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To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes

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

You are not the crazy ones.

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes241Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryNewsPolitics

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Artwork for To The Contrary

Latest Episodes

Charlie flies solo this episode to break down the biggest headlines in current events, dig into where the midterms actually stand right now, and get personal about the toll — both individual and societal — of a decade shaped by Trump.

Hosted on Acas... more

Founder of Protect Democracy and winner of the MacArthur genius grant, Ian Bassin joins Charlie for a wide-ranging discussion about important reads, how technology shapes society, post-Trump America, and the weird new FBI rule about bestiality.

Hos... more

World renowned tech journalist Kara Swisher joins Charlie to explore the complex issues surrounding AI development, the role of regulation, and the global implications.

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

Author of Kill Switch and Supermajority, Adam Jentleson joins Charlie for a deep dive into what it will take for Democrats to win and keep power, the weird machinations of John Fetterman, and who would make the strongest candidate to beat back whoeve... more

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Recent Guests

Adam Jentleson
Former chief of staff to Senator John Fetterman; former deputy chief of staff to Harry Reid
Author of Supermajority; Searchlight Institute founder
Episode: How the Democrats Can Win a Super Majority
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
Matt Bennett
Executive Vice President for Public Affairs at Third Way
Third Way
Episode: It's Electability Stupid
Ben Wikler
Former chair of the Democratic Party in Wisconsin, author of This Is the Plan
Democratic Party of Wisconsin
Episode: Do Democrats Have a Plan?
Michael Tomasky
Author of Killing Baby Hitler; editor of The New Republic
The New Republic
Episode: Killing Baby Hitler
Mark Hertling
Retired General, author of If I Don't Return
United States Army
Episode: Are We at War With Iran Again?
Harry Litman
Legal scholar and host of Talking Feds
Talking Feds podcast
Episode: Is America Capable of Renewal?
Sofia Kinzinger
Substack writer, former White House staffer
Substack; former White House staff
Episode: Donald Trump's Megalomania

Host

Charlie Sykes
Host of To The Contrary; prominent political commentator and podcaster with focus on democracy, media, and conservative-to-centrist policy discussions.

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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month 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 Statesa month 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.

Listeners appreciate the host's historical context and critique of media dynamics.
Insightful analysis and strong guest selections make the show a go-to for understanding current politics.
Audience often values candid, sometimes provocative takes on democracy and leadership.
Some reviews note production and interview pacing issues, but many praise the depth of conversations.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#25
United States/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#143
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#21
Canada/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#38
United Kingdom/News/News Commentary
Apple Podcasts
#154
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#31
Australia/News/News Commentary

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Wolfers: Stupid Trade Wars and Gangster Government
Q: What's going on with Canada in this administration's tariff approach, and why does it feel more existential than purely economic?
The guest explains that the tariffs, especially with Canada, are framed as broader assertions of sovereignty and bargaining leverage, but they create a costly and fragile political dynamic. Public support for retaliation erodes, and the leadership's aim to 'win' appears to backfire as allies and ordinary citizens bear the costs, making the issue about dignity and national identity rather than pure economics.
An Independent Miracle in Montana?
Q: What keeps you going in the face of heavy political opposition and negative ads?
A sense of duty to future Montanans and Americans, and the belief that leadership should uplift people rather than divide them; the movement is broader than one campaign and continues beyond the ballot box.
An Independent Miracle in Montana?
Q: How would you handle the likelihood of caucusing in the Senate as an independent?
I don't intend to caucus with either party; I aim to work with other independent-minded senators to form a constructive bloc that can move pragmatic solutions forward.
Tom Nichols: The Trump Tribe Thinks This Will Go On Forever
Q: What's your take on Natalie Harp and this dynamic around power?
Nichols points to the unhealthy, almost psychic dependence created by a close advisor close to the president and the broader danger of personal loyalty driving national security decisions.

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 program consistently centers on U.S. politics, media dynamics, and democratic norms, with frequent scrutiny of the MAGA era, accountability in public life, and the influence of money and power on policy. Guests range from journalists and scholars to former policymakers, offering historical context, investigative reporting, and sharp political critique. The show stands out for its blend of serious analysis and pointed, sometimes provocative commentary, aiming to help listeners understand contemporary political dynamics and what they mean for civic life. Potential listeners who value candid conversations about democracy, media ethics, and political strategy may find this show especially engaging.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with To The Contrary:

1. The Next Level
2. The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell
3. The Bulwark Daily
4. Fast Politics with Molly Jong-Fast
5. The Focus Group Podcast

How many episodes of To The Contrary are there?

To The Contrary launched 2 years ago and published 241 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. Adam Jentleson
2. Seth Bodnar
3. Jake Auchincloss
4. Matt Bennett
5. Ben Wikler
6. Michael Tomasky
7. Mark Hertling
8. Harry Litman

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