The David Frum Show

4.6 (2.2K)
NEWS COMMENTARY
UPDATED WEEKLY

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

04/02/2025

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1 min

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.

4.8 (1393)

POLITICS
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.

4.3 (2127)

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 (3398)

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

3.8 (31)

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.

4.7 (298)

HISTORY

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David Frum

Host
David Brooks

Guest
Anne Applebaum

Guest
Will Thomas

Guest
Michael Waldman

Guest
Tom Nichols

Guest
Ken Burns

Guest

4.6

out of 5

2,242 Ratings

Very Much Enjoy and Value

Jan 21

podsrhealthiernnews

I echo all the positive accolades of the previous reviews in this space. I truly value the David Frum show - it’s intelligence and David’s demeanor. And…I do subscribe to the Atlantic.
What a sweet

Jan 18

Walks talks and sews

Man. Like so many of us out here, I need to hear regularly from men and women for whom have passionate commitments to do what they can for the benefit of all and be able to effectively call out those who will not or cannot benefit others.
Fabulous podcast!!

Jan 3

kccodger

David Frum is the most thoughtful, and intelligent podcaster publishing today. He is invariably considerate of his guests. His monologues are brilliantly penetrating. I am hopeful that this podcast will reach a much wider audience.
Podcasts — you know

Jan 3

Mncxds

Oddly on a show about podcasts — Charlie Warzel, a staff writer and the host of the Galaxy Brain podcast, said “you know” over 25 times within the first twenty minutes and “right” about 35 times. This is really bad podcasting.

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.