The Playbook Podcast is off this week — we'll be back Monday Aug. 31!
POLITICO’s Dasha Burns bring her fresh insight, analysis and reporting to the stories driving the day in the nation’s capital. She will be joined by her fellow co-authors and journalists from across POLITICO — available, as always, in audio and video formats each morning.
PodSkip has analyzed 2 episodes of The Playbook Podcast, averaging 1.5 ads per episode (4% of runtime).
He went after social media. AI is next. (with Jonathan Haidt) | The Conversation
Aug 23, 2026
Social psychologist and “The Anxious Generation” author Jonathan Haidt helped turn concerns about kids and social media into a global political movement. Now, as Meta faces a consequential trial over…
Pete Buttigieg has a theory for how Democrats can win | On the Road
Aug 22, 2026
Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg joins POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin in Traverse City, Michigan, to discuss the future of the Democratic Party and why he believes…
Trump tests endorsement in South Carolina
Aug 21, 2026
Two power players land in South Carolina today. President Trump is hitting the trail for Darline Graham after her rocky debate on Tuesday, while Pete Buttigieg stumps…
Scott Jennings’ public audition
Aug 20, 2026
Is Scott Jennings auditioning for the White House briefing room? The CNN conservative went to the mat defending Trump aide Natalie Harp just as his name is circulating as a possible next press…
Florida’s surprising primary results
Aug 19, 2026
Another primary night of surprises — this time in Florida, where a DSA candidate upset the establishment Democrat in the race for U.S. Senate. Florida Playbook author Kimberly Leonard joins Megan…
‘Bobby unleashed’ on the campaign trail
Aug 18, 2026
The White House is serious about mobilizing Make American Healthy Again – sending RKF Jr. out on the trail in Iowa today. Playbook co-author Dasha Burns shares what Republican Iowa gubernatorial…
Mark Kelly’s next frontier
Aug 17, 2026
Sen. Mark Kelly is raising money, building political chits and showing up in politically significant states. All signs point to a 2028 run, but what is Kelly actually saying?…
How DSA progressives and centrist Dems can both win (with Sen. Adam Schiff) | The Conversation
Aug 16, 2026
In a live taping of "The Conversation" in Sacramento, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) weighs in on whether insurgent candidates on the left could become a liability for Democrats — and on how the party…
Who can replace Karoline Leavitt?
Aug 14, 2026
Karoline Leavitt’s departure leaves a major hole in the White House communications shop — but Donald Trump appears to be in no rush to replace her. Playbook’s Megan Messerly and Will Steakin unpack…
Dems’ ‘silent normie majority’
Aug 13, 2026
The ideological battle within the Democratic Party is in full swing, and after another round of surprising primary results, key operatives are asking: is the “silent normie majority” gaining steam?…
Gavin Newsom’s Michigan fumble
Aug 12, 2026
Social media posts from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s weekend trip to Michigan suggest a tapped in politician, but the reality is a different story – one of internal fumbles and missed opportunities with key…
Francesca Hong’s progressive platform test
Aug 11, 2026
Francesca Hong may be leading the polls, but she's heading into Wisconsin's gubernatorial primary without some of the progressive movement's biggest names at her side. Sen. Bernie…
Can Tucker Carlson build a third party?
Aug 10, 2026
The movement taking shape around Tucker Carlson, Marjorie Taylor Greene and other Trump defectors is attracting major donors. How viable is a third party and…
Can the GOP ‘defy history’ in the midterms? (with Speaker Mike Johnson) | The Conversation
Aug 09, 2026
Speaker Mike Johnson sits down with Dasha for a wide-ranging interview as Republicans fight to hold onto the House majority.
Dasha presses Johnson on why voters remain unhappy with the economy…
Dems descend on Michigan
Aug 07, 2026
Michigan is emerging as the center of gravity for the 2028 Democratic primary. Who are the potential candidates testing their own appeal in the Great Lake state? Then Playbook…
Mike Johnson, the ‘Ambassador of Hope’?
Aug 06, 2026
House Speaker Mike Johnson has a particular campaigning message to reporters and voters alike. But can Republicans rely on last year’s legislative wins to carry them through the…
Slow burn in the Michigan primary
Aug 05, 2026
In Michigan, progressives didn’t get the showstopping night they were hoping for as tight race ensued between Abdul El-Sayed and Rep. Haley…
Who will take Bernie Sanders’ mantle in 2028?
Aug 04, 2026
The Democratic party’s left wing is celebrating a string of victories this primary season, but who can drive this momentum to the 2028 presidential…
MAGA puts Mullin on ice
Aug 03, 2026
MAGA has a new target within the Trump administration: Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. So who are immigration hardliners suggesting should take…
‘Broadcast licenses aren't sacred cows’ (with FCC Chair Brendan Carr) | The Conversation
Aug 02, 2026
FCC chairman Brendan Carr sits down with POLITICO's Dasha Burns for a wide-ranging interview on the growing power of the FCC under President Trump. Dasha presses Carr on his warnings that…
Rahm Emanuel makes his 2028 pitch over pizza in Chicago | On the Road
Aug 01, 2026
Rahm Emanuel joins POLITICO's Jonathan Martin at Michael's Original Pizzeria on Chicago's North Side for a wide-ranging conversation about his political future, the Democratic Party's identity crisis…
Shapiro shoots his shot
Jul 31, 2026
LeBron James’ move to the Philadelphia 76ers made headlines last week, but behind-the-scenes, Gov. Josh Shapiro lobbied for the deal. Is Shapiro making a political play…
How Michigan is shaping the Democratic Party
Jul 30, 2026
Establishment Democrats are wringing their hands as candidates of the insurgent left, like Abdul El-Sayed, take center stage in Michigan. Meanwhile, what we're taking away…
Pulte’s work isn’t done
Jul 29, 2026
The Senate confirmed Jay Clayton as the next director of national intelligence last night, but current acting director Bill Pulte hopes to delay the hand-off. Either way, expect to see more…
Trump to meet with Netanyahu and Zelenskyy
Jul 28, 2026
Power players convene today in the nation’s capital to honor the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. Attendees include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and…
Thune is in the hot seat
Jul 27, 2026
President Donald Trump is pushing for polarizing legislation to be folded into a budget resolution. But will Senate Majority Leader John Thune even bring the resolution to the…
The California AG trying to stop Hollywood’s biggest merger (with Rob Bonta) | The Conversation
Jul 26, 2026
California Attorney General Rob Bonta joins Dasha to explain why he’s trying to block Paramount’s proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, and defends California’s antitrust agenda. He also…
White House Correspondents’ Dinner 2.0
Jul 24, 2026
This weekend kicks off with take-two of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, but this time around expect higher tensions and fewer attendees in the…
Johnson stalls AOC momentum
Jul 23, 2026
As Congress races toward the August recess, one bipartisan bill is glaringly missing from the House agenda. The Defiance Act, co-sponsored by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, passed the Senate…
Trump's Iran trap
Jul 22, 2026
Anxiety over the war in Iran ripples across Trump’s orbit as some GOP operatives warn that the White House is caught in an “escalation trap” ahead of the…
