

The Home Front
Reed Galen
Our nation is at an inflection point and American democracy is at stake. This podcast is hosted by Reed Galen and features conversations about today’s political challenges, our vision for the future, and how all Americans can be a part of the pro-democracy movement. Guests include political experts, thought leaders, journalists, authors, and activists.Reed Galen is author of “The Home Front” on Substack, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, and President of JoinTheUnion.us, a pro-democracy coalition dedicated to defending American democracy and defeating authoritarian candidates.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 22, 2025 • 25min
Shutdowns, No Kings, and Health Care with Reed, Evelyn and Corbin
Recorded on Substack Live October 21st, 2025.
Join Reed, Evelyn Quartz, and Corbin Trent for a wide-ranging conversation about the government shutdown, why healthcare is the last best option for Democrats to fight on, and a little political philosophy thrown in for good measure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 16, 2025 • 55min
Meeting Voters Where They Are with Joe Wrote
Today, Reed and Joe Mayall have a conversation that delves into the shortcomings of the American healthcare system, the public's understanding of economic and monetary policy, highlighting the general skepticism towards political candidates and their messaging. It emphasizes the importance of authenticity in political discourse and how voters can sense insincerity.
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Oct 14, 2025 • 16min
Between the World and Ezra Klein
In this episode, Reed Galen discusses the recent interview between Ezra Klein and Ta-Nehisi Coates, highlighting the disconnect between elite political discourse and the realities faced by everyday Americans. He critiques Klein's perspective as out of touch and emphasizes the need for the Democratic Party to reconnect with the electorate by addressing their real concerns. The conversation underscores the importance of belief in political engagement and the urgency for a new direction in American politics.
Read the original essay
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Oct 8, 2025 • 34min
Kentucky Bluegrass with US Senate Candidate Amy McGrath
Today, host Reed Galen interviews Amy McGrath, a retired Marine fighter pilot and candidate for the U.S. Senate from Kentucky. They discuss her motivations for running, the key issues facing Kentuckians, including healthcare and tariffs, and her perspectives on national security and military leadership.
McGrath emphasizes the importance of engaging with forgotten communities and fighting for the needs of everyday Kentuckians, particularly veterans. She also addresses the challenges women face in the military and the need for a strong, independent military leadership.
Find Amy's campaign: https://amymcgrath.com/
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Chapters:
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Amy McGrath and Her Campaign
02:56 The Decision to Run for Senate
05:27 Key Issues Facing Kentuckians
08:27 Healthcare Challenges in Kentucky
11:21 Engaging with Forgotten Communities
14:06 National Security Perspectives
16:59 Military Leadership and Political Influence
19:43 Women in the Military and Combat Standards
22:26 Veterans' Issues and Healthcare
25:22 Vision for the Future and Bold Solutions
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Oct 6, 2025 • 55min
Two Wild and Crazy Guys with Cliff Schecter (Bonus)
In this bonus episode, host Reed Galen and Cliff Schechter discuss the current state of American politics, focusing on the economic disparities, the failures of political messaging, and the dynamics within the Democratic Party.
They explore the rise of authoritarianism and the need for bold proposals to address the challenges facing the nation. The discussion emphasizes the importance of effective communication and leadership in politics, as well as the necessity for the Democratic Party to connect with working-class voters and address their concerns.
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Oct 5, 2025 • 30min
America 2.0 with Technologist and Historian Dave Troy
Today, Reed Galen and David Troy discuss the current state of democracy in America and globally, emphasizing the need for a broader definition of democracy beyond just elections.
They explore the challenges posed by capitalism, the importance of regulatory guardrails, and the impact of monopolies and network effects in the tech industry.
The discussion also highlights the cultural differences in regulatory approaches between the U.S. and Europe, and the necessity for imaginative leadership to navigate the future of American democracy and the Constitution.
Find Dave at America 2.0.
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Oct 2, 2025 • 30min
Is Anyone Listening? with Nina Jankowicz
Summary
Today, host Reed Galen speaks with misinformation expert Nina Jankowicz about the current political landscape in the U.S., focusing on the rise of managed autocracy, the role of controlled opposition, and the challenges facing democracy.
They explore the impact of online harassment, particularly on women, and draw parallels with global autocracies. Nina emphasizes the importance of active information consumption and finding joy amidst the chaos of the political climate.
Follow Nina:
https://bsky.app/profile/ninajankowicz.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninajankowicz/
https://www.tiktok.com/@wiczipedia
https://www.threads.com/@wiczipedia
https://wiczipedia.substack.com/
https://americansunlight.substack.com/
https://www.instagram.com/wiczipedia/
Follow Reed on Substack: https://reedgalen.substack.com/
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Sep 30, 2025 • 48min
Imagination and Emancipation with Clara Mattei
Today, host Reed Galen speaks with Clara Mattei, a professor of economics at the University of Tulsa and President of The Forum for Real Economic Emancipation, about her work on economic emancipation and the historical context of capitalism and fascism.
They discuss the unique economic landscape of Tulsa, the interconnection between economic and political emancipation, and the need for a new understanding of economic models that empower rather than disempower individuals.
Clara emphasizes the importance of community building and solidarity in addressing economic issues and imagines a future where people can reclaim their humanity through collective action.
Learn more about FREE
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Sep 26, 2025 • 60min
The American Economy is a House of Cards with Grace Blakely
Grace Blakely, an economist and author of "Vulture Capitalism," dives deep into the troubling state of the U.S. economy. She discusses the shocking wealth concentration among the top 10%, the ramifications of the AI bubble, and stagnant wages despite rising productivity. Grace highlights how AI's growth might resemble past tech bubbles and warns of potential job losses amidst a global economic slowdown. The conversation also emphasizes the need for grassroots organizing to address economic disparities and the importance of labor movements in driving political change.

Sep 24, 2025 • 33min
Where's the $50,000? Featuring Katie Phang
Today, Reed and Katie Phang discuss various political themes, including the grotesque nature of recent memorials, the case of Tom Homan and the implications of Project 2025. They explore the hesitations of the Biden administration's Justice Department, the apathy surrounding democracy, and the need for determination in the face of despair.
The discussion also touches on shifts in political sentiment and strategies for engaging voters in upcoming elections, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and grassroots efforts.
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