Philip Barker Philip Barker

Israel-Hamas War

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil break down the latest developments in the Israel/Hamas war, debate whether the world is moving towards a bipolar or multipolar distribution and why it matters, and close with a spirited debate over whether we’re more concerned about Biden’s dog biting people or bed bugs running rampant in Paris.

Read More
Philip Barker Philip Barker

Get Your House in Order

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil examine Kevin McCarthy’s ouster as House Speaker, whether its better to ignore or amplify Donald Trump’s most dangerous and controversial speech, how invading Mexico went from a bad to idea to Republican doctrine, and close with the return of one of our favorite segments, Phil’s Campaign Corner.

Read More
Philip Barker Philip Barker

Speed Round Grab Bag

On this week’s “Speed Round” episode, Bill and Phil discuss news that Donald Trump would write “to do” lists for his assistants on the back of classified documents, evaluate the concern within the Democratic Party about Joe Biden’s age, ponder the political implications of Ron DeSantis’ advising most Floridians to NOT get the latest booster, examine the dramatic diplomatic break between Canada and India, and close with a crowd pleasing round of “What’s More Stupid?”

Read More
Philip Barker Philip Barker

Semi-Loyal Republicans

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil examine Kevin McCarthy’s announcement of an impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden, assess the world’s growing climate disaster, and look back at 9/11 and discuss the the connection it has to our current political struggles.

Read More
Philip Barker Philip Barker

A Democratic Makeover?

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil reflect on the two-year anniversary of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, discuss the implications of a potential arms deal between Russia and North Korea, and then ponder whether the United States democracy needs an institutional overhaul.

Read More
Philip Barker Philip Barker

Stupidity Abounds

Bill and Phil head north to Wisconsin to ponder the politics of its Supreme Court, discuss the movement among some conservatives to break up with Ronald Reagan, ask why it seems that both Democrats and Republicans are turning away from free trade, and close by pondering why the last 10 years of American politics has been uniquely stupid.

Read More
Philip Barker Philip Barker

Debate Time

Bill and Phil explore the significance of the first Republican debate, discuss Joe Biden‘s quiet but meaningful efforts to support the International Criminal Court, and close by pondering China’s economic troubles and whether the threat posed by China has been exaggerated.

Read More
Philip Barker Philip Barker

Fourth Time’s a Charm

Bill and Phil offer some thoughts on the latest indictment of former president Donald Trump, explore how country music has put itself on the front lines of the culture wars, and close with a look at the politics of existential threat, and specifically whether it’s possible to have “normal politics” when one political party becomes convinced that the other side poses an existential threat to the country.

Read More
Philip Barker Philip Barker

US v. Trump

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil take a deep dive on Donald Trump; exploring the recent indictment of the former president, his prospects for reelection, and what a second Trump presidency might look like.

Read More
Philip Barker Philip Barker

6-3

On this week’s Supreme Court themed episode, Bill and Phil break down the Court’s decisions on religious freedom, affirmative action, and student loan debt, and then end with a big picture look at what those decisions suggest about the future direction of the Supreme Court.

Read More
Philip Barker Philip Barker

How Things Almost Ended

Bill and Phil break down the attempted coup in Russia, reflect on audio of Donald Trump discussing a classified document on Iran, assess the significance of the Supreme Court’s rejection of the independent state legislature theory, and close with a look at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s visit to the White House.

Read More
Philip Barker Philip Barker

How Things End

Bill and Phil ponder what the end of the war in Ukraine might look like, assess whether the growing list of indictments is having any impact on support for Donald Trump, debate whether disinformation is in fact free speech, and close with a look at the San Antonio wax museum which had to pull the Trump exhibit because people kept punching it in the face.

Read More
Philip Barker Philip Barker

If Even Half of it is True, He’s Toast

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil break down the federal indictment of former president Donald Trump, examine the violent rhetoric used in Trump’s defense, discuss the Supreme Court’s ruling on redistricting in Alabama, and close with a look at the use of deepfakes in a U.S. election.

Read More
Philip Barker Philip Barker

Trumpian Dissonance

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil explore the psychology that explains the appeal of Donald Trump, reflect on Biden’s legacy following the debt ceiling agreement, discuss the return of Soviet-style “snitching” to Russia, and close with a look at the impeachment of the Texas attorney general.

Read More
Philip Barker Philip Barker

The Stories We Tell

Bill and Phil examine some unconventional developments in the Ukraine war, take a look at a Texas law that would mandate the 10 Commandments in every classroom, discuss how US policy towards China shifted from decoupling to de-risking, and explore what a recent comment by Justice Neil Gorsuch suggests about his views on civil liberties.

Read More
Philip Barker Philip Barker

Trump’s Town Hall

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil reflect on CNN’s decision to host Donald Trump for a town hall, explore nuclear strategy in dealing with Russia in Ukraine, discuss the significance of efforts by Ukraine to erase Russian culture, and close with a look at Republican Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and ponder whether he is the future of Trumpism.

Read More
Philip Barker Philip Barker

E. Jean Carroll Wins

Bill and Phil offer reactions to the verdict in the E Jean Carroll case and the coronation of King Charles, then move to a speed round with the theme of “Will domestic politics lead to the end of America?”, including a discussion of the debt ceiling debate, Florida’s rejection of textbooks, and the new bipartisan consensus on economic nationalism.

Read More
Philip Barker Philip Barker

Ethics Schmethics

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil discuss the question of ethics reform at the Supreme Court, reflect on how China’s expansion of nuclear weapons changes global nuclear strategy, examine the case for why Trump could win the presidency, and close by pondering what to make of Trump’s curious pronunciation of Vladimir Lenin.

Read More
Philip Barker Philip Barker

Decision Time

Bill and Phil take a deep dive into Joe Biden’s announcement that he is running for re-election, then we move to speed round where all the topics connect to poor or bad decision making, including Tucker Carlson getting fired, Russia’s recruitment effort calling for “real men,” China’s recent diplomatic blunder, Samuel Alito’s dissent in the abortion pill case, and why the My Pillow Guy is out $5 million

Read More
Philip Barker Philip Barker

Proxy Wars

On this week’s episode, Bill and Phil discuss whether the United States has quietly slipped into a proxy war with Russia, reflect on the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Accords in Northern Ireland, discuss why U.S. politicians love Ireland so much, and offer our condolences for what the Politics Lab is calling the official death of Twitter.

Read More