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
Jun 9, 2021 • 1h 11min
The Difference Between Liberals and Leftists
Adam Gopnik is the author of "A Thousand Points of Sanity: The Moral Adventure of Liberalism" and joins the show to discuss what constitutes the temperament and foundations of liberalism. Want to discuss the episode with fellow orphans? Head to www.mightyheaton.com/discord This episode is sponsored by Ground News - The world's first news comparison platform. Download Ground News for free here: https://ground.news/orphanage
Jun 3, 2021 • 25min
Why You Can't Drop Student Loans through Bankruptcy
Student loan debt is at a cool $1.7 trillion and growing. Should we forgive all the debt? Why can't we discharge it through bankruptcy? Policy deep dive episode!
Jun 2, 2021 • 45min
Why College is So Freakin' Expensive?
In 1950 you could basically go to college for free if you promised to wear a necktie. Today, you need to hostage multiple children for a four-year communications degree. Why is college tuition skyrocketing? SUPPORT THE SHOW: Patreon.com/andrewheaton Venmo: @andrew-heaton-1 PayPal: andrew@mightyheaton.com CHAT WITH FELLOW ORPHANS: www.mightyheaton.com/discord
May 26, 2021 • 52min
Chinese Social Engineering – WSPN Roundtable
The World's Smartest Podcast Network reassembles for a roundtable discussion, featuring Turner Sparks, Michael Ira Kaplan, and Andrea Jones-Rooy. Topics include: Chinese social engineering, red governors in blue states, private security, and space dust.
May 19, 2021 • 55min
Less Nukes and More Prosperity
When we look at world metrics annually or on a ten-year basis, it turns out... everything is getting better. Literacy, poverty, the prospects of nuclear war, women's rights, children's rights, and so forth. Ron Bailey, co-author of "Ten Global Trends Every Smart Person Should Know: And Many Others You Will Find Interesting" joins to discuss the upswing, what's causing it, and what could derail it.
May 14, 2021 • 26min
FRV: The Great State of Miscellaneous
Comedians Mike Larsen (writer for "The Drew Carey Show" and "Real Time with Bill Maher) and Travis Irvine join the show to discuss the best, least covered-headlines of the week.
May 12, 2021 • 1h 8min
The Nordic Theory of Everything
What are Nordic countries up to and should we emulate or invade them? What policies might we plagiarize or rebuff? Anu Partanen is the author of "The Nordic Theory of Everything: In Search of a Better Life," and comes to discuss the relationship between families and the state, individualism, and safety nets in a Scandinavian context. You can download her book and others discussed on the show at www.mightyheaton.com/featured Support the Orphanage! www.patreon.com/andrewheaton
May 6, 2021 • 43min
FRV: Steak-umm's Feud with Neil DeGrasse Tyson
Comedians Max Gieser and LaGina Hill join the show to discuss the week's best, underserved headlines, including: a teddy bear hitchhiking the length of California, high school hackers, and a mayor's genius plan to aid the vaccine rollout.
May 5, 2021 • 1h 9min
Journalists Are Too Cozy with the Political Class
Steve Krakauer writes Fourth Watch, a media newsletter, and is a television producer with experience ranging from CNN to Megyn Kelly. He joins the show to describe the current media landscape, it’s problems, and their source. This episode is sponsored by Ground News - The world's first news comparison platform. Download Ground News for free here: https://ground.news/orphanage
Apr 30, 2021 • 28min
FRV: Yorkshire Werewolf Tourism
Chad Prather and Josh Jennings return to discuss the best, underserved headlines of the week, including: why Russia is faking Yeti sightings; poor fashion makes for good burgling; criminal advice on banking errors.
