The Al Franken Podcast
The Al Franken Podcast
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 10, 2021 • 49min
82: Author Jackie Calmes Did the Investigation on Brett Kavanaugh the FBI Should Have Done
The FBI sent the tips from the Kavanaugh Tip Line to White House Counsel Don McGahn, who tossed them in the waste basket. Calmes tracked them down. Not pretty!
Oct 3, 2021 • 1h 1min
81: The Brilliant Dahlia Lithwick – Slate’s (and Al’s) Expert on SCOTUS
Lithwick brings her depth and breadth of knowledge, plus her wit.
Sep 26, 2021 • 53min
80: Lead Dem Election Lawyer Marc Elias on the Epic Battle for Our Democracy
Democrats have a limited time to prevent America from becoming an authoritarian state.
Sep 19, 2021 • 54min
79: Alex Gibney Talks Opioids & His Doc “The Crime of the Century”
Gibney traces the opioid epidemic & the criminal culpability of bad actors like Purdue Pharma, federal regulators, & doctors. It’s ugly.
Sep 12, 2021 • 1h 4min
78: R.I. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse on the Corporate Capture of the Courts
A great discussion on how the Supreme Court’s jurisprudence isn’t conservative. It’s corporatist.
Sep 5, 2021 • 49min
77: Author Michael Wolff Discusses Trump’s Disastrous Last Year as POTUS
The chilling, yet hilarious saga of a deeply insane President
Aug 29, 2021 • 47min
76: Ben Rhodes, Obama’s Deputy National Security Advisor, on Afghanistan & Our Foreign Policy Reset
How our 20 Year War on Terror Distracted Us from Climate, China, Social Media, and Democracy
Aug 22, 2021 • 1h 8min
75: Laurie Garrett and Andy Slavitt – Where We Are NOW on COVID-19
The Pulitzer-Winner (Garrett) and Biden Covid Advisor (Slavitt) take a deep dive.
Aug 15, 2021 • 55min
74: Atlantic Monthly’s Adam Serwer on his book about the Trump Administration: The Cruelty is the Point
Separating kids from their parents at the border? Mocking a disabled journalist? Cutting food stamps? The Cruelty is the Point!
Aug 8, 2021 • 45min
73: Bryan Fogel, Producer of The Dissident, on the Brutal Murder of Jamal Khashoggi
Mohammed bin Salman made the Washington Post columnist pay in the worst way possible for his dedication to reform in his home country.
