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The Playbook Podcast

POLITICO
Donald Trump
Iran
Ukraine
Venezuela
Government Shutdown
Republican Party
Democratic Party
Congress
Trump Administration
Immigration
JD Vance
Russia
Medicare Advantage
Department Of Justice
NATO
ICE
Supreme Court
Midterm Elections
Gaza
Epstein Files

POLITICO’s Jack Blanchard and Dasha Burns bring their fresh insight, analysis and reporting to the biggest story driving the day in the nation’s capital.

PublishesDailyEpisodes2178Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsPoliticsDaily News

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Artwork for The Playbook Podcast

Latest Episodes

The Supreme Court is scheduled to deliver end-of-term decisions for several high-profile cases including birthright citizenship, state bans on transgender athletes in women's sports, and campaign finance limits. Meanwhile, Trump envoys Jared Kushner ... more

Colorado voters head to the Primary polls on Tuesday. And there's one big question Democrats are wondering nationally: what's next for insurgent candidates? Meanwhile, the U.S. and Iran agree to another ceasefire. Will this one last longer than the l... more

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Dasha sits down with Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Helsinki for a wide-ranging conversation on NATO, Russia's war in Ukraine, Iran and the future of America's relationships with allies around the world.

Stubb, who has developed an unusually c... more

House Speaker Mike Johnson patches things up with Trump after the president canceled the signing of a bipartisan housing bill on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Democrats of all ilk prepare for the Colorado primaries next week, where newcomer Melat Kiros chall... more

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Recent Guests

Lee Zeldin
EPA Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Episode: The EPA isn’t here to fight climate change (with Lee Zeldin) | The Conversation
Brian Armstrong
co-founder and CEO of Coinbase
Coinbase
Episode: The crypto clash that could reshape finance (with Brian Armstrong) | The Conversation
Jeremy White
POLITICO's senior California politics reporter
POLITICO
Episode: Do scandals still have political consequences? Plus, Biden’s back in the headlines
Abby Philip
CNN anchor, on the show this year
CNN
Episode: Audience Q&A: Dasha Burns pulls back the curtain on covering politics | The Conversation
Brett Baier
Fox News Channel host, contributor on the special
Fox News
Episode: Audience Q&A: Dasha Burns pulls back the curtain on covering politics | The Conversation
Josh Shapiro
Governor of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Governor's Office
Episode: Shapiro on Trump, Fetterman and 2028 over pizza and cheesesteaks in South Philly | On The Road
Olga Stefanishyna
Ambassador, Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States
Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Ukrainian Embassy in the United States
Episode: How Ukraine became essential to America’s security (with Olga Stefanishyna)
Wes Moore
Governor of Maryland
Maryland state government
Episode: Wes Moore gets blunt about 2028: I'm hungry, not thirsty | On The Road
Olha Stefanishyna
Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States
Ukraine
Episode: ‘Shameful’ and ‘stupid’: Democrats react to autopsy report

Hosts

Jack Blanchard
Host of The Playbook Podcast; long-time POLITICO political journalist.
Dasha Burns
Co-host introducing and guiding interview segments; contributes reporting and on-the-ground insights.
Adam Wren
Host of The Playbook Podcast; Midwest-focused political analyst.
Megan Messerly
Host of The Playbook Podcast; co-host providing policy and fact-focused commentary.

Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Downhill

    This podcast has gone downhill so fast - unfortunately due in part to its hosts, their ridiculous banter and the superficial analysis. It used to be a most listen. Not anymore.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    jjjjbbbb3478
    Germanya month ago
  • Pro-Vaping ads?

    I generally enjoy this show, but the pro-vaping ads at the beginning are super distracting. I’m a mom to a teenager, and I can tell you that if vaping in teens is at an all-time low, that’s news to me. So many of my 9th grader’s peers love their vape pens. Starting a news show with pro-vaping propaganda is distracting, disturbing and bad form.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    KatyIlm
    United Statesa month ago
  • Megan > Dasha

    Can we please have Megan Masserly full-time? I cannot listen when Dasha is on; she is insufferable with her bias.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    28thHeavy
    United States2 months ago
  • Mixed bag

    Solid enough when we don’t have to listen to Dasha parrot lines from her White House sources (Miller? Seems like Miller). Jack corrals it a bit, but Dasha seems to be actually mimicking Trump’s speaking style: a mix of vapid cliches and vague statements lacking any clear examples. As if designed to avoid risking her access.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Capitol Bill
    United States3 months ago
  • Megan > Dasha

    Can we please have Megan Masserly full-time? Nothing against Dasha, but Megan seems to stick to the facts more, instead of mixing in any political bias.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    28thHeavy
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some fans want Megan Messerly in more episodes; Dasha's style is polarizing for a portion of the audience.
Positive feedback highlights solid reporting and strong on-the-ground reportage.
Critiques often focus on perceived bias and pacing, especially during high-drama weeks.
Listeners value concise, fact-based updates on fast-moving politics.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#58
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#159
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#139
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#144
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#149
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#201
France/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Do scandals still have political consequences? Plus, Biden’s back in the headlines
Q: What are you hearing about how Democrats are responding to the Bidens being back in the news?
Democrats are trying to move on while acknowledging the distractions, with alignment between national surrogates and state campaigns, as they balance moral arguments against electoral realities.
The crypto clash that could reshape finance (with Brian Armstrong) | The Conversation
Q: What lessons have you drawn from interactions with lawmakers and the evolving midterms on crypto policy?
There's a strong bipartisan current, and lawmakers are increasingly educated on crypto specifics. The key lesson is that constructive engagement and concrete proposals help move the dialogue from rhetoric to practical regulation that protects consumers and supports innovation.
The crypto clash that could reshape finance (with Brian Armstrong) | The Conversation
Q: You describe Coinbase as aiming to be a bank replacement for people. How do you reconcile lighter rules and broader access with the need for consumer protections?
We're not asking for lighter rules across the board; we want clear, consistent licensing options (bank, OCC, etc.) so we can operate within the U.S. framework with appropriate safeguards. The goal is to give consumers more choice and better access while maintaining robust protections through a well-defined regulatory perimeter.
Audience Q&A: Dasha Burns pulls back the curtain on covering politics | The Conversation
Q: If you could have any guest on the show, who would it be and why?
I would like to interview President Putin because of the geopolitical significance and the challenge of eliciting meaningful insight from such a consequential world leader.
Audience Q&A: Dasha Burns pulls back the curtain on covering politics | The Conversation
Q: As an anniversary question, what preparation steps do you take for big interviews, and how do you stay present and adaptable during a live conversation?
I assemble a research packet and a flexible list of questions, but I prioritize listening and responsiveness, sometimes letting the conversation take unexpected turns and following up to deepen the discussion.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Playbook Podcast

What is The Playbook Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This daily political briefing features sharp, fast-paced analysis of the biggest national stories, with a focus on U.S. politics, election dynamics, and policy debates. The hosts frequently dissect redistricting battles, foreign policy developments, and key high-profile events, often pairing on-the-ground reporting with strategic implications for campaigns and governance. Noteworthy is the mix of seasoned political journalism with candid host banter and guest insights from policymakers, strategists, and international observers, which adds depth to day-of coverage and long-range strategic context. The show is likely to appeal to listeners who want quick, policy-forward takes on how politics, money, and media shape the national agenda and upc... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Playbook Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Playbook Podcast:

1. The Conversation with Dasha Burns
2. The Daily Punch
3. POLITICO Energy
4. The NPR Politics Podcast
5. The Daily

How many episodes of The Playbook Podcast are there?

The Playbook Podcast launched 10 years ago and published 2178 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 The Playbook Podcast?

Recent guests on The Playbook Podcast include:

1. Lee Zeldin
2. Brian Armstrong
3. Jeremy White
4. Abby Philip
5. Brett Baier
6. Josh Shapiro
7. Olga Stefanishyna
8. Wes Moore

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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