The Al Franken Podcast

Dahlia Lithwick, senior editor at Slate and host of Amicus, offers sharp legal analysis of the Supreme Court’s recent term. She discusses rulings that weakened voting rights, changes to executive power, the shadow docket’s dangers, threats to birthright citizenship and LGBTQ+ protections, and practical paths for citizens to push for court reform and grassroots civic action.

Franklin Foer, journalist and author of How Soccer Explains the World, joins to analyze the Iran memorandum, its surprising concessions, and the political fallout for Trump and Netanyahu. He also discusses the war in Ukraine, tensions in Venezuela and Cuba, and how soccer reveals the limits of globalization.

Mark Leibovich, political journalist at The Atlantic known for sharp national reporting, breaks down the midterm landscape. They analyze Trump’s approval and Republican morale. Conversations cover Senate pickup math, key state races, democratic messaging risks, election interference threats, and what priorities to pursue if control flips. Quick, pointed, and politically charged.

Norm Ornstein, political scholar and AEI emeritus fellow known for his expertise on Congress and democratic erosion. They unpack Project 2025 as the administration's playbook. They describe assaults on the federal workforce and aid cuts with dire human costs. They examine immigration crackdowns, rising foreign entanglements, corrosive cabinet flattery, and what a Democratic counterplan might look like.

Kevin Nealon, veteran comedian and actor known for nine seasons on SNL and characters like Mr. Subliminal and Hans and Franz. They trade SNL stories and origins of classic bits. Conversation covers casting chaos, writing nights, touring and standup, his Weeds role, a hiking podcast, and memorable moments with fellow comedians.

Scott Lincicome, vice president of economics at the Cato Institute and Duke Law lecturer, explains the fallout from Trump’s tariffs and the messy refund process. He walks through court rulings, who actually gets refunds, and why small importers get left behind. They also unpack rising U.S. state capitalism as government takes equity stakes in industries and the risks that creates.

Kasie Hunt, CNN anchor and former congressional reporter, shares stories from covering Obamacare to life on the Hill. She recounts reporting through January 6 and reacting to Trump pardons. Conversation also touches on shifts in Congress, tariffs and inflation, immigration raids, and the strain of early-morning anchoring.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, longtime Connecticut representative and former Appropriations chair, talks about Congress reclaiming war powers and the costs of the Iran strikes. She discusses how military action fuels fuel and food price spikes, threats to the appropriations process, Republican hesitation under Trump pressure, and strategies to protect elections, courts, and public health funding.

David Kirkpatrick, New Yorker staff writer who tracks political finance, breaks down how the Trump family monetized public office. He outlines vast revenue streams: real estate deals, merchandise, crypto tokens, and lucrative foreign licensing. Short, sharp takes on legal-fee transfers, blockbuster Gulf deals, and the mechanics of token sales.

Geoffrey Asmus, a Minnesota-born stand-up comedian and writer, joins to riff on comedy and politics. They unpack shifting MAGA loyalties as economic pain creeps in. They debate the comedy culture wars, clapter, right-leaning comics and festivals, and worry about AI and online trends reshaping creative work and young men’s politics.