Best HuffPost Politics Podcasts (2025)

1
Episode 46 - Thoughts on the Election 21:16

5M ago21:16

21:16

In an abbreviated special episode, Host Roger King gives his thoughts on a very disappointing Presidential election result for Democrats and addresses some of the theories as to what happened.By Roger King

1
Episode 45 - Michael McDonald, Founder of The United States Election Project and the Early Vote Tracker 48:34

6M ago48:34

48:34

Through his early vote tracker, University of Florida Political Science Professor Michael McDonald tracks and analyzes the early vote data for all 50 states. He and Roger discuss what we are seeing in the early vote, particularly in the swing states, as 50 million Americans have already voted in the 2024 election.…

1
Episode 44 - Natalie Jackson, Fmr. Sr. Polling Editor, HuffPost & VP, GQR Research 42:53

9M ago42:53

42:53

Natalie Jackson has been a professional pollster for 20 years. She and Roger have a calm & rational discussion about the actual status of the Presidential election race, the problems with polling alternative Dem nominees to Biden, whether Trump's polling numbers are accurate, and more.By Roger King

1
Episode 43 - Steve Schale, former Florida State Director for the Obama campaign 43:20

11M ago43:20

43:20

Steve Schale ran President Obama's two Florida victory campaigns and he knows Florida politics inside and out. He and Roger discuss whether Florida is in play for the Biden campaign, how Democrats can reassemble the Obama coalition, the Florida Senate race, the latest on the Florida abortion ballot amendment, and more.…

1
Episode 42 - Anderson Clayton, Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party 24:16

1y ago24:16

24:16

Anderson Clayton is the youngest state party Chair in the United States. She and Roger discuss North Carolina politics: how it's a key target for the Biden campaign to flip in November, her efforts to attract more rural voters, the issues that will play with young voters in the state, changing demographics of the NC electorate, and more.…

1
Episode 41 - Simon Rosenberg, Democratic strategist & founder of New Democrat Network 38:26

1+ y ago38:26

38:26

Simon Rosenberg has been involved in Democratic politics for three decades, first with the Clinton campaigns, as an adviser to the Obama Administration and the founder of the New Democratic Network (NDN) think tank. He was one of the few analysts who did not believe there would be "a red wave" in 2022. He & Roger discuss Democratic over performance…

1
Treksperts are Forever 1:02:03

2+ y ago1:02:03

1:02:03

The Inglorious Treksperts, Mark A. Altman (creator of Pandora, author of the bestselling oral histories, The Fifty Year Mission, Nobody Does It Better and They Shouldn't Have Killed His Dog) and Daren Dochterman (award winning Art Director and Visual Effects Supervisor, The Abyss, Star Trek: Picard, HBO's Westworld and Star Trek: The Motion Picture…

1
David Mack and Star Trek 45:24

2+ y ago45:24

45:24

Veteran television writer and NYT bestselling author, David Mack, converses with On this Stardate host Bryan Cain about his Star Trek fandom, his work, his experiences of writing for Deep Space Nine and Voyager. David's new book, Star Trek: The Original Series: Harm's Way is in bookstores now, listen to David discuss his latest work and his approac…

1
Ryan Britt Begins - Pt II 51:34

2+ y ago51:34

51:34

The seond part of our conversation with Ryan Britt focuses on how he used his love of Star Trek to become a successful journalist and published author (PHASERS ON STUN). Ryan also shares what one of his dream Star Trek projects would be and further discusses seaon 3 of Star Trek: Picard. On this Stardate website Follow the show's Twitter Host Bryan…

1
Ryan Britt Begins 1:00:38

2+ y ago1:00:38

1:00:38

Author Ryan Britt (PHASERS ON STUN: How the Making and Remaking of Star Trek Changed the World) is our special guest. Ryan converses about his latest book, the past, present and future of Trek, including season three of Star Trek: Picard, and answers that question that some people are wondering about -- Is Star Trek trying to chase Star Wars and Ma…

1
DAG ON IT! Treks to be Thankful for! 1:04:17

2+ y ago1:04:17

1:04:17

Special guest, Dag, co-host of The Beyond Trek Podcast joins Bryan to discuss two classic Trek anniversaries, the future of Twitter and the Trek Twitter community, freedom of speech, the new Quantum Leap and Treks to be thankful for. On this Stardate website Follow the show's Twitter Host Bryan Cain's Twitter Executive Producers Christina Jackson B…

1
What’s Each Episode Like? 1:31

2+ y ago1:31

1:31

Bryan tells us what each episode of On this Stardate is like. On this Stardate website Follow the show's Twitter Host Bryan Cain's Twitter Executive Producers Christina Jackson Bryan CainBy Bryan Cain

1
Past Tense is Prologue 1:09:09

2+ y ago1:09:09

1:09:09

The Star Trek: Deep Space Nine two-parter, PAST TENSE, which takes place in 2024, was a cautionary tale. Host/Writer, Bryan Cain (HUFFPOST/TECHNORATI), producer/writer Robert Hewitt Wolfe (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda, Elementary), Larry Nemecek AKA Dr. Trek (TREKLAND, THE TREK FILES, THE CON OF WRATH) and poverty academ…

1
Why On this Stardate? 2:05

2+ y ago2:05

2:05

In this bonus feature for the first episode, writer and host Bryan Cain talks about why he chose to do On this Stardate with a unique and potentially controversial format. On this Stardate website Follow the show's Twitter Host Bryan Cain's Twitter Executive Producers Christina Jackson Bryan CainBy Bryan Cain

1
Episode 40 - Special Midterms 2022 Preview, with Reuben Rodriguez (aka The Latino Centrist) 59:46

2+ y ago59:46

59:46

Special guest co-host Reuben Rodriguez, a self-described Latino Centrist, returns to the podcast in a special extended episode as he & Roger preview the upcoming 2022 midterm election. Including an overview of the U.S. political climate, analysis of the early vote, a preview of the key Senate races, and more!…

1
Episode 39 - Tom Bonier, CEO of Target Smart 34:12

2+ y ago34:12

34:12

Tom Bonier has been a consultant to Democratic campaigns, including Senators Cory Booker and Elizabeth Warren, as well as President Obama's 2008 Presidential campaign. He is now CEO of the Democratic data firm Target Smart and he joins Rogers to discuss the upcoming midterm elections: what the polling is saying, early voting data, the surge in wome…

1
Episode 38 - Ashley All, Spokesperson for Kansans for Constitutional Freedom 25:58

2+ y ago25:58

25:58

This summer, Kansas voted NO on a state Constitutional amendment that would have banned abortion. Ashley All, Spokesperson for Kansans for Constitutional Freedom, joins Roger to discuss how her group mobilized voters in a deeply conservative state to show up to protect abortion rights and what kind of messaging will work best with red state voters …

1
Episode 37 - Robin Johnson, Host of the Heartland Politics podcast 28:06

3y ago28:06

28:06

Robin Johnson, along with Representative Cheri Bustos, former Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, put together a research project about how Democratic representatives in 10 midwestern states won in districts carried by Donald Trump. Roger & Robin discuss those findings, how Democrats can rebound with rural voters and midterm e…

1
Episode 36 - Tom Winter, Montana Democratic Congressional Candidate 33:25

3y ago33:25

33:25

Tom Winter, a former state representative, is now running for U.S. Congress in Montana's newly created 2nd Congressional District. He joins Roger to discuss how to run & win as a progressive in Montana, the population growth in the state and who the new arrivals are politically, running against a former member of Trump's cabinet, and more.…

1
Episode 35 - Josh Marshall, Founder and Publisher, Talking Points Memo 40:48

3+ y ago40:48

40:48

Talking Points Memo founder Josh Marshall joins Roger to discuss how the mainstream media is set up in a way that gives Republicans the advantage, the reasons Democrats have a harder time with campaign messaging, why Democrats should make the 2022 midterms about Trump, and more.By Roger King

1
Episode 34 - Special 2021 Recap with Reuben Rodriguez (aka The Latino Centrist) 34:22

3+ y ago34:22

34:22

Special guest co-host Reuben Rodriguez, a self-described Latino Centrist, joins Roger to recap the political year of 2021 and preview what to expect in 2022. They discuss the reasons for Biden's approval rating, the politics of COVID, the Latino vote, how the 2 parties should approach the 2022 midterms and more.…

1
Episode 33 - Joe Kennedy, Former Massachusetts Congressman and Founder of Groundwork Project 31:23

3+ y ago31:23

31:23

Joe Kennedy, a member of the legendary Kennedy political family, served 4 terms in Congress but left government this year to form Groundwork Project, a grassroots organization that supports and invests in community organizers in red state America. Roger & Joe discuss how Democrats can win back rural voters and what it takes for Democrats to be comp…

1
Episode 32 - Poppy Northcutt, former NASA Engineer & Texas women's rights attorney 37:41

3+ y ago37:41

37:41

Poppy Northcutt was the first woman ever to work in NASA's Mission Control. Her work in the space program made her acutely aware of women's rights issues and she eventually became an attorney who has been on the front lines of abortion rights activism since the days of Roe v Wade. She & Roger discuss the current Texas abortion law, the strengths & …

1
Episode 31 - Filmmaker Todd Drezner & Former WV Senate Candidate Bo Copley 30:22

3+ y ago30:22

30:22

After an in-person encounter with Hillary Clinton, unemployed coal industry worker Bo Copley decided to run for the Republican Senate nomination in West Virginia. New York filmmaker Todd Drezner followed Bo's Senate campaign and the result is the documentary, The Campaign of Miner Bo. Todd & Bo join Roger to discuss what it's like for outsiders in …

1
Baroness Angela Smith...On Tory Tax Bombshells And Labour's Future 34:13

3+ y ago34:13

34:13

Boris Johnson has taken the biggest gamble of his premiership with a National Insurance hike to fund the NHS and social care. Labour's leader in the Lords Angela Smith joins Ned Simons, Sophia Sleigh and Paul Waugh to chat through Tory tax rises and where Labour's at ahead of its party conference Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info…

1
Episode 30 - Former Republican Congressman Joe Walsh 30:08

3+ y ago30:08

30:08

Former Republican Congressman Joe Walsh started off as a Trump supporter but began to sour on him quickly. In the end, he not only turned on Trump but ran against him in the 2020 Republican primaries. Roger and Joe discuss Joe's regrets in helping to create the Republican Party that exists today, where Trump voters are at now and whether they can b…

1
Yvette Cooper On The Art Of Govt And Opposition 34:50

4y ago34:50

34:50

As MPs head off to their constituencies, rising Covid cases and Channel crossings of asylum seekers are ensuring Boris Johnson cannot put his feet up. Home Affairs Committee chair Yvette Cooper joins Ned Simons and Paul Waugh to chat through her joust with the Priti Patel this week, as well as the wider problems facing both the government and Labou…

1
Sunak's Overseas Aid Ambush: With Andrew Mitchell 29:50

4y ago29:50

29:50

The chancellor's late, late move to outflank Tory rebels on international aid cuts won the day, despite MPs voting against the three line whip. But is the rebellion over and will Rishi Sunak and his party rue the damage caused to their brand? Ned Simons and Paul Waugh are joined by former international development secretary (and former chief whip) …

1
Trading places: Will Liz Truss’s ‘Donut’ Strategy Leave Us With Brexit Indigestion? 41:19

4y ago41:19

41:19

Football may or may not be coming home, but Boris Johnson and Liz Truss want British firms to export more abroad. Can the UK’s tricky relations with China help or hinder that post-Brexit ambition? Shadow international trade secretary Emily Thornberry joins Ned Simons and Paul Waugh to chat through trade, as well as the next steps for Keir Starmer’s…

1
Return Of The Saj 33:04

4y ago33:04

33:04

Sajid Javid made a phoenix-like return to the Cabinet this week, replacing Matt Hancock after the former health secretary was sensationally caught on camera breaking Covid rules by kissing an aide in his office. Senior Tory and Commons education committee chair Rob Halfon joins Arj Singh and Paul Waugh to discuss a rocky week for the government, an…

1
Brexit Birthday Special 39:58

4y ago39:58

39:58

It’s the fifth anniversary of the vote to leave the EU and Brexit is still having a profound impact on British politics. Tory former spad Salma Shah and the UK In A Changing Europe’s Anand Menon join Arj Singh and Paul Waugh to unpack the successes and failures of the last five years, and discuss what Brexit means for politics in 2021 and beyond. M…

1
Is The Tory Culture War Backfiring In Its Traditional Heartlands? 34:02

4y ago34:02

34:02

Boris Johnson this week delayed so-called “freedom day” from Covid restrictions in a bid to get more vaccines into more arms and protect the NHS. But the prime minister has angered many Tory MPs, who simply do not believe he will stick to the new “terminus” of July 19th. Lib Dem health spokesperson Munira Wilson joins Arj Singh and Paul Waugh to di…

1
Joe Biden Jets In Amid An Almighty Brexit ‘Mess’ 37:11

4y ago37:11

37:11

It’s a huge week for Boris Johnson as Joe Biden and leaders of some of the world’s wealthiest countries arrive in Cornwall for the G7 summit. But the prime minister has embroiled himself in a row with the EU over the terms of his own Brexit deal, which has angeried the US president and is threatening to overshadow the event. Labour’s shadow foreign…

1
Episode 29 - Comedian Steve Hofstetter 28:46

4y ago28:46

28:46

Comedian Steve Hofstetter is back on tour for the first time since the pandemic started and checks in with Roger from the road. They discuss comedy & politics: the difference in performing in red vs blue states, responding to hecklers & harassers, whether comedy can persuade people politically and more.…

1
Why Cummings Showed The UK Must Ditch ‘Glorious Amateurism’ 35:29

4y ago35:29

35:29

Dominic Cummings took no prisoners this week when laying out claims of a series of “disastrous” government failures that meant tens of thousands of people died of Covid unnecessarily. Conservative MP Bob Seely joins Arj Singh, Paul Waugh and Rachel Wearmouth to talk about the former No.10 aide's explosive select committee appearance, why the govern…

1
Why Labour Should Be Braver To Win Back The Red Wall 44:04

4y ago44:04

44:04

Weeks of optimism and cheer as Covid restrictions were eased gave way to another bout of nationwide nervousness amid localised spikes in infections attributed to the variant of the virus first detected in India, prompting debates about how to contain the variant and whether the June 21 unlocking needs to be delayed. Labour MP and Keir Starmer’s new…

1
What Is ‘Levelling Up’ And Can Boris Johnson Deliver? 36:36

4y ago36:36

36:36

The government’s legislative agenda for the next year or so was unveiled in this week’s Queen’s Speech. But it was perhaps more notable for what wasn’t in it. Boris Johnson’s plan to reform social care was still absent despite his 2019 claim to voters that he had one prepared. And the prime minister is still struggling to define how he will “level …

1
Local Elections Special: What Went Wrong For Labour 46:28

4y ago46:28

46:28

Labour suffered a disastrous series of results in the “super Thursday” local elections, capped by a huge and humiliating defeat to the Tories in a parliamentary by-election in the red wall seat of Hartlepool. There were more losses in red wall and other marginal council areas with the Tories even taking control of Northumberland. It has led to seri…

1
Will Voters Care About The Boris Johnson Flat Saga? 38:03

4y ago38:03

38:03

It’s been a nightmare week for Boris Johnson, who kicked the hornet’s nest when he blamed Dominic Cummings for a series of damaging leaks. The former adviser replied with a stinging public attack, which has left the prime minister fending off multiple bad headlines around his handling of the Covid crisis. On top of that, the Tories are now facing a…

1
Labour Think They’ve Found Tories’ Weak Spot, But Is It Enough To Win? With Lord Mandelson 44:27

4y ago44:27

44:27

Allegations of cronyism and government by WhatsApp have been intensifying around the Conservatives as Boris Johnson’s texts to manufacturer and Tory donor James Dyson add to the lobbying scandal engulfing former PM David Cameron and members of the Cabinet. Labour think they’ve found a message to take to the doorstep for local elections, but are cla…

1
Episode 28 - Author/Journalist Ross Benes 25:22

4y ago25:22

25:22

Ross Benes grew up in small town Nebraska, surrounded by Republicans. Now he lives in Brooklyn. His book "Rural Rebellion: How Nebraska Became a Republican Stronghold" details Nebraska's move rightward but is also a personal story about understanding both rural and urban cultures, and how to bridge that divide. Ross and Roger discuss the misconcept…

1
Could The EU Vaccine War Give Boris Johnson An Election Boost? 41:04

4y ago41:04

41:04

With local elections around the corner, Boris Johnson’s Tories find themselves in a stronger position than they would have imagined just a few short months ago. Will the successful deployment of coronavirus vaccines wipe the memory of the issues Britain endured during repeated lockdowns, giving the prime minister a vaccine bounce? Arj Singh, Paul W…

1
Is Boris Johnson The Right Man To Help Women? 42:30

4y ago42:30

42:30

The scale of protests, anger and shared feeling amongst women that they aren’t safe in British society after the killing of Sarah Everard has sparked a change in attitudes towards women’s safety in Westminster. But is a government led by a prime minister who’s been accused of sexism multiple times really capable of the change needed? Joining Arj Si…

1
Episode 27 - Author/Journalist Alec MacGillis 27:15

4y ago27:15

27:15

Journalist Alec MacGillis often writes about inequality in the U.S., including a New York Times article that led to the launch of this very Clusterfucked podcast. His new book, Fulfillment: Winning & Losing in One-Click America, looks at winners and losers in different regions through the lens of Amazon. Roger and Alec discuss the book, how the pan…

1
Britain’s Equality Flaws 28:05

4y ago28:05

28:05

The disappearance of Sarah Everard, Harry and Meghan’s bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview, and the resignations of two government equality advisers have revealed just how much work there still is to do to make Britain a more equal society for all. Joining Arj Singh, Rachel Wearmouth and Paul Waugh, Tory chair of the Commons women and equalities comm…

1
Does Rishi Sunak’s Budget Change The Fight For Labour? 40:57

4y ago40:57

40:57

This week Rishi Sunak delivered his heavily-trailed Budget, revealing a spend now, tax later approach to the economic recovery from coronavirus. It included big spending on Covid support measures but a sting in the tail as taxes were hiked to their highest level since the 1960s. There were also accusations of “pork barrel politics” as Tory areas be…

1
Episode 26 - Ben Wikler, Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party 30:17

4y ago30:17

30:17

Wisconsin Democratic Chair Ben Wikler joins Roger to discuss Wisconsin politics: how Biden beat Trump in the state, the 2022 campaign to defeat Republican Senator Ron Johnson, how candidates can win regularly in Wisconsin, and more.By Roger King

1
The Route Out Of Lockdown Is Revealed But The Road To Recovery Looks Less Certain 46:09

4y ago46:09

46:09

After Boris Johnson revealed his “road map” for the country to exit lockdown but with the vaccination programme continuing to go well, attention is turning towards the path to economic recovery. What will chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Budget next week do to help those in need now? What might it tell us about the government’s vision for the future? And a…

1
Is Britain’s Gambling Problem Finally Going To Be Met With Action? 41:46

4y ago41:46

41:46

As the lockdown continues in Britain, attitudes are changing across Westminster to problem gambling as restrictions leave people couple up at home, inundated with betting ads and turning to online gambling sites for entertainment. Can an unlikely cross-party coalition of campaigners bring about change? Labour MP and PPS to Keir Starmer, Carolyn Har…

1
Episode 25 - Senator Heidi Heitkamp (North Dakota) and Alabama Minority House Leader, Anthony Daniels 30:07

4y ago30:07

30:07

Former Senator Heidi Heitkamp (North Dakota) and first ever African-American Alabama Minority House Leader Anthony Daniels join Roger for a lively discussion on what Democrats need to do to reach out to rural voters, particularly in deep red states.By Roger King

Podcasts Worth a Listen

HuffPost Politics Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen