Politics is Personal with Leslie + Cole Sun, 24 May 2026 09:05:12 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2614839 en-us © 2026 Politics is Personal with Leslie + Cole yes b2015f86-879f-569e-92fc-6e0249c05d8c politics is personal episodic false Politics is Personal is a weekly video and audio podcast hosted by former Colorado legislators Leslie Herod and Cole Wist. Built on a real friendship forged through years of legislative work, the show brings together a Black queer Democrat from Denver and a straight white former Republican from rural Colorado to have the kinds of honest, complicated conversations that feel increasingly rare in American politics.


Rooted in the “Colorado Way,” the podcast offers a grounded, relatable approach to national conversations. Designed for the “exhausted majority,” Politics is Personal invites listeners back into political dialogue with curiosity, respect, and the belief that real conversation is still possible.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) politics is personal https://storage.buzzsprout.com/czpz2uuw4d6u0uj4x8q035kqgg24?.jpg Politics is Personal with Leslie + Cole EP 3: Should the Epstein Files be released? EP 3: Should the Epstein Files be released? This episode contains a trigger warning, topics such as self harm, human trafficking, abuse, will be addressed. 

Leslie and Cole sit down with Kelly Dore founder of Sierra Cares to talk about human trafficking, and the Epstein Files. 

Then Cole and Leslie share their thoughts on wars abroad and at home this Memorial Day Weekend.

]]> This episode contains a trigger warning, topics such as self harm, human trafficking, abuse, will be addressed. 

Leslie and Cole sit down with Kelly Dore founder of Sierra Cares to talk about human trafficking, and the Epstein Files. 

Then Cole and Leslie share their thoughts on wars abroad and at home this Memorial Day Weekend.

]]> politics is personal Buzzsprout-19228033 Sun, 24 May 2026 07:00:00 -0600 3394 1 3 full true EP 2 Borders, Ballers & Boundaries | Politics is Personal EP 2 Borders, Ballers & Boundaries | Politics is Personal In this episode of Politics is Personal with Leslie and Cole, we connect the dots between immigration policy, the rise and visibility of the WNBA, and the quiet power of gerrymandering in shaping political representation. From who gets to cross borders, to who gets center court, to who draws the lines that define our votes, we unpack how systems of power show up in everyday life and why none of these conversations exist in isolation.

]]> In this episode of Politics is Personal with Leslie and Cole, we connect the dots between immigration policy, the rise and visibility of the WNBA, and the quiet power of gerrymandering in shaping political representation. From who gets to cross borders, to who gets center court, to who draws the lines that define our votes, we unpack how systems of power show up in everyday life and why none of these conversations exist in isolation.

]]> politics is personal Buzzsprout-19189462 Sun, 17 May 2026 07:00:00 -0600 3580 1 2 full false Ep 1 Met Gala, MAGA, & the Midterms | Politics is Personal Ep 1 Met Gala, MAGA, & the Midterms | Politics is Personal This week on Politics is Personal, Leslie Herod and Cole Wist dive into the strange intersection of politics, culture, and identity—from the spectacle of the Met Gala to the conversation around Trump’s proposed national fitness initiative and what it reveals about modern political messaging.

As always, Leslie and Cole bring very different perspectives to the table, unpacking how social media, public image, and culture wars continue to shape the way Americans experience politics. The conversation moves between funny, thoughtful, and uncomfortable in the way only real friends with opposing viewpoints can manage.

Later in the episode, former Colorado House Speaker Terrance Carroll joins the show for a deeper conversation about the Voting Rights Act, the evolving fight over voter access, and what democracy looks like in an era of growing polarization and distrust.

From pop culture to public policy, Politics is Personal is about bringing politics back to the dinner table—where disagreement doesn’t end the conversation.

]]> This week on Politics is Personal, Leslie Herod and Cole Wist dive into the strange intersection of politics, culture, and identity—from the spectacle of the Met Gala to the conversation around Trump’s proposed national fitness initiative and what it reveals about modern political messaging.

As always, Leslie and Cole bring very different perspectives to the table, unpacking how social media, public image, and culture wars continue to shape the way Americans experience politics. The conversation moves between funny, thoughtful, and uncomfortable in the way only real friends with opposing viewpoints can manage.

Later in the episode, former Colorado House Speaker Terrance Carroll joins the show for a deeper conversation about the Voting Rights Act, the evolving fight over voter access, and what democracy looks like in an era of growing polarization and distrust.

From pop culture to public policy, Politics is Personal is about bringing politics back to the dinner table—where disagreement doesn’t end the conversation.

]]> politics is personal Buzzsprout-19151367 Sun, 10 May 2026 07:00:00 -0600 2949 1 1 full false Met Gala, MAGA, & the Midterms | Politics is Personal Met Gala, MAGA, & the Midterms | Politics is Personal This week on Politics is Personal, Leslie Herod and Cole Wist cover everything from the Met Gala to Trump’s proposed national fitness initiative—and what all of it says about culture, politics, and America right now.

Then, former Colorado House Speaker Terrance Carroll joins the conversation to break down the history and continued importance of the Voting Rights Act, voter access, and where the national conversation around democracy stands today.

Politics, culture, disagreement, and the conversations we’re still willing to have.

]]> This week on Politics is Personal, Leslie Herod and Cole Wist cover everything from the Met Gala to Trump’s proposed national fitness initiative—and what all of it says about culture, politics, and America right now.

Then, former Colorado House Speaker Terrance Carroll joins the conversation to break down the history and continued importance of the Voting Rights Act, voter access, and where the national conversation around democracy stands today.

Politics, culture, disagreement, and the conversations we’re still willing to have.

]]> politics is personal Buzzsprout-19150299 Sat, 09 May 2026 15:00:00 -0600 58 1 1 trailer false Politics is Personal Pilot: Media, Mergers, and Misinformation Politics is Personal Pilot: Media, Mergers, and Misinformation Ft Leslie Herod, Cole Wist, Tony Kovaleski
In this pilot, Leslie and Cole kick things off by catching up on life after the Capitol—what they’ve been working on, what’s changed, and what’s stayed the same. From there, they scroll through what’s showing up in their social feeds, unpacking the stories, narratives, and noise shaping how we all see politics today.

Then, they sit down with Tony Kovaleski  for a conversation on media, mergers, and what it all means for trust, accountability, and political journalism.

To close it out, Leslie and Cole get personal—sharing what’s currently bugging them in politics, where they agree, and where they don’t.

"Agree to disagree lets go get a drink" -Leslie

]]> Ft Leslie Herod, Cole Wist, Tony Kovaleski
In this pilot, Leslie and Cole kick things off by catching up on life after the Capitol—what they’ve been working on, what’s changed, and what’s stayed the same. From there, they scroll through what’s showing up in their social feeds, unpacking the stories, narratives, and noise shaping how we all see politics today.

Then, they sit down with Tony Kovaleski  for a conversation on media, mergers, and what it all means for trust, accountability, and political journalism.

To close it out, Leslie and Cole get personal—sharing what’s currently bugging them in politics, where they agree, and where they don’t.

"Agree to disagree lets go get a drink" -Leslie

]]> politics is personal Buzzsprout-19113317 Sun, 03 May 2026 07:00:00 -0600 2671 full false