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:

Ep 131 | Justin Amash Goes Rogue on Trump | Guest: Brian Brushwood May 28, 2019

Show notes

A lone Republican congressman is calling for Trump's impeachment. Podcaster and magician Brian Brushwood joins Heaton to investigate the case and to make an unrelated call for George Takei to run for Congress.

Ep 130 | Can Ravens Save Britain from Brexit Apocalypse? Friday Release Valve | Guest: Turner Sparks May 24, 2019

Show notes

From human composting to poop-stained checks; from a comedian disbanding the Ukrainian Parliament to a restaurant where you have to bring your own table, the Friday Release Valve brings you the silliest news of the week. Joined by comedian Turner Sparks, Heaton explores the latest headlines.

Ep 129 | Time to Put Your Brain in a Computer | Guest: Robin Hanson May 23, 2019

Show notes

Are we approaching a time when we will be able to download our consciousness into a computer? If so, what will that do to our lifestyle, economy, etc...? Robin Hanson, author of 'Age of Em', chats with Heaton about the future of the human mind.

Ep 128 | Am I a Neoliberal Shill? Are You? | Guest: Colin Mortimer May 23, 2019

Show notes

Have you seen the term "neoliberal" floating around the political sphere? Has someone ever thrown a tomato at you and insisted you're a neoliberal shill? Heaton brings on the Executive Director of the Neoliberal project to answer: what the hell is neoliberalism, exactly?

Ep 127 | Bail Ideas for When I Finally Get Arrested | Guest: Andrea Coleman May 21, 2019

Show notes

Comedian and attorney Andrea Coleman joins Heaton to talk about ways to improve bail bonds to make sure people get detained for flight risks, not lack of cash. Heaton reveals several ways he might one day be arrested and also gives some pretty good gardening tips.

Ep 126 | John Bolton is the World's Most Dangerous Mustache | Guest: Jason Buttrill May 20, 2019

Show notes

Tensions are escalating with Iran. Are we cruising towards war or just blustering? Jason Buttrill joins Heaton to explain the Trump Doctrine and whether or not you should bet on "we're going to bomb Iran" on a game show.

Ep 125 | Would You Campaign on Pornhub? | Guest: Kevin Seefried May 17, 2019

Show notes

Comedian Kevin Seefried joins Heaton to suss out the week's better headlines, from shark thieves to legally-mandated polygamy to why psychics should be paid more for plane crashes. It's the Friday Release Valve!

Ep 124 | These Damn College Kids! | Guest: Robby Soave May 16, 2019

Show notes

In the era of radical identitarian politics, where unthinking vitriol and sometimes even violence abounds, more and more we are in need of sane voices in political discourse. Robby Soave, author of 'Panic Attack: Young Radicals in the Age of Trump' joins Heaton in the studio to talk about the future of politics in the new generation.

Ep 123 | Alienating the Audience: Game of Thrones | Guest: Grant Carlisle May 15, 2019

Show notes

It's time for an industrial helping of high-grade nerd chat about Game of Thrones. Heaton talks to policy wonk and lifelong nerd Grant Carlisle about the deeper meaning of George R. R. Martin's books and HBO series.

Ep 122 | What the Hell is 'Dark Money'? | Guest: Dave Levinthal May 14, 2019

Show notes

How much do you have to pay to swing an ambassadorship? What is Citizens United and why do people loathe it? Heaton talks with Dave Levinthal, senior reporter at the Center for Public Integrity, about campaign finance and how money shapes politics.

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