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Impolitic with John Heilemann

Audacy | Puck
Donald Trump
Democratic Party
Kamala Harris
Elon Musk
Republican Party
Trump Administration
2024 Presidential Election
Joe Biden
Ukraine
Iran
2024 Election
Artificial Intelligence
Jeffrey Epstein
Politics
Supreme Court
Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Civil Rights
Signalgate
Charlie Kirk
Volodymyr Zelensky

Join Puck’s chief political columnist, MSNBC/NBC News national affairs analyst, and best-selling author John Heilemann as he roams the corridors of power and influence in America on this twice-weekly interview show, taking you behind the scenes and beyond the headlines with the people who shape and shift our culture: icons and up-and-comers, incumbents and insurgents, moguls and machers in the ove... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes379Founded6 years ago
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PoliticsNews

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Artwork for Impolitic

Latest Episodes

John welcomes back former top Justice Department and FBI official Andrew Weissmann to discuss his recently published New York Times No. 1 best-seller  “Liar’s Kingdom: How to Stop Trump’s Deceit and Save America.” Weissmann lays out the book’s propos... more

John welcomes back Democratic Senator Chris Murphy to discuss his new book “Crisis of the Common Good: The Fight for Meaning and Connection in a Broken America.” Murphy lays out his book’s argument that America is in the grip of a set of interlocking... more

John welcomes back Politico’s Jonathan Martin to discuss the Texas Senate race: how scandal-soaked Attorney General Ken Paxton thrashed incumbent Senator John Cornyn in the GOP primary run-off; Democratic nominee James Talarico’s “race against time” ... more

John welcomes author James Traub to discuss his latest book, “The Cradle of Citizenship: How Schools Can Help Save Our Democracy.” Traub describes the year he spent reporting in K-12 classrooms across the country; the fierce culture wars after the Co... more

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Recent Guests

Josh Tyrangiel
Long-time Bloomberg editor and author of AI for Good, focusing on practical uses of AI
Former Editor, Businessweek; The Washington Post columnist
Episode: Josh Tyrangiel: AI, What is it Good For? Absolutely Something (Say It Again)
Robert Kagan
Foreign policy analyst and author; Brookings Institution scholar mentioned in discussion
Brookings Institution
Episode: Robert Kagan: Only Bad Options in Iran & Nothingburgers in Beijing
Dan Pfeiffer
A-list friend of the pod, former White House Communications Director for Barack Obama
Pod Save America, The Message Box
Episode: Dan Pfeiffer: Why Trump’s “I Don’t Think About Americans” Gaffe is the Worst Gaffe Ever
Michael Froman
President of the Council on Foreign Relations; former US Trade Representative
Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: Michael Froman: Love Taps in Iran, Summitry in Beijing, & Schizophrenia in Ukraine
Chrissy Houlahan
Congresswoman, Navy veteran, engineer, educator, and entrepreneur
United States Congress
Episode: Chrissy Houlahan: Hegseth Goes Full Bondi & King Charles Needles Trump
Zanny Minton Beddoes
Editor-in-chief of The Economist
The Economist
Episode: Zanny Minton Beddoes: Trump as Closet Socialist, Midterm Madness, & The Looming Oil Supply Shock
Sebastian Mallaby
Author, CFR Senior Fellow, Washington Post columnist
Council on Foreign Relations; The Washington Post
Episode: Sebastian Mallaby: The Ghost in the Machine
Peter Hamby
Partner at Puck, political commentator and former political reporter
Puck
Episode: Peter Hamby: Swalwell’s Fall, POTUS v. Pontifex, & The VP’s Podcast Mouth
Melissa Murray
Constitutional scholar, professor at NYU Law
New York University School of Law
Episode: Melissa Murray: Bondi Booted & Blanche Belittled as SCOTUS Trips the Light Craptastic

Host

John Heilemann
Host of Impolitic with John Heilemann, prominent political columnist and NBC/MSNBC analyst

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 5.3k ratings
  • Great listen

    I’ve always enjoyed John’s appearances on msnbc because he never says things that are obvious and don’t need saying or repeating. Hearing him in long conversations with intelligent people has been so engaging. Learn a lot every time

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mrc126
    United States17 days ago
  • CORRUPT-Licans

    This show vital to keep up with the deluge while maintaining a sense of humor. Much appreciated.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PozPerse
    United States18 days ago
  • Joke

    I’m a big fan. Meanwhile, what were you thinking telling that joke on Deadline White House?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BruceBalick
    United Statesa month ago
  • Chrissy

    I had never heard of Chrissy H. So smart and articulate Great episode!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    LoriJNY
    United Statesa month ago
  • Informative and mind-bending

    Great show

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AD975
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

Some episodes attract criticisms about host pace or mic technique, but guests and insights are consistently highlighted as strengths.
The show is valued for insider perspectives and nuanced debate, though some critiques focus on showmanship over substance.
Fans appreciate candid, unsentimental analysis and the breadth of topics across politics, tech, and global affairs.
A few listeners note format changes or guest energy as factors in engagement.
Listeners praise deep, thoughtful interviews and guests, with a standout ability to connect policy to real-world impact.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#31
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#82
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#51
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#155
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#165
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#65
Australia/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

RZA Pt. 1: One Spoon of Chocolate Changes the Whole Glass of Milk
Q: Tell me about the genesis of the film in relation to your life experiences.
RZA explains that the story emerged over years, with adjustments and a long development arc, drawing on personal experiences, broader social shifts, and an evolving artistic vision that culminated in a film released decades after the initial idea.
Michael Froman: Love Taps in Iran, Summitry in Beijing, & Schizophrenia in Ukraine
Q: What do you view as the core strategic objective in the Iran conflict beyond initial military strikes?
The broader objective is to constrain Iran's nuclear program and its ability to project power regionally, while ensuring Gulf shipping routes remain open, which requires a credible, multilateral approach rather than a single military victory.
Tom Nichols: “Shoot Your Mouth Off & Carry a Pop Gun”
Q: Why have Trump's threats been counterproductive, according to the guest?
He argues that the relentless maximalist threats have eroded credibility, as adversaries watch for consistency and real consequences, making it easier for them to test responses and prolong strategic ambiguity.
Tom Nichols: “Shoot Your Mouth Off & Carry a Pop Gun”
Q: What is the current state of the Iran conflict and its endgame?
Nichols explains that there is no clear end in sight, with Iran solidifying its regional position and the US facing a lack of credible negotiation leverage due to past campaign promises and shifting political signals.
Zanny Minton Beddoes: Trump as Closet Socialist, Midterm Madness, & The Looming Oil Supply Shock
Q: What does the Economist midterm package reveal about the long-term health of American democracy?
The package presents a sober assessment: while immediate electoral manipulation may be unlikely, the deeper issue is the rising belief that elections are illegitimate, which could have lasting damage regardless of who wins the next election.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Impolitic

What is Impolitic about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A sharp, long-form interview show that tackles politics, policy, technology, and global affairs with high-profile guests ranging from policymakers and journalists to tech thinkers and authors. Episodes often blend rigorous analysis, candid storytelling, and provocative takes on current events, with deep dives into topics like AI, foreign policy, elections, and media dynamics. A notable strength is the host's willingness to pull apart complex issues through back-and-forth dialogue with guests who bring insider perspectives, historical context, and bold viewpoints. The format frequently includes sponsor reads and cultural commentary, adding a broad, cross-industry lens that helps listeners connect policy and power to real-world consequences. more

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How many listeners does Impolitic get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Impolitic?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Impolitic:

1. Hacks On Tap
2. The Bulwark Podcast
3. The Next Level
4. The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell
5. Fast Politics with Molly Jong-Fast

How many episodes of Impolitic are there?

Impolitic launched 6 years ago and published 379 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Impolitic?

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What guests have appeared on Impolitic?

Recent guests on Impolitic include:

1. Josh Tyrangiel
2. Robert Kagan
3. Dan Pfeiffer
4. Michael Froman
5. Chrissy Houlahan
6. Zanny Minton Beddoes
7. Sebastian Mallaby
8. Peter Hamby

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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