Political Beats

Episode 160: Eli Lake / Steely Dan Aug 20, 2026 03:16:30 Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Eli Lake. Eli is a columnist for The Free Press, contributing editor at Commentary, and host of Breaking History. You can follow him on Twitter/x @EliLake. Eli’s Music Pick: Steely Dan In what is likely the last of our past episodes to be completely re-recorded, we present a totally new edition

Episode 159: Nic Rowan / Sleater-Kinney Jul 14, 2026 02:45:12 Scot and Jeff discuss Sleater-Kinney with Nic Rowan. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Nic Rowan. Nic is managing editor of The Lamp, a Catholic literary journal. You can follow him on Twitter/x @NicXTempore. Nic’s Music Pick: Sleater-Kinney When people talk about the greatest American rock bands of the past 30 years, the convers

Episode 158: Andrew Gretes / XTC [Part 2] May 31, 2026 02:41:27 Scot and Jeff discuss the second part of XTC’s career (1984-2000) with Andrew Gretes. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Andrew Gretes. Andrew is a fiction writer teaching creative rhetoric at Georgetown and George Washington University. You can find his work at andrewgretes.com. Andrew’s Music Pick: XTC, Pt. 2 Awaken you dreamers!

Episode 157: Andrew Gretes / XTC [Part 1] Apr 30, 2026 03:04:40 Scot and Jeff discuss the first part of XTC’s career (1977-1983) with Andrew Gretes. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Andrew Gretes. Andrew is a fiction writer teaching creative rhetoric at Georgetown and George Washington University. You can find his work at andrewgretes.com. Andrew’s Music Pick: XTC There may be no language

Episode 156: Jack Butler / The Apples in Stereo Apr 3, 2026 02:57:39 Scot and Jeff discuss The Apples in Stereo with Jack Butler. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Jack Butler. Jack is deputy editor for Free Expression, a new newsletter about politics and culture from the Wall Street Journal opinion page. Previously he was submissions editor for National Review Online. You can follow him on Twitte

Episode 155: Ivan Pongracic / Deep Purple Feb 24, 2026 03:26:31 Scot and Jeff discuss Deep Purple with Ivan Pongracic. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Ivan Pongracic, William E. Hibbs & Ludwig von Mises professor of Economics at Hillsdale College. Ivan has a career nearly as storied as Deep Purple’s -- a 1984 immigrant from the former Yugoslavia (Croatia, specifically), an accompli

Episode 154: Christopher Scalia / The Strokes Dec 25, 2025 02:30:09 Scot and Jeff discuss The Strokes with Christopher Scalia.Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Christopher Scalia. Chris is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and the author of 13 Novels Conservatives Will Love (But Probably Haven't Read), a perfect Christmas gift for your favorite person. Find him on X at @CJScalia.

Episode 153: Sean Trende / Van Halen Dec 11, 2025 03:12:50 Scot and Jeff discuss Van Halen with Sean Trende.Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Sean Trende. Sean is senior elections analyst at Real Clear Politics and visiting scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. His new podcast with co-host (and fellow Political Beats guest) Jay Cost, is Stubborn Things. Find him on X at @SeanTrende

Episode 152: Dominic Green / Iggy Pop & the Stooges Nov 3, 2025 02:17:04 Scot and Jeff discuss Iggy Pop & the Stooges with Dominic Green.Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Dominic Green. Dom is a historian and columnist, and he used to be a musician. He is a contributor to the Wall Street Journal and a columnist for the Washington Examiner and Jewish Chronicle. Check him out on Twitter at @DrDom

Episode 151: Damon Linker / Tom Waits [Part 2] Sep 29, 2025 03:12:11 Scot and Jeff discuss the second part of Tom Waits’ career (1983-2011) with Damon Linker.Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Damon Linker. Damon is a senior lecturer in political science at the University of Pennsylvania, and publishes a Substack newsletter titled “Notes from the Middleground.” Follow him at @DamonLinker on

Episode 150: Damon Linker / Tom Waits [Part 1] Sep 4, 2025 02:43:52 Scot and Jeff discuss the first part of Tom Waits’s career (1973-1982) with Damon Linker.Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Damon Linker. Damon is a senior lecturer in political science at the University of Pennsylvania, and publishes a Substack newsletter titled “Notes from the Middleground.” Follow him at @DamonLinker on

Episode 149: Conor Friedersdorf / Jimmy Buffett Aug 5, 2025 03:11:50 Scot and Jeff discuss Jimmy Buffett with Conor Friedersdorf.Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Conor Friedersdorf. Conor is a staff writer atThe Atlantic, where he writes about politics and culture, with a focus on civil liberties, and he's the founding editor ofThe Best of Journalism, a newsletter on Substack where he highlight

Episode 148: David Lowery Interview Jul 9, 2025 00:59:46 Your Political Beats hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) get the opportunity to spend a little more time with singer/songwriter/bandleader/advocate/professor David Lowery (@DavidCLowery)Now-frequent (two times is frequent, right?) Political Beats guest David Lowery returns to the show to talk about his magnificent new solo record Fathers, Sons and Brothers.For those una

Episode 147: Tim Constantine / Bob Seger Jul 2, 2025 03:40:46 Scot and Jeff discuss Bob Seger with Tim Constantine.Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Tim Constantine. Today you see him interviewing presidents and prime ministers on The Capitol Hill Show out of Washington, D.C., but Tim got his broadcasting start in rock radio when he was just 13 years old. Watch Tim Constantine's Capitol Hill

Episode 146: Jeff Pojanowski / Turnpike Troubadours Jun 3, 2025 02:38:04 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Jeff Pojanowski. Jeff is a professor at Notre Dame Law School, where he teaches and writes about philosophy of law and legal interpretation. He also writes occasional columns for The Pillar. He has been living happily in Northern Indiana after escaping Washington, D.C., 15 years ago.Jeff’s

Episode 145: Andrew Stuttaford / Brian Eno Apr 29, 2025 03:21:35 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by Andrew Stuttaford. Andrew needs little introduction as the editor of NR's Capital Matters. Find him online right here at National Review or at @AStuttaford on Twitter/X.Andrew’s Music Pick: Brian EnoHere he comes, the boy who tried to vanish to the future or the past. Yes, it's time for Politica

Episode 144: Steve Singiser / Def Leppard Mar 10, 2025 02:51:42 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Steve Singiser. Steve is formerly a contributing editor at Daily Kos Elections and now is a contributor at The Downballot.Steve’s Music Pick: Def LeppardDo you wanna get rocked?If the answer is yes and the decade was the 1980s, it’s likely Def Leppard was at least partially responsible for

Episode: 143: Eli Lake / Stevie Wonder [Part 2] Feb 5, 2025 02:46:38 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Eli Lake. Lake is a columnist with the Free Press and also a contributing editor at Commentary. Find him online at the Free Press or @EliLake on Twitter/X.Eli’s Music Pick: Stevie WonderIt’s time to sing some songs in the key of life as we tackle the amazing and iconic second half of Stevi

Episode 142: Eli Lake / Stevie Wonder [Part 1] Jan 2, 2025 02:17:04 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Eli Lake. Lake is a columnist with the Free Press and also a contributing editor at Commentary. Find him online at the Free Press or @EliLake on Twitter/X.Eli’s Music Pick: Stevie WonderHappy New Year, everyone. 2024 was a mess, 2025 looks to be every bit as much of a mess, and gloom perva

Episode 141: Mary Chastain / Stone Temple Pilots Nov 25, 2024 02:48:06 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Mary Chastain. Mary is a writer and editor at Legal Insurrection. She's also a sometimes contributor to The Hill, Washington Examiner, and Reason, and FEE. Mary is on X at @Mchastain81. Mary’s Music Pick: Stone Temple Pilots:This is another in a series of episodes (think Daryl Hall & John Oates

Episode 140: Andrew Fink / ZZ Top Oct 14, 2024 04:03:32 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Andrew Fink. Andrew lives with his wife Lauren and their five children in Hillsdale County, Mich., and is an attorney, Marine veteran, current state representative, and candidate for Michigan Supreme Court. He's on X at @AndrewFinkMI, and his website can be found here.Andrew’s Music Pick: ZZ To

Episode 139: Peter Suderman / Dismemberment Plan Sep 23, 2024 03:13:46 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Peter Suderman. Suderman is the features editor at Reason magazine. He also writes the Substack Cocktails With Suderman, which is about making better cocktails at home. Find him online at Reason or @petersuderman on Twitter/X.Peter’s Music Pick: The Dismemberment PlanThe name might sound l

Episode 138: Nick Lowe Sep 17, 2024 01:08:07 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Nick Lowe. Nick Lowe is . . . wait, you don’t really need a bio for Nick Lowe, do you? If there’s any questions about who he is, please take the time to listen to our lengthy Political Beats episode with guest Matt Murray.In an interview that has been months in the making, your Political Beats

Very Special Episode: Most Essential/Necessary Compilations [137] Aug 19, 2024 02:28:12 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with . . . no guest at all! With Jeff moving his belongings to a new abode while also covering the RNC and DNC for National Review and Scot's vacation schedule creating another hurdle, we felt it was time to break the glass on the window marked "VERY SPECIAL EPISODE."For those relatively new around here, we'v

Episode 136: Brad Birzer / Yes [Part 2] Jul 1, 2024 02:43:10 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Brad Birzer. Brad is the Russell Amos Kirk Chair in American Studies and Professor of History at Hillsdale College. He is also the co-founder of and senior contributor at The Imaginative Conservative, and the author of a number of books, including Neil Peart: Cultural (Re)Percussions. Find him

Episode 135: Brad Birzer / Yes [Part 1] Jun 3, 2024 02:58:05 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Brad Birzer. Brad is the Russell Amos Kirk Chair in American Studies and Professor of History at Hillsdale College. He is also the co-founder of and Senior Contributor at The Imaginative Conservative, and the author of a number of books, including Neil Peart: Cultural (Re)Percussions. Find him

Episode 134: Guy Denton / Echo & The Bunnymen May 6, 2024 03:27:20 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Guy Denton. Guy is the co-host of The Wrong Stuff with Matt Lewis, contributor to The Dispatch and National Review, and until recently took Jonah Goldberg's guff over at The Remnant. Find him on Twitter/X . . . nowhere, because he is saner than the rest of us.Guy’s Music Pick: Echo & the Bunnym

Episode 133: Joshua Treviño / Matthew Sweet Apr 8, 2024 02:47:54 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Joshua Treviño. Joshua works and writes at the Texas Public Policy Foundation and spent the entire 1990s listening a lot to Matthew Sweet. Joshua’s Music Pick: Matthew SweetFor listeners of a certain age, just the name Matthew Sweet will evoke a particular memory, and it’s likely one that invol

Episode 132: Tom Nichols / Boston Mar 18, 2024 02:06:55 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Tom Nichols. Tom is a staff writer at The Atlantic and author ofThe Death of Expertise: The Campaign against Established Knowledge and Why it Matters, with a new second edition out soon. Find him on X/Twitter at@RadioFreeTom. Tom’s Music Pick: BostonThis could be our first episode that is longe

Episode 131: Jay Cost / The Kinks [Part 2] Jan 29, 2024 03:22:51 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Jay Cost. Jay is the Gerald R. Ford senior non-resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and the author of, most recently, James Madison: America’s First Politician. Find him on Twitter/X at @Jay__Cost.Jay’s Music Pick: The KinksHaven’t we done these guys already? We sure did! But th

Episode 130: Jay Cost / The Kinks [Part 1] Jan 2, 2024 03:38:28 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Jay Cost. Jay is the Gerald R. Ford senior non-resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and the author of, most recently, James Madison: America's First Politician. Find him on Twitter/X at @Jay__Cost.Jay's Music Pick: The KinksHaven't we done these guys already? We sure did! For th

Episode 129: Mike Long / Joe Jackson Nov 20, 2023 03:09:39 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Mike Long. Mike is a (very) occasional writer for National Review and was one of the originals back in the early 2000s as NRO was launched. He’s the author of the non-fiction bestseller The Molecule of More and its sequel coming in fall of 2024.Mike’s Music Pick: Joe JacksonAfter running through El

Episode 128: Hannah Rowan / Blondie Oct 23, 2023 02:38:14 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Hannah Rowan. Hannah is the managing editor of Modern Age. You can find her on X at @Hannah_Cristine and read her review of Debbie Harry's memoir here.Hannah’s Music Pick: BlondieHere's another artist we get to cross off the list of long-awaited episodes. Both Jeff and Scot have been hot t

Episode 127: Eric Kohn / Huey Lewis & the News Oct 2, 2023 03:07:36 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Eric Kohn. Eric is the Director of Marketing & Communications at the Acton Institute. Check him out on Twitter at @iEricKohn.Eric’s Music Pick: Huey Lewis & the NewsDo you believe in miracles? Yes! After years of lobbying, Jeff has proven that anyone will fold, given enough time and pressu

Episode 126: Rory Cooper / Simon & Garfunkel Sep 5, 2023 03:11:25 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Rory Cooper. He’s a partner at Purple Strategies, a corporate reputation and advocacy agency in Alexandria, Va., a former George W. Bush and Eric Cantor aide, and a longtime Republican strategist. He’s on Twitter at @rorycooper.Rory’s Music Pick: Simon & GarfunkelIf you enjoyed Political B

Episode 125: Matt Murray / Nick Lowe Jul 31, 2023 03:31:11 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Matt Murray. Matt is the recently departed editor of the Wall Street Journal, now on assignment for its parent company, News Corp. Check him out on Twitter at @murraymatt.Matt’s Music Pick: Nick LoweOkay, it says “Nick Lowe” right there above this line, but we need to be straight with you -- th

Episode 124: Dave Weigel / Pet Shop Boys Jul 6, 2023 02:50:01 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Dave Weigel. Dave is a founding reporter at Semafor, where he covers the 2024 campaign and writes the Americana newsletter. Check his work out here and find him on Twitter at @daveweigel.Dave’s Music Pick: Pet Shop BoysOpportunities are knocking: I've got the brains, and you've got the loo

Episode 123: Dominic Green / The Jam Jun 12, 2023 03:10:19 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Dominic Green. Dom is a historian and columnist, and he used to be a musician. He is a contributor to the Wall Street Journal and a columnist for the Washington Examiner and Jewish Chronicle. Check him out on Twitter at @DrDominicGreen.Dominic’s Music Pick: The JamIn some ways, this is one

Episode 122: Eric Garcia / Black Sabbath Apr 18, 2023 03:02:18 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Eric Garcia. Eric is senior Washington writer for the Independent and a columnist at MSNBC. Check him out on Twitter at @EricMGarcia.Eric’s Music Pick: Black SabbathThe storm is upon you; can you hear the peals of thunder in the background, and the bleak clang of the church bell in the sle

Episode 121: Adam Wollner / My Morning Jacket Mar 23, 2023 02:53:12 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Adam Wollner. Adam is a Washington-based journalist who has covered national politics for CNN, McClatchy, and National Journal. Check him out on Twitter at @adamwollner.Adam’s Music Pick: My Morning JacketA reverb-laden, indie-country band? Roots rock? Electro-funk? Jam band? All that and much

Episode 120: Mark Hemingway / Big Star Feb 27, 2023 02:06:17 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Mark Hemingway. Mark is a writer at RealClearInvestigations and RealClearPolitics and an occasional contributor at The Federalist. Check him out on Twitter at @heminator.Mark’s Music Pick: Big StarHow do you merit an episode of Political Beats when you've released only a handful of albums

Episode 119: Noam Blum / Tool Jan 31, 2023 02:20:55 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by Noam Blum. Noam is Chief Technology Officer at Tablet Magazine and co-host of the Ambitious Crossover Attempt podcast and of All Crossed Out on the Callin app, both of which deal with pop culture, media, and politics. Find him on Twitter at @neontaster.Noam’s Music Pick: ToolSince Political Beat

Episode 118: Phil Wegmann / The National Dec 19, 2022 02:35:50 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Phil Wegmann. Phil is White House reporter for RealClearNews and RealClearPolitics. Check him out on Twitter at @PhilipWegmann.Phil’s Music Pick: The NationalLet us tell you, we have had *a bunch* of listeners ask us for an episode on The National, and we are nothing if not responsive to our fa

Episode 117: Andrew Fink / Otis Redding Nov 7, 2022 03:10:19 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Andrew Fink. Andrew is a member of the Michigan House of Representative (District 35 -- Branch & Hillsdale Counties). Prior to that, he was the district director for Senate majority leader Mike Shirkey. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewFinkMI.Andrew’s Music Pick: Otis ReddingLadies and gent

Episode 116: Noah Weinrich / Weezer Oct 20, 2022 02:44:29 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Noah Weinrich. Noah is director of communications for Heritage Action, the grassroots and advocacy arm of The Heritage Foundation. Check him out on Twitter at @weinrich_noah.Noah’s Music Pick: WeezerWhat kind of a band starts its career with two stone-cold classic albums, takes a nearly five-ye

Episode 115: Jesse Walker / Willie Nelson [Part 2] Sep 26, 2022 03:11:43 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Jesse Walker. Jesse is books editor at Reason and author of two books, The United States of Paranoia and Rebels On the Air. He can be found on Twitter at @notjessewalker.Jesse’s Music Pick: Willie NelsonIn Part Two, we pick up Willie’s story at his commercial breakthrough, Red Headed Stranger (

Episode 115: Jesse Walker / Willie Nelson [Part 1] Sep 5, 2022 03:13:45 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Jesse Walker. Jesse is books editor at Reason and author of two books, The United States of Paranoia and Rebels On the Air. He can be found on Twitter at @notjessewalker.Jesse’s Music Pick: Willie NelsonSure, in the past here on Political Beats we have dabbled in country-ish music. We've d

Episode 114: Steve Miller / Mott The Hoople Aug 15, 2022 02:22:07 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Steve Miller. Steve is a veteran journalist and a reporter at RealClearInvestigations. He's also the author of Detroit Rock City: The Uncensored History of Rock 'n' Roll in America's Loudest City. Steve's Music Pick: Mott The HoopleDo you remember the Saturday gigs? We do, we do! Mott The

Episode 113: Andrew Heaton / 'Weird Al' Yankovic Jul 4, 2022 02:58:20 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Andrew Heaton. Andrew is a comedian and political satirist you might know from Reason TV. He is the host of The Political Orphanage, a funny policy analysis show for people tired of tribalism. You can find him on Twitter at @mightyheaton.Andrew Music Pick: “Weird Al” YankovicYou should kno

Episode 112: Scott Immergut / Squeeze Jun 13, 2022 03:02:21 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Scott Immergut. Scott is the CEO of Ricochet.com and the Ricochet Audio Network. He is the long-time producer of the Ricochet Podcast and the GLoP Culture podcast with Jonah Goldberg, Rob Long, and John Podhoretz. He’s also the Executive Producer of The Hoover Institution’s Uncommon Knowle

Episode 111: Eli Lake / Prince [Part 3] May 23, 2022 02:53:16 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by Eli Lake. Eli is a contributing editor at Commentary, and fellow at the Clements Center at UT-Austin. Follow him on Twitter at @EliLake.Eli’s Music Pick: Prince, Pt. 3 (1992-2016)Eli rejoins the gang as they resume their discussion of the career of Prince Rogers Nelson, or as he was known for a

Episode 110: Eli Lake / Prince [Part 2] Apr 18, 2022 03:11:57 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by Eli Lake. Eli is a contributing editor at Commentary, and fellow at the Clements Center at UT-Austin. Follow him on Twitter at @EliLake.Eli’s Music Pick: Prince, Pt. 2 (1985-1991)Join us once again as we deepen our Strange Relationship with Prince! Eli rejoins the gang as they pick up their disc

Episode 109: Eli Lake / Prince [Part 1] Apr 4, 2022 03:55:48 Eli’s Music Pick: PrinceDearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called Life. Electric word, "Life," and it's a mighty long time, but I'm here to tell you, there's something else: Prince Rogers Nelson. Known to the world by his first name, Prince was a self-made musical polymath who performed the singular trick of somehow altering the world to accommodate his eccentrici

Episode 108: Mike Long / Robbie Fulks Mar 14, 2022 03:05:31 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Mike Long. He wrote the sort-of-bestselling book The Molecule of More and he teaches writing at Georgetown University, but mostly he writes things for other people to put their name on. He’s on Twitter at @mikewrites.Mike’s Music Pick: Robbie FulksThis is almost certainly the most obscure

Episode 107: Rory Cooper / Paul Simon Jan 31, 2022 03:12:08 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Rory Cooper. He’s a partner at Purple Strategies, a corporate reputation and advocacy agency in Alexandria, Va., a former George W. Bush and Eric Cantor aide, and a longtime Republican strategist. He’s on Twitter at @rorycooper.Rory’s Music Pick: Paul SimonHere comes rhymin' Simon, right o

Episode 106: Andrew Prokop / Kate Bush Jan 10, 2022 03:49:53 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by Andrew Prokop. Andrew is Senior Politics Correspondent for Vox, and you can find his work here. Follow him on Twitter at @awprokop.Andrew's Music Pick: Kate BushWho? Unless you're an art-rocker, Englishman, or Lisa Simpsonesque girl-poet-dreamer, the name "Kate Bush" quite likely means nothing t

Episode 105: Bruce Edward Walker / Warren Zevon Dec 13, 2021 02:39:18 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Bruce Edward Walker. He’s Midwest Regional Editor for The Center Square. He has written extensively on popular culture, literature and public policy for reference books, newspapers, magazines, and websites. He’s on Twitter at @bruceedwalker.Bruce’s Music Pick: Warren ZevonThe show begins its 2021 f

Episode 104: Charles C. W. Cooke / Fleetwood Mac [Part 2] Nov 15, 2021 03:13:20 Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by our old friend Charles C. W. Cooke. Charlie is a Senior Writer for National Review, and you can find his work wherever quality Charles C. W. Cooke products are sold (i.e. mostly right here on this website). Follow him on Twitter at @charlescwcooke.Charlie's Music Pick: Fleetwood Mac"Oh sure," yo

Episode 103: Charles C. W. Cooke / Fleetwood Mac Oct 25, 2021 03:15:25 Scot and Jeff discuss the first part of Fleetwood Mac’s career (1967-1974) with Charles C. W. Cooke.Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by our old friend Charles C. W. Cooke. Charlie is a senior writer for National Review, and you can find his work wherever quality Charles C. W. Cooke products are sold (i.e. mostly right here on this

Episode 102: Daniel Gullotta / Michael Jackson Oct 4, 2021 03:39:08 Scot and Jeff discuss Michael Jackson with Daniel Gullotta. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Daniel Gullotta. Daniel N. Gullotta is a Ph.D. candidate (ABD) in American Religious History at Stanford University. He is completing a dissertation on how religious politics influenced the rise of Andrew Jackson and the formatio

Episode 101: Matt Lewis / John Mellencamp Aug 30, 2021 02:34:21 Scot and Jeff discuss John Mellencamp with Matt Lewis. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Matt Lewis. He’s a senior columnist for The Daily Beast, author of the book Too Dumb to Fail, and host of the podcast “Matt Lewis & The News”. Follow him on Twitter at @mattklewis. Matt’s Music Pick: John Mellencamp In an episode with

Episode 100: Andrew Fink / The Allman Brothers Band Aug 16, 2021 03:33:56 Scot and Jeff discuss The Allman Brothers Band with Andrew Fink. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Andrew Fink. Andrew is a member of the Michigan House of Representative (District 58 – Branch & Hillsdale Counties). Prior to that he was the district director for Senate majority leader Mike Shirkey. Follow him on Twitter a

Episode 99: Randy Barnett / Traffic & Steve Winwood Aug 9, 2021 03:19:15 Scot and Jeff discuss Traffic/Steve Winwood with Randy Barnett. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Randy Barnett. He’s the Patrick Hotung Professor of Constitutional Law at the Georgetown University Law Center where he directs the Georgetown Center for the Constitution. His most recent book, The Original Meaning of the 14t

Episode 98: Jeff Dufour / Neil Young [Part 3] Jun 21, 2021 04:18:58 Scot and Jeff discuss the third part of Neil Young’s career (1980–2021) with Jeff Dufour. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Jeff Dufour. Jeff is the editor in chief of National Journal. Find him on Twitter at @dcdufour. Jeff’s Music Pick: Neil Young (Part 3) If you need a podcast to sample and hold or feel rockin’ in the

Episode 97: Jeff Dufour / Neil Young [Part 2] May 31, 2021 03:28:21 Scot and Jeff discuss the second part of Neil Young’s career (1973–1979) with Jeff Dufour. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Jeff Dufour. Jeff is the editor-in-chief of National Journal. Find him on Twitter at @dcdufour. Jeff’s Music Pick: Neil Young (Part 2) Grab a bottle of tequila, an inflatable palm tree, and a rack

Episode 96: Jeff Dufour / Neil Young [Part 1] May 17, 2021 02:46:32 Scot and Jeff discuss the first part of Neil Young’s career (1963–1973) with Jeff Dufour. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Jeff Dufour. Jeff is the editor-in-chief of National Journal. Find him on Twitter at @dcdufour. Jeff’s Music Pick: Neil Young Step aside and open wide as we begin a long journey through the past of t

Episode 95: Helaine Olen on Rilo Kiley/Jenny Lewis May 3, 2021 02:59:58 Scot and Jeff discuss Rilo Kiley/Jenny Lewis with Helaine Olen. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Helaine Olen. Helaine is an opinion writer at the Washington Post. Find her on Twitter at @HelaineOlen. Helaine’s Music Pick: Rilo Kiley/Jenny Lewis So it turns out Hannah Nefler from Troop Beverly Hills and Ronnie Pinsky from “Sa

Episode 94: John J. Miller on The Afghan Whigs/The Twilight Singers Mar 29, 2021 03:35:36 Scot and Jeff discuss The Afghan Whigs/The Twilight Singers with John J. Miller. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest John J. Miller. John is director of the Dow Journalism Program at Hillsdale College and national correspondent for National Review, plus host of the NR podcasts The Great Books and The Bookmonger. Find him on Twit

Episode 93: Christopher Scalia / Spoon Mar 15, 2021 03:09:31 Scot and Jeff discuss Spoon with Christopher Scalia. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Christopher Scalia. Christopher is co-editor of Scalia Speaks: Reflections on Law, Faith, and Life Well Lived and On Faith: Lessons from an American Believer. He’s also the Director of Academic Programs at the American Enterprise Institute.

Episode 92: Mark Hemingway / Nirvana Feb 15, 2021 02:37:50 Scot and Jeff discuss Nirvana with Mark Hemingway. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Mark Hemingway. Mark is is a writer at RealClearInvestigations and RealClearPolitics. Find him on Twitter at @heminator. Mark’s Music Pick: Nirvana Perhaps you’ve heard of these guys. With a single song, Nirvana knocked Michael Jackson off the top

Episode 91: Damon Linker / David Bowie [Part 3] Jan 18, 2021 03:19:40 Scot and Jeff discuss the third and final part of David Bowie’s career (1982-2016) with Damon Linker. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Damon Linker, Senior Columnist for The Week. Read Damon’s work here and follow him at @DamonLinker on Twitter. Damon’s Music Pick: David Bowie Political Beats knows when to go out, and when to sta

Episode 90: Damon Linker / David Bowie [Part 2] Jan 11, 2021 03:36:15 Scot and Jeff discuss the second part of David Bowie’s career (1974–1981) with Damon Linker. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Damon Linker, Senior Columnist for The Week. Read Damon’s work here and follow him at @DamonLinker on Twitter. Damon’s Music Pick: David Bowie It’s not the side effects of the cocaine, Political Beats is t

Episode 89: Damon Linker / David Bowie [Part 1] Dec 21, 2020 03:11:30 Scot and Jeff discuss the first part of David Bowie’s career (1967–1974) with Damon Linker. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Damon Linker, Senior Columnist for The Week. Read Damon’s work here and follow him at @DamonLinker on Twitter. Damon’s Music Pick: David Bowie Look out, you rock ‘n’ rollers! Pretty soon now, you’re gonna h

Episode 88: Steve Singiser / Living Colour Nov 23, 2020 02:22:38 Scot and Jeff discuss Living Colour with Steve Singiser. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Steve Singiser. Steve is a contributing editor at Daily Kos Elections. Find him on Twitter at @stevesingiser. Steve’s Music Pick: Living Colour That riff is indelibly inked on your brain. You know the one. The first musical notes put to viny

Episode 87: Brad Birzer / Genesis [ Part 2] Nov 2, 2020 03:28:09 Scot and Jeff discuss second part of Genesis’s career (the Phil Collins years) with Brad Birzer. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Dr. Brad Birzer. Brad is the Russell Amos Kirk Chair in American Studies and Professor of History at Hillsdale College. He’s the co-founder of, and Senior Contributor at, The Imaginative Conservative.

Episode 86: Patrick Frey / Genesis [Part 1] Oct 19, 2020 03:23:52 Scot and Jeff discuss Genesis (1967-1975) with Patrick Frey. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Patrick Frey. Patrick has been a blogger of national repute since 2003 and is still committed to the form, even though it has been dead for years. Read his work at Patterico’s Pontifications and follow Patrick on Twitter at @Patterico. P

Episode 85: Christian Schneider / Ramones Sep 28, 2020 02:49:34 Scot and Jeff discuss Ramones with Christian Schneider. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Christian Schneider. Christian is a reporter for The College Fix, contributor to The Dispatch, The Bulwark, USA Today, and sometimes National Review, and author of 1916: The Blog. Find him on Twitter at @Schneider_CM Christian’s Music Pick: R

Episode 84: Steven Levy / The Doors Aug 31, 2020 02:54:43 Scot and Jeff discuss The Doors with Steven Levy. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Steven Levy. Steven is editor at large of Wired magazine and author of Facebook: The Inside Story. Follow him on Twitter at @StevenLevy. Steven’s Music Pick: The Doors It’s been oft-observed that the day destroys the night while the night divides t

Episode 83: Andrew Feinberg / Hüsker Dü Aug 17, 2020 03:15:58 Scot and Jeff discuss Hüsker Dü with Andrew Feinberg. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Andrew Feinberg. Andrew is a Washington, D.C.-based journalist whose coverage of the White House, Capitol Hill, and other political venues and matters of import has appeared in The Independent, Newsweek, Breakfast Media, and Politico Magazine.

Episode 82: Dan McLaughlin / Bruce Springsteen [Part 2] Aug 4, 2020 03:41:49 Scot and Jeff discuss the second part of Bruce Springsteen’s career (1980-2020) with Dan McLaughlin. Introducing the Band: Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with guest Dan McLaughlin. Dan is a Senior Editor at National Review and you can find his work, well . . . here! Just click on that tab over there, it’s not hard to figure out! Find him online at @baseballcra

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