The Swamp Explained with Rob Quartel
How Washington Really Works
We Are Libertarians
Show overview
The Swamp Explained with Rob Quartel has been publishing since 2018, and across the 4 years since has built a catalogue of 25 episodes. That works out to roughly 25 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a roughly quarterly cadence.
Episodes typically run an hour to ninety minutes — most land between 1h 2m and 1h 8m — 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-US-language News show.
The catalogue appears to be on hiatus or wound down — the most recent episode landed 3.9 years ago, with no new episodes in over a year. The busiest year was 2020, with 11 episodes published. Published by We Are Libertarians.
From the publisher
In the Swamp Explained, Chris Spangle and Rob Quartel go in-depth on how Washington works. The show is hosted by Chris Spangle of the We Are Libertarians network. His co-host is Rob Quartel, a business and public policy entrepreneur and a 45-year veteran of the political institutions and wars in Washington, DC. Rob has worked for Republican presidential campaigns, government agencies like the EPA, and was US Federal Maritime Commissioner under Bush 41. He's also been a candidate for Congress and Senate and a successful businessman and technologist. Given his experience and iconoclastic viewpoints, Rob gives us great insight into the swamp that makes up our nation's capital. Part of the We Are Libertarians Podcast Network.
Latest Episodes
View all 25 episodesUkraine, Biden's Performance, SCOTUS Leaks, Desantis 2024? - Swamp Explained
Rob Quartel joins me again to continue our Swamp Explained series! We cover a lot since we haven't spoken in a while including the assassination of Japan's Abe, Abortion, the Gun Lobby, the Supreme Court leak, Biden's job performance, will it be Trump or Desantis in 2024, and the resignation of Boris Johnson. In the Swamp Explained," Rob Quartel and I go in-depth on how Washington works. The show is hosted by Chris Spangle of the We Are Libertarians network. Rob Quartel is a 45-year fly on the wall in Washington, DC. Rob has worked for Republican presidential campaigns, and government agencies like the EPA, and has been confirmed by the Senate to the Us Federal Maritime Commission. He's also been a candidate for Congress and Senate. Given his experience and iconoclastic viewpoints, Rob gives us great insight into the swamp that makes up our nation's capital. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Biden's Afghanistan Pullout
Rob Quartel and Chris Spangle discuss the withdrawal of troops in Afghanistan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
COVID and Vaccines, Is the Swamp Back? Rob Asks What We Did to Get Censored
In the Swamp Explained," Chris Spangle and Rob Quartel go in-depth on how Washington works. The show is hosted by Chris Spangle of the We Are Libertarians network. Rob Quartel is a 45-year fly on the wall in Washington, DC. Rob has worked for Republican presidential campaigns, government agencies like the EPA, and has been confirmed by the Senate to the Us Federal Maritime Commission. He's also been a candidate for Congress and Senate. Given his experience and iconoclastic viewpoints, Rob gives us great insight into the swamp that makes up our nation's capital. In this episode, we cover new developments in the Swamp now that Biden is President and the missed opportunities to change Washington by the Trump Administration. We cover the future of lockdowns, and Rob asks the new Bad Boy of Libertarianism what he did to get censored. Did the Resistance Defeat Donald Trump? - https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/15/opinion/trump-election-defeat.html The Trump-as-authoritarian debate, reconsidered - https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/03/16/trump-as-authoritarian-debate-reconsidered/ How to Fix 4 Years of Trump’s War Against Government - https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/25/opinion/biden-trump-government.html The Swamp Returns to Washington - https://besacenter.org/perspectives-papers/washington-swamp/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Future of the GOP and MAGA after the Events at the Capitol
In the "Swamp Explained" series, Chris Spangle and Rob Quartel go in-depth on how Washington works. In this episode, we discuss the insurrection at the Capitol and Trump's role in it, the future of the GOP, impeachment, and Inauguration Day. Video - https://youtu.be/CMtgWYhQpUg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Reaction to the Election, Is Trump a Victim of the Swamp? Biden's Transition
In the "Swamp Explained" series, Chris Spangle and Rob Quartel go in-depth on how Washington works. In this episode, we discuss Trump's loss and his relationship with the swamp. Rob served on the 1980 transition and gives us some insight on how it works. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Election Preview, The American Civil Service Explained Through Miles Taylor | The Swamp Explained
The Swamp, Explained" series, Chris Spangle and Rob Quartel go in-depth on how Washington works. In this episode, we discuss Miles Taylor's tell-all book of the White House inner workings and why it illustrates the Swamp well. Rob gives his predictions of what will happen in the coming week as well as the years to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
COVID-19 Comes for Trump, What Happens Now?
The Swamp, Explained" series, Chris Spangle and Rob Quartel go in-depth on how Washington works. In this episode, we discuss Trump's illness and its effects on the race and Coney Barrett's nomination. We discuss the 25th amendment and succession protocol. We also cover the debate and his taxes. Follow Rob on twitter: @RobQuartel. Check out Rob's resume here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-quartel-5291553/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ruth Bader-Ginsburg's Death, AG Barr, Woodward, and Princeton
The Swamp, Explained" series, Chris Spangle and Rob Quartel go in-depth on how Washington works. In this episode, we discuss the legacy of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader-Ginsburg and the nomination of a new justice's effect on the race. We also discuss the controversies of Attorney General William Barr, the fallout of the Woodward book, and the Department of Education suing Princeton University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Education During COVID-19, Portland, and 2020 Polling
In The Swamp Explained series, Chris Spangle and Rob Quartel go in-depth on how Washington works. In this episode, we discuss students returning in the fall, the problem with Portland, the resurgence of COVID-19, and the bad numbers for the President in recent polling. Get the Swamp Explained Podcast Feed: https://swamp.fireside.fm/ Follow Rob on twitter: @RobQuartel. Check out Rob's resume here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-quartel-5291553/ Have questions for Rob? Email us - [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
John Bolton's Book, Analysis of the 2020 Campaign, Trump Rally
In the "The Swamp, Explained" series, Chris Spangle and Rob Quartel go in-depth on how Washington works. In this episode, we discuss the new John Bolton book, the Trump Rally, and give thoughts on the 2020 campaign. Follow Rob on twitter: @RobQuartel. Check out Rob's resume here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-quartel-5291553/ Have questions for Rob? Email us - [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Opening, Trump vs. The Press on Bleach, Biden Accusations
In The Swamp Explained series, Chris Spangle and Rob Quartel go in-depth on how Washington works. In this episode, we discuss the political calculations of "opening" the economy, Trump's disinfectant comments, Biden's sexual harassment accusations, and the protests. Follow Rob on twitter: @RobQuartel. Check out Rob's resume here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-quartel-5291553/ Have questions for Rob? Email us - [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Swamp Takes Over
The Swamp, Explained” series, Chris Spangle and Rob Quartel go in-depth on how Washington works. In this episode, we discuss when the swamp can be useful. What role does institutional knowledge play in the middle of a crisis? Get the Swamp Explained Podcast Feed: swamp.fireside.fm/ Follow Rob on twitter: @RobQuartel. Check out Rob’s resume here: www.linkedin.com/in/rob-quartel-5291553/ Have questions for Rob? Email us – [email protected] Subscribe to the podcast: link.chtbl.com/we-are-libertarians Support us on Patreon – www.patreon.com/wearelibertarians Get The Libertarian Aurora email – eepurl.com/dDQSev Join the Facebook Group – www.facebook.com/groups/wearelibertarians Listen to WAL Network Shows – wearelibertarians.com/shows/ Subscribe to the YouTube Channel – www.youtube.com/user/WeAreLibertarians Start a Liberty & Chill – wearelibertarians.com/liberty-chill We are a proud member of www.libertarianpodcasts.com/. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Biden's Lazarus-like Political Resurrection, Coronavirus, Daylight Saving Time, Jones Act
The Swamp, Explained" series, Chris Spangle and Rob Quartel go in-depth on how Washington works. In this episode, we discuss Joe Biden's amazing resurgence to the nomination, Bloomberg's collapse, Bernie's future, Warren's failure, the political aspects of COVID-19, ending daylight saving time, and a Jones Act update. Video - https://youtu.be/x2L7ixyhpV8 Get the Swamp Explained Podcast Feed: https://swamp.fireside.fm/ Follow Rob on twitter: @RobQuartel. Check out Rob's resume here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-quartel-5291553/ Have questions for Rob? Email us - [email protected] Subscribe to the podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/we-are-libertarians Support us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/wearelibertarians Get The Libertarian Aurora email - http://eepurl.com/dDQSev Join the Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/wearelibertarians Listen to WAL Network Shows - https://wearelibertarians.com/shows/ Subscribe to the YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/WeAreLibertarians Start a Liberty & Chill - https://wearelibertarians.com/liberty-chill We are a proud member of http://www.libertarianpodcasts.com/. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Recapping the Democratic Primary
The Swamp Explained series, Chris Spangle and Rob Quartel go in-depth on how Washington works. In this episode, we recap the most recent Democratic debates, the Nevada Caucus results, and the future of the Democratic primary. Get the Swamp Explained Podcast Feed: https://swamp.fireside.fm/ Follow Rob on twitter: @RobQuartel. Check out Rob's resume here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-quartel-5291553/ Video - https://youtu.be/aFcW-Z_qP1k Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EPA Scientists vs. Trump
The Swamp Explained series, Chris Spangle and Rob Quartel go in-depth on how Washington works. In this episode, we explore President Trump undercutting his own scientists, impeachment and the attack on Iran's top general. Video: https://youtu.be/aIKw56-hZpE Get the Swamp Explained Podcast Feed: https://swamp.fireside.fm/ Follow Rob on twitter: @RobQuartel. Check out Rob's resume here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-quartel-5291553/ Have questions for Rob? Email us - [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Is Impeachment Really Worth It?
The Swamp, Explained" series, Chris Spangle and Rob Quartel go in-depth on how Washington works. In this episode, we open with a discussion on the importance of networking within the Swamp. Then we discuss the role of the "steady state" in Trump's impeachment. Rob shares his opinion on if removal is possible or necessary. Video - https://youtu.be/5aGHuregVgs Get the Swamp Explained Podcast Feed: https://swamp.fireside.fm/ Follow Rob on twitter: @RobQuartel. Check out Rob's resume here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-quartel-5291553/ Have questions for Rob? Email us - [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
John Bolton Fired, Remembering 9-11
In the "The Swamp, Explained" series, Chris Spangle and Rob Quartel go in-depth on how Washington works. President Trump has fired John Bolton. We debate if Bolton is the last Wilsonian hawk in the White House. Rob shares where he was on 9-11, and we examine how the world has changed over 18 years. Follow Rob on twitter: @RobQuartel. Check out Rob's resume here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-quartel-5291553/ Have questions for Rob? Email us - [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Trump's Wild Week, The Fed, Joe Walsh Jumps In'
The Swamp, Explained" series, Chris Spangle and Rob Quartel go in-depth on how Washington works. In this episode, we discuss Trump's wild week where he proposed buying Greenland and accepted the title 'King of the Jews.' Joe Walsh is getting into the Presidential race, and we discuss a few more that might. We look at Nixon's price controls and how it relates to the tariff fight. We also touch on the possibility of a recession. Check out Rob's resume here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-quartel-5291553/ Have questions for Rob? Email us - [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
End The Homeland Security Department? AOC vs. Trump
"The Swamp, Explained" series, Chris Spangle and Rob Quartel go in-depth on how Washington works. In this episode, they discuss ending the Department of Homeland Security and Trump's fight with the "Squad." Check out Rob's resume here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-quartel-5291553/ Have questions for Rob? Email us - [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Justin Amash for President? Should Trump Be Impeached?
"The Swamp, Explained" series, Chris Spangle and Rob Quartel go in depth on how Washington works. Today we discuss the possible Justin Amash campaign and if impeaching Donald Trump is politically smart for the Democrats. Check out his resume here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-quartel-5291553/ Have questions for Rob? Email us - [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices