What Rough Beast
Virginia Heffernan and Cy CanterelWhat Rough Beast, hosted by Virginia Heffernan (Wired, Trumpcast) and Cy Canterel (Abstract Machines) 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 trusting in... more
| Publishes | Twice monthly | Episodes | 45 | Founded | a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | NewsSociety & CulturePoliticsPhilosophy | |||
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Latest Episodes
Federal prosecutors alleged internally that the state attorney's office colluded with Epstein's defense team to engineer the 2007–08 plea deal — and we have the emails. When Congressman Thomas Massie stood on the floor of Congress and said the docume... more
This week, Cy and I talk with Giorgio Angelini, award-winning filmmaker and architectural designer whose documentaries have a way of making you feel like you’ve been staring into the abyss, and then somehow leaving you with a little hope anyway. Ange... more
She’s in the Epstein files. It’s fine. She’s fine.
This week, Virginia and Cy are back together to dig into Virginia’s latest piece for The Nerve—Carol Cadwalladr’s new media venture—and it drops some bombs.
Virginia recently discovered she appear... more
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit virginiaheffernan.substack.com/subscribe
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- My fave
Layered and weird and always interesting.
Apple Podcasts5Susy PD
United Kingdom4 months 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 States7 months ago - Weirdly helpful
Not that you’ll feel better but all the same
Apple Podcasts5OrangeBeanieUnited States10 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 States10 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 States10 months ago
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Apple Podcasts | #156 |  Switzerland/News/Politics |
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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?
Focusing on the current political landscape, insightful discussions cover a broad range of topics including national security, cultural activism, political violence, and the dynamics of power in society. The podcast is characterized by its imaginative approach to contemporary issues, often drawing connections between literary, philosophical, and political dimensions. The hosts and their expert guests meticulously explore the complexities surrounding pressing societal matters, asking thought-provoking questions about the trajectory of democracy and the potential for societal change amidst crises. Notably, the conversation often critiques conventional political narratives and offers fresh perspectives, making this an essential listen for thos... 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. Critics at Large | The New Yorker
2. The New Yorker Radio Hour
3. On the Media
4. The Political Scene | The New Yorker
5. The Gray Area with Sean Illing
How many episodes of What Rough Beast are there?
What Rough Beast launched a year ago and published 45 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. Giorgio Angelini
2. Cy Canterelle
3. Trevor Mitchell
4. Jamie Raskin
5. Hakeem Jeffries
6. Fred Kaplan
7. Kristianna Smith
8. Mark Bray
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