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The Preamble

The Preamble

By: Sharon McMahon
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The world feels complicated. The Preamble is where it starts to make sense. Hosted by Sharon McMahon — known for making sense of complex issues — she and her guests dive deep into the stories and ideas driving our future, bringing clarity and honesty to every headline. If you want real insight, bold conversation, and answers that matter, this podcast is your must-listen. Hit play, and join the movement that will shape history. An Audacy Podcast.© 2021 Sharon McMahon 41774 Political Science Politics & Government World
Episodes
  • If Court Orders Don’t Matter, Nothing Does, Banning Books, and How to Find Hope

    If Court Orders Don’t Matter, Nothing Does, Banning Books, and How to Find Hope
    Feb 9 2026
    Americans are being offered a false choice: safety or rights, as though “law and order” means obedience from citizens and exceptions for the government. Sharon’s take on ICE violating 96 court orders in Minnesota in just one month. Plus, Jodi Picoult is one of the most banned authors in the country. Why? She writes about racism, gun violence, and LGBTQ+ rights, encouraging young people to use their critical thinking, rather than becoming permission seekers. She shares how to fight back against book bans, and why we need to be louder than the vocal minority. And Former Congressman Adam Kinzinger joins Sharon to talk about the future of the Republic Party, why nobody has gotten in trouble over the Epstein files, and how you can stay engaged without burning out. If you’d like to submit a question, head to thepreamble.com/podcast – we’d love to hear from you there. And be sure to read our weekly magazine at ThePreamble.com – it’s free! Join hundreds of thousands of readers who still believe understanding is an act of hope. Credits: Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks Audio Producer: Craig Thompson (00:00:00) If Court Orders Don’t Matter, Nothing Does (00:07:14) Book Bans with Jodi Picoult (00:23:51) How to Find Hope with Adam Kinzinger 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
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    39 mins
  • How ICE Is Mimicking 19th Century Slave Patrols, and What AI Tech Billionaires Really Want

    How ICE Is Mimicking 19th Century Slave Patrols, and What AI Tech Billionaires Really Want
    Feb 2 2026
    Gen Z Historian Kahlil Greene explains how today’s ICE enforcement has chilling parallels to the slave patrols of the 19th Century, designed to hunt human beings for profit and power. Then, Sharon speaks with author Karen Hao to talk about her new book Empire of AI, and why the biggest names in tech aren’t just building tools, but chasing a quasi-religious vision of control. Karen reveals how that ideology is reshaping democracy, draining the planet, and quietly harming people right now… but, she says, there are ways to change the future of AI before it gets worse. If you’d like to submit a question, head to thepreamble.com/podcast – we’d love to hear from you there. And be sure to read our weekly magazine at ThePreamble.com – it’s free! Join hundreds of thousands of readers who still believe understanding is an act of hope. Credits: Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks Audio Producer: Craig Thompson (00:00:00) How ICE Is Mimicking 19th Century Slave Patrols? (00:16:36) What AI Tech Billionaires Really Want? (00:29:27) How AI Is Hurting Us, and the Planet, and What We Can Do About It? 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
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    45 mins
  • Inside ICE: Recruitment, Congressional Accountability, and Absolute Immunity

    Inside ICE: Recruitment, Congressional Accountability, and Absolute Immunity
    Jan 26 2026
    This episode was recorded before Border Patrol agents shot and killed Twin Cities nurse Alex Pretti. What happens when the people enforcing the law no longer seem bound by it? Our contributor Elise Labott reports on ICE’s expansive recruitment campaign and training program. Sharon is then joined by MN Representative Angie Craig to discuss the escalating situation in Minnesota and what Congress may, or may not, do in response. Plus, do ICE agents have absolute immunity, as JD Vance claims? Our guest, former DOJ attorney Liz Oyer says absolutely not. If you’d like to submit a question, head to thepreamble.com/podcast – we’d love to hear from you there. And be sure to read our weekly magazine at ThePreamble.com – it’s free! Join hundreds of thousands of readers who still believe understanding is an act of hope. Credits: Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks Audio Producer: Craig Thompson (00:00:00) What’s Drawing Recruits to ICE? (00:15:52) What is Congress Doing About ICE? (00:31:18) Do ICE Agents Have Absolute Immunity? 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
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    50 mins
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Sharon provides historical stories that not many people are aware of. She is a vibrant and entertaining. I look forward to consuming all her content every week.

Fun and Informative storytelling.

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Sharon is a historical savant. Her knowledge of all things history and all things random and unknown is vast and far reaching.
She’s a fascinating story teller and great at capturing the essence of those she brings back from the dead. I love being a part of her book club and I love even more listening to her podcast.

Historical savant

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Sharon is so informative and just a great person to listen to. Love her and her podcast!

Love Sharon

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I absolutely love Sharon! I've tried other podcasts and just couldn't get into them. this one I love so much I listen to while I run and I usually cannot run without music! I'm so excited every Monday to listen to her new episodes!! every story is so good and if there isn't a story it's always about how you can better your life and the way you act with others in your life!! 100/100!! I love it so much!

Everything you never knew you wanted to know!

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great podcast fill of interesting facts and amazing stories mixed with a Minnesota accent and fun guests. great job Sharon

Fun,entertaining,and educational

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