Vermin
Bill and Phil discuss what to make of Trump’s threat to put millions of immigrants in camps and calling his political opponents vermin, look at the high stakes meeting between Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, examine the Supreme Court’s new ethics rules, and close with a spirited game of what’s more stupid.
Trump 2024?
Bill and Phil reflect on the state of the 2024 presidential race exactly one year out from election day—including looking at what a 2nd Trump presidency might entail. We then examine the intersection of religion and politics in the Republican Party, and close with a discussion of the most recent Supreme Court case on whether taking guns away from domestic abusers is unconstitutional.
A New Speaker
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil throw the outline out the window and instead discuss the week’s breaking news, including Republicans efforts to elect a speaker of the House, new legal trouble for Trump in Georgia, and the spiraling conflict in Gaza.
Morality and War in Gaza
Bill and Phil examine how the rules of war and Just War Doctrine apply to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, discuss what Jim Jordan’s nomination to be House Speaker and the recent elections in Poland teach us about the state of democracy, and close with a look at artificial intelligence and whether Bill should be excited or worried that soon a machine will be making his Chipotle burrito
Israel-Hamas War
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil break down the latest developments in the Israel/Hamas war, debate whether the world is moving towards a bipolar or multipolar distribution and why it matters, and close with a spirited debate over whether we’re more concerned about Biden’s dog biting people or bed bugs running rampant in Paris.
Get Your House in Order
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil examine Kevin McCarthy’s ouster as House Speaker, whether its better to ignore or amplify Donald Trump’s most dangerous and controversial speech, how invading Mexico went from a bad to idea to Republican doctrine, and close with the return of one of our favorite segments, Phil’s Campaign Corner.
Speed Round Grab Bag
On this week’s “Speed Round” episode, Bill and Phil discuss news that Donald Trump would write “to do” lists for his assistants on the back of classified documents, evaluate the concern within the Democratic Party about Joe Biden’s age, ponder the political implications of Ron DeSantis’ advising most Floridians to NOT get the latest booster, examine the dramatic diplomatic break between Canada and India, and close with a crowd pleasing round of “What’s More Stupid?”
Semi-Loyal Republicans
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil examine Kevin McCarthy’s announcement of an impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden, assess the world’s growing climate disaster, and look back at 9/11 and discuss the the connection it has to our current political struggles.
A Democratic Makeover?
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil reflect on the two-year anniversary of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, discuss the implications of a potential arms deal between Russia and North Korea, and then ponder whether the United States democracy needs an institutional overhaul.
Stupidity Abounds
Bill and Phil head north to Wisconsin to ponder the politics of its Supreme Court, discuss the movement among some conservatives to break up with Ronald Reagan, ask why it seems that both Democrats and Republicans are turning away from free trade, and close by pondering why the last 10 years of American politics has been uniquely stupid.
Debate Time
Bill and Phil explore the significance of the first Republican debate, discuss Joe Biden‘s quiet but meaningful efforts to support the International Criminal Court, and close by pondering China’s economic troubles and whether the threat posed by China has been exaggerated.
Fourth Time’s a Charm
Bill and Phil offer some thoughts on the latest indictment of former president Donald Trump, explore how country music has put itself on the front lines of the culture wars, and close with a look at the politics of existential threat, and specifically whether it’s possible to have “normal politics” when one political party becomes convinced that the other side poses an existential threat to the country.
US v. Trump
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil take a deep dive on Donald Trump; exploring the recent indictment of the former president, his prospects for reelection, and what a second Trump presidency might look like.
How Things Almost Ended
Bill and Phil break down the attempted coup in Russia, reflect on audio of Donald Trump discussing a classified document on Iran, assess the significance of the Supreme Court’s rejection of the independent state legislature theory, and close with a look at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s visit to the White House.
How Things End
Bill and Phil ponder what the end of the war in Ukraine might look like, assess whether the growing list of indictments is having any impact on support for Donald Trump, debate whether disinformation is in fact free speech, and close with a look at the San Antonio wax museum which had to pull the Trump exhibit because people kept punching it in the face.
If Even Half of it is True, He’s Toast
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil break down the federal indictment of former president Donald Trump, examine the violent rhetoric used in Trump’s defense, discuss the Supreme Court’s ruling on redistricting in Alabama, and close with a look at the use of deepfakes in a U.S. election.
Trumpian Dissonance
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil explore the psychology that explains the appeal of Donald Trump, reflect on Biden’s legacy following the debt ceiling agreement, discuss the return of Soviet-style “snitching” to Russia, and close with a look at the impeachment of the Texas attorney general.
The Stories We Tell
Bill and Phil examine some unconventional developments in the Ukraine war, take a look at a Texas law that would mandate the 10 Commandments in every classroom, discuss how US policy towards China shifted from decoupling to de-risking, and explore what a recent comment by Justice Neil Gorsuch suggests about his views on civil liberties.
Trump’s Town Hall
On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil reflect on CNN’s decision to host Donald Trump for a town hall, explore nuclear strategy in dealing with Russia in Ukraine, discuss the significance of efforts by Ukraine to erase Russian culture, and close with a look at Republican Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and ponder whether he is the future of Trumpism.