Best Doodle Learning Podcasts (2026)

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Empire State of Mind 1:49:29

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15h ago1:49:29

1:49:29

Trump kicks off 2026 with a return to imperialism, launching a military assault in Venezuela and abducting President Nicolás Maduro. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy react to the news, the administration's open acknowledgement that they want Venezuela's oil, and Trump's hint that military action may be coming to more places in the Western Hemisphere—includin…

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Meet Democrats' Go-To Trump Stand In 21:51

5d ago21:51

21:51

In 2016, veteran Democratic advisor Philippe Reines stepped up for an unconventional task: impersonating Donald Trump for Hillary Clinton's debate prep. And in 2024, he did it all again for Kamala Harris. Jon Lovett and Reines discuss the intricacies of playing Trump, the impact of debate performance on elections, and what Democrats should do to ou…

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Is JD Vance the Republican Front-Runner? 1:22:43

7d ago1:22:43

1:22:43

Jon, Lovett, Dan, and Tommy answer your questions about the upcoming midterms, early bets on 2028, what they got wrong about this year, and Lovett's future reality television career. Then, they listen back to their 2024 New Year's resolutions and set ones they hope to actually keep in 2025. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here…

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The 2025 Pundies: Highs & Lows from a Long Year 1:06:27

14d ago1:06:27

1:06:27

As the first year of Trump 2.0 limps to a close, it's time to celebrate 2025’s worst takes and funniest moments with The Pundies, Pod Save America's annual awards show! Jon, Lovett, Dan, and Tommy, joined by producer Elijah Cone, debate which political beef of 2024 was the most entertaining, which Trump administration official should be anointed "T…

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Rahm Emanuel is Not NOT Running for President 1:12:29

17d ago1:12:29

1:12:29

Rahm Emanuel, former mayor of Chicago and chief of staff to President Obama, joins Tommy to discuss where he thinks the Democratic Party went wrong in 2024, why he's advocating for a blanket social media ban for children under 16, and to reflect on the foreign policy decisions from the Obama era that have shaped the 21st century. Then, Tommy asks R…

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Trump White House Secrets Revealed 1:23:57

19d ago1:23:57

1:23:57

Vanity Fair publishes a candid interview with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles in which she makes eye-popping admissions about Trump, Elon Musk, and many more. Trump interrupts the season finale of Survivor to deliver an angry, meandering primetime address on the economy, and the administration moves closer to war with Venezuela, announcing a…

1
Is Alzheimer's an energy crisis in the brain? Inflammation, metabolism and a new path in the search for cures | Kati Andreasson 42:40

18d ago42:40

42:40

For decades, Alzheimer's research has focused on clearing amyloid plaques from the brain. But new drugs that successfully remove plaques have proven clinically "underwhelming", leaving the field searching for alternative approaches. Stanford neurologist Katrin Andreasson has spent twenty years pursuing a different path—investigating how aging trigg…

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Bat-Devouring Rodents, Penguin Retirement Home, Chicago "Rat" Hole 58:22

21d ago58:22

58:22

Kendra Pierre-Louis joins Weirdest Thing for the season 9 finale! She talks about the rats chowing down on bats, producer Jess Boddy explains the scientific study on Chicago's rat hole, and Rachel talks about the wonderfully heartwarming penguin retirement home at the New England Aquarium. Plus, Rachel has a very special announcement! The Weirdest …

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Donald Trump, Empath in Chief 1:37:34

22d ago1:37:34

1:37:34

Trump says the savage murder of Rob and Michele Reiner was the result of their own "Trump Derangement Symptom" and says Reiner was bad for the country. The one real surprise: the number of Republicans in Congress, and even Trump's own social media followers, who denounced the post. Jon, Tommy, and Lovett discuss the Republican pushback and the week…

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Can Democrats Fight Trump Without Being Defined by Him? (with Gov. JB Pritzker) 1:15:12

24d ago1:15:12

1:15:12

Governor JB Pritzker visits the studio to talk to Lovett about Trump's Indiana redistricting fail, how Illinois is standing up to ICE's immigration raids, and how the governor's upbringing — a childhood of both privilege and tragedy — shaped his career in politics. Plus, Lovett asks the governor to defend his controversial Star Wars film rankings, …

1
Trump's A+++++ Affordability Message 1:32:35

26d ago1:32:35

1:32:35

Donald Trump holds a campaign-style rally to hit his affordability message: making fun of the very idea of an affordability message, and telling parents to buy their kids fewer dolls. And when asked by Politico what grade he’d give the economy right now, he answers: “A+++++.” Jon and Dan discuss how Trump’s communications effort is landing and then…

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Trump Joins the Streaming Wars 1:28:30

29d ago1:28:30

1:28:30

The fate of Hollywood rests in President Trump's hands as Netflix and Paramount fight to acquire Warner Brothers Discovery—the home of HBO Max, Harry Potter, and Superman. Will Trump back Paramount's bid by longtime loyalist Larry Ellison (with help from presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner)? Or will Netflix's Ted Sarandos be able to woo the Presi…

1
The Making of America's Most Prominent Anti-Vaxxer 1:03:58

1M ago1:03:58

1:03:58

How did Robert F. Kennedy — once the heir-apparent to the Kennedy family's Democratic dynasty — become the Secretary of Health in the Trump administration and the nation's most important anti-vaccine advocate? Michael Scherer, staff writer at The Atlantic, sat down with Kennedy for 7+ hours, getting to know him during jean-clad workouts, Congressio…

1
Two Strikes. Is Hegseth Out? 1:31:17

1M ago1:31:17

1:31:17

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth reacts defiantly to two scandals: his department's decision to murder the survivors of a September strike on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat, and a Pentagon report that found that Hegseth's infamous Signal messages put American troops at risk. Jon and Dan discuss what comes next for the former Fox News host, and then j…

1
Vintage Antivaxxers, Horror Flick Psychology, Robin-Eating Bats 56:31

1M ago56:31

56:31

Coltan Scrivner joins the show to talk about the strange empathy of horror movie enjoyers. Plus, Sara Kiley talks about bats dogfighting and devouring birds, and Rachel delves into the bizarre history of the first anti-vax movement. The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us…

1
Department of War (Crimes) 1:39:48

1M ago1:39:48

1:39:48

The House and Senate Armed Services Committees launch an investigation into Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth after a report that he ordered a second strike on a boat in the Caribbean while survivors were clinging to the wreckage. Was his order a war crime? Jon, Lovett, and Tommy discuss and then jump into the rest of the news, including the White …

1
Will There Be a Blue Wave in 2026? 1:22:16

1M ago1:22:16

1:22:16

Can Democrats repeat their big 2025 wins in next year's midterms? Can the party win back the support of white working-class and Latino voters? Can high-quality candidates overcome an unfavorable Senate map? Amy Walter, Editor-in-Chief of the Cook Political Report, joins Dan to survey next year's electoral landscape, voters' attitudes towards Trump,…

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Terminally Online: Live from Crooked Con (Subscription Preview) 26:45

1M ago26:45

26:45

Live from Crooked Con, Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Tommy Vietor, Dan Pfeiffer and producer Elijah Cone record a special episode of our subscriber-exclusive show Terminally Online. They blind-rank 2025's most online politicians and reveal who Crooked Con straw poll participants want to see running for president in 2028. This holiday season, we're offer…

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"The Emergent Mind: How Intelligence Arises in People and Machines" | Jay McClelland 39:41

1M ago39:41

39:41

The AI revolution of the past few years is built on brain-inspired neural network models originally developed to study our own minds. The question is, what should we make of the fact that our own rich mental lives are built on the same foundations as the seemingly soulless chat-bots we now interact with on a daily basis? Our guest this week is Stan…

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How Many Republicans Will Follow MTG? 1:40:34

1M ago1:40:34

1:40:34

After a public fallout with the President, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene unexpectedly announces that she'll resign from congress on January 5. Could her decision spark a wave of resignations from her Republican colleagues? Jon, Lovett, and Tommy discuss why so many GOP representatives are unhappy with the status quo, a federal judge's decision to tos…

1
What Will Democratic Governance Look Like? + Lina Khan (Crooked Con) 1:37:56

1M ago1:37:56

1:37:56

Live from Crooked Con, Alex Wagner hosts a discussion with Sen. Brian Schatz, Sen. Ruben Gallego, and Rep. Pramila Jayapal about what America would look like with Democrats in charge of one or both chambers, and how we sell Americans on that vision. Then, former FTC Chair Lina Khan joins Tommy Vietor to talk about the power of good ideas and how pr…

1
Trump Calls for Democrats' Executions 1:45:10

2M ago1:45:10

1:45:10

Trump calls for six congressional Democrats to be executed for treason because the group—all military and intelligence vets—dared to post a video reminding troops that they shouldn't follow illegal orders. The dangerous outburst wraps up a bad week for the Commander in Chief: Republican defections forcing him to sign the Epstein files bill, incompe…

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What’s the Story We’re Telling? + Sen. Ruben Gallego (Crooked Con) 1:37:02

2M ago1:37:02

1:37:02

Live from Crooked Con, Jon Favreau talks to Jen Psaki, Faiz Shakir, Lis Smith, Rebecca Katz, and Adam Jentleson about the narrative we’re pitching—not just about why Trump and the MAGA loons are bad, but why Democrats are good. Then, Sen. Ruben Gallego joins Jon Lovett to talk about how Democrats can win on immigration and how to run a localized ra…

1
Footless Goose Murder, Sex in Space, Viking Sicko Mode, Sports Bra Tech 1:18:12

2M ago1:18:12

1:18:12

Behold: our LIVE show from earlier this year at Caveat in NYC! Rachel, Jess, Moiya McTier and Claire Maldarelli each bring a weird fact to the stage. Topics run the gamut this week. We've got an avian murder mystery, why having sex in space sucks, how preworkout is kind of like being a Viking Berserker, and how the sports bra is shockingly new. Tun…

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Did Trump Blow It on the Epstein Files? 1:30:31

2M ago1:30:31

1:30:31

After failing to pressure Republicans into voting no on releasing the Epstein files, Trump pulls an astonishing reversal and says they should vote yes—because he has nothing to hide. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy break down why Trump flipped and what might happen after the House votes. Then they discuss Marjorie Taylor Greene's reinvention as a unifier, h…

1
What Is the Polling Telling Us About 2026? + Gov. Andy Beshear (Crooked Con) 1:36:03

2M ago1:36:03

1:36:03

Live from Crooked Con, Dan Pfeiffer talks with Sarah Longwell, David Shor, Terrance Woodbury, and Carlos Odio about what the voters are telling us about what they’re looking for in this unprecedented moment, how we can recapture the groups that moved away from Democrats last year, and how much should we pay attention to polling. Then, Governor Andy…

1
Math Has One Answer; Art Has Yours 12:48

2M ago12:48

12:48

Send us a text Creativity isn’t a side dish; it’s the main course for building sharper thinking and genuine confidence. We sit down with Madeline, a homeschooled teen who treats art as both a learning engine and a way to find her voice. Together we unpack why open-ended making exercises different mental muscles than subjects with single right answe…

1
Trump's Ballroom Reno Derailed by Epstein 1:32:57

2M ago1:32:57

1:32:57

Democrats release a new batch of Jeffrey Epstein's emails—including messages suggesting that Trump knew what Epstein was doing and spent time with one of his victims. Republicans fire back with 20,000 more pages of documents, Trump insists it's all a hoax, and Congress moves toward a vote that could force DOJ to release the full Epstein files. Jon …

1
Could brain implants read our thoughts? | Erin Kunz 37:05

2M ago37:05

37:05

Imagine what it’s like to lose your ability to speak. You know what you want to say, but the connection between your brain and the muscles that form words is no longer functioning. For people with conditions like ALS, or who experience a severe stroke, this is a devastating reality. Today's guest is Erin Kunz, a postdoctoral researcher in the Neura…

1
Check it out: 'Ask Us Anything' from Popular Science. On this episode, GOOSEBUMPS 14:50

2M ago14:50

14:50

Popular Science answers your most outlandish, mind-burning questions—from the everyday things you’ve always wondered to the bizarre things you never thought to ask. On this episode: Goosebumps are a valuable tool for many animals. They keep mammals with thick fur warm by trapping air near their skin, or help make them look bigger when facing off ag…

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Can Democrats Lose the Downer Image? + Chris Murphy in Conversation (Crooked Con) 1:33:23

2M ago1:33:23

1:33:23

Live from Crooked Con, Jon Lovett talks to Hasan Piker, Symone Sanders Townsend, Tim Miller, and Jessica Tarlov about why Democrats are the party of humorless scolds, how they let that happen, and how the Republicans crackdown on free speech presents and opening for Democrats to be the fun, welcoming party again. Then, Sen. Chris Murphy joins Dan P…

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Shutdown for What? (Schumer's Version) 1:16:22

2M ago1:16:22

1:16:22

Eight Democratic senators break from the party to cut a deal with Republicans and end the shutdown without any meaningful concessions on health insurance premiums. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy discuss the timing of the deal, the reactions from other elected Democrats and the party's base, and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's apparent inability to hold his…

1
How Do We Push Back on Authoritarianism? (Crooked Con) 1:15:41

2M ago1:15:41

1:15:41

Live from Crooked Con, Jon Favreau is joined by Skye Perryman and Norm Eisen to hash out a strategy for the most effective ways to fight back against the Trump administration’s grave abuses of power. Then, Tommy Vietor talks with Morris Katz, Samson Signori, and Alex Ball about the 2025 election campaigns and what they’ll mean for America and our p…

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How A Leap Into Clay Became A Blooming Creative Business 13:37

2M ago13:37

13:37

Send us a text Ever wonder how a single creative pivot can bloom into a multi-venue art business? We sit down with exhibiting artist Rachel Blakney and trace her path from early painting classes to a pandemic-era leap into polymer clay that reshaped her practice and presence in the community. Rachel’s world is rooted in nature—florals, animals, and…

1
Live from Occupied D.C. with Barack Obama 1:46:01

2M ago1:46:01

1:46:01

Barack Obama drops by our Crooked Con live show to talk about Democrats' big wins and what we need to push for now. Then, Jon, Lovett, Tommy, Dan, and Alex Wagner talk about the latest data from Tuesday night, the White House's promise that Trump will now focus on affordability, whether Trump is psychologically capable of keeping that promise, and …

1
Revenge of the Libs 49:04

2M ago49:04

49:04

Jon, Tommy, and Dan react to Democrats’ big election night, breaking down gubernatorial wins in New Jersey and Virginia, the passage of Prop 50 in California, Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral win in New York City, and a series of small — but important — races in Pennsylvania and Georgia. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a tra…

1
What Rats are REALLY Saying, Cosmic Caffeine, Lamarck was RIGHT?! 1:04:04

2M ago1:04:04

1:04:04

Tom Lum joins the show to reveal what rats are ACTUALLY saying to each other. Plus, Rachel talks about the color of the Universe, and Lauren explains one evolutionary exception. The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week is a podcast by Popular Science. Share your weirdest facts and stories with us in our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠…

1
Don't Poo — Vote! 1:32:35

2M ago1:32:35

1:32:35

Barack Obama hits the campaign trail—and discusses Trump's sh*tposting—as voters head to the polls. Donald Trump sits down for a lengthy interview with 60 Minutes—the same program he sued in 2024—to discuss immigration raids, his new fascination with nuclear weapons, and his surprising pardon of a Chinese crypto tycoon. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy discu…

1
Debating the Trump Era with Abby Phillip 1:11:20

2M ago1:11:20

1:11:20

Who is worth debating? Where do we draw the line? Will all journalism eventually devolve into debate? Jon Favreau is joined by Abby Philip, anchor of CNN NewsNight, to talk about her viral cable news show, the battle between traditional journalism and punditry, and her new book on the presidential campaigns of civil rights icon Jesse Jackson, who r…

1
Noem Won't Rule Out Tear-Gassing Trick-or-Treaters 1:34:04

2M ago1:34:04

1:34:04

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker asks the Department of Homeland Security to suspend ICE operations — including the use of tear-gas — during Halloween to protect trick-or-treaters, but Secretary Kristi Noem insists operations will continue. President Trump concludes his tour of Asia with a new trade deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping that gives Ch…

1
NeuroForecasting: how brain activity can predict stock prices or viral videos | Brian Knutson 40:19

2M ago40:19

40:19

Neuroscientists have spent the past few decades tracing the network of brain systems—some deep and emotional, and others more analytical and deliberate— that work together as we make tough choices like where to invest our money as well as more everyday decisions like which videos to watch online—or, for that matter, which podcast to listen to. You …

1
Trump's Secret Plan for a 3rd Term 1:32:03

2M ago1:32:03

1:32:03

Trump insider Steve Bannon says "there's a plan" for Donald Trump to serve a third term, and Trump says he'd "love to do it." Jon, Lovett, and Tommy speculate what that plan may look like and what it means for this year's elections and the 2026 midterms. Then, they discuss the latest from the ongoing government shutdown, Trump's new tariffs on Cana…

1
Join A Creative Patreon Where We Learn, Build Products, And Grow Together 9:19

2M ago9:19

9:19

Send us a text Want a clear path from creative spark to shipped product? We’re opening the studio doors and sharing the exact systems that turn sketches into physical goods, classes, and sustainable income. After a burst of community events and a busy month, I’m launching a streamlined Patreon built for artists, dreamers, and entrepreneurs who want…

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Trump (Literally) Destroys White House 1:37:27

2M ago1:37:27

1:37:27

President Trump demolishes the White House’s East Wing to make room for his ostentatious 90,000 square foot ballroom. Jon, Dan, and Alex Wagner — host of Crooked Media’s newest podcast “Runaway Country” — react to the the demolition and the latest news, including Trump’s demand that the Justice Department pay him $230 million in taxpayer money, his…

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Ant Yogurt, Bunny Horns, Deadly Feather Fashion 57:10

3M ago57:10

57:10

Liz Clayton Fuller joins the show to talk about the deadly feather trade. Plus, Jess hops in to explain the strange virus causing bunnies to sprout horns, and Rachel gets into the way some folks are using ants to make yogurt. (It's actually kinda good...) Check out all of Liz's art: https://lizclaytonfuller.com/ The Weirdest Thing I Learned This We…

1
Trump Unloads on No Kings 1:55:42

3M ago1:55:42

1:55:42

After millions rally at No Kings protests, Donald Trump posts an AI-generated video of himself wearing a crown, spraying poop from a fighter jet onto the crowds below. Jon, Lovett, and Tommy discuss how far we've fallen and then get into the news, including the political prosecution of John Bolton, Trump's threat to send troops to another Californi…

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Why is Big Business Caving to Trump? (with Andrew Ross Sorkin) 1:07:47

3M ago1:07:47

1:07:47

Why have CEOs been so eager to bend the knee? How are tariffs actually affecting the economy? Is the next major financial crisis already underway? New York Times financial columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin stops by the studio to talk to Lovett about our weird economy under Trump 2.0. They discuss big business's refusal to stand up to Trump, the prospect…

1
Finding Serendipity In Nature, Community, And Making 14:29

3M ago14:29

14:29

Send us a text A camera on a backyard bird feeder sparked an entire art series—then the community took notice. We sit down with exhibiting artist Glenda Hake to trace the winding path of a maker who blends painting, collage, masks, photography, and graphic design into a practice rooted in nature and fueled by curiosity. From foraging moss and grape…

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JD Vance Defends Hitler-Loving Racists 1:38:54

3M ago1:38:54

1:38:54

When a group of Young Republicans' racist private messages—which included praise for Hitler and slavery and jokes about gas chambers—get leaked to POLITICO, JD Vance says "that's what kids do" and that we all need to move on. President Trump names new targets for prosecution, including Sen. Adam Schiff, Andrew Weissmann, and Jack Smith, even as Tru…

1
"Why Brains Need Friends: The Neuroscience of Social Connection" | Ben Rein 38:36

3M ago38:36

38:36

We are more isolated from one another than ever before — by our technology, by our political divides, and most of all, by our choices. This week on the show, we talk with neuroscientist Ben Rein about why this social isolation is terrible for our health — implicated in not only rising rates of mental illness, but also heart disease, dementia and mo…