In the crowded landscape of political commentary and podcasting, the Ruthless Podcast stands out as a unique voice. Launched in 2020, this show describes itself as a “variety progrum” — something more than just a standard news-podcast.
With sharp wit, insider experience, and unapologetic commentary, the Ruthless Podcast is led by a team of four primary hosts — each with his own distinctive style, background, and role. In this post, we’ll dive deep into each of the members, what they bring to the table, how they interact, and why they’ve made Ruthless a podcast worth talking about.
Team Dynamics & What Makes the “Progrum” Work
One reason the Ruthless Podcast succeeds is team synergy — these four individuals bring complementary skills and styles, creating a balanced blend of policy insight, cultural commentary, digital humor, and media literacy. When you listen, you’re getting:
- A policy insider (Josh Holmes) who knows how Washington works behind the scenes.
- An internet-savvy provocateur (Comfortably Smug) who connects with younger audiences and keeps things lively.
- A media-forward commentator (Michael Duncan) tuned into how stories unfold online and offline.
- A communications interpreter (John Ashbrook) who helps listeners parse the noise and get what’s really going on.
Their combined dynamic allows the podcast to shift seamlessly between serious institutional topics → cultural commentary → internet humor → media-analysis. This flexibility makes the show appealing for listeners who want sharper political talk but also don’t want to sit through dry lectures.
Another strength: the team doesn’t shy away from humor and tone. They label themselves a “variety progrum,” explicitly referencing they’re not purely serious, and that politics doesn’t have to feel heavy. This approach helps them reach a broader audience — including those who might feel alienated by high-brow policy podcasts.
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Significance & Impact
The members’ credibility and the podcast’s growth are worth noting. For example:
- The Guardian described Ruthless as “the Republican podcast taking a shot at making conservatism cool.”
- In 2025, Fox News announced a licensing deal with Ruthless, making the hosts Fox News contributors and marking the first time Fox News have licensed a podcast.
- According to a Q&A, the podcast boasts an average of around 5 million unique listeners.
These achievements reflect how the hosts’ mix of backgrounds and personalities have helped Ruthless punch above its weight in a competitive podcast ecosystem.
Meet the Ruthless Podcast Members
1. Josh Holmes
Josh Holmes is often described as the “conductor” of the team. According to the podcast’s website, he serves as the anchor: “Holmes is conductor of this merry band of misfits. Knower of legislative process, but hater of reading the Federalist Papers.”
Background & role:
- Holmes has a long career on Capitol Hill, including serving as chief of staff and campaign manager for former Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
- On Ruthless, he brings the institutional knowledge. He’s the guy who can decode the high-level politics, ask the tough questions, and provide the context others might miss.
- Because of that background, his commentary often has the edge of “insider view” — which adds weight and credibility.
What he brings: strategic thinking, deep policy/legislative insight, and a voice of authority.
Why he stands out: He offers a bridge between the public-facing commentary and the actual workings of Washington. For listeners wanting more than surface-level chatter, he’s a standout.
2. Comfortably Smug (real name Shashank Tripathi)
Comfortably Smug (real name Shashank Tripathi) is the wildcard of the group and a crucial piece of the Ruthless formula. He’s described as “best known as the leader of his Twitter minions, a loyal following of the best conservatives on the Internet.”
Background & role:
- Tripathi transitioned from hedge-fund analyst to political consultant, adopting the pseudonym “Comfortably Smug” for his online persona.
- On the podcast, he often brings irreverence, humor, internet-savvy commentary, and a tone that says: “We’re going to have fun with this.”
- His style helps balance the serious policy talk with personality, making the podcast feel accessible and lively.
What he brings: energy, humor, internet commentary, and a bridging of politics with cultural/online perspectives.
Why he stands out: His online persona and way of thinking reflect how many younger/politically-engaged listeners consume news — fast, meme-aware, tone-driven. He gives the show freshness.
3. Michael Duncan
Michael Duncan (a.k.a. “the Old Man” on the show) rounds out the trio with a digital and commentary focus.
Background & role:
- Described on the podcast site as “specializing in angry rants and obscure Internet humor. He’s the digital guy, so he resets our wifi and pushes the Internet button.”
- Duncan often presents commentary laced with internet-culture references, direct calls to current events, and a voice that says: “Here’s what really ticks me off — and here’s why.”
- His experience in communications and media gives the podcast a sharper edge when covering how news and narratives are shaped.
What he brings: media-savvy commentary, digital-native humor, and a tone that connects politics with pop culture and internet dynamics.
Why he stands out: He ensures the podcast isn’t stuck in “old-school political commentator” territory. Instead, it feels modern, relevant, and tuned to how audiences consume content today.
4. John Ashbrook
John Ashbrook is described as “The Voice of the program” — his strength lies in communication, media strategy, and explaining how politics and media intersect.
Background & role:
- Ashbrook has professional experience in communications and a reputation for explaining complex ideas in accessible language.
- On the podcast, he often breaks down how stories are told, how media shapes public perception, and how politics exploits those narratives.
- His commentary brings clarity to what might otherwise feel like chaos or noise in political coverage.
What he brings: clarity, media literacy, communications expertise, and an ability to help listeners understand “why things are framed this way.”
Why he stands out: In a world of sound bites and clickbait, Ashbrook helps make sense of the structures behind headlines, elevating the conversation.
Why Listeners Should Care
- Diverse perspectives: You get commentary from someone who knows the legislative trenches (Holmes), someone who lives the internet-culture commentary (Smug), someone who understands media dynamics (Ashbrook), and someone who embeds digital commentary in politics (Duncan).
- Accessible tone: The show doesn’t assume you’re a political PhD. The humor and tone make serious topics approachable.
- Media literacy built-in: Especially with Ashbrook and Duncan, you’ll find insights about how narratives are shaped, how media works, and how that affects politics.
- Trending commentary: The team stays current—with rapid responses to political developments, media stories, and cultural trends.
- Entertainment value: Because they embrace the “variety” label, you get segments, games, humor, and more than just straight commentary.
Considerations & Critiques
- Strong ideological lens: Ruthless is unabashedly conservative in its perspective—so listeners seeking neutral or left-leaning talk may find the commentary heavily weighted in one direction.
- Tone-over-depth risk: The accessible tone is a strength, but at times listeners seeking ultra-deep policy wonk-level detail might want more depth.
- Polarizing topics: Given their style and subject matter, the hosts don’t shy away from sharp critiques, sarcasm, and pointed commentary, which may not appeal to those averse to confrontational tone.
These are not flaws per se—they are simply factors to know if you’re deciding whether Ruthless is the right podcast for you.
How Each Member Shapes the Listener Experience
Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll likely pick up from each host on any given episode:
- Holmes: Expect historical and legislative context: “Here’s how the Senate works, here’s why this bill matters, here’s how the political game is played.”
- Smug: Expect humor, internet references, pop-culture crossover: “Here’s the meme angle, here’s what people on Twitter are saying, here’s the funny side of this serious topic.”
- Duncan: Expect media-analysis and digital commentary: “Here’s how the story is being told, how the platforms are reacting, what the online culture is doing about it.”
- Ashbrook: Expect communication dissection and narrative clarity: “Here’s how the message is framed, here’s why this story landed the way it did, here’s what you might not be seeing.”
Together, it’s a strong, well-rounded listener experience that blends entertainment with insight.
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In today’s podcast-heavy market, standing out often requires more than being first or loudest. It requires a combination of credibility, personality, clarity and tone. The Ruthless Podcast does just that — thanks to its four hosts, each bringing something unique.
If you’re interested in politics, media, cultural commentary—and you’d like it delivered with a mix of seriousness and fun—then the team behind Ruthless is definitely worth tuning into.
