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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes122Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryGovernment

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Artwork for Cheap Talk

Latest Episodes

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

How Russia benefits from the Iran war; President Trump’s recent statements about how the war is going; China is both helped by and hurt by the Iran war; prediction markets as an aggregation mechanism for the wisdom of crowds; insider trading and insi... more

Uncertainty about the state of US-Iran peace talks; the challenges of US military operations in the Strait of Hormuz; getting nuclear material out of Iran; whether the United States needs a negotiated settlement to end the war; and Marcus is afraid t... more

Washington’s allergy to the “w”-word in describing the conflict in Iran; the Trump administration seems to have been caught off guard by some aspects of the conflict; what we have learned about the real drivers of the conflict; the extent to which th... more

Key Facts

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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
#236
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#212
Taiwan/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Wars on Things
Q: What are your thoughts on the military strikes against drug trafficking?
The strikes are seen as illegal extrajudicial killings, raising concerns about the legality and morality of military actions without proper justification or adherence to international law.
The Hopeful Moment
Q: Do you foresee AI reshaping international relations over the next decade or two?
Fukuyama believes AI will be revolutionary but emphasizes the uncertainty around the specifics of its transformative impact.
The Hopeful Moment
Q: When you look around the world today, what gives you the most concern and what gives you most hope?
Fukuyama expresses that the concern outweighs the hope, highlighting a 20-year democratic recession and the worrying rise of authoritarian regimes and populist movements, particularly in the U.S.

Audience Metrics

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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 Daily
2. Up First from NPR
3. Freakonomics Radio
4. Good Hang with Amy Poehler
5. The Indicator from Planet Money

How many episodes of Cheap Talk are there?

Cheap Talk launched 3 years ago and published 122 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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Where can I see ratings and reviews for 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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