The Conversation with Dasha Burns

Latest Episodes:

Abe visits Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, Nikki Haley and Election 2018 Apr 20, 2018

Show notes

It's been a very foreign-policy focused week for the White House. We bring you a breakdown of the big events that made headlines. Then we’ll talk about how the diplomatic world and corporate America have adapted to the way the president changes his mind. Plus, Scott Bland's favorite topic: CAMPAIGNS! We talk about Sun City, Arizona, the next stop in a special-election-season that keeps on giving.

Nine months is a long time to be a lame duck Apr 13, 2018

Show notes

Paul Ryan announced that he'd be retiring after three years as Speaker of the House. Where does that leave republicans, and what about all that fundraising money Ryan rakes in? We get into both. Then, Nancy Cook catches us up on another whirlwind week at the White House. It was, in a word: bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S.

Scott Pruitt did 'the swampiest thing imaginable' Apr 06, 2018

Show notes

Scott Bland is back! This week, our host has returned, and somehow, no one left the White House. We're talking about the controversies surrounding EPA administrator Scott Pruitt, then shifting gears to take on the big economic stories from this week: Tariffs from China and why President Trump really doesn't like Amazon. Plus, in a tale of three Scotts, a Nerdcast mega-fan lends a hand.

Inside How Trump favored Texas over Puerto Rico Mar 30, 2018

Show notes

In this episode, going in-depth on a POLITICO investigation that found disparities in how the federal government handled the responses to Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Maria. Plus, it was a quiet week at the White House (only one firing), so what else is going on? Stick around to the end for a special surprise to celebrate 100 episodes of the Nerdcast.

Democrats Unfriend Facebook Mar 23, 2018

Show notes

On the show this week, it's Facebook's future in Washington, a Senate race in West Virginia and questions asked by Politico readers. Plus, Charlie gets some "Deer Hunter" closure.

Post Tillerson Stress Disorder Mar 16, 2018

Show notes

On the show this week, we’re talking Rexit and the oh-so-close race for a Congressional seat in the Western Pennsylvania — what does it mean for republicans in the midterms?

Another week, another White House departure Mar 09, 2018

Show notes

This week, we’re talking tariffs, trade and why the stock market seems pretty much unfazed by Donald Trump despite all the uncertainty he brings. Plus, what we learned (and what we didn’t) from this week’s primary voting in Texas.

Is Hope Hicks gone for good? Mar 02, 2018

Show notes

POLITICO reporters discuss White House communications director Hope Hicks' resignation, Jared Kushner's security clearance downgrade and the latest in the Paul Manafort indictment saga.

BONUS: Why 2018 Is do-or-die for Democrats Feb 23, 2018

Show notes

Washington insider and former Clinton political director Doug Sosnik joins the Nerdcast to walk listeners through his latest analysis of the 2018 map. Doug explains why Donald Trump’s unpopularity and significant demographic shifts in once-solid Republican suburbs has given Democrats an opportunity—more perishable than many observers realize—to reverse a "lost decade" after their disastrous performance in 2010 elections.

Parkland students push for gun reform Feb 23, 2018

Show notes

POLITICO reporters discuss the gun control debate that has taken hold of the country following the school shooting in Parkland, Florida last week and how the students' energy could impact policy in Washington. Plus, the panel tackles the scandal and subversion surrounding Veterans Affairs Secretary David Shulkin, the last cabinet holdover from the Obama administration.