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The Al Franken Podcast

The Al Franken Podcast
Donald Trump
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A five-time Emmy winning SNL comedy writer/producer, joins a four-time #1 NYT bestselling author, a three-time highest-rated national progressive radio host, a two-time Grammy winning artist, and a former US Senator. So, it gets a little crowded in the booth when Al talks public policy and sometimes political comedy with notable guests. Think “The Daily” without the resources of the NYTimes.

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Latest Episodes

In this Best Of episode, we revisit our June 2025 conversation with CNN Anchor and Chief National Affairs Analyst Kasie Hunt! It's a very fun conversation covering her work and what inspired her to follow her passion for journalism.

She discusses th... more

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Guest Host Norm Ornstein welcomes Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) to cover all the news happening in Congress. We cover the war in Iran and how it’s driving prices up across the country and the world, consequently having a major impact on Americans' wallets... more

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One of Donald Trump's most successful initiatives in his second term has been making himself and his family richer than ever. In this Best Of episode, we revisit our November 2025 conversation with The New Yorker’s David Kirkpatrick, who wrote a piec... more

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Guest Host Trae Crowder is joined by his friend and fellow standup comedian, Geoffrey Asmus! The two dig into the state of Trump's base, including Geoffrey's own MAGA dad showing signs of buyer's remorse, and why economic pain at the dinner table may... more

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Recent Guests

Rosa DeLauro
Representative for New Haven, Connecticut; Chair/Ranking Member of key committees
U.S. House of Representatives
Episode: Rep. Rosa DeLauro on Congressional Chaos
Geoffrey Asmus
Comedian
Episode: Trae Crowder and Geoffrey Asmus on Comedy and Politics
Al Franken
Five-time Emmy-winning SNL writer/producer and former US Senator
The Al Franken Podcast
Episode: BEST OF: Al on SNL’s 50th Anniversary
Madeleine Dean
Representative, Pennsylvania
U.S. House of Representatives
Episode: Rep. Madeleine Dean on POTUS Pardon Corruption
George Packer
Staff writer for The Atlantic, author of Hillbilly Elegy
The Atlantic
Episode: BEST OF: George Packer on JD Vance
David Rothkopf
Foreign Affairs Analyst
Foreign Affairs Analyst (independent)
Episode: 2: David Rothkopf and Paul Rieckhoff on The Iran War
Paul Rieckhoff
Rock veteran, host of Independent Americans podcast
Independent Americans
Episode: 2: David Rothkopf and Paul Rieckhoff on The Iran War
Ari Berman
National voting correspondent for Mother Jones
Mother Jones
Episode: 1: Ari Berman on Trump’s Plans to Steal the Midterms
Wendell Potter
Former VP of Corporate Communications at Cigna Health Insurance, now advocating for health care reform and accountability
Center for Health and Democracy
Episode: Wendell Potter on The Healthcare Crisis

Host

Al Franken
Former U.S. Senator, Emmy-winning writer, and progressive radio host who brings humor and insight into discussions about politics and public policy.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 9.4k ratings
  • Ep released 5/10/26

    The most recent episode with Norm Orenstein was not up to the high quality of this show. It was a terrible conversation with all sorts of background noise. Usually a great show.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Canuck living in US
    United States14 days ago
  • Repeats

    Too many “best of” repeats. Lost interest.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    nepeddlar
    United States20 days ago
  • Is our action in Iran a war?

    It is an unlawful war in violation of the Geneva conventions the UN charter to which we are a signatory and to domestic laws of war.

    Can you think of another world leader who insists his war not be called a war? That would, of course be Putin. Trump keeps great company.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lee Esq
    United States2 months ago
  • Power and a sick mind

    Excellent conversation. Coupled with detailed understanding of the perils of war, especially one started on a whim without any real plan was important discussion of Trump’s mental illness and deterioration. I wish more commentators would shine a light on the sociopathic personality at work in the malignant narcissist. A man with his sickness should never be granted this much power especially without any checks or guardrails. Damage and suffering is always the result.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gateway cityZen
    United States2 months ago
  • Cuban Drones

    Couldn’t this be a False Flag by Trump forces, to launch drones from Cuba at America or American assets?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    WilderLander
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Many reviews emphasize the value of the podcast as a trusted source of political commentary during turbulent times.
Listeners appreciate the insightful discussions and humor, often highlighting the quality of guests and the thoughtful treatment of complex political issues.
There are concerns about the frequency and volume of advertisements interrupting the flow of episodes.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#153
United States/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#234
Canada/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#137
Sweden/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#208
Chile/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#213
Philippines/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#222
Indonesia/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

BEST OF: David Kirkpatrick on Trump’s Shameless Profiteering
Q: How does the crypto angle fit into the overall portrait of wealth accumulation?
Crypto ventures are presented as leveraging the sitting president's influence to boost credibility and demand for crypto products, with token sales, World Liberty Financial, and partnerships that created new revenue streams and a large, though opaque, asset base.
BEST OF: David Kirkpatrick on Trump’s Shameless Profiteering
Q: What are the main ways the Trumps profited from the presidency beyond traditional business activity?
The guest explains that profits came from a mix of increased personal stakes in properties, campaign-related expenditures shifted into personal profit, licensing deals in the Middle East, and crypto ventures through Trump-branded companies, including tokens and meme coins that monetized brand access and events.
BEST OF: Al on SNL’s 50th Anniversary
Q: Was the show always political from the jump, and how did politics get introduced to SNL?
Politics arrived early in the show's run, with Chevy Chase and later others incorporating political impressions and sketches. The writers, including Al Franken and Tom Davis, pushed political content as part of the show's fabric, using satire to reflect contemporary events and politicians.
BEST OF: Al on SNL’s 50th Anniversary
Q: What makes a really good host? And feel free to provide examples of who that might be.
A good host pairs live performance skills with a willingness to improvise and work with the cast; athletes and comedians who thrive under pressure tend to be strong hosts, while big-name actors can also be great if they understand the live format and timing. Examples include Steve Martin, Michael Palin, and Peyton Manning, who demonstrated comfort with live TV and high-energy interactions.
Best Of: John Fugelsang on Jesus and Politics
Q: What would Jesus' immigration policy look like in today's political climate?
He argues for welcoming the stranger and notes that Christian compassion should translate into compassionate, humane policies rather than punitive ones, while criticizing right-wing rhetoric that uses scripture for exclusion.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Al Franken Podcast

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

This podcast features insightful discussions about American politics, public policy, and current events, often characterized by a blend of humor and critique. The host, a former U.S. Senator, engages with a variety of notable guests, including political figures, journalists, and advocates, to explore pressing issues facing the nation. Topics frequently cover the Trump administration, healthcare reform, immigration policies, and political corruption, all delivered with a unique mix of analysis and wit. The conversational style makes complex subjects accessible and relatable, appealing to listeners who appreciate a thoughtful yet entertaining take on contemporary issues.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Al Franken Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Al Franken Podcast:

1. Fast Politics with Molly Jong-Fast
2. The Bulwark Podcast
3. Talking Feds
4. Politics War Room with James Carville & Al Hunt
5. The Lincoln Project

How many episodes of The Al Franken Podcast are there?

The Al Franken Podcast launched 7 years ago and published 385 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 Al Franken Podcast?

Recent guests on The Al Franken Podcast include:

1. Rosa DeLauro
2. Geoffrey Asmus
3. Al Franken
4. Madeleine Dean
5. George Packer
6. David Rothkopf
7. Paul Rieckhoff
8. Ari Berman

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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