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

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes671Founded10 years ago
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NewsComedy

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Fifth Column

Latest Episodes

-Welch enters his Charles Nelson Reilly era

-Laura Branigan, Happy Mondays, and songs you didn’t know were covers

-Puerto Rico’s revenge

-The cadres are closing in

-Reihan Salam and Larry Flynt

-DAC hits the media circuit and refuses to answer t... more

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

Michael A. Cohen is a columnist for MSNOW, a senior fellow at Tufts University’s Fletcher School, and co-director of its Afghanistan Assumptions Project. He also writes... more

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

-Ethnicity as performance

-Manhattan politics with the president of the Manhattan Institute

-Dan Goldman orders coffee, receives moral instruction

-The many politica... more

-Kmele debuts his Sebastian Bach beach jeans

-The Iran deal is like the JCPOA, but a lot worse

-Lebanon sneaks into a U.S.-Iran deal

-Strait of Hormuz, 60-day promises, and negotiating with hostage-takers

-Why can’t the hawks ever learn?

-Ukrain... more

Key Facts

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Noam Dorman
Guest in the show who owns the Comedy Cellar
The Comedy Cellar
Episode: The Knicks, Oyster Man, and the Infinite Lies (#561)
Ana Navarro
Political commentator invited onto the show, appears with a dog in studio
CNN/Politico appearances mentioned in episode
Episode: A Hamster Wheel of Shit w/Ana Navarro (Members Only #327)
Noah Rothman
Author of Blood and Soil, Left/Right violence analyst
National Review
Episode: When Political Violence Has the Right Enemies w/ Noah Rothman (Members Only #326)
Ali Velshi
Journalist and TV host
NBC News / MSNBC
Episode: Populism for Morons, Journalism for Martyrs (Episode #560)
Chris Murphy
U.S. Senator, author referenced in discussion
Office of Senator Chris Murphy
Episode: Senator Chris Murphy Wants You to Join a Cult (Members Only #325)
Josh Szeps
Australian media personality and interviewer
Australia
Episode: A Great Nation in Decline Welcomes Australia’s Finest w/ Josh Szeps (Members Only #324)
Ben Rhodes
Former national security adviser for the Obama administration, speechwriter
Book publication day guest
Episode: Ben Rhodes and the Evil Empire State of Mind (#559)
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)
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

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
  • Fart sniffers

    These guys love the smell of their own farts.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Brudd3788
    United States13 days ago
  • After reviewing the the Pelley/Bari situation further…

    With even more clarity, the premature foolishness of your attack on Pelley and uninformed blind support of Bari… albeit she is your friend, has become a deeper stain on your reputations. I was a big fan and supporter of Bari, and I do not watch 60 Minutes or frankly know anything about Pelley… until now. This is a watershed moment for me. If you have any dignity, you should apologize for your behavior, even if you still stand by your position. The way you mocked the man will follow you, and feel... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Jsdwi
    United States20 days ago
  • Lackeys

    You’re still Lackeys and Right Wing Hacks! Congrats Sleazoids!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    80'sVillager
    United States23 days ago
  • David French done lost his mind

    My dude D French has been hanging out with all his Far Left coworkers at the New York Times. You can hear the “White Guilt” all in his voice. Moynihan pressed him and you can hear the awkwardness in his response LOL

    SOMEONE SAVE DAVID FRENCH! HE’S BEEN CAPTURED!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    frankwhitenyking
    United States2 months ago
  • 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
    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
#156
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#238
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#96
Israel/News
Apple Podcasts
#99
Argentina/News
Apple Podcasts
#213
South Africa/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ben Rhodes and the Evil Empire State of Mind (#559)
Q: How does he view the role of sanctions versus engagement with Cuba and other adversaries?
Rhodes argues for a calibrated approach where engagement and economic openness can undercut authoritarian control (as with Cuba), but stresses that strategic incentives and institutions are necessary to channel support in ways that empower ordinary people rather than the regime.
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.

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 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. Blocked and Reported
3. Conversations with Coleman
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 671 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 Dorman
2. Ana Navarro
3. Noah Rothman
4. Ali Velshi
5. Chris Murphy
6. Josh Szeps
7. Ben Rhodes
8. Preet Bharara

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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