

The Powers That Be: Daily
Puck | Audacy
Join Emmy Award-winning journalist Peter Hamby, along with the team of expert journalists at Puck, as they let you in on the real conversations insiders are having across the four corners of power in America: Wall Street, Washington, Silicon Valley and Hollywood. Puck's contributors will bring you smart conversation around the inside stories happening in these worlds. Presented in partnership with Audacy, new episodes publish daily, Monday-Friday.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 8, 2025 • 18min
Sam Altman’s Hollywood Lawsuit Machine
Eriq Gardner, an entertainment and legal journalist, joins to unpack the chaos surrounding OpenAI's Sora 2 app and its legal troubles. He dives into the backlash from creators and the implications of copyright litigation from The New York Times and Authors Guild. Eriq explores Sam Altman's optimistic stance on navigating these lawsuits, the shift from opt-out to opt-in policies, and potential revenue-sharing models for rights holders. The conversation also covers OpenAI's aggressive legal and product strategies, making it a captivating, insightful discussion.

Oct 7, 2025 • 22min
The G.O.P.’s Healthcare Hustle
Leigh Ann Caldwell, a seasoned Washington correspondent, dives into the complexities of the ongoing government shutdown. She unpacks how Democrats are capitalizing on messaging around healthcare, with early polls showing Republicans, including Trump, facing significant blame. They discuss the tactics employed by both parties, such as digital content and engagement strategies. Caldwell highlights the lack of real negotiations and the Republicans' stance on opening the government first, leaving the duration of the shutdown uncertain.

31 snips
Oct 6, 2025 • 27min
Media Monday: CBS News’s Bari Era & Hollywood’s A.I. Slop Machine
Jon Kelly and Peter dive into Bari Weiss's upcoming role as editor-in-chief at CBS News, discussing her potential impact on traditional journalism. They explore the challenges of modernizing legacy media while maintaining profitability. The conversation shifts to OpenAI's Sora 2, a new video-generation model, and the looming legal concerns over its use of copyrighted material. They ponder whether the rise of AI could spark litigation in Hollywood, debating if such innovations can genuinely compete with established creativity. Tune in for insights on the evolving media landscape!

Oct 4, 2025 • 1h 2min
Hollywood’s Sora 2 Panic & Zuck’s Vibes Play
Julia and Dylan explore the launch of OpenAI's Sora 2 and Meta's Vibes, revealing why these innovations have Hollywood worried. They discuss the evolving landscape of A.I. in media, including legal risks tied to copyright and likeness. The conversation also touches on the YouTube TV and NBCU carriage dispute, examining its implications for future media battles. Additionally, they consider the impact of video creation's ease on audience engagement and the challenges of misinformation in an A.I.-driven world.

5 snips
Oct 3, 2025 • 23min
CBS News's Bari Era & Larry’s TikTok Machinations
Kim Masters, a seasoned media journalist and host at KCRW, dives into the transformative moves of the Ellison empire as David Ellison preps to install Bari Weiss as CBS News's editor-in-chief. Fears swirl around Weiss's potential to disrupt the newsroom's legacy. The conversation shifts to Larry Ellison's complicated involvement with TikTok, unpacking the intricate dynamics behind the Trump administration's deal. Lastly, Hollywood's anxiety about a potential Ellison takeover of Warner Bros reveals the industry's uncertain future.

Oct 2, 2025 • 22min
Gagosian’s Art Doctrine
Marion Maneker, a seasoned journalist and author of Wallpower, shares insights from her recent interview with the renowned art dealer Larry Gagosian. They discuss Gagosian's succession plans, revealing he aims to maintain control while fostering talent among close associates. Marion also explores the cyclical nature of the current art market and highlights a pivotal Keith Haring exhibition capturing industry attention. Additionally, she touches on the challenges of primary vs. secondary market price mismatches and Gagosian's strategies with Jeff Koons.

Oct 1, 2025 • 22min
YouTube TV’s Carriage Wars & Disney’s Churn Crisis
Julia Alexander, a tech and media reporter, joins to dissect the fallout from Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension that sent Disney+ subscriptions plummeting. She reveals that cancellations spiked dramatically and what this means for Disney's future. The conversation shifts to YouTube TV's fierce carriage battles, comparing its negotiations with traditional cable. With YouTube's unique data and AI advantages, Julia explores how it navigates rising rights fees while maintaining relevance in a competitive landscape.

Sep 30, 2025 • 25min
Trump’s Puzzling Putin Pivot
Julia Yaffe, a seasoned reporter specializing in U.S. diplomacy and foreign policy, joins Peter to dissect Donald Trump's striking remarks at the UN, where he ridiculed the organization. They explore Trump's unexpected pivot against Vladimir Putin, driven by insights on Russian setbacks. Yaffe sheds light on the State Department's forced involvement in aggressive deportation strategies, revealing the ethical dilemmas faced by career diplomats who are repurposed for such operations. This conversation dives deep into the intersection of foreign policy and domestic challenges.

Sep 29, 2025 • 27min
Media Monday: The Kimmel Denouement & The NFL’s Premature Renegotiations
The fallout from the Jimmy Kimmel controversy prompts a discussion on Disney's leadership, highlighting winners and losers. Kimmel's return turns out to be a test for Dana Walden's crisis management skills. The conversation shifts to the NFL, where their urge to renegotiate contracts is linked to recent NBA deals. Exploring new ways to monetize an 18th game, the hosts ponder potential partnerships with major streaming services. Media companies face pressure to secure NFL rights, potentially leading to costly deals for media stability.

Sep 28, 2025 • 2min
Introducing Simpsons Declassified with Nancy Cartwright
Dive into the quirky world of Springfield with Nancy Cartwright, the iconic voice of Bart Simpson! Discover wild predictions and eerie coincidences hidden across 36 seasons and over 800 episodes. Get the inside scoop from the writers and directors, plus hear untold stories about scenes that almost didn’t make it to air. Fans can engage in Simpsons-themed games and share their own theories for a chance to be featured. It's a hilarious journey through the show's unforgettable history!