The Lonely Liberal

By Nick Zenkin

Hosted by Nick Zenkin, a podcast about the stress of American politics.... more

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about The Lonely Liberal:

How many episodes does The Lonely Liberal have?

The podcast currently has 88 episodes available.

The Lonely Liberal episodes:

September 14, 2025 Week of Sept 7: Charlie Kirk Assassination, Epstein Card, National Guard
On today's show, Rick and I breakdown this week’s biggest headlines—from the killing of Charlie Kirk and the political aftershocks, to Congress’ Epstein document fight, National Guard plans for Memphis, Missouri’s redistricting, a disputed U.S. strike on a Venezuelan boat, new NAEP scores, a Supreme Court order affecting ICE raids, Bolton search details, and a controversial plan to link child deaths to COVID shots.
Write us at [email protected]
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @thelonelyliberal
...more
1h 40min
September 10, 2025What Is the Dark Enlightenment?
A strange new buzzword has been floating from obscure blogs into elite political circles: The Dark Enlightenment. In this episode, I dig into where it came from, who coined it, and why it matters now.
We’ll cover:
The origins — Curtis Yarvin’s 2007 blog and Nick Land’s 2012 essays.
Core ideas — the “Cathedral,” running a state like a company, and why they think exit is better than voice.
The key players — Yarvin, Land, Peter Thiel, J.D. Vance, Patri Friedman, Balaji Srinivasan, and more.
The numbers — $10–15M in Thiel PAC funding to Vance, 2.2M federal employees targeted by “fire-the-bureaucracy” talk, and early seasteading investments of ~$500k.
Critiques — why strong democracies like the Nordics contradict the theory, and the risks of a “CEO state.”
What to watch — staffing, policy drafts, and new “exit” experiments like charter cities or network states.
By the end, you’ll see how a once-fringe internet philosophy went from blogs to salons to inauguration parties—and why it’s suddenly brushing up against the halls of power.

Also, thoughts for Charlie Kirk and his family.
...more
16min
September 08, 2025 Week of August 31: Epstein Protests, RFK's Hearing, National Guard to Chicago?
This week, Rick and I go through the top news stories, including: Congress dumps 33,000+ pages of Epstein documents as survivors head to Capitol Hill, and the White House reportedly calls a transparency push a “hostile act.” We unpack claims that the FBI flagged every Trump mention (and what’s verified vs. alleged), Speaker Mike Johnson’s informant insinuation, and a leaked tape of DOJ’s Joseph Schnitt, then the DOJ’s denial.
In public health, HHS Secretary RFK Jr. faces a bruising Senate hearing while floating autism links to Tylenol/low folate (contested by mainstream experts). Rand Paul knocks a former CDC leader’s “lifestyle.” Coastal states explore independent vaccine guidance as Florida moves to end mandates, just as Trump says, “some vaccines work,” creating daylight with RFK.
On security and law & order, the administration symbolically rebrands Defense as the “Department of War,” and Trump again threatens to send the National Guard to Chicago.
The economy cools with a softer jobs report, and Trump jokes, “If it looks bad, blame AI.” Consumer angle: DOT withdraws the rule that would’ve required cash compensation for airline-caused delays (refund rights remain).
Tech optics: a hot mic catches Mark Zuckerberg boasting “at least $600B through ’28” in U.S. investment, then, “I wasn’t sure what number you wanted.” Abroad, Xi hosts a show-of-force parade with Putin and Kim. And even Mitch McConnell warns a second Trump term could be the “most dangerous period” since WWII.
...more
1h 18min
September 03, 2025The Top 6 Most Underrated Events in American History
On this episode, we talk with Dr. Jesse Turiel to count down six quietly pivotal moments that reshaped American life and politics—events we rarely headline as “turning points,” but probably should. From the horse-trading that produced the Bill of Rights to the bare-knuckle tactics that rewired Congress in the 1990s, we trace how rules, institutions, and narratives get built—and rebuilt.
Jesse’s “6 Most Underrated Events in American History”
Adoption of the Bill of Rights (1789–1791): Why Madison’s amendments were a political bargain that legitimized the new Constitution—and still frame our liberties today.
Marbury v. Madison (1803): The case that said the quiet part out loud—courts can strike down laws—and how judicial review became the judiciary’s superpower.
End of Reconstruction (1876–1877): The Compromise that traded a presidency for “home rule,” paving the way for Jim Crow and the long civil-rights backlash.
Ida Tarbell vs. Standard Oil (1904): Investigative journalism that shifted public opinion and helped crack a monopoly—an origin story for modern antitrust.
The Presidential Election of 1968: Realignment in real time—Wallace, the Southern Strategy, law-and-order politics, and media-savvy campaigning that still echoes.
The Rise of Newt Gingrich (1994–1995): Contract with America, message discipline, and made-for-TV confrontation that transformed Congress and normalized permanent campaign warfare.
Email us at [email protected]
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok at @thelonelyliberal
...more
1h 40min
August 31, 2025Week of August 24: CDC Chaos, National Guard Drama, and RFK Must Resign
A whirlwind week in health, media, trade, and national security. We break down what’s confirmed, what’s disputed, and why it matters.
Stories covered:
CDC shake-up: Susan Monarez reportedly fired about a month after being sworn in
Senior turmoil at CDC: three additional officials resign
RFK Jr. says HHS will reveal “the cause of autism” in September
RFK Jr. claims he can spot kids with “mitochondrial challenges” on sight
Reports the Pentagon is planning to send military forces to Chicago
Ongoing threats to deploy the National Guard to major U.S. cities
National Guard assignments in Washington, D.C., now include trash pickup and cleanup
The U.S. reportedly takes (or explores) a ~10% stake in Intel
Trump urges the FCC to revoke ABC/NBC “licenses” or charge higher fees
Appeals court rules parts of Trump’s tariff use illegal
Trump says the U.S. would accept 600,000 Chinese students as part of a trade deal
Denmark is angry at the U.S. over alleged spying/influence operations in Greenland
Executive order targeting flag burning (and the First Amendment questions it raises)
U.S. military mobilization/posture around Venezuela
“Trump goes missing” rumor watch and what actually happened
Tulsi Gabbard's post allegedly exposed the name of an undercover CIA officer
Plus: context, legal guardrails, and the real-world impacts behind each headline.
If you enjoy the show, tap Follow, drop a 5-star review, and send your questions for next week’s mailbag.
Email us at [email protected]
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok @thelonelyliberal
...more
1h 18min
August 27, 2025 Donald Trump Wants a Nobel Peace Prize. Will He Get One?
Before you roll your eyes and shout, "God, I hope not!" let's go through Trump's claim that he’s stopped seven wars and deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. In this episode, we stress-test each claim: what actually happened, who did what, whether the outcome was lasting, and whether it aligns with what the Peace Prize is meant to reward (enduring peace, disarmament, and reconciliation).
Email us at [email protected]
Follow on Instagram and TikTok @thelonelyliberal

...more
13min
August 24, 2025Week of August 17: Texas Map Redrawn, Bolton's House Raided, and RFK & Epstein
On today's episode, Rick and I break down:
Why the Kremlin is publicly rejecting Trump’s peace plan.
Texas Democrats return, and a new GOP map advances
Trump vows an executive order targeting mail-in ballots;
Ghislaine Maxwell, in new comments, says she never saw Trump or Clinton behave inappropriately while highlighting RFK Jr.’s friendship with Epstein.
Trump’s gripe that the Smithsonian “talks too much about slavery,” the headlines about Florida schools pulling versions of The Diary of Anne Frank,
FBI raid at John Bolton’s home,
Trump has bought over $100M in bonds since January,
Elon Musk is backing away from a third party while signaling support for JD Vance.
The push to dismantle Florida’s so-called “Alligator Alcatraz,”
An open letter from 750 HHS employees urging RFK Jr. to stop spreading health misinformation
U.S. bankruptcies are outpacing pandemic-era levels
Kamala Harris’s upcoming book tour
DNI Tulsi Gabbard’s revocation of multiple security clearances
Trump’s latest “weird heaven” comment is making the rounds.
Email us at [email protected]
Follow us on Instagram or TikTok @theloneliberal
...more
1h 16min
August 20, 2025Is the U.S. Really Becoming Fascist? Lessons from 20th Century Germany & Austria
In this episode, I chat with historian Dr. Eric Grube to explore one of the most urgent and unsettling questions today: Is the U.S. really on the path toward fascism?
We trace the rise of fascism in Germany and Austria in the early 20th century, unpacking how fragile democracies collapsed under economic crisis, polarization, and violence. But the story isn’t just about inevitability; it’s about choices, crossroads, and the ways people either defended or dismantled democracy.
Together we ask:
What warning signs from 1930s Europe resonate with the U.S. today?
Where are the crucial differences? Does the U.S. have guardrails that might hold?
And most importantly: what lessons can Americans learn now, before it’s too late?
This is a conversation about history, but it’s also about the present. Because, as they say, while history doesn’t repeat itself, it often rhymes.
Email us at [email protected]
Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok @thelonelyliberal
...more
1h 7min
August 18, 2025 Week of August 10: Trump vs. Putin, D.C Police, and Gavin Newsom Talk
Trump and Putin leave Alaska without a ceasefire but with talk of “NATO-style” guarantees for Ukraine and a floated land-for-peace framework that Kyiv rejects. Trump claims Xi promised no Taiwan invasion during his presidency. In DC, the White House asserts temporary federal direction over the MPD under the Home Rule Act. The administration orders a Smithsonian content review ahead of America 250. Plus: Trump’s Nobel Prize antics, a new petition asking SCOTUS to revisit same-sex marriage, continued silence from the White House on the CDC shooting, Melania v. Hunter, and the BLS nominee controversy.
Email us at [email protected]
Follow us at @thelonelyliberal on Instagram and TikTok
...more
1h 3min
August 13, 2025Is the Heritage Foundation Running the United States?
In this episode of The Lonely Liberal, we ask the question no one else is asking loudly enough: Is the Heritage Foundation running the country now? With Donald Trump back in the White House, Project 2025, the Heritage Foundation’s sweeping blueprint for government overhaul, is no longer a hypothetical. It's happening.
We cover:
The Heritage Foundation’s rise to power
Project 2025's goals: dismantle, centralize, and control
Names you should know: Kevin Roberts, Russ Vought, Stephen Miller, and more
What’s already been implemented in 2025
The quiet failure of the Democratic counter-strategy
What this means for democracy and policy moving forward
From Schedule F to the gutting of climate programs in the Big Beautiful Bill, we walk you through what’s already changed, what’s next, and why this is the most coordinated conservative revolution in modern U.S. history.
...more
12min

FAQs about The Lonely Liberal:

How many episodes does The Lonely Liberal have?

The podcast currently has 88 episodes available.