Watch Episodes
A Break Down on the GOP and DFL Conventions
Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb are joined by DFL strategist Will Davis to preview Minnesota’s GOP convention in Duluth and the DFL convention in Rochester, offering predictions on endorsements, ballot counts, and potential fireworks. They discuss the MN GOP governor’s race, including the field of Lisa Demuth, Kendall Qualls, Mike Lindell, and Patrick Knight; Lindell’s residency questions; possible running-mate scenarios; whether a late Trump endorsement could reshape the race; and expected ...
A Break Down on the Session End, Guns, and Fraud
Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb recap Minnesota’s just-ended 2026 legislative session, which concluded on time with a relatively quiet compromise, including an HCMC bailout with broader hospital funding, car tab and property tax relief, anti-fraud measures highlighted by a new Office of Inspector General, and a $1.2 billion bonding bill. They also note what failed to pass, including sports betting, new taxes, and several progressive priorities. They discuss how voters may view the session’s ...
A Break Down on Klobuchar's Fraud Plan, Moderate Brand
A Break Down on Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb return after Michael’s week off due to health issues before breaking down Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s first major gubernatorial campaign rollout: a Sunday St. Paul press conference and “Get Results and Make Government Accountable” anti-fraud agenda, framed as a break from the status quo and a prosecutor-led push for oversight and jail time in major cases. They compare Klobuchar’s approach with the Minnesota House Fraud Prevention & State Agency Oversi...
A Break Down on GOP Forums, Fraud, and Political Violence
Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb sit down with former Minnesota Rep. Dennis Smith, now chair of the Republican Party of Minnesota’s Elephant Club. Smith reflects on his legislative record working across the aisle, a brief run for attorney general, and what it takes to build a Republican Party capable of winning statewide again. Smith breaks down the Elephant Club’s donor events, what he’s hearing from Republican contributors, and why he believes the GOP needs a broader tent to compete in Minn...
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 that...
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 deci...
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 other...
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 officers ...