(Sneak Peak) From Branding to the Electric Chair

(Sneak Peak) From Branding to the Electric Chair

Author: Andrew Heaton October 10, 2025 Duration: 27:23

Okay, so what constitutes "cruel and unusual"? Why was it okay to brand horse thieves in the face in old timey days, but it's barbaric now?

In the final installment of this year's Judge Week, we go over the history of cruel and unusual punishments; what scared the English into outlawing it in their Bill of Rights, and how America interpreted it for the first century of the Constitution. Then, landmark decisions which have further modified, narrowed, and evolved what constitutes as "cruel" in the United States.


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
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:…
What the Hell Does the Federal Reserve Do? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:27
What is the purported aim of the Federal Reserve? Why is it independent, or shoot for 2% targeted inflation? In part one of our series on the Fed, Jeremiah Johnson of the New Liberal podcast joins to explain, discuss, an…