Lillian Cunningham

Washington, D.C.

Reporter hosting the "Moonrise," "Presidential" and "Constitutional" podcasts

Education: University of Chicago, BA in English; Northwestern University, MSJ in Journalism

Lillian Cunningham is the creator and host of The Post’s “Presidential,” “Constitutional” and “Moonrise” podcasts. “Presidential” was a 2017 Webby Award honoree for best documentary podcast and a finalist for the Academy of Podcasters’ best news and politics podcast. “Moonrise” was named one of the best podcasts of 2019 by Apple Podcasts. Previously Lillian was the editor of The Post’s “On Leadership” section and won two Emmy Awards for her video interview series with leaders across politics, business and the arts.
Latest from Lillian Cunningham

    A sneak peek from Lillian

    Exclusively for listeners of “Presidential,” Lillian Cunningham shares news about her new podcast. You don’t want to miss this.

    June 6, 2023

    Introducing "Broken Doors"

    An unusual warrant. A pattern of questionable no-knock raids. A reporting thread that just kept going. “Broken Doors” is a new investigative podcast series from the Washington Post. Hosted by Jenn Abelson and Nicole Dungca.

    April 27, 2022

    Happy Presidents’ Day! Or … not?

    Students, teachers and historians reflect on what has changed – and what should change – about the way we teach presidential history today.

    February 21, 2022

      BONUS | Happy Presidents’ Day! Or … not?

      Students, teachers and historians reflect on what has changed — and should change — about the way we teach presidential history today. This special episode features presidential experts Barbara Perry and Julian Zelizer, “How the Word Is Passed” author Clint Smith, and the AP government and politics class of teacher Michael Martirone.

      February 21, 2022

      ‘Presidential’: Andrew Johnson

      In honor of Presidents’ Day, the story of a president who was impeached during a time of great division: Andrew Johnson. This story is from The Post’s podcast “Presidential” with Lillian Cunningham.

      February 15, 2021

      ‘Presidential’: The story of Joe Biden

      We really thought we knew everything there is to know about Joe Biden. … But then we heard this episode of “Presidential” with Lillian Cunningham and the New Yorker’s Evan Osnos, and we learned so much that we wanted to share it with you here.

      December 23, 2020

        Joe Biden: Triumph, tragedy and the fate of the center

        Four years later, the “Presidential” podcast adds a new biography to its cadre of American presidents. This special episode explores Joe Biden's decades-long, hard-fought personal and political path to the White House, with the New Yorker’s Evan Osnos.

        November 7, 2020

          BONUS | What books about Trump say about America

          Books published in the Trump era reveal the battles over, and changes in, the American presidency today. In this special episode of “Presidential,” Post nonfiction book critic Carlos Lozada shares what he’s learned from reading more than 150 of them.

          October 23, 2020

            BONUS | Pandemic, propaganda and the presidency

            The 1918 influenza pandemic killed more than 675,000 Americans, but President Woodrow Wilson never made a single public statement about it. Why? Here’s what happens when efforts to promote patriotism and suppress free speech collide with a deadly virus.

            September 24, 2020

            When a VP pick changes history

            In ’84, a former VP got the Democratic presidential nomination, faced a Republican incumbent and chose the first female running mate in U.S. history. Sound familiar? Go behind history in this special episode, featuring an interview with Walter Mondale.

            August 11, 2020