Gabfest Reads | A Beach Read for the Outraged

Gabfest Reads | A Beach Read for the Outraged

Author: Slate Podcasts July 19, 2025 Duration: 24:08

David Plotz talks with author Carl Hiaasen about his new book, Fever BeachFever Beach is a political satire that follows a couple of dimwitted white supremacists, a corrupt congressman, and the people that try to take them all down. They discuss the real-life racist event Hiaasen witnessed that inspired a central scene in the novel, how Matt Gaetz factors into the book, Hiaasen’s next moves, and more.

 

Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com. (Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulates otherwise.)

 

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


You're invited to pull up a chair for the kind of candid, inside conversation that happens when the microphones are off. Political Gabfest brings together the sharp minds and wit of Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz, three seasoned journalists who dissect the week's biggest stories in politics and government without the usual formalities. It feels less like a lecture and more like eavesdropping on the insightful, often irreverent talk you'd hear from friends who really know their stuff after a long week in Washington. This Slate Podcasts production has earned a loyal following, even being called out by Stephen Colbert as essential listening and voted a favorite by Apple Podcasts listeners. Each episode breaks down complex issues into understandable, engaging discussions that are as entertaining as they are informative. For those who want to go deeper, a Slate Plus membership unlocks additional weekly content and an ad-free experience. Tune in for a refreshingly human take on the news cycle, where analysis is served with personality and the stakes of governance are explored through genuine dialogue.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Political Gabfest
Podcast Episodes
Who Wants a Third Party, Anyway? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:35
This week, David Plotz and guest hosts Mike Pesca and Susan Glasser discuss what to make of Elon Musk’s quixotic attempt to start a third political party in America, how Trump’s conflation of national interest with self-…
Is Trump’s Reckless Bill Unpopular? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:45
This week, David Plotz and guest hosts Will Saletan and Catherine Rampell discuss what the Senate’s regressive budget bill will do to the health of America, whether there is space left for non-Trump conservatives in Amer…
Let’s Plunge, New York [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:09
This week, Emily Bazelon and guest hosts Ruth Marcus and James Forman discuss Trump’s bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities with guest Steven Cook from the Council on Foreign Relations, Zohran Mamdani’s stunning victory i…
Massive Ordnance Penetrator [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:33
This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss whether the US should join Israel’s war on Iran, the tragic Minnesota assassinations and why US political violence is surging now, and the Supreme Court’s…
Very Heavy Force [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:47
This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and guest host Juliette Kayyem discuss the ominous juxtaposition of Trump sending National Guard troops and Marines to quell mostly peaceful protests in LA with his impending mil…
Republicans vs. the Big Beautiful Bill [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:39
This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss Elon Musk’s dramatic entrance into the fight between Republican factions over details of the Big Beautiful Bill, whether an independent judiciary can surv…
Why Destroy Harvard? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:31
This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss this week’s Supreme Court decision that validates Trump’s firing of 2 officials without cause thus stealth-overruling a key check on presidents, the power…
Big and Beautiful or Huge and Horrendous [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:47
This week, Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz discuss the huge House tax bill and its broad economic implications with Harvard economist Jason Furman, the DOJ’s selective investigation and prosecution of offi…
Gabfest Reads | How to Create an Exceptional Family [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:20
Emily Bazelon talks with author Susan Dominus about her new book, The Family Dynamic: A Journey into the Mystery of Sibling Success. They discuss the commonalities among families that have multiple high-achieving childre…