Pod Save the World

Crooked Media
  • 4.8 (24K)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Pod Save the World

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“Pod Save America” cohost Tommy Vietor thought foreign policy was boring and complicated until he got the education of a lifetime working for President Obama’s National Security Council. On “Pod Save the World,” he and former deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes break down the latest global developments and bring you behind the scenes with the people who were there. New episodes every Wednesday. To get access to extended ad-free Pod Save The World episodes, sign up to be a Friends of the Pod member at crooked.com/friends

  1. Trump’s Looming MAGA Military Purge

    1 DAY AGO

    Trump’s Looming MAGA Military Purge

    Tommy and Ben discuss how Trump’s nomination of Pete Hegseth and Tulsi Gabbard could reshape and politicize the US military and intelligence community, and how Trump’s choice to lead the FBI will signal how intensely he plans to go after his political enemies. They also talk about Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to hit targets in Russia with US-made weapons, the dark irony of COP29 being held in Azerbaijan, Biden’s trip to the G20 and APEC, Brazil’s sports gambling crisis, and a serious case of banana-phobia. Then Tommy speaks to Senator Bernie Sanders about his effort in Congress to ban offensive weapons sales to Israel.

    1h 9m
  2. Trump’s National Security Team Takes Shape

    NOV 13

    Trump’s National Security Team Takes Shape

    Tommy and Ben process Trump’s reelection and the role foreign policy played in the outcome, highlight some awkward reactions from global leaders, and walk through what we know about Trump’s choices for top positions like Secretary of State, National Security Advisor and CIA director. They also dig into what a second Trump term will mean for Russia and Ukraine, Trump’s alleged calls with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, Elon Musk’s new role as an American oligarch, and the latest developments out of Israel and Gaza, including the expiration of a 30 day ultimatum the Biden administration gave to Netanyahu’s government about increasing aid access. Then Ben speaks with Senator Chris Murphy about where Democrats went wrong and how they can adjust their foreign policy moving forward.

    1h 28m
  3. Bonus Q&A: Will Trump Bring Back Erik Prince and ‘Warlord Capitalism”?

    NOV 13 · BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Bonus Q&A: Will Trump Bring Back Erik Prince and ‘Warlord Capitalism”?

    Tommy and Ben answer questions from subscribers about what lessons the Australian Labour party can learn from Trump’s reelection, whether or not his administration might look at crises in Haiti and Cuba as a boon for private mercenaries, and they ponder which country they would flee to if they had to leave the US. To unlock these episodes, sign up for Friends of the Pod on Apple. To submit your own questions for the guys, join the Friends of the Pod community at the Friends with Benefits or Best Friends tier. Head to https://crooked.com/friends to learn more.

    10 min
  4. Russian Interference Won’t Stop After Election Day

    NOV 6

    Russian Interference Won’t Stop After Election Day

    Tommy and Ben discuss the normalization of foreign interference in US elections, the Chinese hack of US telecoms that could be putting millions of Americans’ communications at risk, concerns around potential post-election day violence stemming from right wing groups, and Bill Clinton’s unhelpful Gaza messaging. They also talk about Benjamin Netanyahu firing his Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, allegations that a Netanyahu staffer leaked classified information, reports that Russia planned to ship explosive devices on planes headed to the US, an update on the election in Moldova, and a massive political shakeup in Botswana. Finally, they cover a report about how North Korean soldiers sent to Russia are spending their free time, a time limit on hugs at a New Zealand airport, and Russia’s historically massive fine on Google.

    53 min
  5. Election 2024: The Stark Choice on Climate Change?

    NOV 2

    Election 2024: The Stark Choice on Climate Change?

    In this special episode of Pod Save the World, Ben looks at the most existential issue of our time, and one that gets little attention on the campaign trail: climate change. He examines both Harris and Trump’s records, the domestic and global benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act, the dire circumstances for small island nations and vulnerable communities, and what’s at stake if the US abandons climate leadership. Ben is joined by Brian Deese, former Director of the White House National Economic Council in the Biden administration, Leah Stokes, an Associate Professor of Environmental Politics at UCSB, and Rueanna Haynes, the Head of Diplomacy, Climate Analytics, and Director of Climate Analytics, Caribbean.

    54 min
  6. North Korean “Storm Corps” Deploys to Russia

    OCT 30

    North Korean “Storm Corps” Deploys to Russia

    Tommy and Ben discuss why North Korea deployed 10,000 special forces troops to Russia, reports that Elon Musk likes to chat on the phone with Vladimir Putin, and a Trump campaign memo suggesting that if elected, he should do away with FBI background checks normally required before staff can access classified information. They also talk about new Israeli laws that would cripple aid deliveries into Gaza, the muted response from Iran after Israeli airstrikes near Tehran, increasingly sophisticated election interference from Russia, Iran, and China, the consequences of elections in Georgia and Japan, and a giant feces geyser near Moscow. Then, Tommy interviews NBC correspondent Jacob Soboroff about the new documentary based on his book “Separated” that details the inhumane family separation policy enacted during the Trump administration, and the chances of it happening again if he wins.

    1h 33m
  7. Bonus Q&A: If Elected, Should Harris Reinstate the Iran Nuclear Deal?

    OCT 30 · BONUS • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Bonus Q&A: If Elected, Should Harris Reinstate the Iran Nuclear Deal?

    Tommy and Ben answer questions from subscribers about what a foreign policy-focused rally for the Harris campaign could look like and whether a potential Harris administration should pursue reinstating the nuclear deal with Iran. To unlock these episodes, sign up for Friends of the Pod on Apple. To submit your own questions for the guys, join the Friends of the Pod community at the Friends with Benefits or Best Friends tier. Head to https://crooked.com/friends to learn more.

    12 min
  8. Election 2024: Cooperation, Competition, or War with China?

    OCT 26

    Election 2024: Cooperation, Competition, or War with China?

    In this special episode of Pod Save the World, Ben looks at the most important bilateral relationship in the world today: the new era of competition between the U.S. and China. Will the U.S. drift into outright conflict with China, or can we balance competition and cooperation? He reviews China’s attempt to reshape the global order, how the Biden administration has tried to get tougher on China through its trade policy, and how tensions over Taiwan could impact both our economic and military future. Ben is joined by Evan Medeiros, Professor of Asian Studies at Georgetown University, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, and Ryan Hass, Chair of Taiwan Studies at the Brookings Institution.

    49 min
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Shows with Subscription Benefits

  • Pod Save America is a no-b******t conversation about politics hosted by former Obama aides Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer, and Tommy Vietor. It cuts through the noise to break down the week’s news and helps people figure out what matters and how they can help. They’re regularly joined by journalists, activists, politicians, entertainers, and world leaders. You can watch on YouTube or listen to new episodes every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Ad-Free Pod Save America episodes available NOW through Friends of the Pod subscription. Head to crooked.com/friends to join today! For a transcript of an episode of Pod Save America, please email transcripts@crooked.com (edited)

    • 4.5 (80278)
    • POLITICS

  • Does every new poll make you want to crawl under your desk and get into the fetal position? Do you hate the polls but can’t quit them? Well, we have a podcast that’s just for you (and us!). Pollercoaster is Crooked’s new home for exclusive in-depth analysis across the biggest national polls, latest voter trends, and closest races up and down the ballot. Join former White House Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer and a series of expert guests to break down the polls, unpack what they actually mean, and whether or not it’s time to hit the panic button. New exclusive episodes of Pollercoaster drop twice monthly for Friends of the Pod subscribers. Subscribe to Friends of the Pod on Apple Podcasts now to get access to exclusive episodes from Pollercoaster, Inside 2024 and Terminally Online or learn more about the Friends of the Pod community at crooked.com/friends.

    • 3.9 (15)
    • GOVERNMENT

  • Terminally Online is Crooked Media’s loosest series featuring unscripted convos between Pod Save America hosts and Crooked staff about what it’s like being way too online while producing the shows you love to listen to. We’ll hold hands and dive deep into the internet (some would argue too deep), only to resurface with our picks for the most can’t-miss moments of the week across politics, culture, and beyond. New episodes drop weekly for Friends of the Pod subscribers. Subscribe to Friends of the Pod on Apple Podcasts now to get access to exclusive episodes from Terminally Online, Pollercoaster, and Inside 2024 or learn more about the Friends of the Pod community at crooked.com/friends.

    • 4.3 (24)
    • SOCIETY & CULTURE

  • Interested in never-before-heard campaign stories and insight into what it takes to actually run a presidential campaign? Inside 2024 is just the show! Each monthly episode features a rotating cast of former White House officials including Tommy Vietor, Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett and Alyssa Mastromonaco as they look ahead to the 2024 Presidential election and share the gritty (and often hilarious) reality of running for president and the many, many ways candidate’s decisions can spectacularly backfire. Expect campaign trail stories on everything from debate prep and convention speeches to campaign ads and botched media appearances. Subscribe to Friends of the Pod on Apple Podcasts now to get access to exclusive episodes from Inside 2024, Pollercoaster, and Terminally Online or learn more about the Friends of the Pod community at crooked.com/friends.

    • 3.7 (10)
    • GOVERNMENT

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4.8
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“Pod Save America” cohost Tommy Vietor thought foreign policy was boring and complicated until he got the education of a lifetime working for President Obama’s National Security Council. On “Pod Save the World,” he and former deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes break down the latest global developments and bring you behind the scenes with the people who were there. New episodes every Wednesday. To get access to extended ad-free Pod Save The World episodes, sign up to be a Friends of the Pod member at crooked.com/friends

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