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Artwork for The Speaker

The Speaker

KQED
Nancy Pelosi
Democratic Party
Donald Trump
Affordable Care Act
Nancy Pelosi's Political Legacy
KQED
San Francisco
House Of Representatives
Health Care Reform
Political Fundraising
Iraq War
Barack Obama
Wall Street Bailout / TARP
Stock Act
January 6 Capitol Riot
Campaign Finance

Trailblazer. Lightning rod. First woman Speaker of the House. Nancy Pelosi never intended to run for office — but in 1987, a twist of fate thrust her into San Francisco’s political arena. In Congress, she seized power and became one of the most polarizing, effective and iconic figures in political history. “The Speaker” is a new limited-run podcast series from KQED that builds on exclusive access ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes6Founded2 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Speaker

Latest Episodes

A local politician once called San Francisco politics a “knife fight in a phone booth” where centrist Democrats and progressives duke it out in close proximity. Out of that phone booth emerged Nancy Pelosi. In our series finale, we reckon with what h... more

In 2016, Nancy Pelosi was planning on retiring from Congress. But Donald Trump’s presidential victory disrupted her plans, and her legacy. Pelosi’s public battles with the President cemented her status as a liberal warrior – spearheading two impeachm... more

In 2008, with the historic election of President Barack Obama and Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress, Speaker Pelosi saw a huge opening for healthcare reform. She knew it would be hard-fought, but this was not Pelosi’s first battle. She... more

Long before she became Madam Speaker, Nancy Pelosi was “Little Nancy” D’Alesandro. Raised in Little Italy in Baltimore, Maryland, she learned the lessons of power from her larger-than-life parents: “Tommy the Elder,” a Congressman and mayor of Baltim... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Nancy Pelosi
First woman Speaker of the House and longtime Democratic leader
U.S. House of Representatives
Episode: 5. Just Win
Gavin Newsom
Governor of California and longtime observer of Nancy Pelosi's political career
State of California
Episode: 5. Just Win
Hillary Bross
Executive Director of OpenSecrets, a nonprofit that tracks money in U.S. politics
OpenSecrets
Episode: 5. Just Win
Christine Pelosi
Nancy Pelosi's daughter and a commentator on women's political participation
Episode: 5. Just Win
Ilhan Omar
U.S. representative who discusses Nancy Pelosi's mentorship and support
U.S. House of Representatives
Episode: 5. Just Win
Lateefah Simon
U.S. representative from California's 12th District and former justice reform organizer
U.S. House of Representatives
Episode: 5. Just Win
Susan Page
Biographer of Nancy Pelosi
Author, Washington Bureau Chief for USA Today
Episode: 2. We Need a Wrecking Ball

Host

Scott Shafer
Principal political correspondent and host; longtime host of the series on political life, power, and institutions. Affiliated with KQED.

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 57 ratings
  • Power House

    I’m on tenterhooks waiting for the next episode. Thank you for putting this together.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Will Jackson QC
    United Statesa month ago
  • So excited for the final 3 episodes!

    How far we have come ....much farther we need to go. Really great in depth reporting

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Amy4789
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great podcast!!

    Very good !! The most effective speaker of our time ! Maybe ever . Haters gotta hate !! lol. Go - ……………….. 😂😂😂

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    spiritualityguy
    United Statesa month ago
  • Hahahhaha

    Hahahaha

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    !huh
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

High praise for the host's reporting and the nuanced take on controversial figures and events.
The depth and archival storytelling are a standout, offering fresh context on leadership and governance.
Listeners appreciate the rigorous, well-sourced storytelling that reveals behind-the-scenes political maneuvering.
One observer found some episodes intensely analytical, while another comment hints at polarizing opinions among fans.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

5. Just Win
Q: How do you want people to remember your legacy?
Pelosi pushes back on focusing on her legacy, saying her immediate priority is winning back the House.
5. Just Win
Q: How hard was that conversation? I mean, you say you didn't ask him not to run, but it was interpreted that way. And ultimately, there were others calling on him not to run. How hard was that given the relationship you've had with him?
Pelosi says the conversation was difficult because she and Biden had been friends for decades. She says she wanted him to understand how voters were responding to his message and to consider more polling perspectives.
4. The Shadow
Q: Should members of Congress and their spouses be banned from trading individual stocks while serving in Congress?
Pelosi argued the issue is complex and that a ban needs to be comprehensive and politically viable, noting that previous efforts failed due to lack of votes and concerns about the presidential exception.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Speaker

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

The series offers an in-depth, narrative look at a historic figure's rise from local volunteer to the first female Speaker of the House, using archival material, interviews, and reporting to explore leadership, power, and the mechanics of political influence. Across episodes, themes include how media framing shapes public perception, the bipartisan and intra-party battles that define consensus-building, and pivotal moments like impeachment, major policy battles, and leadership transitions. The storytelling emphasizes coalition-building, strategic fundraising, and the personal complexities behind public service, offering a lens on institutions, governance, and the American political landscape during turbulent periods. Noteworthy is the exten... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Speaker?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Speaker:

1. The New Yorker Radio Hour
2. Fresh Air
3. The Daily
4. Political Breakdown
5. This American Life

How many episodes of The Speaker are there?

The Speaker launched 2 months ago and published 6 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 Speaker?

Recent guests on The Speaker include:

1. Nancy Pelosi
2. Gavin Newsom
3. Hillary Bross
4. Christine Pelosi
5. Ilhan Omar
6. Lateefah Simon
7. Susan Page

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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