Nicolle Wallace is adding to her busy schedule. The Emmy-nominated host of MSNBC’s Deadline: White House is launching her first podcast, called The Best People. She says the idea came to her after President Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election. It is certainly a surprising name for a show from a host known for her sharp comments about the former President. Wallace herself told The Times she thought Trump had stopped using the phrase.
“I think after the reelection of Donald Trump, I went to my bosses and offered to do more, sort of realizing that this was a big story and recognizing that maybe not everybody is watching the news every day,” Wallace, 53, told PEOPLE. She wanted to be available in other ways. The podcast format allows for “extended engagement,” something she was looking for. She promises listeners, “We do not avoid the elephant in the room.” This suggests that while the podcast might have a different feel, it will not shy away from big topics.
Wallace explained that she felt she had made a mistake by keeping real life and politics separate. She believes people will not heal political divisions until they talk about everyday things. These can be raising kids, worrying about screen time, dealing with sports injuries, or making time for date nights. “These are the things that everybody can sit down and talk about. And when we separate out our politics, it's separate from our real lives,” she said. This idea of connecting people through shared experiences seems to be a main goal for her new show.
The Intriguing Choice Behind Nicolle Wallace's New Podcast Name And Its MeaningWhy The MSNBC Host Chose A Title That Might Remind Some Listeners Of Donald Trump
The name The Best People might make you do a double take. It is a phrase often linked to former President Donald Trump, who used it to describe his team. For a host like Nicolle Wallace, known for her strong criticisms of Trump, this name stands out. Wallace explained her choice to The Times, saying, "I thought he had abandoned it." She also believed "the best people" was one of his most powerful messages back in 2016. She then joked that he "abandoned it officially when he picked Matt Gaetz," referring to Trump's first choice for attorney general.
This title choice suggests Wallace wants to go beyond typical political talk. She is aiming for conversations that highlight common human experiences. She told PEOPLE that her main goal is to serve her listeners by having people who enjoy the show. She looks at success by how much guests enjoy being on the show. "If the people that come enjoy it, we will feel like we served our listener," she said. This was how she felt when she started her daily news show. She felt that if people who came for breaking news or political talk liked what they saw, she would know they had met their goal. It is a different way to think about success, focusing on the quality of connection over just numbers.
Wallace is bringing some big names to the podcast. The first episode features actor and fellow podcaster Jason Bateman. Other guests include actor Sarah Jessica Parker, music producer Jimmy Jam, folk singer Joan Baez, and Milwaukee Bucks coach Doc Rivers. This group clearly shows her plan to talk to people outside the usual political world. She connected with Jimmy Jam when they discussed making a musical project to help Ukraine. She knew Rivers because of his work on social justice. Parker is known for her dedication to literacy programs. This guest list suggests a wide range of topics, moving beyond daily politics.
MSNBC host Nicolle Wallace is launching a new podcast as she deals with shifting viewership and addresses past remarks about public figures.
MSNBC's Growing Interest In Podcasting And Nicolle Wallace's Role In That Expansion
How The Network Is Changing Its Strategy To Reach Audiences Beyond Traditional Cable TV
Nicolle Wallace’s jump into podcasting comes as MSNBC looks for new ways to reach audiences. More and more people are not watching cable TV. The network says its current podcasts, which include shows from Rachel Maddow, Chris Hayes, and Jen Psaki, were expected to have over 10 million downloads in May alone. This shows a big shift in how news brands are trying to get their content to viewers.
Madeleine Haeringer, MSNBC’s senior vice president of digital, audio, and longform, explained the network's goal. "Our goal is to meet our audience where they are and to bring the talent of our hosts and anchors to them in those spaces," she said. She added that they do not use a "one-size-fits-all" approach. Instead, they tailor each project to both the host and the platform. This means each podcast is unique and fits the host's style. For Wallace, podcasting was appealing because as a working mom, she knows many women cannot watch her daily TV show in the afternoon. She says her experience as a former communications director for the Bush White House and her short time on The View, where she struggled with pop culture topics, are not a concern this time. Her new guests are there to discuss their own issues, not just political analysis.
Wallace believes people are more open when they are talking in front of their computer screens on Zoom. "For some reason, people sitting in front of their computer screens on the Zoom are even more candid and forthcoming about how they feel," Wallace said. This hints at a more relaxed and open style of conversation that podcasts can offer. It is a good way to get guests to share more personal stories and thoughts.
MSNBC itself is going through some big changes. The channel, along with other NBCUniversal cable channels, is being spun off from Comcast into a new company called Versant. Comcast is moving away from the cable channel business, except for its Bravo brand. This is because fewer people are watching cable TV. Over the last 10 years, cable viewership for MSNBC has dropped by a third. MSNBC also saw a lot of viewers leave right after the presidential election, as its loyal audience tuned out after Trump’s victory. The ratings have slowly climbed back up, but they are still lower than during the height of the presidential campaign a year ago. Versant’s leaders have made it clear that MSNBC will continue to focus on a politically progressive audience.
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Balancing Personal Life, Work, And The Non-Stop News Cycle For A TV Host
How Nicolle Wallace Manages Her Busy Life And Finds Ways To Connect Amidst The Chaos
Nicolle Wallace’s career has always been tied to the news cycle. She does not think she truly decompresses from it anymore. "I don't think I do, but I don't think anyone decompresses anymore, right?” Wallace said. “I think we're learning how to live in our compressed state. I think there'll be a moment to decompress. I think right now, I'm trying to grab and enjoy all the chances I have to connect.” This shows how demanding her job is, and how she has learned to live with constant information flow.
Before her show, she has a few rituals. She jokes that it involves a lot of caffeine. She also checks in on her home front. This includes her husband, New York Times journalist Michael Schmidt, her 13-year-old son Liam, and her toddler daughter Isabella. She checks in to make sure her young daughter is okay. Her son is usually out of school by the time she goes on air, so she checks in with him too. Sometimes she orders him sushi, which is his favorite after school snack. For a 13-year-old boy, that counts as a small meal. Then, more coffee.
She also always makes sure she has run before sitting down to talk to anyone. Running helps clear her head and brain. This is a common practice for many people in high-pressure jobs. It helps them focus and get ready for the day ahead. Her husband, Michael Schmidt, also inspired her to try something new. He co-created a Netflix thriller series. “Michael enjoyed it so much it gave me the idea to add something that is a little outside my comfort zone,” Wallace said. They met at MSNBC where he is a contributor. They married in 2022 and had their daughter a year later through a surrogate. They have a business-like dynamic on air but talk about family matters off camera. “When we are both on set, my son is texting us about dinner,” Wallace said. “During the breaks, we’re never talking about the rule of law. We’re talking about logistics.” This paints a relatable picture of working parents balancing their lives.
The Best People begins on Monday, June 2. New episodes will be released every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms. Deadline: White House airs weekdays at 4 PM ET on MSNBC. This new podcast is a chance for Wallace to connect with a wider audience. It also allows her to explore different kinds of conversations, moving beyond the daily grind of political news. It will be interesting to see how her approach to these topics resonates with listeners.