Trailblaze with Nayyera Haq & Jamal Simmons

Trailblaze with Nayyera Haq & Jamal Simmons

Jamal Simmons and Nayyera Haq are dynamic leaders and media personalities who live at the intersection of race, gender and faith. (They also live with their spouses in crazy households with small children.) From working at the White House to driving discussions at the forefront of American media, our hosts will use their experiences, humor and direct style to draw listeners into complex discussions of policy, politics, and America’s role on the globalstage. Jamal is a CNN political contributor and was Deputy Assistant to the President and communications director to Vice President Kamala Harris. Nayyera a Sirius XM radio host and regular presence on cable news and was a Senior Director in the Obama White House working on national security and economic policy They’ll tap their diverse networks to create compelling conversations with unique perspectives on this remarkable political moment.

Episodes

49: Martial Law In DC

August 12, 2025 • 35 mins
Nayyera and Jamal discuss various pressing issues facing Washington D.C., including the recent drop in crime rates, the role of the National Guard, economic concerns such as inflation, and the complexities of D.C.'s governance under home rule. They also explore the implications of federal oversight on local governance and the impact of militarization on communities. The conversation features insights from Courtney Snowden, a f...
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48: Trump Knows He's In Trouble with Karen Finney

August 5, 2025 • 38 mins
Jamal Simmons and Karen Finney, former communications director for the Democratic National Committee, discuss the evolution of politics over the decades. They discuss challenges, changes in political dynamics, coalition building, and their personal journeys into public service. Finney shares her experiences in the Clinton administration and the complexities of American society and the diverse interpretations of the American dr...
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47: Trump Has Always Been A Scoundrel

August 1, 2025 • 29 mins
Nayyera Haq and Jamal Simmons discuss the political landscape surrounding Kamala Harris's decision not to run for governor of California, the implications of fear in politics, the impact of AI on the workforce, and the potential for universal basic income in the future. They explore how political decisions are influenced by past experiences and the current economic climate, emphasizing the need for leaders to adapt to changing...
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46: Trump And The Art Of Distraction

July 22, 2025 • 21 mins
Nayyera Haq and Jamal Simmons discuss the current state of American politics, focusing on issues such as press freedom, cultural diplomacy, and the distractions created by political figures. They explore the implications of Trump's leadership style and the erosion of trust in government, while also addressing the broader societal impacts of these dynamics.
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45: The Epstein Files with Merrick Garland’s chief spokesman

July 16, 2025 • 41 mins
Nayyera Haq & Jamal Simmons are joined this week by their friend Anthony Coley, Attorney General Merrick Garland’s chief spokesman, to  explore the media’s role in shaping narratives and public perception, focusing on the Epstein files. We’ll examine how media outlets craft stories and public affairs professionals sway opinions. We’ll also discuss the impact of media on society, the power of storytelling, and narrative con...
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44: MAGA Mayhem Over Epstein Files

July 8, 2025 • 23 mins
In MAGA world. Anger over last night’s U-turn is already starting to flow. Trump’s repeated pledges to end America’s involvement in overseas wars were a big part of his appeal to the MAGA base, and so his decision to start rearming Ukraine — even with purely defensive weapons — is not landing well. At all. You can expect MAGA anger to swell throughout the day.

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43: BORED BILLIONAIRES

July 1, 2025 • 24 mins
Nayyera and Jamal discuss the implications of the recent economic bill, its impact on the working class, and the broader societal issues surrounding wealth distribution and federal programs. They explore the challenges faced by the working poor, the need for national service, and the threats to democracy and citizenship in the current political climate. The discussion emphasizes the importance of civic engagement and the respo...
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42: Tech Bro Colonels

June 24, 2025 • 21 mins
Nayyera & Jamal explore the intertwining of tech companies and the military-industrial complex, raising concerns about the implications of their collaboration. It discusses the role of the President and Congress in military actions, particularly in the context of Iran, and the potential consequences of such actions. The speakers emphasize the importance of accountability, transparency, and effective communication in foreig...
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41: Bomb Bomb Bomb, Bomb Bomb Iran?

June 18, 2025 • 22 mins
Nayyera Haq & Jamal Simmons discuss the potential for war in the Middle East, particularly focusing on the United States' involvement in Iran and Israel's actions. They explore the implications of American foreign policy, the perspectives of younger generations on these issues, and the reactions of global powers. The conversation highlights the complexities and challenges of navigating international relations in a rapidly ...
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40: LA Riots Aftermath

June 10, 2025 • 26 mins
Co-hosts Nayyera and Jamal explain the ins and outs of the National Guard deployment to Los Angeles — the history behind deployments to states, who benefits from the military being active on U.S. soil, and how the military parade all tie together as one mission. 
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39: Why Black Businesses Matter

June 3, 2025 • 38 mins
Nayyera Haq & Jamal Simmons are joined this week by Rick Wade to discuss the critical intersection of economics and civil rights, emphasizing the importance of Black-owned businesses in creating jobs and addressing unemployment disparities. He reflects on the political dynamics affecting Black success and the need for a dual focus on both economic and social rights. Wade also highlights the significance of engagement in bu...
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38: Trump’s Meme Coin Scam

May 27, 2025 • 28 mins
Nayyera Haq and Jamal Simmons discuss the political implications of meme coins, particularly focusing on Trump’s fundraising and access strategies. They explore pay-to-play politics, the erosion of American exceptionalism, and Trump’s policies on global relations. The discussion also touches on Memorial Day, media access, billionaire influence, and challenges facing public education. They reflect on the future of American soci...
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37: Are the DEMOCRATS an OPPOSITION party anymore ?

May 21, 2025 • 25 mins
Nayyera & Jamal discuss what the Democrats are for, Are thy an opposition party anymore. 
Also they talk about Kathy Hochul's innovative rebate policy for New Yorkers, the issues of corruption and accountability in politics, the disconnect between political leaders and the public, the struggles of the working poor, the importance of authenticity in political communication, and the need for generational change in politi...
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36: Trump's Jet Grift

May 14, 2025 • 31 mins
From accepting a $400 million plane to welcoming South Afrikaaners, can Trump’s personal ambitions be more clear? Nayyera and Jamal dig into what happens when leaders stop being guided by the ethics and morals of social good, what that means for families, and how do deal with corruption as an everyday occurrence.


#trailblazepodcast #nayyerahaq #jamalsimmons #podcasts #politics


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35: Alcatraz, Canada: NEVER SAY NEVER

May 6, 2025 • 32 mins
Nayyera and Jamal discuss pressing issues like government inefficiencies, eroded public trust, punitive policies, student loan burden, and the need for community service. They critique flawed approaches to social issues, particularly the Trump administration’s policies and shifting political tone. They discuss Trump’s policies on tariffs, climate change, and global power dynamics, their impact on consumers, the environment, an...
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34: After 100 Days, Why Trump Deserves An F

April 30, 2025 • 30 mins
Jamal Simmons and Nayyera Haq discuss the first 100 days of the Trump presidency, examining its historical context and impact on governance, power dynamics, and economic policies. They explore Trump’s challenges to the balance of power, Congress’s role, and the consequences of tariffs and trade policies on the economy and healthcare. The discussion highlights the ongoing struggle for rights and the government’s responsibilitie...
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33: Why Trump Picked An Amateur Like Pete Hegseth

April 23, 2025 • 30 mins
Jamal Simmons and Nayyera Haq discuss a range of pressing issues, including the backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, the economic implications of Trump's policies, and the potential risks associated with food safety and national security. They explore the historical context of African American economic organizing, the role of USAID in foreign policy, and the colonial undertones of current diplom...
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32: Is TikTok Our New History Book?

April 16, 2025 • 40 mins
Nayyera & Jamal are joined this week by Jason Steinhauer to discuss the profound impact of social media and the internet on our understanding of history and collective memory. He emphasizes the challenges of preserving information in the digital age, the role of institutions like the Library of Congress in shaping narratives, and the importance of diversity in historical storytelling. The discussion also touches on the fra...
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31: TLDR: The Tragedy of Trump’s Tariffs

April 9, 2025 • 43 mins
How will Trump’s tariffs hurt us? Jamal Simmons & Nayyera Haq are joined by Don Graves, former Deputy Secretary of Commerce to dig into why small business confidence is falling, when Americans will feel the impact of tariffs (hint: soon), and how food safety is also at risk. They explore how Trump’s actions are creating new enemies from countries who used to be our allies, risking Americans’ quality of life, all so Trump a...
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30: Did The Campaign Lie To Kamala

April 1, 2025 • 50 mins
How did we go from excitement about change to getting another Trump term? Nayyera and Jamal are joined by journalists Amie Parnes and Jonathan Allen, who tell us what happened in the room in their new book FIGHT: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House. They dig into where mistakes were made in polling, how the different personalities leading the campaigns managed the candidates, and what’s in store for the next year.
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