"The NPR Politics Podcast" features Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, congressional correspondent Deirdre Walsh, voting correspondent Ashley Lopez, and senior political editor Domenico Montanaro. They discuss the challenges faced by Speaker Johnson, including aid to Israel and Ukraine and the possibility of a government shutdown. They also analyze tightening polls in New Hampshire ahead of the primaries. The podcast delves into the influence of the Speaker of the House on public perception and explores topics such as Ron DeSantis' struggles, Biden's challenger, and the risks of discussing age in politics. Additionally, they touch on the intersection of masculinity in politics and sports.