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The Ricochet Podcast

The Ricochet Podcast

By: Ricochet
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Weekly episodes of Ricochet’s flagship podcast feature our hosts James Lileks, Steve Hayward, Charles C. W. Cooke, and guests discussing the issues of the week.

Listen to The Ricochet Podcast, along with more than 40 other original podcasts, at Ricochet.com. No paid subscription required.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-ricochet-podcast--5817275/support.Ricochet Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Teaching Wit, Wisdom, and Love of Country

    Teaching Wit, Wisdom, and Love of Country
    Jun 19 2026
    America's 250th birthday is just a few weeks out, and festivities are underway. But, leaving aside disputes about fist fights and daring stunts on the White House South Lawn, a question emerges about what a serious celebration of the American way looks and feels like. To consider this and more, Charles, James, and a visiting Peter Robinson sit down with Matthew Mehan, author and Associate Dean of Hillsdale College's graduate school in Washington, D.C., to discuss The American Book of Fables.

    The gang thinks through the meaning of our civic inheritance and the endeavor to pass on the baton to the young. Matt's here to remind us that the arduous effort can be joyful and that hopefulness is a trait that marks the serious thinker.

    Our trio also kvetches (and then some!) over the Iran deal, winces at the newly unveiled Obama Presidential Center, and chortles with bewilderment at the accusation that a Pride-themed baseball cap was "desecrated" by a Bible verse.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-ricochet-podcast--5817275/support.
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    57 mins
  • A World of Willful Weirdos

    A World of Willful Weirdos
    Jun 12 2026
    It's just James and Charles to recollect and swap rants about the goings-on of the land of the free and the home of oddball. The cast of characters includes the world's first billionaire, an Angeleno who lost an election for common sense, a lunatic posing as a model working man, and the deeply flawed judgment of Democratic voters about guys like these. Lileks and Cooke also delight in watching Europeans share their newfound love for America, and embrace Trump's can-doism vis-à-vis public beautification.


    Sound this week: CNBC announces the world’s first trillionaire, Jimmy Kimmel recoils, and Graham Platner continues to gaffe.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-ricochet-podcast--5817275/support.
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    55 mins
  • A Law Unto Yooself

    A Law Unto Yooself
    Jun 5 2026
    John Yoo returns to usher in SCOTUS opinion season, joining James and Steve for some friendly debates on law, politics and, most controversially, more than a few matters of taste. For our democrats in the audience, we've got chatter on California vote counting and Alabama map battles. News from the UK reminds us that the royalists are in even worse shape, as authorities there prove to be as confused in dealing with controversial speech as they are with violence (the real kind). John Bolton's deal with the DOJ and a couple death penalty cases concentrate the fellas' minds further on the subtleties—and unsubtleties—of hard justice. Thankfully, Scott Pelley's bad week brings a much-needed restorative laugh, and the gang finds something to agree on as they count down to the semiquincentennial. That's right: not even petty celebrities can rain on our Independence Day parade!

    Sound this week: CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil says goodbye to Scott Pelley while Fox News’ Brit Hume finds it all amusing.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-ricochet-podcast--5817275/support.
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    1 hr
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Enjoyed the kook back. informitive and Entertaining. Totally worth your time. A joy to listen too.

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