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The Playbook Podcast

POLITICO
Donald Trump
Iran
Venezuela
NATO
Republican Party
Immigration
Democratic Party
Congress
Medicare Advantage
Ukraine
Federal Reserve
ICE
United States
Midterm Elections
Minnesota
JD Vance
Supreme Court
Gavin Newsom
Russia
Trump Administration

POLITICO’s Dasha Burns bring her fresh insight, analysis and reporting to the stories driving the day in the nation’s capital. She will be joined by her fellow co-authors and journalists from across POLITICO — available, as always, in audio and video formats each morning.

PublishesDailyEpisodes2352Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsDaily NewsNews

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Artwork for The Playbook Podcast

Latest Episodes

The 2026 midterms are taking shape, and the results could determine the future of both parties.

Dasha sits down with her fellow Playbook co-authors Adam Wren and Will Steakin to examine what the primaries have revealed about Trump’s influence, the R... more

In an episode from another great Politico show, On the Road, Jonathan Martin sits down with Iowa gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand at the Iowa State Fair to talk politics over a pork tenderloin and a deep-fried Twinkie.

Sand, a Democrat running in a ... more

Social psychologist and “The Anxious Generation” author Jonathan Haidt helped turn concerns about kids and social media into a global political movement. Now, as Meta faces a consequential trial over youth safety and addiction, Haidt tells Dasha why ... more

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg joins POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin in Traverse City, Michigan, to discuss the future of the Democratic Party and why he believes Democrats can't simply campaign on a return to the pre-Trump status quo.

Bu... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Zach Lahn
Republican candidate for governor in Iowa
Campaign for Iowa Governor
Episode: ‘Bobby unleashed’ on the campaign trail
Alex Clark
Turning Point USA voice mentioned in conversation
Turning Point USA
Episode: ‘Bobby unleashed’ on the campaign trail
Ryan Heath
Launch editor of Politico Australia, Canberra Playbook
Politico Australia
Episode: Mark Kelly’s next frontier
Adam Schiff
United States Senator from California
U.S. Senate
Episode: How DSA progressives and centrist Dems can both win (with Sen. Adam Schiff) | The Conversation
Ali Bianco
Playbook reporter
POLITICO Playbook
Episode: Who can replace Karoline Leavitt?
Debbie Dingell
Congresswoman, based in Ann Arbor
U.S. Congress
Episode: Gavin Newsom’s Michigan fumble
Virgie Rollins
Influential DNC Black Caucus chair
Democratic National Committee Black Caucus
Episode: Gavin Newsom’s Michigan fumble
Alyssa Slotkin
U.S. Representative
U.S. Congress
Episode: Gavin Newsom’s Michigan fumble
Gretchen Whitmer
Governor of Michigan
Michigan State Government
Episode: Gavin Newsom’s Michigan fumble

Hosts

Dasha Burns
Host with POLITICO-Playbook lineage and a focus on political reporting and insider perspectives.
Megan Messerly
Co-host with emphasis on factual reporting and policy context.
Adam Wren
Co-host/Reporter contributing Playbook coverage.

Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Still normalizes Trump. Case in point, calls him a "sports fan" when it's obvious he isn't.

    Podcast Addict
    1
    MaxW
    9 days ago
  • New Format/Hosts

    Huh?

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Globalist
    United Statesa month ago
  • Superficial, vapid

    Highly unimpressed. Dasha talks without saying much of anything. Pretty standard value-free journalism that focuses on power, money, and optics. Not committed to truth, but rather to a vague, nonpartisan notion of ‘neutrality.’

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    willow-sc
    United States2 months ago
  • Balanced if not fair

    The "on the other handism" is palpable, as is the apparent requirement for Maya Ward not to speak too frankly about the Trump

    administration--perhaps so as not to burn White House sources. This is a service to sources, not readers, and the means are a disservice to the ends. I'm unfollowing the podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    PhillyGirl99
    United States2 months ago
  • Government biased news

    Democrats need to stop being Socialists.

    If it’s good for Democrats, they report it.

    If it’s bad for Democrats, they ignore it.

    If they can’t ignore it, they report how badly the Republicans reacted to the story.

    Funded by USAID.

    Can I give less than zero stars as a rating?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Greg Potter
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Advertiser mix and messaging are frequent discussion points in reviews.
Production pacing and dynamic between hosts polarize opinions among listeners.
Some listeners critique perceived bias and host banter.
Listeners appreciate insider reporting and practical policy context.
Guests and topics cover regulatory policy, tech, and national politics, attracting policy-focused sponsors.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#83
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#227
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#156
United Kingdom/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#170
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#134
Australia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#180
Germany/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Dems’ ‘silent normie majority’
Q: Adam, your take on the normie majority and the primary results?
Adam describes growing turnout among non-elite, non-online voters across Michigan and Wisconsin, arguing that this trend could signal a shift in Democratic dynamics and a reevaluation of how the party engages working-class voters.
How DSA progressives and centrist Dems can both win (with Sen. Adam Schiff) | The Conversation
Q: What lessons can be drawn from California's progressive experiments for national strategy?
The key is to focus on working people's needs and ensure that policy proposals deliver tangible benefits, rather than appealing to ideology alone; policy must translate into real improvements in cost of living and opportunity.
How DSA progressives and centrist Dems can both win (with Sen. Adam Schiff) | The Conversation
Q: What is your stance on bold, big-ticket policy ideas versus incremental changes?
We should move beyond incrementalism and pursue aggressive reforms that address core economic issues, including Medicare for All and robust social programs, while maintaining the party's broad tent.
How DSA progressives and centrist Dems can both win (with Sen. Adam Schiff) | The Conversation
Q: Do you think that Democratic voters in California have been resistant to the insurgent left, and why?
I don't think Californians have been resistant; rather, the quality of candidate and the ability to inspire people matters, with diverse leadership like San Francisco and San Jose showing different styles.
MAGA puts Mullin on ice
Q: What have you learned about Harris's potential bid?
She has not decided to run or not run for president yet; she is weighing options and appears to be pursuing multiple directions, including a strong midterms presence and potential policy-driven messaging, while keeping many doors open for 2028.

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 The Playbook Podcast

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

A fast-paced political analysis show that centers on U.S. policy, elections, and governance with insider reporting and hands-on reporting from Washington. Episodes frequently cover 2028 trajectories, regulatory and antitrust topics, congressional maneuvering, and high-profile interviews, often pairing news updates with long-form conversations and a Talk of the Town segment. A notable strength is pairing journalists with subject-matter guests to illuminate regulatory, political, and policy developments in a practical, real-world context. The format tends to blend sharp analysis with policy nuance, making it useful for listeners who want orientation on how national stories unfold behind the scenes, and for potential guests or sponsors seeking... 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 Daily Punch
2. The Conversation with Dasha Burns
3. POLITICO Energy
4. The NPR Politics Podcast
5. The Political Scene | The New Yorker

How many episodes of The Playbook Podcast are there?

The Playbook Podcast launched 10 years ago and published 2352 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. Zach Lahn
2. Alex Clark
3. Ryan Heath
4. Adam Schiff
5. Ali Bianco
6. Debbie Dingell
7. Virgie Rollins
8. Alyssa Slotkin

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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