Trailblaze: The America We Are Becoming
Join dynamic leaders and media personalities Jamal Simmons and Nayyera Haq as they dive into thought-provoking discussions at the intersection of race, gender, and faith — all while juggling the chaos of family life with young children. With a wealth of experience from the White House to the forefront of American media, Jamal (CNN political contributor) and Nayyera (Sirius XM host and cable news regular) bring their sharp insights, humor, and direct style to complex conversations on policy, politics, and America’s role on the global stage. Nayyera, a former Senior Director in the Obama White House, and Jamal, a former Deputy Assistant to President Biden and communications director to Vice President Kamala Harris, will tap into their deep networks for compelling conversations and unique perspectives on this extraordinary political moment.
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Episodes
After 100 Days, Why Trump Deserves An F
April 30, 2025 · 30:32
Jamal Simmons and Nayyera Haq discuss the first 100 days of the Trump presidency, examining its historical context and impact on governance, power dynamics, and economic policies.
Why Trump Picked An Amateur Like Pete Hegseth
April 23, 2025 · 30:51
Jamal Simmons and Nayyera Haq discuss a range of pressing issues, including the backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, the economic implications of Trump’s policies, and the potential risks associated with food safety and national security.
Is TikTok Our New History Book?
April 16, 2025 · 40:30
Nayyera & Jamal are joined by Jason Steinhauer, historian and author of History, Disrupted: How Social Media and the World Wide Web Have Changed the Past to understand how Trump and MAGA are trying to change our collective memory and pretend uncomfortable parts of history never happened.
TLDR: The Tragedy of Trump’s Tariffs
April 9, 2025 · 43:32
How will Trump’s tariffs hurt us? Jamal Simmons & Nayyera Haq are joined by Don Graves, former Deputy Secretary of Commerce to dig into why small business confidence is falling, when Americans will feel the impact of tariffs (hint: soon), and how food safety is also at risk.
Did The Campaign Lie To Kamala
April 1, 2025 · 50:45
How did we go from excitement about change to getting another Trump term? Nayyera and Jamal are joined by journalists Amie Parnes and Jonathan Allen, who tell us what happened in the room in their new book FIGHT: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House.
The Recklessness of Government Decisions
March 26, 2025 · 43:28
Is This A Constitutional Crisis Yet?
March 19, 2025 · 42:19
CNN Legal Analyst, former federal prosecutor and Homeland Security official Elliot Williams joins Nayerra and Jamal to discuss Trump deporting immigrants to off shore prisons without judicial review or proof of offense.
The Rise of Billionaire Villains
March 13, 2025 ·
Jamal Simmons and Nayyera Haq discuss the evolving perception of billionaires in society, the cultural shifts against wealth inequality, and the implications of taxation and public support.
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Paddles & Pink Suits Are Not Going To Work
March 5, 2025 · 25:13