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The Al Franken Podcast

The Al Franken Podcast

By: The Al Franken Podcast
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About this listen

A five-time Emmy winning SNL comedy writer/producer, joins a four-time #1 NYT bestselling author, a three-time highest-rated national progressive radio host, a two-time Grammy winning artist, and a former US Senator. So, it gets a little crowded in the booth when Al talks public policy and sometimes political comedy with notable guests. Think “The Daily” without the resources of the NYTimes.

© 2019
Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Brian Tyler Cohen on The Unpopular Iran War
    Mar 15 2026

    Trump can call it whatever he wants, but we are at war with Iran. Podcast host and YouTube star Brian Tyler Cohen joins us again to break down how Trump has dragged us into this wildly unpopular war. How long will we be there? What are our objectives? And who is behind the bombing of the Iranian girls' school that killed 175 people? Early investigations suggest America is responsible, but Trump blames... the Iranians?

    And the GOP attack on democracy continues as voters become disillusioned with the Trump agenda. Will John Thune and the Republicans blow up the filibuster to pass the SAVE America Act?

    Plus, the gutting of ACA subsidies, Medicaid cuts, food assistance slashed, and how Trump's trade war has made good on absolutely none of his cost-of-living promises.

    SUBSCRIBE to Brian's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/briantylercohen

    LISTEN to Brian’s podcast, “No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/no-lie-with-brian-tyler-cohen/id1515399733

    SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY VISITING OUR SPONSORS:

    Save money on your wireless bill with Mint Mobile. Visit https://www.mintmobile.com/franken. Make sure you tell them you heard about this deal from The Al Franken Podcast!

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    52 mins
  • 2: David Rothkopf and Paul Rieckhoff on The Iran War
    Mar 8 2026

    America is at war with Iran. It's the eighth time that Donald Trump has attacked another country since he began his second term (despite pledging "no new wars" during his campaign). To break it all down, we're joined by foreign affairs expert David Rothkopf and Paul Rieckhoff, Iraq War vet and CEO of the Independent Veterans of America.

    We take a look at the difficult history between America and Iran along with the current military campaign Trump has started in the region. Trump and his administration have yet to outline exactly WHY we are fighting, and with Americans already dying, it's no surprise that this war is extremely unpopular. Not to mention, this is costing our country a billion dollars a day and will only become more expensive as the war expands.

    David and Paul discuss the long term impact this might have for America and the Middle East and how it may escalate in the region and could signal a scary moment for the global nuclear arms race.

    READ David Rothkopf in The Daily Beast: https://www.thedailybeast.com/author/david-rothkopf/

    SUBSCRIBE to David's Substack "Need to Know": https://davidrothkopf.substack.com/

    LISTEN to David’s podcast "Words Matter" with fellow friend of the show Norm Ornstein:
    https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/dsrs-words-matter/id1420216970

    LEARN more about Paul's organization, Independent Veterans of America: https://independentveteransofamerica.org/

    LISTEN to Paul's podcast, Independent Americans: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff/id1457899667

    SUPPORT THE AL FRANKEN PODCAST BY VISITING OUR SPONSORS:

    Refresh your wardrobe with Quince! Get free shipping and 365-Day returns at https://www.quince.com/franken

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    48 mins
  • 1: Ari Berman on Trump’s Plans to Steal the Midterms
    Mar 1 2026

    We're joined by our friend and National Voting Rights Correspondent for Mother Jones, Ari Berman! Ari is here to break down the alarming ways the Trump administration is laying the groundwork to cheat and interfere in the 2026 midterms and what is standing in their way.

    The seizure of ballots from Fulton County, GA is a remarkable escalation of Trump's war against democracy. What could he, Tulsi Gabbard, and the rest of his goons be up to?

    We also do a deep dive on the SAVE America Act and all the ways it would disenfranchise voters. But Ari suggests that it might not have the intended outcome that Trump and the Republicans are hoping for.

    Plus, we get analysis of all of the redistricting happening around the country and how some of Trump's demands could backfire.

    READ Ari’s work in Mother Jones: https://www.motherjones.com/author/ari-berman/

    SUPPORT THE SHOW BY VISITING OUR SPONSORS:

    Visit American Giant to get their Classic Full Zip Hoodie and other cold weather staples. Get 20% off of your first order by entering the code FRANKEN at checkout! https://www.american-giant.com

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    48 mins
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