The Playbook Podcast

3.9 (685)
POLITICS
UPDATED DAILY

POLITICO’s Jack Blanchard and Dasha Burns bring their fresh insight, analysis and reporting to the biggest story driving the day in the nation’s capital.

18H AGO

Trump is ‘stuck in a stalemate’ in Iran (with Leon Panetta) | The Conversation

Leon Panetta, former Defense Secretary and CIA director under President Obama, joins Dasha Burns to assess the U.S. conflict with Iran, warning that unclear objectives, a closed Strait of Hormuz and uncertain nuclear negotiations could leave the U.S. stuck in a prolonged war. Plus, Panetta defends President Biden’s handling of the Israel/Gaza conflict but says Biden “should have been much tougher” in providing weapons for Ukraine. Leave us a voicemail or shoot us a text with your questions for our first anniversary special: 202-643-1536.

38 min
1D AGO

Can JB Pritzker be the Democrats’ anti-Trump in 2028? | On The Road

Gov. JB Pritzker (D-Ill.) sits down with POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin at Chicago’s iconic Manny’s Deli for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of the Democratic Party -- and his own. Plus: a look at Chicago’s political culture, Pritzker’s rise from donor to power broker, and why Manny’s remains a must-stop on the campaign trail.

1h 8m
2D AGO

The message-less White House, immigration tensions, and Iran

The White House claims it has a midterm message — but nobody seems to know what it is. Adam Wren dives into the GOP's messaging confusion. Then Megan Messerly discusses the tension between immigration headliners and the Trump administration's promises on mass deportations. And more on Iran.

13 min
3D AGO

From Rome to the Oval Office to Tennessee

Marc Rubio is at the Vatican to smooth things over with Pope Leo XIV after weeks of tension with the White House. Playbook’s Dasha Burns and Jack Blanchard discuss the political importance of this meeting and what is really at stake. Meanwhile, Trump hosts Brazilian President Lula, who has been very critical of the Iran War, at the Oval Office. And Republicans are back to redrawing maps—this time in Tennessee—where they are threatening the state’s lone Democratic House seat.

13 min
4D AGO

MAGA retakes Indiana

In Indiana, most of President Trump's endorsed primary opponents beat GOP state legislators. Playbook's Adam Wren tells Jack Blanchard what all of this means, including the future of the nationwide redistricting war and the division in the Republican Party. Then, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick faces questioning over Jeffrey Epstein. And Marco Rubio is headed to Rome to meet Pope Leo XIV after holding a White House press briefing before Operation Freedom was paused.

14 min
5D AGO

Trump put to the test in the Midwest

Playbook heads to the Midwest. All eyes are on Indiana as voters hit the polls for the primary. It will be Trump’s big first test to see if his power still holds with the Republican Party. Jack Blanchard and Dasha Burns break down this unusual state senate race. And staying in the Midwest, a well-known ICE official is gunning for a House seat in Ohio—will it work for the Republicans? Plus, the Strait of Hormuz is back in the news.

13 min
6D AGO

‘Warning signs are flashing’: GOP anxiety builds with six months to midterms

With six months to go until the midterm elections, the political picture is sharpening — and it’s a tough one for Republicans. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Dasha Burns run through six reasons each party can find a glimmer of hope, even as gas prices climb, Trump’s economic numbers slip and tensions with Iran add fresh uncertainty to the race for November.

13 min
MAY 3

Can AI solve the problems it creates? (with David Sacks) | The Conversation

David Sacks has played a key role in shaping AI policy for the Trump administration. He was formerly the White House AI and crypto czar. Now, he’s the co-chair of the President’s Co-Chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Sacks approaches the issue with a “let them cook” philosophy. Meaning, he thinks the way for the United States to win the global AI race is to move fast with minimally disruptive regulation. But with that comes a lot of questions about AI disruption to the workforce, who should be held responsible for harm caused by AI platforms, and the fear and division within America over the future of the technology. Sacks joins Dasha Burns in a wide-ranging interview to discuss it all.

44 min

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TRAILER

New from Politico: The Conversation, Season 2

The Conversation with Dasha Burns is back! In Season 1, Burns sat down with some of the most powerful players in Washington to get their perspectives on what’s really going on inside The White House. Join The Conversation again as Burns continues to explore how President Trump and his team are fundamentally reshaping the country, and how Democrats are tackling this new era of American politics. Full episodes will now air every Friday, starting Sept. 12.

09/07/2025

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2 min

3.9

out of 5

685 Ratings

Mixed bag

Apr 15

Capitol Bill

Solid enough when we don’t have to listen to Dasha parrot lines from her White House sources (Miller? Seems like Miller). Jack corrals it a bit, but Dasha seems to be actually mimicking Trump’s speaking style: a mix of vapid cliches and vague statements lacking any clear examples. As if designed to avoid risking her access.
Blackrock, really??

Mar 19

kjegghead

I find the advertisers for this podcast to be a real turn off in listening to the show. The last draw was when Black Rock was selling its image to the American people through advertising on this podcast. Other advertisers have included Bayer and healthcare lobbies. How can POLITICO support independent, journalism and democracy when it takes money from some of the largest most powerful corporate leaders?
Megan > Dasha

Apr 10

28thHeavy

Can we please have Megan Masserly full-time? Nothing against Dasha, but Megan seems to stick to the facts more, instead of mixing in any political bias.
Dasha Burns is a Trump Boot Licker

Mar 19

bucksin6yeet

That’s all

POLITICO’s Jack Blanchard and Dasha Burns bring their fresh insight, analysis and reporting to the biggest story driving the day in the nation’s capital.