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The Nation Podcasts

The Nation Magazine
Los Angeles
Christian Zionism
Gaza
AIDS Epidemic
Renters Rights
Israel
Nithya Raman
Progressive Politics
The Christian Right
Climate Change
Plastic Recycling
Karen Bass
DSA
Corporate Class
Jimmy Carter
Microplastics
Gaza City
Valerie
Nostalgia
The Gulf War

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1080Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsNews Commentary

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Latest Episodes

Writer and former U.S. Army intelligence officer Harrison Mann joins the show to talk about the U.S–Iran war and what a ground invasion could actually look like. They discuss Harrison’s resignation from the Defense Intelligence Agency over U.S. suppo... more

Former Nation editor Don Guttenplan is now bringing municipal politics to the magazine

with a weekly column tracking the progress of Mayor Zohran Mamdani. I spoke to Don

about how Mamdani is balancing pragmatism and principles as he deals with poli... more

Jo and Charlotte turn their attention to Nobel Laureate Kenzaburo Oe’s mindblowing A Personal Matter and Troubled Lands: Stories of Mexico and Cuba, a collection translated by Langston Hughes, before they’re joined by Gothic-literature-loving writer-... more

We’re putting out, what, an episode a day at this point? But the news roundup must go on. This week: In the Iran war, casualty and displacement figures rise across Iran and Lebanon (1:20), Iran mines and threatens to close the Strait of Hormuz (4:31)... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Nicholas Russell
Writer and critic
Las Vegas-based writer; published in McSweeney's, The Baffler, Conjunctions, The Nation, Orion
Episode: Tree-Based Horror: Nicholas Russell on Algernon Blackwood’s The Wendigo and Other Stories | Reading Writers
Gita Jackson
Co-founder of Aftermath; writer and critic on games, culture
Aftermath
Episode: The Left Doesn't Hate Technology w/ Gita Jackson | Tech Won't Save Us
Maryam Jamshidi
Associate professor of law at the University of Colorado Law School, specializes in international law, foreign policy law, national security law
University of Colorado Law School
Episode: Special - International Law and the War on Iran w/ Maryam Jamshidi | American Prestige
Tara McGowan
Founder and CEO, Courier Newsroom
Courier Newsroom
Episode: War in Iran, News in America / Start Making Sense
Tom Stevenson
Contributing editor, London Review of Books
London Review of Books
Episode: War in Iran, News in America / Start Making Sense
Alfred McCoy
Harrington Professor of History, University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Episode: Espionage and Empire in the Cold War w/ Alfred McCoy | American Prestige
Tim Schwab
Author of The Bill Gates Problem, Reckoning with the Myth of the Good Billionaire
Author and commentator on billionaire philanthropy
Episode: Bill Gates and Jeffrey Epstein w/ Tim Schwab | Tech Won't Save Us
Emma Ashford
Senior fellow at the Stimson Center
Stimson Center
Episode: Stopping the Iran War w/ Emma Ashford | The Time of Monsters with Jeet Heer
Esfandyar Batmanghelidj
Founder of the Bourse and Bazaar Foundation; professor at Johns Hopkins
Bourse and Bazaar Foundation; Johns Hopkins University
Episode: Special - War in the Gulf and the Global Economy w/ Esfandyar Batmanghelidj | American Prestige

Hosts

Charlotte Shane
Co-host of Reading Writers; partner in Reading Writers (Book Forum Magazine partnership).
Jo Livingstone
Host/Co-host of Reading Writers.
Derek Davison
Co-host of American Prestige (and related Nation podcasts).
Paris Marx
Host of Tech Won't Save Us.
Jamie Hood
Guest author; writer and critic; author of Trauma Plot, A Life.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 497 ratings
  • Here for A People’s Climate

    The research, presentation, and thorough knowledge of host Shilpi Chhotray shines through each episode. My husband and I have been following her work since I discovered the people over plastic platform a few years ago. A People’s Climate continues to amaze us with their production value and roster of guests.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BaiJay644
    United States3 months ago
  • Not a patch on the magazine

    I’ve just listened to Guttenplan interview the author of the article on the Cybertruck. I admired the piece published in the Nation, but this interview was unnecessary and embarrassing. Guttenplan sounds like he is being recorded in a trash can and mistakenly plays this as light entertainment, whereas the Cybertruck is clearly a window into understanding the pathology that is MAGA. As the interview proceeds, it is clear that Guttenplan is just too old to get it. He needs more than a better micro... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Nick No Names
    United States4 months ago
  • Love the new entertainment reviews & 2025 UPDATE

    I enjoy this podcast (for me, still a long time Nation subscriber, it’s easier to listen than to read the magazine) but it got even better (especially for these sheltering at home times) when the movie/TV/book reviews were added. I had no idea The Good Fight was still in production, and ended up (in my 60’s) binge watching for the first time!

    2025 update: A People’s Climate is amazing and wonder. You will be surprised by something in every episode and the interviewees are not only knowledgeable... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    3rReviewer
    United States5 months ago
  • Insightful Commentary, usually

    Great and insightful commentary on really important issues. And somehow, through all the awfulness of the world, there are still some chuckles.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Baxter M.
    Canada6 months ago
  • Awesome

    Great Mamdani episode

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sal Dolores
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some episodes attract strong, sometimes polarized reactions to host styles and interview pacing.
The host brings thoughtful, well-sourced analysis and a roster of knowledgeable guests.
Listeners consistently highlight the quality of guests and depth of discussion, with occasional critiques of production or host interruptions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#180
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#212
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#126
Spain/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#130
India/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#181
China/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#207
Poland/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Bill Gates and Jeffrey Epstein w/ Tim Schwab | Tech Won't Save Us
Q: What does the episode suggest about the role of philanthropy in shaping public perception of billionaires?
The episode argues that philanthropy can serve to rehabilitate or launder a billionaire's image, broaden influence, and create a political and social capital that influences policy, media narratives, and public opinion, often without adequate accountability.
Bill Gates and Jeffrey Epstein w/ Tim Schwab | Tech Won't Save Us
Q: When did Gates and Epstein first meet, and how did their relationship evolve over time?
They first met in 2011, after Epstein's criminal record was well known, and subsequently met several times, including discussions tied to philanthropy and fundraising, with Gates attempting to explain or downplay the nature of their meetings.
Special - International Law and the War on Iran w/ Maryam Jamshidi | American Prestige
Q: Was there a viable legal basis for self-defense given the actions taken by Iran or threats in the region?
No credible self-defense basis is found; the discussion emphasizes that self-defense requires an actual or imminent armed attack, not forecasting potential future aggression, and notes the lack of UN Security Council authorization.
Special - International Law and the War on Iran w/ Maryam Jamshidi | American Prestige
Q: Why do these arguments keep changing and what are the core legal theories being advanced by the administration?
The guest explains there are several broad theories—preventing an anticipated attack, deterring regional aggression, and stopping a nuclear program—yet each rests on shaky evidence and lacks consistent legal grounding, especially regarding self-defense and proportionality.
Espionage and Empire in the Cold War w/ Alfred McCoy | American Prestige
Q: Could you explain geopolitics and how it relates geography to power?
McCoy discusses MacKinder and Mackinder's World Island framework, the Rimland, and how geography acts as a substrate that shapes political action, with geopolitics being more of an interpretive art than a strict science.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Nation Podcasts

What is The Nation Podcasts about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Shows a focus on progressive politics, foreign policy realism, and cultural criticism, with heavy emphasis on U.S. domestic policy, international conflicts (notably Iran), and up-to-date geopolitical analysis. Guests tend to be policy experts, journalists, and authors who provide historical context, legal analysis, and critical perspectives on power, governance, and media narratives. A standout trait is the mix of deep-dive policy discussions with thoughtful cultural and literary conversations, plus a consistent thread of principled, left-leaning analysis and skepticism toward executive overreach. This makes it valuable for listeners who want rigorous analysis, diverse viewpoints within a progressive frame, and access to long-form conversat... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Nation Podcasts?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Nation Podcasts:

1. The Political Scene | The New Yorker
2. Know Your Enemy
3. The Dig
4. On the Media
5. The New Yorker Radio Hour

How many episodes of The Nation Podcasts are there?

The Nation Podcasts launched 10 years ago and published 1080 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 Nation Podcasts?

Recent guests on The Nation Podcasts include:

1. Nicholas Russell
2. Gita Jackson
3. Maryam Jamshidi
4. Tara McGowan
5. Tom Stevenson
6. Alfred McCoy
7. Tim Schwab
8. Emma Ashford

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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