Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast
Daily thoughtful conversation about the latest news and politics.
Episodes
Pete Hegseth invites you to watch an execution on your phone (JD Vance says no thanks)
With the news that the US will publicly execute the Fort Hood shooter, and the recent botched execution of a woman in Tennessee, capital punishment has taken center stage in the national conversation.On Today's Show:Justin Mazzola, deputy director of research at Amnesty International USA, talks about the history and current state of the death penalty and public execution, here in the United States
Thursday’s NY ICE shooting becomes swing district issue
With last week's ICE shooting, how are swing districts in the area responding on the political hot-button midterm issue of immigration enforcement?On Today's Show:Billy House, Washington/Congress reporter for Newsday, talks about the issue of immigration and ICE funding in New York's 4th Congressional district, where the incumbent Democrat Laura Gillen is trying to fend off a challenge from Republ
AI as an issue in hotly contested House race
With AI technology and its accompanying data centers taking up some of the spotlight as a midterm issue, we look at how it's playing out in a key house race. On Today's Show:Timmy Facciola, founder of the local news outlet Judge Street Journal, which focuses on New York politics, unpacks Mike Lawler and Cait Conley's positions on AI and data centers. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company.
'Socialist Manifesto' author on past failures and governing in the real world
As the DSA and other ideologies on the political left begin to gain footholds in elected offices including NYC's mayoralty, we look at what 'socialism' really is, in practice. On Today's Show:Bhaskar Sunkara, president of The Nation, founding editor of Jacobin, publisher of Catalyst: A Journal of Theory and Strategy, former vice-chair of the Democratic Socialists of America and the author of
Affordability debate clips from crucial house race
With affordability as a central political issue this midterm season, how are candidates in a key New Jersey race addressing it?On Today's Show:Timmy Facciola, founder of the local politics news outlet Judge Street Journal, talks about several 'pocketbook issues' that came up in the debate between U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler and his Democratic challenger Cait Conley, including energy, tariffs, and housin
Algorithms price gouge us. This guest wants to change that
The free market supposedly sets fair prices based on supply and demand. How are algorithmic pricing models helping profiteers charge more for the same?On Today's Show:Lindsay Owens, president and CEO of the Groundwork Collaborative and the author of Gouged: The End of a Fair Price–and What That Means for Your Wallet (Viking, 2026), talks about the proliferation of "junk fees" and the hidden risks
The right and women’s sports (not about trans athletes)
With right wing voices taking aim at transgender athletes, who they say create unfairness in women's sports, a look at the Trump administration's cuts to Title IX enforcement.On Today's Show:Maggie Mertens, journalist, author of Better Faster Farther: How Running Changed Everything We Know About Women (Algonquin, 2024) and host of "The Forecast: Seattle’s Weekly Women’s Sports Show" on KVRU 105.7F
The law and politics of the Cornell gang rape investigation
The national discussion about sexual assault on campus has been revived in the wake of a scandal at Cornell.On Today's Show:Alexandra Brodsky, civil rights lawyer and author of Sexual Justice: Supporting Victims, Ensuring Due Process, and Resisting the Conservative Backlash (Henry Holt 2021), unpacks a recent lawsuit against Cornell University accusing the administration of negligence in their inv
The departing UN Sec’y General cared about climate change. Did he make a difference?
With a host of geopolitical issues including military conflicts, trade wars and more, a look at the legacy of outgoing UN Sec. Gen. António Guterres.On Today's Show:David Gelles, reporter on The New York Times climate team who leads The Times’ 'Climate Forward' newsletter and events series, talks about Guterres' efforts to achieve results in combating climate change. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWi
Malcolm Gladwell thinks we’re having the wrong gun control debates
Longstanding discussions about gun control in the US and the 2nd Amendment may be missing some of the important pieces of the conversation.On Today's Show:Malcolm Gladwell, host of the podcast Revisionist History and author of several books, including his latest, The American Way of Killing: The Invention of an Epidemic (Little, Brown and Company, 2026), asks why the U.S. suffers from higher rates
Trump and Gen Z soften on China
After a big week for international politics, we look at one of the key geopolitical relationships of our era.On Today's Show:Ishaan Tharoor, global affairs columnist at The New Yorker and Edward Murrow Press Fellow at the Council of Foreign Relations, talks about this week's UN General Assembly, the meeting between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jingping and President Trump's take on glo
How to end the partisan redistricting wars
For today's policy deep-dive ahead of the midterms, we look at the redrawing of electoral district lines, gerrymandering and fair representation.On Today's Show:Dan Vicuña, senior director of voting rights and redistricting at Center for Inclusive Democracy, discusses how this year's redistricting efforts may make the midterms elections less representative, and what each party is arguing with resp
'People are wild.' Sarah Longwell on our weird political contradictions
Focus groups are often a good way to pair political opinions with voters' identity and demographics in ways that polling can't. On Today's Show:Sarah Longwell, political strategist, CEO and publisher of The Bulwark, host of The Focus Group podcast and the author of How to Eat an Elephant: One Voter at a Time (St. Martin’s Press, 2026), talks about what she's learned from focus groups on build
30 Issues Election Series Debut: Universal Health Care?
This midterm year, several candidates have included a version of "Medicare for All" in their campaigns.On Today's Show:Julie Rovner, chief Washington correspondent for KFF Health News and host of the What the Health? podcast, talks about how health care policy is playing out in the midterm elections, including which Senate candidates are running on "Medicare for all," and which candidates have dif
What can the U.N. do without US funding?
This week, the United Nations General Assembly gavels into session as numerous conflicts around the world draw international attention.On Today's Show:Mark Leon Goldberg, editor-in-chief and publisher of UN Dispatch and host of the podcast "Global Dispatches," previews the UNGA as world leaders gather at the United Nations. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for informat
How state abortion bans are affecting women's health nationwide
On today’s show: Shefali Luthra, reproductive health reporter at The 19th, breaks down a lawsuit against Texas AG Ken Paxton, which claims a state abortion ban led to a woman's death. Then, we look at the rising numbers of pregnancy-related deaths in states with similar bans. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of persona
Riding the MAGA wave for racial purity and profit
A new article argues that the Trump administration's foreign policy approaches are more about enriching officials than national security or prosperity.On Today's Show:Anne Applebaum, staff writer at The Atlantic, historian and author of Autocracy Inc. (Penguin, 2024), shares her reporting on how influential figures in MAGA world, including private citizens looking for personal gain, and other
One Democrat’s formula for building a supermajority
In a midterm year, many in the political sphere have ideas about the direction of their party. On Today's Show:Adam Jentleson, former chief of staff to Senator John Fetterman and a former deputy chief of staff to Senator Harry Reid and the author of Supermajority: How Democrats Can Build Lasting Power (WW Norton, 2026), argues Democrats need a supermajority in Congress and offers advice for a
Close read of Amodei’s existential AI threat essay
A recent essay from a leader in the AI industry raised concerns about the threats that this technology poses to humanity. On Today's Show:Will Oremus, staff writer at The Atlantic, discusses the uproar over the warnings of potential threats to humanity from unregulated AI, then Andrew Prokop, senior politics correspondent at Vox, talks about possible government actions to prevent disaster fro
Alaska , Ohio and Iowa are in play?
After the Republican National Convention, have the political conditions in battleground midterm states changed?On Today's Show:Stephen Fowler, political reporter with NPR's Washington desk, and Lisa Lerer, national political reporter for The New York Times, talk about the politics of the midterm elections, after Republicans held a convention. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswi
Hillary Clinton grapples with pre- and post-9/11 failures
The September 11th, 2001 terror attacks were an inflection point for New York, and for the United States.On Today's Show:Hillary Rodham Clinton, former U.S. Senator (D-NY, 2001-2009), First Lady, Secretary of State and the first woman nominated for president by a major U.S. political party (2016), reflects on what's been learned in the 25 years since 9/11. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company.
FDNY 9/11 Chief on the hidden documents and lessons learned
Disaster response around the world can draw on the lessons of 9/11.On Today's Show:Joseph Pfeifer, retired FDNY assistant chief, founding director of the FDNY’s Center for Terrorism and Disaster Preparedness, and the author of Ordinary Heroes: A Memoir of 9/11 (Portfolio, HC 2021, PB 2026), talks about the lessons learned from the 9/11 response, and the heroes who stepped up that day and after. Ho
Asma Khalid on Islamophobia after 9/11 and now
On today's show: Asma Khalid, co-host of the BBC's The Global Story and former NPR White House correspondent, talks about the rise in Islamophobia following the 9/11 attacks and how it has changed over 25 years. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Trump calls Iran War 'small potatoes'
On Friday, Pres. Trump used the phrase "it's small potatoes for us," in characterizing the conflict in Iran.On Today's Show:Jonathan Lemire, co-host of Morning Joe on MSNOW, writer for MSNOW and staff writer for The Atlantic, talks about the latest developments in the war in Iran and the president's influence on midterm elections. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for i
What the shaky bond market means for the global economy
Amidst rising inflation, ongoing wars in Iran and Israel, and the U.S. national debt climbing to a record $40 trillion, the global bond market is rattled.On Today's Show:Mary Childs, host of the talk show podcast Mary in America, author of The Bond King, and former co-host of Planet Money, explains why bond yields are so high right now and what it all means for the global economy—and for your wall
The real costs of the war with Iran
When we talk about the 'cost' of war, how much is about financial costs? How much is about military costs? And what about humanitarian costs?
On Today's Show:John Cassidy, staff writer at The New Yorker talks about how analysts, politicians, and every day people are calculating the cost of the Iran War. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collect
Wisconsin's Gov Race is a Test Case for Data Center Opposition
Wisconsin is becoming a major hub for AI data centers, and likewise, local advocacy and backlash against them.
On Today's Show:Dan Kaufman, journalist and author of The Fall of Wisconsin: The Conservative Conquest of a Progressive Bastion and the Future of American Politics (W. W. Norton & Company, 2018), reports on the movement against data centers in the state, and how it's turning
How 'Lake America' is about culture, not just tariffs
The Trump campaign to name things in his image continued this week as he signed an executive order to rename Lake Ontario Lake America. On today's show. Politico’s Ottawa bureau chief Nick Taylor-Vaisey talks about this and the escalation in President Trump's trade war with Canada. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of persona
Can we fix polarization on campus?
Do college students need to interact more with those who hold different political views?
On Today's Show:
Neil Gross, sociology professor at Colby College in Maine and the author of What Happened to College?: How Politics Broke Higher Education and What We Can Do to Fix It (Simon & Schuster, 2026), discusses how political polarization on campuses has grown more pronounced, what the implication
Trump’s economic 'D-Day'
The cease-fire in the Iran war expires as Pres. Trump threatens an "economic D-Day" in an effort to gain leverage in the conflict.
On Today's Show:Yeganeh Torbati, the Iran correspondent for The New York Times based in Istanbul and co-author (with Bozorgmehr Sharafedin) of Stolen Revolution: Betrayal and Hope in Modern Iran (Doubleday, 2026), reports on the latest developments. Hosted by Simplec
China's growing favorability around the world
For the first time, China was viewed more positively than the U.S. globally in a recent Pew report. On today's show, Adam Segal, Ira A. Lipman Chair in Emerging Technologies and National Security and Director of the Digital and Cyberspace Policy Program at the Council of Foreign Relations, talks about China's foreign policy and soft power. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.
Heritage Foundation defector on 'crackup' of Project 2025 think tank
As part of a 3-part series on the divisions within political movements, we explore divisions within the conservative movement, through the lens of the Heritage Foundation, a think tank with a number of recent high-profile departures over issues like misogyny and anti-semitism.
On Today's Show:Andrew Hale, fellow for international relations, economics, and trade at Advancing American Freedom, talk
David Hogg on next-gen Dem politics
As we continue our series about internal divisions within different political groups, today, a look at the Democratic Party.
On Today's Show:David Hogg, founder and president of Leaders We Deserve, co-founder and board member of March for Our Lives, and former vice-chair of the Democratic National Committee, talks about what's dividing the party, from the fallout over the DNC's 2024 autopsy to the
DSA platform vs. DSA politicians
In part one of a three-part series on the divisions within political movements, a look at the differences between the national DSA party platform and the policies espoused by DSA candidates winning elections.
On Today's Show:Eric Blanc, assistant professor of Labor Studies at Rutgers University, author of several books including We Are the Union: How Worker-to-Worker Organizing is Revitalizing Lab
Winners and Losers in the Big Midwestern Primaries
Some recent primary elections in the Midwest, particularly Wisconsin and Michigan, have changed the landscape for November's midterms.
On Today's Show:Rachel Leingang, Midwest political correspondent for Guardian US, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Teo Armus, reporter for The Washington Post focused on politics, demographics, voters and immigration, offers political analysis of the latest pri
Flock cameras: Public safety or surveillance state?
Over the past several years, a license-plate tracking company called Flock has partnered with over 40 percent of police departments nationwide, allowing local law enforcement to track people's whereabouts across state lines.
On Today's Show: Jason Koebler, co-founder of 404 Media, unpacks how officials, including ICE, are using the technology, and why anti-surveillance activists on both sides of
Loving and hating the word 'woke'
Over the past decade, the common meaning of the word 'woke' has fluctuated between "social consciousness" and "performative sensitivity."
On Today's Show:Jasmine Green, editorial & audience associate at The Bulwark, offers her take on the word "woke," the evolution of wokeness, and how Democrats might re-claim it from its current status as a mostly pejorative term. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWiz
Loving and hating the word “moderate”
With the midterms approaching, and intra-party debates about how far to push their agendas, we explore what it means to be politically 'moderate.'
On Today's Show:Jon Allsop, contributing writer at The New Yorker, discusses the latest national political headlines and his recent story, "What Does It Even Mean to Be a Moderate?" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for info
Watergate anniversary meets Watergate denialism
It's been more than 50 years since President Richard Nixon resigned over the Watergate scandal.
On Today's Show:Jill Wine-Banks, legal analyst, former Watergate special prosecutor, co-host of the podcasts "#Sistersinlaw" and "Just the Facts" and the author of The Watergate Girl: My Fight for Truth and Justice Against a Criminal President (Henry Holt and Co., 2020), reflects on that time and the e
Iran, Israel and others, 81 years after Hiroshima
This week marks the 81st anniversary of the US dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.
On Today's Show:Fred Kaplan, Slate's War Stories columnist, contributor to The iPaper and the author of many nonfiction books and his latest, a novel, A Capital Calamity (Miniver Press, 2024), recalls the history and discusses the current state of nuclear weapons, especially as it relates to the
On-again/off-again Gaza deal joins on-again/off-again Iran war
The Trump administration's efforts toward peace in Iran and in Gaza both seem to be in a cycle of successes to celebrate, and setbacks to explain.
On Today's Show:F. Gregory Gause, professor emeritus at Texas A&M University offers analysis of the ongoing war with Iran, which he argues has been a failure, so far. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about o
What happens when AI tech evolves faster than AI policy
Following a recent cybersecurity breech by OpenAI, in which two of their in-progress models autonomously hacked into the AI company Hugging Face, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are pushing for an "AI Kill Switch" bill in Congress.
On Today's Show:Brendan Bordelon, AI and tech influence reporter at Politico, discusses Washington's changing approach to AI regulation amid growing concerns ov
Which way will the Senate battlegrounds go?
What does the most up-to-date polling say about the electoral prospects in states with open Senate races this midterm season?
On Today's Show:Jessica Taylor, Senate and governors editor for The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, offers analysis of the competitive Senate races ahead of this November's midterm elections, and discusses how likely it may be for Democrats to take control of Congres
How global conflicts are shaping this year's midterms
With geopolitical strife in the Middle East, the Strait of Hormuz and in Ukraine, how could President Trump's global posture impact the upcoming midterm elections?
On Today's Show:Jonathan Lemire, co-host of Morning Joe on MSNOW; writer for MSNOW and contributing writer to The Atlantic, talks about the latest national political news. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com fo
How Iran and Israel are part of the Trump-Saudi nuclear deal
The United States and Saudi Arabia reached a landmark 30-year civilian nuclear cooperation agreement, but within a day, President Donald Trump threw it into limbo by conditioning its approval on Saudi Arabia normalizing relations with Israel.
On Today's Show:Fred Kaplan, Slate's War Stories columnist, contributor to The iPaper and the author of many nonfiction books and his latest, a novel, A Capi
The national implications of NJ’s Non-Citizen Voters
An error in New Jersey led to registering about 6,600 non-citizens to vote, though only about 400 did.
On Today's Show:Liza Weisberg, supervising attorney at the ACLU of New Jersey where she focuses on democracy and voting rights, talks about the incident, and what it tells us about election security more broadly, and Mike Hayes, WNYC and Gothamist's New Jersey politics reporter and the author of
Hegseth’s Testosterone Test, Trump’s CDC Pick
Do higher levels of testosterone make for more effective soldiers? Pete Hegseth thinks so.
On Today's Show:Jeremy Faust, emergency medicine physician, public health researcher and author of the Inside Medicine Substack, talks about the confirmation hearing for the potential new CDC director, and why some senators were surprised by her answers, plus why Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is requiring
Sen. Andy Kim proposes MediKids to go with Medicare
A local senator shares his legislative priorities and his take on the U.S.'s role in geopolitics under President Trump.
On Today's Show:
U.S. Senator (D NJ) Andy Kim talks about his work in the Senate and the issues in New Jersey, including his proposal for universal health care for children called "Medikids," the war in Iran and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com
What Trump’s 'dud' election speech may be setting us up for
Remarks about the 2020 election last week from President Trump have raised eyebrows for a number of reasons.
On Today's Show:Ari Berman, national voting rights correspondent for Mother Jones, discusses the renewed push for this legislation, which voting rights advocates say undermine Americans' access to the ballot, plus reacts to President Trump's Thursday night speech on voting. Hosted by Simpl
When ICE tactics lead to shootings
After two separate incidents of fatal shootings by ICE officers, how have the agency's procedures come into play?
On Today's Show:Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR national correspondent covering immigration, talks about the latest on the fatal shootings by ICE agents and current policy directives for the department. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about ou
DSA congressional nominee Darializa Avila Chevalier on her bio and goals
We continue our conversations with local congressional candidates who are running in the upcoming midterm elections.
On Today's Show:Darializa Avila Chevalier, Democratic nominee for Congress (NY-13), organizer and sociologist, talks about her big win and what her priorities will be if she is elected to Congress in November. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for informa
Rep. Tom Suozzi declares he’s a 'democratic capitalist.' What’s that?
We continue our conversations with lawmakers and candidates ahead of this year's midterm elections.
On Today's Show:
U.S. Representative Tom Suozzi (D NY3) talks about national politics and his call for Democrats to embrace patriotism and defend capitalism in the wake of DSA victories. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of pe
Look who’s got sympathy for Graham Platner?
What's the state of the midterm elections after the death of Senator Lindsey Graham, and the withdrawal of Graham Platner from his Senate race?
On Today's Show:Elana Schor, senior Washington editor at Semafor, talks about the latest national political news, including the death of Senator Lindsey Graham, Graham Platner's withdrawal from his Senate race in Maine, and the latest on tensions between t
How Trump wants to get around SCOTUS birthright citizenship ruling
After the Supreme Court held against President Trump's executive order challenging birthright citizenship, he has pushed the House of Representatives to find a legislative pathway to challenge it.
On Today's Show:
U.S Representative (D NY-6) Grace Meng talks about her primary victory, the state of the Democratic party and where birthright citizenship stands after the Supreme Court ruled to preser
Are the U.S. and Europe better off breaking up?
As the NATO summit is underway, geopolitical questions center on Iran and Ukraine, as well as other conflict zones.
On Today's Show:Drew Hinshaw, senior reporter at The Wall Street Journal, and Joe Parkinson, chief, world enterprise team at The Wall Street Journal, share their reporting on the changing relationship between Europe and the USA under President Trump, especially in light of complicat
Why Dem politicians stopped forgiving Platner
As the midterm elections loom, a look at some key battlegrounds and headlines that could have an impact on the results in November.
On Today's Show:Astead Herndon, host and editorial director at Vox, talks about the state of the midterm elections, including the fallout in Maine after an ex-girlfriend accused Democratic candidate for Senate Graham Platner of rape, a tight senate race in Michigan a
Why the DSA doesn’t run on a Green New Deal anymore
With Democratic Socialist candidates finding successes in elections around the country, why has the far-left party's agenda stopped emphasizing a former tentpole issue?
On Today's Show:Robinson Meyer, founding executive editor of Heatmap talks about the DSA's evolving relationship to the Green New Deal and climate policy in general, as its members keep winning elections in big cities. Hosted by Si
Your July 4th emotional life
Now that the 250th birthday party is over, what are your feelings about country?
On Today's Show:USA Today Washington bureau chief Susan Page, author of The Queen and Her Presidents (HarperCollins, 2026), discusses the America 250 speeches and celebrations, as listeners share how they are feeling about the country today. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information
How Trump made over $1 billion from cryptocurrency
A look at President Trump's recent financial disclosure paperwork reveals a number of lucrative streams of income.
On Today's Show:David Uberti, a reporter covering the intersection of financial markets and the economy for The Wall Street Journal, discusses those financial disclosures, including gains from his crypto businesses, and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz
National politics, 1776 edition
Ahead of this weekend's semiquincentennial July 4th celebrations, some historians bring their insights on the Revolutionary era in New York.
On Today's Show:Thomas Wermuth, co-founder and director of the Hudson River Valley Institute and chair of Hudson River Valley History at Marist University, and Iris De Rode, a Dutch historian specializing in the American Revolution, share some of the untold
Supreme Court Term Ends; Birthright Citizenship Upheld
Today marked the final day in session for the Supreme Court, which ruled on a number of key, and in some cases, divisive issues.
On Today's Show:Emily Bazelon, staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, co-host of Slate's "Political Gabfest" podcast, senior research scholar in law and author of Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration (Random House,
How Midterms season is playing out in Congress
With Congress back in session, how are lawmakers and their political parties squaring up their agendas ahead of the November elections?
On Today's Show:Nicholas Wu, congressional reporter at Semafor, talks about the latest from Capitol Hill, including the president's push for the SAVE Act and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection a
A 'schism' in the Democratic Party?
On today's show: Lisa Kashinsky, national political reporter at POLITICO, talks about the Democratic Party's infighting and its broader implications for the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential race as establishment Democrats sweat over some key primary election wins by progressives in New York. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection a
U.S. monopolies vs. workers, consumers
One of the key economic levers the government can manipulate are in pursuit of anti-trust policy.
On Today's Show:Alvaro Bedoya, senior advisor at the American Economic Liberties Project and former FTC commissioner, offers his opinion on how the Paramount - Warner Brothers Discovery mega merger will affect everyday people and their jobs, and more on what he calls the pervasiveness of monopolies an
Sen. and Rev. Raphael Warnock on Isaiah in our times
Politics often involves matters of conscience, especially on consequential issues like gun violence, voter suppression and climate change.
On Today's Show:
U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock (D GA), senior pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta and the author of (Penguin Press, 2026) draws on the book of Isaiah to offer a sermon on the moral crises facing America, and how to address them spi
Iran deal draft, annotated with David Sanger
An agreement has been reached between the United States and Iran to end the war in Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
On Today's Show:David Sanger, White House and national security correspondent for The New York Times and the author of New Cold Wars: China's Rise, Russia's Invasion, and America's Struggle to Defend the West (Crown, 2024), discusses the details of the deal.
Hosted by Simplec
What to know about July student loan changes
On July 1, there will be changes to the student loan repayment system that change the situation for new and old borrowers alike.
On Today's Show:Cory Turner, NPR education correspondent and senior editor, shares what's changing, and how those impacted can navigate the changes. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal dat
Trump redesigns America’s birthday party
As the country gears up to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the plans that President Trump has in mind are raising eyebrows.
On Today's Show:Michael Scherer, staff writer at The Atlantic, talks about his reporting on the conflicts over the 250th anniversary celebration. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collec
What the World Cup means at a time of global conflict
As top athletes from around the world gather for the World Cup, many are representing nations embroiled in military conflict.
On Today's Show:Franklin Foer, staff writer at The Atlantic and the author of How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization (Harper Perennial, new edition 2026), talks about the new edition of his book and looks ahead to the start of World Cup. Hosted
Where science, politics and improv theater collide
As trust in science and institutions has eroded, the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science is teaching scientists how to better communicate their work to lay people.
On Today's Show:Laura Lindenfeld, PhD, executive director of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science and professor of communication at Stony Brook University, explains how improv can help bridge the science gap, and how s
Bill Bradley talks NBA finals and politics
With basketball fresh on everyone's mind, someone with his feet in both the sports world, and the political world, discusses.
On Today's Show:Bill Bradley, two-time NBA champion with the Knicks and former U.S. senator (D NJ), host of American Voices on Sirius XM and featured in the autobiographical documentary "Rolling Along: Bill Bradley" talks about this year's NBA finals, his take on national
Ben Rhodes on America’s defining speeches
Speeches have an important history in the United States, not only for their historical impact, but for their role in shaping a national identity.
On Today's Show:Ben Rhodes, contributor to MS NOW, the co-chair of National Security Action and an advisor to former president Barack Obama and the author of All We Say: The Battle for American Identity: A History in 15 Speeches (Random House, 2026), tal
What happened this week between Congress and the President
It's been a consequential week in D.C., as some issues, like war powers, have driven a wedge between President Trump and members of Congress, including some Republicans.
On Today's Show:Elana Schor, senior Washington editor at Semafor, talks about the news out of Washington this week, including how some Republican senators are standing up to President Trump on war powers, the $1.8 billion dollar p
Martha Raddatz on heroes she has known and the Iran War stalemate
As the Trump administration continues to use the US military for geopolitical leverage, a look at the work of boots-on-the-ground service members. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
David Remnick on the Democratic Party’s “identity crisis”
Ahead of the midterms, a look at some key races.
On Today's Show:David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker and the host of The New Yorker Radio Hour, talks about the latest national political news, including the latest regarding the midterm elections, the Democratic Party's identity crisis and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection an
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani takes listener questions
The far-left politics of NYC's new(ish) mayor have drawn national attention, and raised questions about the future of Democratic politics.
On Today's Show:
New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani takes questions from listeners and talks about this week's news in the city, and other issues important to New Yorkers, including childcare, trans healthcare and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company
Trump wants many green card applicants to leave the country
The Trump administration announced that those seeking green cards would need to apply from their home countries, not within the U.S. as many had been able to do.
On Today's Show:Allan Wernick, legal advisor to CUNY Citizenship Now!, CUNY's free immigration law service program, offers the latest guidance on who will be affected by the change. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswi
The case for getting involved in state politics
A recent Supreme Court decision weakened Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
On Today's Show:Daniel Squadron, co-founder of The States Project, former New York State senator and author of the forthcoming book The Fourth Branch: How State Government Can Save Our Union (Zando, 2026), talks about the interplay between state legislatures and the redistricting fights happening now. Hosted by Simplecast
Dem divides on display in our Goldman-Lander primary forum
On our radio show, we're kicking off a series of forums for candidates running for Congress in consequential, local races.
On Today's Show:Dan Goldman, US representative (D, NY-10), and Brad Lander, former NYC comptroller and former mayoral candidate, discuss key issues as they campaign in the June primary election to be the Democratic nominee for Congress for New York's 10th congressional distric
Sen. Chris Murphy on solving our 'crisis of the common good'
On today's show: U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., talks about his new book, Crisis of the Common Good: The Fight for Meaning and Connection in a Broken America (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2026), and the underlying crises that have resulted in our current politics. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertisi
