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Hillary Clinton and Kara Swisher Launch 'High Stakes' Podcast for 2026 Midterms
Confirmed
In Short: Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and tech journalist Kara Swisher are launching a new podcast called 'High Stakes' to discuss the 2026 midterm elections.
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and tech journalist Kara Swisher are launching a new podcast called 'High Stakes' to discuss the 2026 midterm elections.
The podcast will be distributed through the same feed as Swisher’s 'On' podcast and will debut on Wednesday, November 3, 2026.
According to Barrett Media, the show’s success will depend on its format, promotion, and ability to stand out in a crowded political podcast market.
Clinton and Swisher bring unique strengths to the project: Clinton’s firsthand experience in national politics and Swisher’s established platform covering technology, business, and public affairs.
The duo will examine issues including the cost of living, healthcare, and technology, while tracking developments in the races for control of Congress.
Clinton emphasized the high stakes of the midterm elections, saying, 'I don’t think the stakes for the country and the world could be any higher.'
Swisher joked, 'Think of this series as 'Pivot,' but with an actual expert as my co-host.'
The partnership is part of a broader Vox Media initiative, which includes influential shows and talent across various categories.
Jim Bankoff, Vox Media co-founder and CEO, said, 'I’m immensely proud to bring Secretary Clinton–a hero to millions who has had a profound impact making the world a better place–to Vox Media as she embarks on this next chapter of her media career.'
The launch of 'High Stakes' gives Vox Media another political podcast ahead of a consequential midterm election cycle.
While Clinton has been relatively quiet this election cycle, she issued her first endorsement last week of Minnesota Lt.
The podcast aims to provide real conversations about what’s happening in democracy and its impact on families.
What this adds
The podcast's success will depend on its ability to distinguish itself in a crowded market.
What's confirmed
- Hillary Clinton is launching a new podcast with Kara Swisher focused on the 2026 midterm elections.
- “On Nov. 3, every seat in the House is on the ballot, along with 35 Senate seats and 36 governors,” said Clinton.
- “There’s a thing about the secretary, where it’s like, ‘Oh, if you knew her in the room, she’s so funny,’” Swisher told the New York Times.
- Swisher enjoyed the conversation so much, she tapped Clinton to fill in for co-host Scott Galloway on an August episode of her other podcast, Pivot.
- “People are hungry for real conversation about what’s happening in our democracy and what it will mean for their families, and I can’t think of a better partner for that than Kara.” The series will examine issues including the cost of living, healthcare and technology, while tracking developments in the races for control of Congress.
- “Think of this series as ‘Pivot,’ but with an actual expert as my co-host,” Swisher joked in Tuesday’s announcement.
- She added, “She’s a global icon, she doesn’t hold back, and she’s going to bring the audience an invaluable perspective.” “I’m immensely proud to bring Secretary Clinton–a hero to millions who has had a profound impact making the world a better place–to Vox Media as she embarks on this next chapter of her media career,” said Jim Bankoff, Vox Media co-founder and CEO.
- One of the largest U.S. podcast publishers, the Vox Media Podcast Network is home to some of the most influential shows and talent across categories, including tennis champion Maria Sharapova (host of Pretty Tough), journalist and entrepreneur Guy Raz ( How I Built This), lifestyle icon Ina Garten (host of Happy Hour), former Manhattan U.S. attorney Preet Bharara (host of Stay Tuned), basketball legend Sue Bird ( Bird’s Eye View), journalists Sean Rameswaram and Noel King (hosts of Today, Explained), and more.
What's still developing
- Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg launched “The Deciding Decade” in 2020.
- With a Republican trifecta controlling the White House and both chambers of Congress, Clinton believes the stakes of the midterm elections could not be any higher.
- October 13, 2026 · 12:20 pm ET · Leave a Comment “Hillary Clinton is launching a new podcast with tech journalist and podcast host Kara Swisher ahead of the midterms, part of an effort to promote Democratic candidates and push her priorities as the election nears its final stretch,” the Washington Sun reports.
- 3, with the inaugural installment set to air on Wednesday.
- The term “mollycoddle” means to treat certain constituents or voters in an almost absurdly overprotective way.
- Political Wire readers get 40% off Ground News Vantage at ground.news/politicalwire.
- “Katie’s also taken action to make Arizona safer, toughening border security and getting 18 million fentanyl pills off the streets,” Obama said.
- That could help overcome the discovery challenges of her earlier show, “ You and Me Both,” which ran from 2020 to 2023.