Podcast
War is Stupid: An Anti-War Podcast About War
Hosted by Orli Matlow · EN
The history and comedy podcast that challenges the centuries-old conventional wisdom that war is the smart and sensible thing to do. Hosted by comedian Orli Matlow.
41episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
What Did The Vatican Know About The Holocaust? with Dr. Ambrogio A. Caiani
1w ago00:46:22Tap to summarizeOrli Matlow sits down with Dr. Ambrogio A. Caiani, senior lecturer in modern European history at the University of Kent and author of the new book Flirting with Evil: The Catholic Church in the Age of Total War and Globalisation. They discuss the Vatican’s allies during World War II (hint: they weren’t The Allies), what they knew during the Holocaust, and when did they know it. Dr. Caiani shares the moving stories of the modern saints who *did* save lives, the dangers of “Worship of the State,” and the political significance of Pope Leo XIV, the first reigning American monarch. Recorded before England beat France, securing third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Theme music by This Revolution Production Collective. For more: Visit Dr. Caiani's website Buy books here Follow Orli: Instagram Bluesky TikTok Website Follow War is Stupid: Instagram Substack
Transcribe →AI Is Used In War? with Ashley Gate, Columbia University Institute for the Study of Human Rights
2w ago00:51:08Tap to summarizeOrli Matlow sits down with foreign affairs correspondent Ashley Gate, who lectures at Columbia University on AI and drones, for the episode with the most “oh my god”s yet. They discuss the terrifying ways Artificial Intelligence is used in Gaza, Iran, and by men on the subway, and how war has evolved from using horses to employing “killer robots.” Ashley explains whether or not “autonomous weapons” are really autonomous, the need for regulation, and how accountability *isn’t* impossible. Theme music by This Revolution Production Collective. Follow Ashley: LinkedIn Twitter Foreign Exchanges Substack Report on Marvel and the Military Report: The Crowding Out Effect of U.S.-Israeli Militarization Follow the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots: Website Instagram Facebook YouTube Follow Orli: Instagram Bluesky TikTok Website Follow War is Stupid: Instagram Substack
Transcribe →Tinder and Palantir Are Connected? with Jean-Paul Fartre
3w ago00:48:34Tap to summarizeOrli Matlow sits down with organizer and creator Jean-Paul Fartre for a conversation that’s more political philosophy than flatulence. Professor Fartre reveals the connection between dating apps and the post-9/11 War on Terror, because they're even worse than we thought. He shares his experiences teaching in San Quentin State Prison, and the differences between socialist organizing in The Philippines and the United States. They talk dialectics, how discussing American military dominance can help fight antisemitism, and JP makes the most enthusiastic case for revolutionary optimism yet. Recorded while Trump’s Memorandum of Understanding with Iran was technically still Memorandum of Understanding-ing. Get involved with No Casino in Flushing Meadows Corona Park: Website Instagram Get involved with No Brooklyn Jail: Website Instagram Follow Jean-Paul Fartre: Instagram TikTok Follow Orli: Instagram TikTok Website Theme music by This Revolution Production Collective.
Transcribe →Disarmament Is Naive? with Bill Hartung, 'The Trillion Dollar War Machine'
4w ago01:02:58Tap to summarizeOrli Matlow sits down with political scientist Bill Hartung, a senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and standup comedian. They discuss his latest book, The Trillion Dollar War Machine: How Runaway Military Spending Drives America into Foreign Wars and Bankrupts Us at Home. Bill shares what the anti-war movement can learn from the anti-apartheid movement, the Luddites, and the 2026 NBA Champion New York Knicks, and how community can beat Silicon Valley. Theme music by This Revolution Production Collective. Follow Bill: Substack YouTube Follow Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft: Website Instagram TikTok Follow Orli: Instagram Bluesky TikTok Website Follow War is Stupid: Instagram Substack
Transcribe →The Torah Is Political? with Rabbi Jill Jacobs, T'ruah
Jun 2900:50:20Tap to summarizeOrli Matlow sits down Rabbi Jill Jacobs, the CEO of T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights, an organization that trains and mobilizes rabbis and cantors and their communities to bring a moral voice to protecting and advancing human rights in North America, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories. They discuss Truah’s decision to host Mayor Zohran Mamdani at their gala rather than declare him “an enemy of the Jewish people” (like a certain chair of UJA Federation did), and how that rhetoric does not help the Jewish community. Rabbi Jacobs shares her vision for a New York Jewish Parade to replace the Israel Day Parade, reflects on T'ruah’s work defending immigrants, and reveals her favorite niche tractate of Talmud. Note: Recorded BC (Before Championship). Knicks in 5! Theme music by This Revolution Production Collective. Follow T'ruah: Website Instagram YouTube Bluesky Facebook Substack Follow Orli: Instagram Bluesky TikTok Website Follow War is Stupid: Instagram Substack
Transcribe →London Is A Jewish City? with Historian Joseph Finlay
Jun 2200:55:00Tap to summarizeOrli Matlow sits down with British Jewish historian, writer, and musician Joseph Finlay, who passionately argues against her claim from the Amsterdam episode that “London is like NYC for goyim.” They explore the rich Jewish history of London, which was one of socialism and anarchism up until Thatcherism. They discuss the anti-fascist resistance of the 1936 Battle of Cable Street, which was recently co-opted by the Zionist Right in response to a protest against West Bank settlement sales. They talk about British Jewish heroes like Oliver!’s Lionel Bart and British Jewish villains like Lord Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks—and the contradictions of a “Rabbi Lord.” Joseph breaks down philo-semitism, a phenomenon that endangers Jews while mainstream institutions cheer it on. Theme music by This Revolution Production Collective. Follow Joseph: Torat Albion Newsletter Bluesky Website Follow Orli: Instagram Bluesky TikTok Website Follow War is Stupid: Instagram Substack
Transcribe →Italian Americans Are MAGAroni? with Comedian Ron Placone
Jun 1500:57:07Tap to summarizeOrli Matlow sits down with Italian American comedian Ron Placone, whose show Anti-Fascist Pasta Night is heading to the Edinburgh Fringe this August. They discuss the true history of fighting fascism with food, covering everything from Mussolini to Heated Rivalry. Ron opens up about his political awakening during the Iraq War, the multiplicity of Italian American identity, and shares his pro tips for surviving a run at the biggest arts festival on the planet. Theme music by This Revolution Production Collective. Follow Ron: Website Instagram Substack Podcast YouTube Watch Left At Wall: Tubi YouTube Follow Orli: Instagram TikTok Website
Transcribe →Trauma Begets Trauma? with British Jewish Filmmaker Gillian Mosely
Jun 800:35:34Tap to summarizeOrli Matlow sits down with British Jewish filmmaker Gillian Mosely, whose latest film Planet Israel explores Israeli society during and after October 7th. She investigates how right-wing Religious Zionism and settler ideology came to dominate Israel, with its roots in the work of Bibi’s dad’s boss Ze’ev Jabotinsky and Brooklyn-born convicted felon Rabbi Meir Kahane. They discuss what we owe our ancestors, interviewing people in Gaza, and the British Jewish experience—including Orli (figuratively) bombing in Camden cabarets. Theme music by This Revolution Production Collective. Watch Planet Israel on Kinema Follow Planet Israel: Website Instagram Follow Orli: Instagram TikTok Website
Transcribe →Veterans Appreciate "Thank You For Your Service"? with Common Defense
Jun 101:03:14Tap to summarizeOrli Matlow sits down with Common Defense organizer Michael Carter and member Susan O’Neill, who served as an Operating Room Nurse in Vietnam. They discuss organizing veterans against forever wars, authoritarianism and VA privatization, and what Supporting The Troops actually looks like, with shoutouts to Stephen Sondheim and Bruce Springsteen along the way. They talk the realities that lead people to join the military, the militarization of society, and finding hope in people—and birds. Theme music by This Revolution Production Collective. Follow Common Defense: Instagram YouTube Website Follow Susan: Buy Don't Mean Nothing on Amazon Website Follow Michael: Instagram Substack Website Follow Orli: Instagram TikTok Website
Transcribe →Cuba Is The Future? with Comedian Gabe Pacheco
May 2600:51:51Tap to summarizeOrli Matlow sits down with comedian Gabe Pacheco, who might soon be subpoenaed by the federal government for joining the same aid mission to Cuba as Hasan Piker. They talk about Cuba’s history and present, whether Che Guevara shirts are as popular there as they are at liberal arts colleges, and why we need to bring the name Smedley back. Theme music by This Revolution Production Collective. Follow Gabe: Instagram YouTube Halal Cartels Podcast Website Follow Orli: Instagram TikTok Website
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