Most Corrupt Ever
The Atlantic's Jonathan Rauch joins Mona to talk about Trump's Achilles Heel.
45m Jun 02, 2025
45m
Conservatism RIP?
Jay Nordlinger returns to discuss whether conservatism remains valid in the MAGA era. Sponsors: Listen now to the NPR Politics Podcast, only from NPR – wherever you get podcasts. REFERENCES: Against All Hope – Armando Valladares (https://www.amazon.com/Against-All-Hope-Memoir-Castros/dp/1893554198) Memoir of a Cuban dissident imprisoned for his anti-Castro beliefs. Children of Monsters – Ja...
51m May 26, 2025
51m
How Americans Can Cease Being Rich
Economist Noah Smith delves into the myth of the "hollowed out" middle class, the folly of protectionism, and more. He and Mona differ on Trump's handling of Covid and . . . American chocolate. Support American family farms and join the Moink Movement today at Moinkbox.com/MONA (http://moinkbox.com/MONA) and get FREE wings FOR LIFE. Oneskin: For a limited time, you can try OneSkin with 15% of...
1hr May 19, 2025
1hr
Nobody Dresses Anymore
Columnist and music critic Jay Nordlinger joins Mona for an excursion into classical music. No coat or tie required. REFERENCES: Here’s a list of every musical piece played in the episode. Thomas Tallis – Motet from the Gospel of John Johann Sebastian Bach – Preludio from Partita in E major for solo violin J.S. Bach (arr. Rachmaninoff) – Preludio (Bach/Rachmaninoff transcription) Ludwig van ...
1hr 26m May 12, 2025
1hr 26m
Dealmaker: The Greatest Trump Myth
The New Yorker's Susan Glasser joins Mona to discuss Trump's big beautiful deals, the cowardice of the press, and more. Head to http://moshlife.com/MONA to save 20% off plus FREE shipping on the Best sellers Trial Pack. References: The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021 (https://www.amazon.com/Divider-Trump-White-House-2017-2021/dp/038554653X) by Susan Glasser and Peter Baker "Lett...
1hr 5m May 05, 2025
1hr 5m
The Case for Class-Based Affirmative Action
Mona talks with Richard Kahlenberg about a proposal to make college admissions more fair in a post race preferences world. The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Add the show to your player of choice, here (https://www.thebulwark.com/s/mona...
47m Apr 28, 2025
47m
MAGA Grievance: A Short History
The Atlantic's Peter Wehner offers insights into the transformation of the GOP from the party that passed PEPFAR to the MAGA warriors of today. The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. New shows drop Mondays. Find this show wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Go to Hungryroot.com/CHAREN (http://hungryroot.com/CHARE...
1hr 6m Apr 21, 2025
1hr 6m
Is Free Speech on Life Support?
Greg Lukianoff of FIRE joins Mona to discuss why free speech matters (hint, it's not for the powerful) and how left and right are attempting to destroy it. The Mona Charen Show is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at http://betterhelp.com/mona and get on your way to being your best self. REFERENCES: The Canceling of the American Mind: Cancel Culture Undermines Trust and Thre...
1hr 7m Apr 14, 2025
1hr 7m
Bad Politics Poisons Science
The Atlantic's Helen Lewis joins Mona to talk about Andrew Tate, backlash to MAGA in Europe, and how polarization suppresses reasonable doubts about treatment of trans kids. References: When You’re MAGA, They Let You Do It... Why Trumpworld is just fine with Andrew Tate’s violent misogyny (https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/03/andrew-tate-trump-administration/681873/?gift=uKslbwaP...
1hr 5m Apr 07, 2025
1hr 5m
A Small d Democratic Hero
In this show before a live audience, Mona talks with Stephen Richer about standing up for reality, tangling with Kari Lake, and his political future. Head to http://moshlife.com/MONA to save 20% off plus FREE shipping on the Best sellers Trial Pack.
34m Mar 31, 2025
34m
Crooks, Crackpots, Extremists, and Putinists
David Frum joins Mona to discuss Trump's Canada gripes, how tariffs will/are sabotaging America, NATO, defying court orders, and how best to counter all of it. Go to Hungryroot.com/CHAREN (http://hungryroot.com/CHAREN) and use code CHAREN to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life. REFERENCES: Why Cede the Flag to Trump? (https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive...
57m Mar 24, 2025
57m
An Insider's View of RFK, Jr. and the Risks to Public Health
Famed virologist Dr. Paul Offit describes his encounters with RFK, Jr., vaccine misinformation, trust in medicine, and what he fears most. REFERENCES: Dr. Paul Offit’s Books: Deadly Choices: How the Anti-Vaccine Movement Threatens Us All (https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Choices-Anti-Vaccine-Movement-Threatens/dp/0465029620) The Cutter Incident (https://www.amazon.com/Cutter-Incident-Americas...
47m Mar 17, 2025
47m
DOGE'S Bogus Cost Cutting
The Manhattan Institute's Jessica Reidl explains the fake fiscal posturing of DOGE as well as the ground truths about deficits and national debt. Predictions: More inflation, lower growth, less prosperity. Get started at FACTORMEALS.com/FACTORPODCAST (http://factormeals.com/FACTORPODCAST) and use code FACTORPODCAST to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping.
43m Mar 10, 2025
43m
Some Tough Love for Democrats
Josh Barro joins Mona to discuss where the party needs to change, refocus on practical governance, and how to broaden its appeal to win elections against a rising Republican authoritarian threat. References Josh Barro's Substack – Very Serious (https://www.joshbarro.com/) Democrats Need Their Own DEI Purge (https://www.joshbarro.com/p/democrats-need-their-own-dei-purge) by Josh Barro Josh B...
53m Mar 08, 2025
53m
Examining DEI
The Bulwark's Cathy Young joins Mona to discuss where DEI went wrong and also the unfathomable racism of the Trump Administration. Referenced Works and Sources Reflections of an Affirmative Action Baby (https://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Affirmative-Action-Stephen-Carter/dp/0465068693) by Steven Carter Discusses the complexities and unintended consequences of affirmative action from a person...
55m Mar 03, 2025
55m
MAGA is Powered by Hatred
David French joins to discuss upending the NATO alliance, attacks on the rule of law, and how the pardon power was one of the Founders' worst mistakes. The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. Ad-free editions are exclusively available for Bulwark+ members. Add the show to your player of choice, here (https://www.thebulwark.co...
1hr 2m Feb 24, 2025
1hr 2m
Debunking Populist Myths
AEI's Michael Strain analyzes the mistakes left and right make about middle class stagnation, quality of life, and other matters. Plus, what is risked when Trump/Musk attack foundational institutions. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at http://betterhelp.com/mona and get on your way to being your best self. Referenced Works & Figures: Michael Strain’s Book —...
1hr 4m Feb 17, 2025
1hr 4m
Our Social Media 'Bespoke Realities'
Mona welcomes Renée DiResta to discuss how social media has distorted our perceptions and how to navigates the world of influencers, online mobs, and lairs. The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. Ad-free editions are exclusively available for Bulwark+ members. Add the show to your player of choice, here (https://www.thebulwa...
1hr 16m Feb 10, 2025
1hr 16m
Christianity’s Crossroads: Faith, Democracy, and America’s Future
In this episode of The Mona Charen Podcast, Mona Charen speaks with author Jonathan Rauch about his new book, Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain with Democracy. They explore the decline of Christianity in America, its impact on democracy, and whether faith can be depoliticized. Rauch, a self-described “atheistic homosexual Jew,” makes the case that Christianity has been a vital “load...
1hr 5m Feb 03, 2025
1hr 5m
Does the Law Allow Trump's Power Grab?
Mona interviews Georgetown law professor Stephen Vladeck on executive orders, birthright citizenship, Congress not doing its job, and whether Trump will defy the Supreme Court. Referenced Cases: Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer (1952) – Commonly referred to as the "Steel Seizure Case," it involved President Truman's attempt to take control of steel mills during the Korean War. Korematsu...
37m Jan 27, 2025
37m
About Those Men
Mona welcomes Richard Reeves to discuss the struggles of boys and men, including a debate about whether marriage promotion is good or obsolete in this day and age. Richard Reeves’s bio at the American Institute for Boys and Men (https://aibm.org/who-we-are/richard-v-reeves/) Sex Matters by Mona Charen (https://www.amazon.com/Sex-Matters-Modern-Feminism-Science/dp/0451498399) Boy Mom by Rut...
1hr 9m Jan 20, 2025
1hr 9m
Is Womanhood So Bad?
In the inaugural episode of The Mona Charen Show, Mona welcomes New York Times columnist Pamela Paul to discuss why girls are getting negative messages about womanhood. Also: sex differences, social media, motherhood, and men's struggles.
1hr 4m Jan 13, 2025
1hr 4m
Coming soon—a new show hosted by Mona Charen
1m Jan 08, 2025
1m
The Final Beg to Differ
Mona and the gang bid farewell to this format, discuss what will replace it, and offer a glimpse of future plans. Leave a comment (%%half_magic_comments_url%%) Highlights / Lowlights: Mona outlined the future of her new show. Bill previews his forthcoming book on political psychology. Linda: The Silver Candlesticks: A Novel of the Spanish Inquisition (https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASI...
1hr 18m Dec 20, 2024
1hr 18m
Trump's Most Dangerous Nominee
Noah Smith joins to discuss what Tulsi Gabbard could do to America, the other anti-qualified nominees, the Penny/Mangione cases, and what Syria should remind us of. Highlights / Lowlights Mona: Rupert Murdoch's Succession Fiasco, Clive Irving at Vanity Fair (https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/rupert-murdoch-succession-fiasco) Linda: Why Does Pete Hegseth Keep Talking About ‘Warfighters’? ...
1hr 9m Dec 13, 2024
1hr 9m
Is the Press Preemptively Caving to Trump?
Matt Bennett joins to discuss the most dangerous Trump appointments and the worrying signals of fear by MSNBC and others. Highlights / Lowlights Mona: The Iron Man of America’s op-ed pages (https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/11/22/george-will-fifty-years-columnist/) (David Von Drehle, WaPo) and Mona’s contribution to the George Will tribute symposium, ‘Conservatism’s Vital Champion....
1hr 3m Dec 06, 2024
1hr 3m
Humiliation Theater
Robert Tracinski joins to discuss Trump's attack on government, his execrable appointees, and what Dems should do going forward. Highlights / Lowlights Damon: Russ Vought's appointment to OMB (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-russ-vought-office-of-management-budget/) and the Nancy Mace / Sarah McBride performative cruelty. Linda: JD Vance appearing in all of those Senate meetings with Matt...
1hr 12m Nov 22, 2024
1hr 12m
As Bad As We Thought
David French and Larry Diamond join the group to mull the nature of Trump's victory and the stupefying appointments to DOJ and DNI. Highlights / Lowlights David French: Politics are terrible and sports are terrible, at least for David. Kentucky Wildcats, Tennessee Titans, and Ja Morant’s injury. Damon Linker: A viral tweet and the disappointing Republican whataboutism. (https://x.com/DamonL...
1hr Nov 15, 2024
1hr
Kleptocracy Cometh
The Atlantic's David Frum joins the group to analyze the election and consider the implications for domestic and foreign policy. Highlights / Lowlights: Damon: The work of Ruy Texiera (https://www.liberalpatriot.com/p/the-shattering-of-the-democratic) and Nate Cohn  (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/07/podcasts/the-daily/donald-trump-america.html) Linda: My Manifesto for Despairing Democrats ...
1hr 15m Nov 08, 2024
1hr 15m
Who Are You Calling Garbage?
Tim Miller joins to discuss the big picture about 2024, why Harris could not run as a change agent, and America's oligarchs. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code BEGTODIFFER at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: http://incogni.com/begtodiffer Highlights / Lowlights Linda Chavez: The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_House_of_Mirth) ...
1hr 16m Nov 01, 2024
1hr 16m
Why One Never Trumper Can't Endorse Kamala Harris
New York Times columnist Ross Douthat joins the regular group to discuss his objections to Harris, the likelihood of a Trump fascistic reign, and which party has gone crazier. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code BEGTODIFFER at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: http://incogni.com/begtodiffer Highlights / Lowlights Ross: Can AI be blamed for a teen’s suicide? (NYT)...
1hr 12m Oct 25, 2024
1hr 12m
An Underrated Threat: The Trump Corruption
The New Yorker's Susan Glasser joins the group (plus Philip Bump) to discuss Harris's Fox interview, Trump's spiraling mental state, and the oligarchy/corruption a second Trump term would usher in. Highlights / Lowlights Mona: Harris Needs a Closing Argument. Here's One. By Bret Stephens (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/15/opinion/harris-kamala-trump-election.html) The FTC is making it easier...
1hr 5m Oct 18, 2024
1hr 5m
What Would a Second Trump Term Mean for US Leadership?
NY Times columnist Bret Stephens joins to discuss the Iranian threat (to Israel and the US), the amazing Israeli penetrations of Hezbollah and Iran, and the fate of NATO, Ukraine, etc in a Trump 2.0 world. TV Recommendations of the panelists: Mona: Call My Agent Damon: Game of Thrones Bill: Babylon Berlin Linda:   Slow Horses / Pachinko
55m Oct 11, 2024
55m
Vance Impersonates a Decent Guy
The Financial Times's Ed Luce joins to discuss the VP debate, the future of MAGA, and the Israel/Iran war.
56m Oct 03, 2024
56m
The Gender Chasm
Mona’s highlight: The impartiality of the DOJ, indicting members of the sitting party in power when they commit crimes. Tim’s lowlight: The failure to have more than one debate. (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyejk91d2qo) Tim’s highlight: The young, hungry, improbable turnaround of the Detroit Tigers. (https://www.reuters.com/sports/baseball/tigers-extend-hot-streak-with-rout-rays-2024-...
1hr 8m Sep 27, 2024
1hr 8m
Does Trump's Tough Guy Persona Really Work in World Affairs?
AEI's Kori Schake joins the group to discuss Trump's "crazy guy" strategy, the 111 GOP leaders endorsing Harris, and Hezbollah's exploding pagers. Show Notes: Referenced: U.S. Shrugs as World War III Approaches, by Walter Russell Mead (https://www.wsj.com/opinion/u-s-shrugs-as-world-war-iii-approaches-devastating-bipartisan-report-716bda71) (WSJ) Highlights / Lowlights Kori: Gov. Mike DeWin...
55m Sep 20, 2024
55m
The MAGA Bubble Burst
Third Way's Matt Bennett joins to discuss the debate, Harris's centrism, and which candidate would be better on inflation. Highlights / Lowlights Mona: Why Mike Lee Folded by Tim Alberta, The Atlantic. (https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2024/10/senator-mike-lee-trump-support/679565/) Matt: The lies being pushed about Haitian immigrants in Springfield, and the political opportunism...
1hr 5m Sep 13, 2024
1hr 5m
Tucker Carlson: Anchor on Trump/Vance?
Lawyer Kim Wehle discusses her book on the pardon power (https://www.amazon.com/How-Pardon-Power-Works_and-Why/dp/1954907508) . The group then delves into Israel/Gaza, campus protests redux, and Tucker Carlson "Just asking questions" about Holocaust denialism. Highlights / Lowlights Mona: Andrew Egger's "Pennsylvania Man Speaks" reporting. (https://www.thebulwark.com/p/liz-cheney-comes-to-pla...
1hr 25m Sep 06, 2024
1hr 25m
The New Kamala Harris
The Atlantic's Peter Wehner joins the group to discuss the DNC and Harris's new tone, Trump's pivot on abortion, and the misfit toys (RFK Jr., Gabbard) of the Trump campaign. Highlights / Lowlights: Mona: Can We Be a Little Less Selective With Our Moral Outrage? (https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/27/opinion/gaza-protests-venezuela.html) by Bret Stephens in The New York Times. Peter: Lowlight: ...
1hr 9m Aug 29, 2024
1hr 9m
How Far Can the Vibes Carry Kamala?
Andrew Egger subs for the vacationing Mona, and A.B. occupies Damon's seat, as The Deseret News's Samuel Benson joins regulars Bill and Linda to discuss the unity and vibes at the Democratic Convention, while the panel weighs how RFK's exit from the race is likely to affect the November election. Highlights / Lowlights Andrew: Highlight: Gov. Tim Walz's Speech, and his family's reaction. A.B...
1hr 8m Aug 23, 2024
1hr 8m
"Rational Exuberance"
MSNBC's Charlie Sykes joins the panel to discuss the rise of Harris, the decline of Trump (in more ways than one?), and the Iranian hack of Trump's campaign. Highlights / Lowlights Charlie: Highlight: 2 outspoken election deniers lose GOP primaries for state Legislature (https://www.wpr.org/news/election-deniers-lose-gop-primary-wisconsin-legislature) Lowlight: The ongoing stolen valor attack...
1hr 14m Aug 16, 2024
1hr 14m
With Walz, Harris Can Pivot to the Center
The regulars discuss Walz pick and shape of the race. David French joins to talk about Trump v. United States. highlights / lowlights Mona: The life of Penny Parker (1927-2024). David: Highlight: The USA's Medal Count Lowlight: China's Gold medal count Linda: What’s better than calling Trump weird? (https://www.slowboring.com/p/whats-better-than-calling-trump-weird) (David Broockman and Jo...
1hr 16m Aug 09, 2024
1hr 16m
Did Trump Plan It?
A.B. Stoddard guest hosts for today’s discussion on Donald Trump’s NABJ interview. It was shocking and set the internet abuzz, but was that his intention all along? Plus, do VP picks actually matter? Highlights / Lowlights Bill’s highlight: Inside the Secret Negotiations to Free Evan Gershkovich (https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/evan-gershkovich-prisoner-exchange-ccb39ad3) (WSJ) Damon’s high...
57m Aug 02, 2024
57m
We Have Lift-Off
Nick Grossman joins the group to discuss Biden's exit and Harris's rise, her strengths and weaknesses, VP possibilities, GOP blues, and Bibi's speech and protests. Highlights / Lowlights Nicholas's highlight: Biden's address to the nation. (https://www.pbs.org/video/bidenspecial-ob8kuo/) Nicholas's lowlight: Netanyahu's address to Congress (https://www.jns.org/full-text-of-netanyahus-speech-...
1hr 10m Jul 26, 2024
1hr 10m
The Clock is Ticking
The New Yorker's Susan Glasser joins the group (with Andrew Egger) to discuss the aftermath of the assassination attempt, JD Vance, and Biden digging in his heels. Highlights / Lowlights Mona: The Gunman and the Would-Be Dictator by David Frum in The Atlantic. (https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/07/donald-trump-democracy-dictator/679006/) Damon: Sohrab Ahmari's reaction to Trump'...
1hr 7m Jul 18, 2024
1hr 7m
An Open Convention Could be Great for Democracy
A.B. Stoddard joins to discuss Biden's intransigence, the Democratic party's next moves, the pros and cons of anointing Harris, and more. Highlights / Lowlights A.B.: Trump is Planning for a Landslide Win by Tim Alberta in The Atlantic (https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/07/trump-campain-election-2024-susie-wiles-chris-lacivita/678806/?gift=35mgWlmS4hOW_olo3IaWSJEe8Vg21Dov2JEBe...
1hr 14m Jul 12, 2024
1hr 14m
Courting Disaster
Former Rep Adam Kinzinger joins the group (plus Chris Cillizza) to discuss the Court's worst ruling since Korematsu, opening the door to God know what if Trump wins. Also, what would an open convention look like? Highlights / Lowlights: Mona: Are We in ‘Soviet America’? Not Even Close. (https://www.thebulwark.com/p/no-we-are-not-in-soviet-america-niall-ferguson) By Cathy Young, The Bulwark L...
1hr 3m Jul 04, 2024
1hr 3m
The Most Consequential Failure of Recent Times
The Atlantic's David Frum joins to discuss the debate debacle and what comes next? Can Biden be persuaded to drop out? Also, a look at two Supreme Court cases. Highlights / Lowlights David: Slain Gazan named as Doctors Without Borders staffer was Islamic Jihad rocket maker (https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-slain-gazan-named-as-doctors-without-borders-staffer-was-islamic-jihad-rocket-maker/#:...
1hr 14m Jun 29, 2024
1hr 14m
Attack of the Phones
Will Saletan guest hosts as Tom Edsall joins the panel to discuss rising political polarization, Biden’s latest moves on immigration, and the crackdown on social media and kids using smartphones. Highlights / Lowlights Tom: The book 'Wolves of K Street' by Brody and Luke Mullins (https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Wolves-of-K-Street/Brody-Mullins/9781982120597) and a story from his we...
1hr 8m Jun 21, 2024
1hr 8m
The 'Absurdly Normal' President
Tom Nichols joins the panel to discuss the rise of the right in Europe (and here), the Hunter Biden verdict, and the Israel hostage rescue. Mona: The Big Lie's Bad, Very Bad Week by Charlie Sykes. (https://charliesykes.substack.com/p/the-big-lies-bad-very-bad-week) Linda: No, You Don’t Have the Power to Stop Climate Change by Quico Toro (http://No,%20You%20Don%E2%80%99t%20Have%20the%20Power%2...
1hr 18m Jun 14, 2024
1hr 18m