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

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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29: A Reckless Government

March 26, 2025 • 43 mins
Nayyera and Jamal dig into the Trump Administration’s recklessness with national security and social security—from the recklessness of a war planning group chat, which would have caused any rank and file military service member to get fired—to shutting down Social Security websites and customer service, claiming that people don’t need it—these officials keep showing us that their billionaire status makes is impossible for them...
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28: Is This A Constitutional Crisis Yet ?

March 19, 2025 • 42 mins
CNN Legal Analyst, former federal prosecutor and Homeland Security official Elliot Williams joins Nayerra and Jamal to discuss Trump deporting immigrants to off shore prisons without judicial review or proof of offense. We are on the slippery slope. 

Nayyera and Jamal also discuss the profound changes in human interaction after COVID and the future of community in a digital world. Will we still have democracy, privacy...
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27: The Rise of Billionaire Villains

March 13, 2025 • 22 mins
Jamal Simmons and Nayyera Haq discuss the evolving perception of billionaires in society, the cultural shifts against wealth inequality, and the implications of taxation and public support. They explore the broken promise of the American dream, the importance of legal rights, and the need for a more equitable system that allows everyone to thrive. The conversation highlights the challenges posed by political meanness and the h...
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26: Paddles & Pink Suits Are Not Going To Work

March 5, 2025 • 25 mins
Nayyera and Jamal dissect Trump’s first address to Congress and share how Democrats should be responding. They dig into the fact that 90 million people didn’t show up to vote in the last election, which makes apathy equal to the major political parties, and how that audience might be lost forever if systems and leaders don’t change. 

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25: Why Joy Matters

February 25, 2025 • 33 mins
Nayyera and Jamal chop it up about how journalist Joy Reid challenged people’s assumption and lifted up new voices, how information networks need to adapt for today’s politics, and how the powerful few use tools of democracy for themselves. They also discuss how the military has always been at the forefront of a changing society. They also debate whether “both sides” need oligarchs.

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