Discourse Pod

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.discourseblog.com

Producer Sam Grasso is on the keys AND the mic this week to discuss:

* The Other Mommy trailer playing before The Odyssey (movie pod forthcoming!!!)

* Trump being himself at Lindsey Graham’s funeral

* Sean Hannity talking about a “heavenly” version of Mar-A-Lago

* Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear DEMANDING to see Mitch McConnell alive and speaking OR ELSE!!!!!!!!!!!

* And in our subscribers-only After Dark segment, some TEA about Yesteryear and Ross Douthat leaving the Times for 60 Minutes

This week’s cultural recommendations:

* Jack recommends Charli XCX’s new record, Music, Fashion, Film

* Sam recommends the fifth and final season of Hacks on HBO Max

* Aleks also recommends Music, Fashion, Film and Interior Motives, on YouTube

Want to hear the full, extended episode on your favorite podcast app? First, subscribe to Discourse Blog here. Then, follow these instructions:

Spotify: Tap the “Play” button and select “Link Account” to sync your Substack subscription and unlock it instantly.

Apple Podcasts & Others: Go to Settings in Substack > select Discourse Blog > scroll to the “private podcast feed” section > select “set up podcast” > then copy and paste the link it generates into your preferred app.

And don’t forget to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

That’s it!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.discourseblog.com

The Week’s Rafi Schwartz returns to the third chair in an episode Producer Sam hailed as a testament to our ability to “talk about anything” to discuss:

* Getting to the TRUTH about the cyclospora outbreak and whether Taylor Farms’ donation to a pro-Trump Super PAC had anything to do with the funny business involving the FDA

* The World Cup’s very first halftime show, starring Madonna, a bunch of pitchy kids, BTS, Justin Bieber, Muppets, an orchestra, and Chris Martin

* Trump was there, and when players weren’t making fun of him (or cropping him out of photos), he was giving, “Let’s get you to bed, grandpa”

* And in our subscribers-only After Dark segment, Rafi tells us about the Olive Garden Unlimited Pasta Pass and its apparent role as Republicans’ preeminent talking point about…“voter fraud”? We also discuss our favorite pasta shapes lol

This week’s cultural recommendations:

* Jack started watching Widow’s Bay on Apple TV; he also recommends air purifiers

* Rafi recommends the Channel 4 series Year of the Rabbit, streaming on Tubi, and getting a scoop of ice cream

* Aleks recommends the fifth and final season of The Bear on Hulu and Pavement’s third record, Wowee Zowee

Want to hear the full, extended episode on your favorite podcast app? First, subscribe to Discourse Blog here. Then, follow these instructions:

Spotify: Tap the “Play” button and select “Link Account” to sync your Substack subscription and unlock it instantly.

Apple Podcasts & Others: Go to Settings in Substack > select Discourse Blog > scroll to the “private podcast feed” section > select “set up podcast” > then copy and paste the link it generates into your preferred app.

And don’t forget to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

That’s it!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.discourseblog.com

Slate’s Caitlin Schneider returns to the third chair to discuss:

* Senator Lindsey Graham dying and the vast conspiracies and revelations therein; also, this incredible ABC News story from 2016 that auto-plays a video from The View where Whoopi Goldberg is wearing a Rudolph nose:

* Jack’s blog on the slobbery remembrance of Graham on Meet the Press

* Senator Mitch McConnell’s alleged “proof of life” pic, which, hmmmmm

* The Cyclospora outbreak rocking the nation, and what role it did (or did not) play in Lindsey Graham’s death

* And in our subscribers-only After Dark segment, we recap all the people who lost their damn minds following Graham Platner dropping out of the Maine Senate race. Caitlin also finds out that Michael Barbaro left his husband for his now-wife. Never forget!

This week’s cultural recommendations:

* Jack recommends the audiobook of Emily Wilson’s translation of Homer’s The Odyssey, as read by Claire Danes

* Caitlin recommends the audiobook of Donna Tartt’s The Secret History, as read by the author

* Aleks recommends Widow’s Bay, on Apple TV

Want to hear the full, extended episode on your favorite podcast app? First, subscribe to Discourse Blog here. Then, follow these instructions:

Spotify: Tap the “Play” button and select “Link Account” to sync your Substack subscription and unlock it instantly.

Apple Podcasts & Others: Go to Settings in Substack > select Discourse Blog > scroll to the “private podcast feed” section > select “set up podcast” > then copy and paste the link it generates into your preferred app.

And don’t forget to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

That’s it!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.discourseblog.com

Producer Sam is in the third chair this week to discuss:

* Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner cancelling a bunch of events this week

* The new, explosive exposé from Politico in which a former girlfriend of Platner accuses him of sexual assault

* Platner’s video statement almost, but not quite, suspending his campaign

* The pundits heralding Platner’s campaign as a straight bro savior of the left (surprise! it’s not)

* Trump meddling in the World Cup to get a U.S. player reinstated and it going exactly as you’d expect (we lost, brutally)

* Mitch McConnell reportedly being on death’s door

* And in our subscribers-only After Dark segment, a review of every cursed detail of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding at Madison Square Garden

This week’s cultural recommendations:

* Jack recommends John Early’s Maddie’s Secret, now in theaters

* Sam recommends The Studio, on Apple TV

* Aleks recommends Olivia Wilde’s The Invite, now in theaters

Want to hear the full, extended episode on your favorite podcast app? First, subscribe to Discourse Blog here. Then, follow these instructions:

Spotify: Tap the “Play” button and select “Link Account” to sync your Substack subscription and unlock it instantly.

Apple Podcasts & Others: Go to Settings in Substack > select Discourse Blog > scroll to the “private podcast feed” section > select “set up podcast” > then copy and paste the link it generates into your preferred app.

And don’t forget to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

That’s it!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.discourseblog.com

It’s a New York primary-centric episode this week, with Rolling Stone’s Jack “Cros” Crosbie returning to the third chair to discuss:

* Ranking New York City’s avenues and the darkness of Eighth Avenue

* Zohran Mamdani going three for three with this Congressional primary endorsements

* Some people who are mad about Tuesday: Democratic leadership, major loser Jaime Harrison, and Meghan McCain

* Jack’s interview with Darializa Avila Chevalier in The Nation

* What Tuesday’s wins mean for shifting power centers in New York, the strength of Mamdani’s political prowess, and what it says (and doesn’t say) about the Midterms and beyond

* And in our subscribers-only After Dark segment, we dive into the FIVE-bylined enterprise reporting conducted by the New York Times on Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s alleged wedding at Madison Square Garden next week

This week’s cultural recommendations:

* Jack recommends the AIPAC-funded Darializa Avila Chevalier oppo-mailer, “Fuck Kamala Harris”

* Cros recommends Love Island UK

* Aleks recommends Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day, now in theaters

Want to hear the full, extended episode on your favorite podcast app? First, subscribe to Discourse Blog here. Then, follow these instructions:

Spotify: Tap the “Play” button and select “Link Account” to sync your Substack subscription and unlock it instantly.

Apple Podcasts & Others: Go to Settings in Substack > select Discourse Blog > scroll to the “private podcast feed” section > select “set up podcast” > then copy and paste the link it generates into your preferred app.

And don’t forget to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

That’s it!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.discourseblog.com

With Aleks out this week, Jack steps into the host role and The Week’s Rafi Schwartz returns to the third chair to discuss:

* The would-be Iran Peace Deal, aka “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran”

* Everyone’s mad about it! Mostly neocons, including: Ben Shapiro, Bret Stephens, and congr…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.discourseblog.com

Slate’s Caitlin Schneider returns to the third chair to discuss:

* Trump attending Game Three of NBA Finals (they lost)

* Are rumors of Taylor and Travis holding their wedding at Madison Square Garden a false flag by Tree Paine?

* Scott Pelley’s tearful exit interview from 60 Minutes and CBS News with the New York Times

* Remembering how Lady Gaga once said she wanted to be a combat journalist

* There is unfortunately another goddamn scandal surrounding Maine Democratic Senate Graham Platner, this time involving some of his ex-girlfriends

* And in our After Dark segment available only to subscribers, a follow-up on the California primaries and Spencer Pratt’s implosion

This week’s cultural recs:

* Jack recommends Kyle Balda’s The Sheep Detectives, now in theaters

* Caitlin recommends Jacqueline Harpman’s I Who Have Never Known Men

* Aleks recommends the music video for Britney Spears and Madonna’s “Me Against the Music” (inspired by seeing Kane Parsons’ Backrooms)

Want to hear the full, extended episode on your favorite podcast app? First, subscribe to Discourse Blog here. Then, follow these instructions:

Spotify: Tap the “Play” button and select “Link Account” to sync your Substack subscription and unlock it instantly.

Apple Podcasts & Others: Go to Settings in Substack > select Discourse Blog > scroll to the “private podcast feed” section > select “set up podcast” > then copy and paste the link it generates into your preferred app.

And don’t forget to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

That’s it!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.discourseblog.com

After weeks of pleading from the Frasiers, Producer Sam is BACK in the third chair to discuss:

* Sid Rosenberg is looking…well toasted? Let’s just say, when you make Trump’s skin look normal, then you might have a problem. Everyone, please wear sunscreen (EVERY DAY).

* Bari cleans house at 60 Minutes and installs a new crony, Nick Bilton, one of media’s least essential voices, as the new executive producer

* Scott Pelley? He’s not happy about this news, babe, and ripped Bilton a new one in his first staff meeting. (Note: This episode was recorded before Pelley was fired from CBS News)

* Trump’s failed “Freedom 250” concert series, which apparently involves Vanilla Ice, Martina McBride, half of Milli Vanilli (???), and Flo Rida

* And in our After Dark segment available only to subscribers, Jack gives us a helpful rundown of the California gubernatorial primary, starring Xavier Bacerra, Tom Steyer, and Steve Hilton

This week’s cultural recommendations:

* Jack recommends the Amazon Prime series, Kevin

* Sam recommends Caro Claire Burke’s Yesteryear and the Summer House reunion on Bravo

* Aleks recommends the new season of The Four Seasons on Netflix and Daniel Roher’s Tuner, now in theaters

Want to hear the full, extended episode on your favorite podcast app? First, subscribe to Discourse Blog here. Then, follow these instructions:

Spotify: Tap the “Play” button and select “Link Account” to sync your Substack subscription and unlock it instantly.

Apple Podcasts & Others: Go to Settings in Substack > select Discourse Blog > scroll to the “private podcast feed” section > select “set up podcast” > then copy and paste the link it generates into your preferred app.

And don’t forget to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

That’s it!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.discourseblog.com

We continue to innovate the form by choosing to NOT have a third chair this week (might this experiment be the result of no one being available to record? we’ll never know), so it’s just Aleks and Jack discussing:

* Jack doing a tight 10 on the Strait of Hormuz

* Boots Riley’s latest film, I Love Boosters (we’re not fans)

* Trump’s very convincing excuse for missing Don Jr.’s wedding to Bettina Anderson

* Trump describing his son as “a person who I’ve known for a long time”

* The DNC 2024 election autopsy is finally here (sort of) and everyone is mad at DNC Chair Ken Martin

* And in our After Dark segment available only to subscribers, we chat about the recent reporting alleging that Bari Weiss’ reign over CBS News might be curtailed after the merger between Warner Bros.-Discovery and Paramount

This week’s cultural recommendations:

* Jack recommends the DEBUT LP from Discourse Blog’s own Paul Blest and his band Long Relief, Win Some, Lose Some

* Aleks recommends Charli XCX’s new songs, “Rock Music” and “SS26”

Want to hear the full, extended episode on your favorite podcast app? First, subscribe to Discourse Blog here. Then, follow these instructions:

Spotify: Tap the “Play” button and select “Link Account” to sync your Substack subscription and unlock it instantly.

Apple Podcasts & Others: Go to Settings in Substack > select Discourse Blog > scroll to the “private podcast feed” section > select “set up podcast” > then copy and paste the link it generates into your preferred app.

And don’t forget to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

That’s it!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.discourseblog.com

In a SHOCKING turn of events (Aleks was out of town), JACK is hosting this week’s episode, wherein The Intercept’s Katherine Krueger returns to discuss:

* New York State is eying banning potassium bromate, AKA the chemical that makes bagels taste so damn good

* Speaking of chemicals worth dying for, you can pry Katherine’s vape from her cold, dead hands

* Remembering Some Blogs (or the time Katherine tweeted about her “personal 9/11” and it caused a lot of drama at work)

* Protests outside the New York Times building demanding the paper retract Nicholas Kristof’s piece, “The Silence That Meets the Rape of Palestinians”

* Benjamin Netanyahu? Mad

* The Free Press? Mad

* The overuse and misuse of “blood libel”

* CBS Evening News anchor Tony Du-poop-il didn’t plan for his reporting trip to China very well

* And in our After Dark segment available only to subscribers, Sam unpacks the BIG DRAMA involving Texas Senate candidate James Talarico, Barack Obama, and breakfast tacos

This week’s cultural recommendations:

* Katherine recommends Ben Lerner’s new book, Transcription

* Sam recommends Curry Barker’s new movie, Obsession

* Jack recommends prescription sunglasses

Want to hear the full, extended episode on your favorite podcast app? First, subscribe to Discourse Blog here. Then, follow these instructions:

Spotify: Tap the “Play” button and select “Link Account” to sync your Substack subscription and unlock it instantly.

Apple Podcasts & Others: Go to Settings in Substack > select Discourse Blog > scroll to the “private podcast feed” section > select “set up podcast” > then copy and paste the link it generates into your preferred app.

And don’t forget to like and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

That’s it!