TAC Right Now

The American Conservative

About

A weekly current affairs podcast featuring the editors & leadership of The American Conservative. Emile Doak, Helen Andrews, Micah Meadowcroft, and Sohrab Ahmari discuss the news of the day from a decidedly TAC perspective: one that is suspicious of big business as well as big government, and localist rather than globalist.

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173 episodes

Haitian Barbecue

Bradley, Helen, Sumantra, and special guest Stacey Kaliabakos talk about the Gaza pier, possible intervention in Haiti (let's not), and the question on everyone's mind: Where is Princess Kate? Picks of the Week: Stacey: "Our Terrorist Ally in Syria," Nicholas Kass Helen: "Does Victoria Nuland's Departure Matter?" James W. Carden Bradley: "Exclusive: New JD Vance Bill," Bradley Devlin Sumantra: "The Comeback of Tudor History," Jude Russo

1h 3m
Mar 13
A Very Super Tuesday

Third season launch! A new and improved TAC Right Now returns with a breakdown of the Super Tuesday primary results. Host Bradley Devlin walks Helen, Jude, and Sumantra through the exit polls, the surprises, and the presidential rematch ahead. Picks of the week: Helen: "DoxyPEP Is a Disaster in Waiting," Theodore Dalrymple Jude: "McConnell, Man of His Era," W. James Antle III Sumantra: "Ursula von der Leyen's Second Term," Adriel Kasonta Bradley: "Sunset for Mitch McConnell—and Joe Biden?" Dan McCarthy

58m
Mar 06
Year End Wrap-up

Lawfare against Donald Trump was the story of the year, agreed Emile, Sohrab, Micah, and Helen. Plus, each person picked the runner-up for the most important story of 2023. Picks of the year: Helen: "Battle on Bourbon Street," William Wolfe Micah: "A Murder in CHAZ," Jonathan Ireland Sohrab: "Angola Revisited," John Hirschauer Emile: "Made in Farmville," Bradley Devlin

45m
Dec 22, 2023
The Devil Went Down to Iowa

Was the Christian veteran right to destroy the Satan Temple display in the Iowa state capitol? Yes, agree Emile, Sohrab, Helen, and Micah. Plus, the U.S. withholds the sale of rifles to Israel and a particularly egregious case highlights the loopholes in surrogacy law that expose children to possible abuse. Picks of the week: Helen: "Giorgia Meloni Falls Short," Christopher Brunet Emile: "Our LGBT Empire," Helen Andrews Micah: "Free Trade Dogmatism Is for Losers," Jude Russo Sohrab: "Harvard Cancels Congressman," Sohrab Ahmari

56m
Dec 15, 2023
Proud Day for Harvard

Four people who are definitely not going to be the next president gathered in Alabama for a debate this week. Emile, Helen, Micah, and Bradley Devlin talk about who had a good night (Vivek) and who did not (Haley). Three ladies who, sadly, already are president appeared before Congress to explain what's going on in their universities, and it was harder to watch than the GOP debate. Plus, John Eastman's absurd disbarment hearing nears its conclusion. Picks of the week: Helen: "An Immense Gratitude," Peter Tonguette Emile: "The BCS Would Have Ranked Florida State #3," Jeffrey H. Anderson Micah: "Unmonitored Minors on Dangerous Devices," Elizabeth Self & Michael Toscano Bradley: "Tuberville Should Not Back Down," Declan Leary

1h 0m
Dec 08, 2023
RIP Henry Kissinger

Emile, Micah, Helen, and Sohrab bid farewell to Henry Kissinger. Plus, Liz Cheney has a new book out, and Elon Musk's latest controversy has the podcast divided.  Picks of the week: Emile: "Vivek the Warmonger?" Bradley Devlin Micah: "Butchers, Brewers, and Bakers," Bradley Devlin Helen: "Cowering in the Amen Corner," Declan Leary Sohrab: "Dream, Baby, Dream," Jude Russo

53m
Dec 01, 2023
Xi Visits Frisco

Emile, Sohrab, Helen, and Micah talk about Xi Jinping's visit to San Francisco and its magical effect on the city's homeless encampments, plus a flurry of fisticuffs on Capitol Hill and Nikki Haley's war on anonymity.  Picks of the week: Micah: "Mastery and Command," Santi Ruiz Helen: "A Great Film that Wasn't," Peter Hitchens Sohrab: "Good Riddance, Pandas," Nic Rowan Emile: "The Travesty at Arlington National Cemetery," Jeremy Carl

48m
Nov 17, 2023
Pro-Life Strategy after Ohio

Emile, Helen, Sohrab, and Micah talk about the election results out of Ohio and what it portends for the pro-life movement, plus the GOP debate in Miami. Is the establishment consolidating around Nikki Haley? Finally, Citibank gets hit with a big fine for discriminating against Armenians in Glendale.  Picks of the week: Helen: "Mass Madness at Three," Helen Andrews Sohrab: "Trump Wins Again," Jude Russo Micah: "Shelter from the Swarm," James P. Pinkerton

52m
Nov 10, 2023
Zelensky: Resolve or Delusion?

Emile, Helen, Micah, and Sohrab check in on the Ukraine war now that most attention has turned to the Middle East, and a revealing TIME magazine interview with Zelensky that may not bring the sympathetic press that the Ukrainian president would like. Plus, Josh Hawley draws the ire of his fellow Republicans by taking on , and a new biography of Mitt Romney shows the Utah senator doesn't hold his colleagues in too high esteem. Picks of the week:  Emile: The Conservative Movement's Long Way Home, Kevin Roberts Helen: Notes From a Baltimore All Souls' Day, Jude Russo Micah: The Right Finds Its Spine, Nate Hochman Sohrab: False Orthodoxies on the Right, Frank DeVito

50m
Nov 03, 2023
We Have a Speaker

* Sohrab, Helen, and Declan evaluate the views of Mike Johnson, the Republican Speaker of the House, and the intelligence of Jamaal Bowman, the Democratic fire alarm vandal. Plus, two planes finally collide after a year of increasing near-misses on American runways. Is the competency crisis to blame? *   * Picks of the week: *   * Helen: "The Utopia of the Nuclear Family," Steve Sailer * Sohrab: "President Normal," Matthew Schmitz * Declan: "The Church of Bill Watterson," Nic Rowan

47m
Oct 27, 2023
Biden Visits Israel

Emile, Helen, Micah, and Sohrab discuss President Biden's visit to Israel in the wake of the explosion at a hospital in Gaza. Plus, the judge in the federal case against Donald Trump imposes a gag order on the former president, and we still don't have a permanent Speaker of the House. Picks of the week: Emile: Jim Jordan Wrestles With a New Twenty, Bradley Devlin Helen: The Autocrat of Boston University, Peter W. Wood Sohrab: Maintaining Balance: Remembering Dwight D. Eisenhower, Anastasia Kaliabakos Micah: Keep Your Eye on the Ball, Jude Russo  

51m
Oct 20, 2023
War in Israel

Emile, Sohrab, Helen, and Sumantra discuss the brutal attack on Israeli civilians by Hamas, the IDF's response, and how the war is playing in domestic politics back here in the U.S. Plus, the ACT reports record low scores on the college admissions test. Picks of the week: Emile: The Real Problem With Gay Conversion Therapy, Carmel Richardson Helen: Screens of Satan, William S. Lind Sohrab: Conserving the New Deal, Jeffrey Tyler Syck Sumantra: Hedging Against a Trump Victory, Doug Bandow

1h 0m
Oct 13, 2023
Kevin McCarthy Out, Laphonza Butler In

Emile, Helen, Micah, and Sohrab discuss the unprecedented move to strip Kevin McCarthy of the Speaker's gavel, and what comes next on a chaotic Capitol Hill for a divided Republican Party. Plus, Gavin Newsom nominates Maryland resident Laphonza Butler to fill the California senate seat of the late Dianne Feinstein, and RFK Jr. looks set to mount an independent presidential bid. Picks of the week: Emile: Washington on the Knife Edge, Douglas Macgregor Helen: A Murder Story: Whatever Happened to Interoperability?, Cory Doctorow Sohrab: Lee to Biden: Just Tell the Truth, Anastasia Kaliabakos Micah: Development Done Right, Jude Russo

37m
Oct 06, 2023
Ruckus at the Reagan Library

This week, a group of Republicans shouted over each other on stage in California, while presidential candidates traveled to Michigan to appeal to working class voters. Emile, Helen, Micah, and Declan discuss the second GOP primary debate, the UAW strike, and a new Bloomberg study that shows corporations making "progress" in not hiring white Americans.  Picks of the week: Emile: Happy Hundred, Hank, Micah P. Veillon Declan: Will We Never Be Free?, Jude Russo Helen: Protecting the Chief Business of the American People, Micah Meadowcroft Micah: The Rise of Republican National Security Prioritizers, Alexander Velez-Green

51m
Sep 29, 2023
Track Suits & Gym Shorts

The senate changed its dress code to accomodate John Fetterman's gym shorts this week, but he wasn't the only one to dress down at the Capitol. Emile, Helen, Micah, and Sohrab discuss the visit of faux-fatigue-clad Volodymyr Zelensky to Washington amidst growing opposition to increased Ukraine funding in the GOP. Plus, the pages of the host a debate over tariffs and the legacy of the Trump administration's trade policy. Picks of the Week:  Emile: Chain Migration and the Diversity Visa Program: Legal Immigration at Its Worst, Phillip Linderman Helen: Britain's Military Enlightement, Sumantra Maitra Micah: Richard Nixon's Last Crusade, Anthony J. Constantini Sohrab: Steam and Ice, Jude Russo

53m
Sep 22, 2023
All Star Credit

* Emile, Helen, Sohrab, and Micah discuss usery and Sen. Josh Hawley's proposal to cap credit card interest rates. Plus, Apple rollouts have started to lose their shine, and the crew goes back to the '90s to remember the late Steve Harwell, lead singer of Smash Mouth.  *   * *   * Picks of the week: *   * Emile: "Lyons on the Managerial Regime," by Charles Haywood * Helen: "We Were Eight Years in Power," by Micah Meadowcroft * Sohrab: "Pence vs. Populism," by Emile Doak * Micah: "Argentina, Milei, and the International 'New Right'," by Edgar Beltran

59m
Sep 15, 2023
The Issue That Will Destroy New York

* Emile, Sohrab, Helen, and Micah discuss the migration crisis in light of comments from New York's mayor this week that the issue will "destroy" his city. Plus, mask mandates appear to be back in parts of the country, and the Burning Man bacchanal turns into a mud pit. *   * *   * Picks of the week: *   * Micah: Coach Courageous, Harry Scherer * Helen: Patronage for Progressives, Jonathan Ireland * Emile: Debates Over Arlington's Confederate Memorial, Catesby Leigh * Sohrab: Otto Von Bharat, Jude Russo

42m
Sep 08, 2023
Trump's Trial Date

Former President Trump's latest trial date is set: March 4, 2024--the day before Super Tuesday. Emile, Helen, Micah, and Sohrab discuss how it's getting tough to see the cases against Trump as anything but political in nature, and what's shaping up to be a crowded and complicated calendar for the GOP primaries. Plus, a DC jury convicts pro-life activists for FACE Act violations, and Hurricane Idalia causes many on the left to put the climate change narrative into overdrive. Picks of the week: Emile: Made in Farmville, Bradley Devlin Helen: America Overrun, America Transformed, Phillip Linderman Sohrab: A Viable Realism and Revival Doctrine, Vivek Ramaswamy Micah: Teacher, Leave Them Kids Alone, Alexander Zubatov

55m
Sep 01, 2023
The 2024 Race Is Here

Emile, Helen, Sohrab, and Micah discuss the first GOP presidential primary debate, and whether it actually mattered given that the overwhelming front-runner spent the evening talking to a far bigger audience with Tucker Carlson instead. Plus, more questions are coming out about the response to the devastating wildfires in Hawaii, and the hosts discuss the suspicious plane crash involving Yevgeny Prigozhin in Russia. Picks of the Week: Emile: A Gang of Eight, Micah Meadowcroft Helen: Why Russia's Moon Mission Failed, James Oberg Micah: A Magic Kingdom, Declan Leary Sohrab: In 2024, Keep an Eye on Foreign Policy, Emile Doak

57m
Aug 25, 2023
A New Working Class Anthem?

This week, Emile, Helen, Sohrab, and Micah discuss the viral country song "Rich Men North of Richmond," and what it says about the state of the working class, our political divide, and the country music industry. Plus, the New Jersey Supreme Court hands down a win for a Catholic school that fired an unmarried teacher who got pregnant, and Donald Trump faces yet another indictment, this time in Georgia. Picks of the week:  Emile: The Departed, Declan Leary Helen: These Jobs Are Going, Boys, Gavin Hamrick Micah: Anti-Woke Is Not Enough, James P. Pinkerton Sohrab: The Other Populist in the Race, Harry Scherer

51m
Aug 18, 2023
Whither the Pro-Life Movement?

* Emile, Helen, Micah and Sohrab debate the best tactics for the pro-life movement in the wake of yet another electoral setback, this time in Ohio. Plus, Hillary Clinton is back with an essay on loneliness and atomization that lacks any self-awareness, and R&B singer Ne-Yo refuses to bend to the LGBT lobby. *   * *   * Picks of the Week: *   * Emile: Biden Sits As Safe As Ever, Paul Gottfried * Sohrab: Conservatism's Humanist Road Not Taken, Jeffery Tyler Syck * Helen: The American Voter and 2024, Ryan Girdusky * Micah: Loser Mindset, John Hirschauer *  

55m
Aug 11, 2023
A President in Prison?

* * * Emile, Sohrab, Helen, and Micah discuss the latest Trump indictment, a remarkable David Brooks op-ed, and how universities are already undermining the Supreme Court's ruling on affirmative action. *   * Picks of the week: * Helen: "Death Comes for John Ford," Peter Tonguette * Micah: "Why Trump Is Winning the Primary So Far," Sohrab Ahmari * Sohrab: "Trump Won," Jude Russo * Emile: "Matriculating Malingerers," John Hirschauer

1h 2m
Aug 04, 2023
Hunter, Gerontocracy, & Aliens

Emile, Helen, Micah, and Sohrab discuss the surprise hold on Hunter Biden's plea deal, whether the president's son will end up at trial, and the political fallout for President Biden amidst growing calls for impeachment. Plus, awkward senior moments from Mitch McConnell and Dianne Feinstein put our ruling gerontocracy in stark relief, and whistleblowers seem to suggest aliens exist in testimony to congress. Picks of the Week: Emile: Bombs Away, Micah Meadowcroft Helen: Desiring to Rule Over Him, Carmel Richardson Micah: The Soul of the Machine, Michael Toscano Sohrab: Barbie: A Millennial Mom Movie, Helen Andrews  

48m
Jul 29, 2023
Tucker's Town Hall

* * Emile, Helen, Micah, and Sohrab recap a busy week in the 2024 race, including the GOP candidate summit in Iowa hosted by Tucker Carlson, Trump doubling down on his pledge to end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours, and the  sounding the alarm that Trump might actually wield presidential power in a second term. Plus, Nigel Farage gets de-banked for his political views, and the hosts reflect on Jesse Jackson's legacy with news that he's stepping down.  *   * Picks of the week: *   * Emile: The Democrats Need Kennedy, George D. O'Neill, Jr. * Helen: America Requires a Real Foreign Policy Debate, Doug Bandow * Micah: Time for a Taft Coalition, Phillip Linderman * Sohrab: What Do the French Riots Mean?, Mathieu Bock-Cote

58m
Jul 21, 2023
NATO, Ron, & Napoleon

Helen, Micah, Sohrab, and Harry discuss the latest NATO summit, donors souring on Ron DeSantis, and the upcoming movie.  * Become a member today. https://www.theamericanconservative.com/subscribe/ *   * Picks of the week: *   * Helen: "The Brainwashing Race," Peter Robinson * Micah: "No, Ukraine Hawks Aren’t Strengthening America," Sohrab Ahmari * Sohrab: "Baby Steps," Micah Meadowcroft * Harry: "Soldiers in the Culture War," John Hirschauer

1h 1m
Jul 15, 2023
Riots in France

Emile, Helen, John, and Sumantra discuss the riots in France, cocaine in the Biden White House, and Bill de Blasio's very public separation from Chirlane McCray.  * Become a member today. https://www.theamericanconservative.com/subscribe/ *   * Picks of the week: *   * Emile: "One Equal Temper," Jude Russo * Helen: "Fast Times at Shandong U.," Jesse Russell * John: "The Divine Right of Joe Biden," Chad Nagle * Sumantra: "Indiana Jones, Independence Day, and the Presence of the Past," Adam Ellwanger

49m
Jul 06, 2023
The Wagner Coup

Helen, Bradley, and Sumantra discuss the Wagner coup, the affirmative action ruling from the Supreme Court, and New York's Pride Month parade chanting "We're coming for your children"—a silly bit of satirical fun, or the mask slipping?  * Become a member today. https://www.theamericanconservative.com/subscribe/ *   * Picks of the week: *   * Helen: "Phooey on FOIA," Peter Wood * Bradley: "The Ukrainification of the World," Katya Sedgwick * Sumantra: "The Post-Cold War Consensus Is Dead," Marco Rubio

1h 3m
Jun 30, 2023
Hunter, RFK Jr., & Conservative Economics

Emile, Helen, and Micah are joined by editorial fellow Harry Scherer to discuss Hunter Biden's indictment and plea deal. Plus, RFK Jr. gives a big foreign policy speech as he continues to garner significant support in the Democratic primary against President Biden, and American Compass draws the ire of libertarian economists with the launch of "Rebuilding American Capitalism: A Handbook for Conservative Policymakers" and a conference full of leading GOP senators. Picks of the week: Emile: Front Royal on the Front Lines, Gavin Hamrick Helen: Runaway Horses, Jude Russo Micah: Put Working Class Americans at the Center of Presidential Politics, Amber Lapp & David Lapp Harry: Land of Unconscious Genius, Declan Leary

58m
Jun 22, 2023
Burisma Is Back

Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley has thrust the Biden family's shady dealings with Ukrainian energy company Burisma back into the spotlight this week, alleging that there are multiple audio recordings that confirm bribery to the then-vice president. Emile, Helen, Micah, and John discuss the latest developments in the burgeoning scandal. Plus, an increasing number of top scientists are leaving the West for China, and Good Samaritan Daniel Penney is indicted in New York.  Picks of the Week: Helen: The Ukraine Lobby's Latest Target, Ted Galen Carpenter Micah: Why Jake Garland Died, Helen Andrews John: Why American Prosperity Depends on Economic Sovereignty, Casey L. Wheatland Emile: What Comes Next, Michael Knowles

47m
Jun 16, 2023
The Trump Indictment, Round 2

Donald Trump has been indicted again, this time on federal charges stemming from classified documents. Emile, Helen, Micah, and Sohrab discuss the latest attempt to sideline Trump, and whether it will have any attempt on the 2024 primary, as more candidates enter the race. Plus, the hosts assess the latest in Ukraine in light of the explosion of the Kakhovka Dam. Picks of the week: * Emile: The Smoke-Filled Path Ahead for Conservative Foreign Policy, Carlos Roa * Micah: Confronting the Dragon, John Hirschauer * Helen: American Workers Need Not Apply, Gavin Hamrick * Sohrab: Closed on Sunday, Harry Scherer

55m
Jun 10, 2023