Feeling overwhelmed by all that’s happening in our country?

Confused about what information is real?

Trying to figure out what to do?

You’re not alone.

My name is Dan Koh, and welcome to The People’s Cabinet, a podcast that directly explains the top issues facing our country today and talks about what we stand for, not just what we’re against.

I’ve worked in the White House, Boston City Hall, and the Huffington Post, and I’m here to ask the tough questions needed to understand how government works and how we can make it better.

Every episode will feature leading voices to present a positive vision of what we should be doing and how you can get involved.

We’ll give you real, substantive information to spark conversations with the people we need to persuade to win again.

Because the world doesn’t change when we tune out.

It changes when we show up, speak up, and take action.

Are you ready? Let’s Go.

With tariffs dominating our lives, The People’s Cabinet drops a special pre-launch episode featuring former Chair of the White House Council of Economic Advisers Jared Bernstein.

In less than 20 minutes, Jared explains:

• What tariffs actually are 
• What a “reciprocal tariff” means
• Why Trump’s trade policy could backfire
• How we build a thoughtful trade policy that helps Americans 
• How Democrats can engage disaffected and MAGA-aligned voters without losing the plot

We hope you enjoy this BONUS PREVIEW of The People's Cabinet, and stay tuned for our official launch on 4/15!

With more than 3.5 billion views and millions of followers, Brian Tyler Cohen is one of the most influential democratic voices online. But how did he build that kind of reach — and what can Democrats learn from it?

In this episode, we cover:

• How he built his digital platform from scratch

• What Democrats get wrong in their media strategy

• How the left can build a powerful digital movement

• What you can do to break through the noise

If you care about politics and the future of media, this is a must-listen.

Tariffs. Trade wars. Global supply chains. Sound confusing? You’re not alone — and former Cabinet member U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai is here to break it all down. In this episode one of President Biden's main trade architects explains:

• Who typically oversees trade for the United States

• What trade policy is

• What tariffs are

• What Trump is doing with both

• What we should be doing instead

• How we move forward as a country -- and as a world

This is the trade episode for people who didn't think they needed it -- but are now learning the hard way that they do.

Ben, Brett and Jordan Meiselas have built Meidas Touch into the fastest-growing independent news network in the world, with over 450 million monthly views and a podcast whose listenership exceeds The Joe Rogan Experience.  How can we learn from their rise, and how can the left catch up – and even exceed – the right in this space?

Ben joins us to cover: 

• What independent media is, and how it has grown

• How to be unapologetically pro-democracy

• Whether Vice President Harris should have gone on Joe Rogan

• Why Democrats need to be “loud and proud” about their values

If you want a media future where the left leads—not follows—this episode is for you.

Washington feels broken, with lots of gridlock and few ideas. But there are some who are trying to change that.

Rep. Jake Auchincloss was dubbed "The Democrat Who is Thinking Differently" by The New York Times.

In this refreshingly practical episode, we dig into real ideas that could make life better, fast, including:

• Curbing social media’s influence on children

• Fixing our broken healthcare system

• Solving the housing crisis

• Reforming elections

• Reviving local democracy

If you’ve lost faith in Congress, this one might just bring you back.

Foreign policy can feel distant and complicated — but it shapes everything from our economy to our safety. Senator Chris Coons joins us to explain what’s actually going on in the world, and why it matters more than ever.

We cover:

• What foreign aid really is — and why it’s worth it

• What NATO literally stands for, what it does, and why it’s vital

• The latest on Ukraine and why support still matters

• What’s at stake with China, Taiwan, and the Pacific

• What’s the truth behind all the talk about Canada, Greenland, and the Panama Canal

• How this is affecting our place in the world

• What we should be doing instead, and what people can do in their communities

Clear, compelling, and deeply relevant — this is your foreign affairs explainer.

Sen. Ruben Gallego joins Dan Koh to talk about how Democrats should approach the border — and how that message can help win back the voters they’ve been losing.

From immigration and deportation to working-class men, veterans, and messaging in swing states, Senator Gallego shares what’s broken — and what actually works. Drawing on his experience outperforming the 2024 Democratic presidential ticket in Arizona by 8 points, he lays out a path forward rooted in empathy, clarity, and political strategy.

Subscribe to The People’s Cabinet for new episodes every Tuesday — and let us know who you want to see sworn in next.

Former Labor Secretary, DNC Chair, and Assistant U.S. Attorney General Tom Perez joins Dan Koh to break down how Democrats can win in 2026, reform the DOJ, and rebuild trust with working people.

You’ll hear:

• How Democrats can flip key seats and build a lasting majority
• What really happens inside the DOJ — and how to restore public trust
• Why putting workers first isn’t just good policy — it’s essential politics
• How to lead with values in a moment of deep political cynicism

If you’re looking for clarity, strategy, and hope heading into the next election cycle, this episode delivers.

🎧 Subscribe, rate, and share The People’s Cabinet wherever you get your podcasts.

Can America stay competitive without funding science and technology? Former White House Chief Science & Technology Advisor Dr. Arati Prabhakar joins Dan Koh to explain what’s at stake — from breakthroughs in AI and drug development to national security and America’s innovation edge.

🔍 Topics Covered:
• AI and medicine
• Drug development and Alzheimer’s research
• The role of federal science agencies:
 — DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency)
 — ARPA-H (Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health)
 — NIH (National Institutes of Health)
 — NSF (National Science Foundation)
• How public-private partnerships fuel innovation
• U.S. vs. China in science and tech leadership
• What Biden got right — and what Trump is undoing

🎧 This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of AI, biotech, life-saving cures, and America’s innovation edge in a fast-changing world.

Trump’s tariffs could tip us into recession. Attacks on the Fed and universities are escalating. Larry Summers explains what’s at stake.

Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers joins The People’s Cabinet with a stark warning: Trump’s China tariffs are a “self-inflicted supply shock” that could plunge the U.S. economy into recession.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Summers breaks down:

• Why Trump’s tariffs and China trade war could destabilize the U.S. economy

• The growing threat to Fed independence and politicization of the Federal Reserve

• What the bond market, stock market, and Jerome Powell are signaling about market volatility, a potential Fed rate cut, and US inflation

• His take on Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)'s takeover of the Treasury Department and its payment systems

• How far loyalty to Trump goes—from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to AI and Crypto Czar David Sacks

• What’s really behind the Trump administration’s attacks on Harvard, DEI, and rising antisemitism

• Why rising antisemitism on campus is about more than just universities—and what it means for democracy in America

• How economic policy is being weaponized—and what it means for the future of leadership and legitimacy in the U.S.

If you care about the economy, the Fed, or the future of democracy—this is a must-listen.

🎧 Subscribe and follow @PeopleCabinet for more bold conversations on Trump news, trade war fallout, and the institutions shaping our future.

Cleveland Mayor and Democratic Mayors Association President Justin Bibb joins The People’s Cabinet to share what’s actually working—from cutting crime to fixing housing and homelessness.

Cleveland’s mayor shares practical, real-world solutions to critical urban issues like homelessness, permitting reform, and public safety—and explains why Democratic leaders need to focus on results, not rhetoric.

We cover:
– Holding police accountable—and his take on “Defund the Police”
– Chronic homelessness
– Housing affordability
– Permitting reform and the Abundance Agenda
– Transportation
– Governing a blue city in a red state

This is a grounded, hopeful conversation about solutions that are already working—and how to scale them.

Marty Walsh joins The People’s Cabinet to talk addiction, recovery, and how we can win back the working-class voters we’ve lost.

The former U.S. Labor Secretary and Boston Mayor—now Executive Director of the NHL Players’ Association—shares his story of hitting rock bottom and rebuilding his life, and explains why showing up with humility is key to rebuilding trust.

We cover:
– Alcoholism, recovery, and staying sober
– Why politicians need to get yelled at
– What DC can learn from local leaders
– What’s missing in Democratic messaging

This is a conversation about personal and political recovery—and how to lead with honesty when it matters most.

Jon Finer — President Biden’s former Deputy National Security Advisor — joins The People’s Cabinet for an unfiltered conversation about what the Biden administration got right, what could have gone differently, and how President Trump may be putting U.S. security at risk. From Russia’s war in Ukraine to the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Finer shares lessons learned — and urgent warnings for the future.

Together, they cover:

•The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan — and what was at stake

•How the world responded to October 7 — and where we go from here

•How Trump’s approach to the Russia-Ukraine war differs — and why it matters

•How the U.S. should be thinking about outpacing China

•The foreign policy implications of Trump’s plans with El Salvador

•Why turning our backs on allies makes America weaker — and less safe

This is an honest and forthright conversation on foreign policy — and a wake-up call for what’s at stake.

Shalanda Young — former Director of the Office of Management and Budget — oversaw a $7 trillion federal budget that touched nearly every part of American life. In this episode, she joins The People’s Cabinet to break down what a federal budget really is, why raising the debt ceiling isn’t the same thing, and how upcoming budget fights could reshape the future of our economy.

We cover:

•Where $7 trillion actually goes — and what’s really driving the deficit

•The difference between passing a budget and raising the debt ceiling

•What’s at stake in the upcoming negotiations — and for whom

•How political standoffs put everything from Social Security to national defense at risk

•Why budget fights are about values, not just numbers

If you’ve ever wondered how Washington really spends your tax dollars — this episode makes it real.

What is the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — and why are so many powerful people trying to destroy it? In this episode of The People’s Cabinet, Dan sits down with CFPB Director Rohit Chopra to unpack what the agency actually does, how it protects everyday Americans, and what’s at stake as both Big Tech and political forces try to erode its power. From junk fees to AI-driven manipulation, Chopra lays out the future of consumer protection — and how we fight back.

We cover:

 •How Trump is trying to defang the CFPB — and what’s still at risk

•Why tech and finance executives see the CFPB as a threat

•The next wave of consumer harms and how AI makes it worse

•What the CFPB is doing to protect Americans in a rapidly changing economy

• What people can do to fight back today 

This is how consumer protection actually works — and how it gets undermined.

Talking about transgender women and girls in sports has become one of the most polarizing debates in American culture — often used to inflame rather than inform. Pablo Torre has spent years navigating these kinds of conversations at the intersection of sports, politics, and identity. In this episode, he joins Dan for a wide-ranging discussion about how we talk to each other — and who gets left out of the conversation.

We cover:

• Why the transgender sports debate is more about politics than policy

• What it’s like to straddle sports and politics as a commentator

• How to talk to people who aren’t already politically activated

• How the left can surpass the right in messaging

If you’re trying to engage in good faith — in a bad faith media environment — this episode will give you language, clarity, and maybe even a little hope.

I’m stepping in behind the mic at The David Pakman Show this week — 3.3 million subscribers strong — to break down 8+ topics each day facing our country. 

From Trump’s latest power plays to the policy fights that will define 2026, we’re pulling no punches.

Tune in, hit subscribe, and join millions who come to The David Pakman Show for sharp, fact-driven analysis and fearless conversation.

Listen whereever you get your podcast or watch on David's YouTube channel:

🎧 Watch & Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@thedavidpakmanshow

🔔 New episode of The People's Cabinet will be out Tuesday as planned.

Redistricting usually flies under the radar — but right now, it’s front and center in two of the biggest states in the country.

In this bonus explainer, Dan Koh and President of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee John Bisognano break down:

– Why Texas is trying to redraw the lines

– What California is doing in response

– How these fights could reshape power in Congress for years to come

– What a sustainable long-term solution could be

Subscribe for more episodes.

In this BONUS EPISODE from The People’s Cabinet, Dr. Phil Gordon — former National Security Advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris, White House Coordinator for the Middle East, and Sydney Stein Jr. Scholar at Brookings — breaks down the escalating conflict between the U.S. and Iran.

We cover:

• What Iran’s government and nuclear program actually look like

• President Obama’s Iran deal (the JCPOA) and why it unraveled

• What “uranium enrichment” means and why it matters

• Israel’s role 

• Whether TACO got to Trump 

• What the U.S. was targeting with this weekend’s B-2 bomber strikes

• Whether the mission accomplished its goals — and what further retaliation may follow

• What to expect next: more strikes, diplomacy, or even broader war?

🎧 If you’re looking for a clear, credible explanation of a fast-moving conflict — start here.

In this episode of The People’s Cabinet, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker joins Dan Koh to talk about how we stand up to Trump — and what real leadership looks like in dangerous times.

From rising threats to economic solutions, Governor Pritzker shares how he’s balanced budgets, raised wages, and delivered real results for working families — all while defending democracy, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ rights.

They cover:

– The rise of political violence 

– Why people must speak up — and show up

– How affordability, education, and civil rights shape a winning message

– The path to reclaim power and rebuild trust

Former Education Secretary Miguel Cardona and Chief of Staff Sheila Nix join The People's Cabinet to break down Donald Trump’s and Linda McMahon’s plan to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education — and what that means for students, teachers, schools, and families nationwide.

They explain how eliminating the Department of Education could:

- Slash funding for special education programs

- Defund rural schools, especially in high-poverty communities

- End civil rights enforcement in classrooms

- Jeopardize college affordability — including Pell Grants, student loans, and access to student debt relief and loan forgiveness programs

If you’ve ever wondered how closing the Department of Education could affect your child’s school, your town, or your rights, this episode gives you the tools to understand — and explain — what’s at stake.

🎧 Subscribe to The People’s Cabinet for weekly conversations that cut through the noise, unpack the policies shaping our future, and show how to take action.

Trump’s executive orders. Medicaid cuts. Political fear as strategy. Neera Tanden breaks it all down — and explains how Democrats can fight back.

In this episode of The People’s Cabinet, Dan Koh interviews Neera Tanden, President & CEO of the Center for American Progress and former White House Domestic Policy Advisor, for a deep dive into:

- How executive orders work — and how Trump is misusing them

- Why courts are blocking his actions with temporary restraining orders

- The real-world stakes of Medicaid cuts for families and state budgets

Tanden, a key architect of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), explains:

- 90% of Medicaid recipients are working or in training

- Children are the largest group who would lose health coverage

- Medicaid cuts could increase death rates and gut state budgets

The episode ends on a hopeful note — with a call to organize, reject fear, and build a positive, opportunity-focused Democratic message that speaks to working families and immigrant communities.

Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut joins The People’s Cabinet for a fast-paced, deeply honest conversation on the crisis of trust in American democracy — and how to fix it before it’s too late.

Murphy opens up to Dan Koh about:

– Why Americans are losing faith in democracy — and how to rebuild it

– The messaging traps Democrats fall into — and how to fight Trump effectively

– The hidden risks of AI and why Washington isn’t ready

– Big structural problems: housing, guns, money in politics — and how to actually move the needle

This episode blends urgency, sharp analysis, and clarity from one of the Senate’s most strategic voices. Essential listening for anyone who cares about democracy, technology, and the future of American politics.

Subscribe to The People’s Cabinet on your favorite podcast platform.

In an unprecedented move, Donald Trump just fired the Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)—the trusted, nonpartisan agency responsible for America’s job numbers. As former Chief of Staff at the Department of Labor, which oversees BLS, Dan Koh breaks down exactly why this matters, what it means for the economy, and how it could threaten public trust in critical U.S. data.

Emergency episode—listen now.

Former U.S. Transportation Secretary and South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg joins The People’s Cabinet for a candid, wide-ranging conversation on leadership, legacy, and the future of American politics.

Buttigieg dives deep with Dan Koh on:

• Leading through the chaos of the Trump era, whether he believes there’s an Epstein list — and how he thinks it all ends
• How Democrats win again by honing in on the right issues — including his take on Zohran Mamdani’s affordability message
• His first election loss and underdog rise from South Bend Mayor to leading the Presidential polls
• Proposing a new approach to bridging political divides — grounded in empathy and accountability
• His hot take on the Coldplay kiss cam, what movies make him cry, and parenting stories — from wall-decorating toddlers to mastering the burger

This episode is a powerhouse of insight, blending humor, hope, and hard-hitting analysis for anyone passionate about leadership, innovation, and America’s next chapter. 

Subscribe to The People’s Cabinet on your favorite platform.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore joins The People’s Cabinet to unpack his journey from college football wide receiver to transformative leader. He covers:

– Rejecting labels like “left” or “moderate” to focus on results-driven governance

– How he curbed Baltimore’s homicide rate to a 50-year low with innovative crime partnerships and solutions 

– Navigating the Trump administration while advocating for second chances

– A leadership playbook that involves bringing everyone to the table

– His vivid recollection of his favorite college touchdown

A must-listen for anyone who cares about public service, our country’s future, and leading with purpose.

The MSNBC anchor of “The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle” and NBC News Senior Business Correspondent joins The People’s Cabinet to break down:

– What Wall Street insiders are actually saying about Trump

– Why Democrats keep losing on messaging—and how to fix it

– How financial illiteracy is being weaponized in American politics

– The toxic role of misinformation and social media algorithms

– And why empathy might be our best political strategy going forward

This episode is for anyone trying to make sense of the our elections, the economy, and what’s really happening behind the headlines.

🎙️ Don’t miss this unfiltered conversation with the person who often has the last word in media.

Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville joins The People's Cabinet for a no-holds-barred conversation on where the Democratic Party goes from here. 

He weighs in on:

– Why Democrats continue to lose the economic narrative

– How cultural elitism is costing elections

– What went wrong in 2024—and how to fix it

– Whether Zohran Mamdani is the real deal

🎙️ New episodes of The People’s Cabinet drop every Tuesday. Subscribe and leave a review!

Senator Ed Markey joins to lay out what’s at stake: the future of climate and clean energy, the Green New Deal, his fight for due process in the case of Rümeysa Öztürk, the treat of tariffs to small businesses – and how we push back in 2025.

We cover:

– What Trump is doing to unravel the clean energy revolution — including a reported $1B deal with Big Oil

– What the Green New Deal was built to solve — and what’s now under attack

– The case of Rümeysa Öztürk and what it signals about due process in America

– One family’s fight for a better future — and what it says about who this country is for

A clear-eyed conversation about what we owe the next generation — and what’s at risk if we don’t all stand up.

NOTE: After this podcast was recorded, Senator Markey attempted to pass the Small Business Liberation Act through unanimous consent — where a measure can pass so long as no senator objects. However, Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio objected, blocking it from moving forward.

Senator Tammy Duckworth—combat veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and mother via IVF—joins The People’s Cabinet with a warning for this moment.

We cover:

• The real danger of media figures influencing war decisions and why she believes Pete Hegseth should no longer be Secretary of Defense
• Why Duckworth says Trump’s “Fertilization President” claim is hollow
• How the Dobbs decision would’ve blocked the care that made her a mother
• Why the Trump-Musk “DOGE” overhaul is hurting veterans
• What leadership looks like when lives are on the line

This is a deeply personal, politically urgent conversation about war, care, and consequence.

Trump’s pick to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics has called its methods flawed and pushed for a full overhaul. We break down his past statements, what changes could be coming, and why they could affect everything from jobs numbers to inflation reports — and your trust in the data.

We’re launching something new — Cabinet Meetings.

We'll take you behind the spin to explain the most important stories with context, facts, and clarity.

In this first Cabinet Meeting, we break down two major developments:

• Trump’s takeover of Washington, D.C. — and how his cuts to federal law enforcement and local community programs could put public safety at risk.
• His controversial pick to oversee America’s jobs numbers, EJ Antoni — and how his political bias could undermine the integrity of the Bureau of Labor Statistics and risk the economy.

From public safety to the truth about our economic data, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

📢 Subscribe to The People’s Cabinet for clear, fact-driven political and economic analysis every week.

Congresswoman Haley Stevens joins The People’s Cabinet for a wide-ranging conversation on saving Michigan’s auto industry, winning back swing states, and how Democrats can stand up to Trump’s economic chaos.

She and Dan Koh dive into:

- How Michigan rebounded from the Great Recession

- Inside the Obama auto rescue – and what it means for American manufacturing today

- The fight to protect union laborers and the dignity of work

- Why U.S. trade is essential – and how Trump’s tariffs hurt workers

- The Democratic strategy to win back Michigan and re-engage disaffected voters

This episode is essential listening for anyone who cares about protecting democracy, workers, and American manufacturing.

Subscribe to The People’s Cabinet on your favorite podcast platform.

How did we get here? What's the future of Ukraine?  

Fresh off President Trump's latest (and separate) meetings with Putin and Zelenskyy, this Cabinet Meeting covers:

• How we got here: Putin’s aggression and Trump’s foreign policy, with U.S. Senator Chris Coons
• What’s next for Ukraine and NATO: risks, opportunities, and U.S. leadership in the context of the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska and Trump's latest meeting with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office with former Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer
• Dan's take on Trump's mindset — and what we must never forget as Americans

👉 All you need to know about the Ukraine conflict in under a half hour.