The Contrarian Pod

The Contrarian
  • 4.9 (35)
  • 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. contrarian.substack.com

  1. Jim Acosta on the Failures of Legacy Media and Why Kristi Noem Must Be Impeached

    1D AGO

    Jim Acosta on the Failures of Legacy Media and Why Kristi Noem Must Be Impeached

    As part of Wednesday morning’s Coffee with the Contrarians, Norm Eisen and Jen Rubin caught up with Jim Acosta. Jim’s celebrating his one year anniversary in independent media, and if you look at the current state of legacy media, it's never been more important to have voices like his. We talked about what’s going on with the DHS appropriations funding bill, what the Trump Administration is trying to do to Alex Pretti and others who are peacefully demonstrating, and how we can collectively meet the moment. Coffee with the Contrarians is live, every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 9:15am 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 contrarian.substack.com/subscribe

    38 min
  2. 'We Need to Confront This Immorality'

    2D AGO

    'We Need to Confront This Immorality'

    As we’ve seen in Minnesota and elsewhere, The Department of Homeland Security has violently weaponized ICE against the American people. Enough is enough. Jen spoke with Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) to discuss how Democrats in Capitol Hill can step up and fight back against a proposed DHS funding bill, and why accountability is paramount moving forward to protect Americans. And, reporter Katie Phang [21:30] is on the ground in Minneapolis, and gave a firsthand account of everything she’s seen in the Twin Cities during a special edition of Coffee with the Contrarians. Coffee with the Contrarians is live, every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 9:15am 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 contrarian.substack.com/subscribe

    57 min
  3. Sen. Whitehouse on DHS Funding, Greenland, and more

    6D AGO

    Sen. Whitehouse on DHS Funding, Greenland, and more

    Greenland, Iceland, whatever Trump is the name of the country has been spared from U.S. invasion — at least for now. What hasn’t been spared is the quickly deteriorating relationships with NATO allies. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Jen discuss NATO’s future, Trump’s submissiveness towards Russia, and the Democrats’ dilemma over an impending DHS appropriations bill. 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 contrarian.substack.com/subscribe

    28 min
  4. Fear and Faith in Minnesota

    JAN 22

    Fear and Faith in Minnesota

    As a part of this morning’s Coffee with the Contrarians, political commentator Maria Cardona joined Jen to discuss the latest in Minnesota. She’s a veteran of democratic campaigns and administrations, and shared what she’s hearing from residents now afraid to go out of their homes, and why Latino Trump voters now feel betrayed. And, Reverend Paul Raushenbush [17:25] is the President and CEO of Interfaith Alliance. It’s an organization that aims to protect faith and freedom by respecting individual rights and fight back against the co-opting of religion from the right. Jen and Rev. Raushenbush discussed how vital community, non-violent resistance, and hope can be when we fight autocracy — no matter your religious affiliation. Coffee with the Contrarians is live every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 9:15am 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 contrarian.substack.com/subscribe

    47 min

  5. JAN 20

    DOJ Officials are Resigning Over ICE's Actions

    The Department of Justice is suffering from a wave of resignations. Departing attorneys and legal counsel are reportedly done with the bogus lawsuits and abuse of civil rights laws in Minnesota and elsewhere. To make matters worse, the DOJ is pushing for an investigation into Renee Good while rejecting pleas to look into Jonathan Ross. Stacey Young is a former DOJ Civil Rights attorney and is now the Executive Director of Justice Connection. It’s a network of DOJ alumni who are now standing up for the rule of law and protecting former colleagues that are being targeted by this administration. Stacey and Jen talked about what’s happening in Minnesota, the consequences of a prejudiced justice department, and the possibilities for state prosecution for crimes that were federally pardoned. And, April Ryan had the chance to chat with Minnesota Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan [24:37]. They talked about how officials and faith leaders in the state are fighting back and why the Trump regime’s actions have nothing to do with keeping people in Minnesota safe. The Tea with April Ryan is live every Thursday at 5pm 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 contrarian.substack.com/subscribe

    40 min
  6. The historic inflection point we now live in

    JAN 16

    The historic inflection point we now live in

    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 contrarian.substack.com/subscribe

    30 min

  7. JAN 15

    Global Instability, and Trump’s Ten Steps to Authoritarianism

    The Trump regime removed Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro, but the country’s power structure mostly remains, its oil infrastructure is decimated, and drug trafficking continues. Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, talked to Jen about what could happen next in Venezuela, Iran, Greenland, and Taiwan. And, on Monday, Senator Jeff Merkley [31:05] from Oregon released a new report analyzing Trump’s authoritarian playbook for the United States. In it, he highlights ten steps that are already in motion. He also discussed the horrific killing of Renee Good in Minnesota and how Congress can move to take back some of the power Trump has consolidated. 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 contrarian.substack.com/subscribe

    42 min
  8. Breaking down the legal battles against the Trump Administration

    JAN 13

    Breaking down the legal battles against the Trump Administration

    Today marks the one-year anniversary of The Contrarian, and what a year it has been for us and for America. This work has never been more important, your support has never been more important. We are fighting every day to support the rule of law, the Constitution, and frankly, human decency. To mark the occasion, Norm and Jen spoke with legal analyst and friend of The Contrarian Katie Phang during this morning’s special edition of Coffee with the Contrarians to discuss the lawsuits that Illinois and Minnesota have initiated. April Ryan also joined to talk about the impeachment proceedings being initiated by Representative Robin Kelly of Illinois, the lawsuit against Pete Hegseth brought by Senator Mark Kelly, and why we should listen when Trump says white supremacist dog whistles. 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 contrarian.substack.com/subscribe

    30 min
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4.9
out of 5
35 Ratings

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. contrarian.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    The Contrarian
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Contrarian
  • Show Website
    The Contrarian Pod

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