Episodios

  • Introducing Kamala: Next in Line

    Introducing Kamala: Next in Line
    Oct 5 2020

    As a bonus for Chuck ToddCast listeners, we’re sharing a special preview of Kamala: Next in Line, a six-part podcast from MSNBC and Wondery that goes inside the cross-cultural journey that led Senator Kamala Harris from her humble roots to become the first African-American woman to be the Vice Presidential nominee for a major party. From Oakland to Howard University, and California to Washington DC, experience her story as it has never been told before. Hosted by MSNBC's Joy Reid, the show features exclusive interviews with those who know her best, painting a picture of a woman who has fought her way to the top at every turn. Listen to the first episode, and subscribe to the series now: https://link.chtbl.com/description-kamala
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    6 m
  • Wondery presents Bunga Bunga

    Wondery presents Bunga Bunga
    Sep 8 2020

    Silvio Berlusconi was a charismatic multi-millionaire real-estate mogul who upended the Italian political order and hypnotized an entire nation. He was the longest-serving prime minister of one of the world’s wealthiest countries, until he was brought down by three powerful women - and two words: “Bunga Bunga.” From Wondery, the makers of Dirty John and The Shrink Next Door, and hosted by comedian Whitney Cummings, “Bunga Bunga” is an eight part series on the incredible true story of the rise and fall of Silvio Berlusconi, told with Whitney’s signature wit and style. 

    Subscribe today: Wondery.fm/BungaBunga_NBCTC
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    6 m
  • Pt.2 - How Trump Can ACTUALLY Solve Crime & Policing + Why Murders In America Go UNSOLVED

    Pt.2 - How Trump Can ACTUALLY Solve Crime & Policing + Why Murders In America Go UNSOLVED
    Aug 13 2025

    In part two of this two-part special of the Chuck Toddcast, Chuck sits down with New York Times reporter German Lopez to explore one of America's most pressing criminal justice challenges: why police solve far fewer murder cases than their international counterparts. Lopez, breaks down the complex factors behind America's low homicide clearance rates, from resource allocation and detective shortages to the critical role of community trust. The conversation reveals how departments struggle with everything from evidence analysis—which isn't nearly as straightforward as television suggests —to the stark disparities in solve rates for cases involving Black victims.

    The discussion moves beyond statistics to examine real-world solutions and the political realities of police reform. Lopez explains how high-crime communities often want more effective policing rather than less, while politicians frequently weaponize public sentiment instead of funding proven solutions. From exploring whether the FBI should play a larger role in murder investigations to discussing how journalism can better cover criminal justice issues outside major metropolitan areas, this wide-ranging conversation offers both sobering insights into America's murder problem and hope for evidence-based reforms that could save lives.

    Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.

    Timeline:

    00:00 Introduction

    01:00 DC is much safer today than it was in the 90s

    03:30 German Lopez joins the Chuck Toddcast!

    05:15 Lack of law enforcement resources towards solving homicides

    06:15 Other countries have much higher rates of solving murder cases

    08:15 It's possible police are more focused on preventive policing

    09:45 The chance of leaving evidence is higher than ever

    11:00 We have better tools than ever for solving cases

    12:45 Analyzing evidence isn't as easy as TV makes it look

    15:00 How many murders are gang related?

    16:30 Lack of trust in minority communicates leads to lower solve rates

    18:00 It feels much worse in high crime communities than the statistics

    21:00 We haven't best targeted police resources

    24:00 There are plenty of solutions available, politicians have to fund them

    25:45 The clearance rate for cases with black victims are much lower

    27:30 What would it take to make Louisville's PD better?

    29:00 Departments struggle to find officers in communities with low trust

    31:00 Politicians weaponize public anger against police departments

    32:15 High crime neighborhoods want more policing, not less

    33:15 Is recruiting detectives as difficult as recruiting officers?

    36:00 Is there a better role for the FBI in solving murders?

    38:45 What to make of the current crime rates?

    39:45 Murder rates have collapsed, but higher than peer nations

    41:45 The civil rates movement created crime and upheaval

    42:45 Trust is down, but crime is down… why?

    44:30 German's journey to becoming a criminal justice reporter

    47:30 Journalism has too many reporters on the coasts

    51:00 Bengals or Reds?

    53:00 Moving to the opinion section of the NYT

    53:30 What does an editorial board do?

    58:00 Chuck's thoughts on interview with German Lopez

    58:45 Ask Chuck

    59:00 Why haven't Democrats pushed for DC & Puerto Rico statehood?

    1:03:30 Is Bobby Kennedy the model for Democrats to emulate?

    1:09:30 AOC, Gavin or Beto for Dems in 2028?

    1:12:30 Would Dr. Oz be allowed to override RFK on any policies?
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    1 h y 16 m
  • Pt.1 - Trump Sends Troops Into DC + Trump Politicizing The Military Is DANGEROUS

    Pt.1 - Trump Sends Troops Into DC + Trump Politicizing The Military Is DANGEROUS
    Aug 13 2025

    In part one of this two-part special episode of the Chuck ToddCast, Chuck speaks with Janessa Goldbeck, a military veteran and advocate, about the escalating concerns over Trump's use of military forces for domestic purposes. Goldbeck draws on her military experience to explain why deploying the National Guard and Marines for civilian policing represents a dangerous escalation that the military isn't trained for, while discussing how Trump appears to be deliberately seeking confrontation to normalize military involvement in domestic affairs. The conversation explores the critical shortage of resources facing D.C.'s police department and how local leaders like Mayor Muriel Bowser are trying to navigate an increasingly tense political landscape.

    The discussion delves into broader questions about military leadership, political neutrality, and institutional resistance during what Goldbeck describes as a "once in a generation threat." She examines whether the military truly operates as a meritocracy, how service members' diverse political ideologies are being tested, and why military leaders have remained largely silent in the face of norm-shattering orders. From war-gaming potential scenarios of insurrection to discussing the systematic dismantling of the VA, Goldbeck offers insights into how veterans are grappling with feeling politically homeless while warning about sustained efforts to change election rules and undermine democratic institutions.

    Timeline:

    00:00 Introduction

    02:30 There’s a lack of resources for policing

    04:30 Trump has the authority to take control of DC temporarily

    07:00 Trump escalates hoping to provoke backlash

    09:00 Military policing is anti-American, but regular policing does have issues

    11:30 Janessa Goldbeck joins the Chuck ToddCast!

    13:15 Janessa's experience in the military/origin story

    16:30 Mandatory public service would help unify the country

    17:45 The military's overseas role in policing/humanitarian efforts

    18:30 The military isn't trained for domestic policing

    20:30 Trump deploying the guard/marines is escalatory

    21:45 D.C. mayor Muriel Bowser has tried to be diplomatic

    23:15 There's been a shortage of resources for D.C's police department

    24:30 Trump is looking for a fight

    26:30 Trump is trying to normalize military use for civilian missions

    27:30 How do military leaders resist politicization?

    29:15 Is the military a true meritocracy?

    31:00 Is DoD recruiting policy now based on ideological agreement?

    32:30 Service members are fairly split on their political ideology

    34:00 Military leadership has remained silent

    35:45 Why should military leaders speak out?

    38:30 Capitulating to Trump just emboldens him further

    39:30 Advice to veterans who feel politically homeless?

    41:45 When do you fight fire with fire, and when do you stand on principle?

    43:45 There's a crisis of faith in the system

    45:00 Facing a once in a generation threat in Trump

    47:00 The military won't "rise up" to defy Trump, it will go through courts

    48:00 Trump's military orders haven't been unlawful, just norm shattering

    49:30 War gaming a insurrection/coup

    54:00 There's a sustained effort to change election rules & law

    54:45 The administration is destroying the VA in order to privatize it

    56:15 Vets have a libertarian streak

    58:00 New guardrails needed for preventing politicization of the military?

    1:00:45 Expand the house, abolish the senate
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    1 h y 3 m
  • BONUS EPISODE: Will Zohran Mamdani SHOCK The World & Win In NYC? + Journalism In The Trump Era

    BONUS EPISODE: Will Zohran Mamdani SHOCK The World & Win In NYC? + Journalism In The Trump Era
    Aug 12 2025

    “New Voices” is a series highlighting contributors to journalism, news and politics who are under the age of 30.

    On this bonus episode of the ChuckToddCast, Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times political journalist Maya King joins Chuck Todd to discuss her evolution from potential activist to political reporter, exploring how the Trump era fundamentally changed political journalism and the misconceptions Democrats harbor about deserving softer media coverage. She explains her approach to checking cynicism while covering politics, the importance of avoiding national lenses when reporting on local NYC politics, and why Mamdani's recent victory proves that persuasion still matters in politics—while arguing that class has always been more significant than race in determining political outcomes. She provides insider insights into The New York Times editorial process, from the multiple layers of fact-checking before publication to the modern reality that push alerts carry more weight than front-page placement in today's digital media landscape.

    The conversation delves into the evolving NYC mayoral race and the potential for other candidates to coalesce against Mamdani, King also offers broader insights about how giant cities like Atlanta are reshaping state politics, using Georgia as a test case for the "demographics are destiny" theory while noting that Georgia Democrats tend to be more culturally conservative than their national counterparts. Throughout the discussion, King reflects on the challenge of maintaining journalistic integrity in an era where political figures expect coverage to match their partisan preferences, while emphasizing the continued importance of local political reporting that resists oversimplified national narratives.

    Timeline:

    00:00 Maya King joins the Chuck ToddCast!

    01:00 How did Maya get into political journalism?

    03:15 Why did you choose journalism over activism?

    04:45 Reporting on politics in the pre-Trump era vs Trump era

    06:45 Democrats have misconception they deserve softer coverage

    08:15 How do you check your cynicism about politics?

    10:00 Can’t apply a national lens when covering NYC politics

    12:15 Persuasion still matters in politics. Mamdani is proof

    13:30 Class has always been more important than race in politics

    15:00 What is the editing process at The New York Times?

    18:15 How many people double check a story before it is published?

    20:00 What does it mean to get a story on the front page?

    21:15 The push alert means more than the front page

    22:00 Has the Cuomo campaign changed after losing the primary?

    24:15 Is Eric Adams running a full-fledged campaign?

    26:00 Did you know the Guardian Angels prior to Curtis Sliwa?

    29:00 Will other candidates drop out and coalesce to stop Mamdani?

    30:30 Giant cities like Atlanta are redefining the politics of their state

    32:30 Atlanta was a test case for the theory of “demographics are destiny”

    34:30 Georgia Democrats are more culturally conservative
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    38 m
  • America’s Cold Civil War + Trump Is DECIMATING American National Security

    America’s Cold Civil War + Trump Is DECIMATING American National Security
    Aug 11 2025
    Chuck Todd delivers a searing indictment of American democracy's collapse as Trump agrees to a Putin summit in Alaska without including Ukraine's Zelenskyy, while both parties abandon constitutional principles in favor of a destructive "cold civil war" over redistricting and power. He warns that Trump's desperation for a peace deal with Putin poses enormous dangers, while Republicans openly flout the Constitution and Democrats have taken the bait to "fight fire with fire" in an immoral game that betrays the founders' vision of preventing both kingship and tyranny of the majority. He argues that constitutional guardrails only work when enforced, and that leaders are capitulating to Trump and refusing to use the tools the founders provided. Then, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and intelligence expert Tim Weiner joins Chuck for a devastating assessment of how Trump's appointment of "crackpots" to lead America's national security apparatus threatens catastrophic intelligence failures and the potential collapse of democratic institutions. Weiner warns that figures like John Ratcliffe, who has worked to absolve Russia of election interference, and Tulsi Gabbard, whom he describes as an "agent of influence" for the Kremlin, represent unprecedented political bias at intelligence agencies that could lead Trump to declare martial law and cancel elections if another attack occurs. He argues that Trump has taken a "wrecking ball to national security," systematically destroying the trust that serves as the "only currency" in intelligence work, while allied agencies now hesitate to share critical information about Russia and other threats with an administration they cannot trust.The conversation explores the broader implications of Trump's intelligence appointments, from Marco Rubio putting his "manhood in a blind trust" to serve Trump, to Ratcliffe's exposure of CIA agents recruited during Biden's tenure, making DOGE staffers prime targets for Chinese intelligence operations. Weiner details how China seeks to project its surveillance state into America while Russia continues its aggressive expansion, warning that Putin will attack the Baltics if allowed to keep Ukrainian territory. The episode also delves into the CIA's evolution since the Cold War, their departure from secret prisons, the agency's struggles with cyber capabilities compared to the NSA, and why conspiracy theories—including persistent questions about JFK assassination files—could contribute to democracy's death, even as Weiner definitively states that the CIA didn't kill Kennedy while acknowledging the agency's fear of revealing their Oswald connections.Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction03:30 Trump agrees to summit with Putin in Alaska05:30 Western democracies on edge ahead of summit06:15 Zelenskyy should be at the summit07:30 The danger is Trump wants a peace deal too badly08:45 Redistricting war is a sign of a cold civil war09:30 Trump and Republicans are flouting the constitution11:00 The Democrats response of “fight fire with fire”13:00 If Democrats go low, then Trump wins14:00 Founders feared a king and tyranny of the majority15:30 The founders gave us tools, people in power refuse to use them17:00 Congressional Republicans have refused to perform oversight19:00 Guardrails only work if they’re used and enforced20:00 Everyone is capitulating to Trump22:30 Democrats have taken the bait, will play Trump’s immoral game24:15 The founding fathers would be appalled25:45 RFK Jr.’s decision will kill people, and they still won’t impeach him27:15 Leaders in both parties are failing the people30:30 Fancis Collins desperate to communicate public health tragedy31:30 It will take years to undo damage RFK has done to health and science32:30 Vaccine disinfo led to shooting at the CDC35:15 Tech companies allowed Kennedy’s terrible ideas to spread37:00 Kennedy has committed multiple impeachable offenses38:30 Tim Weiner joins the Chuck ToddCast! 40:00 Is the CIA still trying to figure out its role post Cold War? 44:45 The CIA out of the business of secret prisons 46:00 Is there regret at the CIA for their post 9/11 tactics 47:15 The people in currently in charge of national security are crackpots 49:15 Jon Rattcliffe has worked to absolve Russia of election interference 51:00 Political bias at intel agencies is at an unprecedented level 53:00 Fealty to Trump at intel agencies increases risk of catastrophic failure 53:45 How Trump would react if another attack happened 54:45 Trump could use an attack to declare martial law, cancel elections 56:15 Is intelligence sharing with allies at huge risk now? 58:00 The CIA relies on friendly foreign intelligence services 59:15 Allied agencies would hesitate to share intel on Russia with Gabbard 1:00:00 Trump has taken a wrecking ball to national security 1:01:00 If Putin gets to ...
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    2 h y 8 m
  • RFK Jr. Is Destroying The Public Health System + The Human Cost Of Mass Homelessness In America

    RFK Jr. Is Destroying The Public Health System + The Human Cost Of Mass Homelessness In America
    Aug 7 2025
    Chuck Todd begins with a scathing assessment of RFK Jr.'s dangerous tenure as health secretary, detailing how Kennedy has systematically dismantled America's public health infrastructure through lies, conspiracy theories, and decisions that will harm low-income children for decades to come. Todd chronicles Kennedy's destructive timeline from canceling $500 million in mRNA vaccine contracts to funding the largest anti-vaccination organization while lying during his Senate confirmation hearings, culminating in his role in triggering a massive measles outbreak that disproportionately affects vulnerable communities. The episode also covers Seattle's recent elections and Derek Dooley's Senate candidacy announcement in Georgia, while Todd warns that being an incumbent anywhere will be politically treacherous in the current climate. Throughout the discussion, Todd expresses frustration with Congress's silence on Kennedy's actions and the White House's nervousness about confronting what he calls "the least qualified person to lead public health," arguing that there needs to be far more public outrage over Kennedy's "menace" to American public health and the generational consequences of his anti-science agenda.Then, Dr. Terence Lester, an Atlanta-based community activist and educator, joins Chuck Todd to explore how America's growing inequality and resegregation are creating cycles of poverty that trap entire communities despite urban economic booms. Lester explains how Atlanta's prosperity has left many neighborhoods behind, with interstate highways deliberately used to segregate cities and redlining policies affecting not just housing but educational opportunities for generations. He argues that the resegregation of schools and society has contributed to America's current polarization, as many people never truly experienced integration and lack the diverse experiences necessary to build empathy across racial and economic lines. The conversation examines whether property taxes remain a viable method for funding schools, the critical role of impactful teachers in breaking cycles of poverty, and how top-down approaches often fail where community-stakeholder partnerships succeed.The discussion takes on urgent contemporary relevance as Lester warns that current affordability crises will create a "third era of mass homelessness" while communities increasingly criminalize rather than address the root causes of housing insecurity, which he argues violates the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment. He emphasizes education as the pathway to empathy and highlights the crucial role faith communities can play in restoring local connections, while addressing how the dismantling of the Department of Education has strained public school systems that could serve as 24-hour community resource centers. Throughout the conversation, Lester advocates for grassroots solutions that combine public policy with community engagement, arguing that sustainable change requires both faith in humanity and practical action to ensure schools and nonprofits can provide the wraparound services that struggling families need to break generational cycles of poverty and homelessness.Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment!Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Introduction04:30 Elections held in Seattle06:30 Being an incumbent anywhere will be tough07:45 Derek Dooley announces senate candidacy in Georgia09:00 RFK Jr. is a menace to American public health10:00 Timeline of Kennedy dismantling American public health system12:30 RFK canceled $500 million in MRNA vaccine contracts13:45 RFK lied during senate confirmation hearings14:45 Kennedy funded largest anti-vax organization16:30 Kennedy is responsible for massive measles outbreak17:45 Low income children will pay the price for Kennedy’s decisions18:45 The consequences will last for decades19:30 Congress has been silent on Kennedy, WH is nervous22:15 There needs to be more public outrage over Kennedy25:30 Kennedy is the least qualified person to lead public health27:00 Dr. Terence Lester joins the Chuck ToddCast! 29:00 Dr. Lester's origin story 32:00 How did so many areas of Atlanta fall behind as the city boomed? 34:00 Poverty was hard to escape in Atlanta in the 80's 34:30 The interstates were used to segregate cities 36:30 The importance of diversity of experience 37:45 Kids suffering from poverty can't connect with diverse experiences 39:15 The school system has resegregated 40:00 Redlining didn't just affect housing, it affected schooling 41:45 The ressegregation of society has led to polarization 43:15 Many people didn't really experience desegregation 45:00 The feeling of progress is relative 48:30 Is property tax an outdated way of funding schools? 50:15 The stakeholder approach vs the top-down approach 52:30 The importance of an impactful teacher for struggling students 54:00 The need to provide ...
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    1 h y 40 m
  • Is Trump LOSING His Mind Or Is He Being Lied To? + Atomic Bowl: America Played FOOTBALL In Nagasaki After NUKING It

    Is Trump LOSING His Mind Or Is He Being Lied To? + Atomic Bowl: America Played FOOTBALL In Nagasaki After NUKING It
    Aug 6 2025
    Chuck Todd examines Trump's disastrous CNBC interview filled with demonstrable lies and errors, questioning whether the president is mentally declining or being fed bad information as he poisons government data and threatens economic stability by claiming false achievements like having the "highest vote total ever in Texas" when he actually ranked just 7th since World War II. He warns that Trump's calls for rigged elections in Texas to maintain power, combined with his corruption of federal statistics, represents a fundamental threat to democracy that even elected Republicans won't support—though the party remains largely silent as Trump advocates for systematic unfairness. The episode also covers emerging political developments including Arnold Schwarzenegger's vow to fight Gavin Newsom over redistricting, Democratic donor Steve Kloobeck launching TV ads in California focused on Trump's Epstein connections after Kamala Harris bows out, and the growing likelihood that Sherrod Brown will mount another Senate run in Ohio despite being positioned as Republicans' top 2028 target. He rounds out the discussion with updates on crowded Democratic primary fields in Iowa, potential presidential ambitions from Hawaii Governor Josh Green, Jerry Demings' Florida political future, and the economic reality of shrinkflation hitting grocery stores as Americans face continued price increases.Then, nuclear weapons historian Greg Mitchell joins Chuck Todd to discuss his documentary "Atomic Bowl" and the largely forgotten story of a football game played in Nagasaki just four months after the atomic bombing, revealing how both American and Japanese governments worked to quickly turn the page on nuclear devastation. Mitchell explores why Nagasaki became the "forgotten city" compared to Hiroshima, despite the horrific targeting of civilian populations rather than military bases, and how the military-ordered football game featuring a Heisman Trophy winner was part of a broader effort to westernize Japan and normalize post-war relations. The conversation delves into the decades-long government cover-up of radiation health effects on American troops, the "downwinders" affected by nuclear testing, and how the true decision-making process behind the bombings remains buried by official narratives that claimed the bombs saved a million American lives.The discussion takes on contemporary urgency as Mitchell warns that nuclear weapons are being made "more useable" while the horror of their effects fades from living memory, with AI now integrated into nuclear protocols and the Trump administration proposing nuclear reactors on the moon. Todd and Mitchell examine how Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" brought renewed attention to nuclear issues, the ongoing radiation monitoring in Japanese cities, and whether there's a modern equivalent to muckraking journalists like Upton Sinclair who could expose nuclear truths today. The episode highlights the critical importance of remembering nuclear history as policymakers consider the role of nuclear power in clean energy transitions while the Pacific Theatre's lessons remain overshadowed by European World War II narratives, making the atomic bombings' anniversaries increasingly forgotten despite their lasting global implications.Finally, he answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment.Timeline:(Timestamps may vary based on advertisements)00:00 Chuck Todd’s Introduction02:00 Trump’s crazy interview with CNBC was full of errors and lies03:15 Trump is either losing it or is being given bad information04:30 Trump is poisoning government data05:45 Corrupting data can destroy the economy06:15 Trump claims highest vote total ever in Texas… not true07:30 Trump had the 7th highest vote total in Texas just since WW208:45 Trump is calling for an unfair election in Texas to hold power09:45 Illinois is the most gerrymandered Democratic state10:45 Arnold Schwarzenegger vows to fight Newsom over redistricting13:15 Advocating for unfairness is terrible for the democracy14:45 Elected Republicans are not on board with manipulating BLS stats16:00 Steve Kloobeck running TV ads in CA after Harris bows out17:45 Kloobeck’s first ad is about Trump & Epstein19:15 Looking likely Sherrod Brown will run for senate in Ohio21:15 If Brown wins he’ll be the #1 target for Republicans in 28’23:15 Democrats now have 4 senate candidates in Iowa25:30 Democrats will have a hard time clearing the primary field26:45 Hawaii governor Josh Green might run for president28:00 Jerry Demings might run for governor or senate in Florida30:00 Shrinkflation is showing up at grocery stores as prices rise33:45 Greg Mitchell joins the Chuck ToddCast! 35:30 How Greg ended up on the nuclear weapons beat 37:00 Nagasaki is the "forgotten city" 38:00 Oppenheimer brought nukes back into public consciousness 39:15 The "atomic bowl" was played 4 months after Nagasaki bombing 40:30 The story of the game was swept under the...
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    1 h y 54 m