Sean Penn set out to make a documentary about the youthful, new Ukrainian president, Volodomyr Zelensky. Zelensky had had a successful career as a comedic actor prior to jumping into politics. In fact, he played the fake Ukranian president on TV before he became the elected president. What Penn didn't anticipate was that the first day of shooting the film would also be the among first days of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Join us for a riveting and at times introspective edition of "The Takeout."See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Adam Smith, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services committee, sits down with Major in his Capitol Hill office to talk about a potential government shutdown, Republican efforts to launch an impeachment inquiry against President Biden and the impact of Senator Tommy Tuberville’s (R-LA) hold on military promotions. Plus, Smith explains his years long struggle with chronic pain, crippling anxiety and the healthcare system. Join us for an enlightening conversation about how he overcame a challenge millions of Americans face. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hot enough for you? The three-month period from June to August was the hottest ever recorded, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service. Wildfires in Maui claimed at least 115 lives and devastated the town of Lahaina. And a category 4 hurricane hit Southern California in August. What on Earth is happening? We've got Pulitzer Prize winning author and New Yorker staff writer Elizabeth Kolbert to break down the latest climate news and the broader trends of a warming planet. Plus, Major's tribute to Smash Mouth and Jimmy Buffett. Join us!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How did we get here politically? It's a question we've asked a lot lately. Author and professor Matthew Dallek has a theory on the origins of our current political moment. His new book, "Birchers: How the John Birch Society Radicalized the American Right," traces how a group in the 1960s laid the foundation for 21st century conservatism and may have paved the way for Donald Trump's political ascension. We're at Ris in DC's West End...join us!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join us for an interview with actor/writer/producer/stand-up Wayne Federman, who helped make a documentary called "George Carlin's American Dream," a look at the life of comedian George Carlin. Carlin happens to be Major's favorite stand-up comedian of all time. We're at Junior's in New York City. Pull up a chair. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Corndogs, anyone? Major is at the state fair in Des Moines, Iowa, talking politics and eating porkchops. He spent time with an array of politicos who hope to influence the outcome of January's caucuses - Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), GOP presidential contender Asa Hutchinson, Iowa Democratic Party chair Rita Hart and conservative political activist Bob Vander Platts. Major also talked to a slew of Republican voters who weighed in on former President Trump's prospects and his primary challengers. Join us.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As the bassist for The Avett Brothers, Bob Crawford spends a lot of time on the road. When he's on a tour bus or a plane, you can usually find him reading history. He turned that passion - and a love of politics and current events - into a podcast on America's 6th president, John Quincy Adams. In "Founding Son: John Quincy's America" Crawford chronicles the extraordinary life of a man whose political career intersected with George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. He joins us at The Smith in downtown DC.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In search of an 'Oppenheimer' companion piece? The new documentary, 'A Compassionate Spy,' is our focus on this week's episode, with the film's writer/director, Steve James, joining Major over Zoom. James' film tells the story of Ted Hall, the controversial Manhattan Project physicist who after just a year working at Los Alamos decided to pass secrets about the bomb to the Soviet Union. It's a real-life spy thriller that most Americans have never heard of, with a central character who James believes "acted on principle...[Hall] was not one of those spies that did it for money or glory."Be sure to stick around for the Outtake Especiale where James, a filmmaker with over a dozen documentaries on his resume (including producer Jamie Benson's top-five-film-of-all-time, 1994's 'Hoop Dreams'), shares a few of his personal film favorites.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Major sits down for pizza with California Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell at Stellina, a Neapolitan pizza joint in DC's Union Market. Swalwell reacts to the Hunter Biden plea agreement that fell apart this week and weighs in on President Biden's 2024 re-election prospects. Swalwell, who served as an impeachment manager in the wake of the January 6th Capitol attack, explains the daily threats he gets and how it impacts him, his family and staff. Also, Swalwell dishes on his relationship with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a fellow member of the California House delegation. Join us!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Washington Post reporter and author Ben Terris joins Major to discuss his new book, "The Big Break: The Gamblers, Party Animals, and True Believers Trying to Win in Washington While America Loses Its Mind." Terris's book looks at Washington after the Trump presidency and asks a fundamental questions of the political class in DC: Why are you here? Join us at Unconventional Diner in downtown DC for chicken and waffles and a great conversation!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.