
Weak Institutions Make a Sad Country
Yuval Levin thinks our sclerotic government and alienated culture trace back to anemic, declining institutions. As Congress, the press, and think tanks all lose esprit de corps, and turn into platforms for individual self promotion, gridlock and disgust ensue. He’s the author of “A Time to Build: From Family and Community to Congress and the Campus, How Recommitting to Our Institutions Can Revive the American Dream.” He joins the show to discuss.
13 Jan 202145min

Friday Release Valve: Smuggling Ashes onto the International Space Station
Jeremey Kareken and Andrew Young join the program to make sense of the week's greatest, underserved headlines. From a Scotsman who tries to cross the Irish Sea on a jet ski, to Adolf Hitler's alias, to an Austrian town sick of their inappropriate name. "Del Rio Bravo" by Kevin MacLeod, Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5706-del-rio-bravo, License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license “Alcohol, Diamonds, and Beef” by Kimarie Sky https://www.kimariesky.com/
8 Jan 202143min

What The Hell Just Happened?!
Trump protestors stormed the U.S. Capitol today! Jen Briney of "Congressional Dish" and Justin Robert Young of "Politics Politics Politics" plus yours truly convene to try to inject some meaning into the landscape.
7 Jan 202159min

Larry Sharpe thinks Covid will Redshift America
Larry Sharpe joins the program to talk about how the Covid pandemic will affect and depopulate major cities, why urban life naturally leads to a preference for strong government, and how a potential demographic reversal could result in a rural renaissance. Also: a good rant about the Federal Reserve!
6 Jan 202155min

Education Is Getting More Individualistic
American public schooling came into its own during the Industrial Revolution, with standardized age cohorts, bells signifying start and stop times, and predictable timelines. What models are apt to apply to our current era in the Digital Revolution? Lisa Snell is Director of K-12 Education Policy Partnerships at Stand Together. She comes on to discuss how technology is leading away from standardized to individualized education, and how the pandemic is likely to accelerate that trend.
30 Dec 202043min

A Grander Snuffy's Christmas
Gather round for the 2020 Third Annual Snuffy's Christmas Special! Brought to you by your friends at Snuffy's, Off Route 44, who both sponsored and insisted on writing this episode. Not suitable for emotionally well-adjusted children. Cast: Andrew Heaton Josh Jennings Austin Bragg Justin Robert Young Ashley Paramour Brian Sack Jack Helmuth Kourtni Beebe Andrew Young
23 Dec 20201h 7min

RERUN: Another Snuffy's Christmas
An all new Christmas special airs this Wednesday, Dec 23, 2020! Until then, enjoy the second Snuffy's Annual Christmas Special: "The Political Orphanage's oldest and most enthusiastic show sponsor, Snuffy's Off Route 44, has kindly offered to pay for this year's Christmas special. On the condition that the staff of Snuffy's write it in its entirety. Merry Christmas!" Featuring: Josh Jennings, Austin Bragg, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood. Season 2, Ep 25. Original air date December 2019
22 Dec 202035min

RERUN: A Very Snuffy's Christmas
An all new Christmas special airs this Wednesday, Dec 23, 2020. Until then, enjoy the first Snuffy's Annual Christmas Special: The show’s principle sponsor funds an entire holiday special, in exchange for allowing its waitstaff to write the entire script. Original air date: Dec 2018
21 Dec 202032min