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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
2024 Presidential Election
European Union
Republican Party
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 monthlyEpisodes314Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsGovernment

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Latest Episodes

“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

“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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“The Europeans have been in this alliance [NATO] to protect themselves, largely from Russia and other aggressors. And now it has an aggressor within the gates, so to speak. And that’s quite an extraordinary situation.”

So argues the eminent politica... more

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Where do things stand in American politics as we head into a midterm election year?

To discuss these questions we are joined again by Ron Brownstein, a Bloomberg Opinion columnist and senior CNN political analyst. Brownstein points to President Trum... more

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Recent Guests

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
Jason Furman
Professor of economics at Harvard and former head of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Obama
Harvard University
Episode: Jason Furman: How Would the Economy Do Under Trump or Harris?

Host

Bill Kristol
Host of Conversations with Bill Kristol, known for his thought-provoking interviews and in-depth discussions with leading figures in American public life.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 2.5k ratings
  • 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 States17 days ago
  • Conversation

    Smart, insightful conversation conducted in a polite, respectful manner. A breath of fresh air.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    COE Teacher
    United Statesa month ago
  • Very informative and insightful

    Kristol brings expert and thoughtful guests to his show, asks probing questions, and offers insight into the turmoil of the current political landscape. Highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kim540rn
    United Statesa month ago
  • Dem Fan

    As a lifelong Democrat, I appreciate Bill crystal's perspective, his experience, and his willingness to speak truth to power. I learned from him and his insightful interviews more than those in my silo.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SLOAir
    United Statesa month ago
  • Excellent program - Discussion with F. Fukuyama

    Very insightful episode! The section on immigration and how to reform the system was excellent. Going beyond the point of highlighting the current abuses by ICE, developing a vision of what kind of framework for legal immigration makes sense for the country needs more attention. Hopefully the episode will stimulate more discussion.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GP San Diego
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Overall, the show is frequently described as a standout resource for those interested in American politics.
Some listeners have noted occasional audio quality issues, indicating room for improvement in production.
Many find the choice of guests to be excellent, offering a range of perspectives that enrich the conversations.
Listeners appreciate the insightful and in-depth nature of discussions, praising the thoughtful questions posed by the host.
The podcast is seen as a reliable source of political analysis, with a focus on intellectual rigor and nuanced debate.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#97
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#222
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#120
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#212
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#189
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#61
China/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Aaron Friedberg on the Trump Administration's Surprising China Policy
Q: What is the current state of the U.S.'s military and diplomatic policy towards China?
The U.S. policy towards China seems unresolved and is not being discussed robustly, suggesting an unclear strategy moving forward.
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick: Immigration and Deportation in the Trump Administration
Q: What will the history books say about the first six months of the Trump Administration regarding immigration and deportation?
The administration made immigration a top priority and significantly increased resources dedicated to enforcement.
Ray Takeyh on the War between Israel and Iran—and the Future of the Iranian Regime
Q: What indicators or events should we watch for to understand how the situation will develop in Iran?
Key indicators include potential American intervention, how the Israeli military success unfolds, and how the regime responds to evolving internal dynamics and public perception.
Ray Takeyh on the War between Israel and Iran—and the Future of the Iranian Regime
Q: What does the current internal cohesion of the elites in Iran look like?
The internal cohesion of the elites in Iran appears to be weakened, and there is significant dissatisfaction among various factions and even within security organizations.

Audience Metrics

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

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Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Conversations

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

A platform for in-depth and thoughtful discussions, featuring notable figures in American public life. The conversations often explore pressing political issues, historical context, and policy analysis, focusing on topics such as national security, economic policy, and the dynamics of current political events. The format tends to prioritize nuanced dialogue, allowing guests ample time to share insights and perspectives that challenge conventional thinking or address significant historical moments.

Noteworthy for its blend of expert analysis and a wide range of guests, the content frequently highlights the complexities of American politics and international relations, making it particularly appealing for listeners interested in deep dives b... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Conversations?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Conversations:

1. To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes
2. Hacks On Tap
3. Shield of the Republic
4. The Next Level
5. The Bulwark Podcast

How many episodes of Conversations are there?

Conversations launched 11 years ago and published 314 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 Hayes
2. Anne Applebaum
3. Scott Lincicome
4. A.B. Stoddard
5. Steve Vladeck
6. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick
7. Jack Goldsmith
8. John Bolton

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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