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Artwork for Sirens: A Bombshell production
National Security
Department Of Defense
Tariffs
Climate Change
Reductions In Force
Congress
Iran
Gerrymandering
Nuclear Weapons
U.S. Economy
Artificial Intelligence
Trump Administration
Russia
Department Of Homeland Security
Pentagon
Federal Workforce
Summer Reading
Ukraine
Defense Budget
Hiring Practices

Sirens, a new podcast from the ladies of Bombshell, dissects the institutions of American power. With their trademark wit and charm, join Loren DeJonge Schulman, Radha Iyengar Plumb, and Erin Simpson as they sound the alarm on technology, governance, and national security issues. (And maybe lure men to their deaths.)

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes118Founded10 years ago
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PoliticsNews CommentaryNews

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Artwork for Sirens: A Bombshell production

Latest Episodes

Sirens is overjoyed to come back from Summer break to bring on Dr. Amanda Sloat for a fantastic-if-depressing discussion on the stress points of the U.S.-Europe relationship (with the inevitable rom-com comparisons). We have a litany of crazy to walk... more

YouTube

Gywneth Paltrow, typo right? Nope. Nope not at all. Check out our it's a drill segment where we again name drop Pope Leon, plus Schedule P/C, the Reflecting Pool refurbishment from hell, the proposed update to federal grantmaking, and the queen of Go... more

YouTube

Marina Nitze joins us to discuss their new book, Crisis Engineering, and how real change can come to government even in the worst moments. For Its a Drill, apparently the attack on science continues with the threat to defund the National Academy of S... more

YouTube

Molly Reynolds joins us to talk through all the mysteries and magic of reconciliation, and if the appropriations works will ever be the same. We don't even get to the China trip because we have FISA 702 renewal, hantavirus, Germany troops rotations a... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Meagan Metzger
Founder of DCode and DCode Capital
DCode
Episode: Gwyneth Paltrow, AI Week, Defense Innovation
Marina Nitze
Government technology leader and crisis engineer, co-author of Crisis Engineering
Us Digital Service, author
Episode: New Jersey, Just War, Crisis Engineering
Molly Reynolds
Vice President and Director of the Governance Studies Program at Brookings
Brookings Institution
Episode: FISA, Ukraine, and Reconciliation
Lauren Kahn
Senior research analyst at Georgetown Center for Security and Emerging Technology, focuses on national security applications of AI
Georgetown Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET)
Episode: Fired Navy Secretary, Fired NSB, and UAVs
Margaret Mullin
Former government official and director focused on public options and governance
Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator
Episode: Avignon, AI Risk, Federal Workforce Futures
Kori Schake
Senior Fellow and Director of the Foreign Defense Policy Studies Program
American Enterprise Institute
Episode: Brent, Science Funding, State and the Soldier.
Martha Gimbel
Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Budget Lab at Yale
Yale Budget Lab
Episode: SAVE Act, VOA, and the Deficit
Dana Stroul
Director of Research at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy; former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East
Washington Institute for Near East Policy
Episode: Endangerment, DOD AI, Iran
Rebecca Lissner
Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations
Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: Primes, Schedule P/C, and AI Sentiment

Hosts

Loren DeJonge Schulman
Host of Sirens, Bombshell/Serious/Policy focus
Radha Iyengar Plumb
Host of Sirens, co-host; policy and governance lens
Erin Simpson
Host of Sirens, Co-host; policy and governance perspective

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 830 ratings
  • Witty and insightful

    I have learned a ton about how the Executive branch works and federal government generally. It’s been helpful to understand how far we’ve deviated away from the norms in this administration. And I like how they offer different insights to what’s hitting the news. Like how pepper spraying a sitting U.S. Senator is a reflection that the most basic oversight of ICE detention can apparently be met with force.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jwhit63105
    United States2 months ago
  • Sharp, smart, and genuinely enjoyable

    The kind of podcast that makes you feel like you’re in on the smartest conversation at the table. The hosts are clever, deeply knowledgeable about how the policy world actually works, and refreshingly fun to listen to. A sharp, enjoyable, and highly listenable podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RecoveringScientist
    United States2 months ago
  • Disappointing…

    If you can’t bother to know the correct name of one of the most famous politicians of the moment, how can I trust that you are fact checking your work or grounding your takes in well-researched reality? Two stars because I liked the NYE traditions.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    egw751
    United States6 months ago
  • Must Listen!

    Cannot recommend enough. Fantastic balance of serious commentary mixed with fun. Certainly leans left but I really appreciate acknowledgement of many points of view, whether the hosts agree or not. Thoughtful guests too off the show in a great way.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CrankItUp211
    United States9 months ago
  • Excellent analysis

    I really enjoy the thorough explanation of implications of administration decisions. This is not a podcast to have playing in the background- rather worth making the time to listen deeply.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SheNar1
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Fans highlight strong female hosts and high-quality guest lineups.
Listeners appreciate practical policy takeaways and clear explanations of complex governance mechanisms.
Guests are consistently high-caliber and the discussions feel balanced and insightful.
Some critics note occasional partisan tilt and dense episodes for newcomers.
Listeners praise accessible, smart policy analysis with relatable hosts.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Gwyneth Paltrow, AI Week, Defense Innovation
Q: What are the practical barriers within the budget and procurement systems that slow down adoption of new tech?
Budget cycles force long-range plans for technology that evolves rapidly; line-item constraints and misaligned PE/cost accounts force agencies to purchase outdated capabilities unless reformative approaches are used.
Gwyneth Paltrow, AI Week, Defense Innovation
Q: How does the new AI policy framework differ from the Biden order, and what does that mean for industry?
The Trump-era order is voluntary with no compute thresholds or broad reporting mandates, focusing on cybersecurity and national security rather than social outcomes, contrasting with Biden's more expansive, mandatory framework.
Gwyneth Paltrow, AI Week, Defense Innovation
Q: What do you see as the real constraint for government hardware and software moving from prototype to warfighter use?
The bottleneck isn't the technology itself but the unsexy, surrounding processes—budgeting, contracting, and cross-agency coordination—that prevent innovations from getting into the field.
FISA, Ukraine, and Reconciliation
Q: What does Molly Reynolds see as the path to a more coherent budget process?
She suggests reinforcing the value of lawmakers' own power, returning to deliberative regular order where feasible, and recognizing that long-term solutions require governance reforms beyond mere procedural tweaks.
FISA, Ukraine, and Reconciliation
Q: What are the risks of using reconciliation for discretionary spending like DHS funding?
Using reconciliation to fund discretionary DHS activities could sidestep traditional policy writers and restrictions, concentrate power in the majority, and reduce Congress's ability to shape spending with appropriate guardrails.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Sirens: A Bombshell production

What is Sirens: A Bombshell production about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A high-credibility, policy-forward show that blends national security, technology governance, and government reform with sharp humor. Discussions routinely orbit AI policy, defense modernization, procurement bottlenecks, and the interplay between Congress, the executive branch, and bureaucratic agencies. Notable strengths include accessible explanations of complex governance mechanisms, a focus on real-world impacts of policy choices, and guest expert perspectives from leaders in tech, defense, and public policy. The format often pairs data-driven analysis with candid takes on current events, plus practical takeaways for reform and innovation within traditional government systems. Listeners can expect thoughtful scrutiny of how institutions... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Sirens: A Bombshell production?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Sirens: A Bombshell production:

1. Rational Security
2. Net Assessment
3. War on the Rocks
4. The Lawfare Podcast
5. ChinaTalk

How many episodes of Sirens: A Bombshell production are there?

Sirens: A Bombshell production launched 10 years ago and published 118 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Sirens: A Bombshell production?

Recent guests on Sirens: A Bombshell production include:

1. Meagan Metzger
2. Marina Nitze
3. Molly Reynolds
4. Lauren Kahn
5. Margaret Mullin
6. Kori Schake
7. Martha Gimbel
8. Dana Stroul

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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