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
Mar 2, 2026 • 23min
Media Monday: Ellison Carnage & Politico Pivots
They unpack Paramount Skydance’s surprise victory for WBD and why Netflix walked away. They trace the deal’s financial strain, synergy claims, and likely waves of layoffs. They parse political and regulatory pushback and what regulators might do. They shift to leadership shifts at Politico and Axel Springer’s strategic rethink.
Feb 28, 2026 • 39min
The Making of Tucker Carlson
Jason Zengerle, journalist and author of a book on Tucker Carlson, traces Carlson’s rise from print reporter to cable star and media mogul. He discusses Carlson’s use of outrage, alignment with Trump, attention-economy tactics, booking provocative guests, and whether a political run is possible. The conversation also looks at conservative media’s fragmentation and influence.
Feb 27, 2026 • 20min
Ssense’s Bankruptcy Survival Plan
Malique Morris, a fashion and retail reporter now with Puck’s Line Sheet and former writer at The Business of Fashion and The Information. He walks through Ssense’s fall from cult-favorite luxury platform and the financial and tariff pressures that led to bankruptcy protection. He outlines the founders’ buyback, cost cuts, inventory changes, and the survival moves aimed at returning the business to profitability.
21 snips
Feb 26, 2026 • 21min
Anthropic’s Ethical Dilemma
Ian Kreitzberg, journalist and AI reporter and author of The Hidden Layer, explains the Anthropic–Pentagon standoff. He outlines pressure on Anthropic to loosen Claude’s safeguards. He describes Anthropic’s two red lines and the Pentagon’s push for fewer limits. He examines why Claude is prized for classified systems and whether Anthropic will bend under procurement pressure.
Feb 25, 2026 • 25min
Iran’s Nuclear Chessboard
Julia Ioffe, journalist and foreign policy commentator focused on Russia and Iran. She unpacks recent U.S.-Iran tensions and Tehran’s latest nuclear proposal. She examines whether U.S. moves aim for regime change and the pattern of limited strikes as political theater. The conversation also checks the fourth-year state of Russia’s war in Ukraine and what might push Putin toward a deal.
13 snips
Feb 24, 2026 • 28min
State of Disunion
Leigh Ann Caldwell, political reporter known for on-the-ground national politics coverage. She walks through the clash over Trump's State of the Union and GOP messaging struggles. She recounts the combustible National Governors Association meeting and how governors juggle governing with 2028 ambitions. Short, sharp scenes of Washington friction and political maneuvering.
Feb 23, 2026 • 22min
Media Monday: Netflix Truthers & Goodell's Mercy Killing
Two friends debate Ted Sarandos' media push around the Warner Bros. Discovery bid and how streaming fits into industry consolidation. They unpack rising NFL media-rights prices and whether streamers will chase premium football. They also discuss theatrical window politics, studio cost cuts, and why baseball’s labor stance matters for league health.
7 snips
Feb 21, 2026 • 36min
Can Sports Save Peacock?
Rick Cordella, president of NBC Sports who oversees rights and strategy, discusses how live sports drive Peacock subscriptions and cross-promote other content. He talks travel and production logistics for the Super Bowl, Olympics and NBA All-Star Game. Conversation covers broadcast plus streaming strategies, the value of premium sports rights, relaunching NBCSN, and competing with deep-pocketed tech bidders.
8 snips
Feb 20, 2026 • 24min
Victoria’s Secret Truths
Lauren Sherman, fashion journalist and author of Line Sheet, offers sharp reporting on Victoria’s Secret, Les Wexner, and NYFW. She unpacks Wexner’s closed-door testimony and his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Then she highlights the biggest New York Fashion Week trends and what they hint about luxury’s near future.
9 snips
Feb 19, 2026 • 27min
What Really Happened with Stephen Colbert?
Dylan Byers, media reporter known for covering broadcast and political media, breaks down the CBS-Colbert controversy and why James Talarico’s interview landed on YouTube. He explains FCC pressure, equal time concerns, and how networks self-censor. They also unpack Anderson Cooper’s exit from 60 Minutes and the impact of Bari Weiss’s involvement on the show’s future.
