Rephonic
Artwork for Central Air
Donald Trump
Immigration
Federal Reserve
Jeffrey Epstein
Democratic Party
Trump Administration
Jay Powell
Billionaires
Inflation
Immigration Policy
Epstein Files
Shutdown
Monetary Policy
Nimbyism
Elon Musk
Republican Party
Venezuela
Zohran Mamdani
ICE
Identity Theft

Central Air, the show where the temperature is always just right. Join Josh Barro, Megan McArdle and Ben Dreyfuss every week for a well-centered conversation on American politics. www.centralairpodcast.com

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes41Founded4 years ago
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NewsSociety & CulturePolitics

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Artwork for Central Air

Latest Episodes

On this week's show: We joined in the discourse about whether dog owners have gotten too big for their britches. (Dogs are sycophants, I say — at least cats have self-respect.) We discussed the wisdom of New York’s proposed tax on fancy pied-à-terre ... more

On this week's show: Republican pollster Patrick Ruffini joins to discuss the strength of Trump's multiracial populist coalition amid the Iran war. He offers his take on how the Republican party can avoid a cataclysm in this year’s midterm — it has, ... more

On this week's show: Daniel Biss joins to discuss the changing way Democrats are relating to Israel. Daniel is the mayor of Evanston, Ill., and very likely soon to be a member of Congress representing Chicago’s north side and northern suburbs. He jus... more

On this week's show: Marc Caputo, White House Correspondent for Axios, joins the podcast to help us understand how Trump and his advisers are deciding what to do with the Iran war, and how they are preparing (or not) for the domestic political blowba... more

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Recent Guests

Alex Thompson
National Political Correspondent for Axios, co-author of Original Sin
Axios
Episode: This Podcast Is Going to the Dogs
Patrick Ruffini
Co-founder of Echelon Insights; author of Party of the People Inside the Multiracial Populist Coalition Remaking the GOP
Echelon Insights
Episode: Party of the People?
Daniel Biss
Mayor of Evanston; Democratic nominee for Congress in Illinois' 9th District
Mayor of Evanston / Democratic nominee for Congress
Episode: AIPAC Throwdown
Jamie Kirchick
Contributing opinion writer at the New York Times
The New York Times
Episode: AIPAC Throwdown
Marc Caputo
White House correspondent for Axios
Axios
Episode: We All Live in Florida Now
Tyler Austin Harper
Staff writer at The Atlantic; former Bates College environmental science professor
The Atlantic
Episode: Every Centrist's Favorite Socialist (feat. Tyler Austin Harper)
Alex Bores
Candidate for Congress, New York's 12th District; tech policy advocate
Independent candidate, raised AI regulation profile
Episode: The Gay of Hormuz
Mike Solana
Founder of Pirate Wires, CMO at Founders Fund
Pirate Wires; Founders Fund
Episode: Revolt of the Billionaires
Jesse Singal
Co-host of Blocked and Reported; Substack writer
Substack; The New York Times
Episode: Real Accounts (feat. Jesse Singal)

Hosts

Josh Barro
Host with a long-running involvement in Central Air, known for centrist viewpoints and policy analysis.
Megan McArdle
Columnist with a focus on economics and policy, frequently contributing rigorous takes on affordability and public policy.
Ben Dreyfuss
Co-host and writer known for humorous but pointed takes; contributes to policy and culture discussions with a distinctive voice.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 686 ratings
  • Like and you know

    Pretty rough listen. Show with Alex Thompson — over 150 “likes” and about 60 “you knows.”

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Mncxds
    United States6 days ago
  • Central Air or Fresh Air? BOTH!

    It’s a genuine delight each week when a new episode drops. I laugh, I learned something new, and I feel like they engage with ideas in a way I don’t get from other podcasts all while having fun. I also enjoy that they discuss serious things without being too precious about anything, but I acknowledge that style isn’t for everyone.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jlee8806
    United Statesa month ago
  • Pot Complains about Kettle

    I like Josh Barro, but this podcast is turning out to be pretty insufferable. It’s three people complaining about how the left and the right don’t listen to opposing views, while simultaneously never engaging with opposing opinions themselves. Even their guests agree with them on everything. Josh Barro was really good in his previous roles because he pointed out holes in people’s arguments and pushed them to explain their positions. But on this podcast, it’s mostly them laughing at each other’s ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Hotsexypants
    United States2 months ago
  • CHH was a great guest

    I don’t know what people were talking about. Her Trump impression was the highlight of the Central Air Cinematic Universe thus far.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    piesnotcakes
    United States2 months ago
  • Margaret Thatcher

    Francois Mitterrand (who would know) said Dame Thatcher had the “eyes of Caligula.”

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Aidan Finley
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

The show is considered a reliable source for thoughtful political discourse by a dedicated audience.
Guests and topics are seen as timely but polarizing depending on the episode.
Listeners praise thoughtful, sane centrism and balanced discussion.
Some reviews criticize delivery or perceived bias or repetitiveness.
Audience enjoys nuanced policy analysis paired with humor and host camaraderie.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#216
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#150
Sweden/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#170
New Zealand/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#192
Hong Kong/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#199
Poland/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#231
Argentina/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Party of the People?
Q: Is there a viable road map for Republicans to avoid a disastrous midterm?
The discussion outlines a strategy where Republicans should mobilize marginal voters and leverage events or political moments that improve turnout, while avoiding internal missteps by Trump that could erode broader support; the emphasis is on turnout, messaging contrast against Democrats, and selective amplification of positive economic or symbolic wins.
Party of the People?
Q: Can you remind us exactly what the demographics of Trump's winning coalition looked like, and how they shifted across elections?
Ruffini explains that Trump realigned several voting blocs across the 2016, 2020, and 2024 cycles, with a growing non-ideological and younger segment becoming more significant, while minority groups also shifted in different directions; overall, these coalitions became more complex and sometimes less cohesive, creating a majority coalition by 2024 that did not always make intuitive sense ideologically.
Every Centrist's Favorite Socialist (feat. Tyler Austin Harper)
Q: How do you think voters should evaluate candidates who come with working-class credentials but have elite or privileged upbringings?
The panel argues that voters should focus on policy substance and track records rather than class-coded personas, noting that style can mislead about capabilities and long-term political vision.
Every Centrist's Favorite Socialist (feat. Tyler Austin Harper)
Q: What are the risks you see for higher education if philanthropic funding remains concentrated in a few large foundations?
The risk is a narrowing of funded topics and a potential homogenization of scholarship, where projects aligned with donors' priorities—especially around social justice—receive more support than independent or conservative-leaning research, potentially stifling dissent and diversity of thought.
Every Centrist's Favorite Socialist (feat. Tyler Austin Harper)
Q: Tyler, how would you summarize the Mellon Foundation's role in academia and its recent pivot toward social justice funding?
Harper explains that Mellon's shift is significant but not necessarily a grand conspiracy; it's part of a broader top-down dynamic where elite funders influence curricula and research priorities, often aligning with progressive causes while maintaining the status quo in other areas.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About Central Air

What is Central Air about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A politics-focused show that centers centrist to center-left perspectives on current American policy, economics, and culture. Episodes frequently cover immigration, inflation, federal policy, and political strategy, often featuring spirited debates among three regular hosts and a rotating string of guests. Notable strengths include a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom with nuanced takes, sharp humor, and a mix of policy analysis with cultural commentary. The format tends to balance rigorous discussion with accessible banter, making it appealing to listeners who want thoughtful but approachable political discourse and perspectives from established columnists and policy minds.

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Which podcasts are similar to Central Air?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Central Air:

1. Serious Trouble
2. The Argument
3. Politix
4. The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg
5. Advisory Opinions

How many episodes of Central Air are there?

Central Air launched 4 years ago and published 41 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 Central Air?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Central Air?

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What guests have appeared on Central Air?

Recent guests on Central Air include:

1. Alex Thompson
2. Patrick Ruffini
3. Daniel Biss
4. Jamie Kirchick
5. Marc Caputo
6. Tyler Austin Harper
7. Alex Bores
8. Mike Solana

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.

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