Rephonic
Artwork for The Fifth Column
Donald Trump
Tariffs
Kamala Harris
Ukraine
Joe Biden
Trump Administration
Jeffrey Epstein
Venezuela
Iran
Israel
Covid-19
Democratic Party
Economics
Epstein Case
Trump
Republican Party
Cuba
Political Violence
Elon Musk
New York City

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes664Founded10 years ago
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NewsComedy

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Fifth Column

Latest Episodes

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

Noah’s new book is Blood and Progress… not to be confused with “Blood and Soil,” a phrase Moynihan has been muttering to himself around the office.

-A book squarely in... more

-a dog is on set and Kmele should be wearing a helmet

-Bernie Sanders wants to collectivize AI

-The boys bask in the warmth of collectivism

-Never trust a politician giving something back to “the people”

-The centrist Democrat goes missing

-It’s... more

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

Chris Murphy’s book, Crisis of the Common Good, is out now

-Murphy opens his book by dunking on his son’s NHL prospects

-Pitching the common good

-Trump is not the d... more

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

Be sure to check out Uncomfortable Conversations with Josh Szeps, Australia’s greatest podcaster and interviewer, which apparently counts.

-90 minutes of Kmele cleanin... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Preet Bharara
Former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, podcaster extraordinaire
CNN contributor
Episode: Why'd You Gag Me, Preet Bharara! (Members Only #323)
Maxwell Frost
Youngest member of Congress mentioned as guest on the show
U.S. Congress
Episode: TFC LIVE in DC at w/ Lulu Garcia-Navarro & Robby Soave - Members Only #322
Robby Soave
American journalist and author, guest on the show
Reason
Episode: TFC LIVE in DC at w/ Lulu Garcia-Navarro & Robby Soave - Members Only #322
Matt Yglesias
Columnist and author, founder of Slow Boring
Slow Boring / Substack
Episode: Matt Yglesias on Cancellation, Mamdani, and the AI Panic (Members Only #321)
Steven Pinker
Celebrated academic; psychologist and public intellectual
Harvard University
Episode: When Everyone Stops Pretending w/ Steven Pinker (Episode #557)
Robert D. Kaplan
Geopolitical writer and commentator
Author and Journalist
Episode: Robert D. Kaplan on a World Getting Darker (Members Only #320)
David French
Conservative commentator and writer
David French The Dispatch / National Review
Episode: David French on the Supreme Court, Race, and the Miracle That Confirmed His Faith #555
Michelle Goldberg
New York Times columnist
The New York Times
Episode: Tucker, Totenkopf, and the Fascist Question w/ Michelle Goldberg #554
Ryan Long
Comedian and guest for this episode
Episode: Live From Village Underground: The 10th Anniversary Show w/Ryan Long (Members Only #317)

Hosts

Kmele Foster
Host, The Fifth Column; affiliated with Freethink and The Fifth Column; long-running contributor with a focus on media literacy, politics, and cultural critique.
Michael Moynihan
Co-host; contributes as a veteran journalist and commentator with affiliations including Vice and The Fifth Column.
Matt Welch
Co-host; prominent writer and editor with ties to Reason magazine and The Fifth Column.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 4.4k ratings
  • Super clever guys

    While I loved listening to Chris Christie's tales and insights, I found the hosts completely unbearable. Condescending is the only word that comes to mind. What a disappointment.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    avh717
    Canada2 months ago
  • 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 States3 months 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 States3 months ago
  • no full length free episodes, don't bother it's just another subscription for very little return.

    Podcast Addict
    1
    Jack
    3 months 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
    Canada3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The show's candor and willingness to challenge mainstream narratives are noted as strengths by many fans.
Listeners appreciate the balance of humor and rigorous analysis, often highlighting sharp, logical takes on complex issues.
Guest quality and diverse topics are frequently praised, though there are negative reactions to certain political stances or interview dynamics.
A few listeners view the format as entertaining and informative, while others find it grating or polarizing.
Some reviews call the hosts witty and insightful, while others criticize perceived bias or intolerant tones.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#184
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#234
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#148
South Africa/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Matt Yglesias on Cancellation, Mamdani, and the AI Panic (Members Only #321)
Q: Hi, Matt. How are you?
Matt says he's great and happy to be on the show, appreciating the opportunity to discuss these topics.
Is Apple Still Apple? #550 (w/ David Pogue)
Q: What about the broader AI landscape and the sustainability of the current investment frenzy in AI companies?
The guests express skepticism about a rapid, uniform profitability across AI giants, forecasting a piecemeal, long‑term transition with potential regulation shaping the market, rather than an immediate, broad profits surge.
Is Apple Still Apple? #550 (w/ David Pogue)
Q: Let's talk specifically about Apple's AI efforts and what we should expect going forward.
Apple missed the generative AI rush initially but intends to integrate AI in a privacy‑preserving way, using on‑device features and a controlled server‑side path with transparency and a strong emphasis on user privacy.
The Limits of Sound and Fury w/ Rahm Emanuel (Members Only #311)
Q: What was the strategic priority after the Recovery Act and healthcare moves?
The policy teams pushed for financial reform first, arguing that stabilizing the economy and reining in the financial system was essential to either neutralize or align the various power centers with the broader public interest before tackling healthcare and other measures.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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?

This program offers sharp, often provocative takes on current events, media, and politics, pairing witty banter with substantive dialogue. Episodes frequently center on how institutions, power dynamics, and public discourse shape policy and culture, with deep dives into topics like justice, geopolitics, cancel culture, and media ethics. Guests range from lawyers and journalists to politicians and academics, providing informed perspectives that push hosts to unpack assumptions and expose logical fallacies. The tone blends humor with rigorous critique, making it appealing to listeners who enjoy both entertainment and thoughtful analysis of today's news cycle. A few episodes lean into live-show energy and insider anecdotes, offering a candid, ... more

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To see how many followers or subscribers The Fifth Column has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Fifth Column?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Fifth Column:

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

How many episodes of The Fifth Column are there?

The Fifth Column launched 10 years ago and published 664 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. Preet Bharara
2. Maxwell Frost
3. Robby Soave
4. Matt Yglesias
5. Steven Pinker
6. Robert D. Kaplan
7. David French
8. Michelle Goldberg

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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