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:

China Hates These Two People Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

Melissa Chan and Badiucao have both been exiled from the People's Republic of China; the former as a journalist and the latter as an artist and political cartoonist.

They join the show to discuss censorship and authoritarianism in China, and their new book, "You Must Take Part in Revolution: A Graphic Novel."

The Two Times We Invaded Canada Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

Ever wonder why Canada didn't become the 14th colony during the American War of Independence? It turns out, America invited Canada to join.

Then, when they turned down the invitation, invaded.

Then again in 1812.

In this episode we return to States that Weren't: Canada. Plus, how Nova Scotia and Newfoundland almost became states.

www.ThePoliticalOrphanage.com

Populist Hillbillies vs. Fake Lordlings: The Almost-States of Franklin, Nickajack, and Transylvania Jul 02, 2025

Show notes

America is littered with lots of almost-states, which very nearly joined the Union in their own right, but for some reason did not. In today's episode we cover Vandalia, Transylvania, Westylvania, Franklin, and Nickajack. By investigating these almost-states, we delve into constitutional law on matters of succession, and tap into a centuries-old conflict between populist hillbillies and English lordlings.

www.ThePoliticalOrphanage.com

Government Grocery Stores and Free Bussing! (WSPN) Jun 27, 2025

Show notes

This week New York City Democrats held their primary for mayor, and nominated Zohran Kwame Mamdani. Mamdani is a Democratic Socialist who promises to implement free bussing, a $30 per hour minimum wage, universal childcare, and a government-run grocery store program.

Hosts of the World's Smartest Podcast Network hosts, Turner Sparks and Dr. Andrea Jones-Rooy join to discuss.

Churchill, Non-Proliferation, and Iranian Nuclear Ambitions Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

Iran is accused by Israel of pursuing a nuclear weapons program, and President Trump is weighing US military intervention.

In this episode we chart the history of nuclear non-proliferation, and assess Iran in light of it.

Assassins Part III: An Anarchist Murders McKinley Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

A terrorist shot William McKinley at a World's Fair in Buffalo in 1901. In this episode, we go over the specter of anarchism in that era, why McKinley embodied the establishment, and how he died.

Assassins Part I: Shooting Andrew Jackson Jun 04, 2025

Show notes

Andrew Jackson was the first U. S. president who experienced an assassination attempt.

It didn't stick.

In today's episode we learn about the most grizzled executive in American history from the vantage point of his last near-brush with death.

How Godzilla Beat the Housing Crisis May 28, 2025

Show notes

How does American housing stack up compared to other countries, specifically in terms of full-blown housing communism or free market Japanese housing Nirvana?

In this episode we take a look at what makes housing cheap, what makes housing expensive, and lessons we can steal from foreigners.

LINKS:

Reason TV: "Heaton solves the Housing Crisis" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VmEOgC0CWM

Alain Bertaud: Sim City Was Always Wrong https://politicalorphanage.libsyn.com/sim-city-was-always-wrong

This Book Will Upset Your Textbook May 22, 2025

Show notes

Conventional wisdom is brimming with economic myths: the Industrial Revolution impoverished the masses; bobber barons were the scourge of the Gilded Age; the Great Recession was caused by irresponsible deregulation.

Senator Phil Gramm and economist Don Boudreaux attempt to set the record straight in their new book, "The Triumph of Economic Freedom: Debunking the Seven Great Myths of American Capitalism."

Make Hollywood Great Again? May 15, 2025

Show notes

Donald Trump is threatening to levy tariffs on films shot elsewhere, and actor John Voight is petitioning the federal government for taxpayer subsidies to protect Hollywood from foreign competition.

Screenwriter C. Robert Cargill joins to discuss.

https://www.scamstuff.com/products/brian-and-matt-june-2025