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Firing Line with Margaret Hoover

Firing Line with Margaret Hoover

Firing Line With Margaret Hoover 208 Episodes Oct 10, 2026

Author, feminist, gay rights activist and political commentator Margaret Hoover leads a rigorous exchange of ideas with America’s political and cultural newsmakers. In the spirit of William F. Buckley Jr.’s iconic “Firing Line,” Hoover engages with thought leaders on the pivotal issues moving the nation forward. New podcast episodes drop weekly, and sometimes more, featuring bonus content you won’t hear on TV.

Episodes

Sen. Thom Tillis on Trump's sycophants—and his biggest regret
Sen. Thom Tillis on Trump's sycophants—and his biggest regret Oct 10, 2026 00:58:42 Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) takes on the “sycophants” in the second Trump administration and reflects on his regrets over voting to confirm some of them–particularly Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who he is now working to get out of the Pentagon.As he prepares to retire from the Senate in January, Tillis has released a new book, “How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents.” He explains why he beli
Danny Meyer on the secret sauce of hospitality
Danny Meyer on the secret sauce of hospitality Oct 3, 2026 00:47:12 Shake Shack founder Danny Meyer tells Firing Line how a hot dog cart became a global brand—and why some of his biggest failures taught him the most about business.The restaurateur explains the philosophy behind “enlightened hospitality,” why he puts employees before customers, and what closing his first restaurant taught him about failure. He also reveals why his experiment to eliminate tipping co
Is American foreign policy for sale? Anne Applebaum on Trump’s ‘empire of grift’
Is American foreign policy for sale? Anne Applebaum on Trump’s ‘empire of grift’ Sep 26, 2026 00:52:23 As President Trump addresses the UN General Assembly and hosts Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Anne Applebaum explains how an alliance of ideologues and kleptocrats is reshaping U.S. foreign policy. She assesses prospects for ending the wars in Iran and Ukraine and examines the administration’s approach to Venezuela and Cuba.Applebaum argues that ideological and corrupt
‘You don't want to bet against the United States’: Dambisa Moyo on the economy in the age of AI
‘You don't want to bet against the United States’: Dambisa Moyo on the economy in the age of AI Sep 19, 2026 00:37:20 As AI leaders face backlash over doomsday warnings and the Federal Reserve defies Donald Trump on interest rates, economist Dambisa Moyo assesses the risks and opportunities facing the U.S. economy amid soaring debt and conflicting economic indicators.Moyo, chair of the Economic Club of New York—and a baroness in the British House of Lords—weighs the performance of new Federal Reserve Chair Kevin
Where is the off-ramp? Spencer Cox on defusing America’s crisis of polarization
Where is the off-ramp? Spencer Cox on defusing America’s crisis of polarization Sep 12, 2026 00:44:18 Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) talks to Margaret Hoover about his new book Off-Ramp, which explores how alienation and polarization lead to political violence and how Americans can learn to disagree better. One year after Charlie Kirk’s assassination in Utah, he reflects on the dangers of social media and artificial intelligence and touts his state’s efforts to regulate rapidly evolving technologies. C
Salman Rushdie’s second act: 'My interest now is to lead the life that is mine to lead'
Salman Rushdie’s second act: 'My interest now is to lead the life that is mine to lead' Sep 5, 2026 00:42:39 Author Salman Rushdie reflects on the “second act” he nearly didn’t get: surviving the 2022 attempt on his life, reclaiming his life and returning to fiction. He discusses the new documentary "Knife: The Attempted Murder of Salman Rushdie," how the attack changed his writing and his relationship to mortality, and why his creative process has become more improvisational with age.Rushdie a
Why should anyone trust Marjorie Taylor Greene now?
Why should anyone trust Marjorie Taylor Greene now? Aug 28, 2026 00:55:06 Margaret Hoover sits down with former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, once one of Donald Trump’s fiercest loyalists—and now one of his most outspoken defectors.Greene resigned from Congress in January after a spectacular and very public break with Trump over the war in Iran and the Epstein files. Now she says Trump “betrayed us all” and “lied” to the country.But why is she surprised?Greene reflects o
What does one of America’s most powerful CEOs think business owes the country?
What does one of America’s most powerful CEOs think business owes the country? Aug 8, 2026 00:35:03 Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, joins Margaret Hoover for a wide-ranging conversation about what American business owes the country—and where government should get out of the way.Fresh off JPMorgan’s announcement of a $750 billion commitment to affordable housing, Dimon explains why he believes the private sector has a responsibility to help tackle America’s biggest challenges and argues that
A defense of democratic socialism from House candidate Melat Kiros
A defense of democratic socialism from House candidate Melat Kiros Aug 1, 2026 00:52:06 Democratic socialist Melat Kiros sits down with Margaret Hoover in Denver to discuss her House race, what democratic socialism means to her, and explains her criticism of Israel.Kiros, who defeated a 15-term incumbent in a Democratic primary, reflects on why democratic socialism is resonating with voters across the country and responds to “red scare tactics” from Republicans heading into the midte
Justice Neil Gorsuch on the heroes of 1776 and the future of American democracy
Justice Neil Gorsuch on the heroes of 1776 and the future of American democracy Jul 25, 2026 00:22:32 Justice Neil Gorsuch sits down with Margaret Hoover at the Supreme Court to talk about the ideas that shaped America, why they have endured for 250 years, and how to preserve them for the future.Gorsuch breaks down his new children’s book, “Heroes of 1776,” which tells the stories of the men and women who fought for America’s freedom. He explains why he believes exploring the humanity of the natio
Ret. Gen. Stan McChrystal on the role of the military and the responsibilities of citizens
Ret. Gen. Stan McChrystal on the role of the military and the responsibilities of citizens Jul 18, 2026 00:27:06 Retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal joins Margaret Hoover to discuss America’s founding ideals and the role of the military and citizens in ensuring that they endure. He explains why the current politicization of the military concerns him and why military leaders have strived to remain nonpartisan in the past.McChrystal, who has written several books on leadership since leaving the military, refl
Can public education be fixed? Success Academy's Eva Moskowitz thinks yes
Can public education be fixed? Success Academy's Eva Moskowitz thinks yes Jul 11, 2026 00:41:55 Eva Moskowitz, CEO of Success Academy–the top-performing charter school network in New York City–joins Margaret Hoover to talk about what’s wrong with public education in America and what failing schools can learn from her approach.Success Academy runs 59 public charter schools in New York City, and it is preparing to open five more in Florida. Moskowitz explains why her schools score better on st

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