What Rough Beast

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit virginiaheffernan.substack.com“The professors are the enemy,” says J.D. Vance. Are they, really?This week on What Rough Beast, Stephen Metcalf and Virginia Heffernan speak with Wesleyan President Michael Roth about Trump’s authoritarian coup and what universities must do.As the coup gains speed, and rightwing campaigns to destabilize universities notch victories, Roth has taken a pu…

What are we all whining about? On this episode of “What Rough Beast,” the great Turkish journalist Aslı Aydıntaşbaş tells Americans to grow up. To finish of Musk and MAGA, we need to marshal the power of the states. Fire up those famous checks and balances. Don’t be scared of infighting. And—for heaven’s sake—get an emcee with rizz. To Virginia, this sounds easier said than done. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit virginiaheffernan.substack.com/subscribe

Delve into the astonishing influence of Elon Musk as a reporter shares shocking insights from her investigative work. Discover how Musk's reach extends beyond the U.S., leaving unsettling implications for civil service and international politics. Notably, hear about repercussions in Germany that amplify concerns over his controversial impact. This discussion is a captivating glimpse into the interconnectedness of power and technology.

Miriam Elder, a former Moscow correspondent for The Guardian and opinion writer, discusses the pitfalls of internal exile in today's political climate. She offers insights on resisting apathy and the importance of staying engaged despite temptations to withdraw. The conversation delves into the emotional toll of American politics, strategies for reclaiming agency, and the significance of community activism. Elder's reflections challenge listeners to rethink their role in confronting social injustices while highlighting the resilience required to navigate turbulent times.

In this live-recorded episode, we invite a few guests to distract us from the Inauguration that by all accounts was a Nazi rally. Hear about the new masculinity from Moira Donegan, what the left should do now from Michael Hirschorn and the enabling of pseudo-realities from Kurt Andersen. If you missed us live, you can check out the recording here.What Rough Beast is a reader-supported podcast. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit virginiaheffernan.substack.com/subscribe

In this interview with Peter Shamshiri (5-4 Pod, If Books Could Kill), we discuss the transformation of the Supreme Court and conservative legal movement in America. We explore how the court has become increasingly aligned with conservative political ideology, the Federalist Society's 40-year influence, the role of originalism as a legal philosophy, and significant cases like Dobbs, Citizens United, and Trump v. Hawaii. How is it that personal grievances, cultural resentments, and abortion rights became central to conservative legal thought? And what will be the Court's future role under this second Trump presidency? Listen now! What Rough Beast is a reader-supported podcast. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit virginiaheffernan.substack.com/subscribe

On our third episode, Elizabeth Weil joins Virginia and Stephen to discuss forms of radicalism as we head into an American regime that might call for it. In her New York Magazine piece, the climate activists Liz profiles capsize our assumptions about protest, democracy, and the speed of social change. Weil profiles provocateur and depressive Donald Zepeda, one of several radical activists who disrupt decorum by throwing paint on the Constitution’s protective glass—not to destroy these cultural objects, obviously, but to force us to confront how complacent are. Asheville is laid to waste and we can’t tolerate spill at an art museum? Weil shows how provocateurs like Donald Zepeda are consciously choosing to be annoying and disliked in service of the climate catastrophe, following in the tradition of ACT UP.But who in the coming regime is really going to risk stepping out of line and being disliked? It’s harder than it sounds.What Rough Beast is a listener-supported podcast. To receive new posts and support this work, please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit virginiaheffernan.substack.com/subscribe

In the second episode of What Rough Beast, we speak with Patrick Radden Keefe, whose nonfiction account of the Irish Republican Army, Say Nothing, was adapted last year into a Hulu series. Virginia Heffernan speaks with the acclaimed author of Empire of Pain about the parallels between those Irish radicals and Luigi Mangione.Thanks for reading Magic + Loss! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit virginiaheffernan.substack.com/subscribe

Dive into the emotional rollercoaster of national pride and political despair following an election that took many by surprise. The hosts blend despair, gallows humor, and reflections on high school experiences while analyzing electoral integrity and societal pressures. Discussions about how wealth influences politics reveal the dangers of consolidating power. Plus, the allure of charismatic leaders and the psychological dynamics at play in today’s political landscape are explored. A call for media reform rounds out the conversation!

In this preview of our podcast “What Rough Beast,” Stephen Metcalf and I discuss what this podcast is, why it matters now, and what the deal is with our NAME. Let us know what you think, and stay tuned for episode 1. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit virginiaheffernan.substack.com/subscribe