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:

Snuffy's Explosion-Proof Christmas Dec 23, 2022

Show notes

It's the fifth annual comedy Christmas special! All underwritten by Snuffy's (Off Route 44). This year's Christmas special includes: Inappropriate curse words; World War I; discussions about bats; hilarity; gluten Enjoy! PRIOR SPECIALS: A Rather Snuffy's Christmas - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-political-orphanage/id1439837349?i=1000545755269 A Grander Snuffy's Christmas - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a-grander-snuffys-christmas/id1439837349?i=1000503286243 Another Snuffy's Christmas - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/another-snuffys-christmas/id1439837349?i=1000460559897 A Very Snuffy's Christsmas - https://politicalorphanage.libsyn.com/ep-30-a-very-snuffys-christmas-0

Carnage and Blowback in American Foreign Policy Dec 15, 2022

Show notes

Scott Horton wants America to go home. He does not think we should be the world's policeman. And when we try to be, our foreign policy incites blowback, foreign chaos, and unnecessary bloodshed. He joins to discuss isolationism and non-interventionism.

His Soho Forum Debate with Bill Kristol

Bill Kristol interview

IR Theory: How to Prevent and Provoke Stupid Wars

We're Defining Inequality Wrong Dec 07, 2022

Show notes

Phil Gramm is the author of "The Myth of Inequality: How Government Biases Policy Debates." He joins to discuss the metrics by which we identify poverty, and how otherwise sound data is frequently misinterpreted.

Bill Kristol on Military Intervention Dec 01, 2022

Show notes

Should America actively promote democracy and liberalism abroad, to the point of destabilizing authoritarian regimes, or arming their enemies? Bill Kristol is a prominent Neocon, and proponent of muscular liberalism–the idea that a robust American presence abroad is integral to global peace and security.

IR Theory Episode: "How to Prevent and Provoke Stupid Wars" https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-prevent-63903085?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

PATREON.COM/ANDREWHEATON to support the show and get weekly bonus episodes!

Bonus: Your Life Is Way Better Than King Louis XVI's Nov 24, 2022

Show notes

This Thanksgiving Brian Brushwood joins to discuss the many ways an average American's life is more comfortable, affluent, and magical than the vast majority of human history--including that of pharaohs and kings.

BOOKS: This episode relies heavily on "The Rational Optimist" by Matt Ridley, "Ten Global Trends Every Smart Person Should Know" by Ron Bailey, and "The Better Angels of Our Nature" by Stephen Pinker, and "Abundance: The Future is Better Than You Think" by Peter H. Diamandis. All great books that present convincing stats on the positive trajectory of the world. They're all linked to at www.mightyheaton.com/featured RELATED INTERVIEWS:

Matt Ridley on Rational Optimism

Ron Bailey on Positive Trends

What Skinny Dipping Taught Me About Greed Nov 23, 2022

Show notes

The idea that we can eliminate poverty by outlawing greed is like trying to increase marriage rates by making people less horny. In this episode we go over the Medieval understanding of greed, against that employed by economists.

This Comedy Club Owner Un-Canceled Louis C.K. Nov 16, 2022

Show notes

Noam Dworman is owner of the Comedy Cellar in New York City. A huge critic of Cancel Culture, he caught flak for allowing Louis C. K. to perform at his club. He joins to discuss: should anyone ever be canceled?

SUPPORT THE SHOW! www.patreon.com/andrewheaton

We Should Abolish Student Councils Nov 11, 2022

Show notes

Student Councils are meant to teach young people about democracy, but what lesson are they learning? Namely that elections are popularity contests with no stakes or results!

Turner Sparks and Michael Ira Kaplan join to discuss the abolition of student councils, and also give updates on Ruby Kaplan's elementary school candidacy

The Huge, Dumb Permit You've Never Heard Of Nov 03, 2022

Show notes

Jeremiah Johnson of The Neoliberal Podcast joins to discuss how NEPA and environmental impact reports stall construction pretty much everywhere, and alternatives to the red tape.

So I Got Canceled at Oxford Oct 28, 2022

Show notes

My recent speaking engagement at Oxford University, the various ne'er-do-wells claiming I am a fascist, and why politics attracts toxic personalities.

Plus, protocols to help us remain good faith actors and not drink deep of the bile.

Find the Heaton Protocols at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/so-i-got-at-73864329?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator

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