Skip to content
RollCall logo

Podcasts

Sean Astin on being a leader during a time of upheaval

Political Theater, Episode 413

Sean Astin, left, president of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, talks about his political and policy roles with Roll Call Editor-in-Chief Jason Dick on the Political Theater podcast.
Sean Astin, left, president of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, talks about his political and policy roles with Roll Call Editor-in-Chief Jason Dick on the Political Theater podcast. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
By Jason Dick
Posted July 2, 2026 at 11:20am

Jason Dick talks with film legend Sean Astin, the president of SAG-AFTRA, about his deep connections to Washington, D.C., public service, the issues he is advocating on Capitol Hill and meeting the moment at a pivotal time in human history.

Show Notes:

Recent Stories

Roswell Encina, who is president and CEO of the U.S. Capitol Historical Society, was riding a Metro train to a July Fourth party when members of Patriot Front boarded his car. As photos of him and a different passenger went viral this month, he reflected on the meaning of patriotism.

Facing America’s truth, with eyes and ears open

Sean Astin, president of SAG-AFTRA, is seen in D.C. during a July 1 interview for the Political Theater podcast.

For Sean Astin, it’s see and be seen … on C-SPAN

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faces his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing Wednesday.

Todd Blanche takes his turn on the hot seat

President Donald Trump speaks Monday before signing an executive order to drastically shrink two national monuments in Utah. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Trump informs Congress of renewed military action against Iran

Darline Graham Nordone speaks during a press conference on Monday in Columbia, S.C., where she was named by Gov. Henry McMaster, front right, to serve the remaining months of the term of her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died Saturday. (Grant Baldwin/Getty Images)

South Carolina governor picks Graham’s sister to serve out his term

An incident at the Capitol’s North Barricade rattled the congressional community Monday. Above, police tape is seen near the Capitol in 2021.

Man arrested at Capitol barricade had a gun in his lap, police say