The Untold Story with Martha MacCallum

Can love bridge a political divide? The co-anchor of America’s Newsroom, co-host of The Five, and host of the Perino on Politics podcast, Dana Perino, discusses her brand-new breakout novel, Purple State. She explains why she chose the ultimate purple state to tell a story about young women stepping out of their comfort zones and discovering that Americans are far less polarized than the headlines suggest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the blockade on Iran failing? Wall Street Journal Editor-at-Large Gerry Baker dives into President Trump's high-stakes strategy and the nuclear threat of Iran. As the U.S. military maintains a strict blockade in the Middle East, he questions the long-term effectiveness of the current campaign. Gerry analyzes whether the current pressure is enough to topple the regime. He discusses the potential for a negotiated deal, the role of China and Russia in the conflict, and the public "scuffle" with the Vatican over the morality of the war. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Research fellow with Hudson Institute's Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East, Zineb Riboua, examines the evolving tension between the U.S. and Iran, specifically Iran’s strategic alignment with China. She describes how Chinese investment in the Middle East has provided the regime with technological and financial support. Zineb analyzes the potential for widespread protests and civil unrest within Iran, driven by the severe economic strain of the ongoing conflict. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg details why the current two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is failing to bring regional peace while Tehran blames Israel for sabotaging negotiations by continuing to strike Hezbollah in Lebanon. General Kellogg proposes that if Iran refuses to scrap its nuclear and missile programs, the U.S. should be ready to seize Iranian islands and take control of the Strait of Hormuz to cut off their economic lifeline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Retired U.S. Navy SEAL Vice Admiral Robert Harward joined Martha on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the historic 8 p.m. deadline set by President Trump for the Iranian regime. He detailed the country’s pre-revolutionary prosperity and his belief that the current regime is at an unprecedented tipping point. Admiral Harward explained why this conflict is different from previous wars in Iraq or Vietnam due to Iran’s highly educated population, their desire for Western-style liberties, and the immediate global threat posed by their nuclear and missile capabilities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Martha revisits her 2022 conversation with Grammy-nominated country music singer-songwriter Walker Hayes. Walker highlights his book, Glad You're Here: Two Unlikely Friends Breaking Bread and Fences, which he co-wrote with his friend Craig Cooper. Walker describes his faith journey and how a tragic loss led him to eventually find salvation through the Bible and surrendering to Jesus Christ. He shares how he views his massive musical platform as an opportunity to share the Gospel and the impact faith has made on his life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The actor who plays John in the FOX Nation series Jesus Crown of Thorns, Alister Hawke discusses his unique transition from a competitive mixed martial artist to acting after a career-ending elbow injury. He describes his experience while filming the series, reflecting on the spiritual impact of filming the crucifixion and shares his interpretation and the significance of Jesus Christ's final words and the folded burial cloth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Reporting from George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Fox News Correspondent Brooke Taylor describes a dire situation unfolding as TSA staffing shortages reach a breaking point. She highlights a staggering 40% call-out rate in Houston, where unpaid agents have left travelers facing four-hour lines that stretch into the airport basement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

World Series Champion Al Leiter highlights the new documentary, Never Forget: How Baseball Healed the Nation After 9/11, as he explains the shift from feeling that a baseball game was insignificant to realizing that the sport served as a necessary distraction for a grieving city after the 9/11 attacks. He recounts the intense atmosphere and heavy security at the first game back at Shea Stadium, where a solemn environment eventually shifted into a moment of collective hope. Al also describes the Mets players' devotion and their defiance of league rules to continue wearing hats representing New York City’s first responders throughout the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FOX News Senior National Correspondent Rich Edson describes the public portion of the Worldwide Threat Assessment hearing which took place this week on Capitol Hill. He explains that while the hearing was a worldwide assessment, it was largely dominated by the ongoing operation in Iran, which is now in its third week. He highlights that despite the heavy focus on the current war, the hearing also addressed other foreign adversaries' threats, specifically those coming from China, Russia, and North Korea. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On Tuesday, Martha visited St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City for the annual St. Patrick's Day Mass led by the new Archbishop of Joliet, Ronald Hicks. He described the joy of celebrating before a cathedral filled with prominent figures, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The Archbishop also shared his hope for a rising generation of young people finding deep purpose through their faith. He looks forward to welcoming them all back to America’s Parish when the first American pope, Pope Leo, makes his first official trip back home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Iranian national soccer player Shiva Amini and Iranian activist Masih Alinejad detail the harrowing choices Iranian athletes face under a regime that weaponizes their careers and families to enforce strict ideological conformity. After being banned for playing without a hijab, Shiva shares the agonizing reality of choosing between personal freedom and the safety of loved ones. Following her recent testimony at the United Nations, she and Masih call on the United States and the international community to support the Iranian people’s fight for freedom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While reporting from the UAE, Fox News correspondent Lucas Tomlinson describes the regional impact of Iran's ballistic missile and drone attacks on neighboring countries. Lucas explains that the UAE has become a primary target due to its open society, its role as a financial hub, and its ties to the Abraham Accords. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fox News senior correspondent and host of the Searching for Heroes podcast, Benjamin Hall breaks down the escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, and the strategic role of the Kurds in the region. He also dissects Iranian messaging tactics with the United States and shares his perspective on what the future may hold for this conflict. Plus, Benjamin introduces his debut children's book, Read All About It, a heartfelt story to honor the hedgehog his daughters gifted him to carry while reporting from war zones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

FOX News Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst is in Tel Aviv, Israel, to weigh in on the escalating conflict in the Middle East following direct conflict between Israel, the U.S., and Iran. He analyzes Iran's ballistic missile and drone threat and why immediate regime change remains a difficult, distant aspiration. Trey also explains how the war has paralyzed the Gulf and left civilian populations in the Middle East facing a high price for security. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amid the high-profile investigation into Nancy Guthrie's disappearance, many Americans are re-evaluating their own safety and security. Former FBI supervisory agent and police officer, Ren McEachern, shares actionable advice on how families can harden their home defenses and improve personal safety. He highlights the emerging threat of wrench attacks tied to cryptocurrency and outlines simple habits that can protect loved ones in an increasingly complex world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Following President Trump’s historic 2026 State of the Union address, a nearly two-hour speech, Martha, joined by FOX News Chief Political Anchor Bret Baier, spoke with an expert panel live on FOX News Channel. They broke down the President’s policy-heavy remarks, specifically focusing on his vision for continued economic deregulation and his aggressive stance on national security. The panel also dissected what these goals mean for the average American and the country's trajectory heading into the midterms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this Ash Wednesday, actor Mark Wahlberg joins Martha to discuss "Pray 40," the 40-day Lent prayer challenge on the Hallow app. Reflecting on his own faith journey, Mark highlights how his Catholic upbringing shaped his life. He emphasizes the vital role of discipline and prayer in navigating life’s challenges, explaining how he strives to be a positive example for his children. Mark also encourages listeners to deepen their faith this Lenten season with Hallow. Learn more and join the #Pray40 challenge on Hallow! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In an exclusive conversation with Vice President JD Vance, which aired Tuesday, he discusses the Trump Administration's ongoing negotiations with Iran, emphasizing that the U.S. has set firm lines to prevent nuclear proliferation. The Vice President addresses plans to lower the cost of living through housing reform, while defending federal immigration enforcement and the need for national artificial intelligence regulations. He also explains that the administration remains focused on delivering results for the American people over the next three years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Attorney and former South Carolina State Senator, Dick Harpootlian, discusses the Alex Murdaugh double murder case and the defense's tireless efforts to appeal the conviction. Dick outlines the arguments regarding jury tampering and recounts his frequent legal discussions with Alex about his innocence. Dick also examines Alex’s mental state at the time of the murders; he suggests that, despite the financial fraud Alex committed, he was not homicidal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices