At Our Table with Jaime Harrison

Rachel Maddow joins us for a candid conversation about history and the fight for democracy. She traces her path from AIDS activism to journalism and explains how she learned to use stories to move hearts as well as minds. We also wrestle with PEPFAR, mass incarceration and Trump-era abuses, and we talk about protecting our own power and holding on to hope while we try to push this country forward....

We sit down with Dr. Amy Acton to talk about her run for governor and why she believes Ohio is ready for honest, people-first leadership. She reflects on her childhood, leading Ohio through COVID, and why corruption and rising costs demand a new approach to government. Dr. Acton knows what it takes to rebuild trust and strengthen our communities. She reminds us that ordinary people can create extr...

Fresh off our live Substack conversation (https://youtu.be/y03YuHvgPKY?si=Beilobr67rG0qqt6), we decided to revisit one of our most talked-about conversations. The insights from U.S. Representative Ro Khanna of California feel more timely than ever. He joins us to talk about why Democrats must reject Trump-style politics and lead with moral clarity. We discuss his push to release the Epstein files,...

On this special “At the Kids’ Table” episode, we flip the script and hand the mic to teen host Margo, and answer questions about the government shutdown and how it hurts families who rely on health care and SNAP. Together we dig into what leaders owe the people they serve and what makes a good president—all through the honest, unfiltered lens of a young voter in the making. Margo has no trouble re...

In this episode, we sit down with three of the hardest-working people in politics: party chairs of the early primary states. Ray Buckley of New Hampshire, Daniele Monroe-Moreno of Nevada, and Christale Spain of South Carolina talk about what it really means to run a state party. We dig into how under-resourced these operations are, why state parties are the backbone of democracy, and how early sta...

In this episode we bring together three of Washington’s top political minds — Chuck Rocha, Albert Morales, and Khalil Thompson — for a candid conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing men of color in Democratic politics. From the lack of Black- and Latino-owned consulting firms to the need for culturally competent messaging and leadership, the panel unpacks how power, access, and...

Representative Jim Clyburn of South Carolina sits down at the table to revisit his journey from a young boy in Sumter inspired by Harry Truman to one of the most influential voices in American politics. Together, we reflect on the lessons that shaped his leadership and the mentors and moments that defined his path. Through stories of faith, family, and history—and his new book The First Eight—we e...

In this powerful roundtable, we sit down with Yolanda Caraway, Minyon Moore, Leah Daughtry, and Tina Flournoy—four trailblazing women known as “The Colored Girls.” Together, they trace their political lineage from Jesse Jackson’s historic campaigns to modern party leadership, unpacking lessons on power, representation, and resilience. They pull no punches, and they have all the receipts as they re...

Former Attorney General Eric Holder joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of American democracy. We discuss how his storied career led to his current role fighting against gerrymandering, which we agree is one of the greatest threats to representative government. And we address the painful moments when Democrats could have prevented some of the failures of our current administr...

DNC Chair Ken Martin joins us for a candid look at his first seven months leading the party. We talk about the personal experiences that shaped his leadership, the loneliness of being party chair, and the urgent need to rebuild Democratic infrastructure. From year-round organizing to partisan voter registration, Chair Martin lays out how we stop relying on quick fixes and start building durable po...

U.S. Representative Ro Khanna of California joins us to talk about why Democrats must reject Trump-style politics and lead with moral clarity. We discuss his push to release the Epstein files, his refusal to be part of policies that harm everyday Americans, and his belief that economic justice is key to rebuilding trust. He shares how his identity as an Indian American, shaped by Gandhi’s legacy,...

Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, sits at the table for a wide-ranging conversation about the urgent challenges facing public education. President Pringle reflects on her journey from the classroom to union leadership and shares how educators are standing up against book bans, funding cuts, and other political attacks on schools. We also dig into the fight for equity,...

MSNBC host and Former RNC Chair Michael Steele comes to the table with a candid, funny, and deeply personal conversation about his accidental rise through the Republican Party and the moral compass that guided his leadership. We reflect on the loneliness of party chairmanship, Chair Steele’s resistance to Trumpism, and the broken culture of politics today. With stories from the farm to the convent...

Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona joins us for a candid conversation about the Democratic Party’s blind spots with men and communities of color and why campaigns need to break out of cookie-cutter approaches. A Marine combat veteran, Sen. Gallego has strong feelings on Gaza and the future of U.S.–Israel relations. He also lays out what Democrats must do to connect authentically, claim credit for th...

U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood of Illinois joins us to talk about the moment she left a career in health care to run for office—and the fight that’s kept her going. From defending the ACA to confronting America’s maternal health crisis, she brings both policy chops and personal stakes to her work as one of the most effective members of Congress. She breaks down what power really looks like i...

Freshman U.S. Representative Sarah McBride of Delaware joins us at the table for a candid conversation on leadership, identity, and the stakes of today’s politics. She reflects on how personal loss and advocacy led her to public service and why healthcare is central to her fight. Rep. McBride calls out “Trumpcare” for gutting Medicaid and shares her mission to expand childcare and paid family leav...

In this bonus episode, we speak with four members of the Texas Legislative Black Caucus—Venton Jones, Christian Manuel, Lauren Ashley Simmons, and Charlene Ward Johnson—who fled the state to block a racially driven gerrymander designed to give Republicans five more U.S. House seats at the expense of Black and Latino representation. They describe the personal and safety sacrifices of leaving home a...

South Carolina pediatrician and mom Dr. Annie Andrews sits at the table to talk about her 2026 Senate race against Lindsey Graham. From kids’ health care and vaccine misinformation to political courage and campaign lessons, Dr. Andrews brings passion and heart. We reflect on running tough races in red states and why authenticity matters now more than ever. Plus: a sharp “Sit Your Ass Down” award a...

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear joins us for a conversation about what real leadership looks like in times of crisis. From devastating tornadoes to historic floods, Beshear has led his state through moments when politics fades and community takes center stage. In this episode, he shares what it means to show up for people every day, how faith and public service connect, and why helping your neighbo...

In this episode, we sit down with Maryland Governor Wes Moore to talk about what it means to lead with urgency and heart. He shares the moment he decided to run for office, why tackling child poverty became his calling, and how his philosophy of “leave no one behind” is shaping Maryland’s future. We dig into his biggest accomplishments so far and why he believes results matter more than rhetoric....

In this episode, we sit down with Hunter Biden for his first long-form interview since the 2024 election. We move past the headlines and caricatures to talk openly about addiction and recovery, the weight of public life, and the power of family. Hunter shares how his father’s love and loyalty kept him steady, and why the Biden family’s strength has been his foundation. We also dig into the 2024 ca...

In our opening episode, we sit down with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to talk about leading with empathy and accountability during moments of crisis, including the early days of the pandemic and the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder. Governor Walz shares what he’s learned from his time as a teacher, a veteran, and a governor, and why authenticity and human connection are critical when the stakes a...

At Our Table with Jaime Harrison is a new podcast inviting America to pull up a seat for honest, unfiltered conversations about our nation’s challenges and hopes. Hosted by former DNC Chair Jaime Harrison, the show brings together today’s most compelling voices for candid, “family table” discussions that cut through the noise. When Jaime got back from college, his grandfather told him, “I don’t wa...