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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
National Guard
Russia
Department Of Homeland Security
Pentagon
Federal Workforce
Ukraine
Summer Reading
Defense Budget

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
Number of ListenersCategories
News CommentaryNewsPolitics

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Artwork for Sirens: A Bombshell production

Latest Episodes

The remarkable Kate Kuzminski joins us this week discuss the health of the general officer corps in the US military. For It's a Drill, quick hits on the CDC's measles data mess, the ongoing disparity in government pay raises between civilians, law en... more

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In yet another Not On Our Bingo Card of 2026 moment, we welcome Dr. Stephanie Carvin to help us understand our apparently escalating conflict with our close neighbor and ally, Canada (may there be peace in our time?!). For it's a drill, the president... more

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We're lucky enough to have three incredible guests this week joining us from the Roosevelt Network's community of undergraduate students and early-career professionals: Yazmina Holness, Mya Love, and Sahiti Kulkarni, who joined Loren from the Rooseve... more

Have you ever found yourself in a cave and thought, this would be a great place to store the retirement records of the largest workforce in the country? The government did - but maybe not anymore! That and engagement surveys, DODs testosterone tests,... more

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Recent Guests

Kate Kuzminski
Director of Studies at the Center for a New American Security
Center for a New American Security
Episode: CDC, National Dept, General Officers
Stephanie Carvin
Associate professor at Carleton University and former national security analyst
Carleton University
Episode: Procurement, National Guard, Canada
Yazmina Holness
From Georgia Tech, participant in Roosevelt Institute event
Georgia Tech
Episode: Fauci, ODNI, Reimagining Government
Mya Love
From Howard University, participant in Roosevelt Institute event
Howard University
Episode: Fauci, ODNI, Reimagining Government
Sahiti Kulkarni
From University of Pittsburgh, participant in Roosevelt Institute event
University of Pittsburgh
Episode: Fauci, ODNI, Reimagining Government
Amanda Sloat
Policy expert on European policy and American foreign policy intersections; former NSC Europe official; professor at IE University
IE University Madrid
Episode: DOT&E, Military economic insecurity, US-Europe DTR
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

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 831 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 States3 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 States4 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 States8 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 Statesa year 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.

CDC, National Dept, General Officers
Q: What does this mean for our ability to respond to crises or invest in policy priorities?
Because interest payments consume a growing share of the budget, discretionary spending is crowded out, limiting flexibility for defense modernization, healthcare, and infrastructure, and forcing trade-offs as the debt grows relative to GDP.
CDC, National Dept, General Officers
Q: Please explain this debt situation and why the number is so large now.
The debt is the cumulative amount the government has borrowed and not repaid; the current size is driven by sustained deficits, high interest rates, and compounding interest, with current annual interest payments exceeding a trillion dollars and crowding out other spending.
Procurement, National Guard, Canada
Q: Specifically, given the tariff actions and the broader geopolitical context, is this reversible or likely to define the next era of the relationship?
The guest suggests that while tariffs and rhetoric can be rolled back, the instruments and economic dependencies—like 70% of Canada's trade with the US—create inertia, making reversal complicated and potentially leading to a longer-term shift in alliance dynamics.
Procurement, National Guard, Canada
Q: Okay, I attempted to give a very poor explanation in the intro about the Canada relationship; how did we get here on Canada-US security cooperation?
Stephanie explains that the Canada-US relationship has gradually evolved from a routine security partnership into a high-stakes mix of military coordination, trade sovereignty concerns, and mutual dependency, with recent tariff pressures and political rhetoric destabilizing long-standing norms.
Fauci, ODNI, Reimagining Government
Q: If you could redesign government roles to improve functioning, what would you create?
A dedicated liaison role in every agency that travels to communities to hear directly from those impacted by policies and then reports to leadership to inform decisions, ensuring frontline insight informs top-level strategy.

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. Arms Control Wonk
4. The Lawfare Podcast
5. War on the Rocks

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. Kate Kuzminski
2. Stephanie Carvin
3. Yazmina Holness
4. Mya Love
5. Sahiti Kulkarni
6. Amanda Sloat
7. Meagan Metzger
8. Marina Nitze

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