The Contrarian Pod

The Contrarian
  • 4.9 (38)
  • NEWS COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Jen Rubin and Norm Eisen bring you the best of The Contrarian's unflinching journalism to defend democracy—truthful, not neutral. Listen for political and legal analysis, uncompromising interviews, and steps for actionable resistance in defense of democracy. www.contrariannews.org

  1. The Cost of War, an Unsteady Job Market, and the Labor Impacts of AI

    6H AGO

    The Cost of War, an Unsteady Job Market, and the Labor Impacts of AI

    Jared Bernstein is here today with his Let’s do Lunch series! This week, he talks with Neil Mahoney, who runs the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, to answer questions from our substack subscribers on everything you might want to know in the world of Economics.  As you can imagine, we got a ton of questions about the economic impact of Trump’s war with Iran, the effects on the cost of oil, the disruption in trade and the Strait of Hormuz, and lots more The Contrarian is owned by nobody. Your paid subscription helps us bring you the brightest voices in politics & culture and fight every day against the Trump chaos machine. Join us on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.contrariannews.org/subscribe

    31 min
  2. Why Donald Trump Went to War

    1D AGO

    Why Donald Trump Went to War

    Trump’s unconstitutional, reckless war continues. Aaron David Miller, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, prolific author, State Department veteran, and former diplomat joined Jen to try to answer some of the most pressing questions when it comes to Trump’s war: What was Bibi Netanyahu’s motivation? Why did previous presidents not go to war? What’s the outcome for the United States and the future for the Middle East? The Contrarian is owned by nobody. Your paid subscription helps us bring you the brightest voices in politics & culture and fight every day against the Trump chaos machine. Join us on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.contrariannews.org/subscribe

    27 min
  3. Sen. Jeff Merkley Wants to Stop Pouring More Money into Trump's War with Iran

    5D AGO

    Sen. Jeff Merkley Wants to Stop Pouring More Money into Trump's War with Iran

    Donald Trump has launched a unilateral, unconstitutional and reckless war against Iran that has inflamed the entire region. He also wants more money to pay for it. Even with over $900 billion for the Defense Department, he wants more. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and I talked about how this reckless and unnecessary war, and why wee shouldn’t give another dime to the Trump administration to pay for it. And on Coffee with the Contrarians, political data analyst and pollster G Elliot Morris [20:48] swung by to explain why Democrats prevailed in Texas, why turnout was so high, and the coalitions Democrats will need to construct in order to be victorious in the upcoming Midterms. The Contrarian is owned by nobody. Your paid subscription helps us bring you the brightest voices in politics & culture and fight every day against the Trump chaos machine. Join us on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.contrariannews.org/subscribe

    47 min
  4. Dems' Big Night, GOP's Rough Path Forward

    MAR 4

    Dems' Big Night, GOP's Rough Path Forward

    Last night’s elections in Texas, North Carolina, and Arkansas were on every level a big night for Democrats. They won where they needed to, and they have a shot at flipping a Senate seat in Texas. Simon Rosenberg, election guru, author, and creator of Hopium Chronicles, talked with Jen about the Democrats’ huge night, not only in Texas, but across the Senate landscape. We also looked at how Republicans’ constant kowtowing to Trump and failed gambles at redistricting could change the outcome of pivotal Congressional races in the Midterms. And on the Tea with April Ryan, April chatted with election strategist Terrance Woodbury [27:33]. They looked at the voting power of the Black community in the South and why Black men are the new swing voters. The Contrarian is owned by nobody. Your paid subscription helps us bring you the brightest voices in politics & culture and fight every day against the Trump chaos machine. Join us on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.contrariannews.org/subscribe

    52 min
  5. Trump's Avoidable, Deadly, Costly War with Iran

    MAR 3

    Trump's Avoidable, Deadly, Costly War with Iran

    Donald Trump has taken us to war with Iran. He didn’t have congressional authorization. He didn’t conduct a national debate. He didn’t even tell us a precise reason for the war, how long it will last or what it will cost. So what are service members putting their life on the line for? Jen spoke with two lawmakers, Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), who have a lot to say about the subject. Despite Trump’s claims, Sen. Andy Kim says he hasn’t seen any proof of imminent threat from Iran. Rep. Adam Smith [17:56] walked Jen through the possible outcomes of the war, the potential for this to spin out of control, and the fact that this was entirely avoidable simply by continuing down a diplomatic path. The Contrarian is owned by nobody. Your paid subscription helps us bring you the brightest voices in politics & culture and fight every day against the Trump chaos machine. Join us on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.contrariannews.org/subscribe

    30 min
  6. Justin Wolfers on Tariffs, the Myth of Job Growth, the Reality of Racism

    FEB 27

    Justin Wolfers on Tariffs, the Myth of Job Growth, the Reality of Racism

    Two events happened recently that left us scratching our heads. First, the Supreme Court struck down Donald Trump’s illegal tariffs. Secondly, Trump had a State of the Union address that felt more like an out-of-body experience than decipherable policy. To help us decipher both, Jen spoke with Justin Wolfers, he’s a renowned economist, professor at the University of Michigan, and one of our favorite people to talk with at The Contrarian. The two discussed the decision on tariffs, and what the new rate of 10% (or maybe it’s now 15%?) actually means for the economy. They also look at Trump’s claims on job growth and what sectors are actually hiring. Justin also shares some career news and shares his thoughts on the anti-immigrant racism and rhetoric that now seems acceptable in American politics. The Contrarian is owned by nobody. Your paid subscription helps us bring you the brightest voices in politics & culture and fight every day against the Trump chaos machine. Join us on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.contrariannews.org/subscribe

    37 min
  7. Reclaiming Faith for Democracy

    FEB 25

    Reclaiming Faith for Democracy

    Last night was Trump’s first State of the Union address since his return to office. It was dreadful, rambling, embarrassing, vicious, insulting, disgraceful, and filled with lies. He used the speech to further divide Americans to hide his own miserable record. On this morning’s Coffee with the Contrarians, Norm Eisen and Jen Rubin chatted with Reverend Paul Raushenbush. In addition to being a Baptist minister, he’s the president and CEO of the Interfaith Alliance, an organization dedicated to protecting faith and freedom, respecting individual rights, and fighting back against the co-opting of religion from the right. We talked about Trump’s speech, Paul’s appearance on the National Mall at the Alternative State of the Union, and why the faith community is a critical part of a broad pro-democracy coalition. Coffee with the Contrarians is live every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday at 9:15 am eastern on The Contrarian substack. The Contrarian is owned by nobody. Your paid subscription helps us bring you the brightest voices in politics & culture and fight every day against the Trump chaos machine. Join us on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.contrariannews.org/subscribe

    31 min
  8. How Religion is Being Weaponized in American Elections

    FEB 24

    How Religion is Being Weaponized in American Elections

    Tom Malinowski, friend of The Contrarian, former congressman and State Department official, recently lost his bid for the 11th Congressional District in New Jersey. He was defeated in a way that should disturb all of us. AIPAC has become a source of dark money, and while it used to be a bipartisan organization, it’s now being funded heavily by Republican billionaires. Tom and Jen discussed the danger that poses to our democracy, the possibility of airstrikes in Iran and why Trump’s so-called “Board of Peace” is just another scam. Though Tom didn’t win his primary race, there are other great candidates that are willing to stand up against this authoritarian takeover. Sarah Trone Garriott [29:35] is running for Iowa’s 3rd district. She’s a former hospital chaplain who wants to fight back against rising costs, restrictions in healthcare, and funding cuts to SNAP. We also talked about the concerning spread of religious nationalism in America and how we can push back against the weaponization of faith. The Contrarian is owned by nobody. Your paid subscription helps us bring you the brightest voices in politics & culture and fight every day against the Trump chaos machine. Join us on Substack. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.contrariannews.org/subscribe

    43 min
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About

Jen Rubin and Norm Eisen bring you the best of The Contrarian's unflinching journalism to defend democracy—truthful, not neutral. Listen for political and legal analysis, uncompromising interviews, and steps for actionable resistance in defense of democracy. www.contrariannews.org

Information

  • Creator
    The Contrarian
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Contrarian
  • Show Website
    The Contrarian Pod

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