I was introduced to Dr. Lewis via his book the 2020 commission. He, Dr. Stein and their guests inform me on topics of interest, perhaps not always perfectly but darn close. Just wish they would drop more frequently.

First episode I listened to was painful. Audio quality, so so. Content surprisingly decent, but too much chaff and self involved drivel. Not as dry or half hearted as some people think tank content. Not much competition in this space I guess

As one who is intimately interested in WMD arms control and who has a graduate degree in Global/National Security Studies, I was a core consumer for this podcast. Sadly Dr. Lewis has turned me off of this podcast through his use of profanity in instruction and his failure to observe a prime commandment of higher education - ‘Thou shalt not demonize “all”, lest your argument become an intellectual fallacy’. Dr. Lewis is an unabashed Democrat supporter and he believes that no Republican, Libertarian, or any other political party can, might, or could bring about meaningful arms control measures to the fore. He ignores the uneducated statements that the current President or his senior policy makers utter. This made him increasingly unlistenable for myself. If one can screen out the biases and listen for the facts, you might find it useful, but Dr. Lewis is on the far side of the curve now and not self-moderating.

I wanted to love this podcast, since I have worked in an adjacent field and I find it very interesting. But in a podcast (ASAT podcast), where they gloss over some nuanced information, which happens to be the key information they should be discussing, I realized that what was being presented may have made me more ignorant of the current issues and developments in the ASAT space than I had been with only very basic information. Now I wonder about the other podcasts where I might not be able to see through the glossing over. Better to unsubscribe. Hope the creators see this. As I learned in my field, you maybe get 10 pieces of information in open source, of which the key piece is only 1 of 10. The hard part is finding the 1 part that matters. This podcast doesn’t help. Unfortunately.

I’ve listened for a long time. Recently an episode “Nuclear security for who?” Has made me unsubscribe. It was painful to listen to someone essentially apologize for their sex and race. I’m not sure how being non white or a lady will solve non proliferation issues, but I lost respect for the host as he just took the insult on the chin. Very pathetic!

I am, in fact, a casual listener. Heard Jeffrey on a CNN interview with Kristie Stout years ago and have been reading his writing since (science based and fiction). This podcast is easy to understand and makes the less informed listener a more informed person. Thank you!

Really enjoyed this show for the past few years. I not only find it entertaining but educational. As a layman, I enjoy their insight and experience… as well as their wit. Really enjoy the show!

Who knew that serious academic examinations of arms control issues could be entertaining? Yeah, it’s a bit wonky and appropriately named. A refreshing mix of irreverent humor and sinister foreboding.

I’m not sure where or how I stumbled onto this podcast, but truly thankful I did! I have no background knowledge in arms control etc. but I consistently enjoy the content and the way that the hosts find the delight in the despair. Give it a listen. Also I dig the new logo!

Great content. Being academics, I can guess what your political leanings are and would prefer to guess rather than get hit over the head with it.

Fantastic discussion of important issues. Audio quality is generally poor, which detracts somewhat from the content.

Great technical insight and foreign policy analysis. Leave the liberal politics at the door. Other shows handle that just fine.

I love how they makes a point to use the proper technical terms while explaining the jargon so a layperson can track with them.

Jeffrey Lewis and Aaron Stein have opened me up to a world of nonproliferation and I love researching along with them. I'd just wish they would invest in better microphones and podcasting equipment so their audio doesn't sound like they're speaking into a phone speakerphone from across the room

ACW is on the top of my foreign policy nerd list. This is a good thing. They really know their stuff and are technical experts that are able to communicate complex details to lay people in plain English. Can’t recommend it enough!

Random comment but why bleep the cuss words? Are there really children listening to this podcast? Seems pretty dumb

Here are some out of context quotes from this podcast: “Hey kid! Yukio wants to see your furby.” “Would you like to pet the peanut Dr. Hecker?” “Yevgeny, get scuba gear. Bring wetsuit.” This is also probably the best explainer on the complex subject of nuclear diplomacy and technology you can find.

Terrifying, yes, but that’s hardly their fault. The information is timely and helpful, necessary for the aspiring wonk (not me) and the curious lay person (me). Highly recommended.

This podcast is always at the top of my list when a new episode comes out, often in timely response to world events. As a engineer, I particularly appreciate the outstanding, detailed coverage of what is known of missile and nuclear weapons technology and insightful discussion of the technical and political implications. One will find Jeffery Lewis, cohosts, and guests cited in the media as experts in this area, and this podcast takes the form of a casual conversation about the thought processes behind those assessments.

I really liked this podcast when it began. As someone who doesn’t know much about arms it was fascinating to listen to people who obviously know the subject discuss arms. It has become unlistenable because they can’t help but badmouth President Trump at almost every turn. I wasn’t listening to hear their political subjective, often times juvenile jokes and negative commentary. I was listening to learn about a subject I didn’t understand and wanted to hear about. It’s their show and they have the right to talk about whatever they want but it would be better in my opinion if they stick to the content they have expertise and covered it in an objective manner.

I have never heard sounds like these before. It will make you feel privileged and ashamed to be smart. I listen to likely more podcasts than the average bear, and this one is alway my most excited to see in the feed. Also, hands down best theme music. I usually listen to it about seven or eight times to get myself in the mood before diving in.

If you have any interest in this topic you won’t be disappointed

Specialized podcast that marries STEM and international relations. Great content.

Jeffrey, Aaron and Scott offer wonky insight that really helps provide even the non-technical context for current global proliferation issues.

A new listener. This is a great podcast, always informative.

Once you get over the annoyance of hearing them constantly abbreviate podcast to "pod", this is a great tool for assuaging your (my) ill-informed but increasing panic about the nuclear arms control failures of the current administration. Listening to two bros talk so casually about the most mundane elements of the nuclear dilemma -- comparing yield measurement equations, describing 3D modeling software, name-dropping non-proliferation policy experts, and debating historical disarmament techniques --almost always puts me to sleep, and certainly takes my mind off the more hyperbolic and sensationalist coverage of the same issues I see elsewhere in media. I wish I could search and replace "nuclear bomb" on Twitter with "120 kiloton thermonuclear weapon with a tapered radiation case that's formatted to the tube and spherical secondary stage." 140-character limits really propagate hyperbolic brevity. This pod(cast) is the cure.

This used to be an informative and entertaining podcast. Lately, content has gotten significantly worse due tithe constant attacks on POTUS. Why don't you go back to discussing the issues of arms control and stop bashing the President? Leave your liberal bias out of this, and stop the fear mongering.

I enjoy the show

A great podcast that shines light on international geopolitics from an angle you won't get on tv or other podcasts.

They provide a great combination of information and analysis on policy, technologies and politics all wrapped in an interesting and entertaining way.

If you are a listener that craves insightful analysis and deep dives into the wonderful world of arms technology and arms control and reduction strategies (and North Korea) then this is the podcast for you. I just wish they would answer the question "When will North Korea have a missile that can reach the US"

I have learned so much by subscribing and listening regularly. What is never mentioned or explained anywhere else in mainstream news is revealed by these smart guys. In explaining about military weapons and defense agreements and the placement of military troops a great deal behind what appears to be incomprehensible governmental decisions and pacts suddenly is shown. Realpolitik defense or defense spending is often hiding behind any so-called humanitarian or political agreements or disagreements.

One of my favorite podcasts.

Been a subcriber to this for two years. I'm neither in a related industry nor an academic, but what I appreciate about this podcast is that it presents details behind some of the headlines we read every day. Also, the production quality is just great.

A very detailed podcast about arms control issues that is also filled with good humor and does not stray from honest discussions!

Highly informative but also accessible to non-wonks, Jeffrey and Aaron have a fantastic rapport that makes listening to their knowledge-packed podcast an enjoyable and fun experience. One of my favorite podcasts.

I'm actually surpirsed it took me so long to find this podcast and the blog itself. The podcast provideds relevant information and even discusses historical issues about arms control. It helps with my morning and afternoon commutes. Great work and keep it up.

Probably my favorite news-related podcast. Always thoughtful, engaging and surprising. Arms control turns out to be a great lens by which to understand an awful lot of major news stories and world events. Subscribe!

Deeply Informative. Hilarious. This podcast addresses the continuing Farce of the 20th century - How narrowly humanity avoids self-destruction. It also answers the indelible question: "Vadim, Is that literal or figurative Bag of Dicks?"

In the search for primary resourses to inform what CNN does not, Arms Control Wonk is a long established paragon of clean data.

Frank discussion about nuclear bombs that doesn’t dumb the information down. Infectiously enthusiastic about their detailed approach.

The unvarnished and conversational nature makes absorbing the very real, precise, and considered opinions of the hosts easy. The technical and policy expertise is clear and the covered topics are time-relevant and interesting. Would definitely recommend!

Lewis and Stein (and sometimes LaFoy) take an incredibly dense, dry, and depressing subject and manage to transform it into a laugh-out-loud entertaining podcast. They provide a rare inside look at Washington and international politics that admits that "the good guys" aren't all-powerful while "the bad guys" have intelligible motives beyond just "being evil and crazy" (I'm looking at you, public discourse over DPRK). Their dedication to improving the world through concrete steps, despite all the obstacles to arms control and disarmament, has no joke inspired me to be even more persistent in my own life. That's right, a podcast made me a better person. It's good.

...and that's not a bad thing! Unlike normal heroin, it means your spoons will remain unbent. But more importantly, you'll be hooked to it less because of the opioid pathways of your brain and more because it provides fascinating case studies, anecdotes, and perspectives on arms control, disarmament, and nonproliferation. If you want to become better acquainted about the issues of the day as it pertains to all things nonpro, subscribe and listen to this podcast.

The hosts are extremely knowledgeable, have great chemistry, and know how to present complicated issues in a way understandable to the average listener. I find the topics fascinating, relevant, and always look forward to new episodes.

Lots of details alongside easily approachable discussion and interesting, relevant topics.

Really enjoy the pod, despite not having a background in arms control, disarmenment, and nonproliferation. Good reading for anyone interested in international affiars and global security.

Just do it

These nerds know their stuff. Great info for going deeper in the world of nukes.

If you’re another arms control/nuclear weapons nerd like me, you’ll love this. The hosts are consummate experts and they know how to explain a topic, go into depth about developments, and still be funny. If you’re at all considering the podcast and found this, then you should definitely listen ASAP.