Best Recess Theory Podcasts (2025)

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After the shutdown, SNAP will still be in trouble 29:47

Play Pause

2h ago29:47

29:47

This week’s SNAP crisis is just a preview. Tucked inside the giant tax-cut and spending bill signed by President Donald Trump this summer are enormous cuts to SNAP: Who qualifies, how much they get, and who foots the bill for the program. That last part is a huge change. For the entire history of the food stamp program, the federal government has p…

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Why Taylor Sheridan Switched Saddles 17:11

13h ago17:11

17:11

Matt Belloni joins Peter to break down his blockbuster scoop that Hollywood’s hit showrunner Taylor Sheridan is leaving Paramount to sign with rival NBCUniversal. As Matt explains, this wasn’t about money—it was about respect, or the glaring lack thereof under David Ellison’s new regime. So what does this mean for Sheridan, Paramount, and NBCU? To …

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Trump’s Department of Injustice 21:22

2d ago21:22

21:22

Eriq Gardner joins Peter to discuss what’s really going on with the D.O.J.’s prosecution of three of the president’s political enemies: James Comey, Tish James, and John Bolton. Eriq explains why some of the cases are flimsier than others, thanks in part to the missteps of interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan—a handpicked Trump loyalist who has n…

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The remittance mystery 28:26

1d ago28:26

28:26

For decades, the U.S. has been the single biggest source of remittances worldwide. A remittance is a transfer of money, typically from an immigrant to their family in their country of origin. But we are in the middle of a big, loud and very public immigration crackdown on those who are here without legal status. And that crackdown is disrupting the…

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159. Teaching Homeschoolers with Jean Lee of the Academy of Chaos 29:30

2d ago29:30

29:30

Jean Lee is a neuroscientist and homeschooling parent of three who founded the Academy of Chaos, which provides classes for homeschoolers. She’s also the director of the Midwest Homeschool Expo, one of the largest secular homeschool conferences in the United States. Jean’s career is defined by scaling operations, leading diverse teams, and building…

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Shutdown Endgame Scenarios & The G.O.P. Power Vacuum 21:28

3d ago21:28

21:28

Leigh Ann Caldwell joins Peter to discuss two upcoming off-ramps for the government shutdown, and the pressure points that could bring an end to this grueling political stalemate. Then they consider how House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune have ceded congressional power to Trump, and what this portends for both parties g…

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Can “professor” Charlie Puth pass our qualifying exam? 38:27

3d ago38:27

38:27

Charlie Puth breaks down his new single "Changes," a maximalist eighties production hiding a melancholy story about drifting friendships. As he prepares for fatherhood, the singer-songwriter reflects on how relationships evolve from deep conversations to small talk, why he listens to lyrics last, and his belief that music should offer a three-minut…

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Tesla’s Trillion-Dollar Question 26:40

4d ago26:40

26:40

Bill Cohan joins Peter to game out Tesla’s existential question: can the company survive without Elon Musk at the wheel, especially if shareholders balk at his trillion-dollar pay package? The duo also discuss the improbable comeback of meme stocks—from Beyond Meat to Krispy Kreme—and the White House’s head-scratching flirtation with quantum comput…

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Trump's Plan to Remake the Middle East | Kamran Bokhari 1:03:43

4d ago1:03:43

1:03:43

In Episode 446 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with geopolitical analyst and forecaster Kamran Bokhari about Trump's 20-point Gaza peace plan and the new security order taking shape in the Middle East. Kamran first appeared on Hidden Forces in the days following the October 7th attacks to discuss the wider war unfolding between the U.S., I…

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Media Monday: Adam Silver’s Nightmare & Zaz-Ellison Voodoo 27:29

5d ago27:29

27:29

Jon Kelly joins Peter Hamby to weigh in on the two most significant media crises du jour: the NBA’s nightmarish betting scandal and the ongoing and tortured WBD auction. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adcho…

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The "Boomer Blues" and a Return to Faith | Roger Mitchell 1:48:05

6d ago1:48:05

1:48:05

Episode 445 is the ninth installment in the Hundred Year Pivot podcast series. In it, Demetri Kofinas and Grant Williams speak with Roger Mitchell, an entrepreneur and writer whose essay "The Answer Was Here All the Time," published in Grant Williams's 2025 compendium, explores faith, meaning, and the search for moral grounding in a contemporary We…

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The $5M TBPN Playbook 48:08

7d ago48:08

48:08

John Coogan and Jordi Hays, co-hosts of The Technology Business Programming Network, join Dylan to discuss how they scaled their podcast from a one-hour weekly show to a five-day live juggernaut pulling in roughly $5 million in ad revenue. They explain how they’ve managed to captivate both Silicon Valley and, increasingly, Wall Street—not to mentio…

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Should the fine have to fit the crime? 25:45

6d ago25:45

25:45

The U.S. Constitution famously outlaws “cruel and unusual punishments.” But there's another, far more obscure part of the Constitution called the Excessive Fines Clause, which basically says that the fine has to fit the crime. So far, the Supreme Court has been pretty mysterious about what that means. But for Ken Jouppi, the fate of his $95,000 pla…

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WBD Deal Heat & Wall Street Recession Chatter 23:23

8d ago23:23

23:23

Bill Cohan joins Peter to break down how David Zaslav is navigating the deal heat surrounding Warner Bros. Discovery, as suitors line up and Paramount’s David Ellison continues jacking up the price of his offer. Bill also weighs in on the mounting recession jitters, and why we might finally be due for a market crash. To learn more about listener da…

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NFL Envy & Baseball's Ohtani Problem 26:12

9d ago26:12

26:12

John Ourand joins Peter in the commentary box to discuss why the NFL is suddenly jealous of the NBA, and whether Roger Goodell will renegotiate the league's multi-billion dollar rights deals. Plus, with the World Series kicking off, Peter grills John about the growing payroll gap in Major League Baseball and whether a salary cap can stop rich teams…

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TikTok’s Trojan Horse Strategy 25:03

8d ago25:03

25:03

When TikTok videos started to go viral on Instagram and Reddit, TikTok turned to professional sound designers to protect their content. More and more companies are paying to develop a “sonic identity” – a series of sounds, songs, and micro-jingles to help maintain a unified brand. In this episode, in conjunction with the sound design podcast Twenty…

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158. Teaching Novel Writing with Tavia Stewart & Laura Bradley of NaNo 2.0 24:58

9d ago24:58

24:58

National Novel Writing Month might be gone, but its founder Chris Baty and a collection of former employees and volunteers are making sure the writing tradition continues. Next month their new organization, NaNo 2.0, will be encouraging writers all over to start and complete a novel, while also providing support through resources and camaraderie. I…

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Julia Ioffe on Russia’s Secret History 26:49

10d ago26:49

26:49

Julia Ioffe joins Peter to discuss her acclaimed new book, Motherland: A Feminist History of Modern Russia, from Revolution to Autocracy, which is a finalist for the National Book Awards. They chart the book’s origins to its publication, how Putin’s Russia has changed since the early days of Julia’s remarkable undertaking, what she discovered while…

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Zohran ’26 Game Theory 25:27

11d ago25:27

25:27

Leigh Ann Caldwell joins Peter for a rollicking conversation touching on Chuck Schumer’s calculus for not endorsing Zohran Mamdani, perhaps the most electrifying and divisive candidate this cycle; how Zohran’s lefty politics could destabilize Hakeem Jeffries’ plans to retake the House; and whether Hill leadership can unify the far left and center r…

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How D'Angelo changed music, in three songs 37:05

10d ago37:05

37:05

On October 14th, the visionary musician D’Angelo passed away at 51 years old. Only releasing three albums during his lifetime, he synthesized influences from gospel, jazz, rock, and hip-hop to create a singular and transcendent sound artists still try – and fail – to emulate today. On this special episode of Switched On Pop, Charlie and Nate are jo…

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Media Monday: The Spotify-Netflix Marriage & The NBA’s A.I. Play 22:17

12d ago22:17

22:17

Jon Kelly and Peter are reunited for a conversation around NBA commissioner Adam Silver’s evolving vision for integrating artificial intelligence in his league’s media strategy. The pals also weigh in on Netflix and Spotify’s fascinating new partnership. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/pr…

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Jake Sullivan’s Toughest National Security Decisions, from On Point 48:26

14d ago48:26

48:26

Sharing an episode of On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti. On Point is a rare public space where you hear nuanced explorations of complex topics live and in real time. Host Meghna Chakrabarti leads provocative conversations that help make sense of the world, with urgency, timeliness and depth. In this episode, Meghna talks to Jake Sullivan, who has be…

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How Russia’s shadow fleet is sailing around oil sanctions 31:18

13d ago31:18

31:18

Bjarne Caesar Skinnerup works as a maritime pilot in the straits of Denmark. That means he’s used to seeing oil tankers. But after the start of the war in Ukraine, the tankers started getting weird. They were flying flags he’d never seen before. They were old, very old, though many had taken on new names. Something was off. He’d stumbled on a shado…

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OpenAI’s Dirty Little Secret 29:55

15d ago29:55

29:55

Ian Krietzberg joins Peter to discuss OpenAI’s eternal tug-of-war between profit and principle. As Ian explains, Sam insists he’s serving both—though his new plan to let ChatGPT generate erotica undercuts his narrative that OpenAI is making the world a better place. Ian also peels back the curtain on the company’s questionable legal maneuvers and w…

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The Athlete-Media Gold Rush & OpenAI’s Copyright Cage Match 24:17

16d ago24:17

24:17

Julia Alexander joins Peter to break down the booming business of athlete-owned media—how valuable these ventures really are, and why only select athletes can spin up a hit podcast like the Kelce brothers or LeBron James. Then they dig into Sora 2 and the escalating copyright wars between OpenAI and legacy media. To learn more about listener data a…

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122 Carman - No Monsters 1:19:30

15d ago1:19:30

1:19:30

Another Halloween Carman-spook-tacular is upon us! Donavon of Jesus Stole Our Movies joins us to discuss the No Monsters music videoBy Clifton Stuckey

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The year NYC went broke 31:59

16d ago31:59

31:59

In 1975, New York City ran out of money. For a decade it had managed to pay for its hundreds of thousands of city employees and robust social services by taking on billions of dollars in debt. But eventually investors were no longer willing to lend the city any more money. New York teetered on the edge of bankruptcy — the city shuttered more than a…

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157. Food Education with Alexandra DeSorbo-Quinn of Pilot Light 34:49

16d ago34:49

34:49

Alexandra DeSorbo-Quinn is the executive director of Pilot Light, a nonprofit that helps educators incorporate food education into their lessons. She joined the organization in 2014, hired personally by its founders as its first staff member, and since then, she has proudly worked in partnership with many educators, chefs and community members to g…

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M.T.G. ’28 Chatter & Stephen Miller's Shadow 22:44

17d ago22:44

22:44

Leigh Ann Caldwell joins Peter Hamby to discuss Marjorie Taylor Greene’s whiplash-inducing pivot from QAnon-adjacent wingnut to Obamacare-curious economic populist. Is she reinventing herself for a 2028 presidential run, or just impossible to pin down? Then they turn to Stephen Miller, the Rasputin-like architect of Trump’s hardline immigration age…

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What do John C. Reilly and Taylor Swift have in common? The Great American Songbook 57:12

17d ago57:12

57:12

John C. Reilly joins to discuss Mr. Romantic, his theatrical tribute to the Great American Songbook that treats Irving Berlin and Tom Waits as equals in the canon of timeless American song. Reilly recorded live in one room with his band using vintage ribbon microphones, embracing the squeaks and imperfections while layering in cinematic sound effec…

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Shutdown Game Theory 21:45

18d ago21:45

21:45

Abby Livingston joins Peter with the latest intel from Capitol Hill on the now two-week-old government shutdown. As Abby explains, unlike shutdowns of the past, this one is unique: neither party seems particularly worried about political blowback, and leaders aren’t anywhere close to a deal to reopen the government. As we barrel toward what could b…

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China's Quest to Engineer the Future | Dan Wang 50:19

19d ago50:19

50:19

In Episode 444 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Dan Wang, author of Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future, about his pioneering new framework that compares the U.S. and China not along ideological lines or modes of governance, but by state capacity and the propensity to build. According to Dan Wang, China is an "engineering s…

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Media Monday with Meredith! 51:19

19d ago51:19

51:19

In a very special episode, Jon Kelly has a candid conversation with New York Times Company C.E.O. Meredith Kopit Levien about Gray Lady’s extraordinary transformation during her tenure. The two chop it up about the Times’ M&A strategy, the company’s investment in software, the paper’s institutional advantages, the evolution of its lifestyle product…

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Ellison’s Playbook & NFL’s $100B Bonanza 51:51

21d ago51:51

51:51

Veteran media analyst Michael Nathanson returns to the pod for a romp through the sports media circus: David Ellison and Paramount’s sports rights binge, the NFL’s looming $110 billion rights bonanza, legacy media’s curious flirtation with niche sports, and much, much more. If you like what you heard on this episode, click here to subscribe to more…

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How the government got hedge funded 28:10

20d ago28:10

28:10

The U.S. government spends a ton of money, on everything from Medicare to roads to defense. In fact, it spends way more than it takes in. So…it borrows money, in the bond market. By selling U.S. Treasurys, basically IOUs with periodic interest payments. And for decades, people have loved to invest in Treasurys, for their safety and security. But la…

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Ozempic Hips Take the Runway 24:00

22d ago24:00

24:00

Lauren Sherman joins Peter to debrief after Fashion Month in Paris and Milan, where the major houses were under serious pressure to deliver. Lauren breaks down the season’s winners and losers—and dissects some of the rising trends this season, including Ozempic hips, 80s fashion throwbacks, and more. To learn more about listener data and our privac…

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The War Within 22:11

23d ago22:11

22:11

Julia Ioffe joins Peter to reveal what military officers are telling her about Donald Trump’s plans to deploy troops to American cities. As Julia explains, many officers feel bound by the chain of command, even as they quietly worry about the precedent—but the real question is how this affects Americans’ faith in their armed forces. To learn more a…

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156. Impact Mentoring with Dr. Scott Pickle 33:12

23d ago33:12

33:12

Dr. Scott Pickle is superintendent of the Sequoia Union Elementary School District in Woodlake, California. He is also a public speaker and best-selling author who uses his platform to champion the belief that all students can achieve at high levels. Scott used his 30 years of experience to write two published books, Upright and Impact Mentoring: 2…

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The End of Neoliberalism and the Coming Storm | Viktor Shvets 54:34

24d ago54:34

54:34

In Episode 443 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with former investment banker turned global strategist Viktor Shvets, whose books The Great Rupture and The Twilight Before the Storm provide an audaciously comprehensive and compelling framework for understanding the forces shaping our world. These include technology and finance, amplified by…

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Two ways AI is changing the business of crime (Two Indicators) 19:39

23d ago19:39

19:39

Pre-order the Planet Money book here for your free gift. Our sister show, The Indicator, is chronicling the evolving business of crime for its Vice Week series. Today, we bring to you two cases of crime in the age of AI. First, cybercriminals are using our own voices against us. Audio deepfake scams are picking up against individuals but also again…

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Sam Altman’s Hollywood Lawsuit Machine 18:22

24d ago18:22

18:22

Eriq Gardner joins Peter to discuss the legal nightmare that is Sora 2, the A.I. video generating social app that’s set the internet ablaze. As OpenAI faces major litigation from The New York Times and the Authors Guild, Eriq explains why Sam Altman remains bullish that he can prevail in court—and why the company keeps forging ahead with new produc…

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The G.O.P.’s Healthcare Hustle 22:25

25d ago22:25

22:25

By Puck | Audacy

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Taylor Swift’s Showgirl Sound: How to actually listen to the album 1:09:28

24d ago1:09:28

1:09:28

By Vulture

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Media Monday: CBS News’s Bari Era & Hollywood’s A.I. Slop Machine 26:58

26d ago26:58

26:58

Jon Kelly and Peter reunite to scrutinize Bari Weiss’s imminent coronation as editor-in-chief of CBS News—and what her arrival might mean for the old guard still clinging to the house of Murrow and Cronkite. They also assess OpenAI’s new video-generation model, Sora 2, and Zuckerberg’s new social media platform, Vibes, along with the A.I.-related d…

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Hollywood’s Sora 2 Panic & Zuck’s Vibes Play 1:01:42

28d ago1:01:42

1:01:42

Julia and Dylan dive into the launch of OpenAI’s new video-generation app, Sora 2, and Mark Zuckerberg’s A.I. social media platform, Vibes. They explain why these releases have sent Hollywood into a state of not-so-mild panic, and how these A.I. platforms might reshape the media industry writ large. Then, they turn to the YouTube TV–NBCU carriage d…

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BOARD GAMES 2: Making our prototype 35:41

27d ago35:41

35:41

It’s here! It’s free to download and playtest! It’s the Planet Money game! (Download here.) Download and playtest the game go here Sign up for the 11/1 virtual AMA event and get updates about the game Submit your feedback on the game Watch the how-to video with Kenny and Elan for playtest instructions In this episode, the story of how we arrived he…

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The Power of the Trio (ft. Trousdale live at USC) 48:39

29d ago48:39

48:39

There's no lead singer in Trousdale. The trio of Quinn D'Andrea, Georgia Greene, and Lauren Jones, has shared vocal duties equally since they started singing together as students at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music. Since then, they've touring the world and released a sophomore album, Growing Pains, that features the…

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CBS News's Bari Era & Larry’s TikTok Machinations 23:15

29d ago23:15

23:15

Kim Masters joins Peter to scrutinize the expanding Ellison empire at Paramount Skydance as David Ellison prepares to install Bari Weiss as CBS News’s editor in chief, raising concerns that the queen of anti-woke will upend the Cronkite-era newsroom once and for all. Kim also breaks down Larry Ellison's involvement in TikTok and why the new deal an…

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Gagosian’s Art Doctrine 22:15

1M ago22:15

22:15

Marion Maneker joins Peter to reflect on his recent sit-down with legendary art dealer Larry Gagosian—shedding light on his succession plans, his read on the art market slowdown, his enduring bond with Jeff Koons, and much more. Marion also spotlights a buzzy new Keith Haring exhibition making waves across the industry. To learn more about listener…

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121 Silage - Watusi 1:31:38

29d ago1:31:38

1:31:38

Jay and Clifton wonder whether Silage’s Watusi is a ska album, rap-rock album, or even just an elaborate youth group prank.By Clifton Stuckey