Best Christopher Vance Podcasts (2025)

1
/487/ Did JD Vance Kill the PMC? ft. Christopher Lasch's Angry Ghost 51:51

16d ago51:51

51:51

On what is next for 'PMC theory' [For the full episode, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast] The social media avatar known as Christopher Lasch's Angry Ghost joins us to unpick the conjuncture: as the Trump administration makes cuts and seeks to do away with progressives in bureaucracies, where does that leave the left-wing critique of the PMC? What…

1
LIVE MUSIC FROM DEERHOOF! WINNERS & LOSERS! ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS! IAN MACKAY IN CRIMEBRIDGE! PAT FINNERTY! 3:02:14

11h ago3:02:14

3:02:14

DEERHOOF come through for a rousing performance in the Best Show/Forever Dog Theater! Tom takes calls about WINNERS & LOSERS, as well as ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS! PAT FINNERTY (aka Pat In Philly) checks in! Plus, a call from IAN MACKAY IN CRIMEBRIDGE! SUPPORT THE BEST SHOW ON PATREON! WEEKLY BONUS EPISODES & VIDEO EPISODES! https://www.patreon.com/TheB…

1
Prince--Bob Seger--(Same Guy?) & "Where's the Beef? Burger Wars" 1:01:24

14h ago1:01:24

1:01:24

This week’s episode is a wild ride through unexpected musical theories, fast food rivalries, and a heartfelt tribute to a classic TV star. Buckle up for a multi-course serving of nostalgia and surprises. Segment 1: “Raspberry Seger?” Prince’s Raspberry Beret turns 40 this summer, but here’s the question we can’t stop asking: Did Prince write that s…

1
/491/ Squeezed Between Two Empires ft. Maciej Szlinder 1:04:27

1d ago1:04:27

1:04:27

On Poland's election, its history, its self-conception. Philosopher Maciej Szlinder joins us to talk about Polish politics, society and history. Maciej is a member of the general council of the left-wing political party Razem ("Together"), as well as the president of the Polish Basic Income Network, so we discuss these matters as well as the genera…

1
/490/ Reading Club: Who Is Anti-Nationalist? 17:21

2d ago17:21

17:21

On the former Yugoslavia and the ethnography of anti-nationalists. [For the full episode, subscribe: patreon.com/bungacast] [Reading Club LIVE: Sat 14 June, 9am LA, 12am NY, 5pm London, 6pm Berlin] In the third installment of this block on inter/nationalism in the 21st century, we take a look at the other side of nationalism, through scholar Stefaa…

1
Christopher Caldwell's Case Against Civil Rights 1:28:24

2d ago1:28:24

1:28:24

Attentive listeners will notice that this episode is about a book but isn't an author interview. That's because it's the first in a new occasional series of episodes that will be dedicated to books by conservative writers that we think are important — whether because a book articulates the right's approach to an issue or problem in an especially re…

1
Extreme Sports Athlete Rad McKinney 52:56

4d ago52:56

52:56

BEST SHOW BESTS! In this classic clip, Tom gets a call from the legendary extreme sports champion RAD MCKINNEY! (Originally aired on February 2nd, 2016) New to the Best Show? Check out Best Show Bests, the greatest hits of The Best Show! Available every Friday on your podcast app. SUPPORT THE BEST SHOW ON PATREON! WEEKLY BONUS EPISODES & VIDEO EPIS…

1
/489/ Boomer Death Rattle 42:55

5d ago42:55

42:55

On the end of the (very) long 1960s. [For the full episode, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast] Contributing Editor Lee Jones joins Alex and George to talk through the themes and stories of the month, including MAGA's war on universities, right-populists in power, and culture war. Plus we deal with your questions and comments on: lawfare, video gam…

1
Dr. Jay Goes to Washington: Reforming Science from the Inside at NIH | Uncommon Knowledge | Peter Robinson | Hoover Institution 1:10:04

6d ago1:10:04

1:10:04

Peter Robinson speaks with Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a former Stanford professor and epidemiologist, and the newly appointed director of the National Institutes of Health. Once labeled a “fringe epidemiologist” by the previous administration at NIH, he now leads the world’s largest biomedical research agency and its $50 billion annual budget. Their con…

1
JAMES AUSTIN JOHNSON! ERIC RAHILL! WHITMER THOMAS! CARMEN CHRISTOPHER! AJ WEBERMAN! ROAD TRIP STORIES! PHILLY BOY ROY! 3:04:45

8d ago3:04:45

3:04:45

Best Show is back! JAMES AUSTIN JOHNSON comes to the studio to talk with Tom about his career, SNL, Bob Dylan and more! AJ WEBERMAN, noted Dylanologist and Garbologist, calls in to talk with Tom and James! Comedians and actors ERIC RAHILL, WHITMER THOMAS, and CARMEN CHRISTOPHER stop in to talk to Tom about their roles in the new A24 film FRIENDSHIP…

1
/488/ Homo-Techno, Homo-Solo ...Post-Homo? ft. Alex Gendler 33:47

8d ago33:47

33:47

On tech and the last hu-men. [For the full episode, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast] Writer Alex Gender is back, talking to Alex and George about his recent essay, "Homo Algorithmicus", as well as reflecting on how incel culture has widened and deepened in the past five years. How does healthcare CEO assassin Luigi Mangione exemplify a “rational…

1
Iconic Cars....Burger King Starts Burger Wars....NNNOOOOORM! 59:59

11d ago59:59

59:59

This week! From iconic wheels to flame-broiled beef to beloved comedic legends, we’re covering it all. Segment 1: Pop Culture’s Most Iconic Vehicles The cars that became characters themselves We tackle the burning questions that keep pop culture nerds up at night: • What makes a vehicle truly iconic in pop culture? We debate the criteria that eleva…

1
Soundtracapella 45:15

12d ago45:15

45:15

BEST SHOW BESTS! In this classic clip, Tom is joined in studio by the a capella soundtrack vocal duo SOUNDTRACAPELLA! (Originally Aired on WFMU on October 22, 2002) New to the Best Show? Check out Best Show Bests, the greatest hits of The Best Show! Available every Friday on your podcast app. SUPPORT THE BEST SHOW ON PATREON! WEEKLY BONUS EPISODES …

1
Trump as Messianic Prophet (w/ Manvir Singh) [TEASER] 2:10

13d ago2:10

2:10

Listen to the rest of this premium episode by subscribing at patreon.com/knowyourenemy. In a recent New Yorker essay, our guest, UC Davis anthropologist Manvir Singh, argues, "The Trumpian mystique echoes a dynamic that has occurred for centuries and across cultures. Its core ingredients—an alleged league of pedophiles, a godlike miracle worker, pr…

1
THE BEST SHOW RETROSPECTIVE 2:47:29

15d ago2:47:29

2:47:29

Tom Scharpling sits down with Brett Davis to celebrate 25 years of The Best Show. Learn about the moments and people that led Tom to WFMU, and the development of Newbridge and Jon Wurster's incredible array of characters. Delve into the origins of fan favorites such as AP Mike, Pat, Dudio, Vance, and Gary the Squirrel, alongside insights into early…

1
Thor From Newbridge Heights 38:14

20d ago38:14

38:14

BEST SHOW BESTS! In this classic clip, Tom gets a call from THOR FROM NEWBRIDGE HEIGHTS! New to the Best Show? Check out Best Show Bests, the greatest hits of The Best Show! Available every Friday on your podcast app. SUPPORT THE BEST SHOW ON PATREON! WEEKLY BONUS EPISODES & VIDEO EPISODES! https://www.patreon.com/TheBestShow WATCH THE BEST SHOW LI…

1
McDonald's Vs Sid and Marty Kroft (Burger Wars Kickoff) 52:53

20d ago52:53

52:53

This week, we uncover the mysterious disappearance of beloved McDonald's characters, debate whether Sid and Marty Krofft shows were "good-bad" or just plain bad, and kick off our sizzling summer "Burger Wars" segment with a deep dive into the Golden Arches. ### SEGMENT 1: "The McDonaldland Massacre" (00:00-23:30) - Introduction to McDonaldland char…

1
Did Podcasters Make Trump President? (w/ Andrew Marantz) 1:22:19

20d ago1:22:19

1:22:19

Among the many factors credited for Donald Trump's victory over Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race was one that, naturally, the hosts of Know Your Enemy took an interest in: podcasts. More specifically, "bro" podcasts—think Joe Rogan or Theo Von—seemed to be one reason why Trump continued, as he did in 2016 and 2020, to perform so well wit…

1
/486/ Romania Is Following the Script ft. Enikő Vincze 56:31

23d ago56:31

56:31

On Romania's annulled election – and the repeat. Academic and housing activist Enikő Vincze talks to Alex about why December 2024's election result was annulled, and how Romanian politics is following the script of European politics: lawfare, misinformation, techno-populism, and "sovereigntists" who provide the same neoliberal solutions. Who are th…

1
Bishop Pablo Fontana 41:04

27d ago41:04

41:04

BEST SHOW BESTS! In this classic clip, Tom gets a call from BISHOP PABLO FONTANA! (Originally aired on WFMU on May 1st, 2007) New to the Best Show? Check out Best Show Bests, the greatest hits of The Best Show! Available every Friday on your podcast app. SUPPORT THE BEST SHOW ON PATREON! WEEKLY BONUS EPISODES & VIDEO EPISODES! ⁠⁠https://www.patreon…

1
Conclave (2024) (w/ Brandon Taylor) [TEASER] 3:10

27d ago3:10

3:10

Listen to the rest of this premium episode by subscribing at patreon.com/knowyourenemy. With the papal conclave convening in Rome to pick Pope Francis's successor, Matt and Sam are joined by novelist Brandon Taylor to discuss the 2024 film Conclave, directed by Edward Berger and starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Ross…

1
/485/ Can Games Teach Us Agency? ft. Pawel Kaczmarski 23:32

30d ago23:32

23:32

On the promise of videos games. [For the full episode, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast] Pawel Kaczmarski – a literary critic who teaches modern and contemporary Polish literature at the University of Wrocław – talks to George and Alex about his piece in Damage, "The Promise of Video Games". How are things gearing up for Poland's election later t…

1
The Life & Crimes of Roy Cohn (w/ In Bed with the Right) 53:17

1M ago53:17

53:17

Recently Matt joined Moira Donegan and Adrian Daub of the excellent In Bed with the Right podcast to record what turned out to be two episodes about Roy Cohn—the "lawyer, closet case and ratfucker extraordinaire," as they describe him. These days Cohn is perhaps most infamous for being Donald Trump's lawyer and mentor, but this first episode focuse…

1
John Mulaney (featuring Phil from Newishbridge) 1:22:28

1M ago1:22:28

1:22:28

BEST SHOW BESTS! In this classic clip, JOHN MULANEY comes to the studio to chat with Tom and take calls, including one from PHIL FROM NEWISHBRIDGE about SNL TRIVIA! (Originally Aired on WFMU on July 7th, 2010) New to the Best Show? Check out Best Show Bests, the greatest hits of The Best Show! Available every Friday on your podcast app. SUPPORT THE…

1
Christopher Buckley: “Steaming to Bamboola” and Other Journeys 1:01:34

1M ago1:01:34

1:01:34

In this wide-ranging and richly entertaining conversation, novelist and political satirist Christopher Buckley joins Peter Robinson for a reflection on writing, legacy, friendship, and grace. From their early days as speechwriters for George H. W. Bush to Buckley’s prolific career as an author of more than 20 books—including Thank You for Smoking a…

1
SUSAN MORRISON! LIZZY COOPERMAN! COOL PERSON'S COOLEST MOMENT, LAME PERSON'S LAMEST MOMENT! 2:57:24

1M ago2:57:24

2:57:24

SUSAN MORRISON, author the Lorne Michaels biography Lorne, checks in with Tom to discuss her book, the SNL culture and more! Tom, callers and the crew put together a list of Cool People's Coolest Moments and a second list of Lame People's Lamest Moments! Who will come out on top/bottom? LIZZY COOPERMAN pops in for a moment before holding down the R…

1
/484/ No Justice in Politics ft. David Broder 30:44

1M ago30:44

30:44

On the charges against France's Marine Le Pen. [For the full episode, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast] Alex and George discuss some main stories from the past month. After the death of Pope Francis, what's behind left-wing sympathy for the late Pope – and more widespread appreciation for Catholicism? Why do we want a progressive Pope, and would …

1
/483/ Reading Club: Why Invent Traditions? 1:22:46

1M ago1:22:46

1:22:46

On the mass-production of loyalty. *** We are exceptionally making this episode of the Reading Club freely available. See the full syllabus here: 2024/25 Reading Club. If you'd like to join, subscribe at patreon.com/bungacast/membership. *** The second reading in this block on Inter/Nationalism in the 21st Century is The Invention of Tradition (eds…

1
Bye Bye Miss American Pie...The Godfather of Grunge...Is this Heaven? No It's Iowa in a Mini-Van 59:17

1M ago59:17

59:17

Join Spunky Comstock and Wolfman Mike as they trade city lights for cornfields and hit the Iowa backroads to settle the ultimate 70s vs 80s showdown—Midwestern style! 🏁 00:00 | Welcome to the Roadtrip Spunky and Wolfman rev up the engine in a vintage Mini Van Roadtrip rules: no GPS, all gut instinct, and plenty of ’80s power ballads 🛞 03:30 | Flat …

1
The Meaning of Pope Francis 1:24:24

1M ago1:24:24

1:24:24

The passing of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025 marked not just the end of a papacy but the end of an era in global politics. The moment in which Francis spoke before Congress a decade ago and identified Thomas Merton, Dorothy Day, and Martin Luther King as models of Christian moral witness feels like another universe — far from the cruel, cramped, s…

1
Black Tyger 1:04:18

1M ago1:04:18

1:04:18

BEST SHOW BESTS! In this classic clip, Tom takes a call from a member of the band BLACK TYGER! (Originally aired on WFMU on February 10, 2004) New to the Best Show? Check out Best Show Bests, the greatest hits of The Best Show! Available every Friday on your podcast app. SUPPORT THE BEST SHOW ON PATREON! WEEKLY BONUS EPISODES & VIDEO EPISODES! http…

1
SLOPPY BOYS! DAVID SHEFF! THE BEACH: GOOD OR BAD?! GLENN DANSIG IN MIDDLEBRIDGE! 2:55:57

1M ago2:55:57

2:55:57

The SLOPPY BOYS come to the Forever Dog studio to chat with Tom about their podcast, their musical career, the beach and more! Tom talks with DAVID SHEFF, author of the Yoko Ono biography Ono! The topic: Is The Beach good or bad? Callers weigh in! Plus, Tom gets a call from GLENN DANSIG IN MIDDLEBRIDGE! SUPPORT THE BEST SHOW ON PATREON! WEEKLY BONU…

1
/482/ The Philippines' Dynasty & Duterte's Arrest ft. Walden Bello 1:23:05

1M ago1:23:05

1:23:05

On Filipino politics and geopolitics. Renowned public intellectual Walden Bello talks to Alex and contributing editor Lee Jones about his recently published memoirs, former president Rodrigo Duterte's arrest, warring political dynasties and more. What's behind Duterte's arrest? Is it lawfare? How did the Philippines comes to be an ‘anarchy of famil…

1
Matthew Tompkins from Shout Network 45:02

2M ago45:02

45:02

BEST SHOW BESTS! In this classic clip, Tom gets a call from MATTHEW TOMPKINS FROM SHOUT NETWORK, discussing their new shows! (Originally Aired on May 20th, 2015) New to the Best Show? Check out Best Show Bests, the greatest hits of The Best Show! Available every Friday on your podcast app. SUPPORT THE BEST SHOW ON PATREON! WEEKLY BONUS EPISODES & V…

1
BRIDGER WINEGAR! BLUES BROTHERS TALK! 2:57:14

2M ago2:57:14

2:57:14

BRIDGER WINEGAR, host of the hit podcast "I SAID NO GIFTS" stops by the Forever Dog studio to talk to Tom about Utah, music, and more! Tom discusses his recent trip to SALEM! We have a Newbridge Notes Hotline call from JIM HETFIELD! And last but not least, Tom, AP Mike, Pat Byrne, Bridger Winegar and the callers all discuss THE BLUES BROTHERS! A de…

1
The Madness of Trump’s Tariffs (w/ John Ganz) [TEASER] 4:50

2M ago4:50

4:50

Listen to the rest of this premium episode by subscribing at patreon.com/knowyourenemy Speaking in the Rose Garden on April 2, or as he called it, "Liberation Day," President Trump unveiled his plans to impose a new minimum tariff on nearly every country in the world, along with country-specific "reciprocal" tariffs for those nations Trump deemed t…

1
Thomas Sowell: Facts Against Rhetoric, Capitalism, Culture—and, Yes, the Tariffs 1:01:17

2M ago1:01:17

1:01:17

Economist and author Thomas Sowell makes his long-awaited (and oft requested) return to Uncommon Knowledge with Peter Robinson to unveil his newest project: a website titled Facts Against Rhetoric, a powerful resource dedicated to empirical thinking and intellectual clarity. In this interview, Sowell explores some of the most urgent issues in Ameri…

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