Rephonic
Artwork for Useful Idiots

Useful Idiots with Katie Halper and Aaron Maté

Useful Idiots, LLC
Israel
Gaza
Iran
United States
Palestine
Donald Trump
Ukraine
Trump Administration
Hamas
U.S. Foreign Policy
Hezbollah
Venezuela
Joe Biden
Kamala Harris
Biden Administration
Palestinians
Syria
Middle East
Democratic Party
Palestinian Rights

Useful Idiots is an informative and irreverent politics podcast with journalist Aaron Maté and podcaster/writer Katie Halper. Episodes feature analysis of the political news of the week and exclusive interviews, with humor, commentary and dissection of why both Republicans and Democrats suck. Join Aaron and Katie as they examine important stories that have slipped through the cracks and what the m... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes427Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsNews Commentary

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Useful Idiots

Latest Episodes

Go to groundnews.com/useful to get 40% off the unlimited access Vantage plan and unlock world-wide perspectives on the stories shaping our world.

Pre-order Aaron's new book on the Ukraine war: Their Blood, Our Bullets orbooks.com/cat... more

Go to groundnews.com/useful to get 40% off the unlimited access Vantage plan and unlock world-wide perspectives on the stories shaping our world.

Pre-order Aaron's new book on the Ukraine war: Their Blood, Our Bullets orbooks.com/cat... more

Go to groundnews.com/useful to get 40% off the unlimited access Vantage plan and unlock world-wide perspectives on the stories shaping our world.

Pre-order Aaron's new book on the Ukraine war: Their Blood, Our Bullets orbooks.com/cat... more

Go to groundnews.com/useful to get 40% off the unlimited access Vantage plan and unlock world-wide perspectives on the stories shaping our world.

Pre-order Aaron's new book on the Ukraine war: Their Blood, Our Bullets orbooks.com/cat... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Sharmine Narwani
Journalist at The Cradle covering geopolitics in West Asia
The Cradle
Episode: Trump “Afraid” After Iran Plans New Attacks, Teams with China w/ Middle East Analyst Sharmine Narwani
Oliver Larkin
Democratic socialist running for Congress, Florida 25th District
DSA member, candidate for Florida 25th
Episode: House Candidate Oliver Larkin Crashes Monday Mourning with Katie and Aaron
Sina Tusi
Senior non-resident fellow focusing on US-Iran relations
Center for International Policy
Episode: Iran's New RED LINE Shocks Israel, US Flailing
Michael Lange
Writer, researcher, strategist and political organizer
The Narrative Wars
Episode: Iran's New RED LINE Shocks Israel, US Flailing
Eli Clifton
Author of Israel's Lobby, America in the Grip of a Foreign Power
Quincey Institute, Senior Advisor; co-author of Israel's Lobby
Episode: AIPAC Lashes Out After $32 Million Loss to Abdul El-Sayed
Mike Turner
Congress member
Republican Party
Episode: Is Trump's New Iran Deal Just A Ploy to Momentarily Bump the Stock Market?
Daniel Davis
Lieutenant Colonel, combat veteran; host of Daniel Davis Deep Dive
U.S. Army (retired)
Episode: Lt. Col Daniel Davis WARNS U.S. Running Out of Weapons Against Iran
Bernie Sanders
U.S. Senator offering anti-war, domestic-focus perspectives
U.S. Senate
Episode: The US Weapons Stockpile is NOT Depleted and Anyone Who Says it is Should Go to Prison for Leaking Classified Information
Zohran Mamdani
New York City Council member discussing Israel-Palestine and war issues
New York City Council
Episode: The US Weapons Stockpile is NOT Depleted and Anyone Who Says it is Should Go to Prison for Leaking Classified Information

Hosts

Katie Halper
Host of Useful Idiots; co-host with a focus on political commentary and interview integrity.
Aaron Maté
Co-host providing political analysis and investigative commentary, with a focus on anti-war perspectives.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 6.3k ratings
  • Settlers attack on US official

    Good show !

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Germa2
    Canada2 months ago
  • Controlled Op

    Maybe Katie and Aaron are the useful idiots here. Ever since this contrived Iran

    war, they seem to ignore Israel’s continued slaughter of its neighbors. There used to be such good reportage and insightful guests on this topic, unfortunately, our hosts are treating the whole Trump Theatre, as if it were real.

    All that is left now are two leftist podcasters pretending they are politically neutral and telling us how bad both Republicans and Democrats suck. Duh!

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    johnmoore4
    United States2 months ago
  • The anti establishment perspective and sharp criticism of politics as usual is both refreshing and appreciated

    Podcast Addict
    4
    RuminatingStoic
    4 months ago
  • Such a fan-boi

    Honestly - you guys are saving my brain. I’m thankful. A very helpful - extremely informed show !!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lola Britawater
    Canada5 months ago
  • Like brietbart for the left

    Too much rhetoric and spin, a lot of junk info. Poorly produced. Good guests though.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    m0risan54
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans note the show's emphasis on independent media and critical stance toward mainstream narratives.
Listeners praise the hosts for thoughtful, informed analysis and engaging interviews.
Listeners appreciate accessible, witty presentation coupled with substantive guest expertise.
Critiques often mention political biases or ad reads as downsides, but many still rate the content as valuable for context.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#191
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#190
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#224
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#213
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#218
Italy/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#114
Saudi Arabia/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Trump “Afraid” After Iran Plans New Attacks, Teams with China w/ Middle East Analyst Sharmine Narwani
Q: What is the broader political risk of the sanctions strategy against Iran according to Sharmine Narwani?
Narwani argues that while sanctions aim to pressure Iran, they can backfire by hardening Iranian resolve, pushing China and other partners to bolster alternative supply chains, and potentially widening regional instability.
House Candidate Oliver Larkin Crashes Monday Mourning with Katie and Aaron
Q: Would you vote for Medicare for All if you were in leadership positions in the House?
The guest indicated he does not currently co-sponsor Medicare for All but supports finding a path to fix healthcare that expands access and affordability, while recognizing political realities.
Iran's New RED LINE Shocks Israel, US Flailing
Q: What does the discussion say about the U.S. military position and its global standing?
The analysis argues that the U.S. war machine is revealing weaknesses, with depleted missiles and limited interceptors, and requires expensive support—undermining its image as an unchallengeable hegemon while showing that Iran can impose costs across multiple fronts.
Iran's New RED LINE Shocks Israel, US Flailing
Q: How does Oman fit into the Hormuz governance discussion, and what could a deal look like?
Negotiations with Oman aim to transform the maritime governance model so Iran gains institutional leverage over Hormuz transit. A potential deal could involve Iran retaining oversight over inbound and outbound traffic, with transit occurring under new rules that secure Iran's economic and security interests while allowing some reopening of Hormuz under conditions tied to broader sanctions relief and regional assurances.
Iran's New RED LINE Shocks Israel, US Flailing
Q: What are the main shifts in Iran's leadership signaling about its approach to Hormuz and negotiations with the U.S.?
The guest explains that Mohsen Rezaie's appointment as secretary of the Supreme National Security Council signals a harder deterrence posture and a more assertive military approach, intended to preserve leverage over Hormuz while not ruling out diplomacy. This reflects a balancing act between hard‑line signaling and pursuing a deal under favorable terms.

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 Useful Idiots

What is Useful Idiots about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show provides sharp political analysis focused on U.S. foreign policy, media narratives, and internal party dynamics, with a willingness to challenge hawkish orthodoxy and examine the influence of money in politics. Episodes frequently feature in-depth interviews with journalists, scholars, and policy experts, alongside spirited hosts who blend skepticism with accessible humor. The format often pairs controversial guests and timely topic threads (Israel-Palestine, Iran, U.S. policy shifts, and media framing) with clear takes on current events, aiming to educate listeners who want context beyond traditional punditry. A notable strength is the commitment to independent media perspectives and a willingness to critique both major parties, ... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Useful Idiots?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Useful Idiots. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Useful Idiots and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Useful Idiots get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Useful Idiots, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Useful Idiots?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Useful Idiots, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Useful Idiots have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Useful Idiots has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Useful Idiots?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Useful Idiots:

1. The Katie Halper Show
2. The Chris Hedges Report
3. Bad Faith
4. System Update with Glenn Greenwald
5. Drop Site Livestream

How many episodes of Useful Idiots are there?

Useful Idiots launched 7 years ago and published 427 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Useful Idiots?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Useful Idiots?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Useful Idiots from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Useful Idiots?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Useful Idiots. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Useful Idiots?

Recent guests on Useful Idiots include:

1. Sharmine Narwani
2. Oliver Larkin
3. Sina Tusi
4. Michael Lange
5. Eli Clifton
6. Mike Turner
7. Daniel Davis
8. Bernie Sanders

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days