The Elephant in the Room

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise was shot by a political extremist in 2017, leaving him fighting for his life. He gives us an update on how he's doing now, shares how the House & Senate work together, gives us insider info on how to find the best places to eat in New Orleans, does us a spot-on James Carville impression, and much more.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville has a secret superpower…he has more insight into cookies than anyone we've ever met! He's put to the test, and also discusses the difference between being a coach and a Senator, reflects on the 20-year anniversary of coaching an undefeated football team in one of college's top conferences, problems with the NIL program now bringing college athletes close to $1-Billion annually, and how the “best thing that's happened from the federal government in 50 years” has taken a turn for the worse

“Grammy Winner John Cornyn” talks music, how he ignited a BBQ controversy in Texas, what it's like to represent 30-million people, his secret to spicing up outfits, strategy for boarding planes on Southwest, a desire to return to normalcy in the U.S. Senate, and much more.

Sen. Pete Ricketts is a first-hand expert on all things Nebraska. We put him to the test as we bring up all kinds of state festivals, and explore his passion for parades. Plus, we discuss his reasoning for in-office workplaces, and he shares his numerous concerns over Electric Vehicle mandates.

Do you know where DC's football team got its former logo that is now essentially “cancelled”? U.S. Sen. Steve Daines of Montana certainly does. Hear why it's important to his constituents. And listen as Sen. Daines, who was put in charge of bringing more Republicans to the U.S. Senate, gives us an update on the landscape as it stands now, as well as some insight into what the future looks like under a Democrat-controlled Senate vs. a Republican-controlled Senate.

Senator Tom Cotton is well-known as an accomplished Veteran of the U.S. Military. Usually you see the more serious side of him, but in this podcast you get a peek into Senator Cotton's great sense of humor. He breaks down his time serving at Arlington National Cemetery between overseas missions, talks about one of the most important attributes you need to be successful in combat, and gives us excellent guidance on how to spend Memorial Day

Senator Ted Budd's wife, Amy Kate, graces us with her presence as we play a game to see how well they know each other. We also hear about some extremely popular food products you've likely had, but may not realize they came from North Carolina. And as we end, Amy Kate gives us a few “secrets of Ted Budd”.

Sen. Katie Britt talks Mother's Day and finishing law school with two infants in the midst of one of the costliest tornadoes on record, tells us how she never intended to work in DC, what she's doing to make childcare more affordable now that she is, and reveals a sizable difference between her and her husband.

Not many people know about a key component at-work within the U.S. Senate. Today we reveal the history of the Senate Republican Conference, explain why the mostly unheralded position of leading it exists, and look back in time to see disagreements within political parties are as old as the parties themselves.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee details how the balance of power is in danger from the illegal immigration crisis. She also discusses migration to TN, keeping kids safe online, and how much things have changed when we bring up Women's History Month.

For Women's History Month, Sophie and guest-host Carly reflect on some of our best conversations with Republican Senate women. Hear why the GOP is full of opportunity, why men may be hesitant to run against a woman, how perspectives have changed now that women serve in combat, and much more.

How did pushing for a bike trail get Sen. Thom Tillis started in politics? He shares that story, along with the shocking number of “Toms” in his family, why he has an “h” in his name, the measures he was willing to take to turn around the business climate and growth in North Carolina, and what it really takes to get things done in the U.S. Senate.

Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota was America's most popular governor before coming to the U.S. Senate. Listen to hear why he's so charming as he gives us the story behind his famous moustache, briefs us on the correct pronunciation of Bison (did you get it right?), shares how the rest of the country can benefit from what North Dakota has done, and reminds us of a rule he lives by that would make the world a better place.

U.S. Senate Chaplain Barry Black has a memory you have to hear to believe. He gives us an astonishing demonstration, talks about his role of nearly 21 years, recommends books to educate and classic movies to entertain, AND reveals why he wears a bow tie. Truly a remarkable man worth listening to.

He loves soccer. He's had cocktails with Margaret Thatcher. He's gone from serving on the border as a Marine to serving in the U.S. Senate during Biden's border crisis. He sees potential catastrophes and huge upsides in AI. And he might just be obsessed with a particular fast food establishment. Ladies and gentlemen, Senator Todd Young of Indiana.

Senator Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming wants you to know how to pronounce her name. She also wants you to know all about Bitcoin. She stops by the studio to tell us about growing up on a ranch, how big rodeo is in her state, and why “work hard, play hard” are words she lives by.

Mississippi wants to be known for a lot more than the best way to count the seconds passing by. Sen. Roger Wicker tells us how Mississippi is becoming a tech hub, discusses astounding progress in education, reveals how the state will be crucial in deep-sea exploration, and chats about the success of Mississippi college athletics.

Of course Sen. Mike Rounds discusses Mount Rushmore, but he also touches on an upcoming South Dakota monument SIX TIMES BIGGER! We also hear how beer played a big role in spurring his political career, learn why the capital of Pierre isn't pronounced like it's written, break down "Tiger Meat", and hear Sen. Rounds' thoughts on Christmas Spirit.

2 Lankfords for the price of one! Sen. James Lankford's wife Cindy joins us from their home in Oklahoma, on this special podcast leading up to Christmas. They reveal the secret to their marriage, take a Couples Quiz, and share their Christmas traditions.

Iowa's Senator Chuck Grassley nails it when he tells us how far he's willing to go for his constituents (pun intended). And whether exercising, farming, or staying in touch…he refuses to let age slow him down. Hear for yourself from a man who literally watches the corn grow, then tweets about it afterwards. #cornwatch #relentless Senator

Senator Lisa Murkowski from Alaska wants you to know all about her state. She tries to put into words Alaska's mind-blowing size, takes the definition of “rural” to a whole other level, and explains the ups and downs of daily life in our northernmost state.

You have no idea how many people have died at the US Capitol over the years. Are they haunting us now? Assistant US Senate Historian Dan Holt walks us through the stories, tells us about Demon Cat, explains the Bloody Stairs, and gives us a history of Congressional Cemetery.

Sen. Eric Schmitt is a big guy, but he doesn't let this job give him a big head. In this episode, the former Missouri Attorney General shares how he's able to stay so down-to-earth, talks beer and barbecue, briefly relives his time as a college Civics teacher, explains how the first amendment is under attack, and tells us what he's doing to fight for your freedom of speech.

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy is a doctor looking to apply what he's learned in medicine to the country's problems. He tells us exactly what turned him into a Conservative, shares some great information about dyslexia, and predicts what countries are going to be most important to the United States over the next 50 years. Oh...and free advice on why you should increase the fiber in your diet!

Senator Bill Hagerty is a deep-rooted Tennesseean who had the honor of serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Japan. He shares some stories from his time in Tokyo, gives us some secrets to success from the private industry, proves his Scouting chops when we put him to the test, and points out how illegal immigration can affect the Electoral College.

Take a step back in history as we sit down with the Senate's Historian, Betty Koed. She tells us why the U.S. Senate was established in the first place & how it has changed into what we know today…how the Senate operated after the British set fire to the Capitol…and describes an unbelievable physical beating on the Senate Floor when a Republican pushed to abolish slavery.

Sen. Pete Ricketts of Nebraska is trying to get government to run like a business. On this episode we also find out what game he's been playing since Junior High, his choice of exercise shared by nearly 6-million people, and what he does in a field during his free time. Plus, hear all that Nebraska has to offer. Did you know they have a world-class zoo?

Sen. Ron Johnson is a successful businessman with one goal in mind…ween people off the Federal Government. He talks about what's wrong in Washington, breaks down the formula for solving problems, and unapologetically addresses being attacked in the media. Hear how Sen. Johnson went from a citizen of Wisconsin to an eyes-opened Federal Legislator, covering a wide range of topics without holding back. From the secret to the best tasting cheese curds you'll ever eat, to foreign policy needs, and the biggest threat to the country right now, Sen. Johnson has a lot he wants to let you know.

Montana. Need we say more? Senator Steve Daines talks about his success as a businessman, how China has changed (he actually lived there for years), surprises us with how tech-savvy Montana is, shares his thoughts on spending time in DC, and opens up about a one-on-one conversation with Elon Musk. So much in this episode, you just have to hear it for yourself.

Sen. Kevin Cramer has influence from deep in the ocean…to soccer fields on land…and all the way to outer space. Listen as he covers all these topics, and enlightens us that North Dakota has a lot more to offer than shoveling snow…although he does that too!

You may know Sen. Rick Scott as a successful businessman who made it to the upper echelons of government. But you might be surprised how far he had to come to achieve the American Dream. In this episode, he shares how he got where he is today, and what he had to overcome to do it.

Guess how many babies Sen. Roger Marshall has delivered? Hint: it's a lot and it took decades. “Doc Marshall” reveals the answer, tells you the perfect beverage to keep you healthy as you age, and has some pretty sound relationship advice as he approaches 40-years of marriage.

He can defend Arkansas food just as well as defending an Arkansas quarterback. He will diagnose what's wrong with your eyes. And he's on a mission to make sure the Farm Bill keeps us all well-fed and secure. Senator John Boozman of Arkansas joins the podcast to discuss life, policy, and right off the top stakes a claim to an appetizer almost all of us love.

He could shoot a quarter out of the air before he was a teenager. He's been a pilot for 30 years. He's a small business owner who has visited all 50 states, holds 3 degrees, goes camping, and can restore an old car and ride motorcycles. Is U.S. Sen. Ted Budd of North Carolina the most interesting man in the Senate? He's definitely up there, so take a listen and decide for yourself.

Our Mother's Day Episode features a woman from Mississippi who refuses to be outworked. Chances are she can handle a dirt bike better than you, and her life really kicked into gear after having a baby. You'll be shocked at how young that baby was when she started her Senatorial career.

Bonus! We slip this extra episode in between weeks of our normal interviews with Senators, giving you a chance to meet our new co-host, Sophie. See if you could stomach the food she eats, discover what she studied in Mexico, and hear what our former co-host Christy has to say about her.

The final episode for Co-host Christy! She becomes the guest, giving us her thoughts on each Senator we've interviewed so far. Hear where she's headed, as well as highlights from each of the Senators she's interviewed.

As a hugely successful football coach, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (AL) shares his first-hand experience of where education is failing students, tells us about the moment he discovered Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was more than just one of his former players, and joins in a special halftime celebration proving he knows the intricacies of a well-made snack more than you might think is possible.

Joni Ernst is a U.S. Senator from Iowa, but her journey to get there was anything but typical. From her upbringing on an Iowa farm to becoming the first female combat veteran elected to the Senate, Ernst shares the experiences that shaped her decisions and describes the Midwestern Values that help her stay grounded.

You'll never guess the college major of Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (WV), and why she says it's useful now. During Women's History Month, the first woman elected to the US Senate from West Virginia talks about what she is personally doing to encourage female success, and sheds light on all the "Wild, Wonderful" things to do in West Virginia.

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (TN) is a force in Washington, but she's also a force in the kitchen. Find out which celebrity sold her the house she now calls home. Hear how she broke barriers working 80-hour weeks as a college student, the surprising impact of country music on other industries, and what she believes "GOP" should be short for.

Undefeated MMA fighter Senator Markwayne Mullin tells us if the Speaker of the House (Kevin McCarthy) can throw a punch, describes his journey from plumber to politician, and explains exactly what it is about US oil that makes it so clean.

U.S. Senator John Barrasso (WY) joins our hosts to discuss Cowboy Code, being a rodeo doctor, and getting D.C. to understand the Rocky Mountain West.

Trailer for the upcoming podcast series "The Elephant in the Room"