Good morning https://politi.co/39TFgWu 

FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: LESSER'S NEW PODCAST — State Sen. Eric Lesser is the latest Bay State official to launch a podcast, part of a growing trend that's been accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic.

Lesser's new "Lunchtime with Lesser" podcast is available on Spotify. It features interviews with leaders from the central and western parts of the state, including Rep. Jim McGovern, former Lt. Gov. Tim Murray and Vanessa Otero of the Healing Racism Institute of Pioneer Valley.

Starting a podcast has become a trend among some Bay State officials, especially during the Covid-19 crisis. Former Gov. Deval Patrick launched a podcast in October titled "Being American.” And Sen. Ed Markey's reelection campaign started "Markey on the Mic" earlier this year.

Massachusetts officials are actually just a bunch of podcasters: Melrose Mayor Paul Brodeur hosts "The Brodeur Bulletin," Cambridge Mayor Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui and Vice Mayor Alanna Mallon have "Women are Here.” Boston City Councilor Matt O'Malley has the " O'Pod.”

More! Sen. Jamie Eldridge hosts "The Eldridge Files" and Quincy Mayor Tom Koch has "City View."

It’s an interesting shift — elected officials are typically in the hot seat, not the host chair, when appearing on a podcast — but it enables pols to get their message out unfiltered

One more pod I missed in Playbook: Mayor Kim Driscoll’s “FYI Salem”