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Conversations with Bill Kristol

Bill Kristol
Ukraine
Russia
Donald Trump
Anti-Semitism
China
United States
Biden Administration
Joe Biden
Israel
NATO
Hamas
Iran
Republican Party
2024 Presidential Election
European Union
Democratic Party
World War II
Kharkiv
Bakhmut
Hezbollah

Conversations with Bill Kristol features in-depth, thought-provoking discussions with leading figures in American public life.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes316Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsGovernment

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Artwork for Conversations

Latest Episodes

“What is human happiness? What is political excellence? What is speech, and rhetoric? It’s always important to remind ourselves of that. But especially when you have artificial intelligence, and all of these vast possible changes in human affairs, it... more

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“It’s hard for me to see how [the war] ends in a way that enhances our position in the world generally—and, in particular, enhances our position with relation to the country that I still think is our principal strategic challenge, namely China. And t... more

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“Whatever happens in 2026, I think no one should take any interpretation of that as a precursor to what’s going to happen in 2028.”

So argues Doug Sosnik, former political director for Bill Clinton and one of the shrewdest and most imaginative anal... more

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“The US government wants to arrest, detain, and deport one in every 24 people in the country—4% of the US population. That cannot be done without fundamentally transforming who we are as a people and our relationship to law enforcement.”  So argues A... more

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Recent Guests

Mark Blitz
Professor and author, philosopher known for work on Aristotle
Claremont McKenna College / Claremont
Episode: Mark Blitz on the Enduring Importance of Aristotle
Steve Hayes
Editor and CEO of Dispatch, author of a biography on Dick Cheney
Dispatch
Episode: Steve Hayes on the Life and Legacy of Dick Cheney
Anne Applebaum
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and journalist, expert on Eastern Europe and authoritarianism.
The Atlantic
Episode: Anne Applebaum on Ukraine, Europe, Trump, and the Danger of Authoritarianism
Scott Lincicome
Vice President for Economics and Trade at the Cato Institute, columnist for The Dispatch
Cato Institute
Episode: Scott Lincicome on Trump's New Tariff Regime: Unpredictability, Uncertainty, and Risk
A.B. Stoddard
Veteran correspondent and analyst of Congress and political issues.
Episode: A.B. Stoddard on Trump’s Second Term
Steve Vladeck
Professor of Law at Georgetown University, expert in Supreme Court and federal courts, and author of a book on the shadow docket.
Georgetown University
Episode: Steve Vladeck on the Trump Administration, the Courts, and the Rule of Law
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick
Expert on immigration policy at the American Immigration Council
American Immigration Council
Episode: Aaron Reichlin-Melnick on Immigration in Trump’s Second Term: What Will Happen?
Jack Goldsmith
Harvard Law Professor and former Assistant Attorney General
Harvard University
Episode: Harvard’s Jack Goldsmith on the Coming Trump Presidency
John Bolton
Former National Security Advisor and Ambassador to the UN, served in multiple Republican administrations
Episode: John Bolton on Trump’s Cabinet Picks and What to Expect in His Second Term

Host

Bill Kristol
Host of thoughtful political discussions featuring leading figures in American public life.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 2.5k ratings
  • John Vret

    Thought provoking, with a balanced view of issues and our current environment. Makes one think long and hard. Balanced views.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    John Vret
    United States22 days ago
  • Informative

    These are always such informative conversations. Kristol does a great job blending his own unique professional experiences with the impressive stable of guests he invites on to discuss the many weighty topics of today. Highly recommend.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PKM71
    United States22 days ago
  • Thoughtful & intelligent

    Fascinating high quality long form discussions with intelligent and articulate experts in geopolitics. Mr. Kristol allows his guests to speak while acting as a guide through the various topics. My only wish is that episodes could be issued more frequently, but I think that might detract from the quality of the episodes.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Whittemore Smith
    United States22 days ago
  • Sosnik 2.26.26

    Great discussion/ Kristol lets guests talk and guides conversations with thoughtful questions

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TSean from NJ
    United Statesa month ago
  • Important topics

    I particularly loved the interview with Aaron Reivhlin-Melnik. I feel much better informed now about our current immigration policy: the disruptions, the cruelty, the violations of law, the lying, the assaults on civil liberties. I appreciated the historical perspective as well.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TiggersWonderful
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many praise the depth of knowledge exhibited by guest speakers, adding to the overall quality of discussion hosted.
Comments often highlight the refreshing nature of the conversations, noting their polite and respectful tone, contrasting with typical media formats.
Listeners appreciate the thoughtful and intelligent inquiries made by the host, which generate insightful conversations.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#144
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#185
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#79
Japan/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#81
China/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#119
Hong Kong/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#145
India/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Mark Blitz on the Enduring Importance of Aristotle
Q: Why is rhetoric important in Aristotle, and how does it relate to politics?
Rhetoric illuminates how everyday life and passions influence persuasion, clarifying how arguments work in law courts and legislatures, and underpinning discussions of political ethics and virtue.
Mark Blitz on the Enduring Importance of Aristotle
Q: What is virtue and happiness, and how do they relate in Aristotle's thought?
Virtue constitutes happiness through the full and proper use of human capacities, including the pleasures that accompany virtuous activity, which grounds a comprehensive account of human flourishing.
Mark Blitz on the Enduring Importance of Aristotle
Q: Why now a book on Aristotle's Political Philosophy?
The guest argues that Aristotle uncovers the basic phenomena of ethical life, happiness, and political life, and that contemporary concerns about AI and social change make it urgent to understand these foundational ideas anew.
Doug Sosnik on What to Expect in 2026—and Why 2028 Will Be Different
Q: What would you say are the biggest problems for Trump and Republicans in the current year?
The exhaustion in America of Trump as president and his governing style, coupled with uncertainty in the economy.
Aaron Friedberg on the Trump Administration's Surprising China Policy
Q: How has Trump's administration impacted the bipartisan consensus on China?
Trump's mixed record on China has fractured the bipartisan consensus, raising questions about future U.S. policies and commitments.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Conversations

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

Engaging in thoughtful explorations of current political affairs, episodes frequently feature in-depth discussions with leading figures from various sectors including government, media, and academia. A prevalent focus on the implications of political actions during recent administrations reveals a deeper commentary on immigration policies, foreign relations, and internal political dynamics. The discussions often showcase a blend of historical insights and forward-looking perspectives, making it a valuable listening experience for individuals interested in understanding the complexities of American politics and global priorities. Listeners can expect enlightening conversations that reveal not only the political landscape but also the driving... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Conversations?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Conversations:

1. Hacks On Tap
2. To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes
3. Shield of the Republic
4. The Mona Charen Show
5. The David Frum Show

How many episodes of Conversations are there?

Conversations launched 12 years ago and published 316 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Conversations?

Recent guests on Conversations include:

1. Mark Blitz
2. Steve Hayes
3. Anne Applebaum
4. Scott Lincicome
5. A.B. Stoddard
6. Steve Vladeck
7. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick
8. Jack Goldsmith

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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