Ben Terris is a feature writer at The Washington Post, where he’s carved out a unique role: reporting on what he calls, “the weirdo beat.” While Ben’s colleagues focus on what’s happening on the main stage in politics, he keeps an eye on the freak show that’s happening just out of sight.
This week, Ben published his much-anticipated book “The Big Break: The Gamblers, Party Animals, and True Believers Trying to Win in Washington While America Loses Its Mind.”
“The Big Break” has a novel argument: that if you want to understand how American politics works in the post-Donald Trump era – then you really, really have to understand Ben’s field of expertise: weirdos.
On this episode of Playbook Deep Dive, Playbook co-author and Deep Dive host Ryan Lizza joins Ben to discuss the rise and fall of the influential oddballs chronicled in “The Big Break,” and what their stories say about the future of politics.
Ryan Lizza is a Playbook co-author for POLITICO.
Ben Terris is a feature reporter covering national politics for The Washington Post.
Afra Abdullah is an associate producer for POLITICO audio.
Kara Tabor is a producer for POLITICO audio.
Alex Keeney is a senior producer for POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the executive producer for POLITICO audio.
What Republicans, Democrats, and the Pentagon don’t want to hear about the NDAA
Behind the scenes at DHS with Alejandro Mayorkas
Lost & broken in Congress
The British ambassador spills the tea on Biden, Sunak, & Ukraine
Rahm “the un-diplomat” Emanuel reports from Japan
How evangelicals are setting the stage for Trump's return
Why federal prosecutors may have handed Trump a huge gift
Inside the debt ceiling vote with GOP Whip Tom Emmer
How Ron DeSantis went from GOP prom queen to MAGA wallflower
AOC’s advice to Joe Biden on the debt limit showdown
Moderate Dem says Title 42 was Biden’s border blunder
Why Asa Hutchinson isn’t scared of Trump, Biden, or impossible odds
Bonus: Live from the White House Correspondents’ Dinner
Why this week’s media meltdown was years in the making – and what comes next
White House Plumbers
DeSantis & the Florida speaker are just getting started. Here’s what’s next.
How Vivek Ramaswamy thinks he’s got Trump & DeSantis beat
Donald Trump’s indictment: Our reporters dig into the repercussions for 2024
Porn stars, felons, and spin doctors: Who will jurors believe in Trump’s case?
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Tiny Desk Concerts - Video
The Axe Files with David Axelrod
Left, Right & Center
The Jason Stapleton Program
Podcast for America