Rephonic
Artwork for Know Your Enemy

Know Your Enemy

Matthew Sitman
2024 Presidential Election
Catholicism
Kennedy Myth
American Conservatism
Chappaquiddick Incident
Power Dynamics In Politics
Garry Wills
Political Charisma
Taylor Swift
RFK Jr.
Feminism
Civil Rights Movement
Anarcho-Capitalism
Milton Friedman
Project 2025
Trump Administration
René Girard
Pop Culture
Legacy Of JFK
Conspiracies In Politics

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes249Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CulturePoliticsNews

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Know Your Enemy

Latest Episodes

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

We were excited to record and share this conversation with Matt Dinan, a professor who teaches in a Great Books program at St. Thomas University, a liberal arts ... more

This episode originally aired November 17, 2025 on Patreon — we're unlocking it as a holiday treat. 

If there's a Trump-era topic that manages to fascinate without being entirely depressing, it's probably the ongoing arguments about architecture tha... more

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

As the end of the year approaches, we wanted to look back at another year of trying to understand the American right—what we got wrong, what we got right, and wh... more

Given the not-terribly-uplifting streak of episodes we've had lately, we thought it was time for a Know Your Enemy movie night, and were joined by the podcast's intrepid producer, Jesse Brenneman, for a conversation about Paul Thomas Anderson's 2025 ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Kate Wagner
Architectural critic, proprietor of the McMansion Hell blog
Episode: UNLOCKED: Trump's Big, Beautiful Ballroom (w/ Kate Wagner)
Andy Elrick
Guest speaker on the topic of friendship and conservatism
Episode: On Friendship (w/ Andy Elrick)
Laura Field
Political theorist and author of "Furious Minds: The Making of the MAGA New Right"
American University and Brookings Institution
Episode: The Furious Minds of MAGA (w/ Laura Field)
Peter Beinart
Editor at large at Jewish Currents and author of Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza, a Reckoning
Jewish Currents
Episode: Zohran, the Jews, and Reckoning with Gaza (w/ Peter Beinart)
Pat Blanchfield
Freelance writer and psychoanalysis expert
Brooklyn Institute
Episode: Death, Power, and the Charlie Kirk Memorial (w/ Pat Blanchfield)
Osita Nwanevu
Contributing editor at The New Republic, columnist at The Guardian, and Democracy Institutions Fellow at the Roosevelt Institute.
The New Republic
Episode: The Case for Democracy (w/ Osita Nwanevu)
Daniel J. Flynn
Author of The Man Who Invented Conservatism
American Spectator
Episode: Frank Meyer, Inventor of Conservatism (w/ Daniel J. Flynn)
Garry Wills
Noted author and figure in American letters, friends with Frank Meyer
Episode: Frank Meyer, Inventor of Conservatism (w/ Daniel J. Flynn)
Talia Lavin
Journalist known for her insightful commentary on the Christian Right and author of Wild Faith
Episode: The Christian Right's "Wild Faith" (w/ Talia Lavin) [Unlocked]

Hosts

Matthew Sitman
Co-host with a focus on political analysis and historical context surrounding conservative thought.
Sam Adler-Bell
Co-host with expertise in cultural critique and social justice issues related to conservative ideology.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 3.5k ratings
  • Fix your audio

    Knowledgeable, interesting conversations with 2 intelligent hosts and guests bla bla bla - Matthew Sitman you need to fix your mic setup or simply avoid the letter P bc the constant plosive sounds coming out of your mouth make the whole thing unlistenable for this sensitive podcast enjoyer. God bless

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Deboufany
    United Statesa month ago
  • Fabulous

    Matt and Sam offer a striking combination of rigorous intellectualism and Everyman approachability, making them perfect riverboat guides on the River Styx that is the American Right.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PeterEamonn
    United Statesa month ago
  • Invaluable Resource

    New listener, and cannot emphasize enough how thoughtful the hosts and their guests are. I wish everyone could hear these vital conversations

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Seb Ware
    United Statesa month ago
  • Late to “Know”

    This is a wonderful podcast. Super knowledgeable and articulate. I’m new to the show, started with Osita Nwanevu. But have in a short several days have heard several great recent episodes, which sent me back to the first episode (Sam doesn’t interrupt Matt, by the way). I’m amazed at how current even the first episode seems! I think there’s a great and productive balance between Matt and Sam. That they’re both great writers is clear to me in the way they speak. Just wish I could afford a subscri... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    David in Chattanooga
    United Statesa month ago
  • Brainy

    They get into the weeds. It’s great. I wish you had merch.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    alaleian
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the podcast for its insightful analysis and depth of knowledge regarding conservative thought.
Overall, positive feedback highlights the educational value and rigorous discourse presented in each episode.
Some specific criticisms mention a desire for more balance in assessments of conservative figures.
The show is recognized for its thoughtful engagement with complex political issues and historical context.
The hosts are praised for their chemistry and genuine friendship, which enhances the listening experience.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#117
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#109
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#141
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#241
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#122
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#140
Germany/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

UNLOCKED: Trump's Big, Beautiful Ballroom (w/ Kate Wagner)
Q: How did you find your way into kind of architectural criticism?
I first got interested in architecture as a teenager and writing around the same time. I actually went to music school, but then I switched to focus on concert hall design and started my blog, McMansion Hell.
The Furious Minds of MAGA (w/ Laura Field)
Q: Was the man who I sat in seminars with in 2006, how did he end up here doing this work now?
Laura reflects on how individuals within conservative circles, including Patrick Deneen, have evolved ideologically, influenced by broader socio-political trends and their educational backgrounds in political thought.
The Furious Minds of MAGA (w/ Laura Field)
Q: There seems to be a kind of catechism for right-wing young people now. Has the Trump era caused any shifts in what's being read or discussed among conservative youth?
Laura observes a growing interest among younger conservatives to explore ideas outside the traditional canon, dipping into a broader range of intellectual influences. This represents a significant shift from previous rigid ideological structures.
The Furious Minds of MAGA (w/ Laura Field)
Q: What do you think the actual consequences, the effects of the post-liberals have been on the MAGA New Right?
Laura clarifies that post-liberals have had a nuanced impact, offering ideological frameworks that integrate with the Republican ethos while also pushing boundaries on policy and state involvement.
The Furious Minds of MAGA (w/ Laura Field)
Q: Have you felt like the intellectual character of the New Right has changed a lot?
Laura suggests that while there is continuous influence from traditional conservative thought, new ideas and dynamics in the movement have emerged since Trump's presidency.

Audience Metrics

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

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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?

This podcast explores the landscape of the conservative movement through a critical and intellectual lens, often addressing historical and contemporary issues shaping conservatism in the U.S. The hosts engage with a variety of guests from academia, journalism, and activism to unpack ideological trends, societal impacts, and the complexities surrounding right-wing politics. The conversations range widely across topics like the MAGA movement, the influence of the Christian Right, and the evolution of Jewish-American relations regarding Israel and Palestine, providing listeners with in-depth analysis and a better understanding of conservative thought processes.

Uniquely, the podcast combines rigorous scholarship with personal anecdotes, creat... 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. The Dig
3. 5-4
4. Ordinary Unhappiness
5. Citations Needed

How many episodes of Know Your Enemy are there?

Know Your Enemy launched 7 years ago and published 249 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. Kate Wagner
2. Andy Elrick
3. Laura Field
4. Peter Beinart
5. Pat Blanchfield
6. Osita Nwanevu
7. Daniel J. Flynn
8. Garry Wills

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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