What up, Playlisters...Anna's still away so we're still bro-ing down in the studio, and Michael and Anthony have a real doozy of an ep for ya! We discuss the apparent nefarious telecomm attack that seems to have been foiled by the Secret Service surrounding the UN General Assembly as well as Trump's pivot on Ukraine there and how folks like Rep. Mike Lawler are very happy about this. We then discuss the looming shutdown and what this all means, particularly for Jared Golden, who's on our playlist this week. Finally, we breakdown how to talk about the latest Tiktok acquisition and what this means for us and U.S. And finally, we celebrate Kimmel's return. Spoiler, his monologue was outstanding and met the moment!
In this episode the Happy Hour, Michael and Anthony discuss the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk, the implications for political discourse, and the reactions from various leaders. They explore the complexities of free speech, the role of media in shaping narratives, and highlight the promising political figure of Andy Kim. The conversation also delves into the breaking news about ABC preemptively pulling Jimmy Kimmel off the air in response to threats by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. Whoa. Yeah, it's a doozy.
In this episode, Michael, Anna and Anthony the recent Supreme Court ruling affecting ICE practices, the impact of tariffs on American companies like John Deere, and the political landscape surrounding Ashley Hinson's newly announced Senate campaign. They also analyze recent job numbers and the overall economic outlook, concluding with a discussion on notable political figures and their potential impact on upcoming elections.
On this Happy Hour, Michael, Anna and Anthony discuss the recent bogus climate report from the Trump Administration which fits into a broader scheme to completely control and manipulate all government data, to the detriment of...YOU. The gang cites the CDC's leadership debacle, the attempted takeover of the Fed, and other statistical interference as evidence for things becoming less trustworthy. Then the discussion segues to Josh Riley, the politician from upstate NY who's on our playlist this week with a new bipartisan bill with Mike Lawler. And the big topic to unpack how to talk about is none other than AI. Chapters00:00 Introduction and Lighthearted Banter02:10 Data Manipulation in Climate Reporting09:17 The Impact of Climate Denial on Public Perception12:22 Reframing Climate Change Narratives16:14 CDC and Public Health Concerns21:31 Bipartisan Efforts in Congress26:48 Streamlining Food Assistance Programs28:08 Navigating Senior Care Challenges32:26 The Impact of AI on Employment44:59 Legislative Responses to AI and Ethics in Congress
Get your Outfit Of The Day ready Playlisters, because today's guest has found the Journalism hack of the year to getting exclusive access to our Nation's leaders. That's right! Capitol Hill reporter Lauren Green of the Washington Examiner stops by the happy hour to talk how this unique social media trend has created a whole new way to talk politics. They also discuss what it means to be fashion forward in congress today, what's going on in DC with the troops, and how this young Texan found her way to the Hill.
On this Happy Hour, Michael and Anna discuss the latest news surrounding Ukraine and Russia, and the implications of a possible peace deal and cease fire, and whether or not Putin can be trusted...spoiler, he can't. Then they welcome Congresswoman Sharice Davids, a Democrat from Kansas to discuss the effects of the Big Beautiful Bill on rural America and specifically the Agriculture sector, a main industry in her district. They delve into the complexities of immigration policies, the importance of nutrition assistance, and the need for collaboration across party lines. Davids shares her insights on the struggles of rural hospitals and the chaos caused by tariff policies, emphasizing the importance of treating people humanely and the need for fair representation in Congress.
On this Happy Hour, Michael and Anthony discuss the latest crime in DC with Trumps takeover of the police. Then they discuss Who's On Their Playlist this week which is Greg Casar of Texas, a progressive Democrat fighting the ongoing gerrymandering. And later in the episode, they discuss Jake Auchincloss clapping back at Trump's upcoming meeting with Putin and specifically How To Talk About the implications of this, and finally they parse out whether the Harvard deal or no deal is a Win Of The Week? 00:00 The State of Crime in DC14:05 Introducing Greg Kassar and Texas Redistricting23:02 The Role of Technology in Politics24:14 The Ukraine Conflict: Casualties and Consequences26:22 Understanding Ukraine's Fight for Survival28:43 Military Aid: Misconceptions and Realities29:45 Potential Outcomes of the Trump-Putin Meeting32:09 Negotiation Dynamics: Trump and Putin's Meeting36:55 Harvard's Settlement: Implications and Controversies42:06 Education and Vocational Training: A Societal Shift45:36 Hope vs. Fear: The American Narrative46:21 NEWCHAPTER
While drama in the form of walk-outs, arrest warrants and... cheating (?) plays out in Texas, Anthony, Michael and Anna dig into the new GOP gerrymandering efforts. Then, we have a thoughtful conversation about the situation in Gaza and where we think we, as Americans, go from here. And listen til the end if you're one of the almost 80% of Americans who thinks that members of Congress shouldn't be trading stocks because we have some good news for you! IG: @politicalplaylistTikTok: @politicalplaylistWebsite: politicalplaylist.com
course we get into the news du jour including the new trade agreement with the EU, Maryland lawmakers getting denied access to an ICE detention center, troubling information out of the State Department related to human trafficking and why we may have reached an inflection point for the starvation crisis in Gaza. And ALSO some chatter about Trump’s golf skills. Anna and Michael take it away… IG: @politicalplaylistTikTok: @politicalplaylistWebsite: politicalplaylist.com
On this episode, Michael’s on hiatus so Anthony and Anna are left to discuss the pressing issues of the day. From Trump’s re-targeting of Obama, to some great immigration legislation from Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), to the Epstein files (of course), to a new caucus in Congress that might just help you in an emergency… we’ve got it all! Plus a new fun concluding section where one of us gets to rant for a minute because who doesn’t love to rant in these trying times?
On this Happy Hour, Michael and Anna sit down with Congresswoman Sarah McBride, the only representative for the State of Delaware, to discuss the implications and repercussions facing Medicaid recipients caused by the recent passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill. Before that, the Pol Pla gang discuss the Epstein Files controversy, and a recent supreme court decision that essentially clears the path for the Trump Administration to continue its wrecking ball to Government Departments like Education and State.
As the devastating tragedy continues to unfold in Texas, the gang try to make sense of this gut wrenching situation without getting too far in the political weeds. But one thing is clear...something needs to change. Michael, Anna and Anthony then discuss Congresswoman Sarah McBride, of Delaware, whom they'll be having on the show next week, they discuss the Big Beautiful Bill and how this might effect the midterms and lastly they discuss Elon's new proposed party. Will it work?
On this pre-fourth of July happy hour, Anna and Michael discuss some political party strategy they think the Democrats should be doing in order to create a central party leader. Then she orchestrates a mid-show trade, dropping Michael for Anthony kick things into gear with a little civics lesson with none other than the millennial guru himself--Ben Sheehan. They discus various aspects of civic engagement, the importance of understanding the Constitution, and the dynamics of political parties. Ben shares insights on age limits in Congress and introduces his new PBS show, 'Civics Made Easy,' aimed at enhancing civic education and engagement among citizens.
On this Happy Hour episode, the gang’s back together to dicuss the recent bombins in Iran, the complexities and all too soon forgotten sequence of events that got us here, and what our young politicians are saying about it all. Then, we dive into a case study on Kat Cammack and the complexities of strict abortions laws in red states, followed by discussing the continued conversation around immigration. [00:00] Introduction and Context Setting[02:17] Political Landscape and Recent Events[05:06] The Iran Nuclear Deal and Its Implications[10:46] Democratic Messaging and Political Reactions[16:29] The Case of Kat Kamak and Maternal Healthcare[19:03] Conclusion and Reflections on Political Dynamics[21:03] The Complexities of Abortion Laws[27:37] Immigration Policies and Their Impact[36:50] The Role of Immigrants in the Economy[40:06] New Chapter
What's it like to be the youngest person in Congress? Michael and Anna sit down with 28-year-old Florida Democrat, Maxwell Frost, to find out. Rep. Frost is a master of messaging, but that's because (unlike some of his colleagues) he doesn't force it. So what does the future of the Democratic party look like? With people like Frost, who began his public service as a teenager fighting gun violence, the future looks bright and very, very cool.
Okay Playlisters, get ready for Michigan-palooza, or as we call it, everything you wanted to know about manufacturing thanks to Democratic Congresswoman Haley Stevens of Michigan's 11th district! Michael and Anna sit down with the three term Rep now running for the Michigan Senate to discuss the latest in the tariff chaos, the auto industry, and how Michigan Manufacturing (did we just coin that?) could be the slogan of many a nationwide campaign. But first, Anna and Michael discuss the protests in their backyard and how each day this is turning into a manufactured crisis thanks to Trump. To be clear, we denounce the instances of violence and property damage, but we also want to cut through the BS and say there is not large scale civil unrest in Los Angeles and we defer to the Governor when he says the National Guard is NOT needed. Chapters[00:00] Introduction to Congresswoman Haley Stevens[03:11] The Impact of Manufacturing on Michigan[05:57] ICE Raids and Protests in Los Angeles[09:14]Political Ramifications of National Guard Deployment[12:01]Media Narratives and Public Perception[14:53] Manufacturing Challenges and Tariffs[18:13] Future of Manufacturing in America[24:40] Michigan's Economic Landscape and Its Lessons[32:09] The Importance of the CHIPS Act[39:38] The Role of a Workhorse in Congress[43:16] Manufacturing Caucus and Future Aspirations
On this Happy Hour, Michael and Anna sit down with Democratic Congresswoman Yassamine Ansari (AZ-3), the youngest women in the House of Representatives! They discuss her tireless work championing climate change policy, her new bill tackling Extreme Heat in her Phoenix area district, and discuss how, given her age, she still pinches herself when she walks the halls of Congress to remind her this is all real. But first on the episode, the gang discuss the latest spate of videos depicting immigration arrests and deportations, and how a growing number of Trump supporters are saying this isn't what they voted for.[00:00] Introduction to the Podcast and Guests[02:01] Discussion on Extreme Heat and Climate Change[04:59] Immigration Issues in Arizona[08:01] Personal Stories of Immigration Enforcement[10:45] Empathy and Public Perception of Immigration[13:37] Political Implications of Immigration Policies[16:38] Women in Politics and Immigration[19:18] Transition to Interview with Representative Ansari[20:09 ]Introduction and Background of Congresswoman Ansari[22:56] The Impact of Youth in Politics[25:51] Climate Change: A Core Passion[28:25 ]Economic Perspectives on Climate Change[31:28 ]Addressing Extreme Heat in Arizona[34:22] Bipartisan Efforts and Legislative Strategies[37:01] Proactive Measures Against Climate Challenges[39:57] Mentorship and Support in Congress[42:40] Building Relationships Across the Aisle[45:41] Conclusion and Future Aspirations
In this episode of the Happy Hour, Michael and Anna sit downEmma Weir and Annie Sokolov from the New Democratic Coalition! They discuss thecoalition's role in Congress, its focus on economic messaging, and the importance of engaging with voters through new media, highlighting the challenges and strategies of the Democratic Party as they navigate a dividedpolitical landscape, emphasizing the need for proactive messaging and local engagement to resonate with constituents.[00:00] Introduction to Political Playlist Happy Hour[02:48] Understanding the New Democratic Coalition[06:06] The Role of New Dems in Elections[09:01] Messaging Strategies for the Democratic Party[11:52] Engaging with New Media[15:02] Economic Messaging and Its Evolution[17:55] The Importance of a Unified Message[21:12] The Future of Democratic Leadership[23:58] Engaging Republicans and Constituents[27:12] Conclusion and Call to Action
In this episode of the Happy Hour, Michael sits down with Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, a Democrat from Oregon, who comes armed with facts and a can of Deschutes IPA from her home district to discuss her journey from doctor to a member of Congress. And who better qualified to discuss the proposed cuts to Medicaid, the challenges faced by rural healthcare, and the implications of work requirements for Medicaid eligibility. Dexter emphasizes the importance ofbipartisanship, listening to constituents, and the current concerns surrounding democracy. The conversation highlights the interconnectedness of healthcare, economic stability, and the need for public engagement in political processes. [00:00] Introduction to Political Playlist and CongresswomanDexter[02:46] Congresswoman Dexter's Journey from Medicine toPolitics[06:04] The Impact of Proposed Medicaid Cuts[08:52] Challenges Faced by Rural Healthcare[12:13] Work Requirements and Their Implications[15:06] Bipartisanship and the Role of Public Opinion[18:05] Listening to Constituents and Addressing TheirConcerns[20:53] The Importance of Democracy and Future Outlook[23:57] Closing Thoughts and Future
In this episode of Political Playlist, co-host and Hollywood mogal Michael K is off on assignment so Anna M-G and Anthony B go it alone with Freshman Democrat Emily Randall, of Washington State. They discuss her personal connection to Medicaid, the importance of healthcare for rural communities, and the potential cuts to federal programs. And it wouldn't be a Happy Hour with Emily if we didn't touch on her unique fashion choices in Congress![00:00] Introduction to Political Playlist and Rep. Randall[04:16] Personal Connection to Healthcare and Medicaid[08:58]The Importance of Medicaid for All[12:46]The Political Landscape and Medicaid Cuts[21:06]Navigating Healthcare Challenges in Rural Communities[30:38]The Role of Government in Healthcare[35:42]Expressing Identity Through Fashion in Congress