Best Siege On Democracy Podcasts (2025)

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David French: Free Speech, Cancel Culture, and the Kimmel Moment 50:07

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1h ago50:07

50:07

Charlie Sykes welcomes David French back to the podcast to unpack the fallout from Jimmy Kimmel’s viral monologue and Donald Trump’s failed attempt to cancel him. Together they explore why government pressure on speech crosses a bright constitutional line, how cancel culture has backfired across the political spectrum, and why Americans must return…

1
Goodnight, and Good Luck: 20 Years Later 12:39

1d ago12:39

12:39

Joseph and Shirley Wershba, worked at CBS news back in the good ol' days. In 1948, along with Edward R. Murrow, Joe Wershba helped produce the CBS’s first salvo against McCarthyism. Brooke spoke to Joe and his wife Shirley in 2005 about the film "Good Night, and Good Luck," which was partly based on their life. On the Media is supported by listener…

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Interview: Science Under Siege 47:44

1d ago47:44

47:44

What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Interview with Dr. Michael E. Mann and Peter J. Hotez, M.D., Ph.D., about Science Under Siege. Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And remember that you can find TWIS in all the podcast directories. […] The post 19 September, 2025 – Intervi…

1
Julian Zelizer: Power and Punishment 38:16

1d ago38:16

38:16

Charlie Sykes and historian Julian Zelizer take a hard look at a whirlwind week of political intimidation, weaponized investigations, and the GOP’s muted response. Zelizer explains how public commands to the Justice Department, lawsuits used as tools of intimidation, and attacks on the press fit into a broader pattern that risks normalizing authori…

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Daniel Drezner: Trump 2.0, Free Speech, and Foreign Policy Failures 40:41

3d ago40:41

40:41

Charlie Sykes talks with Daniel Drezner, academic dean and distinguished professor at Tufts University’s Fletcher School, to discuss the evolution of Trump from “toddler-in-chief” to something far more troubling. They explore how Trump’s “Pence-proofed” administration is reshaping American democracy, his escalating attacks on the media, and the int…

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Free Speech for Me, but Not for Thee. Plus, Librarians Under Siege. 51:39

6d ago51:39

51:39

Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show has been pulled off the air following his comments about Charlie Kirk’s killer. On this week’s On the Media, how threats to free speech have escalated in the wake of the assassination. Plus, a school librarian in Louisiana shares how she’s been targeted by book-banning activists. [02:25] Host Micah Loewinger sits down…

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Sentient Meat Science 1:55:24

5d ago1:55:24

1:55:24

What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Life on Mars, HomoNaledi, Koala Vaccines, Bugs Against Cancer, Human Bees, Earthquake Energy, Alcoholic Chimps, Bad Math, Clone Ants, and Much More Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. Remember that you can find […] The post 17 Sept…

1
Adam Kinzinger: Free Speech Under Siege 41:30

6d ago41:30

41:30

Charlie Sykes is joined by former Congressman Adam Kinzinger to unpack the mounting threats to free speech in America. They examine Donald Trump’s escalating lawsuits, the dangerous conflation of criticism with “hate speech,” and the broader culture of intimidation that chills dissent. Together, they reflect on the lessons of history, the hypocrisy…

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Paul Offit Has Opinions About RFK Jnr. 38:16

8d ago38:16

38:16

Brooke Gladstone speaks with Paul Offit, the director of the Vaccine Education Center and a physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, about how the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., purged the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee members, the controversial figures Kennedy repla…

1
Tom Nichols: Into Darkness 52:27

8d ago52:27

52:27

Charlie Sykes and Tom Nichols return to “the gloom” for a conversation about political violence, creeping authoritarianism, and the weaponization of tragedy. They explore how figures like Donald Trump and Stephen Miller are openly embracing rhetoric and policies with fascist undertones, while allies and opponents alike struggle to respond. From pro…

1
Garry Kasparov: Putin, Poland, and the Peril of American Democracy 45:07

10d ago45:07

45:07

Former world chess champion and democracy activist Garry Kasparov joins Charlie Sykes to discuss Russia’s escalating war, including the deliberate drone strike on Poland. He warns how Vladimir Putin thrives on testing NATO’s resolve while Donald Trump’s response further weakens Western unity. Kasparov also explains why America’s fragile democratic …

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Is The MAGA Movement a Cult? How to Become a Tyrant. Radical Nationalistic Devotion: The “Charismatic Leadership” of Trump & the Cult Following He’s Created with MAGA. Can the Country Ever Recover from ... 1:12:27

12d ago1:12:27

1:12:27

Welcome to this brand-new episode of Light ‘Em Up! We’ve had our cake and ate it too (and it was delicious) celebrating achieving our 100th episode! Now it is time to get back to work. Thank you to all of our previous guests, listeners and fans who contacted us, sharing warm, caring and nice thoughts about the show. We are truly here for you and be…

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The Aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s Murder. Plus, the Rise and Fall of CBS. 50:20

13d ago50:20

50:20

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed in front of a crowd of students at Utah Valley University. On this week’s On the Media, how the murder of a MAGA media powerhouse is driving both calls for unity, and more violence. Plus, CBS cracks under pressure from the Trump administration. [01:00] Hosts Brooke Gladstone and Micah Loewinger…

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Jonathan Rauch: The Rise of the Woke Right 47:49

13d ago47:49

47:49

Charlie Sykes is joined by Jonathan Rauch of the Brookings Institution and The Atlantic for a conversation recorded just as news of the shooting of Charlie Kirk broke. The conversation touches on the rise of political violence, the collapse of civic norms, and the spread of postmodern thinking on the right. Rauch explains how truth is being replace…

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Apocalypse Again 21:41

14d ago21:41

21:41

Brooke chats with Dorian Lynskey, cultural journalist and author of the recent book, Everything Must Go: The Stories We Tell About the End of the World, to examine our centuries-long obsession with telling end-of-the-world stories and what they reveal about our shifting fears through history. Plus, the evolution of the apocalyptic story, from the B…

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Garrett Graff: America Tips Into Fascism 46:47

15d ago46:47

46:47

Charlie Sykes sits down with historian and journalist Garrett Graff to examine his recent warning that America has entered a dangerous slide toward authoritarianism. From federal occupations of U.S. cities and extrajudicial killings abroad to the intimidation of business leaders and the hollowing out of Congress, Graff argues the guardrails of demo…

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Paula Kerger: PBS is Not Going Anywhere 41:44

17d ago41:44

41:44

Charlie Sykes sits down with Paula Kerger, the longest-serving president and CEO of PBS, to discuss the unprecedented defunding of public broadcasting. Kerger explains how the loss of federal support threatens hundreds of local stations, particularly in rural communities, and why this moment is a critical test for the future of public media. They a…

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No, Trump Isn't Cracking Down on Crime. Plus, How Ukrainians Tell Their Story of the War. 54:39

20d ago54:39

54:39

President Trump is preparing to send the National Guard to cities across the country. On this week’s On the Media, what the press is missing about the president’s so-called “crackdown” on crime. Plus, in the aftermath of a Russian attack, a Ukrainian town asks journalists to record the atrocities. [01:00] Host Micah Loewinger speaks with Jamison Fo…

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Tara Palmeri: A Pivotal Week in the Epstein Cover-up 38:24

19d ago38:24

38:24

Tara Palmeri and Charlie Sykes discuss a pivotal week in the Jeffrey Epstein case, as dozens of survivors gathered on Capitol Hill demanding the release of long-secret files. They examine the political maneuvering in Congress, the surprising alliances forming around transparency, and the intense pressure victims face in speaking out. Hosted on Acas…

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Science Unplugged 2:02:39

19d ago2:02:39

2:02:39

What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Government Climate Propaganda, Health Gutted, SeeMe, Less Pain With ADRIANA, It’s Not You, It’s Us, Justin Trashes a Study, Correlation? Causation on the Toilet?, Electrical Immunity?, Spleendid Healing, That Succulent Glow, and Much More Science Unplugged! Become a Patron! Check out the full …

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David Frum: Trump’s Costly Failures 47:19

20d ago47:19

47:19

Charlie Sykes sits down with David Frum of The Atlantic to unpack the mounting costs of Donald Trump’s foreign policy decisions. From alienating India and Australia to emboldening China and Russia, Frum explains how short-sighted vanity and corruption are leaving the United States increasingly isolated. The conversation also covers Trump’s entangle…

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The Viral Outrage Over Peanut the Squirrel 30:04

22d ago30:04

30:04

A beloved squirrel named Peanut was seized in a raid by New York environmental officers last year. A maelstrom of online outrage ensued, upending New York wildlife enforcement in the process. In conversation with NYC Now's Janae Pierre, our colleague, reporter Jon Campbell, unravels the saga -- revealing a story about mistaken identities and the po…

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Ali Breland: Nick Fuentes and the Far Right’s Rising Influence 39:11

24d ago39:11

39:11

Charlie Sykes is joined by Ali Breland of The Atlantic to discuss his recent article, America’s Next Top Racist. They examine how Nick Fuentes has built a devoted following, pushed the GOP further right, and influenced both rhetoric and policy despite his openly racist views. The conversation explores why Fuentes’ rise matters, how mainstream figur…

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Is America Becoming an Autocracy? 50:28

27d ago50:28

50:28

President Donald Trump’s countless executive orders and mounting deportations are testing America’s democratic institutions. On this week’s On the Media, what we can learn from Hungary’s recent backslide into autocracy. Plus, why resistance movements throughout history have succeeded with 3.5 percent of the population, or less, behind them. [01:00]…

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You Can't Retract Good Science 2:32:30

26d ago2:32:30

2:32:30

What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Interstellar Interloper, Mind’s Eye, Jumping Spiders, Pig Lungs, Covid Shots, Ape Medicine, Cane Toads, Bird Poop, Justin Trashes a Study, Phantom limb, Big Brainy Thumb, Nature Words, and Much More Good Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast […] The post …

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Sarah McLaughlin: Authoritarians in the Academy 39:23

27d ago39:23

39:23

Charlie Sykes speaks with Sarah McLaughlin, senior scholar at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, about her new book Authoritarians in the Academy. They explore how foreign governments and domestic pressures alike are eroding free expression on U.S. campuses, from disinviting speakers to surveilling international students. McLaughl…

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The Journalist Who Saw WW2 Coming 9:59

29d ago9:59

9:59

For these last couple of weeks of August we’ve been airing a miniseries from our friends at Radio Diaries.The third and final part is about a woman named Dorothy Thompson. In 1939, Time Magazine called her a woman who “thinks, talks and sleeps world problems and scares strange men half to death.” They weren’t wrong. Thompson was a foreign correspon…

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Zee Cohen-Sanchez: Beating Charlie Kirk at his Own Game 39:51

29d ago39:51

39:51

Charlie Sykes sits down with organizer Zee Cohen-Sanchez, founder of National Ground Game, to talk about the fight for young voters on America’s campuses. They dig into why conservative groups like Turning Point USA are outpacing Democrats in building infrastructure and community for Gen Z, and how online influencers from Charlie Kirk to Nick Fuent…

1
What Makes You Think They Won’t Come for You? 31:33

1M ago31:33

31:33

Charlie Sykes unpacks a week of extraordinary events—from the FBI raid on John Bolton’s home to Trump’s humiliating summit with Vladimir Putin and the alarming expansion of visa surveillance. He warns that these actions aren’t isolated but part of a broader campaign of intimidation and authoritarian drift. Sykes argues that if the government can we…

1
Pro-Life & Pro-Death Penalty: Hypocrisy & Hypoxia. How Does One Reconcile These Polar Opposites? An In-depth Examination of the Pelican State of Louisiana. 1:03:04

1M ago1:03:04

1:03:04

Welcome! We’re thrilled and excited that you joined us as we celebrate an enormous milestone — our 100th episode of Light ‘Em Up. This achievement has been 5 years in the making and something we honestly never envisioned accomplishing when we started this project in January of 2020. Email us here, [email protected] and let us know how …

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What is Your Science Policy? 2:15:55

1M ago2:15:55

2:15:55

What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Interview with Adriana Bankston, Jakalopes, Bat Hugs, Mystery Skull, Autism, Flowers for Robots, Baby Brains, Decoding Inner Speech, Space Threats, And Much More Science! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our science podcast on YouTube or Twitch. And, remember that […] Th…

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The Power of Shortwave Radio. And, What Gets Lost with Voice of America? 50:36

1M ago50:36

50:36

This month, the director of Voice of America is being forced out in the latest of many moves to dismantle the state broadcasting service. On this week’s On the Media, a history of the Voice of America, and how it’s been politicized. Plus, hear why propagandists in Russia, China, and Iran are celebrating cuts to U.S.-funded foreign reporting. [01:00…

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Chris Cillizza: The Rubber Band Theory 47:49

1M ago47:49

47:49

Charlie Sykes sits down with journalist Chris Cillizza to unpack his "rubber band theory" of American democracy and how Trump-era politics may stretch institutions beyond repair. The two also debate Gavin Newsom’s political future, Elon Musk’s latest pivots, and why the Epstein files refuse to fade from the headlines. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com…

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The Forgotten Shock Jock Who Paved the Way for Rush Limbaugh 9:39

1M ago9:39

9:39

This week, we're airing part two of a documentary series, courtesy of Radio Diaries, about three radio personalities who had huge audiences in their time, but today, are largely forgotten. These days, we’re used to media that thrives on conflict, that amplifies the most outrageous voices in the room. It’s something we often trace back to shock jock…

1
Ben Wittes: Five Alarm Fires 48:13

1M ago48:13

48:13

Charlie Sykes and Lawfare’s Ben Wittes unpack the fallout from Donald Trump’s Alaska summit with Vladimir Putin, a meeting that left America humiliated and Ukraine on edge. Wittes shares his own surreal run-in with the Secret Service after chalking a Ukrainian flag outside the Russian embassy, and together they trace how symbolism, appeasement, and…

1
Silicon Valley's Rightwing Roots. Plus, the CEO of Bluesky Reimagines Social Media 50:28

1M ago50:28

50:28

When Donald Trump returned to office, tech companies donated millions of dollars to his inaugural committee. On this week’s On the Media, the rightwing roots of Silicon Valley. Plus, the CEO of the burgeoning social media platform, Bluesky, on how to billionaire-proof the internet. [01:00] Micah Loewinger speaks with Becca Lewis, a postdoctoral res…

1
Conor Lamb: Democratic Messaging, Crime, and the Trump Threat 45:36

1M ago45:36

45:36

Former Pennsylvania Congressman Conor Lamb joins Charlie Sykes for a wide-ranging conversation on the challenges facing the Democratic Party. They discuss how Democrats can regain credibility on crime, counter Trump’s “law and order” narrative, and present a clear vision to voters. Lamb also weighs in on gerrymandering, the state of the 2026 midter…

1
The Famous Black Preacher Who Feuded With MLK 15:41

1M ago15:41

15:41

For these final weeks of summer we wanted to transport you away from the doom and gloom of the daily news with a trio of stories produced by our friends at the public radio documentary-maker, Radio Diaries. The series is called “Making Waves” and it profiles three people who pushed the boundaries of radio: one to warn, one to rile, one to preach. T…

1
Tony Gilroy: Yes, Andor Does Rhyme with Our Political Moment 39:47

1M ago39:47

39:47

Charlie Sykes sits down with Andor creator Tony Gilroy for a conversation about the show's record-breaking Emmy nominations, its historical inspirations, and its unintentional political resonance. Gilroy discusses drawing from centuries of rebellion and authoritarian playbooks, the banality of evil, and why some institutions willingly surrender to …

1
Harry Litman: The DOJ Turned Upside Down 36:23

2M ago36:23

36:23

Charlie Sykes and Harry Litman break down the sweeping politicization of the FBI and Department of Justice under Donald Trump, from purging veteran agents to elevating January 6 rioters into senior roles. They explore the administration’s push to rewrite history, weaponize investigations against political opponents, and erode the rule of law. With …

1
Trump's Fact Eradication Program. Plus, How Jubilee is Transforming Political Debate 50:20

2M ago50:20

50:20

President Trump fired the commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics following a weak jobs report. On this week’s On the Media, how the Trump administration is threatening government data. Plus, a viral YouTube channel raises questions about the meaning of political debate. [01:00] Host Brooke Gladstone situates President Trump’s recent firing …

1
Prompting You to Think Scientifically 2:04:24

2M ago2:04:24

2:04:24

What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Funding State, mRNA HIV vaccine, Radioactive rhino horn, Wasting Source, Editing Diabetes, Roaches, Cockatoos, GLP1, Snails, Roach Bots, Political Sway, and Much More to Prompt You to Think Scientifically! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or […] Th…

1
Jessica Riedl: The Last Fiscal Conservative 35:06

2M ago35:06

35:06

Charlie Sykes welcomes Jessica Riedl of the Manhattan Institute for a conversation on the state of the U.S. economy under Trump 2.0. They cover everything from fantasy math in drug pricing claims to the White House’s assault on economic data, growing authoritarian tendencies, and the chaos of tariff policy. Plus, they dig into the gerrymandering ar…

1
Eric Adams' Latest Scandal 20:13

2M ago20:13

20:13

Here in New York we’re not due to select our next mayor till November but somehow it feels like we’re already embroiled in pre-election chaos. Eric Adams is now running as an independent, and to do so he was required to present the signatures of 7,500 New Yorkers who support him. He actually handed in around 50,000 signatures so he more than made t…

1
Tara Palmeri: Epstein, Maxwell, and the Survivors' Fight for Justice 50:29

2M ago50:29

50:29

Charlie Sykes speaks with investigative journalist Tara Palmeri about her years-long coverage of the Jeffrey Epstein case and her deeply personal reporting on the survivors. Palmeri recounts her work on the Broken: Jeffrey Epstein podcast and shares chilling insights into the power networks that enabled Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell to evade justic…

1
Tom Nichols: The Gilded Presidency 48:41

2M ago48:41

48:41

Charlie Sykes welcomes Tom Nichols to talk about Trump’s gilded ambitions—from redesigning the White House to purging the military of disloyalty. They unpack the political theater behind the Smithsonian’s historical revisions, the moral collapse of Senate confirmations, and the erosion of democratic norms under MAGA pressure. Hosted on Acast. See a…

1
Unmasking America: Birthright Citizenship, Mass Deportation & the Cost of Exclusion. The 14th Amendment on Trial, Citizenship Under Siege. The Use of the Executive Order to Bypass the Constitution ... 1:05:08

2M ago1:05:08

1:05:08

We welcome you to this in-depth, investigative, fact-finding episode of Light ‘Em Up. Thank you for joining us — as we march one step closer to achieving an enormous milestone, our 100th episode! In this episode we are diving into complex and impactful topics. We’ll drill down on the concept of Birthright Citizenship — enshrined by the 14th Amendme…

1
Images of Mass Starvation Shift Gaza Coverage. Plus, the Forgotten History of the First Sitcom. 50:30

2M ago50:30

50:30

As reports of starving children in Gaza mount, France, Britain, and Canada are preparing to recognize Palestinian statehood. On this week’s On the Media, Palestinian journalists documenting food scarcity in Gaza are themselves going without food. Plus, how Israeli tv stations are deflecting blame for the blockade on aid. [01:00] Host Micah Loewinge…

1
This is the Science You Can Trust 1:56:47

2M ago1:56:47

1:56:47

What is in the This Week in Science Podcast? This Week: Atomic Slits, Vaccines Work, Wifi Fingerprint, Ancient Teeth, Deep Life, Fat for Tumors, Immunity in your head, Cultural Function, Brain Generics, and Much More Science you can trust! Become a Patron! Check out the full unedited episode of our podcast on YouTube or Twitch. […] The post 30 July…

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Adam Kinzinger: Epstein, Enemies Lists, and the Collapse of Courage 43:36

2M ago43:36

43:36

Charlie Sykes welcomes former congressman Adam Kinzinger to discuss the Trump-Epstein saga, congressional cowardice, and the erosion of democratic norms. They discuss Trump's obsession with loyalty, the Senate’s institutional decay, and why even Harvard is caving to pressure. From enemies lists to media capitulation, Kinzinger argues this is the de…