

POLITICO Tech
POLITICO
The POLITICO Tech podcast is your download on the disruption that technology is bringing to politics and policy. New episodes on Thursdays.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 17, 2020 • 15min
The beginning of the end of the pandemic
Nearly a year after the first case of coronavirus was confirmed in the U.S., officials began issuing the first round of coronavirus vaccines this week. POLITICO’s Dan Diamond and Rachel Roubein break down what the historic moment means for frontline workers — and why getting the whole country vaccinated won’t be easy. Plus, Biden taps Brenda Mallory to lead the White House Council on Environmental Quality. And the Federal Reserve is giving a slightly better forecast for the economy.Rachel Roubein is a health care reporter for POLITICO.Dan Diamond is health policy reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Stay up on the latest coronavirus news in the POLITICO Pulse newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 16, 2020 • 12min
The wave of evictions is coming
A federal eviction ban is on track to expire at the end of the year, putting millions of Americans at risk of losing their homes. POLITICO’s Katy O’Donnell explains why the situation could hurt tenants — particularly Black and latino renters — far beyond the end of the pandemic. Plus, Biden taps former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm to run the Energy Department. And Facebook lifts its political ad ban for Georgia only.Katy O'Donnell covers housing for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 15, 2020 • 12min
All eyes on Georgia
Early voting is underway in the two Georgia runoffs that could decide the fate of the Senate next year. POLITICO’s James Arkin gives an on-the-ground look at what voters there are thinking — and how visits from the President and President-elect are putting national politics front and center in the state. Plus, the Electoral College affirms Biden’s victory. And the FTC probes nine social media and streaming companies.James Arkin is a campaigns reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: Biden puts skin in the game in GeorgiaTrump antagonizes Republicans with Georgia fundraising ploy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 14, 2020 • 12min
The looming unemployment crisis
Several federal unemployment programs are set to run out the day after Christmas, cutting millions of Americans off from their financial lifelines if Congress doesn’t pass another relief package. But even if lawmakers do come to a deal this week and renew the programs, antiquated state systems will still cause missed checks across the country. POLITICO’s Rebecca Rainey breaks down why we ended up at the edge of an unemployment cliff. Plus, the U.S. starts shipping Pfizer's Covid vaccine. And Germany issues new lockdown orders.Rebecca Rainey is a labor and immigration reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: ‘We’re already too late’: Unemployment lifeline to lapse even with an aid deal
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 13, 2020 • 36min
Presenting ... Global Translations: Securing Minerals for Green Energy
What will it take to secure access to the critical minerals we need for the future — and can we solve one environmental challenge without creating a new one? Hosts Luiza Savage and Ryan Heath talk to political leaders around the world about what they are doing to shore up access to critical minerals. Luiza Savage is the host of "Global Translations".Ryan Heath is a host of "Global Translations". Annie Rees is a producer for POLITICO Audio. Kara Tabor is a producer for POLITICO Audio. Jenny Ament is the senior producer for POLITICO Audio. Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO Audio.Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural ResourcesAmbassador Kirsten Hillman is Canada’s Ambassador to the United StatesEU Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is Vice-President of the European Commission for Interinstitutional Relations
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 11, 2020 • 13min
How Facebook became a federal target
16 years ago, "The Facebook" was just another college student's idea. Now, federal and state authorities say the social media giant is, well, too giant — and they want to break it up. POLITICO's Leah Nylen explains how the company went from dorm room to antitrust lawsuit. Plus, Trump issues sweeping new asylum rules. And Schumer urges Republicans to cancel a hearing on the election.Leah Nylen covers antitrust for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more:How Facebook grew into troubleFor Facebook, the breakup threat gets real
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 10, 2020 • 13min
The health team cometh.
President-elect Joe Biden has chosen the officials who will be at the center of his administration’s Covid response. POLITICO’s Tyler Pager and Dan Diamond break down how the picks for Biden’s health team were made — and what sort of turbulence they could face during the confirmation process. Plus, YouTube says it will remove videos claiming mass fraud changed the election results. And the House passes its second major piece of marijuana legislation in a week.Tyler Pager is a White House reporter for POLITICO.Dan Diamond is health policy reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Stay up on the latest coronavirus news in the POLITICO Pulse newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 9, 2020 • 12min
Vaccines: Coming to a country near you!
If you felt FOMO while watching British seniors receive coronavirus vaccinations on Tuesday, you’re not alone. Host Jeremy Siegel talks with POLITICO’s Sarah Owermohle about why Britain beat the U.S. to those first doses — and when we can expect FDA authorization. Plus, Biden pledges to vaccinate tens of millions and reopen schools in his first 100 days. And the Supreme Court rejects an effort to overturn Biden’s win in PennsylvaniaSarah Owermohle covers drug policy for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: U.S. could face months of vaccine shortages amid global competitionFDA says Pfizer vaccine is safe and effectiveTrump amps up pandemic politics at ‘vaccine summit’Biden pledges to vaccinate tens of millions, reopen schools in first 100 days
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 8, 2020 • 13min
Biden’s immigration challenge
President Trump has passed more than 400 changes to U.S. immigration policy since he took office. Undoing all of that is going to be a major challenge for President-Elect Joe Biden — politically and logistically. POLITICO’s Anita Kumar explains why some of Trump’s immigration policies could end up sticking around for years. Plus, New York City could see new shutdowns next week. And federal investigators urge Trump to punish trade adviser Peter Navarro for violating the Hatch Act.Anita Kumar is a White House correspondent and associate editor for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: Biden pledged to undo Trump’s immigration policies. It will take time.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 7, 2020 • 14min
Can colleges beat Covid?
Last semester didn’t go too well. But colleges and universities across the country are looking for a do-over in the Spring. POLITICO’s Juan Perez reports on how schools are trying to beat coronavirus next semester — and what lessons they’ve learned from the past year. Plus, the U.K. plans to start vaccinations Tuesday. And Trump says Giuliani has tested positive for Covid.Juan Perez Jr. is an education reporter for POLITICO.Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.Read more: Spring surge of college students will challenge Covid defensesSign up for POLITICO's Weekly Education newsletter.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices