The Political Orphanage

Latest Episodes:

Matt Ridley and Alina Chan on the Origin of Covid Nov 17, 2021

Show notes

Matt Ridley is a science writer and member of the House of Lords, and Alina Chan is a scientist and molecular biologist. They are the authors of the new book "Viral: The Search for the Origin of Covid-19." They join the show to discuss the genesis of the pandemic, Chinese obfuscation, and how transparency is needed to forestall future plagues.

Andrew Yang Goes AWOL Nov 10, 2021

Show notes

Andrew Yang just left the Democratic Party to form the Forward Party. He joins to discuss electoral reform, and his book "Forward: Notes on the Future of Our Democracy."

Justin Amash interview: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/justin-amash-wants-to-unclog-congress/id1439837349?i=1000514178120

Katherine Gehl interview: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-spook-the-politics-industry/id1439837349?i=1000511386408

Pedde GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/4ad5fff1

What Makes a Joke Offensive Nov 03, 2021

Show notes

Dave Chappelle's new Netflix special "The Closer" unleashed a cultural firestorm over transgender comments. Is it offensive? What makes a joke offensive? Comedian Jeff Maurer joins to discuss.

Friday Release Valve (comedy podcast) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/friday-release-valve/id1573283082

"I Might Be Wrong" (Jeff's newsletter) https://imightbewrong.substack.com/

John McWhorter on Victimhood and Woke Racism Oct 27, 2021

Show notes

John McWhorter joins the show to discuss the mindset of victimhood, and Wokeness as a new religion. His new book is "Woke Racism: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America"

Support the Show: www.patreon.com/andrewheaton

Buy the book: mightyheaton.com/featured

The Reproductive Life of Good and Bad Policies Oct 20, 2021

Show notes

Dr. Chuck Shipan is the author of "Why Bad Policies Spread (and Good Ones Don't)". He is joined by Dr. Andrea Jones-Rooy, a comedian and political scientist, to discuss the forces and circumstances which lead to good and bad policy proliferation from state to state.

The Thing No Government Can Actually Do Oct 13, 2021

Show notes

Perverse Incentives! Unintended Consequences! Today we explore how governments can screw things up by confusing incentives with dictating motivation or outcomes.

Support the show: Patreon.com/andrewheaton

Tip me! Venmo: @andrew-heaton-1

George Will on Synthetic Hysteria Oct 06, 2021

Show notes

George F. Will is a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist, and the author of "American Happiness and Discontents: The Unruly Torrent, 2008-2020." He joins the show to discuss the Culture War, failings of academia, jurisprudence, politics, and economics.

Find Mr. Will's book at mightyheaton.com/featured

Previous George Will interview: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/03-george-will-saves-america-baseball-the-gop-etc/id1439837349?i=1000445244846

Politicians Hate Big Tech Sep 30, 2021

Show notes

Robby Soave is a senior editor at Reason, and the author of "Tech Panic: Why We Shouldn't Fear Facebook and the Future." He comes to discuss politicians' misplaced anger with large tech companies, and why their fears are unfounded. Find his book at: www.mightyheaton.com/featured

Society Once Tried to Ban Teddy Bears Sep 23, 2021

Show notes

Jason Feifer is the host of "Build for Tomorrow" (formerly "The Pessimist Archives") and joins the show to discuss why we needlessly react to new technologies with fear. Did you know that society once balked at the dangerous technologies of radios, novels, and teddy bears? We get into all of them on today's show! SUPPORT THE SHOW: www.patreon.com/andrewheaton

Bonus: What Napoleon Teaches Us About Foreign Policy Sep 15, 2021

Show notes

This week bonus episodes are going on the main feed, past the paywall! Here's a rerun from last year, about Napoleon Bonaparte, and the pitfalls of "liberating" other nations.

To support the show, go to www.patreon.com/andrewheaton

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