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The Vital Center

The Niskanen Center
Higher Education
Disinformation
Republican Party
Online Misinformation
Diploma Divide
Social Media
American Politics
Polarization
Public Health
Vaccination
Democratic Party
Cultural Liberalism
Posture Science
Political Polarization
Human Behavior
Norman Holmes Pearson
Influencers
Espionage
Cold War
Social Change

Both the Republican and Democratic parties are struggling to defend the political center against illiberal extremes. America must put forward policies that can reverse our political and governmental dysfunction, advance the social welfare of all citizens, combat climate change, and confront the other forces that threaten our common interests. The podcast focuses on current politics seen in the con... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes94Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsGovernment

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Artwork for The Vital Center

Latest Episodes

Philip K. Howard is a New York-based lawyer and civic reformer, who across his public career has tilted against the accumulating layers of procedural law and bureaucratic rule that have made it increasingly difficult for Americans to exercise individ... more

Leah Libresco Sargeant is a Senior Policy Analyst in Family Economic Security at the Niskanen Center as well as a writer and journalist whose work focuses on religion and family policy. She is the author of three books, of which the most recent is Th... more

Since our species first emerged on the planet some 300,000 years ago, the overriding problem for most humans has been the struggle for food and shelter. But in 1930, the British economist John Maynard Keynes foresaw that economic growth (despite the ... more

When most people think about the 1970s, they’re likely to conjure up images of Watergate, oil shortages, disco, and outrageous hairstyles. When academic political historians have thought about the 1970s, they have tended to see the era largely as one... more

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Recent Guests

Leah Libresco Sargeant
Author and senior policy analyst focusing on family economic security at the Niskanen Center
Niskanen Center
Episode: Rethinking feminism and dependence, with Leah Libresco Sargeant
Brink Lindsey
Author and Senior Fellow at the Niskanen Center
Niskanen Center
Episode: From material abundance to mass flourishing, with Brink Lindsey
Henry M. J. Tonks
Historian and postdoctoral fellow at Kenyon College with a focus on American liberalism.
Kenyon College
Episode: Reevaluating the New Liberals, with Henry Tonks
Steve Grove
CEO and Publisher of the Minnesota Star Tribune, former Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development in Minnesota.
Minnesota Star Tribune
Episode: Going local to heal politics and institutions, with Steve Grove
Andrew Holter
An historian and writer, editor of the anthology 'Going Around Selected Journalism'
Episode: The Legend of Murray Kempton, with Andrew Holter
Sam Tanenhaus
Biographer of William F. Buckley Jr. and author of 'Buckley: The Life and the Revolution that Changed America'
Author
Episode: How William Buckley shaped the American right, with Sam Tanenhaus
Virginia Postrel
Author, journalist, and speaker with interests in technology, politics, and culture.
Niskanen Center
Episode: The libertarian prophet of the abundance movement, with Virginia Postrel
Alan Ehrenhalt
Renowned journalist, author of 'The Lost City', and contributing editor for Governing Magazine
Governing Magazine
Episode: Populism and working-class nostalgia for the 1950s, with Alan Ehrenhalt
Molly Worthen
Professor of history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and author of 'Spellbound, How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Donald Trump'
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Episode: Exploring the Secrets of Political Charisma, with Molly Worthen

Host

Jeff Cabaservis
Host associated with the Niskanen Center, featuring rigorous policy and historical analysis.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 55 ratings
  • Insightful podcast, but not very hopeful

    While I 100% agree with the points of view expressed, they can come across as an autopsy of liberal democracy. I wish the a more problem solving approach was taken, particularly on behalf of us not breathing the exalted air of the elite that matter.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Efbrazil
    United States10 months ago
  • Trapped in another time

    A quiet curation of academia that asserts the relevance of a problem from almost 20 years ago: that *everyone* is just too wrapped up in their respective political side.

    An ironic problem is that there is no intellectual exploration outside its own highbrow confirmations. But what can you expect from Ivy League naval gazing? This might not be an issue but for how often this show brings up “populism”.

    The deeper irony is that this show does not understand the past of their supposition.Extremism ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Rahb Grauss
    United Statesa year ago
  • Love the Richard Kahlenberg show!!!

    More on him! More on this general subject! Will read his latest book!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    robin reese
    United States3 years ago
  • Fascinating Conversations

    One of the best political podcasts I’ve come across. Impressive and insightful guests, and Geoffrey Kabaservice is remarkably knowledgeable and, perhaps more importantly, a skilled host. Indispensable listening for political moderates and those with an interest in modern American political history.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dumaisn
    United States4 years ago
  • A Thoughtful Look at today’s issues

    This is a podcast that goes beyond the headlines to look at issues affecting American politics and also provide answers on how to improve and defend American democracy. It is not to be missed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    denminn
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate deep, balanced analysis and strong guest lineups.
Some reviews suggest the tone is highly academic or elite.
A few listeners wish for more actionable problem-solving approaches.
Guest quality and host knowledge are frequently praised.

Top Politics Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Rethinking feminism and dependence, with Leah Libresco Sargeant
Q: How do you balance advocacy for traditional family structures with a pluralist approach to people choosing different paths?
By supporting a range of balanced choices—marriage, single life, or parenting—while ensuring policies reduce the costs of family life and recognize the validity of diverse life choices.
Rethinking feminism and dependence, with Leah Libresco Sargeant
Q: What audience did you have in mind when writing this book?
A broad audience, aiming to bridge Catholic, pro-life readers with others, presenting ideas that may be uncomfortable to some while remaining accessible and grounded in real-world policy.
The Legend of Murray Kempton, with Andrew Holter
Q: What lessons do you think Kempton has for us in the present day?
Kempton's work teaches us the importance of connecting with our community and the value of direct interactions for understanding the truth.
The Legend of Murray Kempton, with Andrew Holter
Q: How did you come to the idea of preparing this anthology?
I felt it was a shame that the last collection of Kempton's work was published in 1994, and I discovered a vast amount of his writings that hadn't been included in that collection.
The libertarian prophet of the abundance movement, with Virginia Postrel
Q: What do you think it will take for people on the left and the right to actually put forward a more positive vision of progress?
Making housing more abundant and accessible is key to improving societal conditions while addressing the pessimism among young people regarding their futures.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Vital Center

What is The Vital Center about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, centrist-leaning program that analyzes American politics through history, institutions, and policy. Across episodes, guests challenge partisan narratives, discuss the evolution of liberalism, conservatism, and the role of nonpartisan think tanks, while highlighting the importance of governance, education, and civic engagement. The show often features historians, policy scholars, journalists, and university leaders, offering nuanced takes on topics like political culture, housing, and institutional reform. Its unique strength lies in pairing rigorous historical context with contemporary policy debates, making it useful for listeners who want balanced, evidence-driven discussion and a focus on practical solutions to democratic d... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Vital Center?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Vital Center:

1. The Realignment
2. The Ezra Klein Show
3. Know Your Enemy
4. Interesting Times with Ross Douthat
5. The Argument

How many episodes of The Vital Center are there?

The Vital Center launched 5 years ago and published 94 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 Vital Center?

Recent guests on The Vital Center include:

1. Leah Libresco Sargeant
2. Brink Lindsey
3. Henry M. J. Tonks
4. Steve Grove
5. Andrew Holter
6. Sam Tanenhaus
7. Virginia Postrel
8. Alan Ehrenhalt

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