Stubborn Things – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.

Stubborn Things

AEI Podcasts

Government

History

News

Frequency: 1 episode/13d. Total Eps: 20

John Adams famously said: “Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." In this era of knee-jerk partisanship and ideological posturing, Adams's warning is as important as ever. Tune in every other week as AEI's Jay Cost and Sean Trende draw on their wide-ranging base of knowledge and stubborn commitment to the evidence to understand what is happening in the world of American politics.

Read moreCollapse

Site

RSS

Apple

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

🇺🇸 USA - government
06/08/2026
#94
🇺🇸 USA - government
05/08/2026
#73
🇺🇸 USA - government
04/08/2026
#71
🇺🇸 USA - government
28/07/2026
#93

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.

See all

https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/nationalizing-elections-is-a-very-bad-idea-as-it-was-when-democrats-tried-it/
3 shares
https://www.aei.org/op-eds/reining-in-the-courts/
2 shares
https://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/metabook?id=bancrofthistoryusa
2 shares

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/09/us/billionaires-federal-election-campaign-contributions.html
2 shares

https://www.amazon.com/Emerging-Democratic-Majority-John-Judis/dp/0743254783
1 share
https://www.amazon.com/Conjectures-Refutations-Scientific-Knowledge-Routledge/dp/0415285941
1 share

RSS feed quality and score

Technical evaluation of the podcast's RSS feed quality and structure.

See all

RSS feed quality

To improve

Score global : 48%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

Recent episodes with titles, durations, and descriptions.

See all

Introducing: Stubborn Things

Monday, November 24, 2025 • Duration 02:35

The American Enterprise Institute is pleased to present a new podcast: Stubborn Things, hosted by Gerald R. Ford Nonresident Senior Fellow Jay Cost and by Nonresident Fellow Sean Trende.

John Adams famously said: “Facts are stubborn things. Whatever our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." In this era of knee-jerk partisanship and ideological posturing, Adams's warning is as important as ever. Tune in to Stubborn Things every other week as Cost and Trende draw on their wide-ranging base of knowledge and stubborn commitment to the evidence to understand what is happening in the world of American politics.

Enjoy this trailer, in which Cost and Trende preview what is to come.

Produced by Michael Schwartz.

Read moreCollapse

How Much Executive Power Will President Stephen A. Smith Have?

Thursday, December 18, 2025 • Duration 52:26

On this week’s episode of Stubborn Things, Jay Cost and Sean Trende recap the oral argument before the Supreme Court in Trump v. Slaughter and present an overview of the political history, legal cases, and theories of executive power that have led the Court to this point. Plus, our hosts kick off the way-too-early speculation about who might be the Democratic nominee for President in 2028. Will it be Gavin Newsom? AOC? Someone else? Take a listen to hear what Jay and Sean think.

Show notes:

Trump v. Slaughter
Myers v. United States
Humphrey's Executor v. United States
Justice Scalia’s dissent in Morrison v. Olson
Woodrow Wilson: The Study of Administration
Jay’s recent AEI report on Wilson’s early views on regulation

Read moreCollapse

Gerrymania

Wednesday, December 3, 2025 • Duration 56:10

In the very first episode of Stubborn Things, Jay Cost and Sean Trende kick off with a deep dive into gerrymandering. This year alone, 10 states have redistricted or are in the process of doing so, often with overt partisan aims. In a statewide election last month, California approved a new congressional map to favor Democrats. In September, the governor of Missouri signed that state's new map — passed by a state house and senate featuring supermajority Republican control — into law, a move that is projected to boost Republican candidates. And over at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the President referred to Indiana Republicans who (at least initially) resisted the pressure to gerrymander as "RINOs" and called for them to be primaried. To unpack all of this and more, Cost and Trende explore the origins of gerrymandering and connect the historical, partisan, and legal dots that make up the story of American congressional redistricting.

Read moreCollapse

Elections Galore

Wednesday, January 7, 2026 • Duration 51:54

On Stubborn Things’ first episode of 2026, Jay and Sean talk about elections both past and future. How will President Trump’s approval rating, partisan redistricting, and other factors affect the outcome of the midterms this November? Our hosts discuss whether the midterm results and the results of the 2028 GOP presidential primary are foregone conclusions. Plus, how do current election procedures differ from ones of centuries past, and why are some Americans prohibited from getting drunk on election day? Come for an analysis of JD Vance’s 2028 odds, stay for Sean’s humming of The Imperial March.

To stay up to date with all things ST, follow Stubborn Things on your favorite podcast platform and follow the podcast on X @aei_STpodcast.

Comments? Suggestions? Email us at stubbornthings@aei.org.

Read moreCollapse

From the Halls of Caracas to the Shores of Tripoli

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 • Duration 52:30

This week, Jay and Sean talk the Donroe Doctrine. They address the centuries-old historical precedent of American military intervention in the Western Hemisphere and analyze how the Trump admiration's forays into Venezuela fit into this story. On the second half of the episode, Jay interviews Sean about his experiences as an election lawyer and congressional map-drawing extraordinaire. Take a listen!

Remember to rate and follow Stubborn Things and stay up to date by following us on X @aei_STpodcast.

Comments? Suggestions? Email us at StubbornThings@aei.org.

Read moreCollapse

Radicalism, Instability, and a Dysfunctional Senate

Thursday, January 29, 2026 • Duration 54:51

This week, Jay and Sean zoom out from the ongoing immigration enforcement debate to talk about the history and politics of immigration. In the spirit of Stubborn Things, Jay and Sean try to make sense of various views – right, left, and center – on immigration and discuss the radical politics that prevents compromise and consensus. During the second half of the episode, they talk about Senate dysfunction and the upcoming Senate election in Texas. Take a listen!

Remember to rate and follow Stubborn Things and stay up to date by following us on X @aei_STpodcast.

Comments? Suggestions? Email us at StubbornThings@aei.org.

Read moreCollapse

Major Questions About the Supreme Court

Thursday, February 26, 2026 • Duration 56:08

AEI’s Jay Cost and Sean Trende talk about the topic on everyone’s mind this week: the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Learning Resources v. Trump, which struck down President Trump’s use of tariffs under IEEPA. Throughout the episode, our hosts touch on the majority opinion, as well as the various concurrences and dissents, that came down last Friday. Jay and Sean address the history of tariffs in American political economy before moving on to a conversation about the separation of powers. They wrap up by discussing the ideological makeup of the Court and this case’s implications for questions of checks and balances. Take a listen and let us know what you think!

Remember to rate and follow Stubborn Things and stay up to date by following us on X @aei_STpodcast.

Comments? Suggestions? Email us at StubbornThings@aei.org.

Show notes:

Jay’s review of The Constitution of Conflict

Read moreCollapse

In Defense of the Filibuster

Thursday, February 12, 2026 • Duration 49:23

On this week’s episode, Jay and Sean continue their focus on the Senate. In particular, they talk about the formation, history, and modern uses of the filibuster. Our hosts explain the rationale for the filibuster before addressing several criticisms of the procedure. In the second segment, Jay and Sean address the unexpected effectiveness Mike Johnson has shown as Speaker of the House. Take a listen!

Remember to rate and follow Stubborn Things and stay up to date by following us on X @aei_STpodcast.

Comments? Suggestions? Email us at StubbornThings@aei.org.

Read moreCollapse

The Evolution of the Democratic Party with Ruy Teixeira

Monday, April 20, 2026 • Duration 01:02:48

Jay and Sean are joined this week by Ruy Teixeira, Nonresident Senior Fellow at AEI and longtime analyst of Democratic politics. Our hosts interview Ruy about the evolving relationship between the Democratic Party and organized labor, whether Democrats can learn from their past mistakes to form a durable electoral coalition, and more. Along the way, Jay, Sean, and Ruy discuss the “Abundance" movement, immigration, class, and if there are any heterodox Democrats who can make waves in future elections. Take a listen!

Remember to rate and follow Stubborn Things and stay up to date by following us on X @aei_STpodcast.

Comments? Suggestions? Email us at StubbornThings@aei.org.

Show notes:

America's Forgotten Majority

The Emerging Democratic Majority

Where Have All the Democrats Gone?

Ruy's last article in The Liberal Patriot

Read moreCollapse

Special Edition: Presidential Tiers

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 • Duration 01:03:21

This week, our hosts take a break from talking about the drama of 21st century American politics and turn back the clock. In this very special edition of Stubborn Things, Jay and Sean start the Very Official Stubborn Things Presidential Tiers List. They start, of course, with Washington and make it all the way through Buchanan. See where Jay and Sean agree and where their lists diverge. Take a listen and let us know what you think about our tiers!

Remember to rate and follow Stubborn Things and stay up to date by following us on X @aei_STpodcast.

Comments? Suggestions? Email us at StubbornThings@aei.org.

Show notes:

Jay’s biography of James Madison

Read moreCollapse

Stubborn Things – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Stubborn Things – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other33

New York Times1

Amazon2

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other33

New York Times1

Amazon2