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
Dec 16, 2021 • 1h 10min
The Enemies Of How We Know Stuff
Jonathan Rauch is the author of "The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth." He joins the show to talk about separating good ideas from bad ideas, and how their restriction leads to a dumber and dangerous society. The Constitution of Knowledge: www.mightyheaton.com/featured Nita Fashions: https://www.nitafashions.com/
Dec 8, 2021 • 1h 4min
Amusing Ourselves to Death
Neil Postman, an author who questioned the effects of television and infotainment on politics and culture, discusses his book 'Amusing Ourselves to Death' with the guests. They explore the impact of television on shaping messages, the disruptive nature of technology, adapting to an era of infinite information, and the loss of grace in personal interactions.
Dec 1, 2021 • 1h 27min
Stadium Subsidies Are Unfathomably Stupid
John Mozena is an expert on crony capitalism, better known as "economic development subsidies." He is the President of the Center for Economic Accountability, and joins to discuss the abysmal economics of throwing money at corporations to attract them to states and towns. Reason TV's Amazon HQ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_eG7leM6ew Mostly Weekly: Stop Subsidizing Sports! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=652fdt5Razg&feature=emb_title
Nov 23, 2021 • 56min
How War Shapes Us
Margaret MacMillan is a war historian, and the author of "War: How It Shaped Us." She joins the show to discuss the nature of war, its history, what precipitates conflict, and how to avert it. Join the orphanage at: www.patreon.com/andrewheaton Tips: Venmo: andrew-heaton-1 PayPal: andrew@mightyheaton.com
Nov 17, 2021 • 53min
Matt Ridley and Alina Chan on the Origin of Covid
Matt Ridley is a science writer and member of the House of Lords, and Alina Chan is a scientist and molecular biologist. They are the authors of the new book "Viral: The Search for the Origin of Covid-19." They join the show to discuss the genesis of the pandemic, Chinese obfuscation, and how transparency is needed to forestall future plagues.
Nov 10, 2021 • 58min
Andrew Yang Goes AWOL
Andrew Yang just left the Democratic Party to form the Forward Party. He joins to discuss electoral reform, and his book "Forward: Notes on the Future of Our Democracy." Justin Amash interview: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/justin-amash-wants-to-unclog-congress/id1439837349?i=1000514178120 Katherine Gehl interview: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-spook-the-politics-industry/id1439837349?i=1000511386408 Pedde GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/4ad5fff1
Nov 3, 2021 • 1h 11min
What Makes a Joke Offensive
Dave Chappelle's new Netflix special "The Closer" unleashed a cultural firestorm over transgender comments. Is it offensive? What makes a joke offensive? Comedian Jeff Maurer joins to discuss. Friday Release Valve (comedy podcast) https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/friday-release-valve/id1573283082 "I Might Be Wrong" (Jeff's newsletter) https://imightbewrong.substack.com/
Oct 27, 2021 • 53min
John McWhorter on Victimhood and Woke Racism
John McWhorter joins the show to discuss the mindset of victimhood, and Wokeness as a new religion. His new book is "Woke Racism: How a New Religion Has Betrayed Black America" Support the Show: www.patreon.com/andrewheaton Buy the book: mightyheaton.com/featured
Oct 20, 2021 • 49min
The Reproductive Life of Good and Bad Policies
Dr. Chuck Shipan is the author of "Why Bad Policies Spread (and Good Ones Don't)". He is joined by Dr. Andrea Jones-Rooy, a comedian and political scientist, to discuss the forces and circumstances which lead to good and bad policy proliferation from state to state.
Oct 13, 2021 • 1h 2min
The Thing No Government Can Actually Do
Perverse Incentives! Unintended Consequences! Today we explore how governments can screw things up by confusing incentives with dictating motivation or outcomes. Support the show: Patreon.com/andrewheaton Tip me! Venmo: @andrew-heaton-1
