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Press Play with Madeleine Brand

KCRW
Los Angeles
California
Donald Trump
KCRW
ICE
Wildfires
Trump Administration
Climate Change
Gavin Newsom
Netflix
Artificial Intelligence
Stranger Things
Israel
ICE Raids
Gaza
AI Data Centers
Woody Guthrie
Posse Comitatus Act
Drunk Driving
United States

Host Madeleine Brand looks at news, culture and emerging trends through the lens of Los Angeles.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1104Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for Press Play

Latest Episodes

Plus, Sam Altman and other AI leaders unite to ask the government for more regulation, our weekend movie reviews include the latest Spider-Man, and Evan Kleiman goes to Cambria to find some good eats.

Plus, Saudi Arabia is now involved in the Iran war, the administration allegedly shares confidential information with Iran to deport asylum seekers, and Venice homeowners hire a company made up of former gang members to clear encampments.

Plus, how President Trump’s Canada tariffs hurt California winemakers, people are drinking less and that’s hurting restaurants, and if the news has you filled with rage, try writing a manifesto.

Plus, there’ll be a trial between states and Paramount over the merger that could reshape Hollywood, President Trump’s new tariffs face legal challenges, and DJ J.Rocc shares his favorite summer songs.

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.

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Recent Guests

Betye Saar
LA assemblage artist, creator of The Liberation of Aunt Jemima
Independent artist
Episode: Remembering LA icon Betye Saar, and how she saw race in America
Caterina Tana
Daughter of Dan Tana; storyteller in the interview
Dan Tana's (family)
Episode: Dan Tana’s daughters reflect on their dad’s singular restaurant
Gabrielle Tana
Daughter of Dan Tana; storyteller in the interview
Dan Tana's (family)
Episode: Dan Tana’s daughters reflect on their dad’s singular restaurant
Dan Tversky
Host of Dan Tversky's Manifesto
Dan Tversky's Manifesto
Episode: Europe is on fire. A coming heat wave could make it even worse
Char Miller
Professor of Environmental Analysis and History at Pomona College
Pomona College
Episode: Europe is on fire. A coming heat wave could make it even worse
Nathan Carlson
Winemaker, Center of Effort Wines
Center of Effort Wines
Episode: Europe is on fire. A coming heat wave could make it even worse
Kim Masters
Host of The Business on KCRW; partner at POC News
KCRW; Puck News
Episode: Homelessness is up in LA. What it means for the mayor’s race
Ross McElwee
Documentary filmmaker known for Sherman's March; discusses Remake and his son Adrian's overdose
Independent filmmaker
Episode: Ross McElwee’s new film ‘Remake’ explores his son’s overdose
Madri Yahia
Contributing reporter for Los Angeles Public Press
Los Angeles Public Press
Episode: Jackie got jumped! Beloved Big Bear eagle recovering after attack

Host

Madeleine Brand
Host of Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 196 ratings
  • Taylor Lorenz??? REALLY?

    I’m sorry, but having on Taylor Lorenz—a known liar and hack—who has turned chicanery and gaslighting into an (albeit bumpy) career path has destroyed my respect for this show. Listening to her try to gaslight and shame us into denying our own critical thinking skills is audience abuse and I won’t take it. I’m so sick of being spoken down to by professional trolls like Taylor. Respect your audience and their intellect.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Xoxo79
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great show, love KCRW, can’t go wrong!!

    Great show, love KCRW, can’t go wrong!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ZephyrDogTown
    United States3 years ago
  • Madeleine Bernadotte??

    Love the show! It’s my favorite show! But has anyone noticed that it says the host is Madeleine Bernadotte at Apple Podcast??

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Allen in the hills
    United States3 years ago
  • A Must Listen for Californians and beyond

    Love Madeline and Press Play! A must listen to be plugged into everything LA and California.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SonmonGoodMon
    United States4 years ago
  • Interview with Adrian Bonnenberger (military)

    I really appreciate hearing the interview with the army officer who is trying to get his interpreter out. This is a humanitarian catastrophe which will be forgotten unless Biden takes more action.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Zozobutt
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listener sentiment highlights thoughtful conversation and strong guests, with praise for topic breadth and local California focus.
Audience values public media credibility and in-depth coverage of LA and CA issues.
Many listeners appreciate high-quality guests across politics, culture, and science, and view the host as an engaging interviewer.
Some criticism centers on perceived bias or interview style, suggesting room for more balanced or rigorous journalism.

Top News Podcasts

The Daily
The DailyThe New York Times
Pod Save America
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The Ben Shapiro Show
The Ben Shapiro ShowThe Daily Wire
The Tucker Carlson Show
The Tucker Carlson ShowTucker Carlson Network
Candace
CandaceCandace Owens
Pivot
PivotNew York Magazine
Morning Wire
Morning WireThe Daily Wire

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ross McElwee’s new film ‘Remake’ explores his son’s overdose
Q: How do you come across as a filmmaker in Remake? Are you a sympathetic character in this movie?
He acknowledges being largely sympathetic but notes viewers may see him as stern or worried about his son, emphasizing the complexity of portraying himself as a central figure while grappling with a difficult family history.
Ross McElwee’s new film ‘Remake’ explores his son’s overdose
Q: Did it make you think of your own movies differently when you considered turning Sherman's March into a feature film or a TV series?
McElwee says the process made him view his films as evolving projects where the personal lens can coexist with broader storytelling, leading to new forms or extensions of his earlier work.
Ross McElwee’s new film ‘Remake’ explores his son’s overdose
Q: First, talk about the title of the movie Remake.
The title signals a rethinking of his previous work, using the idea of remake both literally and metaphorically as he revisits old footage and shifts the narrative to include his son's overdose, creating a new, personal arc.
Angry voters. Corrupt leaders. Shakespeare’s ‘Coriolanus’ feels like a modern tragedy
Q: Why did you decide to stage Coriolanus now in Griffith Park?
Because the play's themes of angry citizens and corrupt leadership feel especially relevant today, and the outdoor festival format allows for a free, accessible experience that invites audience engagement.
Jackie got jumped! Beloved Big Bear eagle recovering after attack
Q: What is different about AI-enabled drones compared to earlier drone warfare?
AI drones operate with on-board decision-making and can autonomously identify threats and execute actions, which raises questions about the necessity and effectiveness of human oversight.

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 Press Play

What is Press Play about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The program tends to center Los Angeles–focused news, culture, and policy, weaving together local government, infrastructure, climate, and public-interest stories with broader national and global context. Episodes frequently feature a mix of journalism, expert analysis, and cultural perspective, often highlighting how city planning, technology, and social policy intersect with daily life in Southern California. Notable throughlines include housing and governance, energy and climate, as well as arts and music scenes, all delivered through thoughtful interviews and diverse panel moments. A standout trait is the show's ability to pair in-depth policy discussions with human-interest or cultural storytelling, creating a locally grounded yet broa... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Press Play?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Press Play. 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 Press Play and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Press Play get?

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What are the audience demographics for Press Play?

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How many subscribers and views does Press Play have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Press Play 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 Press Play?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Press Play:

1. The Daily
2. FilmWeek
3. Today, Explained
4. The New Yorker Radio Hour
5. Fresh Air

How many episodes of Press Play are there?

Press Play launched 13 years ago and published 1104 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 Press Play?

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 Press Play?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Press Play 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.

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Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Press Play. 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 Press Play?

Recent guests on Press Play include:

1. Betye Saar
2. Caterina Tana
3. Gabrielle Tana
4. Dan Tversky
5. Char Miller
6. Nathan Carlson
7. Kim Masters
8. Ross McElwee

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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