Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov

Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov break down a fast-moving moment in global and domestic politics as Iran steps back from new peace talks following the U.S. seizure of an Iranian cargo ship. With tensions rising, questions are mounting over whether the current ceasefire can hold — or whether negotiations are already beginning to unravel. Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance is expected to travel back to Pakistan, even as Tehran signals deep hesitation. At home, the Supreme Court has struck down key elements of Trump’s tariff policy, triggering a potential $166 billion wave of refunds for importers and raising new questions about who ultimately bears the cost of trade policy gone wrong. Abroad, U.S. allies are openly reassessing their reliance on America. Scott and Jessica talk about the implications of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s warning that economic ties to the United States may now represent a “weakness.” Plus, the rise of AI-generated political “influencer” accounts is reshaping the information landscape ahead of the 2026 midterms. Follow Jessica Tarlov, @JessicaTarlov  Follow Prof G, @profgalloway  Follow Raging Moderates, @RagingModeratesPod  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Trump is claiming a win after the Strait of Hormuz reopens — but the reality is far more complicated. Jessica Tarlov and Aaron Parnas break down the fragile Middle East ceasefire and the mixed signals coming out of the Trump administration. With reports of backchannel talks, a possible cash-for-uranium proposal, and Trump publicly denying it, the key question at the center of it all: is there a real deal with Iran, or just the illusion of one? Meanwhile, new concerns are emerging about conditions for U.S. troops in the region, as reports of food shortages raise serious questions about resources and preparation. Back home, Trump is still trying to sell his economic message — while brushing off rising gas prices as “fake,” even as Americans feel the squeeze. Is the White House spin landing, or are voters starting to tune it out? Plus, RFK Jr. seems to soften his stance on vaccines during tense congressional hearings, and Trump sparks backlash with his latest comments on Epstein, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s push to tax ultra-wealthy second-home owners gets a noteworthy announcement. Follow Jessica Tarlov, @JessicaTarlov  Follow Prof G, @profgalloway  Follow Raging Moderates, @RagingModeratesPod  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today is the last day to vote! We’ve been nominated for a Webby Award for Best News & Politics Podcast! Now it’s time to bring it home — and we need your help.  Cast your vote HERE:⁠ ⁠https://wbby.co/57448N⁠ Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov break down a rapidly escalating global crisis as the Iran ceasefire nears expiration and peace talks teeter on the edge of collapse. With Pakistan stepping in as a potential mediator and no clear diplomatic breakthrough in sight, questions are mounting about whether the U.S. is edging closer to renewed military action. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has warned the U.S. is prepared to resume combat operations if negotiations fail, including the possibility of strikes on Iranian infrastructure and expanded military pressure at sea. At the same time, calls for accountability are growing in Washington, with Democrats moving toward impeachment efforts amid mounting criticism of the administration’s handling of the conflict. The political fallout is spreading. Donald Trump is weighing in on China’s role in the region, even as global markets continue to hit record highs—raising questions about whether investors are underestimating the risk of escalation. Meanwhile, a major Senate vote on U.S. weapons policy toward Israel underscores deepening divisions inside Congress over America’s role in the region. They also examine Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s contentious testimony on Capitol Hill and the broader cultural and political battles shaping his MAHA agenda. Finally, Scott and Jessica turn to an unexpected flashpoint: growing tension between the Trump administration and Pope Leo over the moral framing of the war, and what it signals about the shifting alignment between religion and American politics. Pre-order Jessica’s new book, I Disagree: ⁠https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/803493/i-disagree-by-jessica-tarlov/⁠ Follow Jessica Tarlov, @JessicaTarlov  Follow Prof G, @profgalloway  Follow Raging Moderates, @RagingModeratesPod  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big news! We’ve just been nominated for a Webby Award for Best News & Politics Podcast! Now it’s time to bring it home — and we need your help.  Voting closes on Thursday 4/16 — So cast your vote HERE: ⁠https://wbby.co/57448N Jessica Tarlov sits down with data-driven political analyst Galen Druke, host of the GD Politics podcast, to break down what the numbers are actually saying — and what everyone else is getting wrong. On Tax Day, Republicans are still trying to sell last year’s tax cuts from the One Big Beautiful Bill as a political win. Federal refunds are slightly higher — but well below expectations — and many voters either don’t know about the cuts or simply aren’t feeling the benefit. So is the message falling flat, or just getting drowned out by bigger forces? Because right now, the economy is being reshaped by the war in Iran. Oil prices have surged, gas is climbing, and new warnings suggest global growth could take a hit. Is that what voters actually care about heading into the midterms? They also dig into Trump’s approval rating, hovering around 40 percent. On its face, that looks weak — but is it actually just “normal bad” in today’s political environment? And how much do approval ratings really matter anymore? Plus: are real cracks forming inside MAGA over the Iran war? Are Democrats building genuine momentum — or getting ahead of themselves? What do voters actually want, and why does it feel like neither party is delivering? Follow Jessica Tarlov, @JessicaTarlov  Follow Prof G, @profgalloway  Follow Raging Moderates, @RagingModeratesPod  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Big news! We’ve just been nominated for a Webby Award for Best News & Politics Podcast! Now it’s time to bring it home — and we need your help.  Cast your vote HERE: ⁠https://wbby.co/57448N Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov break down the escalating crisis following the Trump administration’s Iran blockade—and what it could mean for the global economy. As tensions intensify in the Strait of Hormuz and negotiations stall between the U.S. and Iran, markets are flashing warning signs that a broader economic shock may already be unfolding. Senator Chris Murphy joins the show to discuss the legality of the administration’s actions, Congress’s inability to assert War Powers authority, and whether the U.S. is being pushed toward a wider conflict without meaningful checks and balances. The conversation also explores growing international backlash, shifting alliances in Europe and the Middle East, and the potential fallout for global trade and energy markets. With the IMF warning of slowing global growth, rising inflation, and increased recession risk, the panel examines whether Trump’s Iran strategy could trigger a broader economic downturn—and what, if anything, can be done to stop it. Follow Jessica Tarlov, @JessicaTarlov  Follow Prof G, @profgalloway  Follow Raging Moderates, @RagingModeratesPod  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RagingModerates Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices