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Snollygoster | Ohio's Politics Podcast

Mike Thompson
Ohio
Donald Trump
Vivek Ramaswamy
Democratic Party
Republican Party
Property Taxes
Sherrod Brown
Gerrymandering
Kamala Harris
JD Vance
Income Tax
Mike Dewine
Amy Acton
Data Centers
Ohio Politics
Joe Biden
Columbus
U.S. Senate
Polling
Sales Tax

Snollygoster takes an in-depth look at politics in Ohio. Each week we dig into the top political stories in Columbus and Ohio and explore national stories that impact the state by talking with politicians, reporters and other news-makers. (In case you're wondering, a "snollygoster" is a shrewd and unprincipled politician.)Listen to Snollygoster on the WOSU Public Media mobile app or wherever you g... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes235Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentNews

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Artwork for Snollygoster

Latest Episodes

Ohioans will vote on whether to put in the constitution a requirement that Ohio voters show a photo ID before they can cast a ballot. It is Issue 3 on the ballot.

The race for Ohio governor is heating up.

The Democrat running for governor is doing her best to stay away from any kind of socialist label. She has taken some moderate stances in recent weeks.

What lessons can Ohio Democrats, or Ohio politicians in general, learn from Abdul El-Sayed's far-left progressive victory in that state's Senate primary?

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Morgan Harper
Progressive activist
Episode: Amy Acton's appeal to moderates
Jake Zuckerman
Reporter from Signal Statewide
Episode: Amy Acton's appeal to moderates
Jesse Balmert
Reporter for USA Today Ohio Network
USA Today Ohio Network
Episode: Lessons from Abdul El-Sayed's victory in Michigan
Gene Krebs
Former state legislator
Better Choices for Ohio
Episode: Lessons from Abdul El-Sayed's victory in Michigan
Abby Vasoulis
National politics reporter for Mother Jones
Mother Jones
Episode: Rep. Max Miller resists calls to drop reelection bid amid bitter custody battle
Maria Bruno
Director of the group Ohioans Against Extremism
Ohioans Against Extremism
Episode: Candidates pitch their tax relief plans
Mark Weaver
Republican strategist
Political consulting
Episode: Candidates pitch their tax relief plans
Herb Asher
OSU political scientist
The Ohio State University
Episode: Death penalty politics
Terry Casey
Republican strategist
Campaign or political strategy consulting (Ohio)
Episode: Death penalty politics

Host

Mike Thompson
Host of the show and Ohio politics commentator providing context and framing for discussions.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 135 ratings
  • Is the thoughtful discussion in the room with us?

    The 2/19/26 episode epitomizes what’s gone wrong with this podcast. It used to be a reliable source for a thoughtful discussion, now it’s a platform for guests like Mark Weaver to deliver propaganda. Three times in this episode Weaver offered absolute drivel. To Weaver: the university doesn’t need a conviction to disassociate from a bad person; clearly Trump is implicated in the Epstein files - by God just admit it; and immigration is a civil process - stop spreading the MAGA rhetoric about imm... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Akron Buckeye
    United States7 months ago
  • Informative for Ohioans

    Informative and interesting. Good topics and good guests. I think it’s important to stay informed about state-wide politics and this podcast does a good job of highlighting relevant and timely topics.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dragonlady0719
    United States2 years ago
  • Ohio politics with a touch of humor

    I look forward to it every Thursday. The Snollygoster of the Week is a humorous closer.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    S’no flake
    United States2 years ago
  • I look forward to the episodes!

    I really enjoy the shows!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Amcg16
    United States2 years ago
  • Better than most

    Glad I found an Ohio podcast that’s actually informative and listenable.

    But are we all just going to ignore that the intro song is a brazen rip off of “How Many More Times” by Led Zeppelin?

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    BigTennn
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the local focus and balanced interviews that bring Ohio policy to life.
Some critiques note guests leaning toward advocacy; overall, it's seen as a solid political resource for Ohio.
The humor and the Snollygoster of the Week segment add a welcome lighter touch to heavy discussions.
The show is informative and easy to understand, with strong reporting context.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#49
United States/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Looking Back To When Ohio Was Blue
Q: What factors contributed to Ohio's blue-to-red shift over the decades?
Economic changes like deindustrialization and globalization, demographic shifts, and the rise of polarization reduced the pull of traditional working-class Democratic politics and strengthened Republican alignment, especially as cultural issues and messaging moved to the forefront.
Inappropriate Access: Ohio State Pres. Ted Carter's resignation and the role of university presidents
Q: Why are presidential searches now focusing on leaders with non-academic backgrounds, especially in red states?
Boards want leaders who can navigate political landscapes, align with state government expectations, and avoid getting bogged down in campus politics, making non-traditional backgrounds more appealing in red-state contexts.
Inappropriate Access: Ohio State Pres. Ted Carter's resignation and the role of university presidents
Q: What have you seen in higher-ed circles in terms of reaction to Ted Carter's departure and the broader turnover trend?
Reaction has ranged from shock to skepticism, reflecting a broader concern about the increasing political pressures on presidents and the rapid turnover across the Big Ten and other public universities.
Wexner's testimony
Q: Should we read anything into that?
It is interesting that the members did not attend, particularly Brown as a Democrat, though scheduling conflicts were cited.
Wexner's testimony
Q: Did we really learn anything new, Sarah, after those five hours?
There was nothing bombshell or new that came out of the deposition, it was mostly what was already known.

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 Snollygoster

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

The show provides a focused, Ohio-centric take on state and local politics, frequently pairing reporters, strategists, and academics to analyze races, policy battles, and ballot initiatives. Topics range from gubernatorial and U.S. Senate dynamics to debt, education funding, tax policy, and the evolving death-penalty debate, often with a sharp emphasis on messaging, fundraising, and how national trends translate to Ohio. A recurring feature, the Snollygoster of the Week, adds levity while keeping a close eye on how controversial statements influence public perception. The format typically blends data-driven analysis with reporting context and practical political insights, making it valuable for listeners who want a clear, locally grounded v... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Snollygoster?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Snollygoster:

1. Today in Ohio
2. Ohio Politics Explained
3. On Point with Meghna Chakrabarti
4. The NPR Politics Podcast
5. PBS Washington Week with The Atlantic - Full Show

How many episodes of Snollygoster are there?

Snollygoster launched 8 years ago and published 235 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 Snollygoster?

Recent guests on Snollygoster include:

1. Morgan Harper
2. Jake Zuckerman
3. Jesse Balmert
4. Gene Krebs
5. Abby Vasoulis
6. Maria Bruno
7. Mark Weaver
8. Herb Asher

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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