The Washington Monthly podcast began as a scrappy experiment. With your help, it can grow into a lasting platform for smart, independent conversations about law, politics, and democracy.

A Podcast With Purpose

by Anne Kim November 14, 2025November 13, 2025

The Washington Monthly podcast is fun, smart, and brimming with ideas to counter MAGA and strengthen America but we need your help to keep it going.

Podcast

China Through the Eyes of its Most Famous Dissident

by Anne Kim October 22, 2025October 6, 2026

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ian Johnson discusses the life of Liu Xiaobo, China’s sole laureate of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Kukula Award winner Christoph Irmscher discusses his review of Arlie Russell Hochschild’s Stolen Pride, the craft of professional criticism, and why book reviews remain vital to democracy.

Podcast

In Defense of Book Reviews

by Anne Kim October 9, 2025October 7, 2025

Christoph Irmscher, winner of the Washington Monthly’s 2025 Kukula Award, reflects on his review of Stolen Pride by Arlie Russell Hochschild—and on why thoughtful, professional criticism remains essential to democracy.

Podcast

Why Does Trump Hate Vote-By-Mail?

by Anne Kim and Garrett Epps September 10, 2025September 10, 2025

Restricting vote-by-mail could disenfranchise millions, argues mail voting pioneer Phil Keisling.

Politics Roundtable

Trump Just Gave Putin Everything He Wanted

by The Editors August 18, 2025August 18, 2025

Despite tough talk beforehand, Trump emerged from their Anchorage meeting nodding along as Putin outlined his vision for carving up Europe like it’s 1914. The editors discuss.