Start Here

ABC News

4.6 (6K)
DAILY NEWS
UPDATED DAILY

A straightforward look at the day's top news in 20 minutes. Powered by ABC News. Hosted by Brad Mielke.

7H AGO

Trump’s Biggest Bet Yet

President Trump reveals a sweeping tariff plan that will add significant taxes to the vast majority of foreign-made goods. Four Senate Republicans join Democrats in opposing tariffs on Canada. And the Supreme Court unanimously rules in favor of FDA rules restricting flavored vaping products. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

30 min
1D AGO

How Expensive Will “Liberation Day” Be?

President Trump plans to unveil a sweeping series of tariffs. The Department of Health and Human Services lays off 10,000 workers. And Attorney General Pam Bondi will seek the death penalty against the suspected killer of a health insurance CEO. Did you hear? Brad's hosting a new show for the true crime-obsessed called "The Crime Scene Weekly." Each week, "The Crime Scene" focuses on what everybody's talking about in true crime -- from what your favorite podcasts are covering, to what's taking over our TikTok feeds. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

28 min
2D AGO

The Most Expensive Judicial Race in History

A series of special elections will provide a crucial gut-check for the Trump White House. Businesses and consumers brace for new tariffs. And France’s leading far-right voice, Marine Le Pen, is barred from running for the presidency after an embezzlement conviction. Did you hear? Brad's hosting a new show for the true crime-obsessed called "The Crime Scene Weekly." Each week, "The Crime Scene" focuses on what everybody's talking about in true crime -- from what your favorite podcasts are covering, to what's taking over our TikTok feeds. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

31 min
3D AGO

The Race to Rescue Earthquake Victims in Asia

An earthquake with an epicenter in Myanmar devastates Southeast Asia. Officials in Greenland and Denmark react to a controversial visit from Vice President JD Vance, as President Trump questions whether he’s limited to two terms in office. And a growing movement of “biohackers” are implanting themselves with small pieces of technology, from magnets to microchips. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

25 min
5D AGO

Bad Rap: Party's Over

Introducing a new podcast from 20/20 and ABC Audio, "Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy." In this six-part series, ABC News legal contributor and past Start Here guest Brian Buckmire takes listeners inside the rise and fall of Diddy, tracing how whispers of abuse came to light and led to his downfall. This is episode one, "Party's Over." Diddy was a legendary party host. His star-studded "white parties" were glittering displays of wealth and social capital that started in the world of hip-hop, and ultimately expanded far beyond it. But after a criminal indictment alleging sex trafficking, Diddy is now locked up, fighting to prove his innocence, stuck in a place that couldn’t be more different from the luxury he’s used to. To hear the rest of the series, follow "Bad Rap: The Case Against Diddy" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

40 min
6D AGO

Majority Rules: Trump Withdraws Cabinet Nom

President Trump pulls Rep. Elise Stefanik’s nomination to be UN ambassador amid concerns over a tight Republican majority in the House. The arrest video of a Tufts University PhD student on a visa draws outrage from immigration activists. And, graduates from the University of Maryland will hear a commencement speech from a Muppet. Did you hear? Brad's hosting a new show for the true crime-obsessed called "The Crime Scene Weekly." Each week, "The Crime Scene" focuses on what everybody's talking about in true crime -- from what your favorite podcasts are covering, to what's taking over our TikTok feeds. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

19 min
MAR 27

The “Unclassified” Texts Sound Very Classified

More exchanges from the Trump cabinet Signal group chat are published. The Supreme Court upholds federal regulations on ghost gun kits. And six months after Helene decimated North Carolina, some areas are now facing wildfire threats. Did you hear? Brad's hosting a new show for the true crime-obsessed called "The Crime Scene Weekly." Each week, "The Crime Scene" focuses on what everybody's talking about in true crime -- from what your favorite podcasts are covering, to what's taking over our TikTok feeds. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

32 min
MAR 26

Trump's Signal: Downplay the Leak

President Trump downplays the leaked Signal group chat among his cabinet, blaming the journalist who was accidentally included. The U.S. says Russia and Ukraine have agreed to stop fighting in the Black Sea. And, American wine distributors are warning against potential tariffs. Did you hear? Brad's hosting a new show for the true crime-obsessed called "The Crime Scene Weekly." Each week, "The Crime Scene" focuses on what everybody's talking about in true crime -- from what your favorite podcasts are covering, to what's taking over our TikTok feeds. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

26 min

See All (55)

Brad Mielke

Host

4.6

out of 5

6,039 Ratings

Your April fools joke got me!

2d ago

AlyssaDraper

Brad, the way I gasped when you said you “taking a few months off”. Anyway, thank you for continuing to be an awesome start to every day!
Checking on my Strong Friends

6d ago

amdb802

I’ve listened to this pod on and off for years, and I’ve been in a on period for a while. I didn’t realize how much I enjoy and appreciate the pod until today when it wasn’t in my feed during my normal getting ready time 🥺 is the pod okay? Checking on my strong friends.
Best News Podcast!

Mar 20

KudziM

Best news podcast, super informative and I love how you break things down and make it easy to understand. And Brad, love your energy - thank you!
Congrats on 7 years!

Mar 19

Commitment Issues Begone

I started listening to this Podcast August 2018! Brad and his team do Amazing work. No other News Outlet (podcasts or otherwise) has been as reliable, consistent, and as fun as the Start Here podcast. Looking forward to 7 more years! Buckle in Brad. 🤣 Sorry for taking so long to leave a review/rating. They say you’re friends-for-life after 7 years, so I figured it was time 😭🤣
“The Pastor Wears Jeans”

Mar 10

SCtonic

No notes.
Love this show

Mar 3

MoFunke

3/3/25 Must listen - however… in today’s episode when MTGs boyfriend was called “a reporter” by your correspondent in the episode (question about Zelensky’s attire/lack of suit)… I find this misleading and frankly rude to not reveal who was taunting Zelensky in that moment.
Such a shame

Mar 6

Jaksllflodlemsmlalajmallx

It’s a real shame that a news organization with such great resources produces such a politically biased show. I’ll give one example just from today: the subject was about potential privatization of public buildings and organizations like Amtrak and USPS (a strategy that has been very successful in other countries like Australia and New Zealand). The hosts just scoffed and dismissed the idea out of hand like it was a joke. Would love it if this show actually provided serious thoughtful analysis rather than echo chamber news candy.
Very biased

Mar 3

Sports Fan/Movie Lover

I deleted a bunch of other news apps that were extremely biased in their reporting and I gave this podcast a chance, but after the latest Israel humanitarian aid report that was in today’s show, it just goes to show how biased your reporting is. Before it was NO humanitarian aide was going through Gaza, but now it’s just about Israel stopping it. Yet, I haven’t heard unbiased reporting about the performance Hamas was doing with the hostages and forcing living hostages to watch their friends be released. PLEASE report honestly and equally. Enough is enough.
5 things I did last week

Feb 28

CancerBoA

Love this podcast! These are the 5 things I did 1. Donated things to Goodwill 2. Laughed at everyone with Trump bumper stickers. 3. Ate ice cream on Monday AND Tuesday 4. Volunteered making sack lunches for homeless people 5. Just continued to laugh at everyone who put Trump bumper stickers on their Teslas and ugly CyberTrucks! Happy Friday!!
Zalinsky vs Trump

Mar 3

Not cool at all start here

This episode is not ok. Claiming that Zalinsky yelled too is not accurate. This smacks of sucking up to Trump.