The Big Ben Show

Is the new Iran deal a historic mistake, and is modern America repeating the fatal errors of Ancient Rome? Ben Domenech breaks down current foreign policy shifts with legendary historian Victor Davis Hanson. In this edition of The Big Ben Show, Ben unpacks his major reservations regarding the proposed Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) and what it reveals about American strength. Joined by Victor Davis Hanson, senior fellow at the Hoover Institution, they dive deep into the administration's foreign policy strategy, the reality of regional military threats, and whether modern America is tracking the cultural, fiscal, and border-related collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Later in the episode, culinary icon Christopher Kimball joins the show to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary through our unique food traditions. Kimball shares budget-friendly cooking strategies to combat inflation, grilling secrets for your summer celebrations, and explores how GLP-1 lifestyle shifts are fundamentally altering American palates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of The Big Ben Show, Ben Domenech covers the White House’s messaging problem, the political risk heading into the midterms, and why “being too online” can distort reality. Ben reacts to Ross Douthat’s argument that Trump is “losing the country,” then digs into how policy support can still lose the narrative. Plus, Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony List, joins to break down the surge in abortions post-Dobbs, the abortion pill (mifepristone) regulatory fight, and why pro-lifers are demanding a return to in-person dispensing rules that were rolled back during COVID. Later, author Lionel Shriver joins the show to discuss her new novel “A Better Life,” immigration, the literary world’s politics, and why fiction avoids telling the “settled population” side of the story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The American media landscape is no longer about excellence, it's about ideological capture. In this episode, Ben Domenech dissects the radical transformation of our institutions, from the shuttering of The Washington Post sports desk to the decline of late-night comedy into humorless activism. Ben is joined by Fox News Congressional Correspondent Bill Melugin to pull back the curtain on the internal strife within the Department of Homeland Security and the fallout from the Alex Pretti shooting. Then, Winston Marshall joins the program to discuss the "soft imperialism" of the CCP and why Greenland has become the strategic frontline in the face of Chinese global ambitions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Iran is at a breaking point, and the world is watching. Ben Domenech digs into the scale of Iran’s protests, the regime’s crackdown, internet shutdowns, and what “help is on the way” could realistically mean without U.S. boots on the ground. First, Behnam Ben-Taleblu from The Foundation for Defense of Democracies explains why this moment feels different from past uprisings, how the IRGC may signal cracks, and what U.S. policy tools could matter most. Then, amid rising antisemitism and collapsing trust in elite institutions, Jordan Hirsch of Palantir lays out a provocative proposal: a Jewish “sovereign wealth fund” investing directly in America’s strategic industries to show tangible national value in a transactional era. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ben Domenech is joined by Chef Andrew Gruel for a special holiday edition of The Big Ben Show, covering Christmas cooking, last-minute kitchen gifts, and the state of food in America. Chef Gruel breaks down how to cook the perfect prime rib, what to look for when buying a rib roast, and the biggest mistakes home cooks make during the holidays. The conversation also dives into why restaurant supply stores beat fancy retailers, and how food policy, beef prices, and third-party delivery apps are impacting consumers and restaurants alike. Ben also reflects on the meaning of Christmas, family traditions, and why the season is about more than just what’s on the table. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices