Leah Bonnema and Jody Avirgan join Negin to share their thoughts on the anti-lockdown protests, Trump's immigration ban, and what we can learn from Sweden's approach to Coronavirus. They also review 'Tiger King' and its treatment of poverty.By Earwolf & Negin Farsad

John Hodgman and Maz Jobrani join Negin to celebrate 200 episodes of Fake the Nation. They cover the latest White House chaos, what it's like being in lockdown with kids, and whether or not the handshake will survive in a post-pandemic world. This special episode also features voicemails from past guests and fans telling us what they hope to see ch…

It’s May 14th. Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer, and special guest Harry Enten of CNN discuss the career of Ron Paul. He ran in several Republican primaries, capturing a part of the electorate that would come to play a big role in future elections on both sides of the aisle. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX…

It’s May 12th. Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer, and special guest Harry Enten of CNN discuss the incident where over 50 Texas legislators fled across the boarder to Oklahoma, to avoid having to vote on a redistricting proposal. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future…

Pittsburgh Pirates' ace STEVEN BRAULT is now making a different kind of pitch ... to the theater world. He's got a new album "A Pitch at Broadway" that recreates several famous musical numbers with a modern, rock sound. We go song-by-song with a deep dive on why he chose the tunes he chose, how to be funny while singing, how creepy a Phantom of the…

JEFF BLAKE burst onto the scene for Bengals fans thanks to a heroic, iconic leap from third string to Pro Bowl quarterback during the mid-90s. And we were there for it, so humor us here folks. We break down Jeff's rise from obscurity, we go "full awkward Chris Farley questions" about his first game, then we geek out on his new venture into renewabl…

Tochi Onyebuchi and Sharron Paul join Negin to discuss the complications of reopening the economy, Justin Amash's presidential bid, and Joe Biden's response to the Tara Reade allegations. They also reveal which exes have slid into their DMs during lockdown.By Earwolf & Negin Farsad

It’s May 7th. Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer, and special guest Harry Enten of CNN discuss the “Coya Come Home” letter — a public letter written by the husband of MN representative Coya Knutson, demanding that she leave office and return to domestic life. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if …

It’s May 5th. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer discuss the crash of 1893. It was the result of a rapidly changing economy, heavy debt, and slow-footed governmental response. And it ushered in a new era in American politics. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future t…

Joan Walsh and Aaron Jackson join Negin to weigh in on Trump's meat processing mandate and the rent strike. They also have tips on how to make a love connection at a Zoom wedding.By Earwolf & Negin Farsad

It’s April 30th. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer discuss the moment Bernie Sanders entered the 2016 Democratic primary. He was relatively unknown, but the issues he was championing were already gaining momentum. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or j…

It’s April 28th. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer talk about the “dim outs” of 1942, when businesses and residents along the east coast were asked to turn off their lights to protect from enemy submarines. It’s a moment of collective effort during WWII that has lots of lessons for today. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Rad…

RUSS BENGTSON is an iconic chronicler of all things NBA and sneakers. Which is why he's launching a new podcast about Michael Jordan to coincide with the new ESPN doc. But let's shift our focus from his feet to his wrists. Russ collects and cherishes watches. Vintage. Historic. Stylish. Colorful. Space-Tested. Russ opens up about his personal passi…

It’s April 23rd. Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer, and special guest Alexis Coe (You Never Forget Your First) discuss when shock-jock Howard Stern secured the Libertarian Party nomination for New York Governor. His platform included just four items. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have…

It’s April 21st. Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer, and special guest Alexis Coe (You Never Forget Your First) discuss America’s first Vice President, John Adams. He was inaugurated nine days before George Washington, and was complaining about playing second fiddle from day one. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from …

RACHEL BONNETTA is a lot of things. A comedian. A sports TV host with FS1's "Lock It In." And someone who's just now starting "The Sopranos" so PLEASE DON'T SPOIL THE DAMN ENDING!!!! We break down her new Crooked Media podcast "Hall of Shame" about the most insane sports scandals of all time, we ponder which "Pod Save America" host would get picked…

Myq Kaplan and Dan Ahdoot join Negin to dive into Donald Trump's contentious relationship with Anthony Fauci and the Joe Biden assault allegations. They also discuss how influencers are handling the coronavirus and what makes them hopeful.By Earwolf & Negin Farsad

It’s April 16th. Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer, and special guest Jamelle Bouie of the New York Times discuss Martin Luther King’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail, in which he rejected calls to go slow and appease moderates in his civil rights efforts. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you …

It’s April 14th. Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer, and special guest Jamelle Bouie of the New York Times discuss the assasination of Abraham Lincoln, and what parts of the story history tends not to consider. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just wan…

You know KEITH LAW of The Athletic for his obsessive rankings of baseball prospects. But when we're all on lockdown, thank goodness Keith is *also* known for his obsessive rankings of boardgames! He returns to "Just Not Sports" to break down which boardgames can get you through social distancing. His new #1 game of all-time, the games that play dif…

Jena Friedman and Michael Cruz Kayne join Negin to break down how coronavirus could affect voter turnout in November and their thoughts on celebrities putting out quarantine content. They also discuss Negin's use of the phrase "you guys" and whether Jena's viral Stephen Miller tweet was a joke or performance art.…

It’s April 9th. Jody Avirgan, Nicole Hemmer, and special guest Jamelle Bouie of the New York Times discuss the passage of the 17th amendment. It changed the way that senators are elected, and the fundamental mechanics of our democracy. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any idea…

It’s April 7th. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer discuss the scandal that erupted after candidate Barack Obama made comments at a fundraiser ahead of the Pennsylvania primary. His remarks about “bitter” voters who “cling to guns and religion,” and the controversy that erupted, in many ways previewed the politics of the next decade. This Day In Esoter…

Under Hashtag Quarantine we're all watching Hashtag Comfort TV. So let's turn that into Hashtag Sports! We sit down with Bleacher Report's DAVID GARDNER to do a TV Sitcom Draft. Who's going No. 1 -- "Seinfeld" or "Friends" or an upset? Does "The Simpsons" count as a sitcom? Does "Atlanta?" Do you need a raunchy show in your line-up? Oh, and we also…

Joyelle Johnson and John F. O'Donnell join Negin to talk about why US unemployment is so high compared to other countries in the age of coronavirus and how Joyelle is going to get some of Jeff Bezos' money. To get dressed or not? They get to the bottom of it and more dumb debates.By Earwolf & Negin Farsad

It’s April 2nd. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer discuss the Influenza pandemic of 1918-1919. In the spring of 1919, President Wilson got sick on his way to Paris for talks to bring a close to World War I. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just wan…

It’s March 31st. Jody Avirgan and Nicole Hemmer discuss President Johnson’s surprise announcement that he isn’t running for re-election, and how politics can be upended in a tumultuous year like 1968. This Day In Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Get in touch if you have any ideas for future topics, or just want t…

When she's not hosting "Drinks with Binks" or "Call It a Night" on fubo Sports Network, you better believe JULIE STEWART-BINKS is rocking the eff out. We break down the rock 'n' roll fandom she inherited from her mom, getting starstruck interviewing Alice Cooper, whether Motley Crue and other 80s greats truly count as "classic rock," and a ton of o…

Seena Ghaznavi and Evan Siegfried join Negin to discuss the politics of coronavirus and tips on how to stay sane during self isolation. They also share how they've been navigating romance and dating in this strange new reality.By Earwolf & Negin Farsad

This Day In Esoteric Political History is hosted by Jody Avirgan, with historian Nicole Hemmer of Columbia. Our researcher and producer is Jacob Feldman. Find us online at thisdaypod.com. Email us thisdaypod@gmail.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @thisdaypod This Day in Esoteric Political History is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX.…

Many people know JODY AVIRGAN as a podcaster and producer who's done great work for "FiveThirtyEight" and ESPN's "30 for 30." But he's also found his way onto the "SportsCenter" highlights as a professional ultimate frisbee player. We break down his lifelong passion for the sport, his trash-talking intensity on the field, which athletes would make …

Sarah Pappalardo and Sam Dingman join Negin for a fully remote episode of Fake the Nation. They get into how Coronavirus is affecting everyday life politically and personally, plus the latest on the Democratic primary.By Earwolf & Negin Farsad

When she's not breaking down the games for The Athletic's WNBA and Buffalo verticals, LYNDSEY D'ARCANGELO is likely building up something out of this world. The sportswriter has a lifelong passion for LEGO, so we go deep on her favorite sets, the joys of building with her daughter, which creations are "wall worthy" and why a LEGO piece wound up as …

Ashley C. Ford and Shalewa Sharpe join Negin to break down the latest on the Democratic primary, the possible effect of coronavirus on voter turnout, and the baby boomer generation versus everyone else. They also discuss why being a Tomboy was empowering back in the day.By Earwolf & Negin Farsad

Maeve Higgins and Danielle Durchslag join Negin to discuss the awkwardness of shooting sex scenes and how intimacy coordinators are making it better. Listen to more Bonus The Nation episodes by signing up for Stitcher Premium! Use the promo code [FAKE] for a free one month trial.By Earwolf & Negin Farsad

Weston Wamp and Ophira Eisenberg join Negin to analyze what happened on Super Tuesday, the Harvey Weinstein verdict, and why the Census matters. Today's episode also includes real time reactions to Elizabeth Warren suspending her campaign, and Negin has some thoughts.By Earwolf & Negin Farsad

Alex Schmidt and Jody Avirgan join Negin to discuss Tuesday's Debate drama, global reactions to the coronavirus, and what role corporations should have regarding climate change. They also examine their relationships with darkness, which isn't as dark as it sounds.By Earwolf & Negin Farsad