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, and modern media companies writ large. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices v...
Jun 30, 2025•30 min
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, one of the biggest A.I. companies in the world, in which a judge found that using copyrighted books...
Jun 27, 2025•26 min
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—for the streamer’s film ambitions. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit...
Jun 26, 2025•28 min
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 more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Le...
Jun 25, 2025•21 min
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 our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choi...
Jun 24, 2025•24 min
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 data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your a...
Jun 23, 2025•25 min
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: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoic...
Jun 20, 2025•31 min
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 your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Jun 19, 2025•27 min
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 visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://pod...
Jun 18, 2025•36 min
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 learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-p...
Jun 17, 2025•25 min
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.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Jun 16, 2025•21 min
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.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adch...
Jun 13, 2025•29 min
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 privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...
Jun 12, 2025•28 min
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/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Jun 11, 2025•18 min
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 responding, and why a divorce was inevitable. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices...
Jun 09, 2025•26 min
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 privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
Jun 09, 2025•27 min
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 practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https:...
Jun 06, 2025•27 min
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 listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn mor...
Jun 05, 2025•29 min
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.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adc...
Jun 04, 2025•25 min
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...
Jun 03, 2025•24 min
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/adchoices...
Jun 02, 2025•25 min
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 artificial intelligence. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www....
May 30, 2025•20 min
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 privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. V...
May 29, 2025•23 min
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.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adch...
May 28, 2025•36 min
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 media era? To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc....
May 27, 2025•34 min
Jon Kelly joins guest host Dylan Byers to unravel the plot twists in Rob Manfred’s ongoing media rights negotiations for MLB, highlighting their potential deals with NBC and Apple. Then the duo dive into the firestorm ignited by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s new book, ‘Original Sin’—and the fractures it’s revealing within the Democratic Party. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit http...
May 26, 2025•32 min
Julia Ioffe joins guest host Leigh Ann Caldwell to unpack the fallout from Trump’s two-hour call with Putin earlier this week: Trump's growing frustration with the Ukraine conflict, his willingness to hand it off to Europe, and the chilling implications for President Zelensky. Then, they turn to the Oval Office debacle with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, in which Julia emphasizes the administration’s promotion of white supremacy theories—and their broader white supremacist agenda. To l...
May 23, 2025•21 min
Abby Livingston joins guest host Leigh Ann Caldwell to break down the challenges facing House Republicans in passing their legislative agenda, particularly Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.” They highlight the tensions between the centrists and hardliners, the pressure on individual members, and, of course, the overarching influence of Trump. Then they dig into the race to replace Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly after his unfortunate passing yesterday. To learn more about listener data and our privac...
May 22, 2025•21 min
Eriq Gardner joins Peter to unpack the Swifties’ intensifying racketeering lawsuit against Live Nation, along with two other serious cases the company is facing: a long-running civil suit from fans and an antitrust case from the Justice Department. Then Eriq explains how Taylor Swift got dragged into the legal drama between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, and whether this news could hurt Taylor’s... reputation. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audac...
May 21, 2025•18 min
Dylan Byers joins Peter to break down Wendy McMahon’s resignation from CBS News after four years as the network president, which comes as Paramount angles to settle Trump’s $20 million-plus lawsuit against ‘60 Minutes.’ Then they turn to the chatter surrounding Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s "Original Sin," and how the publication has coincided with the grim news that the former president has been diagnosed with cancer. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://...
May 20, 2025•30 min
