Andy Beshear Podcast – Episode 30: Jen Psaki

Date: October 30, 2025
Host: Andy Beshear
Main Guests: Jen Psaki, Everett Kelly, Nick Brown
Special Segment: The Johns + Brittany Beshear

Episode Overview

Theme:
This special 30th episode of the Andy Beshear Podcast dives into open, authentic conversations about public service, media, current events, hope, and hardship. Gov. Beshear sits down with Jen Psaki, MSNBC host and former White House Press Secretary, to discuss her journey through politics and media, the state of journalism, finding hope amid the news cycle, and lessons from public-facing roles. The episode also features Everett Kelly of AFGE on the human toll of the government shutdown, Nick Brown on democracy and justice, and culminates with the show's signature conversational roundtable on news, policy, and life.

1. Jen Psaki – Career, Media, & Civic Connection

Segment Start: [02:41]

Power of Podcasting & Direct Communication

• Psaki and Beshear discuss the unique intimacy of podcasting:
  • Psaki: “It’s such a great way to have a conversation that you couldn’t even necessarily have on television…” [03:06]
  • Podcasts allow for unscripted, human, deep dialogue—unlike TV’s time constraints and formality.

Connecting with an Audience in the Era of Zoom

• Psaki shares the challenge of reading and connecting with people virtually:
  • “I love being around people...you can read people’s reactions...so much better in person...You really have to try to read people through the camera, and that's much harder.” [03:54]
  • She imagines she’s speaking to her college friends—smart, informed, but tuned out of political minutiae, keeping explanations clear and relevant.

The Pressure and Honor of the White House Podium

• On being Press Secretary:

  • “It’s a huge honor...But it’s also a daily test. Can you explain this issue...in a way that is human speak and not garbly gook talking points?” [05:30]
  • Psaki references “Ted Lasso” power stances for confidence boosts and says, “Some days you didn’t have it...sometimes the questions from reporters are farther ahead than where the policymaking is.” [06:41]

• Fave Pre-Briefing Rituals:

  • Psaki: Power stances
  • Beshear: Walkout music of eclectic taste [07:37]

Parallels: British Parliament Q&A vs. Press Secretary

• Beshear compares White House briefings to Parliament’s question time.
• Psaki agrees: “There were days...I was on the front line of coming back and saying, that does not work to say that...” [08:32]
  • She shares the challenge of defining school reopening goals in 2021: “As soon as it came out of my mouth...as the mother of two elementary school students, I was thinking, that is a terrible answer.” [09:00]

Notable Quote:

• On giving the “one day a week” school reopening answer:
  • “As soon as it came out of my mouth...I was thinking, that is a terrible answer.” – Jen Psaki [09:00]

Reflection: Would 12-Year-Old Jen Believe Her Path?

• “My 12-year-old self wouldn’t have run screaming, but they would have been shocked…I wasn’t involved in politics really until I graduated from college.” [10:22]
• Her awe for the White House never faded: “If you lose the awe...it’s probably time for you to leave.” [11:28]

White House Traditions & What's Changed

• Beshear asks about recent press room moments; Psaki expresses sadness about the decline in seriousness:
  • “It’s become more of a forum for propagandists...who are getting more and more of the questions...it’s hard to differentiate if you’re the public.” [12:03]

The Journalism–Opinion Balance

• On competing with partisan media (i.e. Fox News):

  • “Everybody is an enemy to them...I don’t wake up in the morning and think, I want to destroy these people’s reputations. I call things as I see them.” [14:54]
  • She’s open about her views: “I’m not trying to pretend I am not for abortion rights. I am.” [15:28]

• On balancing opinion and journalism:

  • “I read a great deal from a lot of different outlets...It is always based in fact...We can cite and sources that we are using as a point of reference.” [15:58]
  • She aims to inform while “injecting some hope” and positivity. [16:58]

Navigating Today’s News Deluge & Protecting Mental Health

• Advice: Find community offline.
  • “Find a community of people who also care about [your cause]...and don’t just text with them, meet with them in person.” [18:02]
  • Social media is useful but can’t replace real-life engagement.

Defining Personal Motivation ("Your Why")

• On political communications: Driven by the desire to be part of something bigger than herself, politics as “competition” and “mission,” and “helping make people’s lives better.” [19:55]
• On moving to media: Loves making issues make sense for people; found kindred curiosity and mission at MSNBC/NBC. [21:40]

Family, Food, and Parenting through Politics

• Go-to family meal: Chili (with Cincinnati roots, sparking debate about noodles) [22:36]
• On guiding her kids:
  • “They have always told me to answer the questions they have...I support other candidates...because she cares about education...the environment...making sure that we’re safe from gun violence... I want to make it feel like it’s based on policies and not personal, if that makes sense.” [22:45]

Memorable Moment:

• Debate over "noodles in chili," Cincinnati-style, and love for Grater’s ice cream. [23:11]

Blueprint Podcast & Uplifting Democratic Dialogue

• Jen Psaki’s podcast:
  • “The Blueprint”—conversations on the future of the Democratic Party, bringing in voices like Cory Booker, Pete Buttigieg, and Andy Beshear himself. [25:19]
  • Purpose: “An uplifting opportunity to really introduce people…and help people get to know better current leaders, future leaders...” [25:19]
  • Downloadable on all platforms. [26:11]

2. Everett Kelly – The Shutdown and Federal Workers

Segment Start: [26:23]

Background & Calling

• Kelly shares his journey from Alabama pastor to national leader of the AFGE, feeling called to “a different type of ministry.” [26:53]
• Cites Matthew 25: “Calls all of us to minister...take care of those in need.”

AFGE’s Role and Challenges under Current Administration

• AFGE represents 800,000 federal and D.C. workers.
• Beshear: Administration has “mistreated our federal employees...attempted mass layoffs.” [28:53]
• Kelly: “I have never seen anything like what we are seeing today. Federal employees are being called names. They have been threatened, they have been fired for no reason whatsoever.” [29:09]

Human Impact of the Shutdown and Layoffs

• “...One missed paycheck could be a matter of life or death for some of these employees.” [31:31]
• Many live paycheck to paycheck, and SNAP/benefits disruptions causing real hardship.

Administration Using Shutdown as “Blackmail”

• “A government shutdown does not require a president to fire anyone...this administration is both using it as an excuse to unlawfully lay people off or to use it as a form of almost blackmail...” [31:59]
• AFGE is actively litigating: “We’ll continue to challenge this administration every time they do something...that is unlawful.” [32:31]

Federal Employees’ Diversity & Dedication

• “My objective is...to look at what’s best for the members that I represent...what's best for the whole.” [33:36]
• “Federal employees are very angry. They’re upset, and they’re absolutely tired of being used as pawns in a political game.” [34:15]

Call to Action

• “Every citizen...call their Congress...tell them federal employee should never, ever be used as pawns in a political game...always respect these hardworking federal employees...” [35:37]

3. Nick Brown – Democracy and the Weaponization of Justice

Segment Start: [36:35]

DOJ Concerns under Current Administration

• “The indictments…specifically targeting the President’s political opponents is pretty shocking...very damaging...for the rest of our country moving forward.” [36:58]
• DOJ leadership signals the department “works for the President and not for the people,” fundamentally undermining democracy.

Motivation for Public Service

• “There are very few jobs as a lawyer where you recognize that every single thing that you do, it matters…” [37:59]

4. The Johns & Brittany Beshear – Conversational Roundtable

Segment Start: [39:00]

Government Shutdown & Health Care Stalemate

• Democrats holding out for ACA premium tax credits; Republicans demanding a “clean” CR before negotiation.
• “The people that are suffering are our friends, our family members...they feel they are just caught in the crossfire and forgotten.” – John [42:25]
• Kentucky’s contingency planning highlighted, but limited by federal law on SNAP.

White House “Ballroom” Controversy

• Trump admin’s bulldozing of White House East Wing for a giant ballroom debated:
  • Brittany: “That is taking part of our identity away...Trump literally bulldozed a part of our American heritage and we can’t get that back.” [45:21]
  • John: Acknowledges need for modernization but criticizes the process and secrecy. [46:24]
  • All agree the symbolism of tearing down part of the White House is deeply troubling.

Tariffs, Farmers, and U.S.–Canada Relations

• Soybean tariffs hurting U.S. farmers, retaliation over Canadian Reagan ad grabs headlines.
  • “You can’t levy an additional tariff because you’re mad or because someone ran an ad...” – Beshear [49:40]
• Pending Supreme Court ruling on use of tariffs as “emergency” measures.

Personal Moment: Will Beshear Gets His License

• Brittany shares mixed emotions: “I’m so happy for him. I’m so terrified. I never thought I’d be that parent that has the flashing memories of your sweet little 2 year old...Watch out, Frankfurt, he’s coming.” [50:06]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jen Psaki, on being Press Secretary:
  “Can you explain this issue…in a way that is human speak and not garbly gook talking points?” [05:30]

• Jen Psaki, regret on pandemic school answer:
  “As soon as it came out of my mouth, as the mother of two elementary school students, I was thinking, that is a terrible answer.” [09:00]

• Jen Psaki, on current press briefings:
  “It’s become more of a forum for propagandists in media…I think that’s a real shame because it’s hard to differentiate if you’re the public.” [12:03]

• Everett Kelly, on layoffs:
  “I have never seen anything like what we are seeing today...federal employees are being called names...threatened, fired for no reason whatsoever.” [29:09]

• Brittany Beshear, on the White House renovation:
  “That is taking part of our identity away...Trump literally bulldozed a part of our American heritage and we can’t get that back.” [45:21]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:41] — Jen Psaki interview begins
• [05:30] — Life & pressure as White House Press Secretary
• [08:32] — School reopening communications lesson
• [12:03] — Transformation of White House press briefings
• [19:55] — Psaki reflects on her “why”
• [22:36] — Family, food, and political parenting
• [25:19] — Blueprint podcast discussion
• [26:23] — Everett Kelly segment: federal shutdown’s impact
• [36:35] — Nick Brown on the DOJ
• [39:00] — The Johns’ roundtable: shutdown, policy, personal news
• [44:18] — White House ballroom debate
• [47:52] — Tariffs, agriculture, and U.S.–Canada disputes
• [50:06] — Personal news: Will Beshear’s new license

Summary

This milestone episode weaves together powerful conversations about public service, media responsibility, the realities of government, and personal moments. Jen Psaki offers rare insight into the pressures and privileges of serving as Press Secretary, reflects on communication pitfalls, and shares how she aims to inform—and uplift—through her media role. Everett Kelly gives voice to the struggles of federal workers under a hostile administration. The rotating roundtable provides connection and context in a divided and turbulent time, while never losing sight of the human stories beneath the headlines.

Listeners leave with a mix of honesty, hope, and humor—the antidote to another overwhelming week in the news.