Crooked Minis

Nicolo reviews trial transcripts in Rome and listens to Calvi's son, Carlo, finally making sense of a long-ignored interview. The investigation leads to the Bologna train station bombing, where the Mafia, the Vatican, and a fascist secret society intersect. The chilling truth behind Calvi’s murder emerges. Friends of the Pod get early access to the entire first season of Shadow Kingdom: God's Banker before it drops for everyone else—ads included. Hear this episode in Italian by subscribing to Il Banchiere di Dio wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 28 April 2025

Calvi is found hanging from Blackfriars Bridge in London. The British police call it suicide, but Nicolo finds Antonio Cornacchia, an Italian officer who insists it’s murder. Years later, new forensic evidence reopens the case, leading to a trial with Silvano Vittor among the accused. Friends of the Pod get early access to the entire first season of Shadow Kingdom: God's Banker before it drops for everyone else—ads included. Get early access to the full season now by joining Crooked’s Friends of the Pod at crooked.com/friends. Hear this episode in Italian by subscribing to Il Banchiere di Dio wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 21 April 2025

Calvi disappears as news of the missing funds breaks. He speeds through Austria under a false name, accompanied by Silvano Vittor, the last person to see him alive. Vittor agrees to an interview, revealing Calvi’s blackmail-filled briefcase. Nicolo wonders: was Vittor a protector or a hunter? Friends of the Pod get early access to the entire first season of Shadow Kingdom: God's Banker before it drops for everyone else—ads included. Get early access to the full season now by joining Crooked’s Friends of the Pod at crooked.com/friends. Hear this episode in Italian by subscribing to Il Banchiere di Dio wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 14 April 2025

Calvi is arrested on a banking technicality, but after his release, he becomes paranoid. When his deputy is shot in the street, Nicolo uncovers secret tapes revealing Calvi’s mounting fear. The Bank of Italy finds a $1.2 billion hole in Calvi’s accounts—money meant for the Vatican, the Mafia, and P2. Now, it's gone. Friends of the Pod get early access to the entire first season of Shadow Kingdom: God's Banker before it drops for everyone else—ads included. Get early access to the full season now by joining Crooked’s Friends of the Pod at crooked.com/friends. Hear this episode in Italian by subscribing to Il Banchiere di Dio wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 7 April 2025

As Pope John Paul II visits communist Poland, his defiance stuns the KGB. Behind the scenes, Calvi is financing the Pope's covert war on communism. Nicolo tracks down Francesco Pazienza, a spy who collaborated with Calvi. But then, a shocking call: “They’ve just shot the Pope!” Calvi senses danger closing in—who’s next? Friends of the Pod get early access to the entire first season of Shadow Kingdom: God's Banker before it drops for everyone else—ads included. Get early access to the full season now by joining Crooked’s Friends of the Pod at crooked.com/friends. Hear this episode in Italian by subscribing to Il Banchiere di Dio wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 31 March 2025

A dawn raid on an Italian warehouse uncovers a secret far-right society, P2, just months before a planned coup. Prosecutor Giulano Turone, who led the raid, reveals how this discovery brought down Italy's government and exposed Roberto Calvi as P2's financier. Calvi, desperate to save himself, turns to God. Friends of the Pod get early access to the entire first season of Shadow Kingdom: God's Banker before it drops for everyone else—ads included. Get early access to the full season now by joining Crooked’s Friends of the Pod at crooked.com/friends. Hear this episode in Italian by subscribing to Il Banchiere di Dio wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 24 March 2025

Mario claims Calvi laundered Mafia money through the Vatican Bank. Nicolo contacts Mafia hitman Vincenzo Calcara, who recounts smuggling suitcases of cash from Sicily to Rome, where Calvi waited. The story is unbelievable—but it might be true. Get early access to the full season now by joining Crooked’s Friends of the Pod at crooked.com/friends. Hear this episode in Italian by subscribing to Il Banchiere di Dio wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 March 2025

In 2022, Attorney Nicolo Majnoni reconnects with an old friend, former White House reporter Mario Platero, who has been fixated for decades on the murder of Vatican banker Roberto Calvi. Mario suspects the Vatican, the Mafia, and other shadowy groups. What starts as a conversation sparks Nicolo's obsession, leading him to abandon his law firm and dive into one of history’s most notorious unsolved crimes. Get early access to the full season now by joining Crooked’s Friends of the Pod at crooked.com/friends.  Hear this episode in Italian by subscribing to Il Banchiere di Dio wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 17 March 2025

Roberto Calvi, a man guarding a dangerous secret about the Vatican Bank’s criminal activities, sends a threatening letter to the Pope. A week later on June 17th, 1982 he’s found dead hanging from a bridge in London. British police call it suicide, but questions and conspiracies swirl. Forty years on, lawyer Nicolo Majnoni gets a tip there might be more to the story and embarks on a quest to uncover the truth. Was Roberto Calvi, aka God’s Banker, killed? And if so, by whom? Shadow Kingdom is a new series from Crooked Media and Campside Media. Each season starts with a crime, and as the layers are peeled back to find out who or what is at the center of it, a larger system at play is revealed.  Get early access to the full season by joining Crooked’s Friends of the Pod at crooked.com/friends. Hear the Italian language version of Shadow Kingdom: God’s Banker by subscribing to Il Banchiere di Dio wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 10 March 2025

It’s been a minute since you heard from us on Crooked Minis—and, well, a lot has changed since 2022. With so much at stake in the next four years, Crooked will be here to break down the news with sharp analysis, a healthy dose of dumb jokes, and most importantly, ways to take action. But right now, we want to share our exciting new limited series made in partnership with Campside Media: Shadow Kingdom. Shadow Kingdom is a new series from Crooked Media and Campside Media. Each season starts with a crime, and as the layers are peeled back to find out who or what is at the center of it, a larger system at play is revealed.  We’re excited to bring you an exclusive clip from episode 1. Make sure you stay tuned for the premiere of Shadow Kingdom on March 17, right here in this feed, or binge all episodes starting March 17 by subscribing to Friends Of The Pod at Crooked.com/friends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcribed - Published: 6 March 2025

Former Barack Obama Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer is joined by Brian Tyler Cohen, progressive commentator and host of the podcast No Lie with Brian Tyler Cohen. They break down 2022 midterm ads from Raphael Warnock (running for Senate against Herschel Walker in Georgia), John Fetterman (running against Dr. Oz in Pennsylvania), and an ad from the Way to Win Action Fund.

Transcribed - Published: 7 November 2022

Dexter McCoy, candidate Fort Bend Texas' Precinct 4 County Commissioner, joins Crooked Media’s Shaniqua McClendon to discuss everything at stake in Texas this November. To get involved in and/or donate to his campaign you can head to www.dextermccoy.com. And to get involved in key election races across the country head to votesaveamerica.com.

Transcribed - Published: 4 November 2022

Former Barack Obama Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer is joined by Congressman Eric Swalwell (D-CA) to break down 2022 Midterm Ads. They discuss the issues that motivate voters going into the midterm elections by breaking down Rep. Swalwell’s VIRAL abortion ad, Republican Kari Lake's (Arizona) ad about the economy/inflation, and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto's (D-Nevada) ad about Adam Laxalt and the "Big Lie."

Transcribed - Published: 3 November 2022

Charles Booker, candidate for Senate in Kentucky, joins Crooked Media’s Shaniqua McClendon to discuss everything at stake in Kentucky this November. To get involved in and/or donate to his campaign you can head to charlesbooker.org. And to get involved in key election races across the country head to votesaveamerica.com.

Transcribed - Published: 1 November 2022

Former Barack Obama Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer is joined by David Plouffe, former Campaign Manager and Senior Advisor to Barack Obama. The former Whitehouse colleagues break down 2022 Midterm Ads from republican Dr. Oz and democrat John Fetterman for senate in Pennsylvania. They answer the question: "Do political ads still work in 2022?" Plus an Attack Ad against Sen. Mark Kelly (Arizona) from Sentinel Action Fund.

Transcribed - Published: 31 October 2022

Amaris Leon of the Working Families Party joins Crooked Media’s Sara Garcia to discuss everything at stake in Sheriffs races across the country this November. To learn more about the Working Families Party you can head to workingfamilies.org. And to get involved in key election races across the country head to votesaveamerica.com.

Transcribed - Published: 28 October 2022

Former Barack Obama Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer is joined by Sarah Longwell, Publisher of The Bulwark and Founder of The Republican Accountability Project. They break down 2022 midterm ads from Republicans and Democrats. Featuring: the Senate Leadership Fund’s attack ad against John Fetterman in Pennsylvania, Liz Cheney from the Republican Accountability Project, “Crazy Sh*t” about Doug Mastriano, and a bonus ad from viral Republican candidate Linda Paulson.

Transcribed - Published: 27 October 2022

Rep. Sharice Davids of Kansas's 3rd Congressional district joins Crooked Media’s Sara Garcia to discuss everything at stake in Kansas this November. To get involved in and/or donate to her campaign you can head to shariceforcongress.com. And to get involved in key election races across the country head to votesaveamerica.com.

Transcribed - Published: 25 October 2022

Former Barack Obama Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer is joined by Democratic Strategist and Pollster Cornell Belcher to break down 2022 midterm ads from Herschel Walker (Georgia), Beto O’Rourke (Texas), and Mandela Barnes (Wisconsin).

Transcribed - Published: 24 October 2022

Pastor Greg Lewis, founder and president of Souls to the Polls and Pastors United, joins Crooked Media's Shaniqua McClendon to discuss what is at stake across the country this November.

Transcribed - Published: 21 October 2022

Former Barack Obama Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer is joined by Crooked Media Co-founder and host of The Wilderness podcast Jon Favreau to break down great and terrible midterm battleground ads from Republican Herschel Walker (Georgia), Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto's (D-Nevada) 'Succession' ad against Republican Adam Laxalt, and the latest attack ad from Dr. Oz against Democrat John Fetterman (Pennsylvania).

Transcribed - Published: 20 October 2022

Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan's 8th Congressional district joins Crooked Media’s Sara Garcia to discuss everything at stake in Michigan this November.

Transcribed - Published: 18 October 2022

Former Barack Obama Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer is joined by Co-Founder of MeidasTouch Ben Meiselas to analyze campaign ads and political messaging. They break down the mega-viral ad from MeidasTouch “Wizard of Lies” aka Dr. Oz (New Jersey), an ad from The Lincoln Project about MAGA Republican Doug Mastriano (Pennsylvania), and a Marco Rubio (Florida) ad about the “Radical Left.”

Transcribed - Published: 17 October 2022

Shelley Jackson, the Executive Director of Instituto, an organization building political power in Arizona joins Crooked Media's Amelia Montooth to discuss what is at stake in Arizona this November. To get involved in and/or donate to her organization you can head to instituto.io. And to get involved in key election races across the country head to votesaveamerica.com.

Transcribed - Published: 14 October 2022

Former Barack Obama Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer is joined by journalist and host of The Mehdi Hasan Show on MSNBC and Peacock to break down viral 2022 midterm ads from Citizens for Sanity, Congressman Tim Ryan (Ohio), and Governor Ron DeSantis (Florida).

Transcribed - Published: 13 October 2022

Austin Davis, a progressive candidate for Lieutenant Governor in Pennsylvania, joins Crooked Media's Sara Garcia to discuss everything at stake in PA this November. To get involved in and/or donate to his campaign you can head to www.shapirodavis.org. And to get involved in key election races across the country head to votesaveamerica.com.

Transcribed - Published: 11 October 2022

Former Barack Obama Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer is joined by "Politics Girl" Leigh McGowan to break down good and bad viral midterm ads from Blake Masters, Raphael Warnock, and the American Action Network.

Transcribed - Published: 10 October 2022

Minnesota's Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, a progressive democrat running for her second term, joins Crooked Media's Ari Schwartz to discuss the issues on the ballot in Minnesota this November and the stakes of keeping Minnesota blue.

Transcribed - Published: 7 October 2022

Former Barack Obama Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer is joined by Melissa Murray, Professor of Law at New York University and co-host of the Crooked Media podcast Strict Scrutiny. In this episode Dan and Melissa analyze a viral ad from Mothers Against Greg Abbott (MAGA), Republican Katie Britt (Alabama), and the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

Transcribed - Published: 6 October 2022

Democracy or Else is a new weekly series from your friends at Crooked Media and Vote Save America. In this episode Crooked Media's Sara Garcia interviews Gabe Vasquez on his run for New Mexico's second congressional district.

Transcribed - Published: 4 October 2022

Former Barack Obama Communications Director and Pod Save America host Dan Pfeiffer is joined by Democratic strategist Lis Smith who was senior advisor to Pete Buttigieg’s 2020 presidential campaign to discuss Democrats appearing on Fox News. They break down ads and clips featuring Tim Ryan, Pete Buttigieg, and Catherine Cortez Mastro.

Transcribed - Published: 3 October 2022

The future of our democracy hinges on the outcome of two Senate races in Georgia, a state that shocked the nation by flipping for the first time in nearly three decades. In this multi-part podcast, visit the frontlines with two of Atlanta’s own - journalists Rembert Browne and Jewel Wicker as they detail the struggles and triumphs that led to this moment, and hear from the organizers, strategists, and voters hoping to change the South forever. Our new podcast, “Gaining Ground: The New Georgia” is a co-production of Tenderfoot TV and Crooked Media. Subscribe and listen to episode 1 now, wherever you listen to podcasts: gaininggroundpodcast.com

Transcribed - Published: 17 December 2020

Subscribe to Crooked's new podcast, Unholier Than Thou: apple.co/unholierthanthou - first two episodes available today. Award-winning journalist and editor Phillip Picardi is on a quest to better understand his relationship with spirituality by learning how faith plays a role in other people’s lives in Crooked Media’s new podcast, Unholier Than Thou. With the help of the spiritual, religious, and agnostic, he’ll guide listeners through the ethereal and worldly problems of the day, informed by his own on-and-off relationship with God. Through lenses both saintly and secular, Picardi will take a look at everything from sex to climate change, and how religion informs those discussions. New episodes every Friday.

Transcribed - Published: 12 June 2020

In this excerpt from UN-TRUMPING AMERICA (on sale February 18, 2020), Dan Pfeiffer speaks candidly to our (forthcoming) Democratic nominee about the realities of winning, the fate of American democracy, and how to defeat Trump at the ballot box in November. Pre-order now wherever books are sold: https://amzn.to/372l5k2

Transcribed - Published: 11 February 2020

Subscribe to Crooked Media's newest podcast Rubicon: The Impeachment of Donald Trump go.crooked.com/rubicon The impeachment of Donald Trump is one of the biggest political stories of our lifetimes. It’s a test of whether accountability, election integrity, and the rules of our democracy can withstand the corrupt acts of powerful people. It’s also a story that’s unfolding at such a break-neck pace, it’s absurd. Fortunately, Brian Beutler, Crooked Media’s Editor in Chief, lives for this s**t. Join Brian every week as he breaks down the week’s most important developments in the impeachment fight with legal, political, and congressional experts to help you figure out how this is all going to end and what you can do to play your part in one of the most important moments in American history. Yeah, it’s that big. New episode out every Friday.

Transcribed - Published: 8 November 2019

In the final episode of Me, My Self-Care, and I Diosa and Mala talk about the role of women-based spaces in their lives and relationships. Then they chat with Claudia Mendoza, the founder of the Mami Chula Social Club. Mendoza hosts events for young Latinas and their mothers that help the two generations better understand one another.

Transcribed - Published: 30 October 2019

“What A Day,” Crooked Media’s new daily news podcast, is here! Hosted by comedian Akilah Hughes and politics reporter Gideon Resnick, “What A Day” cuts through the chaos and crimes to break down the biggest news of the day, help you understand what matters, and how you can fix it—all in 15 minutes or less. New episodes come out every morning, Monday through Friday, at 5 a.m. Eastern. Subscribe and listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Transcribed - Published: 28 October 2019

This week, Mala and Diosa discuss how self-care in the digital age can simplify the movement to a hashtag. They discuss how the internet brought them together and how it has helped in their self-discoveries. Then, they are joined by poet and tattoo artist Mike Davis, aka Hoodprofet, who uses social media to cultivate healing and growth. They discuss their work, their praxis, advocating for the self, and community care on the web.

Transcribed - Published: 23 October 2019

This week, Diosa and Mala sit down with culturemakers and artists of the Cumbiaton Collective. This nationwide party collective is creating healing on the dancefloor and through their production, prioritizing and uplifting joy and movement as a tool for resistance. On this episode, Diosa and Mala will examine the ways art and music heals and cares for communities.

Transcribed - Published: 16 October 2019

October's mini-series, hosted by Mala Muñoz and Diosa Femme, will explore the nuances and complexities of self-care, community care, healthy relationships, and the psychology behind it all. In the first episode the two hosts share their own experiences working with trauma survivors and the impact it had on their definitions of self-care. They are then joined by therapist & poet Thea Monye to discuss who is given access to self-care, selfhood for people of color and how we can shift the conversation of self-care to community care.

Transcribed - Published: 9 October 2019

What happens when the President of the United States is the inspiration for today's most passionate group of conspiracy theorist? In the final episode of State of Conspiracy, Professor Olmsted talks to Daily Beast reporter Will Sommer to dissect the conspiracy theory known as QAnon and the real danger it poses on the future of our democracy.

Transcribed - Published: 25 September 2019

In this week's episode of State of Conspiracy Prof. Olmsted is joined by Jon Ronson. Jon is a journalist and filmmaker whose own passion for studying conspiracies has inspired him to infiltrate secret societies and come face to face with some of the most prominent conspiracy theorists. They discuss what inspires conspiracy theorists and whether those at the top know how much damage they are doing.

Transcribed - Published: 18 September 2019

What happens when a conspiracy theory turns out to be true? This week on State of Conspiracy, Professor Kathryn Olmsted is joined by Kevin Kruse, professor of history at Princeton University. Together, they explore the ways the media and historical events of the 60s onwards contributed to an increasing mistrust in both government and media. They explore some of the most absurd cases of government conspiracies that ended up being true and how those revelations changed the trajectory of how Americans and politicians question the truth today.

Transcribed - Published: 11 September 2019

Are lizard people real? Was 9/11 an inside job? Is the government really out to get you? We can't conclusively answer those questions, but we will be exploring these topics in September's series, State of Conspiracy. State of Conspiracy is hosted by Professor Kathryn Olmsted a professor of History at UC Davis and scholar of conspiracy theories. This week, Professor Olmsted sits down with author Anna Merlan to discuss how Donald Trump successfully used conspiracy theories to gain national attention and get elected and why the surge in government conspiracy theories today may less funny and more insidious than we think.

Transcribed - Published: 4 September 2019

In the final episode of Rigging North Carolina, Shaniqua McClendon is joined by Dan McCready. He shares what was going through his mind as the news of election fraud broke and a new election was called. We hear more about his platform, what he believes his opponent Dan Bishop stands for and what's at stake in this upcoming election.

Transcribed - Published: 28 August 2019

In February of 2019 the North Carolina State Board of Elections heard testimony from many of the people who played a key role in the election fraud that tainted Dan McCready and Mark Harris's historic midterm election. The three day hearing ended with a surprise turn of events that led Republican Mark Harris to finally call for a new election. Shaniqua McClendon talks to two people who were in the room. Marc Elias represented Dan McCready throughout the election and argued on behalf of the Democratic nominee. Reporter Joe Bruno also shares some of the most shocking moments on the stand.

Transcribed - Published: 21 August 2019

North Carolina has a long history of silencing African American voters, more recently sustained by Republicans in the state that have passed laws with the sole purpose of eliminating their votes. In this episode, Shaniqua McClendon discusses the Republicans' blatant voter suppression efforts with State Representative Pricey Harrison, who’s been trying to find common ground with Republicans, and Marc Elias, a Democratic lawyer who’s spent a lot of his career fighting for voting rights in North Carolina. Together, they search for the root cause of the Republican Party’s chokehold on North Carolina.

Transcribed - Published: 14 August 2019

Leslie McCrae Dowless is a Republican consultant desperate to win. So he did what no one would do: he stole ballots for GOP congressional candidate Mark Harris, creating a scandal in North Carolina's 9th district and one of the biggest election fraud cases in American politics. Shaniqua McClendon, North Carolina native and Crooked's Political Director, speaks with Joe Bruno, the local reporter who broke the story, to walk us through exactly what happened and why it matters.

Transcribed - Published: 7 August 2019

In the final episode of the series, Ken Harbaugh explores the role of service in our understanding of patriotism. He sits down with Mayor Pete Buttigieg to explore what service means to him and the responsibilities that elected officials have to individuals who sign up for military service. But first, Ken talks to Becky Margiotta, a veteran of an elite special operations unit and founder of the social advocacy group The Billions Institute. Ken talks to Becky Margiotta about the importance of inclusivity in service.

Transcribed - Published: 24 July 2019

This week, Ken Harbaugh sits down with two people who have had to reckon with both the historical and personal implications of patriotism. His first guest, Mike Washington, has had to make sense of his patriotism as both a veteran and as a father who lost his son to the war in Afghanistan. Then, he talks to retired four-star General Stanley McChrystal about reckoning with the impact of both his decisions and the missions he was assigned while leading US and international forces in Afghanistan.

Transcribed - Published: 17 July 2019