

Factually! with Adam Conover
Headgum
Comedian Adam Conover talks to exceptional experts, revealing shocking truths and thought-provoking new perspectives. It’s an investigative comedy podcast for curious people who never stop asking questions.
Episodes
Mentioned books

8 snips
May 9, 2025 • 18min
Group Chats are Destroying MAGA
Delve into the chaotic world of group chats within the Trump administration, where digital banter led to major scandals and security breaches. Explore how influential conservative figures shape public narratives through private conversations, exposing political contradictions. The discussion critiques the childish antics of those in power and emphasizes the importance of online privacy. Witness how group chats can be both engaging and divisive, impacting societal interactions. Lastly, discover the significance of face-to-face communication in building trust, highlighted by insights from a new podcast on friendships.

19 snips
May 7, 2025 • 1h 27min
Why America Can’t Build (Yet) with Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson
Ezra Klein, a New York Times columnist and author of 'Abundance', teams up with Derek Thompson, a staff writer at The Atlantic and co-author of the same book, to discuss America's stagnation in building and innovation. They explore the idea that many of the nation's biggest challenges could be tackled by simply building more. From the failures of the healthcare system to urgent housing crises, Klein and Thompson urge a reevaluation of policies and practices holding America back from progress.

Apr 30, 2025 • 1h 22min
The End of American Supremacy with Mark Blyth
For over 75 years we’ve lived in a world DEFINED by American economic supremacy. With the chaos of Trump’s tariffs and the rise of China it’s worth asking, is this era coming to a close? Today Adam is joined by Mark Blyth, a professor of international economics at Brown, and coauthor, along with Nicolo Fraccaroli of Inflation: A Guide for Users and Losers. Find Mark's book at factuallypod.com/booksEXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/adamconover Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!--SUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/adamconoverSEE ADAM ON TOUR: https://www.adamconover.net/tourdates/SUBSCRIBE to and RATE Factually! on:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/factually-with-adam-conover/id1463460577» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0fK8WJw4ffMc2NWydBlDyJAbout Headgum: Headgum is an LA & NY-based podcast network creating premium podcasts with the funniest, most engaging voices in comedy to achieve one goal: Making our audience and ourselves laugh. Listen to our shows at https://www.headgum.com.» SUBSCRIBE to Headgum: https://www.youtube.com/c/HeadGum?sub_confirmation=1» FOLLOW us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/headgum» FOLLOW us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/headgum/» FOLLOW us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@headgum» Advertise on Factually! via Gumball.fmSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

22 snips
Apr 25, 2025 • 15min
You are not safe.
(In addition to your weekly Factually! episode, this week we're bringing you a monologue from Adam. This short, researched monologue originally aired on the Factually! YouTube page, but we are sharing audio versions of these monologues with our podcast audience as well. Please enjoy, and stay tuned for your regularly scheduled episode of Factually!)Trump's deportations aren't just illegal, they're a signal that he intends to erase anyone who opposes him.Visit https://groundnews.com/factually to stay fully informed, see through biased media and get all sides of every story. Subscribe for 40% off unlimited access through my link.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 23, 2025 • 1h 14min
Quit Your Useless Job with Rutger Bregman
Why does it so often feel like the more society claims to value a job, the slimier it is? Why are so many brilliant minds funneled into the tech industry, only to spend their days optimizing ad clicks instead of solving real societal problems? What if jobs were desirable not because of how much money they pull in, but because they made the world better a better place? Today, Adam sits down with Dutch historian Rutger Bregman—author of MORAL AMBITION: Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference—to explore how we can rethink work, purpose, and the pursuit of impact. Find Rutger's book at factuallypod.com/booksSUPPORT THE SHOW ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/adamconoverSEE ADAM ON TOUR: https://www.adamconover.net/tourdates/SUBSCRIBE to and RATE Factually! on:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/factually-with-adam-conover/id1463460577» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0fK8WJw4ffMc2NWydBlDyJAbout Headgum: Headgum is an LA & NY-based podcast network creating premium podcasts with the funniest, most engaging voices in comedy to achieve one goal: Making our audience and ourselves laugh. Listen to our shows at https://www.headgum.com.» SUBSCRIBE to Headgum: https://www.youtube.com/c/HeadGum?sub_confirmation=1» FOLLOW us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/headgum» FOLLOW us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/headgum/» FOLLOW us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@headgum» Advertise on Factually! via Gumball.fmSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

20 snips
Apr 18, 2025 • 22min
The tariffs are just so stupid.
(In addition to your weekly Factually! episode, this week we're bringing you a monologue from Adam. This short, researched monologue originally aired on the Factually! YouTube page, but we are sharing audio versions of these monologues with our podcast audience as well. Please enjoy, and stay tuned for your regularly scheduled episode of Factually!)Visit USAFacts.org for unbiased, nonpartisan data that unpacks topics that shape American life and subscribe here to receive their free weekly newsletter to get the trendlines behind the headlines. Trump's tariffs are a disaster, and it's only going to get worse. Here's why.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Apr 16, 2025 • 1h 28min
The New Red Scare with Corey Robin
Corey Robin, a political theorist and professor, discusses the alarming return of authoritarianism in America, drawing chilling parallels to the Red Scare. He explores how pro-Palestinian activism is facing unprecedented repression, emphasizing the threat to free speech. Robin critiques the current political climate, highlighting the pressures on academic freedom and the ramifications of rising anti-Semitism intertwined with ethno-nationalism. The conversation also delves into societal fears and the importance of mental well-being, urging unity and hope in turbulent times.

Apr 9, 2025 • 1h 27min
There's No Such Thing as "Red States" with Trae Crowder
Trae Crowder, the Liberal Redneck and a sharp political commentator from Tennessee, dives into the complexities of American politics. He shares insights on growing up liberal in a conservative environment and highlights the hidden progressiveness in so-called red states. The discussion spans the role of comedy in political dialogue and the challenges of navigating cultural divides. Crowder also addresses the misconceptions surrounding rural identity and explores how local sports and education shape community values across political lines.

13 snips
Apr 2, 2025 • 1h 17min
Former Inmates Reveal Life Inside American Prisons with David Campbell and Jarrod Shanahan
David Campbell and Jarrod Shanahan, both former inmates at Rikers Island and advocates for criminal justice reform, share their gripping firsthand experiences. They discuss the harrowing conditions at Rikers, highlighting systemic abuses and the urgent need for transparency. Their insights reveal the complexities of life inside prison, from the bonds formed between inmates to the brutal realities of guards' cultures. Ultimately, they push for a greater understanding of redemption and humanity within a flawed system.

Mar 28, 2025 • 25min
How Capitalism Killed the Movie Star
Discover the drastic shift in Hollywood as iconic movie stars fade away in favor of intellectual property and franchises. Dive into the nostalgia for 1990s star power, while contrasting it with today's actors struggling for recognition. The impact of streaming services is dissected, revealing how algorithms overshadow authentic storytelling. Despite these challenges, there’s a glimmer of hope with Gen Z’s renewed interest in genuine cinema. Explore how capitalism has reshaped the movie landscape and why reviving authentic art is more important than ever!