Political Gabfest
Slate Podcasts
Voted “Favorite Political Podcast” by Apple Podcasts listeners. Stephen Colbert says "Everybody should listen to the Slate Political Gabfest." The Gabfest, featuring Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz, is the kind of informal and irreverent discussion Washington journalists have after hours over drinks.Want more Political Gabfest? Join Slate Plus to unlock weekly bonus episodes. Plus, you’ll access ad-free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. You can subscribe directly from the Political Gabfest show page on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Or, visit slate.com/gabfestplus to get access wherever you listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
38 snips
Mar 26, 2026 • 55min
Airplane Travel is a Nightmare
A lively take on why U.S. air travel is collapsing, from staffing shortages to runway mishaps and tangled politics. A deep dive into a Supreme Court fight over mail‑in ballot deadlines and the stakes for 2026 voting. New jury verdicts against major platforms spark discussion about legal theories to hold social media accountable for harms to children.
Mar 21, 2026 • 25min
Gabfest Reads | The Real Succession
Gabriel Sherman, investigative journalist and author of Bonfire of the Murdochs, digs into the Murdoch family’s rivalries and power plays. Short scenes cover Rupert’s manipulation of his children, the Nevada trust battle that reshaped control, and sketches of Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James. They compare Murdoch and Trump dynasties and debate whether the empire can survive Rupert’s exit.
46 snips
Mar 19, 2026 • 1h 5min
Degenerate Gambler
McKay Coppins, staff writer and author who tested sports betting firsthand for The Atlantic. He describes a $10,000 experiment that morphed into compulsive wagering. Short scenes show how early wins, industry tactics, and lax rules fuel addiction. Conversation also covers political indifference, legislative fights, athlete harassment, and the risks mobile betting poses to communities.
48 snips
Mar 12, 2026 • 1h 2min
Will Gas Hit $5 a Gallon?
A sharp look at whether rising oil prices from Middle East strikes could push gas to $5 and inflict political pain. An investigation of DHS plans for giant ICE detention sites and the local backlash. A breakdown of new moves to shape 2026 voting rules and what a federal takeover of elections might mean. Plus lighter cultural asides sprinkled throughout.
62 snips
Mar 5, 2026 • 58min
What’s the Point of the Iran War?
Karim Sadjadpour, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment and Iran expert, offers a concise take on the conflict’s unclear objectives and shifting U.S.-Israeli aims. He unpacks credibility-driven decisions, risks of arming Kurdish factions, and whether Iran can coalesce around pluralistic nationalism. The conversation also touches on leadership vacuums and why mass uprisings remain unlikely.
40 snips
Feb 26, 2026 • 1h 4min
The State of the Union is Endless
They debate whether upbeat economic rhetoric can drown out everyday cost pain and whether the speech was aimed at rallying the base or persuading swing voters. They unpack a Supreme Court check on presidential tariff power and the legal doctrines behind it. They cover the Pentagon’s showdown with AI firm Anthropic and the security, ethical, and commercial stakes of battlefield AI.
6 snips
Feb 21, 2026 • 58min
Gabfest Reads | From Busboy to Corporate Tool to Priest
Father James Martin, a Jesuit priest and author who founded outreach for LGBTQ Catholics, reflects on a life shaped by eight different jobs. He recounts how early work taught humility, the corporate moment that sparked his vocation, and how faith led him to ministry. He also discusses LGBTQ inclusion, migrants, and the ongoing influence of Thomas Merton.
51 snips
Feb 19, 2026 • 1h 11min
Prince-No-More Andrew Pays His Epstein Price
They dig into newly released Epstein files and who is facing public fallout for their ties. They sort figures into categories of involvement and debate where accountability fits. The conversation shifts to an Obama oral history and why he treads lightly in post-presidential politics. They also tackle efforts to scrub or reshape American history and what that means for teaching and memory.
49 snips
Feb 12, 2026 • 1h 9min
LIVE from Washington, DC!
Jamie Raskin, Democratic congressman and constitutional law scholar, discusses DOJ oversight and his confrontations with Attorney General Pam Bondi. He recounts uncovering Epstein files and surveillance at a DOJ annex. They also explore how Trump transformed Washington, D.C., from staffing losses to monument changes, and what those shifts mean for public service and civic life.
26 snips
Feb 5, 2026 • 1h 3min
Is the Melania Movie a Bribe?
Nate Persily, Stanford election-law scholar, explains legal limits and risks around attempts to nationalize or interfere with U.S. elections. Juliette Kayyem, former homeland security official and policy academic, offers law-and-policy perspective throughout. They discuss Bezos and the pricey Melania film; whether that deal reads like a payoff; threats to election administration and voter protection; and the politics around Clinton subpoenas.
