The U.S. presidential election is in less than two weeks, and with so much at stake, this “home stretch” can feel particularly excruciating on an existential level.
Whether it’s intense political engagement you’re looking for or an opportunity to step back and see the bigger picture, we’ve rounded up political podcasts that approach election coverage from a variety of different angles, allowing for listeners to engage with updates and analysis in whatever way feels most sustainable to them.
We’ll be frank: there’s no crystal ball here. Across all of these shows there is a distinct sense of uncertainty about the outcome of the election and its aftermath, even amongst experts. But it can still feel empowering to be armed with the most relevant and helpful information. As Americans navigate uncharted waters, the right podcast can serve as, if not the whole lifeboat, then at least a small, useful flotation device.
Whether you consider yourself a novice to electoral politics or a weary veteran, “Election 101” is intended to bring you back to basics. From voter registration to voting by mail to the accuracy of polling, host Kristen Holmes boils down the American electoral process to its nuts and bolts. And the face of wild uncertainty about the outcome of the election, a strong working knowledge of how things are supposed to work can feel empowering, and possibly combat feelings of confusion or helplessness.
Latest episode: Who Should Get Your Vote?
Much like the state that inspired it, “Winning Wisconsin” could be viewed as an underdog among the current political podcasts—but under no circumstances should it be overlooked. Host Grace Lynch does an excellent job contextualizing the myriad factors that led to Trump winning the state in 2016, including the election of former Governor Scott Walker and the rise of conservative media. With Wisconsin poised to repeat its role as a key swing state in the 2020 election, “Winning Wisconsin” is arguably one of the most essential listens of election season, particularly for audiences outside the Midwest who may not be overly familiar with the shapeshifting politics of America’s Dairyland over the past decade.
Latest episode: Milwaukee’s Fight
With “Can He Do That?”, host Allison Michaels nails the question currently underpinning Americans’ collective anxiety. Two weeks before the election, there are so many topics “that” could refer to—and Michaels meticulously addresses each one, serving as a calm proxy for a (likely) frazzled listener. Can Trump push through a Supreme Court confirmation before the election? Can he legally send law enforcement to polling places, as he’s suggested doing? And what would actually happen if Trump refuses to concede a loss in November, and/or vacate the White House in January? As one might imagine, the hypothetical scenarios discussed range anywhere from “extremely worrying” to “outright disturbing” — but Michaels and her guests manage to walk a line that leaves listeners feeling more informed than agitated.
Latest episode: The 2020 election is facing big challenges. Which ones matter most?
“Women Belong in the House” was launched in the leadup to the 2018 midterm elections, when a record number of women ran for Congress. Hosted by Jenny Kaplan, the podcast seeks to understand the state of gender representation in office, and asks the question: how would Congress change if it looked more like the people it represents? Since kicking off the third season in early September, Kaplan has interviewed notable Congresswomen including Rep. Deb Haaland, Rep. Katie Porter, Rep. Lauren Underwood. More recent episodes have focused on the women representing or running for office in key swing states, including Georgia, Florida, Arizona, and Wisconsin. “Women Belong in the House” not only centers and illuminates the stories, achievements, and challenges faced by women in Congress—it also serves as an important reminder that the presidential race is not the only one that deserves our attention and energy over the next two weeks.