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Artwork for The Fifth Column
Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Hamas
Claudine Gay
Ceasefire
Plagiarism
Academic Integrity
Middle East Politics
Intellectual Humility
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Harvard University
Civilian Casualties
Democracy
Megan Kelly
Freedom Of Speech
Donald Trump
War Crimes
George Floyd
Israel
Transgender Issues
Florida

Your weekly rhetorical assault on the on the news cycle, the people who make it, and occasionally ourselves. Kmele Foster (Freethink), Michael Moynihan (Vice), and Matt Welch (Reason) talk and laugh and drink their way to at least quasi-sanity in a world gone mad, often with the aid of clean and articulate guests. Weekly Members Only subscription edition often comes with listener mail and professi... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes641Founded10 years ago
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Artwork for The Fifth Column

Latest Episodes

The Fifth Column marks ten years with a live, loose, alcohol-assisted celebration featuring Thor Halvorssen, Pete Meijer, Olivia Reingold, Nick Gillespie, and Nancy Rommelmann, with stops along the way for Venezuela, culture war absurdity, Jewish ide... more

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.wethefifth.com

Oh, and Wednesday marks the 10th anniversary of this show, yes, on April Fools’. Can you fucking believe it? Join us for the only appropriate celebration, a LIVE late-n... more

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.wethefifth.com

* Maybe I wasn’t exactly a prince

* Why nobody should want to stay in Washington too long

* The worst job in politics

* The ACA, “the three children,” and the birth ... more

Kmele loves Apple products…maybe a little too much. But what a perfect guest to talk all things related to this monster company and how it’s shaped American culture and the globe as a whole.

-The Newton saved Apple

-What Kmele does with Apple produ... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Noam Dworman
Owner of the Comedy Cellar and notable NYC fixture
Comedy Cellar
Episode: There’s Always a New Monster to Destroy (w/ Noam Dworman) #549
Lloyd Blankfein
Former CEO of Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs
Episode: A Brief Defense of the Vampires w/ Lloyd Blankfein (Members Only #308)
Sean Carroll
Physicist and author known for work on cosmology and the many-worlds interpretation
University of California, Berkeley (professor)
Episode: Many Worlds, Bad Science, and the Strangeness of Being w/Sean Carroll (Members Only #307)
Hooman Majd
Iranian-American author, NBC News contributor
NBC News
Episode: Iran and the Fog of Regime Change (w/Hooman Majd) - #547
Nadav Eyal
Renowned Israeli journalist
Israel
Episode: One Hitter: War With Iran and Jewish Space Lasers w/ Nadav Eyal (Members Only #305)
Elissa Slotkin
Democratic Senator from Michigan and former CIA officer
U.S. Senate
Episode: State of the Union Post-Mortem with Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) - #546
Jon Meacham
Historian and author, known for works on American political figures and history
Vanderbilt University
Episode: Ambiguity in the Age of Outrage (w/ Jon Meacham) - #545
William Neuman
Former Bureau Chief in Caracas, journalist and author
The New York Times
Episode: Voodoo Socialism and the $3 Million Rainy Day Fund w/ William Neuman (Members Only #302)
Robert Sullivan
Author of My American Revolution
Episode: The Revolutionaries (w/ Robert Sullivan) - #4

Hosts

Matt Welch
Host with focus on American history, politics, and commentary.
Michael Moynihan
Co-host known for political analysis and media critique.
Kmele Foster
Co-host with libertarian-leaning perspectives and media commentary.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 4.4k ratings
  • Just another anti-Trump show

    2 stars a year or so cause it was light in facts and deep in snark. Tried it again for a couple episodes and, maybe this is too small a sample, but now it’s just one of a hundred pods that just bashes Trump. I think Trump is a bad president, but these are so predictable and tedious.

    Christie’s is an example. An excellent former prosecutor, good presidential candidate was bullied by Trump so now, like the little kid who got bullied, is looking to stick it to the bully. When did Christie become ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Samson38$
    United States24 days ago
  • Love the Moynihan Show + his standing guests

    Love the show, guests and banter. Moynihan clearly loves the sound of his voice and dominates the conversation. He also talks over Kmele too much. Want more Kmele.

    2026 update. No longer able to listen. They are not libertarians but mouthpieces for the Dems. Nothing Trump or his administration does is ok. C’mon. That’s impossible.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Notthefinalrose
    United Statesa month ago
  • no full length free episodes, don't bother it's just another subscription for very little return.

    Podcast Addict
    1
    Jack
    a month ago
  • Strange bedfellows

    I used to think that these guys were interesting and fun to listen to in terms of their sarcastic banter. Recently though, their resistance to calling out Ana Kasparian for her antisemitic rhetoric has changed my mind. Calling out hateful speech towards Jews and Israel is necessary. Being critical of Israeli policy and society is fine. I do it every day. AK is awful and the guys continuing to call her a friend indicates to me that they are not journalists I can trust.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Kolya247
    Canadaa month ago
  • Hey Dope!

    The answer to how to stop Trump’s second term was to stick with the 81 Million Vote Biden-Harris ticket. In what universe do you live in that you think Harris-Waltz was a better ticket even after they incredibly lost the popular vote which Biden had trounced Trump by seven million. Blame dopes Clooney Stewart CNN NYT Ezra and Moynihan who even when proven wrong double down on their arrogance.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    80'sVillager
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the historical perspectives and willingness to challenge prevailing narratives.
Some comments express strong negative reactions to guests or topics, reflecting polarized responses to political discussion.
A mix of praise for balanced, thoughtful analysis and criticism for perceived partisanship or tone.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#151
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#195
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#202
Australia/News
Apple Podcasts
#199
Singapore/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#43
Singapore/News
Apple Podcasts
#81
Russia/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Iran and the Fog of Regime Change (w/Hooman Majd) - #547
Q: How reliable is information coming from Iranian state media versus other sources?
He emphasizes skepticism toward state media but also notes that independent verification exists through satellite imagery and on-the-ground reporting, while stressing that propaganda is present on all sides and should be carefully scrutinized.
Iran and the Fog of Regime Change (w/Hooman Majd) - #547
Q: What is your take on the current war and whether it constitutes regime change or regime adjustment?
The guest argues that while the action targets leadership and the security apparatus, the longer-term outcome depends on whether the regime becomes pliant or is replaced with a homegrown reformist or more open governance model, and he distinguishes between regime change and regime adjustment.
The Revolutionaries (w/ Robert Sullivan) - #4
Q: What inspired you to write about the American Revolution?
Robert Sullivan discusses how his surroundings in New York sparked his interest in the histories and stories of the Revolutionary War.
The Great American Mustache Ride (w/ John Bolton) - #544
Q: Why should the U.S. involve itself in foreign conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and Venezuela?
American interests are global and require strategic engagement to maintain national security and protect allies.
How Much Benevolence Can You Take? - #540
Q: What do you mean by the word benevolent?
It means well-intentioned, positive billionaires who are creating, you know, net positive societal progress.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Fifth Column

What is The Fifth Column about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show operates as a sharp, skeptical take on politics, current events, and media narratives, often pairing humor with pointed analysis. Across recent episodes, listeners have seen deep dives into historical perspectives, examinations of U.S. foreign and domestic policy, and critiques of how information is shaped by media and political leaders. Unique strengths include a willingness to push back against prevailing narratives, a history-focused angle on political issues, and guests who bring expert or historical context to contemporary debates. Potential listeners who enjoy combative, witty dialogue that treats complex topics with nuance (and a healthy dose of banter) are likely to find it engaging. The format often blends provocative disc... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Fifth Column?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Fifth Column:

1. The Moynihan Report
2. The Reason Roundtable
3. Blocked and Reported
4. Conversations with Coleman
5. The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie

How many episodes of The Fifth Column are there?

The Fifth Column launched 10 years ago and published 641 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 The Fifth Column?

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What guests have appeared on The Fifth Column?

Recent guests on The Fifth Column include:

1. Noam Dworman
2. Lloyd Blankfein
3. Sean Carroll
4. Hooman Majd
5. Nadav Eyal
6. Elissa Slotkin
7. Jon Meacham
8. William Neuman

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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