The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky
The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky provides a unique insight into politics, policies, and news of the day by injecting humor, personal stories, and blunt analysis of the political environment – all with a refreshing and entertaining perspective. While Michael Brodkorb is no stranger to sharing his analysis and commentary about politics on both sides of the aisle, Becky Scherr has spent the last decade working behind the scenes. She will take a new opportunity to share a unique view – and serve as the podcast's co-host.
A Break Down with Lars Leafblad on Minnesota's Future
Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb sit down with Lars Leafblad of Ballinger Leafblad , one of Minnesota’s top executive search leaders, to talk about a leadership crisis hiding in plain sight. Leafblad estimates roughly 60% turnover since 2020 across elected officials, nonprofit CEOs, and major employers , driven by a perfect storm of the pandemic, George Floyd’s murder, political violence, and a wave of generational retirements. The conversation goes deeper than the numbers. Leafblad argues th...
A Break Down with Aaron Rupar on Trump, the Pope, and Money Totals
In their 150th episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky , hosts Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb celebrate the podcast’s growth, highlight past guests and panels, and thank their families. Next, they interview Minnesota native and independent journalist Aaron Rupar . Rupar recounts his path from local media to ThinkProgress and Vox , and to his Substack Public Notice , explaining how he pioneered real-time political video clipping, his daily workflow, platform engagement, and how he ...
A Break Down on Big Tech, Iran, and ICE in Minnesota
On this episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky , hosts Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb welcome back Erich Mische, the CEO of SAVE — Suicide Awareness Voices of Education — a Minnesota-based national suicide prevention nonprofit, to discuss his Star Tribune op-ed arguing for “Big Tobacco”-style accountability for Big Tech . Erich also discusses how his organization is navigating social media company partnerships, beginning to refuse funding and partnerships, and recommends that oth...
A Break Down with Chris Madel on the State of Minnesota Politics
Welcome to another episode of The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky ! This week, hosts Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb interview first-time guest Chris Madel , a Minneapolis trial attorney and former Republican candidate for Minnesota governor. In December 2025, Madel entered the GOP gubernatorial primary, campaigning on fighting government fraud, supporting law enforcement, and cutting state government costs. Madel explains why he entered politics after representing law enforcement officer...