The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg

Jonah Goldberg has spent the week knee-deep in eggheadery of the highest order and must alleviate himself from the resonant voices in his head. Therefore, today’s Ruminant presents listeners with an hour of punditry on Israel and its existential value, the painful Ted Cruz-Tucker Carlson interview, the sorry tale of the Golden Goose, and liberal theory run amok. Show Notes:—The G-File: Why We Care About Israel—The G-File: The Inevitable Splintering To Come—Dr. Jeffrey Collins on The Remnant The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 21 June 2025

Dr. Jeffrey Collins, first-time guest and professor at the Hamilton Center at the University of Florida, joins Jonah Goldberg to explore the intellectual history of liberalism and its modern iterations. Show Notes:—Jeffrey Collins' bio—Daniel Burns' National Affairs Piece: "Liberal Practice v. Liberal Theory" The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 19 June 2025

Ken Pollack, vice president of the Middle East Institute and a former CIA analyst, joins Jonah Goldberg to discuss all things Israel-Iran, including Iran’s nuclear program, Mossad’s success, possible U.S. involvement, and potential outcomes. Plus: their thoughts on Trump’s foreign policy and the need for American-led global stability. Show Notes:—Ken’s Monday Essay for The Dispatch: “One Year of Military Lessons”—TMD on latest Israel-Iran developments The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 18 June 2025

Jonah Goldberg is tanned, rested, and ready to discuss Israel’s recent attack on Iran, the splintering MAGA coalition, Soviet revisionism, and the endless streams of hypocrisy stemming from the Los Angeles riots. Show Notes:—Tulsi Gabbard on nuclear disarmament—Yair Rosenberg on The RemnantThe Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 14 June 2025

Atlantic columnist Yair Rosenberg joins Jonah Goldberg to discuss the shocking rise of Jew hatred in America, the connection between populist movements and antisemitic sentiments, and Edward Said’s influence—all while poking fun at the podcast bros and reminding the elite institutions about the importance of standing with Israel. Show Notes:—Yair’s column for The Atlantic: “Deep Shtetl” The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 12 June 2025

Michael Moynihan, friend of the podcast and host of “The Moynihan Report,” joins Jonah Goldberg for an impromptu episode to discuss the Los Angeles riots and their ramifications for both the Trump administration and the Democratic Party, their thoughts on Sister Souljah moments, Greta Thunberg’s maiden voyage, and the shameful lack of hippie punching.Show Notes:—The Morning Dispatch: Unrest in Los Angeles Continues—Jonah's LA Times column: Trump Deploys, Protesters Respond. This Will Not End Well.—The G-File: In Praise of Hippie Punching Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 11 June 2025

A busy week of media appearances has somehow left Jonah Goldberg eager to continue his musings on the Trump-Musk rift, the looming threat of the deficit, modern applications of German nihilism, and the need for gratitude. Plus: the surfacing of medieval poverty cosplay and cutting-edge analysis of Top Chef. Show Notes:—This Week's Dispatch Podcast: "The New Antisemitism"—Wednesday G-File on German Nihilism—Jonah's Los Angeles Times Column: "Baby boom, baby bust and the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’"—Jonah's NPR Morning Edition Feature Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 7 June 2025

Bret Devereaux, a Remnant fan favorite, returns to Jonah Goldberg’s Flavian Amphitheater to discuss the world’s oldest counterfactual, the holy grail of source material for classicists, and the top three generals of Western antiquity. Plus: coverage of Ukraine’s recent drone strikes and the contemporary applications of ancient military history. Show Notes:—Explore “A Collection of Unmitigated Pedantry”—Alexander Goes West (A Silly Counterfactual) The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 5 June 2025

Jonah Goldberg has realized that, if you name drop Leo Strauss enough, you’re eventually going to have to explain who you’re talking about. As the benevolent educator of The Remnant masses, Jonah has conspired with Steven Smith, a Straussian expert and professor of political science and philosophy at Yale University, to deliver this deep dive on the life and work of Leo Strauss. Jonah and Steven dig into the fundamentals of Strauss’ work, the debate between the East Coast and West Coast Straussians, the value and potential in fusionism, and Harry Jaffa’s various quirks. Plus: the flaws with the Great Man Theory and some gossip on the heavy hitting intellectuals of the 20th century. Show Notes:—Steven Smith: Reading Leo Strauss: Politics, Philosophy, Judaism—The Liberties Journal: “What is a Statesman?”—Take Steven’s Yale University course on political philosophy from your couch!—Irving Kristol’s 1952 review of Strauss' Persecution and the Art of Writing in Commentary Magazine The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 4 June 2025

Jonah Goldberg is cranky, hungover, and ready to dive into discussion of Elon Musk and his departure from DOGE, the moral degradation of traditional conservatism, the cult of winning on the right, and the vilification of the judiciary.Show Notes—The Wednesday G-File on the cowboys of suburbia—“Don’t Call This Conservatism”—Peter Berkowitz on “Don’t Call This Conservatism” The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 31 May 2025

Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson join Jonah Goldberg to discuss their new book that has taken Washington by storm, Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again. Tapper and Thompson discuss what top Democrats knew about Biden’s cognitive decline prior to him launching his reelection campaign, the boiling frogs mentality of Biden’s advisers, and the media’s role in reporting—or not reporting—this story in real time. Show Notes—Order Original Sin here The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 29 May 2025

Phil Magness, occupant of the David Theroux Chair at the Independent Institute, drops by Casa de Remnant to discuss the corrupting effect of tariffs, why Karl Marx is overrated, the evolving definitions of intellectual movements, and Jonah Goldberg’s gripes about romanticism. Show Notes:—The 1619 Project Myth—Phil for the Cato Institute: ”The Problem of the Tariff in American Economic History, 1787–1934” The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 28 May 2025

Jonah Goldberg, once again vindicated for his both-sidesism, ruminates upon the big beautiful bill, the American tradition of disputing facts by attacking motives, and the endemic media hypocrisy from every angle.Plus: kudos to the Supreme Court and kayfabe in the Oval Office. Show Notes:—John McWhorter on The Remnant—This week’s Dispatch Podcast Roundtable: “Biden’s Big Beautiful Cover Up”—Jonah’s LA Times column: “History alone should have made more reporters skeptical about Biden’s health”—Advisory Opinions: “You’re Wrong About Originalism” The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 May 2025

Jonah Goldberg has found himself in some serious legal trouble, forcing him to invite Sarah Isgur to Chez Remnant to talk horrible bosses, the 14th Amendment, Kristi Noem’s loose grasp of habeas corpus, and the increasing ennui associated with American politics. Plus: Sarah and Jonah’s sage advice for the class of 2025 and the Isgur-Goldberg love line segment. The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 22 May 2025

Jonah Goldberg is joined by Dr. Leon Aron for some Remnant-style Kremlinology. Jonah and Dr. Aron discuss Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump’s relationship, the state of the war in Ukraine, and what will happen to Russia without Putin at the helm. Plus: a long march through Russian history and the precarious position of top Russian military brass. Show Notes:—Dr. Leon Aron’s American Enterprise Institute page—Leon in Politico: “7 Critical Things Trump Doesn’t Understand about Putin” The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 21 May 2025

Jonah Goldberg is up with the sun and ready to expand upon his Monday mega-essay in The Dispatch, lament all things popular front, analyze James Comey’s seashell art photography, and discuss the upcoming exposé on Joe Biden’s cognitive decline. Plus: the misnomer of mainstream media and a scolding for Congress. Show Notes:—Jonah’s Monday Essay: “Don’t Call This Conservatism”—Claire Lehmann for The Dispatch: “Feelings, Facts, and Our Crisis of Truth”—Jonah’s Los Angeles Times column: “The inescapable answer to America’s problems? Fix Congress”—Dispatch Debates: Christine Rosen and Robert Verbruggen—Jay Nordlinger’s new Substack The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here.The Dispatch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 May 2025

Jonah Goldberg is joined by author and journalist Phil Tinline to discuss his new book, Ghosts of Iron Mountain: The Hoax of the Century, Its Enduring Impact, and What It Reveals About America Today. Phil tells the tale of conspiracies gone by, arguing that hoaxes, crackpottery, and moral panics are as American as apple pie. Show Notes:—Order Phil’s book, Ghosts of Iron Mountain: The Hoax of the Century, Its Enduring Impact, and What It Reveals About America Today. The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 15 May 2025

Former Sen. Phil Gramm joins Jonah Goldberg to discuss his new book, The Triumph of Economic Freedom: Debunking the Seven Great Myths of American Capitalism. Phil and Jonah reminisce on the triumphs of the Industrial Revolution, better days in Congress, and Ronald Reagan’s disdain for protectionism. Show Notes:—Order Sen. Gramm’s book, The Triumph of Economic Freedom: Debunking the Seven Great Myths of American Capitalism The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 14 May 2025

Jonah Goldberg ruminates upon the papal news, the dingo’s fly assassination skills, Columbia University’s new president, yet another unpronounceable German political philosophy theory, Joe Biden’s definition of misogyny, and Trump’s new threat to the film industry. Show Notes:—This week’s Dispatch Podcast roundtable: "Vengeance Agenda”—Commentary Magazine Podcast: "Lights! Camera! Tariffs!”—Kevin Williamson for The Dispatch: “Trump Is a Socialist”—Claire Lehmann for The Dispatch: “Feelings, Facts, and Our Crisis of Truth” The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 May 2025

AEI senior fellow Christine Emba joins Jonah Goldberg to discuss degenerating dating dynamics, the gender divide and its effect on politics, and the roots of the late-stage culture war. Show Notes:—Christine’s AEI page—Order Rethinking Sex: A Provocation The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 8 May 2025

Two maudlin and romantic dolls (Jonah Goldberg and Chris Stirewalt) come together to discuss the revival of Alcatraz, the future of the MAGA movement without Trump, and the skewed self-perception of American voters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 7 May 2025

Jonah Goldberg explains how Donald Trump's economic agenda is fundamentally a left-wing one and the Rousseauian roots of his nationalism. Show Notes:—Friday's G-File—Trump's interview with Time The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 May 2025

Manic and frazzled, Jonah Goldberg turned for help from in-house Remnant psychologist Paul Bloom. They explore intellectual esoterica, check what Noam Chomsky got wrong, explore Large Language Models, and fret over the age of artificial consciousness and AI girlfriends. Show Notes:—Paul’s Substack—Paul on Substack "Is it nature or is it nurture?" is a damn good question” The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 1 May 2025

Is Donald Trump Hitler? A Chavista? Or a caudillo? Jonah Goldberg is joined by fellow podcast extraordinaire Michael Moynihan to answer this obviously important and salient question. (Plus: The lost potential of Elon Musk and more on the right’s Gramsci turn.) Show Notes:—Batya Ungar-Sargon on The Fifth Column—The Ruminant on Antonio Gramsci—Moynihan’s previous appearance on The Remnant Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 30 April 2025

A dramatic week of big acquisitions left Jonah tired, but ranty. Brace for some I Told You So’s, “abundance” horseshoe theory, Trumpworld triangulations, and blue-on-blue violence. Show Notes:—The SCOTUSblog acquisition—Wednesday’s uncontroversial G-File—Kevin Williamson’s critique of the "abundance" Democrats—Jamie Weinstein and Larry Diamond on The Dispatch Podcast The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 26 April 2025

David Bahnsen, a fan favorite and friend of the pod, stops by the show to discuss his new book, Full Time: Work and the Meaning of Life with Jonah Goldberg. Jonah and David cover the China question, U.S. reliability, and Kevin Hassett’s antics. Show Notes: —David’s book, Full Time: Work and the Meaning of Life —The Wall Street Journal: “Meet MAGA’s Favorite Communist” The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 April 2025

Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes make their Remnant debut to discuss their buzzy new book, Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House. Jonah Goldberg and the authors dig into the nitty-gritty of all three 2024 presidential bids, that debate, Kamala Harris’ ascension and missteps, and the story of Joe Biden’s decline. Show Notes: —Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 23 April 2025

Jonah Goldberg spends ninety minutes plotting his transition to telethon moderation, lambasting the youth, and reminding the new GOP that you can’t pick and choose who gets universal rights. Plus: further ruminations on the bond market and the anniversary of the shot heard ‘round the world. Show Notes: — The Fair Jessica for The Dispatch: ”Revenge of the Title IX Dads” —Advisory Opinions on Humphrey’s Executor —The Wall Street Journal: “Meet MAGA’s Favorite Communist” —G-File: “The Shot Heard Round—and Round and Round—the World” —Irving Kristol: “The American Revolution as a Successful Revolution” The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 19 April 2025

Jonah Goldberg responds to Christopher Rufo and his fight to "to recapture the regime and entrench our ideas in the public sphere," using 20th-century Marxist Antonio Gramsci's ideas. This is a bonus Ruminant –– expect your regular Saturday Goldberg variation to arrive at the normal time. Show Notes: —Meet MAGA’s Favorite Communist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 18 April 2025

Jonah Goldberg is rolling like a stone through Ivy League speaking events and is holed up in New Haven to conduct an AMA with the one and only Chris Stirewalt. Topics range from marmot taxonomy, Tom Selleck’s career ethics, Maserati salesman attire, and of course, rank punditry galore. Show Notes: —Continue your education on The Gay Place —Jonah for the Los Angeles Times: “Gov. Whitmer’s party should learn from what she did in the Oval Office” —Ross Douthat for the New York Times: “It’s Trump’s Revolution” The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 April 2025

Jonah Goldberg is joined by Adam Kirsch to discuss Kirsch’s new book, On Settler Colonialism: Ideology, Violence, and Justice. What does settler colonialism actually mean in the Israeli context? Where did the school of thought originate? And how can Israel move forward under the framework of settler colonialist ideology? Show Notes: —Order Adam’s new book, On Settler Colonialism: Ideology, Violence, and Justice The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 16 April 2025

For your Saturday listening pleasure, Jonah Goldberg ruminates upon the latest Dispatch editorial, the sibylian nature of Suicide of the West, the problems with planned economies, and the back-of-house responsibilities of the federal government. Plus: dunce caps for the “deep state” and the font choices of the first Alien movie. Show Notes: —The latest Dispatch editorial: “Slouching Towards Tyranny” —Yuval Levin: The Great Debate The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 12 April 2025

Jonah Goldberg knows many a public intellectual, but linguist extraordinaire John McWhorter is one of his favorites. John returns to the show to discuss his new book, Pronoun Trouble: The Story of Us in Seven Little Words. Topics include: grammars of the elite, the imposition of language rules, the they-shaped elephant in the room, and the mystery behind the disappearance of “thou.” Show Notes: —Order John’s book, Pronoun Trouble: The Story of Us in Seven Little Words, here —The Finnish Path to Relaxation (Drinking at Home, Alone, in Your Underwear) The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 April 2025

Scott Lincicome, vice president of general economics at the Cato Institute and a general tariff expert, took some time out of his very busy schedule to talk to Jonah Goldberg about Trump’s trade-deficit delusions,why reciprocal tariffs will harm the United States, and the likelihood of increased inflation as trade tensions rise. Show Notes: —Scott’s Capitolism newsletter for The Dispatch —Scott’s column on trade deficits The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 9 April 2025

Siri misogyny meets trade policy, while Howard Lutnick’s idiocy fuels debates on markets and democracy. Jonah Goldberg clamors for liberal democratic capitalism supremacy and says a prayer for the global economy, as public-choice theory explains our collective hypocrisy. Show Notes: —Worship at the church of Scott Lincicome —Dominic Pino for National Review: “The Heritage Foundation Was One of Free Trade’s Strongest Supporters” The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 5 April 2025

Frustrated with never-ending interstate repairs and constant airline delays, Jonah Goldberg looks to the sky and wonders; Why does nothing work? Marc J. Dunkelman, fellow at Brown University’s Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, has the answers. Marc and Jonah discuss the origins and transformation of American progressive policy, the spirit of the NIMBYs, and a bold proclamation that we need even more institutions to achieve good governance. Show Notes: —Order Marc’s book, Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress―and How to Bring It Back here  —Learn more about the Watson Institute The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 3 April 2025

Jonah Goldberg is joined by Luke Coffey, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and Ukraine expert extraordinaire, to discuss his recent visit to the region and the state of the Ukraine-Russia war. Luke and Jonah debate where Ukrainians stand after the infamous Oval Office debacle, the cracks in the Russian army, and the indispensable value of close European alliances—which seem to mean little to MAGA world. Show Notes: —Luke's scholar page at the Hudson Institute The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 2 April 2025

Having exhausted his Jeffrey/Jonah Goldberg jokes on The Dispatch Podcast, Jonah Goldberg launches into an epic rant on the tyranny of intellectual mobs, the flaws of morally blind due process, and the emerging artificial intelligence anime art movement. Plus: long-view Signal-gate revelations and the superficial logic of the Trump administration’s tariff strategy. Show Notes: —The Maoist anime AI drawing in question —Yuval Levin’s latest Remnant appearance The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 29 March 2025

It’s fan-favorite week at Casa de Remnant.Jonah Goldberg is joined by Thomas Chatterton Williams, staff writer at The Atlantic and fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, to discuss illiberalism on the right, dole out some sympathy for the most ardent defenders of wokeness, and dig into Thomas’ upcoming book, Summer of Our Discontent: The Age of Certainty and the Demise of Discourse. Show Notes: —Thomas’ piece in The Atlantic: “How the Woke Right Replaced the Woke Left” —Musa al-Gharbi on The Remnant —Jonah’s “Critical Trump Theory” —Woke chili The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 27 March 2025

Not since Thomas Jefferson podcasting alone has a guest been so wise as Yuval Levin, who joins Jonah Goldberg to discuss the recent trend of Lebowskian communication mishaps, the danger of obsessive abstraction in Trumpian times, and the promise of connecting with the median voter. Show Notes: —The Atlantic: "Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans" —Yuval on "The Ezra Klein Show" —Yoni Appelbaum on The Remnant —National Review: "Look on My Works, Ye Mighty, and Despair!" —Yuval for The Free Press The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 26 March 2025

Join Jonah Goldberg on a journey up the Northeast Regional line as he ruminates upon the impeachment of federal judges, the enemy within, the world’s laziest Congress, and the chicken and the egg game for oligarchs and plutocrats. Plus: disturbing DOGE casualties and a greatest hits reel of Jonah’s analogies. Show Notes: —Jonah’s LA Times column from this week —The New York Times: Curtis Yarvin Says Democracy Is Done. Powerful Conservatives Are Listening —Alex Tabarrok on The Remnant —Yoni Appelbaum on The Remnant The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 22 March 2025

Yoni Appelbaum, deputy executive editor of The Atlantic, makes his Remnant debut to discuss his new book, Stuck: How the Privileged and the Propertied Broke the Engine of American Opportunity. Jonah Goldberg and Yoni discuss America's unique social and geographic mobility, the tricky history of tenements, and the dirty laundry of zoning. Show Notes: —Order Yoni’s book, Stuck: How the Privileged and the Propertied Broke the Engine of American Opportunity The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 20 March 2025

Clifford D. May, founder and director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, enters The Remnant multiverse with Jonah Goldberg to reevaluate the world stage and all its conflicts. Cliff and Jonah debate who’s leading the new Axis of Evil and dig into the growing trend of expansionist politics and the depressing lack of fact-based arguments in contemporary foreign policy.Show Notes: —Listen to the "Foreign Policy" podcast —Learn more about FDD —The Wall Street Journal: “The Painting That Explains Trump’s Foreign Policy” The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 19 March 2025

An overserved and hungover Jonah Goldberg gets into arguments with ChatGPT, picks fights with free speech “martyrs,” and offers a unified theory of Trumpism, all in a day’s Ruminant. Show Notes: —Jim Geraghty for National Review: “Why the Ukraine Cease-Fire Deal is No Cause for Celebration” —Jake Meador for The Dispatch: “The Perils of Positive Thinking” —The Wednesday G-File in question The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 15 March 2025

Jonah Goldberg has gone AWOL, and Kevin Williamson of Dispatch fame has risen to the task of Remnant hosting duties. Kevin is joined by Devin DeCiantis and Ivan Lansberg to discuss their new book, The Enduring Enterprise: How Family Businesses Thrive in Turbulent Conditions. The trio covers crony capitalism, how businesses can succeed amid political chaos, and how family enterprises can survive the breakneck speed of social change. Show Notes: —Devin and Ivan for Salon: “The Return of Crony Capitalism” —Order The Enduring Enterprise: How Family Businesses Thrive in Turbulent Conditions. The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 13 March 2025

There’s a whole lot of red on various stock market indices this week, so Jonah Goldberg has conscripted Michael Strain, director of economic policy at the American Enterprise Institute, to talk money. Topics include: the likelihood of recession, tumultuous trade policy, and Jonah’s crusade against the cryptocurrency reserve. Show Notes: —Cato Institute: “The Problem of the Tariff in American Economic History, 1787–1934” The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 12 March 2025

After sufficiently kvetching over Weimar-style cigar inflation, Jonah Goldberg ruminates upon Donald Trump tripping over tariffs, the abhorrent actions of the Department of Justice regarding the Eric Adams case, and the insanity of the proposed crypto reserve. Plus: the fallout from last week's Oval Office disaster and a grim prediction for the next three years. Show Notes: —Scott Linsciome in The Dispatch: “‘Reciprocal Tariffs’ Are Trump’s Worst Trade Idea Yet” —Burke's “Birds of Prey” speech The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 8 March 2025

Jonah Goldberg came to the Remnant studio exhausted by his nightshift at the cable news factory, so he enlisted one Brother Chris Stirewalt to save the show once again. Jonah and Chris analyze Trump’s Tuesday night address to Congress from all angles, including but not limited to the Democrat’s shenanigans and the reviled Wilsonian origins of the State of the Union address. Show Notes: —Brother Stirewalt for The Hill: “Separating Show and Substance as Trump Addresses Congress” The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 6 March 2025

Jonah Goldberg is joined by author and research analyst Ross Benes to discuss his new book, 1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times. Jonah and Ross discuss beanie babies as a precursor to crypto, the political triumph of the WWE, and the age of media deregulation. Plus: the phenomenology of moral panics and the bourgeois-ification of transgressive culture. Show Notes: —1999: The Year Low Culture Conquered America and Kickstarted Our Bizarre Times The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 5 March 2025

From the civilizational lynchpin of gratitude to the misplaced obsession with diplomacy to MAGA’s mafia style of governance, today’s Ruminant will be a one deep cut after another for Suicide of the West readers. There will also be one or two I-told-you-so’s.Show Notes: —Return to the source material and order Suicide of the West —G-File: “The Democrats Dilemma” —Vintage Goldberg in National Review: “The European Miracle” —Infinite Scroll: “MAGA as Master Morality”The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch’s offerings—including Jonah’s G-File newsletter, regular livestreams, and other members-only content—click here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 1 March 2025