Podcast
The Al Franken Podcast
Hosted by The Al Franken Podcast · EN
A five-time Emmy winning SNL comedy writer/producer, joins a four-time #1 NYT bestselling author, a three-time highest-rated national progressive radio host, a two-time Grammy winning artist, and a former US Senator. So, it gets a little crowded in the booth when Al talks public policy and sometimes political comedy with notable guests. Think “The Daily” without the resources of the NYTimes.
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Episodes
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BEST OF: Kevin Nealon on His Career in Comedy!
3d ago01:02:53Summary readyIn this Best Of episode, we revisit our July 2025 conversation with an old friend from Al’s SNL days, comedian Kevin Nealon! Kevin and Al trade stories from working together on Saturday Night Live and discuss how the show has changed over the years. Kevin shares how he created several trademark bits, including Mr. Subliminal and Hans and Franz. Plus, we get backstories on some sketches that Al and Kevin worked on together.We also get into Kevin's post-SNL life, including his role on the hit TV show “Weeds,” his standup, and his hiking podcast! WATCH Kevin's latest standup special, Loose in the Crotch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LamkJ2iq2sGo see Kevin on tour! https://kevinnealon.com/
SummaryCatherine Rampell and Scott Lincicome on Trump's Tariffs
1w ago00:52:33Summary readyIt’s been over a year since Trump’s “Liberation Day” when he rolled out his global tariffs, but the Supreme Court struck those down resulting in chaos and confusion about what happens next. Guest Host Catherine Rampell, of The Bulwark and MSNOW, welcomes Scott Lincicome, VP of economics at the Cato Institute, to try to make sense of how the 166 billion dollars in tariffs will be refunded to businesses that were impacted. Catherine and Scott break down the bureaucratic red tape of the refund process, why small businesses are once again getting left behind, and the valid fears of political retaliation that are keeping major corporations silent.And with the U.S. government taking multi-billion-dollar equity stakes in everything from steel mills to quantum computing, we discuss the rise of “state capitalism.” It’s not exactly the free market that Republicans have been cheering for generations. Plus, after Trump’s landmark trip to China, many Americans are experiencing what Scott calls “China envy.”READ Catherine’s writing in The Bulwark: https://substack.com/@catherinerampell/postsREAD Scott’s writing: https://www.cato.org/people/scott-lincicome
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BEST OF: Kasie Hunt on Her Career & Trump
2w ago00:55:14Summary readyIn this Best Of episode, we revisit our June 2025 conversation with CNN Anchor and Chief National Affairs Analyst Kasie Hunt! It's a very fun conversation covering her work and what inspired her to follow her passion for journalism.She discusses the early days of her career covering Obama, Congress, and the passage of the Affordable Care Act. We also talk about how much Congress and the information ecosystem has changed over the years. And Kasie shares her thoughts about watching Donald Trump pardon the rioters on his first day back in office after being present in the Capitol that day.Plus, immigration raids, tariffs and the Big, Beautiful, Bill. Trump and the Republicans might actually pass the BBB, but at what cost to working Americans?WATCH Kasie on CNN, weekdays at 4pm ET: https://www.cnn.com/profiles/kasie-huntSUPPORT THE PODCAST BY VISITING OUR SPONSORS:Save money on your wireless bill with Mint Mobile. Visit https://www.mintmobile.com/franken. Make sure you tell them you heard about this deal from The Al Franken Podcast!Get up to 15% off your skincare subscription needs at https://www.oneskin.co/frankenSave money on your insurance bills with SelectQuote! Visit https://www.selectquote.com/franken today!
SummaryRep. Rosa DeLauro on Congressional Chaos
3w ago00:53:58Summary readyGuest Host Norm Ornstein welcomes Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) to cover all the news happening in Congress. We cover the war in Iran and how it’s driving prices up across the country and the world, consequently having a major impact on Americans' wallets. DeLauro calls this a "war of choice" and discusses what Congress can realistically do to invoke the War Powers Act and reclaim its constitutional authority.DeLauro is the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee and reveals how the Trump administration is taking the power of the purse away from Congress. Plus, the midterms are rapidly approaching. Can Democrats make enough gains to slow down the Trump administration?SUPPORT THE SHOW BY VISITING OUR SPONSORS:Refresh your wardrobe with Quince! Get free shipping and 365-Day returns at https://www.quince.com/franken
SummaryBEST OF: David Kirkpatrick on Trump’s Shameless Profiteering
May 300:45:26Summary readyOne of Donald Trump's most successful initiatives in his second term has been making himself and his family richer than ever. In this Best Of episode, we revisit our November 2025 conversation with The New Yorker’s David Kirkpatrick, who wrote a piece outlining all the ways the legendary grifters have cashed in during Trump’s presidency. The Trump family has long been associated with shameless cash grabs, but we have reached new levels of corruption by using his office for their money-making schemes: international real estate deals, Trump-branded merchandise, and cryptocurrency.David lays out the long list of ethical implications involved and calculates the staggering amount of money Donald Trump and his family have made off his presidency.READ David's piece “The Number” in The New Yorker: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/08/18/the-number
SummaryTrae Crowder and Geoffrey Asmus on Comedy and Politics
Apr 2600:47:32Summary readyGuest Host Trae Crowder is joined by his friend and fellow standup comedian, Geoffrey Asmus! The two dig into the state of Trump's base, including Geoffrey's own MAGA dad showing signs of buyer's remorse, and why economic pain at the dinner table may finally be doing what years of political argument couldn't. They trade theories on why so many working-class voters remain Republican even when their actual policy views skew left and what it would take to build a real alternative.They also get into the comedy culture wars: the rise of right-wing adjacent comics, the Riyadh comedy festival, and explain the term "clapter.” Geoffrey and Trae also address the threat of artificial intelligence to creative work, Joe Rogan's bizarre evolution, the Kill Tony phenomenon, and how the manosphere targets young men hungry for acceptance and direction.LEARN more about Trae and see his standup! https://www.traecrowder.com/WATCH Geoffrey's standup special and see him on tour! https://www.whitecomedian.com/SUPPORT THE SHOW BY VISITING OUR SPONSORS:Save money on your insurance bills with SelectQuote! Visit https://www.selectquote.com/franken today!
SummaryBEST OF: Al on SNL’s 50th Anniversary
Apr 1901:06:24Summary readyA little over a year ago, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Saturday Night Live! For this Best Of episode, we revisit our February 2025 conversation when we switched things up a bit as Executive Producer Peter Ogburn asked Al about his history with the show.We pull the curtain back on what a typical week looks like building up to the live show on Saturday and learn about how Al and his writing partner, Tom Davis, found themselves writing on the first season of the show.We also chat about some iconic sketches and the birth of Al's legendary Stuart Smalley character.SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY VISITING OUR SPONSORS:Save money on your wireless bill with Mint Mobile. Visit https://www.mintmobile.com/franken. Make sure you tell them you heard about this deal from The Al Franken Podcast!Get up to 15% off your skincare subscription needs at https://www.oneskin.co/franken
SummaryHeather McGhee and Adam Serwer on the Power of Protest
Apr 1200:48:44Summary readyGuest Host Heather McGhee, author of the groundbreaking book “The Sum of Us” and expert in economic and social policy, is joined by The Atlantic's Adam Serwer! They discuss a number of issues facing the country, including the continued unrest in Minnesota and the No Kings protests happening nationwide. From the steps of the Supreme Court to the streets of Minneapolis, McGhee and Serwer explore how the struggle for Black freedom has historically paved the way for immigrant rights and why that "inheritance" is currently under its most aggressive attack in generations.Heather and Adam also examine the recent SCOTUS arguments on birthright citizenship and how this could create a whole new class of undocumented immigrants in this country, particularly Chinese immigrants. They also examine Adam's recent writing following the death of Rev. Jesse Jackson about what Rev. Jackson’s message meant to the movement. They dissect his 1980's vision of cross-racial, cross-class solidarity and explain why his "Patchwork Quilt" philosophy is more relevant today than ever.LEARN more about Heather McGhee: https://heathermcghee.com/READ Adam Serwer's writing in The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/author/adam-serwer/SUPPORT THE SHOW BY VISITING OUR SPONSORS:Visit American Giant to get their Classic Full Zip Hoodie and other cold weather staples. Get 20% off your first order by entering the code FRANKEN at checkout! https://www.american-giant.comRefresh your wardrobe with Quince! Get free shipping and 365-Day returns at https://www.quince.com/franken
SummaryBest Of: John Fugelsang on Jesus and Politics
Apr 500:38:55Summary readyDonald Trump and the Republican Party have the backing of Evangelicals and fundamentalist Christians. But if you read the Bible or listen to the teachings of Jesus Christ, it would be clear that their policies are anything but Christ-like. In this Best Of episode, we revisit our October 2025 conversation with comedian, radio host, and NYT bestselling author John Fugelsang to discuss his book, “Separation of Church and Hate.”Fugelsang shares his unique perspective as a Christian who was raised by a former nun and a Franciscan Brother. He shows the disconnect between what far-right Christians claim Jesus taught versus what he actually said in the Bible. Jesus promoted peace, love, compassion, and mercy... None of which are evident in today's Republican Party.We also break down many social issues that right-wing Christians use their faith to justify. Jesus advocated against the death penalty, provided for the poor, and never once said that homosexuality is a sin. Not to mention abortion, which was weaponized in the 1980s to consolidate power under Ronald Reagan.We hope this interview can help you engage with right-wing Christians in a civil way by pointing to actual scripture, which might help them see the contradictions and lies that their party embraces. READ John's bestselling book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Separation-of-Church-and-Hate/John-Fugelsang/9781668066898LISTEN to The John Fugelsang Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-john-fugelsang-podcast/id1464094232SUPPORT THE SHOW BY VISITING OUR SPONSORS:Visit American Giant to get their Classic Full Zip Hoodie and other cold weather staples. Get 20% off of your first order by entering the code FRANKEN at checkout! https://www.american-giant.com
SummaryRep. Madeleine Dean on POTUS Pardon Corruption
Mar 2900:37:41Summary readyGuest Host Norm Ornstein welcomes Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA) to discuss legislation they're working on to curb the President's pardon power after the onslaught of blatantly corrupt pardons from the Trump administration. Rep. Dean was the former impeachment manager for Trump's second impeachment, so she also addresses how the blanket pardon of all January 6th insurrectionists especially grotesque. We also discuss the latest on the "stolen documents" case and what Trump might have intended for them. Plus, people are making LOTS of money on insider trading around the Iran War.Rep. Dean shares her thoughts on the ICE brutality her constituents in Pennsylvania and around the country are facing. And she shares her first hand account of the Dilley detention center, where ICE is mistreating detainees and neglecting children.LEARN more about Rep. Madeleine Dean: https://dean.house.gov/biographyLISTEN to Norm's podcast "Words Matter" with fellow friend of the show David Rothkopf: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dsrs-words-matter/id1420216970
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