Best Adam Axelrod Podcasts (2025)

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Mike Mullen with Warren Olney | War, Peace and the American Future: Insights From a Former Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 56:56

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2h ago56:56

56:56

Recorded live on August 27, 2025: Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen joins Warren Olney for War, Peace and the American Future, a wide-ranging conversation on U.S. leadership, global security, and the challenges ahead.

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Soldiers Field (with Rahm Emanuel) 1:03:08

2d ago1:03:08

1:03:08

The Hacks are back! There’s just too much news for us to leave you alone, so we’re pulling up a stool with veteran Hackeroo, Chicago native, former White House chief of staff, and U.S. ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel. The Hacks dive into Trump’s threats to send the National Guard to Chicago, his increasingly loud campaign against mail-in ballots a…

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Ani Mishra: Effective Cross-functional Collaboration

1d ago

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Our guest, Ani Mishra – engineering manager at DoorDash – unpacks what it really means to drive cross-functional collaboration as an engineering manager. Ani’s core message: shipping products isn’t just about writing code, it’s about orchestrating diverse disciplines—product, design, data science, operations, and business strategy—so that together …

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Erika Sugarmon, Floyd Bonner, and Kelcey Johnson 59:38

4d ago59:38

59:38

Episode Notes My guests include County Commissioner Erika Sugarmon. A lot of attention has been directed towards the Commission lately regarding what to do about the MSCS Board in terms of changing the election cycle, potentially shortening terms and a potential landing spot for a new jail, we discuss. Speaking of a new jail, Shelby Country Sheriff…

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Interviews with Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel 41:36

5d ago41:36

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On CNN's State of the Union, Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries discusses with Dana Bash New York's redistricting plans, the party's loss of voters, and the President reviewing exhibits within the Smithsonian museums. Former Chicago Mayor and U-S Ambassador Rahm Emanuel slams President Trump's new plans to send troops into Chicago and reacts t…

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Alexander Vindman with Madeleine Brand | How the West Deceived Itself About Russia and Betrayed Ukraine 1:00:20

7d ago1:00:20

1:00:20

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Alexander Vindman joins journalist Madeleine Brand for an America at a Crossroads conversation on U.S. foreign policy, democracy, and global security. Subscribe for more conversations.

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Strongmen, Weak Deals (with Ron Brownstein) 1:09:59

9d ago1:09:59

1:09:59

This week, Axe and Murphy are joined by the incomparable Hackeroo Ron Brownstein, senior editor at The Atlantic and CNN’s senior political analyst. Together, they unpack Trump’s sit-downs with Putin, Zelensky, and other foreign leaders; the shifting balance of power at home and abroad; the state of the economy and crime; redistricting battles; the …

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Sarah Carpenter, Dr. Aaron Jagers, and Patrick and Shemika Herrington 58:53

10d ago58:53

58:53

Episode Notes My guests include Sarah Carpenter, Executive director, Memphis Lift. They educate and empower parents to advocate for their children. She shares her thoughts on the beginning of this school year, thoughts about the current board and if she agrees with the County Commission. Next, are you aware that you can learn how to fly the friendl…

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Interviews with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff; Former Vice President Mike Pence 41:26

12d ago41:26

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On CNN’s State of the Union, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff joins Jake to discuss what he says was “substantial progress” in the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska. Then, Trump’s former vice president Mike Pence joins Jake to react to Trump rolling out the red carpet for Putin. Next, CNN Political Commentators Bakari Sellers, Brad Todd, Kristen Soltis An…

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Driving Lasting Change in Engineering Organizations with Manju Abraham 54:35

13d ago54:35

54:35

In this episode, Manju Abraham – veteran engineering leader at NetApp, Delphix, and HPE – shares hard-earned lessons on driving real change in engineering organizations. Manju reminds us that 70% of change efforts fail not because of poor plans, but because people never truly buy in. Manju’s core message: change doesn’t start with strategy, it star…

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Ron Brownstein with Larry Mantle | Life During Wartime: Politics in an Age of Convulsion 57:10

15d ago57:10

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Monumental Power Grab (with Paul Begala) 1:10:20

17d ago1:10:20

1:10:20

This week, Murphy and Heilemann welcome Paul Begala — longtime Democratic strategist and political hand who’s seen just about everything Washington can throw at you. The Hacks break down Trump’s Beltway power grab and what it means for D.C.’s mayor — and mayors nationwide. They dig into Trump’s “flood the zone” strategy to sidestep the Epstein stor…

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LaTricea Adams, Malcom Rawls, and Marco McClendon 59:26

17d ago59:26

59:26

Episode Notes My guests include LaTricea Adams, founder and president of Young, Gifted and Green. They are an environmental justice organization that influences policy change through political advocacy, mentorship, and training. We recently heard that 24 MSCS schools were found with excessive amounts of lead in the water. She explains the dangers o…

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CNN Goes on the Road with Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders; Interview with US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker 42:28

19d ago42:28

42:28

On CNN’s State of the Union, Dana Bash travels to Wheeling, West Virginia for an exclusive interview with Sen. Bernie Sanders. They discuss his push to bring his progressive message to red states, the Democratic Party’s struggles with working-class voters, the escalating showdown over redistricting in red and blue states, the situations in Ukraine …

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Jonathan Weisman with Madeleine Brand | American Antisemitism: Being Jewish in the Age of Trump 58:48

21d ago58:48

58:48

Recorded live on August 6, 2025, veteran journalist Jonathan Weisman joins Madeleine Brand for a powerful conversation on rising antisemitism in America, Jewish identity, and the political climate in the age of Trump. Part of the America at a Crossroads series. 🎥 Subscribe for weekly conversations: youtube.com/channel/UCL_7hJyHHmrRruxix3V1mCA 📩 Lea…

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Drawn Out Democracy (with Adam Kinzinger) 1:07:48

24d ago1:07:48

1:07:48

This week, Axe and Heilemann are joined by former Congressman Adam Kinzinger — Air Force veteran, author, and one of the most candid voices in Washington. The guys try to help Axe make sense of the Sydney Sweeney controversy, unpack the latest drama at the Department of Defense, and dive into inflation, job numbers, the Texas redistricting adventur…

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Michelle McKissack, Veronica Jamison, and Josh Spickler 58:21

24d ago58:21

58:21

Episode Notes My guests include MSCS Board member Michelle McKissack. It has been quite a year from the education perspective and now that another year of school is beginning it’s time to assess and look forward. We talk expectations, County Commission issues, potential state takeover and more. The Community Foundation of Greater Memphis connects t…

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EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin; Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Former BLS Commissioner William Beach 41:27

26d ago41:27

41:27

On CNN’s State of the Union, after President Trump abruptly fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics over a weak jobs report, her predecessor William Beach – also appointed by Trump – tells Kasie Hunt Trump’s actions are “groundless” and “damaging.” Then, Kasie presses EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin over his push to gut the government’s abili…

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Bill Kristol with Patt Morrison | Speaking Out and Speaking Up: Bill Kristol on the State of the Nation 58:38

28d ago58:38

58:38

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From Glasgow With Grift (with Lis Smith) 1:05:11

1M ago1:05:11

1:05:11

This week, our two chief windbags, Axe and Murphy, are joined by seasoned Democratic strategist Lis Smith—and author of Any Given Tuesday. The Hacks unpack Trump’s Epstein problem and the surrounding pardon chatter, his scenic detour to Scotland, and the frosty turn in his bromances. They wade into early polling, premature redistricting shenanigans…

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Torrey Harris, Cardell Orrin, and Towanda Peete Smith 59:35

1M ago59:35

59:35

Episode Notes My guests include State Representative Torrey Harris. One of the biggest issues in our community is the drama surrounding the MSCS Board members and the County Commission regarding a possible shortened term and term limits. He was one of state sponsors of the proposal and will tell me why he thinks it’s a good move. Next, Cardell Orri…

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Rep. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, WH Budget Director Russel Vought and Dem. Sen. Mark Kelly 44:05

1M ago44:05

44:05

Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin discusses the Epstein controversy with Jake Tapper and what it will take for the Trump administration to move on from the crisis. White House Budget Director Russ Vought tells Jake Tapper about plans for another recissions package and the tools the administration might use to achieve spending cuts. Democratic Sen…

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Paul Maslin and Mike Murphy with Patt Morrison | What Does Washington's Chaos Portend for the 2026 Midterms? 58:01

1M ago58:01

58:01

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Red Hats and Red Flags (with Robert Costa) 1:04:05

1M ago1:04:05

1:04:05

This week, Murphy and Heilemann are joined by ink-stained Hackeroo Robert Costa—national correspondent for CBS News Sunday Morning and chief Washington analyst for CBS News, as well as co-author of Peril. The Hacks break down Hunter Biden’s recent interview—and yes, a certain Hackeroo got name-checked, much to his surprise (and ours). They dig into…

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Jaylen Smith, Raka Nandi, and Melissa Farrar 59:15

1M ago59:15

59:15

Episode Notes My guests include the Honorable Mayor Jaylen Smith of Earle, Arkansas. He was elected in 2022 at the age of 18 making him the youngest elected official in the country. I ask him how he’s grown along with the city and if he has any future political aspirations. Next, if you are of a certain age and were born and raised in the south you…

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Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett, US hostage envoy Adam Boehler and Former Rep. Beto O'Rourke 42:44

1M ago42:44

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On CNN’s State of the Union, Jake Tapper presses Senator Amy Klobuchar on why Democrats didn't release the Epstein files during the Biden Administration, Congressman Tim Burchett says Trump's call to release grand jury material in the Epstein case is a "good start." US hostage envoy Adam Boehler discusses the Trump administration’s prisoner exchang…

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Max Boot with Warren Olney | Russia's War on Ukraine: Trump, Putin, Zelensky, and the Search for Peace 57:22

1M ago57:22

57:22

In this compelling conversation, foreign policy expert and author Max Boot joins veteran journalist Warren Olney to examine the state of American democracy, global threats, and what’s at stake in the months ahead. This episode of America at a Crossroads offers thoughtful analysis, historical perspective, and urgent questions about the direction of …

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List and Found (with Frank Lavin) 1:03:32

1M ago1:03:32

1:03:32

This week, Murphy and Heilemann are joined by the great Frank Lavin—former U.S. Ambassador to Singapore, Reagan’s political director, and a Swiss Army knife of global politics. The Hacks dive into a tidal wave of news: renewed demands for the release of the Epstein list, Trump falling out of vogue with the GOP, Putin calling Trump’s bluff, the poli…

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Glen Thomas, Matt Pinto, and Chef Wykey 1:00:01

2M ago1:00:01

1:00:01

Episode Notes My guests include Glen Thomas, Public Information Officer for the Memphis Airport Authority. He tells me about all the changes happening at the airport including recent construction projects and the newest routes. Next, while we love our Grizzlies, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the NBA champions. Matt Pinto is their radio voice not to…

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White House Border Czar Tom Homan, California Sen. Alex Padilla and Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales 42:46

2M ago42:46

42:46

On CNN’s State of the Union, Dana Bash presses White House Border Czar Tom Homan over Trump’s immigration crackdown amid chaotic ICE raids in California. Next, California Sen. Alex Padilla sits down with Dana to respond. Then, Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales joins Dana amid growing calls for accountability after the deadly floods in his state. Finally, CN…

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E.J. Dionne with Madeleine Brand | Code Red: How Progressives and Moderates Can Unite to Save Our Country 59:44

2M ago59:44

59:44

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A Big, Beautiful Mess (with Josh Dawsey) 1:03:25

2M ago1:03:25

1:03:25

This week, Axe and Murphy are joined by Wall Street Journal political reporter Josh Dawsey, co-author of 2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America, just released today. They dig into Dawsey’s reporting, the fallout from Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill”, the devastating flash floods in Texas, Biden’s cell phone, spaceships, c…

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear 41:49

2M ago41:49

41:49

On CNN’s State of the Union, Dana Bash speaks with Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro about the deadly floods ravaging his state. Then, Dana sits down with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to discuss President Trump’s sweeping domestic policy legislation. They also discuss what will happen when Trump’s 90-day pause on tariffs ends later this week. Next, Ken…