Episodes

  • How Ukraine became essential to America’s security (with Olga Stefanishyna)

    How Ukraine became essential to America’s security (with Olga Stefanishyna)
    May 22 2026
    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
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    41 mins
  • Wes Moore gets blunt about 2028: I'm hungry, not thirsty | On The Road

    Wes Moore gets blunt about 2028: I'm hungry, not thirsty | On The Road
    May 21 2026
    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
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    57 mins
  • Iran’s exiled crown prince criticizes Trump’s ‘half-baked’ Iran strategy (with Reza Pahlavi)

    Iran’s exiled crown prince criticizes Trump’s ‘half-baked’ Iran strategy (with Reza Pahlavi)
    May 15 2026
    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
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    42 mins
  • Trump is ‘stuck in a stalemate’ in Iran (with Leon Panetta)

    Trump is ‘stuck in a stalemate’ in Iran (with Leon Panetta)
    May 8 2026
    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
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    38 mins
  • Can JB Pritzker be the Democrats’ anti-Trump in 2028? | On The Road

    Can JB Pritzker be the Democrats’ anti-Trump in 2028? | On The Road
    May 5 2026
    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
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Can AI solve the problems it creates? (with David Sacks)

    Can AI solve the problems it creates? (with David Sacks)
    May 1 2026
    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
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    44 mins
  • Behind the velvet rope at White House Correspondents' Dinner (with Tammy Haddad)

    Behind the velvet rope at White House Correspondents' Dinner (with Tammy Haddad)
    Apr 24 2026
    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
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    39 mins
  • Can the GOP pull off a California upset? (with Steve Hilton)

    Can the GOP pull off a California upset? (with Steve Hilton)
    Apr 17 2026
    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
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    36 mins