Reviews
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“Used to listen to every episode without fail, as the pod was a refreshing bit of balance in an otherwise biased media landscape. Now I listen sporadically as Derek seems to be losing that balance that made the show so great.”
njk_listener via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/13/24
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“Fantastic podcast that is so insightful and has fantastic guests. You truly never know who will be on from week to week or what topics will be discussed. I really enjoy that about this pod. Keep it up!”
Midwest Chris via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/12/24
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“The host says twenty words for every one word from the guest! Asking “Am I right? after an essay-length question is not a dialogue. Monologues can be interesting, but not when they are pretending to be dialogues. Poor guests. Poor listeners.”
womanbyherradio via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/09/24
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“Derek is awesome! He has a great perspective that I always find I engaging.”
Jorg_A via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/08/24
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“It’s hard to do justice to all the complexities of our daily world, and this podcast does as good of a job as any. Critical-minded yet open and intellectually humble. Great conversational flow as well.”
jldela85 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/30/24
“Derek is such a great host and interviewer. A recent guest referred to him as a super communicator and I couldn’t put it better. I look forward to the diverse topics and always learn something, every episode no matter what. Keep up the great work!!”
PodFanTiff via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/25/24
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“There aren’t as many people, places or things I touch daily that leave me better off for it. That’s where Plain English comes in. Each time I listen to Plain English I leave more well informed, opened minded, with an excitement to continue learning all the while being entertained. Derek...”Read full review »
Notorious R.M.T. via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/06/24
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“Fascinating, insightful article and excellent!
Thank you. This is a rich, multi dimensional topic… what would the follow up pod on this look like, Derek? Hint. Hint …😉”
user adoption geek via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
03/01/24
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“I heard Derek on Bill’s podcast and decided to listen to some episodes and I’m so glad I did. The best way to describe this episode is that it cultivates thought. You don’t finish listening and say “boy Derek is right again!” You leave thinking how interesting the conversation was and how you...”Read full review »
AJC6611 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/29/24
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“Nice try at convincing me he economy is fine, buy i base thdeconomy not on stats but rather on my pantry, lightbill and gas bill, In good times i canbuy those and have money for the tooth fairy too, butwhena boc of cereal is this expensive ,,, am hurting,”
Shauna NI via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/26/24
“The Venn diagram of The Ringer’s ‘21st century’ sports & pop culture podcast Millennial & Gen Z media consumers, versus us Old Head-Boomer paying subscribers to the ‘20th century’ media stalwarts we grew up with on the East Coast — like The Atlantic and the New Yorker — probably doesn’t...”Read full review »
SLCUtahUser via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/25/24
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“Amazing topics, so informative, very well organized and concise while keeping the listener engaged the whole time. Can’t get enough.”
Nina Ags via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
02/24/24
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“Love the show but as a long time listener the guests seem to all be the same at this point. Derek seems to only bring on guests that he either agrees with or he already knows how they’ll respond to his questions. The result is an hour of two people paraphrasing each other and boy is it dry, no...”Read full review »
Norman1995Pit via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/23/24
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“This is absolutely not the case. Please research this supposed problem more widely. The nuance is vast.”
olivecat via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/22/24
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“A friend of mine shared this episode with me after learning that my 80 year old father is a still a small town newspaper and editor here in Kansas. He and my mother bought the newspaper back in 1977 and have been running it ever since. We have watched the effects that you discuss greatly impact...”Read full review »
SMH news via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/20/24
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“Derek is one of the best podcasters out there. His range of relevant topics is top notch, his guests are great who speak in well..Plain English. I never miss an episode. Need more Derek.”
Thisgamesucks1234 via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
02/15/24
“Love the show! I would love to hear a deep dive on the carbon cost of extracting all the rare earth materials necessary for “green” energy and storage, versus the long term benefits. Maybe the NIMBYism of electric vehicles, as an angle?”
Jean-Luc Idaho via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/15/24
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“Excelente”
DocLouIowa via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/13/24
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“Every episode has a guest with a leftist agenda. Derek does a terrible job of interviewing and allows only one-sided viewpoints. Feels like each episode is a combination of MSNBC and The View”
annoyed phillies fan via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/09/24
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“Listen to every episode. This one is just about ID politics, and does not go into the broader reason why people are feeling this way. Most the time show is very informative, but this one totally turned me off.”
suxkkit via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/06/24
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“A must-listen for anyone curious about the world and the rationale behind some of the most thought-provoking issues.”
UConn4X via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/03/24
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“Derek is a powerful thinker & speaker whose gift is breaking down complex topics in simple yet eloquent ways. When he finds interviewees who can match his level, the results can be amazing.
The podcast comes from a highly liberal perspective, and may benefit from a greater diversity of...”Read full review »
Ian.Dahl via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/22/24
“Plain English covers topical geo-political topics very well. Derek is up-front with his bias, and works to be even-handed. He capably addresses other subjects as well.”
JaysonLevy via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/21/24
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“Provides great context for some of the more complex topics in today’s society. Enjoyable and interesting listen!”
Goinggoinggonz via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/18/24
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“This is the first podcast that I ever got into. I started listening when the Ukraine crisis began and now Derek is my best friend on the radio that I have never met.
His conversational tone on deeply complex issues is in fact like chatting with a smart friend. I always learn something new and...”Read full review »
Good enough 2 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/16/24
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“I'm updating my initial review and am downgrading it. Some of the topics are great but others not so much. I find myself only listening to select episodes now. My main issue is the frenetic cadence of Mr. Thomson's voice; it's very irritating to listen to at times.”Read full review »
BookClub28 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/15/24
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“I love the way this show presents logical, balanced opinions and discussions on a broad range of fascinating topics. Guests add expertise and diversity of opinion. Every episode is fantastic!”
Borg35 via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
01/14/24
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“Not sufficiently informed on views outside mainstream liberal takes, particularly on economic diagnoses and assessments and Israel’s occupation of Gaza and resulting conflicts and ethnic cleansing/genocide.”
MEC1202! via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/12/24
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“I listen to a lot of podcasts, and it’s hard to beat this one. If you’re looking to learn about a wide variety of interesting topics, look no further. Great 360 degree views with interesting guests to get a full picture of an issue. I’ve never left a review but feel obligated because this is so...”Read full review »
cm583170 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/12/24
“This is - to put it plainly- one of the best podcasts to keep up with the world. It helps to not lose your head and to get a deep and nuanced understanding of a subject. Derek does great interviews and asks great questions I think…also just a guy, you would probably want to drink a beer with ;)...”Read full review »
brunovons via Apple Podcasts ·
Germany ·
01/10/24
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“I learn something new every time I listen in! Thank you for doing what you do!”
joeyszolowicz via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/10/24
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“Derek is an incredible thinker, episodes are interesting and densely packed. Love the show.”
Easy Eaze via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/09/24
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“Derek is going to save the world someday, one rational curious conversation at a time. The show challenges me and also soothes me and I don’t know how it does both but it does. There actually are smart people left in the world who are curious and empathetic.”
mroscience via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/09/24
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“Derek’s understanding of so many topics and ability to explain them in more simple terms is uncanny. I’m a physician and feel like I understand biology, but the way he explains topics on this particular subject sounds like a experienced college professor. Keep up the great work.”
Matheson Harris via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/09/24
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“I like long form journalism but find it challenging to have time to read much of it these days. This is an excellent replacement. Derek has a great voice, stakes out positions but then introduces nuance. Easily worthy of two hours or so a week.”
C'ville Reader via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/09/24
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“Super sharp commentary on well-chosen topics”
Tom6370 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/09/24
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“Derek you will always be famous”
Josh959595 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/07/24
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“The objectivity , transparency and clarity in dealing with complex topics is so damn refreshing.
This is akin to sitting in on a great lecture without having to pay tuition.
Thanks !”
KH Wpg via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
01/04/24
“Plain English is always worth listening to even when the topic seems like it might be out of my areas of interest. The breadth of subjects is tremendous. Derek can be counted on to have done his homework and developed probing questions (as well as metaphors to better translate technical answers)....”Read full review »
SagebrushOcean via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/01/24
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“That George Packer interview about Kissinger was one of the best I’ve heard in a very long while.”
E-Beach via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/05/23
“Some of the first episodes I listened to seemed to have the guest making overly broad or simplistic statements about a complex topic, or rarely making a simple topic much more complicated.
However, while not every subject interests me, I think he does a very good job of trying to either...”Read full review »
DoctorDaveC via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/02/23
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“I always enjoy the depth at which Derek and his guests dive into their subject matters. always a thought-provoking and intuitive podcast.”
SenatorMeatball via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/02/23
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“Show is consistently interesting but I cannot believe how bad the editing is. Todays episode on Elon Musk teased a clip from his NYT Dealbook interview, then the clip just didn’t happen. Does anyone listen to this before it goes out?”
Avid listener88 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/01/23
“Derek, like many other Western media outlet talking heads attempts to reframe the Israel-Palestine conflict as contemporary culmination of the Netanyahu and Hamza regimes. Yes, both sides have exacerbated the conflict however it is naive to conclude that simply removing these two regimes will...”Read full review »
Beelay786 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/17/23
“Love the Pod! There are so many new influences currently, mostly as a result of Social Media, but also the huge desire for change. The 2024 will most likely have more than 2 parties running and the Pop Star influences, namely Taylor Swift and others. That will bring out the youth vote! It still...”Read full review »
htzwolf via Apple Podcasts ·
Germany ·
11/17/23
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“Thank you for the immense work you and your team clearly put into each episode. Love your nuanced insights and perspectives into complex issues that affect us all. Keep it up! -Sameer from Ontario, Canada”
Blkmbma via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
11/14/23
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