The Political Orphanage
Andrew HeatonPolitics minus bile plus jokes. Comedian and avowed independent Andrew Heaton interviews authors and thought leaders about policy and big thinky stuff.
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 645 | Founded | 8 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | PoliticsComedyNews | |||
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Latest Episodes
It's not that America won't spend money on mass transit, it's that we piss it away when we do. Our transit system is a mess, with a lot of problems in spending, procurement, NIMBYism and good 'ol fashioned idiocy.
Will Poff-Webster is the Director ... more
Should you trust experts—or trust yourself?
Richard Hanania, author of Kakistocracy: Why Populism Ends in Disaster joins to discuss why populism has become one of the defining forces in modern politics.
We discuss whether elites really deserve th... more
Why has trust in the news collapsed—and is it really all the media's fault? Tangle founder Isaac Saul joins for a candid conversation about the incentives driving modern journalism, from clickbait and audience capture to ideological groupthink and th... more
Is Rumpsringa real? Are Amish people happier than you? Let's visit Amish country! Heaton visits Muhlenberg County, Ohio, to investigate America's unique subculture of pacifistic, techno-phobic Anabaptists.
We meet Marcus Yoder, the Executive Direc... more
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Reviews
Heaton is a true non-partisan. He does his research. He knows how to add funny to deep topics.
I have listened for years but it was the 6/30/2026 episode that made me finally do a review. In that episode he and Jeffrey Rosen of the Constitution Center (another great podcast) hash out Jeffersonian versus Hamiltonian and it is so rich and clearly shows two people who know the content having an epic conversation that assumes you know the material and doesn't dumb it down.
Podcast Addict5a month agoFauxPseudo- Company(& Plantation) Towns
My great-grandparents on my father’s side were rice farmers in Southern Japan; they were recruited by a sugar plantation in the 1890’s & immigrated to Hawaii as indentured servants & lived in the plantation town of Sprecklesville, Maui.
The plan was to work their 7yr contract, return to Japan with their savings & “live like the rich”; but they had children & stayed in Hawaii - they couldn’t, but their Hawaii born children were allowed to become US citizens.
When I have to take a break betwee... more
Apple Podcasts5another RJF
United States2 months ago - fighting crime like an economist-SOLUTION
Easy. Prison will no longer be free, and will be paid for by the offenders working off their debt, or the family can pay for it.
Apple Podcasts5theschneckiUnited States3 months ago - Very confused guy
He doesn’t really seem to hold two ideas at once for anything except economics and so he has a hard time comparing two things and seeing if something is true
Apple Podcasts2JaredHocUnited States8 months ago - Shutdown: The Musical
I’d give it 10 of 5 stars if I could.
Thanks for seeing & sharing the humor.
Beautiful singing too.
Apple Podcasts5another RJFUnited States9 months ago
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Apple Podcasts | #237 |  Australia/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #39 |  Saudi Arabia/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #142 | Saudi Arabia/News |
Apple Podcasts | #233 |  Mexico/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #248 |  Ireland/News/Politics |
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Political Orphanage
What is The Political Orphanage about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A thoughtful, data-driven interview show centered on policy, governance, and big ideas, balanced by humorous, accessible dialogue. Guests range from researchers and policymakers to practitioners and journalists, offering rigorous analysis, real-world implications, and diverse perspectives on issues like criminal justice, privacy, economics, and governance. The host's approach tends to elevate evidence and practical reform, often challenging conventional wisdom while keeping conversations lively and entertaining. A notable strength is the breadth of topics and veteran caliber of guests, yielding discussions that are insightful for professionals seeking substantive yet approachable angles for policy and industry audiences.
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How many listeners does The Political Orphanage get?
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Which podcasts are similar to The Political Orphanage?
These podcasts share a similar audience with The Political Orphanage:
1. We're Not Wrong
2. The Reason Roundtable
3. The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
4. Politics Politics Politics
5. Cato Podcast
How many episodes of The Political Orphanage are there?
The Political Orphanage launched 8 years ago and published 645 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 Political Orphanage?
Recent guests on The Political Orphanage include:
1. Will Poff-Webster
2. Richard Hanania
3. Isaac Saul
4. Marcus Yoder
5. Brian Dunning
6. Thaddeus Russell
7. Brian Brushwood
8. Stephen Davies
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.