Podcast for America

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A new show from Panoply about the human feeding frenzy that is Washington during a presidential campaign cycle, with Alex Wagner, host of MSNBC's "Now with Alex Wagner," Mark Leibovich, New York Times Magazine's national correspondent and author of "This Town," and Annie Lowrey, contributing editor at New York Magazine.

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Recent Reviews
  • Mdb97agm
    Please come back!!!
    Please come back!! Nothing has replaced you guys and I miss you.
  • Arthur9nine
    What's taking so long ?
    Hello! where are are you guys? where are the new episodes? I'm waiting.
  • SingeVert
    Yes! Keep ‘em coming.
    [updated 012316] I loved this podcast! Please bring it back! I’m a long-time Political Gabfest fan, so naturally I wondered why Slate/Panoply needed something so seemingly duplicative. Well, I’m hooked. These three are pedigreed political scribes and, frankly, a lot funnier than the Gabfest team (who I do love, but Emily who I truly have a crush on is just painfully unfunny). This podcast really is bringing something fresh to the forum—it’s not a replacement for the Gabfest, it’s complementary—and it’s got a bit more of an edge too. Keep it going guys, keep it loose and freewheeling as you have. And Mark, give us a bit more of the salacious tidbits that you know you love.
  • ThusSpokeZarathustra
    Don't leave me, PFA.
    Alex, Mark, and Annie have provided me with hours of laughter while I toiled away in my lab. Their wit and intelligence has made me long for a better trivia team for Geeks who Drink Tuesdays. I guess I'll just have to shamelessly creep their Twitter feeds and reread Mark's books.
  • Politics Podcast Fan
    #missyouguys
    Are you really donzo, tho???
  • Politicon
    We will miss you
    From your huge fans at Politicon, we will really miss you :( Please come back as soon as you can.
  • Jsingh1985
    😀
    Really liked the show, no way for it to come back?
  • Mila T
    Podcast for America
    I am a political junkie and I listen to several political podcasts but Podcast for America is my favorite. The hosts, Alex Wagner, Mark Leibovich and Annie Lowry, are informative, funny and irreverent. I love the insider viewpoint. It always feels like I'm in the know, hearing their "real" views in contrast to the more careful version that they might give on MSNBC or in the New York Times. Plus, I miss seeing Alex Wagner on TV regularly. "Now" was one of my favorites. Please say you are coming back! In the meantime, I eagerly wait for your next Podcast for America.
  • ze_shark
    Must listen
    Podcasts are as good as their hosts, and Podcast for America's hosts are very good. Leibovich's grounded no-nonsense analysis, Alex Wagner's wit, Annie Lawrey's funny too and even the occasional Mike Pesca manages to be less annoying and more interesting than on his own podcast. I was wondering whether there was room for another political podcast beside the Gabfest, and pleasantly surprised by the few episodes I started binge-listening. This is more energetic and irreverant than the Gabfest, and therefore a good complement to it.
  • Greens&Beans
    Funny and different
    As a long time follower of the Political Gabfest, I find Podcast for America a bit more amusing and funny- I will keep listening.
  • Lovesdesign44
    Love these guys
    I listen to a lot of political podcasts, from The Weeds (very policy heavy) to So That Happened (funny and in-depth policy discussions), Left, Right, Center, and on and on and on. I love Podcast for America. Its amusing and love the insiders view of the beltway
  • Mbaquino
    Amusing and Irreverent
    Its a good dose of irreverence in a landscape of overly serious political podcasts. Best part is that Annie Alex and Mark actually know what they’re talking about. Its nice to hear what reporters have to say when they, so to speak, let their hair down.
  • Drek0002
    I tried to like it
    I really enjoyed the book by Mark Leibovitz about insider DC, so thought I would enjoy this. Unfortunately, after a month plus of listening I have to admit it's not that good. Segments are too short to allow any detailed discussion, and then they are shortened further by the banter that is pretty lame. And a big pet peeve-- the constant interrupting each other. I could watch TV for that.
  • Nicky Rivera
    Fun, Smart, platform for a younger group of voices
    Always good to have Alex Wagner offering her insightful and witty prose! (MSNBC is not quite the same without her).
  • slob on a blog
    Mediocre at best
    There's a saying that Washington D.C. is Hollywood for ugly people. I have no idea what Leibovich, Lowrey, and Wagner look like but the sentiment of that expression applies to this show. This is pure beltway inside-baseball, a liberal gossip-fest that hardly rises above the discrusive level of undergrad poli-sci majors at a third-rate university. Even if you do love to hear process stories from the sausage factory, these three are nowhere close to the best in that business and don't hold a candle to the likes of John Dickerson or Ken Rudin. I'm a progressive too, but it sure would be nice to hear some divergent viewpoints on this show. The hosts take for granted that all listeners are like-minded, east coast liberals and thus they assume the audience pretty much agrees with every utterance. This show exemplifies the left's smugness that conservatives so often criticize.
  • Talinsp
    Smart and interesting
    I love Alex, Annie and the third guy. I wish it was longer and more frequent.
  • JillSusan49
    This is a great podcast!
    I'm a huge Mark Leibovich fan and really enjoy hearing his point of view. He KNOWS Washington DC and the political scene well. The rest of the gang is good as well so this podcast is well worth your time if you're a political junkie like me.
  • STEPHEN THE KENT
    Change of pace
    It's a much needed change of pace in my Podcast consumption. It's shamelessly liberal, childish at times but endearing. KCRW left right and center offers the most substance but Podcast for America highlights some insiders enjoying themselves and the field.
  • KeeshK
    Must Listen!
    This is one of my weekly "must listen" podcasts. Equal parts insightful, goofy, anecdotal, and clever. The three hosts don't take themselves too seriously but they clearly care about and are knowledgable about their topics. It's like listening to your friends talk about politics-- that is, if your friends are highly respected and well-connected journalists.
  • The BEST of all podcasts
    Smart but not that funny...
    I started listening because I wanted more shows like the slate political gabfest. This almost does the trick but it seems like they haven't hit their stride as a group yet. They have interesting things to say but the jokes and chatter are too plentiful, not funny, and the laughter seems forced. But I'll keep listening for the content and hope the conversation gets better soon!
  • Jennofa
    Add it to your roster
    It's smart, it's snarky. I like hearing their takes on the news of the day. It's not in depth like the Political Gabfest - it's like the Gabfest's younger sister- funnier, sharper, shorter.
  • lens_hood
    Lenshood
    Irreverent, funny and smart. I listen to lots of podcasts and this one is one of my favorites. I enjoy the snarky interaction between the commentators. You get a great insight into how political journalists look at the personalities and the parties. Not taking everything so seriously is refreshing.
  • Hansisgreat
    Totally juvenile
    When will the cast of Podcast for America have their 11th birthday? Listen to them giggle like schoolchildren as they make poop and pee jokes that a fifth grader would find childish and tiresome. They recently dedicated an entire segment to silly puns. The next episode they made profanity laced diatribes, yukking it up the whole time. Not only was it not news, it wasn't even funny. Additionally, they are constantly interrupting one another and their guests, talking over each other. Until they grow up and decide to have a serious, adult discussion, I'll stick to Slate's Political Gabfest or KCRW's Left Right and Center.
  • DrDave91
    Lighthearted insight
    The regulars--Alex Wagner, Annie Lowrey, and Mark Leibovich--are all smart political reporters. But the gist of this podcast is that what they discuss is what they might be talking about if they were pouring a couple back at their favorite pub. I enjoy it. It's light, it's refreshing, and you get to hear Alex Wagner say, "F*ck" relatively often.
  • The man's man's man
    Really good but..
    I really like the podcast but can you guys please do a podcast where all three of you are on it...
  • CA_dave
    Podcast for America
    Marginally interesting political discussions marred, like most Panoply podcasts, by vulgar language. Has everyone with taste decamped from NY? I unsubscribed.
  • Drchu1
    Really entertaining and informative!
    This podcast is different from some other political podcasts I listen to in that it is fast paced and more irreverent. The three pundits on the show are all smart, informed and hilarious while still providing insightful and witty assessments of the presidential campaign. I have a feeling that I will be relying on them as things move along for both understanding the campaign better and for some comic relief! Highly recommend.
  • Redbankr
    Straight Talk from the Sausage Inspectors
    I am consistently delighted by this podcast. And in light of the recent revelations about Hilary's numerous correspondents, their earlier insight into Sidney Blumenthal stands as a PSA of the first order.
  • Steve3604
    Needs an Editor
    Apparently this is a group of actual journalists, who, given the freedom of a podcast have trouble staying on topic. Expect quite a bit of talk that veers off on a tangent and some yammering on about nothing. Somewhere in there there might be an insightful thought, but don't expect too many.
  • Itsa Robbery
    Wasn’t for me...
    Imagine a group of people who think they are smarter than everyone else and who think they know what’s best for you and the country better than you do. Imagine ignorance. Well…. there’s no need to imagine any of these things because there’s a podcast for it or…. for America as it were. I would rather listen to nails on a chalkboard. Thanks but no thanks...
  • Sharkasaurusrex
    Smart but cynical
    These three know a lot about politics and they're all insiders of one form or another. They also get top guests. I find their perspectives enlightening. My only complaint is that they come across as very cynical and snarky. Maybe it's because they've been inside for so long and they're writing about process, but they sneer at everybody, which can get tiring.
  • Andysays
    RIYL: Conventional Wisdom
    Nothing original here. I had high hopes, given Alex Wagner's participation, but the other two muck it up. The male cohost is especially egregious. Great if you like conventional wisdom, establishment thinking, and thought-free punditry. For example, it is assumed and declared often that Hillary Clinton will be the Democratic nominee. This despite the reality of Sanders's leads in New Hampshire and Iowa. Maddening.
  • Saeed19
    Entertaining and informative; could be better
    Annie, Alex and Mark have great chemistry and each bring a lot to the table. They are all very smart, funny, plugged in and have a great on-air ("on-net"?) presence. However, I think this podcast needs to establish its own identity better to differentiate itself from some of the other Slate/Panoply offerings, particularly the well-established political and cultural gabfests. I would like them to focus a bit more on the real issues vs. the horse race or Washington Gossip (since it is the podcast for "America" after all). For example, it would be nice if they went a bit deeper into issues that are affecting us like climate change, incarceration rates, poverty, race-relations, rather than the discussing the horse-races and what everyone is saying about them. When discussing presidential candidates, they could focus on what is really going on and what electing these candidates may actually mean (there are currently wide differences between the two parties and if a republican vs. a democrat is elected could mean a very different future for the United States and the world), rather than the latest scandal of the week or what the media talk is about. They tend to go along with the daily media narratives, rather than going deeper and exposing the longer term themes. I know they are all capable of this just based on their credentials and obvious intelligence, so it's disappointing. In summary, this is a fun podcast, but there may be better options, even within the Slate World (or Monocle's Midori House, or the New Yorker's Political Scene): the Political, Cultural and Money Gabfests all do their topics better service. I remain optimistic though, that given the calibre of the three hosts of the podcast for America, and their tremendous rapport with each other, a slight change in focus towards going deeper may make this a really great podcast.
  • Joanie 111
    Here for the Ladies
    I was so excited when I found out Alex Wagner and Annie Lowrey were doing a podcast together because I think they're both incredible. Mark, you're okay. Reverse sexism aside, Alex, Mark, and Annie are three people who truly know what they're talking about and it's so great that we get to hear them pick each other's brains. They're still finding their footing in terms of podcast ettiquite, but there's so much time until November 2016, so I'm not terribly worried. A great podcast, 10/10, would recommend.
  • marnweeks
    Alex Wagner & Co
    Yes, I am mainly here for Alex, but loving the whole gang. Thoughtful analysis, clever and witty -- which we need at election time.
  • AronBlaine
    Insightful. Knowledgeable. Annoying
    Smart, in-the-know people, but man I wish they wouldn’t talk over each other all the time...
  • PjwAmw
    Don't waste your time.
    I've been listening for a few weeks and won't again. There is nothing newsworthy here, just tabloid headlines and Clinton bashing. I wouldn't grant these cranks access to my campaign either.
  • Overminer1979
    Not Slate's best effort
    This falls quite a bit short of Slate's other podcasts
  • McManusMary
    So boring
    This show is not for me.
  • egad-alas
    fun, leftist, enjoyable, but….
    Annie’s vocal fry? and her voice? and always ending her sentences as a question? Make me either want to tear out my earbuds, or drive them through my ear canals and end it all.
  • Altadena ca
    Smart and Funny
    But what else are they going to aspire for? Insightful too, which is kind of a bonus. Also, I like that they seem like they are trying to convey honest opinions, even if the one of them wouldn’t say where she thought Trump would be in the polls two months hence. (Nowhere is the answer.) Politicians duck questions, why can’t journalists. It is a great discussion and I look forward to it.
  • VBinNV
    It’s Great, but...
    …Slate needs to put this on its Slate Plus feed (Slate is horrible about doing this with other podcasts as well). Good, timely and interesting political conversation.
  • RaoulRiPhone
    Empty Talk, No Prep, Killing Time
    Three people who like their jobs and are very proud of themselves get to kill a half hour together making quick asides and snap judgments. What's clear is that very little preparation goes into this show and these bubbly people don't actually have that much to say.
  • N7702Y
    Getting much better
    Wagner, Leibovich and Lowrey are all experienced journalists and witty observers and commentors on the Washington political scene, and the topics are timely and interesting. It's taken a while, but the technical issues (audio quality, editing) are getting much better. On substance, with the July 14, 2015 episode the three hosts finally got past a lot of talking over each other with inside jokes and really got into the substance of the campaign with one of the best discussions on Sanders' challenge to Clinton and the relationship of Democrats in general and the Clintons in particular to Wall Street. If you tried it early on and didn't like it, it's worth another listen.
  • Cadubcl
    Needs more diverse opinions to be interesting
    Alex wagner is neither funny nor says anything interesting, mostly snark. I've been trying to like but don't think I'll stick with it. The best episode so far was when Leibovitch was out a Mike Pesca substituted. Not because there's anything wrong with Leibovitch but because there was someone with a bit more centrist opinions that challenged Alex wagner, which this show needs more.
  • Abcmonet
    Makes me laugh
    I like the personalities and voices of these folks. Awesome!
  • Lhducbwbud
    Fun
    Although I automatically lose respect for any podcasts that lets Mike Pesca guest (whhhhhhhhyyyyy all of you, why?) this is a fun podcast for the political need. Alex, don't talk over everyone!
  • shades_of_grey
    Useless
    I look for an informative and educational “news I can use” type of podcast. I don’t mind humor when it helps but I find political gossip the worst in useless political coverage. This show exemplifies it. CJR recently posted a commentary about how journalists have been covering Senator Sanders run for president. This podcast had an episode that covered “Bernie-mentum” but it really didn’t inform regarding the senator and was rather dismissive. It fit CJR’s profile. Politicians running for office are candidates for a job. Why can’t journalists cover politicians like they are agents for employers evaluating candidates? I want to know their qualifications, their past behavior and their likely future behavior. What issues do they consistently support and why? Most journalists are useless at that kind of coverage and it’s frustrating. At least with Slate’s Political Gabfest I get good legal analysis of constitutional issues.
  • bikebmoreb
    Not actual news or commentary, so I guess it is for America...
    Two episodes of this worthless show were enough. Covering the least relevant aspects of the presidential candidates at a time when commentators could be helping influence voters to shape agendas and policies. Better to listen to the Majority Report twice than bother with this podcast.
  • Bubba McNookie
    Abolish Low Talking!
    I'm really enjoying this new podcast. It's a little like the Slate Political Gabfest after a few drinks. But one thing that bugs me is Mark's alternatingly low voice. The register of his voice often drops so low that I can't hear it through my car speakers. And then when I turn the volume up, he hits me with his super loud middle range voice. Please fix the audio in ProTools or just ask Mark to drop the low talking.
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