Comedy

The Political Orphanage

Politics minus bile plus jokes. Comedian and avowed independent Andrew Heaton interviews authors and thought leaders about policy and big thinky stuff.

Latest Episodes:

Why You Need a License for Everything May 07, 2025

Show notes

Rebecca Allensworth is the Associate Dean of Research at Vanderbilt Law, where she focuses on anti-trust and licensing. She is the author of "The Licensing Racket: How We Decide Who Is Allowed to Work, and Why It Goes Wrong." She joins to discuss licensing, and alternatives. Previous: Shoshanna Weissman on Grooming Licenses https://omny.fm/shows/something-s-off-with-andrew-heaton/ep-8-puppy-grooming-licenses-guest-shoshanna-weiss

A.I. Will Be Even More Awesome Than You Thought May 01, 2025

Show notes

Marc Beckman is a Senior Fellow of Emerging Technology at NYU, adjunct professor Stern, and the author of "Some Future Day: how AI is going to Change Everything." He joins to discuss practical implications of the unfolding AI Revolution.

Is it Racist? Is it Sexist? Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

Why do some people determine an action is racist, and others say nah? What are the mental protocols people use to exonerate or convict someone accused of beings sexist? Jessi Streib is the author of "Is it Racist? Is it Sexist? Why Red and Blue White People Disagree, and How to Decide in the Gray Areas."

Faster, Cheaper, Better Government: Derek Thompson on "Abundance" Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson are the authors of "Abundance" a book about removing artificial scarcity and embracing a worldview that focuses on end goals, building, growth, and increasing the supply of everything we need and want. He joins to discuss the book, zoning, why America can't have nice trains, and how we can better lean into federal research funding.

Trump, Napoleon III, and the Global Economic Order Apr 10, 2025

Show notes

Just what the hell is happening with tariffs? Are we entering a trade war? Are we negotiating? In today's show:

A) An extended introduction about Napoleon III and Otto von Bismarck

B) Austin Padgett, co-host of "History 102" on YouTube joins to discuss Trump's tariffs from the pro-Trump perspective

C) Scott Lincicome of Cato takes a dim view of shenanigans

Cory Doctorow on the Evils of Copyright Law Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

Cory Doctorow is a journalist, activist, and science fiction author known for his work on digital rights, monopolies, and the future of technology.

He joins to discuss non-compete clauses, IP law, Right of Repair, and copyright regimes.

His most recent book is "Picks and Shovels," available at www.mightyheaton.com/featured.

Near Death Experiences, with Sebastian Junger Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

Sebastian Junger is a decorated war correspondent and author of books like "The Perfect Storm" and "Tribes: On Coming Home and Belonging."

Heaton was going to interview him about his last book, "Freedom," but then Junger very nearly died, and they decided to talk about that instead.

His most recent book is "In My Time of Dying: How I Came Face to Face with the Idea of an Afterlife"

Prior interview on "Tribes"

https://omny.fm/shows/something-s-off-with-andrew-heaton/ep-50-what-your-hunter-gatherer-genes-really-want?in_playlist=something-s-off-with-andrew-heaton!podcast

Deporting Khalil Mar 21, 2025

Show notes

Mahmoud Khalil has been detained, and will be potentially deported, by the Trump administration.

Attorney Anna Gorisch joins to discuss the implications of this case, in terms of national security, immigration law, and the difference between protected and unprotected speech.

Unabridged: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12QlJl8QgTKBffGXgtUjzMfLIrndTf3mW/view?usp=sharing

I Talk to a DEI Consultant about DEI Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

Andrea Jones-Rooy is a data scientist and former DEI consultant.

She joins to discuss what DEI is, what DEI is not, and where it goes wrong.

Your Kids and The Department of Education Mar 06, 2025

Show notes

What would happen if the Trump administration tried to abolish or defund the Department of Education?

What does it do, and is it a net positive or net negative in terms of tax dollars and dispensing knowledge?