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The Ricochet Podcast

Weekly episodes of Ricochet’s flagship podcast feature our hosts James Lileks, Steve Hayward, Charles C. W. Cooke, and guests discussing the issues of the week.

Hosted by Charles C. W. Cooke, James Lileks, and Steve Hayward

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Episode length: 55m

Treats, s’il vous plaît!

Steve and James embrace the Halloween mindset with a chat about a cast of characters who transcend space, time, and barriers of language and even reality. They brace themselves for the midterms, swap a couple scary movie suggestions, and offer a proper send-off to Sir Patrick Stewart. The inestimable biographer Andrew Roberts joins to discuss his latest work, Napoleon and His Marshals: Victory, Rivalry, Betrayal. Along with detailing the extraordinary talent behind the Grande Armée, the trio draws attention to parallels that contemporary expansionists, visionaries, and magalomaniacs would do well to remember. (And speaking of treats, be sure to get your code for a whopping discount on a Ricochet subscription for your first year!) Opening sound this week: The late Sir Patrick Stewart at Just for Laughs in Montréal in 2015. Closing music: "Space Journey," by Daniel Inrem via MotionArray.

Episode length: 54m

A Great Deal of Ruin, Indeed

The great Douglas Murray, bestselling author of The Strange Death of Europe and On Democracies and Death Cults, joins James and Steve to discuss the mass immigration problem he's been sounding the alarm on for over a decade. As ever, Murray is unflinching in defense of civilization against the barbarous rioters and the myopic elites enabling them. Plus, James and Steve raise an eyebrow each at Ilhan Omar's uncertainty over an important detail about one of her marriages. The duo also talk about all kinds of food: fast, foreign, and regrettable. Opening sound: A French storekeeper pleads with rioters while Emmanuel Macron claims there’s nothing to see here and Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers have their final debate (WXYZ - Detroit) Closing music: "Say Less," by sviridpavlov via MotionArray

Episode length: 45m

A Pain in the Polls

The midterm polls sure don't paint a rosy picture for Republicans. While Henry Olsen, Ricochet's in-house election analyst, isn't here to pretend the data suggest otherwise, he joins James, Charles, and Steve to add dimension to the GOP's bleak prospects. Listeners brave enough for the cold facts will hear important lessons about the Republican Party's growing pains, the value of persuasive speech during tough times, and the necessity of message discipline in getting through them. The gang at least finds some consolation in the fact that the ascendant progressive wing of the Democratic Party will likely weigh down the whole if (or when) they overreach. Ricochet 5 is here! Stay tuned till the end to hear Charles give a rundown of the new features. And check out the new site here: https://ricochet.com Opening sound this week: Susan Collins and Troy Jackson have their final debate interrupted (WCSH Portland), and the President weighs in on the El Sayed candidacy in Michigan. Closing music: "Rendezvous" by Dux, via MotionArray

Episode length: 1h 1m

Thumos and a Touch of Swaggart

With each passing wild week in the West, it can feel like a tall order to request an unequivocal defense of it. But when there's a meme, there's a way, and if Marco Rubio has taught us anything, it's that he's always up for the job. James, Steve, and Charles celebrate his statesmanship displayed on Wednesday's Acropolis speech; wonder about the wisdom of the proposed live streaming of the firing-squad execution of the Fort Hood shooter; and bristle at Abdul El Sayed's response to being confronted with "dumb questions" about who our friends and enemies are. Despite it all, they find much to look forward to in our living, breathing, loud-talking and fast-walking civilization on a hill. Sounds from this week's open: The late televangelist Jim Bakker advises against self-pity; Marco Rubio "testifies to a debt that no lapse of time, no distance of space, can ever extinguish." Closing Music: "Reverie," composed by Robert Schumann, performed by Bruno Freitas

Episode length: 1h 5m

Feeling Judgey

Sometimes life feels like a freak show, and the sane can either take it in or turn away. This week gave us more glimpses of horror than usual, which tends to make folks more amenable to harsh punishments. James, Steve, and Charles consider the death penalty in light of the heinous crime of an unsuccessfully executed Tennessee woman; they wade through the cloudy "Cornell Seven" case and draw important distinctions between moral depravity and criminality; and they look over to France, where the people of Paris swarmed the streets to see the Pope last week and which is today in flames as second- and third-generation immigrants riot. Makes you wonder whether la République and la révolution will ever square themselves in l’Hexagone. Plus, Charles has an announcement about Ricochet 5.0! Sound from this week's open: Marine Le Pen responds to the riots in France. And our own John Yoo talks about execution methods on Fox News. Closing music: "Waltz for the Elephants" by Ziv Grinberg

September 2026

Episode length: 1h 5m

Everything is Everything is Revolutionary Praxis

What exactly do the fight to save Piddington in Oxfordshire, the public betrayal of Najya Hannah-Jones by her activist mom, Trump's deal with Greenland, Russia's cultural inferiority complex, and a "COVID-conscious" lesbian bar in Massachusetts have in common? For those of us who haven't worn an N-95 mask in at least five years, the distinctions are clear. Even so, they each command the attention of James, Charles, and Steve. The trio reunites to remind us that praxis rarely makes perfect. Opening sound this week: Nikole Hannah-Jones talks about her child’s school at the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication in 2018 and lesbians on TikTok say, “Keep it on the QT.” Closing music: "Revolution" by Willow McKenna via MotionArray.

Episode length: 1h 3m

Familiar Parts of the Body Politic

Sometimes our topsy-turvy world is more dizzying than usual—and in those times, it's best to stand on a firm foundation and in the company of dependable people. Rob Long returns to chat with Charles and Steve about controversies of all shapes, sizes and degrees of comprehensibility—from Bo French and the "NETTR" movement, a Republican admin talking about buying votes with $5,000 checks and a prudish left shocked by the... apolitical appeal of Sidney Sweeney. Sound clips from this week's open: Gavin Newsom hubris on Hollywood and Sydney Sweeney seduces the betting man Closing Music: "Can't Stop," by Wake the Wild via MotionArray

Episode length: 59m

A Searing Memory

It's been a quarter century, but the fury and grief have not dimmed in the slightest. James, Steve, and Charles recall that fateful day and reflect on life in America since. A few recommended articles for commemoration: "The Martyred Towers," James Lileks - Substack "Look Back in Anger at 9/11," Charles CW Cooke - National Review "The Untold Pre-History of 9/11," Chris Naylor - National Interest "What Mohammed Atta Was Trying to Tell Us," Ayaan Hirsi Ali - Tablet Magazine Sound from this week's open and close: The Brooklyn Youth Chorus sings the national anthem at today's September 11th memorial in New York City.

Episode length: 1h 5m

Embodied Optimism

AI has many amygdalae flooding nervous systems with warnings; a rising share of Americans look toward digital technology with deep suspicion; and a data center revolt is underway. The worries are increasingly apocalyptic. But it's not that America has never experienced a transformation of comparable scale, only that no living American is old enough to remember it—or so argues today's guest: Mark Mills, author of The Cloud Revolution: How the Convergence of New Technologies Will Unleash the Next Economic Boom and A Roaring 2020s. Mark and the fellas cover everything from the cold realities behind development, construction, and energy considerations to productivity gains, labor participation, sociocultural cohesion, and cybersecurity risks. Plus, while on the subject of the tumultuous present, James, Steve and Charles reflect on Ryan Reynolds' thoughts on the traumatic 1980s; Steve thinks through a proposal to curb bad actors in the "non-profit sector"; and while they look forward to cutting the rug at the White House's new ballroom, the trio find themselves baffled by Chief Justice Robert's sudden fretting over standing. Opening sound this week: Jason Kelce and his friends at Garage Beer want you to send your pee to data centers, and Ryan Reynolds tells Variety he was traumatized by the tumultuous 1980s. Closing music: Radetzky March Op. 228 performed by the Budapest Art Orchestra (via MotionArray)

August 2026

Episode length: 52m

More Hot Water

Canada is back in the news, but not in the good way like you want. So Steve and James find themselves weighing in on another renamed body of water while wading through the latest wave of weekly events. There's also curiously leaked info on CIA chief John Radcliffe's mission to Moscow, investigations into the Soros-backed Tides Foundation and the district attorneys responsible for catch-and-release criminal justice, and another rich-kid commie duty-bound to lecture from the family's waterfront property. This week’s opening sound: Al Michaels starts Prime’s Thursday Night NFL schedule from a city on the Great Lakes and Alice Weidel (AfD) declares Germany is finished with immigrants. Closing music: "County Waltz," by promusic24 (via MotionArray)

Episode length: 1h 4m

Upending Your Moral Universe

It's just James and Charles this week at the post: Post-elections in Florida, Minnesota, and South Carolina - post-mortem on l'affaire de Arday - and the post-partum madness of Lindsay Clancy, who is on trial in Massachusetts for murdering her three children and receiving an inexplicably large amount of support. Opening sound this week: Sen. Darline Graham on American foreign policy and hospital chaplain Sheila Cavanaugh testifying in the Clancy trial. Music this week: Enigma Variations: Nimrod (via Motion Array)

Episode length: 58m

Confessions of a Democratic Operative

For once, we can all agree with AOC: Woke 1 was crazy. But rather than laugh it off and set the stage for "true woke has never been tried," perhaps we could ask the youths to learn from their mistakes. To that end, we were pleased to chat with Evan Barker, a former fundraiser who worked within the Democratic Party's establishment and progressive insurgent wing. Having left the party in disgust in 2024, she penned the just-released New York Times bestseller, Nothing Left. James, Steve, and Charlie sat down with Evan to hear her story. Plus, the trio discuss JD Vance's take on how to sway the youngins from socialism; the Trump admin's new childhood vaccination policy; and a coming Reagan biopic about the 1986 Reykjavik Summit with Gorby. Opening Sound this week: AOC laughs off “Woke I” on ABC’s This Week, and Karen Friedman Agnifilo, attorney for Luigi Mangione, talks about his“unfair” treatment. Closing Music: "Je Plante Mes Légumes," by Bamtone via MotionArray

Episode length: 57m

Rearranging the Deck Chairs

Britain is on its seventh prime minister since bidding adieu to the EU a decade back. There's news of once-unimaginable crimes and ethnic strife shaking once sleepy shires. Even model citizens like scholar-slash-philanthropist and casual world-class athlete Jason Arday are having a hard go of it. For the lowdown on the United Kingdom's political crisis, we're joined by our new pal, historian and commentator Dominic Green. Plus, the regular hosty blokes see plenty of problems on our side of the pond, especially after the DSA proves that they can win statewide primaries outside coastal enclaves. But there's always plenty to be cheery about in the land of opportunity, like DIY burritos, roaring roller coasters, and albums so familiar that you can spot the covers from miles away. Opening sound this week: Hasan Piker says, “(Screw) Black people!” James Carville says, “I may be outta here!” on Fox News, and UK MP Rupert Lowe says, “Everybody has to go!” Closing music: "God Save the Queen," by Ian Post (via MotionArray)

July 2026

Episode length: 1h 6m

If It Pleads, It Leads

It's a milestone episode! Number Eight Hundred. That calls for a celebration. Not only does Ricochet co-founder Peter Robinson join to host, but our dear pal Dr. Jay Bhattacharya is able to take a moment away from running both the NIH and CDC to talk about the downfall of Anthony Fauci and his team's work to restore public trust in America's leading public health and scientific institutions. With his characteristic disarming humility, the good doctor Jay explains what he found most striking about Dr. Fauci's journal entries and evastions before Congress. The gang then pivots to what must be done to prevent a bureaucrat from acquiring such dictatorial powers and taxpayers from having to fund their own pandemic. Plus, Robinson, Hayward and Lileks wish the DNC luck in staving off the DSA; they find in our techno-innovators things to be hopeful for despite a generation that knew not the Soviets; they have a friendly debate over the triviality of pop-culture; and they say farewell to a departed Ricochet member. Sound from this week's open: Anthony Fauci pleads the Fifth rather than answer Senator Rand Paul's questions before the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Closing Music: "Center of the Universe" by Markus Little, via MotionArray

Episode length: 58m

Homer Bound

Christopher Nolan has another blockbuster hit in theaters — and has ignited the pop culture controversy of the year with his interpretation of The Odyssey. To move beyond the visual spectacle and online hysterics, James, Steve and Charles are joined by Titus Techera of The American Cinema Foundation for a discussion on the Homeric epic, the visionary Nolan, and the thunderous debate over ancient and modern morality. Plus, the trio stay on theme for a chat about the legacies of a few beloved 20th-century filmmakers before moving on to the sci-fi military tech that's become a reality on the battlefield in Eastern Europe. (Follow Titus on X and subscribe to the PoMoCon Substack.) This week’s opening sound: Lupita Nyong’o on playing Helen of Troy (courtesy of Discussing Film) and Victor Davis Hanson on the role on the Daily Signal

Episode length: 57m

Survey Says: Love Will Keep Us Together

Numbers guru Harry Enten joins Steve, Charlie and James to put a little pizzazz on polling data. The gang covers a great deal of ground: the DSA insurgency, key midterm races, economic and institutional pessimism, public suspicion about polling, and some of the forces behind American polarization. But it ain't all bad! Stay tuned til the end to find out about Harry's famous Uncle Neil and a story of inspiration from unlikely places. Plus, our trio debates the merits of Trump's election integrity speech, turns over a few cultural touchstones, and makes an announcement about Ricochet 5.0. Sound from this week's open: President Trump implies foul play at hand in California's recent elections in his prime-time address, and Chuck Schumer commends the legacy of Lindsey Graham on the Senate Floor.

Episode length: 56m

Our Favorite Bands

As the late Johnny Thunders would say, "Rock and roll is simply an attitude." And we bring the attitude this week with Free Press contributor Eli Lake, as we talk Graham Platner's Maine implosion, underestimating the Ukranians and how Donald Trump may have stumbled to the right answer in Iran. All that and Eli leads us through a round of "What Are You Listening To?" and Charlie's collection of semi-pornographic album covers. Let's have ourselves a podcast...

Episode length: 36m

Bringing the Golden State Back into the Fold

For a special edition of the Ricochet Podcast, Peter Robinson sits down with Steve Hilton, California's Republican candidate for governor. The duo discusses Hilton's uphill fight with the machine-backed Xavier Beccera, the corrupt alliance between unions, activists, and elected officials that's behind the Golden State's muted shine, and Steve's plan to deliver results for California's American dreamers. With the 250th celebrations here, Hilton reminds us that the revolutionary spirit springs eternal. Donate to his campaign here!

June 2026

Episode length: 49m

Ducks in a Row to Administer the Algae-rithm

Our hosts are out of sorts as they prep for the Independence Day celebration: Hayward is on the high seas with a wobbly internet connection, Lileks is in Boston with a travel mic, and ever-busy Cooke is even later than usual. But the gang had to get together once more before the holiday break to make their grumblings known about a less welcome revolutionary spirit. Outright communists taking over NYC congressional districts, disdain for SCOTUS respecting the separation of powers at home, and the gloomy disorder that's overtaken Britain. Opening sound this week: DSA candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier (NY13) on MSNOW vs. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D - NY03) on Fox News

Episode length: 57m

Teaching Wit, Wisdom, and Love of Country

America's 250th birthday is just a few weeks out, and festivities are underway. But, leaving aside debates over fist fights and daring stunts on the White House South Lawn, a question emerges about what a serious celebration of the American way looks and feels like. To consider this and more, Charles, James, and a visiting Peter Robinson sit down with Matthew Mehan, author and Associate Dean of Hillsdale College's graduate school in Washington, D.C., to discuss The American Book of Fables. The gang thinks through the meaning of our civic inheritance and the endeavor to pass on the baton to the young. Matt's here to remind us that the arduous effort can be joyful and that hopefulness is a trait that marks the serious thinker. Our trio also kvetches (and then some!) over the Iran deal, winces at the newly unveiled Obama Presidential Center, and chortles with bewilderment at the accusation that a Pride-themed baseball cap was "desecrated" by a Bible verse. (Plus, they come out in favor overall of last weekend's South Lawn celebrations: fist fights and daring stunts are as American as firework displays.)

Episode length: 55m

A World of Willful Weirdos

It's just James and Charles to recollect and swap rants about the goings-on of the land of the free and the home of oddball. The cast of characters includes the world's first billionaire, an Angeleno who lost an election for common sense, a lunatic posing as a model working man, and the deeply flawed judgment of Democratic voters about guys like these. Lileks and Cooke also delight in watching Europeans share their newfound love for America, and find something to embrace in Trump's alacrity on public beautification. Sound this week: CNBC announces the world’s first trillionaire, Jimmy Kimmel recoils, and Graham Platner continues to gaffe.

Episode length: 1h

A Law Unto Yooself

John Yoo returns to usher in SCOTUS opinion season, joining James and Steve for some friendly debates on law, politics and, most controversially, a few matters of taste. For our democrats in the audience, we've got chatter on California vote counting and Alabama map battles. News from the UK reminds us that the royalists are in even worse shape, as authorities there prove to be as confused in dealing with controversial speech as they are with violence (the real kind). John Bolton's deal with the DOJ and a couple of death penalty cases concentrate the fellas' minds further on the subtleties, and unsubtleties, of hard justice. Thankfully, Scott Pelley's bad week brings a much-needed restorative laugh, and the gang finds something to agree on as they count down to the semiquincentennial. That's right: not even petty celebrities can rain on our Independence Day parade! Sound this week: CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil says goodbye to Scott Pelley while Fox News’ Brit Hume finds it all amusing.

May 2026

Episode length: 58m

Deal or No Deal?

Lots and lots of burning questions dominate the news. Do we need a $250 bill, and what or who should be on it? Mamdani flexes his communist urges in NYC, so what could possibly go wrong? And can a state tax a "slush fund" at 100%? James and Charles have thoughts. But the question we really want an answer to is, "Do we have a deal with Iran or not?" To answer that, we welcome back our old friend Richard Goldberg, a senior advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the former director for countering Iranian weapons of mass destruction for the White House National Security Council during the first Trump administration. It's an episode to get your Spidey senses tingling.

Episode length: 59m

Revolution on the Run

James, Steve and non-stipendiary host Rob Long shoot the breeze as they face revolutionary changes big and small. From the impending phenomena of Pratt Summer and unstoppable AI to the DNC's stateside Commie drama and the Euros giving nationalism another go, the trio draws some important lessons: Local elections matter. They can even be fun! MAGA hats are optional. Political messaging is especially effective when your opponent is the weird one. Climate apocalypse is dumb. Everybody thinks so. You can be a people or a bureaucracy, not both. Artificial Intelligence is coming. Work on your human skills. Happy Memorial Day weekend, Ricochet!
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