Lunch with Jamie

Why do Democrats keep losing people they actually agree with?

In this conversation, Jamie Patricof sits down with Congresswoman Sarah McBride to break down one of the most overlooked forces in American politics: why persuadable voters walk away from the Democratic Party even when they share the same values.

Sarah explains the psychology of voters who feel pushed out, why “imperfect allies” matter, how coalition-building really works, and how Democrats unintentionally shrink their own tent. She also lays out the stakes of the current healthcare crisis, why affordability is becoming the defining issue for 2025, and what it will take to build a durable majority that can actually govern.

If you’re interested in political strategy, voter behavior, democracy reform, or understanding why elections are won and lost in the middle—this is a must-watch episode.

What we cover:

– Why so many voters feel rejected by Democrats

– How moral purity tests shrink the coalition

– The danger of pushing away imperfect allies

– Voter psychology and political identity

– Affordability, healthcare, and the 2025 landscape

– The “$1 trillion healthcare bomb”

– How Democrats can actually win again

– Why listening matters more than lecturing

– Building a bigger, stronger, more curious political movement

– What Sarah McBride believes the Democratic Party must do next

About Jamie’s List:

Jamie Patricof hosts candid political conversations centered on democracy, common sense, affordability, and real solutions. Each episode highlights voices shaping the future of our country — without the noise, outrage, or partisanship.

If you enjoy this conversation, consider subscribing. We have more big guests coming.

Only members of Jamie's List get to join me on zoom to get exclusive access during these conversations. You can apply here - https://www.jamieslist.com/membership

Congressman Jake Auchincloss joins Jamie to break down the Epstein files, fractures inside MAGA, the future of Democratic strategy, rising healthcare costs, and his bold vision for building America’s next cities. They also discuss digital dopamine, Big Tech, the coming Alzheimer’s crisis, and why education and trade schools will shape the country’s future.

Topics: Epstein files, MAGA dynamics, Democratic strategy, healthcare, Big Tech & digital dopamine, Alzheimer’s crisis, education reform, trade schools, new cities & urban planning.

Only members of Jamie's List get to join me on zoom to get exclusive access during these conversations. You can apply here - https://www.jamieslist.com/membership

Beto O’Rourke joins Jamie Patricof for an unfiltered conversation about the future of Texas, the state of American democracy, and why he believes Texas could save America.

In this powerful interview, Beto explains why, in his words, “America has bent the knee to Donald Trump,” and what needs to change for the country to fight back. He shares his firsthand view of how Texas politics, gerrymandering, and voter suppression have shaped national elections — and how his organization, Powered by People, is working to turn the tide before 2026.

This episode dives into:

The fight for democracy and what’s at stake in 2026

How Texas became the front line of America’s political divide

The role of leadership, unity, and courage in an age of fear

Why local action and grassroots organizing still matter

Beto’s message for Americans who feel powerless to create change

Whether you follow U.S. politics, care about Texas elections, or just want to understand how Donald Trump’s influence continues to shape the country, this conversation with Beto O’Rourke is essential listening.

Guest: Beto O’Rourke

Host: Jamie Patricof – Lunch with Jamie Podcast

Watch the full interview to hear why Beto says, “Our knees don’t bend — especially not in Texas.”

Only members of Jamie's List get to join me on zoom to get exclusive access during these conversations. You can apply here - https://www.jamieslist.com/membership

In this episode of Lunch with Jamie, we sit down with Representative Jasmine Crockett for a candid and unfiltered conversation on the future of American politics.

We discuss the challenges facing Democrats in 2025, the ongoing fight for voting rights, the impact of redistricting in Texas, and what it really takes to be an effective leader in today’s polarized political environment. Jasmine opens up about her journey, her frustrations with dysfunction in Washington, and what she believes Democrats must do to reconnect with voters before 2026.

Topics Discussed:

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In this Lunch with Jamie conversation, Congressman Richie Torres (NY-15) sits down with Jamie to discuss the most pressing political and moral questions facing America today. Raised in public housing in the Bronx by a single mother, Torres shares how his upbringing shaped his fight for affordable housing, healthcare, and social services—and why he believes the Democratic Party must stand for something, not just against Trump.

We dive into:

This episode reveals the values and leadership style of one of the most thoughtful and independent voices in Congress.

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This week we are re-sharing our conversation with former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder joined Jamie in 2020 for a powerful conversation about justice, democracy, and the future of America.

From his time serving under President Barack Obama to his ongoing fight for voting rights and fair elections, Holder reflects on the challenges facing our legal system, the politicization of the Supreme Court, and what it will take to restore trust in America’s institutions.

Holder discusses the battle over democracy, why protecting the rule of law is more critical than ever, and how everyday citizens can help strengthen the foundations of our republic.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

If you care about justice, leadership, and the future of democracy, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

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In this episode of Lunch with Jamie, veteran journalist Stephen Sackur joins Jamie to reflect on nearly 20 years of HARDtalk, why the BBC shut it down, and what its end says about the state of truth, journalism, and democracy today.

From grilling presidents and dictators, to navigating the collapse of shared facts in our politics, Sackur shares what he’s learned about power, free speech, and the future of investigative reporting. Known for his rigorous but empathetic style, Sackur pulls back the curtain on why journalism is struggling to survive — and why our democracies may not survive without it.

This conversation dives deep into the decline of fact-based reporting, the dangers of misinformation, and the question at the heart of our time: can truth still win?

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why the BBC cancelled HARDtalk after nearly 20 years

• How Stephen Sackur became one of the world’s toughest interviewers

• Why journalism is in crisis across the globe

• The connection between misinformation, polarization, and democracy’s decline

• Why free speech — even speech you hate — still matters

• Sackur’s next project: a book on the rise and fall of investigative journalism

If you care about truth, journalism, and the future of democracy, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

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In February, Jamie sat down with Eric K. Ward—civil-rights leader and EVP at Race Forward—and Rachel Carroll Rivas—interim director of the SPLC Intelligence Project. Known for their on-the-ground work tracking extremism and building resilient communities, Eric and Rachel dig into the rise of hate in America and how we move forward together.

From the January 6 pardons and what they signal, to why antisemitism sits at the core of modern white nationalism, they trace the roots of militia movements, Charlottesville’s wake-up call, and how online ecosystems recruit young people—often starting as “jokes.” They also get practical: curiosity over combat, local organizing over cable-news theater, and “desegregating” our daily lives so we actually talk—and listen—across differences. Eric shares lessons from his punk rock days and why targeted, universal solutions beat zero-sum politics.

Whether you care about democracy, public safety, or bridging the red/blue divide, this conversation is candid, nuanced, and focused on solutions.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

  •  The ripple effects of the January 6 pardons and what comes next

  •  Why antisemitism animates today’s white nationalist movement

  •  How militias evolved from the 1980s to present—and why that matters now

  •  Charlottesville as a turning point (and what we learned—and forgot)

  •  Practical ways to build trust locally and talk across political lines

  •  How youth get pulled into hate online—and how adults can interrupt it

  •  Eric’s punk-rock to civil-rights journey and what it teaches about community

👉 If you care about democracy, community safety, and finding common ground, you won’t want to miss this episode.

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In this episode of Lunch with Jamie, Jamie sits down with Kara Swisher — tech journalist, author, and one of the most influential voices in tech and media. Known for her sharp takes and fearless reporting, Kara dives into the intersection of politics, technology, and journalism in today’s chaotic landscape.

From Donald Trump and the role of media in politics, to the future of AI regulation, Hollywood consolidation, and the decline of legacy journalism, Kara doesn’t hold back. She also reflects on her career covering Silicon Valley, why she believes tech companies will own entertainment, and how she thinks media must evolve to survive.

Whether you’re interested in big tech, political power, or the future of news, this conversation is as unfiltered as it gets.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

👉 If you care about technology, politics, and the future of media, you won’t want to miss this episode.

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In this episode of Lunch with Jamie, Jamie sits down with Ben Meiselas, co-founder of Midas Touch and one of the most outspoken voices in progressive media, to talk about the state of American politics, the media’s failures, and the fight for democracy.

From Donald Trump’s health and the rise of authoritarianism, to JD Vance’s role in the MAGA movement, to the future of the Democratic Party in 2028 and beyond — nothing is off the table.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

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