The Best Podcasts About Politics and Why You Should Be Listening to Them
Politics has always been a hot topic in our society and something that people are passionate about. Oftentimes, those passions get overheated and what was once a civil discussion can often flame into a shouting match. But in the end, the great thing about political discourse (when done in a respectful manner) is that it allows everyone to present an opinion or an ideal and find different points of view. When a political discussion is at its best, the most stoic minds can sometimes change and those points of view can evolve.
There is just something about learning about the inner workings of government and discussing the latest news that fuels that inner fire and keeps people coming back for more. These days, information can be read, watched, live Tweeted, and streamed on demand, and one of the best ways to stay informed is with podcasts about politics—and there are no shortage of great political podcasts out there.
Read More »Pod Save America Podcast
The Pod Save America podcast is one of the most popular liberal podcasts out there. Hosted by former Barack Obama staffers Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor, the podcast offers a weekly recap of the latest news and provides an in-depth analysis of the current political landscape.
Episodes are dropped a little more frequently than once a week and for good reason. If there is something big happening in the political atmosphere, the Pod Save America podcast is going to be a part of that conversation. Favreau, Lovett, and Vietor are smart political analysts and can often place specific bits of news in a nice context for all to understand. Their experience working for a former President also lends to a certain insider’s take on politics. If you’re looking for one of the top liberal podcasts to stay up on the news of the day, definitely add this one to your queue if it hasn’t been added yet. And for the conservatives out there, it might be good to get a taste of what’s being served from the other side of the aisle.
Conservative Daily Podcast
The Conservative Daily Podcast is hosted by Joe Oltmann, an outspoken conservative that explores all issues facing the deep radical right and the corrupt establishment. Pulling no punches, Oltmann interviews anyone and everyone with a story to tell about how the American dream is being systematically destroyed by ‘socialists, globalists, and deep state Swamp creatures.’
Oltmann’s no-holds-barred approach to interviews can be quite brash, but his willingness to explore all sides of the political spectrum is something that should be applauded. While some of his guests are admittedly quite out there, he gives them a platform to speak their minds and have their voices heard. This is the type of podcast that will definitely get your blood boiling and gets bonus points for being one of the most entertaining political podcasts out there.
Slate Political Gabfest
The Slate Political Gabfest is another popular political podcast, this one hosted by three journalists – Stephen Colbert’s former head writer David Plotz, Emily Bazelon from The New York Times Magazine, and John Dickerson from CBS News. The Gabfest covers a variety of political topics each week and features interviews with notable guests.
Whether you are on the right side of the aisle or the left side of the aisle, the Slate Political Gabfest is a podcast that features well-rounded political discussions. It’s nice to see a podcast that isn’t afraid to tackle the big issues from all sides and allow the listeners to make up their own minds. That is something that can be difficult to find in today’s media landscape.
Pantsuit Politics Podcast
Pantsuit Politics is a podcast hosted by two women and proud Kentuckians Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silver. The podcast focuses on women’s issues and features interviews with politicians, journalists, activists, and more.
Episodes are filled with insightful commentary and generally last about an hour long. Each episode is focused around a theme or a specific topic of discussion, and the two hosts always manage to bring a unique perspective to the table.
Pantsuit Politics is one of those podcasts that does an excellent job of presenting both sides of the story in a respectful manner. If you’re looking for a podcast that allows you to see things from a different perspective, this is definitely one to check out.
Politics War Room with James Carville & Al Hunt Podcast
The Politics War Room with James Carville & Al Hunt Podcast is hosted by the infamous political commentator James Carville. If you are not entirely familiar with the host, James Carville is a Louisiana native and was the lead strategist for Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign in 1992. He is also a regular contributor on MSNBC. He is joined by Al Hunt, a journalist who has worked for numerous publications including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg View, and more. The two hosts provide thoughtful commentary and analysis of the current political landscape. They are not afraid to call out members of either party when they think they are in the wrong.
The Politics War Room podcast is a great option for those who are looking for some insightful political commentary. Carville and Hunt do an excellent job of breaking down the issues and providing their own unique perspectives.
The Weeds Podcast
The Weeds is a political podcast hosted by a pair of journalists – Dylan Matthews and Dara Lind. The podcast focuses on wonky policy discussions and features interviews with policy experts.
The Weeds is a great option for those who are looking for a more in-depth discussion of the issues. The hosts are extremely knowledgeable and do an excellent job of breaking down complex topics. If you’re looking for a podcast that will make you think, this is definitely one to check out.
The Daily – A New York Times Podcast
Presented by the New York Times and available on National Public Radio, The Daily is a podcast that tackles serious news stories and political topics. Every weekday, host Michael Barbaro and a revolving stable of guest hosts cover everything from the latest news to in-depth interviews.
The Daily is a great option for those who are looking for a podcast that covers the biggest stories of the day. The hosts are extremely knowledgeable and always manage to provide thoughtful commentary and analysis. If you’re looking for a podcast that will keep you up to date on the latest news, this is definitely one to check out.
Politicology Podcast
The Politicology podcast is another great listen that provides exceptional commentary on the day’s political news. How Ron Steslow welcomes guests from all walks of life — economists, psychologists, sociologists, politicians and political analysts, philosophers, beat writers and journalists, anthropologists, fiction writers, storytellers, and poets—and more—to take on the political discourse and take a deep dive into political issues we face on a daily bases.
Episodes generally run an hour to an hour and a half and there are usually around 3 guests per episode. The Politicology podcast is a great option for those who are looking for thoughtful political commentary from a variety of perspectives.
My History Can Beat Up Your Politics
This podcast is hosted by Bruce Carlson and focuses on historical political events and how they can be used to explain the current political landscape. My History Can Beat Up Your Politics is a great option for those who are looking for a podcast that takes a historical perspective on current political issues. Carlson is extremely knowledgeable and does an excellent job of explaining complicated topics. If you’re looking for a podcast that will make you think, this is definitely one to check out.
Final Thoughts About Some of the Best Political Podcasts Available Right Now
The political landscape is always changing, and it is fairly simple to understand why. As the population grows and new generations enter the political scene and the politcal discourse, there will always be evolving points of view.
In the United States alone, there are over 230 million people who are eligible to vote, and that number is constantly growing. As more and more people become eligible to vote, there will be more and more demand to understand the nature of politics and what is happening in the world around us.
Podcasts are a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest political news and commentary. They are also a great way to gain new perspectives on the issues that matter to you. With so many great options available, there is sure to be a podcast that meets your needs.
