As the devastating fires wreak havoc on Los Angeles for the 8th straight day, Michael, Anna and Anthony reflect on all of the inspiring GOOD they're seeing from humanity during this crisis, as well as call out some politicians and media figures taking cheap shots for quick political wins. The gang also discusses out of state wildfire aid, proxy voting in Congress for new parents, and a follow up on Meta's new free speech policy. Spoiler, that one isn't so good for humanity.

Tragically, the year is not beginning how anyone in Los Angeles would like, as Michael, Anna, and Anthony process the still ongoing fires ravaging their own backyards in the Palisades at an unprecedented level. The gang then turn their attention to all the other things making everyone else's start to the year a bit prickly, like Meta announcing they're no longer fact checking, or how funding for 9/11 first responders and victims has lapsed thanks to Donald and Elon. Or how US Steel may be going under after a merger was recently blocked. It's not the start to the year we wanted, but that doesn't me we can allow ourselves to tune out the news.

Yes, we talk about the drones over Jersey...we just couldn't help ourselves. But we also talk about the quiet but steady work of one GOP Congresswoman to combat China's bad trade practices, the annual year end pardon petitioning to the President, and the future of AOC in Democratic leadership. And finally, to conclude the Year's End Happy Hour, we bid adieu to the departing members on account of age--and spoiler, some of our favs are growing up!

On this episode of the Happy Hour, Michael, Anna and Anthony break down all the things happening in Syria with the fall of the Assad Regime and discuss what this means for the US and the broader region. The gang then discuss what the young Congress is saying about this, as well as other important issues like maternal death rates in the US and some new tiktok trends a few Congresswomen are getting involved in.

On this Happy Hour, Michael regales the gang with his recent golf hole in one which lead to none other than Mitch McConnell receiving a free drink! We also discuss a number of relevant news items this week like the Pete Hegseth nomination, new democratic leadership contests, immigration and the economy, and of course, the Hunter Biden pardon.

On this Happy Hour, Michael arranges for a surprise holiday cameo that is just the sort of pumpkin espresso martini Anna and Anthony were looking for. Then they discuss the new cease-fire in Lebanon, as well as Trump's nominee for DNI, Tulsi Gabbard, a proposed housing solution for low and middle income families and finally an interesting prisoner swap between the US and China.

On this Happy Hour, the gang tackle what has become a resounding talking point on the Right: Did Trump really win by an overwhelming mandate? And what does this mean for all those swing states that voted for him but then voted for Democratic Senators like Ruben Gallego or Elissa Slotkin. And later in the episode, we talk about combating homelessness and the divisive return of trans-rights in the actually Capitol Building following the election of Congresswoman Sarah McBride.

And boy does it feel like our country has just undergone one of those! On this happy hour, Michael, Anna and Anthony discuss some of the new playlist "graduates" now looking at shiny new Cabinet roles, as well as who of our young leaders might fill those new House leadership vacancies and who the Dems aught to have as their "dream team" council as Anna puts it. It's an episode that hits the reset as we dive into the upcoming administration.

Feelings? We have a few. Thoughts? We have even more. On this morning after episode, the gang unpacks this wild rollercoaster election ride we've been on as a nation and what we think it all means, and where we think we head to next.

Whether your thrilled or still wanting more, we close out this election season with one final happy hour before the polls close, this time to highlight a few key congressional races in New York, Florida, and Washington. We've got Lawler v Jones, Luna v Fox, and Glusenkamp-Perez v Kent. Every single one of these defenders and challengers is under 45 and we solute them in their political pursuits.

FORE! Let this be a warning...a warning that Anna left the boys to their own juvenile devices and oh did they indulge themselves in the latest presidential platforming of Arnold Palmer's purported legendary "status". But there's a larger point we're trying to make here and that's what this measuring contest signifies for where our politics is, in 2024.

Okay, let's all admit it...we're stress eating (and drinking) and frankly, ready for this election to be over. Except we still have 21 more days, and our Young Leaders are still working their butts off for the American People...well, some of them. On this episode, we cover the latest in the Middle East, we talk economic plans, FEMA and mental health.

Not only is there a second life threatening storm approaching our southern states, but it does seem as the election nears that our politics have become darker and, well, stormier, too. On this Happy Hour, Michael, Anna and Anthony discuss the latest on the ground in Florida before tackling the latest bogus mis-information regarding FEMA relief. Then, they talk about a group of states suing TikTok, Rep Jasmine Crockett's VOGUE debut, and an unlikely pairing between Sen. Katie Britt and Rep. Lauren Underwood on a new maternity health bill.

Well, gang, there sure was a whole lotta agreement at Tuesday's VP Debate and we're here to say...WE AGREE WITH IT! Michael, Anna, and Anthony fill up their glasses, and marvel at this seeming--and perhaps short-lived--return to normalcy in the political debate realm. But don't be fooled, because behind those kind salutations was a lot of unsaid policy agenda and sales pitch that needs discussion.

On this episode of the Happy Hour, the gang discuss the latest military escalations in the middle east, the crazy political manueverings going on in Nebraska, the importance of youth sports, but first--we welcome two new Under 45ers to the Playlist, both from none other than New Jersey.

On this episode of the Happy Hour, Michael, Anna and Anthony discuss the latest pager attacks in Lebanon before covering a wide range of congressional issues like manufacturing, election certification and a very interesting race shaping up in central California.

That is the question of the hour, Swifties... and it appears it's looking like a cruel summer for Donny T post debate as the biggest pop star in the world just threw her support behind Kamala. But the real question is, did this debate, and will this endorsement, change a gosh darn thing in this race? Your guess is as good as ours, although we do follow this stuff closely, so pour a glass and hit play to hear our thoughts post presidential debate, as well as what young Congressional leaders are saying about the issues covered (and not covered) in the debate.

This week Anna and Anthony sit down with Sarah Stewart Holland and Beth Silvers of the Pantsuit Politics podcast! Sarah and Beth brand their conversations as a different approach to the news and have garnered a wide audience of people craving their casual and informative conversations. We have just that with them as we get some of the hot goss from the DNC, discuss the shifting conservative movement and dig into why the 'kitchen table' issues they're known for tackling on their show resonate so much with listeners and voters. These Kentucky ladies are just the best and we may or may not have veered into an all-out therapy session with them...

That's a wrap on Anna's wedding as well as the DNC, and the gang is here to hash it all out this happy hour. Most striking, besides Anna's shoes, where the amount of young leaders on our platform who spoke at the DNC. But of course, our favorite speaker was Anna's dad Tony, who MC'd night one. How cool is that?!?!

On this episode of the Happy Hour, Michael and Anthony welcome William He, the founder of Dream For America, a progressive organization dedicated towards activating young Gen Z voters in order to combat MAGA extremism. William joins us again, this time from the DNC where his officially the youngest accredited DNC goer at the age of 17. So naturally this happy hour we're drinking sodas.

As Anna prepares to say "I Do," Michael and Anthony prepare to say "I'll have another" as the latest political hits keep coming. This week, Kamala takes the lead in three key swing states as Donald has a streaming failure to launch with Elon which turns into a 2 hour ramble-fest, and Congress is getting punchy as it nears November.

This week, Anna and Anthony are making due without the smoothest-talking member of the Political Playlist trio, but nonetheless they've got a lot to discuss. From Trump's problematic remarks about Kamala Harris's race to the release of US prisoners from Russian jail, the news is all over the place. And you bet your bottom dollar we've got some HOT TAKES of our own  and some from the youngest members of Congress who always have a thing or two to say about what's going on in this wild, wild world of ours. Tune in, take a sip, and join the conversation.

Let's face it folks, when things are in disarray, sometimes you just need Mom--err Momala, that is. Yes, we're talking about our VP Kamala Harris aka Momala, who has now stepped in to replace Joe Biden atop the democratic ticket and WOW has she galvanized a party that was desperate for new energy and in turn, has shown that the country writ large is also desperate for that new energy.

The Republican National Convention is on, and Michael, Anna and Anthony are here to break down who of our young Congress is speaking at this grand old party. But first, the gang discuss the horrific assassination attempt on former president Trump that tragically claimed the live of an everyday hero protecting his family. Sadly, no one thinks any of these political "unity" pledges will last.

On this episode of the Happy Hour, Michael and Anna welcome Anthony back from Europe and gingerly remind him that we still have two very old people running for president, despite many reasons for both to exit stage right. The gang unpack the latest controversies surround the 2024 election through the lens of what our young leaders in Congress are saying about it. Then they segue to Trump's frontrunner VP of JD Vance... VP JV has a certainly ring to it I guess. Then we couldn't NOT cover the controversy surround Refrigerator Freedom--yep, you heard that right. Can't make this stuff up kids...

This is a question Michael and Anna ask many times on this episode, are we there yet? Are we done with the election yet? Are we over the unnecessary vitriol and chaos and disfunction of Washington and our politics yet? Indeed these may be unanswerable questions, but what we can tell you is what our young members like Jared Golden, Marie Gluesenkamp-Perez and Eric Swalwell are saying about the Democratic Presidential ticket and the recent Presidential immunity ruling by the Supreme Court.

On this episode of the Happy Hour, the gang rejoice at the news that Anna has found wedding shoes for her beautifully oversized feet! Then on to other important matters, like the elections in Britain and France, plus Ritchie Torres' unwavering support for Israel and the contentious primary races for many of his progressive colleagues.

Apologies to anyone in favor of sensible gun reform, we're just not that into you--or so says the US Supreme Court when it comes to the federal ban on bump-stocks for semiautomatic weapons. On this happy hour, Michael, Anna, and Anthony dive into the Supreme Court's latest overturning of the Trump-era policy as well as wade into the new immigration marriage policy for undocumented immigrants as well as some interesting new crime policy propositions hitting the California ballots.

The political vitriol in Washington is getting harsher and harsher but this trio of civic youngsters (we can call ourselves that right?) is trying to unpack the baggage so you don't have to go insane doing it! This episode features discussions on the DOJ, Immigration and a wild alleged fraud scheme surrounding the CFO of right wing media outlet The Epoch Times.

That's right folks, on this episode of the happy hour, the gang is pouring a glass and diving into all things Lady Justice surrounding the Guilty Verdict against the Former President and now current convicted Felon.

We couldn't NOT begin this happy hour by talking about the viral spat heard round the beltway. We're referring of course to the House Oversight Committee hearing that went off the rails after Marjorie Taylor Greene insulted Jasmine Crockett, who then sent some haymakers flying back. The entire thing devolved into a circus, and spoiler, we have thoughts. We also have thoughts on immigration which we get to later in the show. Oh, and if you like cheese, Anthony divulges a little housewarming showstopper.

Wouldn't it be cool if we could have playoffs between the young Congresspeople under the age of 45? I know, it'd be sick. But until then, we'll settle for a happy hour where we talk about what folks like Sharice Davids, Jasmine Crockett and Lauren Underwood. Today's episode is all about the Ladies of the Legislature, plus Anna's impending bachelorette party. It's all very on brand.

The craziness in the world ain't slowing down, so neither are Michael, Anna and Anthony. On this happy hour, the gang continues to cover the escalating campus protests, the proposed drug reclassification of marijuana, the shifting political landscape in the House, and the Supreme Court's fast rising star. It's a good one. So fill up and hit play!

Protest, Protest, Hear All About it!. With campus protests engulfing the news cycle, Michael, Anna and Anthony devote the entire Happy Hour to this topic, and (hopefully) show how we can have wide-ranging views on the topic while still staying cordial and fun. We promise, there's a way!

On this episode of the Happy Hour, Michael, Anna and Anthony dive right in to all the latest in the Congressional Circus, including a failed cabinet impeachment and Ukraine aid. But first, the gang tackles the thorny news about their alma matter (USC) canceling the scheduled valedictorian speaker an account of her potentially antisemitic social media posts.

If you didn't think Michael, Anna, Anthony, and Anna again were going to talk about the new confounding Arizona Abortion Ban, then you don't know this Gang as well as you should. It's an action packed Happy Hour with lots of other important news too like Ukraine aid and Israeli Hostage updates.

In this episode of the Happy Hour, Michael, Anna and Anthony push the limits on how many times they can say "it's been a busy news week." But indeed it has, with lots of things happening like leadership changeover in the Democratic House, escalating violence and tragedy in the Middle East, and making the tweet cut this week are Bryan Steil, Lauren Beobert, and three Dems from Florida: Jared Moskowitz, Maxwell Frost, and Darren Soto.

On this episode of the Happy Hour, Michael, Anna and Anthony dive deep into the recent case heard by the Supreme Court revolving around Mifepristone and the FDA's 20-year-old approval of the widely-used abortion drug. Spoiler, the Justices seem likely to uphold the federal approval but it's not without its controversies. The gang also covers the latest goings on in Congress like Mike Gallagher stepping down, bipartisan support for the SNAP program and what to do about the backlog of SIVs (special visas) for out Afghan partners who helped the US Military in our prolonged middle-east wars.

That's right playlisters, Tiktok's days might be numbered, thanks to an overwhelming (and surprising) bipartisan piece of legislation targeting the Chinese-owned company. The gang breaks down the Mike Gallagher led bill and what they're saying, and what the further implications of it might be. Then, the gang discuss a bridge in Washington that has become a political hot potato for Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. And lastly, this episode covers the highlights from this past super Tuesday and which under 45-ers are having an exciting and contested election year.

On this episode of the Happy Hour, the gang talks about the latest supreme court ruling allowing Trump to stay ON the ballot and what this means for the young Congressional Republicans vying to be his VP. The PolPla trio also tackles the growing challenges facing underpaid teachers, as well what some newly minted maga-ites have to say about Hunter B these days.

Buckle up kids, because we're charging head first at the new Alabama Supreme Court ruling on embryos now legally constituting as...children?!?! Yep, it's a newsy, boozy, ranty episode you won't want to miss!

On this episode of the Happy Hour, Michael and Anna literally silence Anthony by accidentally keeping him in the Zoom waiting room, while they gab and gab some more about all the news of the day, like the DHS Secretary's impeachment, Mike Gallagher not running for reelection, August Pfluger's new energy bill, Matt Gaetz, and of course Russia's nuclear shenanigans in space.

On this Happy Hour, the gang dive into the bipartisan immigration deal that looked to defy the odds in the Senate only to see its hopes and dreams squashed by the House. Also covered in this episode is Congressman Dan Crenshaw, Guy Reschenthaler, and of course, the Grammys.

We could not, simply could not, begin this happy hour without addressing the conspiracy plot heard round the cable news cycle--that being the insanely hilarious and frankly asinine theory circulating right-wing media that Taylor Swift and Jason Kelce are part of the government deep state planted by Joe Biden to fake a world-wind romance and Super Bowl win for the sole purposes of endorsing his candidacy shortly thereafter. We known, insane. And hilarious. But sadly, real theories being address on real news networks.

Oscar Noms are out and alas, this Political Happy Hour also went the way of the Barbie snubbery. But fear not, Michael, Anna and Anthony still have their acceptance speeches ready to go. And accompanying those thank yous are a whole lotta hot takes from the the New Hampshire primary to hope for a child tax credit passage. And lastly, everyone's in agreement that this upcoming election from the top to the bottom of the ballot is going to be immigration vs. abbortion.

In this action packed episode of the Happy Hour, the gang discuss the latest Iowa Caucus results and what it all means. They then zero in on our young leaders by discussing the Senate race in Arizona with Ruben Gallego, the trouble with the Houthi rebels and what Seth Moulton things of that, and finally they talk about a surprising about-face with Anna Paulina Luna with regards to proxy-voting and motherhood.

Welcome back to the first Political Happy Hour of 2024, where the gang dives back into the chaos in Washington that didn't seem to take a holiday refresh. We talk impending spending bill deja vu facing the ever divided Congress, we talk election 2024, we talk immigration, political vitriol via tweet and we also discuss a special political surprise friend that dropped by Anna's house on New Year's Eve. Start the year off right by getting one bit smarter with Political Playlist Happy Hour!

On this episode of the Happy Hour, the Gang discuss the war in Ukraine, how Republicans in the House are holding Ukrainian aid hostage in exchange for demands on immigration, the alarming rate at which opioids are becoming more accessible and the push to make all drugs prescriptions electronic nation-wide, proposed by an unlikely figure in the Senate.

On this episode of the Happy Hour, the gang dives into a few serious topics like the war in Ukraine and the maelstrom of warring rhetoric on college campuses. But perhaps the most important takeaway from this episode, and reason enough to listen, is that there's a man in Florida nicknamed Mr. Tomato and he presides over a consortium of Tomato farmers known as The Tomato Titans. Yes, this is real, and we promise you need to know about it.

On this episode of the Happy Hour, Michael, Anna and Anthony catch us up on the last three weeks of goings-on in the young Congress, including the ALMOST brawl in a Senate hearing, the latest in the Santos Saga, and how more and more of our young congressional leaders are attempting to storm into the Senate. It's a bit of a grab-bag, pot-luck, holiday punch-bowl episode, so take this opportunity to pour yourself an exotic mixed drink before you hit play.

You may have noticed the asterisk in the title of this episode and that's not a typo... it was put their by our legal department because on this Happy Hour*--there it is again-- we welcome the founder of the progressive organization Dream For America who is...wait for it...only 16 years old! His name is William He and this young man is well beyond his years. Tune in for a very interesting conversation with a kid who's definitely smarter than Michael and Anthony combined.

From fake Facebook accounts sowing division about Israel and Palestine to threats on Jewish-American journalists, this episode takes us deep into the work of Forbes Technology Reporter Alexandra Levine. She talks us through our susceptibility to posts we see on social media and how tensions have become heightened online ever since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. If you're looking for different perspectives and nuanced ways to think about the unfolding conflict, tune in! IG: @politicalplaylist TikTok: @politicalplaylist Website: politicalplaylist.com

On this episode of the Happy Hour, Michael and Anna discuss the House's latest move to censure their only member of Palestinian decent, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, stemming from fiery and emotional comments she made regarding the War in Gaza and the perception it was antisemitic. Then they discuss the recent election and ballot measures, like the abortion one in Ohio, and predict the future for newly minted 7th-in-line GOP leader Blake Moore.

On this episode of the happy Hour, Michael, Anna and Anthony cover a lot of heavy stuff because, well, the world is sort of in chaos right now. With the war escalating in Gaza, we dive into the meaning of the word Genocide and discuss whether some on the far left are recklessly misusing this term when referring to actions taken by the IDF. We also discuss how this war has taken center stage on many of our college campuses, the political courage of one young leader in the wake of the tragic shooting in his hometown of Maine, and some newly proposed sanctions on Iran.

Most importantly, YES we discuss Taylor Swift on this episode of the Happy Hour, but we also discuss a lot of other important things too, like the growing political disenfranchisement among young voters, the ongoing tragedy plaguing Israel and the Middle East, and what exactly is going on in the leader-less House of Representatives!

On today's episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, Michael, Anna and Anthony discuss the terrorist attacks in Israel perpetrated by Hamas, and breakdown the complex politics, at home and abroad, surrounding these horrific attacks, and how the stakes of this impending war have a direct impact on Americans right here at home.

Well, well, well, coming to you, listener, in a historic week. Kevin McCarthy just became the first Speaker EVER to get ousted from his seat, and you better believe the team's diving into all the drama, including the surprise vote to get him outta there that has Anna's wheels turning! Anna and Anthony fly sans Michael this week to also discuss the expiring emergency childcare funding that millions of families rely on and Newsom's appointment of Laphonza Butler as California's new senator. If there was ever a week to indulge your political obsession... this is certainly it! Website: politicalplaylist.com Instagram: @politicalplaylist TikTok: @politicalplaylist

The gang discusses a lot in this Happy hour including immigration, government shutdown, one Republican calling his party a Clown show, leaders who inspire us today...oh, and Anthony's Mom makes a cameo by way of a moving story that Anthony shares. And while we haven't had her on the pod yet, we're making the case that she come on and announce her candidacy for something...ANYTHING!

On this episode of the Happy Hour, Michael and Anna welcome Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, Democratic Representative from Illinois. The conversation centers on the hot-button issue of immigration and rightfully so! Delia is a first generation American--her mother crossed the boarder from Guatemala while she was pregnant with Delia--and if that didn't give Delia enough street cred, her husband is a DACA recipient. Join us for one of our more personal conversations with one of our newest young policy makers in Washington!

The podcast bros are back bro-ing it out with bro-tinis! With Anna off on assignment, Michael and Anthony cover a laundry list of topics (that Anna made for us) including the new Impeachment Inquiry, Mitt Romney calling himself and others OLD, the expiring student meal program that doesn't have Republican support, the immigration crisis hitting our cities, and of course, Ms. Lauren Boebert's date night fail.

Oh Baby, look out--we're 100 !!!! That's right folks, Political Playlist Happy Hour has just notched one hundred happy hours, plus the wisdom and hangovers to prove it! On this celebratory episode, Michael, Anna and Anthony do a deeper dive into the crazy Kamala Senate Move Theory that made them (finally) go viral last episode. They then dive into legislation to BAN Mask Mandates (with JD Vance and Josh Hawley), why negotiating drug prices is bad (do explain, Dan Crenshaw) and why Dan Goldman and Json Crow are desperately trying to remind us we have to do more on gun control. It's action packed, so if you're a regular, pull up a stool, and if you're new, welcome to the Happy Hour! This is Political Playlist.

Michael's skipping town again so Anthony and Anna are left to their own devices on this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour. But never fear! This info packed episode covers the D-R-A-M-A going down in the Tennessee state house and what it might say about the battle over gun control. And then we hear what young lawmaker Colin Allred (D-TX) is telling us about the monumental new rules around prescription drugs and some high hopes from NY Republican Elise Stefanik concerning the next election. Get your fill and tune in!

On this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, the Gang couldn't resist wading into debate waters with the upcoming GOP Presidential debate happening this week, and wouldn't you know that the only one of these candidates who'd make the cut on our platform is the shirtless, tennis playin', Eminem-lovin' far right youngin' named Vivek. We then segue, beautifully done by Michael, we might add (he wrote this...) into issues surrounding China and the threat alarms Mike Gallagher is raising. Then we go our old favorite (GENUINE) do-gooder Andy Kim who's helping ensure kids have meals while school is on summer break, and lastly we introduce our listeners to freshman Republican Congressman Cory Mills of Florida. It's a jam packed episode so tune in and share with your friends!

The Political Playlist Triumvirate (that means three, Anthony) is back together again as they kick things off with the penalty shot heard round the world... that is, the missed soccer penalty kick from US women's star Megan Rapinoe that quickly became a right wing political football--okay we'll stop. On this happy hour, the gang also discusses the one year anniversary of the PACT Act, which increased benefits to Veterans affected by burn pits, as well as some moderate environmental legislation up in Washington State, and finally, a shoutout to one of the best social media games among our Young Congress.

Anna and Anthony fly solo again - they're getting the hang of it! - for this info-packed episode. How old is Congress? OLD. How hot is America? DANGEROUSLY HOT. How bad is fentanyl? VERY BAD. Tune in to hear us unpack these overly-simplified answers and to learn what some of the youngest members of Congress are saying about them! Website: politicalplaylist.com Instagram: @politicalplaylist TikTok: @politicalplaylist

Barbies and aliens? What more could you ask for in an episode of your favorite political podcast? Anna and Anthony fly solo this week without Michael's smooth hosting voice but manage to cover not just the lady in pink and potential otherworldly friends but also the incredibly important National Defense Authorization Act, which, for the first time in 60 years, might not pass on a bipartisan basis. All to be expected in the chaos we live in - but that's why we're here, to break it down and discuss the young politicians involved in the hottest congressional issues!

This is an episode you do not want to miss! Michael and Anna welcome none other than Democratic Congressman Morgan McGarvey of Kentucky to the show. He is the co-chair of the House Bourbon Caucus (yes that's real!) so you better believe we're drinking Maker's Mark in his honor-- and yes we do so at the 10:30AM time of record! Hey, we're dedicated. But don't let that fool you, the issues we cover couldn't be more important, ranging from sensible gun safety to helping provide free meals in schools to kids in need. So pull up a glass and hear for yourself why we were so taken by this Congressman's genuine southern charm and clear-eyed thinking towards reaching sensible policy solutions that actually help Americans. Tiktok: @Politicalplaylist IG: @Politicalplaylist Web: PoliticalPlaylist.com

Sometimes episodes just naturally find that perfect opposite pairing of subject matter and personality...and this episode of the Happy Hour is NO EXCEPTION. Perpetually unengaged Michael joins newly engaged Anna to discuss a few serious things (like Sweden's new pathway to joining Nato) and a few not so serious things (the World Map depicted in the upcoming movie Barbie). And to be clear, the Barbie movie is super, SUPER serious--just not the geopolitical implications of the crayon map supposedly supporting the controversial One China Policy.

On this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, Michael returns to the newly-minted PR Firm of Goldwyn & Barkett to discuss the latest news including the absolutely wild and hilariously ridiculous Congressional quarrel between Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene over... "plagiarizing" their impeachment bill?!?! Yeah, for real. More importantly, we dive into the Biden State Dinner for India, what that means for the US and why some members of the House boycotted the Prime Minister's address to Congress.

With Michael off galavanting who-knows-where, Anna and Anthony put on their best podcast voices in this week's episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour. We're talking about the new limitations of home insurance which, eek! Then we read some tweets from (and about) our young lawmakers and talk about veterans as they pertain to two very different issues - psychedelics and guns. It's a wild ride today with lots of info so tune, in share, and subscribe! IG: @politicalplaylist TikTok: @politicalplaylist politicalplaylist.com

On this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, Michael and Anna are joined by Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell of California for a fun, wide-ranging conversation that manages to hit both serious topics like meaningful gun reform, of which the Congressman is a vigilant fighter for, as well as some lighter topics like hallway fist-bumps with Ted Cruz and the dangers of Republicans' performative political games. It's a good one, so pour a glass and come get one bit smarter! Oh and if you don't follow Eric on social media yet, he's worth checking out @ericswalwell on IG and @repswalwell on twitter...let's just say he ain't afraid to throw some shade. IG: @politicalplaylist tiktok: @politicalplaylist web: politicalplaylist.com

On this episode of the happy hour, Michael and Anthony take the helm...and in classic fashion, they have no map or plan for where they're sailing...so they sail right into the latest on the debt ceiling deal, what this means for Democrats and Republicans--who both seem to have many members of their respective parties who are not fans of the deal. And finally, they discuss some recent Supreme Court rulings that have major environmental implications with respect to the power of the EPA. So shake that martini and hit play! IG: @politicalplaylist Tiktok: @politicalplaylist Web: Politicalplaylist.com

Some episodes are light and bubbly (that's a pun--wink) and other episodes are, well... a little more "scotch-y". This one is that. Because the gang dives into some of the more depressing news of the week, from Debt ceiling crisis to the battle of Bakhmut, the most brutal fighting in the Ukrainian war. Don't worry, it's not supper depressing but it's...concerning. tiktok: @politicalplaylist IG: @politicalplaylist web: politicalplaylist.com

That's right, on today's episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, Michael and Anna have the privilege of speaking with Congressman Robert Garcia of California. Congressman Garcia represents CA's 42 district, which includes the port of Long Beach, and as a freshman, sits on the powerful Homeland Security Committee. Therefore, we couldn't pass up this opportunity to speak with Robert about all things immigration, including the recent expiration of Title 42 and what this means for our southern border. Tiktok: @politicalplaylist IG: @politicalplaylist Web: Politicalplaylist.com

Better make it a double...because this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour is looooong...and it get's spicy too! Michael, Anna and Anthony talk about Trump's latest legal loses as it relates to Republican leaders in Congress, what it means for current and future moderate reps like Nancy Mace. Then we tackle some Title 42 policy followed up with a twitter spat about Trans inclusion in the LGBTQ+ movement between (now criminally indicted) George Santos and Robert Garcia. Like we said, it gets spicy. Tiktok: @politicalplaylist IG: @politicalplaylist Web: politicalplaylist.com

On this episode of the Happy Hour, Michael Anna and Anthony discuss the recent abrupt exit of Geoffrey Hinton from Google, otherwise known as the Godfather of A.I., and the further startling alarm bells he's ringing regarding the future of A.I.... Spoiler, it's...alarming. The gang then unpacks the latest goings-on in Congress, which saw some bipartisan surprises this week (Tom Cotton), some partisan un-surprises (the fight over the debt ceiling), the scoop on rare-earth minerals (Eric Swalwell) and perhaps the least surprising thing which is Michael is horrible at guessing these tweets. IG: @politicalplaylist Tiktok: @politicalplaylist Web: politicalplaylist.com

In this Episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, Anna and Anthony sit down with Republican State Representative Joe Alexander of New Hampshire (The Granite State) to discuss, among other things, the work of getting more Millennials and Gen Z Conservatives to run for office. What makes Joe qualified to speak on this , you ask? Well, he was the youngest elected NH State Rep in 2018 at age 24! He also helped start an organization called Run Gen Z...so yeah, he's kind of an authority on this. And aside from being a very smart guy, he's also a lot of fun to talk to. So pull up a glass, and come get one bit smarter with us. IG: @politicalplaylist tiktok: @politicalplaylist web: politicalplaylist.com

On this Happy Hour, Michael and Anna unpack the latest with the trove of leaked classified documents and discuss what certain members of Congress are saying about it, particularly the response to Marjorie Taylor Greene's seeming defense of the leak. Yeah, we know. Also discussed in this episode is the pushback on Biden's new proposed Labor Secretary and their past resume from their time in California office. Tiktok: @politicalplaylist IG: @politicalplaylist web: politicalplaylist.com

Michael jokes, Anna rants, and Anthony offends...CLASSIC Political Playlist Happy Hour! On this episode of the Happy Hour, the gang unpacks the recent Texas court ruling on the abortion drug Mifepristone, and discuss what some of our congressional leaders on the right and left are saying about it...and spoiler, there is one VERY unlikely bipartisan team-up on this one. Then, they turn their attention to the Pacific and discuss the latest gamut of tweets surrounding China and it's appetite for a Taiwan takeover. So pull up a glass and get one bit smarter! IG: @politicalplaylist Web: politicalplaylist.com

On this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, Anna and Michael sit down with the co-founders of Run For Something, a progressive organization that helps identify and support young progressive Democrats running for local, state and federal office. Amanda Litman and Ross Morales Rocketto discuss their journey through politics and what ultimately drove them to create this organization, which to date has supported over 2,500 candidates and won over 1,000 elections. IG: @politicalplaylist web: Politicalplaylist.com

Sadly we begin yet another Happy Hour mourning the tragic loss of American lives in mass shooting, this time another one involving 9 year old school children. The gang tries to examine this senseless (and preventable) epidemic in our country through the lens of leadership, specifically asking what kind of leadership exists among our elected officials and what’s it going to take to stop this? Then we dive into Pell Grants, which Michael assumed had something to do with Peloton exercise bikes, before unpacking the political circus that was the Congressional field trip to a DC jail to visit…the jailed insurrectionists. It’s all a little bonkers, which is why we pour cocktails. IG: @politicalplaylist Web: Politicalplaylist.com

If you're like most Americans this week, you've been clutching your pearls--err, savings and treasury bonds in a confused panic about the health and stability of our greater banking system. Well, fear not! Because we, at Political Playlist have an especially "ranty" episode dropping for you where we break down the gist of all this and highlight one of our newest members of Congress, Rep. Jeff Jackson of North Carolina, who perhaps gives the clearest, most succinct explanation of all this. We also celebrate March 14th which is equal pay day, and lastly, we dive into The Parents Bill Of Rights which is looking to pass the House.  BUT FIRST, we pour a cocktail and prepare ourselves for the tsunami that is our modern day news cycle. IG: @politicalplaylist Web: Politicalplaylist.com

In the spirit of Oscar's Monday, we're tipping our hat to this year's Best Picture winner in noticing how the current political landscape feels like some twisted version of the metaverse...and how Congress seems to be doing everything except its job! On this episode of the happy hour, Michael, Anna and Anthony dive into some salacious tweets from a few oldies-but-goodies, as they cover new January 6th investigations, Energy Independence and Abortion. IG: @politicalplaylist Wed: Politicalplaylist.com

This week we're talking all things GEN Z. The mysterious, youngest generation in our nation has politicians, CEOs and cultural commentators buzzing and we get an inside look through today's guest, Rachel Janfaza. Rachel is a Gen Z journalist who covers youth culture in the political system. She got her career started at CNN covering primaries, breaking news and youth voting trends and has branched out into creating her own 'by young people, for young people' news outlet, The Up and Up. This conversation is a MUST LISTEN for anyone interested in our future. So... everyone? Wesbite: politicalplaylist.com IG: @politicalplaylist

On this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, Michael and Anna take the wheel as they duet the latest political issues that Congress under the age of 45 is fighting for. First, they wade into some SCOTUS waters as the Supreme Court just heard a case revolving around Section 230--which many of our young leaders have talked about.  Next they train their sights on some infrastructure bill rollout and then they unpack the political chatter revolving around Biden's buzz-worthy trip to Ukraine. It's all in the happy hour so pull up a glass and come get one bit smarter. IG: @politicalplaylist wed: politicalplaylist.com

The gang needs a strong one for this Political Playlist Happy Hour as they unpack the recent report about the $3 trillion new increase to the U.S. Debt that was previously not calculated. Then Michael, Anna and Anthony discuss the Ohio train derailment disaster along with several derailed policies on Guns, Immigration and just how off-the-tracks much of this new Congress seems to be finding themselves. So pull up a glass to the one place where you'll find all the latest on Congressional leaders under the age of 45. IG: @politicalplaylist Web: Politicalplaylist.com

On this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, Anna wows the boys with her impressive pitch skills, while getting a little assist from everyone's new favorite A.I. in the process. The Gang then unpack the latest tweets from Rep. Seth Moulton, Rep. Robert Garcia, and Rep. Emilia Sykes.  And last but not least, Anna debuts some of her newfound piano playing skills which she claims to have had for years but this is of course the first we're hearing of it. So pour yourself a drink and come join the conversation about our Congressional leaders under the age of 45. IG: @politicalplaylist Web: Politicalplaylist.com

On this Happy Hour, Michael and Anna trade their wines for lattes as they chat with former Maine State Senator Chloe Maxmin, who by the way, just happens to be the youngest representative elected to the state! We take a dive into the tactics and strategy she implemented on her various campaign trails, which led to her Democratic victory among a very Republican constituency. And it turns out her most effective tool was having an actual conversation with the voter. Sounds a lot like what we preach here at Political Playlist. So pull up a glass and join us for the conversation. IG: @politicalplaylist Wed: Politicalplaylist.com

You'll have to forgive us this week but we decided to kick off this Political Happy Hour with a little breaking doomsday news about...the doomsday clock, which they just announced is now only 90 seconds to midnight!  Sure, the doomsday clock is rooted in some empirical data but its true purpose is to sound the allegorical alarm. And let's face it, I don't think any of us agree that everything is just fine. Be that as it may, Michael, Anna and Anthony forge ahead with cocktails and political news surrounding the 17% of Congress that's under the age of 45 years old.  So pull up a glass, tune in and get one bit smarter. IG: @politicalplaylist web: politicalplaylist.com

...And ain't no partisan rift low enough, to keep this Congress from (potentially) agreeing on raising the debt-ceiling.  On this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, Michael, Anna and Anthony break down what exactly all this "paying our debt" hoopla is about and what exactly has our young Congress divided about it...chiefly Republican Byron Donalds of Florida. The gang also dives into some tweets related to MLK Jr.'s impressively young start into the political arena and how he represents a model for why more young people should follow politics. Oh, and we also discuss tractors. That's right, those big green and yellow toys with the iconic John Deere moniker stamped to their engine hoods. While you may recognize that image, what you likely do not know is how much of a strangle-hold the eponymous company has on their local repair centers. All this, and of course, cocktails on this episode. IG: @politicalplaylist Web: politicalplaylist.com

While we would gladly welcome the great Kenny Loggins onto the Happy Hour ANY time he wants, sadly this episode forges ahead without him. On this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, Michael and Anthony fly solo at the helm--or, should we say, Maverick and Rooster. The boys leave Anna to her spa weekend and train their sights on pressing issues like Border Security, the resurrection of the bipartisan stock-ban legislation, and one of the GOP's greatest hits: Combating China. This action packed episode is chalked full of tweets, and when the hot takes get too close for missiles, these playlister Aces switch to guns. And clearly Anna's away because this summary was obviously written by someone obsessed with the new Top Gun film.  IG: @politicalplaylist web: politicalplaylist.com

Love 'em, hate 'em, or didn't even know 'em-- on this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, the gang bids adieu to the departing under-45ers of the 117th Congress. And spoiler, it's a mixed bag of good, bad, and ugly heading for the exit.  As always, Hosts Michael, Anna and Anthony pour some cocktails to discuss the transition of power in the upcoming 118th Congress and raise a glass to the increase of new Congressional leaders under 45... it's now at a "whooping" 17% !!!  While that might not seem like a lot, remember that big change rarely happens overnight, so any positive progress is worth celebrating.  IG: @politicalplaylist Web: politicalplaylist.com

On the last episode of the year, Anna, Anthony and Michael dig one more time into what some of the youngest members of Congress are up to. The topic du jour is immigration with one young leader celebrating non-citizen service members getting one step closer to and easier naturalization process and another voicing concern over the surge of migrants at the southern border.  Let's just say that this issue is going to keep popping up as it is abundantly clear our immigration system ain't working. They also talk about a promising new measure to help employees of National Parks get more affordable housing which is one of those under-the-radar issues that we might not usually pay attention to but is interesting nonetheless. Tune in to get one bit smarter before your inevitable debates at the family holiday party! Website: politicalplaylist.com IG: @politicalplaylist

This week we travel from eastern Europe to Midland, TX and back to Capitol Hill as Anna, Anthony & Michael discuss what young politicians are saying and doing.  Brittney Griner is home. Finland and Sweden want to join NATO but Turkey's being a little pesky about it. Anthony met his cowboy doppelgänger in the oil fields of Texas. And one GOP senator is sounding the alarm about party priorities, and it's not who you'd expect! Tune in for all this and more (like why Michael doesn't have ornaments on his Christmas tree).  IG: @politicalplaylist Website: politicalplaylist.com

On this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, Anna, Anthony and Michael discuss the potential, and maybe actual, change that's a-brewin' in China as well as in our own Congress. While China is seeing unprecedented protests, it remains unlikely that the Chinese people will see very much change, if at all. Whereas in our own Congress, the democrats are poised for sweeping change among their leadership ranks, with Pol Pla's own Pete Aguilar emerging as the number 3 Democrat in the house.   In addition to that leadership change, we also discuss the Respect For Marriage act which received broad bipartisan support thanks to the hard work from Kyrsten Sinema.  As always, tune in to our Political Happy Hour to get all the latest on Congressional leaders under 45. IG: @politicalplaylist Web: politicalplaylist.com

Today we're joined by political technologist Eric Wilson who's worked on numerous Republican campaigns in the US and overseen campaigns abroad in Australia and Sweden - Mr. Worldwide! Eric is also the Managing Partner of Startup Caucus, an incubator and investment fund for Republican campaign technology. Needless to say, he has a few things to say about what went down in this year's midterms, how technology played a role for better or worse, and what we can expect from the future of political campaigning which has for too long seemed stuck in the past!

Whooo-ee. These midterms were certainly one for the books. On this week's episode, Anna, Anthony and Michael gives some reactions to what went down last week starting with one important observation - America's independents are powerful and sizable. They also talk about some of the important seats our young members of Congress kept in competitive races, newcomers to the platform who they're excited to showcase starting in January, and what an influx of young politicians means for the future. It's an all out frenzy of commentary, starting with some choice words about Anna's selection of eyewear...

We're doing things a little different on this week's Happy Hour. Anna and Anthony each pick two races being run by some of the young women in Congress to take a micro look at what's happening in specific parts of the country. Join us as we break down these competitive campaigns and talk about what's unique about each district, how each incumbent is framing their race, and what their competition looks like. Our picks? Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Nancy Mace (R-SC), Sharice Davids (D-KS) and Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY).  Don't forget to VOTE! Website: politicalplaylist.com Instagram: @politicalplaylist

Yes, it's true...sometimes we use the show to work out our own issues, but it's only because this week's issues are a little bit of a bummer.  On this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, Michael and Anna discuss the sobering fact that scholastic test scores in America are down, and we mean way down. And in tragic news out of Missouri, yet another shooting fails to register more than the obligatory "thoughts and prayers" from our lawmakers except for a select few. But on the bright side, one Congressional leader under 45 finally saw their Veteran's bill get signed into law after TWO YEARS of fighting for it.  Pull up a drink and come get one bit smarter with us. IG: @politicalplaylist web: politicalplaylist.com

On this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, Anthony gets a case of the giggles when he learns about Liz Lettuce, an actually head of lettuce mockingly displayed on a webcam in an attempt to outlast recently installed, and more recently departed, UK Prime Minister Liz Truss. Michael, Anna and Anthony chat UK politics before bringing back home to discuss some recent AOC burns on twitter regarding the recent Dobbs decision, the quality of education in New Jersey, and the imminent need to take preventative military action regarding China's hostility toward Taiwan. Pull up a drink and hear all the latest goings on among young Congressional Leaders under the age of 45. IG: @politicalplaylist Web: politicalplaylist.com

With Michael taking an episode off, Anthony & Anna are sure to put in a word for their favorite SINGLE thirtysomething while he's gone. While they could spend the entire episode pitching out Michael's Hinge profile, they do make it to some chatter about what our young politicians in Congress are up to. One Wisconsin Republican is going all in on the anti-crime message for the midterms, a California Democrat is celebrating #WorldMentalHealthDay and we have the first National Monument of the Biden administration! As always, we're here to bring you all the political news from the youngest members of Congress so we can all have a say in our future. Website: politicalplaylist.com IG: instagram.com/politicalplaylist

What could be more fun than Ron DeSantis's choice of post-hurricane footwear? This episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, as we dive into fiscal responsibility among our leaders, the potential need for legislation preventing members of congress from trading stocks while in office...oh and the idea of selling Hawaii. Spoiler, that is an Barkett original. So pull up a glass and get ready to dive into all the latest goings on in Congress among our leaders under the age of 45. IG: @politicalplaylist Web: politicalplaylist.com

On this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, Anna and Michael go it alone as Anthony attends his 117th wedding of the year. But it turns out, they don't miss him much, evident by the fact that Anna and Michael are professional long-winded talkers and happily didn't have anyone hurrying them along this time. They cover a range of issues including water infrastructure in Florida, Domestic Oil and Gas production in Texas, and the likelihood of whether or not we'll see the enhanced child tax credit actually become law. It's a healthy episode of knowledge so pull up a glass and get ready to learn something new about what our young Congressional leaders under 45 are saying and doing about the issues that effect all of us. IG: @politicalplaylist web: politicalplaylist.com

The gang's all here for this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, and more importantly, it was recorded at 5pm so everyone showed up with an actual cocktail in hand! Anna, Anthony and Michael discuss some of the major news headlines, like Governor DeSantis of Florida sending migrants to Martha's Vineyard via private jet, before diving into some tweets of the week. Anthony brings up one from a Republican Congresswoman who's quite critical of the Biden Administration, Michael shines a light on much behind the scenes work the Administration did to avert a Railroad workers strike, and Anna dives into the perilous weather situation that Puerto Rico now faces. IG: @politicalplaylist Web: politicalplaylist.com

The team does something different this week and welcomes Maddie and Sammy from The Girl and the Gov to Happy Hour. The Girl and the Gov is rebranding politics for millennial women and breaking down the barriers to civic engagement.  Anna and Anthony may not have had cocktails for this morning recording, but that didn't stop things from getting a little rowdy. Maddie and Sammy break down how to get out of our echo chambers, when 'tough' political conversations are productive or not, and what they think of some of the young politicians we cover on Political Playlist... spoiler alert, everyone's a little googly-eyed for Sen. Jon Ossoff from Georgia.

In this Episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, Anna and Michael raise a glass to the dearly departed Queen Elizabeth II as they remark on her place within American History--having met 13 of the last 14 U.S Presidents, dating back to Harry Truman.  But after a few here-heres, we quickly pivot back to legislative matters on this side of the pond, specifically surrounding legalization of marijuana, the newly enacted CHIPS Act, and how this new infrastructure spending is going to address something one of our Under-45ers calls "Climate Justice". Lots a tweets read, and lots of suds sipped as we unpack all the goings on in Congress among our elected leaders under the age of 45. IG: @politicalplaylist Web: politicalplaylist.com

On this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, Anna, Michael and Anthony dive into the latest issue of Student Debt Forgiveness. On the heels of the President's Executive Order, canceling of up to $10,000.00 worth of student loan debt, it's no surprise to see that the Democrats and Republicans are on completely different sides of this issue.  The gang reads tweets from young lawmakers on both sides and try to unpack the argument each is making, for and against. They also learn about a new push from under-45er and Army Vet Jason Crow to rethink how the Pentagon goes about minimizing civilian casualties in war, which is tragically all too high.  Lots happening in the beltway that is effecting everyone from the coasts to the countrysides. What are our young leaders in Congress doing and saying about it all? Tune in to find out who said what, who sponsored this, and who is tweet-trashing that! IG: @politicalplaylist Site: politicalplaylist.com

Finally! The Political Playlist Happy Hour returns from its summer recess and boy has it been a busy last few weeks. On this episode, Anna, Anthony and Michael breakdown the latest goings-on in Gov under-45 and common theme: BILLS. Congress has passed a handful of major legislation in the last few weeks, including the Inflation Reduction Act, The CHIPS Act, and The PACT Act. These bills were signed into law by the President, following varying degrees of bipartisan support. But what were our young leaders in Congress doing and saying about it all? Tune in to find out who said what, who sponsored this, and who is tweet-trashing that! IG: @politicalplaylist Site: politicalplaylist.com

The issue is Saudi Arabia and the question is what did the US truly gain from President Biden's recent trip to Saudi Arabia?   On this episode of the Political Happy Hour Anna, Anthony and Michael dive into the second leg of President' Biden's recent trip to the Middle East and discuss what the administration is hoping to achieve from the trip to Saudia Arabia, and how dealing with MBS (The Crown Prince) is a tight-rope walk to say the least.   The gang also addresses the elephant in the room--or elephants--those being oil and human rights, while while looking at what our young leaders under 45 in Congress are saying about it.   Instagram: @politicalplaylist  Website: politicalplaylist.com   #politicalhappyhour #nonpartisan #congress #congressunder45 #nonpartisannews #israel #saudiarabia  #politicalplaylist #joebiden #augustpfluger  #abigailspanberger  #iran #irannucleardeal #mohammedbinsalman #humanrights #energyindependence

The issue is the Middle East and the question is what does Biden's trip to Israel tell us about the future of Middle East relations?   On this episode of the Political Happy Hour Anna, Anthony and Michael dive into the first leg of President' Biden's recent trip to the Middle East and discuss what the administration is hoping to achieve from the trip.   The gang breaks down what out young leaders under 45 in Congress are saying about it and discuss who's sounding the alarm on Iran's nuclear deal and who's focusing on diplomacy with Palestine.   Instagram: @politicalplaylist   Website: politicalplaylist.com   #politicalhappyhour #nonpartisan #congress #congressunder45 #nonpartisannews #israel #politicalplaylist #joebiden #ritchietorres #mikegallagher #rashidatlaib #iran #irannucleardeal

The issue is change and the question is will the Supreme Court's decision on the EPA reduce our advances in combating climate change?   On this episode of the political Happy Hour Anna, Anthony and Michael dive into the 3rd mega-decision from the supreme court in as many weeks, and discuss what impact it will have, if any, on meaningful advances toward curbing harmful greenhouse gases.   The gang breaks down what the decision actually means in practical terms and what the political future looks like on this issue among  young leaders under 45 in Congress.   Instagram: @politicalplaylist   Website: politicalplaylist.com   #politicalhappyhour #supremecourt #epa #nonpartisan #congress #congressunder45 #nonpartisannews #greenhousegas #politicalplaylist

The issue is foreign detainees and the question is what can we learn from Brittany Griner's detention in Russia?  On this episode of the political Happy Hour Anna, Anthony and Michael dive into the wrongful detention of WNBA star Brittany Griner, who's being held in a Russian prison on what many believe to be bogus drug charges.   The gang breaks down how it all happened, why she's over in Russia in the first place, and what our young leaders under 45 in Congress are saying and doing about it.   Instagram: @politicalplaylist   Website: politicalplaylist.com

The issue is abortion and the question is what are our young lawmakers in Congress saying about the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade?   This episode of the political Happy Hour gets personal as Anna, Anthony and Michael dive into this hotly contested issue and subsequent court ruling in an effort to try and understand how this still remains perhaps the most polarizing issue in our country and among our young Congressional leaders under the age of 45.   Instagram: @politicalplaylist   Website: politicalplaylist.com

The issue of this week's Political Happy Hour is The January 6th Committee and the question is, what is a more effective messaging approach for the committee: Anti-Trump, or Pro-Democracy?   Anthony decides to sashay back into the happy hour as the gang breakdown the January 6th Committee's recent primetime hearing and discuss how the 3 lawmakers from Political Playlist who sit on the committee are approaching the messaging of the committee's findings.    Those three members include Democrats Stephanie Murphy of Florida and Pete Aguilar of California, as well as Republican Adam Kinzinger of Illinois.    IG: @politicalplaylist Website: politicalplaylist.com

The issue of this week's Political Happy Hour is Party Loyalty and the question is, is there room for a so-called political maverick in today's hyper-partisan politics?  Anthony sits out this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, letting fellow east-coasters Michael and Anna hash out the viability of today's leading political maverick: Adam Kinzinger.   You may know him as the Republican who voted to impeach Trump, or the one who's for banning assault rifles, or perhaps you know him because he actually did have a call sign as an Combat Air Force Pilot in Iraq.  And hey, he just may even be you congressman if you live in Illinois' 16th.  But rest assured, despite the fact that he isn't running for reelection in November, it is very safe to say we have not seen the last of this Republican Maverick.   IG: @politicalplaylist  Website: politicalplaylist.com

It is with profound sadness that the issue of this week's Political Happy Hour is, yet again, Mass Shootings.   The question we're asking this week is in the wake of the most recent school shooting, is now the time for community healing or legislative action?  On this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, Michael, Anna and Anthony quite frankly get a little worked up over this blatant epidemic and the lack of political willingness to even address the very basic elements of this problem that is firmly planted in this country.    The Republicans say it's a mental health issue while the Democrats say it's a gun issue. There already exists bipartisan bills that would address background checks and red flag laws, but there doesn't seem to be enough votes to pass it in the Senate.  While the gang sips cocktails on this Political Happy Hour, the melancholic reality of the recent events certainly looms large but that's not a reason to avoid having the challenging conversations. In fact, it's exactly why we must.   IG: @politicalplaylist  Website: politicalplaylist.com

The issue is Domestic Terrorism and the question is does Congress passing legislation to combat domestic terrorism feel like government overreach or necessary surveillance?   On this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, Michael, Anna and Anthony address the recent mass-shooting tragedy in Buffalo by examining it through the lens of the recent Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2022. The Democratically proposed legislation looks poised to pass but tune in to find out which Democrats joined Republicans in opposing the bill. As all ways, the gang sips cocktails on this Political Happy Hour as they discuss the latest goings-on with our Congressional Leaders under the age of 45. IG: @politicalplaylist  Website: politicalplaylist.com

The issue is The War In Ukraine and the question is now that Congress is set to approve $40 Billion in military aid to Ukraine, what comes next? On this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, Michael, Anna and Anthony dive into the latest pen strokes out of the ol' Congressional check book with the latest Tsunami of funds headed for Ukraine and for good reason, damnit!   The gang sips coffee on this early morning Political Happy Hour recording as they discuss which Congressional Leaders under the age of 45 said what about the bill and who actually voted against it! They also manage to chat about the reinstated Lend-Lease Act which hasn't been used since WWII.   IG: @politicalplaylist  Website: politicalplaylist.com

The issue is Abortion and the question is does the potential of overturning Roe v. Wade invigorate Democrats, Republicans, or both?   On this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, Michael, Anna and Anthony break down the latest media maelstrom surrounding Justice Alito's leaked draft decision regarding whether or not the Supreme Court may be poised to overturn the landmark abortion rights case. Strong drinks and hot takes are a plenty in this segment during, during which Anna reads and bunch of mystery tweets and makes the boys guess who said what.   One thing is for certain on this Political Happy Hour and that is that Abortion Rights may be the single most polarizing issue among our Congressional Leaders under the age of 45 !   IG: @politicalplaylist  Website: politicalplaylist.com

The issue is Free Speech and the question is Elon Musk buying Twitter really the win for free speech that Republicans are claiming it to be?   On this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, Michael, Anna and Anthony break down the latest social media bombshell surround Elon Musk buying twitter and look at how and why Republicans have almost unanimously leapt for free speech joy while the Democrats are staying deafeningly quiet.   But one thing's for certain, and that is that none of our Congressional Leaders under the age of 45 are giving up their Twitter accounts any time soon!   IG: @politicalplaylist  Website: politicalplaylist.com

The issue is Student Debt and the question is what are the consequences of student debt relief for young Americans?   On this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, Michael, Anna and Anthony break down the Biden Administration's recent decision to extend the student loan moratorium until August, effectively sending each party racing back to their political corners on this issue.  And it is one that has our young Congressional Leaders under the age of 45 all talking. IG: @politicalplaylist  Website: politicalplaylist.com

The issue is immigration and the question is will doing away with Title 42 create a disaster at our southern border?   On this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, the gang pours a glass, and dives into a specific immigration policy known as Title 42 that was instated early on during the pandemic. Just recently, the Biden Administration announced it would be ending it, which has caused a stir among many Republicans as well as moderate Democrats.    IG: @politicalplaylist  Website: politicalplaylist.com

The issue is legalizing marijuana and the question is will Congress finally pass legislation to federally legalize weed?  On this episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, the gang pours a glass, and pops a gummy, to discuss the recent passing of the MORE Act in the House. Passed mostly along party lines save for a few of our leaders on the platform, most notably Republicans Matt Gaetz and Brian Mast, who joined Democrats in supporting the bill, while Democrat Chris Pappas joined Republicans in a nay vote.   IG: @politicalplaylist  Website: politicalplaylist.com

The issue is Electability and the question is, does Madison Cawthorn's blatant, exaggerated media stunt help his re-election?   Oh my, indeed! Where to begin, with this latest Happy Hour taking a turn towards the provocative as Michael, Anna and Anthony discuss the North Carolinian's recent comments that have Washington and the Republican Party fuming.  But in today's day and age, will any of this hurt his chances for re-election?   Instagram: @politicalplaylist  Website: politicalplaylist.com

The issue is Cryptocurrency Regulation and the question is, can young lawmakers bring our financial regulatory system into the 21st Century?  In this episode, Anna needs every last drop of her organic, locally-sourced, hand-foraged Kombucha Margarita for teaching Michael and Anthony all about Crypto and bitcoin and AnthonyCoin (coming soon)...and unpacking the myriad legislation proposed around this new emerging market.    And in a shocking plot twist, there is actually bipartisan support around this issue!  Instagram: @politicalplaylist  Website: politicalplaylist.com

The issue is THE BUDAPEST MEMORANDUM and the question is, why isn't anyone talking about this? In this episode, the boys are still left to their own devices as Michael and Anthony take a deep dive into The Budapest Memorandum, a denuclearization agreement signed back in 1994 between the US, UK, Russia and Ukraine.    Tune in to find out what exactly this was and how Russia is in clear violation of it.    Instagram: @politicalplaylist  Website: politicalplaylist.com

With war raging in Ukraine, Anthony and Michael tackle the President's recent decision to ban imports of Russian oil and ask the hard questions of what the costs of this will be. Spoiler: it's going to be pricey.  They also read various tweets from our young leaders of congress and try to guess what party they're from and who said it.  As always, they pour a few cocktail and try to unpack all the pressing political issues of our day through the nonpartisan lens of young Congressional leaders under the age of 45--which sadly only makes up 14% of Congress.   Instagram: @politicalplaylist  Website: politicalplaylist.com

Or as we discovered in this segment of the Happy Hour, "Run Ruben Run" would have been a more apt title as the gang discuss the possibility--err, likelihood that Arizona Congressman Ruben Gallego (D; AZ-7) will challenge Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) in the 2024 Arizona Senate Primary.    As always, Anna, Anthony and Michael pour a few cocktail and try to unpack all the pressing political issues of our day through the nonpartisan lens of young Congressional leaders under the age of 45--which sadly only makes up 14% of Congress.   Instagram: @politicalplaylist  Website: politicalplaylist.com

In this segment of the Happy Hour, Anna talks...and talks...and talks... about the US's China Policy and specifically the new COMPETES Act in Congress, which looks to make the US more competitive with China in a number of areas. Anthony and Michael try to compete for air time but like the Republican opposition to this bill, they haven't quite mustered a winning strategy against it yet.   As always, the gang pours a friendly cocktail and tries to unpack all the pressing political issues of our day through the nonpartisan lens of young Congressional leaders under the age of 45--which sadly only makes up 14% of Congress.  Instagram: @politicalplaylist  Website: politicalplaylist.com

In this segment of the Happy Hour, Anna, Anthony and Michael tackle the economy and specifically how the Tech Sector can help boost it. They break down California Congressman Ro Khanna's plan to expand the tech sector to rural areas by creating tech hubs in cities and towns far from Silicon Valley.   As always, the gang pours a friendly cocktail and tries to unpack all the pressing political issues of our day through the nonpartisan lens of young Congressional leaders under the age of 45--which sadly only makes up 14% of Congress.   Instagram: @politicalplaylist  Website: politicalplaylist.com

Except do fret, because the amount of student debt that Americans have is soaring and there is no clear solution on the horizon.   In this segment of the Happy Hour, Anna, Anthony and Michael tackle the student debt crisis, what our young politicians are saying and doing about it, and how Republicans might be wise to grab hold of this as a core campaign issue for the upcoming elections.   As always, the gang pours a friendly cocktail and tries to unpack all the pressing political issues of our day through the nonpartisan lens of young Congressional leaders under the age of 45--which sadly only makes up 14% of Congress.  Instagram: @politicalplaylist  Website: politicalplaylist.com

In this segment of the Happy Hour, Anna, Anthony and Michael tackle election security, and specifically what a group of North Carolina lawyers are trying to do about Madison Cawthorn's involvement in events leading up to the January 6th insurrection. Spoiler, it has to do with the 3rd Section of the 14th Amendment. ***Insert "mind-blown" emoji here***   As always, the gang pours a friendly cocktail and tries to unpack all the pressing political issues of our day through the nonpartisan lens of young Congressional leaders under the age of 45--which sadly only makes up 14% of Congress.   Instagram: @politicalplaylist  Website: politicalplaylist.com

Like all great Happy Hours, you must embrace the unexpected, and starting this week, Anna, Anthony and Michael are doing just that as they pivot their weekly happy hour format over to Youtube. There, you can find weekly segments focusing on the major core political issues all through the lens of the young members of Congress under the age of 45. In this mashup, the trio takes on three issues: Foreign Policy, Rules and Regulations, and Mental Health, and looks at some of the goings-on surrounding new legislation, policy, and current events.  Weekly compilation episodes will continue to be available in podcast form but we encourage everyone to head to our Youtube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXaNOi_ovdDBe6I_M8-naLA) in order to check out just how well all that Goop product is working out! Spoiler: Anna's the only one who received the gift basket from them.

In the first Happy Hour of the New Year, Anna, Anthony and Michael decide to yelp-review our government and--spoiler alert--it did not receive a Michelin Star. The trio unpack the latest ups and downs of DC disfunction and riff on the state of the filibuster, what Congressional leaders are saying, or not saying, about Jan 6, and they also manage to unpack why Anna wasn't allowed to have McDonald's as a kid.

Once again, Anna heads off on assignment, leaving the pod reigns to Anthony and Michael. They sit down with Sara Hernandez, an attorney, mother, and former teacher, who is now running to be a Trustee for the LA Community College District. They talk about what galvanized Sara to take up the cause of eduction, the non-profit she started after seeing first-hand the challenges that inner-city schools face, and why she's excited to tackle the new challenges that covid has posed for many students.

The band's all back together for this Happy Hour as they wrap up the year in "Post-Partisan" style. Anna, Anthony and Michael start pushing this new term to refer to the changing desires of voters who want innovation over compromise, irrespective of party ideology. The gang also riffs on party disunity and whether or not it will spur party unity. And we'll let you be the judge as to whether or not Anthony is one bit smarter this week.

In this episode, Anna takes a much-needed spa week, leaving the boys to their own devices! So what do Michael and Anthony do? They invite on their buddy, Bobby Kronfli. Except Bobby isn't just any buddy. He's the owner of Bacari, one of the hottest restaurant chains in Los Angeles, and while he does make a mean martini, he really joins the Happy Hour to detail just how he was able to keep his restaurants afloat during covid. Spoiler: We have him to thank for restaurants in LA becoming grocery stores. You don't want to miss this riveting and candid conversation about what it was like to be a restaurateur on the front lines of the Covid-19 pandemic.

On this Happy Hour, Anna, Anthony and Michael share their mutual admiration for Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace, of South Carolina and discuss whether or not she's the perfect mold of future GOP leaders. They also unpack the recent Supreme Court hearing on the Mississippi abortion case, discuss some Congresspeople throwing shade at the President, and most critical, identify who of the group takes the longest to get ready. Spoiler, it ain't Anna! So pull up a glass and get one bit smarter.

In this Happy Hour, Michael, Anna and Anthony unpack all of the animus and anime emanating from the House, and ask the big question: is it about time we have a code of conduct in Congress? Pull up a glass as they also wade into the future of bipartisanship and whether or not we'll ever see it again.

On this week's Happy Hour, Anna and Anthony are joined by Rebecca Brown, Policy Director for the Innocence Project, a nonprofit that exonerates the wrongfully convicted through DNA evidence and reforms in the criminal justice system. Rebecca dives into how they go about this on a state-by-state level, how the attention to racial justice over the past year has led to a groundswell of support for their mission, and shares some heartbreaking anecdotes that emphasize why this work is so important. To feel moved, educated, and galvanized, this is not an episode to miss!

In this loooooonger-than-usual Happy Hour (We blame Anna), the Gang chops it up about the off-year election cycle results and what this may foretell regarding the various political and campaign strategies each party may deploy in the forthcoming mid-term elections and beyond! Anna, Anthony and Michael also dive into what the future might look like for Adam Kinzinger and Anthony Gonzalez as well as the debate about proposed settlement payments to separated migrants during the Trump Administration.

Layla Zaidane, CEO of the Millennial Action Project (MAP), joins Anna and Michael to talk about how MAP works with the youngest members of Congress to find bipartisan solutions to common American problems. If you think there's no hope for politicians ever working together - tune in and learn more about how MAP has managed to bridge the divide around issues like climate change, the debt crisis, cybersecurity, and more. Dare we say... it might just make you optimistic about our collective future!

In this Happy Hour, The Playlist Gang discuss one Republican Senator's suggestion for how to deal with our aging politicians: Cognitive Tests! After unpacking all the pros and cons that come with age, Michael, Anna and Anthony tackle topics like Paris Hilton's newfound activism, the unique and potentially questionable fundraising efforts going on within each party, and the Brew-fest heard 'round the Beltway.

With Congress a’ buzzing around the Facebook whistleblower hearings, Anna and Anthony decide to go straight to the source to see what the fuss is about. Tune in as they sit down with POLITICO's Ali Levine, as she breaks down the fight over big data between Silicon Valley and Washington DC. They also unpack the policy debate around children's safety online as well as try and wrap their heads around what we’re now learning about Facebook and what's to come for good old 'Zuck.' Alexandra S. Levine is a technology reporter for POLITICO focused on privacy and data issues in the U.S. and around the world. She covers the fights between Silicon Valley and Washington over companies’ handling of data — including efforts to create rules around the collecting, sharing and monetizing of Americans’ information as well as the tensions between what’s going on at the state, federal and international level. As of late, she has been most closely following political and policy debates around children’s safety online and AI tools like facial recognition. Prior to joining POLITICO in 2019, Alexandra spent three years as a staff reporter at The New York Times.

This aptly-named episode focuses on "Kooky" Kyrsten Sinema, the newly crowned Arizona queen of the Senate, as she flexes her not-so-moderate muscles when it comes to the bi-partisan infrastructure bill she helped negotiate. Michael, Anna and Anthony also discuss where the real ideological power in Congress lies, how they should mix up the D's and R's by region for the next Congressional baseball game, and the three political gurus certainly never miss an opportunity to poke fan at one another. Oh, and check out the IG version of the episode to see Anna in a kooky wig!

Join us in this episode as Michael, Anna and Anthony discuss the varying degrees of ideology individuals have towards their political party. Anna specifically dives into a notable moderate on either side of the aisle, Anthony discusses what he would do if he were president, and of course, everyone has some thoughts on AOC's Met Gala Dress.

We revisit a conversation with Erin Vilardi, CEO of Vote Run Lead - an organization that has helped over 36,000 women run for political office. Erin talks about how VRL encourages women to come as they are, using their existing skills to make them great politicians. Tune in for some inspiration on why it's so important to get involved and RUN!

The team takes on the very light topic of abortion in America and ask the question if having more women in office will evolve the highly partisan debate. Tune in for this discussion plus our new section, The Riff, where Anna, Anthony, & Michael pick of a topic and, you guessed it, riff on it!

Anna is joined by actress and activist Yvette Nicole Brown. Though she's perhaps best known for her work on the hit series Community, Yvette has been working behind the political scenes to support candidates and issues that matter to her. Tune in to hear about how that work started, what she looks for in a candidate when deciding to support them, and, of course, what gives her hope.

This episode the team discusses the seemingly endless stream of breaking news these days and discuss if young lawmakers will bring new ideas to U.S. foreign policy after the disaster leaving Afghanistan. Tune in for nonpartisan political commentary like you've never heard it before.

Co-Founder, Anna chats with her dad, actor, director, & activist Tony Goldwyn about his journey to political engagement and how it influenced her decision to start Political Playlist. Tune into catch the dynamic dad-daughter and hear about Tony's childhood encounter with Richard Nixon.

Are young politicians going to derail the most recent bipartisan infrastructure bill? Maybe! Tune in to hear about this thrilling mess, Democrats' push towards climate legislation, why the political ghost of Gov. Cuomo might (or might not) continue to haunt us, and more!

Co-Founder Anthony sits down with... Anthony! Rep. Anthony Gonzalez to be exact, a 36-year-old Republican who represents Ohio's 16th district. They chat about Rep. Gonzalez's view of Congress today, where he thinks things can be fixed, and how his NFL career prepared him for the big leagues of the Capitol. Rep. Gonzalez is a particularly important politician to know about right now, as he was one of a handful of Republicans who voted to impeach Trump last year after the Jan. 6th attacks and has come under fire from the far-right for doing so. In fact, Trump made his first midterm campaign appearance to rally for one of Rep. Gonzalez's primary challengers.

Anna, Anthony & Michael dive into last week's newsletter which posed the question of how young politicians are particularly equipped to handle laws around mental health. They also get into WTF is going on with infrastructure, scary things like 'forever chemicals', the Hulu documentary 'Summer of Soul', and why they're each One Bit Smarter!

Jon Lubecky is a Marine and National Guard veteran who served in Iraq and now advocates for psychedelic-assisted therapy for PTSD, after undergoing the treatment himself six years ago. He sits down with Anna to talk about MAPS, the organization he works with, which studies MDMA and other psychedelics to heal trauma, and how they've brought together politicians from both sides of the aisle to support the research. Jon's story is one you won't want to miss and sheds light on some of the most promising medical research of our time.

Anna, Anthony, & Michael breakdown the most recent newsletter, questioning U.S. efforts over history at nation building in Haiti, Cuba, and Afghanistan and what having so many young veterans in office might change about those efforts. A doozy of an episode that packs a punch and is sure to make you one bit smarter by the time you're finished!

In celebration of July 4th, Anna, Anthony & Michael unpack the document of all documents... the Constitution. Should it be updated? Should we leave it alone? Tune in to hear more and also to learn about a new Republican climate change initiative, a saucy update on infrastructure, and other young politicians making moves!

Former Democratic representative Abby Finkenauer joins Anna & Anthony as the first inaugural guest on the Happy Hour. Abby was one of the youngest women every elected to Congress and served from 2018-2020 representing Iowa's 1st district. Abby talks about working to double funding for endometriosis, what she learned from her loss in 2020, and how she's now working with the organization The Next 50 to help young candidates fund their campaigns. Abby is an example of why Political Playlist exists - a young, relatable American dedicated to public service!

In a surprising week of bipartisanship, there's growing consensus from the progressive left to the conservative right when it comes to what the hell we should do about Big Tech. AND Biden just appointed a 32-year-old anti-Big Techer to head the Federal Trade Commission which is sure to move the process along. For this and more, including our favorite new gadget called the Flavor Blaster, tune in!

In the inaugural episode of Political Playlist Happy Hour, Anna, Michael & Anthony do a deep political dive on the state of LGBTQ+ issues among young lawmakers, shine a light on Rep. Nancy Mace's (R-SC) Twinkie eating and Sen. Jon Ossoff's (D-GA) Georgia green bills, and learn why Anthony loved kindergarten so much.