Wed, 04 Mar 2026 18:42:55 -0500 https://friendswithpolitics.buzzsprout.com en-us © 2026 Friends with Politics yes 8cf66d72-ed00-5cc5-88fc-5045588839f4 friendswithpolitics@gmail.com Sal & Andrew episodic false Andrew voted for Trump. Sal voted for Harris. Despite their differences, old friends Andrew & Sal are here to show Americans that politics can still be conversation—not combat.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Sal & Andrew friendswithpolitics@gmail.com https://storage.buzzsprout.com/ef5su7qrjl7k6bq88464pu1d4d5n?.jpg The End of the Shutdown & More Relentless ICE Madness In this week’s episode of Friends with Politics, listen to Andrew & Sal talk turkey day plans, share their takes on how the shutdown ended, discuss the importance of extending ACA subsidies, consider why the Democrats backed down on demands, assess the many sins of ICE, denounce agents’ actions outside the law, agree about the ways that immigration enforcement must change & much more…

]]> In this week’s episode of Friends with Politics, listen to Andrew & Sal talk turkey day plans, share their takes on how the shutdown ended, discuss the importance of extending ACA subsidies, consider why the Democrats backed down on demands, assess the many sins of ICE, denounce agents’ actions outside the law, agree about the ways that immigration enforcement must change & much more…

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-18222919 Thu, 20 Nov 2025 01:00:00 -0800 3711 1 34 full false Election Dissection & The Shutdown Shuts Down Food Aid In this week’s episode of Friends with Politics, listen to Andrew & Sal recount their (& their friend Tony’s) very adult Halloweens, try to read the tea leaves in Democrats dominating the off-year elections, look into the mystery of Mamdani, agree that Trump shouldn’t be denying kids food, argue (vehemently & at length) about who has the moral high ground in the shutdown shenanigans & much more…

]]> In this week’s episode of Friends with Politics, listen to Andrew & Sal recount their (& their friend Tony’s) very adult Halloweens, try to read the tea leaves in Democrats dominating the off-year elections, look into the mystery of Mamdani, agree that Trump shouldn’t be denying kids food, argue (vehemently & at length) about who has the moral high ground in the shutdown shenanigans & much more…

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-18153922 Sat, 08 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0800 3599 1 33 full false No Kings, Republican Response & Why People Protested In this week’s episode of Friends with Politics, listen to Andrew & Sal get hyped for Halloween, discuss the No Kings crowds & who they were, review the Republicans’ demonization & denigration of the protestors, argue about over-the-line ICE tactics, talk race-based refugee policies, bemoan ballroom plans & much more…

]]> In this week’s episode of Friends with Politics, listen to Andrew & Sal get hyped for Halloween, discuss the No Kings crowds & who they were, review the Republicans’ demonization & denigration of the protestors, argue about over-the-line ICE tactics, talk race-based refugee policies, bemoan ballroom plans & much more…

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-18091756 Tue, 28 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0700 3525 1 32 full false The Ceasefire in Gaza & Solving The Shutdown In this week’s episode of Friends with Politics...listen to Andrew & Sal recall the cast of Taxi, give credit where credit is due for the Gaza ceasefire, discuss dim hopes for a clear path forward in Palestine, agree on the perfect solution to the shutdown saga, sort through fact & fiction in Portland, talk troops as political tools, ponder the condition of Trump’s diminishing-or-not mental state & much more…

]]> In this week’s episode of Friends with Politics...listen to Andrew & Sal recall the cast of Taxi, give credit where credit is due for the Gaza ceasefire, discuss dim hopes for a clear path forward in Palestine, agree on the perfect solution to the shutdown saga, sort through fact & fiction in Portland, talk troops as political tools, ponder the condition of Trump’s diminishing-or-not mental state & much more…

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-18021097 Wed, 15 Oct 2025 23:00:00 -0700 3625 1 31 full false The Shutdown Saga & Cabinet Members Getting Crazy In this week’s episode of Friends with Politics, listen to Andrew & Sal dig up old grudges from Art History class, disagree about who backed who into a corner with the government shutdown, discuss Pete Hegseth’s Ted Talk for the generals & Trump’s declaration that it’s time for the military to start turning its sights on American citizens, fret over RFK’s Tylenol folly, weigh in on Pam Bondi’s prosecution of Comey, agree that $20 billion for Argentina is $20 billion too much & much more…

]]> In this week’s episode of Friends with Politics, listen to Andrew & Sal dig up old grudges from Art History class, disagree about who backed who into a corner with the government shutdown, discuss Pete Hegseth’s Ted Talk for the generals & Trump’s declaration that it’s time for the military to start turning its sights on American citizens, fret over RFK’s Tylenol folly, weigh in on Pam Bondi’s prosecution of Comey, agree that $20 billion for Argentina is $20 billion too much & much more…

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-17987742 Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700 3876 1 30 full false The Murder & Lionization of Charlie Kirk In this week’s episode of Friends with Politics, listen to Andrew & Sal contemplate clever ways to cook worms, share their reactions to Charlie Kirk’s murder, discuss their views of who Kirk really was, talk about the false divide between left & right wing political violence & much more…

]]> In this week’s episode of Friends with Politics, listen to Andrew & Sal contemplate clever ways to cook worms, share their reactions to Charlie Kirk’s murder, discuss their views of who Kirk really was, talk about the false divide between left & right wing political violence & much more…

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-17896739 Tue, 23 Sep 2025 22:00:00 -0700 3148 1 29 full false Trump’s Epstein Letter Emerges & Economy Enters the Danger Zone In this week’s episode of Friends with Politics, listen to Andrew & Sal talk turn-of-the-century medicine, get grossed-out by the creepiness of the Epstein birthday book & Trump’s apparent contribution to the creepiness, worry about signs of stagflation looming over the economy, discuss whether Trump can get it back on track & much more…  

]]> In this week’s episode of Friends with Politics, listen to Andrew & Sal talk turn-of-the-century medicine, get grossed-out by the creepiness of the Epstein birthday book & Trump’s apparent contribution to the creepiness, worry about signs of stagflation looming over the economy, discuss whether Trump can get it back on track & much more…  

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-17836545 Fri, 12 Sep 2025 18:00:00 -0700 3363 1 28 full false More Cities Threatened With Trump Troops & More Battles Over Science In this week’s episode of Friends with Politics, listen to Andrew & Sal ruminate on a radioactive cat, discuss the impact of military deployments on American soil, argue about authoritarianism, worry about RFK’s increasingly anti-science actions, talk about the EPA fighting against the fight against climate change & much more… 

]]> In this week’s episode of Friends with Politics, listen to Andrew & Sal ruminate on a radioactive cat, discuss the impact of military deployments on American soil, argue about authoritarianism, worry about RFK’s increasingly anti-science actions, talk about the EPA fighting against the fight against climate change & much more… 

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-17778628 Tue, 02 Sep 2025 20:00:00 -0700 3929 1 27 full false Trump Deploys Troops to DC & More ICE Detentions In this week’s episode of Friends with Politics, Andrew & Sal discuss the arrival of Andrew’s empty nest, talk troops in American cities, dissect the reasons behind Trump’s troop deployment, explore Trump’s commitment to the rule of law, argue over the intentions behind ICE detentions & much more…

]]> In this week’s episode of Friends with Politics, Andrew & Sal discuss the arrival of Andrew’s empty nest, talk troops in American cities, dissect the reasons behind Trump’s troop deployment, explore Trump’s commitment to the rule of law, argue over the intentions behind ICE detentions & much more…

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-17702771 Tue, 19 Aug 2025 23:00:00 -0700 3059 1 26 full false Epstein, the Economy & Trump at a Tipping Point In this week’s episode of Friends with Politics, Andrew & Sal return from the summer travels to discuss the latest distraction du jour (the Epstein files),  the anemic jobs numbers, more troops on city streets, Trump’s erratic tariff policies, our increasingly dystopian technological landscape & much more…

]]> In this week’s episode of Friends with Politics, Andrew & Sal return from the summer travels to discuss the latest distraction du jour (the Epstein files),  the anemic jobs numbers, more troops on city streets, Trump’s erratic tariff policies, our increasingly dystopian technological landscape & much more…

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-17657384 Mon, 11 Aug 2025 23:00:00 -0700 3038 1 25 full false Adam Swart, Founder of Crowds on Demand (Re-Release) While Andrew & Sal finish their summer travels, listen to their talk with the Founder of Crowds on Demand, Adam Swart. In an entertaining, engaging & broad-ranging interview, Swart discusses the world of paid protesters, political messaging in today’s environment, creating a Protester’s Bill of Rights, the best choice for the next Democratic Presidential Nominee & much more… 

]]> While Andrew & Sal finish their summer travels, listen to their talk with the Founder of Crowds on Demand, Adam Swart. In an entertaining, engaging & broad-ranging interview, Swart discusses the world of paid protesters, political messaging in today’s environment, creating a Protester’s Bill of Rights, the best choice for the next Democratic Presidential Nominee & much more… 

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-17616593 Mon, 04 Aug 2025 22:00:00 -0700 4562 1 24 full false RFK Jr.—Libertarian Approach or Anti-Vax Menace? (Re-Release) On this week's "Friends with Politics"... while Andrew & Sal do some summer traveling, listen to their earlier episode talking summer trips, discussing the firing of the entire vaccine advisory panel, debating the merits of the new panel’s appointees, reviewing the new panel’s first meeting, arguing over RFK Jr.’s anti-vax credentials & much more…

]]> On this week's "Friends with Politics"... while Andrew & Sal do some summer traveling, listen to their earlier episode talking summer trips, discussing the firing of the entire vaccine advisory panel, debating the merits of the new panel’s appointees, reviewing the new panel’s first meeting, arguing over RFK Jr.’s anti-vax credentials & much more…

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-17579288 Mon, 28 Jul 2025 18:00:00 -0700 4391 1 23 full false The Roots of Trump 2.0: The 2020 Election & Jan. 6 Listen to Andrew & Sal ponder where they might be at this very moment, discuss the ugliness of Jan. 6, argue about the impact of Trump’s response to the 2020 election, explore how Trump 2.0 was born 4 years ago & much more…

]]> Listen to Andrew & Sal ponder where they might be at this very moment, discuss the ugliness of Jan. 6, argue about the impact of Trump’s response to the 2020 election, explore how Trump 2.0 was born 4 years ago & much more…

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-17543969 Mon, 21 Jul 2025 23:00:00 -0700 3203 1 22 full false Stephen Miller Goes to Washington (Re-Release) While Andrew & Sal do some summer traveling, listen to their earlier discussion tracing the alarming ascent of Stephen Miller, laying out his the White Nationalist agenda, parsing the meaning of Pete Hegseth’s tattoos & much more…  

]]> While Andrew & Sal do some summer traveling, listen to their earlier discussion tracing the alarming ascent of Stephen Miller, laying out his the White Nationalist agenda, parsing the meaning of Pete Hegseth’s tattoos & much more…  

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-17506968 Mon, 14 Jul 2025 21:00:00 -0700 4545 1 21 full false The GOP Megabill & Trump’s Priorities Listen to Andrew & Sal discuss riding the rides at county fairs, reveal their responses to the GOP Megabill, explore Trump’s second term priorities, ask if the administration is only going to cut stuff or if they plan on providing solutions & much more…

]]> Listen to Andrew & Sal discuss riding the rides at county fairs, reveal their responses to the GOP Megabill, explore Trump’s second term priorities, ask if the administration is only going to cut stuff or if they plan on providing solutions & much more…

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-17467385 Mon, 07 Jul 2025 17:00:00 -0700 3514 1 20 full false RFK Jr.—Libertarian Approach or Anti-Vax Menace? Listen to Andrew & Sal talk summer trips, discuss the firing of the entire vaccine advisory panel, debate the merits of the new panel’s appointees, review the new panel’s first meeting, argue over RFK Jr.’s anti-vax credentials & much more…

]]> Listen to Andrew & Sal talk summer trips, discuss the firing of the entire vaccine advisory panel, debate the merits of the new panel’s appointees, review the new panel’s first meeting, argue over RFK Jr.’s anti-vax credentials & much more…

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-17424608 Mon, 30 Jun 2025 10:00:00 -0700 4391 1 19 full false Our First Guest! Adam Swart, Founder of Crowds on Demand Listen to Andrew & Sal talk to their first special guest: the Founder of Crowds on Demand, Adam Swart. In an entertaining, engaging & broad-ranging interview, Swart discusses the world of paid protesters, political messaging in today’s environment, creating a Protester’s Bill of Rights, the best choice for the next Democratic Presidential Nominee & much more… 

]]> Listen to Andrew & Sal talk to their first special guest: the Founder of Crowds on Demand, Adam Swart. In an entertaining, engaging & broad-ranging interview, Swart discusses the world of paid protesters, political messaging in today’s environment, creating a Protester’s Bill of Rights, the best choice for the next Democratic Presidential Nominee & much more… 

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-17380553 Mon, 23 Jun 2025 02:00:00 -0700 4562 1 18 full false ICE Raids & the Protests in L.A. Listen to Andrew & Sal reminisce about late night phone calls, discuss the latest deportations, debate reform of immigration, talk about troops deployed to L.A. & much more…

]]> Listen to Andrew & Sal reminisce about late night phone calls, discuss the latest deportations, debate reform of immigration, talk about troops deployed to L.A. & much more…

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-17343224 Sun, 15 Jun 2025 23:00:00 -0700 3062 1 17 full false Ukraine & Russia Trade Attacks, Budget Bill Balloons Deficit & Musk Breaks-Up With Trump Listen to Andrew & Sal parse their pets' health, discuss Trump getting played by Putin, debate cutting benefits while growing the deficit, break down the break-up of Washington’s power couple, reveal what’s on their mind & much more…

]]> Listen to Andrew & Sal parse their pets' health, discuss Trump getting played by Putin, debate cutting benefits while growing the deficit, break down the break-up of Washington’s power couple, reveal what’s on their mind & much more…

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-17303371 Sun, 08 Jun 2025 21:00:00 -0700 3629 1 16 full false A Shady IRS Nominee, the New Pentagon Spokesperson & More Aggressive Moves by RFK Jr. Listen to Andrew & Sal tell a tale about late night check fraud, break down the tape of Kristie Noem’s habeas corpus blunder, ask if Billy Long should be running the IRS, debate Kingsley Wilson’s white nationalist adjacency, discuss RFK Jr.’s HHS stewardship & much more…

]]> Listen to Andrew & Sal tell a tale about late night check fraud, break down the tape of Kristie Noem’s habeas corpus blunder, ask if Billy Long should be running the IRS, debate Kingsley Wilson’s white nationalist adjacency, discuss RFK Jr.’s HHS stewardship & much more…

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-17264213 Sun, 01 Jun 2025 18:00:00 -0700 4145 1 15 full false The Biden Bombshell, the Budget Bill & “Only the Best…” Listen to Andrew & Sal create their own riff on “Trust, but Verify”, follow-up on South African shenanigans, discuss Biden’s decline, dissect the House’s new budget bill, debate whether Trump is really hiring “only the best” people & much more…

]]> Listen to Andrew & Sal create their own riff on “Trust, but Verify”, follow-up on South African shenanigans, discuss Biden’s decline, dissect the House’s new budget bill, debate whether Trump is really hiring “only the best” people & much more…

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-17225832 Sun, 25 May 2025 23:00:00 -0700 4374 1 14 full false Trump in the Middle East: Economic Infusion or Epic Corruption? Listen to Andrew & Sal give a shout out to “Scrubs”, debate Kushner cash from Saudi Arabia, explore Trump & sons overlapping Middle East agendas, discuss $400 million foreign gifts, lament the administration’s abandonment of youth mental health & much more…

]]> Listen to Andrew & Sal give a shout out to “Scrubs”, debate Kushner cash from Saudi Arabia, explore Trump & sons overlapping Middle East agendas, discuss $400 million foreign gifts, lament the administration’s abandonment of youth mental health & much more…

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-17182989 Sun, 18 May 2025 09:00:00 -0700 3683 1 13 full false Stephen Miller Goes to Washington…and Brings White Nationalism With Him Listen to Andrew & Sal praise the spirit of John Belushi, trace the alarming ascent of Stephen Miller, parse the meaning of Pete Hegseth’s tattoos, discuss the insanity of welcoming white South African refugees, talk a little Pope Leo & much more…  

]]> Listen to Andrew & Sal praise the spirit of John Belushi, trace the alarming ascent of Stephen Miller, parse the meaning of Pete Hegseth’s tattoos, discuss the insanity of welcoming white South African refugees, talk a little Pope Leo & much more…  

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-17142549 Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 -0700 4545 1 12 full false The New America After 100 Days of Trump Listen to Andrew & Sal lament the sad end to the broken oven saga, respond to Harvard’s report on campus conditions, debate the state of the nation after 100 days of Trump’s changes to immigration, import taxation, the USDA, NEA, DOJ, HHS, DOE & much more...

]]> Listen to Andrew & Sal lament the sad end to the broken oven saga, respond to Harvard’s report on campus conditions, debate the state of the nation after 100 days of Trump’s changes to immigration, import taxation, the USDA, NEA, DOJ, HHS, DOE & much more...

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-17099771 Sun, 04 May 2025 23:00:00 -0700 5021 1 11 full false The Administration Goes After Higher Education & More ICE Imbroglios Listen to Andrew & Sal discuss the dangers of home appliance repairs, argue about government influence on Universities, talk about judges going to jail, debate more questionable deportations & much more… 

]]> Listen to Andrew & Sal discuss the dangers of home appliance repairs, argue about government influence on Universities, talk about judges going to jail, debate more questionable deportations & much more… 

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-17054219 Sun, 27 Apr 2025 21:00:00 -0700 4844 1 10 full false Checks & Balances Under Attack & Censorship on the Rise Listen to Andrew & Sal peek ahead at empty nests, consider how the courts, the congress, the states, the cabinet & the press are confronting (or not) an aggressive administration, discuss how the story of America is being reshaped by way of removal & much more…

]]> Listen to Andrew & Sal peek ahead at empty nests, consider how the courts, the congress, the states, the cabinet & the press are confronting (or not) an aggressive administration, discuss how the story of America is being reshaped by way of removal & much more…

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-17007973 Sun, 20 Apr 2025 01:00:00 -0700 4311 1 9 full false Twists in the Tariff Saga & Imagining America in 2026 Listen to Andrew & Sal connect Joel McHale to memories of mentors, discuss the ongoing tariff turmoil, explore the economy’s future, debate the sidelining of science & much more… 

]]> Listen to Andrew & Sal connect Joel McHale to memories of mentors, discuss the ongoing tariff turmoil, explore the economy’s future, debate the sidelining of science & much more… 

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-16970640 Sun, 13 Apr 2025 12:00:00 -0700 4756 1 8 full false Tariff Terror, RFK Jr. Unleashed & Deportation Debacles Listen to Andrew & Sal recall a 10-hour roundtrip to Milwaukee, explore the madness of exorbitant import taxes, contemplate the cuts at HHS, talk about the wrong people being sent to bad places, discuss their different expectations & much more…

]]> Listen to Andrew & Sal recall a 10-hour roundtrip to Milwaukee, explore the madness of exorbitant import taxes, contemplate the cuts at HHS, talk about the wrong people being sent to bad places, discuss their different expectations & much more…

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-16923629 Sun, 06 Apr 2025 02:00:00 -0700 3764 1 7 full false Court Clashes, the Signal SNAFU & Democrats in Turmoil Listen to Andrew & Sal explore popcorn-sharing scenarios, argue about authoritarianism, dissect judicial orders, lament lapses in national security, challenge changes to social security, debate the demise of Democrats & much more…

]]> Listen to Andrew & Sal explore popcorn-sharing scenarios, argue about authoritarianism, dissect judicial orders, lament lapses in national security, challenge changes to social security, debate the demise of Democrats & much more…

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-16885331 Sun, 30 Mar 2025 14:00:00 -0700 5893 1 6 full false The “Lost” Episode: Cabinet Nomination Extravaganza! Listen to Andrew & Sal way back when the madness had barely begun… take a trip in a time machine to hear their thoughts on the post-election cabinet nominations: Matt Gaetz, Pete Hegseth, RFK Jr, Tulsi Gabbard, Elon Musk & much more!

]]> Listen to Andrew & Sal way back when the madness had barely begun… take a trip in a time machine to hear their thoughts on the post-election cabinet nominations: Matt Gaetz, Pete Hegseth, RFK Jr, Tulsi Gabbard, Elon Musk & much more!

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-16847583 Sun, 23 Mar 2025 20:00:00 -0700 3841 1 5 full false Climate Cuts, Clean Energy & No, Not NASA! Listen to Andrew & Sal discuss laundry & the value of velcro, clash over climate, lament losses at NASA & the NOAA, interpret the intentions of RFK Jr. & much more…

]]> Listen to Andrew & Sal discuss laundry & the value of velcro, clash over climate, lament losses at NASA & the NOAA, interpret the intentions of RFK Jr. & much more…

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-16799050 Sat, 15 Mar 2025 21:00:00 -0700 4302 full false Vance v. Zelensky, Not Reagan’s Russia & Upheaval at the FBI Listen to Andrew & Sal discuss cheeseburgers at movies, try to remember the actress who played Batgirl in the 60s, talk Ukrainian diplomacy, debate new Russian relations, parse the purging of the FBI & much more…

]]> Listen to Andrew & Sal discuss cheeseburgers at movies, try to remember the actress who played Batgirl in the 60s, talk Ukrainian diplomacy, debate new Russian relations, parse the purging of the FBI & much more…

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-16750496 Fri, 07 Mar 2025 01:00:00 -0800 4212 full false The Economy, Elon & Ukraine, Oh My! Listen to Andrew & Sal agree about not wanting to go to Mars, engage in a little Ted Danson worship, talk tariffs, muse about mineral deals, mutter about Musk & much more...

]]> Listen to Andrew & Sal agree about not wanting to go to Mars, engage in a little Ted Danson worship, talk tariffs, muse about mineral deals, mutter about Musk & much more...

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-16711272 Fri, 28 Feb 2025 10:00:00 -0800 4040 1 2 full false Friends with Politics - Debut Episode: Cuts & Closures Welcome to the first episode of Friends with Politics! In their debut episode Andrew & Sal talk about the new administration's wide-ranging cuts & closures, and what they mean for Americans.

]]> Welcome to the first episode of Friends with Politics! In their debut episode Andrew & Sal talk about the new administration's wide-ranging cuts & closures, and what they mean for Americans.

]]> Sal & Andrew Buzzsprout-16670923 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 13:00:00 -0800 4021 1 1 full false