The Wilderness

Jon is joined by youth polling experts John Della Volpe and Kristen Soltis Anderson to talk about apathy among young voters this election cycle. Why are they so disengaged? Are some truly defecting to Trump? And what message, if any, can get them out for the polls? Jon, John, and Kristen dive into the focus group tape to unpack Gen Z’s opinions of our octogenarian presidential candidates, their top economic issues, and the war in Gaza. And Anderson Clayton, the 26-year-old Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, joins to talk about Gen Z’s faith in their own ability to improve democracy.

Transcribed - Published: 7 July 2024

Jon is joined by Carlos Odio and Stephanie Valencia, founders of Equis Research, the nation’s leading polling and research firm focused on the Latino electorate, to talk about what Democrats can do to win back the Latino voters who left the party for Trump in 2016 and 2020. Why are some of them leaning towards Trump? How did they react to Biden’s border actions? And what issues are they most focused on in 2024? Jon, Carlos, and Stephanie dive into the focus groups to answer these questions and Leo Murrieta, Director of Make the Road Nevada, joins to talk about his trip to the White House and offer his advice for the Biden campaign.

Transcribed - Published: 23 June 2024

Jon is joined by pollster Terrance Woodbury and Lavora Barnes, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, to talk about the black voters who may cast their ballots for Trump this November. Who are they? Why are they leaving the Democratic Party? And how can we bring them back into the fold? Jon, Terrance, and Lavora dive into focus group tape, the Trump campaign’s strategy, and Biden’s recent speeches to find a message that works for these voters and then John Taylor, co-founder of Black Male Initiative Georgia, reminds us that the work of organizing should always begin with love.

Transcribed - Published: 9 June 2024

Jon is joined by longtime pollster Sarah Longwell and former Republican strategist Tim Miller to get inside the minds of two-time Trump voters who are no longer sure if they’ll vote for him again. What’s changed? Well, January 6th, a few criminal trials, and some obviously bogus claims that the election was stolen. But is that enough to get them over the line for Joe Biden? Jon, Tim, and Sarah listen to a focus group tape of these voters to figure out how they’re leaning in 2024 and then Ben Wikler, Chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, joins to help teach you how to persuade the Biden-curious Trump voter in your life.

Transcribed - Published: 26 May 2024

Welcome back to The Wilderness. Jon talks about what it will take to rebuild 2020’s anti-Trump coalition with political analyst Ron Brownstein, political scientist Lynn Vavreck, Democratic strategist Addisu Demissie, Democratic strategist Jen Palmieri, and Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg. They’ll talk about the risks of a second Trump term and how you can help prevent it. It may be a challenging road ahead, but by taking the time to persuade the persuadables in your life it’s possible to finally break Trump’s stranglehold on our politics.

Transcribed - Published: 26 May 2024

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re not an undecided voter. But if you don’t want Donald Trump to become president again, between now and November you’ll need to convince as many as you can to cast their ballot for Joe Biden. With the help of some of the smartest strategists, pollsters, and organizers in politics today, host Jon Favreau explores the minds of voters who will decide the 2024 election, and gives you everything you need to persuade the persuadables in your life. Episodes 1 & 2 premiere May 26. New episodes every other Sunday.

Transcribed - Published: 19 May 2024

While we were busy being dazzled by glittery crowns and golden coaches…did the authorities sneak in and steal away our rights? New laws have given the police wide ranging powers to arrest protestors - scuppering the plans of anti-monarchy protestors to demonstrate against the Coronation. Instead they were arrested, detained and then released without charge - after the event was safely over. Nish and Coco ask barrister and activist Paul Powlesland and ask what happened to the British love of freedom? Plus find out why a PSUK listener spent 15 hours outside his local polling station; why the Coronation gave Coco ‘Showgirls’ vibes; why Coco can't wait for Eurovision; and why Labour and the Lib Dems are in danger of being ‘vagina adjacent’. Pod Save the UK is a Reduced Listening production for Crooked Media.

Transcribed - Published: 11 May 2023

Can Democrats keep Georgia blue? We hear from young Black voters in Atlanta about Stacey Abrams, Raphael Warnock, Joe Biden, voting rights, and the future of democracy. Organizer Nsé Ufot, political commentator and strategist Symone Sanders, and pollster Terrance Woodbury join Jon to discuss what they had to say. New episodes of The Wilderness drop every Monday. Subscribe to The Wilderness wherever you get your podcasts.

Transcribed - Published: 17 October 2022

Are demographics destiny? We talk to working-class Latino voters in Las Vegas about what issues matter most to them and whether they’ll vote for Democrats this fall. Political scientist Ruy Teixeira, former Bernie Sanders presidential campaign manager Faiz Shakir, and Carlos Odio of EquisLabs join to discuss. If you want to learn more about how you can take action in the fight for our democracy, head over to Vote Save America and Culinary Union 226: https://votesaveamerica.com/midterm-madness/ https://www.culinaryunion226.org/

Transcribed - Published: 10 October 2022

Are young voters the key to the midterms? We hear from disillusioned Gen-Z voters in Orange County, California as well as their Member of Congress, Katie Porter. Then Data For Progress’ Evangel Penumaka, organizer and former Texas Democratic Senate candidate Cristina Tzintzún-Ramirez, and John Della Volpe of Harvard Kennedy School join Jon to dig into what the voters had to say. If you want to learn more about how you can take action in the fight for our democracy, head over to Vote Save America and Next Gen America: https://votesaveamerica.com/midterm-madness/ https://nextgenamerica.org/

Transcribed - Published: 3 October 2022

How can Democrats reach disconnected voters? We talk to Biden voters in Pittsburgh who are fed up with national politics. Jon breaks down their responses with Pennsylvania Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, data expert Dan Wagner, and John Fetterman senior campaign strategist Rebecca Katz. If you want to learn more about how you can take action in the fight for our democracy, head over to Vote Save America and Pennsylvania United: https://votesaveamerica.com/midterm-madness/ https://www.mobilize.us/paunited/event/493306/

Transcribed - Published: 26 September 2022

Why would Biden voters support Republicans? We hear from party switchers in Loudoun County who turned Virginia red in 2021 by voting for Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin. Communications expert Anat Shenker Osorio, organizer Tram Nguyen, and Sarah Longwell of The Bulwark join Jon to discuss. If you want to learn more about how you can take action in the fight for our democracy, head over to Vote Save America and New Virginia Majority: https://votesaveamerica.com/midterm-madness/ https://www.newvirginiamajority.org/

Transcribed - Published: 19 September 2022

What will it take to save democracy in 2022 and beyond? The MAGA movement is one of the greatest threats to American democracy. But one of the greatest divides in American politics is between the minority of voters who follow politics closely and the vast majority who don’t. In order to win the midterms, Democrats will have to reach that majority.

Transcribed - Published: 12 September 2022

In season 3 of The Wilderness, Jon Favreau talks to voters in the midterm battleground regions who will determine the future of democracy. With the help of grassroots organizers and strategists, Favreau will unpack what it will take for Democrats to reach these voters, who turned out to help defeat Trumpism in the last election, but aren’t entirely sure if they’ll do it again.

Transcribed - Published: 8 September 2022

Wilderness fans! Jon Favreau has a new weekly podcast called Offline. In this episode: Snapchat’s Peter Hamby talks to Jon Favreau about why Twitter has ruined political journalism, how the internet transformed the media business, and what a healthy, sustainable model of journalism might look like. New episodes of Offline with Jon Favreau drop every Sunday on the Pod Save America feed.

Transcribed - Published: 22 November 2021

What’s the winning message in 2020? We talk about how to overcome Trump’s massive media advantage and deliver a message that resonates everywhere with the smartest people we know. Jon Favreau sits down to answer some of questions about The Wilderness Season 2, the democratic primary, and what democrats need to do to win the general election. You can subscribe to Crooked's YouTube channel and watch it here: https://youtu.be/2kbOgJvznUU For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/thewilderness.

Transcribed - Published: 29 January 2020

How can Democrats beat Trump’s divisive politics? We spend time with Obama-Trump voters in Milwaukee, and sit down with political leaders and strategists who know how to win in the Midwest. For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/thewilderness.

Transcribed - Published: 27 January 2020

How can Democrats turn out new voters? We talk about expanding the electorate with Stacey Abrams and spend time with organizers and occasional voters in Florida. For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/thewilderness.

Transcribed - Published: 20 January 2020

Are the Sunbelt’s suburbs key to victory in November? We talk to Romney-Clinton voters in Arizona and follow a candidate who’s trying to flip her changing district. For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/thewilderness.

Transcribed - Published: 20 January 2020

How can grassroots organizers flip a red state? We talk to women who are trying to turn Pennsylvania blue and defeat Susan Collins, and sit down with a focus group of disaffected Democrats outside of Philadelphia. For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/thewilderness.

Transcribed - Published: 13 January 2020

What can the 2018 midterms teach us about 2020? A deep dive into how the Blue Wave shapes the race against Donald Trump and the path to 270. For a transcript of this show, please visit crooked.com/thewilderness.

Transcribed - Published: 13 January 2020

Jon Favreau looks for the path to victory in 2020 by talking to voters, strategists, organizers, and candidates in the battleground states that will decide the election.

Transcribed - Published: 6 January 2020

In the series finale, Barack Obama and Jon Favreau have a conversation on the story we need to tell about America. What should the Democratic Party’s message be in 2018? Learn more: www.thewildernesspodcast.com The Wilderness with Jon Favreau is presented by Honey. Join for free at www.joinhoney.com/wilderness For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/thewilderness.

Transcribed - Published: 24 September 2018

What are the unique challenges facing women in politics? A first-time candidate who’s running to be a state legislator tells her story. Learn more:www.thewildernesspodcast.com The Wilderness with Jon Favreau is presented by Honey. Join for free at www.joinhoney.com/wilderness

Transcribed - Published: 17 September 2018

How can we recruit a new generation of winning candidates? Three young, recently-elected Democrats talk about what it’s like to run for office. Learn more: www.thewildernesspodcast.com The Wilderness with Jon Favreau is presented by Honey. Join for free at www.joinhoney.com/wilderness For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/thewilderness.

Transcribed - Published: 10 September 2018

How democratic should the Democratic Party be? The evolving relationship between party leaders and grassroots organizers. Learn more: www.thewildernesspodcast.com The Wilderness with Jon Favreau is presented by Honey. Join for free at www.joinhoney.com/wilderness For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/thewilderness.

Transcribed - Published: 3 September 2018

How can Democrats break through in today’s media environment? A strategy for rethinking the way we communicate with the public. Learn more: www.thewildernesspodcast.com The Wilderness with Jon Favreau is presented by Honey. Join for free at www.joinhoney.com/wilderness. For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/thewilderness.

Transcribed - Published: 27 August 2018

How can Democrats avoid conventional thinking on foreign policy? A discussion about what a new era of American leadership might look like. Learn more: www.thewildernesspodcast.com The Wilderness with Jon Favreau is presented by Honey. Join for free at www.joinhoney.com/wilderness. For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/thewilderness.

Transcribed - Published: 20 August 2018

What does a bold, progressive economic agenda look like? Policy experts talk about the big ideas that can shape the Democratic Party’s platform. Learn more: www.thewildernesspodcast.com The Wilderness with Jon Favreau is presented by Honey. Join for free at www.joinhoney.com/wilderness. For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/thewilderness.

Transcribed - Published: 13 August 2018

Why do we have an historic level of inequality in this country? The economic transformations and political decisions that have diminished the American Dream. Learn more: www.thewildernesspodcast.com The Wilderness with Jon Favreau is presented by Honey. Join for free at www.joinhoney.com/wilderness. For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/thewilderness.

Transcribed - Published: 13 August 2018

What’s the best way to fight for a humane immigration policy? Immigration advocates talk about the decisions that shaped the debate and where we go from here. Learn more: www.thewildernesspodcast.com The Wilderness with Jon Favreau is presented by Honey. Join for free at www.joinhoney.com/wilderness. For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/thewilderness.

Transcribed - Published: 6 August 2018

How can Democrats build a multiracial coalition that adds up to an electoral majority? A discussion about whether it’s necessary or possible to win back voters we’ve lost. Learn more: www.thewildernesspodcast.com The Wilderness with Jon Favreau is presented by Honey. Join for free at www.joinhoney.com/wilderness. For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/thewilderness.

Transcribed - Published: 30 July 2018

How do we fight for justice and equality in the face of racism? The struggle to break the cycle of progress and backlash that defines race and politics in America. Learn more: www.thewildernesspodcast.com The Wilderness with Jon Favreau is presented by Honey. Join for free at www.joinhoney.com/wilderness. For a transcript of this show, please visit crooked.com/thewilderness.

Transcribed - Published: 23 July 2018

How do we fix what’s wrong with the Democratic Party? Focus groups of Democratic voters in Texas and Michigan, along with thousands of callers, offer their views. Learn more: www.thewildernesspodcast.com The Wilderness with Jon Favreau is presented by Honey. Join for free at www.joinhoney.com/wilderness. For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/thewilderness.

Transcribed - Published: 16 July 2018

Why did Democrats lose the 2016 election? The candidates, campaigns, and conditions that led to America’s worst person becoming president. Learn more: www.thewildernesspodcast.com The Wilderness with Jon Favreau is presented by Honey. Join for free at www.joinhoney.com/wilderness

Transcribed - Published: 16 July 2018

What is Barack Obama’s legacy? A closer look at how an historic presidency shaped the party and the country. Learn more: www.thewildernesspodcast.com The Wilderness with Jon Favreau is presented by Honey. Join for free at www.joinhoney.com/wilderness For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/thewilderness.

Transcribed - Published: 16 July 2018

How did we get here? The history of the Democratic Party, from its birth in the 1820s through the election of Barack Obama. Learn more: www.thewildernesspodcast.com The Wilderness with Jon Favreau is presented by Honey. Join for free at www.joinhoney.com/wilderness For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/thewilderness.

Transcribed - Published: 16 July 2018

The Wilderness is a documentary from Crooked Media and Two-Up Productions about the history and future of the Democratic Party. Pod Save America’s Jon Favreau tells the story of a party finding its way out of the political wilderness through conversations with strategists, historians, policy experts, organizers, and voters. In fifteen chapters, the series explores issues like inequality, race, immigration, sexism, foreign policy, media strategy, and how Democrats can build a winning majority that lasts. Coming July 16th.

Transcribed - Published: 6 July 2018