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:

Kevin Williamson on Political Anxiety, The Future, Eating Cats Sep 27, 2024

Show notes

Kevin Williamson is national correspondent at The Dispatch, and writer-in-residence at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. He joins to give a thousand-foot view of what our political era will look like in retrospect.

Fetishizing Jobs Sep 19, 2024

Show notes

What if we're focusing on jobs too much?

Guy Standing is the author of "The Politics of Time: Gaining Control in the Age of Uncertainty."

He joins to discuss laborism, why GDP is a stupid economic indicator, and solutions to the economy's most vexing problems.

Maybe I'm Wrong About Woke? Sep 13, 2024

Show notes

What is "woke" exactly? And why is it it irritating? Lawrence Titley joins to make the case that Wokeness is an older historical phenomenon of loudly drawing attention to cognitive dissonance and moral correction.

Stupid Taxes vs. Smart Taxes Sep 04, 2024

Show notes

What's the difference between effective, ethical taxes vs. stupid stuff with a bunch of loop holes for rich people? Scott Hodge is President Emeritus & Senior Policy Advisor at the Tax Foundation. He is the author of "Taxocracy: What You Don't Know Abou Taxes And How They Rule Your Daily Life."

Book at: www.mightyheaton.com/featured

Why Nations Fail Aug 28, 2024

Show notes

How do the histories of countries set up the greater context in which they become rich or poor?

Daron Acemoglu believes it boils down to whether or not they've been organized according to extractive or inclusive institutions.

He joins to discuss his book, Why Nations Fail.

What the DNC Means by "Freedom" Aug 23, 2024

Show notes

Final thoughts on attending the Democratic National Convention; the underlying ideology and policy goals, and who will win in the face off between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

The Good and Bad on Tim Walz Aug 21, 2024

Show notes

Who's this Tim Walz guy?

Live from the Democratic National Convention, we go into his National Guard record, his tenure in Congress and as governor of Minnesota, and explore the underpinnings of his political philosophy.

How to Stop A Drug Cartel Aug 14, 2024

Show notes

El Salvador used to be the murder capital of the world. Now it's arguably as safe as Canada. In 2019 Nayib Bukele became president, and initiated a draconian crackdown on drug cartels, suspending the Constitution and civil liberties. It knocked gangs out of neighborhoods, but flirted with tyranny to do so. Was the trade worth it? Peter Gietl of Frontier Magazine joins to discuss.

Link to Chicago Live Show: https://ci.ovationtix.com/36644/production/1210915?performanceId=11512974

Collapse of the Middle: Scott Klug Aug 07, 2024

Show notes

Scott Klug is a former representative from Wisconsin, and the host of the podcast Lost in the Middle.

He joins to discuss partisanship, "both sideism" and electoral solutions to America's current, horrible political quagmire.

The College Cartel Jul 31, 2024

Show notes

Why is college so expensive, and also, why do rich families keep trying to bribe their ways into the most elite schools?

Sahaj Sharda is the author of "The College Cartel." He joins to discuss the underlying structures ruining higher ed.

His book at: www.mightyheaton.com/featured

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