Political Gabfest

Political Gabfest has been running since 2005, making it one of the true veterans of the political podcast world. Emily Bazelon, John Dickerson, and David Plotz have spent nearly two decades hashing out the week's politics with a chemistry that only comes from that kind of longevity. Stephen Colbert once said everyone should listen to it, and honestly, he was not wrong. Each episode runs about an hour and typically covers three main topics pulled from the week's news cycle. The format is deceptively simple -- three smart people talking -- but the execution sets it apart. Bazelon brings deep legal expertise from her work at Yale Law School and the New York Times Magazine. Dickerson has decades of political journalism experience, including stints at CBS and Slate. Plotz brings a wry editorial sensibility that keeps things grounded. The tone is the best thing about this show. It is genuinely thoughtful without being stuffy. They disagree with each other regularly, sometimes sharply, but it never feels performative. You get the sense they are actually working through their thinking in real time rather than reciting predetermined positions. Apple Podcasts listeners voted it their favorite political podcast, and with a 4.4 rating across more than 8,000 reviews, the audience clearly agrees. Slate Plus subscribers get weekly bonus episodes, but the free show alone is worth your time.