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Every episode
Hacks On Tap
30 episodes
Goat Rodeo (with Addisu Demissie)
Aug 12, 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
Late last night, three bleary-eyed Hacks convened to discuss the results—or what we had of them—from yesterday’s Midwestern primaries. Axe and Heilemann were joined by legendary Democratic Hackeroo Addisu Demissie to break down the lessons from last week in Michigan and this week in Wisconsin and Minnesota. The Hacks dig into what it all means for the midterms, the evolving dynamics of the DSA within the Democratic Party, the polling industrial complex, and so much more! Photo by Stephen Maturen…
The Midwest Strikes Back
Aug 5, 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
This week the Hacks are reunited! All three Hackeroos are back together to break down the Michigan primary results and what they could mean for the midterms. They also dive into the latest from Virginia and Wisconsin, Murphy's EV road trip, and so much more—but you've waited long enough. Photo by JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Cannibal King (with Jonathan Martin)
Jul 28, 2026 · 1 hr 14 min
This week Murphy and Heilemann welcome back Hack frequent flier and POLITICO's Jonathan Martin. The Hacks break down the White House Correspondents' Dinner, the latest on the war with Iran, the state of the midterms, DNC drama, and JMart's conversation with Rahm Emanuel—including a very important review of Chicago tavern-style pizza. Plus, the wet hot DSA summer, and so much more! Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Iran Out of Patience (with Maggie Haberman)
Jul 21, 2026 · 1 hr 6 min
This week Axe and Murphy were joined by Maggie Haberman, one of the sharpest and most deeply sourced reporters covering Trump and the White House. The Hacks dive into her new book, Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump, and her remarkable reporting on the origins of Trump’s war with Iran, his focus heading into the midterms, and why he remains fixated on the 2020 election. The guys also check in on the latest from Michigan and Maine—and so much more! Photo by Alex Wo…
Lust but Verify (with Jonathan Freedland)
Jul 14, 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
This week, Axe and Heilemann are joined by a Hack from across the pond and all-around political savant, Jonathan Freedland. Jonathan is a Guardian columnist, host of Politics Weekly America, and co-host of Unholy, the podcast covering Israel and the Middle East. The Hacks dive into the biggest stories of the week, including the sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham and the political legacy he leaves behind, Trump's war against Iran, the Democratic Party's evolving stance o…
PAC to the Future (with Elie Honig)
Jul 7, 2026 · 1 hr 4 min
The Hacks are back, and this week Axe and Murphy are joined by CNN’s senior legal analyst, former federal prosecutor, and resident translator of legalese into English, Elie Honig. The Hacks dive into the fallout from Graham Platner’s exit from the Maine Senate race, check in on a handful of key contests, and unpack the role—and controversy—surrounding AIPAC money in Democratic primaries. Then they put Elie to work, unpacking the Supreme Court’s latest rulings, the Court’s ideological makeup, and…
250 and Counting (with Jonathan Martin)
Jun 30, 2026 · 1 hr 4 min
This week Axe and Murphy were joined by Hacks frequent flier and POLITICO’s own JMart. The Hacks break down negotiations between the White House and the Hill, take stock of the midterm landscape, and reflect on the great pageant of American democracy as the nation marks its 250th birthday. Photo by Al Drago via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
From the Garden to the Polls (with Lis Smith)
Jun 23, 2026 · 1 hr 6 min
This week Axe and Murphy were joined by veteran Democratic strategist, political advisor, and proud Knicks fan Lis Smith. The Hacks break down the races in today’s New York primary, along with several other key races across the country. They also discuss AI companies influencing campaign races, the latest twists with JD’s Iran deal, the White House reflecting pool ecosystem, and so much more! Photo by Gary Hershorn via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adcho…
West Wing, Right Hook (with Jen Psaki)
Jun 16, 2026 · 54 min
This week Axe and Heilemann were joined by political heavyweight and MS NOW’s Jen Psaki. The Hacks step into the octagon to break down Trump's 80th birthday UFC spectacle at the White House and the controversy that followed, the administration's shadowboxing over Iran, and whether the economy is headed for a knockout victory or headed to the mat. Okay, that's enough puns. They also discuss possible contenders for the next presidential ticket, whether sports can still bring Americans together, ex…
Too Big To Deny (with Adam Kinzinger)
Jun 9, 2026 · 58 min
This week Axe and Murphy were joined by Air National Guard veteran, former Illinois Congressman, and January 6th Committee member Adam Kinzinger. The Hacks dive into Trump’s claims of election meddling in the Los Angeles mayoral race, his growing paranoia and sleepiness, the state of the Maine race, the ongoing war with Iran, the Chicago Bears leaving their beloved Chicago voter fans, and so much more! Photo by Al Bello via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/…
The Golden State of Play (with Ron Brownstein)
Jun 2, 2026 · 1 hr 9 min
This week Axe and Murphy were joined by the great Ron Brownstein—veteran journalist, Bloomberg Opinion columnist, and CNN senior political analyst. The Hacks dive into Trump's preparations for America250, the affordability crisis and the impact of tariffs in key swing states, today's California primary, and the latest developments in races in Maine and Texas—and so much more. Photo by Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Fool’s Cubic Zirconia (with Sarah Longwell)
May 27, 2026 · 1 hr 16 min
This week Axe and Heilemann were joined by were joined by focus group guru and Bulwark legend, Sarah Longwell. The Hacks dive into the Texas primary results, California’s governors and LA’s mayoral race, the release of the DNC 2024 autopsy report, and so much more! Photo by Brandon Bell via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Strait to the Point (with Jonathan Martin)
May 19, 2026 · 1 hr 14 min
This week Murphy and Heilemann are joined by Hacks regular and budding food influencer Jonathan Martin to dig into Trump’s latest polling, the un-bullsh!table issues actually shaping the race, and preview key upcoming primaries. Photo by Majid Saeedi via Getty Images "Sad Trio" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Race to the Bottom (with Addisu Demissie)
May 12, 2026 · 1 hr 6 min
This week Axe and Murphy were joined by ace political wizard and veteran Democratic campaign manager Addisu Demissie. The Hacks dive into Trump’s new inflation numbers, Rubio and Vance vying for the chance to run in 2028, the escalating redistricting arms race, and AOC’s future. And of course, with Addisu in the room, we check in on his home state of California and the key races shaping the political landscape there. Photo by Justin Sullivan via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Vi…
The Cost of Not Listening (with Dave Wasserman)
May 5, 2026 · 1 hr 10 min
This week Axe and Murphy are joined by the man who has seen it all—and has seen enough—Dave Wasserman of the Cook Political Report. The Hacks dive into Donald Trump’s frustrations with voters, the latest polls and money advantages shaping the map, and—of course with Wasserman in the mix—a deep dive into key races, redistricting battles, and what it all means for the midterms. Photo by Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adcho…
Tired of Being Tired (with John King)
Apr 28, 2026 · 1 hr 9 min
This week, Axe and Murphy were joined by one of the all-time greats, John King of CNN. The Hacks dive into the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting and the broader conversation around political rhetoric and violence, Trump’s ballroom ambitions, exhausted voters, redistricting battles, the California governor’s primary—and much more as we head into the midterms just six months out. Photo by Al Drago via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Liquor Cabinet (with Jonathan Martin)
Apr 21, 2026 · 1 hr 11 min
This week, Murphy and Heilemann were joined by frequent Hacks flyer and host of On the Road, Politico’s Jonathan Martin! The Hacks dive into U.S./Iran negotiations, Vance’s foreign policy woes, chaos and turnover in the Trump cabinet, and check in on the Virginia, California, and Kentucky races. And so much more! Photo by Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
It’s the Theology, Stupid (with Doug Sosnik)
Apr 14, 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
This week, Murphy and Heilemann welcome policy Hackeroo and Clintonworld veteran Doug Sosnik. The Hacks dive into Trump’s Twitter feud with Chicago’s Pope, high-stakes negotiations to end the war with Iran, the JD Vance problem, shifting voting trends and Trump’s job approval—and check in on California’s governor’s race. Photo by Xinhua via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Gravity of the Situation (with Rahm Emanuel)
Apr 7, 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
This week, Axe and Murphy are joined live and in person by Hack regular, former U.S. Ambassador, and former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel. The Hacks break down the escalating war with Iran and Trump’s increasingly heated rhetoric, as strikes intensify and diplomacy teeters on the brink. They dig into JD Vance’s trip abroad—and what his chances are for 2028—before turning to the midterms and the wide-open Democratic race for the White House. All that and much more! Photo by Roger Simmons/Orlando Sen…
TACO Tuesday (with Morris Katz)
Apr 1, 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
This week, Axe and Heilemann dive into Trump’s Oval Office presser on the state of the war with Iran—and, of course, his ballroom. The Hacks also break down kitchen table issues, potential watershed moments, Republican influencers turning on Trump, redistricting, the midterms, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mad King Politics (with David Plouffe)
Mar 25, 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
This week Axe and Murphy are joined by Campaign Manager Hackeroo David Plouffe — who ran Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, later served as a senior White House advisor.The Hacks dive into another week of war with Iran, unpack Trump’s motivations (and re-motivations), break down how negotiations on the Hill are going, dig into the politics of the SAVE Act, check in on Illinois primary results, and review some spicy Texas ads — and, as always, so much more. Photo by Heather Diehl via Getty Images Lear…
The Luck of the Midterms (with Amy Walter)
Mar 17, 2026 · 1 hr 8 min
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Hackeroos! This week, Axe and Heilemann are joined by one of the greatest Hacks in all the land, Amy Walter—publisher and editor-in-chief of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter. The Hacks dive into Joe Kent’s resignation, unpack the Iran war and its costs at home and abroad, check in on midterm kitchen table issues, take a look at today’s Illinois primary, and so much more! Photo by Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visi…
On the Road (with Jonathan Martin)
Mar 10, 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
This week, Axe and Murphy are joined by frequent flier in the Hackeroo Lounge, Jonathan Martin. JMart gives the Hacks a preview of his new Politico show, On the Road with Jonathan Martin, including his conversation with Sarah Huckabee Sanders. The Hacks also discuss the war with Iran — how it’s affecting Americans at home, the administration’s shifting rationales, and the U.S. Tomahawk strike that hit a school. Plus: Donald Trump firing Kristi Noem, the first cabinet dismissal of his administrat…
Midterm Crossfire (with Mark McKinnon and Billy Begala)
Mar 4, 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
This tumultuous week in the news, the Hacks are joined by not one but two expert Hackeroos. First up, Mark McKinnon — former adviser to George W. Bush and co-creator and co-host of The Circus — jumps in with Axe and Murphy to break down the strikes in Iran: what led up to them, what’s happened since the initial attacks and retaliatory strikes across the region, and what the Trump administration is saying (and not saying) about its strategy amid shifting justifications and questions about long-te…
SOTU Special
Feb 25, 2026 · 49 min
This week Axe and Murphy burned the midnight oil to break down Trump’s State of the Union with Hackeroo extraordinaire Jonathan Martin. No spoilers here — the Hacks have kept you waiting long enough. Hit play and find out what went down. Photo by Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Map-a-Lago (with Dave Wasserman)
Feb 17, 2026 · 1 hr 13 min
This week Murphy and Heilemann were joined by the one and only Dave Wasserman of the Cook Political Report. The Hacks dive into Trump’s polling, the standoff over ICE funding, and the attention economy — then put Wasserman on the map (literally) for a midterm check-in across Texas, Alaska, Ohio, Michigan, Iowa, and so much more. Photo by Joel Angel Juarez/Bloomberg via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A Bigger Bowl (with Lis Smith)
Feb 10, 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
This week, Axe and Heilemann were joined by Lis Smith, veteran Democratic strategist and political advisor. The Hacks dive into the Super Bowl and Bad Bunny’s halftime show, the battle for views, the Trump economy, inflation and mortgage rates, proposed voter ID laws, the latest Epstein files dump, ICE reform, Trump retweets, and—because it’s been that kind of week—so much more. Photo by Kevin Sabitus via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Reading the Map (with Jonathan Martin)
Feb 3, 2026 · 1 hr 6 min
Happy Tuesday, Hackeroos! This week Axe and Murphy are joined by repeat guest and all-around savant Jonathan Martin of Politico. The Hacks dive into the latest news, including the FBI raid of a Georgia election center, Trump’s cryptocurrency exposé in The Wall Street Journal, Trump’s mixed messaging on the economy and inflation, what an increasingly abnormal election looks like, and a check-in on several key states as the midterms come into focus. Photo by Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty I…
Intentional Mayhem (with John Avlon)
Jan 27, 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
This week Axe and Heilemann are joined by former Chief Beast, current journalist, and author John Avlon. The Hacks dig into the aftermath of a tumultuous weekend in Minnesota — and across the Trump administration — following the killing of Alex Pretti. They unpack ICE and citizen accountability, the administration’s evolving claims versus video evidence that challenges them, and the tangled web the White House has woven around the Second Amendment, DHS funding, and the looming threat of another…
The Ugliest American
Jan 20, 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
This week all three Hackeroos (or Quackeroos) convened to take on a full fire hose of breaking news. The Hacks dive into Trump’s Nobel Piece Prize acquisition, his Davos trip, ICE’s provocative tactics, pardon-palooza, NATO on the brink, Greenland becoming Orangeland, and so much more! Photo by Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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