8 Sep 2025
Crime Matters
The episode tackles the recent murder of a young woman on the light rail in Charlotte, examining the media's handling of crime incidents and the implications of racial politics in these narratives. The discussion also touches on the Israeli-Hamas tensions, highlighting the U.S.-Israel dynamics and the geopolitical ramifications.
5 Sep 2025
The RFK Craziness
The episode delves into the complexities of the current global military and political climate, focusing on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s controversial stance and actions regarding vaccines and the Department of Defense's proposed renaming. The discussion highlights the ongoing war in Gaza, emphasizing Israel's military strategy and the international response to the conflict.
4 Sep 2025
A COMMENTARY Win!
Naomi Schaefer Riley discusses how her article 'College Board Games' led to the discontinuation of the College Board's Landscape program, which covertly bypassed the Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action in college admissions. She explains the complexities and implications of racial preferences, pushing against the facade of diversity in higher education.
3 Sep 2025
The Insane Trump-Is-Dead News Cycle
The latest episode discusses the absurdity of the Trump-is-dead rumors that swept through social media and were picked up by some mainstream outlets, highlighting the dangerous nature of wishful thinking and paranoia in modern politics. It also delves into how cultural depictions in film and the web of Internet conspiracies contribute to the normalization of violence against political and economic figures.
2 Sep 2025
State Capitalism and the Tariffs
The Commentary Magazine Podcast delves into the implications of an appeals court ruling against Trump's emergency tariffs, exploring the potential consequences for economic policies and international relations, particularly focusing on the situation in Gaza. Furthermore, the episode examines the dangers of state capitalism as the Trump administration considers taking stock positions in major American companies.
29 Aug 2025
Stop With the Emergencies
The episode explores the problematic notion of politics being driven by a constant state of emergency, highlighting the politicization of public health agencies like the CDC under various administrations. The hosts express concern over the Trump administration's handling of health agencies and RFK Jr.'s influence, underscoring a broader issue of how political norms and emergencies are leveraged for policy changes.
28 Aug 2025
The Trans Shooter Cover-Up
John Podhoretz and panelists discuss the media and political responses to a mass shooting committed by a trans person at a Christian school. The episode critiques the suppression of the trans aspect of the shooter's identity and calls for a broader conversation on mental health and gender issues in America.
27 Aug 2025
Taylor Kelce: Dawn of a New America?
The episode discusses the cultural implications of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's engagement against the backdrop of traditional values revival and societal connection erosion. The conversation extends to other cultural events, including the resistance to Cracker Barrel's redesign and what these signify about American cultural dynamics.
26 Aug 2025
Trump's Constitutional Outrages
The episode critically explores the Trump administration's recent actions seen as defying American political norms, such as firing a Federal Reserve Board member and using federal forces against critics. It discusses the broader implications of these actions on political norms, emphasizing the challenges of maintaining constitutional boundaries amid partisan accusations of norm-breaking by both parties.
25 Aug 2025
Cracker Barrel Crack-Up
The episode explores the controversy surrounding Cracker Barrel's logo redesign and its perceived cultural implications, debating whether it reflects corporate wokeness or mere modernization. The hosts also discuss the FBI's raid on John Bolton's home, questioning its legitimacy and potential motivations, particularly in the context of the Trump administration's actions.
22 Aug 2025
Books for First-Years, Games
The episode explores book recommendations for college freshmen and favorite board games, providing listeners with thoughtful insights and entertainment options during the summer break. Hosts discuss a range of books from various genres and offer personal reflections on games that foster family bonding and strategic thinking.
21 Aug 2025
Here's Some Stuff We Don't Like
The hosts discuss renowned works of art that evoke negative feelings or fail to resonate with them personally, despite their widespread acclaim. They provide candid reflections on how personal taste differs from public consensus in the art world.
20 Aug 2025
Touring Through History
The hosts of the Commentary Magazine Podcast discuss their favorite historical sites around the world, offering a mix of Jewish and general historical perspectives. They highlight locations such as the ancient mikveh in Barcelona, Civil War battlefields in the U.S., and the city of David in Jerusalem, sharing personal anecdotes and reflections on the importance of these places.
19 Aug 2025
Visiting Days
The crew of The Commentary Magazine Podcast offers travel recommendations across America, highlighting lesser-known destinations perfect for exploration. They discuss unique places like Maine's Mount Desert Island, New York's Cloisters, and Tennessee's Tail of the Dragon, while also touching on internet sites worth visiting.
18 Aug 2025
The Best Broadway Musicals
The hosts of the Commentary Magazine Podcast delve into their favorite Broadway musicals, exploring the specific performances and characteristics that make each significant. From personal recollections to deeper thematic discussions, this episode provides listeners with vivid analyses of beloved shows, emphasizing the impact of artistic direction and cultural context.
15 Aug 2025
Sandwich Man and the Liberal Crack-Up
The podcast episode explores the frenzy among Trump's critics over his response to crime in Washington, D.C., examining how irrational opposition to Trump is symbolized by incidents like a man throwing a sandwich at an officer. The episode concludes with a comedic, yet seemingly painful, song performance by the host, highlighting their engagement and levity in addressing political chaos.
14 Aug 2025
Cultural Honors and the Culture War
The podcast discusses how the Trump administration's actions regarding the Kennedy Center Honors and the Smithsonian are part of a broader strategy to counter what they perceive as liberal orthodoxy in American arts and history. During this episode, the hosts debate the cultural and ideological implications of Trump's choices for Kennedy Center honorees and the potential impacts on American historical narratives.
13 Aug 2025
Trump's Improvisational Summit
The Commentary Magazine Podcast episode discusses the unusual and hastily arranged summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, which is being framed as a listening exercise rather than a formal negotiation. The discussion explores the geopolitical implications and Trump's strategy, alongside a deep dive into public safety concerns as Trump moves to take control of policing in the District of Columbia.
12 Aug 2025
Trump's DC Takeover
The episode discusses the polarized political climate surrounding Zohran Mamdani's candidacy within New York City's Jewish community and transitions into President Trump's controversial decision to invoke a 1974 law to intervene in Washington, D.C.'s criminal justice administration, highlighting the broader implications of such actions on governance. Additionally, the conversation critiques responses to Trump's moves and reflects on societal divides regarding law enforcement, legality, and perceptions of authority.
11 Aug 2025
Mailbag: Why Do We Think You Listen?
The Commentary Magazine Podcast's mailbag episode explores the relevance of the term 'Zionism,' its historical context, and the strategic considerations regarding academia's handling of antisemitism. The hosts also suggest readings for those new to conservative ideas and discuss listener engagement with the podcast.