Scot Bertram

Radio, podcasts, audio, essays

Political Beats

  • Political Beats: Stevie Wonder [Part 1]

    Scot and Jeff discuss the first part of Stevie Wonder’s career (1961-1971) with Eli Lake. Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Eli Lake. Lake is a columnist with the Free Press and also a contributing editor at Commentary. Find him online at the Free Press or @EliLake on Twitter/X. Eli’s Music Pick: Stevie WonderHappy New Year, Continue reading

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  • Political Beats: Stone Temple Pilots

    Scot and Jeff discuss Stone Temple Pilots with Mary Chastain. Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Mary Chastain. Mary is a writer and editor at Legal Insurrection. She’s also a sometimes contributor to The Hill, Washington Examiner, and Reason, and FEE. Mary is on X at @Mchastain81. Mary’s Music Pick: Stone Temple Continue reading

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  • Poltical Beats: ZZ Top

    Scot and Jeff discuss ZZ Top with Andrew Fink. Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Andrew Fink. Andrew lives with his wife Lauren and their five children in Hillsdale County, Mich., and is an attorney, Marine veteran, current state representative, and candidate for Michigan Supreme Court. He’s Continue reading

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  • Political Beats: Dismemberment Plan

    Scot and Jeff discuss the Dismemberment Plan with Peter Suderman. Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are joined by guest Peter Suderman. Suderman is the features editor at Reason magazine. He also writes the Substack Cocktails With Suderman, which is about making better cocktails at home. Find him online at Reason or @petersuderman on Twitter/X. Peter’s Music Pick: Continue reading

  • Political Beats: Nick Lowe Interview

    In an interview that has been months in the making, your Political Beats hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) get the opportunity to spend a little more than an hour with the legendary Nick Lowe. The conversation begins with a discussion about his fantastic new album, Indoor Safari. The record is a collection of songs from EPs Continue reading

  • Political Beats: Very Special Episode: Most Essential/Necessary Compilations

    Scot and Jeff discuss the most essential/necessary compilations. Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) with . . . no guest at all! With Jeff moving his belongings to a new abode while also covering the RNC and DNC for National Review and Scot’s vacation schedule creating another hurdle, we felt it was time Continue reading

  • Political Beats: Yes [Part Two]

    Scot and Jeff discuss the second part of the band Yes’s career (1974-2024) with Brad Birzer. Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Brad Birzer. Brad is the Russell Amos Kirk Chair in American Studies and Professor of History at Hillsdale College. He is also the co-founder of and Continue reading

  • Political Beats: Yes [Part 1]

    Scot and Jeff discuss the first part of the band Yes’s career (1969-1973) with Brad Birzer. Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Brad Birzer. Brad is the Russell Amos Kirk Chair in American Studies and Professor of History at Hillsdale College. He is also the co-founder of Continue reading

  • Political Beats: Echo & the Bunnymen

    Scot and Jeff discuss Echo & the Bunnymen with Guy Denton. Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Guy Denton. Guy is the co-host of The Wrong Stuff with Matt Lewis, contributor to The Dispatch and National Review, and until recently took Jonah Goldberg’s guff over at The Remnant. Find him on Twitter/X . . Continue reading

  • Political Beats: Matthew Sweet

    Scot and Jeff discuss Matthew Sweet with Joshua Treviño. Introducing the Band:Your hosts Scot Bertram (@ScotBertram) and Jeff Blehar (@EsotericCD) are with guest Joshua Treviño. Joshua works and writes at the Texas Public Policy Foundation and spent the entire 1990s listening a lot to Matthew Sweet. Joshua’s Music Pick: Matthew SweetFor listeners of a certain age, just Continue reading