Josh Barro
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and
I write (at joshbarro.com) & I co-host CENTRAL AIR, a major weekly politics podcast. centralairpodcast.com
Email josh at joshbarro dot com
Articles by Josh Barro
Choose Your Own Religion
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -58:53 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Dear listeners, Scott Alexander is really mad at Steven Pinker, because Pinker thinks it’s “depraved” to worry about whether AIs can feel pain. As you know, I’m with Pinker — software can’t have feelings or rights, and we must be on guard against humans (even some humans on this very podcast) who might threaten to treat them as important moral actors.
Eating the Elephant (with Sarah Longwell)
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -46:09 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Dear listeners, Sarah Longwell, publisher of The Bulwark and host of the The Focus Group, joins us to discuss persuadable voters and the extensive conversations she has with them, which is the topic of her new, bestselling book (How to Eat an Elephant: One Voter at a Time).
Are We About To Get Permitting Reform That’s Actually...Good? [Replay]
Dear listeners, We are big fans of the permitting reform bill that Congress is likely to pass after the election and so we invited Jane Flegal of the Searchlight Institute to talk about it — live! — earlier today. Thanks to those of you who joined us, and if you missed it, you can watch the replay now.
Josh Barro and Jonathan V. Last: The Patriotic Cowboys Wrecking Our Economy
Finally, some accountability in Washington: Sen. Eric Schmitt’s general counsel and poster-holder is in career limbo after the infamous basketball mix-up in the Jack Smith hearing. And Americans seem to be holding Trump responsible for their economic frustrations—he’s below the Bush Line. Josh Barro explains: We’re not in a recession, but people feel stuck because borrowing costs are higher.
MeanToo (with Dave Weigel)
Dear listeners, With another “MeanToo” scandal in the news — that’s when a politician gets in trouble, not for sexual harassment but because someone thinks they were mean — we thought it was a good opportunity to ask Dave Weigel, Semafor’s intrepid politics reporter, whether anyone in Alaska is likely to care that Mary Peltola, Alaska’s Democratic candidate for Senate, called someone a “retard.” We also look at developments across the Senate map and what kinds of candidate oddities matter...
A Declaration Against Interest (feat. Jonathan Chait)
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -42:02 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade.
Gays In Crisis Original
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -37:27 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Dear listeners, My new blond hair has drawn a lot of responses that are not compliments, such as “Wow! Your hair!” Ben believes my hair must be a gay cry for help — as per the meme — but really I’ve just long wanted to be blond, and now I am. That’s my story, Claude says it’s plausible, and I’m sticking to it.
Don't Forget to Never Forget
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -52:10 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Dear listeners, As we come up on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, we’re noticing something bewildering: the tremendous share of the American population that is too young to have any meaningful memory of the attacks.
The Time Tax (feat. Annie Lowrey)
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -52:07 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Dear listeners, This week, we’re talking with Annie Lowrey, staff writer at The Atlantic, about the time, effort, money, and psychological costs some government policies impose on us. Annie argues in her new book, The Time Tax, that some of those costs are features of government programs, rather than bugs or unintended consequences, and they erode trust in government.
Calling All Cranks
Central Air, the show where the temperature is always just right. Join Josh Barro, Megan McArdle and Ben Dreyfuss every week for a well-centered conversation on American politics. Central Air, the show where the temperature is always just right. Join Josh Barro, Megan McArdle and Ben Dreyfuss every week for a well-centered conversation on American politics.
The Best of the Worst
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -49:34 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Dear listeners, David Ellison is displeased about the California-led lawsuit to stop the Paramount-Warner merger, and he’s making threats: If the states don’t settle by October 1, he’s going to move both studios out of the state. We discuss: is this threat credible?
Woke 1 Was Anti-Populist, and Not in the Good Way
Dear readers, When I think about the biggest mistakes of “Woke 1” — the period of peak left-liberal derangement around identity issues lasting roughly 2018 to 2021 — that did the most damage to the political appeal of Democrats and liberals, I think about how the obsession with “oppressors” and “the oppressed” somehow made it okay for prominent people to vilify ordinary people.
Lower Education
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -1:03:08 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Dear listeners, It’s a rough time lately in higher education. Star scholar Jason Arday has resigned from Cambridge University, and in addition to apparent plagiarism and research fraud, people have been noticing that there wasn’t much content to his body of work.
The Gen Z Takeover (feat. Kristen Soltis Anderson)
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -39:06 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Dear listeners, Pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson joins Central Air this week to talk about the state of polling amid the death of the phone call and the rise of AI, and we also look ahead to the midterm elections and what’s on voters’ minds. By the way, are you licensed to operate a nuclear submarine? Almost surely not.
Cheap Meats
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -45:16 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Dear listeners, Have you heard about the new mayor in New York City? This guy, Zohran Mamdani, has been running the city for seven months, and he’s working on opening city-owned grocery stores. He has announced the stores will sell meat and produce 30% below the city’s normal retail prices.
The 'Woke' Odyssey (feat. Sonny Bunch)
Dear listeners, We’re excited to have Sonny Bunch on this week’s show for a conversation about “The Odyssey.” The film opened with a quarter billion dollar global weekend gross despite Elon Musk’s protestations that Helen of Troy — a fictional woman who, in Greek myth, is the daughter of a god and a swan, birthed from an egg — couldn’t possibly be black.
Permanent Daylight Saving Time Is the Perfect Stupid Idea for Our Stupid Time
Dear readers, Earlier this week, the House of Representatives passed the ill-named “Sunshine Protection Act” by a vote of 308 to 117. The law would require most states to adopt permanent daylight saving time — that is, the clocks would stay rolled forward all year, with solar noon generally occurring around 1pm. This is a great system for the summer, which is why we already do it in the summer.
Permanent Daylight Saving Time Is the Perfect Stupid Idea for Our Stupid Time
Dear readers, Earlier this week, the House of Representatives passed the ill-named “Sunshine Protection Act” by a vote of 308 to 117. The law would require most states to adopt permanent daylight saving time — that is, the clocks would stay rolled forward all year, with solar noon generally occurring around 1pm. This is a great system for the summer, which is why we already do it in the summer.
Seeking the Tribune of the Downwardly Mobile (feat. Tyler Austin Harper)
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -37:26 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Dear listeners, Tyler Austin Harper is back with us, just in time to consider the ignominious end of Graham Platner’s campaign for U.S. Senate. We (including Tyler) all discussed back in March how this might be coming. But Tyler warrants that Platner is a “normie Democrat” — not in his personal behavior, but in who he trusts and what he’s angry about.
Seeking the Tribune of the Downwardly Mobile (feat. Tyler Austin Harper)
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -37:26 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Dear listeners, Tyler Austin Harper is back with us, just in time to consider the ignominious end of Graham Platner’s campaign for U.S. Senate. We (including Tyler) all discussed back in March how this might be coming. But Tyler warrants that Platner is a “normie Democrat” — not in his personal behavior, but in who he trusts and what he’s angry about.
Graham Platner Was Just Hunter Biden With Worse Ink
Dear readers, As I have watched the rise and fall of Graham Platner — and read the press coverage about his past, which has implied that he has a remarkably large number of ex-lovers for a heterosexual man lacking objectively appealing characteristics — there are a couple of questions I’ve repeatedly asked myself. “Why are Maine voters so impressed with this guy?” was one. “Why did so many women want to date or hook up with this guy?” was another. And I think these questions have the same answer.
Inflation Grades
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -1:09:10 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Dear listeners, Jason Furman joins the show this week for an economy-focused discussion.
Europe Needs Air Conditioning
Dear readers, I love air conditioning so much that I named my podcast after it. And one of the things I love about the United States is that virtually any building you enter is going to be air conditioned — whatever the weather outside, it’s 72 degrees inside. Lots of people are talking about air conditioning this week because Europe is currently suffering through a heat wave. The United States gets heat waves too, but Europe is suffering because .
At Least the Fancy Lawyers Are Still Getting Rich
Dear listeners, Ken is on vacation this week and next, braving the warmth of non-air conditioned England. Sitting in for Ken this week is David Lat, founder of the Above the Law blog and the man behind the Original Jurisdiction newsletter and podcast here on Substack. David joins me for a conversation about the state of the legal industry under Donald Trump.
AI Probably Won't Kill Everyone
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -58:52 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Dear listeners, This week’s show is about AI and we’re joined by Dean Ball, who helped to shape AI policy in the Trump White House and is soon to join OpenAI.
Speaking of Getting Screwed (feat. Andrew Sullivan)
Dear listeners, We have a lively conversation for you this week with Andrew Sullivan, the first blogger and the prime intellectual mover behind marriage equality. Andrew joins us from Provincetown to assess the emergent Iran deal.
The Talent Show (feat. Matt Yglesias)
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -38:32 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Dear listeners, Matt Yglesias is back with us this week.
Central Air Live at WelcomeFest
Dear listeners, We want to thank the several dozen of you who joined us in Washington for our first listener happy hour. One of you even brought baked goods — delicious salted chocolate chip cookies — thus setting a new standard for Central Air fandom. Thank you! We look forward to doing more of these in other cities and hope to meet more of you in person.
California Got the Candidates It Deserves
California is America’s most populous and most innovative state. It’s also troubled — in particular, it faces an acute housing shortage. So you’d hope the state could find some truly dynamic leaders to make things right. Alas, your hopes will not come true this year. On Tuesday, voters weighed in on the remarkably weak field seeking its governorship.
Low-Conscientiousness Losers Are Bad Senate Candidates
Dear readers, In 2017, John Fetterman, then the mayor of Braddock, Pennsylvania (population 1,721), was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. This is a serious but common cardiac condition that raises the risk of stroke and can be effectively treated with medication and lifestyle modifications.
Low-Conscientiousness Losers Are Bad Senate Candidates
Dear readers, In 2017, John Fetterman, then the mayor of Braddock, Pennsylvania (population 1,721), was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. This is a serious but common cardiac condition that raises the risk of stroke and can be effectively treated with medication and lifestyle modifications.
Urban Centers
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -39:45 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Dear listeners, Are you in Washington D.C. today, June 2? Come join Ben, Megan and me for a Central Air happy hour near Logan Circle from 5:30-8pm. Or say hello to us tomorrow at the WelcomeFest conference! This week, we’re joined by Reihan Salam, president of the conservative Manhattan Institute, to talk about the state of the center and the right in cities.
Central Air Live with Nate Silver
Dear listeners, As I noted last week, we don’t have a regular episode this week, due to the Memorial Day holiday. We’ll be back with two episodes next week — one with Reihan Salam, president of the Manhattan Institute, and one with content from our on-scene interviews at Welcomefest, including a conversation I’ll be having with Mark Cuban.
Impeach Todd Blanche
With the thin Republican majorities, Democrats could plausibly force a trial of the acting Attorney General over the "Anti-Weaponization Fund" Dear readers, The president is conspiring with the treasury secretary and the acting attorney general to steal nearly $2 billion from taxpayers and distribute it as he sees fit among his supporters — including his criminal supporters who rioted at the U.S. Capitol — in the name of avenging the “weaponization” of the Justice Department.
Impeach Todd Blanche
Dear readers, The president is conspiring with the treasury secretary and the acting attorney general to steal nearly $2 billion from taxpayers and distribute it as he sees fit among his supporters — including his criminal supporters who rioted at the U.S. Capitol — in the name of avenging the “weaponization” of the Justice Department. Frankly, all three of them ought to go to prison for this.
Europe Needs Central Air
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -40:58 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Are you in Washington, D.C.? If so, we hope you’ll join us for a listener happy hour on the evening of Tuesday, June 2, the night before the WelcomeFest conference. RSVP here if you’re interested in coming, and we’ll follow up closer to June 2 with more details. Dear listeners, Why is Europe poor?
Europe Needs Central Air
Central Air Europe Needs Central Air 1× Preview 0:00 Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -40:58 -40:58 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Europe Needs Central Air Sam Bowman joins to discuss why Europe is poor and why Britain's political establishment flails; we discuss the 'Odyssey' controversy, consider the LIRR strike, and guess where Tom Kean Jr. is. Are you in Washington, D.C.?
Fed Board Members: Stay In Your Seats
Dear readers, Kevin Warsh has been confirmed as the new chair of the Federal Reserve Board. As I wrote back in February, this was going to be the best available outcome, even though the Trump administration cannot credibly promise that it will stop its shenanigans on monetary policy. While Republican Sen.
Central Heat (w/ Robinson Meyer)
Dear listeners, There’s been a lot of energy news lately, so we invited Robinson Meyer, executive editor of the excellent Heatmap News, to discuss what’s going on. Topics include: how has oil not gotten even more expensive? Is there hope for permitting reform? Why do Republicans hate windmills so much? Has there ever been a greater environmental advocate than ‘Degrowth Donald’? And where can we put data centers so they won’t bother anyone?
Stop Microlooting the Tax Code Original
Dear readers, Nobody thinks they should have to pay for anything anymore. I will get to how this applies to the tax code, but let me first talk about shoplifting’s rebrand as “microlooting,” a term proposed by New York Times opinion editor Nadja Spiegelman.
The Redistricting Loss Means Democrats Must Moderate to Win
Dear readers, It’s been a rough couple of weeks for Democrats in the redistricting war. Instead of producing a near-draw, it’s now clear thatRepublicans have gained a significant advantage; they are now likely to win something like nine more House seats than if no maps had been redrawn this year. This is because of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Callais and the Virginia Supreme Court’s rejection of that state’s voter-approved congressional remap. This is unfortunate.
Don't Use the Public Chatbot Lawyer
Dear listeners, We have a lot of really stupid litigation to cover this week, starting with the JP Morgan lawsuit so many of you asked us about. This is the case of Chirayu Rana, an ex-banker who has made salacious allegations against a former JP Morgan colleague, saying she forced him into a sexual relationship, spiked his drink with Viagra, threatened his career, and racially belittled his wife. It’s great tabloid fodder, but the emerging consensus is that Rana is making it up.
We All Live in Florida Now
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -1:02:14 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Dear listeners, The Trump administration has been very clear: they have four key objectives in the Iran war, and reopening the Strait of Hormuz is not one of them. That’s England’s job! We could end the war without doing it. Also, we won’t end the war until the strait is open. Who knows? It’s almost like they’re making the whole thing up as they go along.
Bring Your Husband to Work Day
Dear listeners, Happy Thanksgiving! In the spirit of the holiday gatherings, Megan brought her husband to visit with us this week. Peter Suderman — features editor at Reason magazine and author of the Cocktails With Suderman newsletter — joins us to discuss holiday cocktails.
Don't Tear Up Your Lawn
Dear listeners, The holidays are upon us, and this is the last Central Air episode of 2025. However, we have exciting news: Ben, Megan and I will be doing our first Substack live video chat this Friday at 1pm Eastern / 10 am Pacific. We plan to offer last-minute Christmas gift recommendations and discuss holiday baking strategies, but we also look forward to taking your questions and addressing the topics that are of interest to you.
This Podcast Is Going to the Dogs
Dear listeners, When you record a podcast, you start with a sound check.
Major Podcast Incoming
Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -1:17:56 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Dear listeners, As reported in the most recent New York cover story, Central Air is officially a “major podcast”! And we have another major episode of the show for you this week.
No Audience Capture at Central Air (feat. Tim Miller)
Dear listeners, Wow, some of you had strong opinions about last week’s episode. Sometimes they were even strongly positive opinions! But not always. Here at Central Air, we hear your feedback, and we promise no Donald Trump impressions this week — but we can’t promise that forever, because we are fiercely independent journalists who don't take orders from anyone, not even our paying customers.
No Rules, Just Fight (w/ Sean Trende)
Dear listeners, Assuming Virginia’s new congressional map survives legal challenges, it will replace a map co-drawn in 2021 by Sean Trende, election analyst for Real Clear Politics and lecturer in political science at The Ohio State University. Sean joined us this week to talk about the genesis of his map, the gerrymander that will likely replace it, and the national arms-race to redraw maps to favor the parties that control various states.
On Redistricting, It's Time for Republicans to Stop Whining and Start Negotiating
Dear readers, Virginia voters have narrowly approved a proposal to follow California’s lead and redraw their congressional district map to advantage Democrats, responding to a trend that kicked off with the Trump White House pushing for Texas and other Republican-controlled states to redraw their maps to add Republican seats.
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