The David Frum Show

4.9 (843)
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To defend democracy, one has to believe in it. To believe in democracy, one has to understand it. Where it came from. How it works. What’s true. What’s not. What others did before you. How it could be better. How to make a difference. Each week, The David Frum Show digs deep into the big questions people have about our society, explains the progress Americans have made together, and reminds us that the American idea is worth defending.

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Trailer

Introducing: The David Frum Show

To defend democracy, one has to believe in it. To believe in democracy, one has to understand it. Where it came from. How it works. What’s true. What’s not. What others did before you. How it could be better. How to make a difference. Each week, The David Frum Show digs deep into the big questions people have about our society, explains the progress Americans have made together, and reminds us that the American idea is worth defending. Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer Prize–winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news to fascinating explorations of our world. Subscribe today at TheAtlantic.com/podsub. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2025-04-02

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1 min

The Atlantic has long been known as an ideas-driven magazine. Now we’re bringing that same ethos to audio. Like the magazine, the show will “road test” the big ideas that both drive the news and shape our culture. Through conversations—and sometimes sharp debates—with the most insightful thinkers and writers on topics of the day, Radio Atlantic will complicate overly simplistic views. It will cut through the noise with clarifying, personal narratives. It will, hopefully, help listeners make up their own mind about certain ideas. The national conversation right now can be chaotic, reckless, and stuck. Radio Atlantic aims to bring some order to our thinking—and encourage listeners to be purposeful about how they unstick their mind.

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Politics
Reporting on the sweeping changes unfolding in the United States, and preparing you to think about what might happen next. Subscribe now to The Atlantic to hear all 5 episodes of our latest season available immediately on January 9, 2026.

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Politics
Some call it Hurricane Katrina. Some call it the Federal Flood. Others call it the day the levees broke. On August 29, 2005, the city of New Orleans was submerged. That story of hubris, incompetence, and nature's wrath is now etched into the national consciousness. But the people who lived through the flood and its aftermath have a different story to tell. A story of rumors, betrayal, and one of the most misunderstood events in American history. Hosted by Vann R. Newkirk II. Floodlines has been named an Apple Podcasts Series Essential.

4.8 (148)

History
Professionally narrated articles from The Atlantic—just for subscribers. For more audio articles, visit theatlantic.com/audio or download The Atlantic app.

5.0 (2)

News
The Atlantic Onstage brings you into the room—at Atlantic events across the country—as journalists, policy makers, and thinkers engage in candid conversations about the news and issues shaping the world.

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News
The story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination on April 4, 1968, is often recounted as a conclusion to a powerful era of civil rights in America, but how did this hero’s murder come to be the stitching used to tie together a narrative of victory? The week that followed his killing was one of the most fiery, disruptive, and revolutionary, and is nearly forgotten. Over the course of eight episodes, Holy Week brings forward the stories of the activists who turned heartbreak into action, families scorched by chaos, and politicians who worked to contain the grief. Seven days diverted the course of a social revolution and set the stage for modern clashes over voting rights, redlining, critical race theory, and the role of racial unrest in today’s post–George Floyd reckoning.

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History

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David Frum

Host
Phillips O'Brien

Guest
Lloyd Blankfein

Guest
Danielle Crittenden

Guest
Jamal Simmons

Guest
Adam Posen

Guest
Matthew Pottinger

Guest
Fareed Zakaria

Guest
Andrew Roberts

Guest
Alastair Campbell

Guest

4.9

out of 5

843 Ratings

Cuts through the noise

May 13

CM_Violet

This show has become a “must listen” for me. As a Canadian who remembers how revered his mother was, DF has always been on my radar but I never agreed with his politics. (Oh remember the quaint days when neo-cons were the scary ones?) I now appreciate David’s clarity, his thoughtfulness, his earnestness, his authenticity and honesty in knowing his own values (even if I don’t agree with them all) and yes even his compassionate conservatism. David for your earnestness against Trumpism in the face of all the headwinds: thank you for remaining a voice of rationality.
Full of omissions of Israeli atrocities in Gaza and West Bank

May 24

Patrice Berry

This podcast, and David’s work in general, is in alignment with his being a self-professed “good friend of Israel”. You won’t find balanced coverage here - you will find omission.
A philosopher among us

Feb 11

Citoyen canadien

David provides us with rational thought, comprehensive data and deep review of these crazy times. His analysis cuts through the emotional nonsense and irrationality of the extreme left and right. Bravo!
Dispatches from Grief

May 6

Parahippocampus

a very moving piece I felt David and Danielle almost brought their beloved daughter back to life. It must have taken a lot of courage. I will buy the book. But, I want its wisdom to resonate with a wider audience and feel frustrated that you didn’t make reference to your enormous privilege of wealth, status, housing, healthcare and all the resources which can be mustered in a loving and supportive family-outside a war zone. Some might ignore the wise messages, and say “They had it easy”, which is not the case , since losing a child is so painful. Nevertheless, I think the piece has so much to offer.

To defend democracy, one has to believe in it. To believe in democracy, one has to understand it. Where it came from. How it works. What’s true. What’s not. What others did before you. How it could be better. How to make a difference. Each week, The David Frum Show digs deep into the big questions people have about our society, explains the progress Americans have made together, and reminds us that the American idea is worth defending.