The Moynihan Report

Osprey Studios
  • 4.7 (244)
  • News Commentary
  • Updated Semiweekly

Michael Moynihan sits down with the people shaping culture, media, and public life to dive into the personal, the political, and the petty. Every Thursday, expect confessions, historical nitpicks, verbal blood feuds, and the deepest of deep cuts.

  1. 2d ago

    Jay McInerney on Sex, Drugs, and Literary Stardom

    -Moynihan's Introduction  -Cocaine, Basquiat, and the Odeon  -The Making of Bright Lights, Big City  -Meeting Raymond Carver  -Writing, Aging, and Looking Back  -Becoming a Literary Celebrity  -Writing in the Aftermath of 9/11  -Politics, Mamdani, and Angela Davis  -Cancel Culture and Censorship in Publishing  -COVID and the Deserted City  -The Lost World of 1980s New York  -Brain Surgery, Heart Surgery, and Mortality  -Writing a Memoir and Revisiting the Past  -Rielle Hunter and the John Edwards Scandal  -Quitting Cocaine and Confronting Addiction  -The Friends Who Didn't Survive  -What's Left to Accomplish Monologue photo provided courtesy of the Odeon (in the intro)   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Jay McInerney on Sex, Drugs, and Literary Stardom

  2. Oct 15

    What the West Gets Wrong About the Middle East | Simon Sebag Montefiore

    Historian and bestselling author Simon Sebag Montefiore joins Michael Moynihan to discuss his new book, The Cauldron: The Making of the Modern Middle East, and the history behind one of the world's most contested regions. They examine the myths surrounding Israel's founding, the Palestinian Nakba, the rise and fall of Arab nationalism, and the emergence of political Islam. Montefiore challenges the popular decolonization narrative, explains why the Iranian Revolution of 1979 transformed the region, and considers why Western audiences, particularly younger generations, have embraced increasingly distorted versions of Middle Eastern history. Along the way, they discuss antisemitism, the failures of Israeli leadership, the prospects for democracy in the Arab world, and whether Israelis and Palestinians can ever reach a lasting political settlement. Chapters -From Russia to the Middle East -Antisemitism and Montefiore's Family History -The Internet and the Persistence of Historical Myths -Why Historians Need to Speak Up  -Challenging the Settler-Colonial Narrative -Criticizing Israel vs. Antisemitism -Why Is the West Obsessed With the Middle East? -Anti-Colonialism and the New Crusaders -Was the 1948 War Inevitable? -The Nakba and the Palestinian Exodus -Zionism Before 1948 -From Left-Wing Radicalism to Islamism -Nasser and the Muslim Brotherhood -Why the Iranian Revolution Changed Everything -Can Democracy Take Root in the Middle East? -How the West's View of Israel Changed -The Future of a Two-State Solution -The Biggest Misconception About the Middle East Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    What the West Gets Wrong About the Middle East | Simon Sebag Montefiore

  3. Oct 9

    Is Elon Musk a Fraud? Alex Gibney Makes His Case

    Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney joins Michael Moynihan to discuss his new film, Musk, a critical examination of Elon Musk's rise to extraordinary wealth and political power. They debate Musk's genuine achievements at Tesla and SpaceX, his transformation into a Trump ally, and whether his greatest talent is innovation or self-promotion. Gibney also defends the film's more controversial claims involving Ashley St. Clair, the 2024 election, DOGE, and access to sensitive government data, while Moynihan presses him on the line between legitimate investigation and conspiracy theory. Plus, Tesla's self-driving promises, the dangers of AI, and why Gibney believes Musk is ultimately a confidence man.   (0:00) Cold Open (0:03) Monologue (1:09) Musk’s Accomplishments at Tesla and SpaceX (3:14) The Myth of Elon Musk (5:45) Musk’s Political Transformation (9:07) The Politics of Rage (11:53) Interviewing Elon’s Father (13:41) Musk’s Break With Trump (17:22) Musk’s Attacks on Gibney (18:22) Ashley St. Clair and Her Credibility (22:31) Musk and the 2024 Election (26:58) DOGE and Government Data (30:46) Evidence vs. Speculation (33:33) Starlink, Government Contracts, and Crony Capitalism (36:07) Musk and the Dangers of AI (40:03) Tesla’s Self-Driving Claims (44:39) Musk’s Greatest Talent: Selling the Future (46:44) Is Elon Musk a Con Man? (50:58) Walter Isaacson’s Musk Biography (54:00) Is Musk a Genius or a Villain? (56:15) Money and Political Influence (58:30) Musk’s Drug Use and Behavior (1:00:00) Self-Delusion and Noble Cause Corruption Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Is Elon Musk a Fraud? Alex Gibney Makes His Case

  4. Sep 30

    Carlos the Jackal and the Birth of Modern Terrorism

    Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Joby Warrick joins Michael Moynihan to tell the story of Carlos the Jackal, the Venezuelan Marxist who became the world’s most notorious terrorist. They discuss his rise through the Palestinian militant movement, his ties to the Soviet bloc, and the governments that allowed him to operate across Europe and the Middle East for decades. Warrick also recounts meeting an unrepentant Carlos in a French prison and explains how his brand of international terrorism anticipated Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and the decentralized political violence of today. We're nominated for Signal Awards! Vote for The Moynihan Report for:Best video podcast: https://bit.ly/4jxj2wYBest guest (William Shatner): https://bit.ly/4AG4zozBest episode: https://bit.ly/4dxq7tZAlso: The Fifth Column is in the running for Best News & Politics show: https://bit.ly/3U0K8ST  CHAPTERS (0:00) Cold Open(0:20) Intro(1:44) Becoming Carlos the Jackal(5:10) Terrorism, Marxism and Antisemitism(8:34) The Paris Grenade Attack(11:35) Why Europe Paid Off Terrorists(15:42) The Soviet Terror Network(22:49) Terrorism and the Palestinian Cause(28:20) Meeting Carlos in Prison(35:55) Carlos and the Nazis(39:02) From Marxism to Radical Islam(41:58) The CIA Informant Who Betrayed Carlos(44:45) How Dictators Protected the Jackal(47:02) The Legacy of 1970s Terrorism(49:21) What Happened to Al-Qaeda and ISIS?(52:45) Israel and the Axis of Resistance(56:08) Political Violence Today Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Carlos the Jackal and the Birth of Modern Terrorism

  5. Sep 23

    Michael Musto Remembers Everything

    Michael Musto Is Mr. Adjacent  Village Voice and NYC icon Michael Musto joins Michael Moynihan for a tour through the New York he chronicled from the inside, from growing up gay in Bensonhurst to the glory days of downtown nightlife, celebrity gossip, the Club Kids, Michael Alig, ACT UP, RuPaul, and the AIDS crisis. They also talk about outing celebrities, Rosie O’Donnell calling Musto a “gay Nazi,” the changing city, and what it meant to spend decades watching New York culture from just off center. Chapters -Growing Up Gay in Bensonhurst -Escaping Brooklyn for Manhattan  -Outing Celebrities -Blind Items and Village Voice Lawyers -Michael Alig and the Angel Melendez Murder -Old New York and Gentrification -Mamdani -Making Money in Journalism -Was Musto Too Mean? -When Straight People Call Themselves Queer -AIDS  -What Happened to the Old Club Scene? -Mr. Adjacent   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Michael Musto Remembers Everything

  6. Sep 16

    Jon Lovett Thinks Democrats Forgot How to Be Liberal

    Jon Lovett joins the show to talk about what Pod Save America is actually trying to be, why Democrats have struggled to find a coherent political identity, and how Lovett went from writing jokes for Hillary Clinton to becoming one of the biggest voices in liberal media. They get into Hassan Piker and the socialist left, the disappearance of old-fashioned liberalism, Kamala Harris, Katie Porter, Zohran Mamdani, the politics of Woke 1.0, antisemitism on the left, Israel and Zionism, and whether a life spent arguing about politics ever gets exhausting. Plus, the childhood humiliation Lovett says made him a Democrat. Why Are Democrats So Bad at This?Why Jon Lovett Chose PoliticsWriting Jokes for Hillary ClintonAl Franken, Air America, and Liberal MediaHassan Piker and the Left’s Media ProblemWho Gets to Be in the Democratic Tent?The Maoist Wing of the DSAWhat Happened to Liberalism?Kamala Harris, Katie Porter, and Political TalentHow Democrats Lost Working-Class VotersMamdani and The Fifth Column Batting Average“Desire Paths” and Woke PoliticsIs It Hard to Be Jewish Right Now?Brad Lander and Antisemitism on the Left“Genocide” as a Political Litmus TestIs Jon Lovett a Zionist?Does Politics Ever Get Exhausting?Ambition, Fame, and Why He Keeps Doing It Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Jon Lovett Thinks Democrats Forgot How to Be Liberal

  7. Sep 9

    Penelope Spheeris Has Seen Some Sh*t

    Penelope Spheeris has spent her life around chaos, from Richard Pryor and the early days of punk to Wayne’s World and the machinery of Hollywood. She joins Michael to talk about The Decline of Western Civilization, turning down Spinal Tap, fighting over Wayne’s World, and collecting decades of grudges along the way. There are stories about Lemmy, Tina Fey, Britney Spears, Jennifer Aniston, Chris Farley, and a rhinestone dildo. Penelope has seen some shit, and she’s still happy to talk about it.   (0:00) Cold Open(0:18) Monologue(1:03) Richard Pryor and the Lost Movie(6:02) Decline, Chaos, and Making Sense of Her Demons(10:45) Guns N’ Roses Bails, Megadeth Steps In(12:33) Lemmy’s Bad Review(16:16) Punk Rock, Childhood Trauma, and Seven Stepfathers(19:46) Fame, Money, and Unfulfilled Expectations(22:57) Passing on Spinal Tap(24:03) Chris Holmes and the Pool Scene(27:34) The Decline vs. Wayne’s World(29:30) Losing Wayne’s World 2(32:07) Dana Carvey, Tina Fey, and Britney Spears(35:08) Life With Her Schizophrenic Partner(37:53) Chaos, Boredom, and Happiness(39:05) Getting Rich Without Trying(41:30) The Memoir and Being Written Out of Hollywood(44:48) Jennifer Aniston and the Dildo(47:27) Mike Myers, Chris Farley, and Black Sheep Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Penelope Spheeris Has Seen Some Sh*t

  8. Sep 3

    Gene Simmons: I Was King A-Hole for 29 Years

    Gene Simmons sits down with Michael Moynihan in Los Angeles for a conversation about family, ambition, and the American dream. They talk about his mother’s survival of the Holocaust, coming to America, KISS, Bob Dylan, money, marriage, and why the music business isn’t what it used to be. Oh yeah, and after nearly 50 years as the Demon, Gene Simmons is still speeding up.   (0:00) Cold Open (0:31) Monologue (1:47) Gene Simmons, Nice Jewish Boy (6:31) Assimilation, America, and Learning the Language (9:36) His Mother Survived the Holocaust (19:23) The $8 Million Check to Mom (20:05) At 77, Gene Is Speeding Up (21:03) Why KISS Had to End (22:26) Bob Dylan Shows Up to Write a Song (31:24) Selling KISS and the Business of Rock (33:23) Streaming Killed the Romance of Music (36:36) Ace, Peter, Drugs, and the Breakup of the Original Band (45:25) Diana Ross, Shannon Tweed, and the Playboy Mansion (50:50) Twenty-Nine Years as “King A*****e” (53:48) Making His Mother Proud, Then His Wife and Kids Proud Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Gene Simmons: I Was King A-Hole for 29 Years
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Hosts & Guests

4.7
out of 5
244 Ratings

About

Michael Moynihan sits down with the people shaping culture, media, and public life to dive into the personal, the political, and the petty. Every Thursday, expect confessions, historical nitpicks, verbal blood feuds, and the deepest of deep cuts.

Information

  • Creator
    Osprey Studios
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    92
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Osprey Studios
  • Show Website
    The Moynihan Report

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