The Conversation with Dasha Burns

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg joins POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin in Traverse City, Michigan, to discuss the future of the Democratic Party and why he believes Democrats can't simply campaign on a return to the pre-Trump status quo.

Buttigieg argues the party needs to "build what's next," weighs in on the Michigan Senate race, reflects on his time in the Biden administration, and shares his vision for institutional reform, AI, economic inequality and the road to 2028. Plus, he gives Jonathan a tour of his adopted hometown—including a stop for Traverse City's famous cherry ice cream.

FCC chairman Brendan Carr sits down with POLITICO's Dasha Burns for a wide-ranging interview on the growing power of the FCC under President Trump. Dasha presses Carr on his warnings that broadcasters could lose their licenses, accusations that the agency is being used to target the president's critics and concerns that the FCC has become increasingly politicized.

Carr also weighs in on what he believes the FCC's role should be in a media landscape increasingly dominated by social media and streaming.

Have thoughts for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.

Rahm Emanuel joins POLITICO's Jonathan Martin at Michael's Original Pizzeria on Chicago's North Side for a wide-ranging conversation about his political future, the Democratic Party's identity crisis and why he's seriously considering a run for president in 2028.



The former Chicago mayor, Obama chief of staff and U.S. ambassador to Japan reflects on the biggest mistakes of both parties, argues Democrats need to win back the political center, weighs in on Israel, China and Donald Trump, and explains why he believes America is at a political turning point.



Plus: Chicago tavern-style pizza, growing up on the North Side and the childhood experience that still drives Emanuel today.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta joins Dasha to explain why he’s trying to block Paramount’s proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, and defends California’s antitrust agenda. He also weighs in on AI regulation, election security and why says his office will keep suing President Trump whenever it believes the law has been broken.

Have thoughts for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.

Abdul El-Sayed – the progressive former public health official running for the Democratic nomination in Michigan's open Senate seat – joins Dasha to explain why he believes "both parties are lying" to working Americans, unleashes on the ‘hypocrisy’ of the Democratic establishment, and defends his record on “Defund the Police,” ICE, socialism and more.

Have thoughts for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at 202-643-1536.