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Political Breakdown

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

PublishesDailyEpisodes739Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNews

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Artwork for Political Breakdown

Latest Episodes

With the 2026 midterms ahead, a flood of campaign donations is expected in California and beyond — with a growing amount coming from the tech industry, including a $500 million push by California tech billionaires.

Scott and Marisa sit down with Hil... more

A New York Times investigation has triggered swift condemnation and political upheaval in California, after uncovering allegations of sexual abuse of girls and women, including the rape of revered labor leader Dolores Huerta by the late farmworker le... more

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond is positioning himself as one of the most progressive candidates in a crowded Democratic field for California governor. Scott and Marisa sit down with Thurmond to discuss his vision for the state and why he believes... more

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is widely considered a potential contender for the 2028 presidential race. Scott and Marisa sit down with him to discuss his new memoir, “Where We Keep the Light: Stories from a Life of Service.”

They talk to Gov. S... more

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Recent Guests

Josh Shapiro
Governor of Pennsylvania
Governor of Pennsylvania
Episode: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro on Leading With Faith as a Public Servant
Tom Steyer
Democratic candidate for governor of California
Campaigning for Governor
Episode: Tom Steyer Lays Out Vision for a More Affordable California in Run for Governor
Christopher Hale
Catholic writer and progressive political activist, writes Letters from Leo Substack
Episode: How Pope Leo is Reshaping the American Catholic Church
Matt Mahan
San Jose Mayor, Governor candidate
San Jose, California
Episode: San José Mayor Matt Mahan Positions Himself as a “Change” Candidate in Governor’s Race
Abbas Milani
Director of Iranian Studies, Stanford University
Stanford University
Episode: Toppling Iran’s Regime: Easier Said Than Done?
Xavier Becerra
Governor candidate, former Attorney General of California, former Health and Human Services Secretary
Campaign for Governor of California; former U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Episode: Gubernatorial Candidate Xavier Becerra on Why His Upbringing and Career Give Him an Edge
Alexei Kossef
San Francisco Chronicle Washington, DC correspondent
San Francisco Chronicle
Episode: Mounting Setbacks Shadow Trump's State of the Union Address
Ian Calderon
Former Los Angeles Assemblyman and Democratic candidate for Governor of California
Episode: California’s First Millennial Lawmaker Ian Calderon Makes His Case for Governor
Sophia Bollag
Politics reporter at the San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco Chronicle
Episode: Inside California’s CARE Court: A Mother’s Fight to Get Her Son Into Treatment

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 226 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.

Top Politics Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Tom Steyer Lays Out Vision for a More Affordable California in Run for Governor
Q: What is your stance on taxes, particularly on billionaire taxes and corporate tax loopholes?
He supports higher taxes on the wealthiest but criticizes specific mechanisms; proposes closing a long-standing corporate real estate tax loophole and pursuing multiple revenue sources, including targeted taxes and regulatory reforms to fund long-term needs.
Gubernatorial Candidate Xavier Becerra on Why His Upbringing and Career Give Him an Edge
Q: Who are you politically, and what is your vision for California?
He describes himself as the son of immigrants, grounded in family values, work ethic, and a commitment to expanding opportunities for the next generation, with a focus on pragmatic governance, healthcare access, and a strong, predictable approach to revenue and policy.

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 Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of Political Breakdown are there?

Political Breakdown launched 8 years ago and published 739 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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What guests have appeared on Political Breakdown?

Recent guests on Political Breakdown include:

1. Josh Shapiro
2. Tom Steyer
3. Christopher Hale
4. Matt Mahan
5. Abbas Milani
6. Xavier Becerra
7. Alexei Kossef
8. Ian Calderon

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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