

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

Apr 25, 2024 • 1h 9min
Election Fraud Pure and Simple
Legal expert Emily Bazelon discusses Trump's trial revelations, campus protests in Gaza, and Supreme Court's immunity case. Highlights include Trump's campaign strategies, election fraud debates, and balancing free speech on campus amidst protests.

Apr 21, 2024 • 27min
John Dickerson’s Navel Gazing: Remembering George and Defending the Morning
John Dickerson reflects on the loss of his beloved dog George and finds solace in quiet mornings. He explores the emotional bond between humans and dogs, the impact of pets on family dynamics, and the therapeutic effects of unconditional love. The podcast delves into the value of intentional morning routines, the author's introspective thoughts post George's passing, and the potential for a new dog in the future.

Apr 20, 2024 • 42min
Gabfest Reads: Can America Survive Its Relationships with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin?
Author David E. Sanger discusses Russia and China's rise to power, US national security strategies, and past presidential records. They explore geopolitical landscapes, counterterrorism experts, and international crises, emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity in conflicts.

5 snips
Apr 18, 2024 • 1h 3min
Could You Be A Trump Juror?
Writer for The Atlantic, Mark Leibovich, dishes on Governor Gavin Newsom's profile. They explore Trump's trial, Supreme Court skepticism, and the impact of hush money on elections. Delving into legal aspects, lies' implications, 'otherwise' clause interpretation, trial scenarios, and political ambitions. Also, updates on news show time slots, prostitution indictments, and legal battles.

Apr 13, 2024 • 29min
John Dickerson’s Navel Gazing: Sending our Son to College
John Dickerson reflects on the bittersweet moment of dropping off his son at college, sharing heartfelt memories and emotions. The podcast explores parenting challenges, personal growth, storytelling evolution, advice-giving, and self-reflection. It also discusses the significance of notebooks in capturing memories and identity formation during parenthood transitions.

12 snips
Apr 11, 2024 • 59min
Arizona Territory’s 1864 Abortion Law
This podcast discusses the revival of Arizona's 1864 abortion ban, the downfall of No Labels, and the history and future of presidential debates. Topics include political implications of abortion laws, challenges of centrist politics, and the use of AI for conversations with the deceased.

Apr 6, 2024 • 29min
John Dickerson’s Navel Gazing: An Exploration of Inklings
This podcast explores themes of loss, family dynamics, and the impact of silence through personal reflections. From dropping off a son at college to grieving a lost dog, the narrator contemplates life's changes. The significance of capturing meaningful moments, recognizing conversational bids, and navigating life transitions through writing are discussed, providing a heartfelt exploration of relationships and introspection.

Apr 4, 2024 • 1h 4min
Florida Bans Abortion Again
Here are this week’s chatters:Emily: Scott Bauer for AP: Wisconsin voters approve ban on private money support for elections and Unfair Share: The Gerrymandered Chocolate Bar on KickstarterJohn: Joey Roulette and Will Dunham for Reuters: Exclusive: White House directs NASA to create time standard for the moon and John Dickerson Introduces: Navel Gazing David: Corvid Research: All in the (crow) family; 3 Body Problem on Netflix; The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu; and Foundation and For All Mankind on Apple TV+Listener chatter from Kim in Spartanburg, S.C.: The fish doorbell and thunder_keck on TikTok: fish doorbell season is back For this week’s Slate Plus bonus segment, David, John, and Emily discuss the April 8 total solar eclipse. See John Dickerson and David Parkinson for CBS News: Massive storm system threatening millions across U.S. See also Atlas Obscura’s Ecliptic Festival; Annie Dillard for The Atlantic: “Seeing a partial eclipse bears the same relation to seeing a total eclipse as kissing a man does to marrying him.”; The Guardian: Columbus and the night of the bloody moon; and John Uri for NASA: Eclipses Near and Far.In the latest Gabfest Reads, Emily talks with Tana French about her book, The Hunter: A Novel.Email your chatters, questions, and comments to gabfest@slate.com. (Messages may be referenced by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)Podcast production by Jared DowningResearch by Julie HuygenHostsEmily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David PlotzFollowSlate Political Gabfest on Facebook / https://www.facebook.com/Gabfest/ @SlateGabfest on X / https://twitter.com/SlateGabfest Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apr 3, 2024 • 2min
John Dickerson Introduces: Navel Gazing
Guest John Dickerson, a seasoned journalist, discusses his personal experiences covering the BCCI scandal in 1993 and introduces his podcast 'Navel Gazing,' where he shares insights from 30 years of notebook entries.

Mar 28, 2024 • 1h 11min
Gabfest Live In Washington, D.C.!
Live in Washington, D.C., they dive into Supreme Court abortion debates, Trump's legal challenges, and Gallup's World Happiness Report 2024. Explore the Comstock Act, Trump's criminal cases, and the impact of court decisions on elections. Discuss the decline in youth happiness, social media effects on teenagers, and unravel ancient pyramid mysteries.