Rephonic
Artwork for Cheap Talk
Russia
Iran
International Relations
United States
Ukraine
Israel
China
Artificial Intelligence
Nuclear Weapons
Middle East
Hezbollah
International Relations Theory
Trump Administration
U.S. Foreign Policy
Tariffs
Donald Trump
North Korea
Iran Nuclear Deal
World Order
Hegemony

Cheap Talk is an every-week-or-so international relations podcast with Jeff Kaplow and Marcus Holmes, professors of government at William & Mary.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes125Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentHistory

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Artwork for Cheap Talk

Latest Episodes

Cheap Talk ends season 6 with listener questions: Control of the Strait of Hormuz; an arrest for trading on classified information on Polymarket; Thucydides and parallels to current US foreign policy; does face-to-face diplomacy build trust or genera... more

The current state of US-Iran negotiations (or lack thereof); escalation and mixed signal-sending in the Strait of Hormuz; multiple veto players on each side; Pakistan’s interesting role; the shadow of President Obama and the 2015 Iran Deal; and Marcu... more

Excitement in the world of digital diplomacy; face-to-face diplomacy to end the Iran war; blockading Iran as a plan B and its prospects for success; Anthropic’s Mythos and AI that is too dangerous to release; the offense-defense balance in cyberspace... more

Trump’s threats against Iranian civilization; nuclear threats and the risk of nuclear use in Iran; threatening war crimes is both bad and bad policy; the prospects for the ceasefire and remaining challenges to overcome; the diplomatic role of China a... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Francis Fukuyama
Renowned scholar of international relations and author
Stanford University
Episode: The Hopeful Moment
Moritz Graefrath
Post-doctoral fellow in Security and Foreign Policy
William & Mary's Global Research Institute
Episode: Your Board Game Journey
Dan Maliniak
Associate Professor of Government at William & Mary
William & Mary
Episode: That Guy Knows Democracy

Hosts

Jeff Kaplow
Jeff Kaplow is an Associate Professor of Government at William & Mary and co-host of the show, known for analytical rigor and accessible dialogue.
Marcus Holmes
Marcus Holmes is a Professor of Government at William & Mary and co-host, frequently engaging in policy analysis and dialogue with Jeff Kaplow.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 87 ratings
  • Cheap Talk worth a million bucks

    Love this podcast. Good factual information, interesting topics, and good conversation.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cigars&Chess👍31
    United Statesa year ago
  • Good dialogue

    enjoying this immensely

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    market share 23
    United States2 years ago
  • Good banter, accessible politics

    Two college professors giving their hot takes on world events. Come to learn about geo political events, stay for the banter!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    nottinghillgirl0304
    United States2 years ago
  • Absolutely fabulous

    Incredibly informative about the geo political issues of the world. They make this complicated area understandable and comprehensible in an engaging way. A weekly update absolutely worth listening to regularly

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rays317
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Great guests and rigorous but entertaining discussion.
Thoughtful geopolitical analysis with accessible banter.
Concise takes on big global issues with smart skepticism.
Clear, engaging explanations of complex topics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#45
Argentina/Government
Apple Podcasts
#76
Taiwan/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Other Forms of Dust
Q: What about regulations for AI and markets like Polymarket?
They argue that regulating such platforms is challenging due to technology outpacing policy, yet there is potential for clearer regulatory frameworks to address insider trading and ensure market integrity while acknowledging the need to preserve learning opportunities in education.
Other Forms of Dust
Q: What are other forms of dust in international relations?
They discuss dust as a metaphor for uncertainty, fog of war, and environmental or resource-related fragility, and consider material forms like gold dust or rare earth dust as shorthand for economic frictions that accompany geopolitical competition.
Other Forms of Dust
Q: Does Hans Niemann cheat?
Jeff explains there is evidence of online cheating in Niemann's youth and context suggests some past cheating, but there is no conclusive evidence of over-the-board cheating in major events; the discussion frames it as context-dependent and investigates broader implications of cheating in competitive environments.
Live from Williamsburg, Virginia!
Q: In your view, what's more dangerous in shaping a state's foreign policy decisions: overconfidence or fear?
Both overconfidence and fear are detrimental, but fear may drive more behavior in international relations as it has been a fundamental motivator since the discipline's inception.
Live from Williamsburg, Virginia!
Q: Do you think the AI race today with currently China and the US is more pivotal than the nuclear arms race in the past with the Cold War?
Jeff believes the AI arms race is fundamentally different from the nuclear arms race, as advancements in AI can be quickly matched by competitors, whereas nuclear capabilities create significant strategic advantages at a global level.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cheap Talk

What is Cheap Talk about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two political science professors from William & Mary host a discussion-driven show on international relations, global politics, and policy. Episodes frequently parse current events through historical context, blending rigorous analysis with accessible banter. They cover diplomacy, nuclear security, great-power dynamics, AI governance, and U.S. foreign policy, often weighing legal and ethical implications against real-world outcomes. A notable strength is their ability to translate complex geopolitical issues into engaging conversations that appeal to educated listeners and policy-minded professionals who enjoy thoughtful, skeptical takes on global developments.

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How many listeners does Cheap Talk get?

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How many subscribers and views does Cheap Talk have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Cheap Talk?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Cheap Talk:

1. The Ezra Klein Show
2. Pod Save the World
3. Pivot
4. Plain English with Derek Thompson
5. Pod Save America

How many episodes of Cheap Talk are there?

Cheap Talk launched 3 years ago and published 125 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Cheap Talk?

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What guests have appeared on Cheap Talk?

Recent guests on Cheap Talk include:

1. Francis Fukuyama
2. Moritz Graefrath
3. Dan Maliniak

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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