Welcome to another episode of ' The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky ', with Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr . This week, Michael and Becky dive deep into the week's hot political topics. They discuss the ongoing drama surrounding Minneapolis mayoral candidate and State Senator Omar Fateh, whose dishonesty over threats over contentious Uber-Lyft legislation has stirred controversy ahead of the mayoral race . Representative Marion Rarick joins to talk about the recent University of Minnesota ...
Aug 21, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 3Ep. 123
Join us in this episode of ‘ The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky ’, with Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr . This week, Michael and Becky Scherr are joined by David FitzSimmons , Chief of Staff for Congressman Brad Finstad, and a former state representative known for his political acumen. The discussion kicks off with President Donald Trump's recent move to bring the Washington, D.C. Police under federal control, followed by an in-depth analysis of Minnesota's political scene heading into the...
Aug 14, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Season 3Ep. 122
Welcome to another fantastic episode of ' The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky ,' with Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr . This week, hosts Michael and Becky are joined by Andy Brehm, Star Tribune columnist, corporate lawyer, and vocal Republican from Minnesota . Andy discusses his recent op-eds in the Star Tribune, highlighting his views on the Minnesota Twins' recent trades and the team's relationship with taxpayers . Brehm also dives into the implications of electing Senator Omar Fateh as t...
Aug 07, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 3Ep. 121
Welcome to another fantastic episode of ' The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky ,' with Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr . In this episode, they begin by discussing the upcoming special elections for three vacant seats in the Minnesota legislature, including those left vacant by the resignation of Senator Nicole Mitchell and the death of Senator Bruce Anderson. In a follow-up, they analyze Senator Mitchell's legal troubles and resignation. The duo then shifts focus to a bizarre incident at the...
Jul 31, 2025•55 min•Season 3Ep. 120
Welcome to the latest episode of ' The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky ,' where Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr tackle the complex and chaotic world of politics and current affairs. This week, Michael shares a harrowing personal story of an arson attack on his home . The discussion then shifts to a detailed analysis with special guest Darwin Forsyth , a communications advisor from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey's campaign. They dive into the controversial events of the Minneapolis DFL endorsi...
Jul 24, 2025•57 min•Season 3Ep. 119
Welcome back to ' The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky '! In this action-packed episode, hosts Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr cover a wide array of topics in Minnesota and national politics. They welcome guests, former Rep. Kelly Fenton and Julius Hernandez , for a thought-provoking roundtable discussion. The episode begins with the ongoing trial of Senator Nicole Mitchell, delving into the body camera footage and the implications of her actions. The conversation then shifts to the notoriou...
Jul 17, 2025•59 min•Season 3Ep. 118
In this new episode of ' The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky ,' co-hosts Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr pause from their usual political analysis to further address the tragic assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband , as well as the violent attack on Senator John Hoffman and his wife . This heartfelt episode covers the upcoming funeral arrangements, how Minnesotans can pay their respects, and the ongoing grief faced by the community. Michael and Becky also delve in...
Jun 27, 2025•38 min
Welcome to a special bonus episode of ' The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky .' In this episode, Michael Brodkorb talks with Erich Mische , a passionate nonprofit leader and political veteran known for his relentless drive and humor. Erich discusses his new book, ' Go F@&king Do Something ' which is a rallying cry to move from apathy to action. The conversation delves into Erich's journey, including floating down the Mississippi River on a homemade raft to raise awareness for families in c...
Jun 24, 2025•52 min
In this emotionally charged episode of ' The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky ,' co-hosts Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr discuss Becky's return from maternity leave and the tragic assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband , as well as the violent attack on Senator John Hoffman and his wife . The conversation dives into the rise of political violence, its implications for Minnesota politics, and how the state can move forward. Throughout the episode, donation links to ...
Jun 19, 2025•49 min
Welcome to another episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky . Michael Brodkorb is joined by Bryan Strawser, Principal and CEO of Bryghtpath and an expert with 30 years of experience in crisis management, business continuity, crisis communications, and global corporate security. The discussion revolves around two critical topics: the immigration standoff in California and the rampant misinformation surrounding a recent law enforcement raid in Minneapolis. Bryan provides a deep dive into ...
Jun 12, 2025•52 min
In this episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky , Michael Brodkorb discusses government accountability with special guest Senator Heather Gustafson . Representing Senate District 36 in the Minnesota Senate, Senator Gustafson discusses her bipartisan legislation to establish an independent Office of Inspector General in Minnesota . The discussion covers the need for this office, the importance of public trust in government, and the collaborative effort behind the bill. The episode also ...
Jun 05, 2025•36 min
Welcome to another episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky , as Michael Brodkorb dives deep into the explosive revelations of the new book 'Original Sin' by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson. With special guests John Rouleau , a Republican strategist, and Julius Hernandez , a Democrat insider, the episode reviews the book detailing President Biden's cognitive decline, the efforts to cover it up, and the political ramifications for the 2024 election. The discussion also explores the account...
May 29, 2025•1 hr 8 min
In this episode of ' The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky ,' host Michael Brodkorb delves into the intricacies of Minnesota GOP politics with Anna Mathews , the former executive director of the Republican Party of Minnesota. With Becky Scherr on maternity leave, Michael and Anna discuss her journey into politics, the endorsement process, internal GOP challenges, and the party's future leading into the 2026 elections. Anna shares her perspective on relationship building within the party and the...
May 22, 2025•1 hr 18 min
In this episode of ' The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky ,' host Michael Brodkorb welcomes Rochelle Olson , long-time journalist and current opinion columnist for the Star Tribune. With co-host Becky Scherr on maternity leave, Michael dives deep into Rochelle's extensive journalism career covering Minnesota politics, her transition from reporting to opinion writing, and social media and misinformation challenges. Rochelle shares her experiences covering high-profile trials like that of Derek ...
May 15, 2025•41 min
Welcome to another episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky , as Michael Brodkorb continues to fly solo while Becky Scherr is on maternity leave. This week, Michael Brodkorb is joined by special guest Mike Norton , a prominent Minneapolis-based entrepreneur and political strategist. In this episode, they discuss Mike's political journey, his take on Minneapolis's current state, and the future of Minnesota's second congressional district. Mike provides insights into his outspoken nature,...
May 08, 2025•57 min
On this special episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky , Michael Brodkorb flies solo while Becky Scherr is on maternity leave. Michael welcomes the esteemed political commentator Blois Olson , a pivotal figure in Minnesota politics and public policy. Listen in as Blois shares his journey from delivering newspapers to shaping the political discourse in Minnesota through his influential 'Morning Take.' The conversation covers various topics, including the evolution of political discours...
May 01, 2025•42 min
On this special episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky , with Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr , co-host Becky Scherr announces her maternity leave for the upcoming weeks. The episode's highlight is an in-depth interview with Adam Schwarze , one of the Republicans running for the U.S. Senate seat soon to be vacated by Tina Smith. Schwarze discusses his impressive military background, his motivations for running, and his strategies for a successful campaign. The episode also covers Mi...
Apr 25, 2025•1 hr 5 min
In this gripping episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky , Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr present a unique and emotionally charged conversation with journalist Maddie Roth . Maddie discusses her compelling investigation into the mysterious disappearance of the Klein brothers from a North Minneapolis park in 1951, a case that remains unsolved. Michael, the author of a book on a similar case , brings a unique perspective and a profound connection to Maddie's experience and the heartbr...
Apr 11, 2025•1 hr 25 min
In this feisty new episode of ' The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky ,' join Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr as they analyze recent political events, including the Wisconsin election results and the upcoming special election in Senate District 6 for Justin Eichorn's replacement. Special guests Will Davis and Preya Samsundar share their insights on the Democrats' and Republicans' strategies, voter turnout, and fundraising dynamics. The episode also delves into Attorney General Keith Ellison's...
Apr 04, 2025•1 hr
In this episode of 'The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky,' hosts Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb delve into the astonishing story of Signalgate . Joined by crisis management expert Bryan Strawser, Principal and CEO of Bryghtpath , they explore the recent security debacle involving senior U.S. officials accidentally sharing sensitive military information on the Signal app. With revelations from The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg and various political responses, this episode provides a comprehens...
Mar 28, 2025•50 min
In this critical new episode of 'The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky,' hosts Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb welcome first-time guest Minnesota State Representative Larry Kraft 's legislation to reform Minnesota's DWI laws in response to the deadly crash at Park Tavern in St. Louis Park . Specifically, the legislation proposed by Representative Kraft and a bipartisan group of legislators will require offenders with multiple offenses to be on ignition interlock, double the lookback period fo...
Mar 21, 2025•1 hr 5 min
On this new episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky , Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr interview former Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman and State Senator David Hann. Hann, who is considering a run for governor in 2026, shares his perspective on the importance of focusing on the gubernatorial race amid the buzz surrounding the U.S. Senate race. Hann discusses his political career, the current political climate challenges, the need for Republican unity, and practical solutions fo...
Mar 12, 2025•37 min
Welcome to another spicy episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky ! Join Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr as they talk with guests John Rouleau and Julius Hernandez to dissect President Trump's recent Joint Address to Congress. The discussion covers various topics, from the President's accomplishments and requests to Congress to the reactions and controversies surrounding his speech. Tune in as the panel engages in a heated debate on policies, immigration, and the cultural wars, provid...
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 25 min
Welcome back to The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky ! In this episode, Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr discuss the latest news on the 2026 Minnesota governor and U.S. Senate races, analyzing key candidates and surprising political developments. Becky shares personal updates about her pregnancy and offers insights on social etiquette for interacting with pregnant women. The conversation then shifts to the ongoing investigations of the Minnesota House of Representatives Fraud Prevention and S...
Feb 26, 2025•56 min
On a special Valentine's Day bonus episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky , join Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr as they dive into the big announcement from U.S. Senator Tina Smith that she will not seek re-election in 2026 . This episode, featuring political strategists Will Davis and John Rouleau , analyzes the implications of Smith's decision for both parties. The team explores potential Democratic and Republican candidates for the open U.S. Senate seat and speculates how this ma...
Feb 15, 2025•1 hr 3 min
On this milestone 100th episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky , Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr are joined by Representative Kristin Robbins , who discusses her role as the chair of the newly formed House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy Committee . The conversation covers the committee's formation, goals, and the significant challenges of tackling fraud within state agencies. The episode also touches on the latest developments in Senator Nicole Mitchell's felony ...
Feb 13, 2025•1 hr
On this new episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky , Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr talk with Representative Zack Stephenson , who provides insights into the newly announced power-sharing agreement between Republicans and Democrats in the Minnesota House of Representatives. The conversation covers the recent challenges faced by the Minnesota House, including the standoff over seating Representative Brad Tabke , legal battles , and the unprecedented decision to deny quorum . They al...
Feb 08, 2025•1 hr 4 min
In this bonus episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky , host Michael Brodkorb discusses the ongoing legislative standoff in the Minnesota House of Representatives. House Republican Majority Leader Harry Niska shares the latest developments and discusses a lawsuit filed by the House Republicans against Secretary of State Steve Simon. Next, Democratic pundit Julius Hernandez offers his perspective on the standoff between Republicans and Democrats in the Minnesota House of Representatives...
Feb 01, 2025•53 min
On this new episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky , Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr welcome Speaker-designate Lisa Demuth to discuss recent political developments in Minnesota. The episode explores the Minnesota Supreme Court's recent ruling on Governor Walz's writ of special election, the ongoing quorum dispute, and the dynamics within the Minnesota House. Speaker-designate Demuth shares her perspective on the importance of following the law, the Democrats' refusal to attend legis...
Jan 25, 2025•1 hr 3 min
On this new episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky , Michael Brodkorb and Becky Scherr are joined by political experts Darwin Forsyth and Preya Samsundar . The group begins by examining President Joe Biden's exit, President Trump's inauguration, and his first executive actions, including controversial pardons. They also analyze Trump's tone during his address, his stance on immigration and energy policies, and the implications for national and Minnesota politics. They also discuss Pre...
Jan 22, 2025•1 hr 29 min
