Assassins Part I: Shooting Andrew Jackson

Assassins Part I: Shooting Andrew Jackson

Author: Andrew Heaton June 4, 2025 Duration: 28:14

Andrew Jackson was the first U. S. president who experienced an assassination attempt.

It didn't stick. 

In today's episode we learn about the most grizzled executive in American history from the vantage point of his last near-brush with death. 


Finding a sensible conversation about politics that doesn't devolve into partisan shouting can feel like a lonely endeavor. That's the space The Political Orphanage occupies, hosted by comedian and self-described independent Andrew Heaton. This isn't a debate show; it's a series of long-form discussions where curiosity replaces contempt. Each episode, Heaton sits down with authors, policy experts, and various thought leaders to unpack complex ideas without the usual animosity. The goal is to explore the substance behind the headlines-the "big thinky stuff," as he puts it-while remembering that the absurdity of the political world is often best met with a laugh. You'll hear genuine conversations that delve into policy nuances, historical context, and the philosophies shaping our world, all filtered through a lens of wit and a distinct lack of bile. The result is a podcast that feels like a respite from the noise, a place for the politically curious who don't find a comfortable home in the entrenched camps of left and right. It’s news, comedy, and politics blended into something uniquely engaging, proving that serious topics don't require a solemn tone. Tune in for the kind of thoughtful, humorous dialogue that reminds you why these discussions matter in the first place.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

The Political Orphanage
Podcast Episodes
Daryl Davis Attends Klan Rallies (Rebroadcast) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:50
Daryl Davis is an African American musician responsible for de-radicalizing over 200 Klansmen and Neo-Nazis in his attempts to understand racism. He joins Heaton to talk about his experience, contact science, and the bes…
Why Europe is Poorer than America [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:40:20
Europe's GDP and purchasing power lag behind that of the United States. Why? Sam Bowman is the Editor of Works in Progress at Stripe, and the former Executive Director of the Adam Smith Institute. He recently wrote an ar…
Does Liberalism Eat Itself? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:02
Liberalism was once thought to be triumphant and inevitable, but at the moment it's losing ground across the globe. Cass Sunstein joins to discuss what liberalism is, why it's good, and some of the in-family debates. LIN…
Charlie Kirk and the Heinous "Other" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:49
Well, how do we respond after assassinations and political tragedies? Let's talk about it. Ugh. Link: Assassins Part II: A Loser Kills Garfield https://www.patreon.com/posts/130642450
What Happens When the Ayatollah Falls? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:15
If Iran's Islamic Republic collapsed—or got pushed out—who would pick up the pieces? This week we look at the recent history of Iran, and the coup perpetrated by the CIA and MI6. To understand Iran's broader political co…
Sweden Tried Socialism So You Don't Have To [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:37
Is Sweden a socialist paradise? What do they do right and what have they screwed up on? Most importantly, what can Americans steal, replicate, and improve upon? To find out, I abducted the handsome and urbane intellectua…
What the Hell Is Finland Smiling About? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45:58
Finland routinely winds up at the top of global happiness surveys. Why? In this episode, I flew to Helsinki to wander around and chat up locals. Trying to figure out why: Their social trust is so teeteringly high How the…
To Make a Terrifying Spoiler Candidate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:54
It turns out, young voters (under fifty) are openly hostile to political parties, and are most likely to flip from election to election. This means the game is about to change as Millennials displace Baby Boomers as the…
Greg Lukianoff is Worried About Free Speech [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:57
Greg Lukianoff is the President of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, and along with Nadine Strossen, is the author of "The War on Words: 10 Arguments Against Free Speech--And Why They Fail."
But Gene Epstein Hates the Fed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:15
Does the Fed achieve its own stated goals? What are underlying ethical or practical issues with it? Soho Forum founder and economist Gene Epstein joins to make the case against the Federal Reserve. The SoHo Forum: https:…