Episodes

  • Newsom's Surprise Shake-Up at California’s Education Department

    Newsom's Surprise Shake-Up at California’s Education Department
    Jan 10 2026
    In his final State of the State address, Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed to restructure the California Department of Education by shifting power away from the state superintendent and into the hands of the next governor. Marisa and Guy are joined by Politico's Dustin Gardiner to discuss how the announcement blindsided the current State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond. Then, they talk about the legacy of U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, who died during emergency surgery this week. LaMalfa was a Republican who represented Northern California in Congress for more than a decade and his death leaves Republicans with an even tighter majority in the House of Representatives. Plus, tensions rise between Democratic state officials and the Trump administration following the deadly shooting of a woman by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis. Days later, U.S. border patrol agents shot two people in Portland. Check out ⁠Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter⁠, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    28 mins
  • Newsom Gears Up for his Final Year as Governor

    Newsom Gears Up for his Final Year as Governor
    Jan 9 2026
    Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered his final State of the State address today, defending his record in office and contrasting California's successes to what he called President Trump's "carnival of chaos." Marisa and Guy hear how the address and budget priorities landed with two lawmakers, Santa Cruz Democratic Sen. John Laird and Fresno Republican Asm. David Tangipa. Check out ⁠Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter⁠, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    32 mins
  • Trump's Rare Supreme Court Defeat

    Trump's Rare Supreme Court Defeat
    Jan 7 2026
    The U.S. Supreme Court recently dealt a major loss to President Donald Trump when it ordered him to return control of the Illinois National Guard to the state’s governor. The ruling prompted Trump to relinquish control of California’s and Oregon’s National Guard troops as well. The decision capped a complicated legal fight that began in June, when Trump sent troops into Los Angeles to respond to immigration raid protests. Marisa unpacks the court's decision with Melissa Murray, a New York University law professor and co-host of the Strict Scrutiny podcast. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    32 mins
  • With Trans Athletes Under Attack, What Does Fairness Look Like?

    With Trans Athletes Under Attack, What Does Fairness Look Like?
    Jan 3 2026
    Over the holidays, we’re rebroadcasting some of our favorite interviews from 2025. Cal Calamia is a nonbinary transmasculine runner and an activist who has successfully pushed to create nonbinary running categories in some of the world’s largest marathons. Calamia joins Marisa in studio to dig into the debate over transgender participation in sports. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 mins
  • Should Democrats Reframe Climate Change as an Affordability Issue?

    Should Democrats Reframe Climate Change as an Affordability Issue?
    Dec 31 2025
    Over the holidays, we’re rebroadcasting some of our favorite interviews from 2025. In November, Governor Gavin Newsom was at the COP30 United Nations climate summit in Brazil, where he argued Democrats need to reframe climate change mitigation as an affordability issue. Marisa and Scott are joined by Guy to discuss the politics of energy and how the soaring cost of utilities is becoming a political cudgel. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    31 mins
  • Who Draws the Lines? A History of Gerrymandering

    Who Draws the Lines? A History of Gerrymandering
    Dec 27 2025
    Over the holidays, we’re rebroadcasting some of our favorite interviews from 2025. President Donald Trump this summer set off an unusual mid-decade redistricting scramble after he asked Republican-led states to redraw their congressional districts to give the GOP more seats in Congress. California Democrats responded with their own new map, which voters approved through Proposition 50 in November. Scott and Marisa discuss the history of gerrymandering with Los Angeles Times writer James Rainey, taking us back to an earlier era when it was a regular part of California’s political landscape. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    31 mins
  • How Alameda County’s DA Would Handle Federal Troops in Oakland

    How Alameda County’s DA Would Handle Federal Troops in Oakland
    Dec 24 2025
    Over the holidays, we’re rebroadcasting some of our favorite interviews from 2025. After Alameda County recalled progressive District Attorney Pamela Price last year, the Board of Supervisors appointed Superior Court Judge Ursula Jones Dickson to replace her. Since taking office, Jones Dickson has reversed some of her predecessor’s more liberal policies toward prosecutions. She joins Scott in studio to talk about her approach to criminal justice and public safety and the threat of President Trump’s troop deployment to Oakland. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    32 mins
  • The Political Year in Retrospect

    The Political Year in Retrospect
    Dec 20 2025
    This year in politics, President Donald Trump deployed National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles, Oakland and San Francisco received new mayors and a redistricting battle reshaped the state’s congressional map. Scott and Marisa are joined by the San Francisco Chronicle's senior political writer Joe Garofoli to analyze the year's top political stories. Plus, they look ahead to 2026, when the race of governor of California heats up and competitive midterm elections will determine control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    31 mins