The Playbook Podcast

Iowa delivered the biggest surprise of the 2026 primary cycle as a Trump-backed candidate, Randy Feenstra, lost for the first time, while Chuck Schumer's Senate pick, Josh Turek, won comfortably. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Dasha Burns dive into all the results from Iowa and New Jersey, and try to make sense of Bill Pulte's sudden move from housing chief to acting Director of National Intelligence.

Six states vote today, with California's governor's race taking center stage. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Dasha Burns discuss the unexpected rise of Xavier Becerra, whether a Republican makes the final ballot, and why Spencer Pratt is somehow in contention for LA mayor. Plus, Marco Rubio and Acting AG Todd Blanche both face tough questioning on the Hill.

Congress returns from recess with several unresolved items on the agenda. Playbook’s Jack Blanchard and Dasha Burns walk through the stalled immigration spending bill, an upcoming war powers vote, and the mood among some Republican senators following the Texas primary. Then, a Democratic Senate primary in Iowa tomorrow and what it signals about Chuck Schumer’s role as a Democratic leader. Plus: the latest on Iran negotiations, which remain at a standstill.

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.

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.