The Rational Policy Podcast

Hello listener, and welcome back to the Rational Policy Podcast! In this installment, Episode 49, hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay step into the debate Thunderdome and duke it out over a topic that has been back in the news after a (thankfully) long hiatus: Anthony Fauci and, more broadly, the question of accountability for decisions made during the coronavirus pandemic of 2020. The subject was resurfaced in congressional hearings in which Fauci was subpoenaed by Republicans to testify on his actions during that time, an effort spearheaded by Senator Rand Paul (R-KY). Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination to avoid answering questions, despite a blanket pardon from former president Joe Biden. Listen in to hear your usually-simpatico hosts butt heads on the usefulness of the hearings, the trust crisis in public health, and the question of Fauci himself - hero or villain?Then, we shift gears to discuss a couple of secondary stories related to the war in Iran: the new Pakistan-Turkey-Saudi Arabia “alliance” and President Trump’s clandestine escape from a Turkish sojourn in the face of serious Iranian threats. We discuss whether that ‘Islamic NATO’ is worth anything (it isn’t) and whether the surreptitious switcheroo to safeguard the president was an affront to journalists or the result of falsified Israeli intelligence (it wasn’t).Check it out, follow us on Twitter/X (Mike / Art), and share the podcast with anyone you think might appreciate it. Thanks for listening. We’ll be back next week with an earlier episode, then will be on vacation until September. See you next time! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

Welcome back to Episode 48 of the Rational Policy Podcast! Join your stalwart hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay for another whirlwind tour around the world of news and politics, this time without a stop in the Middle East - we could all use a break at this point. Instead, we talk about three issues where the biggest problems are entirely internal.First, we dive into some rank punditry on the 2026 midterm elections, centered around the far-left antisemitic and anti-American socialist candidates who have seemingly grabbed the reins of the Democratic Party. We discuss the primary victory of Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, as well as some other recent DSA-aligned triumphs, and debate what it means for the future of the Democrats; will they embrace the radicals or defenestrate them? And what will the voters think? Next, we shift to the political right, focusing on the nascent postliberal movement, a major debate over the “common good,” and what conservativism really means in the American context. We detail how this fringe movement could go mainstream and why that would be a terrible outcome for both the political right and America writ large. Finally, we sail across the Atlantic to talk about the evocative and powerful images coming out of Spain, where Moroccan migrants invaded the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa, causing mass chaos and sparking an internal debate in the European Union over migration policy. We explore why this event occurred, why it matters, and how it exposed the deep rot in the very foundation of the EU.Check it out, follow us on Twitter/X (Mike / Art), and share the podcast with anyone you think might appreciate it. Thanks for listening. We’ll be back next week, barring another bout of the plague. Until then, get outside and enjoy the summer! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

The Rational Policy Podcast is back with Episode 47! Join hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay as we discuss the most important events in geopolitics over the past week. We start this episode off with a return to the biggest topic of discussion we’ve had for the first half of this year: the Iran War. We detail the recent return to outright hostilities, the recurring messaging problems of the Trump administration, the broader ramifications of escalation, and whether there is any strategic core at the base of the conflict. Will Trump have the patience and wherewithal to carry out his threats? Does America have the ability to stomach war anymore? And are there any politicians in this populist moment who would be brave enough to buck the electorate and do the right thing for the country’s long-term security? Next, we swing back to the Western Hemisphere, talking about one of the only near-unblemished aspects of this administration’s foreign policy record: the reassertion of American primacy in the Americas. We discuss how Marco Rubio is the perfect man for the job, why this strategic approach makes sense, the problems with the regimes in Cuba and Nicaragua (among others), and how far-left, anti-American agitation can be confronted and defeated in our own backyard. Finally, we go after New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani for a despicable antisemitic stunt that he pulled regarding arresting Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.Check it out, follow us on Twitter/X (Mike / Art), and share the podcast with anyone you think might appreciate it. Thanks for listening. We’ll be back next week with another show. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

Welcome back to Episode 46 of the Rational Policy Podcast! In this installment, your intrepid hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay break down the most recent week of current events, running the gamut from politics to war. We start with some truly sad news: the sudden passing of South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham, a stalwart conservative and a true titan of the institution. We lament his death as heralding the end of an era of serious statesmen and public servants in Congress, while also detailing how his lifelong support for liberty and America’s global role in defending it is unfortunately becoming less popular every day. We then shift gears to talk about the return of outright hostilities in the US-Iran conflict, debating whether it is a good or bad thing and what might come next. We discuss how the US can deal with the Strait of Hormuz, what sort of outcome we should be looking for here, and how weakening our various enemies around the globe will help us in our grander rivalry with the Chinese. Finally, we touch on the terrible ICE-involved shootings in Texas and Maine, explaining how the administration has snatched defeat from the jaws of victory with its reckless and hamfisted approach to immigration enforcement, as well as how this faulty approach is entirely due to the extreme and myopic focus on base voters – a much broader problem in our politics today.Check it out, follow us on Twitter/X (Mike / Art), and share the podcast with anyone you think might appreciate it. Thanks for listening. We’ll be back next week with another show. Until then, be sure to tune into the World Cup final this Sunday; it’ll be an absolute banger. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

The Rational Policy Podcast is back with Episode 45! We have returned to our regularly-scheduled programming, with hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay breaking down the week in current events. In this slightly longer than usual episode, we hit on the biggest topics of the past week and the week to come. We lead off with geopolitics, previewing the NATO summit this week in Ankara, Turkey. We use that meeting as a jumping-off point to hit on the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, the role of Turkey in NATO, and how the alliance may evolve into the future. We also contrast the disparate approaches of Marco Rubio and JD Vance when discussing our issues with Europe. Next, we swing to the home front, recapping the fascinating and important past few weeks at the Supreme Court. We talk immigration, executive power, campaign finance, and more, plus the future impacts of these influential judgments. Finally, we celebrate the Downfall of the Democratic nominee for the US Senate from Maine, Graham Platner. We talk about how this was all predictable for anyone who has a modicum of sense or a moral compass - as well as how a good deal on the left seem to lack either.Check it out, follow us on Twitter/X (Mike / Art), and share the podcast with anyone you think might appreciate it. Thanks for listening. We’ll be back next week with another show. Until then, enjoy the World Cup while it is still here; you won’t regret it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

Welcome back to the Rational Policy Podcast! You’re in luck, as this Very Special Episode is our America 250 Extravaganza, a paean to America so awesome that you’ll involuntarily grow a mullet. In all seriousness, though, this is the greatest nation that has ever existed, the greatest triumph for human freedom that mankind has ever created, and the most incredible, dynamic, creative society full of the most generous, welcoming, resilient, and entrepreneurial people on Earth. Your hosts, Mike Coté and Art Vandelay, do their level best to give our nation its proper due on this auspicious anniversary. We discuss why America is so great, how our dedication to individualism was radical in 1776 and remains so in 2026, and how Americans have worked tirelessly to maintain our Union for a quarter of a millennium. We touch on the best and worst presidents, our favorite amendments to the Constitution, and the best recent federal legislators. We then shift to broader cultural topics, detailing our favorite American cities, monuments, food, sports, traditions, historical eras, music, and more. It is a podcast eminently befitting such an exceptional nation on such an awe-inspiring and glorious anniversary.Happy birthday, America. We love you.Check it out, follow us on Twitter/X (Mike / Art), and share the podcast with anyone you think might appreciate it. Thanks for listening. We’ll be back next week with our regularly scheduled programming. Until then, go out and celebrate the most successful experiment in personal liberty that has ever been tried. Happy Independence Day! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

Welcome to a Very Special Episode 43 of the Rational Policy Podcast! In this installment, host Mike Coté interviews Dr. Arthur Herman, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and New York Times bestselling historian, about his new book Founder’s Fire: From 1776 to the Age of Trump. We discuss the idea of the founder’s fire – the risk-seeking, action-oriented, visionary strain in American life – and how it characterizes our nation’s past and could come to do the same in the future. From Tocqueville’s early America and the politics of Abraham Lincoln to the Gilded Age industrial magnates and Martin Luther King Jr.’s civil rights movement, American history is rife with this particular impulse, often tied directly to our original founding 250 years ago. We touch on how government can supercharge or hamper this spirit, how capitalism and individual liberty intersect, and how American culture has fully embraced the founding mindset. We also detail some of the threats to this exceptional attitude, notably the rising tide of socialism, and how we can ensure that the founder’s fire is kept alight for future generations. On top of all that, we hit on how the proliferation of social media will impact future historiography, the immense complexities and opportunities of the Iran War, and what our nation’s 250th birthday signifies.Tune in for a wide-ranging discussion of American history, modern politics, and more. Thanks so much to Dr. Herman for joining us for this Very Special Episode. Be sure to follow him on Twitter/X and pick up a copy of the excellent Founder’s Fire, either on Amazon or anywhere great books are sold. We’ll be back with another Very Special Episode later this week. Thanks for listening! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

Welcome back to the Rational Policy Podcast! In this installment, Episode 42, your steadfast hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay break down the week in news, touching on policy, politics, and foreign affairs. We start with the latter, delving into the latest updates on the Iran ‘deal’ and how things look a week later. (Spoiler alert: not great!) We talk about the Iranian refusal to comply with the very terms it agreed to, the piss-poor and contradictory statements from the Trump administration, and the centering of Vice President JD Vance as a pro-deal messenger to the American public. We also discuss the potential resumption of fighting, what this war has accomplished, and how we could still win the peace, in spite of the White House’s best efforts. Mike also posits an alternative and more ambiguous end to the conflict, one that might be more consonant with American interests.After this discussion, we remain overseas but shift to rank politics, talking about the rapid and stunning decline of the just-resigned British prime minister Keir Starmer. We mention how the Labour Party has squandered its historic electoral landslide, the very real issues with migration and related violence in Europe, and why the left’s inability to deal with the problems they ran against could open the door for a dramatic pendulum-swing in the region’s politics. Finally, we come back stateside to talk about the recent New York primary elections, focusing on the far-left Democratic Socialist (read: communist) primary winners who will be in Congress early next year. What do these results say about the future of the Democratic Party in America? (Hint: nothing good.)Check it out, follow us on Twitter/X (Mike / Art), and share the podcast with anyone you think might appreciate it. Thanks for listening. We’ll be back next week with two Very Special Episodes. Until then, enjoy the summer weather and the air conditioning! USA! USA! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

The Rational Policy Podcast is back! After a weeklong hiatus, we return with Episode 41, in which hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay dive into the latest developments in news and politics over the past fortnight. Unsurprisingly, we spend the lion’s share of the podcast discussing the war (or conspicuous lack thereof) in Iran, breaking down the just-signed Memorandum of Understanding between Tehran and Washington. We talk about the ridiculously bad terms of that ‘deal’, how it gives away the store to the Iranians, and why the president suddenly got cold feet when he was on the precipice of victory. We also touch on why this agreement is worthless, how it will inevitably fall apart, and what might happen afterward. This isn’t the end of the war, but it might be end of Donald Trump’s ability to credibly threaten the use of force to achieve American national aims - and that is a very dangerous thing.Another dangerous thing is our second topic, the lapsing of FISA intelligence collection authority after Democrats held the renewal up to protest Trump’s terrible nomination of Bill Pulte as Director of National Intelligence. The rationale may have been sound, but the consequences could be massive; let’s hope we never see them. We finish off with a discussion of the World Cup currently ongoing here in the good old US of A. We talk about the tournament itself, the way it has helped demolish the preconceived notions that foreigners have about America, and how it showcases the best of our great nation.Check it out, follow us on Twitter/X (Mike / Art), and share the podcast with anyone you think might appreciate it. Thanks for listening. We’ll be back next week. Until then, enjoy the World Cup. Go USA! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

Episode 40 of the Rational Policy Podcast is here! In this freewheeling episode, hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay skip the usual news of the week for a series of digressions and tangents that actually ended up being one of our better podcast installments. In this semi-rambling hour or so, we hit on everything from American patriotism and the UFC fight on the White House lawn to the uselessness of the DNI position and how Trump’s second-term Cabinet compares to his first-term team. We also talk about how Trumpism was an outgrowth of the 2008 financial crisis and what that might mean about the long political tail of the Covid pandemic, lay out a counterfactual about how the George W. Bush administration would’ve been very different had 9/11 not happened, and interrogate why politics attracts all the worst people, while repelling the best our nation has to offer. And be sure to stay tuned for some great pop culture references, including a nod to the classic Mike Judge flick Office Space.Check it out, follow us on Twitter/X (Mike / Art), and share the podcast with anyone you think might appreciate it. Thanks for listening. We’re taking next week off, but we shall return in mid-June. And there will be a Very Special Episode coming soon, too. Until then, enjoy the fascinating cultural spectacle of UFC 250 next weekend. Cheers! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

Episode 39 of the Rational Policy Podcast is here! Join hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay for a breakdown of the most important topics in policy and politics - this time with a focus on everything AI. The subject is nigh-inescapable, impacting essentially all aspects of life today, from the economy to the dinner table. On this episode, we discuss the topic, both in broad and narrow terms. Are the controversies over things like data centers reasonable? Is AI going to destroy productive human employment? Will AI ever do anything but make slop Instagram videos? Are tech moguls the new robber barons? And what role - if any - should government have in the development and regulation of this burgeoning industry? Plus, tune in for digressions on the positive impact of Big Pharma, the future of foreign far-left funding in US politics, and whether there will ever be a deal with Iran. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

Welcome to Episode 38 of the Rational Policy Podcast! In this installment, hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay break down the news of the week, both foreign and domestic. We start with the latter, discussing the White House’s announcement of a $1.776 billion fund to compensate the purported victims of a politicized, abusive, and vindictive Justice Department – essentially, an unregulated pot of money through which the president could pay his most vitriolic supporters. We talk about this nakedly corrupt abuse of power, how it could hurt Republicans politically, and what it says about the abject self-marginalization of Congress. We then move on to a lightning round on foreign affairs, hitting developments and predictions on Iran, the resignation of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, the outcome of last week’s Trump-Xi summit, and the future of the Cuban regime under increasing American pressure.Check it out, follow us on Twitter/X (Mike / Art), and share the podcast with anyone you think might appreciate it. Thanks for listening. We’ll be back next week. Until then, enjoy the long weekend and be sure to remember our fallen troops this Memorial Day. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

Episode 37 of the Rational Policy Podcast is live! In this installment, hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay dive into the news of the week, touching on global, domestic, and media affairs. We start with an update on the progress (or lack thereof) of the Iran War, exploring how things have changed and what might come next for the conflict. Most of the show, however, is dedicated to a different topic entirely: the Trump-Xi summit in China. We explain what is happening, why it shouldn’t be happening, and our concerns for the outcome of this trip. We discuss what it means for US-China relations and whether this approach is a useful one. Along the way, we touch on various semi-related issues, ranging from the future of the Cuban regime to the economics and geopolitics of tariffs and decoupling from Beijing. Finally, we shift to the media, lambasting a disgraceful antisemitic blood libel published by the New York Times, claiming that Israel uses sexual violence as a tool of state power. These claims not only fly in the face of reality, the timing of their publication - immediately prior to the release of a full report from the Israeli commission investigating the mass Hamas sexual violence of October 7 - speaks to the nefarious intent behind the piece.Check it out, follow us on Twitter/X (Mike / Art), and share the podcast with anyone you think might appreciate it. Thanks for listening. We’ll be back next week. Until then, let’s hope that Trump’s Chinese vacation ends with very few souvenirs. Cheers! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

Welcome back to the Rational Policy Podcast! In Episode 36, hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay explore the week in news, delivering our hot takes on the key events of the past seven days. We spend much of the show diving into the seemingly-stable situation in Iran and detailing the developments (or lack thereof) emanating from Washington and Tehran. We explain what it all means, how to think about the ‘ceasefire’, and whether the economic battle may be more impactful than the military one. And in what may be something of a first for the show, we actually disagree and debate the merits of continued action. After the Iran segment, we preview the upcoming midterm elections - they’re only 6 months away, folks! - and discuss whether the potential blue wave will materialize for Democrats. Finally, we talk about the lives of two legendary media figures who passed this week, former Yankees radio announcer John Sterling and cable TV innovator Ted Turner. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

On Episode 35 of the Rational Policy Podcast, hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay return to our regularly scheduled show format, where we discuss a number of topics in the news this week. Naturally, we spend much of the podcast discussing the latest assassination attempt against President Trump – the fourth such attempt in less than two years. We explore the attempted assassin’s rationale, what it says about the apocalyptic rhetoric of the far-left vis a vis Trump, and how this particular attempt is especially worrisome. We also detail the security situation around the president – what worked and what needs to be changed – and how we may be able to move away from this growing cultural push to justify political violence. After that, we do a lightning round, hitting on a wide variety of topics in rapid succession. We talk about the war in Iran, focusing on the blockade and the news of the UAE leaving OPEC. We discuss the ideologically-suspect Spirit Airlines bailout. We touch on the bogus criminal case against James Comey. And we hit the Virginia gerrymander and the recently-decided Supreme Court voting rights case. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

Welcome back to the Rational Policy Podcast! In this episode, hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay once again plumb the depths of the events in the Middle East. We discuss the latest developments in the Iran War, including the escalating naval conflict and the potential for future negotiations with the regime in Tehran. Is this a lull in the war, or the start of a new phase? We explore the near-global American blockade, the continued Iranian threats to the Strait of Hormuz, and the impact on markets. We also talk about the increased prominence of American economic warfare in this conflict and the potential for success in this approach, continuing to drastically weaken the mullahcracy. We discuss the changes in Iranian leadership, the impact that has on negotiations, and how this conflict may end. The change in posture in the Gulf states, the American domestic political dimensions of the war, and the broader geopolitical implications of it all are detailed as well. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

Episode 33 of the Rational Policy Podcast sees your hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay deliver a sixth consecutive update on the Iran War. On this installment, we discuss the newly-implemented American blockade of Iranian ports, how it could impact the next steps of the conflict, and how it helps solve the biggest concern of critics thus far: the navigability of the Strait of Hormuz. We also talk about the possible endgame of the war, whether negotiations with the Iranians are ever worthwhile, and what may happen to the remaining nuclear material inside Iran. Other topics include the Lebanese front and the bilateral discussions between Beirut and Israel, the enormous economic pressure being put on Tehran, and even some talk about AI. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

On Episode 32 of the Rational Policy Podcast, hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay talk about something entirely different. Just kidding, we talk about the Iran War, obviously. We catch up on everything that has happened since we last convened, starting with the incredible combat search and rescue feat that our military pulled off over Easter weekend, safely evacuating a downed airman from Iranian territory. Next, we discuss the risible social media posts from President Trump threatening mass devastation on Iranian infrastructure, teasing out whether he was ever serious about them and how the overly outraged reaction (“He’s threatening genocide!”) undermined a very solid argument. Finally, we spend most of the podcast detailing the apparent ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran. Detailing may not be the right word given the complete lack of specifics and the seeming inability for anyone involved to agree on what terms were actually approved, but we break it all down regardless. We discuss whether this pause is necessary (it isn’t), if it will end the war (it won’t), and whether it will make it the full two weeks (doubtful). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

Episode 31 of the Rational Policy Podcast sees your hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay discuss the developments in the Iran War after a month of intense fighting. First, however, we spend some time praising the incredible Artemis II mission and America’s return to the Moon, a beacon of national unity in a time of political strife. In the war update, we break down Trump’s address to the nation, mentioning the rhetorical successes and what was left on the cutting room floor. We talk about the stated rationale for the conflict, the progress detailed by the president, and the potential endgame for the war. Issues like the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s nuclear material, and the future of its ballistic missile and drone program are mentioned. We also discuss how this war is reshaping regional and global alliances, the role of outside actors in reopening the Strait, and the recent firing of a top Army official by Secretary of War Hegseth. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

On Episode 30 of the Rational Policy Podcast, hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay recap another week of developments in the only story really worth discussing: the war against the Iranian mullahcracy. We talk about the current state of play, the possible challenges to come, and the vast successes thus far. We touch on the Strait of Hormuz and whether its temporary closure is as big a deal as it is being made out to be, the potential for the collapse of the regime, the global and regional realignments currently reshaping geopolitics, and the impact of this war on other theaters of future conflict, from Asia to Europe. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

Welcome back to the Rational Policy Podcast! On episode 29 of the show, hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay discuss the new developments over the past week of the Iran war. We talk about the extraordinary military success of the US and Israel, how the Iranian regime is being battered, and what sort of tactics and strategy we may be seeing in the coming weeks. We touch on the closure of the Strait of Hormuz - the impact on global energy flows, the Iranian ability to maintain the closure, and what we can do about it - the rise in Islamic terrorism here at home, and the potential for regime change in Tehran. We also detail the absurd media and internet reactions to this war, including the plethora of pundits and politicians who are obsessed with preemptively labeling it a failure, in spite of clearly observable reality. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

We’re back! After a brief hiatus, the Rational Policy Podcast has returned in its full glory - and not a moment too soon. Join your hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay for a wide-ranging discussion on the one topic that matters right now: the war against the Iranian regime. In this episode, we break down what is happening, why it is happening now, how the war against the mullahcracy is in American interests, and how this may all shake out. We talk about the wild Iranian response and how it proves the danger the regime poses, our incredible military prowess, and whether the “day after” really matters as much as critics claim it should. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

Episode 27 of the Rational Policy Podcast, hosted by Mike Coté and Art Vandelay, is here! In this installment of the show, we discuss three of the week’s top stories: the Epstein file release, mass layoffs at the Washington Post, and the lapsing of the US-Russia nuclear arms limitation treaty known as New START. And be sure to stay tuned to the end of the show for a very special announcement and a programming note! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

The Rational Policy Podcast is back with Episode 26, hitting three stories, foreign and domestic, from the past week. Your hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay start with the issue taking up almost all of the political oxygen: the chaotic situation in Minneapolis surrounding the enforcement of federal immigration law. We talk about the specific events that have made this an omnipresent story, the role of states and localities versus the federal government, how the situation can be rectified, and why everyone needs to turn down the temperature. Next, we move across the Atlantic to Davos, Switzerland, where the World Economic Forum held its annual conference. This year, the focus was the unreliability of America and the potential benefit of expanding relations with China; we detail how we got to this point, why our friends are charting a dangerous path, and how we can get them off of it. Finally, we discuss the most blatant violation of law by the president since his inauguration: the unilateral, unconstitutional reprieve he has repeatedly granted to the malign Chinese espionage/propaganda app, TikTok. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

On Episode 25 of the Rational Policy Podcast, hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay break down the good, the bad, and the ugly from the first 365 days of Trump’s second term as president. We focus on the four most important domestic concerns in the 2024 election and the four key regions for American foreign policy. In the process, we give out letter grades for a whole slew of issues, ranging from the economy and immigration to Asia and the Americas. No holds are barred, no punches are pulled, and we tell it to you straight: where did Trump succeed and where did he fail? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

In episode 24 of the Rational Policy Podcast, hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay discuss three topics in current events, foreign and domestic. We start with what could easily be the biggest story of the year so far: the incipient revolution in Iran. Next, we touch on an idea that just keeps coming back: the annexation of Greenland. Finally, we dive into a broad domestic issue that has received relatively little coverage: the political radicalization of young women. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

Episode 23 of the Rational Policy Podcast focuses on one topic and one topic only this week: the incredible US raid to capture Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro. We break down the events themselves, how the operation was executed, what comes next for Maduro, as well as the future of the Venezuelan people and their repressive government. Who is in charge of the regime in Caracas? When will there be a democratic transition, if ever? Is this a war? And how does this make us safer? Your hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay answer these and many other key questions about a night that will truly go down in the history books. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

On Episode 22 of the Rational Policy Podcast, your hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay step away from the immediate news of the day to take a broad look at the year past. In this 2025 Year in Review show, we hit on seven questions about the events, ideas, and politics of the past 365 days - and the next 360. What was the biggest story of the year? The most undercovered issue? The biggest disappointment? And what are our bold predictions for 2026? Tune in for a whirlwind tour of the best, worst, and dumbest from 2025. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

The Rational Policy Podcast is back with another Very Special Holiday Episode! On this show, hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay avoid politics entirely, focusing instead on the greatest holiday of all: Christmas. We have a free-wheeling discussion about traditions, gifts, decorations, food, family, entertainment, and more. Merry Christmas! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

On Episode 20 of the Rational Policy Podcast, hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay hit three topics, two foreign and one domestic. We lead off with the abhorrent antisemitic massacre during a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach in Australia, carried out by an ISIS-inspired father and son duo. Next, we shift regions, if not topics, to touch on the killing of three Americans in Syria during an anti-ISIS operation. Finally, we ask and answer a question that will only grow in importance over the coming months and years: Is Donald Trump a lame duck? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

On Episode 19 of the Rational Policy Podcast, hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay delve into three international topics. First, we take a deep dive on the Trump administration’s military campaign against Venezuelan narcotraffickers affiliated with the Maduro regime. Is this a hot War on Drugs or a regime change operation in the making? After that, we talk about talks: the talks between American and Russian diplomats over the war in Ukraine. Finally, we touch on two news stories that showcase the issues with unassimilated Muslim refugees - a major Somali-led fraud operation in Minnesota and the terrorist shooting of two National Guard troops in Washington DC. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

On this Very Special Episode of the Rational Policy Podcast, your hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay skip the news of the day and talk turkey. Thanksgiving turkey, that is. We spend the whole episode in a wide-ranging conversation about this fabulous American holiday, touching on food, entertainment, traditions, and gratitude. If you work for Big Turkey, this may not be the podcast for you. But for everyone else, it’s a good one. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

On Episode 17 of the Rational Policy Podcast, your hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay do a deep dive on one topic and one topic only: the intramural fracas on the American right. We discuss the key players, break down the controversies that led up to the current infighting, and explain why this matters, even for those who aren’t terminally online. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

In Episode 16 of the Rational Policy Podcast your hosts, Mike Coté and Art Vandelay, start off by remembering former vice president Dick Cheney, who died this week at age 84. Next, we recap the elections in New York City, New Jersey, and Virginia. Will New York City come out unscathed from a Mamdani mayoralty? Finally, we do a lightning round trip through Donald Trump’s Asia sojourn, where he met with the leaders of Japan, South Korea, and China. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

In episode 15 of The Rational Policy Podcast, we hit on three topics ranging from executive authority to military policy to cultural sickness. First, we discuss the presidential pardon power in light of recent scandals with both former President Biden and his successor Donald Trump. Next, we shift gears and move to Venezuela, one of the biggest potential flashpoints for the American military in the coming weeks. Finally, we wrap up by detailing the latest sports gambling scandal and what it says about the world of modern sports entertainment. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

The Rational Policy Podcast is back with Episode 14, diving into the biggest stories of the week. First, we discuss the defense of Democratic Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner against a series of awful news stories. Next, we give an update on the tenuous ceasefire deal in Gaza and touch on the ongoing war in Ukraine. Finally, we detail the No Kings protests and whether they will have a lasting impact. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

On episode 13 of the Rational Policy Podcast, join your hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay for a deep dive on two important subjects in today’s politics. First, we discuss the US-brokered hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas, delving into the specifics, the reactions, and more. The second topic revolves around the rising trend on both left and right to avoid criticism of excesses, abuses, or issues on their own side of the aisle. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

On episode 12 of the Rational Policy Podcast, your hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay dive into many of the week’s major news stories. We discuss the recent $150 million acquisition of The Free Press by Paramount/CBS. Next, we talk about the controversies around immigration enforcement across the country. Finally, Mike briefly rants on the ridiculously short prison sentence handed out to the would-be assassin of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

Episode 11 of the Rational Policy Podcast discusses the week in news, from the severely under-covered to the aggressively over-covered. On the former front, we have the foiling of a foreign (likely Chinese) plot to take down New York City’s telecommunications system. Next, we touch on the heavily-covered indictment of former FBI director James Comey. Finally, we detail the new peace plan for Gaza. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

On this episode of the Rational Policy Podcast, we discuss one topic and one topic only: the assassination of Charlie Kirk. We detail the case updates, including the arrest of the alleged shooter Tyler Robinson, what we know about him, and how he may have been radicalized. We then move to the reactions to the murder from both left and right. Lastly, we talk about where we go from here and how we may be able to bring Americans back to a place of normalcy. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

Episode 9 of the Rational Policy Podcast (recorded Wednesday 9/10) is a solemn one, discussing the assassination of 31-year-old conservative megastar Charlie Kirk. We follow that with another awful crime, the murder of a Ukrainian refugee by a lunatic repeat offender on public transit. We then break down the Russian drone incursion into Poland. Finally, we touch on the Israeli airstrike against Hamas leaders in Qatar. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

On this episode of the Rational Policy Podcast, hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay dive into America’s targeted destruction of a Venezuelan narcoterrorist vessel, talking implications, legalities, and what may come next. Then, we briefly detail the insane ‘Trump Is Dead’ conspiracy theories. The main topic of discussion is the recent National Conservatism conference. We break down why they matter, how they’re wrong, and how to counter their ideas. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

The Rational Policy Podcast is back with Episode 7. We start off with a long discussion of Trump’s plan to take a 10% equity stake in Intel on behalf of the country and explain why this is a terrible idea. Next, we move to Israel to detail new developments there, namely the allegation of widespread famine. Finally, we talk about Islamic terrorism's new home base in Africa. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

Welcome back to the Rational Policy Podcast! In episode 6, your hosts Art Vandelay and Mike Coté break down the latest in current affairs. We start off by doing a deep dive into the US summitry of the past few days, exploring what happened in the meetings with Ukraine/Europe and Russia and explaining why we’re more optimistic than some. We talk about outcomes, reactions, and what could come next diplomatically, as well as how this diplomacy translates to the battlefield. Next, we touch on the Trump administration’s attempt to de-wokify the Smithsonian museums, discussing why the idea is necessary, but the messenger is flawed. Finally, we end with a disagreement on the social media topic du jour, California governor Gavin Newsom’s choice to mimic Trump’s unique online style.Give a listen and a share. Let us know what we should talk about next week! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

After a week hiatus, the Rational Policy Podcast is back! In episode 5 of the show, your hosts Art Vandelay and Mike Coté delve into some of the major news topics of the moment, from foreign to domestic policy.We start with some cultural commentary on the first two episodes of the new season of South Park, which has relentlessly (and hilariously) skewered the MAGA movement. Next, we move to the realm of international affairs, discussing the upcoming summit in Alaska between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Then, we shift back to the home front, talking about two big political brouhahas: the federalization of DC police and the proposed mid-decade gerrymandering of Texas.Give a listen and share it with friends! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

In episode 4 of the Rational Policy Podcast, your hosts Art Vandelay and Mike Coté break down the latest in world affairs. We start the show with a reminiscence on Hulk Hogan, followed by a long discussion about the latest events and narratives surrounding the Israeli mission in Gaza. We wrap up the show talking Hegseth at DoD and the Democrats in Disarray.Check it out! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

In Episode 3 of the Rational Policy Podcast, your trusty hosts delve into the news of the week. We discuss the sad death of the rock legend Ozzy Osbourne before diving into politics. The conversation runs the gamut from the Syrian crisis and the defunding of NPR to the cancelation of Stephen Colbert's late night show and the "new" Russiagate disclosures from DNI Tulsi Gabbard. Give a listen! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

On Episode 2 of the Rational Policy Podcast, we dive into a variety of subjects, including the coverage of Trump's health as compared to Biden's, the Biden autopen scandal and its fallout, and the stunning Trump reversal on Ukraine. We talk through the geopolitical implications of this shift, as well as the partisan politics of the moment. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com

The Rational Policy Podcast has returned! On this maiden voyage with your co-hosts Mike Coté and Art Vandelay, we discuss everything from Jeffrey Epstein and AI's turn into Hitler apologia to the devastating flooding in Texas and the Ukraine weapons transfer debacle. Listen in and let us know what you think! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.rationalpolicy.com