
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
| Publishes | Daily | Episodes | 739 | Founded | 8 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | PoliticsNews | |||

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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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.
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
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.
Fantastic podcast. Keep up the good work!
The guests are all agreeing with each other. This doesn’t help anyone and convince no one.
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Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
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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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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
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.
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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
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