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Conversations with Bill Kristol

Bill Kristol
Donald Trump
Ukraine
Russia
Trump Administration
Kamala Harris
Iran
2024 Presidential Election
United States
China
Republican Party
Inflation
Democratic Party
Joe Biden
Israel
Biden Administration
NATO
National Security
Federal Reserve
Dick Cheney
Mass Deportation

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

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes328Founded12 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsGovernmentNews

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Artwork for Conversations

Latest Episodes

"For the first time ever, the United States homeland cannot be taken for granted as a secure rear area against non-nuclear attacks."

So argues Steve Rosen, professor emeritus of government at Harvard, in a bracing Conversation on the radically new s... more

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Where do things stand in the wars in Ukraine and Iran? What are the implications of these wars for military technology, the future of warfare, and our highly fluid geopolitical environment?

In this Conversation, Phillips O'Brien, the distinguished m... more

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We are less than seven weeks away from Election Day, and early voting already has begun in some states.

To discuss where things stand and where American politics might go after the midterms, we are joined again by David Axelrod, chief strategist fo... more

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"We're 60 days away from a completely different political environment. And I think people are underestimating how different it's going to be, and how volatile it's going to be without really any moorings for either party."

So argues Doug Sosnik, for... more

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Recent Guests

Steve Rosen
Professor emeritus of government at Harvard and national security scholar
Harvard University
Episode: Steve Rosen: New Military Challenges in the Age of AI, Drones, and Cyberattacks
Phillips O'Brien
Phillips O'Brien, military historian and commentator on national security developments
Phillips"s University/affiliation referenced in talk (implicitly implied as historian)
Episode: Phillips O’Brien on Ukraine, Iran, and What’s Next
David Axelrod
Political consultant and analyst, co-founder of the Institute of Politics at University of Chicago
Former senior adviser to Barack Obama
Episode: David Axelrod on the 2026 Midterms: How Big a Wave?
Doug Sosnik
Former White House political director under President Clinton
Consultant / Political veteran
Episode: Doug Sosnik on Two Different Elections: 2026 and 2028
Eric Edelman
Former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy; adviser with long Defense Department experience
Episode: Eric Edelman: Trump and the American Military
Don Kettl
Professor Emeritus and former Dean of Public Policy at the University of Maryland
University of Maryland
Episode: Don Kettl: The Trump Administration and the Politicization of the Civil Service
Ryan Goodman
Law professor at New York University; editor and co-editor of Just Security
New York University; Just Security
Episode: Ryan Goodman: The Trump Administration, the Supreme Court, and the Rule of Law
Harvey Mansfield
Professor of Political Philosophy
Harvard University
Episode: Harvey Mansfield on Rational Control and Liberalism
Ron Brownstein
Senior political analyst at CNN and Bloomberg Opinion commentator
Episode: Ron Brownstein: What’s Going To Happen in 2026?

Host

Bill Kristol
Host of Conversations with Bill Kristol (often described as the host of Conversations with Bill Kristol)

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 2.6k ratings
  • My favorite podcast

    This show is so informative. Such a terrific resource.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zach Jenkins
    United States25 days ago
  • I love the timely, in-depth information and analysis I get from this podcast, delivered in a reasonable, respectful and enjoyable manner.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    wncmac
    25 days ago
  • Insightful as Always

    Great discussion with Phillips O’Brien- lots of lateral thinking on where the world has found itself Oct 1st 2026!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Legoman2000
    Irelanda month ago
  • Seoul, Korea

    Love the content, whether Straussian universals or Never Trumper particulars, it’s all thoughtful and important.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Phocion7
    United States2 months ago
  • In depth interviews

    Your Doug Sosnik interview was most insightful. Like to hear a Tim Miller interview with Doug. In my estimation having lived 67 years and being very politically active Mr. Sosnik’s assessment of our current situation in this country is spot on!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Manitowoc, Wisconsin
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

High-quality analysis with expert guests and probing questions.
Polite, respectful, and allows guests to speak at length.
A trusted source for nuanced views on geopolitics and policy.
Thoughtful, in-depth conversations with intelligent guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#160
South Africa/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Steve Rosen: New Military Challenges in the Age of AI, Drones, and Cyberattacks
Q: Does it also have to be addressed more broadly? And how well are we doing both in the more narrow sense of what the DOD is adjusting, and how well are we doing in the broader sense?
Rosen says the Department of Defense cannot address the challenge alone. He calls for coordination among defense, homeland security, intelligence agencies and the FBI, alongside partnerships with universities, researchers and private industry.
Steve Rosen: New Military Challenges in the Age of AI, Drones, and Cyberattacks
Q: Where do you think we are in terms of just being ready as a serious country to deal with the serious challenges we're now facing?
Rosen says the United States has not adapted to technologies that enable precise non-nuclear attacks on military assets and critical infrastructure. He argues that the country needs stronger defenses, new deterrent capabilities and a broader national effort.
David Axelrod on the 2026 Midterms: How Big a Wave?
Q: You have a general theory about how presidential elections sometimes work at the end of a presidency; could you elaborate on how that applies to the current moment and 2028?
Axelrod explains that voters look for a remedy rather than an exact replica of the incumbent; they want a reformer who can fix perceived flaws, restore legitimacy, and guide the country through turbulent times. He notes the importance of authenticity, empathy, and a willingness to challenge the status quo, and he compares the moment to past waves where the public sought fresh leadership that could translate into systemic change.
Don Kettl: The Trump Administration and the Politicization of the Civil Service
Q: How does this compare to past reform efforts, and what might the next administration face?
Past reform efforts often aimed at improving efficiency while keeping civil service protections intact; the current trajectory diverges by prioritizing political loyalty and centralizing control, which may leave future administrations wrestling with consequences like reduced expertise, weakened checks and balances, and a more politicized, fragile administrative state that is difficult to repair quickly.
Harvey Mansfield on Rational Control and Liberalism
Q: Why does liberalism face challenges from both left and right, and can it survive?
Liberalism confronts critiques about self-preservation versus communal good, and the discussion argues that liberalism endures through its ability to balance competing demands, defend self-preservation, and adapt to historical changes without losing its core 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?

This program features long-form conversations with prominent figures across politics, policy, and public life, often focusing on governance, national security, law, and foreign policy. Episodes frequently explore big-picture questions about liberal democracy, strategy, and policy implications, anchored by a host known for thoughtful, probing questions and a calm interview style. Noteworthy traits include a consistent emphasis on thoughtful analysis from expert guests and a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom, making it appealing to listeners who want nuanced, in-depth discussions rather than quick takes.

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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 328 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. Steve Rosen
2. Phillips O'Brien
3. David Axelrod
4. Doug Sosnik
5. Eric Edelman
6. Don Kettl
7. Ryan Goodman
8. Harvey Mansfield

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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