Political Theater

Have you ever asked, “WTF?,” about politics? Or, “who are these people making decisions about my life?” Political Theater pulls back the curtain on the stunts, antics and motivations that drive Washington. Host Jason Dick and the Roll Call team spotlight the spectacle, the players and what’s going on behind the curtain in Washington’s long-running drama: Congress.

It’s déjà tea party all over again
Jun 10, 2025 – 27:55
The 'predicament and necessity' of documentary movies
Jun 4, 2025 – 25:37
The grand tour of Washington
May 27, 2025 – 31:24
That's a lot of Supreme Court there
May 20, 2025 – 51:16
Call it the Most Not Invulnerable List
May 13, 2025 – 35:59
Still vulnerable, even while batting .400
May 8, 2025 – 44:31
Six degrees of 100 days ...
Apr 30, 2025 – 26:53
Golden State meets ‘Golden Age’
Apr 11, 2025 – 43:24
Much ado about special elections
Apr 3, 2025 – 32:26
The Thai popcorn does not detract
Mar 27, 2025 – 26:29
At the Gridiron, laughter in the dark
Mar 19, 2025 – 25:27
Democrats at (in?) retreat
Mar 12, 2025 – 21:10
Protest, retreat, hide? Congressional behavior, 2025-style
Mar 6, 2025 – 20:02
‘Yeah, I don’t love that,’ or how the House learned to start jamming the Senate
Feb 27, 2025 – 24:56
'If I can get you to feel' -- politics, wrestling and connecting with people
Feb 19, 2025 – 40:15
‘Beauty never gets old’ -- Slava Leontyev in the ‘Porcelain War’
Feb 11, 2025 – 30:26
Having a plan beats not having a plan
Feb 6, 2025 – 26:26
Instability as norm? Or test?
Jan 30, 2025 – 35:41
Pardon me? Tales of presidential pardons
Jan 22, 2025 – 31:10
Appointed senators: The winners, seat-warmers, losers and weirdos
Jan 15, 2025 – 42:22
So you say you want to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget
Jan 8, 2025 – 34:17
Looking ahead to 2025's biggest political stories
Dec 18, 2024 – 41:47
Revenge of the Senate
Dec 11, 2024 – 50:08
Home improvements for the House
Dec 4, 2024 – 44:52
A very judgy lame duck
Nov 21, 2024 – 26:28
Who are these guys? The Congress-to-Cabinet revue
Nov 14, 2024 – 39:59
5 big questions about this election with Nathan Gonzales
Nov 7, 2024 – 13:48
The last Most Vulnerable Incumbents lists of the 2024 cycle
Oct 31, 2024 – 33:11
But is it art? Unpacking ‘The Apprentice’
Oct 23, 2024 – 22:32
What it means for an electoral race to be unstable
Oct 18, 2024 – 27:14
‘War Game’: Rehearsing the uncomfortably plausible
Oct 9, 2024 – 33:57
"Sleepy" but consequential term awaits Supreme Court
Oct 2, 2024 – 25:32
Tales of the three-headed incumbent: Biden/Harris/Trump
Sep 25, 2024 – 22:18
One last journey down Roll Call's Jersey Turnpike
Sep 19, 2024 – 30:44
The surprises, lessons and exhaustion of the congressional primaries
Sep 12, 2024 – 40:23
When political realignment happens before your eyes; Amanda Becker discusses ‘You Must Stand Up’
Sep 5, 2024 – 31:55
Members of Congress get ready to kick out the jams
Aug 30, 2024 – 28:16
Sweet (temporary) home Chicago
Aug 22, 2024 – 24:32
DNC-adjacent: Stories in the convention’s orbit
Aug 15, 2024 – 41:44
Ohio, the [political] heart of it all
Aug 1, 2024 – 39:09
Yes things feel crazy, but elections are frequently chaotic, from LBJ to RBG and more
Jul 26, 2024 – 33:36
Happy Days for Republicans in Milwaukee
Jul 18, 2024 – 37:39
Just the facts, just the facts, with factba.se
Jul 11, 2024 – 29:24
Nathan Gonzales just can't wait to get on the road again
Jun 27, 2024 – 24:22
Two years in the post-Dobbs world
Jun 21, 2024 – 35:16
When being ambassador to Iceland isn't enough
Jun 13, 2024 – 44:32
Gathering in dark rooms: Sky Sitney on DC/DOX’s upcoming festival
Jun 4, 2024 – 41:02
Summertime, and the political news is busy
May 24, 2024 – 53:51
Primary colors: Breaking down the latest congressional contests
May 16, 2024 – 34:16
How to get yourself on Roll Call's Most Vulnerable Incumbents list
May 8, 2024 – 32:55

Recent Reviews

andydbaxter

Great for politics nerds!

I thoroughly enjoy the cheerful and neutral approach that this podcast usually takes in analyzing the spectacle of politics. The specific theme allows concentration on fun and interesting stories that are often otherwise overlooked. Great for politics nerds! Also, I have tremendous respect for the reporters’ recent coverage of the invasion of the Capitol. The podcast on the following day was extremely insightful into the events that occurred and the potential next steps. More than anyone else, these reporters were the ones that I looked to in order to make sense of the situation, both during and after, because they are true experts and professionals in their field and have therefore earned my trust.
Hill Staffer

Hill Staffer

Audio is terrible and is what holds this podcast back
Nbee2

always timely and enjoyable

great quick hit podcast that brings together timely political news with cultural insights
AntieWHC

Usually a decent podcast

But it’s disappointing that the episode on the Kavanaugh hearing overlooked Mazie Hirono as a senator up for re-election.