Best It S Complicated Podcasts (2025)

1
Gabbard pushes report on Obama and Russia probe as Trump faces pressure over Epstein 5:37

10h ago5:37

5:37

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard ramped up efforts to sow doubt about the investigation that found Russia interfered in the 2016 election. Gabbard pushed claims about former President Obama and called it the “most egregious weaponization and politicization of intelligence in American history.” Nick Schifrin reports. PBS News is suppo…

1
GOP and Democratic strategists analyze renewed focus on Trump’s connection with Epstein 7:56

10h ago7:56

7:56

President Trump marked his sixth month in office this week, touting his policy agenda and transformation of the federal government. But he also faces a public skeptical of his biggest accomplishments and a growing focus on his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Democratic strategist Faiz Shakir and Republican strategi…

1
Trump deflects Epstein questions as Johnson shuts down House, avoiding vote on files 8:22

1d ago8:22

8:22

Divisions inside the Republican Party over the Jeffrey Epstein investigation boiled over on Capitol Hill. Speaker Mike Johnson said the House won't take action before leaving town for the August recess at the end of the week. Lisa Desjardins reports and Geoff Bennett discusses the legal implications with former federal prosecutor Arlo Devlin-Brown.…

1
As immigration courts face backlog, DOJ cuts dozens of judges 5:38

1d ago5:38

5:38

A key part of the Trump administration’s hardline immigration agenda is to deport immigrants without legal status more quickly. But there's a massive backlog in immigration courts and the Justice Department has fired or not renewed the contracts of dozens of judges. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Ximena Bustillo of NPR. PBS News is supported by - h…

1
O’Rourke says ‘we have to fight back’ as Trump pushes Texas to redraw congressional maps 8:25

2d ago8:25

8:25

Texas lawmakers convened for a special session and one agenda item was added at the request of President Trump. He's pushing the Republican-controlled legislature to redraw congressional district lines in their favor ahead of the 2026 midterms. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Beto O’Rourke, the former Democratic congressman from El Paso. PBS News is…

1
Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on the public response to Trump’s handling of the Epstein case 8:01

2d ago8:01

8:01

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join Geoff Bennett to discuss the latest political news, including the politics of redistricting and how Democrats can gain House seats from Republicans, the public response to President Trump's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case and what Trump views as his signature a…

1
We Know What You Did Last Summer 58:58

3d ago58:58

58:58

A summer scare rooted in urban legend and real-life horror. From the hook-handed tale that haunted teenage lovers, to the Texarkana Moonlight Murders, to the film I Know What You Did Last Summer—and the chilling true story of author Lois Duncan’s murdered daughter. What begins as a cautionary campfire story spirals into a web of true crime, pop cul…

1
Why You Immediately Need To Know The Name CJ Hendry 51:22

4d ago51:22

51:22

CJ Hendry is one of the world’s most successful working artists. But she didn’t go to art school. She didn’t have a plan. And for a long time, she didn’t even call herself an artist. She was a uni dropout working in retail, with a side obsession for beautiful things. One day she sold her entire wardrobe on eBay, bought some pencils and paper, and s…

1
What is publicly known about Trump’s yearslong relationship with Jeffrey Epstein 4:44

4d ago4:44

4:44

As Trump continues to spar with parts of his political base over his handling of the Epstein files, attention is turning to the relationship between the two men. John Yang speaks with New York Times White House correspondent Luke Broadwater, who has written about what’s known about the Trump-Epstein relationship, to learn more. PBS News is supporte…

1
Trump on defensive as MAGA base questions his Epstein connections and investigation 9:09

5d ago9:09

9:09

Nearly six years after he died, Jeffrey Epstein is still at the center of controversy. Part of President Trump's political base is angry over the handling of the files from the investigation into Epstein's sex crimes and his death in a jail cell. John Yang discussed the political fallout with Glenn Thrush of The New York Times and Dave Weigel of Se…

1
Brooks and Capehart on Trump’s Epstein files fallout and public broadcasting funding cuts 10:15

5d ago10:15

10:15

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join John Yang to discuss the week in politics, including the MAGA debate over releasing the Epstein files intensifies and congressional Republicans deliver Trump a win by clawing back $9 billion in foreign aid and public media funding. PBS News is supporte…

1
The programs facing funding cuts as rescissions package nears final approval 8:09

6d ago8:09

8:09

The clock is ticking for Congress to claw back more than $9 billion of federal funding for programs, including foreign aid and public media. Friday night is the final deadline for the House to pass the so-called rescissions package, which is a priority for President Trump. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/news…

1
Ken Burns calls public media funding cuts ‘shortsighted,’ but vows ‘we will continue’ 7:42

6d ago7:42

7:42

Congress is moving toward revoking a billion dollars in already approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the entity that steers funds to public media stations. William Brangham discussed the potential impact on PBS with one of the network's most acclaimed filmmakers, Ken Burns. His documentaries covered subjects like the Civil …

1
Planned Parenthood CEO says blocking it from Medicaid funding is ‘devastating to patients’ 6:44

6d ago6:44

6:44

Since President Trump signed his sweeping domestic policy bill into law, a key provision that prevents Planned Parenthood clinics from receiving Medicaid funding has already been temporarily blocked by a federal judge. William Brangham discussed the legal challenge with Alexis McGill Johnson, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood. PBS News is…

1
IRS to share personal data with immigration agents to aid deportation efforts 5:42

6d ago5:42

5:42

The Trump administration is giving personal data to immigration authorities to aid its crackdown. The AP reported ICE is getting access to Medicaid data and ProPublica found the IRS is building a program that would give immigration agents unprecedented access to sensitive taxpayer data, including home addresses. William Brangham discussed more with…

1
Jose Antonio Vargas updates ‘Dear America’ to describe the process to become documented 7:21

6d ago7:21

7:21

PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/fundersBy PBS News

1
Rural public media at risk as Congress moves toward funding cut 6:06

7d ago6:06

6:06

Among the programs targeted for cuts in the White House rescissions package is the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It's the independent nonprofit created by Congress to distribute federal funds to more than 1,500 noncommercial TV and radio stations. Tom Abbott of public radio station KFSK in Petersburg, Alaska, joined William Brangham to discu…

1
What to know about the crypto regulation bills 7:12

7d ago7:12

7:12

Congress is moving toward passing a series of bills that would be the first to regulate the crypto industry. The GENIUS Act regulates stablecoins while the Clarity Act regulates digital currency overall, splitting oversight between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Lisa Desjardins discussed the leg…

1
Idaho farmer calls for new look at immigration policy amid raids 6:57

7d ago6:57

6:57

President Trump’s immigration enforcement is being felt across the country. Arrests have gone up in every state and more than doubled in 38 states. The biggest increase is happening in Idaho, where ICE has made more than 300 arrests. Farmer Shay Myers, who grows onions and other vegetables in Idaho, joined William Brangham to discuss his immigrant …

1
How an inflation uptick and Trump’s pressure complicate the Fed’s interest rate decision 6:40

8d ago6:40

6:40

A new report shows inflation has picked up and analysts believe the prices of many goods increased, in part, because of President Trump’s tariffs. It will play into decisions by the Federal Reserve about when and whether to cut interest rates and comes as the president and his team have ramped up their pressure campaign on Fed Chair Jerome Powell. …

1
AIDS program PEPFAR may escape White House attempt to cut its budget 5:45

8d ago5:45

5:45

The White House backed off $400 million in immediate cuts it was proposing in the global fight against HIV and AIDS and potentially other high-profile health programs. It's part of the package of cuts facing the Senate over the next two days. Lisa Desjardins reports. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders…

1
Projects bringing water to drought-ridden land could end with USAID’s dismantling 8:56

8d ago8:56

8:56

As the Trump administration ends USAID's mission, a project to bring water to drought-ridden lands is now in peril. In partnership with the Pulitzer Center, William Brangham and producer Molly Knight Raskin traveled to a community in central Kenya to look at the legacy of American foreign aid. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour…

1
Former FEMA head responds to praise and criticism of federal response to Texas floods 7:24

9d ago7:24

7:24

The federal response to the flash flooding disaster in Texas has come under scrutiny. President Trump, who has called for cuts to FEMA, praised the agency during his recent visit to Texas, but did not comment on his plans for its future. William Brangham discussed more with former FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. PBS News is supported by - https…

1
How a ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ provision could accelerate a shift toward private education 7:16

9d ago7:16

7:16

President Trump’s big policy act on tax cuts, spending cuts and immigration also has a number of other key provisions that are getting less attention but include big changes. That includes what amounts to a new national school voucher program. Stephanie Sy discussed more with Laura Meckler of The Washington Post. PBS News is supported by - https://…

1
Republicans face deadline to claw back funding for foreign aid and public media 5:09

9d ago5:09

5:09

The White House effort to cut back $9.4 billion of already allocated government spending faces a critical vote in the Senate this week. Some Republicans have concerns about the cuts to foreign aid and public broadcasting as the clock ticks to Friday’s deadline to approve or modify the Trump administration plan. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desj…

1
A look at the split in Trump’s base over the Epstein files 2:58

9d ago2:58

2:58

The handling of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s case continues to roil the MAGA world. After repeatedly claiming there were scandalous, criminal details about Epstein being hidden from the public, some of those same people are now saying there’s nothing to see. But key figures from the president’s base allege that a cover-up continues. William Brang…

1
Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on the political fallout of the Epstein investigation 7:33

9d ago7:33

7:33

NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter join William Brangham to discuss the latest political news, including the political fallout of the Trump administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, the White House effort to claw back funding for foreign aid and public media and the public opinion on immigrat…

1
It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's...the Scourge of 'Superman' 1:01:49

10d ago1:01:49

1:01:49

Have you heard of the 'Superman' curse? We're not entirely convinced one actually exists, although the number of lawsuits, accidents, deaths and faltering careers would suggest otherwise... Episode Sources: “Up, Up and Awa-a-y! The Rise of Superman, Inc.” by John Kobler, Saturday Evening Post, June 21, 1941 “Exhibit honors Superman's Cleveland root…

1
Bethany And Simone Did Everything Together - Until a Toxic Drink Took Simone’s Life 1:02:14

11d ago1:02:14

1:02:14

Bethany Clarke and Simone White were best friends. They’d known each other since they were kids. So when they set off on a long-awaited backpacking trip through Southeast Asia, it was meant to be a joyful, carefree adventure. But just three days into their holiday, everything changed. At their hostel in Laos, Bethany and Simone attended happy hour …

1
News Wrap: State Department lays off more than 1,300 in latest cuts to federal workforce 6:02

12d ago6:02

6:02

In our news wrap Friday, the State Department is laying off at least 1,300 employees as part of the Trump administration's effort to scale back the federal workforce, an appeals court threw out a plea deal for the alleged mastermind of the 9/11 attacks and police in Baltimore are investigating a suspected mass overdose event that saw more than two …

1
Brooks and Capehart on the federal response to the Texas flooding disaster 11:25

12d ago11:25

11:25

New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post associate editor Jonathan Capehart join Amna Nawaz to discuss the week in politics, including the federal response to the flooding disaster in Texas, another round of tariff threats from President Trump and reflections on the life and career of David Gergen. PBS News is supported by - https:…

1
Federal workers union says it will continue to fight firings after Supreme Court ruling 7:02

13d ago7:02

7:02

The Supreme Court gave the Trump administration the green light to reorganize agencies and begin the process of mass firings of federal workers. The reductions in force had been on hold for months, but tens of thousands of employees at nearly 20 agencies could soon be out of work. Lisa Desjardins discussed where things stand with Everett Kelley of …

1
Jan. 6 prosecutor says firing of investigators, Trump’s pardons send ‘dangerous message’ 7:43

13d ago7:43

7:43

The Justice Department has fired several officials involved in the Jan. 6 criminal prosecution and others have been demoted to low-level positions. They are the latest moves that some say are part of a retribution campaign against anyone who worked on the investigation. White House correspondent Laura Barrón-López spoke with Greg Rosen, one of the …

1
The Murder of Oscar-Winning Actor Dr. Haing S. Ngor - Part 2 1:07:21

17d ago1:07:21

1:07:21

Haing experienced extraordinary success in the entertainment industry after settling in the U.S., but did he make enemies along the way? Just as he pulled into his carport one evening, before he even had a chance to get out of the car, he was shot in the chest and killed. However, the gunman sped away without taking the thousands of dollars in cash…

1
Deborah Frances-White Isn't Afraid To Take On The Manosphere 1:01:15

18d ago1:01:15

1:01:15

Deborah Frances-White is the woman behind The Guilty Feminist, the podcast that’s sparked global conversations about modern feminism, contradiction, and calling ourselves in. She’s a comedian, an author, a screenwriter, and a performer. But underneath all of that is someone who knows what it means to live in silence. Adopted at birth and raised in …

1
The Murder of Oscar-Winning Actor Dr. Haing S. Ngor - Part 1 1:11:24

24d ago1:11:24

1:11:24

Haing Ngor's childhood in Cambodia was marked by political unrest leading up to the Cold War. As an adult, he survived the Cambodian genocide under the Khmer Rouge regime to build a new life in Los Angeles, CA. His career took a surprising turn when he became an award-winning actor, but his life was cut short when he was gunned down in 1996. Did fa…

1
The Marvel Star Who Survived Opus Dei as a Gay Teen 1:10:07

25d ago1:10:07

1:10:07

Before Australian actor, Tim Pocock, was cast as young Cyclops in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, he was a teenager growing up in a strict Catholic home - navigating a world where being gay wasn’t just discouraged, it was treated as something to be fixed. In this raw and powerful conversation, Tim opens up about his time at Redfield College in Sydney - a…

1
WELL: From Body To Brain Health: How To Go The Distance As You Get Older 30:17

27d ago30:17

30:17

What do Zumba and Greek dancing have to do with bone density? Why should you shave first and soak later? And who gets to decide whether you can have a hysterectomy for health reasons if you haven’t had kids yet? In this episode, Endocrinologist Dr Sonia Davison from Jean Hailes for Women’s Health talks about whether diet and exercise can prevent de…

1
EXCLUSIVE: Famed Wall Street vet DICK BOVE on Fall of Financial System, Rise of Crypto, Dollar Collapse, Trump $ Musk, Surging Money Supply, What's REALLY Driving Stock Market. Plus, BOVE 's next book 1:03:51

29d ago1:03:51

1:03:51

In a rare interview since he officially retired last year after a distinguished 54 year career on Wall Street, DICK BOVE, 84, spells out his concerns for the US and global financial system. "I think the financial system of the US has lost its footing," BOVE says in the interview, breaking his silence since his retirement. "I think as this becomes m…

1
The Heartless Murder of Kesaria Abramidze 58:33

1M ago58:33

58:33

A beloved actress, model, and trailblazing trans icon in the country of Georgia, Kesaria Abramidze used her voice to speak out against domestic violence and injustice—right up until the moment it took her life. Just one day after a sweeping anti-LGBTQ+ law passed in Parliament, Kesaria was found brutally murdered in her home. Her story isn’t just a…

1
Celeste Barber Got Famous For Being Real. Then It Got Complicated 1:10:12

1M ago1:10:12

1:10:12

Celeste Barber built a global following by being “real” - pulling faces in big knickers, parodying celebrity perfection, and making millions of people laugh on Instagram. But this is the side of Celeste that Instagram doesn’t see. In this intimate and revealing conversation, Celeste opens up about the chaos of her childhood, her ADHD diagnosis, the…

1
The Circus Train Tragedy of 1918 1:08:03

1M ago1:08:03

1:08:03

At its peak, the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus was one of the largest traveling shows in the country—until a tragic train wreck in 1918 brought it to a screeching halt. This story follows the rise of the American circus, the crash that claimed dozens of lives near Hammond, Indiana, and the haunting legacy of Showmen’s Rest, where many of the victims are…

1
Vincent Fantauzzo On The Trauma He Hid From Asher Keddie 1:05:15

1M ago1:05:15

1:05:15

On paper, Vincent Fantauzzo’s life looks perfect. He’s one of Australia’s most celebrated portrait artists, winning the People’s Choice Award at the Archibald Prize four times. His subjects have included some of Australia’s biggest names - Heath Ledger, Baz Luhrmann, Matt Moran - and his work hangs in galleries, private collections, and museums aro…

1
The Wild & Wily Kidnapping of Frank Sinatra, Jr. 1:19:02

2M ago1:19:02

1:19:02

When Frank Sinatra, Jr. checked into his motel room in Lake Tahoe, he never could have predicted the circumstances in which he'd be checking out. What ensued was a comedy of errors involving a snowstorm, a musical legend, and a hapless kidnapper with a heart of gold. Episode Sources: “The Grand Scheme: Snatching Sinatra” hosted by John Stamos “The …

1
From Husbands to Friends, Poh Ling Yeow Has Mastered Breakups 54:51

2M ago54:51

54:51

You might know Poh Ling Yeow as an artist, a chef and a regular fixture on television ever since she was first introduced to Australia on MasterChef. But that’s just the public side of Poh. The version you see is only part of her truth; behind it lies a layered, often painful journey. In this conversation Poh opens up about her years spent in the c…

1
LISTENER FAVORITE: The Shooting of Stuntman Garrett Warren 1:05:08

2M ago1:05:08

1:05:08

Garrett Warren was at the top of his game when he was gunned down in the doorway of his home - and in front of his mother, no less. But why would anyone want to murder a man described as a kind, generous friend and focused professional? This case has some wild twists and turns involving a pizza parlor, a picture taken at a party and...Home Alone's …

1
David Holmes Was Harry Potter's Stunt Double... And Then He Was Paralysed 53:22

2M ago53:22

53:22

David Holmes is the Harry Potter you’ve never heard of. That’s because he was Daniel Radcliffe’s stunt double. At just 25 years old, David Holmes was living the dream. He was working on the biggest film franchise in the world, out partying, and fully immersed in a life of sex, drugs, and rock and roll. A former gymnast turned stuntman, he was in al…

1
Introducing 'But Are You Happy': The 5-Minute Method To Stop Your Spiral 40:47

2M ago40:47

40:47

Do you ever get stuck asking yourself a bunch of hypothetical, “what if” questions that make you more and more stressed, even though the situation isn’t actually happening? You've probably found yourself in a stress spiral. In this episode of But Are You Happy, Dr. Anastasia Hronis will teach you the 5-minute method to stop a stress spiral in its t…

1
The Curse of Annabelle 45:22

2M ago45:22

45:22

The infamous Annabelle doll may have become a Hollywood horror icon thanks to The Conjuring universe, but her real story is even creepier. Originally a possessed…ahem, manipulated…Raggedy Ann doll, Annabelle was investigated by paranormal legends Ed and Lorraine Warren in the 1970s. From her eerie beginnings with two nurses to her terrifying reputa…

1
Gracie Otto Watched Her Dad’s Health Unfold From Behind The Camera 58:49

2M ago58:49

58:49

The Otto Legacy. An Award Winning Documentary. High End Fashion. Gracie Otto is one of the Ottos—you know, Barry and Miranda Otto, Australian cinematic royalty. But she has carved out her own space in the industry. She’s the director behind The Other Guy, Deadloch, The Artful Dodger, and Heartbreak High. However, it’s her most recent film, the AACT…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

It S Complicated Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide