The Conversation with Dasha Burns

Latest Episodes:

How DSA progressives and centrist Dems can both win (with Sen. Adam Schiff) Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

In a live taping of the show in Sacramento, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) weighs in on whether insurgent candidates on the left could become a liability for Democrats — and on how the party should reckon with its past embrace of “woke” politics.

Dasha also presses Schiff on where he stands on California’s proposed billionaire tax, his opposition to recent arms sales to Israel, and whether he’ll continue accepting support from AIPAC.

Have thoughts for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.

Can the GOP ‘defy history’ in the midterms? (with Speaker Mike Johnson) Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

Speaker Mike Johnson sits down with Dasha for a wide-ranging interview as Republicans fight to hold onto the House majority.

Dasha presses Johnson on why voters remain unhappy with the economy despite Republican promises, whether rising gas prices and the conflict with Iran could derail the GOP's midterm hopes, and why he believes Republicans can overcome decades of history working against the president's party.

Dasha asks Johnson about his relationship with President Trump – questioning whether he ever tells the president "no" and why Senate Majority Leader John Thune appears more willing to publicly push back.

Johnson also addresses the mounting allegations against Rep. Max Miller and weighs in on what Abdul El-Sayed's victory says about the direction of the Democratic Party.

Have thoughts for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536

Pete Buttigieg has a theory for how Democrats can win | On the Road Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg joins POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin in Traverse City, Michigan, to discuss the future of the Democratic Party and why he believes Democrats can't simply campaign on a return to the pre-Trump status quo.

Buttigieg argues the party needs to "build what's next," weighs in on the Michigan Senate race, reflects on his time in the Biden administration, and shares his vision for institutional reform, AI, economic inequality and the road to 2028. Plus, he gives Jonathan a tour of his adopted hometown—including a stop for Traverse City's famous cherry ice cream.

‘Broadcast licenses aren't sacred cows’ (with FCC Chair Brendan Carr) Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

FCC chairman Brendan Carr sits down with POLITICO's Dasha Burns for a wide-ranging interview on the growing power of the FCC under President Trump. Dasha presses Carr on his warnings that broadcasters could lose their licenses, accusations that the agency is being used to target the president's critics and concerns that the FCC has become increasingly politicized.

Carr also weighs in on what he believes the FCC's role should be in a media landscape increasingly dominated by social media and streaming.

Have thoughts for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.

Rahm Emanuel makes his 2028 pitch over pizza in Chicago | On The Road Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

Rahm Emanuel joins POLITICO's Jonathan Martin at Michael's Original Pizzeria on Chicago's North Side for a wide-ranging conversation about his political future, the Democratic Party's identity crisis and why he's seriously considering a run for president in 2028.

The former Chicago mayor, Obama chief of staff and U.S. ambassador to Japan reflects on the biggest mistakes of both parties, argues Democrats need to win back the political center, weighs in on Israel, China and Donald Trump, and explains why he believes America is at a political turning point.

Plus: Chicago tavern-style pizza, growing up on the North Side and the childhood experience that still drives Emanuel today.

The California AG trying to stop Hollywood’s biggest merger (with Rob Bonta) Jul 24, 2026

Show notes

California Attorney General Rob Bonta joins Dasha to explain why he’s trying to block Paramount’s proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, and defends California’s antitrust agenda. He also weighs in on AI regulation, election security and why says his office will keep suing President Trump whenever it believes the law has been broken.

Have thoughts for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.

The populist Democrat taking on his own party (with Abdul El-Sayed) Jul 17, 2026

Show notes

Abdul El-Sayed – the progressive former public health official running for the Democratic nomination in Michigan's open Senate seat – joins Dasha to explain why he believes "both parties are lying" to working Americans, unleashes on the ‘hypocrisy’ of the Democratic establishment, and defends his record on “Defund the Police,” ICE, socialism and more.

Have thoughts for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.

Why NATO’s chief thinks Trump was right (with Mark Rutte) Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

At the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara, Secretary General Mark Rutte joins Dasha to discuss NATO's historic defense spending overhaul, Russia's war in Ukraine, Greenland, President Trump's demands of the alliance, and whether NATO can withstand growing questions about America's future role in European security.

Plus, POLITICO’s diplomatic correspondent Felicia Schwartz and defense reporter Jack Detsch give their takeaways from the summit.

Have thoughts for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.

A GOP power trio look to Teddy Roosevelt for America's next 250 years | On The Road Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Gov. Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.) and Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) join POLITICO's Jonathan Martin at the Little Missouri Saloon in Medora for a conversation about the newly opened Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, why the Badlands helped shape one of America's most consequential presidents and how they're betting the landmark will transform North Dakota.

They also discuss President Donald Trump's agenda, the future of the GOP, the politics of conservation and why they believe Theodore Roosevelt's legacy still offers lessons for America as the nation celebrates its 250th birthday.

Can the American experiment survive? (with Ken Burns) Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

As America marks 250 years since its founding, award-winning documentarian Ken Burns joins Dasha to reflect on what history can teach us about this political moment.

In this wide-ranging interview, Burns discusses what lawmakers misunderstand about the founding of our nation, what George Washington would think of Donald Trump, and whether the American experiment can survive the next chapter.

Have thoughts for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.

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