The Al Franken Podcast

ASF Productions

4.6 (7.7K)
POLITICS
UPDATED WEEKLY

A five-time Emmy winning SNL comedy writer/producer, joins a four-time #1 NYT bestselling author, a three-time highest-rated national progressive radio host, a two-time Grammy winning artist, and a former US Senator. So, it gets a little crowded in the booth when Al talks public policy and sometimes political comedy with notable guests. Think “The Daily” without the resources of the NYTimes.

36 MIN. AGO

The Atlantic's George Packer on the End of Democratic Delusions

The Atlantic's George Packer joins us to discuss his recent piece titled The End of Democratic Delusions. Packer discusses the new era that Donald Trump has ushered in and what that means to politics moving forward. Trump won a close election, but it's a moment for the Democratic establishment to take a look at their shortcomings and redevelop their messaging and platform in the years ahead. Read George Packer's piece in The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/01/trump-reelection-voter-demographic-change/680752/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

42 min
DEC 15

Anne Applebaum & Frank Foer on Syria, The Middle East, and Ukraine

We're joined by two of our favorite foreign policy writers to examine what the end of Bashar al-Assad’s regime means to Syria and the region. Frank Foer and Anne Applebaum from The Atlantic also look toward the incoming Trump administration and what lies ahead. Can Trump be a steady hand to stop escalating war around the world? How will Israel react? And what happens to our support of Ukraine in their efforts against the tyrant Putin? Read Anne's book Autocracy, Inc: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/725302/autocracy-inc-by-anne-applebaum/ Read Frank's work in The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/author/franklin-foer/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

44 min
DEC 8

WaPo's Aaron Blake on The Transition

As we move closer to the second Trump administration, we are learning more about his incoming Cabinet. Aaron Blake, senior political reporter and author/host of The Campaign Moment newsletter and podcast for the Washington Post joins us to discuss some of Trump's Cabinet picks and their struggles to be confirmed. Also, the American people seem to overwhelmingly want a check on Trump's power. What will that look like with an administration that believes it has a mandate? Plus, we break down Hunter Biden's pardon and how that might impact Joe Biden's legacy. Read Aaron's work in the Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/aaron-blake/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

36 min
DEC 1

BEST OF: Anne Applebaum on her book Autocracy, Inc.

In this Thanksgiving Best Of, we revisit our conversation with our friend Anne Applebaum! We aired this a few months ago when Anne's newest book, Autocracy Inc., had been released. She chronicles the rise of authoritarianism around the world and how those autocracies work together to keep themselves in power. With Donald Trump elected President once again, could we be heading for a similar fate? Other countries thwarted authoritarian candidates over the last year, but America decided that another round of Trumpism was the way to go. We can only hope that the country can survive it. Read Anne's work in The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/author/anne-applebaum/ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

34 min
NOV 25

Listen Now: 'Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast

Cuddly as a cactus and charming as an eel, Whoville's favorite talk show host is back on the mic! The Grinch may hate the holidays, but he loves his new celebrity status as a chart-topping podcaster. With Cindy Lou and Max by his side, join The Grinch each week as he stubbornly refuses the joys of the season, cozies up to his celebrity guests — and investigates a brand-new mystery that puts him right at the center of another dastardly Christmas caper. All the children of Whoville's letters to Santa have gone missing, and Grinch is Suspect No. 1. Follow along at the end of each episode to help Grinch and his crew solve this WHO-dunnit in time for Christmas! Plus, tune into Wondery+ as Cindy Lou and Max take the case into their own hands! Starring SNL's James Austin Johnson as the iconic green grump, and featuring famous faces the whole family will love, 'Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast might just grow your heart three sizes this winter season. For even more cheer, subscribe to Wondery+ to join Cindy Lou and Max the Dog as they take the case of the missing letters into their own hands! Follow 'Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Unlock Cindy Lou and Max’s exclusive Christmas mystery investigation and listen to every episode ad-free by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Spotify, Apple Podcasts or by visiting Wondery.fm/Grinch. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

7 min
NOV 24

David Axelrod on The Trump Transition

Donald Trump's Cabinet selection is about as chaotic as we expected it to be. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name for Attorney General after a number of Republican Senators expressed concern with the pick. We're joined by David Axelrod, who says that Republicans in the Senate have more power than you might expect. David also examines how Democrats, the party of working people, lost so many working class voters in the Presidential election. Listen to David's podcast, The Axe Files: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-axe-files-with-david-axelrod/id1043593599 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

41 min
NOV 17

David Weigel - Political Writer for Semafor

The incoming Trump administration has started announcing some of the picks for the incoming Cabinet. Somehow, they're worse than you could have imagined. We break down some of the unsavory characters who might be making policy in Trump's second term with political reporter for Semafor, David Weigel. Weigel also explains how the right wing media ecosystem has moved away from TV and onto the internet. Right wing and right wing-adjacent programming is dominating YouTube and podcasts. How did they build such a network? And how do Democrats counterprogram those voices? Read Weigel's latest for Semafor: https://www.semafor.com/author/david-weigel See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

54 min
NOV 10

Norm Ornstein on the Coming Hellscape

The nightmare we all feared came true last week. Donald Trump has been elected for a second term as President of the United States. We're joined by our friend Norm Ornstein to make sense of it all. If we take Trump at his word, we should expect mass deportations, economic instability, further deterioration of women’s rights, attacks on public education, constant fights with the media and his critics and much worse. Norm discusses the long road ahead that could include devastation especially for the states that supported him the most. There's not a lot to be hopeful about right now, but Norm manages to share some good news for the years ahead...If we're willing to fight for it. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

51 min

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4.6

out of 5

7,716 Ratings

Naive? Pam Bondi was first pick

Dec 9

Che Block

Gaetz nominated was excuse to resign house so report was not made public Really going to be this stupid for trump 2.0? Geez Dems figure it out and quit acting like, oh my aver Unbelievably stupid Plus Trump doesn’t have enemies Another stupid thing to repeat. The WaPo guy needs to think harder and talk less.
Mr.A.F. You Are ThaMan Sir

Dec 7

From Another Great Admirer

Mr.A.F. You Are ThaMan Sir. Love & Respect You.! Wish You were Still in Office.Unbelievable how the Republicans don’t Respect Any United States Law This pete hegseth is the Absolute Worst of Worst & how bout The Very Large Swastika on his crest It’s Really Amazing., No One Shows or Says That Tell Our #1-Mr.J.Kimmel.He’d have NP Showing it Why do We Allow these…..Get away w/ Everything Not All trumpers are Racist, All Racist Vote trump! We’re All In For A Super Crazy Four F’d-Up Years.! At Least We Won’t Go S & P At The U.S. Capitol🇺🇸 All High American Standards Are Gone FOREVER.!
The Real Reason Harris Lost

Nov 25

McNancy1

Kamala Harris narrowly lost the election because, first she is a woman and second she is a person of color. However, all the post election discussions and analysis are focused on how Democrats have been abandoned by Hispanic voters and the working class, that the Harris and Walz campaign didn’t do enough to win over voters concerned about so called “bread and butter” issues, that Harris only had 90 days to campaign or that Biden’s low approval ratings contributed to her loss. While all of these things may have contributed to her loss the number one reason is her gender followed by her race. It is glaring obvious; more voters felt comfortable voting for a convicted felon than a woman of color.
My favorite podcast

Nov 24

Lee Esq

Al, please run for the presidency we need you!

A five-time Emmy winning SNL comedy writer/producer, joins a four-time #1 NYT bestselling author, a three-time highest-rated national progressive radio host, a two-time Grammy winning artist, and a former US Senator. So, it gets a little crowded in the booth when Al talks public policy and sometimes political comedy with notable guests. Think “The Daily” without the resources of the NYTimes.