The Powers That Be: Daily

Jon Kelly joins guest host Julia Alexander to unpack Anna Wintour’s long-anticipated but still seismic decision to scale back her day-to-day role at American ‘Vogue.’ The duo handicap the succession race and dissect Condé’s broader pivot to leaner, more profitable operations. Then they dig into Netflix’s new partnership with French broadcaster TF1—and what it signals for the world’s top streamer,...

Puck’s newest author and resident A.I. expert, Ian Krietzberg, makes his podcast debut with guest host Julia Alexander for a rollicking conversation about the disruptive promise—and misconceptions—of artificial intelligence. Ian unpacks what we’re getting right and wrong about A.I. panic, then turns to break down the major implications of a recent court ruling in a landmark case against Anthropic,...

Kim Masters joins guest host extraordinaire Julia Alexander to unravel the latest twists in the ever-expanding CBS–Trump legal saga: a new mediator proposal, the Paramount-Skydance merger hanging in the balance, and the uncertain fate of ‘60 Minutes’ on the other side of a potential settlement. Then, they weigh whether Apple’s long-awaited ‘F1’ movie could be a defining moment—or a costly misfire—...

Eriq Gardner joins guest host Julia Ioffe to break down the ripple effects of Olivia Trusty’s confirmation to the F.C.C., cementing a new Republican majority that could dramatically loosen media ownership rules—paving the way for more conservative local media consolidation. Then Eriq unpacks NPR’s intensifying legal battle with the Trump administration over its federal funding lifeline. To learn m...

Julia Ioffe and Leigh Ann Caldwell unpack the political fallout from the U.S. strikes on Iran, charting the MAGA coalition’s reflexive support for Trump and the Democrats’ more fragmented response. While Republicans are largely unified, Democrats remain split—more focused on Trump’s sidestepping of Congress than taking a clear stance on the strikes themselves. To learn more about listener data and...

Jon Kelly joins guest host Dylan Byers for a deep dive into Substack’s increasingly precarious business model—marked by a high cash burn rate, flat valuation, and potential dilution. They debate whether the company is truly a tech platform or a media business in disguise, and unpack the growing pains writers face when leaving legacy outlets for the Substack promise. To learn more about listener da...

The legendary Kim Masters joins Julia Alexander to examine the MAGA turn of mega producer Brian Grazer, a longtime Democrat, and what his conversion portends for the industry. Plus, whether Trump is coming around on the Ellison-Paramount deal and the latest Disney succession chatter following the Dana Walden-Kamala Harris summit. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: h...

The inimitable Bill Cohan joins guest host Julia Alexander to chew over two of the great mysteries before Wall Street: the financial engineering of the Warner Bros. Discovery breakup, and whether Trump’s F.C.C. will bless Shari Redstone and David Ellison’s Paramount deal. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about yo...

In this special episode of The Powers That Be, Leigh Ann Caldwell sits down with Hawaii Senator Brian Schatz for a wide-ranging chat about Trump’s controversial decision to deploy troops to Los Angeles, the perils of his “invasion” rhetoric, the ongoing dysfunction surrounding the Big Beautiful Bill, and how Democrats can un-DOGE America. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices...

In a timely crossover episode, guest hosts Julia Ioffe and Leigh Ann Caldwell discuss the intensifying conflict between Iran and Israel, and the ripple effects in Washington: the decisions now confronting Donald Trump, the fate of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, and whether there’s any opening for diplomacy. Plus, Julia explains why Trump still can’t stop talking about Vladimir Putin at the G7. To...

Jon Kelly joins guest host Dylan Byers for a postmortem of Zaz’s WBD spinoff, and what it portends for HBO, CNN, TNT, and other networks. They also discuss the long-term viability of his newly formed Streaming & Studios, before weighing into the ongoing challenges plaguing The Washington Post—and much more. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.co...

John Ourand and guest host extraordinaire Julia Alexander debate what the WBD divorce means for TNT and TBS, the next wave of rights negotiations, and whether Zaslav is lying to himself about not needing sports. Then they dig into the slumping NBA Finals ratings—and whether this is indicative of broader league fatigue. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www....

Eriq Gardner joins guest host Julia Alexander to discuss the latest twist in the Baldoni-Lively saga, after a judge tossed most of Baldoni’s claims. Eriq breaks down what the ruling really means, whether Lively’s partial legal win might embolden other stars to take a stand, and how this case could be a harbinger for the next wave of Hollywood lawsuits. To learn more about listener data and our pri...

Abby Livingston joins guest host Leigh Ann Caldwell to dig into the G.O.P.’s internal conflict over the Big Beautiful Bill—which Abby deems the thorniest legislation since Obamacare in 2010. Then they discuss the Musk-Trump breakup and highlight which Republicans could actually stand to gain from the feud. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com...

In a special early recording of The Powers That Be, Dylan and Bill jump on the mic to discuss the breaking news that Warner Bros. Discovery will split into two companies—a film and streaming division led by David Zaslav, and a cable business run by Gunnar Wiedenfels… loaded up with most of WBD’s debt. They discuss what the separation means for HBO Max, the fear inside CNN, how Wall Street is respo...

Jon Kelly and guest host Dylan Byers unpack the fallout from former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre's announcement of her new book, ‘Independent’—and her brow-raising defection from the Democratic Party. Then they chew over the latest developments on Shari Redstone’s fragile Paramount-Skydance deal, which is looking shakier by the day. To learn more about listener data and our priva...

Eriq Gardner joins guest host Julia Alexander to dissect The New York Times’s intensifying legal battle with OpenAI—and how its surprise A.I. licensing deal with Amazon could strengthen its case. Then Eriq breaks down the litigious drama around Bravo’s Andy Cohen and an alleged smear campaign brought on by former Real Housewife Leah McSweeney. To learn more about listener data and our privacy prac...

Bill Cohan joins guest host Julia Alexander to dissect Warner Bros. Discovery’s latest financial headaches—from its debt downgrade into quasi-junk territory to stagnant EBITDA growth. They debate C.E.O. David Zaslav’s stewardship of the company, the timeline for a potential spinoff involving WBD’s linear channels, and whether Zaz is laying the groundwork for a major M&A play. To learn more about l...

Marion Maneker joins guest host Julia Ioffe to dig into Dasha Zhukova’s transition from Moscow and New York “It” girl to a leader in the world of art-centric real estate. Then they turn to the Met’s newly reopened Rockefeller wing, which features African and Oceanic art—and what the relaunch portends for the art market. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www...

Guest host Julia Ioffe welcomes Abby Livingston to chew over the Democrats’ various midterm fantasies—the military pedigrees, the Biden turnoffs, and the lingering age issues hanging over it all. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jon Kelly and Dylan Byers catch up on Business Insider’s brutal decision to lay off 21 percent of its staff and what that means for parentco Axel Springer. Then they discuss the end of TNT’s relationship with the NBA. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoic...

Eriq Gardner joins guest host Leigh Ann Caldwell to dig into the latest legal challenge to Trump’s attempt to reshape the federal workforce—this time involving the firing of Shira Perlmutter, the Register of Copyrights. As Eriq notes, the case could redefine the limits of executive authority, with major implications for the separation of powers, the future of government independence, and even arti...

Bill Cohan joins guest host Leigh Ann Caldwell to unpack the so-called “Main Street glitch” in Trump’s Big, Beautiful Bill—a SALT provision that could saddle businesses with surprise tax hikes. They also discuss Trump’s growing sway over the markets, as traders bet on policy reversals, and Bill Ackman’s latest salvo against Harvard’s endowment practices. To learn more about listener data and our p...

Matt Belloni joins guest host Julia Alexander to explain why the Memorial Day box office was just what the doctor ordered for studio executives—and what it portends for the year ahead. They break down how the movies performed, the most significant trends of 2025, and how studios can capitalize on the theatrical moment. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www....

John Ourand joins guest host Julia Alexander to unpack the high-stakes drama behind Disney’s lawsuit against YouTube, following the poaching of top ESPN executive Justin Connolly. Then, they turn to the mounting challenges facing Major League Baseball as its $550 million deal with ESPN nears expiration. Alas, is this just a baseball problem—or a greater issue facing all leagues in this new sports...