Best Political Theory 101 Podcasts (2025)

1
Peter Diamandis: How to Harness the Power of Mindset in The Longevity Guidebook 1:07:24

2d ago1:07:24

1:07:24

A Note from James: I've done about a dozen podcasts in the past few years about anti-aging and longevity—how to live to be 10,000 years old or whatever. Some great episodes with Brian Johnson (who spends $2 million a year trying to reverse his aging), David Sinclair (author of Lifespan and one of the top scientists researching aging), and even Tony…

1
Quantum Computing 101 with Nicolas Alexandre Roussy Newton & Gavin Brennen 1:10:37

9d ago1:10:37

1:10:37

A Note from James: "I have been dying to understand quantum computing. And listen, I majored in computer science. I went to graduate school for computer science. I was a computer scientist for many years. I’ve taken apart and put together conventional computers. But for a long time, I kept reading articles about quantum computing, and it’s like mag…

1
106 | Karl Polanyi and the Critique of Market Society 1:02:29

9d ago1:02:29

1:02:29

In this episode, we discuss the work of brilliant heterodox economist Karl Polanyi. We talk about his criticisms of neoclassical orthodoxy, his arguments against the commodification of land, labor, and money, and his critique of the dominance of markets in theory and in practice. Put markets in their place and regulate the hell out of them! We also…

1
Episode 100: New Year, New Hundred 1:19:40

11d ago1:19:40

1:19:40

Our 100th Episode. A big milestone for us. We are grateful to all of our listeners who followed us on our journey here. Our anniversary episode is doubling up as the New Year Episode, welcoming 2025 as we look back on 2024. 00:01:11 - Checking in on the hosts 00:04:11 - The State of the Podcast 00:15:14 - 2024 Year in Review 00:45:45 - The big them…

1
Ranking U.S. Presidents: Who Truly Deserves the Top Spot? 1:01:49

15d ago1:01:49

1:01:49

A Note from James: So we have a brand new president of the United States, and of course, everyone has their opinion about whether President Trump has been good or bad, will be good and bad. Everyone has their opinion about Biden, Obama, and so on. But what makes someone a good president? What makes someone a bad president? Obviously, we want our pr…

1
105 TEASER | Fredric Jameson: Marxist Criticism and the Role of Theory 9:31

20d ago9:31

9:31

In this episode, we discuss the work of the late, great Fredric Jameson. Basing ourselves on his Marxism and Form, The Political Unconscious, and Archaeologies of the Future, we talk about the notion that history is only accessible in narrative form, the concept of social totality, the tension between poststructuralist criticism and historical mate…

1
Inside the JFK Conspiracy: How Brad Meltzer Unearthed a Forgotten Assassination Plot 46:56

23d ago46:56

46:56

A Note from James: Probably no president has fascinated this country and our history as much as John F. Kennedy, JFK. Everyone who lived through it remembers where they were when JFK was assassinated. He's considered the golden boy of American politics. But I didn't know this amazing conspiracy that was happening right before JFK took office. Best-…

1
99: Ukrainian History 101 1:56:49

28d ago1:56:49

1:56:49

History has been used and misused in many ways as part of the Russo-Ukraine War. Russia has justified its aggression through bizarre appeals to medieval Princes. Ukrainian units name themselves for Scythians and Cossacks. We run through an overview of Ukrainian history and pre-history. 00:02:40 - The Proto-Indo-Europeans through the Greeks 00:17:24…

1
Smuggling 101: The Ultimate Guide to Roger Reaves' Journey Through Perilous Adventures 1:36:51

29d ago1:36:51

1:36:51

A Note from James: So, I’m out rock climbing, but I really wanted to take a moment to introduce today’s guest: Roger Reaves. This guy is unbelievable. He’s arguably the biggest drug smuggler in history, having worked with Pablo Escobar and others through the '70s, '80s, and even into the '90s. Roger’s life is like something out of a movie—he spent …

1
Trump's Greenland Ambitions: Strategic Necessity or Wild Idea 26:19

1M ago26:19

26:19

A Note from James: "Couldn't believe it was possible. I thought the reality show of Election 2024 could not be beat, but it turns out that was just season one, and season two is incredible. Right now, I don't know whether this is insane or the smartest thing possible. So we're going to figure this out right now. Trump just announced that he wants t…

1
104 | Does History Have a Repetition Compulsion? 58:44

1M ago58:44

58:44

The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte, Black Reconstruction, and The Black Jacobins. What do these three texts have in common? They all aim to make a historical moment legible as a drama. In doing so, Marx, W.E.B. Du Bois, and C.L.R. James seem to show that history has a structure of repetition. But what could repetition mean? In this episode,…

1
How Fiverr Revolutionized the Gig Economy: Insights from CEO Micha Kaufman 52:57

1M ago52:57

52:57

A Note from James: The world's completely changing. Young people, including my five kids, are no longer planning on that one-job, one-career trajectory where you start at General Motors or Procter & Gamble and retire 45 years later with a gold watch. Instead, they’re hustling. They're building side hustles, working from home, and finding ways to ma…

1
The Politics of Plato's Philebus 1:57:41

2M ago1:57:41

1:57:41

Daniel joins Benjamin to discuss Plato's Philebus. We traverse the dialectic of limit and unlimit and discuss the difference between memory and recollection, connecting all of this to Plato's political thought.By Political Theory 101

1
98: Russia's Conspiracy Theory General 1:29:42

2M ago1:29:42

1:29:42

In this episode... 00:01:24 - Combat Update 00:08:27 - Ukraine does two high-profile assassinations of Russian officers. The Jailor of Olenivka and the General of Conspiracy Theorists 00:21:19 - Russian shipwrecks show the dangers of their off-the-books "shadow fleet" 00:27:39 - US pressures Ukraine to lower mobilization age, which Ukraine rejects …

1
Scribe Media's Resurrection: How Eric Jorgenson Revived a Publishing Giant 58:58

2M ago58:58

58:58

Episode Description: Eric Jorgenson’s story with Scribe Media is one of the rare second chances in business. In this episode, James sits down with Eric to discuss how he saved Scribe from its dramatic downfall, brought it back to stability, and is leading it into a promising future. Eric shares the inner workings of the acquisition, the lessons lea…

1
103 | Habermania w/ Dr. Steven Klein 1:07:48

2M ago1:07:48

1:07:48

Another week, another German philosopher. This time, Steven Klein joins us to discuss the ideas and legacy of one Jürgen Habermas. We talk about his evolution alongside and away from the Frankfurt School, the enlightenment project at the core of his work, and why a critical theory born in crisis is a different animal than a critical theory born und…

1
Jim Rickards: Will AI Destroy the World? 52:19

2M ago52:19

52:19

A Note from James: Money GPT. I mean, we've all heard about the incredible potential of AI, and I’ve shared my optimism about its future in many episodes. But today, we have Jim Rickards back on the show, and he’s here to offer a more skeptical perspective. You might remember our earlier discussion where Jim laid out a masterclass on the economy, i…

1
97: The Georgian Euromaidan Begins 1:05:27

2M ago1:05:27

1:05:27

In this episode... 01:41 - I guess we have to talk about Joe Rogan 12:51 - Combat updates 18:21 - Russia does yet another nuclear bluff 26:08 - Trying to work around the Trump "peace plan" 31:27 - Romania coming close to electing a Russia-backed conspiracy theorist blowhard for President. 38:44 - Georgian government cracks down on ever-growing prot…

1
Codie Sanchez on How to Become a Main Street Millionaire: The Secrets to Profiting from 'Boring' Businesses 1:57:26

2M ago1:57:26

1:57:26

A Note from James: If my kids asked me, "What is the one podcast we should listen to to create financial security, wealth, whatever?"—this is the one I’d recommend. Codie Sanchez is so smart, thoughtful about business, and open about her journey to success, including the failures she's overcome. Her book, Main Street Millionaire, highlights how the…

1
102 TRAILER | The Heidegger Episode 6:08

2M ago6:08

6:08

Here, we finally deliver on our longstanding threat to do an episode all about influential philosopher Martin Heidegger. We give him credit where it’s due: he has a compelling account of the conditions for meaningful existence along with a resonant critique of the alienation endemic to modern society, and is responsible for making important concept…

1
Inside the Global Chess Revolution with Peter Doggers 1:13:47

2M ago1:13:47

1:13:47

A Note from James:"Over a billion people play chess. Even if you're not into it, think about this: two armies on a board, going to war. It's the game of kings, and back in the day, kings played chess to strategize without any bloodshed. Although, if you've ever lost a chess game, you might feel like someone just wiped you off the board. I've been t…

1
Crypto's Next Big Thing: How Bitcoin and Meme Coins Disrupt and Define New Financial Landscapes with Omid Malekan 1:27:34

3M ago1:27:34

1:27:34

A Note from James:"Oh my gosh, so many things going on with Bitcoin. Let me just summarize it. Obviously, Gary Gensler resigning is huge for Bitcoin. He was the head of the SEC, and this is the end of a regulatory cloud over crypto. Another major development is the proposal for Bitcoin to be included in U.S. strategic reserves. If the U.S. starts b…

1
Clausewitz (w/Elizabeth Dearden-Williams) 58:09

3M ago58:09

58:09

Elizabeth Dearden-Williams, a former student of mine from Cambridge who is currently pursuing a masters, comes on to discuss the work of the Prussian general Carl von Clausewitz.By Political Theory 101

1
How Iran Shapes Global Politics : Behind the enemy lines with Ken Timmerman 1:06:27

3M ago1:06:27

1:06:27

A Note from James:This week, there's a lot happening with Iran. Some strategies the U.S. has tried with them are just mind-boggling. My guest, Ken Timmerman, says it best: Iran is the biggest issue we face right now, and the closest we've been to World War III. What went wrong? What could go wrong next?Ken has been covering Iran and terrorism for 4…

1
96: The Election of Donald Trump and Ukraine 1:02:28

3M ago1:02:28

1:02:28

The election of Donald Trump as President of the United States puts Ukraine in an extremely perilous position as members of the incoming administration have threatened to cut off aid. We ask: 01:06 - What were the Election results? 05:31 - How can we analyze the election? 21:20 - Who are the initial Trump appointments and what do they mean for Ukra…

1
101 | Free Time Under Capitalism 1:00:59

3M ago1:00:59

1:00:59

In this episode, we discuss Theodor Adorno’s essay “Free Time”, in which the critical theorist really lets his cantankerous old man flag fly. He argues that how our subjectivities are shaped by capitalist culture and work discipline makes it very difficult—maybe even impossible—to use our time off the clock in genuinely meaningful ways. Certainly w…

1
Jim Rickards: Will Trump Save the Economy and Drain the Swamp? 1:07:45

3M ago1:07:45

1:07:45

A Note from James: Oh my gosh. I always feel like my IQ goes up when I talk to Jim Rickards. He has so much knowledge about so many things, but particularly, he's been there, done that when it comes to all things in the economy. Some of his stories about what he's personally seen and done are tied to some of the most famous events in the economy ov…

1
How to legally 'Cheat' in The Presidential Election 41:23

3M ago41:23

41:23

A Note from James:"So in a few hours, as I am saying this. The election of 2024 will begin. I'm doing this podcast on Monday evening, and I wanted to address a couple of important issues that people don't seem to know about in terms of how a presidential election in the United States works. And in particular, there are a couple of loopholes where I…

1
100 | Special Q+A Livestream! 1:57:21

3M ago1:57:21

1:57:21

For this very special 100th episode of the show, we set aside a few hours to answer questions submitted by listeners! We livestreamed the session on our YouTube channel, and this is the audio from that recording. Thanks so much to everyone who submitted questions, to everyone who came to the livestream, and really to any and everyone who’s ever sup…

1
95: The October News Roundup 1:15:46

3M ago1:15:46

1:15:46

In this episode... 00:01:25 - Announcements 00:08:36 - The release of Maxim Butkevych and the murder of Victoria Roshchyna 00:14:21 - Combat Update: Tough situation in southern Donetsk Oblast and near Kupyansk 00:23:37 - The assassination of a Russian war criminal 00:25:34 - The "Kherson Safari" 00:31:19 - Russia poisoned the Desna River 00:34:58 -…

1
The CIA's Hidden Hand: Unmasking the Shadow Government & Deep State with Ex-CIA Officer Kevin Shipp 1:07:34

3M ago1:07:34

1:07:34

A Note from James:"That was insane. Kevin Shipp, 17 years with the CIA, then, he had some wild experiences that led to him leaving the CIA. He wrote, just published a book that he published without the CIA's permission. It's called Twilight of the Shadow Government. And I got almost scared during this interview that maybe I shouldn't even release t…

1
How to Take Control of Your Health Beyond DNA Destinies with Naveen Jain 1:04:02

4M ago1:04:02

1:04:02

A Note from James:"Oh my gosh. What a podcast with Naveen Jain. I first had Naveen on in 2014 or 2015, and he remembered it perfectly. That conversation was so fun, I still remember it like it was yesterday. It's crazy because I've done over 1,500 episodes, but that one stuck with me.Back then, we talked about Moon Express and his journey building …

1
100th Episode Livestream Announcement | Ask Us Anything! 1:20

4M ago1:20

1:20

Some news! We are going to livestream our 100th episode recording session at 1pm Eastern / 12 noon central standard time on our YouTube channel on Sunday October 27th. We will be answering questions! There's a form on our website's home page where you can submit yours. Tell us what you want to hear about! We're really looking forward to it. See you…

1
Unlocking the Power of AI in Healthcare | Hamed Shahbazi (Part 2) 1:05:09

4M ago1:05:09

1:05:09

A Note from James:"I do think that the most important use case for AI is in extending our lifespans. And I think if this isn't five or ten years in the future-this is right now. Things are happening in AI that are going to change healthcare overnight. Today, I'm continuing my discussion with Hamed Shahbazi, founder of Well Health. This is a publicl…

1
99 | What is Dialectics? Part VI: From Explanation to Emancipation: Roy Bhaskar’s Critical Realism 1:01:35

4M ago1:01:35

1:01:35

In this episode, we discuss the philosopher of science Roy Bhaskar and his essays in Reclaiming Reality. We discuss whether it is possible for the human sciences to overcome the fact/value distinction, what role knowledge has in self-emancipation, and what to do about middle-class surburbanites who would rather watch the world burn than take a hit …

1
The Ultimate Guide to Risky Decisions: Risky Business with Maria Konnikova and Nate Silver: Maria Konnikova and Nate Silver 1:13:36

4M ago1:13:36

1:13:36

A Note from James:"Are you a member of the river or the village? That's the question we're diving into today. Nate Silver-yes, the Nate Silver from 538-joins us with Maria Konnikova, a master of poker and decision-making. Members of the 'river,' as Nate describes, are rational thinkers. They make decisions based on probabilities and data, not emoti…

1
Cutrone and the Party (w/Chris Cutrone) 1:40:07

4M ago1:40:07

1:40:07

Chris Cutrone joins Benjamin for a discussion of political parties, focusing on the role pluralism plays in Chris' thinking about party structure.By Political Theory 101

1
Are we really at risk of entering a World War 3!? | Brandon Webb 33:02

4M ago33:02

33:02

In this episode, I engage in a detailed discussion on various geopolitical issues, reflecting my optimism even in challenging times. We revisit historical events such as the Great Recession and 9/11 and discuss the current global situation involving tensions between nations, particularly the roles of the U.S., Israel, Iran, Russia, and China in the…

1
In Memory Of Dr. Gladys McGarey: Discovering Love, Life, and Laughter at 103 and Guide to Thriving Through Adventure and Compassion Across a Century 1:08:00

4M ago1:08:00

1:08:00

A Note from James:Oh my gosh, every time, this is the second time I've talked to Gladys McGarey. Last year she was 102 years old, this year she's 103 years old. She wrote a book, The Well Lived Life: A 102-Year-Old Doctor's Six Secrets to Health and Happiness at Every Age, and it's coming out in paperback. And every time I read this book, I've read…

1
Chris Voss | The How-To of High-Stakes Negotiations: The Secrets of Tactical Empathy 1:22:31

4M ago1:22:31

1:22:31

A Note from James:You know, I first had Chris Voss on in 2016. Out of the 1500+ podcasts I've done, his is one of the few where I've really followed all the advice. His book Never Split the Difference wasn't just any negotiating book-it's a survival guide for life, built from his time as the FBI's lead hostage negotiator. And trust me, if you're go…

1
94: Russia's Nuclear Bluster 44:21

4M ago44:21

44:21

In this episode... 02:40 - Update on combat situation and Russian long-range strikes on Sumy and Izmail. 08:36 - Putin loosens Russian nuclear first-strike policy, but it is really all bluster meant for propaganda purposes 24:34 - The crew of the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier is being sent to storm units 28:35 - President Zelesnky thanks Ameri…

1
98 TEASER | Reform or Revolution? 10:11

4M ago10:11

10:11

In this episode we take on a Marxist classic, Rosa Luxemburg’s “Reform or Revolution,” in which she skewers Eduard Bernstein for being a feckless opportunist and for relinquishing the goal of socialism. Luxemburg takes on his argument that it’s possible for socialists to take increasing control of the capitalist state and progressively implement re…

1
Bill O'Reilly | How Presidential Legacies Shape America: An In-depth Look at U.S. Leaders 33:17

5M ago33:17

33:17

A Note from James:"Oh my gosh, I am really interested in the history of the presidents of the United States. These are the guys who have not only shaped the country but to some extent have shaped the world. And I say 'these guys' because, let's be honest, it's been all men so far. Who knows? There's a woman running for president now. We'll see. Kam…

1
93: Supporting Education in Wartime w/ Yasmine Sherif 57:44

5M ago57:44

57:44

In this episode... 01:18 - Brief Combat Update 04:59 - Ukraine destroys large Russian arms depot in Tver region 08:45 - Further information about the extensive Russian misinformation campaign across many countries 14:21 - Russia attempts a coup in Armenia 16:08 - The Georgian government slips further into the Russian sphere with anti-LGBT law and a…

1
How to Succeed in Business and Politics | Wilbur Ross (39th Secretary of Commerce) 1:00:40

5M ago1:00:40

1:00:40

Here's a draft of your podcast show notes based on the Wilbur Ross episode:A Note from James:Wilbur Ross, the man, the myth, the legend. I'm going to be honest, back in 1999, I remember playing a lot of poker at the Mayfair Poker Club in New York City. There was a guy there who worked for Wilbur Ross, who was running huge private equity funds back …

1
92: A Misinformation-Rich Environment 59:34

5M ago59:34

59:34

In this episode... 1:03 - Announcement: Cash program by the Norwegian Refugee Council 2:23 - Obituaries for Journalist David Knowles and ZSU soldier Matityahu Samborsky, son of Ukrainian Chief Rabbi 4:23 - Combat Update: Dynamic situation on multiple parts of the front line from Kursk to Vuhledar 9:48 - Russians continue a protracted series of miss…

1
97 | Poulantzas, Marxism and the State 55:52

5M ago55:52

55:52

In this episode we take up the question: what is the State? With 1978’s State, Power, Socialism by Nicos Poulantzas as our guide, we talk about what it means to grasp the state as a historically specific form inseparable from the economy, find ourselves torn between the mutual dissatisfactions of Althusser and Foucault, and ask whether it is even p…

1
The Untold Stories of America's Presidents: A Conversation with David Rubenstein 1:03:12

5M ago1:03:12

1:03:12

Here are the podcast show notes with all the chapters included:A Note from James:"Sometimes, if you just read the news, it doesn't always seem like it, but being President of the United States is the highest calling. You have responsibility over the entire economy, the lives of millions, and the direction of the country in war and peace. I'm excite…

1
Revolutionizing Medical Tech with AI | Hamed Shahbazi 46:00

5M ago46:00

46:00

Episode Description:In this episode, James sits down with Hamed Shahbazi, the CEO of WELL Health Technology and Chairman of Healwell AI, who has been pioneering advancements in healthcare through technology. Hamed shares how AI is not just a tool for the future but a current reality that is reshaping the healthcare industry. From predicting disease…

1
91: The Anatomy of Misinformation 1:37:22

5M ago1:37:22

1:37:22

In this episode... 00:00:29 - Russia launches another massive missile strike targetting civilians, energy infrastructure, and journalists 00:07:16 - Russia systemically destroys the physical heritage of Huliaipole, the center of the Civil War-era Free Territory of Nestor Makhno 00:14:32 - Battlefield Update 00:19:19 - Misinformation Case Study: Ima…

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