War Without Coffins

War Without Coffins

Author: Andrew Heaton April 15, 2026 Duration: 44:55

Why now? Why did the United States go to war with Iran this year, as opposed to last year, or ten years ago? Michael Tint is a data scientist and aerospace expert, and is here to talk about the Iran War–and why it's a different sort of conflict.


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
Sex by the Numbers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:13
Who's having sex, and how much of it are they having? Who's getting married and who's getting divorced? Does money, somehow, possibly, effect any of this? Cathy Reisenwitz of "Sex & The State" joins to discuss.
TRADE WAR! (Probably) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:00
Trump erected, then delayed, tariffs on Canada and Mexico, but has levied tariffs on China–which is apt to escalate things shortly. What happens in a trade war and why are they bad? And what is happening now, specificall…
Trump's Whack-A-Mole with Federal Employees [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:47
The Trump administration is reclassifying federal workers as Schedule F, making them easier to fire, and put a stop to remote work. In hopes of compelling federal employees to quit, and thereby shrink the government work…
Death Row Pen Pals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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…
How Billionaires Think About Philanthropy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:03
Laura and John Arnold are the founders and co-chairs of Arnold Ventures. Started in 2008, Arnold Ventures is a self-funded philanthropy hyper-focused on pinpointing the root causes of our country's most pressing ills, wh…
We'll Watch Your Dog While You're in Rehab [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:08
Pause for Paws is a charity in Tulsa, OK that fosters dogs on behalf of owners who need to seek help at a homeless shelter, rehab clinic, or mental health services. By giving people piece of mind with their pets during t…
A Theme Park for Kids with Disabilities (And Everyone) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:12
Morgan's Wonderland is an ultra-accessible amusement park in which all of the rides have been engineered so that no one is excluded, no one is ever sitting on the sidelines. If your child has special needs, is in a wheel…
The Alzheimer's Choir [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:43
Love Notes Chorus in Austin, Texas is a choir for people with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, or their caregivers. Directors Edie Elkjer and Susie Higley join to discuss how music effects people with cognitive issues, and…
The Pragmatist's Guide to Politics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:39
In an effort to challenge some of my priors, I bring Justin Robert Young to discuss stadium subsidies, and political action oriented around effectiveness and maximizing happiness, instead of focusing on what the governme…
The Library of Mistakes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:22
Russell Napier is the Keeper of the Library of Mistakes, in Edinburgh, Scotland. Napier has worked in the investment business for 30 years and has been advising global institutional investors on asset allocation since 19…