

The Mona Charen Show
The Bulwark
After a great five year run on Beg to Differ, Mona Charen brings you a new show dedicated to deepening your understanding of complex issues and trends facing society. Each week she'll engage an expert for a probing discussion that goes past the day's headlines.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 4, 2025 • 1h 3min
Fact-Checking Zohran Mamdani
AEI's Sadanand Dhume joins the podcast to discuss Zohran Mamdani's ideological origins, why government stores are not a fresh, new idea, Indian democracy, poverty, capitalism, and how Bangladesh went its own way.

Jul 28, 2025 • 1h 13min
The Greatness of Bill Buckley
Author Sam Tanenhaus discusses his new biography of the multi-talented Buckley and the movement he did so much to create.

Jul 21, 2025 • 31min
Can We Unpolarize?
Mona Charen speaks with More in Common co-founders Tim Dixon and Mathieu Lefevre about rising polarization, the “exhausted majority,” and how loneliness, media incentives, and misinformation are fueling division. (Full disclosure: Mona is on More in Common’s board of directors.) They discuss global trends, practical solutions like refugee sponsorship, and the urgent need to rebuild community and trust in democratic societies. Genuine reasons for hope.
REFERENCES:
“Hidden Tribes: A Study of America's Polarized Landscape”
Jo Cox's Maiden Speech Before Parliament

Jul 14, 2025 • 1h 9min
Must Geniuses Be Ass-----?
The Atlantic’s Helen Lewis joins Mona Charen to discuss The Genius Myth, her new book exploring whether genius is a real phenomenon or a socially constructed label. They examine how society elevates certain individuals—often more for charisma or timing than raw talent—and how the genius myth can excuse bad behavior while undervaluing empathy, humility, and collaboration. The conversation also touches on the “genius wives,” prodigies, the costs of fame, and Lewis's recent piece on the Skrmetti decision.
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Jul 7, 2025 • 49min
ICE is Coming for All of Our Rights
CATO's David Bier explains who ICE has scooped up—93 percent are not criminals—and what's coming next. Bier describes aggressive, anonymous arrest tactics and overcrowded detention centers with inhumane conditions, and warns of efforts to undermine birthright citizenship and due process.
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References:65% of People Taken by ICE Had No Convictions, 93% No Violent Convictions, by David Bier at CATO.

Jun 30, 2025 • 58min
Why Nothing Works and What to Do About It
Author Marc Dunkelman discusses his new book Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress―and How to Bring It Back.Dunkelman contrasts past centralized efficiency with today’s slow, decentralized system full of procedural roadblocks. They close with a hopeful look at reform efforts, like Josh Shapiro’s in Pennsylvania, as one potential model.
The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here.
This episode of The Mona Charen Show is sponsored by Putting Families First.
They won’t forget that certain legislators betrayed families by cutting Medicaid and public school funding. Putting Families First is trying to put a stop cuts to Medicaid and public education, and are working to elect leaders who agree. Learn what’s at stake at PutFamilies1st.org.
References:
Why Nothing Works– by Marc Dunkelman
Stuck– by Yoni Appelbaum
Abundance– by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson
The Power Broker– by Robert Caro
The Power Elite– by C. Wright Mills
The House of Truth – by Brad Snyder

Jun 23, 2025 • 1h 5min
A Novel About the Spanish Inquisition
Linda Chavez, an accomplished author and radio talk show host, dives into her debut novel, The Silver Candlesticks, inspired by her discovery of her Jewish ancestry persecuted during the Spanish Inquisition. They discuss themes of religious identity and repression, illustrating parallels with modern immigration challenges. The conversation delves into cultural histories, the intricacies of personal identity amidst persecution, and the pressing need for reform in today's immigration policies. Chavez's narrative reminds us of the enduring impacts of historical injustices.

Jun 9, 2025 • 1h 2min
Stop Making Excuses for Americans
In this thought-provoking discussion, Kevin D. Williamson, a writer at The Dispatch known for his incisive conservative commentary, tackles the complexities of American civic virtue and the impact of Trumpism. He argues against the culture of excuses surrounding voters' roles and critiques the bipartisan drift towards demagoguery. Williamson also delves into the economic and cultural decline of the nation, drawing parallels with historical political movements and calling for a revival of personal morality in leadership.

Jun 2, 2025 • 45min
Most Corrupt Ever
Jonathan Rauch, a writer for The Atlantic and a senior fellow at Brookings, dives deep into the intricacies of modern governance and corruption. He discusses Trump’s personal loyalty-driven style as a form of patrimonialism, linking it to historical authoritarianism. The dangers of exposing political corruption are examined through figures like Alexei Navalny. Rauch critiques how populism can mask corruption, questioning the ethics of leaders who exploit this narrative without facing consequences, and emphasizes the urgency for accountability in today’s polarized political environment.

6 snips
May 26, 2025 • 51min
Conservatism RIP?
Jay Nordlinger, an American journalist and senior editor of National Review, discusses the fate of conservatism in the era of MAGA. He shares insights from his background and personal journey, critiquing the Republican Party's shift away from traditional values. The conversation also explores America’s military actions, the complexities of federalism versus state governance, and the role of capitalism in freedom and democracy. Highlighting selective human rights activism, Nordlinger emphasizes the need for credible political discourse in today’s divided landscape.