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Devil's Advocate

Devil's Advocate

Devil's Advocate with Jon Caldara

Independence Institute

181 episodesEN

Show overview

Devil's Advocate has been publishing since 2022, and across the 4 years since has built a catalogue of 181 episodes. That works out to roughly 130 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence, with the show now in its 4th season.

Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 37 min and 49 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language News show.

The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed yesterday, with 20 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 51 episodes published. Published by Independence Institute.

Episodes
181
Running
2022–2026 · 4y
Median length
43 min
Cadence
Weekly

From the publisher

Devil's Advocate with Jon Caldara is a current events show not to be missed. Each week it features lively - and sometimes heated - debates between elected officials, journalists, activists, concerned citizens, subject-matter experts, and hard-pressing host Jon Caldara, president of the Independence Institute. Jon is not afraid to express his "free-market" views, and his guests are not afraid to take on those opinions. It all makes for an informative, lively public affairs program.

Latest Episodes

View all 181 episodes

The "Expert Class" Problem

May 14, 202630 min

Inside the Colorado GOP Meltdown

May 7, 202635 min

They Won't Let You Vote

Apr 30, 202643 min

They Know Blackouts Are Coming

Apr 23, 202640 min

"They Tore The Papers From My Hands"

Apr 16, 202637 min

S4 Ep 176People Planted In Colorado Legislature

What if outside organizations could place their own people inside government? We break down a little-known Colorado scheme where privately funded staff are embedded within the legislative process—raising serious questions about transparency, influence, and who’s really shaping policy behind the scenes. Is this harmless expertise… or something more?

Apr 9, 202640 min

S4 Ep 175Crazy People Are Taking Over Politics

If you think both Republicans and Democrats in Colorado are getting a little too extreme, maybe there's a way to bring those candidates back towards the middle, back towards sanity. Longtime political strategist Kelly Maher has a few ideas on how to make that happen.

Apr 2, 202635 min

S4 Ep 174Is Colorado Broke?

Everybody panic. The state budget is in a deficit again. Watch your wallets.What caused this budget shortfall and how could we get out of it? We put that question to the state's chief economist.

Mar 26, 202638 min

S4 Ep 173Dating Apps Trick Women?

It's not a big surprise that young men have a certain sexual drive. The best way to satisfy that...could it be marriage? Could it be prostitution? We asked that question to Michael Huemer, philosopher and professor of ethics at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Mar 19, 202643 min

S4 Ep 172What Happened To Teaching Teachers?

What’s really happening inside America’s schools? In this episode, veteran educator Priscilla Rahn—teacher, former principal, and National Board Certified Master Teacher shares what she’s learned after more than 30 years in public education. We discuss how teacher training and professional development have changed, why many educators say classrooms are shifting away from teaching core subjects, and how parents became more aware of what’s happening in schools during COVID. Priscilla also explains why she left the teachers union, what classical education looks like, and why she’s helping launch a new private school, Excalibur Classical Academy. If you’re interested in education reform, school choice, teacher training, public vs private schools, or the future of American education, this conversation offers an inside look from someone who has spent decades in the classroom.

Mar 12, 202634 min

S4 Ep 171$19 Test...$800 With Insurance

When you go to the doctor, do you feel like you're treated like a number? Do you remember doctors spending more time looking at their patients than looking at computer screens? Travis Bockenstedt advocates for a new medical model that keeps costs down and keeps doctors doctoring.

Mar 5, 202639 min

S4 Ep 170Cancel Culture's Dirty Secret

Does local talk radio even matter in today's national media landscape? I mean, how do local stories get the coverage they deserve? I discuss it with Ryan Schuiling, host of 630 KHOW's Morning Program.

Feb 26, 202634 min

S4 Ep 169War on Rural Colorado

We often forget Colorado is still a massive agriculture and ranching state. Has the Trump administration been good for our state's farmers and ranchers? Well, we ask former state senator and current Trump appointee Jerry Sonnenburg.

Feb 19, 202633 min

S4 Ep 168Who Blocks Charter Schools?

How is it that we have so much choice inside the public school system in Colorado, but absolutely little choice outside of it? I put that question to Ross Izard, Educational Specialist.

Feb 12, 202632 min

S4 Ep 167Free Tina Peters?

Is It Time to free Tina Peters? I put that question to the one and only Dick Wadhams, Republican Consultant to the Stars.

Feb 5, 202639 min

S4 Ep 166Aurora Apartments Under Siege

In Aurora, Cindy Romero lived in the apartment complex terrorized by Venezuelan gang members. What did the media miss about that episode? And what does she think of Donald Trump after meeting him in person?

Jan 29, 202637 min

S4 Ep 165Tyranny of the Minority

Businessman, philanthropist and political activist Kent Thiry is investing in a new model of elections in Colorado, one that recognizes the dominance of independent voters.Here, does this make sense?

Jan 22, 202651 min

S4 Ep 164Colorado's Second Ambassador?

As Colorado turns 150 years old, you gotta wonder if the same value of rugged individualism that defined the state still exists here. No one better to weigh in than Patty Calhoun of Westword.

Jan 15, 202636 min

S4 Ep 163Is Jared Polis Breaking Rank?

Grab your wallets and hold on tight.As the Colorado Legislature gets back in session, Director of Policy for Independence Institute, Jake Fogleman forecasts the session and predicts what they're gonna do to us.

Jan 8, 202632 min

S4 Ep 162The Lie That Sold LL & MM

We just passed the tax increases prop LL & MM to force Colorado's rich guys to continue to buy lunches for just slightly less rich families. We were told if we didn't, the program would go under. Nash Herman tells us that was a lie and they knew it.

Jan 1, 202633 min
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