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Political Reality

Political Reality
Political Polarization
Misinformation
Gerrymandering
Democracy
Populism
American Politics
Fascism
United States
Donald Trump
Public Policy
Democratic Backsliding
Prescription Drug Pricing
Voting Systems
Polling Data
Authoritarianism
Polarization
Democratic Party
Republican Party
Social Media
Digital Literacy

Our daily lives seem increasingly overwhelmed by polarization, misinformation, and dubious culture wars, while we face countless serious problems that require thoughtful and evidence-based solutions. To move forward, we need a shared reality of facts and reason with an equally shared dedication to democracy and fairness. The Political Reality podcast is here to fill that void – diving into how pol... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes36Founded10 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsSociety & Culture

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Recent Guests

Alex Tan
Professor of political science and expert in New Zealand politics and Asia-Pacific international relations
University of Canterbury
Episode: The "Low Voltage" Politics of New Zealand with Prof. Alex Tan | S02E11 | Political Reality
Chas Licciardello
Co-host of Planet America on ABC; host of Planet America and PEP podcast
ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Episode: PREVIEW: What Americans can learn from Australians about politics with Chas Licciardello | S02E08
David Smith
Professor of political science at the University of Sydney; expert on US policy and US–Australia relations
University of Sydney
Episode: PR ABROAD: Australian Political Primer + Panda Diplomacy | S02E07 | Political Reality
Melissa Deckman
CEO of Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and former political science professor
Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI)
Episode: Are Americans getting less religious? w/ Dr. Melissa Deckman | S02E03 | Political Reality
Derek Kilmer
Former member of the U.S. House of Representatives (2013–2025)
U.S. House of Representatives, Washington's 6th district
Episode: PREVIEW: Being in Congress | S01E21 | Political Reality
Lindsay Cormack
Associate professor of political science at Stevens Institute of Technology; director of DC Inbox; author
Stevens Institute of Technology
Episode: How to Talk Politics with Prof. Lindsey Cormack | Political Reality | S01E20
Andrew Heaton
Comedian, author, political satirist; Reason TV producer and host of The Political Orphanage
Reason TV; The Political Orphanage
Episode: What would it take to solve homelessness in America? with Andrew Heaton! | S01E16 | Political Reality
Paul Poast
Professor of political science and international relations at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
Episode: Alliances with Prof Paul Poast | S01E14 | Political Reality
Seth Maskett
Professor of political science at the University of Denver
University of Denver
Episode: How Parties Learn... if at all with Prof. Seth Masket | Political Reality | S01E08

Hosts

Steven Novella
Neurologist and science communicator known for a skeptical, evidence-focused approach.
Andrea
Political scientist and co-host.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 231 ratings
  • They’ve found true evil

    Thought I’d try it one last time since I liked Steve and it can take a new pod time to find its stride.

    I’ll save y’all time. If you want to hear how evil and dumb conservatives are, how Trump is the devil and the left is always right but has trouble getting its good message out, this is your show.

    Today I listened to one about elections. Lots about Trump and his minions suppressing votes and scheming to steal the next election. Watch 5 minutes of The View and you’ll get all of it. Nothing a... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Samson38$
    United States25 days ago
  • Great

    First class show analysing all the aspects of American (& sometimes other countries’) politics from two consummate presenters

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    flibbideegib
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Bringing clarity

    The Political Reality podcast avoids the usual churn of headline reactions and instead digs into the structure beneath political issues. It’s timely without being reactive, focusing on depth over noise.

    The hosts, a political scientist and a neurologist, bring a scientific mindset that looks for mechanisms and incentives rather than easy narratives. More importantly, they apply genuine scepticism. Assumptions get questioned, claims get tested, and conclusions are held a little more lightly than... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Matt K 86
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Irrationally was a skeptic?

    Ya know I was quite skeptical of Steve on a political podcast.

    After listening though I’m not sure why.

    Of course a Mr Skeptic himself is going to bring a great perspective.

    Now Andrea? Well I’m kinda surprised she didn’t already have a podcast. She has the energy, excitement, education and she has a quintessential podcast voice.

    Oh and man, I wish I could respond to a couple of the other reviews - funny stuff!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mshade88
    United States7 months ago
  • Objectivity getting better

    I thought this would be different, but it isn’t. The hosts seem to have no awareness of the depth of the topics. They just proffer data supporting their side. They give lip service to balance while throwing mud at the other tribe.

    I probably don’t even disagree with them, but I can tell they aren’t being objective.

    I really hope they can pierce through the echo chamber reviews and hear the dissenting voices as constructive criticism.

    btw, Love SGU since 2007

    Edit: The fog of war episode ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Doubtiness
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners question whether the analysis is consistently objective, citing perceived bias in coverage of polarized issues.
Many appreciate the emphasis on evidence, critical thinking, nuance, and the structures behind political headlines.
The mix of U.S. politics, occasional international comparisons, and expert conversations appeals to listeners seeking context over headline churn.
Listeners praise the hosts' measured delivery, energy, and ability to make political topics understandable.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#232
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#167
Ireland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#184
Hong Kong/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#185
India/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#186
Spain/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#188
Mexico/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The "Low Voltage" Politics of New Zealand with Prof. Alex Tan | S02E11 | Political Reality
Q: Are you in an awkward middle position, and how does that play out for you guys?
New Zealand balances its security relationships, especially with the United States and Australia, with its major trade ties to China. Tan describes hedging as a rational way for a small country to maintain relationships and manage competing risks.
The "Low Voltage" Politics of New Zealand with Prof. Alex Tan | S02E11 | Political Reality
Q: What are the big political issues of New Zealand?
New Zealand politics is largely focused on domestic concerns such as education, health, and welfare. Its multiparty system and proportional representation contribute to a consensual political culture, while international relations center heavily on trade.
PR ABROAD: Australian Political Primer + Panda Diplomacy | S02E07 | Political Reality
Q: How does panda diplomacy fit into China's public diplomacy strategy?
Panda diplomacy is a highly successful soft-power tool for China, used to project care, conservation, and cultural appeal while also serving as a lens to observe how Chinese and foreign publics respond to symbol-centric diplomacy during tense moments in US–China relations.
PR ABROAD: Australian Political Primer + Panda Diplomacy | S02E07 | Political Reality
Q: What are the major cleavages in Australian politics and how do they compare to the US?
David Smith explains that the oldest cleavage is industrial relations (labor vs non-labor), with unions closely tied to the Labor Party; this shapes wage bargaining and policy, while Australia's system, unlike the US, uses compulsory preferential voting and proportional representation in the upper house, creating stability with coalition governments.
Cutting through the fog of war in Iran | Political Reality | S01E10
Q: What about AI's role in targeting and warfare—was AI involved in the strikes?
There is evidence the U.S. used AI tools to analyze imagery and assess damage, but it remains uncertain whether AI directly guided the specific targeting of missiles; the broader point is that AI could influence decision-making, with human oversight debated.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Political Reality

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

Conversations about how politics and government work, why political systems produce the outcomes they do, and how citizens can engage more effectively. Regular hosts Steven Novella and Andrea pair political analysis with a skeptical, evidence-focused approach, examining topics such as elections, democracy, polarization, climate policy, and political information. Episodes alternate between host-led discussions and interviews with political scientists, journalists, public officials, and other specialists. Comparisons with politics outside the United States add an international perspective, while explanations of institutions, polling, and policy keep the discussion grounded in how decisions are made. The format suits listeners looking for cont... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Political Reality?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Political Reality:

1. Talk Nerdy with Cara Santa Maria
2. Skeptics with a K
3. Cognitive Dissonance
4. Skeptoid
5. Astronomy Cast

How many episodes of Political Reality are there?

Political Reality launched 10 months ago and published 36 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Political Reality?

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What guests have appeared on Political Reality?

Recent guests on Political Reality include:

1. Alex Tan
2. Chas Licciardello
3. David Smith
4. Melissa Deckman
5. Derek Kilmer
6. Lindsay Cormack
7. Andrew Heaton
8. Paul Poast

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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