Ben Boychuk and Joel Mathis—who write a weekly political point-counterpoint column syndicated by Scripps Howard News Service—recently posted a podcast of a terrific joint interview with Steven F. Hayward, author of The Age of Reagan: The Conservative Counterrevolution, 1980-1989.

It’s well worth a listen, and is one of the best interviews of Hayward about his book, writes TAC contributor Jim Lakely.

Both Boychuk (the conservative) an Mathis (the liberal) are accomplished journalists and first-rate thinkers. And one of the main reasons why their podcast of the interview is so compelling is that they challenge Hayward from both sides — in the same interview. It should go without saying that Hayward also sparkles in the podcast, and offers great insight on Reagan.

Topics covered include discussion of Hayward’s recent Washington Post op-ed wondering if conservatism is "brain dead," comparing the ways both Reagan and George W. Bush interpreted the Constitution, whether Dubya was a "superficial Reaganite," whether Sam Tanehaus is "all wet about Edmund Burke," and whether Glenn Beck is a serious thinker or "a modern-day Morton Downey Jr."

I really enjoyed the section of the podcast dealing with Burke. Hayward mentioned something that surprised me: That Burke was one of progressive Woodrow Wilson’s favorite political philosophers. Hayward also offers a pretty compelling defense of Glenn Beck, imagines how William F. Buckley’s TV persona would be different if he was just getting a start today, and also assesses the current state of political books from the right (Verdict: Where are today’s Milton Friedmans?!).

And as a treat between segments, Ben and Joel picked some excellent bumper music — which is almost enough to warrant a listen by itself. (If you’ve never heard RJD2, here’s your introduction.)

Click here to listen to or download the podcast at Infinite Monkeys, where both Boychuk and Mathis blog.

(Full Disclosure: I’m also a contributor to the Infinite Monkeys blog under the nom de plume Dr. Zaius.)