Prize, published in the Atlantic: “The Enemies of Writing.”

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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49 years and 364 days of Plotz Jan 30, 2020

David, Emily and John discuss outlandish impeachment defenses, the approaching Iowa caucuses, and the Supreme Court allowing the “public charge” rule to go into effect.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss the Washington Post suspending Felicia Sonmez for her tweets about Kobe Bryant.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Nobody Likes Him Jan 23, 2020

David Plotz, Emily Bazelon and John Dickerson discuss Trump on trial, the Democratic primary race, and Mohammed bin Salman’s hacking of Jeff Bezos.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss what elements they would include if they crafted a new religion. Become a Slate Plus member here!

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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If You Want Her Out Jan 16, 2020

David Plotz, Emily Bazelon and John Dickerson discuss new impeachment revelations, the Warren-Sanders rift, and Bill Barr going after Apple’s encryption.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss Megxit.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Bomb Iran--We’ve Had a Bomb Iran Edition Before Jan 09, 2020

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz, with Iran expert Suzanne Maloney discuss Iran, the Democratic presidential race, and John Bolton.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss The Morning Show.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Good Trouble Jan 02, 2020

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz and Josie Duffy Rice discuss impeachment fatigue, the twin canaries of anti-Semitism and philo-Semitism, and the incredible John Lewis.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and Josie revisit a conundrum about how to extricate oneself from (or apologize for) a difficult situation.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Oakland Conundrum Dec 26, 2019

John Dickerson, Emily Bazelon and David Plotz solve listeners' most pressing philosophical conundrums including personal conundrums like, would you rather be exceptional at one thing but awful at everything else?

And societal conundrums like, would you prefer to have Trump as your father or as your President?

And special guest Adam Savage brings his myth-busting expertise to help.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest each week. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and Show Page by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Read My Letter Dec 19, 2019

Emily, John and David discuss impeachment, the pushback against Pete Buttigieg, and they offer a review of the most important stories of 2019.

Here are this week’s cocktail chatters:

Emily: The, soon to be, end of an era with her warm and welcoming neighborhood grocery store Romeo and Cesare’s
John: Thomas Fuller and Josh Haner for the New York Times: “Portrait of an Oakland California Homeless Encampment.” and A 5700 year-old human genome and oral microbiome from chewed birch pitch in the journal Nature.
David: Anna Fifield for the Washington Post: “Taiwan’s tea party aims to burst Beijing’s one-China bubble.”
Chatter from listener Ionic Tonic @ionictonic about a series of tweets from Surprised Eel Historian @greenleejw about the importance of eels in the economies of British medieval and renaissance times.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John recite some favorite passages of poetry and non-fiction.

Emily: Blood History by Dwayne Betts
John: Sorting it outby Philip Booth
David: Lytton Strachey’s book Eminent Victorians writing about Florence Nightingale

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Slate Presents: Lockdown Dec 18, 2019

If you have any school-aged children in your life, you know that lockdown and active shooter drills have become a routine part of their school experience. These drills now take place in 95 percent of American schools.

What you’re about to hear is a collaboration between Slate and The Trace, a nonprofit newsroom covering gun violence in the United States. It’s an audio project featuring firsthand accounts from kids of all ages about what it’s like to go through these drills. We hear a lot about school shootings, but we’re only starting to have a larger conversation about how they affect even those kids who may never go through one.

You can hear more from the students at slate.com/lockdown.

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Crossfire Hurricane Dec 12, 2019

John Dickerson, Emily Bazelon and David Plotz discuss impeachment, the FBI Inspector General’s report on the Russia investigation, and the Afghanistan Papers.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss the Trump Administration's incongruous relationship towards Jewish Americans.

Get your tickets to the Gabfest’s Dec. 18, 2019, “Conundrum” live show at the Fox Theater in Oakland, California here.

And submit your conundrums at Slate.com/conundrum!

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Badly Written & Reseached Disaster Dec 05, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss impeachment, Kamala Harris, and guest Ruth Marcus’ new book about Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation, Supreme Ambition.

Get your tickets to the Gabfest’s Dec. 18, 2019, “Conundrum” live show at the Fox Theater in Oakland, California here.

And submit your conundrums at Slate.com/conundrum!

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Good Order and Discipline Nov 27, 2019

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz and Jamelle Bouie discuss the firing of the Navy Secretary, the case for prolonging impeachment investigations, and new holidays everyone should celebrate.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and Jamelle discuss things they learned in college that have stuck with them..

Get your tickets to the Gabfest’s December 18, 2019 “Conundrum” live show at the Fox Theater in Oakland, CA here.

And submit your conundrums at Slate.com/conundrum

You can also tweet suggestions, links, and questions generally to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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In The Loop Nov 21, 2019

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz and Josie Duffy Rice discuss this week's impeachment bombshells, the Democratic presidential debate, and emails confirming that Steven Miller is a white nationalist.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and Josie discuss South Dakota's “Meth. We're on it.” campaign. Become a member at slate.com/gabfestplus

Get your tickets to the Gabfest’s December 18, 2019 “Conundrum” live show at the Fox Theater in Oakland, CA here.

And submit your conundrums at Slate.com/conundrum!

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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DP [Hearts] MB Nov 14, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss the public impeachment hearings, fresh faces in Democratic presidential primary, and DACA at the Supreme Court.

Get your tickets to the Gabfest’s December 18, 2019 “Conundrum” live show at the Fox Theater in Oakland, CA here.

And submit your conundrums at Slate.com/conundrum!

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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One Year From This Week Nov 07, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss new polls and election results, impeachment, and leaving the Paris climate accord.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, David, Emily, and John discuss the “OK, Boomer” phenomenon.

Get your tickets to the Gabfest’s December 18, 2019 “Conundrum” live show at the Fox Theater in Oakland, CA here.

And submit your conundrums at Slate.com/conundrum!

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Halloween Oct 31, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss the impeachment resolution, Twitter’s ban on political ads, and the downfall of Katie Hill.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily and John review the Founders’ meticulous efforts to establish a balance of power across the three branches of government. Subscribe today!

Get your tickets to the Gabfest’s December 18, 2019 “Conundrum” live show at the Fox Theater in Oakland, CA here.

And submit your conundrums at Slate.com/conundrum!

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Cooper, Taylor, SCIFer Spy Oct 24, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss damning new impeachment testimony, Facebook under fire, and taking to the streets against Trump.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, David, Emily, and John take inspiration from Christine Lagarde’s lesson on pretending to drink wine and discuss things they fake doing.

Get your tickets to the Gabfest’s December 18, 2019 “Conundrum” live show at the Fox Theater in Oakland, CA here.

And submit your conundrums at Slate.com/conundrum!

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Don't Be a Tough Guy. Don't Be a Fool! I Will Call You Later Oct 18, 2019

David Plotz, Emily Bazelon and John Dickerson discuss the US abandonment of the Kurds, the Democratic presidential debates, and guest Daniel Markovits’s new book The Meritocracy Trap.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, David and Emily discuss the season finale of Succession.

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Great and Unmatched Wisdom Oct 10, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss obstruction of impeachment investigations, the new Supreme Court term, and Bernie Sanders’ health.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

Correction 10/10/2019: When first published, this episode referenced a Tweet in which Ivanka Trump was quoted criticizing Hunter Biden for getting a position through nepotism. The quote was fabricated and has been removed from our episode.

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We’re Not Fooling Around Here Oct 03, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss the impeachment investigation, a new theory of why conservatives can’t quit Trump, and the court ruling upholding Harvard’s affirmative action program.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, David, John, and Emily discuss the new nutrition guidelines for red meat consumption.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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I Would Like You To Do Us A Favor Sep 26, 2019

The Ukraine scandal, the politics of impeachment, and Jodi Kantor about investigating Harvey Weinstein and She Said, a new bookwritten with co-author Megan Twohey.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, David, John, and Kirsten Powers discuss what makes Greta Thunberg wonderful and why she drives her critics crazy.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Twin Cities Sep 19, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss Democratic middle ground, “chaos voters,” and guest Curtis Sittenfeld’s fiction about living political figures.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John take questions from the live audience in St. Paul, Minnesota.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Democratic Debate Special: Slate Plus Teaser Sep 13, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss the latest Democratic presidential debate including Castro's dig into Biden, nationalized healthcare, and strategies for how to effectively pick a fight with President Trump.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Research by Bridgette Dunlap

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank

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Last Mustache in Washington Sep 12, 2019

The cancelled Taliban talks, John Bolton’s departure, and guest Paul Tough’s new book The Years That Matter Most.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John debate the ideal length for books and movies.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Prolix Prorogue Sep 06, 2019

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz and Ruth Marcus, discuss the state of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination; the newest Brexit chaos--with guest Amanda Taub; and hope for accountability and funding to stem the opioid crisis.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and Ruth talk about the recent court ruling that North Carolina’s gerrymandered districts violate the state’s constitution.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Don't Worry I'll Pardon You Aug 29, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss Trump’s offer to pardon lawbreakers who help build a border wall, whether the U.S. is a republic or a democracy, and how journalists can choose to punch up or punch down internet harassment.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John talk about nuking hurricanes.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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1619 Aug 23, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss the New York Times Magazine’s "1619 Project" examining slavery in the U.S. (with guest Wesley Morris), corporate responsibility, and the policy changes niche groups are scoring federally.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John talk about what the U.S. should buy since Greenland isn’t for sale.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com.

(Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Public Charge Aug 15, 2019

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz and Josie Duffy Rice (of The Appeal) discuss Trump’s new move to punish documented immigrants, death in prison and Jeffrey Epstein, and recession.

Come see the Political Gabfest LIVE in the Twin Cities for an unforgettable yet timely show full of witty banter, in-depth analysis, and lively debate. Tickets available now!

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Moscow Mitch Aug 08, 2019

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz and Mike Pesca discuss white supremacist violence, Mitch McConnell’s new nicknames, and the impact of Joaquin Castro tweeting the names of Trump donors.

Come see the Political Gabfest LIVE in the Twin Cities for an unforgettable yet timely show full of witty banter, in-depth analysis, and lively debate. Tickets available now!

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Dark Psychic Force Aug 01, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss the Democratic primary debates, Trump’s nominee for director of national intelligence, and whether heat waves across the globe could inspire real action on climate change.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, Emily, David, and John discuss their favorite summer games.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Introducing: How To! With Charles Duhigg Jul 31, 2019

This is a feature episode of a new Slate podcast, How To! With Charles Duhigg.

What if Dear Abby was an investigative reporter? Each week, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Charles Duhigg ("The Power of Habit") takes on listeners’ toughest problems and, with the help of experts, finds the answers to questions you’ve always wanted to ask, but couldn’t. Until now.

Subscribe to How To! With Charles Duhigg on your preferred podcast app, or find it at slate.com/howto.

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Not Exculpated Jul 25, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss Robert Mueller’s testimony, the downfall of Al Franken, and the deal to raise the debt ceiling.

You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Rescue Squad Jul 18, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Trump’s racist attack on members of Congress; whether the Census has been saved; and if we should go back to the moon.

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Danielle Hewitt. Research and show notes by Claire Saint-Amour and Bridgette Dunlap.

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You the North, We the South Jul 11, 2019

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz and John Dickerson discuss the impact of the US health care debate on the primary season, white supremacy from Canada with guest Jesse Brown, and who’s at fault in addition to sexual predator Jeffrey Epstein.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John take international audience questions live from Toronto.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank. Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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My President Went to North Korea and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt Jul 04, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the Democratic presidential primary debates, Trump’s bizarre trip to North Korea, and Customs and Border Patrol’s scandals over appalling detention conditions and a racist Facebook group.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment Emily, David, and John discuss whether tourism that makes people more invested in stopping climate change is worth the carbon emissions it could entail.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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The “Please Send Soap and Toothpaste” Edition Jun 27, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David French discuss President Trump’s backpedalling, the Supreme Court’s recent decisions on gerrymandering and the U.S. Census and “Frenchism.”

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank. Research by Claire Saint-Amour.

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The “Keep America... Oh Forget it” Edition Jun 20, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Trump’s latest campaign relaunch, Elizabeth Warren’s rise, and Harvard’s decision to rescind Kyle Kashuv’s acceptance.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now.

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank. Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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The “Little Diddy About Mitch and Elaine” Edition Jun 13, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Mitch McConnell and Elaine Chao’s conflicts of interest, partisanship in state legislatures, and YouTube’s radicalizing recommendation algorithm.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now.

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Slate Plus Bonus: The "Live from Chelsea New York's Slate Day" Edition Jun 10, 2019

In this Slate Plus special Emily Bazelon, David Plotz and guest Nikole Hannah-Jones discuss the Democratic Primary and the crucial African American vote, potential antitrust investigations of Big Tech and how the resegregation of America's public schools is ruining our future.

Join Slate Plus to hear this episode in full!

www.Slate.com/gabfestplus

Recorded by Merritt Jacobs

Research by Bridgette Dunlap

Edit by Jocelyn Frank

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The “Underhanded Undercount” Edition Jun 06, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss the new revelations in the census case, Trump’s threatened tariffs, and the criminal charges against the school safety officer who failed to confront the Parkland shooter.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.

Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now.

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The "Freedom Gas" Edition May 30, 2019

Emily Bazelon, and Julia Ioffe discuss the E.U. election means for the world, Trump’s war on climate science, and the deaths at Mount Everest.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank. Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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The “Legitimate Legislative Purpose” Edition May 23, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Trump’s refusal to cooperate with Congress; whether Democratic presidential candidates should appear on Fox News; and the new book The Queen with Slate’s National Editor Josh Levin.

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank. Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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The "Abortion Ban" Edition May 17, 2019

On this week’s Slate Political Gabfest, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the latest wave of anti-abortion bills, Trump’s showdown with Iran, and “Civic Saturday”--with guest Eric Liu.

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Danielle Hewitt. Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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The “Contempt of Congress” Edition May 09, 2019

On this week’s Slate Political Gabfest, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Trump’s showdown with Congress, the trade war with China, and what “socialism” means to Democrats.

Slate Plus members get bonus segments and ad-free podcast feeds. Sign up now.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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The “A Bit Snitty” Edition May 02, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss William Barr’s spin on the Mueller report, whether to hope for an infrastructure deal, and Joe Biden’s non-apology tour.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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The “Forgive Everything and Count Every One” Edition Apr 25, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Democrats’ impeachment dilemma, the Supreme Court case that could wreck the census, and Elizabeth Warren’s plan for college debt forgiveness.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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The “Oh My God. This is Terrible. This is the End of My Presidency.” Edition Apr 18, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the release of the Mueller Report, Trump’s refusal to respond to Congressional subpoenas, and the resurgence of measles.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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Introducing Charged: A True Punishment Story Apr 17, 2019

For two and a half years, Emily Bazelon has been following people through a special court in New York designed to be a speedy machine for the harsh punishment of illegal gun possession. Along the way, a strange thing happened ‚Äî the politics outside the courtroom started to change when a new generation of activists and insiders began challenging the old system the gun court was part of. Season 1 of Slate Presents brought you the story of Ruby Ridge, and Season 2 brings you a fight to transform one big-city justice system.

<br><br>Subscribe to Charged

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The “Wahoo” Edition Apr 13, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, David Plotz, and Jamelle Bouie discuss the arrest of Julian Assange; Trump’s purge of the Department of Homeland Security; and the 2020 contenders for President.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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The "Just a Note" Edition Apr 11, 2019

We typically deliver a new Political Gabfest episode every Thursday but because we have a great live show in Charlottesville on Friday- we're going to pass you a full length episode on Saturday this week! Check back here on Saturday for the next great episode.

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The “He's a Natural Toucher” Edition Apr 04, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Joe Biden; the White House’s stonewalling of Congress; and Brexit--with guest Anne Applebaum.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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The "Live From Washington DC" Edition Mar 28, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss William Barr’s puzzling description of the Mueller report; Emily’s new book Charged; and House Democrats’ legislative agenda with guest Congresswoman Lauren Underwood.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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BONUS: The "No Conspiracy, No Collusion, Full Exoneration" Edition Mar 25, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation and the summary Attorney General William Barr submitted to Congress.

The full version of this special bonus episode is only available to Slate Plus members. To hear it, sign up for a free trial at slate.com/gabfestplus.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest (#heygabfest). (Tweets may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook.

We post to the Facebook page throughout the week, so keep the conversation going by joining us there. Or follow us @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank with production assistance from Melissa Kaplan. Links compiled by Bridget Dunlap.

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The “The President is Not a White Supremacist” Edition Mar 21, 2019

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and guest host Jamelle Bouie discuss the Christchurch massacre; why Democratic presidential candidates who are straight, white and male are dominating the news coverage; and whether the Electoral College should be abolished.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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The “Operation Varsity Blues” Edition Mar 14, 2019

John Dickerson, and David Plotz, and guest host Josie Duffy Rice discuss Trump’s budget proposal, the college admissions scandal, and the changing debate over reparations for slavery.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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The "Fox is in the White House" Edition Mar 07, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the House of Representatives’ investigation of Trump, Amanda Ripley’s article about political prejudice in America, and the Fox News White House.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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The “He is a Racist, He is a Con Man, He is a Cheat” Edition Feb 28, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Michael Cohen’s testimony, Trump’s failed North Korea summit, and Patrick Radden Keefe’s new book Say Nothing.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment John, David, and Emily discuss what should be on the test to become a U.S. citizen. Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest.

Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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The "Feel the Bern" Edition Feb 21, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Trump’s national emergency declaration, Bernie Sanders’s presidential campaign, and Amazon abandoning its New York plans.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

This episode is brought to you by the following advertisers: Capterra. Try it today, for free, at Capterra.com/GABFEST.

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The “All About the Benjamins” Edition Feb 14, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the deal to avoid a second shutdown, Jeff Bezos claims of sextortion, and Ilhan Omar’s tweets about Israel.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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The “Just A Little Bit of Shoe Polish” Edition Feb 07, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Virginia Democrats in turmoil, Trump’s State of the Union speech, and the appalling conditions at a federal prison in New York.

For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment John, David, and Emily discuss the crisis in digital media. Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest.

Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest.

The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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The “But Every Politician’s Gonna Say That” Edition Jan 31, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Howard Schultz’s threat to run for president, Mitch McConnell’s legacy (with guest Charles Homans), and performative workaholism.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

This episode is brought to you by the following advertisers:

Capterra. Try it today, for free, at Capterra.com/GABFEST.

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The “Great Blotch” Edition Jan 25, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the government shutdown, the 2020 Democratic presidential field, and Brexit doom with guest Tanya Gold.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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The “Pocketing Your Notes” Edition Jan 17, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the continued government shutdown, the counterintelligence investigation of Trump, and the racism of Steve King.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank. Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

This episode is brought to you by the following advertisers:

Doctors Without Borders. Donate today at doctorswithoutborders.org.

Capterra. Try it today, for free, at Capterra.com/GABFEST.

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The “Infinity War” Edition Jan 10, 2019

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the government shutdown, new Russia connections revealed in the Mueller investigation, and why Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is getting so much attention.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

This episode is brought to you by the following advertisers:

Doctors Without Borders. Donate today at doctorswithoutborders.org.

Capterra. Try it today, for free, at Capterra.com/GABFEST.

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The “Exploratory Committee” Edition Jan 03, 2019

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and guest David Leonhardt discuss the government shutdown, potential 2020 presidential candidates, and whether there are signs of hope that the climate crisis could be addressed.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

This episode is brought to you by the following advertisers:

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The “2018 Conundrum” Edition Dec 27, 2018

Emily, John, and David close out the year considering listeners’ most confounding conundrums with special guest Simon Doonan.

Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at www.slate.com/gabfestplus.

Twitter: @SlateGabfest

Facebook: facebook.com/Gabfest

Email: gabfest@slate.com

Show notes at slate.com/gabfest

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The “A Liberal is a Conservative Who’s Been to Jail” Edition Dec 20, 2018

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and John Dickerson discuss the bipartisan criminal justice reform bill, Michael Flynn’s legal troubles, and new revelations about Russian trolling and Facebook’s privacy violations.

Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at www.slate.com/gabfestplus.

Twitter: @SlateGabfest

Facebook: facebook.com/Gabfest

Email: gabfest@slate.com

Show notes at slate.com/gabfest Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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The “Tinkle Contest With a Skunk” Edition Dec 13, 2018

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and John Dickerson discuss Michael Cohen’s sentencing, the search for America’s next White House chief of staff, and Trump’s threat to shut down the government over border wall funding.

Topic ideas for next week? You can tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @SlateGabfest. Tweet us your cocktail chatter using #cocktailchatter or post it to our Facebook page. (Messages may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Become a fan of the Political Gabfest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SlateGabfest. The email address for the Political Gabfest is gabfest@slate.com. (Email may be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.) Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank.Research and show notes by Bridgette Dunlap.

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The "Last Wasp" Edition Dec 06, 2018

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson and David Plotz discuss the legacy of George H.W. Bush, the power-grab by Wisconsin Republicans, and election fraud in North Carolina.

Join Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, exclusive member-only podcasts, and more. Sign up for a free trial today at www.slate.com/gabfestplus.

Twitter: @SlateGabfest

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Email: gabfest@slate.com

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The "Not Off the Table" Edition Nov 29, 2018

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and John Dickerson discuss the mounting number of liars being investigated by Mueller, President Trump’s confrontation with the courts over the border, and the lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration’s plans to add a citizenship question to the census.

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The "Sealed Indictment" Edition Nov 21, 2018

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and John Dickerson discuss what may be next for the Mueller investigation, the California wildfires, and new revelations about Facebook’s leadership team.

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The “House Speaker John Lewis” Edition Nov 15, 2018

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and John Dickerson discuss unfounded allegations of fraud in the Florida recount, decisions facing House Democrats about their leadership and agenda, and the lawsuit challenging Trump’s unprecedented appointment of Acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker.

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The “Way Too Much News” Edition Nov 08, 2018

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and John Dickerson discuss the extraordinary midterm elections, whether the success of ballot initiatives protecting voting rights marks a turning point in ballot access, and the ouster of Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

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The "Most Important Election of our Lifetimes Since the Last Election” Edition Nov 01, 2018

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, John Dickerson, and guest David Axelrod, discuss the intersections of politics and violence and also Trump’s attempts to steer the election coverage leading up to the midterms.

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She's Running: Political Gabfest Presents The Waves Oct 28, 2018

This week, our friends at the feminism and politics podcast The Waves crafted a special episode all about women and the midterm elections. Hosts Christina Cauterucci and Hanna Rosin are joined by Senior Political Reporter for Glamour Celeste Katz, and D.C. State Democratic Committeewoman Latifa Lyles, to discuss how the ways women run for office have changed, if women really make better leaders, and how female politicians are depicted in the media.

Podcast production by Danielle Hewitt. Research assistance by Alex Barasch. Special thanks to T. J. Raphael for editorial direction on this episode.

This episode is brought to you by the following advertisers:

M. Gemi. For $50 off your first pair of shoes, go to mgemi.com/WAVES.

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The “Now We Have Pipe Bombs” Edition Oct 25, 2018

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and John Dickerson discuss the pipe bombs sent to Trump critics, the state of the midterm elections, and whether Saudi Arabia will be punished for the death of Jamal Khashoggi.

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The "Cheek Swab" Edition Oct 18, 2018

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and John Dickerson discuss the Trump administration’s response to the apparent murder of Jamal Khashoggi, Elizabeth Warren’s DNA test, and the debate around Georgia’s voter security measures.

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The "Angry Mob" Edition Oct 11, 2018

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and John Dickerson discuss the dire new climate report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the aftermath of the Kavanaugh confirmation, and Taylor Swift’s new engagement with politics.

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The “All County Building Supply and Maintenance” Edition Oct 04, 2018

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and John Dickerson discuss the Kavanaugh controversy, Trump’s apparent tax evasion, and whether the new North American trade deal is better than the old one.

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The “Live from Austin: Do You Have a Drinking Problem, Senator?” Edition Oct 01, 2018

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and John Dickerson discuss the state of Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings, the possibility that former felons will regain the right to vote in Florida, and guest DeRay Mckesson’s new book, On The Other Side of Freedom.

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The “One Hundred Percent Certain” Edition Sep 28, 2018

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and John Dickerson discuss the testimony of both Christine Blasey Ford and Brett Kavanaugh.

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The “What Happens At Georgetown Prep...” Edition Sep 20, 2018

Emily Bazelon, David Plotz, and David French (Senior Fellow of the National Review Institute) discuss the value of an FBI investigation into accusations against Brett Kavanaugh, Trump’s declassification of documents related to the Russia investigation, and revised thinking about police shootings.

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Special: The "Kavanaugh in Crisis" Edition Sep 17, 2018

In this special bonus episode, Emily Bazelon and David Plotz discuss the sexual misconduct allegations facing Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh.

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The “Trump Economy” Edition Sep 13, 2018

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss who deserves credit for the economy, the state of the midterm campaigns, and the Trump administration's attempt to indefinitely detain migrant children.

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The "Unsung Hero" Edition Sep 06, 2018

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss anonymous dissent within the Trump administration, Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation hearings, and backlash against The New Yorker for inviting and un-inviting Steven Bannon to their Festival.

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The “Packing and Cracking” Edition Aug 30, 2018

Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss lawyer Don McGahns’s departure from the White House team, North Carolina’s

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