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
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.
4 snips
Mar 16, 2024 • 1h 16min
#446 - Tik Tok Flip Flop, Porn-Free Texas, Democracy-Free Russia
Topics include banning TikTok, Texans living without porn, Russian elections, anti-Italian cable descramblers, Malaysian monitoring, and reflections on democracy. Also discussed: a subway shooting, Mike Tyson threats, and humorous anecdotes.
27 snips
Mar 7, 2024 • 1h 28min
#445 - Women Glow, Men Plunder (w/ Josh Szeps)
The podcast discusses cancel culture, media integrity, and ideological coercion. They explore diversity of thought, workplace diversity metrics, and immigration policies. Topics include biases, echo chambers, and the impact of expressing contentious viewpoints publicly.
Mar 6, 2024 • 11min
#203 - Old Pee Eyes is Back
Exploring humorous topics like birthdays, stolen packages, and disastrous polls. Concerns about Keith Olbermann and the mental toll post-Trump era. Reflecting on media power, political perspectives, and the importance of nuanced communication.
24 snips
Mar 2, 2024 • 2h 1min
#444 - We Sell Sanctuary
The podcast discusses topics like blackfishing, Trump's legal issues, contrasting political views on immigration, drug decriminalization, uncommitted voting impact in Michigan primaries, complex views on political figures like Mitch McConnell, and ethical dilemmas in prioritizing career over well-being.
Feb 26, 2024 • 24min
Members Only #202 - The End of Vice
Topics discussed include New York subways, free markets, Vice's rise and fall, Foxconn, Shane Gillis on SNL, QAnon, and reflections on Kansas City. The episode covers mercantilism, MAGA supporters, and the importance of content creation in media.
Feb 22, 2024 • 12min
Members Only #201 - The Sounds of Blackness
Topics discussed include Houthi bodegas, industrial policy schizophrenia, Kmele possibly joining the 'back to Africa' movement, Ujamma and Nyerere's stash, and the Fighting Sullivans
