

The Political Orphanage
Andrew Heaton
Politics minus bile plus jokes. Comedian and avowed independent Andrew Heaton interviews authors and thought leaders about policy and big thinky stuff.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 26, 2024 • 1h 5min
Knocking Trump Off the Ballot
Anna Gorisch discusses the case against Donald Trump's eligibility, focusing on the removal from the ballot in Colorado and Maine. They explore the constitutional qualifications, provisions in the constitution, and the definition of insurrection. Debate centers on states' power to remove federal candidates, and the implications of removing Trump. The hosts analyze the arguments presented in a court decision and discuss the potential negative response to the court's involvement.

Jan 17, 2024 • 1h 1min
Iowa, Ancient Greece, and Rome
The podcast explores the philosophical underpinnings of the American political system, drawing parallels between ancient Greece and Rome. It discusses the significance of the Iowa caucuses and questions the traditional practice of state-by-state primaries. The chapter delves into the differences between direct democracy and representative democracy, emphasizing citizen participation. It also touches on historical events and figures in Iowa, explores the mindset differences of Republicans and Democrats, and showcases the unique culinary delights of Iowa.

Jan 16, 2024 • 51sec
Announcement: Live Show in New Hampshire! Saturday, January 20th
Hosts announce a live show in New Hampshire featuring Jen Briney. They invite people from all political affiliations in the area to attend the meetup at Cher Brewing Company in Manchester.

Jan 12, 2024 • 1h 36min
Moon Base Economics
Zach Weinersmith, author of “A City on Mars: Can we settle space, should we settle space, and have we really thought this through?” discusses the legal and economic feasibility of building settlements on Mars or the Moon. The podcast explores the challenges and complexities of space exploration and settlement, the concept of space law and international norms, the practicality and dangers of establishing a territorial moon base, and the economic viability of intergalactic space travel.

Jan 3, 2024 • 55min
The Cancelling of the American Mind
Greg Lukianoff, President of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and author of 'The Cancelling of the American Mind,' discusses the impact of cancel culture on trust, institutions, and individuals. They explore how cancel culture hinders substantive debate, the rise and threat it poses to academic freedom and free speech, and the unequal treatment of protest groups during the pandemic. They also compare cancel culture to Victorian-era censorship and discuss changing attitudes on gay marriage and the concept of schismogenesis.

11 snips
Dec 28, 2023 • 54min
David Brooks Wants To Know You Better
David Brooks, New York Times columnist, discusses the decline of close friendships and meaningful connections, exploring the connection between loneliness and political involvement. He highlights the importance of authentic connections and interpersonal skills in society, offering practical advice. Brooks also shares his experience of understanding people's intentions and developing a thick skin to handle criticism.

Dec 23, 2023 • 1h 41min
A Very Snuffy's Rerun
A comedic podcast highlights various topics such as double pregnancy, Canadian banking resilience, Tonya Harding's ice skating skills, the Krampus folklore, a Christmas horse's heroic act, an accidental Santa transformation, a festive and inclusive America, accidental gun discharges, inappropriate behavior advice, a somber moment of loss, workplace issues, and reminiscing past fights.

Dec 21, 2023 • 57min
A Rugged Snuffy's Christmas
In this sixth annual Christmas special, topics covered include Muppets, Artificial Intelligence, circumcision, a robotic horse, beloved English actors, AI-generated gifts, the growth and resilience of Snuffy's Christmas parade, Jewish traditions and acceptance, naughty and nice lists and unique names, and a conversation about sexual orientations.

Dec 13, 2023 • 54min
Dead People Control Your House: Deed Restrictions
The podcast discusses the impact of deed restrictions on housing costs and density, exploring examples of racist and exclusionary clauses. It also explores the history and environmental implications of minimum lot sizes, benefits of dense living, and challenges in enforcing deed restrictions. The concept of private contract law as an alternative to zoning regulations is discussed, along with perspectives on implementing pro-density laws.

Dec 6, 2023 • 1h 39min
Life After Home Internet
Chris Moody discusses life without internet, prioritizing personal goals, impact of technology on children, staying reachable in emergencies, comparing isolation and family connections, embracing limitations, details about Chris Moody's work, managing emails and productivity hacks.