Category: Politics

State of the Podcasts 2026

February 4, 2026 / / 0 Comments

Previous posts:

State of Podcasts 2018

State of Podcasts 2019

State of Podcasts 2020

State of Podcasts 2021

State of Podcasts 2022

State of Podcasts 2023

State of Podcasts 2024

State of Podcasts 2025

This is the eighth year I’ve reviewed which podcasts I listen to, how I listen to them, and when I listen to them. Part of it’s my own curiosity at how my podcast habits change. I’m also curious what others think about the same podcasts and which podcasts come and go.

I listen to my podcasts in Overcast. I prefer Overcast because the app deletes podcasts I’ve listened to, plus it has a smart speed feature which will speed up if it hears dead air. Generally, I listen to my podcasts at 2X speed.

The Podcasts

Active Self Protection Podcast – I listen to build up my “scenario card file” for self-defense. I generally don’t listen to the episode with Steve Gutowski because he covers much of the same topics on his own podcast.

Advisory Opinions – This one helps me understand how the law “thinks” and why it sometimes is at odds with what people think it should think. It’s helped me gain perspective on why things happen the way the do when it comes to the courts.

Alienating the Audience – Andrew Heaton goes into aspects of science-fiction with authors and his friends. This one makes me think and introduces me to new sci-fi properties.

Angry Planet – Another of my “opposing view” podcasts with a focus on conflict in the modern world.

Assorted Calibers Podcast – Weer’d Beard and Erin Pallette are the real reason I listen to this, but the other segments are generally surprisingly good. I’m also a patron, and listen to the Mag Dump round tables, Film Tracks, and Blooper Reels (which are hysterically funny).

Bound By Oath – This is another legal podcast, but dives into a specific subject throughout a season.

The Bradenton Times Podcast – This is one I use to get to know what’s going on in my local community. And as much as I disagree with the host, at least he makes me think and re-evaluate my stances. I will admit to fast forwarding when they start talking national politics. It’s not what I listen to them for.

Chambers, Changes, & Conversations – The official podcast of Manatee County government, which is why I listen to it. I want to know what the government wants me to hear about what they’re doing. I’ve learned a lot about some of the workings of the county government and other entities.

The Charles C. W. Cooke Podcast – I will always listen to Charlie Cooke, and he brings in some very interesting guests to talk over their books.

Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History – This podcast is a master craft in how to tell history in an exciting and entertaining way. It’s probably better to treat the arcs as audiobooks and just listen to them all at once to get the width and breadth of the story. This updates very infrequently.

Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History: Addendum – A companion to the Hardcore History podcast where Dan Carlin does segments outside his normal narrative style. Often very informative.

The Dispatch Podcast – Roundtables with Dispatch writers, editors, and contributors to discuss the issues of the day.

Econtalk– This is one of those podcasts that discuss a wide range of topics – almost always interesting.

The Editors – Editors from National Review discussing the issues of the day. Part of my keeping an idea of the conservative side of the issues of the day.

Fall of Civilizations Podcast – This is a good companion to Hardcore History in its story-telling style. Not that they cover the same things, but this one does an excellent job in showing the decline and fall of various civilizations from every level.

FBI Case File Review – This has been very useful in dispelling some misconceptions about how the FBI works. Plus, many of the cases are very compelling and excellent for storytelling.

The Fifth Column – This is an excellent roundup focusing on the issues of the day and how the media reports them. They also bring on guests who will disagree with them and have excellent discussions.

The Handgun Radio Show – Delving more into the history and technological aspects of guns – mostly handguns. Also, just fun musings on different aspects of guns. Sometimes they bring on interesting guests.

Honestly – Sometimes this one is interviews, and sometimes Bari brings on several guests for a panel to discuss an issue. This is also one where opposing views are a common and welcome feature. Currently on hiatus.

Honoverse Today – The three hosts analyze the Honor Harrington books in publication order. The nifty catch is that two of them are brand new to the series, while the third is a fan who has read the series multiple times. It’s interesting to hear the different items they pick out from the books. Plus, David Weber makes an occasional appearance.

How The World Works – Kevin Williamson is another person I always enjoy listening to, and his podcast focusing on the work people do is excellent. Mainly, a lot of intellectuals, but he’s been doing a good job bringing on other occupations.

Left, Right, & Center – I generally like the format of the show, particularly as the hosts debate, but are not confrontational. I’ve heard many folks whose opinions I completely oppose but wouldn’t mind having the discussion.

The Michael Shermer Show – Very thought-provoking conversations as Dr. Shermer interviews scientists, scholars, and other intellectuals – generally on their new books.

The Pack Podcast – This discusses the Mercy Thompson-universe of books, which The Wife and I highly enjoy.

The Political Orphanage – Andrew Heaton interviews a variety of individuals to discuss issues that aren’t normally covered by other podcasts. And sometimes he does deep dives into subjects that I just don’t get other places. Then he does musicals based on those deep dives, which is amusing.

Politics Politics Politics – This is essentially an ESPN-style podcast for politics. Not calling whose position is wrong or right, but what makes sense politically. I find it intriguing for the sausage-making side of politics.

The Reason Roundtable – The Reason crew discusses the issues of the day from their unique libertarian point of view.

The Remnant With Jonah Goldberg – This is mostly another interview show with mostly interesting guests. Jonah also does a weekly solo rant on the issues of the day.

The Rest Is History – I’ve learned quite a bit of new historical tidbits. Plus, I have a lot of other podcasts that reference this one, so it helps to keep in the conversation.

The Rewatchables – Variety panel of guests discussing a movie that is considered highly rewatchable. Depending on what movie they’re reviewing, if it’s one I haven’t seen, I’ll delete it. The categories are neat, but sometimes I get lost when they make sports references.

Tactical Tangents – I picked this one up originally because it has some excellent breakdowns of historical gunfights and mass shootings. It’s mostly geared to the professional, but the regular person can pick up some really good info. I tend to delete if it’s too “service focused” and less stuff I can use as a civilian or writer.

Tracer Burnout – This has been a good podcast for me to learn small details that make up service in the American military.

Urban Warfare Project – I picked this one up after hearing the host discuss the Gaza War. I found some interesting points to consider about the unique nature of urban warfare.

We’re Not Wrong – This is another one of those I listen to because the hosts bring different views than my normal feeds and challenge my ideas.

The Weekly Reload Podcast – The audio companion to The Reload newsletter. The host interviews a wide variety of pro-gun and anti-gun guests, or those who just have something important to add to the world around guns.

Wells Said – This is the podcast from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. I’ve learned about some interesting local programs and initiatives from the MCSO to deal with crime and welfare.

What the Hell Is Going On – This is another one of those that keep me apprised of the what’s going on in conservative world. Or more to point, what are some of the talking points and issues high on the minds of the conservatives.

Words & Numbers – An economist and a political scientist discuss different aspects of economics from a libertarian perspective. Sometimes dipping into issues of the day.

Writer Dojo – This one has helped me with the art of writing. If I ever decide to actually get my stories published, I’ll probably go back through those episodes on the business of writing.

No, I Haven’t Watched The Video

January 21, 2026 / / 0 Comments

As the title states, I haven’t watched the video of the confrontation between ICE agents and a woman in an SUV that resulted in her death. Do you know why?

BECAUSE IT DOESN’T FUCKING MATTER!

Both sides saw what they wanted to see. Both sides manipulated the video to show what they wanted to see. And both sides want to use the legal system to prove that their side was correct.

I’m really trying to not to be black pilled. It’s hard listening to the chattering classes. It’s really hard watching the bases of both sides pretend to be horrified about using violence for political ends when “one of their own” is hurt or killed, but cheer when “one of the enemy” is hurt or killed. How quickly both sides is willing to dance in the blood of their “martyrs.”

I’m not saying that this nation is over. I am saying that it is changing. There is some profound changing to the culture and sub-cultures of this nation. What that means in the long term? I don’t know. I don’t know if the full ramifications of this first quarter century are going to be known before I shuck off this mortal coil.

I used to like to watch politics for the debate over philosophies, ideas, and how those fared when they hit reality when people tried to implement them. Now? I watch politics like I watch weather reports during hurricane season.

And They Came Home

October 20, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Last week, the world watched as the last twenty surviving Israeli hostages were released by Hamas.

The future of the peace plan may be in doubt, but it was an amazing demonstration of diplomacy to ensure that the release of the living hostages was the first step.

What In History Has Shown That Theory to Be True?

October 6, 2025 / / 0 Comments

I’ve been off my normal newsfeeds and chattering class podcasts for the last three weeks. I’ll probably start back on them in another week or so. My job interacts with national politics too much to be too ignorant. Plus, I wasn’t aware of how many of my family, friends, and acquaintances rely on me to be up to date.

Anywhoo, the reason of this post was I dipped into The Fifth Column podcast because I really like the hosts, and Megyn Kelly was the guest. I figured they would bullshit with their guest and rarely touch current political bullshit. And for the most part, they did.

There was one discussion when Kelly expressed either hers or her interpretation of current MAGA thinking.

We need to hit them so hard while we have the power that they will think twice about doing it to us if they get control again.

When? When has it ever been the case? Particularly in the last fifteen years?

It has been tit-for-tat ramping up. Little bullshit squabbles have grown to the point that both sides are quite happy using the power of the state to punish their enemies and enforce their petty dictates.

This is the kind of mindset that makes me want to just say fuck-it to politics altogether. Just join The Wife in blissful ignorance and focus on which story I want to write and which anime I want to watch.

I’m Kinda Done

September 22, 2025 / / 0 Comments

I’m just so fucking done of watching both sides slouching their way to what they think is their preferred authoritarian regime.

I’m tired of the chattering classes and their sycophantic watchers on social media playing fucking musical chairs of what is just and right and what is deplorable.

I’m fucking done of one side bringing a new hammer to hammer down what it perceives as its enemies, and the other side decrying it – until it’s their fucking turn with the hammer. I’m fucking done of no one thinking it’s time to put the fucking hammer down.

The Wife, bless her, is not political. She doesn’t follow things like I do. I’m really thinking I need to emulate her. Just focus on the things that make me happy. My writing, my guns, my anime, my geek culture.

At this point, I need to take a step back. I’m snoozing some folks on FB and trying to spend less time there. My “chattering class” podcasts I will ignore for a bit. While I may scan headlines, about the only politics I want to follow these days is local. Keep an eye on local issues because – and I know someone is going to give me shit for writing this – knowing how my county voted on trash collection has much more impact to my life than someone famous being murdered.

I’m fucking done. Time to go watch a kawaii rom-com while cleaning my Bren and listening to Sabaton.

Your Boos Mean Nothing To Me…

August 27, 2025 / / 0 Comments

There were days when the right correctly identified crony capitalism and syndicalism. When government chose winners and losers. Or propped up a business so that government officials could get good publicity or enrich themselves or both. Now that most of the right is either a devotee of the Cult of Trump, a sycophant hoping to graft the devotees, or tribal sheep, all of that is just fine.

After all, it’s all good about the deals just foisted on Intel and Nippon Steel.

There was the outcry of the executive branch ruling by decree, until it was Trump holding “the pen and the phone.” Then there was almost orgasmic glee as EO’s came fast and furious – even when they weren’t thought out. Then there were the tariffs that were set out by decree. The refusal to enforce the TikTok ban.

Now, it’s troops in U.S. cities – and it looks like Chicago is next on his list. I try not to critique Trump until he actually does something. He’s a master of putting things out there to troll his opponents, gin up his base, or both. After his actions in LA and DC, it’s not hard to envision Trump sending national guardsmen into Chicago. Because it makes him feel strong and his opponents weak. Forget anything like laws or the breakdown of order.

This is why I will not be a populist. Because populists will surrender everything to the whims of their leader and tribe.

Your boos mean nothing to me.

Some Times You Have To Take the Loss

July 2, 2025 / / 0 Comments

I am, at heart, a proceduralist. The populist fervor to destroy all institutions bothers me on a fundamental level. It wasn’t until I came across the principle of Chesterson’s Fence that my intuition was turned into words.

There exists in such a case a certain institution or law; let us say, for the sake of simplicity, a fence or gate erected across a road. The more modern type of reformer goes gaily up to it and says, “I don’t see the use of this; let us clear it away.” To which the more intelligent type of reformer will do well to answer: “If you don’t see the use of it, I certainly won’t let you clear it away. Go away and think. Then, when you can come back and tell me that you do see the use of it, I may allow you to destroy it.

Essentially, don’t destroy something you think is an impediment without first understanding why it was put there in the first place.

So, we come to the Senate Parliamentarian. In the “Big Beautiful Bill” was inclusion of taking silencers, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns off the NFA so we can buy them like normal firearms. Is this something I would love to see pass? Oh, hell yeah. Yet, the Senate Parliamentarian ruled that part of the BBB didn’t meet the rule to override the filibuster.

That sucks. Especially since getting those bills passed on their own have been non-starters since the first time Trump was in office. The backlash? I’m getting flooded with emails about contacting Vance and Thune and other senate folks to override or fire the parliamentarian.

Wait folks. There’s a reason that rule was put into place. The big reason is because Congress is a collection feckless pundit-wanabees who are more than happy to hand their job over to the executive branch and judicial branch as long as they get to keep their donors without doing any actual work. That rule made sure they could at least pass some kind of spending bill without their normal shenanigans completely derailing the process.

Also, the one lesson that neither side seems to fucking learn – whatever you do to further your side today will be used by your opponents tomorrow.

Do I want silencers, SBRs and SBSs off the NFA? Yes. Do I think the parliamentarian made the correct decision? Also yes, but I could have seen it going the other way. Yet, I remain unconvinced that the next step is to get damage the position or incentives around the Byrd Rule.

Alien Rights

April 2, 2025 / / 0 Comments

This is another in my series where I’m working out my thoughts through blogging.

There’s a recent brouhaha among the chattering classes surrounding the deporting of one of the Columbia ringleaders. Here’s a Freepress article on the current issue.

The thing about chattering class issues is that while they are often transitory and often non-issues after their fifteen minutes, they can spark questions about first principles. So, what does conversation does this current one spark?

First, the Constitution doesn’t grant rights. It acknowledges that we, as human beings, have innate natural rights.

Second, the Constitution is a contract by which the government of the United States is required to defend the rights of its citizens and others as the government and the citizenry agree.

The question becomes when does the government have an obligation to defend the rights of people who are not citizens?

I know this is a bad analogy, but it’s kind of like house guests.

People on visas are like folks you invite in for dinner or to do work in the house, maybe even stay a few days. You expect them to follow the rules of the house or GTFO.

Green card holders are more like when your SO moves in. This is a person you think is likely to become a permanent part of your household. You would expect them to have more say in how things run. They can say things that a guest cannot.

Monday Links

January 27, 2025 / / 0 Comments

The executive orders were coming fast and furious, so a lot of the Reason links will be dealing with them.

First, let’s talk about how bad Biden’s last minute preemptive pardons were.

The Volokh Conspiracy has an overview of the illegality of many of Trump’s executive orders. Then another article focusing on the EO trying to end birthright citizenship.

Trump signs EO to ban Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). I don’t have a problem with stable coins which are private cryptocurrencies pegged to the dollar or other fiat currency. I worry about when the government has control and then outlaws all others.

Trump to sign EO banning funding of gain of function research. In light of a story below, this sounds like a good idea. It would be better if Congress did its job and passed the legislation.

Trump is firing Inspectors General. I have a hard time understanding why getting rid of the watchdogs is a good idea. Especially considering how much everyone complains about government corruption, waste, and abuse.

Why Trump blanket pardoning those charged for January 6 is not a good thing. Do I think that some of the protesters were overcharged and over-sentenced? Yes. But there should have been a review to separate out the violent from the non-violent.

Why companies are ditching ESG.

Several states maintain “bias-response hotlines” and encourage people to call for “hate speech”. Because it’s a valuable “pre-crime” tool, irrespective of First Amendment protections.

Now on to other stories.

Sarah Isgur in The Dispatch has a thinkpiece on the quiet lawlessness of the Biden Administration. This one has been making the rounds and it’s a very good read. Particularly in light of one side screaming about how Trump destroys norms. He does, but it would be good if they admitted how much Biden did as well.

BBC article on the CIA now stating COVID is more likely to have leaked from a Chinese lab.

From XDR, Microsoft has renamed Office 365 to Copilot 365. Yeah, it’s annoying.

Wired reporting on how hackers managed to remotely start and unlock Subarus. The company says it’s all patched now, but as Borepatch says security isn’t often at the top of the list – most of the time isn’t on the list at all.

BBC article on a new South African law to take land without compensation when “just and equitable and in the public interest”. Nope, that won’t be abused at all.

Savatage’s guitarist discusses their plans for their comeback. I know they have a new album coming out and they’ve been doing more touring. Hopefully, I’ll be able to catch a show when they come to Tampa. Because hometown and all.

Monday Links

January 20, 2025 / / 0 Comments

Today’s Reason links are going to be heavily dominated by the continuing fires in the Los Angeles area.

In defense of private firefighting firms. Because they’re doing the job that government doesn’t or isn’t capable of doing.

Looting is bad, so are curfews. This one I’m not so sure I agree, but it makes valid points. I can see both sides, but I tend to lean more to control of the area. Limiting chaos factors while dealing with a situation makes sense.

If California can relax permitting for rebuilding, then it can abolish the same rules. This is a good time to take a hard look at all those rules – including the ones that allow building in fire-prone areas.

But using price controls isn’t going to help with rebuilding.

More Reason articles.

SCOTUS upheld the TikTok ban in a narrow decision as leaders realized this might not be the best idea. The Supremes’ decision sounded very much “it’s okay in this case due to the facts, but probably not in others.” I’m also annoyed/amused by the leadership class running around like headless chickens because the law they were so happy to pass would actually go into effect.

No, Biden can’t unilaterally declare the ERA as part of the Constitution – and especially not by social media. This reeks of some underling getting control of the Twix account and pushing something out. It sounds like something that would happen in the waning days of the Biden administration.

The FDA is trying to ban cigarettes by making the nicotine content close to zero. Brought to you by the same folks who banned flavored vapes because it might harm children and fueled an increase in cigarette smoking in children. I swear, it’s like they think that people react exactly like they think they should just by passing a rule.

New Jersey raised its minimum wage and surprise, surprise, prices rose.

The SEC is trying to regulate NFT’s as securities instead of art.

With SHOT around the corner, here’s some TFB articles on some new guns.

S&W’s lever gun now comes in .357 Magnum. Well, that has my attention.

They also came out with a “Stealth Hunter” version. Or as I like to call it – “matte tacticool.”

Mossberg is “AR’ing” it’s 590 pump shotguns.

Now on to other stories.

From Reuters, a running log of events surrounding the Israel / Hamas ceasefire and hostage return. One hopes that this would be the beginning of rebuilding Gaza into a peaceful neighbor of Israel. One also is aware of history.

From the Colorado Sun, the Colorado legislature is looking to ban the sale and manufacture of any semi-auto that uses a detachable magazine. Also known as banning any modern firearm used by the general populace. (h/t The Reload).

An article on Apple pushing its transparency and noise cancellation modes on its AirPods. Honestly, I use these so much, that I didn’t even consider that they didn’t only have these modes.

From a local TV station, Big Cat Rescue has moved their animals to Arkansas and is selling their property. Honestly, this is probably a good move all around. BCR was in the middle of an highly developed area of Hillsborough that is growing even more.

From the Observer, former Manatee County commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge – who got thrown out by the voters for being in the pocket of developers – is suing people who exposed that he was in the pocket of developers.

From Military.com, the battle songs that defined the GWOT.

Forbes continues its Macross reporting with a piece on now that Macross is widely available, it could threaten Gundam’s popularity. I’ve already got Macross Zero slotted into my anime rotation.

Via The Brother, Arc Technica has a review of Civ 7. Knowing me, I’ll be uncomfortable with the changes for the first couple of months until I figure out the gameplay and then will just go to town on it.