The Conversation with Dasha Burns

Dasha sits down with Finnish President Alexander Stubb in Helsinki for a wide-ranging conversation on NATO, Russia's war in Ukraine, Iran and the future of America's relationships with allies around the world. 

Stubb, who has developed an unusually close personal relationship with Donald Trump, discusses how he approaches the president behind closed doors, why he believes Ukraine has the upper hand in the war against Russia and how he remains confident in NATO's future.

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

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Jack Schlossberg joins Dasha to talk about his campaign for New York’s 12th congressional district, his viral online persona and why he thinks Democrats need to be more “controversial” in the Trump era. 

Schlossberg discusses what he says Democrats got wrong in 2024, why he believes attention is political power, how the party can reach young male voters, and why he sees himself as part of a new generation trying to change Democratic politics. He also weighs in on his Kennedy family legacy, RFK Jr., Israel and Gaza, impeachment, super PAC spending, and why he says he has “no...

At POLITICO’s Energy Summit, Dasha presses EPA administrator Lee Zeldin on rising gas prices, the war in Iran, Trump’s energy dominance agenda, coal, AI data centers, and whether the EPA has a responsibility to address climate change.

Zeldin defends his approach, arguing that the EPA can protect the environment while growing the economy and rejects the idea that his agency should lead the fight against climate change – unless Congress tells him to.

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Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong sits down with Dasha for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of crypto, the growing political influence of the industry, and his vision for a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. 

Plus, he responds to JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon’s recent attack, after Dimon called him “full of s--t,” and explains why he’s still “a little perplexed” by the personal animosity.

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

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Every week on this show, Dasha Burns talks to the most compelling and sometimes unexpected power players in Washington and beyond. But for this special first anniversary episode, she turned the microphone over to you … our listeners. 

“How do you prepare for high-stakes interviews?” 

“Why has Washington left Gen Z behind?”

“How has covering politics changed you?” 

Dasha answers your burning questions, weighing in on everything from the most interesting under-the-radar character at the White House to why her news diet is a “hot mess.”  

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Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-Pa.) sits down with POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin at Angelo’s Pizzeria, a South Philly institution, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of the Democratic party, rising cynicism in American politics and the growing speculation around his political future in 2028.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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...

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.

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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.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) joins POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin at the Masters to talk Trump, 2028 and the upcoming Georgia Senate race. Plus: Kemp on EVs, economic policy and why he’s staying focused on 2026 — not the White House. 

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Former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) – the MAGA acolyte-turned-antagonist who resigned from Congress after a public and messy fight with Donald Trump – joins “The Conversation” to talk about the war in Iran, why she thinks the GOP will be “slaughtered” in the midterms and her desire to build a new political coalition in America.

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Artemis II has launched around the moon. Now, NASA has its sights set on Mars. NASA administrator and billionaire private astronaut Jared Isaacman sat down with POLITICO's Dasha Burns at Kennedy Space Center to talk about NASA’s ambitious plans to build a moon base, sending humans to Mars, his relationship with Elon Musk and why we could all have 3D-printed spare livers in our fridge someday.

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Andy Beshear is the most popular Democratic governor in the country – in a state Donald Trump won by more than 30 points in 2024.

He explains why he believes a President JD Vance could be “more damaging than Trump”, lays out his playbook for winning back voters in Trump country, and calls out the litmus test he thinks Democrats should abandon.

Can a Democrat who wins in deep-red Kentucky translate that success nationally? Beshear argues why someone like him may have an advantage at the top of the Democratic ticket in 2028.

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Today, we're bringing you an episode from our new show, On the Road. California Gov. Gavin Newsom sat down with POLITICO’s Jonathan Martin for a wide-ranging conversation about the personal experiences that shaped his political career.

A leading potential contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, Newsom has been raising his national profile by taking on President Donald Trump and traveling to key early primary states while promoting his new memoir.

In the interview with Martin, Newsom reflects on his upbringing, outlines what he sees at stake for Democrats in 2026 and explains hi...

When Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) won his Senate seat in 2024, he outperformed Kamala Harris in one of the closest battleground states in the country. 

Now that he’s in Washington, Gallego’s background is particularly relevant at this moment in politics. With the Iran War intensifying, Gallego offers his perspective as an Iraq War veteran on Trump’s military operation.  And as a Latino Democratic senator of a border state, Gallego has a distinctive outlook on immigration, with criticism for his own party as well as the GOP. 

Sen. Gallego sat down with POLITICO’s Dasha Burns...

Today, we're bringing you an episode from POLITICO's latest show, On The Road with Jonathan Martin.

In episode one, JMart sits down with Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders for a lively conversation about politics, leadership and life growing up in a political family. From her time as White House Press Secretary to leading Arkansas today, Sanders shares insights on the Republican Party, U.S.-Israel security and the memories that shaped her journey—all while enjoying some of the state’s best barbecue. 

You can find more episodes of On The Road on Apple, Spotify, or Yo...

Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) is a young rising star in the Republican Party. She sits down with POLITICO’s Dasha Burns to talk about how the war against Iran could affect Americans at home and the urgency of the midterm elections for the Republican Party. Britt also gets candid about her unique relationship with the White House and what it was like having Scarlett Johansson play her on SNL.

And later on the show, Dasha breaks down the exciting Texas primary elections with a panel of journalists. Elaine Godrey of “The Atlantic,” Gabby Birenbaum of “Th...

Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) joins POLITICO's Dasha Burns on "The Conversation" and responds to President Trump's State of the Union address. Slotkin lays out her vision for the future of the Democratic Party, which could be a Project 2029 for the party. The two also discuss the upcoming midterms and much more.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joins POLITICO’s Dasha Burns to discuss the United States’ role in ending the war, where Europe fits into the equation, and his frank thoughts on Russians living abroad.

Then, CNN’s chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward calls in from Ukraine to discuss the current climate in the country and how the Ukrainian people are doing.

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Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) sat down with POLITICO's Dasha Burns on "The Conversation" for a wide-ranging discussion covering his stance on immigration and ICE, voter ID, Israel and where he sees himself within the Democratic Party.

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Venezuelan politician and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado says that Venezuela could have a new democratic election in less than a year. The Nobel Peace Prize winner joins POLITICO’s Dasha Burns for “The Conversation” in a compelling interview that occurred exactly one month after the US captured Venezuelan’s authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro. Machado opens up about her hopes for the nation’s future– and what her own path forward may be.

Plus, progressive political YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen sits down with Dasha to unpack the increasingly blurry line between journalism and content creation. He also shares...

Senator Thom Tillis calls for the resignation of Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller in a forthright interview with Dasha Burns for “The Conversation.” The North Carolina Republican made his comments after the shootings of two citizens by ICE agents in Minneapolis earlier this year. In a wide-ranging discussion, Tillis talked about tariffs, his hopes for President Trump and his worries for the future of the Republican Party.

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent spoke with POLITICO's Dasha Burns at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in our first episode of 2026. The two spoke just after President Trump's speech that riled U.S. allies. Burns and Bessent spoke on tariffs, Greenland, America's changing role in the global economy and much more.

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Happy holidays! "The Conversation" will return with a new season in January 2026. In the meantime, listen to some of the most memorable moments from the show in 2025 — including our interviews with President Donald Trump, Texas state representative and U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico (D), Trump 2024 and RNC Political Director James Blair, President of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Richard Grenell and Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.). 

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Gates Foundation co-founder Bill Gates joined POLITICO’s Dasha Burns on this week’s episode of The Conversation to discuss his continued support for vaccine philanthropy, the impact of government aid cuts in global health, AI, vaccine skepticism and much more. The interview took place shortly after the release of The Gates Foundation’s Goalkeepers Report projects, which predicts that child deaths will rise in 2025 for the first time this century.

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In this special edition of The Conversation, President Donald Trump sits down with POLITICO’s Dasha Burns at the White House to discuss his global influence, especially his involvement in trying to end the Ukraine-Russia war and his evolving relationship with America’s longtime allies in Europe and beyond. Plus, they discuss the situation in Venezuela, domestic issues like affordability and rising healthcare costs and more.

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U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer is no stranger to President Donald Trump’s tariff-forward trade agenda. Greer served as chief of staff to Robert Lighthizer, the U.S. Trade Representative in Trump’s first administration. But now, it’s Greer who’s at the helm of the president’s tariff implementation strategy — one that has drawn both criticism and praise from surprising places. 

“I've also had members of Congress come to me, people who maybe weren't fans of tariffs two years ago, and they said, ‘This is actually real money that's coming in that can be used to pay down...

Dan Driscoll made history earlier this year when, at 38, he was sworn in as the youngest Army secretary in U.S. history.

And he just made news again this week when he became the highest-level Trump administration official to visit Kyiv for the White House’s secret peace talks in effort to end Russia’s war on Ukraine. Driscoll joined high-level talks with Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as news broke about a potential peace deal on the horizon.

Driscoll is a veteran of the Iraq War, and as a...

Rep. Seth Moulton (D–Mass.) is not one to shy away from criticism of his own party. He made waves in the past when he insisted that the Democrats’ approach to dialogue on transgender issues was stifling. Moulton has also been vocal about the need for generational change in an aging Washington. 

This time, the Massachusetts congressman is speaking out about the deal that ended the longest government shutdown in history. And how Senate Democrats missed an opportunity to extend the Affordable Care Act subsidies

“If Republicans were somehow gaining advantage here, if the polling was shi...

New Jersey’s governor-elect Mikie Sherrill and James Blair, the political director for the Trump 2024 Campaign and the RNC, break down the lessons learned from this week’s Democratic sweep 

Election Night 2025 was a sweet one for Democrats nationwide. Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayoral race. Former congresswoman Abigail Spanberger clinched the Virginia gubernatorial contest. California Governor Gavin Newsom’s Prop 50 initiative passed, paving the way for redistricting reform across the country.

And, by a double-digit margin, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) is now the Governor-elect of New Jersey. The Navy helicop...

Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) hasn’t been in Congress for very long, but she’s transformed the way that Democrats are communicating with voters and energized her colleagues in the party. 

Crockett is known for her willingness to frankly engage with Republican counterparts from Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green all the way to President Donald Trump. And while some critics in the Democratic Party worry that her way of messaging might alienate swing voters, Crockett says her fellow Democrats are recruiting her to stump for them all over the country.

“I think at the end of the...

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) is known for being a firebrand when it comes to his conservative, small-government principles. He’s also known for being a longtime supporter of President Donald Trump, despite taking issue with some of the president’s policies.

But Paul takes issue with being what he says is the only Republican willing to stand up to Trump and his latest moves which, according to Senator Paul, fly in the face of GOP principles and campaign promises.

Most recently, he was concerned over his Republican colleagues’ hesitation to con...

Nationwide, state and local officials are pushing back against President Trump’s plans to send the National Guard into various Democratic-run cities for crime and immigration enforcement support. One of the top Democrats leading the resistance is Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. 

Trump has recently said that he believes Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson should be arrested for what he believes is mismanagement of the Windy City.

“Should we have a president who is threatening to jail his political opponents with no evidence of any wrongdoing, just that we oppose what he's trying to do to ou...

Dan Rayfield is Oregon’s attorney general — and the latest state-level politician to be thrust into the national spotlight by a legal clash with the Trump administration. In this instance, it’s over the federal government ordering troops into Portland, where protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been deemed rebellion by the president. 

I would invite anybody to come to Oregon and I think it's pretty clear that there isn't an invasion going on in Oregon,” Rayfield says. “Sometimes I'll joke the only rebellion going on right now is when I tried to feed my son a vegetable...

Kevin Hassett is the director of the National Economic Council and arguably the economist closest to President Donald Trump. Right now, he’s also one of the top advisers tasked with explaining the economic fallout of the government shutdown and forging a path forward.

Hassett joins POLITICO’s Dasha Burns for this week’s episode of The Conversation, where he talks about the shutdown standoff on Capitol Hill, when Americans should start feeling the benefits of Trump’s big tax bill and how the trade wars may affect the midterms. 

“The really striking thing is that the pl...