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Artwork for Know Your Enemy

Know Your Enemy

Matthew Sitman
Donald Trump
Trump Administration
Democratic Party
Conservatism
Republican Party
American Conservatism
Elon Musk
Covid-19
MAGA Movement
Immigration
Democracy
Kamala Harris
Qanon
Protests
Capitalism
Garry Wills
Uncommitted Movement
Child Discipline
2024 Presidential Election
JD Vance

A leftist's guide to the conservative movement, one podcast episode at a time, with co-hosts Matthew Sitman and Sam Adler-Bell.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes280Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Know Your Enemy

Latest Episodes

Listen to the rest of this premium episode by subscribing at patreon.com/knowyourenemy.

What is going on with the right? Why are they so mad at each other? What accounts for their apparent malaise? Why are they arguing about the price of burritos? I... more

This episode begins by noting the proximity of two of the most significant events of the twentieth century, one archaeological, the other political: the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 and the founding of the modern State of Israel in 1948.... more

This episode originally aired June 15, 2026 on Patreon — we're unlocking it for the rest of you.

Author and Jewish Currents editor-at-large Peter Beinart returns to "Know Your Enemy" to discuss Tucker Carlson's newfound anti-Israel politics, their c... more

Listen to the rest of this premium episode by subscribing at patreon.com/knowyourenemy.

Matt and Sam are joined by their great friend Dorothy Fortenberry to discuss the debacle of Graham Platner: the Maine Democratic Senate nominee who was forced to... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Jasper Nathaniel
Independent journalist, proprietor of the Infinite Jazz Substack; writes about life in the West Bank, the settler movement, and archaeology's role in annexation
Independent journalist, Infinite Jazz Substack
Episode: Archaeology and Annexation in Palestine (w/ Jasper Nathaniel)
Peter Beinart
Author and editor-at-large of Jewish Currents; Beinart Notebook author
Jewish Currents, Substack Beinart Notebook
Episode: UNLOCKED: Tucker Carlson and the Anti-Israel Right (w/ Peter Beinart)
Samuel Moyn
Kent Professor of Law and History at Yale, author of Gerontocracy in America
Yale University
Episode: Gerontocracy in America (w/ Sam Moyn)
Jack Hanson
Writer, critic, scholar of religion
Columbia University (lecturer in English and comparative literature)
Episode: Pope Leo XIV's 'Magnifica humanitas' (w/ Jack Hanson)
Matt Dinan
Associate professor in the Great Books Program at St. Thomas University in New Brunswick, Canada; political theorist
St. Thomas University (Canada)
Episode: Leo Strauss's Natural Right and History (w/ Matt Dinan)
Jasper Craven
Freelance journalist specializing in military and veterans issues
Author of God Forgives, Brothers Don't
Episode: Military Education and American Manhood (w/ Jasper Craven)
Molly Crabapple
artist, author, activist
Here Where We Live Is Our Country, The Story of the Jewish Bund
Episode: The Bund: Fighting Fascism, Fighting Zionism (w/ Molly Crabapple)
Bill Kristol
Political commentator; founder of The Weekly Standard; prominent neocon and Never-Trumper
The Weekly Standard; The Bulwark
Episode: From Neocon to Never-Trump (w/ Bill Kristol)
Matt Duss
Executive Vice President at the Center for International Policy; former foreign policy advisor for Bernie Sanders
Center for International Policy
Episode: Trump's War Against Iran (w/ Matt Duss)

Hosts

Matthew Sitman
Host of Know Your Enemy; co-host known for deep historical and philosophical analysis of American conservatism.
Sam Adler-Bell
Co-host known for rigorous critique and friendly scholarly dialogue with historical and political nuance.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 3.6k ratings
  • So many resonances

    I've been luridly curious about these conservative thinkers ever since I read George Orwell's great excoriation, "Second Thoughts on James Burnham." What an essay! But I can scarcely bear to read the conservatives' words unfiltered, so I'm grateful to Matt and Sam for teaching me about their all-to-influential ideas in an enjoyable format. These episodes are still my favorite kind: examinations of historical figures, or figures at some distance from electoral politics, in language that's ligh... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Felsina
    United Statesa month ago
  • <3

    Know Your Enemy is one of the most thoughtful and intellectually rigorous podcasts around. The chemistry between Matt and Sam is exceptional—they bring out the best in each other, combining deep knowledge, curiosity, and humor. The show is a rare combination: firmly left-wing, deeply humanist, and allergic to both nihilism and tankie politics.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TheliaJ
    United States2 months ago
  • Great show

    I always look forward to new episodes and always finish them feeling like I understand the world a bit better.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dsflkdasjf
    United States3 months ago
  • A leftist guide to…

    …the continuing destruction of America.

    That’s what this podcast’s summary should state. Slop being pushed by a couple of talking heads doing the work of the tribe that destroys everything.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    none_of_ur...
    United States4 months ago
  • Bill Crystal?

    Lost me with the excitement over Bill Crystal. Not sure anymore where this podcast stands sometimes.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Coltrane75
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans appreciate the engaging dynamic between hosts and the high quality of guest selections.
Listeners frequently mention the show's ability to illuminate complex ideas without jargon.
Some listeners criticize perceived bias or wish for a broader range of guests with different viewpoints.
Many cite the hosts' deep historical and philosophical grounding as a strength.
Listeners praise the rigorous, thoughtful discourse and clear, accessible analysis.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#103
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#249
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#102
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#179
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#76
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#106
Germany/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

UNLOCKED: Tucker Carlson and the Anti-Israel Right (w/ Peter Beinart)
Q: How should the left respond to potential alliances with Carlson when his stance on certain issues aligns with human rights critiques?
They argue for a principled stance: engage where there is genuine alignment on policy without sacrificing core commitments to anti-racism and anti-Semitism denial, and resist letting anti-Semitism be normalized as a tactic for broader political goals.
Gerontocracy in America (w/ Sam Moyn)
Q: How should a welfare state be safeguarded while reducing gerontocratic power?
The guests advocate for a coalition-centered approach that expands entitlements with intergenerational fairness, ensuring care for the elderly while limiting the political economy that concentrates wealth in older cohorts.
Gerontocracy in America (w/ Sam Moyn)
Q: What are some of Moyn's more radical proposals discussed?
Radical ideas include age-based voting weights, proxy voting for younger generations, and rethinking wealth taxes to recalibrate intergenerational influence, recognizing these would be constitutionally contentious but spark important debates.
Gerontocracy in America (w/ Sam Moyn)
Q: What constitutional features contribute to gerontocracy in the U.S. system?
The discussion highlights the Senate's antiquated image, lifelong federal judges, and election structures that disproportionately empower older voters, framing them as key mechanisms supporting gerontocracy rather than intrinsic flaws of democracy.
Gerontocracy in America (w/ Sam Moyn)
Q: Sam Moyn, how is this moment different from previous periods of age-related power dynamics?
Moyn explains that the extension of life and demographic shifts have created a unique concentration of wealth and political power among older generations, demanding a new intergenerational framework to sustain welfare programs while addressing governance challenges.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About Know Your Enemy

What is Know Your Enemy about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A left-leaning analytical show that examines the American conservative movement through rigorous discussion, historical context, and guest perspectives. Across episodes, two co-hosts unpack ideological shifts, strategic messaging, and the cultural underpinnings of conservatism, often pairing deep textual analysis with contemporary political analysis. Notable strengths include careful close readings of political rhetoric, thoughtful guest sourcing from academia, journalism, and religion, and a consistent emphasis on historical roots and policy implications. A standout trait is the hosts' enduring friendship and intellectual curiosity, which helps translate complex ideas into accessible dialogue for listeners seeking deeper understanding of c... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Know Your Enemy?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Know Your Enemy:

1. In Bed With The Right
2. 5-4
3. Jacobin Radio
4. Citations Needed
5. Ordinary Unhappiness

How many episodes of Know Your Enemy are there?

Know Your Enemy launched 7 years ago and published 280 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 Know Your Enemy?

Recent guests on Know Your Enemy include:

1. Jasper Nathaniel
2. Peter Beinart
3. Samuel Moyn
4. Jack Hanson
5. Matt Dinan
6. Jasper Craven
7. Molly Crabapple
8. Bill Kristol

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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