The Ricochet Podcast

Yep, it’s a special Wednesday edition of the Ricochet Podcast featuring our good friend Pat Sajak (note to prospective guests: when you’re a beloved and iconic contributor to Ricochet and the culture at large, we’ll accommodate your schedule). This week, Ted Cruz declares; can he win? Then, Pat joins to discuss his not happening Senate campaign, whether the weather is changing, and why we ought to... Source

This week on the Ricochet Podcast, it’s early in the cycle, but regardless, we call on The Washington Examiner’s Michael Barone and Ricochet’s own Paul Rahe, two of the most experienced voices on the political scene to help us parse 2016, some Congressional races, and the mayoral contest in the Second City. Also, the President tips one for Likud, the best cup of Joe on the planet... Source

This week, we peruse Hillary’s email, National Review’s Charles C.W. Cooke on his new book The Conservatarian Manifesto (are you a Conservatarian? Take the quiz here), Law Talk’s John Yoo on Cotton’s letter, and the controversy behind Claire Berlinkski’s new profile pic. Music from this week’s episode: The Letter by The Boxtops The opening sequence for the Ricochet Podcast was composed and... Source

This week, a tribute to the late, great Leonard Nimoy (you must read James Lileks’ wonderful tribute, “ I Am, and Shall Always Be, Your Fan“), the great Col. Allen West on ISIS, veterans, and the President’s love for this country. Then, our GLoP pal John Podhoretz on Bibi’s speech and the chances of blocking the President’s deal. Music from this week’s episode: I Won’t Back Down by Johnny Cash The... Source

Our final podcast and the highlight of CPAC: National Review’s Jim Geraghty talks to actor Kevin Sorbo about his new film “Caged” about human trafficking, last year’s surprise hit “God’s Not Dead“, and the real most important question at CPAC: In a fight between Hercules and Xena, who would win? Source

Jay Nordlinger and Jim Geraghty interview Jason Beardsley of The Underground Movement and Jay Redman of Wounded Wear, both distinguished combat veterans, working with Concerned Veterans for America. Source

National Review’s Jim Geraghty interviews AEI President Arthur Brooks. Source

Jay Nordlinger and Jim Geraghty interview Bob Ehrlich, who was a Republican governor of Maryland before it was cool… before it went mainstream. Source

Jim Geraghty interviews Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback about how he survived as an alleged “dead man walking” in last year’s reelection campaign, what he’s done as governor that’s made Democrats furious, the difficulties of working with the Obama administration, and whether he misses life as a presidential candidate. Source

Col. Allen West, author of Guardian of the Republic, Fox News contributor & former U.S. Congressman joins Jay Nordlinger to discuss CPAC, 2016, the state of the military, and how Republicans can doa better job of attracting African American voters. Source

National Review’s Charles C.W. Cooke talks to reality TV stars the Benham Brothers about cultural forces that caused the cancellation of their popular TV show from HGTV. Source

National Review’s Charles C.W. Cooke talks to MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough about the scene at CPAC and his views on the 2016 race. Source

Jim Geraghty interviews Daniel Bongino, the former United States Secret Service agent who was the Republican Party nominee for Maryland’s 6th Congressional District in the 2014 elections. He’s also the author of Life Inside the Bubble: Why a Top-Ranked Secret Service Agent Walked Away from It All... Source

Jim Geraghty interviews Media Research Center’s Brent Bozell. Source

Jay Nordlinger interviews former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina on her childhood, her life in corporate America, and her past and future aspirations in politics. Source

Jay Nordlinger interviews Kellyanne Conway, the Founder and President of the polling company, inc./WomanTrend a privately-held, woman-owned corporation founded in 1995. Source

Jay Nordlinger interviews Texas Governor Rick Perry. Source

Live from CPAC 2015, Jay Nordlinger interviews founder and president of Americans for Tax Reform, Grover Norquist. Source

In this installment of our Live From CPAC series, Jay Nordlinger talks to former Ambassador John Bolton. Source

At CPAC 2015, Jay Nordlinger interviews Texas Congressman Bill Flores, on his background, the Keystone pipeline, and his position as one of the only CPA’s in Congress. Source

Jay Nordlinger chats with Conservative activist Herb London. London is the president of London Center for Policy Research and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Source

National Review’s Jay Nordlinger, Jim Geraghty, and Charles Cooke discuss the opening day of CPAC 2015. Source

Live from CPAC, Jay Nordlinger chats with Weekly Standard online editor Daniel Halper. Source

In our continuing series of podcasts from CPAC, National Review’s Jim Geraghty interviews Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. Source

Here’s our second conversation from CPAC: Jay Nordlinger talks with former United States Attorney General Michael Mukasey. Source

We’re not doing a Ricochet Podcast today; instead, we’ll be posting short interviews live from CPAC. In this first installment, Jay Nordlinger interviews Senator Ted Cruz from Texas. He discusses Obama’s constitutional violations, relations with Iran, and yes, his presidential aspirations. Source

We haven’t done one of these in a long time: a show with just the three hosts talking about the news. To be honest, it wasn’t planned that way, but a certain producer told the guest the wrong time. But luckily, we have three guys who can easily fill up an hour with clever conversation and camaraderie. This week, we cover ISIS, our confounding foreign policy, a (very) early look at 2016... Source

This week on the Ricochet Podcast, we’re blinding you with science and with the prospect of a relaxing and intellectually stimulating National Review cruise. First up, it’s Ricochet member extraordinaire anonymous. You many know him from his superlative Saturday Night Science series ( and hey, buy the t-shirt) and book review posts, but his expertise on topics like net neutrality, autonomous cars... Source

We’re telling tales this week, tales about the effectiveness of vaccinations ( with our guest Dr. George Savage), we parse Brian Williams’ tales of the Iraq War, about the minimum wage in San Francisco, about the evils of porn (h/t Ricochet member Merina Smith), even about Harper Lee’s new novel. It’s another Ricochet Podcast, and that’s the whole truth. Music from this week’s episode: White Liar... Source

This week, the men of the Ricochet Podcast travel to America’s heartland to interview a beloved figure from the country’s recent political past. Former Indiana governor and current Purdue University president Mitch Daniels joins us to discuss his WSJ Op-Ed piece How Student Debt Harms The Economy. We also chat about making college more affordable and the President’s proposal “to lower the cost of... Source

This week, Jon Gabriel sits in for Peter Robinson (he’ll be back next week –promise!) as we’re joined by two of the sharpest observers in politics. Matthew Continetti is the Editor-In-Chief of the Washington Free Beacon. We chat with him about this week’s State of The Union address, thin skinned liberals, American Sniper’s cultural impact, and the romantic genius of John Milius. Then... Source

This week, Troy Senik sits in for Peter Robinson. and we’re joined by the WaPo’s epic political reporter Bob Costa (follow him on Twitter here). We chase down all the rumors on who’s running, who’s not, who’s shouldn’t be and who is. Also, some more chatter about Europe and the search for the perfect candidate. Music from this week’s episode: Tears of A Clown by Smokey Robinson & Source

This week, we’re lucky to have a live report on the tragedy in Paris from Ricochet’s own Claire Berlinski, who happened on the scene of the crime moments after it occurred. Then, we return to our side of the Atlantic for a conversation with our good pal (and fellow podcaster) Larry Kudlow. Gas tax? You’ve got to be kidding. Finally, some rumination of legalizing weed, courtesy of Ricochet member... Source

It’s our last podcast of 2014, so no guests, just the guys wrapping about politics, culture, and the best posts on Ricochet over the last year. Did your post make the list? Which ones did we leave off? This is why we have comments, people. Music from this week’s episode: With A Little Help From My Friends by Joe Cocker The opening sequence for the Ricochet Podcast was composed and produced by... Source

The week, we’re not sorry. We’re not sorry for the use of enhanced interrogation techniques on known terrorists (our guest, the WSJ’s Bret Stephens isn’t sorry either). We’re also not sorry for the executives at Sony, the North Korean hackers, the normalization of diplomatic relations with Cuba, or for Jeb Bush running for President in 2016. We’re not even sorry for the crazy things our pets eat. Source

This year, opening day and Christmas came early. We’re blessed to have on two Hall of Fame guests: the great Thomas Sowell (get the new edition of his classic book Basic Economics on sale now). He discusses the economy, race, Ferguson, and Staten Island as only he can. Then, our good pal, law professor, author, and gaming connoisseur John Yoo stops by (on is way to CNN, of all places) to give us... Source

“We have returned after a brief gratitude and bird-related holiday hiatus,” says James Lileks, and indeed we are. This week, Ferguson, Staten Island, and the grand jury system. Then, author William Voegeli stops by to discuss his new book The Pity Party: A Mean-Spirited Diatribe Against Liberal Compassion. Later, Ricochet member Vicryl Contessa asks the musical question “what’s your favorite... Source

The week, Troy Senik sits in for Peter Robinson as we wrap up the Cruise, discuss Obama’s immigration overstep, talk about the business of news with journalist and author Sharyl Attkisson (buy her new book Stonewalled: My Fight for Truth Against the Forces of Obstruction, Intimidation, and Harassment in Obama’s Washington), debate Bill Cosby’s future and Jonathan Gruber’s past. Listen up! Source

Live from Dazzles Lounge on the MS Allure of the Seas, it’s a live Ricochet Podcast with Rob Long, James Lileks, and Jonah Goldberg (sitting in for a landlocked Peter Robinson). Our guests on this floating version of the show: Col. Allen West, National Review Editor Charles W. Cooke, and Commentary Editor-In-Chief John Podhoretz. Arrrr! Music from this week’s episode: Rock The Boat by The Hues... Source

As you might expect, we’re in a celebratory mood this week as Rob, Peter, and Troy Senik (James is off this week) recap, react and analyze the results from this week’s mid-terms. Is this the start of a Reagan-esque Republican renaissance or just a glitch in the Matrix? Also, what Ricochet relative correctly predicted the stunning victory in the Maryland governor’s race? Finally, come on down newly... Source

This week, our old pal Harry Shearer stops by to discuss his new web series Nixon’s The One. Also, Rob and James discuss the new book they’ve contributed to (yes, you must buy a copy of The Seven Deadly Virtues), and recap the big DC Ricochet meet up and the NRI event Rob presided over earlier this week. Then, will taking over the Senate be a disaster for the Republicans or does Obama want an... Source

This week on the Big Show: Ricochet contributor and political consultant to the stars @theRickWilson on the Governor’s race in Florida and a look at other contests around the country. Then, the federal government is too damn big, pondering whether or not we are past peak fast food, RIP Ben Bradlee, and will China’s growth stunt our own? Also, keep your ears peeled for a rare Peter Robinson... Source

This week, Ebola fever — catch it! (or don’t). Then, author/academic, and professional prognosticator, Alan Dershowitz. His new book Terror Tunnels: The Case for Israel’s Just War Against Hamas sets the tone for a discussion about Israel, Hamas, ISIS, and the politics of anti-semitism. Finally, when she becomes a he and then enrolls at a female only college, what happens next? Source

It’s always great fun when our good pal Pat Sajak stops by for a visit, and today’s show is no exception. Along with America’s most beloved TV icon (his words, not ours), we cover the latest in communicative diseases, Leon Panetta and the plethora of books coming from the Obama administration, Pat’s memory of Joan Rivers, baseball (pretty sure this one’s a Ricochet Podcast first)... Source

This week, we’re fortunate to have two giants of America political punditry: the Washington Examiner’s Michael Barone and Hillsdale College professor (and Ricochet contributor) Paul Rahe. They opine on the current state of races across the country, and an early line on 2016. But before that, a deep dive on the current state of the Secret Service, take on Ricochet member TeamAmerica’s query Foreign... Source

This week, we discuss a bevy of not so smart moments (including one from the producer of this show — more about that in a moment), from the former governor of a large western state, to Ferguson, Missouri, a really stupid salute, the current foreign and climate policies of a large western super power, and pervasive attitudes by large swaths of the population. Luckily, we’re blessed with a super... Source

This week, the tuned-out (and checked-out) President; James Delingpole on the Scottish secession vote, UKIP, and the horror that is Rotherham; Then, who’s more unpopular, Ebola or ISIS? Also, a rare Ricochet Podcast sports topic: the NFL’s worst week ever; And which one of the guys will buy an Apple Watch? The answer may surprise you. Music from this week’s episode: Mull of Kintyre by Wings The... Source

This week’s show is the very model of civil conversation and discourse as our hosts debate the President’s speech, and a whole host of his policies and positions. Who defends him and who throws him under the bus? This discussion may surprise you. Later, Hoover fellow Bruce Thorton joins to discuss the ever-evolving story in the Middle East and the continuing echoes of 9/11. Then, yep... Source

This week on the podcast, a look back at the tumultuous summer in the Middle East. First up, Annika Hernroth-Rothstein checks in from Sweden to discuss the growing anti-semitism in Europe. Then, Hoover fellow Peter Berkowitz on how Israel should respond to Hamas and what part the U.S. ought to play. Also, the role of social media in bringing change to authoritarian states. And, could Mitt be the... Source

This week on the podcast, we’re guest free, but with plenty to talk about: Ferguson, James Foley, Rick Perry, the Minnesota State Fair, DeBlasio learns a life lesson, and last but not least, help us help you: silence Rob Long’s new member pitch from the podcast for all eternity. Click here to find out how. Music from this week’s episode: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised by Gil Scott-Heron The... Source