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The Axe Files with David Axelrod

The Institute of Politics & CNN
Donald Trump
American Evangelicals
Christian Nationalism
Nikki Haley
Sara Paretsky
January 6 Insurrection
Evangelical Church
Women In Literature
Women's Rights
Civil Rights Movement
Crime Fiction
Anti-Semitism
Congress
Israel-Palestine Conflict
The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory
Moral Majority
Violence Against Women
Joe Biden
Grief
Michigan

David Axelrod, the founder and director of the University of Chicago Institute of Politics, and CNN bring you The Axe Files, a series of revealing interviews with key figures in the political world. Go beyond the soundbites and get to know some of the most interesting players in politics.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes642Founded10 years ago
Category
News

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Artwork for The Axe Files

Latest Episodes

This week marks a significant moment for The Axe Files: our final episode. We hope you have found these conversations to be as eye-opening and inspiring as we have, and we’ll miss sharing stories with you each week. For the final episode, David talke... more

Scott Jennings is well known as a conservative firebrand on CNN. From working for George W. Bush to being mentioned as a possible press secretary for Donald Trump, Scott has a deep background in Republican politics, yet he considers himself a journal... more

Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez has made waves—and won elections—by questioning who gets to be an expert on the needs of everyday Americans. She grew up in Texas and attended Reed College before settling in rural Washington and opening an aut... more

This Thanksgiving, we’re revisiting a conversation with historian and writer Jon Meacham on his book, “And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln and the American Struggle.” The book dives deep into Lincoln and the why behind the actions of America’s 16th ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host

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Recent Guests

Rahm Emanuel
U.S. Ambassador to Japan and former Chicago Mayor
U.S. Government
Episode: Ep. 605 — Ambassador Rahm Emanuel
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
Congresswoman from Washington and advocate for local concerns and working-class issues
U.S. Congress
Episode: Ep. 603 — Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
John Anzalone
Polling expert and political strategist, former chief pollster for Joe Biden and the Obama campaigns.
Episode: Ep. 601 — John Anzalone
Ilana Dayan
One of Israel's most celebrated broadcast journalists
Episode: Ep. 597 — Ilana Dayan
Janet Yellen
First woman to serve as Treasury Secretary and former Chairman of the Federal Reserve
Episode: Ep. 596 — Secretary Janet Yellen
DeMar DeRozan
NBA player and author
Sacramento Kings
Episode: Ep. 593 — DeMar DeRozan
Kamala Harris
Current Vice President of the United States and former U.S. Senator from California
Office of the Vice President of the United States
Episode: Best of The Axe Files: Vice President Kamala Harris
JD Vance
Author and politician, known for his memoir 'Hillbilly Elegy'.
United States Senator
Episode: Best of The Axe Files: Sen. JD Vance
Anthony Fauci
American physician and immunologist, renowned for his work in public health as a director at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Georgetown University
Episode: Ep. 585 — Dr. Anthony Fauci

Host

David Axelrod
Host of a series of revealing interviews with political figures, known for his insightful and relatable approach to discussions around personal and professional narratives in politics.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 9k ratings
  • Sad

    Thank you David for this podcast. You will be missed! Hope to hear or see you soon!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AngolaIN
    United States3 months ago
  • Thank you

    So very sorry to see this show end. As a Canadian your show gave me a Berber understanding of the American system and its people. I will truly miss your broadcasts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    M1947
    Canada3 months ago
  • Bull in China

    Regarding IP thieving by China. It is worth noting that the British stole secrets of porcelain manufacturing from them at the beginning of the modern world. What goes around comes around.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JohnTapp
    United States4 months ago
  • Thank you!

    My favorite podcast of all time. I’ll miss you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BettyCA92024
    United States4 months ago
  • Thank you for exceptional interviews.

    Good luck in your next endeavor. The Axe Files was my favorite podcast to learn about the background of your guests and how they impact our world in the present. You helped put in perspective the lives of politicians who think differently than me as well as those I closely identify with.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CR Barrett
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the thoughtful and well-researched interviews, noting that the conversations often provide depth and context missing in mainstream political discussions.
Some feedback indicates dissatisfaction with specific guests and discussions, suggesting that the audience seeks a balance of perspectives while remaining critical of partisan biases.
Many commend the host's ability to engage guests across the political spectrum, fostering meaningful dialogue and connection.
The intimate and personal storytelling approach is praised, as it allows insights into the human aspects behind political figures.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 602 — Chris LaCivita
Q: Why did the campaign focus on irregular voters?
The strategy was to connect with Trump voters who typically did not participate in elections, leading to successful voter registrations and increased turnout in primaries.
Ep. 602 — Chris LaCivita
Q: What was your experience in the military like?
Chris shared that he was activated during the Gulf War and faced a life-changing experience when he was wounded by shrapnel.
Ep. 602 — Chris LaCivita
Q: When did they come over?
Chris LaCivita's family immigrated from Italy in the early 1920s, and from Ireland in the late 20s to early 30s.
Ep. 559 — Sen. Mallory McMorrow
Q: How has your background informed your political perspective?
McMorrow shared that her diverse upbringing, as well as her experiences in industrial design, have equipped her with a unique understanding of problem-solving and community engagement in her political career.
Ep. 559 — Sen. Mallory McMorrow
Q: What did your viral speech about grooming and critical race theory respond to?
It responded to a Republican colleague's fundraising email that accused her of being a groomer, which deeply angered her and prompted her to speak out against such damaging rhetoric.

Audience Metrics

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

Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Axe Files

What is The Axe Files about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast features a series of in-depth interviews with prominent figures across the political landscape, focusing not only on their professional accomplishments but also on their personal stories and experiences. Noteworthy for its conversational style, it explores the intersection of personal history and political thought, offering listeners unique insights into the motivations and backgrounds of its guests. This approach emphasizes the human side of politics, fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities inherent in political discourse. As such, it may appeal to listeners interested in nuanced discussions around political issues, personal anecdotes, and the intricacies of political life.

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How many listeners does The Axe Files get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Axe Files?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Axe Files:

1. Hacks On Tap
2. Politics War Room with James Carville & Al Hunt
3. The Bulwark Podcast
4. The Al Franken Podcast
5. Impolitic with John Heilemann

How many episodes of The Axe Files are there?

The Axe Files launched 10 years ago and published 642 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 The Axe Files?

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 The Axe Files?

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What guests have appeared on The Axe Files?

Recent guests on The Axe Files include:

1. Rahm Emanuel
2. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
3. John Anzalone
4. Ilana Dayan
5. Janet Yellen
6. DeMar DeRozan
7. Kamala Harris
8. JD Vance

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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