The Dispatch Podcast
The Dispatch Podcast
The Dispatch
Host Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle and guests for a thoughtful discussion on politics, policy and culture.
An Extinction-Level Event for MAGA
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and David French to discuss the results of the midterm elections, J.D. Vance’s postmortem on X, and whether Democrats can resist the pull of their own base. The Agenda  —Is nature healing?  —Corruption as voters’ top concern  —It’s all Stephen Miller’s fault  —Trump’s $5,000 bribe  —J.D. Vance’s explanation for the GOP loss  —How the White House distorts reality  —Whether Democrats follow the moderates or the DSA  —How much influence Trump retains over the GOP  —NWYT: “Pick another protein" Show Notes —Nick Catoggio on the midterm results —The Dispatch editorial —Kevin Williamson’s latest —J.D. Vance’s postmortem on the midterms —Scott Colom’s beef ad The Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠The Dispatch⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including audio versions of all our articles and newsletters—⁠click here⁠. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠by clicking here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 6
1 hr 24 min
Why Haley Stevens Endorsed Mike Rogers
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Sarah Isgur, and Mike Warren to discuss Haley Stevens’ endorsement of Mike Rogers and whether this will affect the race for a Michigan Senate seat for Tuesday’s midterm elections. The Agenda: —Endorsing Mike Rogers —Will this change election results? —What Abdul El-Sayed did wrong —Mary Peltola’s ballot scheme —When will we know results? —NWYT: Predictions Show notes: —Latest New York Times poll —Join us for an election night livestream! The Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠The Dispatch⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including audio versions of all our articles and newsletters—⁠click here⁠. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠by clicking here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 2
1 hr 11 min
Democrats Play Dirty in Alaska
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Mike Warren, and John McCormack to discuss the case of two Dan Sullivans in Alaska’s Senate race and the Republican Party’s final pitch to voters before the midterms. The Agenda: —Milwaukee wins the World Series —Two Dan Sullivans in Alaska —J.D. Vance’s midterm pitch —Kansas Senate race —The affordability crisis —How unpopular is the Republican Party? —NWYT: I love the meat Show notes: —Derek Muller on the Alaska election case —New York Times poll The Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠The Dispatch⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including audio versions of all our articles and newsletters—⁠click here⁠. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠by clicking here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 30
1 hr 21 min
Can Democrats Maintain Their Momentum?
Steve Hayes and guests Chris Stirewalt, Sarah Isgur, Chuck Todd, and Jonah Goldberg dove into the biggest questions related to the upcoming vote. Will the Democrats maintain their momentum, or could Republicans defy expectations? With less than two weeks left, what could change in the final days before voters go to the polls? Show notes:—Nick Catoggio on "cheesecake populism" Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/live/OmSS5aVdcWo?si=pOnt299L6ib0JyaY Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 27
1 hr 13 min
Vivek Ramaswamy's Vicious Attack Ad May Backfire
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, and Kevin Williamson to discuss Vivek Ramaswamy's attack ad against Amy Acton and Williamson's reporting from Texas. The Agenda: —Ramaswamy's attack ad —Amy Acton's reponse —Why politics are so gross —Kevin's trip to Texas —Democrats try to be normal —What will happen after a GOP loss? —NWYT: Trump merch stores closing down Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 23
1 hr 20 min
Will the Midterm Elections Be Secure?
How confident can we be that the 2026 midterms will run smoothly? When will we know which party has secured House and Senate majorities? Should we expect any meddling, foreign or domestic?Steve Hayes was joined by election experts Stephen Richer and Mark Sawyer for answers to those questions and many others. Then a panel including Jonah Goldberg and Mike Warren dove deep on the races most likely to decide congressional majorities and take a look at how candidates in competitive races are making their closing arguments.Watch the livestream here:https://www.youtube.com/live/oi4D0oVR6gQ?si=jigZpbvgh9hky57V Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 20
1 hr 24 min
A Blue Wave or an Anti-Incumbent Wave?
Steve Hayes is joined by Sarah Isgur, Jonah Goldberg, and Mike Warren to discuss the state of the midterms and whether South Carolina is truly a competitive state in 2026. The Agenda: —The first true “wave?” —The red undertow —How Trump’s ego is hurting the GOP —Redistricted districts —Is South Carolina competitive? —NWYT: What’s a lawyer? Show notes: —AP-NORC poll —Sarah’s Not Worth Your Time ambush —⁠Watch Monday's livestream The Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠The Dispatch⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including audio versions of all our articles and newsletters—⁠click here⁠. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠by clicking here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 16
1 hr 14 min
Why Trump Wants to Lift Russian Sanctions
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, David French, and Mike Nelson to discuss President Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel and the Pentagon’s planned execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan. The Agenda: —The state of Ukraine’s defense —Can Trump legally lift sanctions? —Why Trump hates Zelensky —Do voters care about Ukraine? —Livestreaming Nidal Hasan’s execution —NWYT: Breaking news in gender science Show notes: —New York Times: Chris LaCivita consulting for pro-Russia republic —President Trump’s approval rating on handling of Russia/Ukraine —Sen. Tom Emmer on lifting sanctions—Edmund Burke’s “Birds of Prey” speech The Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠The Dispatch⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including audio versions of all our articles and newsletters—⁠click here⁠. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠by clicking here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 13
1 hr 11 min
What Midterm Polling May Be Getting Wrong
Steve Hayes is joined by Jonah Goldberg, Mike Warren, and Chris Stirewalt to discuss how the midterms are shaping up less than one month out and what to expect from a Democrat-controlled Congress. The Agenda: —Interpreting polling —GOP redistricting —2028 Democratic candidates —Can Democrats moderate? —A Democratic Congress —NWYT: A Taco Bell ultramarathon Show notes: —Wall Street Journal reporting on Kimberly Guilfoyle —CNN: Trump is clearly trying to buy votes with taxpayer money —Will DOJ Be a Menace in the Midterms? The Dispatch Podcast is a production of ⁠The Dispatch⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including audio versions of all our articles and newsletters—⁠click here⁠. If you’d like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠by clicking here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 9
1 hr 18 min
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