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Political Breakdown

KQED
Donald Trump
California Budget Deficit
Disinformation
Gavin Newsom
California
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Misinformation
Climate Change Initiatives
Public Health
San Francisco
NPR
California Legislature
Gaza
Israel
Vaccine Skepticism
Covid-19
Populism
Politics
California Tax Policy
Legislative Analyst's Office

Join hosts Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos as they unpack the day in politics with a California perspective. Featuring interviews with reporters and other insiders involved in the craft of politics—including elected officials, candidates, pollsters, campaign managers, fundraisers, and other political players—Political Breakdown pulls back the curtain to offer an insider’s glimpse at how politics wor... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes668Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNews

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Artwork for Political Breakdown

Latest Episodes

The Proposition 50 redistricting campaign is ramping up with new ads featuring New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in support and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in opposition. Marisa and Guy are joined by Politico's sen... more

Former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter joins Marisa and Scott in studio to discuss the latest news, including a looming government shutdown, the national redistricting fight, ICE’s implementation of Trump’s deportation policies and Jimmy Kimmel's bro... more

California Democrats pushing to build more housing by removing barriers to development have had major victories this year. Now, Governor Newsom will decide whether to sign a controversial bill that would increase housing near bus stops and transit li... more

Voters in San Francisco’s Sunset District overwhelmingly recalled Supervisor Joel Engardio this week over his support for closing the Great Highway and turning it into a new park. Scott, Marisa, Guy and KQED's Sydney Johnson talk about what the recal... more

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Recent Guests

Christopher Kutz
UC Berkeley law professor who led an effort to protect faculty information from the Trump administration
University of California, Berkeley
Episode: Trump Comes for the UC System
Brian Levin
Founder of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at Cal State University San Bernardino
Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism
Episode: Charlie Kirk and the Rise of Political Violence
Dr. Rachael Bedard
Geriatrician, palliative care doctor and writer in Brooklyn
Episode: The Impact of RFK Jr. 'Going Wild' on Health Policy
Steve Wagstaff
San Mateo County District Attorney
San Mateo County
Episode: Voters Approved Tougher Penalties for Drug and Theft Crimes. Are They Working?
Julie Su
Former acting US Labor Secretary and currently Senior Fellow at the Century Foundation
Century Foundation
Episode: Trump’s Historic Union Busting
Erin Allday
Reporter covering gender and sexuality for the San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco Chronicle
Episode: Even in California, Hospitals are Halting Gender Affirming Care for Trans Youth
Jacqui Irwin
Assemblymember representing the 42nd District and involved in the proposal to renew the state's cap and trade program.
California State Assembly
Episode: Inside the Fight Over California’s Marquee Climate Program
Monique Limón
California state senator leading a working group on renewing cap and trade.
California State Senate
Episode: Inside the Fight Over California’s Marquee Climate Program
Queenie Wong
Technology reporter with the LA Times
LA Times
Episode: AI in SF: Gold Rush or Sugar Rush?

Hosts

Scott Shafer
Host of Political Breakdown, known for insightful political reporting and analysis, with a focus on California's nuances.
Marisa Lagos
Co-host of Political Breakdown, focusing on California political issues with a background in journalism.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 212 ratings
  • Extremely Uneven interviews

    I listened to the Laurie and Schiff interviews so different... Good questions for Laurie and softball sycophantic questions for Schiff. This is typical for this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    strawberry1969
    United States9 months ago
  • Love this pod. Thanks, KQED

    Fantastic podcast. Keep up the good work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SeraphinaS100
    United Statesa year ago
  • Need more diverse opinions

    The guests are all agreeing with each other. This doesn’t help anyone and convince no one.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    minimouser
    United Statesa year ago
  • More California please

    The interview about identity groups for Harris was deeply un-illuminating. Love when you keep it focused on state politics. Please, give us more smart guests talking about California. There are other podcasts that do national political news.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NY1235at
    United Statesa year ago
  • More California please

    The interview about identity groups for Harris was deeply in-illuminating. Please, give us more smart guests talking about California politics. There are other podcasts that do national political news.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NY1235at
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Many reviewers commend the hosts for their engaging conversation style and ability to simplify complex political topics, making them more accessible to the general audience.
Some feel that perspectives shared might not adequately represent dissenting viewpoints, leading to calls for greater diversity in guest opinions.
Listeners appreciate the insightful interviews with political experts and insiders, highlighting the depth of analysis regarding California's political climate.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#217
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#234
France/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Charlie Kirk and the Rise of Political Violence
Q: How would you characterize what Trump and Vance have been saying?
Their statements are often inaccurate and unhelpful regarding political violence.
Charlie Kirk and the Rise of Political Violence
Q: What do you make of the fact that the president did not mention any of the violence directed at other political figures?
These kinds of statements are incredibly unhelpful and can exacerbate the situation rather than contribute positively to discourse.
Charlie Kirk and the Rise of Political Violence
Q: What role do you think colleges and universities and groups that are on campus play in the radicalization of students?
Colleges and universities have failed to create a space for constructive dialogue and civil discussion, which could help in educating students on various ideologies.
Voters Approved Tougher Penalties for Drug and Theft Crimes. Are They Working?
Q: Is that because of a lack of treatment availability or a lack of desire on the part of these offenders to take that path?
Wagstaff indicates that in San Mateo County, they have treatment beds available, but the acceptance of treatment among offenders is low, with personal desire being a significant factor.
Voters Approved Tougher Penalties for Drug and Theft Crimes. Are They Working?
Q: What does Prop 36 look like in San Mateo County?
Wagstaff describes the implementation under Prop 36 in San Mateo County has resulted in felony charges for crimes previously treated as misdemeanors, with a focus on educating law enforcement to utilize the law.

Audience Metrics

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Political Breakdown

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

Listeners are treated to a nuanced exploration of California's political landscape, featuring in-depth interviews with a variety of political figures such as elected officials, campaign managers, and reporters. Major themes include local governance, election dynamics, legislative discussions on key issues like public health and climate change, and the evolving political strategies within the state. The hosts create a platform for diverse viewpoints, allowing guests to share their insights on both current events and the implications for California's future, making it a vital source of information for anyone interested in the intersection of politics and California's governance.

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How many listeners does Political Breakdown get?

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How many subscribers and views does Political Breakdown have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Political Breakdown has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Political Breakdown?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Political Breakdown:

1. KQED's The California Report
2. KQED's Forum
3. The Bay
4. Bay Curious
5. The New Yorker Radio Hour

How many episodes of Political Breakdown are there?

Political Breakdown launched 8 years ago and published 668 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 Political Breakdown?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Political Breakdown?

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What guests have appeared on Political Breakdown?

Recent guests on Political Breakdown include:

1. Christopher Kutz
2. Brian Levin
3. Dr. Rachael Bedard
4. Steve Wagstaff
5. Julie Su
6. Erin Allday
7. Jacqui Irwin
8. Monique Limón

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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