Advertise on podcast: Runaway Country with Alex Wagner

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★★★★★

4.8

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12713 reviews

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Being an American right now is a wild ride. Every day brings a new controversy, breathless media narratives, and the same loud voices rushing in to score political points. Then another Truth Social post drops and the circus moves on. But all that noise is drowning out the actual story. On her new podcast Runaway Country, veteran journalist Alex Wagner talks to the voices at the center of the headlines: from the fringes of the resistance, to the marrow of MAGA, to the many people who’ve found themselves smack-dab in the crosshairs of a fight they never asked for. Because if you want to understand our unreal times, you’ve got to talk to the very real people who are experiencing it all first-hand. Join Alex as she brings together the stories of everyday Americans trapped in our national car with no brakes, alongside conversations with some of the smartest thinkers in politics. Buckle up, this road could lead anywhere. New episodes every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts, and @RunawayCountryWithAlexWagner on YouTube. If you have a story to share, send us an email or one-minute voice note at [email protected].

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Check latest episodes from Runaway Country with Alex Wagner podcast

On the Ground in Minnesota

2026/01/29

This week Alex travels to Minneapolis to see first hand how the community is responding to the terrorizing presence of ICE and the killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti. She shines a light on the grassroots efforts of mothers mobilizing to help both students and teachers who fear being targeted, and speaks to Reverend Dan Johnson about how his congregation has been impacted as well the very un-Christian nature of this administration’s tactics. Then Alex sits down with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison to talk about how President Trump’s rhetoric contributed to the attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar, whether judicial interference can stop the federal government’s overreach, and why access to voter rolls is an issue at the center of this crisis.

ICE Arrests Are Only the Beginning

2026/01/22

Even police chiefs in Minnesota are calling out ICE tactics as race-based and out of line. This week, Alex focuses on what comes next — from conditions at ICE detention centers, to the long-term impacts this lawless use of force will have on communities. First Alex speaks to David Wilson, an immigration attorney in Minneapolis about the horrible treatment and lack of medical care his clients are facing. Then she’s joined by MS NOW Political and National Correspondent, Jacob Soboroff, to talk about what he’s seeing on the ground in Minneapolis, how Trump 2.0 immigration enforcement compares to the family separation policy he covered during the first term, and his new book “Firestorm: The Great Los Angeles Fires and America’s New Age of Disaster”.

Trump and MAGA Justify Renee Good’s Death

2026/01/15

Since an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Good in Minneapolis, President Trump and MAGA have labeled her a “domestic terrorist” and come up with one reason after another to justify her death. This week Alex interviews Michel Moore, the former Chief of Police for the Los Angeles Police Department, to hear how law enforcement is interpreting the event. Then she speaks to The Bulwark’s Tim Miller to question the parallel realities Americans seem to be living in, despite ample video footage, and even in cases of life and death.

Trump’s Terrifying Imperial Fantasies

2026/01/08

2026 has started off with strikes on Venezuela, the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro, and a brazen slew of threats from President Trump against Greenland, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, and Iran. This week, Alex speaks to Venezuelans about what their hopes and fears are for the future of their country. Then she's joined by Pod Save America's Jon Favreau and Pod Save the World's Ben Rhodes to break down the absolute insanity of Trump’s imperial ambitions.

Will the Supreme Court Finally Stand Up to Trump in 2026? (with Melissa Murray)

2025/12/18

Are President Trump’s tariffs illegal? Will the independence of federal agencies be a thing of the past? Is birthright citizenship about to be taken away? These are just a few of the consequential questions before a Supreme Court that's hell-bent on destroying obstacles to President Trump's executive power. Alex talks to two plaintiffs at the center of of these cases, Toymaker Rick Woldenberg and former FTC Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter. Then, she sits down with NYU Professor and Strict Scrutiny host Melissa Murray to put it all into context and talk about what the long term impacts will be of a Supreme Court where corruption and partisanship are now out in the open.

What the Hell is Happening at the Pentagon? (with Sen. Elissa Slotkin & Ben Rhodes)

2025/12/11

Under the leadership of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon is in disarray. From a lack of transparency on extrajudicial strikes in the Caribbean, to the Signalgate scandal, to kicking out the Pentagon press corp – this administration has put a leader at the helm who is both embarrassing and a threat to national security. This week, Alex hears from The Atlantic’s Nancy Youssef about what it’s like covering the defense beat without access to the Pentagon. She also speaks to Senator Elissa Slotkin, who has told service members that they are not obligated to follow unconstitutional orders, and been targeted by President Trump for doing so. Then Alex and Pod Save the World host Ben Rhodes break down what kind of reputational damage Hegseth is doing to America’s image abroad, and what dangerous precedents are being set for authoritarian countries to follow.

Making America White Again (with Joy Reid)

2025/12/04

The Trump administration is using the tragic shooting of two National Guard members by an Afghan national as justification to close the door on immigration, refugees, and asylum seekers trying to enter the US. This week, Alex speaks to an Afghan aid worker who now fears for his family's safety, and then is joined by Joy Reid to talk about how this is all part of a larger MAGA plot to Make America White Again.

Trump Cracks on Epstein Files

2025/11/20

This week, the House and Senate voted nearly unanimously to release all of the files related to the investigation into sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, after President Trump pulled a complete 180 and signaled his support. So how and why did things change? Alex speaks to Marina Lacerda, a survivor of Epstein’s abuse, about why the release is so important for both a sense of justice and her personal healing. Then, Alex is joined by attorney and political commentator George Conway to talk about what the bill in Congress requires, and how to read into the defections of MAGA politicians like Marjorie Taylor Greene, which catalyzed the party’s great reversal on the issue.

Hasan Piker on the Democrats' Bullies and Republican Nazis

2025/11/13

Democrats and Republicans may seem worlds apart politically, but both parties are running into a similar problem – getting pushed into uncomfortable positions. Less than a week after election wins across the country, it only took 7 Democratic Senators and one Independent to wipe away the feeling of victory and instead cave to Trump and the GOP’s bullying on the government shutdown. Republicans, however, have their own problems as exposed by the rift over Tucker Carlson embracing far-right antagonist Nick Fuentes. This week, Alex is joined by Zohran Mamdani’s political strategist, Morris Katz, and twitch streamer and political commentator, Hasan Piker, to break down how politicians can find their backbone again.

A Wipeout and a Showdown (with Chris Hayes)

2025/11/06

Tuesday’s elections ushered in big wins for Democrats in the NYC mayoral race, Virginia and New Jersey’s Governors’ races, California’s redistricting measure, and more. Meanwhile, Democrats in Congress are still standing their ground as the government shutdown now becomes the longest in US history. Alex speaks to MSNBC’s Chris Hayes about what Democrats should take away from these two test cases, and how they should inform the party’s politics for the rest of Trump’s Presidency. She also hears from individuals living through the first-hand impacts of rising healthcare premiums and the government’s pause in food stamps.

Dems Take the Gloves Off (with David Plouffe)

2025/10/30

Alex talks about the hottest issue leading up to next week’s election….the 2026 election. California’s Proposition 50 is a power play by Governor Newsom and Democrats to fight back against Republican gerrymandering in Texas, in the hopes of saving Democratic seats in Congress in the midterm elections. Now a firestorm has ignited with states across the country launching redistricting efforts, and both parties have come to play. First, Alex hears about grassroots efforts to tackle the issue from Richard von Glahn, the Executive Director of People Not Politicians in Missouri. Then she speaks to democratic strategist David Plouffe about the moral quandary Democrats find themselves in, and why our hyper partisan political environment necessitates a gloves-off approach.

Justice Has Left the Building

2025/10/23

Alex digs into the destruction of due process and rule of law under the Trump administration. First, she hears from Judge Anam Petit, a recently fired immigration judge who explains how the legal system is being quietly dismantled to prioritize deportations. Then, Alex speaks to Andrew Weissmann, former lead prosecutor in Robert Mueller’s Special Counsel’s Office, about whether our system is forever changed, and what it’s like to be in President Trump’s crosshairs. Subscribe to Runaway Country on Youtube, and if you have a story to share, send us an email or 1-minute voice note at [email protected].

Introducing Runaway Country with Alex Wagner (Coming October 23rd)

2025/10/16

Updates from The Wilderness

2025/10/15

Hey everyone, Jon Favreau here with a special announcement. From now on, new episodes of The Wilderness will appear on the Pod Save America feed, and we’ll have some updates soon about when that’s coming! In the meantime, this feed will now be home to Crooked’s brand new show Runaway Country with Alex Wagner. Think of Runaway Country as a cousin to The Wilderness with Alex talking to voters on the ground and sharing real perspectives of people experiencing this political moment first-hand, paired with conversations with some of the smartest minds in politics to put it all in context. We think you’re going to love it. You can hear the trailer for Runaway Country with Alex Wagner right here tomorrow, with new episodes starting October 23rd.

The Wilderness: How Kamala Beats Trump (S4E8)

2024/08/18

On the final episode of this season of The Wilderness, Jon is joined by UCLA political scientist Lynn Vavreck and senior Harris campaign advisor David Plouffe. Lynn and Jon discuss why, despite all of this election's wild changes, Lynn is still expecting a close outcome in November and then David Plouffe sits down with Jon to talk about what we can do to help Kamala beat Trump. Take action with Vote Save America: Visit votesaveamerica.com/2024 Order Democracy or Else: How to Save America in 10 Easy Steps at crooked.com/books or wherever books are sold.

Podcast reviews

Read Runaway Country with Alex Wagner podcast reviews

4.8 out of 5

12713 reviews

★★★★★

jmangelo 2026/02/01

Great Content and Great Reporting

Loved the Circus and Alex Wagner’s work on MS NBC. Was so glad to find this podcast on Crooked Media. While so many of these types of podcasts devo...

★★★★★

i'm really, Gladys 2026/01/23

Great reporting

Alex is great! Her last episode with Jacob & David was informative & human. For people giving this podcast 1 & 2 stars, because of commercial, nothing...

★☆☆☆☆

Saurolophus 2026/01/24

Wonderful! But COMMERCIALS?!

This series is a delightful salve for these troubled times! Intelligent and informed. Alex Wagner and friends are a national treasure. BUT who’s payin...

★★★★★

Rb5699 2026/01/08

Fantastic

Love this podcast. Keeps things fresh and interesting.

★☆☆☆☆

ajm263 2026/01/15

Victim Blaming

Brings on a cop who immediately places blame on Renee Good for her own murder. You’re part of the problem.

★★★☆☆

Sixth decade here 2026/01/10

Too many commercial breaks

Content interesting, but it’s annoying there’s the there’s a break for advertising every few minutes.

★★★★★

mw11385 2025/12/17

Go-To Podcast!

I’ll cop to being a huge fan of Alex Wagner dating back to the early days of The Circus on Showtime. This format REALLY seems to suit her skill set, a...

★★★☆☆

XQsUWhat 2026/01/02

Poor audio

Can’t stand the nose whistle every time she breathes in. Do you all not have audio engineers to clean this sound up??? Also what happened to speaking ...

★★☆☆☆

Caitlin___- 2026/01/02

Too many ads… every 5 minutes is beyond my desire to listen.

Decent content, but I have unfollowed after only 2 episodes because commercials every 5 minutes is way too much. Maybe every 10 minutes, but I like t...

★★☆☆☆

Crookedcritic 2025/12/15

Alex’s Communication Style

I like Alex personally and I think she tries to make her interviews compelling. However her delivery is so erratic—her thoughts are not as formed as t...

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