The Powers That Be: Daily
Puck | Audacy
Join Emmy Award-winning journalist Peter Hamby, along with the team of expert journalists at Puck, as they let you in on the real conversations insiders are having across the four corners of power in America: Wall Street, Washington, Silicon Valley and Hollywood. Puck's contributors will bring you smart conversation around the inside stories happening in these worlds. Presented in partnership with Audacy, new episodes publish daily, Monday-Friday.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 13, 2026 • 24min
Democrats’ Redistricting Panic
Marianna Sotomayor, Capitol Hill correspondent and former campaign embed, brings on-the-ground reporting and House redistricting expertise. She breaks down the shock from recent court decisions. She explains why maps are up in the air. She explores how Southern redraws and new Florida lines scramble incumbents and strategy.
May 12, 2026 • 23min
Netflix Wins Blackout Wednesday
John Ourand, a sports media reporter known for covering NFL deals and TV upfronts, discusses how the NFL still drives ad budgets. He explains Netflix winning a new NFL package over YouTube. He also talks about the quiet U.S. buildup to the 2026 World Cup and why American sports rhythms delay soccer buzz.
May 11, 2026 • 28min
Media Monday: Murdoch’s Vox Thesis & An NFL Surprise
They unpack James Murdoch’s surprising bid for Vox Media assets and which pieces are most valuable. They debate how those outlets might be run and whether the cultural fit makes sense. Then they pivot to the NFL selling games to streamers, why Netflix won key matchups, and what that means for broadcast partners and international scheduling.
May 9, 2026 • 3min
The Devil’s Gala
Amanda Dobbins, journalist and Ringer podcaster covering film and fashion. They break down Met Gala livestream impressions and standout Saint Laurent and Marc Jacobs looks. They debate theme versus exhibit alignment and why celebrities flout themes. There’s lively chat on tech-bro tables, the Bezos controversy, and a playful take on Devil Wears Prada 2.
May 8, 2026 • 20min
Is the Art Market Recession Proof?
Marion Maneker, art-market journalist and longtime auction commentator, unpacks the spring resurgence of high-end sales. She outlines why estates and marquee provenances are flooding auctions. She highlights how classic names and museum-worthy presentation are driving buyer confidence and reshaping the sales calendar.
May 7, 2026 • 17min
Trump’s Iran Whiplash
Julia Ioffe, journalist and foreign-policy commentator known for sharp analysis of Russia, Iran, and U.S. affairs. She unpacks Trump’s mixed messaging about Iran and the risks of sudden threats. They probe the one-page memo idea and how leaving the JCPOA reshaped Tehran’s leverage. Conversation spans Strait of Hormuz tensions and the broader drift toward endless, unstable conflicts.
May 6, 2026 • 23min
Will Prediction Markets Ruin Pro Sports?
Eric Gardner, legal journalist who analyzes enforcement, commodities and media litigation. He explains the DOJ’s novel commodities fraud theory tied to a prediction market. He discusses how regulators and leagues might police insider trading across sports and media. He also walks through Gavin Newsom’s $787M defamation suit against Fox and why a Delaware judge kept discovery alive.
May 5, 2026 • 22min
The Met Gala’s Venture Capitalist Couture
Lauren Sherman, fashion journalist and commentator who tracks luxury and cultural trends, breaks down last night’s Met Gala and its marriage to tech money. She maps how billionaire checks reshape fundraising and seating. They also chat about why so many brands raced to appear in The Devil Wears Prada sequel and which designers showed up on screen.
9 snips
May 4, 2026 • 27min
Media Monday: More WHCA Spillover & Bezos' New Will Lewis
Two friends pivoting to video talk media trends and why they switched formats. They spar over recent left-wing radicalization stories and the heated reactions on social platforms. They trace how podcast rhetoric can spill into real-world harms. They examine The Washington Post’s turmoil after leadership change and debate whether to rebuild strategy or shrink.
May 3, 2026 • 3min
Introducing Family Lore
Lloyd Lockridge, host and creator of Family Lore who investigates ancestral stories, explores how family legends form and shape identity. He explains why he studies narratives rather than DNA. The conversation outlines the show format: people tell a family legend, then it is researched to uncover historical truth. Listeners are invited to follow and tune in.
