Fireside Chat with Dennis Prager
341 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 days ago - ★★★★★ - 5.4K ratingsDennis’s weekly thoughts and timeless wisdom by a crackling fire.
Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Ep. 337 — Iran Attacks Israel
April 19, 2024 13:51 - 34 minutesIran’s unprecedented direct attack on Israel should make it clear who aims to commit genocide in the Middle East. Israel, unlike Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, seeks only to live in peace. For the sake of the survival of the human race, we must have moral clarity when it comes to the battle of good vs. evil. Plus, Dennis answers your questions on Mormonism, parenting, and whether we can have hope for the future.
Ep. 336 — This Is What’s Driving the Death of the West
April 11, 2024 22:32 - 31 minutesDennis just filmed another series with Jordan Peterson and The Daily Wire about the four gospels of the New Testament. What does Dennis—a religious Jew—have to say about Judeo-Christian values and the future of America? Plus, Dennis answers your questions about what stocks to invest in, Riley Gaines, and the radical trans agenda.
Ep. 335 — Gender and the War on Common Sense
April 04, 2024 18:28 - 33 minutes - 30.2 MBAccording to a high school teacher, a student’s statement that “only women menstruate” is merely an opinion. Why are we told to “follow the science” but then mandated to ignore basic biology? As common sense takes a backseat to subjectivity, we are witnessing the death of truth in our culture. What are the implications for society when everything—from gender to the Hamas attacks of October 7—is a matter of opinion?
Ep. 334 — Hamas, Nazis, and Calling Out Evil
March 28, 2024 16:58 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MBWhy don’t people fight obvious evils? If you can’t tell that Hamas is as evil as the Nazis were, it is because you refuse to do so. It’s easy to identify evil decades after the atrocities of the Nazis, Stalin, and Mao. The trick is to call out evil while it’s happening. You have a moral obligation to do so.
Ep. 333 — Affirmative Action Is Humiliating
March 22, 2024 00:00 - 27 minutesHow would you feel if your surgeon, pilot, or lawyer was an affirmative action hire? Society’s obsession with race and gender at the expense of merit is hurting us all. Dennis explores how this destructive policy is not only unfair but also erodes trust and competence in vital professions, where qualifications should matter most.
Ep. 332 — The Pope Hopes Hell Is Empty?
March 15, 2024 16:45 - 31 minutesWhen asked about hell, Pope Francis recently said, “I like to think hell is empty. I hope it is.” Dennis disagrees. But why? Later, Dennis takes your questions about helping friends with mental health issues and the effects of social media on kids. Plus, we have a very exciting announcement: The Fireside Chat is now officially sponsored by members of PragerUnited—our monthly giving club. Support the Fireside Chat and join today!
Ep. 331 — Q&A: Life Advice for the Next Generation
March 07, 2024 20:10 - 30 minutesThis week, Dennis answers your questions. How do you choose a career path, not screw up a relationship, or tell a friend they’re being manipulated by the media? Plus, how did Dennis transform from being an unhappy child to a genuinely happy person? Don’t miss Dennis’s life advice for the next generation.
Ep. 330 — Is Trauma Restricting Your Life?
February 29, 2024 18:48 - 28 minutesHow many people blame trauma for their issues in life? Everyone faces hardships, but you should never let your struggles define you—even if you become paralyzed from the neck down. The issue in life is not what happens to you; it’s how you react to it.
Ep. 329 — Can Fear Be a Good Thing?
February 22, 2024 17:20 - 32 minutesDennis often tells us not to live in fear, but can fear ever be a good thing? In today’s society, a lack of healthy respect for authority has led to a terrifying rise in destructive and disrespectful behavior. According to the wisdom of the Bible, there are two important fears we should embrace. Can you guess what they are?
Ep. 328 — Pleasantly Surprised by Taylor Swift
February 15, 2024 18:37 - 33 minutesDennis shares his thoughts on surprisingly insightful lyrics by Taylor Swift, the “black national anthem” being sung at the Super Bowl, and what a parent should do with a defiant teen.
Ep. 327 — Does the Media Shape Your Views?
February 08, 2024 16:27 - 36 minutesWhen a friend from New York City called Dennis in concern about a California storm, it raised questions about the media’s impact on our perception and behavior. As the media constantly tries to instill fear and make us panic, Dennis reminds us to trust our own eyes over blindly accepting what we’re told.
Ep. 326 — Your Pilot Is a DEI Hire. Good Luck!
February 01, 2024 21:51 - 33 minutesUnited Airlines set an aggressive diversity goal for their pilot training academy: at least 50% will be women or people of color. Shouldn’t the only requirement be competence? As a frequent flyer, Dennis has never looked at a female pilot and wondered if she’s qualified to fly a plane. But as airlines prioritize DEI quotas over our safety, is there cause for concern?
Ep. 325 — You Know Who Wasn't Colorblind? Nazis.
January 25, 2024 20:52 - 33 minutesThe New England Patriots have their first black coach in the team’s history. While the owner said he doesn’t see color and picked “the best man” for the job, the new coach immediately contradicted him by saying, “If you don’t see color, you can’t see racism.” In an era where colorblindness is vilified, Dennis provides a much-needed perspective. After all, if the Nazis had been colorblind, there never would have been the Holocaust.
Ep. 324 — One of the Best Arguments for Why God Is Necessary
January 18, 2024 16:12 - 29 minutesHow do you act when no one is around? Does your behavior change if you think you’re being watched? The answer to these questions is one of the strongest arguments for why God is necessary. No matter what you believe about God’s existence, don’t miss Dennis’s rational, commonsense argument about God’s necessity.
Ep. 323 — DINKs' Biggest Mistake
January 16, 2024 01:41 - 30 minutesMore and more American couples are opting to become DINKs—double income, no kids. After all, they’ll enjoy more freedom and have more money if they choose not to have children. But is there something more to life that DINKs are missing? Dennis provides insight, shares his “3 Mirrors Theory,” and answers your questions.
Ep. 322 — Want a Winning Year? Do This.
January 04, 2024 22:36 - 30 minutesHappy New Year! Dennis looks back on past New Year's advice and shares practical tips for achieving success in the coming year. Don't miss what he says about pursuing truth, depth, travel, and more to make this your best year yet.
Ep. 321 — Dennis and His Son on Addiction and Hitting Rock Bottom
December 28, 2023 20:47 - 51 minutesThis special Fireside Chat features Dennis’s adopted son, Aaron Prager, and his remarkable story of overcoming alcoholism and substance abuse. Aaron talks to his father about meeting his biological mother (who shared his love of alcohol and drugs), the emotional and irrational nature of addiction, his new podcast, and the journey of finding his own identity.
Ep. 320 — They Hate Your Christmas Joy. Let’s Have More of It!
December 21, 2023 21:27 - 32 minutesBring on the Christmas cheer! Even as a devout Jew, Dennis has always loved the Christmas season. But, in recent years, Christmas joy is on the decline, as leftism and secularism invade every aspect of American culture. How do we fight back against those who want to steal our joy? We celebrate even harder! All gifts made now through Christmas will be 3X MATCHED!
Ep. 319 — The Best Place to Lose Your Moral Compass
December 14, 2023 21:00 - 30 minutesWhy are anti-Zionist demonstrations marching through major American cities? Why do young people hate Israel and sympathize with Hamas? Look no further than our universities, where the left has taught an entire generation not to not to judge good and evil, but to judge rich and poor, strong and weak, white and nonwhite. If you can't tell the difference between good and evil in the Middle East, your ability to ascertain morality has been destroyed. All gifts made now through Christmas on prage...
Ep. 318 — How to Live a Life of Depth
December 07, 2023 22:32 - 31 minutesDoing what feels good in the moment may result in temporary pleasure, but will it lead to true happiness? This week, Dennis talks about the importance of not only having superficial fun but pursuing depth in your life. How is this achieved? Like all good things, you work at it!
Ep. 317 — America First Does Not Mean America Only
November 30, 2023 21:52 - 27 minutesAs wars in Israel and Ukraine rage on, some Americans are advocating that we take care of our own problems before involving ourselves in foreign affairs. However, if we hold ourselves to that standard, we will never help any other country because there will always be problems at home. Is that really how America should lead the world? Check out more of our podcasts on prageru.com/podcasts
Ep. 316 — Ask Your Family This Question at Thanksgiving
November 22, 2023 19:05 - 35 minutesThanksgiving is the most universal of American holidays. How could you be more inclusive than giving thanks? Dennis reflects on this meaningful holiday, why it’s been under attack in recent years, and reminds us how important gratitude is. After all, you can’t be good, and you can’t be happy if you’re not grateful. All gifts made now through Giving Tuesday will be MATCHED and have 2X the impact!
Ep. 315 — The Middle East Conflict Is Not Complex
November 16, 2023 17:56 - 31 minutesOne side wants the other side dead. It's not complex. Don't let the left overcomplicate the Middle East conflict. Hamas is very upfront about their goal: to destroy Israel and wipe it off the map. Why are pro-Palestinian protestors denying this fact?
Ep. 314 — Media Outrage over DETRANS
November 09, 2023 19:41 - 30 minutesEveryone is talking about PragerU’s new short documentary, DETRANS: The Dangers of Gender-Affirming Care, after our takeover on X (formerly Twitter). Dennis reacts to media outrage over the film, which gives a voice to brave detransitioners who were manipulated by social media and pushed by medical professionals to take hormones and undergo surgery only to experience regret. What is so scandalous about DETRANS and is it really “going to get someone killed” as the media suggests? Watch to find...
Ep. 311 — "Palestinian Babies Are as Precious as Israelis!" Tell That to Hamas.
November 03, 2023 14:54 - 31 minutesAs the war in Gaza rages on, pro-Palestinian sympathizers all over the world (and even in American cities and universities) are blaming Israel for the conflict while chanting, “Gas the Jews!” Dennis debunks the unfounded criticisms against Israel, including the now popular expression, “Palestinian babies are just as precious as Israeli babies.” There is only one side that bears the blame for the blood being shed on both sides of this conflict, and it is not Israel.
Ep. 313 — Who Wants to Control Others?
November 02, 2023 16:26 - 34 minutesFrom plastic straws to the thermostat in your own home, some people want to control every aspect of your life. America was founded to combat this dark side of human nature that seeks power over others, including what you're allowed to say, do, and even think. But liberty is a value, not an instinct. If we don’t continue to uphold our American ideal of freedom, we may end up losing it.
Ep. 312 — Your Unhappy Childhood Has an Upside
October 26, 2023 19:00 - 31 minutesAre there any disadvantages to having a perfectly happy childhood? Life is tough. The earlier you know this, the better. While experiencing an unhappy childhood is far from ideal, there can be an upside. Dennis provides personal stories and reminds us not to feel “traumatized” when life throws difficult things our way.
Ep. 310 — Israel Is at War
October 12, 2023 18:06 - 32 minutesOver the weekend, Hamas launched the most brutal attack on Israel in the nation’s history. Hundreds of Israelis were brutally tortured, kidnapped, and murdered. Yet some people still try to blame Israel—not the terrorists—for the evils perpetrated against innocent civilians. Dennis explains that the goal of Israel is peace while its enemies seek to exterminate the Jews and wipe Israel off the face of the earth. There is no moral equivalence.
Ep. 309 — The New York Times Accuses PragerU of Rationalizing Slavery
October 05, 2023 16:42 - 26 minutesNow that PragerU is approved for use in schools throughout multiple states across the country, we are under attack from leftist media like never before. Dennis dissects a recent New York Times piece claiming he is a racist, PragerU is propaganda, and PragerU Kids is using Frederick Douglass to rationalize slavery. Are they right?
Ep. 308 — Dennis Prager and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
September 28, 2023 22:49 - 1 hourRobert F. Kennedy, Jr. joins Dennis for a special discussion about the medical establishment, the CIA, climate change, and more. From hot-button topics and “crazy conspiracy theories” to issues on war, government, and culture, Dennis seeks clarity over agreement as he asks RFK, Jr. thoughtful questions to find out where he stands.
Ep. 307 — What Does God Care About Most?
September 21, 2023 18:46 - 28 minutesDoes God want us to have correct theology, perform rituals, participate in worship, or is there something else that’s more important in God’s eyes? Dennis has a theory about what God values above all else and provides six reasons why he came to this conclusion. Read Dennis’s entire argument in his column, “What Does God Most Care About?”
Ep. 306 — People Don’t Know Real Evil
September 14, 2023 19:29 - 31 minutesAbout half of Americans ages 18-39 cannot identify Auschwitz or any other Nazi death camp, even though most can probably explain preferred pronouns, intersectionality, racism, and sexism. So, why aren’t most students learning anything of importance? Dennis provides three reasons why today's young people are not being taught about real evil.
Ep. 305 — How Can We Explain Bad Religious People?
September 07, 2023 17:28 - 28 minutesIf religion is supposed to produce good people, how can we explain religious people who are bad? Can we judge an entire religion based on its flawed and imperfect believers? After all, religion is not magic. It’s not a silver bullet and it doesn’t automatically make you happy, holy, or good. But, Dennis argues, religion does make you a better person if you want to be a better person.
Ep. 304 — Is God Alone Sufficient?
August 31, 2023 20:52 - 34 minutesWhat does it mean when God says about Adam and Eve, “It is not good for the man to be alone”? Many people, including Christians who share the same faith, have different points of view. Dennis responds to a pastor’s critique and shares his thoughts about this whether God alone is sufficient.
Ep. 303 — The California Hurricane Freak-Out
August 24, 2023 15:24 - 33 minutesHurricane Hilary descended upon Southern California this week, as media hysteria and alerts of “life-threatening floods” sent residents into a panic. Nearly everyone complied with instructions to shelter in place, even though one look outside would have assured any rational person there was nothing to fear. Dennis discusses this perplexing behavior and asks why people trust the government and the media more than their own eyes.
Ep 302 — Why Is Suicide at an All-Time High?
August 17, 2023 17:53 - 35 minutesA recent study from the CDC reports that suicide is at an all-time high. Dennis dives into the three explanations from “the experts” as to why this is and provides his own analysis of the real problems behind this troubling statistic.
Ep 301 — Where Is God in Tragedy?
August 10, 2023 17:01 - 30 minutesA viewer in Africa writes a thoughtful and difficult question to Dennis: Why believe in a God that allows horrible things to happen? Watch to see how Dennis responds to the idea that an all-knowing, all-loving, and all-powerful God allows us to suffer without offering any help. His answers may surprise you and might even challenge your own understanding of God.
Ep. 300 — PragerU Is Now in Schools with PragerU CEO Marissa Streit
August 03, 2023 19:03 - 38 minutesWe have a lot to celebrate in this special 300th Fireside Chat! PragerU CEO Marissa Streit joins Dennis to share BIG NEWS: PragerU is now in schools as an official state-approved education vendor. We are working to bring PragerU’s free, turnkey lesson plans to classrooms nationwide. Mainstream media outlets are outraged over the news, and we’ve received an explosion of press. Find out what they're saying about us and hear how Dennis and Marissa respond. Then, go to PragerUkids.com and review ...
Ep. 299 — Do You Trust the Government to Define "Misinformation"?
July 27, 2023 17:00 - 30 minutesAccording to Pew Research Center, most Americans want the government to restrict free speech to limit “misinformation.” Dennis explores the dangers of this alarming trend in the U.S.—the freest country in the history of the world—especially when you consider who gets to define “misinformation.”
Ep. 298 — CDC Using "Pregnant People"
July 20, 2023 15:30 - 30 minutesNow that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is using the term “pregnant people” and denying one of the most basic and fundamental biological truths that women (not men) give birth, how can we trust the CDC about anything? Plus, Dennis answers viewers’ questions about dating, grief, and a perplexing verse of the Bible.
Ep. 297 — Our Broken Culture Is Getting Worse (A.I. Isn't Helping)
July 13, 2023 18:23 - 29 minutesAmerican society is producing children who are selfish, ungrateful, and lazy. Many adult children refuse to speak to their parents, most of whom are completely undeserving of such cruelty. Now, with the introduction of artificial intelligence, kids are cheating at school and depriving themselves of learning. Dennis examines these worsening problems in our culture and asks if knowing how to write an essay, use a camera, or drive a stick shift car will become lost arts of the past, as modern te...
Ep. 296 — America Needs American Values
July 06, 2023 17:57 - 31 minutesDays after the 4th of July, Dennis reflects on the meaning of patriotism at a time when we may not feel proud of the direction America is headed. Despite these feelings, however, we raise the flag for the values it represents—the American Trinity inscribed on every U.S. coin: Liberty, In God We Trust, and E Pluribus Unum. We must restore these values if America is to remain the last best hope of Earth.
Ep. 295 — My One Regret
June 29, 2023 17:05 - 33 minutesThis week, Dennis reads two very different letters: one from a fan who attributes Dennis with improving his life, the other from Arizona State University faculty, accusing Dennis of bigotry and hate. Sadly, many people who should hear what Dennis has to say never will because of false accusations like this, and that may be the biggest regret of his life.
Ep. 294 — Europe vs. America Today
June 22, 2023 18:37 - 29 minutesDennis recently visited Eastern Europe and instead of wanting to kiss the ground upon his return home (as he always had in the past), a different thought crossed his mind. With LGBTQ “pride” taking over American culture, we have lost an innocence in our society that is still present in other parts of the world. What can we learn from comparing our beloved America—the last best hope of Earth—to Europe today?
Ep. 293 — The Tragedy of Being Raised to Hate
June 19, 2023 17:30 - 27 minutesAccording to Biblical law, Jews are forbidden to hate Egyptians—the people who held them captive in slavery for centuries. What does this ancient rule have to teach us about oppression, “white privilege,” and racism in our culture today?
Ep. 292 — Want Joy? Prepare For Pain.
June 08, 2023 15:46 - 30 minutesThis week, Dennis reminds us you cannot have a rich life without pain. He then answers a difficult question about abortion, inspiring his wife to spontaneously share her personal experience of nearly aborting her son 13 weeks into the pregnancy. Don’t miss the powerful discussion in this unique Fireside Chat.
Ep. 291 — Pride Month: Why Do We Do This?
June 08, 2023 15:00 - 28 minutesThis month is LGBTQ Pride Month. But viewing people through the lens of sexual orientation, race, religion, or any group at all is not beneficial to society. The left demands that radical ideologies not only be tolerated but also celebrated. Long ago, Dennis learned there are only two groups of people in the world and it has influenced his life ever since.
Ep. 290 — Know Thyself (Including Your Strengths)
May 25, 2023 16:37 - 26 minutesAre you guilty of pride if you acknowledge your strengths? Dennis has been writing and speaking to large audiences for decades. His success has taught him valuable lessons about arrogance, humility, and self-esteem that we can all benefit from when it comes to examining ourselves.
Ep. 289 — Moving On: How Soon Is Too Soon?
May 18, 2023 21:31 - 27 minutesA few weeks after the death of Dennis’s beloved bulldog Otto, his family welcomed a new pet into their home—welcome Mr. Tubz! Dennis reflects on moving on after the death of a dog, or for that matter, a spouse. Is there such a thing as moving on too quickly?
Ep. 288 — You Should Have Shoulds in Life
May 11, 2023 16:49 - 28 minutesDennis offers words of wisdom to live by, as he shares his three favorite verbs. Can you guess what they are? These three simple words have shifted Dennis’s entire outlook on life, and he explains how they can do the same for you.