The Political Orphanage

Latest Episodes:

Universal Basic Income vs. Sprawling Bureaucracy Jun 17, 2020

Show notes

Universal Basic Income (UBI) has been advocated in various forms by Thomas Paine, Andrew Yang, Milton Friedman, and Richard Nixon: a minimum income floor available to all Americans. How does it stack up compared to our existing welfare state? How would it work, and can we afford it? Scott Santens is a UBI proponent who has advised Andrew Yang on UBI, and is now senior policy advisor to Mike Broihier. He sits on the Board of Directors for the Gerald Huff Fund For Humanity.

Bidding on Souls, and Australian Sex Mishaps (Friday Release Valve) Jun 12, 2020

Show notes

NSFK - Comedian Myq Kaplan and professor/humor scholar Dannagal Goldthwaite Young join the show to plumb the week's underserved headlines, from flying turtles to Outback sex work awkwardness to the going rate for human souls at an auction. The latest installment of Friday Release Valve.

What's all this "Defund the Police" stuff about? Jun 11, 2020

Show notes

"Defund the Police" is the rallying cry of protestors and social media this week. Does it mean abolishing the police, replacing them, or reforming them? Scott Shackford of Reason joins to explain what the phrase actually means, as well as the looming role of police unions in the status quo.

What the Hell Is Happening, and How Can We Help? Jun 04, 2020

Show notes

Riots! Looting! The National Guard! Black Lives Matter! In the first half of a special two-part episode we explore: What's happening? What are the problems erupting at present? And, if we can pin them down, how do we bring actual solutions to the table instead?

Lockdown is Awkward for Polygamists (Friday Release Valve) May 29, 2020

Show notes

Comedians Marie Connor and Kevin Seefried join the show to discuss the week's underserved headlines, from jury selections on Zoom to night clubs that prohibit dancing to New Zealand's sheep hostages.

How Money Actually Works in Congress May 28, 2020

Show notes

Dan Boren is a former member of Congress--as well as Heaton's old boss. He joins the program to talk about what life is like as a representative, pressures congressmen face from leadership and lobbyists, and how influential money is to the legislative process.

French Serial Killers, Prince Harry, and Strip Club Law (Friday Comedy Headlines) May 22, 2020

Show notes

NSFK - Joe DeVito and Lou Perez join Heaton to sort out the week's underserved headlines, including the horrifying way a South Carolina restaurant has decided to make its facility appear more full, what videos to avoid while serving in Japan's legislature, and the best thing on the Internet involving ant hill thespians!

How Innovation Works - Featuring: Matt Ridley May 20, 2020

Show notes

Why do some places pump out inventions and progress, while innovation lags elsewhere? Science writer Matt Ridley has surveyed the history of innovation, from Roman numerals to CRISPR. He's identified the factors society needs for innovation to flourish--and what it often does to smother it. He joins Heaton to discuss best practices for civilization and the history of inventions, all in his new book, "How Innovation Works."

Emu Wars and Pirate Jet Skis (NSFK) - Week's Underserved Headlines May 15, 2020

Show notes

Today we explore the week's most awesome yet under-reported headlines, from a wine heist, to multiple dangerous bird encounters, to an American hero and recreational pirate. Comedian Chad Prather and producer emeritus Josh Jennings join Heaton to sort things out. Episode contains choice language and some sexual content--parents be warned!

Cagematch: Locke vs. Hobbes vs. Rousseau May 14, 2020

Show notes

John Locke is the nerd at the bar. Jean-Jacques Rousseau is the guy in a leather jacket on a motorcycle. Hobbes is the grizzled cynic. What worldview did these three Social Contract theorists push on modern society, and what were they fighting against? Brian Wilson of the Combat & Classics podcast joins Heaton in an exploration of the tectonic plates of Western Civilization.

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