Political Gabfest

Where sharp political analysis meets informal and irreverent discussion.

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About the Show

Voted “Favorite Political Podcast” by Apple Podcasts listeners. Stephen Colbert says, “Everybody should listen to the Slate Political Gabfest.” The Gabfest is hosted by Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz. Listen for the debates, stay for the cocktail chatter.

Hosts

The “Back to School” Edition

The Afghanistan evacuation, starting school during delta, and the path forward for infrastructure–with guest host Jamelle Bouie.

The “Tragedy of Afghanistan” Edition

The Afghanistan withdrawal, with guest Annie Pforzheimer; California’s recall election; and personal pandemic ethics—with guest host Alexandra Petri.

The “Little Fires Everywhere” Edition

The IPCC’s frightening climate report, Paul Sabin on his new book Public Citizens, and COVID and kids.

The “Impeach Today!” Edition

Cuomo refuses to resign, the eviction moratorium survives for now, and the arrival of vaccine passports.

The “Medieval Battle” Edition

The Jan. 6 Commission, new mask guidance and the return to work, and Annie Lowrey on the “time tax”.

The “Actually It Is ‘Infrastructure Week!’ ” Edition

Delta and the vaccination decline, the bipartisan infrastructure plan lives another day, and the pandemic Olympics.

The “Mature Minor” Edition

Escalating threats to democratic elections, minors’ rights to vaccination, and Josh Levin on the podcast One Year: 1977.

The “Gab Me Baby One More Time” Edition

New York City’s primary election, J.D. Vance’s Senate run, and injustice illuminated by Britney Spears

The “Failed Justice Breyer Countdown” Edition

Infrastructure negotiations, alarming Supreme Court decisions on democracy, and Bill Cosby’s release.

The “F School, F Softball, F Cheer, F Everything” Edition

The post-pandemic workforce, Tucker Carlson, and student wins at the Supreme Court.

The “New, New, New Cold War” Edition

Biden meets with Putin, McConnell’s plans to block a Biden Supreme Court nominee, and Melissa Murray on what “critical race theory” is and is not.

The “Manchin on the Hill” Edition

Joe Manchin, how the Trump DOJ lives on, and George Packer’s four Americas.

The “Murder Mystery” Edition

The Big Lie bill is bigger in Texas; Biden’s agenda stalls under minority rule; and Patrick Sharkey on the rise in violent crime.

The “Gain of Function” Edition

The lab-leak theory of COVID-19, the Belarus hijacking, and David Shor on polling and pragmatic politics.

The “Hot Button Issue” Edition

Israel, abortion at the Supreme Court, and Nine Nasty Words,with John McWhorter.

The “Million Dollar Jab” Edition

The post-pandemic economy; vaccine hoarding and COVID confusion; and Alex Stamos on the Colonial Pipeline hack.

The “Martyrdom of Liz Cheney” Edition

Liz Cheney defies the Trumpists, Trump’s Facebook suspension upheld, and going meatless gets political.

The “Live at 100 Days” Edition

A live Gabfest on the policies and politics of Biden’s first 100 days—with guest Jamelle Bouie!

The “Guilty, Guilty, Guilty” Edition

The Chauvin verdict, with Dwayne Betts; Andrew Yang’s mayoral campaign; and why the U.S. invaded Iraq, with Noreen Malone.

The “Blood Clot” Edition

The vaccine “pause,” the death of Daunte Wright, and Biden’s commission on the U.S. Supreme Court.