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:

White House Spy Protocols (and Cooking) Dec 29, 2021

Show notes

Marty Mongiello is a former White House Chef and GM at Camp David, and joins the show to discuss what it's like working inside of the White House, and the astonishing amount of counter intelligence operations staff must deal with.

Heaton's personal tailor, Nita Fashions: info@nitafashions.com

Chef Marty's cooking class: mightyheaton.com/cooking

My forthcoming book launch and reading will be at Cosmic Coffee in Austin, TX at 4:00 PM on Saturday, January 15th. See you then!

A Rather Snuffy's Christmas Dec 22, 2021

Show notes

Hark! A Christmas special! Sponsored by a horse-themed diner. Contains swearing. Please enjoy this fourth Snuffy's Christmas, and go easy on the horsenog.

"A Grander Snuffy's Christmas" https://politicalorphanage.libsyn.com/a-grander-snuffys-christmas

"Another Snuffy's Christmas" https://politicalorphanage.libsyn.com/snuffys-christmas-2019

"A Very Snuffy's Christmas" https://politicalorphanage.libsyn.com/ep-30-a-very-snuffys-christmas-0

Bonus: Let's Have an Uncomfortable Gender Conversation Dec 20, 2021

Show notes

Released from behind the paywall: Dr. Andrea Jones-Rooy joins to talk about the nature of gender, and what it's like for people who don't easily fit into the existing boxes.

Join the Orphanage! www.patreon.com/andrewheaton

The Enemies Of How We Know Stuff Dec 16, 2021

Show notes

Jonathan Rauch is the author of "The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth." He joins the show to talk about separating good ideas from bad ideas, and how their restriction leads to a dumber and dangerous society.

The Constitution of Knowledge: www.mightyheaton.com/featured

Nita Fashions: https://www.nitafashions.com/

Amusing Ourselves to Death Dec 08, 2021

Show notes

Neil Postman postulated that society avoided the totalitarian nightmares of George Orwell, only to embrace the frivolous idiocy of Aldous Huxley. His book "Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business" questions the effects of television and infotainment on politics and culture. Andrew Young and Justin Robert Young join to discuss.

New history podcast: Losers, Pretenders & Scoundrels https://link.chtbl.com/SvbVq0zp

Nita Fashions: https://www.nitafashions.com/

Stadium Subsidies Are Unfathomably Stupid Dec 01, 2021

Show notes

John Mozena is an expert on crony capitalism, better known as "economic development subsidies." He is the President of the Center for Economic Accountability, and joins to discuss the abysmal economics of throwing money at corporations to attract them to states and towns.

Reason TV's Amazon HQ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_eG7leM6ew

Mostly Weekly: Stop Subsidizing Sports! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=652fdt5Razg&feature=emb_title

How War Shapes Us Nov 23, 2021

Show notes

Margaret MacMillan is a war historian, and the author of "War: How It Shaped Us." She joins the show to discuss the nature of war, its history, what precipitates conflict, and how to avert it.

Join the orphanage at: www.patreon.com/andrewheaton

Tips: Venmo: andrew-heaton-1 PayPal: andrew@mightyheaton.com

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/

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