

The Dispatch Podcast
The Dispatch
Host Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle and guests for a thoughtful discussion on politics, policy and culture.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 8, 2021 • 1h 17min
Our Growing Pirate Skiff
On today's episode, Jonah hijacks hosting duties from Sarah to have a conversation with Steve as The Dispatch celebrates its second anniversary. How did we get here? What is the state of the company? And where are we going?
Show Notes:
-The Dispatch manifesto from 2019
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Oct 7, 2021 • 1h 14min
Rising Tensions in the Indo-Pacific
On today's podcast, our hosts discuss China's recent incursions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone, and how seriously the United States should take the Chinese Communist Party’s aggression in the Indo-Pacific. Plus: Democrats are in disarray on Capitol Hill, a State Department official resigns over the Biden administration’s border policy, and Facebook is feeling the heat from all directions.
Show Notes:
-Read TMD on China’s deployment of aircraft near Taiwan
-Subscribe to Uphill for the latest news from Capitol Hill
-Facebook Files from WSJ
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Oct 1, 2021 • 51min
Infrastructure Stalemate
On today's podcast, Steve is joined by Haley Byrd Wilt, who writes Uphill for The Dispatch, and John McCormack, Washington correspondent for National Review, to discuss what exactly has been happening on Capitol Hill this week. After House Democrats delayed a vote on the infrastructure bill, can both factions find a way to end the stalemate?
Show Notes:
-Subscribe to Uphill for the latest news from Capitol Hill
-Read McCormack at National Review
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Sep 29, 2021 • 1h 14min
Democrats Split on Capitol Hill
All eyes are focused on Capitol Hill this week as the debt ceiling, government funding, and infrastructure talks continue to heat up in both houses of Congress. Also happening in both chambers is testimony on Afghanistan from Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Mark Milley, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and U.S. Central Command Commander Gen. Kenneth McKenzie. Sarah has the week off, so Steve, David, and Jonah discuss it all on this week’s episode. And for dessert: the future of the Republican Party.
Show Notes:
-TMD on Afghanistan testimony
-Uphill on what the heck is going on in Congress
-Jennifer Graham Afghanistan reporting
-Robert Kagan on our constitutional crisis in the Washington Post
-The Eastman memo
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Sep 24, 2021 • 38min
The Fight to Raise the Debt Ceiling
On today's episode, Brian Riedl, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, joins Sarah and Steve as Congress debates lifting America’s borrowing cap. Will Democrats and Republicans come to an agreement to lift the debt limit? Are we heading toward another government shutdown? Is anyone in Washington concerned about our ballooning national debt?
Show Notes:
-The Morning Dispatch looks at Biden’s make or break week
-Riedl’s piece from earlier this summer “Trillions and Trillions”
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Sep 22, 2021 • 1h 4min
Is Biden Just Bad at his Job?
After the latest surge of migrants in the border town of Del Rio, Texas, our hosts discuss how the Biden administration has handled the immigration issue since taking office. Plus, President Biden continues to have foreign policy problems. What happened with the botched drone strike in Afghanistan? Why is France mad at us? All of that leaves Jonah with one big question: Is Biden just bad at his job?
Show Notes:
-Jonah on Biden’s foreign policy
-The Morning Dispatch breaks down the drone strike that killed civilians in Afghanistan
-TMD catches you up on the deal between the U.S., U.K., and Australia
-Tom Joscelyn on AUKUS in Vital Interests
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Sep 17, 2021 • 50min
S.E. Cupp on Moderation and Social Media
On today’s episode, CNN’s S.E. Cupp joins Sarah and Steve to talk about the Biden administration, Congress, and why extremism is taking over the politics of today. Plus, the trio discusses the effects of social media on the news business and the challenges that come with being the target of internet trolls.
Show Notes:
“The Conservative Coma” by SE Cupp in Vanity Fair
S.E. opens up about living with anxiety
WSJ report on the effects of social media on teen girls
“Why You're Wrong About the Right” by S.E. Cupp and Brett Joshpe
“Losing our Religion” by S.E. Cupp
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Sep 15, 2021 • 1h 13min
General Milley and Trump's Final Days
Journalists Bob Woodward and Robert Costa have a new book coming out that is full of more scandals from the Trump era, most notably one involving Gen. Mark Milley possibly going around the chain of command in the final days of the Trump administration. Before that discussion, the gang discusses the legality and politics of the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate. Plus, a potpourri of topics pertaining to the GOP and what to make of the California recall election.
Show Notes:
-Excerpts from Peril by Bob Woodward and Robert Costa
-Reporting from Jennifer Griffin
-More excerpts from Peril
-Scott Lincicome’s latest Capitolism newsletter
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Sep 10, 2021 • 1h 26min
Ben Sasse on Afghanistan and Reflections on September 11
In today's episode, Sarah and Steve talk with Sen. Ben Sasse about the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan and what to do next. For a longer summary of the interview, check out an article on The Dispatch website. Plus, Steve talks with Peter Wehner who was a speechwriter for President George W. Bush on September 11, 2001. They share reflections on that day at the White House and the last 20 years.
Show Notes:
-“The Vanishing American Adult” by Ben Sasse
-“Them” by Ben Sasse
-Peter Wehner at The Atlantic
-Peter Wehner at The New York Times
-“The Death of Politics” by Peter Wehner
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Sep 8, 2021 • 1h
September 11: 20 Years Later
President Biden is having a no good, horrible, very bad summer. The gang, with Chris Stirewalt subbing in for David, discuss whether Biden can recover from the last few weeks. Is the only thing that can save Biden a reemergence of former President Trump? Trump is slated to visit Iowa and the group discusses what that means for 2024. And finally, Afghanistan is still in shambles and we’re coming up on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Listen to hear what Sarah, Jonah, Steve, and Chris were doing 20 years ago and how it impacted the rest of their lives.
Show Notes:
-Amy Walter on Biden’s approval rating
-Jonah’s 9/11 piece
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