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The Fifth Column

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Rating
★★★★☆
4.4
from
165 reviews
Categories
Country
United States
This podcast has
714 episodes
Language
English
Date created
2010/02/14
Latest episode
2026/11/06
Average duration
53 min.
Release period
4 days

Description

Your weekly rhetorical assault on the on the news cycle, the people who make it, and occasionally ourselves. Kmele Foster (Freethink), Michael Moynihan (Vice), and Matt Welch (Reason) talk and laugh and drink their way to at least quasi-sanity in a world gone mad, often with the aid of clean and articulate guests. Weekly Members Only subscription edition often comes with listener mail and professional-quality (if inappropriate) singing. Analysis. Commentary. Sedition. www.wethefifth.com

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Check latest episodes from The Fifth Column podcast


Jared of Arabia (w/ Matthew Cole) - Members Only #353
2026/11/06
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.wethefifth.com The guys are joined by investigative journalist Matthew Cole, author of Princes and Thieves: Jared Kushner and Mohamed bin Zayed's Secret Plot to Remake the Middle East (Bookshop | Amazon) •Jon Ossoff sounds like he’s pitching Matthew’s new book. •Discovery is a bitch •You down with MBZ? •“This is not journalism. It is fiction being presented as fact.”•Shady business…
The Morning After Midterm Madness (Ep. #582)
2026/11/04
Where were you when AMERICA DECIDED? Were you watching our livestream? Were you at the super-exclusive party that, as of this writing, is still raging on? Were you injecting Substack’s election hub straight into your veins? If so, you’ll have no need for this audio-only selection of the best conversations from the evening. For the rest of you, enjoy! You’ll hear not only from Matt, Michael, and Kmele, but from Mary Katharine Ham, Marc Caputo, Ben Dreyfuss, Greg Lukianoff, David A. Graham, Josh Barro, Eliana Johnson, Jamie Kirchick, Megan McArdle, Nick Gillespie, and Ruy Teixeira!If these two hours aren’t enough for you, feel free to relive the evening in all its audiovisual glory over on The Fifth Column’s YouTube channel. The Fifth Column (A Podcast) is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Come see The Fifth in Connecticut!: https://quickcenter.fairfield.edu/2026-27-season-calendar/lectures/the-fifth-column-podcast.html Follow The Fifth Column YouTube: @wethefifthInstagram: @we.the.fifthX: @wethefifthTikTok: @wethefifthFacebook: @thefifthcolumn This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe
One Hitter: Midterm Madness Pregame
2026/10/31
-COME SEE US IN CONNECTICUT. We may never release this special episode, because the things we will talk about will be horrifically controversial. -Which party will win the Senate? -Dirty Dems in Alaska done found another Dan Sullivan -the TX Senate race…are we sure Texans are that titillated by Talarico? -Fake polls, election interference, and Bolsonaro in Miami -Maine and Trump’s last-minute tariff maneuvering -Trump is an effective campaigner…until he has to campaign on his own record -Vivek, the great Ohio slime impresario -the LA mayoral race nobody seems happy about -WHO DESERVES TO LOSE? WHO DO YA HATE THE MOST? Kmele’s answer may shock you JOIN US: https://quickcenter.fairfield.edu/2026-27-season-calendar/lectures/the-fifth-column-podcast.html Follow The Fifth Column YouTube: @wethefifthInstagram: @we.the.fifthX: @wethefifthTikTok: @wethefifthFacebook: @thefifthcolumn This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe
A Socialist Walks Into The Fifth Column (w/ Bhaskar Sunkara) #581
2026/10/30
-we found someone from the DSA brave enough to come on this show -The Cajun French of Indians -If you’re pro-abundance, why are you a socialist? -DSA and the midterms -Biden’s heart was in the right place, but his body was...not -AOC, DAC, and Zohran -The Left’s remarkable talent for self-sabotage -Cuba, the embargo, and the pesky issue of free elections -Socialism and its rather unfortunate historical baggage -Bhaskar’s three camps of socialism and capitalism -Worker-owned companies, public banks, and making socialism work in practice -Hasan Piker, good or bad for the DSA -Somehow we are talking about Sweden again -Midterm Madness: California’s billionaire tax -AI, data centers, and the politics of saying no -Socialism is gaining popularity. Just don’t run as a socialist. -Bhaskar’s most right-wing position -Moynihan’s unsolicited advice to the DSA Read The Blueprint: How Socialism Can Work in the Real World by Bhaskar Sunkara, Ben Burgis, and Mike Beggs Bookshop | Amazon Prefer to watch & chat live with other members of the Fifdom? This episode premieres over on our YouTube channel at 12PM EST. JOIN US: https://quickcenter.fairfield.edu/2026-27-season-calendar/lectures/the-fifth-column-podcast.html This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe
The President Is No Longer Taking Calls (w/ Edward Luce) MO #352
2026/10/28
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.wethefifth.com Ed Luce joins the guys to discuss Trump’s corruption, the persistence of populism, and the uncertain future of Western democracy. -DC is beautiful and beige and on the spectrum -Don Jr.’s corruption and a Watergate every day for 18 months -Serbia’s student-led anti-corruption movement -AfD, LFI, Meloni and why Europe isn’t done with populism -Immigration, ec…
Donald Trump is Gay (Episode #580)
2026/10/22
-Fairfield, CT. Nov 12th. Get tickets while you can -We will have an Election Night livestream. Booze, guests, and probable disaster -Our mystery guest didn’t couldn’t make it today. We won’t name names, but we’ll give you some subtle clues. -Steve Witkoff discovered Vladimir Putin’s humanitarian side. -Trump has some thoughts about Zelenskyy. andPutin gets a pass. -Americans ranked their favorite countries. Where does Russia rank? -A very stiff competition for the Senate’s biggest idiot and the “Not One Inch” myth -the dumbest man in the Senate meets the dumbest man in media -Donald Trump and his love of men -Midterm Madness -Vivek vs. Amy Acton, and the attack ad from hell. -The tone and tenor of American politics is somehow worse than ever -Alina Habba, Ric Grenell, and the alleged $50 million pardon racket. -JD Vance answered a question about corruption. Ten thousand weasels applauded. Prefer to watch & chat live with other members of the Fifdom? This episode premieres over on our YouTube channel at 12PM EST. JOIN US: https://quickcenter.fairfield.edu/2026-27-season-calendar/lectures/the-fifth-column-podcast.html Follow The Fifth Column YouTube: @wethefifthInstagram: @we.the.fifthX: @wethefifthTikTok: @wethefifthFacebook: @thefifthcolumn This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe
The End of the Special Relationship? (w/ Jacob Siegel) Members Only #351
2026/10/21
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.wethefifth.com We are doing a live show in Fairfield, CT on November 12th. You should come. Details below. -Jacob Siegel on raising his kids in Israel -Who benefits from a fractured US-Israel relationship? -JD Vance had endorsements to spare, just not for Netanyahu -Israel prepared for life without America’s special relationship -An entirely natural detour to France -French…
Why the Midterms Are Turning Against Trump (w/ Nate Silver) Members Only #350
2026/10/16
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.wethefifth.com The guys put America’s most famous political forecaster, Nate Silver, to work… separating real electoral shifts from political noise, and confronting the uncomfortable possibility that everyone is just guessing. -The House leaned Democratic, the Senate was a toss-up…then came Labor Day -The first thing Nate Silver does every morning -$4.50 gas, AI data centers, and T…
Can the Democratic Center Hold? (#579)
2026/10/14
Yes, we want accolades. Yes, we’re shamelessly asking for your vote: VOTE for The Fifth Column as the Best News & Politics Show Yemisi Egbewole is here and we will figure out how to pronounce her name….next time -A Democratic consultant defending Fox News out of the gate -Was Mike Lindell ever really a crackhead? -Ladies and gentlemen, the new White House press secretary, Katie Zachariah -Did we f**k Scott Jennings? -How does a WH press secretary actually prepare? -Kimberly Guilfoyle’s $100,000 AmEx problem -James Talarico’s imaginary stay in an Ohio psych ward -the art of standing out among 435 members of Congress -Abdul El-Sayed vs Mike Rogers in Michigan -Jon Ossoff and the case for normal Democrats -JD Vance’s interesting definition of socialism -Midterm Madness on Zachariah, Alaska, and Michigan -Trump gets it right on data centers. Until he doesn’t. -Brian Kilmeade stands up for Ukraine against Rachel Compost Duffy -Come watch us live in Connecticut! -What exactly is Third Way? -Yemisi’s heresies on crime and climate -Immigration and the Jamaican-Nigerian experience -Kmele and the Blacks of Connecticut -Where is the Democratic Party headed, and how much does the DSA matter? Prefer to watch & chat live with other members of the Fifdom? This episode premieres over on our YouTube channel at 12PM EST. JOIN US: https://quickcenter.fairfield.edu/2026-27-season-calendar/lectures/the-fifth-column-podcast.html Follow The Fifth Column YouTube: @wethefifthInstagram: @we.the.fifthX: @wethefifthTikTok: @wethefifthFacebook: @thefifthcolumn This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe
People Who Lie and People Who Die (w/ Sam Roberts) Members Only #349
2026/10/09
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.wethefifth.com “There are no ordinary lives and everyone has a story” -Sam Roberts’ father takes him to see the Rosenbergs’ funeral -Fifty years in journalism and an unexpected career writing obituaries -Anna Nicole Smith and the brutality of British obituaries -Charlie Rangel’s complicated legacy -Who deserves a New York Times obituary? -Writing Rudy Giuliani’s obituary b…
Europe Is Melting, Meritocracy Is Racist, and Everyone Gets Dignity (Episode #578)
2026/10/07
Did we mention we’re nominated…did you vote yet? If not, what in the actual f**k is your problem? -all the bad words are here -come to Fairfield on November 12th! (https://quickcenter.fairfield.edu/2026-27-season-calendar/lectures/the-fifth-column-podcast.html) -Trump in Nebraska….always a good sign for Republicans -Anal sex, picnics, breakfast in bed, lobster -Europe is melting! (still) -who will replace Macron? -France’s immigration problem -Sweden discovers gun crime -America, the assimilation machine -meritocracy is f*****g fantastic -questions are bad when ethnicities are in front of them -Vivek, the big guy and the worst swing in baseball -Midterm Madness where candidate quality counts -if you had to arrest one person at the New York Times… -MAGA-curious CBS boss and The Daily Beast -Theo Von discovers socialism JOIN US: https://quickcenter.fairfield.edu/2026-27-season-calendar/lectures/the-fifth-column-podcast.html The Fifth Column is in the running for Best News & Politics show. PLEASE HELP US TAKE HOME THE GOLD (or whatever the statue is made of, assuming there is one). Follow The Fifth Column YouTube: @wethefifthInstagram: @we.the.fifthX: @wethefifthTikTok: @wethefifthFacebook: @thefifthcolumn This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe
One Hitter: Why Oil Prices Could Get Much Worse (w/ Marshall Adkins) Members Only #348
2026/10/03
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.wethefifth.com Marshall spent 25 years covering oil and gas at Raymond James before retiring this week. He joins the guys to explain what’s actually driving prices higher, why diesel matters more than most people realize, and how war, refinery outages, and shrinking reserves have left the global energy market with very little room for error. Also, is Marshall the real
The Weave Within the Weave (#577)
2026/10/02
…and Moynihan discusses Harvard’s artist in residence. Also, we’ve been nominated for something! vote for us in for the Signal Awards! -Kmele’s Cross-Country Trail of Tears -Trump Praises the Latinos -Yukon Cornelius and the Bumble -Coming Soon: Jason’s Weird Fetishes -Trump Talks to Time -The Weave We Go -No Fatties, No Trannies, No Weirdos -It’s Worse Because It’s Worse -Saving Western Civilization, One Taxpayer-Funded Ad at a Time -Sen. Eric Schmitt’s Awesome Week -The Indian Question -Roxane Gay, Harvard Medical School Artist in Residence -Midterm Madness: New Hampshire, Michigan, Ohio and L.A. -How Not to Hijack an Israeli Plane The Fifth Column (A Podcast) is a viewer-listener publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. The Fifth Column is in the running for Best News & Politics show. PLEASE HELP US TAKE HOME THE GOLD (or whatever the statue is made of, assuming there is one). ALSO: Vote for The Moynihan Report for:Best video podcastBest guest (William Shatner)Best episode VOTE VOTE VOTE (for us) Follow The Fifth Column YouTube: @wethefifthInstagram: @we.the.fifthX: @wethefifthTikTok: @wethefifthFacebook: @thefifthcolumn This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.wethefifth.com/subscribe
Sarah Hepola and the Life You Didn’t Choose (Members Only #347)
2026/09/29
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.wethefifth.com Finally, a break from politics and a discussion about…love. If you like Sarah, check out her podcast with friend of The Fifth Column Nancy Rommelmann Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em Podcast -Sarah is back on the wagon (not really!) -The married man, the younger man, and the New Orleans homicide detective -Women’s tears are a recording device -Kavanaugh, memory, and the stories we tell ourselves …
The UN, Wokeness, and Other Failed Institutions (Members Only #346)
2026/09/25
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.wethefifth.com -being gay, doing drugs, that’s the Szeps life -Moynihan’s anti-Australian bigotry -the Lupita Nyong’o pronunciation challenge -Why is daddy wearing boobs? -this actor can play any ethnicity -Josh’s dad, the George Costanza of Australia -UN Clip-o-rama -in defense of the UN, sort of -can America afford to piss off all its allies? -Greta Thunberg goes to the Rena…

Podcast reviews

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4.4 out of 5
165 reviews
★☆☆☆☆
5th column toppled 2025/02/09
Lack of introspection
While I used to enjoy the different insight from beltway libertarians such as Michael Moynihan; he neglected to apologize for his gross lack of unders...
★★★★★
Erin O 2024/12/17
Subscribe
Great show. Tried multiple times to upgrade to paid subscriber but haven’t been able to. Will check to see if card charged. Process is flawed.
★☆☆☆☆
macinjosh87 2023/05/23
Predictable
Matt and Michael are MIC toadies. Kmele is t sure why he is there.
★★★★★
Jaff Gordo 2022/12/29
Best podcast!
This is the best podcast. Listen, be well, and enjoy yourself.
★☆☆☆☆
bittybump 2022/10/28
Giggling Incoherency
Was just listening to the most recent podcast, basically 4 know-it-alls desperately speaking over one another at alarmingly high rates of speed. This ...
★★★★★
Don’t want a nick name. 2022/02/07
Boring Guest
Why would you ask the most boring person on earth to be a guest and then proceed to talk about free speech rights of the richest people in Denmark. M...
★★★★★
AshleeP123 2021/07/17
“Twitter Mobs” or China & Russia/ outside actors?
Love this Podcast. Have you all considered the possibility these Twitter Mobs could be “outside actors”? How do we even know that the Twitter mobs are...
★★★★★
Redfox1218 2021/05/16
A lot of interesting, a lot of funny, a lot of what’s missing
So glad I found this podcast! I like having 3 hosts. While they may talk over each other some, it’s hard not to when your discussing interesting and p...
★★★★★
patticosh 2021/05/03
Honest & Interest discussions
I am so thankful to have found this podcast when I wanted a more in-depth discussion of the Paul Rossi/ Grace Church School issue!!! I am so glad I fo...
★★★★★
Johnny_Wiseau 2021/02/25
The Best
Hands down the best politics podcast out there. Interesting and very entertaining, all the hosts are great. Worth a listen regardless of where your po...
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