What Rough Beast
Virginia Heffernan and Stephen MetcalfWhat Rough Beast, hosted by Virginia Heffernan (Wired, Trumpcast) and Stephen Metcalf (Slate, Culture Gabfest) is a podcast where we bear witness to America’s demise, and ask what might be built from the rubble. The sludge. The sparkly phosphorescent faerie dust of recombinant DNA. It is a spiritual successor to Trumpcast, but with a radical reimagining. Instead of focusing on opposing Trump or tr... more
| Publishes | Twice monthly | Episodes | 37 | Founded | a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | PhilosophySociety & CulturePoliticsNews | |||
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Latest Episodes
This week we talk to Fred Kaplan, the national security columnist for Slate and author of seven books, including The Bomb: Presidents, Generals, and the Secret History of Nuclear War (his most recent non-fiction), The Insurgents: David Petraeus and t... more
Alex Karp and the Masturbating Girl. Is squirming in your seat erotic, pathological, subversive, insane? Alex Karp and Palantir believe it's genius. virginiaheffernan.substack.com/p/alex-karp-and-the-masturbating-girl
This is a public episo... more
This week we talk to Cy Canterel (again!), about her recent video essay “Epstein, Elite Power Networks, and The Utility of Disgrace.” Cy is a New Orleans-based “feral scholar,” a media theorist/technologist decoding systems of power and meaning. We d... more
This week we talk to Kristianna Smith. Kristianna Smith (they/she) is a visionary curious about how we bring our collective imagination to life. They are a liberation cultural worker, published author, facilitator, theatre artist, educator, gardener,... more
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- My fave
Layered and weird and always interesting.
Apple Podcasts5Susy PD
United Kingdoma month ago - Fighting fascism while feasting on it
Enjoy the pod, but it’s bonkers that so-called leftists can still be “happy omnivores” in 2025. Animal Ag is a fascistic system of exploitation, domination, and ecological ruin. Are you really going to wait until most people go vegan before you find the courage to be nice to cows and help prevent total environmental collapse?
Or maybe you just haven’t really thought about it. Watch Earthlings to see the grotesque violence you are causing to helpless sentient beings. Watch Dairy Is Scary if yo... more
Apple Podcasts5Corey Lee PhD
United States5 months ago - Weirdly helpful
Not that you’ll feel better but all the same
Apple Podcasts5OrangeBeanieUnited States7 months ago - Yes!
Smart, funny, and irreverent, What Rough Beast is exactly the podcast we need right now. Heffernan and Metcalf don’t just dissect the rubble—they find the strange glitter in it, asking the big, imaginative questions most shows don’t dare to touch. A must-listen.
Apple Podcasts5LorettaDraperUnited States7 months ago - Right podcast for the moment!
What happens when two of your favorite Slate podcasters get together? You get a great podcast for this moment.
Like the best podcasts, the first act is like a conversation with your slightly smarter friends who perfectly articulate what is rattling around your brain (even when you don’t agree!). And the interviews are timely, helpful and well done.
Apple Podcasts5aquamarinemomUnited States8 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #241 | United Kingdom/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #77 |  Ireland/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #229 | Ireland/News |
Talking Points
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Frequently Asked Questions About What Rough Beast
What is What Rough Beast about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Centered on the tumultuous landscape of American politics, this podcast offers a critical, imaginative exploration of contemporary issues through insightful discussions and interviews. Hosted by two seasoned commentators, each episode engages with a variety of topics, from immigration policies and civil liberties to the complexities of democracy and authoritarianism. Notably, the show diverges from mere critique, encouraging listeners to think creatively about how to navigate and reshape the current societal and political fabric. Its unique approach fosters an atmosphere that is both thought-provoking and engaging, appealing to those who are not only concerned about the state of democracy but also interested in potential solutions that tran... more
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How many listeners does What Rough Beast get?
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What are the audience demographics for What Rough Beast?
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How many subscribers and views does What Rough Beast have?
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Which podcasts are similar to What Rough Beast?
These podcasts share a similar audience with What Rough Beast:
1. Culture Gabfest
2. The Ezra Klein Show
3. The Political Scene | The New Yorker
4. The New Yorker Radio Hour
5. The Gist
How many episodes of What Rough Beast are there?
What Rough Beast launched a year ago and published 37 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 What Rough Beast?
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What guests have appeared on What Rough Beast?
Recent guests on What Rough Beast include:
1. Fred Kaplan
2. Kristianna Smith
3. Mark Bray
4. Cy Canterel
5. Molly McKew
6. Sarah Stillman
7. Alastair Smith
8. David Rees
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.