Rephonic
Artwork for Political Theater

Political Theater

CQ Roll Call
Donald Trump
Abortion Rights
Interstate 5
Republican Party
January 6th Capitol Riot
Democratic Party
Political Campaigns
House Of Representatives
Factba.se
Milwaukee
Republican National Convention
Ohio
Joe Biden
Chicago
The Sixth
Dobbs V. Jackson Women's Health Organization
2024 Elections
White House
Election 2024
Bob Menendez

Have you ever asked, “WTF?,” about politics? Or, “who are these people making decisions about my life?” Political Theater pulls back the curtain on the stunts, antics and motivations that drive Washington. Host Jason Dick and the Roll Call team spotlight the spectacle, the players and what’s going on behind the curtain in Washington’s long-running drama: Congress.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes483Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentPoliticsNews

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Political Theater

Latest Episodes

In politics, there is a lot going on, it can be hard to focus. But some polling and economic indicators are good guideposts for what is shaping the electorate as the 2026 campaign gets under way. Jason Dick and Nathan Gonzales talk about their favori... more

The first session of the 119th Congress has been consequential: the legislative branch ceded much of its constitutional responsibilities to the executive branch, senators changed the process for confirming presidential nominees, and the House rank an... more

YouTube

Thomas Pynchon's latest novel, "Shadow Ticket," has a lot to say about politics, so Jason Dick checks in with Sean Carswell, the official Pynchon scholar of the Political Theater podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoice... more

YouTube

Despite its propensity for making itself look bad, some of the inner workings of Congress reveal lawmakers who are finding ways to work together. Can they cut through the noise and solve some real problems? Jason Dick and Justin Papp discuss the chan... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Justin Papp
Journalist specializing in congressional coverage
Roll Call
Episode: Can Congress save itself?
Sean Carswell
Professor of writing and literature at Cal State University, Channel Islands, author and Thomas Pynchon scholar.
Cal State University, Channel Islands
Episode: Taking the ‘Vineland’ express to ‘One Battle After Another’
Chris Johnson
CQ Roll Call's immigration reporter, focused on policy issues related to immigration
CQ Roll Call
Episode: Immigration, race and ‘One Battle After Another'
Nathan Gonzales
Political analyst and columnist
Roll Call
Episode: Discharge petition: congressional procedure or great band name?
David Jordan
Longtime beat reporter at CQ Roll Call and graduate of William and Mary
CQ Roll Call
Episode: How Democrats hope to flip the script on energy as a campaign issue
Joe Iconis
Musical theater writer and composer
Episode: The ‘rock and roll poetry’ of Joe Iconis’ Hunter S. Thompson musical
Christina Bellantoni
Former editor-in-chief of Roll Call, now a professor at the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
Episode: The grand tour of Washington
Neda Semnani
Former Heard on the Hill columnist at Roll Call, now a professor at Penn State University
Penn State University
Episode: The grand tour of Washington
Molly Reynolds
Senior Fellow in Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution
Brookings Institute
Episode: Home improvements for the House

Host

Jason Dick
Host and political commentator, associated with Roll Call, providing insights into the workings and dramas of Congress.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 48 ratings
  • Great for politics nerds!

    I thoroughly enjoy the cheerful and neutral approach that this podcast usually takes in analyzing the spectacle of politics. The specific theme allows concentration on fun and interesting stories that are often otherwise overlooked. Great for politics nerds!

    Also, I have tremendous respect for the reporters’ recent coverage of the invasion of the Capitol. The podcast on the following day was extremely insightful into the events that occurred and the potential next steps. More than anyone else,... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    andydbaxter
    United States5 years ago
  • Hill Staffer

    Audio is terrible and is what holds this podcast back

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Hill Staffer
    United States6 years ago
  • always timely and enjoyable

    great quick hit podcast that brings together timely political news with cultural insights

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nbee2
    United States7 years ago
  • Usually a decent podcast

    But it’s disappointing that the episode on the Kavanaugh hearing overlooked Mazie Hirono as a senator up for re-election.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    AntieWHC
    United States7 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The balance of serious political commentary with occasional humor is frequently highlighted as a strength.
Critics have noted inconsistencies in audio quality that detract from the overall listening experience.
The show's capacity to make current political events relatable through cultural references is often praised.
Listeners appreciate the podcast for its insightful analysis of political events and the clarity it provides in understanding complex issues.

Top Politics Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Immigration, race and ‘One Battle After Another'
Q: What kind of movies do you usually like to see?
Chris expresses his eclectic tastes in movies, highlighting the importance of engaging with films that drive public discourse, and notes his recent viewings of both classic and contemporary films.
How Democrats hope to flip the script on energy as a campaign issue
Q: What is the political strategy moving forward regarding energy issues?
Democrats are looking to frame rising energy costs as a failing of the Republican-led changes to energy policy, creating a narrative that may resonate with voters concerned about household expenses.
How Democrats hope to flip the script on energy as a campaign issue
Q: Why is energy demand increasing suddenly?
Energy demand has remained flat for years, but it's starting to climb due to increased reliance on data centers and the rise of artificial intelligence.
How Democrats hope to flip the script on energy as a campaign issue
Q: What happens now that the Trump administration has changed energy policies?
There's a shift away from renewable sources like wind and solar to more traditional baseload sources like nuclear and geothermal, while also facing challenges from rising energy prices.
The ‘rock and roll poetry’ of Joe Iconis’ Hunter S. Thompson musical
Q: How did you connect with Thompson's widow, Anita, for your musical?
I had never communicated with the family until I was invited to visit their home, where I was able to share that the point of the show is to honor Hunter's artistic legacy rather than to sensationalize his later years.

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 Political Theater

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

This podcast offers an insightful exploration into the intricacies of American politics, particularly focusing on the actions, motivations, and historical context of Congress. Notable discussions revolve around significant political events, including legislative efforts, congressional dynamics, and the implications of current political theater. A unique aspect is the incorporation of cultural elements and literature, drawing parallels between political themes and broader societal narratives, thereby enriching the listener's understanding of the political landscape. Episodes provide commentary on pressing issues such as redistricting, immigration policy, and the evolving energy sector, making it a vital source for those interested in a deepe... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Political Theater?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Political Theater. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Political Theater and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Political Theater get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Political Theater, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Political Theater?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Political Theater, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Political Theater have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Political Theater 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 Theater?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Political Theater:

1. The Daily Punch
2. The Playbook Podcast
3. The NPR Politics Podcast
4. PBS Washington Week with The Atlantic - Full Show
5. Amicus With Dahlia Lithwick | Law, justice, and the courts

How many episodes of Political Theater are there?

Political Theater launched 10 years ago and published 483 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 Theater?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Political Theater?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Political Theater from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Political Theater?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Political Theater. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Political Theater?

Recent guests on Political Theater include:

1. Justin Papp
2. Sean Carswell
3. Chris Johnson
4. Nathan Gonzales
5. David Jordan
6. Joe Iconis
7. Christina Bellantoni
8. Neda Semnani

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days