The Fifth Column
Kmele Foster, Michael Moynihan, and Matt Welch
Your weekly rhetorical assault on the on the news cycle, the people who make it, and occasionally ourselves. Kmele Foster (Freethink), Michael Moynihan (Vice), and Matt Welch (Reason) talk and laugh and drink their way to at least quasi-sanity in a world gone mad, often with the aid of clean and articulate guests. Weekly Members Only subscription edition often comes with listener mail and professional-quality (if inappropriate) singing. Analysis. Commentary. Sedition. www.wethefifth.com
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 24, 2024 • 20min
Members Only #213 - I Don't Know About Y'all...
Controversial and humorous topics include Bill Cosby as an Islamophobic dog, cringeworthy moments in the Bronx, discussions about Jamal and AOC, the presence of AIPAC, extreme actions for peace, the need for Dems to shift back to center, questionable behavior towards the homeless, and the fake nature of homeopathy.
24 snips
Jun 21, 2024 • 1h 18min
#460 - The Return of Ol' Icy Balls
The podcast covers a range of topics such as the politicization of late-night TV, the controversy over displaying the Ten Commandments in schools, and reflections on Juneteenth as a federal holiday. They also discuss Trump's recent interview, the bias in comedy towards liberal views, and the evolution of alternative media.
13 snips
Jun 14, 2024 • 1h 29min
#459 - The Horns of Hamas / Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (w/ Olivia Reingold)
Journalist Olivia Reingold shares her experiences at Union Square protests. The hosts joke about appearances, conspiracy theories and engaging with extremists. Discussions on media coverage, debates on free press, and Trump rallies spark humorous banter and reflections on challenging encounters.
Jun 6, 2024 • 2h 3min
#458 - Free Everyone! Support No One!
Unpopular opinions, lying to the government, excessive sentencing, victims like Alex Jones and Hunter Biden, Biden's competence questioned, Scarborough's defamation, Washington Post's financial troubles, WNBA reality show, intellectual debates on racism and leadership
Jun 3, 2024 • 17min
Members Only #212 - Whatever It Is, I’m Against It (Spaceships and Boobies)
Exploring pro-Trump sentiments in Hawaii, inflatable gallows at protests, the Blonde Zionist controversy, listener email about class upbringing, and discussions on wealth, IRA comparisons, and humorous anecdotes about past generations.
54 snips
May 30, 2024 • 2h 29min
#457 - The Witch Trials of Alvin Bragg, The End of Vice, The Beginning of Reflector (w/ Matt Boll & Andy Mills)
Matt Boll and Andy Mills join in discussing Vice's downfall and the Black Panther Party's collapse. They also chat about the weirdness of the New York Trump trial and their new series called Reflector, a show about the strange human experience. The topics cover Israel in Rafah, legal cases, podcasting, journalism, rap music scrutiny, and societal values.
May 28, 2024 • 20min
Members Only #211 - The Ann Landers Edition
Topics covered include a humorous critique of a Libertarian party convention, controversial stances on child pornography, discussions on poetry, restaurant service, children, and sports, exploring truth and adaptation in storytelling, family encounters and activism discussions.
May 24, 2024 • 1h 48min
#456 - Hoops, Sneks, and Very Bad Doctors (w/ Aaron Sibarium)
Writer Aaron Sibarium discusses the UCLA Medical School controversy. Topics include serious race controversies, Supreme Court snek references, defending Marilyn Mosby, Israel-ICC relations, disparities in women's sports, and racial considerations in medical school admissions.
May 18, 2024 • 1h 52min
#455 - Debate Me, Joe
Guest Joe, a debater, discusses winning strategies and analysis of current political issues with hosts. Topics include Mitt Romney's views on Donald Trump's trial, post-Trump era Republican party divides, legal controversy surrounding Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels, and escalating conflict in Ukraine.
May 14, 2024 • 20min
Members Only #210 - Odds, Bobs, Feminist Bank Tellers, and the Records That Changed Us
Jake Siegel joins in to discuss his moderate dissent and reactions. Topics include Italian bootlegs, warm Fanta, pre-internet travel, encounters with feminist bank tellers, dealing with public name-calling, awful media critics, and the influence of Steve Albini in music.
