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 | 642 | Founded | 8 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | NewsPoliticsComedy | |||
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Latest Episodes
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
Brian Dunning of the Skeptoid podcast returns to The Political Orphanage for a spirited pushback episode on the modern non-profit industry. In a previous conversation, we argued that sprawling tax-exempt organizations can become bloated, unaccountabl... more
Why did the United States become a stable republic while so many revolutions ended in dictatorship?
The answer lies in two men pivitol to the Revolution: George Washington... and Oliver Cromwell.
A century before George Washington, Cromwell fough... more
What if history isn't a string of great man biopics or a struggle between conservatives and progressives? What if it's a battle of disciplinarians against drunks and harlots? Thaddeus Russell comes on to talk about his book, "A Renegade History of th... 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 Addict519 days 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 Statesa month 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 States2 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 States8 months ago
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Apple Podcasts | #204 | United States/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #137 |  Taiwan/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. The Fifth Column
How many episodes of The Political Orphanage are there?
The Political Orphanage launched 8 years ago and published 642 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. Thaddeus Russell
2. Stephen Davies
3. Dean Spears
4. Jeffrey Deskovic
5. Scott A. Hodge
6. Naomi Brockwell
7. Michael Tint
8. Bill Eddy
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.