The Dishcast with Andrew Sullivan

Yoni Appelbaum, a journalist and deputy executive editor at The Atlantic, dives into the intricate history of zoning in America. He reveals the surprising racist origins of these laws and how they continue to affect poor communities today. Growing up as an Orthodox Jew in Boston, Yoni shares his personal journey from politics to journalism. The discussion also touches on the significance of mobility in early America, the challenges faced by immigrants, and how progressivism inadvertently restricts upward movement for marginalized groups.

Jon Rauch, a senior fellow at Brookings and contributing editor at The Atlantic, discusses his new book, which examines Christianity's influence on democracy. He reflects on his personal journey with faith and doubt, and critiques the politicization of evangelicalism. The conversation touches on the evolving relationship between Christianity and liberal democracy, exploring tolerance and coexistence amidst societal tensions. Rauch also addresses the rise of alternative belief systems like wokeness and their consequences for traditional religious values.

Ross Douthat, a renowned New York Times columnist and author of "Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious," dives into profound discussions about faith and its relevance today. He debates the universe's origins, exploring the fine-tuning argument and humanity's unique position in the cosmos. The conversation touches on the intersection of consciousness and spirituality, the evolution of belief, and personal experiences that shape understanding of the divine. Douthat offers a compelling case for the importance of religion in a complex world.

Sebastian Junger, an acclaimed author and war correspondent known for *The Perfect Storm* and *War*, shares his profound near-death experience caused by an aneurysm. He discusses visions of his deceased father and explores the implications of near-death experiences on our understanding of life and reality. Junger contrasts his rational upbringing with his experiences of derealization and telepathy during these critical moments. His insights challenge conventional views on mortality and invite reflection on the mysteries of existence.

John Gray, a renowned political philosopher and author of "The New Leviathans: Thoughts After Liberalism," delves into the state of liberalism and America's shifting identity. He discusses the significance of Trump's inaugural address and the liberal intelligentsia's reactions. Gray critiques the rise of nationalism and hyper-liberalism, questioning traditional moral beliefs. He also addresses the challenges of declining fertility rates, artificial intelligence's impact on jobs, and the complexities of identity in modern society.

Andrew Neil, a distinguished British journalist known for his incisive interviewing style, dives into a variety of compelling topics. He shares personal stories from growing up in working-class Glasgow and discusses the decline of Europe. Neil critiques populism in the U.S. and UK, analyzing the political landscape shaped by Trump and Johnson. He also reflects on the evolution of journalism, the art of political interviews, and the intricacies of trade policies. Expect sharp insights on the rise of autocracy and the challenges facing modern media.

Adam Kirsch, a literary critic and poet with roots in a family of writers, dives into the complex theme of settler colonialism. They discuss its historical footprints in places like North America and Algeria, unveiling the moral intricacies involved. Kirsch emphasizes the resurgence of poetry in contemporary discourse, connecting it to modern political themes. The dialogue also touches on broader issues like migration and cultural identity, questioning the ideologies surrounding genocide and the impact of climate change on societal shifts.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comMary is a political consultant and former TV and radio host. She served under Presidents Reagan, HW Bush, and W Bush. She also co-founded Threshold Editions, a conservative publishing imprint at Simon & Schuster. She’s married to Democratic consultant and Dishcast guest, James Carville, whom she wrote two books with: All’s Fair and Love & War. She also wrote Letters to My Daughters. We got to know each other decades ago, but lost touch. After her husband Carville’s pod, I asked her. She lives on a farm now — and is as fun and sharp as ever.We had no specific topic at hand so the convo is a bit sprawling, like two old friends reconnecting in the Christmas break. Or something like that. For two clips of our convo — on finding yourself through suffering, and the last days of Lee Atwater — pop over to our YouTube page.Other topics: growing up in south Chicago around steel mills; being the only white woman at beauty school; dropping out of college many times; worked her way through law school; the “explosion of ideas” under Reagan; converting to Catholicism; Vatican II undermining the liturgy; leaving the Dem Party over identity politics; black people against “Defund”; the Catholic view of the individual; why flaws are the most interesting parts of people; Mary’s close friendship with Donna Brazile; hairdressers as priests; Augustine; Pascal; the epistemological humility of Socrates; Stoicism; my mother’s mental illness; the crucifixion of Jesus; Mel Gibson’s version of the Passion; Willie Horton; Bernie one of the few pols championing class; the redistribution of wealth during Covid; the lockdowns; Boris and Partygate; George Floyd and BLM groupthink; Kyle Rittenhouse; Jussie Smollett; the narrative of structural racism; MLK envy and “the right side of history”; the Ferguson effect; innovative police work in NOLA; Mary fighting sex trafficking in NOLA; Tony Blair cementing the legacy of Margaret Thatcher; the lack of accountability from political consultants; the profundity of Winnie the Pooh; and which great Americans we should emulate today.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy (the first 102 are free in their entirety — subscribe to get everything else). Coming up: Adam Kirsch on his book On Settler Colonialism, John Gray on the state of liberal democracy, Jon Rauch on his new book on “Christianity’s Broken Bargain with Democracy,” Nick Denton on the evolution of new media, and Ross Douthat on how everyone should be religious. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comWe’ve been trying to cover the trans debate from as many sides as possible. So Brianna Wu was an obvious invite to the Dishcast. She is a video game developer and political activist who has run for Congress twice in Massachusetts. She is also a public speaker on issues affecting women in tech and became a central figure in Gamergate. She co-hosts with three other trans women — Kelly Cadigan, TafTaj, and Schyler Bogert — a podcast called Dollcast. She occupies a precarious center: defender of trans rights but opponent of critical gender and queer theory; a trans woman who fully acknowledges she isn’t the same in every respect as women; and a fellow spirit trying to seek a middle ground so we can all just get on with our lives. We had a lively “ask a tranny anything” chat. For two clips — on the indoctrination of kids in schools, and the ordeal of medical transition for adults — pop over to our YouTube page. Other topics: Brianna wanting to be a woman from a very early age; her Christian upbringing in Mississippi; her mother scolding her effeminate hand gestures; dysmorphia; how she prayed to Jesus to be gay; her drug addiction and suicide attempts; postmodernists like Judith Butler; how queer ideology is inherently unstable; the “nonbinary” fad; the need for trans activism to return to liberalism; Virtually Normal and the marriage movement; Brianna “having no illusions” that she’s a natal male; how the definition of trans has broadened to a “ludicrous” degree; JK Rowling; trans athletes; the huge spike in girls seeking trans compared to boys; Wu opposing transition for girls until 18; comorbidities like autism and sexual abuse; the swiftness of hormones via Planned Parenthood; the black market for HRT; transing gay kids; Marci Bowers performing Wu’s vaginoplasty; Wu opposing Bowers at WPATH; Pope Francis; autogynephilia; right-wing backlash against trans adults; Nancy Mace; the blood libel of “groomer”; the Cass Review; Rachel Levine; death threats against Jesse Singal; the defenestration of Mara Keisling; the cowardice of gay donors; Wu losing friends over her moderate views; and her long marriage to a cis guy.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy (the first 102 are free in their entirety — subscribe to get everything else). Coming up: Mary Matalin on our sick culture, Adam Kirsch on his book On Settler Colonialism, John Gray on the state of liberal democracy, Jon Rauch on his new book on “Christianity’s Broken Bargain with Democracy,” Nick Denton on the evolution of new media, and Ross Douthat on how everyone should be religious. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comWhat the hell just happened in Syria? We asked one of the sharpest scholars on the subject to give us a primer. Aaron Zelin is a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, where he also directs the “Islamic State Worldwide Activity Map” project. He’s also a visiting research scholar in the politics department at Brandeis and the founder of the website Jihadology. His first book is titled Your Sons Are At Your Service: Tunisia’s Missionaries of Jihad, and his forthcoming book covers the history of Syrian jihadism. We talk about the entire history of Syria, as it faces what could be a turning point. For two clips of our convo — on the evil of the Assad dynasty, and the sudden fall of Bashar al-Assad — pop over to our YouTube page.Other topics: how Aaron’s career was influenced by 9/11 at age 15; becoming an expert on jihadism; St. Paul at Damascus; the Ottoman Empire; the Arab Congress; Syria’s independence from France after WWII; the subsequent coups; the Sunni majority in Syria; the rise of the Alawites; the Druze and Christians; the Kurds; the optimism in the ‘60s/‘70s for Arab liberalization; pan Arabism and Nasser; the Muslim Brotherhood; Hafez al-Assad coming to power in 1971; his son Bashar educated in the UK; how a former Nazi for real helped shape the regime; al-Qaeda and bin Laden; the Islamic State; “Baby It’s Cold Outside”; the secret police of Syria; the 1982 massacre in Hama; Bashar coming to power in 2000 because of his older brother’s early death; Bashar seen as nerdy and uncharismatic; the Damascus Spring; the Iraq War; the rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani; his imprisonment in Abu Ghraib; Zarqawi; the Arab Spring; civil war erupting in Syria in 2011; the Free Syrian Army; the Assad regime torturing kids; the refugee crisis; Russia getting bogged down in Ukraine; Hezbollah and Hamas decimated; Iran on the defense; how the Assad regime collapsed in ten days; and Golani’s potential as a reformer.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy (the first 102 are free in their entirety — subscribe to get everything else). Coming up: Brianna Wu on trans lives, Mary Matalin on our sick culture, Adam Kirsch on his book On Settler Colonialism, John Gray on the state of liberal democracy, Jon Rauch on his new book on “Christianity’s Broken Bargain with Democracy,” Nick Denton on the evolution of new media, and Ross Douthat on how everyone should be religious. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.