These are guests I wouldn’t hear from if not for Douthat’s interviews. I rarely agree with him but respect his thoughtful questions and challenges to his guests.

I loved The Argument, and was genuinely sad when it was canceled, but quickly embraced MoO. The downward spiral to where we are now is just depressing. I don’t need an hour of right wing apologists or people telling me to ignore the evidence that my eyes see. I don’t need an hour of Ross’ navel gazing and self aggrandizing. I don’t need an hour of these clowns telling us that they have the answers and speak for what is true and right. Bring back the old format. Until then, I’m out.

Giving a platform to an alt-right incel was disappointing. How dare women want a career and then become successful, taking away jobs from white men. A woman’s job is to make babies and sacrifice her needs for a man’s comfort. How 1950s of you …

I was enjoying the pod until you had this fellow on. Not a coherent or interesting thought in that man’s body. Unless your goal is to show how dumb your subjects are, please get better guests.

The idea behind this podcast is promising, but Ross Douthat is too blinkered by his political biases to offer anything like a balanced approach to these interviews. Replace him.

I am a protestant, physically, moderate conservative with a lot of Micah 6:8 in me (for context). Ross is a voice that is greatly needed in the public square today. His interviews are fearless, his convictions firm, and I love that he knows how to challenge with his dissent without creating straw men. I can’t wait to see what he has in store for us in the months ahead!

A conservative trifecta and Mr. Douthat has his own show? Is the dawn of the Dauthat upon us? Has the reign of Ross begun? Anyways, what an interesting time to be alive— the show is a great listen 10/10 would recommend!

Personally I am not a fan of interview podcasts which are only as enjoyable as the guests that are invited even as a regular Ross listener. Ross himself is best as a contrarian shining light on the contradictions within the liberal framework, something that is so far missing without his co-hosts to tone him down, even as this skill leads him to ask interesting questions to his guests that other more partisan interviewers might miss Still if not always my cup of tea, I’ll continue listening for the unique perspective and will consider upgrading my rating if the show finds a more even footing

While Ross and I are on different ends of the liberal-conservative spectrum I nonetheless appreciate his thoughtful opinions. He’s no dummy, and I respect that.

Big fan. Douthat does a great job making potentially oppositional guests feel comfortable enough to have meaningful conversation for us NYT loyalists. That’s a major difference from the echo chamber we have become used to. Kudos to the podcast team.

Host doesn’t push back enough on obviously wrong or biased statements by guests.

I don’t mind Ross’s opinions on other shows, but I could not stand listening to him for a solid hour without any opposition. His views are so warped, insular, and within the context of his own privileged life. Unsubscribed and will not recommend.

Ross continually ignores the facts and uses faulty logic, working backwards from his conclusions, cherry picking information in order to support a point. How a person who writes this poorly with this many logical fallacies could be allowed to be a New York Times opinion writer for so many years is beyond me. This only proves the value of a Harvard degree, because he certainly isn’t in this position based on merit. Ross is a DEI hire of an under qualified white man.

NYT should really do some focus groups before releasing this stuff—and before assigning host roles. This podcast is destined to fail. Douthat loves to hear himself talk (about nothing meaningful). Puts me in the mind of the guy from The Interview (who essentially ruins that show).

Ross is easily the best columnist the NYT has, and it turns out he is a great interviewer too. The Goldsmith episode in particular was fantastic. It is a shame so many other commenters appear to think everything the NYT produces needs to echo the thoughts of an MSNBC round table.

It incomprehensible a to who would choose to listen to Ross Douthat. A series of stale, disingenuous takes shrouded in a fake air of thoughtfulness.

Wouldn’t listen if I was paid to. Douthat is such a dunce.

Ross is one of the sharpest thinkers of our time. These interviews aren’t easy to listen to but they’re important, extremely relevant and skillfully navigated. I think all of the 1 star reviews are people who claim open mindedness but can’t walk the walk, are offended that people hold different opinions and - gasp - might know more than they do about a topic.

Interesting Times podcast, mmm, seems it is meant to get one comfortable with the radical change that this administration is executing. Ross is not one’s friend. He is not some great thinker, he is a middle man for tyranny, one’s counselor to the horrors one is seeing. He cloaks it in intellectualism because he may think liberals think that it makes listening important for consideration. People may want to think twice but not with this guy.

I have always liked hearing and reading Ross’ perspectives. I feel I’m not inside an echo chamber. The interview with Jack Goldsmith was particularly excellent.

On “What if there’s no way to stop Trump”. Two people afraid to say what they really think.

I was a fan of the original Argument podcast. Matter of Opinion was okay as a successor but it eventually got tiresome, with Ross Douthat’s incessant need to have the last word on every subject. But now, the NYT has decided to officially turn MoO into what it became anyway: the Ross Show. Instead of civil conversations across the political spectrum, the ineffectual liberal co-hosts have been pushed out of the picture entirely, and Ross has a free platform to interview whatever right-wing monarchist kooks he wants. Pretty good metaphor for our current era of politics.

“They yearn for the mines!” vibes

Ross doesn't really dig deep or push ideas to logical conclusions. This may be the Times trying to have right leaning voices, but you aren't given much to think about.

Matter of Opinion was a genuinely good show, this show is sycophantic at the highest levels, with Ross offering little to nothing to the conversation. Re-considering my NYT subscription.

Douthat practices the age old tradition of apologia but for Trump not Christ. He claims to be a Christian but he’s a trumpian first

Come on! I liked matter of opinion and now you’re giving Ross even more of a platform?

I discovered this new podcast hosted by Ross lately and have been binge reading/listening. I’m registered an independent and vote on the democratic side. I regularly read David Brooks and Ross selectively, to get a different perspective on important issues of the day. Now these recent interviews in such depth have really helped me clear some of my misunderstandings and confusion about the turmoil our country is going through. I do enjoy Ross’ mind and intellectual prowess though I don’t always agree with him. Thank you Ross and your guests. Please continue this wonderful work! Btw, I also enjoy Ezra Klein Show tremendously!

You were generally rude to your guest. Sounded irritably like you haven’t been laid in a while, Ross. Where are the mature adults!? Forty years of bad policy on both sides of the aisle. Remember, it was Senator Simpson (RIP) who basically threw open the doors of our southern border. We need to re-industrialize and tariffs are a quick and dirty way to get our trading partners attention. China basically modernized their nation on tariffs in the 19th century. Trump should do it, cause all of us know congress doesn’t have the wisdom or fortitude to do it themselves. Sure, it will be rocky at times. But, grow up. It’s time to play the long game! I lost a good deal of respect for Douthat in this podcast. Intelligence, and a silver tongue, does not equal wisdom. NYT is poison. Ross, you’re just following the rest of them off the cliff. Pls play the long game!

it doesn't age well

I wanted to give this one a shot, since it sounded like a useful way to understand the perspectives that have led to the awful of our world right now, but unfortunately the host didn’t challenge false narratives or challenge them in ways that were clear enough to show how illogical the perspective can be. The one that led to this rating had the guest talking about how young men these days want to ‘make things’ as one justification for bringing manufacturing back to the US and how this will help balance our economy. Not one word about the billionaires consolidating wealth or market manipulation that is woefully obvious as a challenge to this guest. I have unfollowed the show. I don’t want to hear more propaganda. Sorry.

Ross is such a good interviewer. He allows the guest to have their say, and he gently pushes them in areas where they need pushed. This is the podcast we need in today’s society. It’s already helping me understand our crazy world better.

Hacks

While I don’t always agree with him, Ross Douthat is the best NY Times columnist of the 21st century. His views are interesting, well-considered, and often clash with both classical conservatism and right-wing neo-populism. He’s willing to hear people out and take politically heterodox positions. A real treat compared to the utterly predictable output of most opinion writers.

It’s like someone at NYT heard the whole “we need a Joe Rogan of the left” dialogue and thought “that’s a bad idea…but I have one that’s even worse . Let’s do an Ezra Klein of the RIGHT!” And then they don’t even launch a new pod, they just repurpose an old one so he starts off with all those subscribers? Rock hard pass, get this dude’s face off my feed. 👎🏼

Ross probes the architects of the new regime with great subtlety. You can’t find this material anywhere else.

I loved the interview with Bannon.

I trust Ross. I’ve always been interested in conservative’s policy perspectives and I want to hear what the people behind Trump and supporting Trump are saying about policy.

I’ll change my rating to five stars when Ross is no longer on the show. Probably not gonna listen anymore because because of him .( now they just have Ross on the show ! 🙁 ) Bye !!! The only thing I agree with Trump on is that the NYT is failing!

This looks like pandering to the right wing. Get rid of kt.

Preferred the old format.

Attention podcast hosts (ahem, Fivethirtyeight): If you want to hear a great example of how to incorporate humor into your podcast, listen to Jane Coaston hosting The Argument! She didn’t drop jokes into every episode, just occasionally. She made a funny observation, and then…she moved on! She didn’t laugh at her own joke, wait for her guests to laugh at her joke, and she rarely piled on her own joke with another one. She made the episode funnier without disrupting it, remaining focused on the topic and what the guest had to say about it.

I loved the show Jane! Major loss to the NYT struggling podcast space. NYT struggles, or doesn’t try, to bridge ideological divides. You are a gem. Thanks.

I just discovered The Argument a couple of months ago and have enjoyed it immensely. I can’t believe it’s been canceled. We live in an era of immense polarization, thought bubbles, and vilification of “the other side”. The Argument cut through that and was a breath of fresh air. I hope NYT reverses its decision and that The Argument is rebooted soon. I will miss seeing it in my weekly lineup.

I join others who express sadness at the end of this Podcast. I always appreciated Jane’s superb facilitation of civil discourse with her guests, and I loved the focus on a single theme per show, which truly got me thinking and broadened my perspectives. I think that’s so important in this polarized society right now…civil and openness to listening and learning from one another. I will miss you Jane and crew!!! Wherever your journey takes you, I hope it will be rich and rewarding and possibly even a place that your sad audience members can find you again.

This kind of reasoned debate about issues is so important in these times. I hope this kind of show will be revived. I liked the job the host did. She made the discussions interesting lively.

I’m so bummed that the show was canceled! I looked forward to it every week. I have been listening since before Jane, but loved the direction that Jane took it. I will miss Jane and the Argument and the varying points of view she brought together every week. I felt encouraged by the fact that differing points of view could come together and have a discussion rather than merely villainize the opposition. The show being canceled is a blow to critical thinking in our country. ❤️😢

I appreciated the way that the show demonstrated how people who disagree could do so without being disagreeable. I was actually rooting for Jane to become a co host on the View! Looking forward to your next engagement to keep conversations make this a better place for everyone. Best wishes for a bright future.

Loved your interview with Justin Amash! Please consider talking to Jonathan Casey from the classical liberal caucus if you want some hope for the party!

I have not liked the current format and do not listen all that often lately - I preferred the former format where multiple current issues were discussed and debated. Jane does a good job but I wish they would return to a show that discusses and argues not just one topic per episode. Sad to see the podcast end. Bring back the old style with Ross and Michelle on opposing sides each episode.