Pod Save America
Pod Save America
Pod Save America is a no-b******t conversation about politics hosted by former Obama aides Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer, and Tommy Vietor. It cuts through the noise to break down the week’s news and helps people figure out what matters and how they can help. They’re regularly joined by journalists, activists, politicians, entertainers, and world leaders. You can watch on YouTube or listen to new episodes every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.
Subscribe to Friends of the Pod! Your subscription makes Crooked’s work possible and gives you access to ad-free episodes of Pod Save America and Pod Save the World, plus exclusive content and a lively Discord community. Learn more and subscribe at crooked.com/friends or on Apple Podcasts.
For a transcript of an episode of Pod Save America, please email transcripts@crooked.com.
Subscribe to Friends of the Pod! Your subscription makes Crooked’s work possible and gives you access to ad-free episodes of Pod Save America and Pod Save the World, plus exclusive content and a lively Discord community. Learn more and subscribe at crooked.com/friends or on Apple Podcasts.
For a transcript of an episode of Pod Save America, please email transcripts@crooked.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books
83 snips
Feb 15, 2026 • 1h 9min
How To Survive a Dictatorship (feat. Wagner Moura)
Wagner Moura, Brazilian actor and filmmaker known for Narcos and politically charged films, speaks about his film The Secret Agent and Brazil’s dictatorship. He explores how art and memory resist authoritarianism. They discuss toxic masculinity, tech-fueled disinformation, journalism’s decline, cultural resistance, and the risks artists face when speaking out.
130 snips
Feb 13, 2026 • 1h 12min
Dems Freeze ICE
Live from Melbourne, the team reacts to Democrats refusing ICE funding and the clash over a DHS shutdown. They unpack Pam Bondi’s combustible testimony and the politics around Epstein files. The group debates a strange laser incident that grounded El Paso airspace. A crowd quiz pits US and Australian citizenship questions for a playful finish.
160 snips
Feb 10, 2026 • 1h 13min
MAGA: Defenders of the Epstein Class
Newly revealed files linking Epstein to Trump’s circle and Maxwell pleading the Fifth dominate the conversation. They unpack Trump’s Freedom 250 plans as a grift and how patriotic symbols are being weaponized. The pair examine ICE funding fights, detention health failures, and RFK Jr.’s strange public-health stances. International fallout shows harsher consequences abroad than in the U.S.
113 snips
Feb 8, 2026 • 1h 3min
Is Trump Afraid of Bad Bunny? (feat. Pablo Torre)
Pablo Torre, journalist and sportswriter known for deep dives into sports and culture, joins to unpack politics in sports. They discuss Trump’s performative sports persona and tangled NFL ties. They dig into the Bad Bunny Super Bowl backlash, the boom in sports betting and prediction markets, and how trans-athlete narratives became political flashpoints.
111 snips
Feb 6, 2026 • 1h 38min
Trump Threatens to Steal the Midterms
Janet Mills, Maine governor and U.S. Senate candidate known for tough state leadership and former attorney general. She discusses ICE operations in Maine and what reforms she would demand for DHS funding. She explains how states can protect elections from federal intimidation and outlines her priorities and electability pitch for a Senate run.
308 snips
Feb 3, 2026 • 1h 49min
Epstein Files: Worse Than You Thought
Bobby Pulido, Tejano musician and Latin Grammy winner running for Congress in Texas' 15th district, joins to discuss his music career and why he entered politics. Conversations cover his campaign priorities, immigration and border impacts on local economies, healthcare and Medicaid concerns, and shifting Latino political dynamics in Texas.
180 snips
Feb 1, 2026 • 1h 6min
Why Are Democrats Afraid of Power?
Marc J. Dunkelman, author and historian focused on public policy, talks about progressive governance and how Democrats can make government work again. He compares New Deal-era speed with today, explores why big federal projects slow down, and debates empowering officials while preserving community voice. He ends hopeful that institutional reforms can restore capacity and attract talent back to public service.
143 snips
Jan 30, 2026 • 2h 4min
Minneapolis is a Turning Point
Joe Scarborough, television host and former congressman, joins to dissect Republican dynamics and institutional failures. They debate whether Minneapolis marks a political turning point. Conversation jumps from DHS and ICE accountability to the Fulton County raid, a controversial Melania film, and why organizing, not panic, matters for future Democratic success.
190 snips
Jan 27, 2026 • 1h 27min
Trump Retreats After Alex Pretti's Killing
They cover the fallout from Alex Preddy's killing and how federal agents and officials responded. On-the-ground reporting from Minneapolis highlights community organizing and vigils. They examine mounting political pressure to reform DHS and possible funding standoffs. A wild profile on the president's health and White House messaging rounds out the conversation.
224 snips
Jan 25, 2026 • 1h 22min
How Dems Can Defeat MAGA Once and For All
David Plouffe, former Obama campaign manager and senior political strategist, lays out hard truths for Democrats. He discusses the need for anti-corruption politics, reshaping the primary map, competing in states like Texas and Florida, and owning the AI conversation. Short, strategic talk about rebuilding trust, younger leaders, and how to translate midterm gains into lasting power.
