5 Best David Pakman Podcasts in 2026

1. Three Top Influencers on Building Trust Amid the Chaos: Kate Bacon, David..

Follow Play Jun 26, 2025 50:00
Website Apple
About Episode Welcome to In Reality, the podcast about truth, disinformation, and the media. I’m your host, Eric Schurenberg, a longtime journalist and media executive, now the founder of the Alliance for Trust in Media. In previous episodes of In Reality, when we’ve talked about media, we’ve focused mostly on legacy outlets—and their simultaneous crises of evaporating trust and shrinking revenues. But that neglects the far healthier and arguably more influential part of today’s national conversation—influencers. In terms of audience size and engagement, many influencers have eclipsed most legacy outlets, especially among younger audiences. Today, we’ll correct that oversight.  Recorded live at my University of Chicago class on the future of media, this conversation features three creators who’ve built large followings without the backing of legacy brands. Eric Newcomer left a cozy traditional journalism job at Bloomberg to create an eponymous Substack newsletter and launch the Cerebral Valley event series. David Pakman runs a multi-platform progressive political opinion shop with millions of followers. And Kate Bacon translated her pre-med degree into viral science videos on TikTok before stepping away to pursue an MBA. We talk about what makes their models work, how they build trust from scratch, and what guardrails exist in a world with no fact checkers, no editors, and no tradition of journalistic standards. We explore the tension between popularity and integrity, the business incentives that shape their content, and the lessons mainstream media might learn from the parasocial newsroom. Website - free episode transcripts www.in-reality.fm Produced by Tom Platts at Sound Sapien soundsapien.com Alliance for Trust in Media alliancefortrust.com MORE Podcast Title In Reality
Podcast Description “In Reality” debunks fake news and elevates the innovative researchers, entrepreneurs, journalists and policymakers who are fighting back against toxic misinformation. Co-hosts Joan Donovan, research director of the Harvard Kennedy School’s Shorenstein Center on Media and Public Policy, and Eric Schurenberg, an award-winning journalist and former CEO of Fast Company, engage guests in enlightening conversations about solutions to this scourge and the path back to a shared reality. MORE Guest David Pakman
Producer/Network New Thinking
Apple Rating 5.0/5 Avg Length 40 min Format Long form Get Email Contact Get access to full database of 2.7M podcastsCreate podcast lists, export in spreadsheet or CSV file with email contacts and start your podcast outreach in minutes.Sign Up for Free with Email Continue with Google

2. YouTube Sensation David Pakman on The Big, Beautiful Bill and More!

Follow Play Jun 07, 2025 40:06
Website Apple Spotify
About Episode First time guest David Pakman joins us for this week's show! David is a political commentator and hosts one of the most watched independent progressive programs in the country. With over 3 million YouTube subscribers, David spreads truth and commentary on the devastating impact Donald Trump is having on our country. Al and David kick around news out of Washington including the "Big, Beautiful Bill" and its chances of survival now that some Republicans have expressed their opposition (and Elon Musk has torn it apart). Plus, we take a look at the new "travel ban" and how Trump's arguments for it make no sense. David also shares what has shocked him the most about Trump’s second term and discusses what Democrats should do to win more seats and help improve their standing with American voters. WATCH David's videos on his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/thedavidpakmanshow LISTEN to David's podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-david-pakman-show/id402050558  MORE Podcast Title The Al Franken Podcast
Podcast Description A five-time Emmy winning SNL comedy writer/producer, joins a four-time #1 NYT bestselling author, a three-time highest-rated national progressive radio host, a two-time Grammy winning artist, and a former US Senator. So, it gets a little crowded in the booth when Al talks public policy and sometimes political comedy with notable guests. Think “The Daily” without the resources of the NYTimes.MORE Host Al Franken
Guest David Pakman
Producer/Network ASF Productions
Email ****@alfranken.com
Apple Rating 4.6/5Facebook 967.8KTwitter 1.1MInstagram 228K Avg Length 48 min Format Long form Since May 2019 Get Email Contact

3. The Echo Machine: How Right-Wing Extremism Created a Post-Truth America with..

Follow Play May 12, 2025 52:45
Website Apple Spotify
About Episode Right-wing extremism, post-truth America, and media literacy converge in my conversation with David Pakman. Pakman is a prominent political commentator and the host of The David Pakman Show, with over three million YouTube subscribers. Known for his insightful arguments and approachable style, Pakman tackles complex social issues, educating us on the complex and nuanced sociopolitical landscape. Disclosure: I watch his show regularly and was a guest twice. In our conversation, he discusses key insights from his latest book, The Echo Machine: How Right-Wing Extremism Created a Post-Truth America, delving deeply into how decades of deliberate erosion of media literacy and critical thinking have contributed to our current rise into a landscape where fiction parades as the truth. It is a very intelligent, well researched and argued book. I recommend it highly. In this episode, we explored how modern media operates like a high-control group, using subtle brainwashing tactics and influence to shape beliefs and paralyze civic action. We started our conversation with what seems to be at the forefront of everybody’s mind: Donald Trump.  This was an important interview. Come give a listen! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesMORE Podcast Title Cults, Culture & Coercion with Dr. Steve Hassan
Podcast Description Steven Hassan, PhD, is one of the leading experts on cults and undue influence in the world. A former member of the right-wing Moonie cult, Hassan was deprogrammed 45 years ago and has dedicated his life to helping people out of cults and destructive situations. Dr. Hassan is a licensed mental health professional and has written four books, including The Cult of Trump and the seminal book Combating Cult Mind Control. On this podcast, Steve will explain HOW mind-control works, and how to protect yourself from its grips. He will also address ethical influence as the podcast will address the entire Influence Continuum. He’ll interview the biggest names in this field.MORE Host Dr. Steven Hassan
Guest David Pakman
Producer/Network MeidasTouch Network
Email ****@freedomofmind.com
Apple Rating 4.7/5 Avg Length 60 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

4. Authoritarian Throwback: Trump’s Deportation Playbook (with David Pakman)

Follow Play Apr 16, 2025 50:58
Website Apple Spotify
About Episode Tristan breaks down how Trump’s latest immigration moves are straight-up medieval—think mass detentions, zero due process, and even outsourcing detainees to El Salvador’s infamous mega-prison. It’s not just a policy debate; it’s a full-on challenge to the rule of law, and the Supreme Court is getting dragged into the mess. Tristan is joined by David Pakman—YouTube OG, host, and author of the bestseller The Echo Machine—for a no-BS conversation about the rise of authoritarian vibes, why loyalty is replacing competence in government, and how the left can actually win by ditching purity tests and building a real coalition. They get into why most people aren’t glued to political podcasts, how the right is dominating lifestyle content, and what it’ll take to reach new audiences (hint: it’s not just more political hot takes). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. MORE Podcast Title The Tristan Snell Show
Podcast Description Audiocrafty Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Host Tristan Snell
Guest David Pakman
Producer/Network Audiocrafty/Bluewave
Email ****@gmail.com
Apple Rating 4.3/5 Avg Length 49 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

5. How Are We All This Dumb?: A Conversation with David Pakman

Follow Play Apr 15, 2025 47:57
Website Apple Spotify
About Episode America appears to be in free fall and 30% of the country seems on board for a million decisions they didn’t vote for and will only hurt them? How is that possible? David Pakman joins us to talk about his new book, instant New York Times bestseller, The Echo Machine: How Right Wing Extremism Created a Post Truth America, which addresses how the fall of critical thinking and rise of reactionary politics has done such destruction to our nation and what can be. Our country’s under attack and our media isn’t even talking about it. Which is why, now more than ever, we need to support those doing independent work to tell the truth, when it’s increasingly hard to find. Help create a counterweight to the lies and propaganda by supporting the show and SUBSCRIBING to PoliticsGirl Premium. You’ll get this podcast ad free, the rants directly to your inbox, and the knowledge that you’re making this kind of highly researched, factual information possible. If that interests you, please go to https://www.politicsgirl.com/premium and subscribe today!! Thank you so much! xoPG   Guest social: https://davidpakman.com/   As always, please RATE and SUBSCRIBE so we can grow the show, open the dialogue, and inspire change moving forward!   All show links here!: https://linktr.ee/politicsgirl   THANK YOU to today’s sponsors!   https://SundaysforDogs.com/PoliticsGirl code: PoliticsGirl https://honeylove.com/politicsgirl https://oneskin.co code: PoliticsGirl https://mdhearing.com code: politicsgirlMORE Podcast Title The PoliticsGirl Podcast
Podcast Description American Democracy is not promised to us and, with all the forces working against it, saving it will take a level of work most people aren’t ready for. The Politics Girl Podcast is here to give people a reason to care and a reason to fight. Our goal is to inspire. To instill in people a true understanding of what this country COULD be, if the right people were fighting for it, and what it WILL be if they don’t. It’s a political podcast yes, but more than that, it’s a podcast about America’s potential, where one passionate, and slightly mouthy, immigrant attempts to motivate the country to become what it promised to be but, so far, has yet to become. You’ll leave more knowledgeable, more engaged, and more sure that you, personally, can make a difference to the future of American democracy. Everyone’s got a little time for that right? Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday. We’re in a fight for our country. We sure as hell better know what we’re fighting for. xoMORE Host Leigh McGowan
Guest David Pakman
Producer/Network MeidasTouch Network
Email ****@meidastouch.com
Apple Rating 4.9/5Facebook 695.8KTwitter 617.3KInstagram 767.7K Avg Length 51 min Format Long form Get Email Contact