It’s disappointing that a thinker as nuanced and interesting as Matt has tethered himself to a replacement level democratic operative who invariably presents the most bad faith version of his opponents’ position. Matt deserves a better interlocutor.

Love the show. First time long time. Does Matt eat the same type of candy bar on every show? Does he switch it up? Are there any candy bar recommendations? I need something to chew while I’m on the phone with my friends and loved ones. Charleston chew? Snickers? Mars? Clif bars? The people need to know.

Matt constantly interrupts Brian. Along with that, Matt’s recent use of a slur online is disgusting. Supporting this podcast means supporting someone who spews hatred. I urge anyone considering listening to reconsider and find a podcast with hosts who aren't actively harmful to marginalized communities.

Matt is a smart and nuanced thinker and I appreciate his insights. Brian speaks with somewhat harsh and simplistic activist rhetoric that is a little grating and reduces the overall quality of the podcast. Ideally Matt would have a similarly thoughtful center-left public intellectual type as his co-host.

Really enjoy this one

Can’t deny that Matt has really insightful and thoughtful comments on political matters. Unfortunately this podcast also includes Brian, who talks way too much and takes too long to reach a point, which is generally: Democrats should do more! You get the impression that Brian has lived his professional life in something of an ivory tower from which he can issue his opinions on things divorced from the world as it is.

I really wish matt didn’t eat while recording episodes. His chewing in the mic is extremely gross

after 30 episodes one can be inured to the one speaker’s pedantic affectation enough to slow down to only 2x speed and still enjoy.

These guys are in dire need of a producer

The hosts have claimed that the podcast is partially paywalled because they want to have a proper producer. That producer needs to step up and apply compression correctly so that volume doesn't jump all over the place, requiring constant listener adjustment.

Always appreciate the views and opinions shared here. Got excited when a non-subscriber episode popped up, but was quickly reminded why I never bothered to subscribe after they pay-walled it. Matt’s audio is poor: very sharp timbre, lots of tinny room noise combined with absurd fluctuations in volume. Makes it difficult to listen to, especially when the conversation gets heated. Shouldn’t need to have my hand on the volume for the duration of the episode.

I like the show, but it’s exhausting to listen to Matt and Brian constantly trying to talk over each other.

Matt interrupts Brian with the volume of a jet taking off and the fury of a wild boar. I like the pod and both of these guys, but some hygiene would help

At what point do we say “I’ll pass on another micropayment.” It’s just too much. The volume control on here is absolutely horrendous. You have to keep your finger glued to the volume button. There are ample free political podcasts we can listen to that have equally good conversations and much better volume control.

I’ve always loved reading and listening to Brian Beutler. Once in a while, he skews a hair left of my views, but more often than not in those cases, he convinces me. Similarly, I’ve always respected Matt Yglesias, although he is often to the right of my views, albeit with a clarity and thoroughness that’s hard to dismiss. It makes for a really satisfying combination of center left to center perspectives and unflagging intellectual honesty. I hope this shows lasts a long time.

I’d really like to subscribe to this but the super wide variation in volume levels means I either can’t hear half of what’s said or have to yank earbuds out when things get loud if I don’t constantly ride the volume level. PLEASE fix the audio issues. Only read a few other reviews but it’s not just Matt.

Love Matt but he speaks with a huge dynamic range, making this podcast nearly impossible to listen to without keeping my finger glued to the volume control. Just run it through a limiter to make the loud parts quieter and the quiet parts louder. It's a super cheap, quick and easy fix and will make the listening to these conversations 1000% more enjoyable.

Love Matt, podcast is great, but you absolutely need volume control! Matt, you are sometimes completely inaudible and at other times you are absolutely screaming at us. Please, please use software to smooth out the volume in the podcast. It is physically hard to listen to it!

Listeners have to pay for the subscription to listen to the show. They don’t have the option to put up with “words from our sponsors”. Since subscription models are turning the future into a million - or is it a billion? - micro payment ventures, it is time to put on the breaks and take a pass.

Happy to subscribe and not have ads :)

Love Matty Yglesias and consider his Slow Boring newsletter required reading. Glad he’s back to podcasting.

Big fans of both these guys , excited see em get together like this

Me, a politics enjoyer, enjoying a show about politics.

This discussion was not engaging. I'll stick to the plethera of podcasts already in place that deliver doom for Democrats take. This work is best offered as a navel gazing entry of your diaries. I was hoping fo substance more than musing.

No thanks.