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
Sep 4, 2020 • 40min
Murder in a Safe in a Field (Friday Release Valve)
An abandoned tank! A guy with an axe on a horse! Faulty psychics! Andrew Young joins Heaton to sort out the week's best, underserved headlines, and their attendance mysteries.
Sep 2, 2020 • 42min
Why UFOs Are in the News
The New York Times is running stories about recovered extraterrestrial spaceships, the Navy has confirmed UFOs are real, and the Pentagon says it's preparing to disclose further information to the public. Is the government about to reveal the existence of aliens... or is this all click bait? If so... where's it coming from and how has it seeped into legacy media?
Aug 28, 2020 • 37min
Mississippi Alternate Flag Ideas (FRV)
Comedians Turner Sparks and Mike Kaplan return to discuss the week's best, under served headlines, including: Hookers for Jesus, capturing George R. R. Martin, and dogs as car salesmen
Aug 26, 2020 • 1h 15min
Do Political Parties Threaten the Constitution?
Political parties aren't written into the Constitution, but they definitely effect it. How do parties alter the balance of power in American politics? Do they precipitate or stall revolution?Economist Antony Davies and political scientist James R. Harrigan of FEE's Words & Numbers podcast join to discuss.
Aug 21, 2020 • 37min
The Guns for Trumpets Buyback Program (Friday Release Valve)
Comedians Brian Sack and Jack Helmuth of the podcast Questionable Material join Heaton to sort out the week's underserved headlines, including a goose who runs for mayor, and municipal wizard subsidies.
Aug 20, 2020 • 45min
The Postal Service Isn't Rigging The Election And We Should Privatize It Anyway
Sparks fly as pundits debate whether or not the US Postmaster General is rigging the election on behalf of Trump! Meanwhile, the USPS asks Congress for a bailout. In this episode we: * Tackle the USPS election conspiracy theory * Discuss how to save the Postal Service from insolvency
Aug 14, 2020 • 43min
Paul McCartney for Chief of Walpole! (Friday Release Valve)
Travis Irvine joins Heaton to sort out the week's best, underserved headlines, including musical bratwurst, robot dolphins, and the greatest film you will never ever see!
Aug 12, 2020 • 58min
Brace Yourself for Kamala Harris
Kamala Harris just won the veepstakes to become Joe Biden's running mate. How's she going to shake up the election? Where does she stand ideologically and on policy? Justin Robert Young of "Politics Politics Politics" joins to suss out the California senator.
Aug 7, 2020 • 40min
The English Are Arming Baboons (Friday Release Valve)
(NSFK) Matt Donnelly and Paul Mattingly of "Matt and Mattingly's Ice Cream Social" join Heaton to unpack the best headlines of the week, including a goat that refuses to wear a mask and whether or not Planet of the Apes is actually set to begin in Surrey, England.
Aug 5, 2020 • 48min
Cass Sunstein on Smarter Regulations and Less Conformity
Cass Sunstein gained international notoriety for his book "Nudge," about habits and choice architecture. He then worked as the regulatory czar for the Obama administration--the regulator who regulates regulations. His latest book is "Conformity: The Power of Social Influences." He joins Heaton to discuss how behavioral economics can shape smart policy without limiting individual freedom, and how conformity makes groups collectively dumber.
