The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg

Paul Miller, regular Dispatch contributor and professor of international affairs at Georgetown, joins the Remnant to discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the difference between patriotism and nationalism. With a new Cold War looking increasingly likely, how should America prepare itself for what may be a major global conflict? For that matter, what does it mean to be a “foreign policy realist?” Has Putin always been this crazy? And what should unify all Americans? Show Notes: - Paul’s work at The Dispatch - Paul’s upcoming book, The Religion of American Greatness - Paul: “How to fight the new Cold War” - Jonah on Putin and the West - Last weekend’s Ruminant - The return of Dispatch Live Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No babies were harmed in the making of today’s Ruminant, which features puppy parades, obscure German philosophers, and an appropriately large supply of bagels. Putin’s use of Nazi rhetoric to demonize the Ukrainian government has reminded Jonah that we don’t talk enough about the importance of language in public life. The invasion has also prompted him to think about the relationship between language and nationalism, and how national interests should influence foreign policy. Are babies born as blank slates? How would isolationism change America? And will the end of this episode cost Jonah most of his long-term friendships? Show Notes: - The return of Dispatch Live - Johann Fichte’s “Addresses to the German Nation” - Johann Herder - The Remnant with Paul Bloom - Paul Bloom’s Just Babies - The Remnant with John McWhorter - Jonah’s Twitter thread on nationalism - Jonah debates Rich Lowry on nationalism - The Morning Dispatch breaks down the Ukraine invasion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katherine Mangu-Ward, editor in chief of Reason magazine, joins the Remnant for the first time today to explore whether America’s libertarian spirit is still intact. In a moment where Americans are losing faith in authority, the right is succumbing to power worship, and pluralism is becoming increasingly unpopular, how can we avoid a “squishy apocalypse?” Moreover, is hypocrisy really a problem? Why can’t the government love you? And would the United States be a better place if dog catchers were defunded? Show Notes: - Katherine’s page at Reason - The Remnant with Peter Suderman - The Remnant with Leon Aron - Katherine on why you almost certainly shouldn’t vote - The Declaration of Independents, by Nick Gillespie and Matt Welch - The Libertarian Mind, by David Boaz - Obama’s second inaugural address - The Remnant with Mike Gallagher - Leon Aron: “The Invasion of Ukraine, and Regime Change” - Dispatch Live on the Ukraine situation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While Jonah traverses the sunny wilds of California, Chris Stirewalt steps in to host today’s Remnant. He’s joined by Amy Walter, publisher and editor in chief of the Cook Political Report, for exceptionally rank punditry on what we can expect from this year’s midterms and the 2024 presidential race. Would the American people accept a second Trump presidency? Why do certain states stay purple while others become firmly partisan? And could peace and goodwill soon be restored in Congress? Show Notes: - The Cook Political Report - Amy’s previous Remnant appearance - Amy on Biden’s empathy problem - The Democratic Party’s “new politics of evasion” - What do the midterms hold in store for the Senate? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sleep-deprived and bracing for a lengthy flight, Jonah begins today’s Ruminant with an insatiable thirst for coffee. Conveniently, he has plenty of topics to ramble about while enjoying his morning brew. First on the docket is the San Francisco school board recall, which prompts Jonah to ponder why Democrats keep getting the culture war so wrong. From there, a potpourri of nerdery begins, as Jonah explores the origins of rights and freedoms, Russia’s potential invasion of Ukraine, and the importance of distinguishing between “liberal” and “progressive.” Plus, stick around for a tribute to the late, great P.J. O’Rourke. Show Notes: - Try a free 30-day Dispatch membership - Peggy Noonan: “Republicans, Stand Against Excess” - “Alarmingly potent” - Jonah: “It Takes Two Sides to Fight a War” - The San Francisco school board recall - Ruy Texiera’s Substack - “Ugly freedoms” - Jonah on the Ottawa freedom convoy - The “Revolutions” podcast covers the English Civil War - The Remnant with Mike Duncan - The Remnant with Leon Aron - Jonah on the passing of P.J. O’Rourke - The return of Dispatch Live Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New developments in John Durham’s investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe are electrifying conservative media and dominating the headlines. But for those who haven’t kept up with the story, it may be difficult to fully understand what’s going on. Thankfully, Dispatch associate editor Andrew Egger is on The Remnant to break things down. Together, he and Jonah discuss everything you could ever want to know about the Durham probe. Plus, they indulge in some obligatory kvetching about media bias and share a few tears over the joys of fatherhood. The whole thing may leave you feeling just a little verklempt. Show Notes: - Andrew’s page at The Dispatch - Andrew breaks down the Durham probe - Jonah’s fondness for Sidney Blumenthal - Furorstarter - Philip Bump on Durham and Trump - The return of Dispatch Live Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tevi Troy is back on The Remnant to explore the strange state of the American presidency. In recent years, presidents have used the power of the executive branch to profoundly alter our system of government—indeed, the presidency Joe Biden inhabits is far removed from that which Bill Clinton left behind. But could the increased importance of the presidency to American life actually be a good thing? Furthermore, why have our recent presidents failed to become figures of national unity? What went wrong with the government’s COVID response? And will the American Egg Board soon seize control of The Dispatch? Show Notes: -Tevi’s previous Remnant appearance -Tevi’s conference on the 21st century presidency -Jonathan Rauch on how Trump changed government -The Kennedy-Hatch alliance -Kevin D. Williamson: “Against Presidential Idolatry” -Tevi: “Barking at the Press” -The unmockable Mr. Obama -Jim Geraghty: “The Omicron Wave Subsides” -The Eric Lander controversy -Jonah on Canada’s trucker protests -Try a free Dispatch membership for 30 days Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Haunted by a certain infectious Swedish pop song, Jonah begins today’s Ruminant by expanding substantially on a recent point from the G-File: Americans are addicted to despair even though life has never been better. In a moment where anger merchants dominate the media and environmental pessimism is spreading rapidly, how can the optimistic spirit on which our country was founded be restored? And what responsibilities do prominent figures in journalism and politics have in this regard? Also, stick around until the end to hear Jonah elaborate on his departure from Fox and his new contributor agreement with CNN. Show Notes: - The Wednesday G-File - The latest Dispatch Podcast - Climate change enters the therapy room - The Remnant with Lyman Stone - Manhattan bird alert - The Progress Paradox, by Gregg Easterbrook - Jonah: “It Takes Two Sides to Fight a War” - Turning Japanese - Yuval Levin: “The Changing Face of Social Breakdown” - The Remnant with Shawn Bushway - Stacey Abrams’ mask hypocrisy - Hugh Hewitt interview Chris Christie - Guy Benson debates Mike Gallagher - Edmund Burke's speech to the Electors of Bristol - The Remnant with Hal Brands Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Demographer and Institute for Family Studies research fellow Lyman Stone returns to The Remnant to make the case for having more babies. With America’s birth rate in decline and increasingly large numbers of people living lives devoid of real connections, Lyman believes that we urgently need more pro-family policies. But though Jonah agrees completely that babies are good, he’s less sure about Lyman’s proposal of lowering the voting age to zero. Tune in for distinctly nerdy debate, but stick around to learn about the many varieties of natalist philosophy. Show Notes: - Lyman’s page at AEI - Lyman’s previous Remnant appearance - Lyman: “The Minimum Voting Age Should Be Zero” - Ben Sasse’s The Vanishing American Adult - Pro-natal pontification - Marriage and childbearing in the time of COVID - Jonah on how we’re turning Japanese - The Remnant with Edward Carr - Jonah on Terry Schiavo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Remnant regular A.B. Stoddard is back for more exceedingly rank punditry on our dysfunctional state of affairs. In light of the RNC’s decision to censure Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, is the GOP now committed to normalizing January 6? For that matter, why are major Republican figures continuing to suggest that the election was stolen? Does anyone want Mike Pence to be president besides his wife? And why can’t President Biden celebrate America’s recovering economy? Also, be sure to stick around for discussion of A.B.’s two favorite topics: canine companions and Nancy Pelosi’s reelection bid. Show Notes: - A.B.’s page at RealClearPolitics - Jonah on the RNC’s impeccable statecraft - Marc Short’s Meet the Press appearance - Marc Short can’t make up his mind - Commentary: “What Democrats Can’t Say About the Jobs Numbers” - Jonah: “Let It Go” - Jonah on “Sway” with Kara Swisher Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Donald Trump, Whoopi Goldberg, Young Frankenstein, and dentistry - all unrelated in ordinary circumstances, but strangely intertwined on the latest drive-time Remnant. Today’s episode begins with Jonah, Guy, and Ryan exploring the juvenile group chats of esteemed scholars and reacting insensitively to a tragic news story. Afterward, the gang turns to rank punditry, rambling nerdily about current events while stopping occasionally to discuss Yiddish slang, extreme skiing, and whether all animals really do taste like chicken. When should you give up on a political party? What would a film adaptation of Trump’s attempted election theft look like? And should Mel Brooks do us all a favor and run for president in 2024? Show Notes: - China’s continued respect for human rights - The New York Post’s unapologetically craven news item - The Wednesday G-File, released to the masses - John Podhoretz blasts Whoopi Goldberg - Trump doubles down on January 6 - Mel Brooks’ bad drive Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are we living through a new Cold War? Possibly. But we’re certainly in a new era of great-power competition between China and Russia and the United States. In a Remnant surprisingly lacking in ‘80s references, historian and American Enterprise Institute scholar Hal Brands joins Jonah to explore what America’s victory over the Soviet Union can teach us about how it should prosecute today’s global conflicts. Hal and Jonah also take a deep, extra-nerdy dive into Cold War history and the nature of American foreign policy during that strange era. Was the Cold War just about economics? Should Joe Biden pursue a modern version of Harry Truman’s containment strategy? And was China’s authoritarian turn inevitable? Show Notes: - Hal’s page at AEI - Hal’s new book, The Twilight Struggle - Hal Brands and John Lewis Gaddis: “The New Cold War” - Charles Krauthammer: “The Greatest Cold War Myth of All” - The Truman Doctrine speech - Henry Wallace’s divided mind - Jonah on the perils of our virtual reality - The Remnant with Leon Aron - The Remnant with Edward Carr Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a brief respite from the horrors of book writing, Chris Stirewalt returns to The Remnant for another round of overpoweringly rank punditry. Mixing shameless self-promotion with nicotine-fueled insight, he and Jonah explore some pertinent political questions. Why do Americans frequently change their party alignment? Are hardcore progressives crazier than members of the House Freedom Caucus? And what is Joe Biden’s biggest weakness? There’s also a lengthy aside about what life in America was like when Jonah and Chris were young and horse drawn carriages had yet to be replaced by cars, but you’ll need to stick around until the end. Show Notes: - Chris’ page at The Dispatch - Chris’ newsletter, Stirewaltisms - Last weekend’s Ruminant - Michael Moore on the “SmartLess” podcast - Could the GOP expel Cheney and Kinzinger? - The Remnant with Leon Aron - The latest Gallup poll on shifting political party preferences - The poll discussed on the FiveThirtyEight Politics podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonah’s in a professorial mood on today’s nerdtastic Ruminant, which features disquisitions on censorship, pragmatism, and vestigial partisanship (be sure you tune in to find out what the latter actually means). Also included in this weekend’s potpourri is a lengthy discussion of Stephen Breyer’s retirement and Joe Biden’s pledge to appoint an African American woman to the Supreme Court. Plus, for those still confused by Jonah and Charlie Cooke’s argument about Congress during the Anglo-Floridian’s appearance on the program this week, there’s a detailed explanation of how the two disagree. Show Notes: - The Wednesday G-File - Adam J. White on the Commentary podcast - Jonathan Chait on affirmative action for the Supreme Court - John Podhoretz still likes Ike - The Remnant with Charles C.W. Cooke - The Remnant with Yuval Levin - The Remnant with Leon Aron - Charles Sanders Peirce - Richard Rorty and William James - Bertrand Russell’s critique of pragmatism - Jonah: “Banned Books Week is Just Hype” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charles C.W. Cooke, senior writer at National Review and Anglo-Floridian golf cart enthusiast, returns to The Remnant for another round of exceptionally rank punditry on Joe Biden’s dismal first year in office. Before assuming the presidency, Biden made some big promises that he hasn’t been able to keep. But is his problem that he refuses to adjust to political circumstances, or that he’s simply a hack who was never qualified for the job in the first place? Mixing hearty debate with vigorous agreement, Jonah and Charlie discuss this question at length, while also touching on mandatory voting, the perils of public opinion, and how thrilled we should be to live in a moment where journalists and politicians can regularly insult each other. Oh, and Charlie also can’t resist rambling about firearms. Show Notes: - Charlie’s page at National Review - Charlie on Biden’s year of failure - Jonah’s uncontroversial third-party proposal - Jonah’s words with friends - Biden’s first-year report card in Politico - “You guys were almost separated at birth” - Michael Tomasky’s attempted mic drop - The Remnant with Josh Kraushaar - Jonah contemplates mandatory voting - Mad Dogs and Englishmen on the bumbling Mr. Biden - #DontBrowbeatMyPete - Big time! - Charlie’s upcoming course on the history of the Second Amendment Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Sting once sang, “in Europe and America, there’s a growing feeling of hysteria.” With war in Ukraine looking increasingly likely and tensions mounting between Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin, it feels an awful lot like we’re back in 1987. To explore how Russia’s bellicosity might affect the global stage, Jonah is joined by Leon Aron, director of Russian studies at the American Enterprise Institute. Together, they address heady questions on Russia and narrowly resist performing a duet of “99 Red Balloons.” Would the Russian people support an invasion of Ukraine? How is Russia influencing European politics? And is there any chance of Russia becoming a quasi-democratic country in the near future? Show Notes: - Leon’s page at AEI - Leon’s contributions to The Dispatch - Leon on what lies ahead for Putin - The Morning Dispatch gives the latest on Ukraine - Alexei Navalny profiled in Time - Jonah on the dangers of conceding to Putin - Putin on the nukes - The Gerard Schröder controversy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonah returns to the solo Ruminant format to end the week, reflecting on Joe Biden’s dismal first year in office and contemplating what the next three years might hold in store for the country. After what John Podhoretz labeled the “worst press conference in presidential history,” can Biden recover, or will his poll numbers continue to sink to increasingly humiliating lows? For that matter, is unity its own virtue? How would the Russian people and the global community react if Vladimir Putin conquered Ukraine? And do negative comments on his writing hurt Jonah’s feelings? Show Notes: - GLoP’s latest grand aventure - Chris Stirewalt’s latest newsletter on Biden’s political flailing - The Morning Dispatch on the threat of war in Ukraine - Jonah on Biden’s Georgia speech - Be like Ike - Literally - The Dispatch Podcast reflects on Biden’s first year - Bob Driscoll on the Voting R ights Act - The Remnant with Michael Shellenberger - The Remnant with Edward Carr Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Remnant’s British invasion continues as Economist deputy editor Edward Carr joins to provide a perspective on how the pandemic has affected nations beyond the United States. Together, he and Jonah examine how issues such as vaccine skepticism, excess deaths, and pandemic-related insanity vary between countries, all while kvetching vigorously about teachers’ unions and the politics of marmite. Can we trust China’s COVID statistics? Are things as weird in Russia and the U.K. as they are in America? And are we in the early stages of a new Roaring ‘20s? Show Notes: - England prepares to drop COVID restrictions - Boris Johnson’s latest scandal - “There’s no such thing as learning loss” - Steven Brill: “The Rubber Room” - The Remnant with Paul Bloom - Jonah: “Fear and Loathing in the Time of COVID” - Apollo’s Arrow, Nicholas Christakis’ book on pandemic madness - The Remnant with Matt Ridley - The Remnant with Michael Shellenberger Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a young man, Jonah left his heart in San Francisco. But after today’s conversation with Remnant first-timer Michael Shellenberger, he probably won’t be going back for it any time soon. Michael joins the show for an exceedingly wonky discussion of his new book, San Fransicko, which explores how progressive policies are enabling an addiction and mental health crisis in America’s cities. Together, they explore the causes of urban decay and what conservatives can do to reverse the trend in places like New York and San Francisco. Tune in for ruminations on nuclear power, Nietzschean philosophy, and criminology, but stick around to hear Jonah and Michael compare notes on what it’s really like to be mugged by reality. Show Notes: - Michael’s Substack on cities, energy, and the environment - Michael’s new book, San Fransicko: Why Progressives Ruin Cities - Michael’s previous book, Apocalypse Never - Tom Wolfe’s “The Great Relearning” - San Fransicko reviewed in the New York Times - Madness in the Streets, by Rael Isaac and Virginia Armat - The Homeless, by Christopher Jencks - The Remnant with Shawn Bushway - Michael: “Why Wokeism is a Religion” - Woke Racism, by John McWhorter - John Dewey’s “universe with the lid off” - Paul Tillich’s definition of religion - Jonah on the case for nuclear power Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ll do it live! 2022’s first drive-time Remnant is here, and it’s predictably lacking in substance. With Guy and Ryan currently starring in their own production of The Odd Couple, Jonah invites them both into The Dispatch studio for a freewheeling discussion of vocabulary, D.C. geography, and movies ranging from The French Dispatch to Howard the Duck. There’s also plenty of serious punditry mixed in on America’s nightmarish immigration process, the awfulness of Biden’s Georgia speech, and the difficulty of finding purpose in modern society. Tune in and be led to glory! Show Notes: - Bill Buckley on the art of big words - Advisory Opinions on the Supreme Court’s vaccine mandate dismissal - Make my funk the P-Funk - Bill Oakley’s fast food reviews - The Remnant with Ross Douthat, featuring generous Don’t Look Up criticism - The Remnant with Ryan Bourne - “It’s not a comedy” - Spider-Man: No Way Home reviewed in The Dispatch - Howard the Duck and the evil of George Lucas - The Wednesday G-File, released to the masses - Tapper, Biden, and the Bull - What’s the deal with fascism? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ross Douthat takes his place in the Remnant five-timers club today, joining Jonah for a discussion of (what else?) the dysfunctional state of American politics. Unlike last time, however, the nudity is tasteful, the Exorcist references are sparse, and the tone is (slightly) more optimistic. Is the United States on the cusp of a new civil war, and what would that look like in practice? For that matter, why is Biden a less effective president than Bill Clinton? Can a case be made for mandatory voting? And is there anything worthwhile about Don’t Look Up? Show Notes: - Ross’ previous Remnant appearance - Ross: “Let’s Not Invent a Civil War” - Ross on the Remnant discussing The Decadent Society - Jonah’s latest G-File on Biden’s Georgia speech - David Brooks: “How the Bobos Broke America” - Jason Stanley, How Fascism Works - The Remnant with Yuval Levin - Jonah’s distaste for Don’t Look Up - Ross on why the movie needs a second cut - Eric Levitz dissects Don’t Look Up - The latest Dispatch Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cato Institute economist Ryan Bourne joins The Remnant for the first time to discuss his new book, Economics in One Virus, which offers a crash course in economics using the COVID-19 pandemic as a case study. Over the last two years, many questions have been raised about America’s preparedness (or lack thereof) for the pandemic, and Ryan has answers. Did any country get COVID right? Why is testing still a mess? And is the libertarian movement as divided as the conservative movement? Show Notes: - Ryan’s page at Cato - Ryan’s new book, Economics in One Virus - Ryan: “A Cure Worse Than the Disease?” - Scott Gottlieb: “A Second Major Seasonal Virus Won’t Leave Us Any Choice” - Strife in the fast lane with John Nestor - Biden’s Pandemic Preparedness Plan - Peter Nicholas: “There Are No Libertarians in an Epidemic” - Jonah: “When Narrative Trumps the Facts” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A still Covid-brained Jonah does his first Ruminant of the new year today. Assuming most listeners are over the January 6th coverage, a brief point on the politics of that day leads the pod. Then, let’s talk about Fascism, baby. Then a potpourri of topics for you to enjoy this weekend. Why is the GOP so uncomfortable with January 6? What’s the deal with Fascism? How accurate was Ted Cruz’s impression from John Belushi in The Blues Brothers? What do pizza and sushi have to do with the role of the federal government? Show Notes: Wednesday G-File January 6 piece for Bari Weiss’ site The Dispatch Podcast on January 6 Jonah on MTP Daily Sen. Ted Cruz grovels to Tucker Carlson like John Belushi to Carrie Fischer in The Blues Brothers The Remnant with Yuval Levin Pod’s niche podcast with Matthew Continetti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liquor connoisseur and noted Wisconsinite Christian Schneider joins The Remnant for the first time to discuss America’s strange plague of misinformation. In an age where politicians are incentivized to embrace ludicrous positions and all facts are negotiable, how can sanity be restored? For that matter, what’s wrong with modern political campaigns? Did God create Listerine? And what does the future hold for college education? Show Notes: - Christian's page at The Dispatch - Christian’s page at The College Fix - Christian’s new book, Anti-Knowledge - Christian: “Our Elected Officials Are a Threat to Civic Knowledge” - The (ostensible) madness of Ron Johnson - Critical Path, by Buckminster Fuller - Institutional comedy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On 2022’s first Remnant, a COVID-addled Jonah is joined by fan-favorite guest Yuval Levin for a discussion of voting rights in America. Voting, Yuval argues, has never been easier, despite claims to the contrary made by progressive and conservative commentators alike. The real problem is that both parties are fueling a loss of public confidence in elections, and trust must be restored for American democracy to continue to function. Jonah also quizzes Yuval on his case for expanding the House of Representatives and what it means to be a “recovering political scientist.” Grab your bingo cards for a thoroughly wonky beginning to the year. Show Notes: - Yuval: “Democrats, Voting Rights Are Not the Problem” - Does high voter turnout help one party? - A war on democracy? - The Policy State, by Karen Orren and Stephen Skowronek - Ben Sasse’s Schoolhouse Rock moment - Yuval: “One way to reform the House of Representatives? Expand it.” - Jonah, Yuval, and an expert panel discuss expanding Congress - The Remnant with Michael Strain - The Remnant with Sally Satel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With 2021 drawing to a close, Jonah invites his vocal doppelganger, Chris Stirewalt, back to The Remnant for a recap of this bizarre year. The show begins with a small but satisfying amount of rank punditry on the fate of Build Back Better and the state of voting rights in America. After that, Jonah and Chris look back at the last 12 months by conducting a mock award ceremony, naming winners in various categories. Who was 2021’s biggest loser? What was the year’s most delightful pop culture surprise? And in which category will Chris select “America” as a surprise answer? Tune in for all of this and more, and remember: There’s no harm in revisiting and sharing some of your favorite Remnant episodes from earlier this year over the holiday season. See you in 2022! Show Notes: -Give someone a Dispatch subscription this Christmas -Jonah on Joe Manchin and Build Back Better -Jen Psaki slams Manchin -Chris on #FreeBritney -The nerdiest Remnant ever on the new Dune movie -Neil Postman’s Amusing Ourselves to Death -The Remnant with Paul Bloom -The year’s final, holly jolly GLoP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s Ruminant is all about privilege, and Jonah has many nerdy thoughts on the subject. He also offers plenty of anecdotes about day drinking, a few meditations on Build Back Better hitting a brick wall, and a disquisition on the nature of consumerism. How many varieties of privilege are there in America today? Why do certain people tend toward conservatism? And why has Jonah finally decided to open up about Fox News? Brace your bingo cards, too, because Jonah still can’t stop complaining about Theodor Adorno and his mythical authoritarian personality. Show Notes: - The Morning Dispatch breaks down the Build Back Better stalemate - Let’s talk about privilege - The Remnant with Sally Satel - Sumptuary laws - Veblen goods - Huntington’s “Conservatism as an Ideology” - Sally Satel: “The Experts Somehow Overlooked Authoritarians on the Left” - Politics and Prose lawyers up - Harvard stops requiring SAT scores - Jonah opens up about Fox - Matthew Mehan’s new children’s book - AEI Today - Give someone a Dispatch subscription this Christmas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sally Satel, a psychiatrist and lecturer at Yale, makes a long-awaited return to the Remnant to discuss the influence of woke culture on medical science. In our woke moment, Sally argues, doctors are at the mercy of “indoctrinologists” who want them to become more concerned with social activism than healing the sick. What’s driving this trend, and should we fear for the future of science? Furthermore, how has psychotherapy changed over the years? What can be done to address the opioid epidemic? And will people only get crazier as the COVID-19 pandemic refuses to end? Show Notes: - Sally’s page at AEI - Sally’s previous Remnant appearance - Sally: “What is Happening to My Profession?” - Sally: “Taking on the Scourge of Opioids” -Sally: "Keep Social-Justice Indoctrination Out of the Therapist’s Office" - Critical race theory and medicine - The cardiologist suing the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine - False advertising - Political religions - Barry Goldwater’s mental fitness - Jonah: “Fear and Loathing in the Time of COVID” - The Remnant with Paul Bloom - John Tooby on coalitional instincts - How the Mind Works, by Steven Pinker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brush up on your legalese, because Keith Whittington is back on the Remnant to poke plenty of fun at Advisory Opinions. Over the course of an exceptionally nerdy hour, he and Jonah explore the pros and cons of court packing and judicial term limits, occasionally stopping to discuss what would happen if the world were taken over by giant, hyper-intelligent ants. Are Supreme Court justices all partisan hacks? Why did Joe Biden establish the Supreme Court reform commission? And is there any real difference between lawyers and vampires? Show Notes: -Keith’s scholar page on Princeton’s website -Keith’s previous Remnant appearance -The Supreme Court commission’s final report -Inside the Supreme Court commission -The Constitution in exile? -Keith: “Court Packing is Discreditable as Ever” -The genius of Mark Meadows -The Soldier and the State, by Samuel P. Huntington Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Broadcasting live from Fargo (the movie is still better than the TV series), Jonah can’t help but spend most of today’s Ruminant gloating about how he’s been correct on recent issues ranging from the silliness of “Latinx” to the craziness of Tucker Carlson. Political demographics, the Omicron variant, and the future of conservatism are also discussed, but at the end of it all, one question remains: Is “I informed you thusly” a more satisfying phrase than “I told you so?” Show Notes: - The Wednesday G-File - No one uses “Latinx” - Are Hispanics evenly split between the parties? - The Commentary podcast on Democrats and Hispanics - Rich Lowry on the WSJ poll - Sean Trende on what motivates Hispanic voters - Whitelash, by Terry Smith - Can’t hold it back anymore - Jim Geraghty on good news regarding Omicron - Well-known progressive Mitch McConnell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonah reopens the emergency punditry supply on today’s Remnant, recorded live from the Bozeman Public Library. His guest is A.B. Stoddard, who believes the Democratic Party is poised to implode thanks to poor governance and the strange influence of wokeism. Together, they explore why both parties have alienated ordinary voters, why Nancy Pelosi stepping down could send the legislative branch into further disarray, and why Trump could win re-election in 2024 if Biden’s poll numbers don’t improve. Optimism, who needs it! Show Notes: -A.B.’s page at RealClearPolitics -A.B.’s previous Remnant appearance -A.B. on congressional decline -A coming Democratic crack up? -Tom Wolfe: “The Intelligent Co-ed’s Guide to America” -The Remnant with Chris Stirewalt -Jonah on superspreaders of asininity -Kamala Harris’ disastrous vice presidency -Bill Clinton and Ricky Ray Rector -The Morning Dispatch on reforming the Electoral Count Act Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Strain, economist at the American Enterprise Institute, returns to the Remnant today to explore the strange state of the American economy. Consumer demand for goods has skyrocketed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and supply chain chaos is dominating the headlines. In these unusual times, should conservatives embrace common good capitalism, or does zombie Reaganism still have plenty to offer? For that matter, which industries have been permanently changed by the pandemic? Have our lives actually improved since March 2020? And can even the most devoted Remnant listener tolerate more than 30 minutes of Jonah and Michael rambling about Battlestar Galactica? Show Notes: - Michael’s page at AEI - Michael’s previous Remnant appearance - Jonah and Scott Lincicome kvetch about the supply chain - Michael on the need for an economic cooldown - Michael: “Republicans Battle Over ‘Socialism-Lite’” - Hungary eyes - Jonah on how politics destroyed Battlestar Galactica Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Remnant returns to the drive-time format to end the week, and the results are predictably unusual. Feast your ears on the eighth installment of this curio, in which Guy discusses the end of America’s “Remain in England” policy, Jonah ponders the appeal of cow brains and potted meat, and Ryan recounts his time as a Celtic warrior in the Irish mountains. Plenty of serious punditry is also included on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic, the appeal of right-wing grifters, and the rise of victimhood culture on college campuses. Tune in for a celebration of the legendary Tom Wolfe, but stick around to learn about some of the most depressing movies ever made. Show Notes: - George Costanza’s prison girlfriend - Apu Nahasapeemapetilon’s citizenship test - The Commentary podcast on COVID panic - Tom Wolfe’s “The Great Relearning” - Oakland reverses its plan to defund the police - Thursday’s shameful solo Remnant - Wednesday’s weird G-File of weirdness - Tom Wolfe’s brilliant Brown speech - Jonah’s first eggheady publication - Guy’s history of Uncommon Knowledge, featuring plenty of Wolfian goodness - The battle of Smith College - Alex Jones, ace reporter - Milo Minderbinder, statue salesman - Jonah and Steve on their departure from Fox - The New York Times report that broke the Fox story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Isolated and sleep-deprived in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest, Jonah once again attempts to fuse the classic Ruminant format with that of a supplemental episode. With the possibility that Supreme Court could overturn Roe v. Wade, a sea change could soon occur in American politics. Using an extract from The Tyranny of Clichés (still available wherever books are sold!), Jonah explores some of the most challenging questions surrounding the jurisprudence of abortion. When does life truly begin? Why are taboos so important? And are dogmas, religious and otherwise, fundamental to the health of a civilized society? Show Notes: - The Morning Dispatch breaks down Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization - Jonah’s previous ruminations on abortion - The Remnant with Will Saletan - The (eternally underrated) Tyranny of Clichés - Barbara Boxer’s blunder Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a Thanksgiving hiatus, Jonah is back and ready to break open the strategic rank punditry reserve. His guest today is Chris Stirewalt, who’s concerned with only the most important questions of the political moment: Why are Americans terrified of clowns? Is there a better parent than television? And was Pete Buttigieg raised in a refrigerator box? Serious discussion is also mixed in on what we can expect in 2024 and why Build Back Better is the “kitchen junk drawer” of policy proposals. Recent events surrounding a certain cable news network might even be mentioned. Show Notes: -Profit, the most important show you’ve never seen -Build Back Better’s hypocritical tax cut -Malapropisms -Schoolhouse blues -Chris on subsidizing local news -Blind and toothless -Woke Racism, by John McWhorter -The Remnant with Josh Kraushaar -The most interesting man in politics -Why Jonah left Fox News -Chris on digital depredations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Bahnsen, managing partner and chief investment officer at the Bahnsen Group, is back on The Remnant to explain why there really is no such thing as a free lunch, and to explore why some on the right now think we’d all be better off as serfs. With shameless book-plugging, David and Jonah also discuss the moral case for capitalism, the differences between cost-push and demand-pull inflation, and why the Japanification of the American economy won’t bode well for anyone. Zombie Reagan urges you to tune in! Show Notes: - David’s new book, There’s No Free Lunch - David’s previous Remnant appearance - David: “Sound Economics Enables Human Flourishing” - The (still underrated) Tyranny of Clichés - Robert Nisbet’s Prejudices - Hayek’s “The Use of Knowledge in Society” - Yuval Levin’s case for capitalism - J.D. Vance’s serious nonsense - Tucker Carlson debates Ben Shapiro on free markets - The algebra of inflation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s Ruminant finds Jonah preparing for an epic journey to the Pacific Northwest, and he’d appreciate podcast recommendations for the long and lonely trip. With Thanksgiving approaching, he’s feeling grateful, but he’s also concerned about the conservative movement’s gradual shift away from the classical liberalism embedded in American culture. How do societies emerge? Will mankind ever learn not to immanentize the eschaton? And has American life officially become crazier than a late night Japanese game show? Show Notes: - Wednesday’s regrettable G-File, released to the masses - The Remnant with Will Saletan - Nockian nerdery - Nine Days and the making of an existential crisis - Fukuyama’s The Origins of Political Order - That time Bernie Sanders got kicked out of a commune - I, Pencil - The ultimate throwdown - Paul Gosar gets censured Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In preparation for Thanksgiving, Jonah invites the latest gold jacket-wearer Will Saletan back on The Remnant to consider what, if anything, is so uniquely great about America. Their conversation quickly develops into a discussion of nationalism, universal principles, and whether America is simply an idea, with a generous amount of rank punditry mixed in for good measure. Is the COVID-19 pandemic over? What does the Virginia result mean for both parties? And can Biden’s presidency recover after a disastrous few months? Show Notes: - Will’s page at Slate - Will’s previous Remnant appearance - Paxlovid Americana - Will on critical race theory and the Virginia result - Jonah: “What Inflation and CRT Have in Common” - Rich Lowry: “Don’t Rewrite Mark Twain” - Paul Gosar gets censured - Jonah: “Mugged By Fallacy” - Seymour Martin Lipset on American exceptionalism - Jonah’s fondness for Thanksgiving Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Remnant regular Matt Ridley is back to discuss the origins of COVID-19. Did the virus emerge from a lab? What would that mean for virological research? And how can we prepare ourselves for future pandemic? Broader scientific discussion is also mixed in on subjects ranging from climate change to mask-wearing. Lukewarm listeners are in for a treat. Show Notes: - Matt’s previous Remnant appearance - Matt’s new book, Viral - Matt previews the book in the Wall Street Journal - Trapped in Disneyland - The lab leak and the Lancet - Gain of function research - Matt the lukewarmer - Jonah goes nuclear - Jonah on getting past the pandemic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Ruminant, Jonah is back in good health and high spirits, so much so that he can’t resist boasting about a meeting he enjoyed this week with former President Bush. He’s also concerned about the prospect of a second Trump presidency, intrigued by the debate over whether America was right to bomb Hiroshima, and fixated on George Will’s idea that history is shaped by “small, compact, idea-driven minorities.” Members of the ambivalent right will find much to appreciate. Show Notes: - The Remnant with George Will - Jonah on elites and Pareto distribution - The Remnant with Steve Teles - Shor thing - The Remnant with Jay Cost - The Remnant with Brian Riedl - Frankenstein revisited - American prohibition, colorized - Pew’s political typology test - Nikole Hannah-Jones on Hiroshima - Dan McLaughlin on the Meuse-Argonne Offensive - Trump sours on DeSantis - The Remnant with David Drucker - Cognitive limitations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Historian and AEI fellow Jay Cost is back on The Remnant to discuss his new biography of James Madison, which focuses on the political theory of Jonah’s favorite Founding Father. Jay and Jonah fuse rank punditry with historical nerdery to explore how a little Madisonian wisdom could go a long way toward solving our most pressing institutional challenges. What are the greatest misconceptions about Madison and the founding? How should the Declaration of Independence be understood? And could American politics use more smoke-filled rooms? Show Notes: -Jay’s page at AEI -Jay’s previous Remnant appearance -Jonah and Jay on AEI’s Viewpoint -James Madison: America’s First Politician -Jay previews the book in the Wall Street Journal -Jay’s previous book, The Price of Greatness -Federalist 10 -Polybius (the historian, not the mythical video game) -Jefferson and Madison on Malthus -Why Nations Fail -Inventing Freedom, by Daniel Hannan -The Remnant with Steve Teles -Jonah: “That Shor Sounds Good” -The Remnant with Mike Duncan -The Webster-Hayne debate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David French takes control of The Remnant once again while Jonah is off to the long prairies of Texas. His guest is Curtis Chang, a theologian at Duke Divinity School and former Evangelical pastor. Together, David and Curtis explore the nature of vaccine skepticism among Evangelicals and the compatibility of Christianity and classical liberalism. They also preview a new podcast focused on the challenges facing American Christianity, Good Faith, which will premiere on The Dispatch later this month. Despite Jonah’s absence, make sure you tune in with bingo cards at the ready! Show Notes: -Christians and the Vaccine -Curtis: “Our Fellow Evangelicals Need to Get Vaccinated” -David on Evangelical vaccine rejection -Curtis and David’s previous vaccine discussion -David Leonhardt on COVID’s partisan death toll -Classical liberalism and Christianity -David’s recent book, Divided We Fall -The conflict between Evangelical elites Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The drive-time Remnant format returns today for a deep dive into the horrors of social media and book promotion. Though Jonah is on the mend after yesterday’s brush with an unfortunate stomach ailment, he still isn’t back to 100 percent. Thankfully, Guy and Ryan have been prepared to provide him with medical assistance and ensure his rants remain coherent. Will the Lincoln Project ever cease to irritate? Is Blade still the best comic book movie? And will Jonah soon follow his secret dream of becoming a bestselling sci-fi author? Tune in to hear these vital questions answered, and to learn why Spider-Man was the world’s first neoconservative. Show Notes: - The Remnant with Matt Continetti - Dog whistling - The Lincoln Project’s tiki torch hoax - Jonah on “let’s go Brandon” - Online discourse - Facebook’s timely rebrand - The Remnant with Paul Bloom - “I just feel lost” - Eyes wide open - Heretics of Dune - Jonah debates Cenk Uygur - Jonah on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Glenn Youngkin’s victory in Virginia has raised plenty of questions: Will Republican candidates in 2022 emulate his style? Has Trump’s grip on the GOP loosened? And where exactly did Terry McAuliffe go wrong? Remnant stalwart Matt Continetti returns today to provide answers and engage in punditry so rank your head may spin. Tune in also for discussion of critical race theory, the future of the conservative movement, and Biden’s faltering presidency. And make sure you have your bingo cards on hand. Show Notes: - Matt’s page at the Washington Free Beacon - Matt’s previous Remnant appearance - Matt’s upcoming book, The Right - The Morning Dispatch breaks down Youngkin’s win - Frederick Hess: “The Right Way to Reject Critical Race Theory” - A smile and a fleece vest - The Wall Street Journal’s editorial on Youngkin’s victory - The Sean Parnell scandal - The Remnant with George Will - Jonah on the right’s Hungary obsession - “Nobody elected him to be FDR” - Democrats want another candidate on the ballot in 2024 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ross Douthat is back on The Remnant to discuss his new book, The Deep Places, a memoir of his six-year struggle with chronic illness. With numerous references to The Exorcist, Jonah and Ross take a deep dive into his ordeal, and even manage to mix in a generous amount of rank punditry on political tribalism and the conservative movement in the COVID era. Did Ross’ sickness cause him to reconsider his views on health care policy? How did he cope while enduring a period of prolonged suffering and isolation? And how has Donald Trump changed Republican politics? Show Notes: - Ross’ new book, The Deep Places - Ross’ page at National Review - Ross’ page at the New York Times - Ross is profiled in The Dispatch - Ross: “How I became a sick person” - The Invisible Kingdom, by Meghan O’Rourke - The Remnant with Paul Bloom - Mom Genes, by Abigail Tucker - John Tooby on coalitional instincts - R.R. Reno: “Say ‘No’ to Death’s Dominion” - Jonah: “The Treason of Epidemiologists” - The Capitol rioters running for office Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s special Ruminant, Jonah assembles a Mount Rushmore of geekdom (David French, Haley Byrd Wilt, and Jack “Butlerian jihad” Butler) to review Denis Vileneuve’s movie adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune. Be prepared for perhaps the nerdiest episode ever, as the quartet explores why it took so long for a Dune movie to be produced (David Lynch’s doesn’t count), what the film got right, and whether any elements of the book were unjustly left out. There’s also broader discussion mixed in on the awfulness of the Star Wars prequels, the best movie adaptations of great sci-fi novels, and why sci-fi as a genre is inherently conservative. Muad’dib! Show Notes: - Frank Herbert’s Dune novels, for the uninitiated - David Lynch’s Dune adaptation, best left forgotten? - Haley’s Dune-filled Twitter feed - Jack’s Dune review - National Review now has a Dune tag - The Chung Kuo series - The Three-Body Problem, by Cixin Liu - The Time Traveler’s Almanac Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Teles joins The Remnant for a second time to explore what can be done to fix our dysfunctional parties. Like many of Jonah’s closest friends, Steve disagrees with his idea that a third party could cure what ails the GOP, and instead argues that we should build moderate factions within it. Brace yourself for an exceptionally wonky discussion, which covers Jonah’s distaste for primaries, why we need a better class of political moderate, and whether Joe Biden should be considered a centrist. There’s also plenty of gratuitous complaining about Congress and the Clintons, so prepare your bingo cards. Show Notes: - Steve’s page at the Niskanen Center - Never Trump, Steve and Rob Saldin’s latest book - The Captured Economy, Steve’s previous book with Brink Lindsey - Steve’s previous Remnant appearance - Jonah: “A Third Party Could Cure What Ails the GOP” - Jonah: “Words with Friends” - Steve and Rob: “The Future is Faction” - “Cost Disease Socialism” - Matt Yglesias: “Congressional Moderates Could Make a Party of Their Own” - Mitt Romney’s child benefit plan - David Shor: “How Democrats Can Save Themselves” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you thought Jonah turned into an excited fanboy when he interviewed Mike Duncan, just wait until you hear today’s Remnant, in which acclaimed psychologist Dr. Paul Bloom joins the program for the first time to discuss man’s search for meaning. Human beings are strange creatures: We often deliberately seek out things that cause us pain or discomfort, like horror movies and spicy foods. What is the cause of this “benign masochism,” and what does it really mean to be happy? Additionally, how should human nature be defined? Could video games and virtual reality destroy the world as we know it? And how can Jonah tie all of this in with neoconservatism? Show Notes: -The Sweet Spot, Dr. Bloom’s new book -Jonah: “Democracy in the Tobacconist’s” -Dr. Bloom’s Google Scholar archive -Conservatives are more easily disgusted than liberals -Arthur Brooks on earned success -Dr. Bloom: “Being in Time” -“Benign masochism” -Jonah: “Fear and Loathing in the Time of COVID” -Political Bloods and Crips -Back to the past -Ezra Klein interviews Noam Chomsky -The experience machine -“We actually compete with sleep” -Dr. Bloom: “Is God an Accident?” -Just Babies -Against Empathy -How You Say It, by Katherine Kinzler -The Remnant with Mike Duncan -A Time to Build, by Yuval Levin -Orwell’s review of Mein Kampf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s Ruminant finds Jonah irritated by back pain, enamored with California roller coasters, and concerned for the health of his loyal spaniel (send her your love!). It also features a lengthy exploration of whether China can still be politically liberalized, why the terms and conditions of Trump’s new social media network are so funny, and how executive privilege actually functions. Stick around until the end for updates about new features on The Dispatch, and a preview of upcoming guests. Show Notes: - The House votes to hold Steve Bannon in contempt - Advisory Opinions explores January 6 - Jonah’s brief history of executive privilege - Gimme some truth - Fresh craziness from J.D. Vance - Klon Kitchen on the dangers of China’s missile tests - Lipset’s modernization theory - Mike Pompeo on Special Report - “We welcome stiff competition” - Visions of China on The Dispatch Podcast - The moral equivalent of war - The Friday G-File Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Presidential historian and Remnant fan-favorite Tevi Troy returns today for more seriously rank punditry. As you may have noticed, we’re living through a strange moment in which it’s becoming shocking to suggest that saying things people want to hear is an effective political strategy. How did we get here, and how can we prevent our institutions from succumbing to the cult of wokeness? For that matter, how can ordinary Americans resist cancel culture? Should conservatives build alternative institutions? And has Joe Biden replaced Jimmy Carter as history’s greatest monster? Show Notes: - Tevi’s page at National Affairs - Tevi’s previous Remnant appearance - Tevi on the Commentary podcast - The GLoP podcast, for all your pop culture needs - Tevi: “How to Defend Free Speech” - Tevi: “Wokeness M.D.” - Bob Woodward pays tribute to Colin Powell - Michael Powell on Dorian Abbot’s cancelation - The Morning Dispatch breaks down the Netflix protests - The Wednesday G-File - Bari Weiss on cancel culture - The latest Dispatch Podcast - Jonah on policing and slave patrols - The Remnant with Scott Gottlieb - Tevi: “Biden’s Legacy is on the Line” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices