The Al Franken Podcast

Latest Episodes:

13: Frm. Obama Speechwriter David Litt Explains How the GOP Has Systematically Undermined Democracy. Jun 21, 2020

Show notes

In his new book: Democracy: In One Book or Less fmr. Obama speechwriter and NY Times bestselling author brings fascinating and often startling detail to all the ways the GOP thwarts democracy.

12: Atlantic Writer George Packer on How the Pandemic and George Floyd’s Murder have Laid Bare America’s Weaknesses Jun 14, 2020

Show notes

Packer and Al discuss the how a corrupt political class, a heartless economy, systemic racism, and Donald Trump have led to the failures Americans have been witness to and the victims of these last several months.

11: Donna Edwards and Al Discuss Race, Cops, and Photo Ops Jun 07, 2020

Show notes

Former Congresswoman Edwards talks about being the mother of a young black man and whether George Floyd's murder has finally brought us to an inflection point.

10: NEA President Lily Eskelsen García on Teaching During a Pandemic and a DeVos May 31, 2020

Show notes

The host (and former member of the Senate Education Committee) and the president of the National Education Association talks about an important subject: how awful Betsy DeVos is. But also, education.

1: COVID-19 Trailer May 27, 2020

Show notes

This COVID-19 pandemic is arguably the greatest global crisis since World War II. Since the coronavirus hit, Al has been talking with guests about the various aspects of this horrible scourge. To date, guests include:

Andy Slavitt, former head of Medicare/Medicaid;

Austan Goolsbee, former Chair of the President's Council of Economic Advisors;

Dr. Leana Wen, former president of Planned Parenthood; and

Michael Lewis, author of the Fifth Risk.

9: Paul Krugman on Arguing with Republican Zombies May 24, 2020

Show notes

The NYT columnist and Nobel Prize winner discusses how Republicans operate in bad faith on issues like climate, tax cuts, deficits, income and wealth inequality, and now, the pandemic.

8: Steve Schmidt Tears Trump and the Republican Party A New One May 17, 2020

Show notes

The former GOP strategist trashes Trump and his enablers. And gives a surprisingly personal explanation of why it took him so long to leave his old party.

7: Epidemiologist Larry Brilliant on Where We Go From Here May 10, 2020

Show notes

From 1973-76, Dr. Larry Brilliant was part of the World Health Organization team that eradicated smallpox and is Chairman of the Board of Ending Pandemics. He discusses how we go forward on Covid-19 after blowing it in the first six months.

6: Chief Democratic Election Lawyer Marc Elias Talks Elections During A Pandemic May 03, 2020

Show notes

Democrats want every eligible American to vote. Republicans don’t. Nationally renowned election lawyer Marc Elias discusses the battles ahead from now until November.

5: Billy and Debbie Shore, Founders of No Kid Hungry, on Hunger in America During this Pandemic Apr 26, 2020

Show notes

The brother and sister team who have been doing this work for 35 years talk about how the pandemic has shined a light on childhood hunger and what we can do about it.

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