The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg

With the help of a Yuval Levin and a Silly Putty support system, Jonah Goldberg opens this Ruminant with a recommendation not to panic about the Trump administration quite yet. He does, however, bemoan the president’s fantasy about a U.S. sovereign wealth fund before wondering about what the next generation of Democratic leaders might look like. Show Notes: —Yuval Levin and Ezra Klein —Nick Catoggio on the DOGE hoax —Jonah and Katie Herzog on Mike Pesca's The Gist 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, weekly livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Francis Fukuyama makes a triumphant return to The Remnant to discuss the current state of liberalism, the flaws with emerging sects of postliberalism, and the rapidly deteriorating expectations of normalcy for the second Trump administration. Plus: reactionary horseshoe theory, the new American oligarchy, and the risks of Trumpian expansionism. Show Notes: —Francis’ work on Substack —The Patrick Deneen article in question —Yascha Mounk and Francis Fukuyama talk Trump 2.0 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, weekly livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Tabarrok, professor of economics at George Mason University, joins Jonah Goldberg to discuss the exceptional nature of American democratic capitalism and debate the merits of all sorts of borders. Later in the episode, Jonah gets a crash course in crypto and asks Alex about the future and ethics of AI and large language models. Show Notes: — Alex’s piece on Liberal Fascism and CurtisYarvin 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, weekly livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonah Goldberg has gone to drastic lengths to cure his latest illness, absconding to Belize to drink fresh coconut water and ponder his life choices in the rainforest. Ruminations from his hammock include Donald Trump’s irresponsible comments on the tragic DCA plane crash, the ongoing tariff debate, and the discourse surrounding the hierarchy of love. Show Notes: —Ross Douthat on The Remnant —Michael Moynihan 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, weekly livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New York Times columnist and best-selling author Ross Douthat joins The Remnant today to discuss his new book, Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious, and dive into some rank punditry. Ross and Jonah Goldberg talk tech execs in Washington, spiritual metaphysics, and what Emilia Perez says about the relationship between culture and politics.Later in the episode, Ross explains why religion—no matter what flavor—is necessary for a healthy individual and a thriving nation. Show Notes: —Pre-order Ross’ new book —Ross’ conversation with Marc Andreessen 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, weekly livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Francis Dearnley, executive editor at The Telegraph and Remnant fan-favorite, stops by the show to discuss the struggles of U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the British perspective on Donald Trump’s second term and the rise of populism, and the desperate need for functional governance. Plus: targeted solicitor slander, the lunacy of London living, and an update on Ukraine. Show Notes: —Francis Dearnley on X —Ukraine: The Latest 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, weekly livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buckle up, there are tiny, crazy monkeys on tricycles riding around inside Jonah Goldberg’s brain, and the only way to let them out is an epic, mega Ruminant. You’re welcome, America. Jonah begins with a defense of his free spirit and recent snarkiness before he launches into a critique of Curtis Yarvin’s recent antics in the New York Times. He covers FDR’s stint in Silicon Valley, neo-reactionary historical revisionism, and other lines of sophomoric nonsense. In the realm of politics: the hypocrisy of social conservatives, the dueling moral repugnancy of Joe Biden and Donald Trump’s pardons, and the problems with abandoning conservative principles to own the libs. Show Notes: —Curtis Yarvin's NYT Interview —“The Road to Serfdom is Paved with B.S.” (The Reactionary Mind Review) —“The Divine Right of CEOs” —Chris Cox on Woodrow Wilson and post-Reconstruction South —Stephen Pinker, “A History of Violence” —Mike Warren in The Dispatch: “How the Heritage Foundation Sold Its Birthright” 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, weekly livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael C. Moynihan, fellow podcaster extraordinaire and Lisan al-Gaib of the House Un-American Activities Committee, pays a visit to the Court of TheRemnant to defend Bill Buckley, discuss horseshoe theory as it relates to immigration, and critique cheap radicalism. Plus: the problems with post-liberalism, the slippery slope of foreign policy obsession, and a neocon apologia session. Show Notes: —The Fifth Column Podcast —Michael’s work for The Free Press —Brother Stirewalt on Henry Wallace —Parable of the Broken Window 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, weekly livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonah Goldberg has a bone to pick with John Podhoretz’s exuberance over the second Trump ascension. Once John has been adequately chastised, the pod couple covers Trump’s inauguration speech, discuss the new President’s slew of executive orders and foreign policy plans, and engage in some kvetching over Joe Biden’s final moves. Towards the end of the episode, John airs his grievances on the ceasefire deal in Israel and allows Jonah to play some Gen X pop culture bingo. Show Notes: — “The Anti-Woke King of Hollywood Lets Loose” — Adaam's interview with Nadav Eyal — Nick Cattogio's latest — Sarah Isgur on Biden's blunders 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, weekly livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dialing in from the mystical land of Indiana, Jonah Goldberg ruminates upon Lord Acton’s parable of absolute power and abject corruption, the distinction between good manners and draconian DEI policies, the distinction between market signaling and sound business decisions, and the vice signaling dominating the right in anticipation of Trump’s ascension. Show Notes: —The Arms of Krupp —A 2002 vintage Goldberg from the cellar —Further rumination on Trumpian corruption 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, weekly livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Hal Brands joins Jonah to discuss the future of global alliance blocs, China and Russia’s material interests, and how to cut a nuclear deal with Iran. Stay tuned for a reality check on the Greenland acquisition plan. Brands is a professor of global affairs at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, a senior fellow at AEI, and most recently author of The Eurasian Century: Hot Wars, Cold Wars, and the Making of the Modern Century. Show Notes: —Purchase Brand’s book, The Eurasian Century, here —Brand’s AEI Page 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, weekly livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dispatch in-house California expert James P. Sutton joins Jonah Goldberg to provide a sober, conspiracy-free evaluation of the catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles County. James and Jonah weigh the extent of human error versus political error, disastrous insurance policy failures, and how public officials can best ensure that something like this never happens again. Plus: the role of climate change and what makes for a fair accusation of blame. Show Notes: —CalFire Dashboard —Best Friend’s Foundation —LA Times: How To Help 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, weekly livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sir Jonah Goldberg, the earl of The Dispatch, uses his teatime to discuss his preference for the Dutch masters, the Stranger Things play, and Henry VIII’s array of underwear models. Somehow, he ties it all back to personal pluralism, forestry management, the abject failures of democratic city governance, and Donald Trump's new imperial ambitions. Show Notes: —Cross & Country with Jonathan Rauch —The firefighter X discourse —Jonah’s appearance on The Charles C.W. Cooke Podcast —Catoggio on Greenland 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, weekly livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonah Goldberg had an insatiable hankering for beans on toast and has thus opted to abandon ye loyal listeners for an English vacation. To fill the Jonah-shaped vacuum, Sarah Isgur and Michael Warren of Dispatch fame have revived The Collisionto talk all things legal and presidential one last time. They cover the latest developments in Donald Trump’s New York criminal case and classified documents case before turning to the question of January 6 pardons. Say what you will about the president-elect, he sure does give our hosts a plethora of material to work with. Show Notes: —Read The Collision archives 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, weekly livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brookings Institution senior fellow and best-selling author Jonathan Rauch has returned to The Remnant once more to subject his latest book to Jonah Goldberg’s barrage of inquiry. The book in question, Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain with Democracy, seeks to remind Americans that liberalism cannot function without strong Christian institutions and argues that living the Christian doctrine could help fix our democracy. Jonah and Jonathan discuss new ways to protect American pluralism, spiritual formation in the civic realm, and the admirable strategies of the Church of Latter-day Saints. Show Notes: —Buy Cross Purposes here —G-File: Slog and Sacrifice 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, weekly livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After attending to the various and sundry, Jonah Goldberg explains why you should read George Orwell's Politics and the English Language, why the conflation between "the swamp" and "the deep state" irritates him so much, and the issue with saying "Trump is Hitler." Show Notes: —Jonah's debate with Charles Kesler —Liberal Fascism —Kevin Williamson on the Deep State and Vikings —Kevin Williamson on Jimmy Carter 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, weekly livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Few are more qualified than one Chris Stirewalt to kick off another year of punditry, eggheadery, rabbit holes, and rumination. For the first Remnant episode of 2025, Jonah and Chris discuss the ethical implications of dong something “country style,” who made the biggest political mistake this year, and debate the strategic value of “popularism.” Plus: the real solutions to inflation and the distinction between the swamp and the deep state. Show Notes: —Jonah’s LA Times Column 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, weekly livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonah Goldberg is joined by Virginia Postrel, the former editor of Reason magazine, best-selling author, and contributing editor for Works In Progress to discuss technocrat schadenfreude, selective dynamism, and Jonah’s Burkean sympathies. Plus: a discussion on the right-wing version of utopia and the myths of American nostalgia. Show Notes: —Virginia’s latest book, Fabric of Civilization —Virginia’s Substack —A Video Introduction to Dynamism 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, weekly livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonah Goldberg jubilantly welcomes the new year with a responsible intake of schadenfreude, as MAGAworld tumbles into disarray over immigration. Will the unprecedented wisdom of tech bros solve all the intractable problems that have plagued our country for years or just most of them? Tune in to this Ruminant for a tour of the race-baiting and loathing on the far right. Warning: Please consult a doctor if your schadenfreude lasts longer than four hours. Show Notes: -Elon's God Complex, per Mr. Goldberg -Nick Catoggio on the Elon/MAGA break up 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, weekly livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once again, Jonah Goldberg has received countless requests from the children of the world for some serious conservative eggheadery for Christmas. Ever benevolent, Jonah has obliged by hosting Richard Reinsch, the Editor in Chief of the Civitas Outlook at the University of Texas to discuss how conservatives can reform existing institutions from the inside out. Jonah and Richard also cover the legitimacy of Trump’s perceived mandate, the merits of competitive federalism, the storied history of conservative doomcasting, and the future of the Republican party. Show Notes: —Tevi’s Commentary piece on the Obama fallout —Learn more about Civitas 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, weekly livestreams, and other members-only content—click here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices