GoodFellows: Conversations from the Hoover Institution

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In uncertain times what’s needed is not just clarity about today’s pandemic, but insight into the challenges that lie ahead as America recovers and returns to normal. GoodFellows, a weekly Hoover Institution broadcast, features senior fellows John Cochrane, Niall Ferguson, and H.R. McMaster discussing the social, economic, and geostrategic ramifications of this changed world.

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Recent Reviews
  • FolkFall
    Two out of three these days
    HR and Cochran are excellent. Ferguson becoming very predictable with his views — goes out of his way to cut slack for, and normalize, trump and the current clown show admin while being very hard on Obama and Biden. Even after a bizarre jd Vance confrontation. I have nothing but disdain for all the politicians involved, but call balls and strikes fairly, Niall. Unfortunately, Niall is also brilliant and has the ability to intellectually back up whatever he wants to think, but it turns out that predictable contrarianism is actually quite boring.
  • seminoleike
    Never have Amy on Again
    That was a waste of 25 minutes. She sounded like a political hack and you can do better. We listen to the program to hear about grand strategy not whining about a signal chat from a regime leftist
  • Cheddar Ball Biscuit
    Spineless
    Less than eukaryotes
  • neilmac61
    Always interesting
    Always interesting even if you don’t like the insights. A group that can cut through the cacophony of noise we are subjected to daily. Some humor, teasing as well…
  • The_T_K
    Get a microphone
    You sound terrible
  • Geoplanter
    August 2024
    I have nothing but respect for Niall Ferguson. I’ve been reading his books and listening to him on various media for years and years; however, he’s becoming so dark, cynical and pessimistic that it’s difficult to listen to him theses days. Unfortunately, I’m out for now.
  • john stLouis
    Warmongers. These guys are clowns. Other than John.
    Keep beating the war drums Morons. Hr McMaster is a military stooge. The Brit is a know it all and insane. He is happy to send young American boys to his pointless wars. Moron. I think John is the only sane one on this show.
  • jewls317
    A dog recommend
    Look into a well bred golden retriever. Great with kids, active, love to swim and gentle with little ones. Not to mention they are soft and beautiful!
  • Biden is a Good man?!
    Congrats!
    Niall or should I say Sir Niall!!! Congratulations upon your recognition by the King!
  • BAMDDS
    Not a review , a request
    Goodfellows Recently at a UATX presentation Prof Ferguson mentioned Cold War 2. Would you please consider this topic in one of your future discussions Respectfully Bruce/ Grsnd Rapids, MI.
  • southwick127
    Viewpoint diversity
    I’ve been listening for a good while now and I’m afraid this podcast is falling into the all too common and excruciatingly boring model of 3 or 4 guests taking turns grandstanding in violent agreement with each other (also looking at you, Fifth Column.) For as much whinging as I hear about college campuses (deserved), this show suffers from a similar lack of viewpoint diversity. I’m sure it’s difficult to recruit adversarial guests given the profile of the hosts, but it’s worth a shot, or at least having an open discussion on the difficulty of doing so (or the reasons not to) would be healthy.
  • themom1982
    Great Conversations!
    Great conversations by scholars who continue to publish books and research topics. I enjoy their insight, opinions, and how much fun they have doing these podcasts.
  • Streetee
    Kotkin
    Disagree with him often, but a truly terrific guest. Needs to be on more often.
  • lrhhrl
    Getting stale
    Smart group. Thankfully sometimes interesting guests. But the regular shows are getting old. Viewpoints never change. Everything is predictable. Can’t say I see this group shaping much geopolitical thought moving forward.
  • to red ft
    IOU in mid
    Still up in I’mmm JJ e m
  • old lady geologist
    Shocking
    I really like this podcast, even when I don’t agree with the commentators, because they are deep thinkers within their fields. however, I just tried to listen to the January 27, 2023 episode, “tanks for the memories“. All three commentate for fault too long about Covid. It’s very obvious that none of them, shockingly, know anything about Covid. There’s no reason that they should be so ignorant. they make no reference to the extreme destruction caused by the mandates, the lockdowns, and other abuses by our government. They seem to except that the “vaccines“ were helpful. They were not. They could not even quote the statistics about how bad this pandemic was. Even, amazingly, shockingly, They mentioned it in the same breath as the black death of the middle ages. I do not think I will listen to these people again. And that saddens me because I actually admire them, but I am done with “conservative“ commentators who do not take the time to be educated.
  • JHCotter
    Review
    Excellent topics, intelligent & well informed analysis, fabulous GoodFellows! Thrilled & relieved you 3 are committed to continuing podcast. Eagerly anticipating hundreds more.
  • jbrown1968
    Deeply Perceptive
    Scintillating! Well worth following. I look forward to each episode and learn volumes from each session.
  • Abu Thaar
    Amazing job
    Dear Mr. Ferguson, I really enjoyed your podcast it really helped me learn about what’s going on in the world. please say hi to T From john evans trinity g5 😀😃
  • dennis.karpf
    Dennis Karpf
    So far, an excellent and unique combination of economic, politics, history and military analysis from a well spoken, robust and sophisticated trio. Continue your excellent dialogue and podcasts.
  • nickname69wastaken
    John O
    Millennial from Texas, and I love this podcast so much. Please keep them coming fellas!
  • suszzann
    The best yet
    And all the rest way above average. Thank you!
  • Humphrey Ploughjogger Jr.
    My Favorite Pod
    Sophisticated and honest analysis. I get more excited for this pod than any other.
  • Gootsy
    Men In Chairs
    I typically refer to the Sunday news shows as “men in chairs” for obvious reasons, but this podcast improves on that. This series addresses the most important issues in a detailed “not so deep dive” manner. The breadth and depth of their knowledge is apparent. But the candor and conversational style is a pleasure. Good Fellas is an apt title!!!
  • JayBellomo
    Best Podcast in Existence
    Unlike a good 99% of podcasts, this show actually features individuals who have done serious work towards the perfection of their intellectual discipline and who have been in the arena of world affairs. An hour of this show is worth 4 million hours of Fox, MSNBC, CNN and every other “major” news channel combined. Even if you don’t agree with everything said, the knowledge gained from listening to the hosts and guests speak here is indispensable. I can’t recommend it enough.
  • gotta luv musiq
    The Best Podcast on “Radio”
    Without a doubt.
  • benzzxi
    What a great show!!
    Top tier podcast
  • gatorman52836
    Important and fascinating
    Very important and fascinating perspectives from multiple specialties. No other podcast like it!
  • gratefulabq1957
    Diversity
    Sure enjoyed the diversity of thought demonstrated over the last two episodes with VDH and CR. Ms Rice is a national treasure!
  • VKOVA
    Very illustrative
    Probably tho best example of USA being the owner of the world, the policeman, the judge and the executioner. All warmongers ready to execute world wide domination plan of USA in Ukraine, in this particular case, just to show Chine where its place is. This should be listened to by every person in all countries outside the USA just to see what imperialists think of them.
  • Casey405
    Lack of honor
    McMaster was very rude to Hanson, showing a remarkable arrogance that prevented him from realizing his arguments were regularly off point, condescending and poorly made, serving a construct that existed only in his own mind. His degrading laugh typically follows a partially and inadequately argued thought. He should be ashamed and the show would be be stronger in terms of its content and moral character if he were to be replaced.
  • MMontaigne
    Good Discussions
    Niall Ferguson has great insights. John Cochrane has great insights on economics, but is out of his depth on foreign policy. HR McMaster is a bombastic, warmongering sophist, and the podcast would be better without him. In a recent conversation, he wouldn’t even let Ferguson or guest Victor Davis Hanson speak. And when he did, he responded to them with mere casuistry. He strikes me as not intellectually at the same level as the others here.
  • Fhchmf
    “Ukraine Is Going to End Up Winning”
    So heartening to be reminded we still have such competent and patriotic people.
  • COL MI
    Outstanding
    Fully appreciate the insights provided
  • DjangoFurioso
    Hawkish & Shortsighted
    Their perspective is largely hawkish, narrow, and shortsighted. If that’s your thing, you might enjoy this. I expected more.
  • Handsome Jimmy One Shoe
    Addition by subtraction
    I like this podcast very much. Niall and H.R. always provide informed, insightful commentary and the guests are consistently smart and engaging. I’ve been listening since Day 1 and was initially unnerved by John Cochrane’s pithy, thought-free input, but have come to accept it as the Goodfella’s attempt at comedy. Go back to the beginning and listen to his comments. They almost never age well. It would be a five star podcast without him.
  • Cover Your Assets
    In silence a man most readily preserves his integrity…
    In #69 Boris Bad, HR seemed to be the only member with consistent wisdom in the discussion. Perhaps it was because he said the least. There was incredible disconnect between the guest and the Goodfellows which sparked some intense discussion but poor resolution of factual matters. I think this was because the discussion members lost track of trying to understand different perspectives and call for explanations when there were disagreements on facts. The brief discussion about whether Russia was ever thought to be potential NATO material was handled too dismissively, although I tend to agree with the guest. Another disconnect was the guest seeming unable to distinguish between aiding Ukraine against the bloody bear vs going to war in Ukraine against it. There is a distinction, even as slippery as it could become. The impacts of sanctions was the most interesting topic to me, and I was surprised to hear that everyone mostly agreed they were useless unless part of a much bigger plan. I’ve heard other scholars give evidence how they do work. Ever the peacemaker and optimistic, good fellow, the General did a good job of summarizing key points with perspective that made sense. I love the military but not its leadership that much. HR has become a very surprising positive exception. I’m now ready for my HR bobble head at the Hoover swag store.
  • Nesorneb
    Good Fellows. Good Fodder.
    Varied small c conservative perspectives on a variety of current trends & topics. So an economist, a historian & a general walk into a bar & the one says to the others…
  • Ramrod2050
    Excellent Perspectives...
    Excellent discussion from 3 top intellects that I have followed one way or another for years. I was disappointed in the last discussion with Condi Rice. First, General McMaster was not part of the program. I don't "buy" he was traveling, something else going on here. Next, Miss Rice, although not as hubristic as many in the Ruling Class, seems totally disconnected with reality on what is going on in our Country. She did drop the veil once and called our Afghan retreat "humiliating" but other than that, ho hum. Miss Rice, People are OUTRAGED! and I can assure you that will have consquences, along with CRT for the future military will not be as positive as you think it will be. One thing she didn't mention in the difference between Pearl Harbor, 9/11, and the Afghan humiliation. After Pearl Harbor leaders got FIRED!, something that did not happen in 9/11 or the Afghan humiliation. Somehow the excuse "how could we have known" so in fashion today was not accepted at Pearl Harbor.
  • parker-1
    I don’t care
    At all
  • dylanator247
    Neocon warmongers
    Can’t believe these guys want to stay in Afcrapistan after 20 years wasting American blood and treasure...and for what to support a corrupt Afghan government? No thanks...you and your deep state sponsors can bugger off
  • Michael Brill
    Scholars come with smiles
    I began listening to GoodFellows earlier this year after Bill Whalen mentioned it on his Matters of Policy & Politics podcast. I have not been disappointed and always enjoy hearing the perspectives of Niall Ferguson, H.R. McMaster, and John Cochrane (along with their special guests) on current events. Thanks for this insightful podcast. I write this as a fan of Niall Ferguson’s books (with which he is undoubtedly extremely busy), but if they have not already, someone at the Hoover Institution should try convincing him to launch his own podcast as well. This would be popular with a wide audience and likely draw more attention to Hoover’s other podcasts too.
  • Nigel Ellis
    Reasons for Optimism
    Listening to GoodFellows to me it’s like listening to classical music. Both are thought-provoking and enlightening. When topics are discussed and the fellows do not agree with one another, they always provide their rationale for their perspectives, and in such a civil way.This podcast is such a valuable antidote to the shrill politics of the day.
  • JimmyFK1
    Dangerous men. Not conservative.
    Just listened to their show on vaccines. I am vaccinated and encourage others to be so. These guys are fanatics and the analogy with war and the coercive tactics favored by McMaster are frightening. Many better options for freedom loving conservatives.
  • Aaron Ram 28
    I love these guys
    This is a thoughtful show that gets into th weeks on today’s issues unbiased.
  • CHIEFJTG
    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  • Hshdhjb
    Excellent panel
    I generally listen to podcasts at 1.2x speed for efficiency - Goodfellows is the lone exception as I find that speeding up totally ruins the soothing cadence of Professor Ferguson’s speech.
  • Singers13
    Always insightful
    Fantastic podcast guys. Thanks for always making us think.
  • security101
    Quality Conservative Viewpoint on The Big Issues
    It is a relief to hear in depth opinions from highly intelligent conservatives. So much of today’s news is small clips about mostly irrelevant nonsense. This podcast does a great job going over important policy issues with a lot of detail and nuance that many other programs lack! Would love to see more people be reached by this fantastic show as well as other intellectuals take on this long form format!
  • Dragocm
    Wonderful conversations by great minds
    Love this podcast and I eagerly wait for each session. However I must criticize the softball approach in Ep40 with George Will. He’s been a legend of conservative intellectual voice in the long career. But his unfathomable hatred of Trump indicates that he has contracted TDS much to the detriment of his reputation. I was disappointed that Goodfellas had not at least broached this topic.
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