Ricochet Editor-in-Chief Jon Gabriel and Heatstreet’s Stephen Miller talk about, what else, Trump’s pink slip to FBI Director James Comey. They cover the politics surrounding both the firing and the crazy, nay, hysterical reaction of the DC press corps.

Our intro and outro music is “Teenage FBI” by Guided by Voices. Stephen’s song of the week is “Slip Away” by Perfume Genius, and Jon’s is “Prom Song” by Pile. To listen to all the music featured on The Conservatarians, subscribe to our Spotify playlist. You also should subscribe to this podcast and give it five-star, glowing reviews on iTunes!

Donald Trump fired James Comey this week and it set the political world ablaze. Jay and Neal invited GOP strategist and columnist for The Daily Beast to talk about what happened, why it happened and what is going to happen next.

Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America go over the Trump administration’s case for firing FBI Director James Comey, especially his handling of the Hillary Clinton case. They also discuss Comey learning about his firing from television reports, many White House staffers also being caught off guard, and concerns over the timing of the announcement. And they get a kick out of Democrats being outraged at Trump’s firing of Comey after many of them had been calling for Comey’s ouster since October.

Barry Sadler recorded one of the biggest pop-song smash hits in American history — and Marc Leepson tells his fascinating story in Ballad of the Green Beret: The Life and Wars of Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler from the Vietnam War and Pop Stardom to Murder and an Unsolved, Violent Death.

In a 10-minute conversation with The Bookmonger, Leepson describes how and why Sadler’s song “The Ballad of the Green Berets” struck a nerve in 1966, what happened to Sadler in the aftermath of his huge success, and whether Sadler ever had second thoughts about the Vietnam War.

From the retail apocalypse to ESPN to Fox News, lots of people in the news of late are getting wacked from their jobs. Brian Ward and Paul Happe return to try and make sense of it all. Specific topics addressed include:

  • What is the meaning of work in the modern age of constant creative destruction? Is the traditional notion of emotional investment in your employer and your co-workers outdated? We delve into the big issues.
  • Bill O’Reilly losing his job for cause, and what cause it was. We discuss the man’s long record of hints and allegations. Also, exclusive audio of the phone call Fox News legal made to fire Bill O’Reilly.
  • The House Republicans passed a bill ostensibly repealing and replacing Obamacare, and the Democrats celebrated the imminent electoral consequences for them by singing “Na Na Hey Hey Goodbye.” Are they right? Also, exclusive audio from C-SPAN of all the singing and chanting occurring on the House floor.
  • ESPN fired about a hundred prominent employees in their latest strategy to combat declining revenues and increasing costs. What is the real problem with ESPN?
  • What were we drinking during the show? Surly Fest from Surly Brewing and Mango Blonde from Lift Bridge Brewery.

All member feedback welcome in the comments section. Hope you enjoy!

Diana Damrau is an opera star – a German soprano – and a total delight. Jay sat down with her in New York for this “Q&A.” They talk about her new album – a compilation of Meyerbeer – and many other things: her children, her favorite singers, her technique, her dancing (including Michael Jackson routines).

No one can resist this soprano onstage. She is pretty irresistible in interviews, too. See what you think.

Jim Geraghty of National Review and Greg Corombos of Radio America applaud President Trump for what appears to be a very solid slate of nominees to fill federal appeals and district court judicial vacancies. Their jaws hit the floor as Obamacare architect Jonathan Gruber blames Trump for skyrocketing health care premiums and for insurers getting out of the individual marketplace. And they scratch their heads as gun control advocates claim a fatal stabbing at the University of Texas is a strong argument against allowing students to carry guns on campus.