Hacks On Tap
Cadence13
When David Axelrod and Mike Murphy get together to talk politics, it’s not academic. They speak from the perspective gained through hundreds of campaigns for offices from City Hall to the White House. So if you want to know what’s really going on behind the scenes, where strategic decisions are being made, pull up a stool for Hacks on Tap. Incisive, sometimes uproarious and always entertaining, these political warhorses and their guests will give you insights you’ll only get from folks who have spent a lifetime in the political trenches of both parties.
Location:
United States
Genres:
News & Politics Podcasts
Networks:
Cadence13
Description:
When David Axelrod and Mike Murphy get together to talk politics, it’s not academic. They speak from the perspective gained through hundreds of campaigns for offices from City Hall to the White House. So if you want to know what’s really going on behind the scenes, where strategic decisions are being made, pull up a stool for Hacks on Tap. Incisive, sometimes uproarious and always entertaining, these political warhorses and their guests will give you insights you’ll only get from folks who have spent a lifetime in the political trenches of both parties.
Language:
English
Website:
http://www.hacksontap.com/
Episodes
Calling a Wolf a Wolf (with Jeff Greenfield)
4/1/2025
This week, Mike Murphy is hacking—and not in the good, political way, but in the coughing-his-lungs-out way—so the heroic John Heilemann swoops in to save the day and join David! The Hacks are joined by legendary journalist, author, former RFK speechwriter, and all-around wise guy Jeff Greenfield to break down the Wisconsin Supreme Court showdown, Trump’s third-act trolling, RFK Jr. (the bizarro version), authoritarian antics, tariffs, tax cuts, and much more.
Duration:01:01:34
End to End Incompetence (with Mallory McMorrow)
3/25/2025
This week, Axe and Heilemann are joined by former Michigan State Senator Mallory McMorrow for a deep dive into the week’s political mayhem. The Hacks break down war planning via Signal, Trump’s deportations and legal issues, exploding head emojis, going down the rabbit hole, pyrotechnics, nonsense, and so much more.
Duration:01:07:29
Groundwork & Gruntwork (with Steve Israel)
3/18/2025
This week, Axe and Murphy were joined by the coolest cat from Congress, Steve Israel! The Hacks discuss Trump’s immigration war, avoiding the Schumer shutdown, warrior mentality, and more. Plus, stick around ‘til the end for an inspiring message from Steve—you’ll be glad you did!
Duration:01:07:29
The Recession Will Be Televised (with Doug Sosnik)
3/11/2025
The Hacks are back, and so is the economy’s latest identity crisis. This week, Heilemann and Murphy are joined by veteran political strategist and former Clinton White House advisor Doug Sosnik! The Hacks break down the tariff wars, Wall Street’s reaction to Trump, the Tesla chainsaw massacre, government waste, the art of friendly media, and much more. Buckle up for some classic Hackery!
Duration:01:05:20
Blitzkrieg of Bullsh*t
3/5/2025
It’s Hack to the future (but worse!) Three bleary-eyed Hacks assemble this morning to break down Trump’s speech—because, apparently, the laws of gravity and politics no longer apply. Axe, Murphy, and Heilemann dissect Democrats’ great appreciation for Musk, debate Elon’s possible motives, unravel a parliament of fluffers, and, of course, gold chainsaws. It’s a total and complete blabfest you won’t want to miss!
Duration:00:59:17
Russian Roulette (with Sarah Longwell & Patrick Gaspard)
2/25/2025
Heilemann’s flying solo this week, but fear not! In the absence of Axe & Murphy, Heilemann is joined by two Hacks renowned for their razor-sharp analysis and impeccable wit: Sarah Longwell and Ambassador Patrick Gaspard. Together, they break down Trump’s presser with Macron, the latest in the Russia-Ukraine saga, the fine art of hiding behind empathy, Elon’s latest 4D chess move (or tantrum?), playing possum, and much more!
Duration:01:03:28
Vladdy Knows Best (with Rahm Emanuel)
2/18/2025
Hack-a-doodle-doo! This week, Axe and Murphy are joined by a familiar face—former regular and now former Ambassador, the great Rahm Emanuel. The Hacks dive into inflation, Trump’s backchannel talks with Putin, DOGE intrusions, the kitten caucus, Eric Adams’ legal troubles, and much more!
Duration:01:02:16
Make America Gulf Again (with Jonathan Martin)
2/11/2025
Forget the Super Bowl—Trump’s Gulf of America is the real spectacle this week. Murphy and Heilemann are joined by the expert Hackeroo and savant, Jonathan Martin, to break it all down. JMart dives into his latest POLITICO piece on USAID, while the Hacks dissect Trump’s shade-throwing at JD Vance, looming court battles, Elon Musk’s latest rampage, and a whole lot of political mayhem. Buckle up!
Duration:01:04:03
Elon and Order (with Kaitlan Collins)
2/4/2025
In this completely normal, not-at-all bonkers week, Axe and Murphy were joined by White House expert and CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins—who is making her long-overdue Hacks debut. The Hacks break down Elon Musk’s latest antics, mouse traps for Democrats, tariffs, Trump’s cabinet scorecard, the state of the modern Democratic Party, Canada (yes, really), and the ongoing demolition of political norms.
Duration:01:07:46
The Death of Norms (with Robert Costa)
1/28/2025
This week, Murphy and Heilemann are joined by the great, pen-stained hack, Robert Costa. The Hacks dive into Trump’s first week in office, his aggressive approach to mass deportations, the political impact of his January 6th pardons, outrage exhaustion, security concerns, upcoming nomination votes, CHIPS, tariffs, and so much more. It’s an open-mic-night presidency, and we’re here to walk you through it!
Duration:01:09:00
A Tale of Two Speeches
1/21/2025
Three bleary eyed, unpardonable Hacks convened this morning to walk you through yesterday’s circus. They discuss Trump overconsumption, Biden’s pardons, Trumps pardons, setting expectations, the atomic clock of grifting, changing the constitution, and so much more.
Duration:01:11:50
Trending Right (with Jonathan Martin)
1/14/2025
This week, Axe and Heilemann are joined by fan favorite and all-around cool guy Jonathan Martin! The Hacks kick things off with a front-line report from Mike Murphy on the LA wildfires, unpacking the implications for the city and the state’s future. They also dive into the status of Trump’s nominees, the business world cozying up to Trump, Biden’s evolving legacy, and the escalating drama within Trump’s inner circle.
Duration:01:09:09
Hackzpah (with Jonathan Alter)
1/7/2025
Happy New Year, Hackeroos! Axe and Murphy rang in the new year with a journalism icon, the incomparable Jonathan Alter. Author of His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, A Life, Alter joins the Hacks to reflect on the passing of President Carter and the extraordinary legacy he leaves behind. The Hacks also delve into the Biden transition, Trump’s ongoing legal battles, what to expect from his appointments and campaign promises, and the ever-changing role of social media in our democracy—along with the responsibility social media executives bear in shaping it.
Duration:01:12:21
End of Year Hack Fest
12/17/2024
‘Twas a night filled with headlines, and all through the pod, not a topic was skipped—not even David’s odd plod. Drones in the skies, with surveillance to show, Trump’s lawsuits piled like stockings with care, while inaugural donations danced through the air. Inflation will be “slashed,” or so Trump has claimed, and RFK vowed, with no hint of delay, to make Big Pharma ads completely go away. So gather around for sharp wit and good cheer—It’s the wildest wrap-up, the last pod of the year!
Duration:01:04:41
The Ol' Razzle Dazzle (with John Anzalone)
12/10/2024
This week, Murphy and Heilemann were joined by expert Hack and pollster to the stars, John Anzalone. The Hacks dissect Trump’s Meet the Press interview, defy political gravity to forecast Trump’s future appointments, and ponder the fate of bipartisanship in a second Trump era. Plus, the guys tackle campaign loyalty, the screaming January 6th jail birds, and the state of the Democratic bench.
Duration:01:02:25
Pardon Politics (with Chris Christie)
12/3/2024
This week, Axe and Heilemann are joined by former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie! The Hacks dive into Christie’s unique insights as Donald Trump’s former Transition Team Chairman to explore what a second Trump term might look like: which cabinet picks are likely to stick, and which ones are simply Trump’s way of flipping the bird. Plus, the guys unpack the Hunter Biden pardon drama and ask Christie for his thoughts on the Kushner ambassadorship—an ironic twist, given their history.
Duration:01:11:23
Hacksgiving Minnesode (Dontcha Know)
11/26/2024
Happy Hacksgiving, Hackeroos! As Axe bastes his turkey to perfection, Murphy and Heilemann carved out time this morning to talk about the true meaning of Thanksgiving—tariffs (the world’s most romantic word), moronomics, and the latest recipe for chaos courtesy of Trump’s cabinet picks. Plus, the stuffing-filled scrum for DNC leadership.
We’re so grateful for all of you, our faithful listeners—without you, we’d just be a bunch of turkeys talking into the void.
Duration:00:53:28
The New Non-Normal (with Jonathan Martin)
11/19/2024
This week, Axe and Murphy are joined by international Hack savant Jonathan Martin. The trio dives into Trump’s nomination circus, ranking his picks by sheer audacity and dissecting their broader implications. They also tackle the fight for DNC chair, the unraveling of democratic norms, and a potential political clash as wild as two tomcats in a pillowcase.
Duration:01:01:37
Picking Through the Rubble
11/12/2024
This week, the Hacks report from the esteemed Institute of Politics at the University of Chicago. They sift through the aftermath of the election to analyze the strategies of both the Trump and Harris campaigns, Trump’s proposed appointments, the battle for leadership, and what these developments mean for the next four years and beyond.
Duration:00:57:40
Election Post-Mortem
11/7/2024
Well folks, we have our results. Axe, Murphy, and Heilemann dive into the numbers and break down what this means for the next four years. They also explore the dynamics of both campaigns, analyzing shifting polling trends, key battleground states, and the broader political landscape to offer their insights on what the next chapter in American politics will hold.
Duration:01:12:50