The John Batchelor Show
1,589 episodes — Page 1 of 32
S8 Ep1066: ChatGPT and "The Blip." Guest Author: Keach Hagey. The final segment focuses on the viral success of ChatGPT and the resulting internal conflicts at OpenAI. Hagey notes that as ChatGPT's popularity grew, Altman's focus shifted from early safety warning
Jun 28, 20265 min
S8 Ep1066: Stanford, Loopt, and Y Combinator. Guest Author: Keach Hagey. Altman's career accelerated at Stanford, where he dropped out to co-found Loopt, a pioneering location-tracking startup. Although Loopt achieved visibility—including a famous appearance at an A
Jun 28, 202614 min
S8 Ep1066: Formative Years in St. Louis. Guest Author: Keach Hagey. This segment explores Sam Altman's childhood in St. Louis during the 1980s and 90s. Hagey describes Altman's parents: Jerry, an idealistic real estate developer focused on affordable housing, and Co
Jun 28, 20267 min
S8 Ep1066: The Founding of OpenAI. Guest Author: Keach Hagey. In this opening segment, Keach Hagey discusses the January 2016 founding of OpenAI as a nonprofit research lab. Key figures included co-founder Greg Brockman and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, a renowned
Jun 28, 202610 min
S8 Ep1065: The Death of a Legend at Kealakekua Bay. Guest Author: Hampton Sides. Cook returned to Hawaii in 1779, arriving during the Makahiki festival. The Hawaiians perceived him as the god Lono, and Cook played along to restock his ships. Tensions rose after the
Jun 28, 20269 min
S8 Ep1065: The Perils of the Northwest Coast. Guest Author: Hampton Sides. Cook mapped the coastline from Oregon to Alaska, enduring foul weather and perpetual fog. While the Spanish sought to arrest him for encroaching on their territory, Benjamin Franklin ordered
Jun 28, 20269 min
S8 Ep1065: The Discovery of Hawaii. Guest Author: Hampton Sides. In late 1777, Cook accidentally discovered the Hawaiian Islands, starting with Kauai. The Hawaiians, who had never seen smoking or pockets, dubbed the sailors "volcano people." Cook realized these were
Jun 28, 20268 min
S8 Ep1065: Rage on Moorea and Farewell to Mai. Guest Author: Hampton Sides. Tensions escalated on the island of Moorea during the "Goat Incident," where the theft of a pregnant nanny goat triggered a "scorched earth" campaign from Cook. He destroyed huts and canoes
Jun 28, 20269 min
S8 Ep1065: Tahiti and the Challenges of Resettling Mai. Guest Author: Hampton Sides. The expedition arrived in Tahiti in August 1777, where the crew was eager for recreation. Cook's primary task was finding a home for Mai, who had returned from England with a hoard
Jun 28, 20265 min
S8 Ep1065: Tahiti and the Challenges of Resettling Mai. Guest Author: Hampton Sides. The expedition arrived in Tahiti in August 1777, where the crew was eager for recreation. Cook's primary task was finding a home for Mai, who had returned from England with a hoard
Jun 28, 202614 min
S8 Ep1065: Crewing the Expedition and Erroneous Science. Guest Author: Hampton Sides. The mission involved two ships: the Resolution and the Discovery. Key officers included Charles Clerke, who commanded the Discovery while suffering from tuberculosis, and James Kin
Jun 28, 20268 min
S8 Ep1065: Preparation and the Lure of the Third Voyage. Guest Author: Hampton Sides. In 1776, a retired Captain James Cook was living a comfortable life at Greenwich Hospital after two legendary voyages. However, a dinner with Lord Sandwich and the prospect of find
Jun 28, 20269 min
S8 Ep1064: The Controversial Legacy of Plato's Letters. Guest Author: Professor James Romm. Much of this history comes from thirteen letters attributed to Plato, though their authenticity is debated. Romm accepts five as genuine, including the detailed Seventh
Jun 28, 20268 min
S8 Ep1064: Justice and the Allegory of the Philosophic King. Guest Author: Professor James Romm. Plato spent his final decades in Athens, completing The Republic. He categorized governance, placing tyranny at the bottom as a system driven by base appetites. He argue
Jun 28, 202611 min
S8 Ep1064: Timoleon and the Exile of Dionysius in Corinth. Guest Author: Professor James Romm. Dionysius the Younger eventually reclaimed his fortress, but Syracuse turned to Corinth for aid. Corinth sent Timoleon, a retired man leading a meager mercenary force. Sur
Jun 28, 20265 min
S8 Ep1064: The Liberation of Syracuse and the Fall of Dion. Guest Author: Professor James Romm. Dion invaded Syracuse with a liberation force but faced internal chaos as populist passions erupted. He clashed with the radical democrat Heraclides, whom he eventually h
Jun 28, 202612 min
S8 Ep1064: The Invitation to Educate a Young Tyrant. Guest Author: Professor James Romm. Following the elder tyrant's death, Dion invited Plato back to tutor Dionysius the Younger. Dion hoped to transform the immature ruler into an enlightened monarch. Plato's arriv
Jun 28, 202612 min
S8 Ep1064: Plato's Intellectual Roots and First Visit. Guest Author: Professor James Romm. Plato's early life was shaped by the reign of the 30 Tyrants in Athens, including his relative Critias. The execution of his teacher, Socrates, further disillusioned him with
Jun 28, 20266 min
S8 Ep1064: The Rise of the Dionysian Dynasty in Syracuse. Guest Author: Professor James Romm. Syracuse, a Corinthian colony, rose to power under Dionysius the Elder during the 4th century BCE. Starting as a clerk, he became a demagogue by attacking elite leaders acc
Jun 28, 202610 min
S8 Ep1063: SCHEDULE FOR THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 6-26-2026.
Jun 27, 20265 min
S8 Ep1062: STREAMING MAKING OF THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, FEATURIN JEFF BLISS ND MICHAEL VLAHO, 6--26-26.
Jun 27, 202641 min
S8 Ep1061: Global Trade Dynamics and Strategic Alliances. Guest: Josh Rogin. In the final segment, Rogin provides a broader discussion on the future of international trade. He evaluates how diplomatic shifts and security concerns are reshaping global supply chains,
Jun 27, 20266 min
S8 Ep1061: Trade Rivalry and National Security Suspects. Guest: Josh Rogin. Josh Rogin analyzes the escalating trade rivalry between the United States and China. He focuses on the strategic decision to list certain Chinese companies as national security suspects, ex
Jun 27, 202613 min
S8 Ep1061: Defense Budgeting and National Security Policy. Guest: Peter Huessy. Huessy explores the fiscal and policy challenges associated with national defense. He analyzes how legislative budget decisions affect military readiness and the development of next-gene
Jun 27, 20267 min
S8 Ep1061: Nuclear Deterrence and Strategic Defense Modernization. Guest: Peter Huessy. Strategic analyst Peter Huessy evaluates the status of the U.S. nuclear triad and the importance of strategic deterrence. He discusses the urgent need for modernization in the fa
Jun 27, 202610 min
S8 Ep1061: Workforce Evolution and the Future of Business. Guest: Gene Marks. Marks expands on the evolution of the modern workforce, focusing on remote work and talent retention strategies. He evaluates the impact of government policies on small firms and discusses
Jun 27, 20266 min
S8 Ep1061: Small Business Trends and Economic Adaptation. Guest: Gene Marks. Business expert Gene Marks discusses the current economic trends affecting small businesses, including inflation and labor shortages. He provides practical advice for entrepreneurs on lever
Jun 27, 202613 min
S8 Ep1061: The Administrative State and Constitutional Oversight. Guest: John Yoo. Yoo continues his assessment of federal power, focusing on the role of the administrative state. He provides a critical look at how government agencies operate within the constitution
Jun 27, 20265 min
S8 Ep1061: Executive Authority and National Security Frameworks. Guest: John Yoo. Legal expert John Yoo analyzes the scope of executive power, particularly in relation to national security and foreign policy. He explores the constitutional foundations that grant the
Jun 27, 202612 min
S8 Ep1061: Geopolitical Competition in the New Space Race. Guest: Bob Zimmerman. Zimmerman continues his report by examining the strategic and military implications of the "new space race." He discusses the competition between global powers for dominance in the luna
Jun 27, 20266 min
S8 Ep1061: Advances in Aerospace and Space Exploration. Guest: Bob Zimmerman. Space historian Bob Zimmerman reports on the latest milestones in aerospace technology and NASA's current missions. He highlights the scientific objectives of recent launches and the growi
Jun 27, 202613 min
S8 Ep1061: European Industrial Strategy and Strategic Security. Guest: Lorenzo Fiori. Lorenzo Fiori analyzes the geopolitical and industrial landscape of Europe, with a focus on the strategic importance of the Mediterranean. He discusses the defense industry's role
Jun 27, 20268 min
S8 Ep1061: Washington Political Dynamics and Global Markets. Guest: Jim McTague. Veteran journalist Jim McTague explores the intersection of Washington's political maneuvering and the stability of global financial markets. He provides insights into how legislative a
Jun 27, 20269 min
S8 Ep1061: Judicial Precedent and the Rule of Law. Guest: Richard Epstein. Continuing his legal analysis, Epstein delves into the importance of judicial precedents in maintaining the rule of law. He critiques modern legislative trends and administrative regulations,
Jun 27, 20265 min
S8 Ep1061: Constitutional Interpretation and Individual Liberties. Guest: Richard Epstein. Legal scholar Richard Epstein examines current constitutional debates and the protection of individual liberties. His analysis typically focuses on the tension between governm
Jun 27, 202613 min
S8 Ep1061: California Leadership: Governor Newsom and the First Lady. Guest: Jeff Bliss. This segment focuses on California Governor Gavin Newsom and the role of his wife in his administration. Bliss explores their joint political influence, recent policy decisions,
Jun 27, 20265 min
S8 Ep1061: Urban Crises: Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and the Mayor Contest. Guest: Jeff Bliss. Jeff Bliss reports on the interconnected challenges facing Las Vegas and Los Angeles, specifically focusing on the escalating homelessness crisis. The segment also analyzes th
Jun 27, 202612 min
S8 Ep1060: Preview for Later Today: Jeff Bliss. Investigation into Jennifer Siebel Newsom's documentary funding from state-linked donors. These "behested payments" raise conflict of interest concerns, as her films received millions while the donors were favorably tr
Jun 26, 20262 min
S8 Ep1060: Preview for Later Today: Lorenzo Fiori. Fiori offers wine recommendations for the intense European heat wave. He suggests local white Vermentino or red Bolgheri blends. For those seeking luxury, Sassicaia provides a deep red color and perfume for tropical
Jun 26, 20261 min
S8 Ep1060: Preview for Later Today: Gene Marks. Marks discusses lagging business confidence in Philadelphia compared to the rest of the country. He cites decreased government funding for the city's high concentration of nonprofits and healthcare providers, plus a de
Jun 26, 20261 min
S8 Ep1060: Preview for Later Today: Jim McTague. McTague reports on a surge in local tourism in Lancaster and Cape May. Travelers are choosing "short hops" to avoid expensive air travel and high-priced hotels, leading to packed beaches and full restaurants tonight.
Jun 26, 20261 min
S8 Ep1060: Preview for Later Today: John Yoo. Yoo analyzes the American Revolution as a conservative movement aimed at restoring ancient liberties. He emphasizes the early commitment to three branches of government and the critical, often overlooked principle of civ
Jun 26, 20262 min
S8 Ep1060: Preview for Later Today: Bob Zimmerman. Zimmerman discusses Comet 3I/ATLAS, a 12-billion-year-old interstellar visitor. Its unique isotopes offer scientists a rare look into the early universe's makeup, providing valuable data for galactic archaeology and
Jun 26, 20263 min
S8 Ep1059: SCHEDULE JBS, 6-25-26.
Jun 26, 20267 min
S8 Ep1058: STREAMING THE MAKING OF THEJOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, FEATURING JIM MCTAGUE, 6-25-2026
Jun 26, 20261h 0m
S8 Ep1057: The Distortions of Global Wealth Taxes. Guest: Veronique de Rugy. De Rugy discusses how the UK's tax system discourages international athletes from competing at Wimbledon by taxing their worldwide endorsements. She argues that oppressive global tax sch
Jun 26, 20268 min
S8 Ep1057: The Chronic Failures of the Cuban Regime. Guest: Mary Anastasia O'Grady. O'Grady analyzes Cuba's ongoing economic misery and electricity crises, which the government blames on the U.S. embargo. She references the failed 10-million-ton sugar harvest of 197
Jun 26, 202610 min
S8 Ep1057: Political Interference and FBI Counter-Intelligence Failures. Guest: Craig Unger. Unger discusses how investigations into the 2020 election and Rudy Giuliani were allegedly stymied. He notes that Giuliani received payments from Russian oligarchs, potentia
Jun 26, 20267 min
S8 Ep1057: The FBI, Money Laundering, and the Russian Mob. Guest: Craig Unger. Unger interviews whistleblower Johnathan Buma, a former FBI agent, regarding investigations into Donald Trump's ties to Russian intelligence. He claims Trump Tower served as a "laundromat
Jun 26, 202610 min
S8 Ep1057: The Enduring Legacy of the Brontës in Haworth. Guest: Deborah Lutz. Lutz reflects on the Brontës' lasting cultural impact and Haworth's transformation into a major tourist destination. She discusses the critical backlash the novel initially faced for its
Jun 26, 20267 min