The Daily Beast Podcast

For a special holiday episode—Joanna Coles and Samantha Bee are doing a gift swap, but instead of gifts, they’re swapping podcasts. On Samantha Bee’s podcast Choice Words, they talk about leaving the never-ending cycle of daily news for a slightly more dependable pace of monthly magazines, and then returning to news after a two-decade hiatus. They discuss seeing George Clooney in the flesh, the beauty of shopping on resale websites, getting nutritional advice on TikTok, and how neither of them has ever met Donald Trump.

The Daily Beast Podcast’s Joanna Coles and Samantha Bee dive into Kimberly Guilfoyle’s odyssey to Greece, Prince Andrew’s Chinese spy scandal and deliver a stomach-churning verdict on RFK Jr.‘s workout jeans. MSNBC’s Stephanie Ruhle warns against turning Luigi Mangione into a “folk hero,” spells out why the “business of rage” is warping modern life and has a question for victorious Republicans: “You’ve got the ball. What are you going to do?” And actor Dan Bucatinsky dishes on sharing a screen with Lindsay Lohan in the new Netflix Christmas hit Our Little Secret. He also delivers some life advice on embracing failure with his viral Instagram #FailureFridays and why he’s all in on Shonda Rhimes’ philosophy of “yes.”

Sam Bee and Joanna Coles unpack the hunt for Luigi Mangione with the Daily Beast’s Harry Lambert—and the explosive public reaction to his alleged murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Lambert explains how Mangione became a Robin Hood figure and his fandom only grew after he was caught munching on McDonald’s hash browns in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Also this week Sam reveals how Amy Schumer roasted Joanna with the aid of a bag of roasted vegetable chips at a glitzy New York gala for Comic Relief. And Beast of the Week is Saad Mohseni, a media mogul nicknamed the Rupert Murdoch of Afghanistan who explains his very surprising views of the Taliban and tells how music fans will risk being whipped to keep up with the latest hits under the extremist Islamic regime.Have a question or comment for us? Send us an email: beastpod@thedailybeast.com

Comedian Jim Gaffigan reflected on the surreal experience of performing at the Al Smith Dinner, describing Donald Trump’s unorthodox comedic style as “performing on his heels” and surprisingly “killing the entire time.” Gaffigan also joked about parenting his five kids: “Every Monday morning is kind of a surprise for them. Like, ’What? There’s school?’” Then, journalist Mary Ann Akers dissected Kash Patel’s controversial FBI nomination, noting his plan to create a “museum of the deep state” and his intent to use the FBI for political revenge. “He has a long enemies list,” she explained, “and it’s not just Democrats—it’s Republicans too.”The Skinny with Jim Gaffigan is now streaming on HuluHave a question or comment for us? Send us an email: beastpod@thedailybeast.com

For Thanksgiving, we have a MAGA-free episode full of holiday warmth, true crime, and absurdity. Iconic filmmaker Richard Curtis, the creative force behind Love Actually and Notting Hill, joins us to discuss his new Netflix movie, That Christmas, and Hugh Grant’s hilariously hostile tribute at Curtis’s honorary “Better Than Nothing” Oscar. Daily Beast CEO Ben Sherwood shares stories of growing up near the Menendez brothers and his decades-long fascination with their case, now making headlines with shocking new twists. Plus, a glimpse inside Gloria Steinem’s storied home, a laugh-out-loud tangent on mischievous Thanksgiving balloons, and Joanna Coles recounts a surreal dinner with O.J. Simpson during which he smashed a whiskey glass.Have a question or comment for us? Send us an email: beastpod@thedailybeast.com

Bestselling author and “Morning Joe” anchor Mika Brzezinski shares “as much as [she] can” about her and co-host Joe Scarborough’s recent date with president-elect Donald Trump, and pushes back on the backlash. Next is Joel Leppard, the attorney with a “pit in his stomach” representing the two women accusing Matt Gaetz of paying for “sexual favors.” Hear from The Daily Beast’s executive editor Hugh Dougherty, who returns to the pod to share more scheming and subterfuge among the Mar-a-Lago regulars also jockeying for Trump’s favor, and learn who caught RFK Jr. ordering more junk food.Find out more about @knowyourvalue on Instagram, X and at msnbc.com/knowyourvalue

Organizational psychologist and author Adam Grant joins this week’s podcast to help unpack America’s political baggage, sharing leadership advice and coping strategies for the current moment. The Daily Beast’s executive editor Hugh Dougherty offers insight into the “patio power games” playing out at Mar-a-Lago as president-elect Donald Trump assembles his new administration—which may be filled with outlandish, cable TV personalities, but is ruled behind the scenes by a 67-year-old grandmother in aviator shades.Have a question or comment for us? Send us an email: beastpod@thedailybeast.com

In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election, co-host Samantha Bee has some tough talk for Joe Biden and his team, while former Daily Beast editor-in-chief John Avlon joins the podcast to discuss the lessons learnt from his own run for Congress. Comedian Michael Ian Black has news for everyone, while writer Nell Scovell explains why she’ll be “not looking at the news for the next four years.”Have a question or comment for us? Send us an email: beastpod@thedailybeast.com