Best MK LOST Podcasts (2025)

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Dem Uniters and Dividers Shape the Party's Future, Dominant Media Hypocrisy, Lessons Kamala Missed 1:32:50

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38m ago1:32:50

1:32:50

Mark Halperin opens today’s episode with a sharp new reported monologue on the Democratic Party’s biggest challenge heading into 2028: how to unite enough of the country to appeal to a deeply divided America. He traces how recent presidents left office with more polarization than when they began and explains why Democrats must reconcile their insti…

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E167: Stefano Ghisolfi - Transitioning into a boulder bro, hold fabrication and the collaborative future for elite sport climbing 2:05:05

6h ago2:05:05

2:05:05

Stefano, one of the world's best sport climbers has rapidly been becoming one of the world's best boulderers so we thought now was the perfect time to get him on our podcast! We chatted about a bunch of things, his processes with Excalibur, Silence and Burden of Dreams, the situation with hold fabrication in sport climbing, how the future of sport …

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What Charlie Kirk Assassination Reveals About Dems and Media, and Kamala's Book Tour Flops, w/ McCain & Ferguson 1:10:49

14h ago1:10:49

1:10:49

Mark Halperin opens with his latest reported monologue on Charlie Kirk’s assassination and the ongoing distorted coverage surrounding it. He reveals how the Dominant Media, aligned with Democratic leaders, downplays the significance of Kirk’s life and murder — and how it is echoing their role in obscuring Joe Biden’s decline. Mark explains how this…

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Kimmel Suspended as Media Power Shifts, DHS Sec. Noem, and the Golden Age of Comedy, w/ Noam Dworman 1:13:40

6d ago1:13:40

1:13:40

Mark Halperin opens today’s episode with his reported monologue featuring new information on Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension by ABC and what it reveals about shifting corporate power structures, market pressure, and free speech in modern media. He dissects the reactions from the White House to prominent Democrats, many of whom are outraged by Kimmel’s su…

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E166: Adam Shahar - The Process, Burden, boards and World Cups 1:48:22

7d ago1:48:22

1:48:22

Joining us this week is one of the last (if not the last) board climbing specialist still on the world cup circuit! Adam is one of the strongest people around on a board and he's really started to show what he can do on rock, but he's fighting the siren call of the stone for a little longer because he's still competing internationally. We talk abou…

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How Charlie Kirk Made MAGA Mainstream, Plus Maureen Callahan Unfiltered 1:10:12

8d ago1:10:12

1:10:12

Mark Halperin opens the show with his reported monologue, along with personal reflections, on the life, assassination, and lasting legacy of Charlie Kirk. He traces Kirk's meteoric rise to becoming a conservative icon without the backing of media, Hollywood, or academia, and explains why his murder feels to many like an attack on the heart of the M…

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The Devastating Loss of Charlie Kirk and the Legacy He Leaves Behind, with Megyn Kelly 1:15:56

13d ago1:15:56

1:15:56

In the wake of Charlie Kirk’s tragic assassination, Megyn Kelly joins Mark Halperin to honor Charlie and his life’s work that forever changed politics in America. They reflect on his eagerness to learn from those he disagreed with, his steadfast commitment to open debate, and the lasting legacy he leaves to the generation of young Americans he insp…

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E165: 'Barefoot' Charles Albert - Footprints down the paths least travelled 1:32:22

14d ago1:32:22

1:32:22

Charles definitely provides a different flavour for this week's episode. A man who truly goes his own way, he climbs without shoes, mostly without any gear and usually without crash pads. He climbs, he downclimbs, he jumps and sometimes lives a cave. On top of all these brilliant eccentricities he's also one of the strongest climbers in the world. …

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Charlie Kirk on Crime, the Horrific Charlotte Stabbing, and the Wrong Lesson About Trump Scandals 1:03:35

15d ago1:03:35

1:03:35

In today’s episode, Mark Halperin delivers a patented reported monologue on the political resilience and rare political athleticism that allowed Bill Clinton and Donald Trump to survive scandals that would have ended most careers. From Gennifer Flowers to “Access Hollywood,” Mark explains why their Houdini-like abilities was not evidence that contr…

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Trump “Death” Rumors Made Him Stronger, Sen. Schmitt on GOP’s Best Defense, DC Power Player Circuit 1:13:55

20d ago1:13:55

1:13:55

Mark Halperin opens the show with his reported monologue on the viral “Trump is dead” rumors and how they mirror the 1969 “Paul is dead” controversy about Paul McCartney. Just as conspiracy theories around McCartney’s supposed death only strengthened his legend, Mark argues that Democrats’ public wish-casting of Trump’s obituary reveals more about …

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E164: Zoe Wood and Ros Beveridge - Route setting pod Mk 2, this time with different perspectives! 2:11:22

21d ago2:11:22

2:11:22

The other side of the coin from episode 150, it's another route setting deep dive pod, but this time with renowned setters Zoe and Ros, who were able to offer some different perspectives that four dudes can produce by themselves, who knew right? Just a bunch of chats about route setting, some of it is specific to women in route setting and some of …

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Ten Biggest Stories After the Summer, Dems' Dreary Political Forecast, Trump’s SCOTUS “Weak Links” 1:06:39

22d ago1:06:39

1:06:39

Mark Halperin opens today’s show with his reported monologue on the ten biggest stories of the summer and what they signal for a busy fall news cycle. From Trump’s crime push and the Democratic response, to the Capitol Hill fight over the Epstein files, Mark lays out the stakes ahead. He also explains how the Ukraine stalemate and Gaza escalation s…

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163: Benn Wheeler - Wheel Rock, board climbs and rolls and rolls of euros 2:20:57

28d ago2:20:57

2:20:57

We had an absolute blast chatting to Benn this week. He's not just ebullient and funny he's also a heck of a climber. He makes YouTube content with his older brother and one of the best climbers in the world, Noah. It's a funny position to be in, to be one of the best climbers around but to have a brother who is even better so we did talk about tha…

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Tom Sawyer Island: A Frontier Farewell 9:52

1M ago9:52

9:52

Send us a text Step aboard the raft one last time as we journey to Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom, recently closed to make way for a brand-new land. In this episode, we explore the music, sound design, and creative forces that shaped this beloved hideaway. From the folk tunes of "Oh! Susanna" and "Arkansas Traveler" to the influence of Imaginee…

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Gavin Newsom’s New 2028 Playbook, Democratic Voter Decline, and Fighting Cancer, with Michael Caputo 1:25:50

1M ago1:25:50

1:25:50

Mark opens the show with his reported monologue on why and how Gavin Newsom is so misunderstood. He explains why Newsom stands alone in the Democratic Party’s top tier of potential presidential candidates for 2028 due to his focus on the “Three As”: action, attention-getting, and authenticity. Mark also corrects four myths about Newsom, including t…

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E162: Darth Grading, climbing ethics and Aidan getting bullied by trad climbers 1:35:12

1M ago1:35:12

1:35:12

This week we answered a bunch of questions from our Patroon community on discord as well as rambled about a few extra bits and pieces as they came to mind. Pub chat stuff really, objective grading scales, when does gear become cheating, flash ethics, Aidan getting abused by trad climbers you know all the classics. If you're enjoying the podcast and…

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Trump’s Five Keys to Success With Ukraine, Why Dems Aren’t Ready for 2028, the GOP’s Balancing Act 1:17:11

1M ago1:17:11

1:17:11

Mark opens today’s show with his patented reported monologue on Donald Trump’s strategy for Ukraine and Russia, laying out five pillars that sharply diverge from Joe Biden’s policies. From shifting the burden to Europe and aggressively driving peace talks, to accepting territorial compromise, wielding sanctions, and using high-pressure diplomacy, M…

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Trump's D.C. Crime Edge, and Joe Scarborough on How the Democrats Can Confront and Beat Trump 1:16:38

1M ago1:16:38

1:16:38

Mark opens today’s show with his reported monologue on the Democrats’ ten-year failure to answer a basic question: how to beat Donald Trump at politics. He begins with Trump’s gambit to address Washington, D.C.’s crime troubles, then examines the counterargument from Trump’s opponents – which exposes a major weakness for Democrats and the corporate…

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E161: Ethan Salvo - Having an incredible trip without sending anything followed by one of the best ever weeks in Canadian climbing 2:27:56

1M ago2:27:56

2:27:56

We like chatting to Ethan, he's got some great perspectives and he thinks deeply about his climbing. The base of the chat was around two recent segments in Ethan's climbing, one trip to Bishop where Ethan didn't really climb anything and a few weeks back in Squamish where Ethan climbed some incredibly hard things. It was interesting to hear how the…

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The "Blue Bubble Wrap" Blinding Dominant Media from Truth, Plus Harmeet Dhillon on Remaking the DOJ 1:20:27

1M ago1:20:27

1:20:27

Mark kicks off today’s show with a new reported monologue on the shakeup at The Washington Post. He reviews the record of the paper’s most notorious anti-Trump propagandists masquerading as news reporters and explains why their recent departures have yet to boost credibility or alter its biased reporting. Mark explains that Donald Trump is not the …

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Fact-Checking the Fact Checker: Debating Media Bias About Trump and Biden with Glenn Kessler 1:11:55

2M ago1:11:55

1:11:55

Today, Mark Halperin sits down for an unmissable conversation with Glenn Kessler, former Editor and Chief Writer of The Washington Post’s influential “The Fact Checker.” They revisit some of Kessler’s most famous – and infamous – Pinocchio ratings, unpack his recent admission about the paper’s addiction to its liberal readers, and debate the paper’…

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E160: Adam Ondra - Legacy, the future, parenthood and rare failures amongst a litany of successes 2:36:51

2M ago2:36:51

2:36:51

One of the biggest names in climbing and a strong contender for being the best climber of all time, Adam Ondra joins us this week! Have you heard of him? We chat about a whole bunch of things:- Rock manipulation, Onsighting vs Flashing, Lexicon E11, goal-setting, competitions, The Olympics, B.I.G etc etc.... If you're enjoying the podcast and would…

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Kamala’s 107 Excuses, Corey Lewandowski on Trump 3.0, and Detroit’s Mayor on Leaving the Dem Party 1:12:42

2M ago1:12:42

1:12:42

Mark Halperin kicks off today’s show by breaking down what Kamala Harris has — and hasn’t — done since losing the 2024 election. While Donald Trump has used his second term to reshape the political landscape, Harris has largely receded from the stage. Mark explores her indecision, lack of public engagement, and what her next chapter might reveal ab…

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The 2028 Invisible Primary, Economic Reality, and Booker’s Hamilton Audition with Meghan McCain 1:13:48

2M ago1:13:48

1:13:48

Mark Halperin officially kicks off the 2028 presidential race with the debut of his “Invisible Primary Rankings” in his reported monologue. Who’s really ahead to lead the Democratic Party next? It’s not just about early voting states anymore. Mark ranks the contenders across categories that matter — from who owns the digital space to who passes the…

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E159: Another round table with Katie Lamb, general chats and the fantasy climbing auction 2:09:32

2M ago2:09:32

2:09:32

Back by popular demand, Katie Lamb joins us again this week for some round table discussions about pro climbing, legacy athletes and if we could be motivated to climb with no chance of any further progression. We also play a game at the end which is a fantasy climbing auction devised by Sam which turned out to be a pretty good laugh. If you're enjo…

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Trump's Four Big Wins the Left Ignores, Plus Dem Identity Crisis, with Michael Smerconish, Emily Jashinsky, and Rich Lowry 1:16:57

2M ago1:16:57

1:16:57

Mark Halperin opens today’s show with his new signature reported monologue on the implications of the Democrats’ refusal to acknowledge the major accomplishments of the Trump presidency. He explains why these wins are still shaping the political landscape, and how the left’s continued denial of what’s ruined the party’s brand could cost them in the…

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Why the Epstein Story is Sticking, Ro Khanna’s Quest for Answers, and What the Media is Ignoring 1:12:50

2M ago1:12:50

1:12:50

Today, Mark Halperin breaks down why the Trump–Epstein scandal won’t go away—and why it may be more politically dangerous than any controversy Trump has faced before. He unpacks what to watch for in Trump’s social media posts and what might be driving his cryptic responses to questions about Ghislaine Maxwell. Then, Rep. Ro Khanna explains why Epst…

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E158: Nicolai Uznik - Comps, Maltatal and a long journey to the top of Mount Doom 2:03:58

2M ago2:03:58

2:03:58

We had another wad on the pod this week, Nicolai Uznik is a rare breed of climber who has somehow managed to climb the highest grades outdoors whilst also achieving some great results in the comps. We talk about that juggling act, what it's like to be a competitor in the current era of competitions, competition setting, Maltatal, and his experience…

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The Five Wars Shaping American Politics, Exclusive New NYC Mayor Poll, and Hunter Biden Uncensored 1:17:44

2M ago1:17:44

1:17:44

Mark kicks off today’s show breaking down the five biggest hot political wars dominating American politics—from Rahm Emanuel’s escalating battle with the progressive left to Trump’s ongoing feud with The Wall Street Journal and the Murdoch empire. Mark unpacks how these high-stakes fights are reshaping the parties, the media, and more. Then, new NY…

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Echoes on the River: The Hidden Music of Liberty Square 11:50

2M ago11:50

11:50

Send us a text 🚨 This month marked the final day for two classic Magic Kingdom attractions: Liberty Square Riverboat and Tom Sawyer Island. These quiet, historic corners have offered guests a peaceful escape, and now, they officially set sail into the past. ❤️ 🎧 But the story’s not over. Join us on this episode of Stream the Magic as we celebrate t…

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Megyn Kelly on Epstein, MAGA Fury, the Loyalty Test Trump Didn’t Expect, Plus the End of the Elites 1:03:30

2M ago1:03:30

1:03:30

Today, Mark Halperin sits down exclusively with Megyn Kelly for a deep dive on Epstein, why the scandal hits Trump’s base in a uniquely personal way, and why it’s not the political deal breaker the left might hope. Megyn reveals the unanswered questions that still matter to MAGA, why firing Comey’s daughter isn't the "scalp" that will satisfy the n…

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E157: Let's devise a 4th Olympic climbing discipline 1:36:04

2M ago1:36:04

1:36:04

Yeah, it's one of those episodes this week. Nothing to learn and no great insights into the world of climbing, but we at least entertained ourselves trying to devise a new Modern Pentathlon after a chat about climbing films. Say what you want about the Careless Talk Climbing Podcast but at least they're making themselves laugh. We'll be back soon w…

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Tapper’s New Biden Cover-Up Spin Blames Trump, NBC Autopen Flop, and Talking Politics with Brit Hume 1:14:02

2M ago1:14:02

1:14:02

Mark opens with a sharp look at the latest in media malpractice—the press’ increasingly absurd cover-up of its own cover-up of Joe Biden’s cognitive decline. Rather than taking responsibility for their role in downplaying the president’s condition, reporters like CNN’s Jake Tapper are now spinning a new narrative: blame it all on “Trump-ness.” Plus…

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Trump’s Seven Rules For Making Decisions, and Vance’s Transformation, with Batya, Bolling, Knowles 1:19:55

3M ago1:19:55

1:19:55

Mark Halperin kicks off today’s show with an in-depth analysis of Donald Trump’s decision-making process, breaking down the seven rules that guide his leadership. Mark explores how Trump’s instinct-driven choices, strategic use of chaos, and mastery of controlling the narrative have set him apart from past presidents—and allow him to effectively ma…

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E156: Brooke Raboutou - Growing up in a climbing family and climbing the highest grades whilst maintaining balance 2:35:42

3M ago2:35:42

2:35:42

It was very exciting to have Brooke join us on the pod this week! We had a wide ranging chat talking about growing up in a climbing family, the Olympics, social media, maintaining a healthy balance away from climbing, Excaliber, the future of comp climbing, what it's like to compete against Janja Garnbret and much more! Big thanks to Brooke for joi…

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Blaming Trump After Butler Backfired, Shooter’s Missing Motive, Plus Epstein and Other Conspiracies 1:16:40

3M ago1:16:40

1:16:40

Mark Halperin kicks off today’s show with a hard look at the political and media fallout still unfolding as the one-year anniversary of the Trump assassination attempt draws near. In his reported monologue, Mark dissects how key Democrats and corporate media figures blamed Trump for the attempt on his own life—and how that narrative helped ignite t…

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The Real Reason CBS Caved to Trump, with Mark Halperin, Plus Charlize Theron is Part of the Problem - After Party with Emily Jashinsky 1:04:28

3M ago1:04:28

1:04:28

Mark Halperin is off of Next Up this week, but he joined Emily Jashinsky on her new MK Media show "After Party" - which you can subscribe to and join the party. They discuss the settlement between CBS News parent company Paramount and President Trump, the real reason CBS caved and paid Trump millions, the "dirty secret" about the corporate media, t…

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E155: Natasha Barnes - Should we all be strength training? 2:08:55

3M ago2:08:55

2:08:55

We had a lovely chat with Natasha for this week's episode. She's been an outspoken advocate of strength training for years now and so there's nobody better to talk to about the dark arts of the gym gym than Natasha. She knows a thing or two about both worlds, we speak about her experience as a professional climber 20 years ago, and how an injury an…

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Will Zohran Mamdani Ruin NYC... or Make NYC Great Again? And Meghan McCain on Usha Vance Exclusive 1:09:18

3M ago1:09:18

1:09:18

Mark Halperin kicks off today’s show by breaking down why Democratic rising star Zohran Mamdani may have more in common with Donald Trump than meets the eye. From his underdog victory over Andrew Cuomo to his working-class message about affordability in New York City, Halperin explains how Mamdani is reshaping the political conversation—and why som…

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E154: Austin Hoyt - The King of the North-East, Comp moves on rock and Lucid Dreaming 1:59:09

3M ago1:59:09

1:59:09

Austin Hoyt joins us on the pod this week! A name that's fun to say and he's a lovely chap who was really fun to talk to. We chat a lot about the lesser trodden North-East of the USA, heading to Finland to check out Burden of Dreams, using coordination moves to avoid having to pull too hard and the incredible crop of Wads that have popped up in his…

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Partisan Divide on Iran, Inside Trump’s Big Decision, with Rachael Bade, and Sage Steele Unfiltered 1:05:18

3M ago1:05:18

1:05:18

Mark Halperin opens today’s show with his reported monologue breaking down the Left’s partisanship on an issue that should transcend politics: stopping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. While Democrat Senator Chris Coons praises NATO’s new funding commitments and agrees Iran must be stopped, he—like many on the Left—refuses to credit Trump’s rol…

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Four Truths About Trump and Iran, Netanyahu’s Gamble, and Bombshell Reports About “Leaderless” Dems 1:09:41

3M ago1:09:41

1:09:41

Mark kicks off the show with a deep dive into the four truths about Trump and Iran, and the fundamentals about his biggest foreign policy decision yet. He breaks down the underreported dynamics inside the White House, how U.S.-Israel relations are shaping global responses, why the real divide goes far beyond MAGA, and what Trump has—and hasn’t—deci…

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Composing the Sky: The Musical Legacy of Wishes 13:59

3M ago13:59

13:59

Send us a text For nearly 14 years, Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams lit up the night skies over Magic Kingdom, but it wasn’t just the fireworks that made this show unforgettable. It was the music. In this episode of Stream the Magic: Music Behind the Attractions, we dive deep into the musical history of Wishes: the creative vision of D…

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E153: Using danger for clicks, Aidan's hardest climb of the season and Sam forgets his shoes 1:43:35

3M ago1:43:35

1:43:35

Hey all! You've had it too good with guests for the last couple of week so it's time to bring you back down to earth with a home team episode. We've got a few quintessentially CTCP rambles for your delight and delectation. Hope you enjoy :) If you like the pod and would like to support us to keep doing it whilst keeping it advertisement free for al…

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U.S. Weighs War with Iran, Trump Faces MAGA Backlash, Plus David Mamet on Israel, Hollywood and TDS 1:04:24

3M ago1:04:24

1:04:24

Mark Halperin kicks off today’s show with a deep dive into Trump’s foreign policy philosophy, his instinct to avoid war, and the factors influencing a potential U.S. entry into the Israel-Iran conflict. Then, Mark examines the backlash Trump is facing from some in the MAGA movement, why parts of the isolationist right oppose a war with Iran, and wh…

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Secrets to Staying Ahead of the News, What Trump's Really Like, and Mark's Dad on "Enemies" List 1:12:31

4M ago1:12:31

1:12:31

Mark Halperin kicks off the show by unveiling his unique reporting strategy that helps him stay ahead of today’s top news stories. Mark explains why the tougher immigration talk is coming, the potential real-world fallout of Israel attacking Iran’s nuclear program, and the China trade deal that highlights a concerning vulnerability for Americans. P…

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E152: Daniel Woods - ROTSW, Alphane, shower gloves and the state of the game 2:34:52

4M ago2:34:52

2:34:52

A little over a year ago I got a message from Aidan just saying 'Daniel is in!'. You know you're a bit of an icon when surnames aren't required! It took a little over a year to actually get a date but much like a hard project, sometimes it just takes consistency! You know who he is, and we had a great chat about his hard projects, what the climbing…

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Raids, Riots & Roadblocks: California in Turmoil, Democrats Sidetracked on 2028 Plans 1:12:47

4M ago1:12:47

1:12:47

Mark Halperin kicks off the show with a deep dive into the California immigration protests—what’s really driving the unrest, how the media is covering (or spinning) the story, and why it matters far beyond the West Coast. He also breaks down why some Democrats publicly blaming law enforcement could end up boosting Trump and the GOP. Then, Mark turn…

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What Happens When Trump is Furious With You, and Rebrand Fails by Karine Jean-Pierre & Meghan Markle 1:06:43

4M ago1:06:43

1:06:43

Mark Halperin kicks off the show with the latest news about Trump’s current relationship with Elon Musk, reveals what it is like to have Trump both love you and hate you at the same time, and describes what it is like to get a phone call from a furious Donald Trump. Meghan McCain joins Mark to discuss failing rebrand attempts by Meghan Markle and B…

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E151: Kai Lightner -Comebacks, learning to work with the body you're in and climbing for change 2:01:09

4M ago2:01:09

2:01:09

We loved having Kai join us on the pod this week. He's a candidate for the most articulate climber around. He's been through a lot and he's come back swinging. We talk about his rise, fall and resurgence, his time climbing with Joe Kinder and the controversies there, his non-profit, and his hopes for the future. I poorly referenced this speech abou…