Podcast
The Speaker
Trailblazer. Lightning rod. First woman Speaker of the House. Nancy Pelosi never intended to run for office — but in 1987, a twist of fate thrust her into San Francisco’s political arena. In Congress, she seized power and became one of the most polarizing, effective and iconic figures in political history. “The Speaker” is a new limited-run podcast series from KQED that builds on exclusive access to Pelosi, reflecting on her historic life and career as she exits public office. In “The Speaker,” KQED political correspondent Scott Shafer traces her rise from local volunteer to national power broker, making allies and enemies along the way – including President Donald Trump. But with faith in U.S. political institutions cratering, what can her story tell us about where the country has been, and where it’s going?
- Documentary chart
- #49
- Episodes
- 7
- Releases
- Weekly
- Typical length
- 42 min
- On air since
- 2026
- Latest episode
- 4 days ago
Episodes
7 episodes, from the first
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2 min
Introducing The Speaker: How Nancy Pelosi Changed the Face of Power Trailer
Show notes
Launching September 16, this podcast series tells the story of Nancy Pelosi’s rise from local volunteer to national power broker — a definitive reckoning with a groundbreaking political legacy. Produced by KQED and distributed by NPR.
Season 1
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42 min
The Ultimate Insider
Episode 1
Show notes
Before her historic Speakership, even before she got to the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi worked for years outside the spotlight as an official in the California Democratic party while she raised her family in San Francisco. That was until 1987, when tragic circumstances led her to do something she hadn’t considered before: run for Congress. Her first hurdle? A city in crisis and a motivated opponent from a community impacted by a deadly epidemic.
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38 min
We Need a Wrecking Ball
Episode 2
Show notes
Long before she became Madam Speaker, Nancy Pelosi was “Little Nancy” D’Alesandro. Raised in Little Italy in Baltimore, Maryland, she learned the lessons of power from her larger-than-life parents: “Tommy the Elder,” a Congressman and mayor of Baltimore, and “Big Nancy,” a master political organizer. Decades later, those lessons served her well. In 1994, when Republicans took control of Congress for the first time in 40 years, Pelosi wanted to win it back – and win big. But first: she’d have to wage a war against the men standing in her way, including within her own party. This episode, how to seize power: Baltimore Style.
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43 min
Go Big
Episode 3
Show notes
In 2008, with the historic election of President Barack Obama and Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress, Speaker Pelosi saw a huge opening for healthcare reform. She knew it would be hard-fought, but this was not Pelosi’s first battle. She had lived through other historic attempts to reform healthcare — to disastrous results. This time, she was determined to succeed. But to go big in Washington, Pelosi had to master the art of sacrifice.
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46 min
The Shadow
Episode 4
Show notes
In 2016, Nancy Pelosi was planning on retiring from Congress. But Donald Trump’s presidential victory disrupted her plans, and her legacy. Pelosi’s public battles with the President cemented her status as a liberal warrior – spearheading two impeachments and navigating the January 6th attack. But to some in her caucus, including the young progressives of “The Squad,” Pelosi’s approach wasn’t enough to address a new wave of populism and a growing mistrust of government. And amidst this politically fraught landscape, did Pelosi’s actions around stock trading — or inaction, according to some — add fuel to the fire?
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40 min
Just Win
Episode 5
Show notes
A local politician once called San Francisco politics a “knife fight in a phone booth” where centrist Democrats and progressives duke it out in close proximity. Out of that phone booth emerged Nancy Pelosi. In our series finale, we reckon with what her legacy will be – the fundraiser, the mentor, the fighter. In a moment when the Democratic Party is at a crossroads, how did Pelosi shape the destiny of the Democratic Party?
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3 min
The American Storytelling collection explores the human stories behind the political headlines Bonus
Show notes
Politics is the human story behind the headlines: our hopes, disagreements, choices and visions for what comes next. This fall, the American Storytelling Collection brings together six podcasts from the NPR Network — including The Speaker — that take a closer look at the people, power, conflicts and turning points behind American politics from every angle. Find the collection by searching 'American Storytelling' in Apple Podcasts or the NPR app.
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