Best Eric Zorn Podcasts (2025)

1
Not Even Mad: Eric Zorn and Austin Berg 1:04:27

22d ago1:04:27

1:04:27

Austin Berg and Eric Zorn are Not Even Mad as we discuss mayoral overcrowding and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, the supposed new MAGA slayer. Plus: a few thoughts on our new American spiritual leader—not the pope, but the Surgeon General. Produced by Corey Wara Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ To advertise on the show, contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠sales…

1
EP 19 | Austin Berg & Eric Zorn 56:44

22d ago56:44

56:44

Austin Berg and Eric Zorn are Not Even Mad as we discuss mayoral overcrowding and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, the supposed new MAGA slayer. Plus: a few thoughts on our new American spiritual leader—not the pope, but the Surgeon General.Produced by Corey Wara Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ To advertise on the show, contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠sales@…

1
Ben Ansell on FAFO, FADFO, and the Myth of Immediate Consequence 44:44

1h ago44:44

44:44

Oxford political scientist Ben Ansell discusses the meme-worthy but deeply explanatory concept of FAFO—f**k around and find out—and its subtler cousin FADFO, where reckless policy choices oddly fail to produce blowback. Why bad ideas often go unpunished, from Brexit to tariffs to defund-the-police slogans and MMT. Ansell argues that liberal democra…

1
Bark Buttons: “Who Let the Dogs Talk?” 40:26

16h ago40:26

40:26

Today on The Gist: Sadie Dingfelder returns for an “Is That BS?” segment to investigate dog talking buttons—those viral gadgets that claim to give pets a voice. Are dogs actually communicating abstract thoughts, or is it all one big squeaky placebo? Then, a look at Trump’s trade policy unraveling —cue the Wall Street “TACO trade” (Trump Always Chic…

1
The Mincing Rascals 5.28.25: Chicago crime down, POTUS pardons, Harvard vs. Trump

1d ago

—

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute, and longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys! The Rascals start the podcast this week talking about violence being down over Memorial Day weekend and crime in general being down in Chicago. Are Mayo…

1
Tusk Talk: Why Cuomo Leads and the Subways Smell Like Sh*t 47:51

1d ago47:51

47:51

Political strategist and author Bradley Tusk joins to diagnose the 2025 New York City mayor’s race—why voters seem fine with Andrew Cuomo’s refusal to reckon with past scandals, and why the race feels like it’s happening in a parallel city only 3% of residents live in. Plus The Rehearsal, not only the best comedy on TV, makes a serious point about …

1
Pig Sacrifices and Talking Drums: Don't Squeeze the Shaman 45:33

3d ago45:33

45:33

Manvir Singh, author of Shamanism: The Timeless Religion, shares insights from a decade with Indonesia’s Mentawai people, where healing rituals double as communal celebrations. He discusses how language and metaphor shape worldviews—and where anthropology sits between science and ideology. The U.S. Mint’s final penny order closes the chapter on a c…

1
#45: REPLAY: Thriving amidst transformation, with Steve Blum, Autodesk 29:45

3d ago29:45

29:45

We aired this episode a little while ago, but thought it had some amazing insights we thought were worth sharing again. Today we’re going to talk about building a change maker culture and how you can help your teams to thrive among change, instead of being disrupted by it. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Steve Blum, Chief Operati…

1
The Gist List Live w Ethan Strauss 44:05

6d ago44:05

44:05

Today on The Gist. Ethan Strauss joined Mike Pesca for a Substack Live conversation. Today we air a portion of it focusing on Caitlin Clark and shoes. You can listen to the full interview by clicking the link below. Live w Ethan Strauss Mike Pesca n' Caitlin Clark, Jayson Tatum & you Produced by Corey Wara Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ …

1
Funny You Should Mention: Robby Hoffman 1:11:27

7d ago1:11:27

1:11:27

Comedian, podcaster, and self-described cutie-in-her-own-way Robby Hoffman drops by to discuss her life, her comedy, and why she takes talking as seriously as any other art form. From growing up ultra-Orthodox and ultra-poor to becoming a sought-after stand-up with a Porsche no one wants, Hoffman explains how she’s thrived in disaster and learned t…

1
Realign for Palestine 39:35

8d ago39:35

39:35

Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, founder of Realign for Palestine and a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council, joins to discuss his effort to reframe Palestinian advocacy around coexistence and accountability. He critiques both Hamas and Israel, pushes for reform within the diaspora, and draws a sharp ideological comparison between Hamas and ISIS. Plus, …

1
The Mincing Rascals 5.21.25: DOJ investigation, ‘snap curfews,’ Biden cancer

9d ago

—

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Brandon Pope, of WCIU, and longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys! The Rascals start off the podcast talking about the Department of Justice looking into the hiring practices of Mayor Brandon Johnson. What do the Rascals make of the DOJ probe…

1
EP 20 | Michael Cohen & Eli Lake 1:04:53

9d ago1:04:53

1:04:53

Eli Lake and Michael A. Cohen take stock of the Biden health debate—diagnosis, exaggeration, and whether it’s actually affected his presidency. Michael pushes back on what he calls the “decline industrial complex,” while Eli says its denial to think Biden was up to the job. Then they turn to Donald Trump’s proudly post-moral foreign policy, where h…

1
Not Even Mad: Eli Lake, Michael Cohen on Biden's Health, and the New Human-Rights-Free Foreign Policy 1:11:17

9d ago1:11:17

1:11:17

Eli Lake and Michael A. Cohen take stock of the Biden health debate—diagnosis, exaggeration, and whether it’s actually affected his presidency. Michael pushes back on what he calls the “decline industrial complex,” while Eli says its denial to think Biden was up to the job. Then they turn to Donald Trump’s proudly post-moral foreign policy, where h…

1
Inside the Movement to Dismantle Democracy in God’s Name 39:13

10d ago39:13

39:13

Katherine Stewart, author of Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy, explains how America’s Christian nationalist forces are exporting extremism abroad while cloaking domestic corruption in the guise of faith. Plus a suicide bombing outside a Palm Springs fertility clinic introduces the public to the dark ideology o…

1
#44: Why "slow" experiences are the new "site is down" with Gerardo Dada, Catchpoint 31:22

10d ago31:22

31:22

When your site is technically "up" but takes too long to load, customers don’t care—it might as well be down. Why is “slow” the new “down”, and how is that reshaping the way organizations think about digital experience? Today I’m joined by Gerardo Dada, Chief Marketing Officer at Catchpoint, a leader in digital experience monitoring. Gerardo recent…

1
Katherine Stewart on Christian Nationalism's Influence on Conservatism 42:32

11d ago42:32

42:32

Katherine Stewart, author of Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy, joins to discuss Christian nationalism’s influence on modern conservatism. Also, the distinction between sincere and performative beliefs in the Trump administration, especially economic fictions like tariffs not being taxes. Plus, in the context o…

1
Alexa, What's with the Pope's Brother? 28:49

13d ago28:49

28:49

Today on The Gist we revisit an interview from 2017 with Lena Kahn and play a segment from this week where Mike talked abouts the new popes MAGA brother. Produced by Corey Wara Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ To advertise on the show, contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe…

1
Henry Abbott on the Logistics of Ballistics 43:55

14d ago43:55

43:55

Henry Abbott joins to discuss Ballistic: The New Science of Injury-Free Athletic Performance, spotlighting insights from Dr. Marcus Elliott—not just about elite training, but how something as basic as learning to land can change careers and prevent lifelong injury. Plus, the three Yale professors so steeped in the study of fascism they fled to Toro…

1
Jocelyn Benson on Being a Purposeful / Purple State Warrior 48:37

15d ago48:37

48:37

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson joins to discuss her new book The Purposeful Warrior: Standing Up for What's Right When the Stakes Are High. Benson, frontrunner to become Michigan's next governor discusses the tactics she and other secretaries of state used to combat 2020 election denialism, but also her restraint during efforts to keep …

1
The Mincing Rascals 5.14.25: Pope Leo XIV, Qatari jet, Biden’s decline

16d ago

—

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, political pundit Marj Halperin, and longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys! This week, the Rascals start the podcast talking about their favorite story, meme, etc. about Pope Leo XIV. Are we pope’d out yet? As usual, plenty of news about the …

1
David Graham on The Project and the Plan to Remake American Government 41:20

16d ago41:20

41:20

David Graham author of The Project: How Project 2025 is Changing America, explains how Project 2025 seeks not smaller government, but a more obedient one—politicizing civil service, gutting regulation, and embedding a Trump-aligned worldview across federal agencies. He discusses how its authors blend sincere constitutional theory with radical insti…

1
Character Under Fire: Gen. Stanley McChrystal on the Costs of Conviction 36:34

17d ago36:34

36:34

Retired General Gen. Stanley McChrystal joins to discuss his book On Character: Choices that Define a Life, and how real character transcends grit or discipline to include values that hold under fire. Plus, Trump touches the economic stove, recoils, and suddenly recession odds drop along with tariffs rates. And from The Hague, Rodrigo Duterte wins …

1
Altman Almighty 35:43

18d ago35:43

35:43

Sam Altman’s outsize ambition and messianic optimism take center stage in a conversation with Keach Hagey, author of The Optimist: Sam Altman, OpenAI, and the Race to Invent the Future. From failed flip-phone apps to billion-dollar AI bets, Altman emerges as one of Silicon Valley’s most effective—and unsettling—dream merchants. Plus: Trump’s flying…

1
BLT: Bacon, Lettuce, and Todd 30:26

20d ago30:26

30:26

Today on The Gist we play back a section for our Chuck Todd interview that didn't make it on air and revisit a 2020 interview with Don Bacon. Produced by Corey Wara Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ To advertise on the show, contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist⁠⁠⁠⁠ Subscribe to The Gist…

1
Jim Lampley on the Blows That Made Broadcasting History 43:03

21d ago43:03

43:03

Jim Lampley joins to discuss It Happened!: A Uniquely Lucky Life in Sports Television, his memoir of sports, broadcasting, the randomness of a lucky break, and crying along with Mike Tyson. Plus: Trump’s Surgeon General pick, Casey Means, pitches metabolic woo—we break down several of her claims from appearances with Joe Rogan and Tucker Carlson. A…

1
The Mincing Rascals 5.7.25: Senate race, George Ryan legacy, Alcatraz, movie tariffs

23d ago

—

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute, and political pundit Marj Halperin! The Rascals begin the podcast discussing U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL 8) announcing that he’ll be running for the senate seat being vacated by Dick Durb…

1
Max Expression, Merz Confusion 46:24

23d ago46:24

46:24

Arkells frontman Max Kerman joins to discuss his book Try Hard: Creative Work in Progress, unpacking the craft behind stage banter, songwriting rule-breaking, and joyful collaboration. He explains why athletes lean on superstition while creatives benefit from breaking routine and planting show tickets around Red Deer with a retired farmer. Plus: Ge…

1
Holy Vehicles and Hollow Coverage 32:30

24d ago32:30

32:30

Pope Francis posthumously sends a Popemobile to Gaza — a gesture more symbolic than logistical. Chuck Todd returns to discuss media complicity, Biden’s bubble-wrap presidency, and the audience-capture logic warping modern newsrooms. In the Spiel, Bernie Sanders’ love of the word “oligarchs” versus Elissa Slotkin’s preference for “kings” is perhaps …

1
#43: Localizing video using AI with Guy Piekarz from Panjaya 22:08

24d ago22:08

22:08

Most brands invest heavily in content creation, but how much of that content actually reaches global audiences in a way that feels authentic? With 94% of B2B buyers saying they are more likely to engage with leadership and conference videos in their local language, companies are missing a massive opportunity. How can AI-powered video localization r…

1
Chuck Todd Presses On 44:08

25d ago44:08

44:08

Former Meet the Press host Chuck Todd joins to talk about his new podcast, The Chuck Toddcast. He discusses why being a non-pushover and being non-partisan are complimentary, and what too many ex-network stars get wrong about "liberation." Also how Priebus, Pence, and Kushner acted as guardrails whereas Trump 2.0 feels more like a solo demolition d…

1
Mike Stops by House of Strauss and The Dispatch 1:11:01

27d ago1:11:01

1:11:01

Today on The Gist. Mike was recently on the podcast House of Strauss and The Dispatch Roundtable. We are going to share a portion, but if you want to listen to the rest of them, use the links below! ⁠⁠HoS: Mike Pesca - by Ethan Strauss - House of Strauss⁠⁠⁠⁠The Dispatch ⁠ ⁠Podcast - Breaking News Commentary & Analysis⁠⁠Produced by Corey Wara Email …

1
Funny You Should Mention: Michelle Buteau 57:17

28d ago57:17

57:17

Michelle Buteau stops by to talk about getting high in the reptile house and why she caught flak for doing spon-con souptroversy. We also get into her Dutch husband, the spirituality she doesn’t buy into, and whether her socialism can coexist with her ambition to get paid. Plus, we ask: can a Buteau-pian society have luxe throw pillows?Produced by …

1
Rust Director Joel Souza on Tragedy, Survival, and His Non-Relationship with Alec Baldwin 43:11

29d ago43:11

43:11

Rust director Joel Souza joins for an interview about finishing a film that nearly killed him—and did kill talented cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Souza speaks candidly about grief, safety failures, and his estrangement from Alec Baldwin, as well as why completing Rust became a moral obligation rather than a commercial one.Plus National Security …

1
The Mincing Rascals 4.30.25: Durbin’s successor, Trump 100 days, Amazon tariffs, plastic ban

30d ago

—

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute (sign up for his new Substack!), longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys, and political pundit Marj Halperin! The Rascals begin the podcast discussing the odds that Governor Pritzker becomes preside…

1
What is Gen-Z Doing with Mewing? 38:09

30d ago38:09

38:09

Sadie Dingfelder returns to investigate the cult of “mewing” — the viral tongue-posture technique that promises to chisel your jaw and change your life, or IS THAT BS? Then we turn to the rarest development of all: Trump, on Day 100 of his second term, strikes a deal with Zelensky but not the big one. Plus, we salute a scrappy little government age…

1
Hubris Maximus: The Shattering of Elon Musk 42:22

1M ago42:22

42:22

Faiz Siddiqui discusses Hubris Maximus his sharp chronicle of Elon Musk’s maximalist vision, self-driving delusions, and the rule-breaking impulses that fuel both triumph and tragedy. Plus we hear a tart exchange in the White House briefing room about Amazon’s decision to itemize tariff costs. Plus, its been 100 days. At least 98 could have been a …

1
Trump 47: It's Not a Heart Attack, It's Gingivitis 46:41

1M ago46:41

46:41

David Frum, former Bush speechwriter and Atlantic contributor discusses Republican cowardice, Democratic excess, and the structural dangers facing American democracy. Frum argues that Donald Trump’s 2025 threat is deeper, more organized, and more perilous than ever before. Plus, Axios reporter Alex Thompson’s apt remarks puncture the often hollow s…

1
The Full Ginsburg 28:15

1M ago28:15

28:15

Today on the Gist, we open the vaults to 2020 to revisit and interview with Dr. Paul Offit and we replay Monday's spiel on The Full Ginsburg. ⁠⁠Join The Gist Team⁠⁠ Produced by Corey Wara Email us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ To advertise on the show, contact ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠https://advertising.libsyn.com/TheGist⁠⁠⁠ Subs…

1
Iran-Contra wrote the Playbook for Presidential Lawlessness 44:31

1M ago44:31

44:31

Alan McPherson author of The Breach: Iran-Contra and the Assault on American Democracy joins to discuss the Iran-Contra affair and how it plagued both the end of Regans Presidency and George H. W. Bush’s, but also how it ties into the politics of today. Also, Pete Hegseth is a dirty dirty boy, or at least has a dirty dirty line. Plus, its an Antwen…

1
Punchlines and Straw Men 48:40

1M ago48:40

48:40

Jeff Maurer, former Last Week Tonight writer, has been knee-deep in century-old New York Times clippings—considering the differences between yesterday’s fascism fears and today’s. In Part 2, Jeff analyzes John Oliver’s recent reliance on straw men and Jon Stewart’s fairly triumphant return to The Daily Show. Plus- who is favored in a trade battle b…

1
The Mincing Rascals 4.23.25: Durbin retiring, Pritzker’s political future, economic turmoil

1M ago

—

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Brandon Pope, of WCIU, Austin Berg of the Illinois Policy Institute (sign up for his new Substack!), and political pundit Marj Halperin! The Rascals start today’s podcast discussing Senator Dick Durbin announcing that he won’t seek another t…

1
When Experts Circle the Wagons, The Public Wanders Off 41:30

1M ago41:30

41:30

We conclude our conversation with Stephen Macedo and Frances Lee, authors of In Covid’s Wake, exploring how political structures—not just bad actors—amplified the crisis. Plus, revisiting a 2021 Washington Post article that sided with YouTube’s removal of a DeSantis-hosted panel questioning masking for young children. And in "The Spiel", a probe of…

1
Macedo and Frances Lee In Covid's Wake 42:09

1M ago42:09

42:09

The authors of In Covid’s Wake: How Our Politics Failed Us, political scientists Stephen Macedo and Frances Lee, join for a full-show interview to discuss our failures during the pandemic. The evidence shows non-pharmaceutical interventions did nothing, but the tradeoff was trillions of dollars in deficit spending, lost learning and solitary deathb…

1
Kilmar, Detained and Unnamed 33:51

1M ago33:51

33:51

Senator Chris Van Hollen made the rounds on all five Sunday shows to discuss the detention of Kilmar Abrego Garcia—but curiously avoided using Kilmar’s first name. A dissects of rhetorical and how even drink orders can become political code. Professor Michael Harte talks tariffs and trade and reflects on his time as chief economics advisor to the F…

1
Great Britain Chicken Friction 18:31

1M ago18:31

18:31

Today on The Gist. ITs a day dedicated to Chickens. Mikes 2017 opening about UK's Chicken places named after US States, and the British are squawking about a different kind of chicken — the chlorinated kind — with tabloids clucking and trade talks at risk of being deep-fried. Produced by Corey Wara Email us at [email protected] To advertise on …

1
Funny You Should Mention - T.J. Miller 57:28

1M ago57:28

57:28

Comedian T.J. Miller joins this episode of Funny You Should Mention. You might know him from Silicon Valley, Deadpool, or that time he had a choice between brain surgery with a 10% fatality rate vs. almost surely dying by 35. It is the funniest conversation ever had with the phrase "10% fatality rate" hanging in the air. Also why T.J. insists that …

1
EP 18 | Bryan Green and Carine Hajjar 56:21

1M ago56:21

56:21

Boston Globe columnist Carine Hajjar and The Commercial Break’s Bryan Green debate whether Joe Rogan’s platforming of antisemitic conspiracies signals a deeper rot—or just the cost of open conversation. Plus: should Harvard be defunded? And will Kilmar Abrego Garcia stay in a Salvadoran prison? In Goat Grinders, we take aim at student driver bumper…

1
Not Even Mad: The Commercial Break’s Bryan Green and Carine Hajjar 1:03:44

1M ago1:03:44

1:03:44

Boston Globe columnist Carine Hajjar and The Commercial Break’s Bryan Green debate whether Joe Rogan’s platforming of antisemitic conspiracies signals a deeper rot—or just the cost of open conversation. Plus: should Harvard be defunded? And will Kilmar Abrego Garcia stay in a Salvadoran prison? In Goat Grinders, we take aim at student driver bumper…

1
The Mincing Rascals 4.16.25: Teen takeovers, homeschool bill, Kilmar Ábrego García

1M ago

—

The Mincing Rascals this week are John Williams of WGN Radio, Eric Zorn, Publisher of The Picayune Sentinel, Brandon Pope, of WCIU, and longtime Chicago journalist Cate Plys! The Rascals start the podcast talking about the City of Chicago not approving a $1.25 million settlement to the family of Dexter Reed, who was fatally shot by police during a …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Eric Zorn Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen