Press Advance with Johanna Maska

On this episode, host Johanna Maska, and Press Advance's lead producer Christine Baratta look back on the impact of former President Barack Obama’s iconic 2004 convention speech 20 years ago, which inspired Johanna to join his 2008 presidential campaign in Iowa. They also discuss the significance of political discourse in shaping our democracy and provide a preview into the podcast’s transition to...

On this episode, host Johanna Maska talks with Press Advance's lead producer Christine Baratta to discuss Vice President Kamala Harris's announcement of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. They dive into why Walz was an unexpected pick, what he means to rural voters, and why he and JD Vance are more alike than expected.  Walz passed the vibe check—but does this mean he can win over th...

On this episode, host Johanna Maska breaks down this week's biggest political news with former acting Chief of Staff in the Trump White House, Mick Mulvaney, and Democratic strategist Michael Hardaway, who most recently worked with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. They discuss President Biden's push for Supreme Court reforms, backlash over JD Vance's resurfaced comments that "childless cat l...

In this week's episode, Johanna Maska speaks with national security experts Olivia Troye and Dr. Evelyn Farkas from the sidelines of the NATO summit in Washington. They discuss the potential direction of foreign policy in a new presidential administration and who from Donald Trump's circle might be involved if he wins a second term. Since their conversation, there has been a whirlwind of political...

As the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee takes up oxygen this week, Democrats are having tough conversations, including whether President Joe Biden could have another troubling debate. On this week's episode, host Johanna Maska talks with 21-year-old TikTok influencer Harry Sisson who is one of Biden's fiercest supporters online. Sisson believes that the 81-year-old President—who was bor...

On this week's episode host Johanna Maska and producer Christine Baratta talk from the sidelines of NATO in Washington about the President's current situation. Anticipating what the White House is calling a "big boy press conference," so dubbed by a reporter, Republicans are planning their convention and Democrats are wondering about theirs. Which is why Maska also speaks to Democratic Strategist...

On this week's episode, host Johanna Maska speaks with Will and Chris, two undecided voters from the key battleground state of Wisconsin. These voters are also known as double haters—dissatisfied with both candidates—but are crucial for the Biden and Trump campaigns as they try to win over independent voters in November. They discuss the issues driving their vote, how they engage in political conv...

On this bonus episode of Press Advance, host Johanna Maska, and producer Christine Baratta break down the truth about last night's shocking presidential debate with the two oldest presidential candidates in United States history—Joe Biden and Donald Trump. They discuss President Biden's disastrous performance, Democrats' secret discussions about replacing him on the ballot, and which other candida...

On this week's episode, host Johanna Maska speaks with a political panel featuring presidential campaign veterans Democrat Joan Kato, who worked for Bernie Sanders and President Barack Obama, and Republican Lauren Zelt, who worked for Mitt Romney and Chirs Christie, to talk about what's at stake in this week's upcoming presidential debate between President Joe Biden and Donald Trump. They discuss...

On this week's episode, host Johanna Maska speaks with a political panel featuring Democrat Ameshia Cross, who worked in the Obama White House, and Republican Tomi Lahren, the host of "Tomi Lahren is Fearless." They discuss this week's political news, including Donald Trump's visit to a Black church in Michigan—in front of a mostly white audience and his proposal for tax-free tips for service work...

On this week's episode, host Johanna Maska breaks down cable news’ coverage and political disconnect between the Hunter Biden and Donald Trump guilty verdicts with a political panel featuring Republican strategist Denise Gitsham, who worked in the Bush administration and Democratic strategist Michael Hardaway, who most recently worked with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. They also discuss o...

On this week's episode, host Johanna Maska breaks down the fallout from Donald Trump's guilty verdict with a political panel featuring Desiree Barnes, who worked in President Obama’s Press Office, Danielle Cendejas, a Partner for the Strategy Group and former Obama campaign organizer, and Brittany Martinez, a former aide to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. They discuss what it means for America to po...

On this week's episode, host Johanna Maska speaks with a political panel featuring Samantha Dravis, who worked in the Bush and Trump administrations, Tim Miller, host of The Bulwark podcast and former Communications Director for Jeb Bush's 2016 presidential campaign, and Joan Kato who worked with President Obama and Senator Bernie Sanders. They discuss frustration with the two-party system and how...

On this week’s episode host Johanna Maska talks leads a political panel with Democratic strategist Michael Starr Hopkins and Republican strategist Mehek Cooke and they talk — sports. Specifically they get into Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butler’s widely criticized comments regarding women’s careers, LGBTQ+ rights and President Joe Biden’s faith. After they kick that off, Maska, Hopkins, and...

On this week's episode, host Johanna Maska speaks with a political panel featuring Morgan Ortagus, who served as the State Department Spokesperson under President Donald Trump, and Lindsay Scola, a veteran of the Obama White House who also worked at the US Mission to the UN with Ambassador Susan Rice. The panel discusses the state of speech on college campuses and the divisions over the Biden admi...

After Pro-Palestinian campus protests have shut down commencements and sent students home, Johanna Maska takes a step back in Press Advance to speak to an expert who spent his life trying to negotiate peace in the Middle East. In this wide-ranging discussion, Ambassador Dennis Ross discusses the history of tensions, US policy towards the Middle East, and how student protesters could use their ener...

On this week's episode, host Johanna Maska speaks with Kristen Hawn, who served as the chief political advisor to the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of more than 50 moderate Democrats in the House of Representatives. They discuss the defense of indefensible actions by politicians in a post-Trump era, the continued criticism of Kristi Noem and whether she lied about meeting North Korean leader Kim Jun...

On this week's episode, host Johanna Maska speaks with a political panel featuring Democratic strategist Michael Starr Hopkins and veteran Republican campaign operative Matt Gorman. They discuss the state of the free and fair press, and President Biden's fight with The New York Times. The panel also shares thoughts on underreported races, including Congressman Colin Allred's bid to unseat Senator...

On this week's episode, host Johanna Maska speaks with a political panel featuring Democratic strategist Michael Starr Hopkins and Boyd Matheson, former Chief of Staff for U.S. Senator Mike Lee of Utah (R). They discuss pushback from Democrats and Republicans over threats to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson, politics in the office and whether it should be off limits, and heightened tensions on coll...

On this week's episode, host Johanna Maska speaks with a political panel featuring Adam Hodge, former Spokesperson for the National Security Council in the Biden administration, and Amy Tarkanian, former Chairwoman of the Nevada State Republican Party. They discuss the White House response to Iran's drone and missile strikes against Israel and pushback from the progressive wing of the Democratic p...

This week's episode features "A Fair and Free Press? A Debate on the Role of Media in 2024 Politics," which was held Tuesday April 9 with Press Advance host Johanna Maska and Sean Spicer, a former White House Press Secretary in the Trump administration. The discussion was moderated by six-time Emmy award-winning journalist and former NBC 6 Miami news anchor Willard Shepard. Maska and Spicer discus...

This week's Press Advance episode is dropping a little later this week. It will feature host Johanna Maska and Sean Spicer, former White House Press Secretary in the Trump administration, debating the role of network news and social media in this election cycle and how they drive political polarization. You won't want to miss it. Check back here on Thursday to hear the full discussion.   Learn mor...

On this week's Press Advance, Johanna Maska welcomes Obama administration colleague and friend Deesha Dyer, who served as the White House Social Secretary, to discuss her new book, "Undiplomatic: How My Attitude Created the Best Kind of Trouble." Deesha discusses her unexpected journey—from being a skeptical political observer to serving in a senior role in the Obama administration. She talks abou...

Press Advance producer Christine Baratta joins Johanna Maska to discuss the rollout of former RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel as an NBC contributor amid an outcry from network staffers questioning her credibility and past support for Donald Trump. Plus, we talk with Gina McCarthy, who served as the first White House National Climate Advisor and was instrumental in shaping the administration's landma...

Earl Anthony Wayne, who served as United States Ambassador to Mexico during the Obama administration, joins Johanna Maska on this week's episode of Press Advance to discuss immigration policy reform and what's behind the mass migration on the southern border. Ambassador Wayne says that both Presidents Trump and Biden have used executive action to stem the flow of migrants, but it's up to Congress...