Welcome to Bully Pulpit!
As you have probably figured out, this is a medium for noticing what’s going on in politics, media, society and culture — and for mounting good-faith arguments, supported by evidence, for or against. If you’re looking merely for “he sucks” or “that’s bullshit,” you have stumbled upon the wrong place.
Week to week, subject to subject, Bully Pulpit can be angry, funny, poignant, shocking or some combination of the above. (Plus more cursing than you might expect.) But I hope it is never just a spasm of id. Here, we think things through.
I’ve been at this sort of work for decades in radio, TV, newspapers, magazines, books, online, onstage and even in film. The joy of this particular platform is that I’m not confined by the orthodoxies, sensitivities or fears of anyone else. Nonetheless, I’m not endeavoring to form a cult around my worldview (although I do have some nice saffron robes picked out just in case); I’m trying to build a community of challenging thinkers with the curiosity and courage to engage.
Indeed, that community is coalescing. Many have even become paid subscribers who also receive my Monday text column. Weirdly, though audience enthusiasm is absurdly high for Bully Pulpit (check out our iTunes ratings and reviews), the Monday column outdraws the podcast!
So, whether at the low, low price of $50 — or the even lower, lower price of $0 — I welcome you to the Bully Pulpit universe. It’s sometimes a little irritable around here, but it is never dull.
— Bob Garfield
While You’re Here…
Here are some of my favorite columns and episodes. Take a look, and feel free to sound off in the comments. I’d love to hear what you think.
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Bully Pulpit is proud to be part of the Booksmart Studios family. Please check out our other shows.
Your newsletter popped up first this morning. I honestly didn’t want to read it, but it was a necessity. You got me with the Bader. Everyone KNEW Obama should have asked her to resign. Instead she died in her office, then ended up with Trump …. Well you know the catastrophic rest. I’ve been clinging to Joe because the alternative Orange blob - well, you know. AND Project 2025 monstrosities. Pete B would be good. I’d still choose Kamala. Newsom has already said no. Michelle - nice idea but she’d say no. “Take the car keys away” is on target. What we had to do with our mother. I’m old 76 and take as little responsibility as possible. I talk to reasonable friends - “ not Joe.” Thanks for writing this urgent plea.
Thank you for fighting back against the BS and bringing your unique view of the world to a podcast. I subscribe to dozens of pods, and Bully Pulpit has rocketed to the top of the pops! Keep up the great work! (20+ year Fan)