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The Discourse Lab

Clay Smith
Free Speech
Columbia
Venezuela
Israel-Palestine Conflict
CODA (columbia Open Discourse Alliance)
Nicolás Maduro
Hugo Chávez
Iran
Cancel Culture
Columbia University
Maria Corina Machado
Israel
Social Justice
U.S. Foreign Policy
Venezuelan Diaspora
Immigration
Social Psychology
Socialism
Charlie Kirk
Hate Speech

Clayton Smith uses conversation to explore ideas, analyze arguments, and question dogmas. Featuring an ideologically diverse suite of guests.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes42Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryNews

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Artwork for The Discourse Lab

Latest Episodes

In this episode, Clay is joined by Gabriela Blanco. Gabriela was born and raised in Cuba, where her family endured oppression and economic hardship under the communist regime. When she was 23, she escaped the island and eventually made her way to the... more

In this episode, Clay is joined by Ruel Domi. Ruel is an Albanian political commentator whose work focuses on global affairs, international relations, geopolitics, and Albanian, European, and American politics. He is a frequent commentator on Albania... more

In this episode, Clay is joined by political commentator, computer programer, and former congressional candidate Brianna Wu.

Brianna has written and spoken on a number of topics, but she is best known for her commentary on trans issues (she is hers... more

In this episode, the boys are joined by Rachel Haack. Rachel is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who specializes in helping families navigate adult-child estrangement, chronic conflict, and relational breakdowns. To that end, she offers structu... more

Key Facts

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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

Gaby Blanco
Cuban dissident and member of The Dissident Project
Dissident Project (Dissidence Project)
Episode: "My parents would go without food so I could eat." - Gaby Blanco
Ruel Domi
Albanian political commentator and writer
Albanian media and TV appearances
Episode: "The West is a social construct." - Ruel Domi
Brianna Wu
Political commentator, former congressional candidate
Independent/Political commentator
Episode: "Trans women are getting hotter" - Brianna Wu
Rachel Haack
Licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in helping families navigate child estrangement, chronic conflict, and relational breakdown
Episode: "Families are hotbeds of conflicting needs" - Rachel Haack
Liza Libes
Author, content creator, Invictus Prep founder
Invictus Prep
Episode: Literature & Meaning w/ Liza Libes
Bradley Schurman
Author and researcher behind The Geography of Prosperity Index
Episode: Geography of Prosperity w/ Bradley Schurman
Sagnik Basu
Media creator and commentator; immigrant who rose through digital media and journalism
Episode: Populism, Immigration, and Power w/ Sagnik Basu
Michael Pezzullo
Therapist (LMFT) focusing on gay men; runs Therapy for Gay Men
Therapy for Gay Men (therapy practice in California/Florida)
Episode: Gay Identity, Ideology, & Connection w/ Michael Pezzullo
Lucy Biggers
Journalist and content creator; head of social media for The Free Press
The Free Press
Episode: Fighting Climate Doomerism w/ Lucy Biggers

Hosts

Anthony Rispo
Host of Discourse Lab; appears as a primary host with a focus on questioning dogmas and analyzing arguments.
Clayton Smith
Co-host of the show; engages in conversational analysis and critique, often moderating discussions.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 34 ratings
  • Smart, engaging, and genuinely thought-provoking

    Discourse Lab tackles big ideas in a grounded, insightful way—absolutely worth a listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EmGrace2323
    United States7 months ago
  • Excellent

    Smart, interesting, honest discussions. A breath of fresh air.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AB04200
    United States10 months ago
  • Amazing content

    Love listening to these two. Intelligent, nuanced and highly pragmatic. Found Anthony on instagram and am so happy he has this platform with Clay!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GHNYC
    United States10 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Smart, honest, nuanced conversations that stay pragmatic.
Super thought-provoking and grounded discussions.
Intelligent hosts delivering diverse viewpoints with clarity.

Top News Commentary Podcasts

The Tucker Carlson Show
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The Ben Shapiro Show
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The Dan Bongino Show
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The Matt Walsh Show
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Pivot
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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

"My parents would go without food so I could eat." - Gaby Blanco
Q: What is life like in Cuba before and after the revolution, and how did you and your family experience those changes?
She details military conditioning from a young age, food rationing, nationalizations, and the collapse of private enterprise, explaining how these policies affected daily life, education, and family structures.
"My parents would go without food so I could eat." - Gaby Blanco
Q: How would you even begin to see past the propaganda you've been fed your entire life, and what do young people in this country think about socialism?
Gaby explains that youths are not a monolith, but there is a hunger for firsthand experiences and historical truth, which drives her to share personal stories through the Dissident Project to counter simplified or propagandistic portrayals of socialism.
Anarchy in The U.K. w/ Esther Krakue
Q: What is your origin story? Where do you come from?
I moved to the UK as a teenager and am now based in the US, having built my career in political commentary and writing.
Free Market Econ 101 w/ Colin Braman (aka Liberty Evaluation)
Q: What is the impact of raising minimum wage on employment?
Colin explains that raising the minimum wage can lead to job losses for less skilled workers, as it may not reflect the value they create, potentially making them less attractive to employers.
Free Market Econ 101 w/ Colin Braman (aka Liberty Evaluation)
Q: Does globalization benefit the economy?
Colin argues that globalization increases living standards and is beneficial, allowing competition to lead to more affordable goods and improved societal well-being.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Discourse Lab

What is The Discourse Lab about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Across recent episodes, the show centers on civil, often contrarian, conversations about politics, culture, and society. Topics span immigration policy, nationalism, free speech, climate doomerism vs. technological optimism, geopolitics, and economics, with guests ranging from educators and therapists to journalists and analysts. The format emphasizes probing questions, rigorous debate, and challenging dogmas, often featuring ideologically diverse viewpoints to surface nuance rather than consensus. Listeners who enjoy rigorous argument, data-driven takes, and perspectives from both sides of the spectrum are likely to find this program compelling and thought-provoking.

A standout angle is the willingness to tackle controversial issues with ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Discourse Lab?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Discourse Lab:

1. The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast
2. The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe
3. The LOOPcast
4. The Tucker Carlson Show
5. The Ben Shapiro Show

How many episodes of The Discourse Lab are there?

The Discourse Lab launched a year ago and published 42 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 The Discourse Lab?

Recent guests on The Discourse Lab include:

1. Gaby Blanco
2. Ruel Domi
3. Brianna Wu
4. Rachel Haack
5. Liza Libes
6. Bradley Schurman
7. Sagnik Basu
8. Michael Pezzullo

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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