Best Wonks At Work Podcasts (2025)

1
Redemption Song: Clay Hobbs 15:08

7d ago15:08

15:08

In Arkansas and around the country, private equity groups have a growing financial interest in health care. While private equity investment can revive struggling hospitals or reinvigorate stagnant ones, critics accuse some of loading hospitals with debt, stripping their assets, and leaving communities to deal with the aftermath. That’s what happene…

1
NPR Poll: Many Voters Give Trump Failing Grade 12:29

8m ago12:29

12:29

As Donald Trump approaches the 100th day of his second term, most voters are not impressed. Majorities disapprove of his performance on key issues, like immigration and the economy, and almost half give his overall performance an F on an A through F scale. Only a slim majority of Republicans give him an A, according to a new NPR/PBS News/Marist pol…

1
What's Next For U.S. Involvement In Ukraine? 16:15

12h ago16:15

16:15

Since Russia's large scale invasion began in 2022, the U.S. has provided significant military aid to Ukraine. But Republicans, led by President Trump, are increasingly skeptical of providing more support. What will happen next, and can Ukraine continue fighting if the U.S. removes its assistance? This episode: political correspondents Sarah McCammo…

1
Trump's First 100 Days: Promises Made, Promises Kept 19:03

4d ago19:03

19:03

When running for office, Donald Trump promised to execute the largest deportation in American history and issue massive cuts to federal spending. In his administration's first 100 days, has he kept those promises? This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondents Susan Davis and Stephen Fowler, and immigration co…

1
Trump's First 100 Days: Tariffs As Foreign Policy 15:28

5d ago15:28

15:28

Donald Trump has repeatedly said that "tariff" is "one of the most beautiful words in the dictionary." In his administration's first 100 days, Trump has introduced sweeping tariffs with a goal to reduce America's trade deficit with foreign countries and to increase domestic manufacturing. This episode: senior White House correspondents Tamara Keith…

1
Trump's First 100 Days: An Increase In Executive Power 18:18

6d ago18:18

18:18

When running for office, Donald Trump suggested that he "alone could fix" the ills befalling the United States. In his administration's first 100 days, he and his allies have moved quickly to expand the powers of the presidency accordingly. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, political correspondent Sarah McCammon, and seni…

1
Trump's First 100 Days: Wading Into The Culture Wars 19:01

7d ago19:01

19:01

On the campaign trail, candidate Donald Trump decried "gender ideology," said the military was becoming too "woke," and that DEI programs across the federal government should be ended. As president, his executive actions & policies have mirrored his campaign promises in attempting to reshape culture in the United States during his administration's …

1
Trump's First 100 Days: Project 2025 & Its Influence 15:03

8d ago15:03

15:03

The Heritage Foundation's "blueprint" for a new Republican administration got a lot of attention during the 2024 presidential campaign. While candidate Donald Trump said he "had never read" the document, President Trump has incorporated many of its policies, and authors, into his administration's first 100 days. This episode: senior White House cor…

1
Roundup: Trump Vs. The Fed; Harvard Fights Back 20:17

11d ago20:17

20:17

As the White House continued to adjust its tariff policies, President Trump lashed out against Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, saying his "termination cannot come fast enough." Trump thinks the Fed should be more aggressive in lowering interest rates. Then, a look at why Harvard University is fighting against efforts to have billions of dollar…

1
The Legal & Political Challenges To Trump's Deportation Plans 14:52

12d ago14:52

14:52

A federal judge ruled there is "probable cause" to find the Trump administration in contempt for violating an order last month to pause some deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. We discuss what happens next, as well as a new directive on how immigration court proceedings can be held. This episode: political correspondent Ashley Lopez, immigrat…

1
Exclusive: Whistleblower Alleges DOGE May Have Taken Sensitive Labor Data 12:29

14d ago12:29

12:29

The entity known as DOGE has been used as part of the Trump administration's efforts to radically reshape the federal government. But a whistleblower alleges DOGE may have improperly accessed data at the National Labor Relations Board, a regulatory body that investigates and adjudicates complaints about unfair labor practices. The agency has opened…

51
Trump: Man Wrongfully Deported To El Salvador Won't Return To U.S. 12:54

14d ago12:54

12:54

In an Oval Office meeting Monday with El Salvador's president, President Trump said Kilmar Abrego Garcia would not come back to the U.S., despite a Supreme Court decision ordering the Trump administration to "facilitate" his return. We look at how El Salvador became the destination for some of those deported from the U.S., and what's next in Abrego…

51
Campus Activists Fear Trump Administration Crackdown 14:43

15d ago14:43

14:43

Much of the activism seen on college campuses last year in protest of Israel's war in Gaza is now under increased scrutiny as part of a policy that the Trump administration says is aimed at eliminating antisemitism, particularly on American campuses. The effort has led to the targeting of non-citizen students over their past pro-Palestinian activis…

51
Roundup: Immigration Rulings; DOGE & Social Security Data 21:52

18d ago21:52

21:52

On Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled the Trump administration must "facilitate" the return of a man it mistakenly deported to El Salvador. How is the White House responding, and what happens next? Then, is the entity known as DOGE using Social Security information it isn't meant to be able to access? This episode: White House correspondent Asma Kha…

51
Trump's Tariff Tug Of War 17:40

19d ago17:40

17:40

After days of market turmoil, President Trump walked back some tariffs on some countries, but kept a near universal 10 percent tariff in place and increased tariffs on goods from China. What's behind the president's decision, and will markets continue to stomach such uncertainty? This episode: White House correspondents Asma Khalid and Franco Ordoñ…

51
U.S. Trade War With China Escalates 12:09

19d ago12:09

12:09

Earlier this week, President Trump threatened to make the steep tariffs on China even steeper if China did not withdraw its retaliatory measures. Today, Trump kept his promise by levying a 104% tariff on Chinese goods that he then raised to 125% later in the day. This episode: White House correspondents Asma Khalid and Tamara Keith and internationa…

51
Trump Threatens To Cut Federal Funds For Colleges And Universities 16:38

21d ago16:38

16:38

Dozens of American universities are under investigation by the Trump administration for use of DEI initiatives and alleged anti-Semitism on campuses. The message is clear: comply with federal executive orders and policy changes or lose federal funding. How are educational leaders responding? This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, corr…

1
He Has A Purple Heart & Is A Convicted Felon. ICE Wants To Deport Him 11:03

23d ago11:03

11:03

An NPR exclusive: Deportation proceedings are underway for Jose Barco, an Iraq War veteran who was awarded a Purple Heart. Barco came to the U.S. as a child, enlisted as a teenager, and, after his discharge, was convicted of a felony. Immediately after being paroled in January, he was remanded to ICE custody, where he has remained since. Read more.…

51
Roundup: Tariffs, HHS Cuts & Bodega Cats 25:04

25d ago25:04

25:04

The tariff plan rolled out by President Trump this week threatens to upend the global economic system. We look at the potential impacts. Then, widespread cuts at the Department of Health and Human Services threaten the agency's ability to do its many jobs. And, a look at a New York City tradition. This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shiva…

101
Trump's Tariffs Take Shape — How Will They Impact You? 17:07

26d ago17:07

17:07

President Trump announced a blanket tariff on all imports to the U.S., and additional, specific tariffs on dozens of countries. How will this change in trade policy impact consumers? This episode: White House correspondents Deepa Shivaram and Danielle Kurtzleben, and senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith. The podcast is produced by Bria Sug…

101
What Happened In Tuesday's Elections 18:57

27d ago18:57

18:57

Money poured into races in Florida and Wisconsin at levels usually reserved for elections during a presidential cycle. Republicans held two House seats in Florida, but by smaller margins than their previous wins there. Meanwhile, a judge aligned with Democrats won to keep a liberal majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court — despite Elon Musk spendin…

101
Trump & Presidential Term Limits 13:27

28d ago13:27

13:27

The president has flirted with — and walked back — suggestions he would seek a third term in office, which runs counter to the 22nd Amendment's provisions on term limits. But that's not stopping supporters & academics from exploring ways the amendment's language may be interpreted differently. This episode: White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram,…

1
A Look At This Week's Special House Elections In Florida 13:36

29d ago13:36

13:36

Races to fill two vacant seats in Florida's first and sixth congressional districts are getting a lot of attention. Despite Republicans having a long history of success in both, Democrats think they have a chance to keep things close — if not possibly to pull off major upsets. We look at who is running. This episode: White House correspondent Deepa…

1
These Are the Reasons: Dr. Ted Brown 29:32

30d ago29:32

29:32

As disturbing as the reported opioid overdose death toll has been over the past decade, a 2018 study suggested that many states were likely underreporting those deaths. The reason was that coroners and medical examiners were not specifying the drug contributing to the cause of death on death certificates. To better understand drug overdose deaths i…

101
Weekly Roundup: Tariffs, Texts & Turtles 21:41

1M ago21:41

21:41

President Trump signaled more tariffs would come in April, signed an executive order about voting, & withdrew the nomination of his proposed United Nations ambassador. We look at that and more in our weekly roundup. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and senior national pol…

101
Why Does Donald Trump Want Greenland? 14:33

1M ago14:33

14:33

First floated in President Trump's first term, talks of the United States annexing or otherwise acquiring Greenland have escalated in recent weeks. With the vice president and other government officials heading to the world's largest island this week, what's behind Trump's fascination with the Danish territory? This episode: political correspondent…

101
DOGE's Potential Impact On Social Security & The VA 13:41

1M ago13:41

13:41

The Trump administration's efforts to reshape the federal government have now set their sights on how the Social Security Administration and the Department of Veterans Affairs could be reformed. But their proposed changes could leave millions of Americans who rely on services from those agencies vulnerable. This episode: political correspondents Su…

101
Defense Officials Used Group Text To Plan Missile Strikes 15:44

1M ago15:44

15:44

Before the U.S. carried out missile strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, senior Trump administration officials discussed the plan of action. Also part of the discussion: Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor of The Atlantic, who had inadvertently been added to a group message on Signal about the missile strike. How did this happen, and what are the impli…

101
Sanders, AOC Rally To Motivate Democrats 12:26

1M ago12:26

12:26

The two politicians are pushing a message that is both critical of President Trump & his policies, and of Democrats for not doing enough, in their view, to fight back in response. This episode: political correspondents Susan Davis and Stephen Fowler, and senior political editor & correspondent Domenico Montanaro. The podcast is produced by Bria Sug…

151
Roundup: Potential Ukraine Ceasefire; Trump Attacks Judiciary 24:04

1M ago24:04

24:04

President Trump spoke separately to his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts this week to try and hammer out a peace deal to end the war. We explore what's in the deal and what chances it has to succeed. Then, a look at how President Trump has targeted members of the country's judicial system, from judges to law firms. This episode: senior White Hous…

151
How Trump's Tariffs Are Impacting U.S. Farmers 15:16

1M ago15:16

15:16

Many U.S. farmers have evolved under free trade and grown dependent on exporting food. With tariffs already impacting the cost of U.S. exports, how will farmers handle renewed changes in trade policy? This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, White House correspondent Asma Khalid, and national correspondent Kirk Siegler. The podc…

151
Why Wisconsin's Supreme Court Election Matters Nationally 11:30

1M ago11:30

11:30

Tens of millions are being spent. Donald Trump, Jr. and Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minn.) are holding rallies for their preferred candidates. It's the kind of thing seen for statehouse or congressional races — not necessarily state supreme court elections. We look at Wisconsin's upcoming state supreme court election, and why it is getting so much national at…

151
Dems In Disarray? Finding Unity In The Caucus 15:13

1M ago15:13

15:13

After bruising losses in November's elections, Democrats are trying to figure out how to unite their many factions behind a common set of ideas & objectives. Infighting in the party itself, though, doesn't make it any easier. This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional correspondent Barbara Sprunt, and political corre…

151
What Is The Alien Enemies Act? 11:13

1M ago11:13

11:13

The Trump administration used the 18th century law as justification for deporting hundreds of alleged gang members. Why was it invoked, and what does its use mean for future immigration action? This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, immigration policy reporter Ximena Bustillo, and senior national political correspondent Mara L…

151
Roundup: Shutdown Threat, Tariffs & Ukraine 23:40

2M ago23:40

23:40

Congressional Democrats are at odds as to whether or not to support Republican-led efforts to keep the government funded ahead of a Friday deadline. We look at the divisions. Then, the White House expressed support for a ceasefire in Ukraine & pushed for more tariffs on imported goods, and a certain pop star gets a pop-up. This episode: White House…

151
Trump's Latest Efforts To Reduce The Federal Workforce 14:33

2M ago14:33

14:33

Since taking office, President Trump has championed the idea of reducing the federal workforce. A February 26 memo gave agencies until today to come up with a plan for that reduction. What does this memo mean and how is it different than the previous cuts federal agencies have seen? This episode: White House correspondent Asma Khalid, government re…

151
Trump's Efforts To Consolidate Executive Branch Power 17:23

2M ago17:23

17:23

Since returning to office, President Trump has moved quickly to reshape the federal government. His actions, which have moved to put more power under his purview, align with a belief in some conservative circles of the unitary executive: an idea that the president and the president alone controls all actions undertaken by the executive branch. This…

1
Who Is Mahmoud Khalil, The Protester The Trump Admin Wants To Deport? 10:44

2M ago10:44

10:44

While studying at Columbia University, Khalil helped lead pro-Palestinian protests on campus relating to Israel's war with Gaza. He was taken into ICE custody Saturday, and the Trump administration has said it wants to deport Khalil as part of a wider crackdown on what it calls anti-Semitic protests on college campuses — even though Khalil is a law…

1
Mercy Mercy Me: Dr. Terry Fiddler 14:11

2M ago14:11

14:11

A little over half of Arkansans have dental coverage, and even among those with coverage, only 30% of adults and 50% of children used any services, according to an ACHI analysis. Forgoing oral health care can lead to infections, chronic pain, tooth loss, and exacerbation of other health issues such as diabetes and heart disease. Patients who do not…

201
Measles Returns — Here's What You Need To Know 13:57

2M ago13:57

13:57

Hundreds have been infected and two have died as measles outbreaks have occurred in West Texas and New Mexico. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a vaccine skeptic, has given conflicting advice to people wanting to avoid infection. Why are vaccination rates declining, and what do these outbreaks mean for public health in th…

201
Roundup: DOGE's Power Checked; Vance's Role Evolves 21:45

2M ago21:45

21:45

In a cabinet meeting this week, President Trump affirmed that while DOGE — the entity meant to reshape the federal government, with Elon Musk as figurehead — has the ability to advise changes, Musk does not have the power to fire government staffers. Then, a look at how Vice President JD Vance has started to reshape the role of the vice presidency.…

201
Trump's Tariff Tumult 13:14

2M ago13:14

13:14

On the campaign trail, Donald Trump promised to enact tariffs on some of the United States' largest trading partners. As president, he has made good on that promise — but with more than a few exceptions and caveats. This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, White House correspondent Asma Khalid, and chief economic correspondent Scott Ho…

201
How Trump's Immigration Policy Is Taking Shape 15:41

2M ago15:41

15:41

Immigration was a major campaign issue for Donald Trump as he sought to return to the White House. Now that he's back, what policies has he implemented, and how to do they align with what he promised on the campaign trail? This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, immigration policy reporter Ximena Bustillo, and senior national politica…

201
Trump Defends Agenda In Combative Address 20:50

2M ago20:50

20:50

In the longest address of its kind before Congress in recent memory, President Trump laid out his policy objectives on the economy, immigration, foreign policy & other topics. He was repeatedly critical of Democrats & his predecessor, Joe Biden. One Democratic congressman was escorted out of the House chamber after heckling Trump, and the Democrati…

201
Poll: Majority Thinks Trump Is Making Changes Too Quickly 14:20

2M ago14:20

14:20

In a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll, a majority of respondents think the state of the union is not strong, and that President Trump is moving too quickly in trying to reshape the federal government. This episode: political correspondent Sarah McCammon, senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro, and senior national political corresp…

201
NPR Investigation: Harassment In The Federal Court System 27:39

2M ago27:39

27:39

Federal judges have enormous power over their courtrooms and their chambers, which can leave employees vulnerable to abuse, with few ways to report their concerns anonymously. Forty-two current and former federal judicial employees spoke to NPR about their experience of mistreatment working for judges appointed by presidents from both major politic…

201
Roundup: Congress Works On Budget; Cabinet Meets; Good TV 21:00

2M ago21:00

21:00

Congress is trying to come up with a new budget, while also attempting to extend tax cuts put in place during President Trump's first term. But with a very small majority in both houses, Republicans have little margin for error. Then, we look at the first cabinet meeting of the Trump administration, the upcoming presidential address to a joint sess…

251
Trump's Next Foreign Policy Challenge: Syria 16:54

2M ago16:54

16:54

Syria is in the midst of rebuilding after a long civil war and the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime. What happens next in Syria poses a challenge for the U.S. and the Trump administration's goals, especially as roughly 2,000 U.S. troops are in Syria to help keep the peace. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, national security cor…

251
How DOGE Cuts Are Impacting Federal Workers 16:37

2M ago16:37

16:37

Proposals from DOGE, Elon Musk's entity tasked with making the federal government more "efficient," have resulted in lawsuits, pushback from other federal agencies, and a lot of uncertainty for the millions of people who work for the federal government. We look at what's happened & what's to come. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, …

251
NPR Exclusive: Harassment In The Federal Judiciary 13:24

2M ago13:24

13:24

People who work for the federal court system don't have the same kinds of job protections that most other Americans do. A nearly year-long NPR investigation has found problems with the way the courts police sexual harassment and bullying and a pervasive culture of fear about blowing the whistle. This episode: political correspondent Susan Davis, na…

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Wonks At Work Podcasts

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