Episode 119: Noam Blum / Tool

There’s a side to political figures and commentators that rarely makes the headlines-the part of them that lives for music. On Political Beats, hosts Scot Bertram and Jeff Blehar sit down with guests whose lives are steeped in policy and elections, but whose personal soundtracks tell a completely different story. This isn’t a debate about current events; it’s a series of conversations that wander through record collections, formative concert experiences, and the albums that shaped their worldviews. You’ll hear politicians, strategists, and journalists drop the talking points to passionately argue over classic rock deep cuts, the genius of a particular jazz musician, or the raw energy of punk. The result is a surprisingly humanizing look at the people who shape our political discourse, revealing connections between the art they love and the work they do. Each episode of this National Review podcast feels like an informal chat among friends who share a deep, genuine enthusiasm for music’s history and its lasting impact. Tune in for a refreshing blend of cultural history and personal narrative, where the only thing on the agenda is a shared passion for the beats that move us.