Showtime’s political documentary series “The Circus” wants to capture, in the words of co-host John Heilemann, the “big, giant, chaotic, nightmarish stew” of our politics. At Political Theater, we’re pretty down with that.

Heilemann and co-host Jennifer Palmieri join this week’s podcast to discuss their approach to the Jan. 6 insurrection, the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump, political violence and democracy’s “second chance.”

Show Notes:

• House impeachment managers mount long-shot bid for Trump conviction
• Impeachment trial starts on emotional note as Trump legal team flails
• Insurrection aftermath: Staffers struggle with trauma, guilt and fear
• Anger has been the drug of choice for our political system for too long
• Jan. 6 riot weakened Congress’ soft power abroad, experts say
• Congress honors Officer Brian Sicknick’s heroic defense of the Capitol
• ‘It’s therapeutic’: Democrats in Congress use inauguration to heal from Capitol siege