Hear Me Out

Slate’s discussion and debate podcast.

About the Show

Hear Me Out is Slate’s destination for tough, topical discussions with integrity, and without clichés. Join host Celeste Headlee and a guest each week for a smart, fair debate on issues that matter.

Host

Podcasting Is Dead

At least, podcasting as we knew it.

Presidential Pardons Need Reform

But yes, they’re a force for good, too.

There Is No Lesser-Evil Candidate

There’s the billionaire class, and then there’s the rest of us.

Schools Do Too Much (Often Badly)

Educating our students…for what exactly?

Fact-Checks Make Audiences Suspicious

Debunking stuff might be eroding trust, not enhancing it.

The Olympics Are a Tool of Oppression

We shouldn’t ignore the path of destruction left in host nations.

Pop Stars Run Politics Now

They’re everywhere, they’re so Julia.

You Don’t Need a BFF

Life isn’t forever. Why should friends be?

A.I.’s Threat to Democracy Flopped

For now, the robots have left us unscathed.

Jeff Bezos Could Save the Post (Again)

Get that billionaire back in the newsroom.

Federal Job Training Doesn’t Work

There are smarter ways to use this money.

Tradwives Show Us Feminism’s Failures

Don’t we all sort of want a soft life?

Pride Is for Everyone (Except Cops and Politicians)

All the colors of the rainbow, except for the ones diametrically opposed to said rainbow.

Biden Is Courting Voters Who Don’t Exist

Don’t assume the base will vote blue no matter who.

Election Betting Should Be Legal

Devils roll the dice, voters roll their eyes?

Term Limits Could Ruin Congress

The time they serve isn’t the reason we all hate Congress.

Colonialism Never Ended

…And other ideas Florida doesn’t want to teach you.

Trump Isn’t a Bug. He’s a Feature.

The founders weren’t exactly anti-authoritarian.

Punishing a Shooter’s Parents Misses the Point

Justice is a bigger picture.

Student Protests Can Backfire (Badly)

It’s the law of unintended consequences.