Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway & Jessica Tarlov

Episode: "Why Politicians are Launching Podcasts Ahead of 2028"

Date: October 29, 2025 | Vox Media Podcast Network

Episode Overview

In this episode, Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov dissect the increasing trend of politicians launching their own podcasts as a strategic play ahead of the 2028 presidential race. They analyze key political races days ahead of Election Day, the affordability crisis in major cities—particularly New York—and how the podcasting landscape is rewriting campaigning, outreach, and voter engagement. The conversation stays true to the Raging Moderates’ centrist tone: candid, irreverent, and deeply analytical.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Election Week: Races to Watch

[Timestamps: 04:00 – 11:30]

• New York Mayor's Race:

  • Polling shifts favor Oran Mamdani with ~90% odds, but Andrew Cuomo is gaining among older, more conservative voters (04:45).
  • Jessica comments on the enthusiasm gap:

    “Vibe and enthusiasm doesn't always vote in the same way… There are a lot of people who are interested, politically active, but are not necessarily turning out for these things.” — Jessica Tarlov (05:34)

  • Islamophobia and divisive rhetoric are on the rise as the race tightens:
    • Cuomo distancing himself from Islamophobic comments but the specter of 9/11 and anti-Muslim sentiment is leveraged by Cuomo supporters (06:45).
    • Curtis Sliwa, another candidate, dramatically quits his radio show live on air, intensifying the drama.

• Scott’s outsider perspective:

  • Calls for restraint in making every local race about national identity or religious affiliation:

    “I feel like not everything is about us Jews. ... I feel like this is a race about, quite frankly, who can make sure the subways work and the trash is collected.” — Scott Galloway (08:18)

  • Decries both Mamdani’s past statements and the lack of strong candidates, calling the race “a mayoral race between a handsy 60-70 year old and an anti-Semite” (11:35).

2. The New York City Affordability Crisis

[Timestamps: 14:53 – 25:05]

• Scott reflects on the economic transformation of NYC:

  • The city has become “the Rosewood of cities”—amazing for the wealthy, inaccessible otherwise.
  • Scrappy upstarts (artists, young workers) are priced out, which undermines the city’s dynamism.
  • Notable quote:

    “There’s no scrappiness. ... There is no fucking way ... How does any young person that doesn’t have their parents’ money live in New York?” — Scott Galloway (18:03)

  • Income inequality now affects even high earners, challenging the sustainability of the city’s future.

• Jessica provides an on-the-ground perspective:

  • For dual-income, high-earning households: anxiety about maintaining status, affording childcare, school fees, and “keeping it up for decades” (20:34).
  • Even babysitters in their 20s struggle, splitting drinks three ways at bars and working multiple jobs.

3. Virginia & New Jersey: The Centrist Playbook

[Timestamps: 12:15; 25:06 – 26:35]

• Two moderate Democrats—Mikey Sherrill (NJ) and Abigail Spanberger (VA)—are poised for strong showings.
• Jessica points to down-ballot races, especially Virginia’s House of Delegates, as bellwethers for the national mood.
• Prop 50 in California (redistricting as “payback” against Trump/GOP), if passed, would be a major Democratic victory.

4. Redistricting Wars & Prop 50

[Timestamps: 26:35 – 28:41]

• Both parties are breaking norms, responding to the post-Trump political environment by aggressively gerrymandering.
• Jessica:

  “It is good to see the ruthless spirit on the Democratic side. … These are not normal times.” (26:49)

• Scott predicts Prop 50 will be a “feather in Newsom’s cap” and highlights its strategic electoral impact.

The Rise of Politician Podcasts

[Timestamps: 31:26 – 45:42]

Why Are Politicians Launching Podcasts?

• Trend: At least six 2028 hopefuls now have personal podcasts. Newsom's brings in 1.6M downloads/month; only Cruz gets more with "The Verdict" (1.8M).
• Jessica observes: Launching one’s own podcast vs. hitting the right “third-party” podcasts may be more important. “If you have a podcast that nobody listens to…it feels a bit like shouting into the void.” (32:01)
• Scott argues that podcasting, not door-knocking or cable news, is the new key to winning elections:

  “I think podcasts elected… Trump. And they’ve all figured that out.” — Scott Galloway (33:15)

• Newsom is praised for “platforming” ideological opponents (e.g., Charlie Kirk) to expand reach to swing voters (34:45).

The Podcast Audience & Format

• TV news skews old (“the average viewer of an MSNBC show is a 70-year-old white woman … already figured out who she’s voting for.”) Podcasts: younger, more diverse, highly engaged, and often undecided.
• Modern campaigns must master new media or be left behind.

Podcasting vs. Other Media

• Podcasting allows for nuance, respect, longform dialogue—vs. “food fight” TV debates.

  “On social media, I don’t give people the benefit of the doubt… The reason I really enjoy podcasting is … you give the guests the benefit of the doubt. … It’s not a food fight.” — Scott Galloway (41:40)

• Politicians are too often “afraid to say anything real,” creating a contrast with more lively podcast hosts and indie media stars.

Episode Segments Highlighting Political Podcast Dynamics

• Memorable moment: Scott on media formats—"These guys brighten up a room by fucking leaving it." (44:20)
• Jessica on changing podcast format trends:

  “Making a more impactful 10 minutes is going to have a lot more value…than 35 minutes where we glean two things that were actually important.” (40:40)

Quick Hits: 2028 Field, Legacy, and Final Thoughts

[Timestamps: 48:35 – 56:58]

• Kamala Harris leaves 2028 door “open,” but panelists debate whether she or any Biden ally can realistically survive the next primary cycle.
• Book tour disaster: Karine Jean-Pierre (former Biden Press Sec) faces harsh criticism from all sides for her post-White House memoir.
• Scott on legacy and last impressions (“colonoscopies & career advice”):

  “The last 10 minutes of anything… have a disproportionate amount of impact.” (54:08) “When you leave a job, you want to be gracious…. The last five minutes, that is everything.” (55:37)

• Humorous close: Jessica and Scott compare Irish goodbyes vs. long, polite exits at parties.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This is just not a great place to be in, I think, for New York voters. And also I don’t think it helps that all these rich white people are coming out against him. I think they’ve done more for him than they’ve actually hurt him, despite all their money.” — Scott Galloway (11:35)
• “You are just killing it. … You are going behind enemy lines and you are just kicking ass and taking names.” — Scott Galloway to Jessica Tarlov (56:54)
• “I thrive off of how much people hate me. That’s what I’ve moved on to.” — Jessica Tarlov (56:58)

Suggested Listening Timestamps

• NYC Mayoral Race Analysis: 04:32 – 11:38
• Affordability Crisis in NYC: 14:53 – 25:06
• On Door-Knocking vs. Podcasting as Political Tactic: 35:07 – 39:49
• Podcasts’ Role in Modern Campaigning: 31:26 – 45:42
• Democratic Field, Kamala, and Legacies: 48:35 – 56:58

Tone and Takeaway

Irreverent, direct, and occasionally profane, Scott and Jess deliver measured centrist takes laced with humor and personal anecdotes. The episode dives deeply into how podcasting has become the new battleground for hearts, minds, and swing votes, and why both parties—especially Democrats—must adapt quickly or be left behind. The discussion offers a sobering look at urban inequality and draws broader lessons about life, legacy, and the importance of how we say goodbye personally and politically.