Episodes
What a relief! We're reliably informed that Trump probably didn't collude. He is merely incapable of separating any talk of Russian meddling in 2016 election with talk of collusion. It pushes his berserk button. Oh, that's all. He's just deluded. Virginia and Mary Kate discuss all the reactions to Helsinki.
Published 07/20/18
A wide-ranging discussion of Brett Kavanaugh's nomination. Why so much concern with the Supreme Court? Should there be? We talk clerks, Jesuits, Janus Mary Kate brings insight into the path to the Supreme Court, and Virginia insight into with insight from Mary Kate about the clerkship path, and Virginia, who first met Brett in high school.
Published 07/13/18
An interview with one of our favorite Mostly Rightos, Amanda Smithfield, school librarian and founder of Project Civility. Trust us on this: AMERICA NEEDS MORE AMANDA SMITHFIELDS!
Published 06/26/18
Oh, dear. We have disappointed our former presidents. Do we need Howard Schultz? Or maybe someone so tedious, we dust off the Tenth Amendment. Could we get Oprah to run for governor of a really small state? Also: The dangerous belief that the other side is getting away with stuff. (They're not). What goes around really does come around.
Published 06/07/18
Think you're not tribal? Sorry. You're SO tribal, as Virginia and Mary Kate explain, via a discussion of Stanley Cup hockey (who has suffered enough?), Hollywood, righteous pedestrians, cosmopolitan elites who pride themselves as non-tribal but area tribe, NFL protests, identity politics, Ben & Jerry, and, well, the entire sweep of human history. Have a listen!
Published 05/31/18
Mary Kate and Virginia both had firm ideas for topics this week. Unfortunately, they were topics they wanted to avoid. So they played Twitter Roulette. The result? A discussion of CVS receipts, Osmonds, zombies, left sharks, door bells, earnest bureaucrats, ambulance rides, how to mess with tech support scam calls, and oh-so-much more. Have a listen!
Published 05/23/18
Mary Kate gives us a rundown of last week's panel with Mollie Hemingway and Ron Christie, and does so without sounding hangry despite being on a clear liquid diet.  Virginia sings, but only four words (thank God). And we discuss what's behind the White House's "no excuses, no apologies" rule.
Published 05/16/18
We must understand the present moment to predict the future. In this episode, we tackle the question of whether people are correctly interpreting 2016, and where we think conservatism is headed.
Published 05/09/18
Barbara Bush's funeral and the desire for decency. Plus, how suppression of speakers (and speech) on college campuses harms everyone, including (perhaps especially) those whom it purports to help. With that, the hosts have words of warning for the right, too, and the problem with "nut picking."
Published 04/25/18
In response to John Brennan's "Kakistocracy" tweet, we announce our first ever Istocracy Contest. Mary Kate's examples use cutting-edge slang (Brennan was so "extra" with that tweet).  Virginia's just rhymed with "Ack."  Mary Kate gives us her take on the James Comey interview, while Virginia muses the vital question: Is Comey Dickensian or operatic?  Also, Gorsuch's decision in the immigration case, and whether "But Judges" is adequate justification for Trump support. 
Published 04/18/18
The Cohen office raid. (That's MISTER Cohen to our hosts), Trump's tweets - neither adorable nor ignorable. Plus "Strange New Disgust," the Chappaquiddick edition.
Published 04/11/18
The insider view of the Easter Egg roll from a former speechwriter and a former Easter Bunny. Also, your hosts' weirdest jobs. And the danger for Democrats in an "equal and opposite" reaction to Trump on immigration.
Published 04/04/18
No gun talk. And all pornstar talk is G-rated. Could Trump run up against an Eliot Ness character? What does Mary Kate have in common with Stormy Daniels? What's with the Strange New Disgust? What does it all mean for Trump and the GOP?
Published 03/30/18
Mary Kate brings perspective on the McCabe firing, drawing on experience at DOJ.  Virginia brings perspective on voters who don't breathlessly follow every detail, drawing on her experience not breathlessly following every detail. The hosts turn to America's addiction to drama.  Citing a conversation on a recent Commentary podcast, MK and Va. wonder if the genie can go back in the bottle, and find hope (unexpectedly) from Robert Greene's book, "The Art of Seduction."  Can we make America...
Published 03/21/18
In addition to unveiling their podcast's new name, co-hosts Mary Kate Cary and Virginia Hume discuss Tillerson's ignominious firing, Hillary's unfortunate comments in India, and why Trump can't handle an easy layup. (According to Virginia, it's because he's wired differently than most people, so he'll always defy understanding). Mary Kate discusses the "Strange New Respect" the left and media grants certain Republicans (once they're in the rear view mirror).
Published 03/19/18
After clearing up housekeeping matters (Trump's sabotage of earlier recording session and podcast name challenges, which they're counting on listeners to solve) Mary Kate Cary and Virginia talk feminism.  Namely, political short-sightedness of women's groups alienating conservative women; how MK and Va. define feminism and convey it to their daughters.  Virginia's suffragette aunt makes an appearance; and we learn how the Cary family handles setbacks.  (Hint: HOLD THEIR BEER!)
Published 03/10/18
Listen in as old friends and fellow Republicans Mary Kate Cary (former Bush 41 speechwriter) and Virginia Hume (former RNC spokeswoman) launch the first episode of their new podcast.  Hume and Cary talk about where the GOP has been, where it’s likely heading — and where “traditional” Republicans might still fit in.  Plus reaction to a panel of women speaking at CPAC.
Published 03/01/18