Virginia voters will elect its new governor in less than a month — and the race has big national implications. Jessica is joined by Don Scott, Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates, to talk through what’s at stake. They also discuss the rhetoric of political violence, why Democrats are standing their ground in government shutdown negotiations, and how we can start saying the Emperor has no clothes.

Plus — Don Scott’s unconventional road to elected office includes serving seven years in federal prison. Should the Democrats recruit more “damaged goods” candidates?

Follow Jessica Tarlov, @JessicaTarlov. 

Follow Prof G, @profgalloway.

Follow Raging Moderates, @RagingModeratesPod.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two weeks into the government shutdown, the pain is starting to show — from closed museums to unpaid workers. Scott and Jessica break down who’s getting blamed, how long it could drag on, and Trump’s move to keep troops funded. Then, they dig into Project 2025 — the far-right blueprint that’s already halfway implemented — and what it means for democracy and Democrats heading into 2026. Plus, the No Kings protests return as millions gear up to march against authoritarianism.

Follow Jessica Tarlov, @JessicaTarlov. 

Follow Prof G, @profgalloway.

Follow Raging Moderates, @RagingModeratesPod.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are American voters really as polarized as politicians are? Jessica sits down with Republican pollster and New York Times contributing Opinion writer Kristin Soltis Anderson to unpack what Americans really think — and why voters are far less ideologically divided than we often assume. They explore surprising polling on moderates, shifts in party priorities under Trump, and what it all means for the midterms and 2028. 

Follow Jessica Tarlov, @JessicaTarlov. 

Follow Prof G, @profgalloway.

Follow Raging Moderates, @RagingModeratesPod.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scott and Jessica break down Trump’s controversial move to deploy National Guard troops to Democrat-led cities — and the lawsuits calling it an “illegal takeover.” Then, they unpack the latest on Gaza ceasefire talks and whether Trump’s proposed deal could actually stick. Plus, the manosphere’s breakup with Trump — from Adin Ross to Joe Rogan, why the influencers who once helped him rise are now stepping back.

Follow Jessica Tarlov, @JessicaTarlov. 

Follow Prof G, @profgalloway.

Follow Raging Moderates, @RagingModeratesPod.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jessica sits down with Amanda Litman, co-founder of Run for Something and author of When We’re In Charge, to talk about the next generation of political leaders. From breaking “bad Boomer leadership” to running for office in Trump 2.0, Amanda shares practical advice for young people stepping into power—and how to lead without burning out.

Follow Jessica Tarlov, @JessicaTarlov. 

Follow Prof G, @profgalloway.

Follow Raging Moderates, @RagingModeratesPod.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scott and Jessica break down who really wins from a government shutdown, Trump’s surprising new peace plan in Gaza, and why MAGA is melting down over the NFL tapping Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl halftime show. 

Follow Jessica Tarlov, @JessicaTarlov. 

Follow Prof G, @profgalloway.

Follow Raging Moderates, @RagingModeratesPod.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates 

Jessica is moderating an important and timely conversation on the future of transgender athletes in sports on October 23rd at the 92nd St Y in NYC. Get your tickets here: https://www.92ny.org/event/fair-play 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jessica sits down with New Jersey Congresswoman and gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill to discuss Trump’s push to prosecute his political rivals, the MAHA health debates and vaccine trust crisis, and the challenges of running a moderate campaign in a state that’s increasingly leaning toward Trump.

Follow Jessica Tarlov, @JessicaTarlov. 

Follow Prof G, @profgalloway.

Follow Raging Moderates, @RagingModeratesPod.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scott and Jessica break down Jimmy Kimmel’s return after a suspension that drew bipartisan backlash, Hollywood outrage, and pushback from TV affiliates. What does it mean for free speech—and the future of late-night as ratings slide? They also tackle Trump’s unproven claim linking Tylenol use in pregnancy to autism, as the FDA issues warnings despite inconclusive science. Plus, Trump’s White House remodeling—from gold ceilings to a massive new ballroom. What message does it send when the “people’s house” starts looking more like Mar-a-Lago?

Follow Jessica Tarlov, @JessicaTarlov. 

Follow Prof G, @profgalloway.

Follow Raging Moderates, @RagingModeratesPod.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jessica sits down with Andrew Bates, former White House deputy press secretary under President Biden and a veteran of the Obama administration. They unpack new evidence in the Charlie Kirk assassination case and what it reveals about Tyler Robinson’s motives. They also get into Trump’s $15 billion defamation suit against The New York Times, the administration’s widening crackdown on speech, and MAGA openly calling for a dictatorship. Bates shares how the press corps is handling Trump 2.0 compared to his time in the Biden White House, and they break down the fallout from Kamala Harris’s forthcoming book—where she bluntly says Biden shouldn’t have run in 2024—and what it means now that other Democrats are echoing her.

Follow Jessica Tarlov, @JessicaTarlov. 

Follow Prof G, @profgalloway.

Follow Raging Moderates, @RagingModeratesPod.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scott and Jessica dig into Tyler Robinson’s motives in Charlie Kirk’s assassination and how MAGA influencers are bringing back a new kind of cancel culture aimed at anyone who criticizes them. They also talk about how social media fuels extreme content—and how tech giants are cashing in. Then, they break down Trump’s crime crackdown tour heading to Memphis, why local officials aren’t thrilled, and what militarized policing really does on the ground. Finally, they dive into Governor Hochul’s long-awaited endorsement of Zohran Mamdani and why other Democrats are holding back, especially with Trump threatening federal retaliation.

Follow Jessica Tarlov, @JessicaTarlov. 

Follow Prof G, @profgalloway.

Follow Raging Moderates, @RagingModeratesPod.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates 

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices