The Conversation with Dasha Burns

Latest Episodes:

Finland’s president: Europe needs to calm down about Trump (with Alexander Stubb) Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

Dasha sits down with Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Helsinki for a wide-ranging conversation on NATO, Russia's war in Ukraine, Iran and the future of America's relationships with allies around the world.

Stubb, who has developed an unusually close personal relationship with Donald Trump, discusses how he approaches the president behind closed doors, why he believes Ukraine has the upper hand in the war against Russia and how he remains confident in NATO's future.

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

Democrats need to stop being ‘boring’ (with Jack Schlossberg) Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

Jack Schlossberg joins Dasha to talk about his campaign for New York’s 12th congressional district, his viral online persona and why he thinks Democrats need to be more “controversial” in the Trump era.

Schlossberg discusses what he says Democrats got wrong in 2024, why he believes attention is political power, how the party can reach young male voters, and why he sees himself as part of a new generation trying to change Democratic politics. He also weighs in on his Kennedy family legacy, RFK Jr., Israel and Gaza, impeachment, super PAC spending, and why he says he has “no regrets” about anything he’s posted online.

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

The EPA isn’t here to fight climate change (with Lee Zeldin) Jun 12, 2026

Show notes

At POLITICO’s Energy Summit, Dasha presses EPA administrator Lee Zeldin on rising gas prices, the war in Iran, Trump’s energy dominance agenda, coal, AI data centers, and whether the EPA has a responsibility to address climate change.

Zeldin defends his approach, arguing that the EPA can protect the environment while growing the economy and rejects the idea that his agency should lead the fight against climate change – unless Congress tells him to.

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

The crypto clash that could reshape finance (with Brian Armstrong) Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong sits down with Dasha for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of crypto, the growing political influence of the industry, and his vision for a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.

Plus, he responds to JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon’s recent attack, after Dimon called him “full of s--t,” and explains why he’s still “a little perplexed” by the personal animosity.

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

Q&A: Dasha Burns pulls back the curtain on covering politics May 29, 2026

Show notes

Every week on this show, Dasha Burns talks to the most compelling and sometimes unexpected power players in Washington and beyond. But for this special first anniversary episode, she turned the microphone over to you … our listeners.

“How do you prepare for high-stakes interviews?”

“Why has Washington left Gen Z behind?”

“How has covering politics changed you?”

Dasha answers your burning questions, weighing in on everything from the most interesting under-the-radar character at the White House to why her news diet is a “hot mess.”

Have feedback for “The Conversation?” Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.

Shapiro on Trump, Fetterman and 2028 over cheesesteaks in South Philly | On The Road May 26, 2026

Show notes

Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-Pa.) sits down with POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin at Angelo’s Pizzeria, a South Philly institution, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of the Democratic party, rising cynicism in American politics and the growing speculation around his political future in 2028.

How Ukraine became essential to America’s security (with Olga Stefanishyna) May 22, 2026

Show notes

Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States Olga Stefanishyna joins Dasha Burns on “The Conversation” to discuss whether the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran could pull American attention and weapons away from Kyiv, the state of Ukraine-Russia peace talks and why President Trump and Volodmyr Zelenskyy’s once-rocky relationship has become “iconic.”

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

Wes Moore gets blunt about 2028: I'm hungry, not thirsty | On The Road May 21, 2026

Show notes

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore sits down with POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin at Baltimore’s iconic Koco's Pub for a wide-ranging conversation about redistricting, the future of the Democratic party and how his military service shaped his views on patriotism, race and America’s role in the world.

Moore also opens up about Donald Trump, Joe Biden’s decision to stay in the presidential race too long, Kamala Harris’ future and why Democrats can’t spend years “studying” voters’ frustrations instead of fixing them.

Iran’s exiled crown prince criticizes Trump’s ‘half-baked’ Iran strategy (with Reza Pahlavi) May 15, 2026

Show notes

Dasha sits down with Reza Pahlavi, the exiled former crown prince of Iran, for a live taping of “The Conversation” at POLITICO’s Security Summit.

In a wide-ranging interview, Pahlavi discusses the latest on the war in Iran, whether diplomacy with Tehran is possible and the future of the Iranian opposition movement.

Have a question for our anniversary special? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.

Trump is ‘stuck in a stalemate’ in Iran (with Leon Panetta) May 08, 2026

Show notes

Leon Panetta, former Defense Secretary and CIA director under President Obama, joins Dasha Burns to assess the U.S. conflict with Iran, warning that unclear objectives, a closed Strait of Hormuz and uncertain nuclear negotiations could leave the U.S. stuck in a prolonged war.

Plus, Panetta defends President Biden’s handling of the Israel/Gaza conflict but says Biden “should have been much tougher” in providing weapons for Ukraine.

Leave us a voicemail or shoot us a text with your questions for our first anniversary special: 202-643-1536.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Conversation with Dasha Burns

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected