Friendly Fire
32 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 5 ratingsPolitics and related things, without as much amicable disagreement as we initially imagined when the podcast was first conceived.
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Episodes
THE RETVRN
July 28, 2022 00:00 - 1 hour - 98.2 MBRecording in the same room for the first time since Devin moved to L.A., the podcast sought to deliver what it originally promised: arguments. On this episode, we tackled three topics that have polarized the discourse: the public hearings of the House Select Committee on the January 6th attack, what to make of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, and debates on the left around how to respond to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Intro music: "Feud" by Band of Horses
Permanent Plague Podcasting
April 23, 2022 01:54 - 1 hour - 89.9 MBTwo-ish years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., we discuss what we've learned, the big policy successes and failures, and which variants to keep an eye on in year three. Warning: lots of ambivalence and frustration, per usual. Note: this was recorded in March 2022. Intro music: "These Days" by Nico
Critical Wave Theory
November 10, 2021 07:31 - 1 hour - 82.6 MBBoth podcast hosts live in states with 2021 gubernatorial elections, so on this episode Kevin reports from the field on the situation in Virginia. What happened? How much trouble are Democrats in heading into the midterms? Does anyone remember the week in 2019 when every statewide elected official in the commonwealth almost resigned? (59:16) - leaked audio from the McAuliffe election night party Intro music: "Mr. November" by The National
Hot Recall Summer, Reconciliation Fall
September 12, 2021 18:40 - 1 hour - 91.6 MBOn the first episode in awhile, we catch up on the effort to recall California Governor Gavin Newsom ahead of the September 14th election (2:30) and discuss the latest on the wide-ranging "infrastructure" legislation currently making its way through Congress (39:35). Intro music: "California Dreamin'" by The Mamas & The Papas
Infrastructure Week (Biden's Version)
April 11, 2021 00:25 - 1 hour - 89.4 MBWe reflected on the recently passed American Rescue Plan and delved into the outlines of the Biden administration's next legislative push: a (broadly defined) infrastructure package. Where should all this federal money be directed over the next ten years? Does a massive investment in electric cars make sense? And why is it being framed as necessary to "compete" with China? Articles referenced: “Senate Parliamentarian Rules in Favor of Democratic Reconciliation Effort” (Wall Street Journal)...
Thinking of the Children
February 26, 2021 05:09 - 58 minutes - 80.2 MB(...and low-wage workers) The American Rescue Plan/COVID-19 relief round whatever is making its way through Congress, and so the gang tackled two aspects of the proposed legislation: expansion of the child tax credit to be fully refundable and a gradual hike in the minimum wage to $15/hour. Article mentioned: "A Year of Hardship, Helped and Hindered by Washington" (New York Times) Intro music: "Logan's Loop" by Andrew Bird
Restoring the Soul of Friendly Fire
January 21, 2021 01:55 - 1 hour - 60.1 MBRecorded just before Inauguration Day, Kevin and Devin discuss the key questions facing the incoming Biden administration. Is bipartisanship back on the menu? Will the pandemic end? Are there any reasons for hope? Intro music: "Maestranza” by Fleet Foxes
Stimulus for Christmas
December 22, 2020 02:45 - 52 minutes - 72 MBWe talked about the reports of deal in Congress to provide a second round of economic relief during the COVID-19 recession. The short version is that it's not big enough and comes months after it was needed, though is perhaps better than nothing. Caveat: this was recorded before the actual legislation was made public, please forgive us if anything is out of date!
It's (Basically) Over
November 11, 2020 07:57 - 1 hour - 55.2 MBWe recap the chaos of election night and discuss Joe Biden's projected victory in the presidential election. Why was Biden's victory narrower than expected? What can we conclude from Democrats performing so poorly down the ballot? And how was Kevin's experience as a poll watcher on Tuesday?
Build Back...Barrett?
September 30, 2020 18:30 - 57 minutes - 57.2 MBSince we last spoke, Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away. Donald Trump is still president and Republicans control the Senate, so during this episode, we discuss the nomination of Amy Coney Barrett to the fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court. What does this inauspicious situation means for abortion, the Affordable Care Act, and the election? Can Democrats do anything about it? Will they?
Remember the Election?
August 20, 2020 21:57 - 1 hour - 102 MBWith the Democratic National Zoom Convention being held this week, we discussed Joe Biden's recent selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate, the state of the presidential campaign, and just how much of a mess the election will be in the fall. Lastly: some fun and not at all painful memories of the primary, which neither of us are at all bitter about.
The Great/Terrible Sports Return
July 24, 2020 23:21 - 50 minutes - 69.9 MBDevin is unemployed and no longer in D.C., and (major American men's team) sports are in the process of returning, so Friendly Fire took a break from politics takes. On the latest episode, we discussed the eerieness of watching empty stadium games, Opening Day excitement or lack thereof, and whether any of this should be happening at all.
Too Many Cops
June 06, 2020 19:23 - 58 minutes - 58.8 MBWe talked about the wave of demonstrations across the country following the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, the violence against protesters in multiple cities, the thorny question of how to gather safely in a pandemic, and where things might go from here.
Education and Contagion, with Mark Lieberman
May 04, 2020 03:04 - 1 hour - 109 MBOn the latest remote episode, Kevin provides an update on the CARES Act and the congressional response to the coronavirus recession. Then, the gang welcomes reporter and friend Mark Lieberman on to discuss how distance learning is going at American schools and talk about the experience of re-watching Contagion during a real life pandemic.
Pandemic Panic
March 22, 2020 23:19 - 1 hour - 66.4 MBFriendly Fire enters the social distancing era with an episode about the economic impact of coronavirus and the measures that Congress and the Federal Reserve are taking to mitigate the damage. Warning: angst levels high.
Assessing Super Tuesday
March 04, 2020 04:12 - 41 minutes - 56.5 MBDevin and Kevin react to the early returns from the Super Tuesday primaries in real time and discuss where the race for the Democratic nomination goes from here.
Medicare for All Who Listen
February 22, 2020 21:17 - 59 minutes - 81.9 MBWe wade into the never-ending health care debate on the latest episode, discussing the origins of America's uniquely bad system and the road ahead for Medicare for All.
2020 Visions
January 28, 2020 06:10 - 1 hour - 55.5 MBThe Iowa caucuses are in less than a week, and so we finally talked about the 2020 Democratic presidential primary. The takes are hot, listen at your own peril.
Minimum Guarantees
December 22, 2019 18:00 - 45 minutes - 62.4 MBWe considered the merits and challenges of universal basic income and federal job guarantee proposals. Spoiler alert: we didn't come to a neat resolution on either one but still think you should listen!
Impeach the Motherf----r?
November 19, 2019 16:11 - 53 minutes - 32.8 MBImpeachment hearings have arrived in Washington, D.C. and Devin and Kevin are here to talk about how we got to this point, what the stakes are, and how this process will factor into the 2020 campaign.
🚨 British General Election Special 🚨
November 03, 2019 01:57 - 50 minutes - 68.7 MBThe U.K. is having an election in six weeks, and Devin and Kevin dropped everything in order to let you know why a Labour government is the Christmas present the country badly needs. References/reading: Question Time audience member sparks fury with ‘idea’ for a united Ireland (Irish Post) The polls may seem dismal. But here’s how Labour could win a general election (The Guardian) "Oh, Jeremy Corbyn" explained
Don't Call it a Recession
September 16, 2019 04:06 - 46 minutes - 34.8 MBOn the latest episode, Kevin looks into the crystal ball given to all economics majors when they graduate and tells us whether a recession is imminent. We discuss his highly scientific forecast and the possible ramifications for next year's election. References: The yield curve inversion panic, explained (Vox)
EPISODE 10: Violating Norms and Electoral Reforms
August 11, 2019 14:44 - 59 minutes - 81.3 MBOn this episode, the gang discusses the Friendly Fire origins story, the structural problems with American democracy, and what reforms Democrats can pursue in order to stop losing elections and legislative fights. References: It’s Time to Fight Dirty, by David Faris The Fair Representation Act, FairVote
EPISODE 9: The War/Podcast on Poverty
July 01, 2019 12:25 - 50 minutes - 38.2 MBOn the latest episode, Devin and Kevin discuss the problem of poverty in the U.S.: what the root causes are, the history of anti-poverty programs, some meta-commentary on the discourse, and where we go from here.
EPISODE 8: Is Student Debt Cancelled?
May 29, 2019 12:45 - 58 minutes - 79.9 MBThe crew discussed the Elizabeth Warren campaign's plan for the future of higher education, as well as how to deal with the high cost of attendance, existing student debt, and what to do about other victims of unfree college.
EPISODE 7: Adjust for MMT
April 16, 2019 02:47 - 57 minutes - 79.3 MBOn the latest episode, Devin and Kevin discuss Modern Monetary Theory, the new economic theory sweeping the discourse: what's behind it, whether it has any value, and what the implications are for proposals like Medicare for All and the Green New Deal.
EPISODE 6: You Brexit You Buy It
March 05, 2019 04:47 - 1 hour - 87.7 MBWith just weeks to go until the United Kingdom is set to leave the European Union, Devin and Kevin try unpack the causes and consequences of Brexit, why the departure process has been so chaotic, and explain what exactly the U.K. is leaving behind.
EPISODE 5: 2016, Relitigated
January 22, 2019 18:03 - 1 hour - 66.4 MBOn our first episode of 2019, Devin and Kevin go back revisit everyone's favorite subject: the 2016 election. Ahead of another long presidential campaign cycle, we discuss lingering grievances, regrets, and observations about what happened last time with the benefit of hindsight and at least some perspective. Forgive us for the extra long episode, there was a lot to talk about! (Standard disclaimer that we only speak for ourselves when offering opinions, both good and bad)
EPISODE 4: Offseason (Free) Trade Talks
December 18, 2018 07:11 - 54 minutes - 75.2 MBOn our final episode of 2018, we discuss the newly signed USMCA free trade agreement and evaluate the Trump administration's trade policy more broadly. We also re-evaluate our own positions from three years ago and rehash old arguments.
EPISODE 3: Midterms Extravaganza
November 16, 2018 15:08 - 51 minutes - 71.2 MBOn this episode of Friendly Fire, we discuss the midterm election results, including the ramifications of Democrats retaking the House, Republicans gaining seats in the Senate, and what the results might mean for 2020. (Opinions expressed in the episode are our own and don't reflect the views of either of our employers)
EPISODE 2: Tackling the Climate Crisis
November 03, 2018 20:17 - 1 hour - 84 MBOn the second episode of Friendly Fire, Devin and Kevin discuss the implications of last month's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report and what policy changes could meaningfully address the climate crisis. They also try to avoid a sophomore (episode) slump.
EPISODE 1: A Supreme Court Reckoning
October 12, 2018 12:55 - 46 minutes - 64.5 MBOn the first episode of Friendly Fire, we discuss the potential ramifications of Justice Brett Kavanauagh's confirmation to the Supreme Court and how those opposed to the conservative legal movement should respond to the Court's right turn.