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Political Breakdown

KQED
Donald Trump
California Budget Deficit
Disinformation
Gavin Newsom
California
Misinformation
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Climate Change Initiatives
Public Health
San Francisco
NPR
California Legislature
Israel
Gaza
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

PublishesDailyEpisodes750Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPolitics

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Artwork for Political Breakdown

Latest Episodes

When the San Francisco Chronicle published the story of a woman accusing Rep. Eric Swalwell of rape, his surging gubernatorial campaign collapsed within days. Swalwell still denies the most serious allegations but he has since resigned his House seat... more

Rep. Eric Swalwell announced his intent to resign from Congress today, a swift collapse for the East Bay Democrat who a week ago was a leading candidate for California governor. Swalwell's campaign imploded in a matter of days following sexual assaul... more

A former staff member is accusing East Bay Rep. Eric Swalwell of sexually assaulting her twice while she was too inebriated to consent, according to a San Francisco Chronicle investigation. Swalwell, a leading candidate for California governor, said ... more

Congressmember Eric Swalwell built a national profile challenging President Donald Trump during two impeachment trials. Now, the East Bay congressman and former county prosecutor wants to be California’s next governor.

Swalwell sits down with Marisa... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Connie Chan
San Francisco Supervisor
San Francisco Board of Supervisors
Episode: The Battle for Pelosi's Seat Hits the Stage in San Francisco
Shaikat Chakrabarti
Former congressional aide and software engineer
Campaign candidate in San Francisco race
Episode: The Battle for Pelosi's Seat Hits the Stage in San Francisco
Brenna Smith
Wall Street Journal Visual Investigations Reporter
Wall Street Journal
Episode: How the U.S. Government Uses Social Media to Target Its Own Citizens
Guy Marzerati
KQED politics correspondent
KQED
Episode: Threats to California’s Vote-By-Mail Mount Before June Primary
Antonio Villaraigosa
Former Los Angeles mayor and gubernatorial candidate
Democratic Party / California politics
Episode: Antonio Villaraigosa's Second Act: Can a 'Pragmatist' Lead California?
Hilary Braseth
Executive Director of OpenSecrets
OpenSecrets
Episode: How AI and Tech Are Changing The Campaign Finance Game
Farida Jhabvala Romero
Labor correspondent at KQED
KQED
Episode: California's Political Reckoning with Cesar Chavez's Legacy After Allegations
Anita Chabria
Los Angeles Times reporter
Los Angeles Times
Episode: California's Political Reckoning with Cesar Chavez's Legacy After Allegations
Josh Shapiro
Governor of Pennsylvania
Governor of Pennsylvania
Episode: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro on Leading With Faith as a Public Servant

Hosts

Scott Shafer
Host of the show and political reporter with deep coverage of California politics.
Marisa Lagos
Co-host with a focus on California politics and governance discussions.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 230 ratings
  • Never fact check guests

    I thought I’d give this another try, but once again, a guest dropped blatant misinformation and the hosts did not fact check.

    CA does NOT have “the highest illiteracy rate in the nation”.

    In addition, snark as a default mode is not useful, M Lagos.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Civil D.
    United States3 months ago
  • Frustrating

    I really want to like this show, but it’s so surface level. I rarely learn anything new. The discussion of Katie Porter’s bad interview was a case in point …truly did not learn anything I couldn’t have gotten from a quick skim of a CNN article or something. Why have guests on to discuss something (like the Sac Bee reporter on this episode) if they don’t have any new insight or new analysis or new context? Please go deeper. Have better guests and don’t just rehash the headlines. California politi... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    NY1235at
    United States6 months ago
  • 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 Statesa year 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

Listeners Say

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

Critiques often call for deeper, more diverse guest perspectives and stronger fact-checking on some episodes.
Listeners appreciate the balance of tough questions and respectful dialogue with guests, and note strong insider context on California politics.
Many reviews highlight the show's insightful interviews and depth on California policy issues, especially housing, education, and governance.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#119
United States/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How the U.S. Government Uses Social Media to Target Its Own Citizens
Q: How did Brenna Smith and her team approach the investigation?
They started by monitoring DHS and White House social posts, then drilled down to examine specific claims of assaults on officers, using court records, interviews with prosecutors and defense attorneys, and extensive video analysis to verify what was being claimed.
How AI and Tech Are Changing The Campaign Finance Game
Q: What makes Silicon Valley's role in political finance different now compared to the past?
Two major factors are at play: the emergence of new industries like crypto and AI driving lobbying and political spending, and the ability for new fundraising models, such as tech-driven and unlimited donor pools via various PAC structures, to accelerate influence. This combination creates a much larger and more rapid flow of money into politics than in earlier decades.
How Pope Leo is Reshaping the American Catholic Church
Q: How do you think Leo's time in Peru shapes his views on migration and a globalist perspective?
Hale discusses how Leo's long tenure in Peru during the Lost Decade exposed him to poverty, corruption, and climate impacts, informing a worldview that is skeptical of nationalism and more oriented toward universalism and humanitarian considerations.
How Pope Leo is Reshaping the American Catholic Church
Q: Well, first of all, just set the table for us. Leo is the first American chosen to be Pope. Remind us why it never happened before and the significance of that string being broken.
The guest explains that for 500 years Italian popes were the norm, and the election of an American pope signals a major shift in perception about where church leadership can originate, rooted in changing geopolitics and internal church dynamics.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro on Leading With Faith as a Public Servant
Q: What was it like being vetted for vice president by Kamala Harris, and did you sense a mismatch in what they wanted from a running mate?
The process was an honor; the conversations were candid. I explained how I could contribute to a campaign and governance, and I wanted a relationship where I could voice my opinions but ultimately stand united once a decision was made.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Political Breakdown

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

A California-focused roundtable and interview program that centers on state politics, governance, and policy. Episodes frequently dissect gubernatorial races, endorsements, budget and housing challenges, and how national trends intersect with California's political landscape. Guests range from sitting or aspiring politicians to reporters and policy experts, offering practical context, sharp analysis, and diverse viewpoints on issues like housing affordability, education, immigration, and technology policy. The show stands out for extended one-on-one interviews and candid discussions that aim to unpack how insider dynamics shape public policy and electoral outcomes in California.

Noteworthy strengths include a steady emphasis on state-level... more

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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 NPR Politics Podcast

How many episodes of Political Breakdown are there?

Political Breakdown launched 8 years ago and published 750 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 Political Breakdown?

Recent guests on Political Breakdown include:

1. Connie Chan
2. Shaikat Chakrabarti
3. Brenna Smith
4. Guy Marzerati
5. Antonio Villaraigosa
6. Hilary Braseth
7. Farida Jhabvala Romero
8. Anita Chabria

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