Gloves Off

In this episode of Gloves Off, Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow talks with Tara McGowan about running for US Senate, the future of the Democratic Party and what real leadership looks like in a moment of political chaos. From the Epstein files and government corruption to Trump’s influence on Congress and the erosion of democratic institutions, McMorrow breaks down why “all politics is local — but all politics is also national” and what voters are actually demanding right now. McMorrow — who went viral for her 2022 speech — also opens up about what led to that moment and how close she came to walking away from politics entirely. “When I gave that speech, I thought it was gonna be the last one I ever give.” She shares how that experience reshaped her understanding of leadership, why she believes “people are sick of fighting just for fighting’s sake,” and what it means to actually deliver results. From flipping the Michigan State Senate to rejecting traditional party lanes, she makes the case for a new kind of politics rooted in accountability and real outcomes. The conversation also tackles big tech regulation, AI-driven job loss and the growing frustration with both Republicans and Democrats. If you’re trying to understand where the Democratic Party is headed, what the next generation of leadership looks like and how power is actually shifting in American politics, tune in for this episode. Follow Gloves Off wherever you get your podcasts Follow Tara McGowan on Instagram @taramcgowanri Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Abdul El-Sayed joins Gloves Off with Tara McGowan for an unfiltered conversation on Donald Trump, the Epstein files, healthcare and the future of American democracy. From the war in Iran to Trump’s endless scandals, he explains why Americans are being distracted from the issues that matter most in their daily lives.  He’s a physician, public health leader and US Senate candidate in Michigan, arguing “Trump is not the disease of our politics — he’s the worst symptom.” El-Sayed points to a deeper system driven by corporate power, billionaires and political corruption.  El-Sayed goes on to break down Medicare for All, rising healthcare costs, economic inequality and why so many Americans feel like the system is rigged against them.  “It just shouldn’t be this hard to afford your rent, your groceries or your healthcare.”  He also explains how both Democrats and Republicans have failed to meet the moment and why leadership today requires “telling the truth and taking political risk,” not protecting the status quo. If you’re searching for insight on threats to voting rights, ICE expansion, data centers and Trump’s manipulative tactics ahead of the 2026 midterms, stream this conversation on YouTube, Apple podcasts and Spotify.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is Trump hiding in the Epstein files? In this episode of Gloves Off, Tara McGowan sits down with Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury, a member of the House Oversight Committee leading the charge to uncover the truth behind the Epstein files. Rep. Stansbury digs into the missing files and DOJ obstruction, the push to subpoena Attorney General Pam Bondi and forcing Trump himself to testify. She also breaks down the groundbreaking investigation happening in New Mexico, where the state legislature has launched the Epstein Truth Commission and reopened criminal investigations into Epstein’s infamous Zorro Ranch. Follow Gloves Off and listen wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Democrats have been letting the Trump Administration walk all over them, playing a game with outdated rules that no longer apply. But are the actions of the White House symbolic of a “last gasp” of capitalism and the patriarchy as we know it? And is there a way for Dems to stand up and take advantage of it? Today’s guest is Leigh McGowan, AKA PoliticsGirl, a writer, journalist, and online opinion maker dedicated to helping people reconnect to politics and realize how what is happening on a national and global scale affects them. All too familiar with going viral for a rant on CNN and the nightmare that is the online state of political discussion, McGowan joins host Tara McGowan (no relation) to discuss the reality of modern-day politics, how Democrats are failing to adapt, and what the worst case scenarios under the Trump administration might look like.  Listen and follow wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump has started a violent, senseless war in Iran. It is an unpopular decision across party lines that fundamentally betrays the American people, puts innocent lives at risk, and benefits no one but Trump’s investors.  Today’s guest, Hudson Valley Congressman Pat Ryan, is a U.S. army veteran who served two combat tours in Iraq. Together, Tara and Pat discuss the reality of what another endless war will do to American safety, stability, and reputation, and how Democrats need to respond in order to check executive power and demonstrate to their constituents that they won’t accept unconstitutional actions lying down. You can find Congressman Ryan at @PatRyanUC on X or @patryanforcongress on Instagram. For more analysis like this, follow Tara at @taramcgowanri on IG. Subscribe to @COURIERHQ on YouTube to catch future episodes, or listen wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, host Tara McGowan sits down with author, security expert, and infamous Trump whistleblower Miles Taylor. Taylor has first hand experience fighting gloves-off with Donald Trump: after serving as a specialty security advisor during his first administration, Taylor learned first-hand just how far over the line Trump was willing to cross – and how many people were willing to let him get away with it. Now as a news commentator, Taylor joins Gloves Off to discuss what it was like to go public with what he knew back in 2018, what it’s like in Trump’s world, and how to defy corruption when we look it in the face. For more like this, follow @taramcgowanri on Instagram. You can find Miles at @MilesTaylorUSA on X or at defiance.news And check out COURIER's rebuttal to the State of the Union with https://www.defiance.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Gloves Off, host Tara McGowan is joined by Chris Armitage: journalist, prolific writer, researcher, and former veteran.From working within the military and carceral systems to reporting on the Trump administration, Chris has spent plenty of time trying to fix our systems from within. Now as he continues to research state's rights, soft succession, and opposition federalism, Chris is helping to pave a way forward for the people to push back against a lawless Federal branch, and retake control of how their government serves them.You can find Chris at @chrisarmitage1 on Substack and @carmitage.bsky.social on Bluesky. For more like this, follow Tara McGowan at @taramcgowanri on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big Tech has been a prominent force in our culture for decades, but it's only more recently that they've become a prominent and problematic force in our government. Kara Swisher is a journalist known for interviewing almost every tech CEO over the course of a quarter century. If there's anyone who knows the ins and outs of how these people think, it's her. Sitting down with host Tara McGowan, Kara discussed the evolution of tech companies from typical business ventures to major players in the control of our country. She not only shared her unfiltered view of corporate greed and its entanglement with the Trump administration's global power, but offered hope for what the rest of us can do to push back on Big Tech - especially when we're all using their platforms. Subscribe to Gloves Off wherever you get your podcasts, ⁠@COURIERHQ ⁠on YouTube, and follow Tara at ⁠@taramcgowanri ⁠on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Under the Trump administration, it seems like a new news story breaks every few minutes. The task of keeping up with all that information, let alone breaking it, feels impossible. Enter Aaron Parnas, who many would argue is the face of a new era of real-time journalism.Sitting down with host Tara McGowan, Aaron discusses his path from growing up within the Trump bubble to where he is now - breaking news stories and sharing updates with his millions of followers multiple times a day. He weighs in on the current state of digital journalism, staying true to authentic reporting,   the Trump administration's attacks on the free press, and more.Subscribe to Gloves Off wherever you get your podcasts, @COURIERHQ on YouTube, and follow Tara at @taramcgowanri on Instagram.You can find Aaron at @aaronparnas on IG & X, or at @aaronparnas1 on YouTube and TikTok. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amidst the chaos being enacted by ICE in the streets of the Twin Cities and beyond, an on-going Senate race has grappled with how to lead Minnesota through the Trump administration's onslaught. This week, host Tara McGowan is joined by the two women in that race,  Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and U.S. Representative Angie Craig.In the wake of ICE's continued violence, the candidates sat down to answer how they plan to fight for the Twin Cities, Minnesota, and the country at large, while speaking on the reality of the devastation being faced both on the ground and in the White House.For more like this, subscribe to  Gloves Off anywhere you get your pods, subscribe to COURIER on YouTube, or follow Tara at @taramcgowanri on Instagram. You can also find Peggy Flanagan at @peggyflanagan and Angie at @angiecraigmn, or on their respective websites. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Gloves off, Tara spoke with both Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellis and Sunrise Movement’s Executive Director Aru Shiney-Ajay to discuss the on-going battle with ICE in Minneapolis and beyond. Both leaders break down the different areas that they're furthering the cause, whether that's driving legal action in the Minnesota legislature or organizing protestors and resources on the ground. Together, Tara dives into what the legal reality of ICE enforcement looks like, the power of organizing your community, and how people across the country are fighting for justice.You can find Tara at @taramcgowanri on Instagram for more analysis like this. Subscribe to Gloves Off on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere you get your pods. And subscribe on YouTube for video episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the inaugural episode of Gloves Off, Tara is joined by none other than Representative Jasmine Crockett.A passionate leader and fighter for the causes she believes in, Crockett is known for being as authentic as she is impactful on the floor. This episode, she sits down with Tara to discuss her legislative "power moves", what it means to represent her home state of Texas, and what the Democratic party could look like under different, more effective leadership. You can find Tara on Instagram @taramcgowanri for more analysis like this, and you can stream Gloves Off on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere you get your pods. This episode is sponsored by Americans United for Separation of Church and State. To learn more and get involved, visit ⁠⁠au.org/courier⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a time of corruption, cruelty, and misinformation, it's hard not to become overwhelmed and disillusioned. The return of Trump to office has the rights of all Americans at risk, and it feels like the opposition is almost non-existent. The good news? Our newest podcast, Gloves Off, is here to help. Host Tara McGowan, publisher of COURIER Newsroom and long-time political media expert, is not afraid of asking the hard questions: who is willing to do what it takes to get our country back, and who is willing to capitulate? Spotlighting political leaders, change-makers, and community activists, Gloves Off highlights those that push back, fight hard, and remind us that courage is contagious. The rights of all Americans are at stake, and Tara is ready to find out who's up for the fight. Are you? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices