The Takeout

There's "So Much More" to Fat Joe, our special guest this week, than his legendary career in hip-hop music. The "Lean Back" rapper joins Major for a light lunch at Santa Rosa Taqueria in D.C. to discuss Power to the Patients, the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to raise awareness on the need for prices and transparency in healthcare. During his recent visit to Washington, he went "All The Way Up" to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers in Congress and advocate for "people in America that are wobbling across the street that are afraid to walk in the hospital because they gotta pay their bills." Joe also explains how hip-hop "saved" his life, and he offers his take on what's changed about the music industry (there's a Taylor Swift mention or two) over the course of his career. We're "So Excited" to share this week's episode with you! 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:/

This week, Major sits down with Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey, a Democrat and member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Casey said, “There has to be a lot more transparency," surrounding Defense Secretary's Lloyd Austin's hospital stay. “No one should say that this is acceptable." Casey also weighs in on immigration and the funding fight for aide to Ukraine and Israel. This episode was recorded on January 9th at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in Washington, D.C. Join us! 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

Dr. Jerome Adams, who served as Surgeon General under former President Donald Trump, joins Major this week to discuss the lessons he learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and the consequences of mixing politics and public health. His new book, "Crisis and Chaos," chronicles his successes and failures trying to communicate accurate medical information to an often skeptical public and how we can improve next time. Dr. Adams now serves as Executive Director of Purdue University's Health Equity Initiatives. Join us! 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

Alex Gambal left behind his family's successful real estate and parking garage business in 1993 to pursue a dream: making wine in France. His new book, "Climbing the Vines in Burgundy," chronicles his experience working the land and selling wine as an American vinter in the Burgundy region. Join us for a conversation that also includes wine recommendations for your New Year's Eve celebration. We're at Brasserie Beck in downtown Washington, DC. Join us! 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

What did you do in 2023? Publish a book? Produce and star in an hourlong comedy special? Both? That's what this week's guest Gary Gulman did in 2023. His new special "Born on 3rd Base" debuted this week on MAX and his book, "Misfit," was released this fall. Join us at The Lambs Club on in Midtown Manhattan for a very funny chat. 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

Alongside the CBS News investigative unit, Major visited Dekalb County, Georgia, recently to look at why there has been a sharp increase in the number of voter registration challenges since the last election. Citizens can now legally file an unlimited number of challenges in their own county if they believe there is an error in the voter rolls. Proponents of the practice argue it will help make the rolls more accurate. Critics fear it could lead to legitimate voters being struck from the rolls. In a state as closely contested as Georgia, every vote could decide the next election.  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

Former Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger describes himself as politically “homeless,” at odds with a GOP he views as “anti-constitutionalist.” He believes former President Donald Trump will be the 2024 Republican nominee - and if that’s the case, Kinzinger intends to vote for President Biden. Kinzinger was one of two Republicans who served on the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. His new book, "Renegade," is an account of what he saw that day and what it means for democracy. Join us! 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

This week, Major sits down with Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH), a devotee of religious text and...pop star Taylor Swift! Their conversation - recorded at one of our Capitol Hill favorites, Santa Rosa Taqueria - begins with T-Swift "conspiracies theories," and then pivots effortlessly to talk of Landsman's Masters degree in theology from Harvard Divinity School. The freshman lawmaker says that the Israel-Hamas conflict has prompted him to turn to scripture, "because this war has been so disorienting." And when it comes to how Americans are digesting the news out of the Middle East, Landsman thinks the terms 'Islamophobia' and 'antisemitism' aren't understood well enough. 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

This Thanksgiving week, we're giving thanks for 1963's March on Washington and the key architect of that peaceful demonstration, activist Bayard Rustin. The new Netflix film "Rustin" tells the true story of the openly-gay Black civil rights leader, an oft-overlooked figure in the quest for racial equality. Actor Colman Domingo, who portrays Bayard Rustin, tells Major he thinks the film "charges [viewers] to believe that [they] can make a difference." Co-stars Glynn Turman and Aml Ameen, along with composer Branford Marsalis, also stop by to discuss the lasting legacies of Black activists A. Philip Randolph, Martin Luther King, Jr. and gospel singer Mahalia Jackson.  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

Former Washington Post executive editor and author Marty Baron joins Major this week to talk about the state of journalism, Donald Trump, and his new book "Collision of Power." Baron was portrayed by Liev Schreiber in the 2015 film "Spotlight," which won an Oscar for Best Picture. Join us! 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

Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, shares his thoughts on the war raging in the Middel East, the funding fight in congress for Israel and Ukraine, one senator's ploy to block military promotions and the retirement announcement of West Viginia Democrat Sen. Joe Manchin. Join us! 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

Well, it depends who you ask. And this week, Major put that question to the director of the American Communities Project Dante Chinni, whose research focuses on what shapes Americans’ views based on where they live. Despite perceptions, Chinni’s research suggests, we may be a lot more similar than we are different. We’re at Dupont Italian Kitchen in D.C. Join us! 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

Israel. Gaza. Ukraine. Congress. There is so much news right now. We thought it would be helpful to check in with some of the best reporters in the business to bring you the latest on several stories making headlines. Major's guests this week include Face the Nation moderator Margaret Brennan, Senior White House correspondent Weijia Jiang, congressional corrrespondent Scott MacFarlane and David Martin, the best national security reporter around. Join us! 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

For those closely following the latest headlines out of Washington, the GOP's efforts to elect a new Speaker of the House appears as if it's a neverending quest. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) lost the House speaker vote for a second time on Wednesday, nearly a week after Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) ended his speaker bid. Major's guest this week is Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO), who thinks Republicans could consider pressing pause on their quest and look to a temporary Speakership to break the current impasse. While it's not his preferred approach, Buck is intrigued by the idea of having the current Speaker Pro Tempore, Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-SC), be elected as Speaker on a temporary basis. Thanks to Capitol Hill's Santa Rosa Taqueria for hosting us this week! 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

Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY) is frustrated. The removal of Kevin McCarthy of speaker has left the House paralyzed, unable to perform basic functions like passing an aid package for Israel, Lawler says. Major sits down with the freshman lawmaker to discuss the battle over the next speaker of the house and understand why Lawler is not supporting Rep. Steve Scalise, the GOP's pick for speaker. "This, to me, is the craziest thing I've ever seen," Lawler said. Join us.  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

Major sits down with the team behind new CBS show "FBI True" which explores famous cases handled by the FBI and the people who helped solve them. Executive producer Anne Beagan and former FBI official John Miller join Major to talk about FBI True's next episode: the 2016 bombing in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan (airs October 10th at 9p ET on CBS). Stay for a conversation about a future episode of FBI True that examines notorious spy Robert Hanssen. Major talks with former FBI special agent Rich Garcia who worked on the Hanssen investigation. And for more on the Hanssen story, you can also check out Major’s new podcast "Agent of Betrayal: The Double Life of Robert Hanssen," available wherever you get your pods. 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

This week, we take a break from politics to tell spy stories. Lis Wiehl, author of “A Spy in Plain Sight” joins Major to talk about the book’s subject, former FBI agent Robert Hanssen. Hanssen was the most damaging spy in FBI history and he’s also the focus of Major’s new podcast series “Agent of Betrayal: The Double Life of Robert Hanssen.” Download and subscribe wherever you get your pods. And Join us for a fun conversation with Lis. 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

Sean Penn set out to make a documentary about the youthful, new Ukrainian president, Volodomyr Zelensky. Zelensky had had a successful career as a comedic actor prior to jumping into politics. In fact, he played the fake Ukranian president on TV before he became the elected president. What Penn didn't anticipate was that the first day of shooting the film would also be the among first days of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Join us for a riveting and at times introspective edition of "The Takeout." 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

Adam Smith, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services committee, sits down with Major in his Capitol Hill office to talk about a potential government shutdown, Republican efforts to launch an impeachment inquiry against President Biden and the impact of Senator Tommy Tuberville’s (R-LA) hold on military promotions. Plus, Smith explains his years long struggle with chronic pain, crippling anxiety and the healthcare system. Join us for an enlightening conversation about how he overcame a challenge millions of Americans face. 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

Hot enough for you? The three-month period from June to August was the hottest ever recorded, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service. Wildfires in Maui claimed at least 115 lives and devastated the town of Lahaina. And a category 4 hurricane hit Southern California in August. What on Earth is happening? We've got Pulitzer Prize winning author and New Yorker staff writer Elizabeth Kolbert to break down the latest climate news and the broader trends of a warming planet. Plus, Major's tribute to Smash Mouth and Jimmy Buffett. Join us! 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