What Rough Beast
Virginia Heffernan and Stephen MetcalfWhat Rough Beast, hosted by Virginia Heffernan (Wired, Trumpcast) and Stephen Metcalf (Slate, Culture Gabfest) is a podcast where we bear witness to America’s demise, and ask what might be built from the rubble. The sludge. The sparkly phosphorescent faerie dust of recombinant DNA. It is a spiritual successor to Trumpcast, but with a radical reimagining. Instead of focusing on opposing Trump or tr... more
| Publishes | Twice monthly | Episodes | 40 | Founded | a year ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | PhilosophyPoliticsSociety & CultureNews | |||
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Latest Episodes
This week on What Rough Beast, we talk to Trevor Mitchell, a reporter on the ground in Minneapolis for the nonprofit publication MinnPost. We wanted to discuss with him what everyday life looks like under ICE occupation—and how the Twin Cities are fi... more
This week we talk to “What Rough Beast” regular Cy Canterel about fractured realities, fascism’s fatal flaw, and why keeping a diary might be the most radical act you can do right now. She joined us for a live this past week.
We discuss:
* How the... more
This week, on the occasion of the five-year anniversary of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, I want to share a couple of conversations I had on the first anniversary of the insurrection with Reps. Jamie Raskin and Hakeem Jeffries, and Jamelle... more
This week we talk to Fred Kaplan, the national security columnist for Slate and author of seven books, including The Bomb: Presidents, Generals, and the Secret History of Nuclear War (his most recent non-fiction), The Insurgents: David Petraeus and t... more
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- My fave
Layered and weird and always interesting.
Apple Podcasts5Susy PD
United Kingdom3 months ago - Fighting fascism while feasting on it
Enjoy the pod, but it’s bonkers that so-called leftists can still be “happy omnivores” in 2025. Animal Ag is a fascistic system of exploitation, domination, and ecological ruin. Are you really going to wait until most people go vegan before you find the courage to be nice to cows and help prevent total environmental collapse?
Or maybe you just haven’t really thought about it. Watch Earthlings to see the grotesque violence you are causing to helpless sentient beings. Watch Dairy Is Scary if yo... more
Apple Podcasts5Corey Lee PhD
United States6 months ago - Weirdly helpful
Not that you’ll feel better but all the same
Apple Podcasts5OrangeBeanieUnited States9 months ago - Yes!
Smart, funny, and irreverent, What Rough Beast is exactly the podcast we need right now. Heffernan and Metcalf don’t just dissect the rubble—they find the strange glitter in it, asking the big, imaginative questions most shows don’t dare to touch. A must-listen.
Apple Podcasts5LorettaDraperUnited States9 months ago - Right podcast for the moment!
What happens when two of your favorite Slate podcasters get together? You get a great podcast for this moment.
Like the best podcasts, the first act is like a conversation with your slightly smarter friends who perfectly articulate what is rattling around your brain (even when you don’t agree!). And the interviews are timely, helpful and well done.
Apple Podcasts5aquamarinemomUnited States9 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #212 |  Canada/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #231 | United Kingdom/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #85 |  Denmark/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #85 |  New Zealand/News/Politics |
Apple Podcasts | #210 | Denmark/News |
Apple Podcasts | #248 | New Zealand/News |
Talking Points
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Audience Metrics
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Frequently Asked Questions About What Rough Beast
What is What Rough Beast about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Focusing on the current political landscape, insightful discussions cover a broad range of topics including national security, cultural activism, political violence, and the dynamics of power in society. The podcast is characterized by its imaginative approach to contemporary issues, often drawing connections between literary, philosophical, and political dimensions. The hosts and their expert guests meticulously explore the complexities surrounding pressing societal matters, asking thought-provoking questions about the trajectory of democracy and the potential for societal change amidst crises. Notably, the conversation often critiques conventional political narratives and offers fresh perspectives, making this an essential listen for thos... more
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How many listeners does What Rough Beast get?
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What are the audience demographics for What Rough Beast?
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Which podcasts are similar to What Rough Beast?
These podcasts share a similar audience with What Rough Beast:
1. Culture Gabfest
2. Political Gabfest
3. The Political Scene | The New Yorker
4. Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts
5. Radio Atlantic
How many episodes of What Rough Beast are there?
What Rough Beast launched a year ago and published 40 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact What Rough Beast?
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What guests have appeared on What Rough Beast?
Recent guests on What Rough Beast include:
1. Jamie Raskin
2. Hakeem Jeffries
3. Fred Kaplan
4. Kristianna Smith
5. Mark Bray
6. Cy Canterel
7. Molly McKew
8. Sarah Stillman
To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.