Hot Mics From Left To Right

Maria and Alice discuss the bad week for the Biden administration, with major setbacks on voting legislation, vaccine rules, and the economy. Maria focuses on the administration accomplishments and says there are better days ahead. Alice believes his low polling numbers will benefit Republicans in the midterm elections. And will the GOP opt out of future general election Presidential debates? Plus - In this week's Meaningful Moment, we hear messages from the Peacock drama "Yellowstone" and the Disney movie "Encanto."

Kicking off 2022, Maria and Alice mark the one-year anniversary of the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, efforts to hold people accountable, and make sure it never happens again. Plus, they discuss Maria's prediction that Democrats will fare well in the midterm elections. In this week's Meaningful Moment, we hear inspiring messages from the late Oscar-winning actor Sidney Poitier and words from Mitch Albom's latest novel, "The Stranger in the Lifeboat." Please listen, like, and share.

Alice and Maria break down President Biden's meeting with Governors and the effort to depoliticize COVID and work together to speed up testing. They discuss the breakdown of the Build Back Better plan and what the future holds for the transformational package. And - the hosts highlight the top stories of 2021 from the insurrection at the Capitol to deadly tornadoes in the heartland. In this week's meaningful moment, Maria and Alice share messages of hope from the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Maria and Alice discuss the back and forth in D.C. on the Build Back Better plan, the search for answers on 1/6, and the search for solutions to the crime wave across the country. In this week's Meaningful Moment, the two highlight spot-on views on pre-vacation routines, and hear from the founder of Potter's House.

Maria and Alice discuss the current Biden blame game and ask the question: Does the buck really stop with the president? Also- the bitter intra-party squabbles within the GOP as well as with Democrats. Plus, some highlights and takeaways from the Bruno Mars concert. In this week's meaningful moment, the duo shares insightful comments of the late, great Senator Bob Dole.

Alice and Maria discuss the current palace intrigue conversations surrounding Vice President Kamala Harris and Transportation Secretary Buttigieg compared to the very public beltway banter between Republican Congresswomen Lauren Boebert, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Nancy Mace. What does all this say about the current state of play in Washington D.C.? And the latest jobs report is being met with mixed reviews. In this week's Meaningful Moment we hear inspirational words from musical theater legend Stephen Sondheim, and thoughts on working to achieve your dreams.

Alice and Maria speak with Michael Cohen, the former attorney and personal fixer for former President Donald J. Trump. In the final hours of home confinement for his conviction on tax evasion and campaign finance violations, Cohen talks about the latest with the January 6th Commission, Steve Bannon's guilty plea, and the quest for information on the insurrection. Cohen reveals some news about his involvement in National Enquirer coverage of Senator Ted Cruz. The former Trump loyalist sheds light on why he joined the Trump team and went from a staunch supporter to an outspoken critic of the former president. And he also has some advice for Democrats heading into 2022. Be sure to listen to Cohen's own podcast, Mea Culpa, available on all the podcast platforms.

It's infrastructure week, really; Maria and Alice discuss Congress passing the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill. And - the hosts are geeks about polling numbers, and break down recent data on the make-up of the Republican and Democratic party. Plus - a major legal blow to Donald Trump's efforts to shield documents related to the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In this week's meaningful moment, we hear from Mother Teresa and music sensation Bruno Mars.

Alice and Maria discuss the recent upset victory of Republican Glenn Youngkin over Democrat Terry McAuliffe in the Virginia Governor's race. The lessons learned for Republicans in navigating campaigns in the Post-Trump era. And Democrats can learn to tailor the message to the electorate, with a focus on the issues. Also, Groundhog day on the hill as members of Congress make progress on the spending bills. In this week's Meaningful Moment, Executive Director of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, Terri Johnson, joins the podcast with some inspiring words on the Braves fabulous World Series victory.

Alice and Maria are joined by friend and colleague, CNN Senior Political Analyst Kirsten Powers to talk about her new book: "Saving Grace - Speak Your Truth, Stay Centered, and Learn to Coexist with People Who Drive You Nuts." The New York Times bestselling author opens up about navigating the toxic division in our culture without compromising your own convictions and emotional well-being.