Pod Save America (January 2017) is a progressive political podcast hosted by former Obama staffers (Jon Favreau, Dan Pfeiffer, Jon Lovett, Tommy Vietor) that became the flagship of Crooked Media and defined resistance-era liberal podcasting, reaching millions of engaged listeners and mobilizing grassroots activism while facing criticism for insider Democratic establishment perspectives.
Launch and Format
Launched eight days before Trump’s inauguration, PSA filled the void left by Obama’s departure. The hosts’ insider access, irreverent humor, and genuine friendships created intimate political analysis missing from cable news. Twice-weekly episodes mixed policy deep dives, interview segments, and satirical takes on Trump-era chaos. The “What can you do?” segment turned outrage into action.
Crooked Media Empire
PSA’s success funded Crooked Media (founded Feb 2017), which launched sister shows: Pod Save the World (foreign policy), Lovett or Leave It (comedy), Pod Save the People (DeRay Mckesson hosting civil rights discussions). The network raised millions for Democrats, organized live shows as fundraisers, and created Vote Save America—voter registration and mobilization platform.
By 2018, Crooked Media became progressive media powerhouse, competing with traditional outlets. The hosts interviewed presidential candidates (Harris, Warren, Biden, Sanders), influenced Democratic messaging, and built direct audience relationships that bypassed mainstream media gatekeepers.
Criticism and Controversies
Critics labeled PSA “resistance grift”—monetizing Trump-era anxiety without challenging Democratic establishment failures. The hosts’ Obama administration credentials meant uncritical treatment of centrist Democrats and skepticism toward leftist candidates (Bernie Sanders). Working-class progressives noted hosts’ elite backgrounds, Brooklyn apartments, and corporate sponsorships contradicting populist messaging.
The “pod bros” nickname captured both affection and critique: smart, funny, well-intentioned, but limited by insider perspectives and privileged blind spots. Crooked Media’s diversity efforts (hiring women and people of color) addressed early criticism but didn’t fully resolve concerns about whose voices shaped the resistance narrative.
Electoral Impact
PSA’s grassroots mobilization contributed to 2018 midterm Democratic wave. The show drove donations to swing-district candidates, phone banking efforts, and voter registration. Whether this activism would have happened anyway is debatable, but Crooked Media provided infrastructure and motivation for millions.
Legacy
Pod Save America proved political podcasts could compete with cable news for influence, demonstrated progressive media’s commercial viability, and created template for activism-adjacent content. The show’s insider access made it essential Democratic listening, even as critics questioned whether podcasting reinforced rather than challenged political establishments.
Sources: The Atlantic, New York Times, Politico, Crooked Media financial disclosures, iTunes podcast charts