Podcast
Master Plan
Hosted by The Lever & David Sirota · EN
SEASON TWO: THE KINGMAKERS IS HERE
For early access to future episodes and exclusive bonus content, click here to upgrade to a paid subscription to The Lever.
Master Plan, the award-winning investigative podcast series from The Lever, reveals the hidden forces behind today’s biggest problems — and how small groups of powerful people engineered those problems to serve their own interests. We are exposing their schemes.
Narrated by David Sirota, an award-winning investigative journalist and Oscar nominee for his work on the film Don’t Look Up.
Master Plan has received the 2025 National Press Club Award for Audio Journalism, the New York Festivals Radio Award for Best Investigative Journalism Podcast, multiple Signal Awards for Best News & Politics Podcast and Best Writing. It was an Ambies finalist for Best Politics podcast and was named a Webby Awards Honoree.
Learn more at masterplanpodcast.com
28episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
A Message About The Future Of Master Plan
Feb 1700:02:16Summary readyAn important message about the future of Master Plan, from our host, David Sirota. Become A Paid Subscriber To The Lever Become A Paid Subscriber On Apple Podcasts Make A One-Time Donation Order Our Companion Book Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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The Master Plan Book Is Here (With Trailer)
Oct 1700:04:41Summary readyWe’ve got big news — Master Plan is now a book!Master Plan: The Hidden Plot to Legalize Corruption in America, co-authored by David Sirota and Jared Jacang Maher, is now available from all major booksellers. The 265-page book expands on the award-winning podcast with exclusive archival documents, new reporting, and never-before-seen photos. It tells the story of how corporate interests and political operatives spent decades reshaping American democracy — from Lewis Powell’s secret memo to Citizens United and the rise of dark money.In this short update, Jared shares why we turned the series into a book and what readers can expect — followed by the official Book trailer for Master Plan. (Watch on YouTube.)Get your copy: levernews.com/book — paid subscribers get a discount.Leave a quick review on Amazon or Goodreads to help others discover the project.Ask your local bookstore or library to order Master Plan.Share about the book:BlueskyTwitter/XThreads
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The Billionaire-Backed Takeover Of CBS News (Lever Time)
Oct 900:29:42Summary readyNOTE: This is the first episode in a special bonus series from our weekly podcast, Lever Time.While media giants cave to frivolous Trump libel lawsuits and muzzle late-night hosts who step out of line, CBS News’ parent company has announced that the billionaire-backed conservative provocateur Bari Weiss will be the network’s new editor-in-chief. So today, we’re going back in time to understand how we arrived at this present-day media hellscape. Who set this plan into motion, and how do we fight back?Click here to pre-order our new book, MASTER PLAN: The Hidden Plot to Legalize Corruption in America.Get ad-free episodes, bonus content and extended interviews by becoming a member at levernews.com/join.To leave a tip for The Lever, click here. It helps us do this kind of independent journalism.
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Introducing Tax Revolt: Where the Cult of Reaganomics Began
Apr 25, 202500:47:24Summary readyFor Master Plan listeners, we’re excited to drop Part 1 of Tax Revolt, a new mini-series from Lever Time that digs into the origins of America’s obsession with dismantling the tax code.If you want to hear hear more, Part 2 is available now in the Lever Time podcast feed on all platforms. Learn more at LeverNews.com/TaxRevolt
SummaryTrailer: Tax Revolt, a new series from Lever Time
Apr 18, 202500:02:44Summary readyListen to the trailer for Tax Revolt. Part 1 is available now in the Lever Time podcast feed. Learn more at LeverNews.com/TaxRevolt
SummaryAn Announcement About Master Plan
Dec 29, 202400:03:15Summary readyMaster Plan host David Sirota has a big announcement about a possible Master Plan Season 2. But we need your help. Go to masterplanpodcast.com
SummaryFrom Lever Time: Sirota—The Health Care Crisis Is The Democracy Crisis
Dec 17, 202400:16:19Summary readyIn this special episode from Lever Time, David Sirota reflects on the shocking murder of United Health CEO Brian Thompson and the surge of public anger it unleashed against America’s broken health insurance system. Tracing decades of broken promises and corporate influence—from the Clinton and Obama administrations to today—this audio essay explores the health care crisis as a symptom of a deeper democracy crisis and asks what it will take for Americans to finally demand change.Listen to the Lever Time episode Why America Is Mad As Hell About Health Care. Follow us on socialX: @LeverNewsYoutube: @LeverNewsInstagram: @LeverNewsFacebook: /TheLeverNewsSend feedback, questions, or ideas to podcasts@levernews.com
SummaryFrom Drilled: The Big Oil Origins of Corporate Free Speech
Dec 3, 202400:35:25Summary readyToday, we’re sharing an episode of Drilled, a podcast about climate change hosted by investigative journalist Amy Westervelt. This is the first in a three-part miniseries on how Mobil Oil VP Herb Schmertz helped pave the way for corporate free speech, linking the Powell Memo to key Supreme Court cases like Bellotti and Citizens United. These efforts in the 1970s set the stage for the climate lawsuits moving through U.S. courts today. Explore the rest of Drilled Season 9 at https://drilled.media/. Master Plan Special: 50% off a Lever subscription! Access bonus episodes, articles, and more. Support independent journalism at LeverNews.com/50.Follow us on socialX: @LeverNewsYoutube: @LeverNewsInstagram: @LeverNewsFacebook: /TheLeverNewsSend feedback, questions, or ideas to podcasts@levernews.com
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Decoding Project 2025 (via Lever Time)
Nov 7, 202400:17:56Summary readyDonald Trump’s campaign promises include mass deportations, targeting journalists, and other extraordinary acts. His blueprint? Project 2025—a 900-page Heritage Foundation policy manifesto aimed at reshaping the federal government, centered on "Schedule F," a directive that would expose federal workers to political influence and grant Trump sweeping control in his second term.We’re sharing the first half of an episode that dives deep into Project 2025, produced by Arjun Singh for Lever Time. If you followed our Master Plan series, you’ll recognize some familiar organizations and figures—along with new insights.Listen to the rest of the episode, Project 2025 Is Even More Radical Than You Think (jump to 17:00), or find Lever Time in your podcast app and subscribe. Master Plan Special: 50% off a Lever subscription! Access bonus episodes, articles, and more. Support independent journalism at LeverNews.com/50.
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BONUS: The Master Planners’ Election (With Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse)
Nov 4, 202400:53:19Summary readyIn a special Master Plan bonus episode, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse joins David Sirota to break down the impact of the Supreme Court’s’ 2010 Citizens United ruling on 2024's super PAC spending spree. The two dig into billionaires like Elon Musk openly backing candidates and the hidden power of dark money, and discuss current reforms efforts to bring transparency back to democracy. Plus, the Master Plan team answers audience questions.Binge the entire season of the award-winning Master Plan now. Paid subscribers enjoy ad-free episodes, score exclusive bonus content, and help support the show. Visit masterplanpodcast.com. Master Plan Special: 50% off a Lever subscription! Access bonus episodes, articles, and more. Support independent journalism at LeverNews.com/50.
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