

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 23, 2022 • 1h 17min
Snuffy's Explosion-Proof Christmas
It's the fifth annual comedy Christmas special! All underwritten by Snuffy's (Off Route 44). This year's Christmas special includes: Inappropriate curse words; World War I; discussions about bats; hilarity; gluten Enjoy! PRIOR SPECIALS: A Rather Snuffy's Christmas - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-political-orphanage/id1439837349?i=1000545755269 A Grander Snuffy's Christmas - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a-grander-snuffys-christmas/id1439837349?i=1000503286243 Another Snuffy's Christmas - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/another-snuffys-christmas/id1439837349?i=1000460559897 A Very Snuffy's Christsmas - https://politicalorphanage.libsyn.com/ep-30-a-very-snuffys-christmas-0

Dec 15, 2022 • 1h 7min
Carnage and Blowback in American Foreign Policy
Scott Horton wants America to go home. He does not think we should be the world's policeman. And when we try to be, our foreign policy incites blowback, foreign chaos, and unnecessary bloodshed. He joins to discuss isolationism and non-interventionism. His Soho Forum Debate with Bill Kristol Bill Kristol interview IR Theory: How to Prevent and Provoke Stupid Wars

Dec 7, 2022 • 1h 7min
We're Defining Inequality Wrong
Phil Gramm is the author of "The Myth of Inequality: How Government Biases Policy Debates." He joins to discuss the metrics by which we identify poverty, and how otherwise sound data is frequently misinterpreted.

Dec 1, 2022 • 1h 9min
Bill Kristol on Military Intervention
Should America actively promote democracy and liberalism abroad, to the point of destabilizing authoritarian regimes, or arming their enemies? Bill Kristol is a prominent Neocon, and proponent of muscular liberalism–the idea that a robust American presence abroad is integral to global peace and security. IR Theory Episode: "How to Prevent and Provoke Stupid Wars" https://www.patreon.com/posts/how-to-prevent-63903085?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link PATREON.COM/ANDREWHEATON to support the show and get weekly bonus episodes!

Nov 24, 2022 • 1h 11min
Bonus: Your Life Is Way Better Than King Louis XVI's
This Thanksgiving Brian Brushwood joins to discuss the many ways an average American's life is more comfortable, affluent, and magical than the vast majority of human history--including that of pharaohs and kings. BOOKS: This episode relies heavily on "The Rational Optimist" by Matt Ridley, "Ten Global Trends Every Smart Person Should Know" by Ron Bailey, and "The Better Angels of Our Nature" by Stephen Pinker, and "Abundance: The Future is Better Than You Think" by Peter H. Diamandis. All great books that present convincing stats on the positive trajectory of the world. They're all linked to at www.mightyheaton.com/featured RELATED INTERVIEWS: Matt Ridley on Rational Optimism Ron Bailey on Positive Trends

Nov 23, 2022 • 1h 12min
What Skinny Dipping Taught Me About Greed
The idea that we can eliminate poverty by outlawing greed is like trying to increase marriage rates by making people less horny. In this episode we go over the Medieval understanding of greed, against that employed by economists.

Nov 16, 2022 • 1h 13min
This Comedy Club Owner Un-Canceled Louis C.K.
Noam Dworman is owner of the Comedy Cellar in New York City. A huge critic of Cancel Culture, he caught flak for allowing Louis C. K. to perform at his club. He joins to discuss: should anyone ever be canceled? SUPPORT THE SHOW! www.patreon.com/andrewheaton

Nov 11, 2022 • 38min
We Should Abolish Student Councils
Student Councils are meant to teach young people about democracy, but what lesson are they learning? Namely that elections are popularity contests with no stakes or results! Turner Sparks and Michael Ira Kaplan join to discuss the abolition of student councils, and also give updates on Ruby Kaplan's elementary school candidacy

Nov 3, 2022 • 1h 5min
The Huge, Dumb Permit You've Never Heard Of
Jeremiah Johnson of The Neoliberal Podcast joins to discuss how NEPA and environmental impact reports stall construction pretty much everywhere, and alternatives to the red tape.

Oct 28, 2022 • 1h 7min
So I Got Canceled at Oxford
My recent speaking engagement at Oxford University, the various ne'er-do-wells claiming I am a fascist, and why politics attracts toxic personalities. Plus, protocols to help us remain good faith actors and not drink deep of the bile. Find the Heaton Protocols at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/so-i-got-at-73864329?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator


