The Conversation with Dasha Burns

Can the American experiment survive? (with Ken Burns) 02.07.2026 46min

As America marks 250 years since its founding, award-winning documentarian Ken Burns joins Dasha to reflect on what history can teach us about this political moment. In this wide-ranging interview, Burns discusses what lawmakers misunderstand about the founding of our nation, what George Washington would think of Donald Trump, and whether the American experiment can survive the next chapter. Have thoughts for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finland’s president: Europe needs to calm down about Trump (with Alexander Stubb) 26.06.2026 34min

Dasha sits down with Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Helsinki for a wide-ranging conversation on NATO, Russia's war in Ukraine, Iran and the future of America's relationships with allies around the world. Stubb, who has developed an unusually close personal relationship with Donald Trump, discusses how he approaches the president behind closed doors, why he believes Ukraine has the upper hand in the war against Russia and how he remains confident in NATO's future. Have thoughts for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democrats need to stop being ‘boring’ (with Jack Schlossberg) 19.06.2026 39min

Jack Schlossberg joins Dasha to talk about his campaign for New York’s 12th congressional district, his viral online persona and why he thinks Democrats need to be more “controversial” in the Trump era. Schlossberg discusses what he says Democrats got wrong in 2024, why he believes attention is political power, how the party can reach young male voters, and why he sees himself as part of a new generation trying to change Democratic politics. He also weighs in on his Kennedy family legacy, RFK Jr., Israel and Gaza, impeachment, super PAC spending, and why he says he has “no regrets” about anything he’s posted online. Have thoughts for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The EPA isn’t here to fight climate change (with Lee Zeldin) 12.06.2026 43min

At POLITICO’s Energy Summit, Dasha presses EPA administrator Lee Zeldin on rising gas prices, the war in Iran, Trump’s energy dominance agenda, coal, AI data centers, and whether the EPA has a responsibility to address climate change. Zeldin defends his approach, arguing that the EPA can protect the environment while growing the economy and rejects the idea that his agency should lead the fight against climate change – unless Congress tells him to. Have thoughts for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The crypto clash that could reshape finance (with Brian Armstrong) 05.06.2026 33min

Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong sits down with Dasha for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of crypto, the growing political influence of the industry, and his vision for a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Plus, he responds to JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon’s recent attack, after Dimon called him “full of s--t,” and explains why he’s still “a little perplexed” by the personal animosity. Have feedback for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Q&A: Dasha Burns pulls back the curtain on covering politics 29.05.2026 28min

Every week on this show, Dasha Burns talks to the most compelling and sometimes unexpected power players in Washington and beyond. But for this special first anniversary episode, she turned the microphone over to you … our listeners. “How do you prepare for high-stakes interviews?” “Why has Washington left Gen Z behind?” “How has covering politics changed you?” Dasha answers your burning questions, weighing in on everything from the most interesting under-the-radar character at the White House to why her news diet is a “hot mess.” Have feedback for “The Conversation?” Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shapiro on Trump, Fetterman and 2028 over cheesesteaks in South Philly | On The Road 26.05.2026 56min

Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-Pa.) sits down with POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin at Angelo’s Pizzeria, a South Philly institution, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of the Democratic party, rising cynicism in American politics and the growing speculation around his political future in 2028. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Ukraine became essential to America’s security (with Olga Stefanishyna) 22.05.2026 40min

Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States Olga Stefanishyna joins Dasha Burns on “The Conversation” to discuss whether the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran could pull American attention and weapons away from Kyiv, the state of Ukraine-Russia peace talks and why President Trump and Volodmyr Zelenskyy’s once-rocky relationship has become “iconic.” Have feedback for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wes Moore gets blunt about 2028: I'm hungry, not thirsty | On The Road 21.05.2026 57min

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore sits down with POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin at Baltimore’s iconic Koco's Pub for a wide-ranging conversation about redistricting, the future of the Democratic party and how his military service shaped his views on patriotism, race and America’s role in the world. Moore also opens up about Donald Trump, Joe Biden’s decision to stay in the presidential race too long, Kamala Harris’ future and why Democrats can’t spend years “studying” voters’ frustrations instead of fixing them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Iran’s exiled crown prince criticizes Trump’s ‘half-baked’ Iran strategy (with Reza Pahlavi) 15.05.2026 42min

Dasha sits down with Reza Pahlavi, the exiled former crown prince of Iran, for a live taping of “The Conversation” at POLITICO’s Security Summit. In a wide-ranging interview, Pahlavi discusses the latest on the war in Iran, whether diplomacy with Tehran is possible and the future of the Iranian opposition movement. Have a question for our anniversary special? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trump is ‘stuck in a stalemate’ in Iran (with Leon Panetta) 08.05.2026 38min

Leon Panetta, former Defense Secretary and CIA director under President Obama, joins Dasha Burns to assess the U.S. conflict with Iran, warning that unclear objectives, a closed Strait of Hormuz and uncertain nuclear negotiations could leave the U.S. stuck in a prolonged war. Plus, Panetta defends President Biden’s handling of the Israel/Gaza conflict but says Biden “should have been much tougher” in providing weapons for Ukraine. Leave us a voicemail or shoot us a text with your questions for our first anniversary special: 202-643-1536. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can JB Pritzker be the Democrats’ anti-Trump in 2028? | On The Road 05.05.2026 1h 7min

Gov. JB Pritzker (D-Ill.) sits down with POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin at Chicago’s iconic Manny’s Deli for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of the Democratic Party -- and his own. Plus: a look at Chicago’s political culture, Pritzker’s rise from donor to power broker, and why Manny’s remains a must-stop on the campaign trail. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can AI solve the problems it creates? (with David Sacks) 01.05.2026 43min

David Sacks has played a key role in shaping AI policy for the Trump administration. He was formerly the White House AI and crypto czar. Now, he’s the co-chair of the President’s Co-Chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Sacks approaches the issue with a “let them cook” philosophy. Meaning, he thinks the way for the United States to win the global AI race is to move fast with minimally disruptive regulation. But with that comes a lot of questions about AI disruption to the workforce, who should be held responsible for harm caused by AI platforms, and the fear and division within America over the future of the technology. Sacks joins Dasha Burns in a wide-ranging interview to discuss it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Behind the velvet rope at White House Correspondents' Dinner (with Tammy Haddad) 24.04.2026 38min

Go behind the scenes of White House Correspondents’ Dinner weekend with Tammy Haddad, a veteran TV executive and one of DC’s ultimate social connectors. POLITICO's Dasha Burns and Tammy unpack why this dinner — which brings together the president, journalists and celebrities all in one room — is so important in Washington, and what really happens when the cameras are down. Tammy also shares insider stories from years past involving Barbra Streisand, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Kim Kardashian, Pamela Anderson, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can the GOP pull off a California upset? (with Steve Hilton) 17.04.2026 35min

California’s governor's race just got a major shakeup. Democrat Eric Swalwell dropped out amid sexual assault and misconduct allegations, and now the field is wide open ahead of the June 2 primary. So where does that leave Republican candidate and former Fox News host Steve Hilton – backed by Trump and rising in the polls? Does the GOP have a shot at turning California red? Dasha Burns sat down with Hilton to talk about the state of the race, the impact of Trump's endorsement, and where he thinks Democratic leadership is coming up short. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gov. Brian Kemp’s blunt warning for Republicans | On The Road 14.04.2026 51min

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) joins POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin at the Masters to talk Trump, 2028 and the upcoming Georgia Senate race. Plus: Kemp on EVs, economic policy and why he’s staying focused on 2026 — not the White House. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inside the war on Trump’s new MAGA (with Marjorie Taylor Greene) 10.04.2026 43min

Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) – the MAGA acolyte-turned-antagonist who resigned from Congress after a public and messy fight with Donald Trump – joins “The Conversation” to talk about the war in Iran, why she thinks the GOP will be “slaughtered” in the midterms and her desire to build a new political coalition in America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can NASA beat China to the moon and beyond? (with Jared Isaacman) 03.04.2026 42min

Artemis II has launched around the moon. Now, NASA has its sights set on Mars. NASA administrator and billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman sat down with POLITICO's Dasha Burns at Kennedy Space Center to talk about NASA’s ambitious plans to build a moon base, sending humans to Mars, his relationship with Elon Musk and why we could all have 3D-printed spare livers in our fridge someday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Democrats can win back Trump country (with Gov. Andy Beshear) 27.03.2026 36min

Andy Beshear is the most popular Democratic governor in the country – in a state Donald Trump won by more than 30 points in 2024. He explains why he believes a President JD Vance could be “more damaging than Trump”, lays out his playbook for winning back voters in Trump country, and calls out the litmus test he thinks Democrats should abandon. Can a Democrat who wins in deep-red Kentucky translate that success nationally? Beshear argues why someone like him may have an advantage at the top of the Democratic ticket in 2028. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Inside Newsom’s plan to take on Trump | On The Road 24.03.2026 1h 9min

Today, we're bringing you an episode from our new show, On the Road. California Gov. Gavin Newsom sat down with POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin for a wide-ranging conversation about the personal experiences that shaped his political career. A leading potential contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, Newsom has been raising his national profile by taking on President Donald Trump and traveling to key early primary states while promoting his new memoir. In the interview with Martin, Newsom reflects on his upbringing, outlines what he sees at stake for Democrats in 2026 and explains his increasingly aggressive strategy toward Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices