The Seth Leibsohn Show

Hugh Hallman, Attorney, Educator, and former Mayor of Tempe, joins Seth in studio with his son Louis for the full hour to talk about the forecast for the makeup of the United States Congress after the coming midterm elections and how quickly the popularity of socialism has risen in the United States. They explores the idea that the media's emphasis on sensationalism and opinion pieces has led to a distorted view of the country's politics and policies. Hugh and Louis discuss how this can be seen in the way the media is portraying the upcoming 2026 midterm elections, with some outlets predicting a "bloodbath" for the Republicans, while the data suggests a much closer contest. They also touch on the importance of voter registration and the role of swing voters in determining the outcome of elections. The conversation also touches on the topic of academia and its influence on shaping public opinion and promoting progressive ideologies.

Seth discusses the concept of "yellow journalism," which was first coined in the late 19th century, and how it's still prevalent today. He argues that the media's focus on creating a sense of urgency and drama can lead to a distorted view of reality, causing us to lose sight of the facts and instead become consumed by emotions. He also touches on the idea that the media's portrayal of the world can be detrimental to our mental health, contributing to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Seth discusses his difficulties at a gas station with Producer David Doll. We’re joined by Don Spini from Sun Valley Wealth. Seth compares the prices of gasoline from 2026 all the way back to 1979. Don’t let Democrats get away with telling you that the Trump Administration is giving the nation “record-high” gas prices. United Airlines has just suspended a pilot who publicly praised the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by the terrorist group Hamas.

Arizona State Senator Carine Werner (R-LD4) joins the show in person to talk about the state of her ongoing campaign for re-election as she fights to keep her seat in Legislative District 4. Senator Werner is a dedicated public servant who's made a name for herself as a champion of education and a fierce advocate for her constituents. She's been a vocal supporter of school choice, tax cuts, and teacher pay raises, and has worked tirelessly to address the state's homelessness and substance abuse crisis. She and Seth sound the alarm about the importance of maintaining a balance of power and the consequences of a Democratic takeover of the state legislature. She also discusses the importance of maintaining a balance of power in the state legislature and the risks of a Democratic majority.

Seth dives into a recent op-ed by Donna Brazile, a former chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), which claims that the Democratic Party is not being taken over by socialists. However, Seth argues that this is a misleading narrative, pointing out the rapid growth of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and their influence within the Democrats. He says the Democratic Party is not doing enough to police its own extremism. Michigan Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a Marxist candidate who has been endorsed by prominent Democrats, is just one example, along with numbers such as the fact that the DSA has grown from 25 chapters in 2013 to 204 chapters today. Producer David Doll discusses making Persian food. We’re joined by Don Spini from Sun Valley Wealth. Seth discusses what could have happened if the attempted hijacker of Flydubai Flight 1073 was successful in his mission of terror.

Ed Morrissey, Managing Editor at Hot Air, and host of the Ed Morrissey Podcast, joins Seth to analyze the media's response to the recent FlyDubai Flight 1073 incident, where a would-be hijacker attempted to crash a plane into Tel Aviv, Israel. Ed points out the importance of acknowledging the threat of terrorism and its implications on immigration policies. He also shares his thoughts on the Senate race in Texas, where Democrat James Talarico is running, and what sort of Democratic candidate even has the chance to flip the solid Red state. Ed and Seth also geek out over music, discussing the art of reinterpretation and the genius of singer-songwriters like Paul Simon and Billy Joel. They also touch on the topic of Taylor Swift, who Ed praises for her talent, intelligence, and business acumen after she was recently captured on camera supporting her husband Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce at a game. 

As the Jewish holiday season comes to a close, Rabbi Pinchas Allouche, head Rabbi at Congregation Beth Tefillah in Scottsdale, and the host of the Rabbi Allouche podcast, joins Seth for the full hour to talk about the significance of the Jewish holiday Simchat Torah, a celebration of the law that marks the culmination of the reading of the Torah. Rabbi Allouche shares his insights on the meaning of Simchat Torah, highlighting its unique aspect of ending the reading of the Torah and immediately beginning again from the beginning. He explains that this act symbolizes the unconditional love between God and humanity, where we choose to love God not because we understand Him, but simply because. This love is the foundation of happiness, which is not dependent on external factors, but rather on our state of mind. The conversation also touches on the importance of approaching life with clean eyes, free from prejudices and negative emotions. Rabbi Allouche and Seth draw parallels with the famous book The Little Prince, which emphasizes that it's only with the heart that one can see rightly. They also discuss the recent attempted hijacking of FlyDubai Flight FZ 1073 that was foiled by the passengers of the airplane.

Chuck Warren, co-host of Breaking Battlegrounds, heard every Saturday at 9 AM right here on 960 The Patriot, joins Seth in studio for the full hour. Their conversation is a wild ride, covering everything from Magnum P.I. to the current state of the media and the challenges of communicating with the public. They discuss the recent attempted hijacking of FlyDubai Flight FZ 1073, where passengers and crew members bravely thwarted an attempted crash of the flight by one of the pilots. The conversation takes a darker turn as they talk about the Christa Pike case, a Tennessee death row inmate who was found alive after a two attempts by the state at death by lethal injection. Chuck argues that the delay in carrying out the death penalty is a travesty and highlights the need for a more effective justice system.

Seth talks about literacy and the impact of social media on our society, in light of online personality Alix Earle's proud statement that she has “never read a book.” He notes that many young people are influenced by illiterate influencers and lack a strong understanding of history, politics, and culture. He also highlights the importance of education and the need for people to be able to critically evaluate information. We're joined by Johnny Estes, Vice President of Operations of CMI Gold & Silver. Johnny stays on-air with Seth to talk about a recent near-death experience he had, and how his life has changed as a result.

Seth Mandel, Senior Editor of Commentary Magazine, on his recent piece "As the Hamas Narrative Disintegrates, Can Its Devotees Rejoin Reality?" and the role of language in shaping public opinion and the ways in which certain words, like "genocide" and "massacre," are used to create a particular narrative around the Israel-Palestine conflict. They also touch on the idea that the use of these words can be a form of intellectual dishonesty, used to avoid engaging with the complexities of the issue and to create a sense of moral certainty. They also talk about the attempted terrorist attack that was thwarted earlier today involving FlyDubai Flight FZ 1073.

Seth discusses the recent attempted hijacking of FlyDubai Flight FZ 1073, where passengers and crew members bravely thwarted an attempted crash of the flight by one of the pilots, saving the lives of nearly 180 people on board. He also discusses the media's tendency to downplay the incident, using phrases like "altercation" and "struggle" to describe the violent act, rather than acknowledging it for what it was; terrorism. Seth ponders what would have happened if the hijacking was successful? Listener call-in’s on the bravery of the passengers who attacked the hijacker in mid-air and Iranian intelligence services in hiding in the United States. How is the “affordability crisis” playing out? We’re joined by Don Spini from Sun Valley Wealth.

Hugh Hallman, Attorney, Educator, and former Mayor of Tempe, joins Seth in studio for the full hour with his son Louis to explain the intricacies of inflation, government policies, and the impact on everyday people. The current economic problems we face today are being misattributed to the wrong presidential administration. The trio discuss that the massive increase in inflation during the Biden era was a direct result of the massive spending and money printing that occurred during that time. They also touch on the concept of "sticky" prices and how they're influenced by cumulative inflation. The conversation also explores the unintended consequences of government policies, such as the corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards, which have led to the homogenization of car designs and the rise of sport utility vehicles (SUV's). They also discuss the importance of understanding the difference between real and perceived inflation, and how people's memories and perceptions can be misled by short-term economic fluctuations.

The Term “MAGA,” or Make America Great Again, is now a pejorative. The Left has a tendency to label everything as "far right" or "conservative," often without basis or understanding of the actual issues. Producer David Doll discusses his weekend of celebrating his birthday. The United Kingdom’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Nature and Rural Affairs says that the traditional British rural idyll of "warm ale and a black labrador" represents a "far-right nostalgic vision" of Britain. We’re joined by Don Spini from Sun Valley Wealth. Are land acknowledgements over?

Polls look surprisingly good for Democrats despite their extreme views.  Five suspected terrorists were arrested, then released, in Britain.  We’re joined by Don Spini from Sun Valley Wealth. Housing affordability. The Democrats' plan for the economy.

Rabbi Pinchas Allouche, head Rabbi at Congregation Beth Tefillah in Scottsdale, and the host of the Rabbi Allouche podcast, joins Seth for the full hour to talk about this week's Torah portion, celebrating the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, also known as the Feast of the Tabernacles. Rabbi Allouche shares his insights on the holiday of Sukkot, explaining that it's a time to leave our permanent structures behind and surrender to God's plan. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing that nothing is certain in life, and that our true happiness comes from our ability to let go of our plans and trust in God's guidance. He also discusses the concept of surrender, highlighting its connection to the idea of being happy over being right, and how it's essential to choose to have a future over being right. He also emphasizes the significance of the coming holiday Simchat Torah, the final holiday of the High Holiday season, which marks a time of great relief and happiness.

George Khalaf, Republican candidate for the Arizona House of Representatives from Legislative District 3, on the many reasons to vote for Republican and conservative candidates for office in the midterm elections this fall. Seth and George discuss the importance of being involved in the electoral process and the potential consequences of a Democratic takeover in Arizona. George discusses the Democratic Party's radical shift towards socialism, Marxism, and Islamism, and the potential dangers of empowering this ideology in Arizona. He also touches on the importance of education, parental rights, and public safety, and how these issues are at stake in the upcoming election.

David Harsanyi, senior writer at The Washington Examiner and co-host of the You’re Wrong podcast with Mollie Hemingway, joins Seth for a discussion on the infiltration of politics into all aspects of life. They delve into the world of over-politicization, where everything is seen through the lens of ideology, and the consequences of this mindset on our daily lives. David shares his experiences debating university students, among which he is encountering a surprising level of animosity towards the Constitution and a lack of understanding of basic American principles. He also discusses his take on the recent Nikole Hannah-Jones essay,  "In Fighting for Every Black Child, Did I Betray My Own?" at The New York Times Magazine which sparked a national conversation about education and racism.

Seth talks about a new poll among Democrats discussing how they would feel if President Trump was removed from office or died. He delves into the party's alarming support for socialism, coups, and violence, and how it's affecting the nation's moral equilibrium. Producer David Doll and Seth discuss whether they listen to podcasts or music when engaging in exercise. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel addressed the United Nations (UN) General Assembly today prompting protests both inside and outside of the UN Headquarters. Democratic socialist House candidate Darializa Avila Chevalier in New York’s 13th district was arrested today in the crowds of protestors outside of the UN. We're joined by Johnny Estes, Vice President of Operations of CMI Gold & Silver. Yacht rock is officially in the dictionary.

Chuck Warren, co-host of Breaking Battlegrounds, heard every Saturday at 9 AM right here on 960 The Patriot, joins Seth in studio for the full hour to talk about how the Trump Administration has lost favor among young men and the prospects of Democratic victories in certain races in the coming midterm elections. He shares his analysis of the current polling numbers, expressing concerns about the Republican Party's chances in Arizona, citing the lack of a strong candidate and the impact of social media on voter behavior. They also discuss the virtues of reading and what a privileged upbringing can do for someone’s educational abilities. Seth and Chuck highlight the need for parents to be involved in their children's education and the role of teachers' unions in shaping the education system.

The conversation starts with a scathing critique of the United Nations, with Seth questioning its legitimacy and effectiveness in promoting true human rights and civil liberties. Being a part of the United Nations has not given the United States much true benefit. Seth suggests we stop funding the organization, and consider leaving. Producer David Doll’s birthday is coming up soon! Charles C. W. Cooke’s piece “What Nikole Hannah-Jones Doesn’t Say” at National Review. We’re joined by Don Spini from Sun Valley Wealth.

Professor Alan M. Dershowitz, Felix Frankfurter Professor of Law, Emeritus, of Harvard Law School, joins the show by phone to talk about his upcoming book Why I Quit the Dems: And So Should You! (confessions of a reluctant Republican*) and his political conversion from a Democrat to Republican. Dershowitz's new book is a scathing critique of the party's stance on issues like Israel, free speech, and civil liberties. He argues that the party's shift towards radicalism has led to a toxic environment where Jews, in particular, are no longer welcome. He talks about the rising, serious threat of Anti-Semitism to freedom and democracy. Seth discusses Dershowitz’s background and how President Trump has largely unwavered in his political beliefs for the past forty years.