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Start Here

ABC News
Iran
Donald Trump
United States
Trump Administration
Israel
Jeffrey Epstein
Venezuela
President Trump
Government Shutdown
Congress
Department Of Justice
Charlie Kirk
James Comey
Hurricane Melissa
ICE
Gaza
Supreme Court
FBI
Ukraine
Russia

A straightforward look at the day's top news in 20 minutes. Powered by ABC News. Hosted by Brad Mielke.

PublishesDailyEpisodes159Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsDaily NewsPolitics

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Latest Episodes

The Supreme Court sides with the Trump administration in a pair of high-profile immigration cases. Rescuers desperately search for survivors after a pair of earthquakes in Venezuela. And the Strait of Hormuz effectively shuts after an Iranian drone a... more

President Trump refuses to sign a bipartisan affordable housing bill, insisting that Congress pass his SAVE America Act first. Victories for allies of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani prompt a broad conversation about Democratic strategy. And conce... more

The House passes a bipartisan bill meant to make it easier to buy a home. The Pentagon asks Congress for $80 billion. And a stifling heatwave in Europe becomes deadly.

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American negotiators say Iran has agreed to allow nuclear weapons inspectors to examine their stockpiles, but several hurdles remain. United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigns, paving the way for Andy Burnham to succeed him. And legendary mu... 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.

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Recent Guests

Ruth DeWitt
Tourism Board of Lawrence, Kansas representative
Lawrence Tourism Board
Episode: US & Iran Reach Ceasefire Agreement
Wasini Suarid
Algerian team supporter and fan
Independent fan
Episode: US & Iran Reach Ceasefire Agreement
Selina Wang
ABC News senior White House correspondent
ABC News
Episode: Back to Battle? Iran Launches Missiles at Israel
Amanda Hamilton
Interview subject discussing travel burden and medical needs
Private individual
Episode: The World's Oil Supply is Draining
Lily (pseudonym)
Asylum seeker from Ukraine speaking about child citizenship
Private individual
Episode: The World's Oil Supply is Draining
Catherine Falders
ABC's Washington managing editor
ABC News
Episode: Trump’s Tweaks to the ‘Final’ Iran Agreement
Britt Clennet
ABC News foreign correspondent
ABC News
Episode: Trump’s Tweaks to the ‘Final’ Iran Agreement
Armando Garcia
ABC's immigration reporter
ABC News
Episode: From Missile Strikes…to a Ceasefire Plan?
Luke Barr
ABC's justice and homeland security correspondent
ABC News
Episode: From Missile Strikes…to a Ceasefire Plan?

Hosts

Stephen Portnoy
National correspondent with deep regulatory and electoral context; frequently contributes strategic analysis on U.S. politics.
Brad Mielke
Host; primary daily voice delivering the lead summaries and pacing for the show; coordinates guest contributions and sponsor segments.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 9.5k ratings
  • I am lost without you!

    I am lost without you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DrDoobyDoo
    United States13 days ago
  • Love your show, but the politic’s stories are getting out of hand.

    You all do an excellent job of giving me the latest news and updates from a non-biased opinion. I am starting to get some brain drain on the ongoing and repetitive problems with our political system, nuances, and gripping with our American leadership. Love it if you could take one or two days to hit other relevant and important topics in the United States/world.. Thank you for your consideration. Hope some folks may feel the same.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Prdfgjjk
    United States23 days ago
  • More commercials than content

    The insane commercial to content ratio is reminiscent of old cable tv times. Used to love this podcast, now unlistenable.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Jcjcjc21
    United Statesa month ago
  • This starts my day

    Love this podcast but shocked to hear that a robot taking care of an elderly relative as “positive” on 5/22

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MR116$
    United Statesa month ago
  • Love

    10 stars

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    foxsongs
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners criticize perceived bias or uneven coverage across topics and guests.
Many praise on-the-ground reporting and the credible guest mix.
Listeners appreciate the concise, clear daily brief and the calm presenter style.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#17
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#71
United States/News
Apple Podcasts
#45
Canada/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#123
United Kingdom/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#245
Canada/News
Apple Podcasts
#61
Australia/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What Trump Said to Netanyahu
Q: What did the White House think about whether the Iran-Israel skirmishes were likely to escalate or fizzle out?
Karl conveyed that officials viewed it as a dangerous dynamic where both sides could escalate but there was ongoing negotiation and a desire to avoid derailing the deal, with warnings about the costs of war.
Back to Battle? Iran Launches Missiles at Israel
Q: How are Maine voters reacting to Platner's allegations as they head into the primary?
Voters are split; some see Platner as the best chance to win the seat while others are reluctant to support him due to the allegations, with party insiders and two state representatives indicating continued support or opposition based on the balance between policy priorities and character concerns.
Back to Battle? Iran Launches Missiles at Israel
Q: What would trigger you to restart military action against Iran?
The guest suggested a severe triggering event, like killing American citizens, would be a red line that could push the U.S. toward renewed or intensified military action, though the broader discussion emphasized weighing such actions against the prospects of a renewed deal and regional stability.
How Paxton’s Win Changes the Midterm Map
Q: Rick, big victory for Paxton here. Can you just walk us through the significance of this?
Rick Klein explains that Paxton's win dramatically elevates Texas in the national map, potentially improving Republicans' chances by weakening the incumbent-turned-challenger dynamic and altering the trajectory for other states with similar political dynamics.
An Ohio Airman & the Cost of the Iran War
Q: What has this experience taught you about the cost of war?
Pitts suggests that the cost of war goes beyond casualties to teach lessons about life, resilience, and the value of cherishing loved ones, while reinforcing the idea that freedom comes at a real, personal price.

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 Start Here

What is Start Here about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A concise daily briefing that covers the top national and international news in about 20 minutes, with quick explainers, on-the-ground reporting, and expert context. Episodes frequently thread together politics, foreign policy, and notable legal or health developments, often weaving in sponsor reads and quick takes from a rotating set of ABC News correspondents. Noteworthy is the mix of straightforward reporting, human-interest angles, and a signature wrap-up that keeps listeners informed without overwhelming detail. The show tends to favor clear, accessible explanations for a broad audience of commuting professionals and engaged citizens who want a reliable morning update and dependable guest perspectives on complex issues.

Where can I find podcast stats for Start Here?

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

How many listeners does Start Here get?

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What are the audience demographics for Start Here?

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How many subscribers and views does Start Here have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Start Here 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 Start Here?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Start Here:

1. Up First from NPR
2. Apple News Today
3. The Daily
4. The Excerpt
5. Consider This from NPR

How many episodes of Start Here are there?

Start Here launched 8 years ago and published 159 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 Start Here?

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 Start Here?

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

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What guests have appeared on Start Here?

Recent guests on Start Here include:

1. Ruth DeWitt
2. Wasini Suarid
3. Selina Wang
4. Amanda Hamilton
5. Lily (pseudonym)
6. Catherine Falders
7. Britt Clennet
8. Armando Garcia

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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