Go face to face with the person of the moment. NPR’s Newsmakers brings the biggest names in politics, business, sports, arts, and culture out of the headlines and into the interview chair to discuss the mark they’re making on the world.
Hasan Piker on his rise as a voice of the ‘insurgent left’
Host Leila Fadel interviews streamer Hasan Piker about his rise as a voice of the 'insurgent left' and Republican attacks.
24 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT
Tucker Carlson on his MAGA split and Trump’s ‘nihilism’
Host Steve Inskeep interviews conservative commentator Tucker Carlson about his MAGA split, Trump's "nihilism," and the failures of both major political parties.
3 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT
Robby Hoffman thinks comics can ‘say anything’ — and she does
NPR's Juana Summers interviews comedian Robby Hoffman about her views on free speech in comedy and her personal journey.
13 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT
Democrat Ro Khanna’s 2028 pitch: tax the rich, regulate tech
Congressman Ro Khanna, D-Calif., discusses his potential 2028 presidential bid and vision for an "economic realignment" with NPR's Steve Inskeep.
18 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT
Hunter Biden on addiction and ‘the gift of being so publicly shamed’
NPR's Scott Simon interviews Hunter Biden about his public shaming, addiction, and his father's presidency.
15 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT
Bill Maher on comedy, atheism and dining with Trump
NPR's Steve Inskeep interviews comedian Bill Maher about his enduring career, atheism, and his thoughts on President Trump after a recent dinner.
7 Jul 2026TRANSCRIPT
MAGA-linked pastor Doug Wilson’s plan for a Christian theocracy
NPR's Leila Fadel interviews pastor Doug Wilson about his vision for a Christian theocracy and its implications for American society.
18 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT
Chloe Malle’s vision for a new era at Vogue
Michel Martin interviews Chloe Malle about her vision for American Vogue's new era and engaging a new generation of readers.
4 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT
Jill Biden on Hunter’s pardon and her husband’s turbulent political end
First Lady Jill Biden discusses her husband's decision to end his reelection campaign and his thoughts on pardoning their son Hunter with host Scott Detrow in this interview.
1 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT
Can Maine Senate hopeful Platner survive another controversy?
NPR's Newsmakers host Michel Martin interviews Maine Senate hopeful Graham Platner about surviving campaign controversies and his anti-establishment message.
22 May 2026
Byron Allen on replacing Colbert, political comedy and Black ownership
Media mogul Byron Allen discusses his upcoming late-night show, political comedy's future, and Black media ownership with NPR's Ailsa Chang in this interview.
18 May 2026
Dana White on Trump, masculinity and bringing UFC to the White House
When Donald Trump celebrated his imminent return to the White House on election night in November 2024, a parade of high-profile supporters joined him on stage. They included Dana White, the president and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the multi-billion dollar mixed martial arts organization, which will host a fight on the South Lawn of the White House on June 14.
In this episode of NPR’s Newsmakers, White sat down with Steve Inskeep to discuss the growth and success of UFC, political polarization and masculinity in the Trump era.
NPR's Newsmakers is where you'll find NPR's biggest interviews. We post new episodes as soon as they're available -- any day of the week. Follow on Spotify, subscribe on YouTube, or find us on the NPR app so you always get the latest episode as soon as possible.
Newsmakers relies on supporters who value independent journalism and a free press. Join NPR+ today to support our work and get perks from the podcasts you trust. Go to plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org).
See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)
11 May 2026
From exile to rebuilding: María Corina Machado's plan for a new Venezuela
In a different world, María Corina Machado would be leading Venezuela. That’s exactly what many Venezuelans expected after authoritarian leader Nicolás Maduro was ousted from power earlier this year following his capture by U.S. forces.
Instead, the opposition leader, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for promoting democracy, is on the outside looking in, even though Maduro is sitting in a U.S. prison. So, when does Machado plan to return to her home country? And how much of the groundwork can she begin to lay from hiding?
In this episode of NPR's Newsmakers, Machado sat down with Mary Louise Kelly at NPR headquarters this month to discuss her new book The Freedom Manifesto, the difficult task of rebuilding from the ground up, and the pressures she faces not only as a global figure, but as a human being and mother.
NPR's Newsmakers is where you'll find NPR's biggest interviews. We post new episodes as soon as they're available -- any day of the week. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen or watch so you always get the latest episode as soon as possible.
Newsmakers relies on supporters who value independent journalism and a free press. Join NPR+ today to support our work and get perks from the podcasts you trust. Go to plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org).
See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)
17 Apr 2026
Zohran Mamdani on NYC as a blueprint for Democrats
Through his first 100 days as mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani has focused on “pothole politics” — a blend of high-level legislative wins and intense focus on everyday essential services that keep the city running. The 34-year-old mayor has delivered on progressive campaign promises, from more funding for child care to new taxes on the ultrawealthy. He views his government as a model for how Democrats can deliver on policies that benefit the working class.
In this episode of NPR’s Newsmakers, Mamdani sits down with host Leila Fadel at City Hall to discuss his first 100 days in office, his approach to working with President Trump and the message he believes Democrats should deliver during this year’s midterm elections.
NPR's Newsmakers is where you'll find NPR's biggest interviews. We post new episodes as soon as they're available -- any day of the week. Follow or watch the show wherever you get podcasts.
Newsmakers relies on supporters who value independent journalism and a free press. Join NPR+ today to support our work and get perks from the podcasts you trust. Go to plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org/).
See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)
15 Apr 2026
Dave Chappelle on free speech, the purpose of comedy and the weaponization of jokes
Dave Chappelle, the provocative comedian and architect of Chappelle’s Show, is one of the biggest names in comedy. Now in arguably the most successful chapter of his life and career, he views himself as not just an entertainer -- but as a professional processor of events and experiences. He describes comedians as 'the nation's kidney' -- an essential organ for processing the raw experiences of life.
Chappelle believes that function is one shared by comics and journalists -- they both process events and help audiences make sense of the world. That conviction is why he recently invested $15 million into the infrastructure of WYSO, the public radio station in his hometown of Yellow Springs, Ohio.
In this episode of NPR’s Newsmakers, he tells host Michel Martin why free speech is so important to him, and why he refuses to let public expectations dictate his art.
NPR's Newsmakers is where you'll find NPR's biggest interviews. We post new episodes as soon as they're available -- any day of the week. Follow the show wherever you listen or watch on NPR’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/npr).
Newsmakers relies on supporters who value independent journalism and a free press. Join NPR+ today to support our work and get perks from the podcasts you trust. Go to plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org/).
See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)
7 Apr 2026
Jamie Dimon on the Iran war, President Trump and why he’s optimistic about AI
Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorganChase, the United States' largest bank, has a financial stake in almost everything. Unlike many CEOs, he says it’s his job to speak out on many things.
This week, Dimon released his annual letter to shareholders — a document that comments on banking issues and also assesses risks to the economy, from inflation to the war in Iran. The letter asserts his company is ready for anything, noting, among other things, that it has profited during economic booms and also during recessions.
In this episode of NPR’s Newsmakers, Dimon tells host Steve Inskeep that he doesn’t worry much about the way President Trump’s contradictory statements tend to send financial markets sliding and soaring again, saying, “I have to deal with the world I got.”
NPR's Newsmakers is where you'll find NPR's biggest interviews. We post new episodes as soon as they're available — any day of the week. Follow the show wherever you listen, or watch on NPR’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/npr).
Newsmakers relies on supporters who value independent journalism and a free press. Join NPR+ today to support our work and get perks from the podcasts you trust. Go to plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org/).
See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)
27 Mar 2026
Gov. Wes Moore on Iran, pardon power, and what his future holds
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore has turned aside speculation that he might seek the presidency in 2028. He is seeking re-election to his current job in 2026.
But in this debut episode of NPR's Newsmakers, Moore tells host Steve Inskeep that he's put a lot of thought into the challenge that President Trump’s successor would face upon taking office on January 20, 2029.
At 47, Moore is regarded among Democrats as a rising star. The governor and First Lady Dawn Moore have drawn comparisons to the Obamas. He’s a decorated combat veteran, anti-poverty fighter and charismatic public speaker who was elected governor in 2022 in his first ever campaign.
NPR's Newsmakers is where you'll find NPR's biggest interviews. We post new episodes as soon as they're available -- any day of the week. Follow the show wherever you listen or watch on NPR’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/npr).
Newsmakers relies on supporters who value independent journalism and a free press. Join NPR+ today to support our work and get perks from the podcasts you trust. Go to plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org/).
See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)
26 Mar 2026
Welcome to NPR's Newsmakers
NPR's Newsmakers is where you'll find NPR's biggest interviews. We post new episodes as soon as they're available -- any day of the week. Follow the show wherever you listen or watch on NPR’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/npr).
Newsmakers relies on supporters who value independent journalism and a free press. Join NPR+ today to support our work and get perks from the podcasts you trust. Go to plus.npr.org (http://plus.npr.org/).
See pcm.adswizz.com (https://pcm.adswizz.com) for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.
NPR Privacy Policy (https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy)
Inside a recent episode
Hasan Piker on his rise as a voice of the ‘insurgent left’
Published 15 Oct 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] Simply put, that's what I believe. That's what I've been advocating for for the last decade. I try to actively de-radicalize people that are on the far right. I've seen a lot of success in that field. I try to talk to people that are in the margins of transphobia, homophobia, anti-black racism, and pull them back and try to explain to them that these reactionary ideas might come across as appealing, but they're actually distractions at the end of the day. And again, seen a lot of great success there as well. This outlet, alongside many of the mainstream outlets, including those who now attack me, wrote extensively about what I have been doing for the past decade or so, talking about how I was capable of converting young men and bringing them back into the left. […]
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
