Death Row Pen Pals

Death Row Pen Pals

Author: Andrew Heaton January 24, 2025 Duration: 1:05:03

Kirsten Brink is pen pals with prisoners who have been sentenced to death in Texas, as well as other people currently incarcerated in our penitentiaries. She joins to discuss how she got into the program, what it's like having friendships with people inside the klink, and how others can get involved and help.

Write A Prisoner: https://writeaprisoner.com/

Wire of Hope: https://wireofhope.com/inmate-penpal-listings/

The Justice Network: https://www.thejusticenetwork.com/


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
This Book Will Upset Your Textbook [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:16
Conventional wisdom is brimming with economic myths: the Industrial Revolution impoverished the masses; bobber barons were the scourge of the Gilded Age; the Great Recession was caused by irresponsible deregulation. Sena…
Make Hollywood Great Again? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:05
Donald Trump is threatening to levy tariffs on films shot elsewhere, and actor John Voight is petitioning the federal government for taxpayer subsidies to protect Hollywood from foreign competition. Screenwriter C. Rober…
Why You Need a License for Everything [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:33:04
Rebecca Allensworth is the Associate Dean of Research at Vanderbilt Law, where she focuses on anti-trust and licensing. She is the author of "The Licensing Racket: How We Decide Who Is Allowed to Work, and Why It Goes Wr…
A.I. Will Be Even More Awesome Than You Thought [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:44
Marc Beckman is a Senior Fellow of Emerging Technology at NYU, adjunct professor Stern, and the author of "Some Future Day: how AI is going to Change Everything." He joins to discuss practical implications of the unfoldi…
Is it Racist? Is it Sexist? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:57
Why do some people determine an action is racist, and others say nah? What are the mental protocols people use to exonerate or convict someone accused of beings sexist? Jessi Streib is the author of "Is it Racist? Is it…
Faster, Cheaper, Better Government: Derek Thompson on "Abundance" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:38
Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson are the authors of "Abundance" a book about removing artificial scarcity and embracing a worldview that focuses on end goals, building, growth, and increasing the supply of everything we nee…
Trump, Napoleon III, and the Global Economic Order [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:24
Just what the hell is happening with tariffs? Are we entering a trade war? Are we negotiating? In today's show: A) An extended introduction about Napoleon III and Otto von Bismarck B) Austin Padgett, co-host of "History…
Cory Doctorow on the Evils of Copyright Law [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:43
Cory Doctorow is a journalist, activist, and science fiction author known for his work on digital rights, monopolies, and the future of technology. He joins to discuss non-compete clauses, IP law, Right of Repair, and co…
Near Death Experiences, with Sebastian Junger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:07
Sebastian Junger is a decorated war correspondent and author of books like "The Perfect Storm" and "Tribes: On Coming Home and Belonging." Heaton was going to interview him about his last book, "Freedom," but then Junger…
Deporting Khalil [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:59
Mahmoud Khalil has been detained, and will be potentially deported, by the Trump administration. Attorney Anna Gorisch joins to discuss the implications of this case, in terms of national security, immigration law, and t…