Best Nick Danforth Podcasts (2026)

1
459. Former Senator Jack Danforth Explains How Religious Congregations Can Heal America’s Political Divide 41:52

Play Pause

2d ago41:52

41:52

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with former U.S. Senator Jack Danforth about Senator Danforth’s book, The Relevance of Religion, and why and how religious congregations of all faiths should endeavor to heal the political divide in America. An ordained Episcopal priest and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Sena…

1
458. How to Lead with Character, with World-renown human performance psychologist Jim Loehr on The Mentors Radio 43:27

2d ago43:27

43:27

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with Jim Loehr, a world-renown human performance psychologist, about how to ensure you are leading with character and purposely pursuing what matters most. Loehr knows what he’s talking about. He has literally transformed hundreds of lives, including the most elite tennis competitors in th…

1
Special Episode - ICE, Intimidation & Trump’s Politics of Fear EXPLODE In Minneapolis 39:23

3d ago39:23

39:23

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck examines the deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis and the political, moral, and institutional failures surrounding it. As the administration rushes to rationalize the killing rather than investigate it—despite video evidence and eyewitness accounts that contradict its narrative—Chuck unpacks how DHS rhetor…

1
Special Mailbag Episode: CBS News, Political Satire, Heritage Foundation Shakeup & More 1:14:04

4d ago1:14:04

1:14:04

Chuck Todd is on vacation but the fresh content keeps coming! Chuck empties the 2025 mailbag and answers a variety of listeners’ questions regarding media, politics, history and sports. If you’d like to ask Chuck a question, shoot us an email at [email protected] Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST an…

1
Special Mailbag Episode: Reuniting The GOP, Legacy vs. Independent Media, AI Content Moderation & More 59:57

5d ago59:57

59:57

Chuck Todd is on vacation but the fresh content keeps coming! Chuck empties the 2025 mailbag and answers a variety of listeners’ questions focused on politics & policy, the future of Trump & MAGA, and naturally… one on his beloved Green Bay Packers. If you’d like to ask Chuck a question, shoot us an email at [email protected] Thank you …

1
Chuck’s Commentary - What If 9/11 Never Happened? + College Football Playoff Reaction 1:09:01

7d ago1:09:01

1:09:01

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck tackles one of the most consequential counterfactuals in modern history: what if 9/11 never happened? He explores how the attacks fundamentally altered the American psyche, shattered a post–Cold War sense of security, and transformed how Americans consume news, driving the demand for instant information …

1
Full Episode - What If 9/11 Never Happened? + Predictions For Trump & American Politics In 2026 2:18:49

7d ago2:18:49

2:18:49

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck tackles one of the most consequential counterfactuals in modern history: what if 9/11 never happened? He explores how the attacks fundamentally altered the American psyche, shattered a post–Cold War sense of security, and transformed how Americans consume news, driving the demand for instant information …

1
Interview Only w/ Jonathan Martin - Predictions For Trump & American Politics In 2026 1:13:14

7d ago1:13:14

1:13:14

Jonathan Martin, the politics bureau chief and senior political columnist at POLITICO joins the Chuck ToddCast to walk through his bold predictions for the political landscape heading into 2026, starting with the idea that Donald Trump’s second term is less about governing and more about validation, legacy, and self-mythmaking. The conversation exp…

1
Bonus Episode - Reaction To Trump's Actions In Venezuela 19:35

7d ago19:35

19:35

Chuck Todd is on vacation, but the news never sleeps! Chuck gives his initial thoughts to the Trump administration's military operation in Venezuela to capture President Nicolas Maduro, the motivations behind it, and why the success of the operation may emboldened Trump to take even riskier actions. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://…

1
New Voices - Is Nuclear Energy The Key To Powering The Age Of AI? 49:38

10d ago49:38

49:38

Nuclear engineer & former Miss America, Grace Vanderhei joins Chuck Todd to break down the realities of nuclear energy—what’s safer than most people think, what genuinely needs fixing, and why public perception has lagged so far behind the science. From how she got into nuclear engineering to how disasters like Fukushima reshaped the industry’s mom…

1
Special Episode - What If Trump Accepted His Loss In 2020? + What If Trump Won In 2020? 1:18:15

12d ago1:18:15

1:18:15

In this special episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck continues his “What If” series, an exploration of how small decisions and turning points can radically reshape American history. Using the razor-thin 2000 election as a starting point, Chuck explains why counterfactuals are a powerful way to understand how we got here—and how different choices mi…

1
Full Episode - Deciphering The “Trump Doctrine” + The Dreams & Drama Of The LeBron Lakers 2:37:18

14d ago2:37:18

2:37:18

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck examines Donald Trump’s holiday Truth Social spree as a revealing window into his worldview and leadership style. From angry, vaguely threatening posts tied to Epstein to Christmas messages laced with grievance and insults, Trump’s online behavior paints a picture of a lonely, aggrieved figure who often …

1
Interview Only w/ Yaron Weitzman - The Dreams & Drama Of The LeBron Lakers 1:15:00

14d ago1:15:00

1:15:00

Yaron Weitzman, author of “A Hollywood Ending: The Dreams and Drama of the LeBron Lakers”, joins the Chuck ToddCast to unpack the remarkable rise, impact, and legacy of LeBron James—on the court, in Los Angeles, and far beyond basketball. Drawing from his reporting and authorship, Weitzman explains how access-driven sports journalism shapes the sto…

1
Chuck’s Commentary - Deciphering The “Trump Doctrine” + America Is A “Reluctant” Nation Of Immigrants 1:20:39

14d ago1:20:39

1:20:39

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck examines Donald Trump’s holiday Truth Social spree as a revealing window into his worldview and leadership style. From angry, vaguely threatening posts tied to Epstein to Christmas messages laced with grievance and insults, Trump’s online behavior paints a picture of a lonely, aggrieved figure who often …

1
457. How to stay Anchored in Clear Thinking and Common Sense when everyone around you seems crazy with Professor J. Budziszewski 43:21

16d ago43:21

43:21

In this episode of The Mentors Radio, Host Tom Loarie talks with Yale Ph.D. J. Budziszewski, professor of Government and Philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin. The author of more than 20 books, including The Revenge of Conscience, What We Can’t Not Know and his most recent work, Pandemic of Lunacy: How to Think Clearly When Everyone Aroun…

1
BEST OF: Is Jasmine Crockett The Next SUPERSTAR For The Democrats? 1:03:00

17d ago1:03:00

1:03:00

In a replay of an interview Chuck Todd hosted during the summer, he’s joined by a rising star in the Democratic party, Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett. This interview was conducted prior to her announcement that she’ll be running for senate in Texas. She provides insights into her rapidly growing Dallas district and discusses the economic ben…

1
Interview Only w/ Mike Pesca - The Media Meltdown: AI, Billionaires, and the Collapse of Trust 1:10:14

19d ago1:10:14

1:10:14

Mike Pesca, host of “The Gist” joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of media, technology, and trust at the end of 2025—and where things may be headed next. They dig into how legacy media is being reshaped by new owners, shrinking business models, and audience capture, with a close look at CBS, the Ellisons, and whether d…

1
Chuck’s Commentary - Bari Weiss Burns The Credibility Of CBS News + Trump Wasted The "Honeymoon" Phase Of His Presidency 1:35:31

19d ago1:35:31

1:35:31

Chuck Todd digs into the growing crisis of trust in American media and politics, sparked by CBS News pulling a 60 Minutes episode amid controversy and perceptions of corporate and political pressure. He examines how Bari Weiss’s handling of the situation exposed a lack of understanding of television news culture, why 60 Minutes has become the ultim…

1
Full Episode - Bari Weiss Burns The Credibility Of CBS News + The Media Meltdown: AI, Billionaires, and the Collapse of Trust 2:43:48

19d ago2:43:48

2:43:48

Chuck Todd digs into the growing crisis of trust in American media and politics, sparked by CBS News pulling a 60 Minutes episode amid controversy and perceptions of corporate and political pressure. He examines how Bari Weiss’s handling of the situation exposed a lack of understanding of television news culture, why 60 Minutes has become the ultim…

1
Chuck’s Commentary - MAGA Influencers Go To War With Each Other + Epstein Gets The Headlines… The Destruction At HHS SHOULD 1:42:36

21d ago1:42:36

1:42:36

Chuck Todd examines the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files, the uneven political fallout, and why some stories break through while others—often more consequential—don’t. The discussion then turns to public health, RFK Jr.’s corrosive influence on vaccine trust, and how misinformation is putting kids at risk just as measles cases sur…

1
Interview Only w/ Leigh Ann Caldwell - Trump 2.0 Has Made Capitol Hill Irrelevant 1:04:07

21d ago1:04:07

1:04:07

Chief Washington correspondent for Puck News, Leigh Ann Caldwell joins the Chuck ToddCast to unpack how Washington looks different when covered from outside the constraints of legacy media—and why independent journalism may be better suited to capture the dysfunction of Trump’s second term. Caldwell reflects on the groupthink and reaction-driven co…

1
Full Episode - Epstein Gets The Headlines… The Destruction At HHS SHOULD + Trump 2.0 Has Made Capitol Hill Irrelevant 2:42:54

21d ago2:42:54

2:42:54

Chuck Todd examines the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files, the uneven political fallout, and why some stories break through while others—often more consequential—don’t. The discussion then turns to public health, RFK Jr.’s corrosive influence on vaccine trust, and how misinformation is putting kids at risk just as measles cases sur…

1
456. Eswar Prasad Explains the Crypto Phenomenon and Why Cash May Disappear, with Host Dan Hesse 42:16

23d ago42:16

42:16

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Dr. Eswar Prasad, a Professor of Economics at Cornell, a senior fellow at Brookings, and the former head of the IMF’s China division, to discuss his book The Future of Money: How the Digital Revolution Is Transforming Currencies and Finance, which was chosen as a Best Book of the Year …

1
Full Episode - Trump Suffers From “Obama Derangement Syndrome” + Voting On Your Phone Could Be The Future Of Democracy 2:21:23

24d ago2:21:23

2:21:23

Chuck Todd breaks down Donald Trump’s prime-time address to the nation, arguing that it functioned less as a governing update and more as a rapid-fire campaign rally designed to rehab Trump’s political image. Todd explains how the speech sidestepped real policy challenges, leaned heavily into grievance, and once again spoke almost exclusively to Tr…

1
Interview Only w/ Bradley Tusk - Voting On Your Phone Could Be The Future Of Democracy 1:11:13

24d ago1:11:13

1:11:13

Businessman, venture capitalist and political strategist Bradley Tusk joins Chuck Todd for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership fatigue, the erosion of America’s rule of law, and the long-term consequences of the Trump era. Tusk argues that many of today’s institutional crises—from weakened economic pillars to America’s retreat from global …

1
Interview Only w/ Jeff Clements - How To Get Money Out Of Politics For Good 59:42

26d ago59:42

59:42

Jeff Clements,CEO of American Promise joins Chuck Todd for a deep dive into one of the most consequential—and misunderstood—threats to American democracy: money in politics. Clements argues that today’s campaign finance dysfunction isn’t a failure of legislation but a court-created crisis, tracing how Supreme Court rulings turned money into speech,…

1
Chuck’s Commentary - Trump Is Exhibiting 25th Amendment Behavior + Why Anti-Corruption Could Be A Powerful Electoral Issue 1:27:07

26d ago1:27:07

1:27:07

Chuck Todd takes a hard look at Donald Trump’s increasingly egregious behavior and the growing questions surrounding his cognitive fitness for the presidency, sparked by a recent post that crossed a line even for many on the right. He asks what would happen if any other public figure behaved this way, why similar concerns about Biden’s decline were…

1
Full Episode - Trump Is Exhibiting 25th Amendment Behavior + How To Get Money Out Of Politics For Good 2:22:52

26d ago2:22:52

2:22:52

Full Episode - Trump Is Exhibiting 25th Amendment Behavior + How To Get Money Out Of Politics For Good Chuck Todd takes a hard look at Donald Trump’s increasingly egregious behavior and the growing questions surrounding his cognitive fitness for the presidency, sparked by a recent post that crossed a line even for many on the right. He asks what wo…

1
Bonus Episode: Trump’s Response To Rob Reiner’s Murder Was DESPICABLE 18:33

27d ago18:33

18:33

Chuck Todd blasts Donald Trump for his despicable post about Rob Reiner where he attributed the murder to politics and made it about himself. He argues that Trump only knows how to “go low” and that the post is a red flag that something is seriously wrong with the president’s mental state. Timeline: 00:00 Rob Reiner & his wife found murdered in the…

1
Interview Only w/ Nick Troiano - How To Fix America’s Broken Political System 1:03:40

28d ago1:03:40

1:03:40

Nick Troiano, executive director of Unite America, joins the Chuck ToddCast for a wide-ranging conversation about why America’s political system feels increasingly broken—and what reforms could actually fix it. Troiano explains how ranked-choice voting and primary reform can weaken the grip of the two-party system, produce more representative outco…

1
Full Episode - U.S. Is Drifting Toward Competitive Authoritarianism + How To Fix America’s Broken Political System 2:21:23

28d ago2:21:23

2:21:23

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck confronts the alarming rise of antisemitism following a mass shooting that targeted Jews in Australia on the first night of Hanukkah, reflecting on how hatred now crosses traditional political lines and sharing his own family’s experiences. He argues that social media has become a primary accelerant—prof…

1
Chuck’s Commentary - U.S. Is Drifting Toward Competitive Authoritarianism + Social Media Has Fueled Extremism 1:20:45

28d ago1:20:45

1:20:45

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck confronts the alarming rise of antisemitism following a mass shooting that targeted Jews in Australia on the first night of Hanukkah, reflecting on how hatred now crosses traditional political lines and sharing his own family’s experiences. He argues that social media has become a primary accelerant—prof…

1
455. Behind the Lens: Renown Portrait Photographer Michael Collopy shares what distinguishes the truly great from the merely famous 43:11

30d ago43:11

43:11

In this episode of The Mentors Radio, Host Tom Loarie talks with Michael Collopy, one of the preeminent portrait photographers of our time — a man whose camera has revealed the inner soul of saints, world leaders, Nobel Peace laureates, and some of the most recognizable entertainers on the planet. Over 45 years, he has photographed six U.S. preside…

1
Bonus Friday Episode - Indiana GOP REBUKES Trump: Is The Trump Era Finally Ending? 13:51

1M ago13:51

13:51

In this special Friday episode, Chuck Todd breaks down a striking turn inside the Republican Party as Indiana Republicans openly rebuke Donald Trump’s demand to redraw their congressional maps—an early sign that his once-iron grip on the GOP may be loosening. With voters frustrated by a shaky economy, Trump’s political coalition is showing new crac…

1
Chuck’s Commentary - Trump Fails On Economic Messaging At PA Rally + Democrats Win BIG Again In Special Elections 1:15:15

1M ago1:15:15

1:15:15

In this episode, Chuck Todd explores the growing bipartisan momentum to rein in Big Tech, noting that while social media’s unintended consequences have already eroded truth and public trust, AI could amplify those failures without strong guardrails. He breaks down why Americans overwhelmingly support protecting kids from tech harms—and why a public…

1
Interview Only w/ Julie Scelfo - Inside the Movement To Save Childhood From Big Tech 54:32

1M ago54:32

54:32

Journalist and founder of MAMA (Mothers Against Media Addiction), Julie Scelfo, joins the Chuck ToddCast for a wide-ranging conversation on one of the most urgent issues facing American families: the collapse of trust in media, the rise of unregulated tech, and its profound impact on children’s mental health. Scelfo explains how the explosion of so…

1
Full Episode - Trump Fails On Economic Messaging At PA Rally + Inside the Movement To Save Childhood From Big Tech 2:07:34

1M ago2:07:34

2:07:34

In this episode, Chuck Todd explores the growing bipartisan momentum to rein in Big Tech, noting that while social media’s unintended consequences have already eroded truth and public trust, AI could amplify those failures without strong guardrails. He breaks down why Americans overwhelmingly support protecting kids from tech harms—and why a public…

1
Chuck’s Commentary - Trump Won’t Say It… But He Knows The Economy Sucks + Democrats Split On “Fight vs. Unite” Approach 1:07:17

1M ago1:07:17

1:07:17

On today’s ToddCast, Chuck Todd breaks down Donald Trump’s sudden decision to fully engage on the economy—and why his proposals reveal both political vulnerability and economic incoherence. From promising $2.6 trillion in tariff revenue when only a fraction has ever been collected, to floating the idea of replacing income taxes with wildly regressi…

1
Interview Only w/ Reese Gorman & Kate Nocera - Capitol Hill Is A MESS & The Vibes Are LOW 1:09:42

1M ago1:09:42

1:09:42

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck sits down with Reese Gorman and Kate Nocera of NOTUS for a deep dive into what it means to build a truly nonpartisan newsroom in today’s hyperpolarized media landscape. Reese and Kate explain how NOTUS approaches journalism without playing to partisan expectations—or to social media algorithms—and why be…

1
Full Episode - Trump Won’t Say It… But He Knows The Economy Sucks + Capitol Hill Is A MESS & The Vibes Are LOW 2:17:30

1M ago2:17:30

2:17:30

On today’s ToddCast, Chuck Todd breaks down Donald Trump’s sudden decision to fully engage on the economy—and why his proposals reveal both political vulnerability and economic incoherence. From promising $2.6 trillion in tariff revenue when only a fraction has ever been collected, to floating the idea of replacing income taxes with wildly regressi…

1
Interview Only w/ Jared Bernstein - Why The Biden Economy Felt Bad & Why Trump’s Is Even WORSE 1:09:31

1M ago1:09:31

1:09:31

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck sits down with Jared Bernstein — veteran economic adviser to both the Obama and Clinton administrations — for a sweeping, candid breakdown of the American economy, why the data and national mood feel so misaligned, and how technological change is reshaping the labor market. Bernstein explains how the Whi…

1
Full Episode - The U.S. Retreats From Being The Leader Of The Free World + Why The Biden Economy Felt Bad & Why Trump’s Is Even WORSE 2:31:41

1M ago2:31:41

2:31:41

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck examines the sweeping global and domestic implications of Trump’s increasingly personal, transactional approach to foreign policy. He breaks down how the administration has abandoned the post–Cold War order, embraced nationalist movements, sidelined democracy promotion, and even signaled security guarant…

1
Chuck’s Commentary - The U.S. Retreats From Being The Leader Of The Free World + Trump’s Transactional & Corrupt Pardons 1:26:10

1M ago1:26:10

1:26:10

In this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck examines the sweeping global and domestic implications of Trump’s increasingly personal, transactional approach to foreign policy. He breaks down how the administration has abandoned the post–Cold War order, embraced nationalist movements, sidelined democracy promotion, and even signaled security guarant…

1
454. Host Dan Hesse talks with Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis about Mentoring and more 43:04

1M ago43:04

43:04

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Jerome Bettis (also known as “The Bus”), who is a Hall of Fame running back and Walter Peyton NFL Man of the Year. Jerome describes how he “broke the cycle” of shunning rookies in the locker room and instead focused on encouraging and mentoring them. He also talks about how the generos…

1
Chuck’s Commentary - Americans Have Become Numb To Trump’s Horrific Behavior + Trump Has Mainstreamed “Mobster Politics” 1:17:51

1M ago1:17:51

1:17:51

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down Donald Trump’s increasingly brazen behavior — from his overtly racist comments about Somalis to his dehumanizing rhetoric that can incite real-world violence — and examines why so many Americans have become numb to it. He explores how the erosion of shame has stripped the public of a key acco…

1
Full Episode - Americans Have Become Numb To Trump’s Horrific Behavior + Can The GOP Be Saved From Trump’s Moral Decay? 2:20:12

1M ago2:20:12

2:20:12

On this episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck breaks down Donald Trump’s increasingly brazen behavior — from his overtly racist comments about Somalis to his dehumanizing rhetoric that can incite real-world violence — and examines why so many Americans have become numb to it. He explores how the erosion of shame has stripped the public of a key acco…

1
Interview Only w/ Senator Jack Danforth - Make America Decent Again: Can The GOP Be Saved From Trump's Moral Decay? 1:05:21

1M ago1:05:21

1:05:21

Former U.S. Senator Jack Danforth joins the Chuck ToddCast for a candid and sweeping conversation about the crisis inside the Republican Party and the decay of American politics. Danforth explains why he’s devoted his later years to trying to rehabilitate the GOP—even as he admits the effort may be futile—and argues that Congress has devolved into …

1
Chuck’s Commentary - Republicans Avoid Disaster In Tennessee, But The Midterms Look Great For Democrats + Top 5 Senate Seats A “Wave” Election Could Put In Play 1:18:11

1M ago1:18:11

1:18:11

In this episode, Chuck Todd breaks down the surprising Democratic overperformance in Tennessee’s TN-07 special election and what it signals about a rapidly shifting political landscape. From early cracks in Trump’s coalition to the GOP narrowly avoiding a full-scale collapse in a district they should have won easily, Chuck explains why this politic…

1
Interview Only w/ Matt Higgins - How Drones Are Reshaping Modern Warfare & Why America Is Behind 57:12

1M ago57:12

57:12

Entrepreneur, investor, and former “Shark Tank” star Matt Higgins joins the Chuck ToddCast for a wide-ranging conversation on ambition, politics, media, and the rapidly accelerating drone arms race. Higgins reflects on his rise from humble beginnings to serial entrepreneurship, why highlighting adversity can sometimes unintentionally promote victim…

1
Full Episode - Republicans Avoid Disaster In Tennessee, But The Midterms Look Great For Democrats + How Drones Are Reshaping Modern Warfare & Why America Is Behind 2:13:23

1M ago2:13:23

2:13:23

In this episode, Chuck Todd breaks down the surprising Democratic overperformance in Tennessee’s TN-07 special election and what it signals about a rapidly shifting political landscape. From early cracks in Trump’s coalition to the GOP narrowly avoiding a full-scale collapse in a district they should have won easily, Chuck explains why this politic…