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
26 snips
Apr 25, 2024 • 1h 39min
#452 - The Strawberry Statement 2024 / The Eternal Adderall Shortage (w/ C.J. Ciaramella)
Reason's journalist C.J. Ciaramella discusses the government war on Adderall and his ADHD diagnosis. The hosts also cover student protests, free speech, and the influence of social media on political debates. They explore the challenges of obtaining Adderall legally, the impact of ADHD medications, and navigating misconceptions surrounding ADHD.
Apr 22, 2024 • 20min
Members Only #207 - Columbia Breakdown: Next Stop Baader Meinhof?
Exploring Swedish nationalism and crime rates, the rise of American extremism, the politics of 'genocide', challenges in reliable journalism, escalating political violence at Columbia University, and the complexities of the term 'genocide' in U.S. discourse.
8 snips
Apr 19, 2024 • 1h 34min
#451 - The Battle of Batya (w/ Batya Ungar-Sargon)
Batya Ungar-Sargon fights the Globalist Fifth on trade, Trump, robots, unions, and automation. They discuss Israel debates, media echo chambers, and perverse incentives in the media industry.
25 snips
Apr 13, 2024 • 1h 54min
#450 - Republican Wine Moms and a Dead Double Murderer
Topics range from OJ Simpson trial revisited, Matt Lauer comeback musings, Arizona abortion laws, and clashes within the Republican party. The episode also touches on dementia dads, media controversies, and group condemnations within the political landscape.
Apr 8, 2024 • 25min
Members Only #206 - Hitting From the Ladies' Tee
Topics include dark themes in 'Saturday Night Fever', girl dadding, anti-war activism, Hamasification, and a bachelor party in NY. Discussions range from music industry misconceptions to gender equality in golf.
5 snips
Apr 4, 2024 • 1h 45min
#449 - The Prince of Tide Pools (w/ Andrew Sullivan)
Andrew Sullivan discusses Israel, Iraq, conservatives, trans movement, Trump, gay rights victories, and identity. Also talks about defending Israel, US foreign policy, LGBTQ+ activism, and evolution of social justice movements.
Apr 2, 2024 • 24min
Members Only #205 - Almost Lost, Unfortunately Found
Salvaged lost recording, subscriber questions, personal reflections. Timothy Chalamet movie analysis, Hugh Grant's performance scrutiny. Controversial conspiracy theorist discussion, third-party candidates impact on politics.
Mar 29, 2024 • 1h 41min
#448 - A Hot Mess (w/ Kat Rosenfield)
Novelist and journalist Kat Rosenfield joins the hosts for chaotic banter discussing cancel culture, sex trafficking, Christine Blasey Ford, and the Trump bible. They talk about accusations in YA fiction, high school yearbook controversies, Candace Owens, and quirky post-presidential merchandise ideas. Kat is meh on Cormac McCarthy's works, adding a touch of humor to the intense topics.
18 snips
Mar 19, 2024 • 1h 26min
#447 - Sour Lemon and the Blood Libels
Dissecting Don Lemon's interviewing style, criticizing Elon Musk, navigating free speech vs. censorship, exploring racially insensitive food packaging, Master P's food line, sneaker design, political strategies for the future presidency, power dynamics in politics, and unusual hotel room encounters.
Mar 18, 2024 • 20min
Members Only #204 - Amplification Accusation: The Dumbest Debate Ever?
Topics include a debate about a popular internet documentary, the fallout after a debate with Norman Finkelstein, a bizarre email from a neighbor threatening legal action, and the controversy surrounding 'The Fall of Minneapolis' documentary.
