Brogressive Podcast

Jake Rakov is running for Congress in California’s 32nd — against his former boss, Rep. Brad Sherman. In this episode of Brogressive, we dive into what it means to challenge an entrenched incumbent, how to reimagine the role of a modern congressperson, and why Rakov believes the Valley deserves better.

From housing and transportation to social media strategy and campaign finance reform, this is a candid and compelling conversation with a next-gen candidate ready to shake up Democratic politics in Southern California.

🗳️ Learn more & support Jake: https://jakeforcongress.com

Follow Jake ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@jake_rakov,⁠ ⁠Ben ⁠@BenBartlettt⁠, Max ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MaxLevin23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and Brogressive Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BrogressivePod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Twitter/X.

In this episode, the Max and Beleh discuss the current political climate in the U.S., focusing on the recent military parade, budget cuts, and the implications of Trump's economic policies. They explore the disconnect between the administration's actions and the needs of everyday Americans, particularly regarding healthcare and social services. The conversation highlights the impact of these policies on small businesses and the economy, as well as the importance of accountability in governance.

Brogressive hosts Max Levin, Beleh Toma, and David Roush are joined by Representative Greg Casar, Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, to unpack the escalating billionaire influence inside Trump’s second-term White House — and how Democrats should fight back.

At (00:41), Casar breaks down the public feud between Trump and Elon Musk, exposing how the fight is really about tax cuts and healthcare rollbacks designed to benefit billionaires at the expense of working families.

At (03:16), the group dives into the real-world stakes of Trump’s healthcare cuts, which would throw 11 million Americans off coverage while blowing up the deficit.

At (07:40), Casar gets candid about the political risks of confronting billionaire power — and why progressives have to lean in, not shy away. He shares how progressives in Wisconsin flipped the state Supreme Court by making Musk’s spending politically toxic (09:44).

At (11:44), they dig into the Trump administration’s brazen corruption — and why Democrats can’t just expect voters to notice. Casar lays out what a clearer, sharper progressive message should sound like.

At (14:31), the conversation pivots to housing and child care: how Democrats can win on these kitchen table issues with bold, fast, voter-facing policies. Casar draws on his Austin City Council wins, where Austin became the #1 affordable housing builder in the country.

Finally, at (21:07), they unpack how to reform bureaucratic processes to actually deliver results — without letting corporate interests gut key protections.

A wide-ranging, sharp, and timely conversation on power, corruption, and the fight ahead.

Follow Congressman Casar ⁠⁠⁠@RepCasar⁠⁠ + @GregCasar, Beleh ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@btoma15⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Max ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MaxLevin23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and Brogressive Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BrogressivePod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Twitter/X.

Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15, South Bronx) joins Brogressive to talk about how Democrats can actually win again — by fixing failing governance, reforming broken processes like NEPA, and getting serious about cost of living. Then we break it down and dive into the week’s wildest feud: Elon Musk turning on Trump (recorded hours before the Jeffrey Epstein tweet).

(00:08) Ritchie Torres interview begins: fixing New York and why blue cities’ decline is an electoral crisis

(03:05) NEPA weaponization and why the new SCOTUS ruling could be a game-changer for climate and housing

(07:37) Good governance is good politics: why Democrats are losing — and how to start winning back young men

(14:39) Post-interview breakdown: making abundance and housing resonate with normal voters

(24:00) Elon vs. Trump feud explodes: why it happened, and where it goes next

(26:23) The weird insider theory that made Trump think Elon "won him the election"

(30:57) Elon's debt obsession vs. Trump’s exploding deficits — and why the budget war turned ugly

(35:58) How Biden’s team missed the politics of inflation — and why cost of living will define 2026 and 2028

(43:14) Where does Elon go next: third-party spoiler? Billion-dollar Dem donor? Ketamine-fueled chaos agent?

Follow Congressman Torres ⁠⁠⁠⁠@RepRitchie⁠⁠⁠ + ⁠@RitchieTorres,⁠ Ben @BenBartlettt, Beleh ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@btoma15⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Max ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MaxLevin23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and Brogressive Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BrogressivePod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Twitter/X.

In the newest Brogressive special episode, we sat down with Representatives' Greg Casar and Ritchie Torres. The Brogressive team chatted with Rep. Casar, the chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus about the future of Democratic Governance, Progessivism and its future, and Trump's Big Beautiful Bill. The crew sat down with Rep Ritchie Torres in today's double header to chat Abundance and the vision for a better Democratic governance.

Sidenote: both episodes were filmed prior to the Elon Musk and Donald Trump fight escalation.

Dream for America founder William He joins Brogressive host Beleh Toma to discuss why young voters, especially young men, are turning away from the Democratic Party, and what it will take to bring them back.The conversation dives into the need to actually listen to young men’s concerns and getting rid of the elitist tone that’s driving them away.

William and Dream for America are also hosting their first-ever conference, DemocracyFest 2025, in Washington, D.C. at The Schuyler @ The Hamilton Hotel, happening July 11–12, 2025.

🎟️ For more information and tickets, visit: https://dreamforamerica.org/democracyfest2025/Follow William on X @WilliamHeTX and his organization @DreamAmerica_

Brogressive hosts Ben Bartlett and Max Levin are joined by Micah Erfan, who represents TX-07 on the Texas Democratic Party’s Executive Committee, for a no-holds-barred ranking of the most dangerous and corrupt actions from Trump’s second term.

At (00:39), we lay out the tier list: how we’re judging illegality, institutional damage, and long-term impact. Then the countdown begins — from gutting FDA safety checks and fast-tracking deportations without due process to the crypto money funnel fueling Trump’s campaign (13:33). We talk about what’s terrifying but technically legal (30:14), and what’s so chaotic it’s hard to even rank (47:18).

Along the way, we track how Trump’s authoritarian instincts have sharpened, and why some of his most dangerous moves aren’t the ones getting the loudest headlines.

If you’re trying to make sense of Trump 2.0 and what Democrats should be doing about it, this episode is for you.

Follow Micah ⁠⁠@micah_erfan⁠⁠⁠⁠, Ben ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BenBartlettt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Max ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MaxLevin23⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and Brogressive Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BrogressivePod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Twitter/X.

Brogressive hosts Ben Bartlett and Max Levin sit down with Noah Widmann, Democratic candidate for Congress in Florida’s 7th District, for a wide-ranging conversation about how Congress lost the plot — and what it’ll take to bring working-class credibility and results-driven politics back to Washington.

Noah opens by explaining what pushed him to run for office (00:39), pointing to performative politics, a lack of town halls or basic accountability, and a system where lawmakers spend more time chasing headlines than helping people. He shares how growing up in Central Florida on food stamps and Social Security, then working night shifts as an EMT before earning scholarships to Columbia and Georgetown Law, shaped his deep personal connection to the programs Republicans keep trying to cut (02:41). He walks through that journey — dropping out of college to raise his daughter, working low-wage jobs, and ultimately becoming a pro bono attorney helping people like his mom (04:57).

The conversation shifts to what kind of campaign Noah is running—and why contrast with an incumbent who lives in Virginia, enriches himself through defense contracts, and avoids public engagement is so stark (09:26). He discusses his vision for results-first politics rooted in housing, insurance reform, and affordability (11:28), and reflects on the ideas behind Ezra Klein’s abundance agenda and how they could help rebuild trust and opportunity at the local level (13:01).

Later, the group explores how economic instability and uncertainty — especially around tariffs—are crushing small business owners and working families alike (17:18). Noah calls for a more honest economic debate, one that rejects the chaos of broad-brush tariffs and looks at who actually wins and loses when trade wars escalate (20:06).

From there, they dig into the path to victory in a red-leaning swing district (23:58), discuss why reforms like term limits and banning congressional stock trading are essential (27:02), and what it will take to win back skeptical voters who feel alienated by both parties. Noah shares how he plans to connect with those voters directly — through frequent in-person and digital town halls (30:48), a pragmatic message, and a campaign that actually listens.

In the final stretch, Noah talks about masculinity and the Democrats’ messaging gap with young men (36:18), how sports like wrestling shaped his worldview, and why the party needs to do a better job welcoming people without alienating them through culture-war signaling (40:34). He closes with a call for normal, grounded candidates who reflect the people they represent — and explains why, in his words, “you can’t be what you can’t see” (44:42).

Follow Noah @NoahWidmann and his campaign @NoahForFlorida @Ben ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BenBartlettt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Max ⁠⁠⁠@MaxLevin23⁠⁠⁠, and Brogressive Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BrogressivePod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Twitter/X.

🎧 Listen now and support Noah’s campaign on his website: noahforflorida.com

Brogressive hosts Max Levin and Ben Bartlett welcome Milan Singh of the Yale Youth Poll and Armin Thomas from Split Ticket for a comprehensive breakdown of one of the first major polls of the 2028 presidential primaries (0:00). They dive straight into the Democratic side, discussing Kamala Harris’s fragile frontrunner status, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s surprising strength, and Pete Buttigieg’s path through an increasingly divided field (9:12).

The discussion shifts to candidate favorability, unpacking why John Fetterman and Stephen A. Smith have shockingly negative numbers among Democratic voters, and what that signals about party messaging and voter expectations (10:48). On the Republican side, JD Vance emerges as the overwhelming favorite in a Trump-less scenario — but the poll reveals a potentially chaotic dynamic if Trump decides to pursue an illegal third term (1:05:25).

Milan also highlights some surprising results from message testing, explaining why framing progressive policies as “human rights” caused support to plummet dramatically (1:53). Armin analyzes the growing disconnect between party elites and everyday voters on immigration, education, taxes, and spending, suggesting Democrats might be fundamentally misreading voters' values heading into 2028 (42:55).

Finally, they explore potential paths for outsider candidates on the Democratic side, debating whether figures like Mark Cuban, Josh Shapiro, or even Raphael Warnock could redefine the race (1:17:25). The episode closes with a look at Trump's unpredictable role—will he endorse JD Vance early, or keep the GOP guessing until the convention? (1:18:14).

Follow Milan Singh ⁠⁠@milansingh03⁠⁠, Armin Thomas ⁠⁠@Thorongil16⁠⁠, Ben ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BenBartlettt⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Max ⁠⁠@MaxLevin23⁠⁠, and Brogressive Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@BrogressivePod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on Twitter/X.

Check out the full results of the Yale Youth Poll here.

Max Levin and Ben Bartlett are joined by Dhaaruni Sreenivas to break down the Trump administration’s unprecedented deportation of Kilmar Obrigo Garcia, an asylum seeker previously granted federal protection, and the resulting constitutional showdown that's dominating headlines (0:00). They discuss the disturbing details of Garcia’s deportation to El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison and debate whether the Trump administration will respond to the Supreme Court's rare bipartisan rebuke (9:52).

The group then dives deeper into immigration politics, analyzing how Democrats are failing to counter GOP narratives around border security, asylum claims, and temporary protected status—even as Republicans weaponize immigration fears for electoral gain (19:11). Dhaaruni unpacks the cultural tensions emerging in Democratic strongholds like Chicago and New York City, where Republican governors' migrant busing strategies are fueling voter backlash (26:06).

Ben questions whether the Trump administration’s harsh immigration tactics could backfire politically, or if GOP voters gave Trump a mandate to be as extreme as he chooses (24:06). Max explores how Democrats could effectively counter Trump’s authoritarian moves, proposing a shift in messaging that personalizes threats to ordinary Americans and labels Trump's actions as a direct assault on due process and constitutional norms (27:51).

Finally, the episode wraps by confronting the difficult question facing Democrats: what real options do they have to resist Trump's escalation when they're out of power in every branch of government except the judiciary? (44:32).

Follow Dhaaruni ⁠@dhaaruni⁠ on Twitter/X. Follow Max ⁠⁠⁠@MaxLevin23⁠⁠⁠, Ben ⁠⁠⁠@BenBartlettt⁠⁠⁠, and Brogressive Podcast ⁠⁠⁠@BrogressivePod⁠⁠⁠.