Political Gabfest
Slate Podcasts
Voted “Favorite Political Podcast” by Apple Podcasts listeners. Stephen Colbert says "Everybody should listen to the Slate Political Gabfest." The Gabfest, featuring Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz, is the kind of informal and irreverent discussion Washington journalists have after hours over drinks.Want more Political Gabfest? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Political Gabfest show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/gabfestplus to get access wherever you listen.
Episodes
Mentioned books
10 snips
Oct 12, 2023 • 58min
Gaza War
Juliette Kayyem, a guest on the show, discusses the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The podcast covers the reasons behind the attack, the delayed response from Israel, and the impact on perception. They also explore Israel's deals with Arab nations and the inclusion of gains for the Palestinians. Additionally, they touch upon the challenges faced by the GOP in choosing a House Speaker and the internal divisions within the party.
Oct 5, 2023 • 1h 6min
We Need to Talk About Kevin...McCarthy
Former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy and Republican Matt Gaetz are discussed in this episode. Topics include potential implications of McCarthy's removal, the challenges he faced as Speaker of the House, reforming the budgetary process, the power of the administrative state, the perception of urban crime, challenges for Democratic politicians addressing migration and crime, and recommendations on a book, TV series, and podcast.
Sep 28, 2023 • 59min
Donald Duck and the Seven Dwarves
Topics discussed in the podcast include the Republican debate, legal trouble of Senator Menendez, corruption allegations, Democrats' fight against Amazon's monopoly, various book and podcast recommendations, and discussions on mental stability and the future of Earth.
Sep 23, 2023 • 29min
Gabfest Reads: Zadie Smith Knows You're a Fraud
Author Zadie Smith discusses her new book 'The Fraud' with Emily Bazelon, exploring themes of justice and fiction. They delve into the Titchborne trial's impact on Zadie, confinement of women in the past, exploring relationships and identity, dividing attributes and motives in a novel, and the role of writers and storytellers in society.
Sep 21, 2023 • 1h 1min
Who’s Winning The Autoworkers Strike?
This week's Political Gabfest features Yoel Roth, an expert on social media trust and safety. They discuss the UAW autoworkers' strike demands, the challenges faced by teachers in parent diplomacy, and the threats to election security. The podcast also explores a resignation from the Trump Russia investigation and NASA's asteroid mission, an expedition to Malos Bay, and the history of unused ships and boat graveyards.
6 snips
Sep 14, 2023 • 59min
Impeach ‘Em All, Let God Sort ‘Em Out
This week's podcast discusses the potential impeachment of a Supreme Court justice in Wisconsin and the controversy surrounding judges campaigning for elections. It also explores the complexities of nominee confirmation hearings and the internal conflicts within the Republican party regarding the impeachment of Joe Biden. The chapter analyzes polling in battleground states and examines the decrease in support for Biden among black and Latino voters. Lastly, the speakers discuss recommended books, minor key songs, and their love for Zong Sauce.
7 snips
Sep 7, 2023 • 56min
Is Biden The Last Politician?
Franklin Foer, writer and journalist from The Atlantic, joins Emily Bazelon and David Plotz to discuss Biden's presidency, the Ukrainian counteroffensive, and the value of higher education. They delve into Biden's contrasting qualities, Vice President Kamala Harris' political identity, and the challenges faced by Ukraine in breaking through Russian defenses. They also touch on the plot twist in Trump's prosecution and Lionel Messi's arrival in MLS.
Aug 31, 2023 • 59min
March Forth, Trump!
In this podcast, the hosts discuss the trials schedule for Donald Trump and the 2024 election calendar. They analyze the implications of delaying indictments and potential bias against Trump in DC. They also examine the behavior and tactics of a presidential candidate willing to say and do anything for attention. Additionally, they touch on the process of replacing asphalt runways, the Ukrainian resistance against Russia, and the movie 'Red Dawn'.
Aug 24, 2023 • 57min
Who Won the Trump-less Debate?
In this podcast, the hosts discuss the Republican primary debate without Trump, the debate among Republican law professors on whether the Constitution prohibits another Trump presidency, and the lack of socioeconomic class mixing in daily activities. They also touch on topics such as the NBA 2K League, Trump's eligibility for presidency based on the Constitution, and the potential threat to prosecution in the Rico case against Trump in Georgia.
Aug 19, 2023 • 30min
Gabfest Reads: How a David Copperfield Reimagining Speaks to the Soul of Appalachia
Author Barbara Kingsolver discusses her new book Demon Copperhead, a modern-day adaptation of David Copperfield that explores the impact of the opioid epidemic on Appalachia. They talk about shaping character voices, challenges of rural living, and the failure of social welfare networks. The podcast also includes an interview with Kingsolver about her experiences growing up in Appalachia.
