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To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes

Charlie Sykes
Donald Trump
Republican Party
Iran
Trump Administration
Democratic Party
Ukraine
United States
ICE
Russia
Venezuela
China
Epstein Files
NATO
Elon Musk
American Democracy
Vladimir Putin
U.S. Foreign Policy
Tariffs
Jeffrey Epstein
Congress

You are not the crazy ones.

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PublishesDailyEpisodes250Founded2 years ago
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News CommentaryNewsPolitics

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Artwork for To The Contrary

Latest Episodes

On today’s episode, Charlie sits down with journalist, David Frum to discuss the US’s status in the world economy, how the Trump administration compares to other historically corrupt administrations and the new rules of American politics approaching ... more

On today’s episode, Charlie flies solo to dive into Thom Thillis’ recent debate gone wrong with Stephanie Ruhle, Trump’s publicly funded PSA video, the importance of staying vigilant against misinformation as citizens and more.

Hosted on Acast. See ... more

On today’s episode, Charlie sits down with journalist and author, David Corn about the long-standing influence of Russia on American politics, Putin’s long-game with Trump and their dangerous decades-long relationship that’s shaped recent history and... more

On today's episode, Charlie Sykes sits down with author and journalist, Jonathan Rauch to discuss a potpourri of topics, from Pete Hegseth’s recent War Department speech, AI advancement and risks and the moral dilemmas surrounding the death penalty. ... more

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Recent Guests

Timothy Snyder
Historian, author of On Tyranny
Yale University (historian)
Episode: How Tyranny Rises. And Falls.
Jacob Weisberg
Author of Profiles in Cowardice, journalist
Author, Profiles in Cowardice
Episode: Weisberg: Profiles in Cowardice. The Story of Eight Trump-era Quislings
Paulina Borsook
Author of Cyberselfish; chronicler of Silicon Valley culture
Author, Cyberselfish
Episode: Tech Overlords and Wannabe Dictators
Doug Jones
Former U.S. Senator, current gubernatorial candidate
Democrat, Alabama
Episode: Can Doug Jones Turn Alabama Blue (Again)?
Kara Swisher
American journalist, author, podcast host, media entrepreneur
Audience of technology journalism and media projects (e.g., Recode/Pivot)
Episode: Swisher: AI Could Kill Us. So, Why Give the Tech Oligarchs a Pass?
John Avlon
Historian, author, journalist, editor
Various including The Atlantic, Rolling Stone
Episode: Avlon: I Was There...Trump Wasn't
Phillips O'Brien
Professor of strategic studies
University of St. Andrews
Episode: O’Brien: Trump is Making America Weak Again
Seth Bodnar
Independent candidate for U.S. Senate in Montana, former West Point graduate, Green Beret, former University of Montana president
Campaign for Montana (Seth Bodnar for Montana)
Episode: An Independent Miracle in Montana?
Jake Auchincloss
Congressman, Massachusetts
U.S. House of Representatives
Episode: Auchincloss: Impeach Hegseth First

Host

Charlie Sykes
Host of To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes; longtime commentator known for exploring democracy, politics, media, and culture.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Review

    Your podcast of August 20th was excellent. Thank you for alerting the population about the dangers of going too far to the left with the Socialist Party. Someone had to say it and say it loudly, and I’m glad it came from you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Melanie from Georgia
    United States2 months ago
  • Great Podcast

    Trump, MAGA and the SCOTUS have made the presidency so powerful, that of a King, that there is no way the likes of MAGA will in the future turnover that power to the Dems without a bloodbath.

    To peacefully turnover that kind of power would give the Dems the same power, which runs counter to MAGA's fascist ideology and tactics, as well as past experiences.

    To believe the Dems will inherit this newly found power is the height of childish naivety, and only a Dem’s mind could entertain it. more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Prometheus---
    United States2 months ago
  • hypocrite

    It’s very interesting on the same episode you’re talking about danger of AI you are running ChatGPT ads.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Zolfali
    United States2 months ago
  • Obsession with Dr Fauci

    I have stopped watching Charlie because of his negativity towards a person he gives no credit to for the amazing career he has had and the lives he has saved …. Covid was a terrible time-a pandemic that was unknown and every new bit of knowledge was updated as were the recommendations. Science isnt politics….and he didn’t have the power to make the restrictions-it was the president. He was working with a pathological president and he became the scapegoat. Feeding into that scapegoating is beneat... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Fatigued citizen
    United States2 months ago
  • Baseball and Democracy!

    Brilliant!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LoriJNY
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Interview depth and historical context are strong; production quality and guest variety are mixed.
Great depth on political strategy and governance insights for listeners and sponsors.
Listeners appreciate balanced, evidence-based discussion with a focus on accountability.
Some episodes show sharp, data-driven critique of tech and power dynamics.
Thoughtful analysis and credible guests keep me informed on democracy and policy.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#20
United States/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#119
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#13
Canada/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#36
United Kingdom/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#111
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#30
Australia/News/News Commentary

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Weisberg: Profiles in Cowardice. The Story of Eight Trump-era Quislings
Q: So give me your take on Jeff Bezos, Profile in Cowardice.
Bezos embodies a contrast between Trump 1 and Trump 2—initially standing up for journalistic independence and then allowing a shift toward personal and corporate leverage, including a controversial relationship with the administration that undermined his earlier stance.
Can Doug Jones Turn Alabama Blue (Again)?
Q: What about the immigration issue and the 30-foot wall around Alabama—how does that play?
He argues that while immigration is a consideration, voters are more concerned with immediate, everyday issues like energy costs, groceries, and safety, and he positions himself as offering balanced, practical policy.
Can Doug Jones Turn Alabama Blue (Again)?
Q: How do you plan to win in a deep-red state like Alabama?
Jones emphasizes a ground-up, unscripted, issue-focused campaign, with extensive town halls and a message centered on Democratic values and practical solutions that appeal to rural and urban voters alike.
Can Doug Jones Turn Alabama Blue (Again)?
Q: What makes this race different from the last time you ran against Tuberville?
Jones explains the dynamic shift to a governor's race, the incumbent's new record, and the personal, local focus that he believes resonates more with Alabama voters than prior campaigns in Washington.
O’Brien: Trump is Making America Weak Again
Q: Why is there hesitation to label the Iran situation as a war, and how does that affect Congressional action?
Rhetorical choices about calling it a war versus a skirmish seem aimed at managing domestic political concerns and avoiding immediate statutory triggers like the War Powers Act, which makes formal Congressional action less likely.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About To The Contrary

What is To The Contrary about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on democratic norms, political strategy, and the power dynamics shaping policy and culture. Conversations often analyze historical parallels, the role of wealth and tech influence, and the evolving relationship between government, media, and public trust. Across episodes, the host and guests weigh threats to democracy, the rise of AI and tech power, and pragmatic paths to reform, governance, and accountability. Notable strengths include data-driven analysis, a preference for historical context, and a willingness to challenge prevailing narratives with sharp, policy-focused discussion. This mix should appeal to listeners who want thoughtful, issue-driven commentary on politics, technology, and governance, with implications f... more

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1. The Next Level
2. The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell
3. The Bulwark Daily
4. The David Frum Show
5. Fast Politics with Molly Jong-Fast

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To The Contrary launched 2 years ago and published 250 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 To The Contrary?

Recent guests on To The Contrary include:

1. Timothy Snyder
2. Jacob Weisberg
3. Paulina Borsook
4. Doug Jones
5. Kara Swisher
6. John Avlon
7. Phillips O'Brien
8. Seth Bodnar

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