Get the Ricochet app

Ricochet will work fine in a browser on your mobile devices, but for the best experience please download our app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Become a member.

Tired of the toxicity of social media? Why not join Ricochet for just $5/month? Think of it as an online bar. Come in, have a drink, hang out, say whatever you want. But don’t badger, bully, or berate the other drinkers. That's our only rule.

Matthew Continetti

Matthew Continetti is a journalist, resident Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and the Founding Editor of the Washington Free Beacon.

Series

Beyond the Polls with Henry Olsen1 episodeMadison’s Notes1 episodeThe Ricochet Podcast6 episodes

Recent Episodes

The Ricochet Podcast
The Ricochet Podcast

Murder on Sesame Street

Hardly a week passes without an event happening that compels one to wonder what it means for the contemporary right. It just so happens that this week, Matt Continetti, author of the indispensable book about the right, is able to join us to discuss the latest intraparty quarrels over Jeffrey Epstein, the One Big Beautiful Bill, foreign wars, and the domestic cultural kind. Plus, John Yoo joins James and Steve in the co-host panel for a chat on the defunding of NPR and PBS, McMahon v. New York, migraine-inducing pop references, and the social uplift of fat-shaming. Sound clip from this week's open: President Trump in the Oval Office calling the Epstein Files “a hoax.”
Hosts:
James LileksJohn YooSteve Hayward
Organization
Ricochet

June 2025

Beyond the Polls with Henry Olsen
Beyond the Polls with Henry Olsen

Matt Continetti on the Fight for the Right

Reports about tensions within MAGA-world might give the impression that a unified whole is finally cracking up, but Henry and Matthew Continetti know better than to conflate a political party with its reigning faction. The duo takes us through the last century of rightward squabbles, from the early days of rudderless reaction to the formation of movement conservatism, and on to Donald Trump's fateful ride down the escalator through to the present. Tune in for a detailed account of how the Republican Party's constituent parts formed, with considerations on how they might manage to cohere in the future. And for those interested in diving deeper, be sure to read each author's indispensable books on the topics discussed: - The Right: The Hundred-Year War for American Conservatism (Continetti) - The Working Class Republican: Ronald Reagan and the Return of Blue-Collar Conservatism (Olsen)
Host:
Henry Olsen
Organization
Ricochet

April 2024

The Ricochet Podcast
The Ricochet Podcast

Earthquakes and Political Shaking

AEI's Matthew Continetti joins the Ricochet Podcast to discuss the internecine fight over the future of conservatism and the Democratic Party's abandonment of Israel. Plus, Peter and Rob have a bit of fun with earthquakes and hippie terrorists; swap lab leak theories and cheer themselves up with a reminder of the country's abiding, unsung heroes. - This week’s audio: NYC Mayor Eric Adams on this morning’s earthquake.
Hosts:
Peter RobinsonRob Long
Organization
Ricochet

November 2022

Madison’s Notes
Madison’s Notes

The Hundred Year War for the American Right: A Conversation with Matthew Continetti

What is the American Right, where does it come from, and how has it changed over time? Journalist and author Matthew Continetti discusses his recent book: The Right: The Hundred Year War for American Conservatism. Continetti is Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and was formerly the founding editor and the editor-in-chief of the Washington Free Beacon. Previously, he was opinion editor at the Weekly Standard. He is also a contributing editor at National Review and a columnist for Commentary magazine. Continetti's recent book: https://www.the-right-book.com/ The shifting demographics of wealthiest Americans, discussed during this episode: https://news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-report/democrats-tax-hike-bet-relies-on-their-new-500-000-plus-voters?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=taxdesk&utm_campaign=5B08EF5E-A165-11EB-8C78-8C0750017A06
Host:
Annika Nordquist

October 2021

The Ricochet Podcast
The Ricochet Podcast

The Fight For Freedom of Speech

No, silence isn't violence; it's just that here at Ricochet, we'd like to hear what you've got to say. As is our wont, we've got a few freethinkers to join Rob and James this week - unfortunately Peter is away. First up is Matthew Continetti of The Washington Free Beacon. He's here to talk about the bewildering politics in a time of competing counter-cultures where both sides think they're losing. Next up, Nathan Harden, author of Sex and God at Yale, who in 2012 foresaw how political correctness was suffocating education. More recently, his work at Real Clear Politics has highlighted the literally-dumbfounding phenomenon of self-censorship on campuses. Is the death of free speech inevitable? You'll have to listen to find out! And on that note: Rob and James chat about Dave Chappelle's latest brush with the many "theys"; banter some about both sides-ism, and find common ground on the value of occasionally shutting up - if only for a few moments. Music from this week's podcast: Fight The Power by Public Enemy
Hosts:
James LileksRob Long
Organization
Ricochet

August 2018

The Ricochet Podcast
The Ricochet Podcast

Space Force Cadets

Did someone say Space Force? That's just too irresistible a topic for this podcast not to tackle in depth. So we do. But that's not all. No sir. We also call on our friends Matt Continetti (he of the must listen Right and Righter podcast) to talk about Alexandria Cortez-Ocasio and what she means for American politics, and Byron York takes us for a deep dive on the status of the Mueller investigation. We learned a lot in this segment and we bet you will too. Also, Rob goes long on the Academy's new Most Popular Movie category. Hoping for a podcast category soon. Music from this week's show: Space Cowboy by The Steve Miller Band
Hosts:
James LileksPeter RobinsonRob Long
Organization
Ricochet

December 2017

The Ricochet Podcast
The Ricochet Podcast

One Never Knows, Does One?

This week, a run through Jerusalem with the Washington Free Beacon's Matt Continetti and then back home to Alabama guided by the Wall Street Journal's Bill McGurn. Also, Lileks on Franken and what's next for Minnesota, Peter Robinson goes for a ride on the Orient Express, and what do they call a Quarter Pounder on Vulcan? Tune in to find out. Music from this week's episode: One Never Knows, Does One by Billie Holiday
Hosts:
James LileksPeter Robinson
Organization
Ricochet

September 2016

The Ricochet Podcast
The Ricochet Podcast

The Fire Fighters

This week, we get wonky, wistful, and weepy (but not because Ricochet Editor In Chief Jon Gabriel is sitting in for Peter Robinson). We get our wonk on with Washington Free Beacon Editor In Chief Matt Continetti, who gives us the elite media POV on the race, as well as a sobering look (here's the weepy part, at least for @jameslileks) at Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. Spoiler alert: don't ever meet your heroes, folks. Later, we're joined by the great Byron York, who details what it's like covering a candidate whose primary method of communication is late night Tweeting. Case in point: It's a kooky, crazy world, ain't it? Public service announcement: if you’re not a member of Ricochet and enjoy this podcast, be one of the 1,500 and join today. Music from this week’s podcast: They Call Me Big Mama by Big Mama Thornton The brand new opening sequence for the Ricochet Podcast was composed and produced by James Lileks. Yes, you should absolutely subscribe to this podcast. It helps! And leave a comment too! Cool it, EJHill.
Hosts:
James LileksJon GabrielRob Long
Organization
Ricochet