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The Preamble

Sharon McMahon
The Preamble
Latest episode

478 episodes

  • The Preamble

    Elyse Myers’ New Book and Harriet Tubman’s Faith

    2026-02-23 | 40 mins.
    You might know her as the woman who got dragged to a taco bell where her date ordered one hundred tacos and she got stuck paying for them. Elyse Myers’ hilarious re-telling of that story launched her career, and now she’s out with a new book, That’s a Great Question, I’d Love to Tell You. She joins Sharon to talk about her struggles as a kid, and what happened when she learned her brain worked differently, and there was nothing wrong with that. Plus, Tiya Miles is here to discuss Harriet Tubman, and how her faith guided her. Even if you think you’re an expert on Harriet Tubman, you’ll learn something. 

    And be sure to read our newsletter at ThePreamble.com – it’s free! Join hundreds of thousands of readers who still believe understanding is an act of hope.

    Credits:

    Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon

    Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks

    Audio Producer: Craig Thompson

    (00:00:00) The Worst First Date Ever

    (00:12:25) Learning to Accept Your Differences 

    (00:19:06) Harriet Tubman’s Unwavering Faith


    To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

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  • The Preamble

    The State of Black History and Journalism in 2026

    2026-02-16 | 45 mins.
    Simply teaching the facts in and out of the classroom has become an act of courage, and sometimes, real risk. Former history teacher Ernest Crim joins Sharon McMahon to talk about why Black history, civics, and knowing your rights are crucial to navigating power abuses, injustice, and democracy. He tells us why he keeps speaking up even when the system falls short. Plus, is reporting the facts partisan? Sharon speaks with Katie Couric about the changes in journalism over the last few years, and how polarization, paywalls, and fear of retaliation are reshaping news coverage.

    And be sure to read our newsletter at ThePreamble.com – it’s free! Join hundreds of thousands of readers who still believe understanding is an act of hope.

    Credits:

    Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon

    Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks

    Audio Producer: Craig Thompson

    (00:00:00) How to Teach Black History in Today’s Climate

    (00:20:39) Pam Bondi Congressional Hearing and Journalism in the Trump Era

    (00:32:54) Political Polarization and What Comes Next

    To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

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  • The Preamble

    If Court Orders Don’t Matter, Nothing Does, Banning Books, and How to Find Hope

    2026-02-09 | 38 mins.
    Americans are being offered a false choice: safety or rights, as though “law and order” means obedience from citizens and exceptions for the government. Sharon’s take on ICE violating 96 court orders in Minnesota in just one month. Plus, Jodi Picoult is one of the most banned authors in the country. Why? She writes about racism, gun violence, and LGBTQ+ rights, encouraging young people to use their critical thinking, rather than becoming permission seekers. She shares how to fight back against book bans, and why we need to be louder than the vocal minority. And Former Congressman Adam Kinzinger joins Sharon to talk about the future of the Republic Party, why nobody has gotten in trouble over the Epstein files, and how you can stay engaged without burning out. 

    If you’d like to submit a question, head to thepreamble.com/podcast – we’d love to hear from you there.

    And be sure to read our weekly magazine at ThePreamble.com – it’s free! Join hundreds of thousands of readers who still believe understanding is an act of hope.

    Credits:

    Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon

    Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks

    Audio Producer: Craig Thompson

    (00:00:00) If Court Orders Don’t Matter, Nothing Does

    (00:11:13) Book Bans with Jodi Picoult

    (00:28:32) How to Find Hope with Adam Kinzinger

    To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
  • The Preamble

    How ICE Is Mimicking 19th Century Slave Patrols, and What AI Tech Billionaires Really Want

    2026-02-02 | 45 mins.
    Gen Z Historian Kahlil Greene explains how today’s ICE enforcement has chilling parallels to the slave patrols of the 19th Century, designed to hunt human beings for profit and power. Then, Sharon speaks with author Karen Hao to talk about her new book Empire of AI, and why the biggest names in tech aren’t just building tools, but chasing a quasi-religious vision of control. Karen reveals how that ideology is reshaping democracy, draining the planet, and quietly harming people right now… but, she says, there are ways to change the future of AI before it gets worse. 

    If you’d like to submit a question, head to thepreamble.com/podcast – we’d love to hear from you there.

    And be sure to read our weekly magazine at ThePreamble.com – it’s free! Join hundreds of thousands of readers who still believe understanding is an act of hope.

    Credits:

    Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon

    Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks

    Audio Producer: Craig Thompson

    (00:00:00) How ICE Is Mimicking 19th Century Slave Patrols?

    (00:16:36) What AI Tech Billionaires Really Want?

    (00:29:27) How AI Is Hurting Us, and the Planet, and What We Can Do About It?


    To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
  • The Preamble

    Inside ICE: Recruitment, Congressional Accountability, and Absolute Immunity

    2026-01-26 | 49 mins.
    This episode was recorded before Border Patrol agents shot and killed Twin Cities nurse Alex Pretti.

    What happens when the people enforcing the law no longer seem bound by it? Our contributor Elise Labott reports on ICE’s expansive recruitment campaign and training program. Sharon is then joined by MN Representative Angie Craig to discuss the escalating situation in Minnesota and what Congress may, or may not, do in response. Plus, do ICE agents have absolute immunity, as JD Vance claims? Our guest, former DOJ attorney Liz Oyer says absolutely not. 

    If you’d like to submit a question, head to thepreamble.com/podcast – we’d love to hear from you there.

    And be sure to read our weekly magazine at ThePreamble.com – it’s free! Join hundreds of thousands of readers who still believe understanding is an act of hope.

    Credits:

    Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahon

    Supervising Producer: Melanie Buck Parks

    Audio Producer: Craig Thompson

    (00:00:00) What’s Drawing Recruits to ICE?

    (00:15:52) What is Congress Doing About ICE?

    (00:31:18) Do ICE Agents Have Absolute Immunity?

    To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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About The Preamble

The world feels complicated. The Preamble is where it starts to make sense. Hosted by Sharon McMahon — known for making sense of complex issues — she and her guests dive deep into the stories and ideas driving our future, bringing clarity and honesty to every headline. If you want real insight, bold conversation, and answers that matter, this podcast is your must-listen. Hit play, and join the movement that will shape history. An Audacy Podcast.
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