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To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes

Charlie Sykes
Donald Trump
Elon Musk
Ukraine
Republican Party
Justice Department
Russia
Jeff Bezos
Eric Adams
NATO
Kash Patel
Gulf Of Mexico
Vladimir Putin
Bloomberg
Washington Post
Trumpism
Democratic Party
JD Vance
Constitutional Crisis
National Security
Trump Administration

You are not the crazy ones.

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PublishesDailyEpisodes169Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryNewsPolitics

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Artwork for To The Contrary

Latest Episodes

On today’s episode, Charlie welcomes author, journalist, political commentator and former Congressional candidate, John Avlon. The two discuss the stark contrast between the decorum of past presidents and Trump, along with the broken incentive struct... more

Ed Luce from the Financial Times joins Charlie to discuss his recent phone call with the president, Trump's obsession with the British Prime Minister, and whether the US is opening another front in Cuba.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m... more

Trying to make sense of Trump's incoherent approach to war and peace with the New Yorker's Susan Glasser, one of the nation's foremost Trumpologists.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Economist Justin Wolfers joins Charlie to explain the impact of rising oil prices but also to remind us that there are much deeper questions that need to be asked.

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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

Molly Jong-Fast
A guest described as a good friend of the host and a frequent commentator
Episode: Trump’s Iran FUBAR
Josh Barro
Co-host of Central Air; author of the very serious Substack newsletter
Central Air; Josh Barro Substack
Episode: The Government Can’t Keep Its War Story Straight
Tom Nichols
Staff writer for The Atlantic
The Atlantic
Episode: Trump and the Death of Shame
Adam Jentleson
Long-time Democratic strategist and president of the Searchlight Institute
Searchlight Institute
Episode: Democrats Need a Winning Formula
Jamil Smith
Columnist for The Guardian and lecturer at UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism
The Guardian
Episode: "Trump Uses Racism to Weaken American Democracy"
Ashley Parker
Veteran Trump watcher and former reporter for The Washington Post and The New York Times
The Atlantic
Episode: Jeff Bezos’ Murder of the Washington Post
Peter Wehner
Senior fellow at the Trinity Forum and contributor to The Atlantic
The Atlantic
Episode: When Viciousness Becomes a Virtue
Joe Klein
Legendary journalist and author
Substack newsletter, Sanity Clause
Episode: Revisiting the Nuremberg Trials
Miles Taylor
Former Chief of Staff to the Department of Homeland Security
Defiance.org
Episode: Blue Screen of Hypocrisy

Host

Charlie Sykes
Host of discussions on contemporary political issues, providing critical analysis and expert insight.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 987 ratings
  • David Frum

    I genuinely enjoy Charlie’s show and usually find both the conversations and the guests insightful.

    David Frum is the exception.

    I stopped listening to Frum’s own podcast—one I initially liked—after repeated comments that minimized the genocide in Gaza. People can hold different views, but repeatedly glossing over mass civilian suffering crossed a line for me & I chose to walk away.

    Frum appears on several podcasts I otherwise enjoy, and while I already find his smug, know-it-all tone grating... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nav Saint
    United Statesa month ago
  • Being anti trump…

    doesn’t mean you’re not still a lame republican who wishes a Bush was still president.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Just Some Dude 420
    United Statesa month ago
  • Riverside

    Also, if only it would correct the grammar.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NDRRRRRNND
    United Statesa month ago
  • Katherine Stewart

    A great discussion. Thank you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sktspring
    United States2 months ago
  • Great

    So great to have found your podcast.. I’m a long time listener of the Bulwark and missed you since you

    Keep up your great work .. do I won’t become the “crazy ones”

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MelBeach151
    Canada2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the thoughtful analysis and critical discussions on pressing political issues, often highlighting the informative nature of the content.
Some feedback mentions issues with production quality, suggesting improvements are needed for a better listening experience.
Reviews commend the host for his engaging style and depth of insight, indicating a strong respect for his expertise and previous work in political media.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#32
United States/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#187
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#25
Canada/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#51
United Kingdom/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#177
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#36
Australia/News/News Commentary

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Trump’s War of Choice
Q: How are Europeans reacting, especially after Greenland, and what does that mean for NATO and transatlantic relations?
Europeans are in a holding pattern, grappling with uncertainty about U.S. intentions and the credibility of allied commitments, which could prompt long-term recalibrations in defense posture and interdependence with the U.S.
Trump’s War of Choice
Q: What does this say about U.S. policy processes and coalition-building under his administration?
There appears to be a collapse of the traditional policy process, with decisions made more on whim or in consultation with a narrow inner circle, rather than through interagency analysis and broad legislative or coalition support.
Trump’s War of Choice
Q: Anne, what has Donald Trump chosen and why in your view?
Trump's decision seems driven by a mix of long-standing resentments, geopolitical calculations involving allies and business partners in the Gulf, and personal political strategy, possibly using a 'wag the dog' instinct to shift attention from domestic concerns.
The Government Can’t Keep Its War Story Straight
Q: What should be the criteria for engaging in military action, given the Powell Doctrine references?
They discuss whether clear objectives, international support, and a feasible exit strategy are present, warning that lacking these makes the action vulnerable to political backlash and strategic missteps.
The Government Can’t Keep Its War Story Straight
Q: How do you compare this to previous wars in terms of public support and policy justification?
The discussion contrasts the current approach with past wars where a public debate and enforceable justification were more evident, suggesting this administration has not built a coherent, widely supported case.

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 To The Contrary

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

This podcast serves as a platform for insightful discussions centered on contemporary political issues, particularly the impact of Donald Trump's presidency on American society and culture. It involves a blend of expert commentary and critical analysis, often exploring controversial topics such as authoritarianism, the intersection of faith and politics, and the erosion of democratic values. Episodes feature a variety of guests, including journalists, scholars, and political analysts, who provide diverse perspectives on the national discourse, creating an engaging experience for listeners invested in political dynamics and societal implications. The show's focus on crucial debates and moral complexities makes it a compelling resource for th... more

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Which podcasts are similar to To The Contrary?

These podcasts share a similar audience with To The Contrary:

1. The Bulwark Podcast
2. The David Frum Show
3. The Daily Beast Podcast
4. Main Justice
5. Stay Tuned with Preet

How many episodes of To The Contrary are there?

To The Contrary launched a year ago and published 169 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. Molly Jong-Fast
2. Josh Barro
3. Tom Nichols
4. Adam Jentleson
5. Jamil Smith
6. Ashley Parker
7. Peter Wehner
8. Joe Klein

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