Podcast
The Muckrake Political Podcast
Hosted by CLNS Media Network · EN
The Muckrake Podcast is the political podcast that promises to dig deeper. Political analysts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman tackle the news of the day but go beyond the stale and tired narratives to provide historical context and alternative perspectives, all to bring a little order to chaotic times.
44episodes
Episodes
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Strait to the Abyss
1w ago01:00:32Tap to summarizeVisit patreon.com/muckrakepodcast to join the Patreon, support the ad-free show, and get access to the Weekender, special events, and the Discord server. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman unpack a crucial day of reckoning as Iran officially ends negotiations with the United States. With fuel reserves dwindling and the Strait of Hormuz facing a total shutdown, the inevitable energy and economic crises are poised to deepen. Jared shares insights from a recent security briefing regarding Iran's long-term strategy, backed by China, while Nick analyzes the regional chess moves involving Israel and Lebanon. The duo also pushes back on Donald Trump's latest Truth Social claims regarding his supposed phone calls with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hezbollah. The conversation then shifts north to a troubling report from the Global Center for Democratic Resilience. The intelligence reveals that American and Russian influencers are actively collaborating to fuel the separatist debate in Alberta, Canada. Jared and Nick break down how this state-organized crime operates on the margins, drawing historical parallels to the annexation of Texas and Vladimir Putin's use of green little men. Finally, they audit the Democratic Party's newly unveiled Project 2029 platform. From corporate utility monopolies to the annoyance economy, they question why vital working-class issues like billionaire taxation, anti-corruption, and reproductive rights are completely missing from the plan. They close the episode navigating the messy landscape of modern political scandals, including the latest allegations against Maine senate candidate Graham Platner.
Transcribe →The Texas Chain-Saw Primary
2w ago00:08:18Tap to summarizeHead over to Patreon.com/muckrakepodcast to become a patron and support the show and unlock the full episode. Your support keeps us editorially independent and completely ad-free. We have no corporate backing whatsoever, so we need your help more than ever to keep going and give you access to our exclusive Weekender episodes, Discord discussion, and Live Shows. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down a seismic shift in Texas politics after Attorney General Ken Paxton handedly unseated longtime Senator John Cornyn in the GOP primary. The hosts analyze how this "shellacking" reflects the radicalization of the Republican party and what it means for the upcoming general election against Democratic candidate James Talarico. They also examine the effectiveness of Talarico’s campaign strategies and the reactionary attacks already being leveled against him. The conversation then shifts to a deteriorating international landscape. The team discusses rumored deals and ongoing military strikes involving Iran as an economic red line approaches on June 1st. They also dive into leaked reports of a potential 48-hour invasion plan for Cuba and the sudden drawdown of U.S. forces intended to bolster NATO in Europe. Later, the show highlights a humanitarian crisis occurring at home. Hundreds of prisoners at an ICE detention center in Newark are currently on a hunger strike to protest inhumane conditions. The discussion covers reported suicides within these facilities and the lack of accountability for private prison groups like Geo Group. To wrap up the weekender, Nick shares his thoughts on the miscasting of the new live-action Spider-Noir series. Jared provides a recommendation for the eerie, stylized psychological horror film Broadcast Signal Intrusion
Transcribe →As The MAGA Turns
2w ago00:47:55Tap to summarizeWelcome to the Memorial Day episode of the Muckrake Podcast where co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman examine the Trump administration's claims of an imminent peace deal with Iran. While officials project optimism about an agreement, US fuel reserves are decreasing alongside steadily climbing grocery prices for everyday Americans. Furthermore, global trade dynamics are actively shifting as Iran bypasses sanctions to sell massive volumes of oil to China using ships with disabled transponders. Back in Washington, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has resigned from her post. Her departure highlights a significant power shift toward neoconservatives like Marco Rubio as discussions about a potential invasion of Cuba circulate among top officials. Meanwhile, JD Vance is reportedly reconsidering his political future following recent administrative struggles. Leaks indicate he might delay his presidential ambitions until 2032 to distance himself from current unpopularity, particularly after an awkward appearance at a private dinner hosted by Supreme Court Justice John Roberts. Finally, Pope Leo has published a comprehensive 42,000-word encyclical critiquing the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence. The pontiff is demanding strict government regulation to protect the labor market and prevent potential military misuse. This unprecedented document firmly positions church leadership against major Silicon Valley executives. Head over to Patreon.com/muckrakepodcast to support the show and keep our coverage editorially independent.
Transcribe →The US Lied: Iran Shot Down 42 American Aircrafts
3w ago00:11:43Tap to summarizeYou are listening to a preview of the Weekender. To unlock the full episode, join our community discord, and get exclusive access to live shows, head over to https://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast to become a supporter today. Co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman pull back the curtain on a weekend edition that tackles a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape. The guys break down unsettling new details from the Congressional Research Service regarding US aircraft losses in Iran. The illusion of a cease-fire is crumbling as intelligence reports reveal an empowered adversary rearming in plain sight. With the Strait of Hormuz facing a permanent toll system and cyber threats looming over the domestic grid, the crisis is hitting a dangerous new phase. Later, they examine the sudden passing of former Representative Barney Frank and the complex, frustrating legacy left behind by his final public comments.
Transcribe →Xi-ing is Deceiving
3w ago00:57:06Tap to summarizeThe worst-case scenario has officially come to fruition. In this episode of the Muckrake Podcast, co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman unpack the devastating fallout from the recent U.S. presidential trip to China. They break down how a historic summit led to total capitulation, with a public agreement that America is a nation in decline and the functional handover of global leadership. The Iran Bloodbath Plan: Deconstructing leaked military intelligence reports detailing an insane, high-risk special operations proposal to excavate buried uranium in Iran. The 1.776 Billion Dollar Slush Fund: A look into the newly announced Truth and Justice Commission, which functions as a political spoils system designed to reward loyalists and allies. The Cuban Pretext: How a catastrophic energy blackout in Cuba is being met with a shoddy intelligence narrative regarding 300 drones targeting American cities. Operation Northwoods and the Church Committee: A historical dive into what congressional investigations previously uncovered about the lengths to which military and intelligence apparatuses will go to manufacture consent for war. Star Wars and Social Media: A hilarious warning from Jared about the unexpected dangers of sharing a casual film critique on the internet.
Transcribe →Reality TV Republic
4w ago00:08:27Tap to summarizeThis is a preview of our Weekender episode. Visit http://patreon.com/muckrakrpodcast to unlock this and every full Friday episode. The boys are back for a humdinger of a weekend edition. We open with a historic and massive moment: Donald Trump has landed in China for a summit with Xi Jinping. The corporate media will not tell you the truth, but the reality is that the United States is there to beg for an exit strategy in Iran. We discuss why this moment feels like the fall of the Berlin Wall or Great Britain leaving Hong Kong—the official beginning of the end for the American empire and the world order as we know it. We also dive into: The Terminal Descent: Why the inextricable link between the decline of American hegemony and a self-serving, incurious tyrant like Trump is no coincidence. The Third Option: Analysis of the high-stakes leverage China holds and the concessions the U.S. might be forced to make regarding Taiwan and rare earth access. The Great American Road Trip: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is filming a reality TV show sponsored by the very airlines and corporations he is supposed to regulate. Chaos in the UK: Keir Starmer and the Labor Party eat shit in local elections, proving that technocratic "Third Way" centrism is a hollow failure. Reviving Camelot: The bizarre campaign of Jack Schlossberg, JFKs grandson, who is currently blowing off fundraisers for naps and paddle-boarding while sitting on a 32 million dollar trust fund. YouTube Face and the Algorithm: A classic Jared rant on how tech oligarchs use thumbnails and quick cuts to domesticate human behavior through fascist algorithms.
Transcribe →The Art of the Kneel
4w ago00:51:52Tap to summarizeThis week, co-hosts Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman examine the crumbling facade of the Trump administration as their one page peace proposal is sent back by Iran. With the Middle East slipping further out of control, Donald Trump is heading to China to prostrate himself before Xi Jinping. But he is not going alone. He is bringing the actual bosses of the United States Elon Musk and Tim Cook, to help beg for an exit strategy (but really to enrich themselves). They also breakdown: The Economic Indicator Trap: Why your Trader Joes bill is a ticking time bomb and what $7 diesel in Indiana tells us about the shipping corridors of the future. The Marco-mentum Mirage: The corporate medias attempt to launder Secretary of State Marco Rubio into the future of the Republican Party despite his history of failure. Gerrymandering the Resistance: A look at the states from Alabama to Virginia scrambling to redistrict and disenfranchise voters following the gutting of the Voting Rights Act. Golden Calves and False Idols: The literal unveiling of a golden Trump statue by evangelicals and the deep psychological wounds driving modern cult worship. Support the show by subscribing to our patreon at http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast and unlock lots of content including our full Weekender episode on Fridays, live shows, and access to our Discord chat.
Transcribe →Hanta-Claus Is Coming To Town
May 800:09:45Tap to summarizeThis is a free preview of our Weekender episode. Unlock the whole podcast and get access to our Discord and Live Show by visiting: http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast The Boys are back in town and the world is moving faster than ever. This week, we dive into the "Groundhog Day" nightmare of U.S. foreign policy as the administration begs China to help broker a deal with Iran. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is pushing back against U.S. hegemony, and economic "zero hour" is fast approaching with a potential June 1st deadline for total fiscal meltdown. We also discuss: The Next Pandemic?: A cruise ship quarantine involving human-to-human hantavirus transmission and why firing CDC inspectors was a catastrophic mistake. Betting on Democracy: New reports of campaign staffers using insider information to place bets on elections and the dangerous rise of predictive markets. The Unserious Empire: From Kash Patel’s personal bourbon transport to the "Uno card" strategy of modern diplomacy. Culture Watch: Nick’s Broadway trip, the decline of There’s Something About Mary, and why The Greatest American Hero is a time capsule for special education in the 80s.
Transcribe →The Looming Crisis
May 500:43:29Tap to summarizeOur boy Nick Hauselman is out and about, leaving Jared Yates Sexton to man the Muckrake desk. In this episode he breaks down the worsening energy crisis, escalations In the Strait of Hormuz, as well Right Wing personalities losing backing and a Neo-Neoliberal plot to seize the machinery of the Democratic Party. To support the show and also gain access to The Weekender episodes on Friday, head over to http://patreon.com/muckrakepodcast and become a patron.
Transcribe →Court in the Act
May 100:09:46Tap to summarizeJared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman break down a series of national and global collapses in this Weekender edition of the Muckrake Podcast. They analyze the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision regarding Louisiana's voting maps, arguing that the ruling effectively dismantles the Voting Rights Act and signals a return to an era of disenfranchisement. The conversation shifts to the intensifying energy crisis and the indefinite stalemate in Iran. With the UAE withdrawing from OPEC and Saudi Arabia’s sovereign fund feeling the squeeze, the duo discusses the fracturing of the petrodollar and the potential for regional conflict. They also take aim at the Democratic Party's recent policy shifts under Hakeem Jeffries, questioning the focus on building data centers for AI while regular Americans face rising energy bills and job insecurity. To wrap things up, the guys find refuge in cinema and comedy. They discuss the brilliance of the Coen brothers, the nuanced acting of Oscar Isaac in Inside Llewyn Davis, and why Fargo remains a perfect lens for viewing the pitfalls of capitalism. Support Independent Media: Become a patron at Patreon.com/muckrakepodcast to help keep the show editorially independent.
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