Radio Federal

Your humble correspondent was a little hesitant about offering an opinion on a podcast called The Federalist Radio Hour, because of its connection with the website and news organization that produces it, Federalist Media. For one, even though I have the website in the links section and I've highlighted a story from it now and again, a lot of tendentious material goes out under that banner -- material I'm not overly fond of or believe to be worth the reading time. For another, some of the site's writers and contributors cause a distinctly allergic reaction among many who view them as the no better than Neanderthal Nazi bikers. And on the gripping hand, some of the other people who like the website aren't anyone I'd want to hang around with -- or read or listen to -- either.

Be all that as it may, Radio Hour is frequently host to some interesting writers, political and cultural figures from across the political spectrum. Yes, publisher Ben Domenech is considered a conservative (he describes himself as an anarcho-libertarian, which is a political system that I think works when there's about one person per continent) and many of the guests are as well. But not all of them are, and Radio Hour also has interviews with people who've written about education, sports, theater, movies, music, art, architecture and so on. Whatever he does as an opinion writer, as an interviewer Domenech generally likes to let the guest get going and explain whatever topic of interest they bring to a conversation. Every now and again he seems prompted to squabble with the subject more than listen, but everyone has off days. Sometimes the interviewee is another staff writer, going into more detail about a particular story. Sometimes it's a new book, sometimes it's a current event, sometimes it's a political issue, sometimes it's the start of a sports season...you get the picture. With several new episodes per week, there always seems to be something or someone who can be asked if he or she has anything interesting to say.

Although Domenech is the primary -- and best -- interviewer/host, other Federalist staffers sometimes take a spot behind the mike as well. This is where the quality can waver. Radio Hour misses the presence of former contributor Mary Katharine Ham, herself a skilled writer and interviewer who had a very good handle on how to conduct a broadcast-style conversation. Culture Editor Emily Jashinsky has improved greatly since she first joined the staff and although still with some room to grow, consistently puts on a program worth listening to. She's clearly politically conservative but usually does a good job of letting guests with whom she disagrees speak their minds. Some of the other contributors do well enough in their own fields or areas of interest, but unfamiliarity with the format of a broadcast interview shows through more often than not.

Seekers after a rigidly down-the-middle objective-style news show shouldn't stop at the Radio Hour, but others, if they find a topic listed that interests them, will find a show with a staff that does't always succeed but at least tries to let different sides speak their respective pieces in peace. And they could conceivably find themselves learning a thing or two as they listen.