The Ricochet Podcast

Ricochet

4.7 (1.4K)
News Commentary
Updated Biweekly

Weekly episodes of Ricochet’s flagship podcast feature our hosts James Lileks, Steve Hayward, Charles C. W. Cooke, and guests discussing the issues of the week. Listen to The Ricochet Podcast, along with more than 40 other original podcasts, at Ricochet.com. No paid subscription required. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-ricochet-podcast--5817275/support.

2d ago

Embodied Optimism

AI has many amygdalae flooding nervous systems with warnings; a rising share of Americans look toward digital technology with deep suspicion; and a data center revolt is underway. The worries are increasingly apocalyptic. But it's not that America has never experienced a transformation of comparable scale, only that no living American is old enough to remember it—or so argues today's guest: Mark Mills, author of The Cloud Revolution: How the Convergence of New Technologies Will Unleash the Next Economic Boom and A Roaring 2020s. Mark, the erudite optimist, addresses everything from the cold realities behind development, construction, and energy considerations to productivity gains, labor participation, sociocultural cohesion, and cybersecurity risks. Plus, while on the subject of the tumultuous present, James, Steve and Charles reflect on Ryan Reynolds' thoughts on the traumatic 1980s; Steve thinks through a proposal to curb bad actors in the "non-profit sector"; and while they look forward to cutting the rug at the White House's new ballroom, the trio find themselves baffled by Chief Justice Robert's sudden fretting over standing. Opening sound this week: Jason Kelce and his friends at Garage Beer want you to send your pee to data centers, and Ryan Reynolds tells Variety he was traumatized by the tumultuous 1980s. Closing music: Radetzky March Op. 228 performed by the Budapest Art Orchestra (via MotionArray) Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-ricochet-podcast--5817275/support.
Aug 28

More Hot Water

Canada is back in the news, but not in the good way like you want. So Steve and James find themselves weighing in on another renamed body of water while wading through the latest wave of weekly events. There's also curiously leaked reporting on CIA chief John Radcliffe's mission to Moscow, investigations into the Soros-backed DAs responsible for catch-and-release criminal justice, and another rich-kid commie duty-bound to lecture from the family's waterfront property. This week’s opening sound: Al Michaels starts Prime’s Thursday Night NFL schedule from a city on the Great Lakes and Alice Weidel (AfD) declares Germany is finished with immigrants. Closing music: "County Waltz," by promusic24 (via MotionArray) Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-ricochet-podcast--5817275/support.
Aug 21

Upending Your Moral Universe

It's just James and Charles this week at the post: Post-elections in Florida, Minnesota, and South Carolina - post-mortem on l'affaire de Arday - and the post-partum madness of Lindsay Clancy, who is on trial in Massachusetts for murdering her three children and receiving an inexplicably large amount of support. Opening sound this week: Sen. Darline Graham on American foreign policy and hospital chaplain Sheila Cavanaugh testifying in the Clancy trial. Music this week: Enigma Variations: Nimrod (via Motion Array) Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-ricochet-podcast--5817275/support.
Aug 14

Confessions of a Democratic Operative

For once, we can all agree with AOC: Woke 1 was crazy. But rather than laugh it off and set the stage for "true woke has never been tried," perhaps we could ask the youths to learn from their mistakes. To that end, we were pleased to chat with Evan Barker, a former fundraiser who worked within the Democratic Party's establishment and progressive insurgent wing. Having left the party in disgust in 2024, she penned the just-released New York Times bestseller, Nothing Left. James, Steve, and Charlie sat down with Evan to hear her story. Plus, the trio discuss JD Vance's take on how to sway the youngins from socialism; the Trump admin's new childhood vaccination policy; and the coming Reagan biopic about the 1986 Reykjavik Summit with Gorby. Opening Sound this week: AOC laughs off “Woke I” on ABC’s This Week, and Karen Friedman Agnifilo, attorney for Luigi Mangione, talks about his“unfair” treatment. Closing Music: "Je Plante Mes Légumes," by Bamtone via MotionArray Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-ricochet-podcast--5817275/support.
Aug 7

Rearranging the Deck Chairs

Britain is on its seventh prime minister since bidding adieu to the EU a decade back. There’s news of once-unimaginable crimes and ethnic strife shaking once sleepy shires. Even model citizens like scholar-slash-philanthropist and casual world-class athlete Jason Arday are having a hard go of it. For the lowdown on the United Kingdom’s political crisis, we’re joined by our new pal, historian and commentator Dominic Green. Plus, the regular hosty blokes see plenty of problems on our side of the pond, especially after the DSA proves that they can win statewide primaries outside coastal enclaves. But there’s always plenty to be cheery about in the land of opportunity, like DIY burritos, roaring roller coasters, and albums so familiar that you can spot the covers from miles away. Opening sound this week: Hasan Piker says, “(Screw) Black people!” James Carville says “I’m outta here” to Fox News, and UK MP Rupert Lowe says, “Everybody has to go!” Closing music: "God Save the Queen," by Ian Post (via MotionArray) Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-ricochet-podcast--5817275/support.
Jul 31

If It Pleads, It Leads

It's a milestone episode! Number Eight Hundred. That calls for a celebration. Not only does Ricochet co-founder Peter Robinson join to host, but our dear pal Dr. Jay Bhattacharya is able to take a moment away from running both the NIH and CDC to talk about the downfall of Anthony Fauci and his team's work to restore public trust in America's leading public health and scientific institutions. With the disarming humility we've always known him for, Dr. Jay explains what he found most striking about Fauci's journal entries and evastions before Congress. The gang then pivots to what must be done to prevent a bureaucrat from acquiring such dictatorial powers and taxpayers from having to fund their own pandemic. Plus, Robinson, Hayward and Lileks wish the DNC luck in staving off the DSA; they find in our techno-innovators things to be hopeful for despite a generation that knew not the Soviets; they have a friendly debate over the triviality of pop-culture; and they say farewell to a departed Ricochet member. Sound from this week's open: Senator Rand Paul questions Anthony Fauci before the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Closing Music: "Center of the Universe" by Markus Little, via MotionArray Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-ricochet-podcast--5817275/support.
Jul 24

Homer Bound

Christopher Nolan has another blockbuster hit in theaters and has set off the pop culture controversy of the year with his rendition of The Odyssey. To move beyond the visual spectacle and online hysterics, James, Steve and Charles are joined by Titus Techera for a discussion on the Homeric epic, the visionary Nolan, and the thunderous debate over ancient and modern morality. Plus, the trio stay on theme to consider a couple of beloved 20th-century directors and the sci-fi military tech that's become a reality on the battlefield in Eastern Europe. This week’s opening sound: Lupita Nyong’o on playing Helen of Troy (courtesy of Discussing Film) and Victor Davis Hanson on the role on the Daily Signal Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-ricochet-podcast--5817275/support.
Jul 17

Survey Says: Love Will Keep Us Together

CNN's Harry Enten joins Steve, Charlie and James to put a little pizzazz on polling data. The gang covers a great deal of ground: the DSA insurgency, a couple of key midterm races, economic pessimism, public suspicion about polling, and some of the forces behind American polarization. But it ain't all bad! Stay tuned til the end to find out about Harry's famous Uncle Neil and a story of inspiration from unlikely places. Plus, our trio debates the merits of Trump's election integrity speech, turns over a few cultural touchstones, and makes an announcement about Ricochet 5.0. Sound from this week's open: President Trump implies foul play at hand in California's recent elections in his prime-time address, and Chuck Schumer commends the legacy of Lindsey Graham on the Senate Floor. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-ricochet-podcast--5817275/support.

See All (683)

James Lileks

Host
Rob Long

Host
Peter Robinson

Host
Dominic Green

Guest
Jay Bhattacharya

Guest
Harry Enten

Guest
Matthew Mehan

Guest
John Yoo

Guest
Richard Goldberg

Guest
Noah Rothman

Guest

4.7

out of 5

1,388 Ratings

Home Run

Jul 27

Chav Jonah

Homer Bound was the best podcast I've heard in a long, long, time. Thought-provoking, informative, and entertaining. I extended my drive to finish it in one sitting. More please!
FINALLY!

Jul 25

Mike5591637

Mention of my favorite Odyssey movie, Oh Brother Where Art Thou? First time I’ve heard it mentioned in all the hoopla the last few weeks.
CAN’T HEAR JAMES

Mar 7

Scottish Weed

Great podcast—miss Rob Long, but enjoy Charlie’s and Steve’s commentary. PLEASE HAVE JAMES FIX HIS SOUND. I can barely hear him no matter what media I use and when I forget I turned the volume up to 11 the other hosts and ads blow out my eardrums/car speakers. He also has a habit of whispering the ends of his sentences and we can’t hear him at all.
Fun

Apr 24

oldfatslow

Lots of fun to listen to these men. They are great at seeing what’s happening, but they offer no solutions. Entertaining handwringing.

Weekly episodes of Ricochet’s flagship podcast feature our hosts James Lileks, Steve Hayward, Charles C. W. Cooke, and guests discussing the issues of the week. Listen to The Ricochet Podcast, along with more than 40 other original podcasts, at Ricochet.com. No paid subscription required. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-ricochet-podcast--5817275/support.