If last election week ended with a bang for Democrats, this week ended in a whimper with eight Senate Democrats breaking from their party and signing a deal to end the historic government shutdown. And voters are not happy about it. Our Talkin' Politics guest today, Andrew Gillum [former Mayor of Tallahassee and co-host of Native Land Pod], helps S.E. dissect this game of chicken — who won, who lost, and what lessons can Democrats take from these past two weeks as the 2026 elections loom over the broken party. Stay tuned for S.E.'s own hot take — did Democrats even have a shot at winning this fight? And is there potential for any long-term rewards despite blowing their momentum? Make sure to check out what Andrew Gillum and his co-hosts, Angela Rye, Tiffany Cross and Bakari Sellers, have to say about all week's biggest news stories at Native Land Pod.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Mika Brzezinski knows her value
This week, S.E. goes behind the headlines, the camera, and the 5am call time with Mika Brzezinski. The co-host of MSNBC's Morning Joe and founder of the Know Your Value Initiative, Mika talks about her 'rough around the edges' upbringing with her artist mom and DC-insider dad where evenings might have mixed foreign dignitaries and the Pope with sawdust and chainsaws. She also shares her career journey, including the challenges women face in media, the importance of bringing others up, and the mental health challenges of covering the relentless trauma of the news cycle. Also stay tuned for a fun lightning round where a surprise guest shows up!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Sen. Elissa Slotkin: Democrats need to ‘start by shutting up and listening’
This week was a big one for Democrats so S.E. sits down with Michigan Sen. Elissa Slotkin to get her takeaways from Tuesday’s elections, why Democrats need their midwestern cohort now more than ever, and what she’s really thinking about the 2028 race. Then, S.E. weighs in on this question, were these big Democratic wins actually a referendum on Trump? Well, it's complicated. Plus, listener mail!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Janel Moloney is still living in West Wing's world
This week, S.E. gets to indulge in one of her favorite shows, The West Wing, with Janel Moloney, who played Donna Moss across the series' 7 seasons. In this strange new streaming era where the past is present, Janel explains what it's like be on a 25-year-old hit show. Janel brings us back to her early audition days, getting — and not getting — the big breaks, and how she's evolved as a writer and actor since. For more Janel, check out her Substack.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Is Trump planning on a third term?
This week on Talkin’ Politics, S.E. chats with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) about his take on a new generation of leaders (and issues) to carry the Democratic Party into the future. Then, S.E. weighs in on some recent chatter about whether Trump will actually try to break American democracy in order to allow himself to serve a third term in office. (Believe him!) Plus, listener mail!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
S.E. Cupp needs a break -- from the news, from politics, from the triggering headlines and heated discussions … from the mental load of it all. Off the Cupp is just that. It’s a place to get loose and personal, to talk about what’s going on in our lives - beyond (and, yes, maybe because of) the news. Through a lens of mental health, S.E. invites her famous guests — celebrities, athletes, authors, journalists, politicians, reality stars — to share their life stories, their trials and tribulations and to talk about what it’s like living in this world, even when this world can feel like a lot.
USA