Episodes

1d ago

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. Meet the Likely New City Council Speaker (First) | IRC on the Countries at Risk in 2026 (Starts at 28:40) | Remembering Rob Reiner (Starts at 1:07:21) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here .

1d ago

Pope Leo announced that Ronald Hicks, a Midwesterner, will replace Cardinal Timothy Dolan as the leader of the Archdiocese of New York. Daniel Rober , associate professor and department chair of the Catholic Studies department at Sacred Heart University, talks about the new archbishop, whom observers have said has a style more akin to the new pope than the outgoing cardinal, and what it will mean for the 2.5 million Catholics he will lead.

1d ago

Yesterday, out-going mayor Eric Adams appointed four members to the Rent Guidelines Board, creating a major obstacle to mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's key campaign promise to freeze the rent for rent stabilized tenants. David Brand , housing reporter at WNYC and Gothamist, discusses the Adams appointees, Mamdani's appointment of Leila Bozorg as his housing czar, and reports back on the outcome of several housing bills voted on by the City Council yesterday.

1d ago

Jonathan Lemire , co-host of Morning Joe on MSNOW; writer for MSNOW and contributing writer to The Atlantic talks about the national political news of the week, including Vanity Fair 's extensive piece about President Trump's closest aides, the administration's blockade on Venezuela and more.

1d ago

Erik Maza , editor-at-large at New York Magazine discusses some of the reasons to love New York right now, and listeners call in to share their own reasons.

2d ago

Listeners call in to share what makes a fun office holiday party, and share stories from parties, either from this year or in the past.

2d ago

James Solomon , mayor-elect of Jersey City, talks about his plans and priorities for when he takes office as mayor of Jersey City this January.

2d ago

Errol Louis , political anchor of Spectrum NY1 News, host of Inside City Hall and The Big Deal with Errol Louis, New York Magazine columnist and host of the podcast You Decide, talks about his new podcast where he explores the impact of the former Congresswoman Bella Abzug, locally and nationally, and why she's not more well known. Plus, the latest local political news.

3d ago

Susan Page , USA Today Washington bureau chief and the author of the forthcoming book The Queen and Her Presidents (Harper/Collins April 2026), talks about the latest national political news, including President Trump's primetime address, the ongoing fight over ACA subsidies and the Vanity Fair profile of White House chief of staff Susie Wiles that is ruffling MAGA feathers. Then, U.S. Representative Mike Lawler (R, NY-17) talks about the vote on ACA subsidies pushed through by four Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Lawler.

3d ago

Elizabeth Kim , Gothamist and WNYC reporter, talks about the latest news from City Hall and Mayor-elect Mamdani's transition plans.

3d ago

Eli Dvorkin , editorial and policy director at the Center for an Urban Future, discusses his organization's new report documenting the importance of the creative sector to New York City's economy, the affordability challenges the city's artists are facing, and solutions that would revive the community.

3d ago

Yair Rosenberg , staff writer at The Atlantic and the author of its newsletter Deep Shtetl, about the intersection of politics, culture, and religion, offers analysis of anecdotal and survey data that show a generational divide on antisemitism.

3d ago

Richard Rushfield , chief columnist at The Ankler, discusses the legacies of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, who were found dead in their Hollywood home on Monday, and listeners offer their tributes.

4d ago

David Miliband , president and chief executive officer of the International Rescue Committee, shares the countries on the IRC's "watchlist," or the countries they determine are most at risk for humanitarian emergencies, and what the IRC is doing to prepare.

4d ago

Andrew Chow, technology correspondent at TIME , talks about the choice of the people behind AI for their annual "Person of the Year" selection.

4d ago

Shop Listener is back for the 2025 holiday season. Listeners call in to shout out the children's holiday gifts they sell for a Brian Lehrer Show listener-sourced gift guide. ==> Submit your information for our Shop Listener online guide at wnyc.org/shoplistener and check out all the entries!

4d ago

Peggy Shepard , co-founder & executive director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice, and Paul Onyx Lozito, deputy executive director of the Mayor's Office of Climate & Environmental Justice, talk about the city's report on environmental justice issues, which covers the disparate exposure to pollution and the effects of climate change, and explain the type of community input they are seeking as they begin work on an Environmental Justice NYC Plan.

5d ago

Julie Rovner , chief Washington correspondent at KFF Health News and host of the What the Health? podcast, discusses the latest over the battle in Congress over the fate of the Affordable Care Act

5d ago

City Councilmember Julie Menin , (D-5, Manhattan's Lenox Hill, Yorkville, Carnegie Hill and Roosevelt Island) talks about her priorities for City Council, as she is about to take over as speaker, and how she foresees her relationship with the incoming Mamdani administration will be.

5d ago

"Rage bait." "Parasocial." "6-7." Ben Zimmer , linguist, language columnist, and chair of the New Words Committee of the American Dialect Society, discusses what the words of the year chosen by various dictionaries like Oxford and Dictionary.com, and what the choices say about our language and culture. To submit your nomination for word of the year to the American Dialect Society, go to https://americandialect.org.

5d ago

Franklin Schneider , writer based in New York City, discusses his recent piece in The Atlantic , " When Did the Job Market Get So Rude? "

Dec 13

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. City Politics: Mamdani's Emerging Opposition; Lander's Congressional Bid (First) | Trump's Effort to Ban State AI Laws (Starts at 40:34) | Shop Listener 2025: Under $50 (Starts at 1:00:24) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here .

Dec 12

Tess Bridgeman , co-editor-in-chief of Just Security, former Special Assistant to the President, Associate Counsel to the President and Deputy Legal Adviser to the National Security Council (NSC) during the Obama administration, and William LeoGrande , professor of government at American University and specialist in U.S.-Latin America relations, discuss the latest Trump administration escalation in Venezuela, where the United States seized several additional oil tankers, and analyze the legality of those moves and the boat strikes against alleged drug cartels.

Dec 12

After years of stalled plans and unfulfilled promises of affordable housing near the Barclays Center, David Brand , housing reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, reports on a new plan for housing at Atlantic Yards.

Dec 12

Gilbert Cruz , editor at The New York Times Book Review shares the five fiction and five non-fiction books from this year that made it into The New York Times Book Review's 10 Best Books of 2024.

Dec 12

Jessica Grose , opinion writer at The New York Times , reflects on her family's interfaith holiday traditions , and listeners offer their own.

Dec 11

Fred Kaplan , Slate's War Stories columnist and the author of many nonfiction books and his latest, a novel, A Capital Calamity (Miniver Press, 2024), discusses recent Trump administration moves to define The United States' relationship with The European Union and why the U.S. seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela on Wednesday.

Dec 11

Jimmy Wales , the founder of Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Foundation and the author of The Seven Rules of Trust: A Blueprint for Building Things That Last (Crown Currency, 2025) , talks about how Wikipedia was able to rely on the "wisdom of the crowd" even as distrust climbed in the larger culture.

Dec 11

Nancy Solomon , host of the “Ask Governor Murphy” monthly call-in show, recaps her conversation with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.

Dec 11

If you put down your phone, will you grasp for a book? Jay Caspian Kang , staff writer for The New Yorker , where he writes a weekly column called Fault Lines, discusses his latest story, " If You Quit Social Media, Will You Read More Books? "

Dec 10

Elizabeth Kim , Gothamist and WNYC reporter, talks about the latest news from Mayor-elect Mamdani's transition plans, including a new emerging opposition from influential business leaders and Brad Lander's announcement to run for Congress.

Dec 10

Valerie Trapp , assistant editor at The Atlantic , discusses how grocery self-checkout lines are now often longer than the staffed ones, and listeners call in on when and why they have chosen the self-checkout option.

Dec 10

Tina Nguyen , senior reporter for The Verge and author of the Regulator newsletter, discusses Trump's latest efforts to stop states from regulating AI.

Dec 10

The conservative Supreme Court majority seems poised to allow President Trump to fire the top official on the Federal Trade Commission, expanding presidential power. Elie Mystal , justice correspondent and columnist for The Nation magazine and bestselling author of Bad Law: Ten Popular Laws That Are Ruining America (The New Press, 2025) , discusses this and other legal news.

Dec 9

Rohan Goswami , business reporter at Semafor, and Katie Campione , senior TV and labor reporter at Deadline, discusses the recent merger talks for Paramount and Netflix to buy up parts of Warner Bros. Discovery, including news of Paramount’s "hostile" bid of $108 billion — one of the largest ever.

Dec 9

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced that he will end targeted sweeps of homeless encampments and tents as mayor. Dan Rivoli , politics reporter at Spectrum News NY1, discusses the polarized response to this announcement, and what alternative to these sweeps Mamdani has planned instead.

Dec 9

Marion Nestle , professor of nutrition, food studies, and public health emerita at NYU and the author of many books, including her latest, What to Eat Now: The Indispensable Guide to Good Food, How to Find It, and Why It Matters (North Point Press, 2025) , talks about her newly revised classic and how to navigate the food landscape today.

Dec 9

Shop Listener is back for the 2025 holiday season. Listeners call in to shout out the holiday gifts they sell that are under fifty dollars, for a Brian Lehrer Show listener-sourced gift guide.

Dec 8

David Bier , director of immigration studies and the Selz Foundation chair in immigration policy at the Cato Institute, shares data from the Department of Homeland Security that shows almost three-quarters of people detained by ICE since October do not have any criminal convictions, despite claims from the Trump Administration that they are prioritizing detaining people with violent criminal histories.

Dec 8

Oren Cass , founder and chief economist of American Compass and editor of The New Conservatives: Restoring America’s Commitment to Family, Community, and Industry (Simon & Schuster, 2025), argues for a new approach to global trade, one based on balance.

Dec 8

Gwynne Hogan , senior reporter for The City, discusses her latest story on how ICE arrested and separated Chinese father from his 6-year-old son during a check-in in late November, plus other local immigration enforcement news.

Dec 8

Do you give only handmade or consumable gifts? Or do you follow the popular strategy of giving kids something they want, need, wear, read, and share? As the holiday season is now in full swing, listeners call in to share their gift-giving strategies.

Dec 6

Two of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. Are 'Porch Pirates' Stealing Your Packages? (First) | Mayor Adams' Legacy (Starts 12 minutes in) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here .

Dec 5

Brian Vines, Marketplace Equity Reporter and co-host of the Talking Carts podcast at Consumer Reports, discusses holiday tipping etiquette , and callers weigh in on who to tip and how much.

Dec 5

Julie Rovner , chief Washington correspondent at KFF Health News and host of the What the Health? podcast, and NPR reporter Jude Joffe-Block discuss the latest in health-related news, including potential changes to SNAP, the vote changing the hepatitis vaccine recommendation and the latest fight in Washington over extending the Affordable Care Act subsidies.

Dec 5

David Brand , housing reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, and Chris Bragg , Albany bureau chief at New York Focus, talk about their investigation into foreclosure cases.

Dec 5

Tracy K. Smith , Pulitzer Prize winning poet, former Poet Laureate of the United States from 2017 to 2019, professor of English and of African and African American Studies at Harvard University and the author of several poetry collections and her latest, Fear Less: Poetry in Perilous Times (Norton, 2025), talks about her new book, making the case for reading poetry and sharing her own writing process.

Dec 4

As the holiday season kicks into full gear, writer Julie Besonen , freelance writer and contributor to the New York Times, joins us to discuss her article on how package theft made her building band together. Plus, we hear from callers about their own disappearing deliveries.

Dec 4

On Monday, mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and Vermont senator Bernie Sanders joined striking Starbucks workers outside a store in Brooklyn. Claudia Irizarry Aponte , senior reporter at THE CITY, shares her reporting on the labor dispute between Starbucks and New York City employees, the mayor-elect's involvement in the strike, and Rae Shao , a union barista at Starbucks, shares their point of view on the issues at their workplace.

Dec 4

U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D, NJ) talks about the health care subsidies fight in Congress, the leadership of Sec. Hegseth, and compares his "baby bonds" proposal to Pres. Trump's version.

Dec 4

David Remnick , editor of The New Yorker and the host of The New Yorker Radio Hour, talks about the latest national political news then is joined by: Marshall Curry , documentary filmmaker (including Street Fight, If a Tree Falls, A Night at the Garden), to talk about "The New Yorker at 100," premiering Friday on Netflix.

Dec 3

Anna Kodé , reporter covering design and culture for the Real Estate section of The New York Times joins listeners to talk about the people left behind by our current "Tap-to-Pay society," and why they might still prefer to carry cash while out and about in New York City.

Dec 3

Elizabeth Kim , Gothamist and WNYC reporter, Ben Max , host of the "Max Politics" podcast and program director at New York Law School’s Center for New York City Law, and Jeffery Mays , New York Times metro politics reporter, weigh in on Mayor Adams' term in office — what he accomplished, where he fell short of his goals, and how history might view his mayoralty.

Dec 3

Diane Ravitch , education historian, former research professor of education at New York University, blogger at dianeravitch.net and author of the recent book An Education: How I Changed My Mind About Schools and Almost Everything Else (Columbia University Press, 2025) , talks about how she went from being an influential advocate for school choice and standardized testing to a promoter of public schools.

Dec 2

Shop Listener is back for the 2025 holiday season. Listeners call in to shout out their in-person holiday shopping opportunities (craft fairs, pop-ups, brick & mortar stores) for a Brian Lehrer Show listener-sourced gift guide. ==> Submit your information for our Shop Listener online guide at wnyc.org/shoplistener and check out all the entries!

Dec 2

With Pres. Trump sending mixed signals on extending ACA subsidies, and Republicans split over the issue, Jonathan Cohn , writer at The Bulwark and the author of The Ten Year War: Obamacare and the Unfinished Crusade for Universal Coverage (St. Martin's Press, 2021), talks about the negotiations and where the conflicts lie.

Dec 2

Judith Enck , founder of Beyond Plastics, professor at Bennington College, former EPA Region 2 administrator, and author of the new book The Problem with Plastics: How We Can Save Ourselves and Our Planet Before It’s Too Late (The New Press, 2025), discusses her new book which takes a look at how plastic went from being a "marvel of modern science" to a toxic industry that pollutes the environment and impacts health, plus tips on how to reduce everyday exposure to plastics.

Dec 2

Senator Mark Kelly appeared in a video alongside other veterans now serving in Congress, telling service members, “Our laws are clear: you can refuse illegal orders.” The Pentagon has since opened an investigation and even raised the possibility of recalling him to active duty for potential discipline. Zachary Cohen , senior reporter on the national security beat for CNN, talks about what Kelly said, why Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the probe, and how this all fits into other Pentagon headlines this week, including reports of U.S. strikes on suspected drug boats.

Dec 1

Susan Glasser , staff writer at The New Yorker and author of a weekly column on life in Washington, host of the Political Scene podcast, talks about the latest national political news.

Dec 1

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called for a return to the way we used to fly, in terms of dress and decorum. Listeners compare air travel today to when they first flew.

Dec 1

Mike Hayes , WNYC/Gothamist reporter covering covering the New Jersey governor's race and the author of The Secret Files: Bill De Blasio, The NYPD, and the Broken Promises of Police Reform (Kingston Imperial, 2023) , rounds up some of the latest political news in New Jersey, including the mayoral run-off election in Jersey City, and governor-elect Mikie Sherrill's transition.

Dec 1

On World AIDS Day, Pratik Pawar , Future Perfect fellow at Vox, talks about a new HIV prevention drug the U.S. is making available everywhere except South Africa, the country with the most people living with HIV.

Nov 29

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. 20 Years of Freakonomics (First) | Why Bombing 'Drug Boats' Will Do Nothing to Solve America's Fentanyl Crisis (Starts at 32) | Ten Years of Hamilton on Broadway (Starts at 59) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here .

Nov 28

Looking ahead to the 250th anniversary of the U.S., Jill Lepore , professor of American History at Harvard University, staff writer at The New Yorker , and the author of several books, including We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution (Liveright, 2025), digs into the history of the country's founding document and what it means for the country that it so difficult, but still possible, to change. A. J. Jacobs , host of the "Hello Puzzlers" podcast, essayist, and the author of The Year of Living Biblically , The Know-It-All , It's All Relative and his latest, The Year of Living Constitutionally: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Constitution's Original Meaning (Crown, 2024), reports back on how AI is already woven into daily life with another take on being a "human guinea pig," going 48 hours without using AI. Bill McKibben , environmental activist, founder of Third Act and author of many books, most recently: Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization (W. W. Norton & Company, 2025), discusses his new book and reflects on his life's work, both as a climate activist and journalist. Olga Khazan , staff writer at The Atlantic and the author of Me, But Better: The Science and Promise of Personality Change (S&S/Simon Element, 2025), talks about her new book and what she found on her year-long quest to become a "better" person. These interviews were lightly edited for time and clarity; the original web versions are available here: Jill Lepore on the American Constitution (Sep 16, 2025) A.J. Jacobs Tries Life Without AI (Nov 3, 2025) A Lifetime of Work on Climate Change (Sep 25, 2025) Can We Change Our Personalities? (Mar 12, 2025)

Nov 27

On this Thanksgiving, enjoy some of our favorite recent conversations: Ken Burns , documentary filmmaker, and co-director Sarah Botstein talk about their new, 12-part docuseries on PBS called "The American Revolution," which is being released just ahead of next year's 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Julian Brave NoiseCat , writer, filmmaker and student of Salish art and history and the author of We Survived the Night (Knopf, 2025), talks about his new book, the story of North American indigenous people through his reporting and his own story, all in the style of a traditional "coyote story." Avery Trufelman , host of the podcast "Articles of Interest," talks about the new season of her podcast, where she explores the link between the U.S. military and the clothes we all wear, like t-shirts, hoodies and other exercise gear. As part of our WNYC centennial series, Kenneth C. Davis , author of the "Don't Know Much About History" series and most recently, The World in Books: 52 Works of Great Short Nonfiction (Scribner, 2024), reviews the history of the American Thanksgiving holiday and how it has changed over the past 100 years. A Washington Post article explained how most families have a secret language that only they understand, or a "familect" as some lingusts call it. Listeners share the words in their family that only they use, which are often conjured in the minds of small children and then used for years down the road. These interviews were lightly edited for time and clarity; the original web versions are available here: Ken Burns on The American Revolution (Oct 31, 2025) Indigenous Peoples' Story (Oct 13, 2025) The Military's Influence on What We Wear (Oct 21, 2025) 100 Years of 100 Things: How We Think About Thanksgiving (Nov 27, 2024) Your Family's 'Secret Language' ( Sep 15, 2025 and Oct 6, 2025 )

Nov 26

Stephen Dubner , host of Freakonomics Radio and the co-author of Freakonomics (Harper Collins, 2025) , now in a new 20th anniversary edition, reflects on 20 years of "Freakonomics," its impact and use of data, and talks about what's next.

Nov 26

Elizabeth Kim, Gothamist and WNYC reporter, talks about the latest news from Mayor-elect Mamdani's transition plans.

Nov 26

Shop Listener is back for the 2025 holiday season. Listeners call in to shout out their businesses that sell gifts for the holiday season.

Nov 26

President Trump and his allies are framing recent kidnappings and attacks in Nigeria as Islamic assaults on Christians, even threatening military intervention. NPR international correspondent Emmanuel Akinwotu explains what’s truly behind the violence, how it’s being portrayed in Washington, and why the situation is more complex than a religious conflict.

Nov 25

Ana González , host of WNYC's new podcast (with Yo-Yo Ma) Our Common Nature , talks about the new podcast she hosts where Yo-Yo Ma travels around the country and collaborates with musicians in nature. Plus, they talk about the pictures people have sent in of their favorite places in nature.

Nov 25

Elizabeth Alexander , president of The Mellon Foundation, poet, educator, memoirist and scholar and the author of The Trayvon Generation (Grand Central Publishing, 2022) , talks about the Mellon Foundation's new grants and funding for literary arts and jazz musicians, and why money for the arts from the nonprofit sector is crucial.

Nov 25

David Herzberg , professor of history and director of the drugs, health and society program at the University at Buffalo, offers his take on the fentanyl crisis, and why he says President Trump is wrong about almost every aspect of it.

Nov 25

Michael Scherer , staff writer at The Atlantic , talks about his cover story on HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. , and other news.

Nov 24

Hakeem Jeffries , U.S. Representative (D NY-8th, Brooklyn) and House minority leader, offers his take on how the meeting between President Trump and Mayor-elect Mamdani went, and more national political news.

Nov 24

Jeffery Mays , New York Times metro politics reporter, recaps Mayor-elect Mamdani's Friday meeting at the White House with President Trump, where the two spoke well of each other and pledged to work together.

Nov 24

Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton premiered ten years ago and pretty much immediately became a phenomenon. Frank DiLella, Spectrum News NY1 theater correspondent and host of “On Stage”talks about the hit play and its affect on Broadway and more.

Nov 24

Edward Larson , chaired professor of history and law at Pepperdine University and the author of Declaring Independence: Why 1776 Matters (W. W. Norton & Company, 2025) talks about the change in thinking 250 years ago in the American colonies from British subjects protesting the crown to revolution.

Nov 24

After President Trump and Mayor-Elect Mamdani's curiously friendly meeting this past Friday, listeners call in to share their theories as to why the president was all smiles with New York's incoming democratic socialist mayor, whom the president has called a communist many times in the past.

Nov 22

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. Climate Advocates Are Angry at Gov. Hochul (First) | The First G20 Summit on African Soil (Starts at 23) | De-Cluttering Legacies (Starts at 45) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here .

Nov 21

As the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary, Walter Isaacson , professor of history at Tulane and the author of several books, including his latest, The Greatest Sentence Ever Written (Simon & Schuster, 2025), digs in on a key sentence in the Declaration of Independence and how its reverberated throughout the country's history.

Nov 21

Jonathan Lemire , co-host of Morning Joe on MSNOW; writer for MSNOW and contributing writer to The Atlantic talks about the national political news of the week, including Mayor-elect Mamdani's meeting with President Trump at the White House.

Nov 21

Emily Stewart , senior correspondent at Business Insider, talks about navigating issues around what to do with all the 'stuff' that boomer parents will be leaving their millennial kids.

Nov 21

Vincent Schiraldi , Pinkerton Foundation visiting fellow and former New York City Commissioner of both the Department of Correction and Department of Probation, argues against trying teenagers as adults and defends New York's "Raise the Age" law against pushback from some elected leaders.

Nov 20

Jessica Gould, education reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, shares her reporting on how the city's school bus system has been failing the families who rely on it, and if reform is possible.

Nov 20

One in 10 senior citizens in New York City lack reliable access to affordable and nutritious food. Beth Shapiro , CEO of Citymeals on Wheels, the nation’s largest operation to deliver meals to homebound seniors, discusses the state of elder hunger in the city, the lasting impact of federal funding cuts and the long federal shutdown, what everyday New Yorkers can do to support their elderly neighbors during the holidays.

Nov 20

Philip Bump , MSNOW contributor, author of the "How to Read this Chart" newsletter and the author of The Aftermath: The Last Days of the Baby Boom and the Future of Power in America (Viking, 2023), talks about the national political news of the week, including President Trump's capitulation on the Epstein files vote, his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and how the president is trying to address inflation concerns.

Nov 20

Uché Blackstock , emergency medicine physician, founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity, author of LEGACY: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine (Viking, 2024) and a former MSNBC and NBC News medical contributor, talks about how the fight over ACA subsidies may deepen health inequities.

Nov 19

Regina Garcia Cano , Andes correspondent at The Associated Press, discusses the Trump administration's latest escalation against alleged drug boats from Venezuela, as the most advanced U.S. aircraft carrier is expected to reach the waters off the country in a few days in a show of American power.

Nov 19

Kyle Chayka , staff writer at The New Yorker covering technology and Internet culture, discusses how songs generated using artificial intelligence are dominating top music charts and streaming services like Spotify, sometimes without the knowledge of listeners. => " That New Hit Song on Spotify? It Was Made by A.I. " ( The New Yorker , November 12, 2025)

Nov 19

Elizabeth Kim , Gothamist and WNYC reporter, and Brigid Bergin , WNYC's senior political correspondent, talk about the latest political news in the city, including what Mayor Adams is up to in his last few weeks in office, Mayor-elect Mamdani's transition plans, and the congressional primary races that are starting to take shape.

Nov 19

Yinka Adegoke , editor of Semafor Africa, talks about the upcoming G20 summit in South Africa and the U.S. boycott.

Nov 18

Andy Kim , U.S. Senator (D NJ), talks about his work in the Senate and the issues in New Jersey, including ACA subsidies, the New Jersey election results, USAID and more.

Nov 18

Listeners who have attended a "Friendsgiving" so far this year call in to share what was on the menu, and where the conversation went - especially if it involved politics.

Nov 18

John "Janno" Lieber , chair and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), talks about the latest news from the MTA and working with the incoming mayoral administration.

Nov 18

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul recently approved a gas pipeline and delayed the implementation of the All-Electric Buildings Law. Liz Moran , policy advocate for Earthjustice's Northeast office, explains why climate advocates are angry with the governor over these recent moves that they see as giveaways to fossil fuel companies.

Nov 17

Jasmine Gripper and Ana María Archila, New York Working Families Party co-directors, reflect on Mayor-elect Mamdani's win and the WFP role in the election, their policy priorities and next year's primaries.

Nov 17

Eleanor Mueller , congress reporter at Semafor, talks about the latest national political news from Congress, including the shutdown winners and losers, the upcoming vote in the House on the Epstein files and more.

Nov 17

Ilya Marritz , journalist working with The Boston Globe , talks about his new series, The Harvard Plan , in conjunction with The Boston Globe and On the Media, that looks at how the Trump administration has interfered with Harvard, and how it will affect academia and scientific research going forward.

Nov 15

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. COP30 Without the U.S. (First) | SNAP and the High Cost of Food (Starts at 23:41) | Tributes to the Penny (Starts at 43:57) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here .

Nov 14

As Congress debates whether to extend subsidies for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage, Hayden Rooke-Ley , lawyer and senior fellow at the Brown University School of Public Health, explains how the infighting is already driving up costs and narrowing networks.

Nov 14

New York City's mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani defines himself as a democratic socialist, yet his critics have seized on his leftist identity to paint him as an extremist. Carlo Invernizzi-Accetti , professor of political science and executive director of the Moynihan Center at The City College of New York, and author of 20 Years of Rage: How Resentment Took the Place of Politics (Mondadori, 2024) explains the core principles of the various strains of thought on the left to paint a clearer picture of what Mamdani believes in and how he'll govern as mayor.

Nov 14

The U.S. Mint announced it made its last penny this week, in order to save money. Listeners call in to talk about how they use pennies these days, if at all, plus share their favorite penny-related sayings.

Nov 14

Eli Valentin , assistant dean of graduate studies at Virginia Union University’s Graduate Center in Harlem, contributing writer for City Limits and guest political analyst at Univision, talks about the meaning of the shift many Latino voters made, from voting for Trump in 2024 to voting for Zohran Mamdani and Mikie Sherrill just a year later.

Nov 13

Drawing on his deep city and state government experience, Dean Fuleihan , future first deputy mayor in the Mamdani administration and former budget director in the de Blasio administration talks about how he intends to help Mayor-elect Mamdani achieve his policy goals. Then, Laura Nahmias , senior reporter covering New York City and state politics at Bloomberg News, offers political analysis of the role Dean Fuleihan will play in Mayor-elect Mamdani's City Hall.

Nov 13

Jelani Cobb , dean of the Journalism School at Columbia University, a staff writer at The New Yorker, and the author of Three or More Is a Riot: Notes on How We Got Here: 2012-2025 (One World, 2025 ), looks back at recent history and find the threads that connect the era of protests and backlash.

Nov 13

Nancy Solomon , host of the “Ask Governor Murphy” monthly call-in show, recaps her conversation with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.

Nov 13

As SNAP recipients and many others struggle to afford the cost of food, Karen Yi , WNYC and Gothamist reporter covering homelessness and poverty, and Joe Hong , investigative data reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, discuss their reporting on how grocery prices can vary between stores and neighborhoods and how grocery stores fared during the interruption of SNAP benefits. Plus, listeners share their observations of how food prices vary, and tips on how to save money on groceries.

Nov 12

Greg David , contributor covering fiscal and economic issues for THE CITY and director of the business and economics reporting program and Ravitch Fiscal Reporting Program at the Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, talks about the challenge Mayor-elect Mamdani will face as he tries to fulfill his campaign promises while balancing the city's budget.

Nov 12

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives is set to return to work after a 54-day hiatus. Nicholas Wu , congressional reporter at POLITICO, talks about the upcoming vote in the House on the funding bill that would end the government shutdown, why some Democrats are furious at their Senate colleagues who broke ranks to cut a deal and more.

Nov 12

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has pointed to "sewer socialism"—the early Milwaukee model where socialist mayors treated basic public infrastructure as central to serving working people—as part of the vision that guides him. Listeners call in to tell us which small public-works improvement, in that spirit, would make life better on their block.

Nov 12

Elizabeth Kim , Gothamist and WNYC reporter, talks about the new hires Mayor-elect Mamdani has announced will be part of his administration, plus the news from Mayor Adams's final days in office.

Nov 11

Paula DiPerna , policy consultant, author of Pricing the Priceless (Wiley, 2023) and co-author of Carbon Hunters: Reflections And Forecasts Of Climate Markets In The 21st Century (WSPC,2025), talks about the history of international cooperation on climate change, and Mark Hertsgaard , journalist and co-founder and executive director of Covering Climate Now, and the author of Big Red’s Mercy: The Shooting of Deborah Cotton and A Story of Race in America (Pegasus, 2024), discuss what to expect from the global climate summit underway in Brazil now that the Trump administration is boycotting.

Nov 11

For Veterans Day, Paul Rieckhoff , independent national security, veterans affairs and political analyst, host of the Independent Americans podcast, founder & CEO of Independent Veterans of America, co-founder of American Veterans for Ukraine, and founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), discusses how vets are viewing the changes Pete Hegseth is making to the armed forces, and how well they feel they are being taken care of under Hegseth and the Trump administration.

Nov 11

It's been a few months since schools in New York State started with a new rule: no smart phones allowed. Teachers, parents and students call in to talk about how it's going so far, and what the school day is like without the distraction of cell phones.

Nov 11

Jared Fox , education consultant, former NYC secondary science teacher and the author of Learning Environment: Inspirational Actions, Approaches, and Stories from the Science Classroom (Beacon Press, 2025), guides teachers in taking science education beyond the classroom, drawing on his experience teaching science in Washington Heights.

Nov 11

Listeners call in to talk about their feelings on the Democratic senators who broke ranks to vote with Republicans to re-open the government.

Nov 10

Liza Donnelly , writer and cartoonist at The New Yorker and the author of Very Funny Ladies: The New Yorker's Women Cartoonists, 1925-2021 (Prometheus, 2022) and the substack "Seeing Things," discusses the short documentary film she directed, "Women Laughing," about cartoonists at The New Yorker and their artistic processes.

Nov 10

U.S. Representative Tom Suozzi (D NY3) talks about the latest on the longest shutdown in history, how it now might end and the election results.

Nov 10

Ciarán Donnelly , senior vice president for International Programs at International Rescue Committee, breaks down the latest news from Sudan, where the country has been experiencing a civil war since April 2023 amid a power struggle between its army and a powerful paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Nov 10

Micah Uetricht , editor of Jacobin Magazine , and Susan Kang , associate professor of political science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a commentator on local politics, talk about how the democratic socialist theory of change brought forth Zohran Mamdani's victory in the New York City mayoral race, and what to expect from a socialist mayor.

Nov 8

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. Researcher and strategist Michael Lange on the broad coalition that propelled Zohran Mamdani to victory in the NYC mayoral election (First) | A post-election interview with New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherril (Starts at 46:55) | A.J. Jacobs tries life without A.I. (Starts at 58:30) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here .

Nov 7

Hannah Frishberg , New York City arts and culture reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, shares some non-politics related activities for the weekend as listeners share how they're shifting their attention away from the mayoral race and back to cultural activities or other forms of civic engagement.

Nov 7

Mark Levine , Manhattan borough president and Comptroller-Elect, talks about his election victory, the transition from Manhattan borough president to citywide office, and more.

Nov 7

Toluse Olorunnipa , staff writer at The Atlantic , discusses the latest national political news as the government shutdown, already the longest in U.S. history, goes on. Photo: The western front of the United States Capitol. The Capitol serves as the seat of government for the United States Congress, the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government. (Noclip, Public domain, via )

Nov 7

Molly Fischer , staff writer at The New Yorker , talks about her reporting on Costco’s storied company culture and whether it can endure as the company continues to grow.

Nov 6

Michael Lange , New York City-based writer, researcher, strategist, and political organizer, talks about the broad coalition that Zohran Mamdani put together for his decisive win in the New York City mayoral election.

Nov 6

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments this week on the legality of President Trump's tariffs. Aziz Huq , professor of law at the University of Chicago Law School and author of The Rule of Law: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2024) , offers legal analysis of the case, and how the justices might be inclined to rule, based on their questions.

Nov 6

Irin Carmon , senior correspondent at New York Magazine , co-author of Notorious RBG (Dey Street Books, 2015) , and, most recently, author of Unbearable: Five Women and the Perils of Pregnancy in America (Atria/One Signal, 2025) , explores what it means to be pregnant today in America through reporting and personal stories. EVENT: Wednesday, November 12th from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Vanderbilt Hall, Greenberg Lounge at 40 Washington Square South in Manhattan. More information here .

Nov 6

Amit Singh Bagga , campaign director for the Yes on Affordable Housing PAC and Democratic strategist, talks about the results of the three controversial housing-related ballot questions, which New York City voters approved, and what that will mean going forward for housing development and the new mayor's agenda.

Nov 5

Christina Greer , associate professor of political science at Fordham University, co-host of the podcast FAQNYC, and the author of How to Build a Democracy: From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams (Cambridge University Press, 2024) , offers an analysis of the results of the New York City mayoral race and what's next for the city's new mayor.

Nov 5

Gothamist and WNYC reporter Elizabeth Kim offers analysis of the New York City mayoral race results, plus Ethar El-Katatney , editor-in-chief of Documented, shares Documented's reporting on the mayoral race from the perspective of different immigrant communities in the city.

Nov 5

Mike Hayes , WNYC/Gothamist reporter covering the New Jersey governor's race and the author of The Secret Files: Bill De Blasio, The NYPD, and the Broken Promises of Police Reform (Kingston Imperial, 2023) , talks about the results of New Jersey's contentious governor's race.

Nov 5

Mikie Sherrill , New Jersey governor-elect, talks about her big win and what comes next for New Jersey's next governor.

Nov 5

Susan Page , USA Today Washington bureau chief and the author of several books, including The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters (Simon & Schuster, 2024) and the forthcoming The Queen and Her Presidents (Harper, April 2026), talks about what the New York City mayoral results might mean for Democrats moving forward, and offers analysis of election results in Virginia, New Jersey, and California.

Nov 4

Markus Schmidt , senior Virginia politics reporter and deputy editor at The Virginia Mercury, breaks down the latest on Virginia's gubernatorial race on election day, where Democratic nominee and former congresswoman Abigail Spanberger has maintained a lead in polls since very early in the race over Republican nominee Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears.

Nov 4

Nancy Solomon , host of the “Ask Governor Murphy” monthly call-in show, talks about the Election Day news in the New Jersey governor's race, and listeners call for an informal, unofficial, thoroughly unscientific exit poll.

Nov 4

Brigid Bergin , WNYC's senior political correspondent, offers analysis of what the early vote numbers might mean for the New York City mayoral race, and more news from the campaign trail on Election Day. Plus, Zohran Mamdani , New York State assembly member (D, D-36, Queens) and the Democratic nominee for mayor, Andrew Cuomo , former governor of New York and independent candidate for mayor of New York City, and Curtis Sliwa , Republican nominee for NYC mayor, former WABC radio host and founder of the Guardian Angels, make their last minute pitches to voters.

Nov 3

U.S. Representative James Clyburn (D, SC 6), recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and author of The First Eight: A Personal History of the Pioneering Black Congressmen Who Shaped a Nation (Hachette, 2025), tells the story of the first eight Black members of Congress during Reconstruction, and the gap that followed up until his election in 1992. Event: On Leadership, Legacy, and Democracy: Jim Clyburn in Conversation with Sharon McMahon at The 92nd Street Y on November 11th.

Nov 3

Catherine Rampell , anchor at MSNBC and economics editor at The Bulwark, talks about the latest economic news, including on President Trump's tariffs and China, inflation numbers, SNAP benefits and more.

Nov 3

Nicholas Thompson , CEO of The Atlantic and the author of the memoir, The Running Ground: A Father, a Son, and the Simplest of Sports (Random House, 2025), talks about why he runs and joins listeners in sharing stories from Sunday's NYC Marathon.

Nov 3

A. J. Jacobs , host of the "Hello Puzzlers" podcast, essayist, and the author of The Year of Living Biblically , The Know-It-All , It's All Relative and his latest, The Year of Living Constitutionally: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Constitution's Original Meaning (Crown, 2024), reports back on how AI is already woven into daily life with another take on being a "human guinea pig," going 48 hours without using AI .

Nov 1

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. ACA Open Enrollment Starting (First) | 30 Issues in 30 Days: NYC's Overdose Prevention Centers (Starts at 34:26) | Your Newsy Halloween Costumes (Starts at 1:07:42 ) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here .

Oct 31

Ahead of Halloween weekend, listeners call in to share their costumes based on news and current events.

Oct 31

Ken Burns , documentary filmmaker and co-director of "The American Revolution," and Sarah Botstein , co-director of "The American Revolution," talk about their new, 12-hour docuseries premiering on PBS on November 16th, which is being released ahead of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, in July 2026.

Oct 31

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 Labor and Winning Big (University of California Press, 2025), and writer of the Substack newsletter Labor Politics, and Michael Aronson , Daily News editorial page editor, debate the mayoral candidates' ability to fulfill their campaign promises, given that many will require action at the state level.

Oct 31

John Heinis , reporter for the Hudson County View talks about the Jersey City mayoral race, where seven candidates are running in the nonpartisan election and if no candidate receives more than 50 percent of the votes, the top two vote-getters will move on to a run-off election in early December.

Oct 30

Elisabeth Benjamin , vice president of Health Initiatives at the Community Service Society and co-founder of the Health Care for All New York Campaign, talks about what people can expect with next year's health insurance costs and how the government shutdown over ACA subsidies will affect open enrollment. The live-answer helpline to reach a Navigator at CSS is: 1-888-614-5400 The New York State of Health Marketplace phone number is: 1-855-355-5777 The Get Covered New Jersey (Official state health market place) phone number is: 1-833-677-1010

Oct 30

Nikita Biryukov , reporter who covers state government and politics for the New Jersey Monitor , talks about the latest in New Jersey elections news, including early voting turnout, how Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump are weighing in on the gubernatorial race and Justice Department election monitoring for Passaic County.

Oct 30

Jessie Gómez , reporter at Chalkbeat Newark covering Newark Public Schools, discusses the New Jersey gubernatorial candidates' visions for public education in the state—and how they intend to fund the schools.

Oct 29

Arlan Fuller, Project HOPE ’s director of Emergency Preparedness and Response, talks about the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and other countries, as listeners report what they're hearing from friends and family in the area.

Oct 29

Calder McHugh , reporter at POLITICO Magazine , talks about the scandal surrounding leaked messages from the Young Republicans' group chat, and why he thinks they might be a "sign of where we could be headed."

Oct 29

Ethan Geringer-Sameth , discusses the mayoral candidates' stances on overdose prevention centers in New York City, including Zohran Mamdani's reversal of his longstanding stance to increase the centers, Andrew Cuomo's stance to keep existing centers but not expand them and Curtis Sliwa's stance against the existing centers. Plus, Sam Rivera , executive director of OnPoint NYC, talks about the two overdose prevention centers that OnPoint runs, in East Harlem and Washington Heights.

Oct 29

Elizabeth Kim , Gothamist and WNYC reporter, and Brigid Bergin , Gothamist and WNYC senior political correspondent, talk about the early voting numbers—which are way up from both the primary and the last mayoral election, so far—and other news from the campaign trail in the last week before Election Day.

Oct 28

Seth Berkley , MD, an infectious disease epidemiologist currently advising vaccine, biotechnology, and technology companies; an adjunct professor and senior adviser to the Pandemic Center at Brown University; former CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; cofounded COVAX; founded and served as CEO of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative; and the author of Fair Doses: An Insider’s Story of the Pandemic and the Global Fight for Vaccine Equity (University of California Press, 2025), talks about the need for vaccine equity and lessons learned (and ignored) from the COVID pandemic.

Oct 28

Nick Garber , politics reporter at Crain's New York Business , talks about where the NYC mayoral candidates stand on jobs and the minimum wage, and discusses their relationships with the broader business community.

Oct 28

Listeners still making up their minds on whether and how to vote share their dilemmas on candidates for any office and ballot questions.

Oct 28

Due to the government shutdown, millions of Americans are likely to miss their Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program (SNAP) paychecks starting this Saturday. Grace Yarrow , food and agriculture policy reporter for POLITICO and author of POLITICO Pro's daily Morning Agriculture newsletter, reports on which states will be most impacted and how recipients are preparing. Plus, Karen Yi , WNYC and Gothamist reporter covering homelessness and poverty, breaks down the latest news of how New York State will provide an additional $11 million to fund SNAP benefits for some 2.8 million New Yorkers.

Oct 27

Joyce Vance , a legal analyst for MSNBC and former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, University of Alabama School of Law professor, and author of the Civil Discourse Substack, and of the new book, Giving Up Is Unforgivable: A Manual for Keeping a Democracy (Dutton, 2025) talks about the rule of law and offers legal and historical context for the current moment in American history as she calls for citizens to uphold the Constitution.

Oct 27

Nick Corasaniti , New York Times reporter covering national politics, with a focus on voting and elections, talks about how both Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democrat Mikie Sherrill say they would deal with President Trump if they are elected governor, and other ways the president's influence is being felt in the tight race.

Oct 27

Rosemary Misdary , WNYC and Gothamist health & science reporter, explains the statewide ballot question about preservation in the Adirondacks and expanding skiing facilities.

Oct 27

New York City voters will see several questions on their ballots that aim to make it easier to build housing. Alec Schierenbeck , executive director of the Charter Revision Commission argues in favor of the measures, and Lincoln Restler , New York City Council member (District 33, Greenpoint, Northside Williamsburg, South Williamsburg, Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, Boerum Hill, Vinegar Hill, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Navy Yard), explains why much of the City Council is opposed to the changes. Then, Andrew Berman , executive director of Village Preservation, shares why his group is opposed to ballot questions 2 through 4.

Oct 25

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. 30 Issues in 30 Days: ICE in the City (First) | 30 Issues in 30 Days: The Case for a Free CUNY (Starts at 17:50) | 30 Issues in 30 Days: Climate and Energy Policy (Starts at 33:13) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here .

Oct 24

Julia Ioffe , founding partner and Washington correspondent of Puck and the author of Motherland: A History of Modern Russia, from Revolution to Autocracy (Ecco, 2025), talks about her new book that delves into the feminist history of Russia and why it offers context for the war in Ukraine.

Oct 24

Samantha Maldonado , senior reporter for THE CITY, offers her takeaways on the mayoral debate and talks about other races on the ballot in NYC.

Oct 24

To wrap up a series on pets, listeners call in to shout out why their dog, cat, rabbit, bearded dragon, fish or any other type of pet is so special.

Oct 24

New York City would not be the first city in America to open a publicly-owned grocery store. Yasmin Tayag , staff writer at The Atlantic , talks about how other municipalities have fared in this experiment, Zohran Mamdani's grocery store proposal and the skepticism around it.

Oct 23

Throughout this membership drive we are talking about the animals we love and care for in our homes -- our pets. Today, Lyle Cleary , DVM, associate veterinarian at the Center for Avian & Exotic Medicine , @dr.lyle.dvm on Instagram, talks about the challenges of keeping birds as pets and what they need to thrive.

Oct 23

Listeners try their hand at a quiz identifying a person through a clue about their famous parents.

Oct 23

Elizabeth Kim , Gothamist and WNYC reporter, recaps the last mayoral debate between the three remaining candidates, Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa, as early voting is set to begin this weekend.

Oct 23

Brigid Bergin , Gothamist and WNYC senior political correspondent, and David Brand , housing reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, recap the last mayoral debate between the three remaining candidates, Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa, as early voting is set to begin this weekend.

Oct 23

Errol Louis , political anchor of Spectrum NY1 News, host of Inside City Hall and The Big Deal with Errol Louis, New York Magazine columnist and host of the podcast You Decide, talks about how each candidate says they will respond to ICE or other federal agents conducting raids in the city, like the one that happened earlier this week in Chinatown.

Oct 22

New York Times reporter Eliza Shapiro talks about the cost of child care in New York City and the mayoral candidates' approaches to this aspect of the affordability crisis.

Oct 22

Throughout this membership drive we are talking about the animals we love and care for in our homes -- our pets. Today, Chi Cho , owner of Pacific Aquarium on Delancey St., talks about keeping fish as pets and how to keep them healthy.

Oct 22

Elizabeth Kim , Gothamist and WNYC reporter, previews the final mayoral debate and talks about the latest news from the campaign trail as Mamdani, Cuomo and Sliwa vie for votes. Plus, Ben Feuerherd , WNYC and Gothamist reporter covering public safety and policing, talks about what he saw during yesterday when federal agents descended on Chinatown in what he said was an "apparent raid."

Oct 22

Stuart A. Thompson , reporter at The New York Times covering online influence, breaks down his latest reporting on how President Donald Trump is using fake artificial intelligence generated imagery to attack his perceived enemies and successfully rouse his supporters.

Oct 22

Listeners hear an iconic or otherwise notable quote by a contemporary or historical public figure and try to identify who said it.

Oct 21

Listeners try their hand at a quiz with questions about iconic albums and recording artists.

Oct 21

Throughout this membership drive we are talking about the animals we love and care for in our homes -- our pets. Today, Amy Sedaris , actress, author, producer, rabbit enthusiast and host of the To the Rescue! gala, benefiting Humane World for Animals on November 7 talks about why she loves rabbits and how to help them thrive.

Oct 21

Avery Trufelman , host of the podcast Articles of Interest talks about the new season of her podcast, "Gear," where she explores the link between the U.S. military and the clothes we all wear, like t-shirts, chore jackets and other outdoor gear.

Oct 21

Caroline Spivack , reporter for Crain's New York Business, talks about the mayoral candidates' climate and energy policies, including their stances on Local Law 97.

Oct 21

Grace Ashford , New York Times reporter covering New York State politics and government, talks about why President Trump commuted former Congressman George Santos' sentence, which allowed him to leave prison after serving less than three months of his long sentence for crimes related to theft and fraud.

Oct 21

House Speaker Mike Johnson called this weekend's "No Kings" protests "hate America" rallies. Listeners call in to share what they were rallying for and against, and respond to Johnson's characterization of the marches.

Oct 20

Listeners try their hand at a quiz with questions about iconic late-night talk show hosts.

Oct 20

Throughout this membership drive we are talking about the animals we love and care for in our homes -- our pets. Today, Anne Levin , executive director of the Brooklyn Bridge Animal Welfare Coalition and co-founder of the Brooklyn Cat Cafe , talks about rats and other small furry creatures as pets.

Oct 20

Adam Gopnik , staff writer for The New Yorker , and author of The Real Work, talks about his one-man play, " Adam Gopnik's New York " in performance at Lincoln Center through Sunday.

Oct 20

Andrew Gounardes , New York State Senator (D, District 26 - Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, the Columbia Street Waterfront District, Dumbo, Dyker Heights, Fort Hamilton, Gowanus, Park Slope, Red Hook, South Slope, and Sunset Park), makes the case for a free CUNY system, which he has advocated for in Albany.

Oct 18

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. Sen. Kim on Gateway Defunding (First) | 30 Issues in 30 Days: Moving Local NYC Elections to Presidential Election Years (Starts at 17:15) | Pets in the City: Cats (Starts at 35:43) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here .

Oct 17

Listeners try their hand at a quiz with questions about city critters.

Oct 17

Charles Komanoff , transit activist and mathematician, and Eric Goldwyn , assistant professor and program director at NYU Marron Institute of Urban Management, debate whether free buses, which are a pillar of Democratic mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani's transportation plan, are the best way to both speed up the notoriously slow bus system and best help New Yorkers struggling with the high cost of living. Plus, they discuss Andrew Cuomo's proposal to shift management of New York City Transit to the city from the state.

Oct 17

Throughout this membership drive we are talking about the animals we love and care for in our homes -- our pets. Today, Maxwell Branch , vice president of community programs at Flatbush Cats , talks about cats and the people who share their homes with them.

Oct 17

Emily Bazelon , staff writer for The New York Times Magazine , co-host of Slate's "Political Gabfest" podcast, Truman Capote fellow for creative writing and law at Yale Law School and author of Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration (Random House, 2019) , previews the cases the Supreme Court will take up in its new term, including arguments on a redistricting case they are hearing arguments on this week, and offers analysis of just how much presidential power the court will afford to President Trump in upcoming decisions.

Oct 17

Jeff Coltin , Politico reporter and co-author of the New York Playbook, recaps the mayoral debate between Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa.

Oct 16

Rachel Louise Ensign , economics reporter with The Wall Street Journal , explains the economic forces keeping Americans stuck in their homes and jobs, and how it impacts daily life.

Oct 16

Throughout this membership drive we are talking about the animals we love and care for in our homes -- our pets. Today, Sam Laroche , manager of Petqua, a pet store on Manhattan's West Side, talks about keeping reptiles as pets and how to help them thrive.

Oct 16

Listeners hear a description of a place in the tri-state area and try to guess where it is.

Oct 16

New Jersey is generally viewed as a state with some of the strongest abortion protections, but Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli has some plans that could change that. Terrence McDonald , editor at the New Jersey Monitor, talks about the parts of both candidates' platforms that could change or strengthen abortion protections in the state.

Oct 16

Andy Kim , U.S. Senator (D NJ), weighs in on the Trump announcement that the Gateway tunnel project is "terminated."

Oct 15

Listeners hear a description of a place in the tri-state area and try to guess where it is.

Oct 15

Elizabeth Kim , Gothamist and WNYC reporter, talks about the latest news from the mayoral campaign as Election Day is just weeks away.

Oct 15

Throughout this membership drive we are talking about the animals we love and care for in our homes -- our pets. Today, Elias Weiss Friedman , aka @TheDogist on Instagram, author of This Dog Will Change Your Life (Ballantine, 2025) and host of a new YouTube talk show talks about the dogs he's met and why he thinks they make us better humans.

Oct 15

Brigid Bergin , Gothamist and WNYC senior political correspondent, talks about the proposal that NYC voters will see on this year's ballot that would move local elections to take place during presidential election years.

Oct 15

David Remnick , editor of The New Yorker and the host of The New Yorker Radio Hour, talks about the latest national political news, and previews this year's New Yorker festival.

Oct 14

Listeners share whether they're seeing higher coffee prices due to tariffs yet and if that's changing their caffeine habits.

Oct 14

Graeme Wood , staff writer at The Atlantic and the author of The Way of the Strangers: Encounters With the Islamic State , offers analysis of the current ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, and why one Palestinian philosopher told him he feels a "paradoxical optimism" that the current peace will hold.

Oct 14

On Saturday, the Trump administration rescinded the layoffs of hundreds of scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention who were mistakenly fired the day before. Apoorva Mandavilli , science and global health reporter at The New York Times, explains what happened and who remains at the CDC.

Oct 14

Elizabeth Glazer, founder of the journal Vital City and former director of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, talks about the challenges the next mayor will face regarding Rikers Island, and what each says about the current plan to close Rikers in favor of borough-based jails.

Oct 13

Fred Kaplan , Slate's War Stories columnist and the author of many nonfiction books and his latest, a novel, A Capital Calamity (MIniver Press, 2024 ), offers analysis on what comes next for Israel and Gaza as Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners were released, and the ceasefire deal takes effect.

Oct 13

Elie Honig , senior legal analyst at CNN, New York Magazine columnist, former state and federal prosecutor and author of several books, including When You Come at the King: Inside DOJ’s Pursuit of the President, From Nixon to Trump (Harper, 2025) offers legal analysis of the Trump DOJ case against New York Attorney General Tish James.

Oct 13

Julian Brave NoiseCat , writer, filmmaker and student of Salish art and history and the author of We Survived the Night (Knopf, 2025) talks about his new book, the story of North American indigenous people through his reporting and his own story, all in the style of a traditional "coyote story."

Oct 13

Andrew Zwicker , New Jersey State Senator (D, District 16), and Dawn Fantasia , New Jersey Assembly Member (R, District 24), debate the hot-button issues in education and how they are playing out in the governor's race, including parents' rights, book bans and more.

Oct 11

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. 30 Issues in 30 Days: New York City Schools (First) | Who is María Corina Machado, Nobel Peace Price Winner? (Starts at 1:12) | From Railroad to Rail-Trail (Starts at 1:50) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here .

Oct 10

Daisy Khan , founder and executive director of the Women’s Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality (WISE) and the author of 30 Rights of Muslim Women: A Trusted Guide (Monkfish Book Publishing Company, 2024) , and Amy Spitalnick , CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, discuss how to fight both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia at a time of polarization over the Mideast in the context of concrete policy proposals from the New York City mayoral candidates, Andrew Cuomo, Zohran Mamdani and Curtis Sliwa.

Oct 10

Gideon Rose , adjunct senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), the former editor of Foreign Affairs and author of How Wars End (Simon & Schuster, 2010), talks about María Corina Machado, who was announced as the winner of this year's Nobel Peace Prize, and related news of the day.

Oct 10

Marina Lopes , author of Please Yell at My Kids (GCP/Balance, 2025), talks about her story in The Atlantic suggesting American parents look at the way childcare works in Singapore where grandparents are frequently primary caregivers and get paid for the work.

Oct 9

Michael Tannousis , assemblymember representing District 64, including southern Brooklyn and the east shore of Staten Island" and Insha Rahman , vice president of advocacy and partnerships at the Vera Institute of Justice and the director of Vera Action, cover what each New York City mayoral hopeful is proposing when it comes to criminal justice reform, including the 2019 bail reform law signed by then-Governor Andrew Cuomo, plus Zohran Mamdani's and Curtis Sliwa's policy proposals.

Oct 9

Ryan Kailath , WNYC/Gothamist arts and culture reporter, talks about his reporting on the AI company called Friend, and their ads, which have been defaced throughout the subway system.

Oct 9

Jonathan Lemire , co-host of "Morning Joe" on MSNBC, contributing writer at The Atlantic and author of the book, The Big Lie: Election Chaos, Political Opportunism, and the State of American Politics After 2020 (Flatiron Books, 2022) talks about what he calls the "project 2025 shutdown" and more national political news.

Oct 9

Nancy Solomon , host of the “Ask Governor Murphy” monthly call-in show, recaps the final governor's debate between Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli.

Oct 8

After yesterday's conversation on the show about rail trails, listeners call in to share their favorite places to bike outside the city, whether a rail or other kind of trail, parks, roads, or neighborhoods that are friendly to bikers.

Oct 8

U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D, NJ), talks about the ongoing shutdown, the Trump administration sending the National Guard to Oregon, Attorney General Pam Bondi's contentious Senate hearing and the funding cuts to the Gateway Tunnel.

Oct 8

Nicole Gelinas , senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, a contributing editor of City Journal, a columnist at the New York Post and the author of the book, Movement: New York's Long War to Take Back Its Streets from the Car (Fordham Univ Press, 2024), and Ligia Guallpa , executive director of Worker's Justice Project and co-founder of Los Deliveristas Unidos , cover what each New York City mayoral hopeful is proposing to regulate delivery apps and e-bike/scooter/moped licensing.

Oct 8

WNYC and Gothamist reporter Elizabeth Kim and Brigid Bergin , WNYC and Gothamist senior political correspondent, talk about the latest news in the mayoral campaign, plus, Brigid shares her reporting on the many new voters who went to the polls in the June primary.

Oct 7

Alex Zimmerman , reporter at Chalkbeat New York, talks about his breadth of reporting on the New York City mayoral candidates' proposals regarding the New York City public school system, including Zohran Mamdani's proposal to end mayoral control of the city’s schools and Andrew Cuomo's proposal to replace the city’s lowest-performing schools with charters or other models.

Oct 7

Peter Harnik , co-founder of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and the Center for City Park Excellence at the Trust for Public Land and executive producer of the documentary From Rails to Trails , talks about his work spearheading the movement to convert abandoned railbeds into multi-use trails, 26,000 miles so far, and the new documentary about it.

Oct 7

The Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine was awarded to three scientists for their work in immunology. Daniel Griffin , MD, PhD, Chief of Infectious Disease for Island Infectious Diseases, the largest physician-owned Infectious Disease Specialist Group on Long Island, an infectious disease specialist and clinical instructor of medicine at Columbia University and president of Parasites Without Borders and co-host of the podcast "This Week in Virology", explains their breakthrough and what it means for future treatments for autoimmune diseases, cancer, and more.

Oct 6

In this installment of our election year series, a look into what the candidates -- especially former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani -- might do as mayor to influence the Israeli-Palestinian conflict one way or another. Jim Walden , a former federal prosecutor who ran as an independent in the NYC mayor's race, first explains his support for Cuomo, who signed an executive order as governor barring the state from doing business with any organization that participated in the BDS movement. Then, Jeremy Cohan , sociologist and NYC-DSA leader and spokesperson, breaks down Mamdani's Not On Our Dime Act, intended to punish organizations that aid Israeli West Bank settlers.

Oct 6

Meg Kelly , senior reporter for The Washington Post's Visual Forensics team, discusses her team's reporting on the Trump administration's USAID funding pause, which resulted in the deaths of children from curable diseases around the world.

Oct 6

A Washington Post article explained how most families have a secret language that only they understand, or a "familect" as some linguists call it. Listeners call in to share the words in their family that only they use, which are often conjured in the minds of small children and then used for years down the road.

Oct 6

Kyle Cheney , senior legal affairs reporter for Politico, talks about President Trump's attempts to send National Guard troops into Portland and Chicago, how states are reacting and why a federal judge keeps blocking the plan for Portland.

Oct 4

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. Christopher Eisgruber, president of Princeton University, talks about issues of free speech (First) | A 30 Issues in 30 Days debate about involuntary hospitalization of New Yorkers with severe and untreated mental illnesses (Starts at 29:48) | Your favored (and least favored) seasons (Starts at 1:17:46) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here .

Oct 3

Sophia Wohl , deputy director of stewardship, environment and planning at NYC Parks Department, talks about Saturday's celebrations of City of Forest Day with events around town, plus offers guidance for caring for the trees and forests near you. => City of Forest Day events

Oct 3

Giulia Heyward, WNYC and Gothamist reporter, talks about how New York officials are dealing with the Trump administration's attempts to roll back legal protections for the LGBTQ community.

Oct 3

Larry Higgs , commuting and transport reporter at NJ Advance Media, talks about the state of NJ Transit and where the candidates stand on tolls, construction of new transit projects, congestion pricing and more.

Oct 3

Russell Berman , a staff writer at The Atlantic , talks about the New Jersey governor's race and its national bellwether status, plus the latest shutdown news. " The Blue State That’s Now a Bellwether " (The Atlantic, Sept 29, 2025)

Oct 2

More young people under the age of 50 are getting diagnosed with early-onset cancers and researchers are trying to figure out why. Nina Agrawal , health reporter for The New York Times, explains what they have found so far, and what is still unknown.

Oct 2

Politico congressional reporter Nicholas Wu talks about the latest on the federal shutdown and other national political news.

Oct 2

Inspired by an article in The Atlantic that shares recommendations for a "happy start to the day," listeners call in to share their morning routines, and explain why it helps them get going; plus Michael Hill , WNYC's Morning Edition host, shares his ultra-early routine.

Oct 2

John Reitmeyer, budget and finance writer at NJ Spotlight News, talks about taxation in New Jersey and where the candidates stand on property taxes, the mansion tax, taxing millionaires, and more.

Oct 1

U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D NJ) talks about the government shutdown, U.S. military leadership, and more.

Oct 1

Rev. Al Sharpton, civil rights leader, host of MSNBC’s PoliticsNation, founder and president of the National Action Network (NAN) and the author of Righteous Troublemakers (Hanover Square Press, 2022), discusses the remaining mayoral candidates after Mayor Adams' withdrawal from the race and the issues of racial justice and inequality. Then, Gothamist and WNYC reporter Elizabeth Kim and Christina Greer , associate professor of political science at Fordham University, co-host of the podcast FAQNYC and the author of How to Build a Democracy (Cambridge University Press, 2024), talk about the latest news in the mayoral campaign after Mayor Adams's big announcement that he'd be dropping out, plus they discuss what the remaining candidates might do for racial justice.

Oct 1

Christopher Eisgruber , president of Princeton University and the author of Terms of Respect: How Colleges Get Free Speech Right (Hachette, 2025), talks about issues of free speech and campus politics at Princeton, and the university's relationship with the Trump administration.

Sep 30

Vanessa Hauc , anchor and director of Noticias Telemundo’s environmental investigative unit, Planeta Tierra, and one of three winners of the Covering Climate Now Journalist of the Year award, talks about her award and her reporting on the climate crisis, focused on solutions that are already happening around the world, plus how the Latino community is one of the most vulnerable to the crisis here and abroad.

Sep 30

Vilas Dhar , president of the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation and member of the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Body on AI, talks about the two new institutions created by the United Nations to study and discuss the risks and opportunities of artificial intelligence, and his goals for governing this emerging technology so that it serves the public good.

Sep 30

Nick Garber , politics reporter at Crain's New York Business , shares the latest on the competing downstate casino proposals, just after Steve Cohen's Willets Point casino proposal wins approval from its community advisory committee, leaving four proposed casinos to vie for up to three state licenses to be awarded by the state by December 1.

Sep 30

Brian Stettin , senior advisor on severe mental illness for the Office of the New York City Mayor, and Michael F. Hogan, PhD, consultant at Hogan Health Solutions and New York State Commissioner of Mental Health from 2007-2012, debate whether the city and state's policy of involuntarily hospitalizing New Yorkers displaying signs of severe mental illness is humane and effective ahead of the November mayoral election.

Sep 29

As fall has begun (not that you'd know it from the weather around here), listeners call in to share what their most and least favorite seasons are, and why .

Sep 29

Jorge Loweree, managing director of programs and strategy at the American Immigration Council, talks about the changes the Trump Administration has instituted for the H-1B visa program, and what it might mean for foreign workers and the companies that hire them.

Sep 29

Katie Honan , senior reporter at The City and co-host of the podcast FAQ NYC, talks about Mayor Adams' withdrawal from the mayor's race and how that affects the contest.

Sep 29

New York State Senator Jabari Brisport (D, WF, 25th Senate District), chair of Committee on Children And Families, and New York State Assemblymember Alec Brook-Krasny (R, C, Coney Island, Bay Ridge), talk about Zohran Mamdani's proposal to tax corporations and the 1% in New York State to pay for programs to support working class New Yorkers and the feasibility of passing tax reforms in Albany.

Sep 27

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. One perspective on free speech in our politics, from Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression CEO Greg Lukianoff (First) | Environmental activist and journalist Bill McKibben reflects on his life's work (Starts at 25:25) | Listeners on their religious conversions (Starts at 1:03:15) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here .

Sep 26

On Monday, President Donald Trump warned pregnant women not to take Tylenol, claiming without evidence that it was a cause of autism. Veronica Gillispie-Bell , MD, board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist and vice chair of American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists' Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee of Obstetrics, breaks down what the science says about painkiller use during pregnancy and listeners call in to share how they've been navigating new Trump administration guidelines for pregnant women.

Sep 26

Greg David , contributor covering fiscal and economic issues for THE CITY and director of the business and economics reporting program and Ravitch Fiscal Reporting Program at the Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, and Patrick Spauster , City Limits housing and homelessness reporter, talk about Mamdani's proposed rent freeze and Andrew Cuomo's call for means testing for rent-regulated tenants, and the larger question of rent regulation to make housing in NYC more affordable.

Sep 26

Randi Weingarten , president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the author of Why Fascists Fear Teachers: Public Education and the Future of Democracy (Thesis, 2025), talks about her new book and explains why she says education protects democracy.

Sep 25

The prospect of a government shutdown is growing as Democrats are threatening to not help Republicans on the Hill pass a spending bill by the September 30 deadline. Deirdre Walsh , congressional correspondent for NPR's Washington Desk, talks about the politics of the potential shutdown and related news from Congress.

Sep 25

Bill McKibben , environmental activist, founder of Third Act and author of many books, most recently: Here Comes the Sun: A Last Chance for the Climate and a Fresh Chance for Civilization (W. W. Norton & Company, 2025), discusses his new book, and reflects on his life's work, both as a climate activist and journalist.

Sep 25

As part of the election series "30 Issues in 30 Days," Mike Hayes , WNYC/Gothamist reporter covering the New Jersey governor's race and the author of The Secret Files: Bill De Blasio, The NYPD, and the Broken Promises of Police Reform (Kingston Imperial, 2023), talks about the issue of too little affordable housing in New Jersey, including court-required efforts to build more, and how the gubernatorial candidates' plan to comply.

Sep 24

Ry Rivard , reporter covering regional infrastructure for Politico, looks at the gubernatorial candidates' positions on climate change and energy policies in New Jersey.

Sep 24

In a new memoir, Yusuf Islam, also known as the singer-songwriter Cat Stevens, writes about how he converted his faith and changed his name after a near-death experience. Listeners call in to share stories of why they changed their name, other than marriage.

Sep 24

Greg Lukianoff , attorney, president and CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and the author of several books on free speech, offers his thoughts on how he says both the political left and right weaponize crackdowns on speech, and why he thinks that is a problem for everyone's rights.

Sep 24

Elizabeth Kim , Gothamist and WNYC reporter, talks about the latest news from the mayoral campaign trail, including an off-and-back-on-again town hall; growing frustration from some over Sen. Schumer's refusal to endorse Zohran Mamdani; a potential fight brewing over charter schools; and Mayor Adams's comments about bathrooms and gender identity.

Sep 23

David Gelles , reporter on the New York Times climate team and the Times ’s Climate Forward newsletter and author of Dirtbag Billionaire: How Yvon Chouinard Built Patagonia, Made a Fortune, and Gave It All Away (Simon & Schuster, 2025), talks about New York City Climate Week and the challenge of several developing nations who are facing the challenges of a changing climate without the support of the United States, since the Trump administration withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement.

Sep 23

David Brand , housing reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, explains NYC’s three ballot proposals on streamlining the housing construction process.

Sep 23

Salonee Bhaman , co-curator for "The New York Sari: A Journey Through Tradition, Fashion, and Identity" at The New York Historical and curatorial scholar at the Center for Women's History at The New York Historical, and S. Mitra Kalita , co-founder of URL Media and CEO and publisher of Epicenter-NYC, talk about the exhibition at The New York Historical that shows the cultural and community significance of the sari among immigrant communities in New York.

Sep 23

Chelsea Cirruzzo , Washington correspondent for STAT News, talks about the White House press conference on autism, acetaminophen, and immunizations, plus the results of last week's meeting of the federal advisory committee on vaccines, and the confusion over federal, state and local public health rules.

Sep 22

Richard Gowan , International Crisis Group's director of UN and Multilateral Diplomacy, shares what to expect at the UN General Assembly, including what President Trump may say in his Tuesday address, the war in Gaza and other crises and the role of the United Nations globally.

Sep 22

In a new memoir, Yusuf Islam, also known as the singer-songwriter Cat Stevens, writes about how converted his faith after a near-death experience. Listeners call in to share what has prompted them to change their faith.

Sep 22

Daniel Di Martino , fellow at the Manhattan Institute whose research focuses on immigration, and Amy Torres , executive director of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, debate the issues around sanctuary laws in the New York City mayor's race and the New Jersey governor's election.

Sep 20

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. How Trump May Be Changing the Elections Process (First) | AI in the Job Market (Starts at 51:0 0) | Your Family's 'Secret Language' (Starts at 1:18:00) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here .

Sep 19

Nate Soares , president of the Machine Intelligence Research Institute and the co-author (with Eliezer Yudkowsky) of If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies: Why Superhuman AI Would Kill Us All (Little, Brown and Company, 2025), talks about why he worries that AI "superintelligence" will lead to catastrophic outcomes, and what safeguards he recommends to prevent this.

Sep 19

A new Siena poll shows a (slight) majority of New Yorkers said the state is on the right track, while 59% of respondents thought the U.S. is heading in the wrong direction. New Yorkers call in to share what they think is going well in the state compared to the rest of the country.

Sep 19

Brooklyn Borough president Antonio Reynoso talks about why he's now supporting the plan to redevelop Brooklyn's Marine Terminal ahead of a pivotal vote on the project.

Sep 19

Elie Honig , senior legal analyst at CNN, New York Magazine columnist, former state and federal prosecutor and author of several books, including When You Come at the King: Inside DOJ’s Pursuit of the President, From Nixon to Trump (Harper, 2025), explores investigations by the Department of Justice of presidents and other high-ranking officials throughout the years, and how the system may be tested during Trump's second presidency.

Sep 18

As the Atlantic Festival takes place in NYC, staff writers and panelists Ashley Parker , staff writer at The Atlantic , former Washington Post White House bureau chief, and Adam Serwer , staff writer at The Atlantic , preview their panels and discuss the latest from the White House particularly the events after the the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

Sep 18

On Sunday, the television drama "The Pitt," about emergency room healthcare workers at a hospital in Pittsburgh, cleaned up at the Emmys with several major wins. Listeners who work in the healthcare profession call in to share what the series meant to them and how accurately it depicted post-COVID healthcare.

Sep 18

Meghna Philip , director of the special litigation unit at the Legal Aid Society, talks about its call for the department of investigation to look into all cases of deaths in police custody, after a fifth death occurred this year.

Sep 18

Hilke Schellmann , investigative reporter, assistant professor of journalism at New York University, and author of The Algorithm: How AI Decides Who Gets Hired, Monitored, Promoted, and Fired, And Why We Need To Fight Back (Grand Central Publishing, 2024), talks about AI's expanding role in the job hiring process for both applicants and employers—and its implications.

Sep 17

Elizabeth Kim , Gothamist and WNYC reporter, and Jimmy Vielkind , New York state issues reporter for Gothamist and WNYC and author of the substack "Notes from Jimmy," talk about the latest in the mayor's race, including Gov. Hochul's endorsement of Zohran Mamdani, and a wrinkle in the relationship between comptroller Brad Lander and Zohran Mamdani.

Sep 17

The Trump administration's recent lethal strikes on purported drug boats in Venezuela drew widespread condemnation from experts in international law. Brian Finucane , senior adviser at the International Crisis Group and a non-resident senior fellow at Reiss Center on Law and Security at NYU Law, talks about the strikes and breaks down their legality, plus discusses the implications of that analysis.

Sep 17

Democratic nominee U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill (D, NJ-11) talks about her campaign for governor and takes calls from NJ voters.

Sep 16

Looking ahead to the 250th anniversary of the U.S., Jill Lepore , professor of American history at Harvard University, staff writer at The New Yorker , and the author of several books, including We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution (Liveright, 2025), digs into the history of the country's founding document and what it means for the country that it is so difficult, but still possible, to change.

Sep 16

David Brand, housing reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, talks about new City Council legislation to require reporting on unfilled supportive housing units, aimed at decreasing the number of empty units (5,000, as of June). " To fill empty apartments for homeless people, NYC will first start tracking them " (Gothamist, Sept 12)

Sep 16

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has issued a report on the state of children's health. Julie Rovner , chief Washington correspondent, KFF Health News and host of the What the Health? podcast, talks about the details of the report and where it fits into the Trump administration's MAHA initiative.

Sep 15

Almost immediately after Charlie Kirk was shot and killed, videos were circulating on social media, and many people saw the gruesome crime without meaning to just by logging on. Adam Clark Estes, senior technology correspondent at Vox, talks about how little content moderation big tech companies are doing these days, how the algorithm fed off people pausing to watch the video, and how content like this may traumatize vast swaths of people.

Sep 15

Jeffery Mays , New York Times reporter covering politics with a focus on New York City Hall, talks about the new worker and vendor protections passed by the City Council, overriding Mayor Adams' vetoes.

Sep 15

A recent Washington Post article explained how most families have a secret language that only they understand, or a "familect" as some linguists call it. Listeners call in to share the words in their family that only they use, which are often conjured in the minds of small children and then used for years down the road.

Sep 15

Ari Berman , voting rights correspondent for Mother Jones and author of Minority Rule: The Right-Wing Attack on the Will of the People—and the Fight to Resist It (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2024), talks about his latest article on the "rapidly escalating" threats to America’s election system, including how the Trump administration is making it harder to vote, the DOJ's civil rights division has dropped cases investigating gerrymandered maps in states such as Arizona, Georgia, and Texas and more.

Sep 13

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. Lawmakers Attempt to Improve the Ticket-Buying Experience (First) | The City's Rat Czar Shares Progress and Challenges (Starts at 23:40) | Helping Monarch Butterflies Thrive in NYC (Starts at 44:44) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here .

Sep 12

As the US economy and consumer preferences fluctuate, listeners in the restaurant industry and their customers share how they're adapting to tariffs, slowed job growth, widespread use of GLP-1 medications altering appetites, and other trends.

Sep 12

Zack Beauchamp , senior correspondent at Vox and the author of The Reactionary Spirit: How America's Most Insidious Political Tradition Swept the World (PublicAffairs, 2024), talks about the debate among Democrats over whether to go along with the Republican plan to fund the government or withhold their votes, resulting in a shutdown. => " The Democrats’ shutdown debate is about something much bigger " (Vox, Sept. 10, 2025)

Sep 12

This week, the French government lost a confidence vote in the National Assembly, forcing the prime minister François Bayrou and his cabinet to resign. Sophie Pedder , Paris bureau chief at The Economist , breaks down the latest and what's on the table for President Emmanuel Macron to remedy what's being called a "collapse" of his government.

Sep 12

James Skoufis , New York State Senator (D - 42nd District), talks about his bill that would regulate the live events ticketing industry, plus shares why he agrees with Zohran Mamdani's petition to FIFA to improve consumers' ticket-buying experience for the men's World Cup, which will be in the US next year.

Sep 11

Kelly Drane , research director at Giffords Law Center, Ned Parker , investigative reporter at Thomson Reuters, and McKay Coppins , staff writer at The Atlantic and the author of Romney: A Reckoning (Simon & Schuster, 2023), talk about guns and the state of political violence in America after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at an event on a Utah college campus.

Sep 11

Benji Jones, senior environmental correspondent at Vox , shares his reporting on how cities like New York can nurture threatened species, including monarch butterflies.

Sep 11

Steven Markowitz , MD DrPH, an occupational medicine physician, internist, and epidemiologist who directs the Barry Commoner Center for Health and the Environment at the City University of New York, talks about the latest data from the World Trade Center Health Program.

Sep 11

Nancy Solomon , host of the “Ask Governor Murphy” monthly call-in show, recaps her conversation with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy on the assassination of Conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the Governor's planned economic trip to India and his executive order to ensure COVID vaccinations (and medical insurance coverage) to New Jerseyans. Plus, Nancy talks about the latest news in the governor's race between Jack Ciattarelli and Rep. Mikie Sherrill.

Sep 10

It has been more than two years since Mayor Adams appointed a "rat czar." Kathleen Corradi , citywide director of rodent mitigation, reports on progress in the city's fight against the pests, and challenges that remain, like persistent rats nests near playgrounds and in parks.

Sep 10

Listeners share stories of when they've lost big but managed to come back, inspired by Amanda Anisimova's comeback in the U.S. Open to make the finals after her infamous "double-bagel" loss at Wimbledon.

Sep 10

Gothamist and WNYC reporter Elizabeth Kim and Errol Louis , political anchor of Spectrum NY1 News, host of Inside City Hall and The Big Deal with Errol Louis, New York Magazine columnist and host of the podcast You Decide, talk about the latest news in the mayoral campaign, including a new poll that shows Mamdani retaining a comfortable lead; Errol's conversation with Mamdani on public safety from earlier this week; the meaning and impact of socialism in the election; and reported efforts by President Trump to narrow the field of candidates.

Sep 10

Ben Casselman , chief economics correspondent for The New York Times , talks about the adjustments to hiring numbers showing 911,000 fewer jobs were created in the 12 months before March 2025, as listeners share their real-world job search stories.

Sep 9

As New York's mayoral election enters its final stretch, Boston voters are casting ballots to narrow their own mayoral field—and President Trump is attempting to influence both races. Emma Platoff , political enterprise reporter at The Boston Globe , talks about the state of the Boston mayoral election.

Sep 9

Peter Hotez , MD, PhD, founding dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine, codirector of the Texas Children's Center for Vaccine Development, and professor of pediatrics and molecular virology and microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine and Michael E. Mann , presidential distinguished professor and director of the Center for Science, Sustainability and the Media at the University of Pennsylvania and author of several books and co-author and, together, co-authors of Science Under Siege: How to Fight the Five Most Powerful Forces that Threaten Our World (PublicAffairs, 2025), talk about the specific groups promoting anti-science and how they make fighting the global threats of disease and climate change harder.

Sep 9

Kyle Chayka , staff writer at The New Yorker and author of the weekly column Infinite Scroll, talks about his latest column about ghosting and discusses whether our hyperconnected digital moment has made us all expect too much of each other.

Sep 9

In an unsigned order, the Supreme Court lifted a restriction on ICE from conducting indiscriminate stops and raids in Los Angeles that have been decried as racial profiling. Lindsay Nash , professor of law at Cardozo Law, co-director of the Kathryn O. Greenberg Immigration Justice Clinic and co-director of the Center for Immigration Innovation, offers legal analysis of the ruling, and other immigration and deportation-related news.

Sep 8

Dana Rubinstein , New York Times reporter who covers New York City politics and government, and Brigid Bergin , senior political correspondent for WNYC and Gothamist, share their reporting on the possibility that Mayor Adams will drop out of the mayoral race to take a job with the Trump administration (despite the mayor's assertion that he's staying in the race).

Sep 8

Cristian Farias , legal journalist who writes for Vanity Fair , The New Yorker , and other publications, and the host of The Bully’s Pulpit, a podcast of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, talks about the many legal issues the Trump administration is running into, related to sending the National Guard in to LA and DC, deportations and more.

Sep 8

President Trump announced he will rename the Department of Defense the "Department of War." Fred Kaplan , Slate's War Stories columnist and the author of many nonfiction books and his latest, a novel, A Capital Calamity (Miniver Press, 2024), explains the symbolic and actual implications for this decision, plus talks about the dubious legality of the Trump administration's fatal attack on a Venezuelan boat they say was transporting illegal drugs.

Sep 5

Following up on Thursday's calls from parents of kids whose education was interrupted by the pandemic lockdown, Angela Mora , LMSW, child therapist at Cope With School NYC, talks about some of the emotional health issues children face today.

Sep 5

Jane Arraf , international correspondent covering the Middle East for NPR , talks about the latest developments in Gaza as Israel clamps down on volunteer doctors and threatens more restrictions on humanitarian aid amid reports of famine, plus other news on the war and attempts to end it.

Sep 5

U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler (D, NY-12) talks about his decision to retire at the end of this session of Congress, plus reflects on his long career in politics, and the latest news of the day.

Sep 5

David D. Kirkpatrick , staff writer for The New Yorker , breaks down his tally of President Donald Trump profiteering during his presidencies, including five Persian Gulf mega-projects, a luxury jet from Qatar and half a dozen projects involving crypto and MAGA merch.

Sep 4

Filip Balunović , research fellow at the Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory at the University of Belgrade, explains the recent protests in Serbia, where a student-led movement is fighting back against an entrenched autocratic government that is aligned both with autocratic powers in the East, like Russia and China, and democratic powers in the West, like European Union and The United States.

Sep 4

Kids who were in kindergarten when the pandemic hit in March of 2020 are now starting middle school. Parents call in to talk about the lingering educational and social effects of the pandemic that they have noticed in their school-aged kids.

Sep 4

Jacob Shamsian , legal correspondent at Business Insider, talks about the latest developments in the Epstein saga as several survivors of Jeffrey Epstein urge Congress to act.

Sep 4

David Cruz , senior political correspondent and anchor, and moderator of Chat Box and Reporters Roundtable at NJ Spotlight News , talks about the latest news on the New Jersey gubernatorial race and how the state's changing voter demographics are impacting the candidates' campaign strategies.

Sep 3

Ben Smith, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Semafor, and the author of Traffic: Genius, Rivalry, and Delusion in the Billion-Dollar Race to Go Viral (Penguin Press, 2023), shares his analysis for how the president has come for civil servants, and what it might mean for the government bureaucracy in the future.

Sep 3

Elizabeth Kim , WNYC and Gothamist reporter, talks about the latest news in the mayoral campaign. Plus Jon Campbell , WNYC and Gothamist Albany reporter, reports on the news that longtime Manhattan Congressman Jerry Nadler will retire next year, paving the way for generational change for the coveted seat.

Sep 3

Emma Goldberg , business features writer for The New York Times, reporting on cultural, societal and economic change, and the author of Life on the Line: Young Doctors Come of Age in a Pandemic (Harper, 2021), talks about her recent exploration of whether today's self-help books go too far in encouraging paying less attention to other people. → Is Today’s Self-Help Teaching Everyone to Be a Jerk?

Sep 3

Caroline Lewis , health care reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, talks about the availability of COVID vaccines this fall and how the FDA's changes are resulting in different access across the states and at pharmacies.

Sep 2

With so many iconic bands on tour again this summer, listeners call in to share what legendary acts they've seen recently and how the bands did -- or didn't -- stand the test of time.

Sep 2

Melissa Aviles-Ramos , Chancellor of New York City Public Schools, looks ahead to the first day of school.

Sep 2

U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D NJ) talks about his work in the Senate and the issues in New Jersey as congress returns to work, including his recent trip to Asia, deportations and immigrant detention, further rescission demands, and why he's supporting Zohran Mamdani.

Sep 2

Amy Maxmen, PhD, public health correspondent and editor at KFF Health News, discusses her reporting on the Trump administration’s interference with the CDC, which slowed its response to a measles outbreak in Texas that has since become the largest in the U.S. in 30 years. → As Measles Exploded, Officials in Texas Looked to CDC Scientists. Under Trump, No One Answered .

Sep 1

For this Labor Day holiday, highlights from our series for and about non-college careers: From our centennial series, Annelies Goger , an economic geographer and a fellow with the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program, and Justin Heck , research director at Opportunity@Work, look at the history of non-college employment and where it stands today. Audrey Mickahail , senior vice president at Opportunity@Work, a nonprofit working to expand access to career opportunities, and Aaliyah Siddiqi , marketing operations specialist for a Philadelphia pharmaceutical company, talk about alternative routes to professional careers. Blair Corcoran de Castillo , vice president of public sector and policy at Opportunity@Work, and Tony Gherardini , executive director at the Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration, talk about how state governments and public agencies are rethinking hiring, training, and credential requirements to open up opportunity for STARs—workers Skilled Through Alternative Routes. Louisa Tatum , Career Services Manager at the New York Public Library, talks about the job and career landscape for people without college degrees—and we'll take calls from listeners who are looking for career advice. Support of WNYC’s coverage of economic mobility and opportunity is provided in part by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. For more information about how the Gates Foundation supports economic mobility and opportunity, visit usprogram.gatesfoundation.org . These interviews were lightly edited for time and clarity and the original web versions are available here: 100 Years of 100 Things: Non-College Employment (Oct 9, 2024) Another Way Into the Workforce (Apr 9, 2025) The Politics and Policy of Empowering Skilled Workers (Apr 30, 2025) Career Counseling Courtesy of the New York Public Library (May 2, 2025)

Aug 30

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. The New ICE (First) | Driverless Cars in NYC (Starts at 43:03) | Why Have Youth Sports Gotten So Intense? (Starts at 1:09:41) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here .

Aug 29

For this "Summer Friday" we've put together some of our favorite conversations this year: Hua Hsu , New Yorker staff writer, professor of English at Bard College and author of the memoir Stay True (September 2022), discusses what college students lose when ChatGPT writes their essays for them and what that says about our evolving understanding of the purpose of higher education. Jessica Gould , education reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, shares her reporting on the deal struck between Big Tech and The American Federation of Teachers which offers artificial intelligence training and software to teachers in New York City public schools. Peniel Joseph , professor of history and public affairs and director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at the University of Texas at Austin and the author of Freedom Season: How 1963 Transformed America’s Civil Rights Revolution (Basic Books, 2025), talks about his new book, an examination of the impact of events in 1963 on the struggle for civil rights -- from MLK's “Letter from Birmingham Jail” to the assassination of JFK. From our centennial series, Bob van der Linden , commercial aviation curator at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, looks at the past 100 years of civilian air travel. Listeners share the best, maybe even most surprising, times they've been helped or helped others, inspired by an article for The Atlantic titled "A Wedding Reveals How Much Help Is Really Available to You," by Julie Beck. These interviews were lightly edited for time and clarity and the original web versions are available here: What Students Lose When ChatGPT Writes Their Essays (July 8, 2025) NYC Teachers' Union Embraces AI (July 28, 2025) How 1963 Defined the Civil Rights Movement (June 12, 2025) 100 Years of 100 Things: Commercial Aviation (May 6, 2025) How Helping Can Feel Good (July 9, 2025)

Aug 28

With Labor Day around the corner, the end of summer is near. Listeners share what they've checked off their summer bucket list and the last few activities they'll take part in this weekend.

Aug 28

Nick Miroff , staff writer for The Atlantic who covers immigration and the Department of Homeland Security, talks about the changes at the immigration enforcement agency and how the $75 billion budget bump will be spent. => " Fast Times at Immigration and Customs Enforcement " ( The Atlantic , August 26, 2025)

Aug 28

Allie Volpe , correspondent at Vox, talks about her attempt to discover if we really are getting ruder to each other or if something else is going on. → Are we in a crisis of rudeness?

Aug 28

The Hoboken PATH station shut-down this weekend is just the latest challenge for PATH riders in what's been called its "Summer of Hell." Larry Higgs , the transportation and commuting reporter at NJ.com and the Star-Ledger, shares options for the weekend and talks about the larger transit issues facing New Jersey commuters.

Aug 27

Inspired by a report that the MTA's lost and found isn't working as well as expected, listeners call in with their stories of things they've lost and later found.

Aug 27

Katie Honan , senior reporter at The City and co-host of the podcast FAQ NYC, talks about the latest news in the mayoral campaign including her experience covering mayor Eric Adams after receiving cash in a bag of chips from a former staffer, the culture of "toxic masculinity" amongst the candidates, and Zohran Mamdani's scavenger hunt.

Aug 27

In an executive order on Monday, President Donald Trump directed each state’s National Guard to be prepared to respond to civil disturbances. Dan Lamothe , U.S. military and Pentagon reporter at The Washington Post , breaks down the latest news and what this might mean for cities like Chicago and New York City.

Aug 27

Stephen Nessen , transportation reporter for the WNYC and Gothamist newsroom, talks about the news that the NYC DOT approved a pilot program to test Waymo's driverless cars in the city.

Aug 26

Ileana Najarro , reporter for Education Week covering race and opportunity in U.S. schools, and Kate Menken , professor of linguistics and a research fellow at the Research Institute for the Study of Language in an Urban Society at Queens College of the City University of New York (CUNY) and co-editor in chief of the journal Language Policy, discuss the news that the Trump administration has rescinded a 2015 directive standards for English Language Learners in U.S. schools.

Aug 26

Nostalgia for the late '90s and early 2000s is roaringly popular among Gen Z right now. Listeners call in with stories of life before the internet and what it is about that era that younger listeners wish for today, and we hear from Clay Routledge , social psychologist, director of the Human Flourishing Lab at Archbridge Institute and author of Past Forward: How Nostalgia Can Help You Live a More Meaningful Life (Sounds True, 2023). =>" Why Gen Z Is Resurrecting the 1990s " (NYT Opinion, 8/24/25)

Aug 26

Two gas pipelines in New York are suddenly back on the table following a revival of talks between President Donald Trump and Governor Kathy Hochul earlier this year. Liz Krueger , New York State Senator (D, WF - 28th, Manhattan's East Side) and chair of the Finance Committee, and Rich Schrader , New York government affairs director of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), talk about what's at stake for the environment if the projects, known as The Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline and the Constitution pipeline, get the green light from the Governor.

Aug 26

Lydia DePillis , New York Times reporter covering the American economy and Shawn Donnan , Bloomberg News senior writer, talk about the latest economic and tariff news, including U.S. investment in Intel, other deals involving foreign investment in U.S. businesses, and the Federal Reserve.

Aug 25

Inspired by a Business Insider report on Microsoft employees sharing salaries with each other on a massive internal spreadsheet, listeners share their most shocking pay transparency revelations from their workplaces.

Aug 25

In recent years, youth sports have quietly morphed from free community gatherings into a big business, with private leagues and one-on-one trainers capitalizing on a growing impulse to frame a child's athleticism as a ticket to their future. Vox senior correspondent Anna North discusses her article on the subject, headlined "The hidden forces ruining youth sports." Plus, the latest on RFK Jr.'s feud with the American Academy of Pediatrics over Covid vaccination guidelines for kids.

Aug 25

Tom Nichols , staff writer at The Atlantic and an author of the Atlantic Daily newsletter, talks about national politics, including Democratic messaging strategies, like California Gov. Newsom's efforts to 'troll' Trump on social media.

Aug 25

Ramsey Khalifeh , Gothamist and WNYC transportation reporter, talks about the latest on the MTA's plans to extend the Q to 125th Street.

Aug 23

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. How President Trump is Bigfooting Big Business (First) | The Future of Using AI for Therapy (Starts at 27 :30) | Your Late-Summer Weekend Plans (Starts at 52:00) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here .

Aug 22

The independent Commission on Racial Equity filed a lawsuit against the City over the delays in releasing the racial equity plan, as required by the City Charter. Jennifer Jones Austin , CEO of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies and co-chair of National True Cost of Living Coalition, and Darrick Hamilton professor of economics and urban policy and founding director of the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy at The New School, who served on the commission that helped establish the process, discuss the delay and the state of racial equity in NYC today.

Aug 22

As summer winds down, listeners call in to share how they're spending the weekend and offer recommendations for affordable 'daycations' nearby that don't require a plane ticket.

Aug 22

Zach Moller, director of the economic program at Third Way, talks about different policy approaches to helping workers without college degrees find economic stability and prosperity.

Aug 22

In July, the Justice Department (DOJ) announced it had issued subpoenas to medical providers that had provided gender-affirming care to minors. Washington Post reporter Casey Parks discusses one of those subpoenas, which was newly made public, and what it means for transgender healthcare.

Aug 21

Jared Moore , AI researcher and PhD candidate at Stanford University's Department of Computer Science, talks about the risks of using mass-market LLMs like ChatGPT for therapy and the broader trend of AI users forming parasocial relationships with chatbots

Aug 21

Inspired by a recent article in TIME Magazine, listeners share their tips for helping loved ones recover from heartbreak, as well as unhelpful words they've received during their own breakups.

Aug 21

Katie Honan , senior reporter at The City and co-host of the podcast FAQ NYC, talks about her recent involvement in a story involving a wad of cash handed to her in an empty bag of potato chips by an ally of Mayor Adams.

Aug 21

As the Trump administration conducts a review of the content in the Smithsonian museums, the president wrote on social media earlier this week that the Smithsonian Institution was too focused on the horrors of slavery. Douglas Brinkley , professor of history at Rice University, a CNN Presidential Historian, and a contributing editor at Vanity Fair , talks about what could be lost if the administration is able to censor what is presented to museumgoers.

Aug 21

The final-round to secure a highly lucrative casino license in New York City is underway, with a winner chosen by year's end. Arun Venugopal , senior reporter for WNYC's race & justice unit, explains the stakes and why some community members are pushing back on a casino within city limits.

Aug 20

Students, and their parents, share their thoughts on the start of this academic year.

Aug 20

Beaches along the East Coast are closing this week due to dangerous surf and rip currents brought on by Hurricane Erin in the Atlantic. Greg Dusek , Ph.D., senior scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, talks about the storm's path and offers survival tips for rip currents ahead of the storm's impact.

Aug 20

Jeffrey Wice , adjunct professor and senior fellow at New York Law School where he directs the New York Census and Redistricting Institute, talks about the plans for mid-cycle redistricting for partisan advantage kicked off by Texas, the rules in different states and the impact of redistricting on 2026 midterm races.

Aug 20

Elizabeth Kim , Gothamist and WNYC reporter, and Jeff Coltin , Politico reporter and co-author of the New York Playbook, talk about the latest news in the mayoral campaign, including Andrew Cuomo's comments regarding President Trump at a Hamptons fundraiser, the Adams administration's response to the Legionnaires' outbreak and more.

Aug 19

Media outlets are paring down their staff of arts critics. Listeners call in to share if they still do rely on the opinion of critics, and if not, where they find out about movies, music and theater.

Aug 19

Julia Ioffe , founding partner and Washington correspondent of Puck, a new media company, offers analysis of how Zelensky's meeting with President Trump went, plus discusses her reporting on how the MAGA world views Israel, and how that could affect US policy toward Israel's war in Gaza.

Aug 19

Charles Stile , political columnist at The Record/ northjersey.com , talks about the latest news regarding New Jersey's governor's race between Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democrat Mikie Sherrill.

Aug 19

Michael J. Coren , "Climate Coach" advice columnist for The Washington Post , discusses his latest column on how plastic "turf" is causing uproar amongst athletes and climate activists.

Aug 18

Listeners call in to share their tips for how to be a good house guest; and listeners who frequently host guests at their houses share what they appreciate from their guests.

Aug 18

Jon Campbell , Albany reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, reports on how the story of Peanut the squirrel has upended the work of New York's Department of Environmental Conservation, as well as how the Democratic nominee for mayor, Zohran Mamdani, could work with state lawmakers if he is the city's next mayor.

Aug 18

William Cohan , co-founder of Puck News and author of many books, including Power Failure: The Rise and Fall of an American Icon (Penguin Random House, 2022) , talks about the many ways President Trump is interfering in big U.S. businesses, and why Wall Street is worried he'll come after big banks the way he did big law firms and elite universities.

Aug 18

Susan Page , USA Today Washington bureau chief and the author of the forthcoming book The Queen and Her Presidents (Harper/Collins April 2026), talks about the latest national political news, including the aftermath of President Trump's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Aug 16

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. Squalid Conditions at ICE's Manhattan Facility (First) | Selling Eternal Life (Starts at 31:50) | The Politics of Jerry Garcia (Starts at 1:00:35) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here .

Aug 15

For this "Summer Friday" we've put together some of our favorite conversations this year: John Cassidy , staff writer at The New Yorker and the author of Capitalism and Its Critics: A History: From the Industrial Revolution to AI (Macmillan, 2025), talks about his new book that traces the roots of criticism of today's global capitalism to its beginnings. From our centennial series "100 Years of 100 Things," Eric Dean Wilson , Queens College writing instructor and the author of After Cooling: On Freon, Global Warming, and the Terrible Cost of Comfort (Simon & Schuster, 2021), walks us through the promise of air conditioning of the past 100 years -- how it relieved people of warming temperatures and how they have eventually contributed to climate change. Black lung had largely been eradicated by the end of the last century. Now, the disease has reemerged in coal country, and federal cuts threaten at-risk miners. Kate Morgan , Pennsylvania-based freelance journalist, talks about her reporting on black lung for the New York Times . Elie Mystal , justice correspondent and columnist for The Nation magazine and host of the podcast, Contempt of Court with Elie Mystal, and author of Bad Law: Ten Popular Laws That Are Ruining America (The New Press, 2025) talks about the ten laws he calls a "Bill of Wrongs" - like felony murder and immunity for gun manufacturers. These interviews were lightly edited for time and clarity and the original web versions are available here: The Long History of Critiquing Capitalism (May 12, 2025) 100 Years of 100 Things: Air Conditioners (Jul 24, 2024) How Black Lung Reemerged (Jun 24, 2025) Elie Mystal's List of Laws that Need to Go (Mar 27, 2025)

Aug 14

This month marks 30 years since the passing of Jerry Garcia, the iconic frontman for the Grateful Dead. Jim Newton , editor of Blueprint magazine at UCLA, where he teaches communication studies and public policy, and author of Here Beside the Rising Tide: Jerry Garcia, the Grateful Dead, and an American Awakening (Random House, 2025), joins to discuss the artist's legacy and his politics of "living freely."

Aug 14

Jonathan Lemire , co-host of Morning Joe on MSNBC; writer for MSNBC and contributing writer to The Atlantic, talks about Friday's meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska to discuss the war in Ukraine.

Aug 14

Rachel Booth , Vox policy correspondent, talks about her recent Vox article on the need to expand the applicant pool for child care to more men to solve the worker shortage.

Aug 14

A federal judge has ordered ICE to improve the conditions at its Manhattan facility, which advocates and formerly detained immigrants describe as unsanitary and overcrowded. Gwynne Hogan , senior reporter for The City, talks about her reporting on the squalid conditions and the temporary order.

Aug 13

Listeners call in with memories of the dial-up internet era after AOL announced it will discontinue its dial-up internet service this September.

Aug 13

Elizabeth Kim , Gothamist and WNYC reporter, talks about the latest news from the campaign trail, including Andrew Cuomo's social media attack on Zohran Mamdani over his rent-stabilized apartment.

Aug 13

As cigarette use resurges, Nicholas Florko , a staff writer at The Atlantic who covers how business and policy affect our well-being, looks at the question of nicotine's safety on its own and in e-cigarettes, vapes and Zyn. " What’s So Bad About Nicotine? " (The Atlantic, August 1, 2025)

Aug 13

David Graham , staff writer at The Atlantic and an author of the Atlantic daily newsletter , plus author of The Project: How Project 2025 Is Reshaping America (Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2025), talks about the context and implications of Pres. Trump's takeover of policing in Washington, D.C., plus other national news.

Aug 12

Michael Osterholm , PhD, MPH, founding director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), member of the Vaccine Integrity Project, and the author, with Mark Olshaker, of the forthcoming book, The Big One: How We Must Prepare for Future Deadly Pandemics (Little, Brown Spark, 2025), talks about RFK Jr.'s cuts to mRNA vaccine development and what they mean for public health and science, plus other vaccine-related news.

Aug 12

Myles Ehrlich , WNBA senior writer covering the New York Liberty for Winsidr.com and co-host of the podcast "Pull Up with Myles and Owen," talks about ongoing negotiations between WNBA players and owners, where owners say the league is not yet profitable, despite a boom in growth and popularity, and players say they deserve more of a share of the revenue.

Aug 12

Adam Gopnik , staff writer for The New Yorker , and author of The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery (Liveright, 2023), talks about some of the key people in the history of gambling in NYC.

Aug 12

Caroline Lewis , health care reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, and Joe Hong , investigative data reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, talk about the ongoing Legionnaires' outbreak in Central Harlem, why New York is a hot spot for the disease, and why city inspections of cooling towers were at a low point ahead of the outbreak.

Aug 11

After many delays and negotiations, most of President Donald Trump's tariffs went into effect last Thursday, August 7th. Eric Levitz , senior correspondent at Vox, break down the latest news — including why Trump’s tariffs, no matter how tough they might be on American pocketbooks, might be very hard to reverse.

Aug 11

Tad Friend , a staff writer at The New Yorker and the author of In the Early Times: A Life Reframed (Crown, 2022), talks about his article "How to Live Forever and Get Rich Doing It" about researchers selling the idea of defeating death.

Aug 11

Arun Venugopal , senior reporter for WNYC's race & justice unit, shares his reporting on how the tourism industry in NYC is suffering because of President Trump's tariffs and other policies.

Aug 11

Martha Barnette , co-host of the radio show and podcast A Way with Words and author of Friends with Words: Adventures in Languageland (Harry N. Abrams, 2025), shares some fascinating stories of where words like "spam" and "cocktail."

Aug 9

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. Robert Reich's Critique of Fellow Boomers (First) | What to Know About the Eating Disorder ARFID (Starts at :33) | The Gen Z Intimacy Recession (Starts at :52) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here .

Aug 8

For this "Summer Friday" we've put together some of our favorite conversations this year: David Graham , staff writer at The Atlantic and an author of the Atlantic daily newsletter, plus author of The Project: How Project 2025 Is Reshaping America (Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2025), looks at where the initial actions of the Trump administration align with the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, and what's still to come. From our centennial series, Deb Whitcraft , founder and president of the New Jersey Maritime Museum, and Emil Salvini , author of several books on the history of the Jersey Shore and host of "Tales of the Jersey Shore" for NJTV, take us through the larger history as listeners share their memories and stories from the towns and beaches that fit under that giant umbrella of "the shore". Young men broke heavily for Trump in November. Andrew Marantz , staff writer at The New Yorker and author of Antisocial: Online Extremists, Techno-Utopians, and the Hijacking of the American Conversation (Viking Press, 2019),discusses the reason behind this phenomenon and how the left might make gains in this demographic. From our centennial series, Tina Jordan , deputy editor of The New York Times Book Review , and a co-editor of The New York Times Book Review: 125 Years of Literary History (Clarkson Potter, 2021), looks at the history of best-selling books and what that says about the past century of American culture. These interviews were lightly edited for time and clarity and the original web versions are available here: Catching Up on Project 2025 (Apr 25, 2025) 100 Years of 100 Things: The Jersey Shore (Aug 12, 2024) How the Left Can Connect with Young Men (Mar 28, 2025) 100 Years of 100 Things: Best Sellers (May 21, 2025)

Aug 7

The animal shelters in New York are full. There are feral cat colonies around the city. So what do we do? Will Zweigart , executive director of Flatbush Cats, a nonprofit cat rescue group, explains how we got to this point and makes some suggestions for what New York can do about all the cats.

Aug 7

Carter Sherman , author of The Second Coming: Sex and the Next Generation's Fight Over Its Future (Gallery Books, 2025), and a reproductive health and justice journalist at the Guardian , talks about the decline in sex and intimacy among young people and what role the internet and hookup culture have played in shaping a generation's new cultural mores.

Aug 7

Amy Nofziger , director of victim support at AARP's Fraud Watch Network, discusses the latest trends on how scammers are tricking people into giving them money and personal information and brings tips on how to avoid scams.

Aug 7

Elizabeth Kim , Gothamist and WNYC reporter, offers political analysis of Brian's candidate interview with Zohran Mamdani, and other campaign-related news.

Aug 7

New York State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani (D-AD36), the Democratic nominee for mayor, makes his pitch to voters as he runs for mayor of New York City.

Aug 6

ARFID is an eating disorder that often presents as extremely picky eating, but that can quickly turn serious. Caitlin Moscatello , author and contributor to New York Magazine , and William Sharp , director, Children’s Multidisciplinary Feeding Program at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta; and associate Professor, Division of Autism and Related Disorders & Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition in the Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, explain how to recognize signs and how treatment is evolving.

Aug 6

Elizabeth Kim , Gothamist and WNYC reporter, talks about the latest news from the campaign trail, as some national Democrats have endorsed Mamdani and others haven't, plus why Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Adams continue to criticize Zohran Mamdani over policing.

Aug 6

With Congress on summer recess after passing the big spending bill, GOP representatives are now tasked with defending their legislative records to their constituents. Eleanor Mueller , congress reporter at Semafor, talks about the particularly tough crowd Republican congressman Mike Flood faced on Monday evening and other news coming out of Congress.

Aug 6

Patrick Willingham , executive director of the Public Theater, and Saheem Ali , associate artistic director at the Public Theater and director of the upcoming run of Twelfth Night at the Delacorte Teater, talk about the reopening of the Delacorte Theater in Central Park and the return of Free Shakespeare in the Park.

Aug 5

Listeners call in to talk about how they have met their significant other in person (as opposed to online), and share their frustrations with dating apps.

Aug 5

Robert Reich , recently retired as Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley, Secretary of Labor under Pres. Clinton, a columnist for Newsweek and The Guardian and substack, and the author of several books, including his latest, Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America (Knopf, 2025), shares his story and why he thinks his generation 'came up short' and why young progressives listen to his political analysis.

Aug 5

A recent expert panel organized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cast doubt on the safety of SSRIs in pregnancy -- sparking backlash from medical institutions and doctors. Lauren Osborne , M.D., vice chair of Clinical Research at the Department of OBGYN at Weill Cornell Medicine and chair of The National Curriculum in Reproductive Psychiatry (NCRP), explains what the science says about antidepressant use during pregnancy.

Aug 5

Though nearly two-thirds of students in New York City's public school system are Black or Latino, just 3% of offers at eight of the city’s specialized schools went to Black students and 6.9% to Latino students. Alex Zimmerman , reporter at Chalkbeat New York, reports on the ongoing issue of segregation at specialized high schools, and how the mayoral candidates say they'd like to tackle it.

Aug 4

Nearly halfway through the summer and NPR is asking... do we have a "song of the summer" yet? Isabella Gomez Sarmiento , NPR Music reporter, breaks down this season's contenders and listeners share their nominations.

Aug 4

U.S. Representative Ritchie Torres (D-NY15) talks about the latest national political news of the week, as well as the NYC mayoral election, as Congress is in the midst of the August recess.

Aug 4

Franklin Foer , staff writer at The Atlantic , talks about his Atlantic feature story on the implications of NASA's reliance on Elon Musk's SpaceX.

Aug 4

A WNYC and Gothamist investigation found that some of the signatures Mayor Adams's re-election campaign submitted for him to be on the ballot this fall as an independent were fake. David Brand , housing reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, Clayton Guse , WNYC/Gothamist editor, and Brigid Bergin , senior political correspondent for WNYC and Gothamist, share what they found and what it could mean for the mayor's re-election chances.

Aug 2

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. Private Insurers Cover Drugs Less Often Now (First) | Fires, Floods, Air Quality & Climate Change (Starts at :24) | 'Cane Sugar' vs High Fructose Corn Syrup (Starts at :59) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here .

Aug 1

Adolfo Carrión, Jr., New York City deputy mayor for housing, economic development, and workforce, talks about the city's newest housing plans and the challenges that remain as the city is dealing with a shortage of affordable housing.

Aug 1

All of It's Public Song Project invites musicians to incorporate works of art that have entered the public domain into new compositions. Simon Close , All of It producer, shares the music created by this year's winners, and previews a concert this weekend in Grand Army Plaza.

Aug 1

After postponements, President Trump's reciprocal tariffs are set and go into effect next week. John Cassidy , staff writer at The New Yorker , talks about where things stand with these tariffs--plus the fed's decision on interest rates and a new jobs report for July.

Aug 1

Epstein experts Vicky Ward , investigative journalist and author of books including Kushner, Inc.: Greed. Ambition. Corruption. The Extraordinary Story of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump (St. Martin's Press, 2019), and Jacob Shamsian , legal correspondent at Business Insider, comb through the extensive history of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell's crimes, information about his associates, and recent news involving the Trump administration and this cold case.

Jul 31

As social media has been overtaken by influencers and ads, listeners call in to share how what they see on the various platforms has changed, and how what they post (if they do at all!) has in turn changed.

Jul 31

Sarah Kliff , investigative health care reporter for the New York Times , talks about her new reporting on an uptick in health insurers denying prescription drug claims over the last decade.

Jul 31

Radley Horton , professor of climate at Columbia University's Climate School, connects the dots between hotter temperatures, drenching rains, NYC's air quality alerts and Canadian wildfires.

Jul 31

Texas announced plans for off-cycle redistricting to add GOP seats before the midterm elections. New York State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris (D 12th, Astoria, LIC, Sunnyside) and New York State Assemblymember Micah Lasher , (D, AD 69, UWS, Morningside Heights, Manhattan Valley) explain the proposed amendment to the NYS Constitution to require mid-decade redistricting if another state makes that move.

Jul 30

Richard Aborn , President of the Citizens Crime Commission of NYC, discusses the ongoing push for gun control and other policies that could prevent another mass shooting after Monday evening's tragedy in midtown Manhattan.

Jul 30

Listeners who work outside in the heat share tips for how to cope with the high temperatures.

Jul 30

David Remnick , editor of The New Yorker and the host of The New Yorker Radio Hour, talks about his recent trip from Israel, as the country celebrates the recent victory over Iran and confronts the world's condemnation of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. " Israel’s Zones of Denial " ( The New Yorker , July 28, 2025)

Jul 30

Elizabeth Kim , Gothamist and WNYC reporter, talks about the latest news from the mayoral campaign trail, including how the candidates are responding to this week's mass shooting in a Midtown Manhattan office tower and whether public safety will now become a bigger issue, and more.

Jul 29

Brittany Kriegstein , WNYC and Gothamist reporter, reports the latest news of last night's shooting at a Midtown Manhattan office tower.

Jul 29

A sharp uptick in people with side hustles is fueling fears of another recession. Listeners call in to talk about their side hustles and how much more cash they make each month doing them.

Jul 29

Avril Benoît , executive director of Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières in the United States, and Katy Crosby , Mercy Corps senior director of Policy and Advocacy, talk about the on-the-ground reports they're receiving on the food and medical crises in Gaza.

Jul 29

Coca-Cola announced it will offers some "cane sugar" offerings in response to pressure from Pres. Trump. Marion Nestle , professor of nutrition, food studies, and public health emerita at NYU and the author of many books, including the forthcoming, What to Eat Now: The Indispensable Guide to Good Food, How to Find It, and Why It Matters (North Point Press, 2025), talks about the chemical differences and perceived differences of the two sweeteners.

Jul 29

Jake Spring , Climate and Environment Enterprise Reporter at T he Washington Post , discusses his reporting on why the EPA is proposing to rescind a 2009 legal opinion, referred to as the "endangerment finding", which determined that greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health and welfare, and justified their regulation.

Jul 28

General Motors' CFO says they won't raise prices despite the tariffs and Pres. Trump announced a new tariff deal with the European Union. Alexandra Svokos , the digital managing editor of Kiplinger, talks about what some economic indicators say about the effects of the new tariffs.

Jul 28

Jessica Gould , education reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, talks about the latest steps in, and funding for, implementing a cellphone ban for NYC public schools.

Jul 28

Elaine Godfrey , staff writer at The Atlantic , talks about her article on ways to extend the small joys of vacation into daily life, and listeners share their ideas.

Jul 28

Jeffery Mays , New York Times reporter covering politics with a focus on New York City Hall, offers political analysis of Andrew Cuomo's campaign interview and talks about what Mamdani's success might mean for the influence of the Democratic Socialists of America.

Jul 28

Andrew Cuomo , former governor of New York, makes his pitch to voters as he runs for mayor of New York City as an independent.

Jul 26

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. Charter Revision Questions Are Set (First) | HRT and the FDA (Starts at 33:36) | The NYPD Cracks Down on Cyclists (Starts at 56:27) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here .

Jul 25

For this "Summer Friday" we've put together some of our favorite conversations this year: Derek Thompson , staff writer at The Atlantic , author of the "Work in Progress" newsletter and host of the podcast "Plain English," and Ezra Klein , New York Times opinion columnist and host of their podcast, the "Ezra Klein Show," co-authors of Abundance (Simon & Schuster, 2025), discuss their new book that argues limits placed by past generations to protect jobs and the environment are preventing solving shortages today. Bob Costas , sportscaster and talk show host, recent recipient of the Baseball Digest lifetime achievement award, reflects on the state of baseball and other sports today. Katie Barnes , ESPN senior writer and author of Fair Play: How Sports Shape the Gender Debates (St. Martin's Press, 2023), Katie Barnes , ESPN senior writer and author of Fair Play: How Sports Shape the Gender Debates (St. Martin's Press, 2023), discusses the controversy surrounding trans women in competitive sports, fact-checks ideas the broader public holds about fairness and gender in athletics, and talks about current rules various leagues already set in place to ensure equity and inclusion. These interviews were lightly edited for time and clarity and the original web versions are available here: Building Solutions (Mar 18, 2025) Bob Costas Reflects (May 7, 2025) Parsing the Facts of Trans Women in Competitive Sports (Jun 3, 2025)

Jul 24

Emma Wartzman , senior kitchen and dining writer at New York Magazine 's The Strategist, offers the latest on "black spatulas" and how and why to avoid plastics around food, during The Strategist's Plastic-Free Kitchen Week .

Jul 24

Speaker Mike Johnson sent members of the House of Representatives home for their August break a few days early in order to avoid a vote on releasing Epstein materials. Annie Karni , congressional correspondent for The New York Times and co-author (with Luke Broadwater) of Mad House: How Donald Trump, Maga Mean Girls, a Former Used Car Salesman, a Florida Nepo Baby and a Man with Rats in his Walls Broke Congress (Random House, 2025), talks about how the years-old story is roiling Republicans and delighting Democrats, and more Congressional news.

Jul 24

Chris Feliciano Arnold , director of the creative-writing program at Saint Mary’s College of California and the author of The Third Bank of the River: Power and Survival in the Twenty-First-Century Amazon (Picador, 2018), talks about his Atlantic article on the threats of denaturalization against citizens not born in the U.S. by the Trump administration and the chilling effect on free speech.

Jul 24

WNYC/Gothamist reporters Stephen Nessen and Paige Oamek talk about the NYPD enforcement push against cyclists violating traffic rules, where the most summonses are issued and why violations often require trips to court.

Jul 23

Adam Platt , features writer and former restaurant critic at New York Magazine , talks about why salt is even more abundant in restaurant food , and often used in unexpected ways."

Jul 23

The Tenement Museum is hosting teachers this summer in a program that will provide expertise on how they can effectively teach Black and immigrant history. Annie Polland , president of the Tenement Museum, and Clint Smith , staff writer at The Atlantic , poet and the author of several books, including the forthcoming young readers edition of How the Word is Passed: Remembering Slavery and How It Shaped America (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2025), share what they're teaching the teachers, and teachers call in to talk about their experiences teaching history during this fraught time.

Jul 23

Mehdi Hasan , editor-in-chief and CEO of Zeteo, columnist for The Guardian and former MSNBC host, talks about his experience debating 20 far-right conservatives on the YouTube series " Surrounded ," plus news related to the Jeffrey Epstein frenzy, the NYC mayoral race and more.

Jul 23

Elizabeth Kim , Gothamist and WNYC reporter, talks about the latest news from the mayoral campaign trail, including Mayor Adams' relationship with the border czar Tom Homan, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani's campaign break in Uganda and Andrew Cuomo's social media charm offensive.

Jul 22

Christine Carrig , head of school at Carrig Montessori School in Brooklyn, Substack writer and the writer in residence at the Khora: Maternal and Reproductive Psychology Lab at Teachers College, talks about her article in the Atlantic that argues children get lifelong benefits from helping around the house.

Jul 22

The Texas state legislature has reconvened for a special session and at the behest of President Trump, one of the primary goals is to redraw the state's Congressional map to shore up the Republican majority in the House. Matthew Choi , co-writer of the Early Brief politics newsletter at The Washington Post , explains why this is happening now, and how Democrats - including California Gov. Gavin Newsom, are trying to fight back.

Jul 22

As the FDA considers removing the warning label from hormone replacement therapy for symptoms of menopause, Jen Gunter, MD, an OB/GYN and pain medicine physician and author of The Menopause Manifesto (Citadel Press, 2021) and Blood: The Science, Medicine, and Mythology of Menstruation (Citadel Press, 2024), explains the current science and when the risks outweigh the potential benefits.

Jul 22

Richard Buery , CEO of Robin Hood and chair of the Charter Revision Commission convened by Mayor Adams, talks about the questions related to changing the city's charter that will be on voters' ballots this fall, which will not include a proposal for open primaries.

Jul 21

The indie movie theater in downtown Maplewood, NJ, closed during the pandemic, and wasn't able to re-open -- a fate shared by many small movie theaters as moviegoing habits have changed. Angela Matusik and Lisa Cohen , co-founders of the Maplewood Film Society, talk about their efforts to re-open the theater in Maplewood, and explain why they think independent theaters are crucial spaces in small towns.

Jul 21

Stephen Nessen , transportation reporter for the WNYC and Gothamist newsroom, talks about the latest conflict over a bike lane in Brooklyn, plus why Congressman Jerrold Nadler got into a heated back-and-forth with the US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy over subway crime.

Jul 21

Brian Stelter , chief media analyst for CNN Worldwide, lead author of the Reliable Sources newsletter and the author of several books, including Network of Lies: The Epic Saga of Fox News, Donald Trump, and the Battle for America (Atria/One Signal Publishers, 2024), offers analysis of all the big media stories, including the defunding of NPR and PBS, CBS's cancellation of Stephen Colbert's top-rated late night show, the latest on Jeffrey Epstein and MAGA, and relatedly, President Trump's lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal .

Jul 21

Surveys show more women than men are working remotely when they are giving the chance. Te-Ping Chen , Wall Street Journal work and work culture reporter, talks about why that is, and how it might be holding women back in the workplace.

Jul 19

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. NYC Teachers' Union Embraces AI (First) | Columbia's Controversial New Definition of Antisemitism (Starts at 31:0 0) | Death and (Estate) Taxes (Starts at 59:00) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here .

Jul 18

Nancy Solomon , WNYC reporter and host of the “Ask Governor Murphy” monthly call-in show, recaps her conversation with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. Topics include this year's budget deal, the new mansion tax, soaring electricity bills, and the governor's response to listener's concerns about ICE raids in the state.

Jul 18

Columbia University has announced it will use a controversial definition of antisemitism on campus, approved by the Trump administration. Arno Rosenfeld , enterprise reporter at the Forward and author of the Antisemitism Decoded newsletter, talks about the new definition and why some groups don't support it. Plus, Katie J.M. Baker , national investigative correspondent for The New York Time s, discusses Project Esther, a project of the conservative Heritage Foundation that aims to suppress pro-Palestinian activism and what it labels antisemitism across America.

Jul 18

With two All-Star games this week, Barbara Barker , Newsday sports columnist and features writer, discusses WNBA star Caitlin Clark's injury, plus baseball's use of the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system, or "robo-umps."

Jul 18

Elie Honig , senior legal analyst at CNN, New York Magazine columnist, former state and federal prosecutor and author of Untouchable: How Powerful People Get Away With it (Harper, 2023) offers legal analysis of how the DOJ is functioning during President Trump's second term, plus the latest news on Trump's controversial nomination of Emil Bove to the 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals and more.

Jul 17

Elizabeth Kim , Gothamist and WNYC reporter, offers analysis of Curtis Sliwa's campaign interview and an assessment of his chances in the general election.

Jul 17

Listeners call in with the news from their blocks, neighborhoods, and communities.

Jul 17

The senate approved a rescission package of cuts to NPR and PBS along with foreign aid. LaFontaine Oliver , president and CEO and executive chair of the board of New York Public Radio, and Sarah Gilbert , president and CEO of WAMC, Northeast Public Radio, talk about what comes next, both for larger stations like WNYC and smaller and more rural public radio stations.

Jul 17

Justin Schein , cinematographer and filmmaker, talks about his new documentary, "Death and Taxes," which examines inherited wealth and inequality in America.

Jul 17

Curtis Sliwa , Republican nominee for NYC mayor, WABC radio host and founder of the Guardian Angels, talks about his campaign for mayor.

Jul 16

As Emmy nominations were released this week, listeners share the TV shows they're watching, and how they find compelling content in the sea of available shows and streaming services.

Jul 16

Six years after the death of financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, conspiracy theories still captivate the minds of Americans on both sides of the aisle. Last week, the Justice Department, FBI, and president Trump released a memo in an attempt to quell the MAGA movement's fixation with Epstein's case. Shawn McCreesh , White House reporter for the New York Times , explains how this plan backfired and why this case remains a part of the American imagination.

Jul 16

Garry Kasparov , former world chess champion and democracy activist, plus host of The Atlantic podcast "Autocracy in America," chairman of the Renew Democracy Initiative and a vice president of the World Liberty Congress, offers his take on how the United States of America can avoid backsliding into autocracy, plus discusses President Trump's change of tune toward Russian President Vladimir Putin as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues.

Jul 16

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced this week that he'll be officially campaigning in the general election on an independent line, and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani has met with the city's business leaders. Elizabeth Kim , Gothamist and WNYC reporter, and Brigid Bergin , WNYC and Gothamist's senior political correspondent, discuss how these developments will affect the race and other mayoral campaign-related news.

Jul 15

OMNY users are complaining about multiple or delayed charges after they tap to access subways and buses. Stephen Nessen, transportation reporter for the WNYC and Gothamist newsroom, explains what the MTA says it's doing to remedy these issues, and discusses the coming end of the MetroCard (along with the beloved 30-day unlimited card).

Jul 15

Jessica Gould , education reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, shares her reporting on the deal struck between Big Tech and The American Federation of Teachers which offers artificial intelligence training and software to teachers in New York City public schools.

Jul 15

Daniel Griffin , MD, PhD, chief of infectious disease for Island Infectious Diseases, the largest physician-owned Infectious Disease Specialist Group on Long Island, an infectious disease specialist and clinical instructor of medicine at Columbia University and president of Parasites Without Borders and co-host of the podcast "This Week in Virology", talks about two ongoing public health challenges, long COVID and the rise in measles cases.

Jul 15

Andy Kim , U.S. Senator (D NJ), talks about his work in the Senate and the issues in New Jersey. Topics this month include FEMA disaster relief, Trump's recent statements related to military aid for South Korea and Ukraine, and more.

Jul 14

Allison Pohle , reporter at The Wall Street Journal covering the travel and tourism industries, discusses the TSA's announcement that airline passengers no longer need to take off their shoes to clear airport security and what its decision could mean for traveler safety.

Jul 14

Brigid Bergin , WNYC's senior political correspondent, offers analysis of the interview with Jim Walden, who is running for mayor as an independent, and the state of the campaign.

Jul 14

Immigrants and advocates are alleging that conditions at a lower Manhattan ICE facility are inhumane, including no beds and not enough food. Arya Sundaram , WNYC and Gothamist reporter covering race and immigration, shares her reporting on the story and what local elected officials have been able to find out is going on inside, and Adriano Espaillat , U.S. Representative (D, NY-13), shares his experience visiting the facility this morning.

Jul 14

Elora Mukherjee , professor at Columbia Law School and director of Columbia Law School’s Immigrants’ Rights Clinic , talks about the impact of the Trump administration's revocation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for immigrants from seven countries, what legal recourse might be available, and what it means for the immigrants and the City.

Jul 14

Jim Walden , attorney running as an independent in the NYC mayoral race, introduces himself to the voters.

Jul 11

For this "Summer Friday" we've put together some of our favorite conversations this year: Natalie Wynn , creator of the YouTube channel Contrapoints, discusses her work including her latest video titled "CONSPIRACY" in which she delves into the history of conspiracies in American politics, the allure of conspiratorial thinking, and how this way of thought negatively impacts democracy. James Sanders , architect, author, filmmaker, and co-writer with Ric Burns of the PBS series: New York: A Documentary Film and its companion volume, New York: An Illustrated History (Knopf, 2021) and the author of Celluloid Skyline: New York and the Movies (Knopf, 2001), talks about the New York seen in films since the beginning of movie-making, as part of our centennial series. Each year the news division hosts the WNYC Health Convening with support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation as an opportunity for health care experts and practitioners to inform WNYC's health reporting. This year, as part of our centennial series "100 Years of 100 Things," Paul Goldberg , editor and publisher of The Cancer Letter, co-editor of The Cancer History Project, and author of The Dissident (Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2023), discusses the century of cancer treatment advancements and how the U.S. government played a major part in funding the science for treatment, early detection and prevention. The WNYC Health Convening with support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation continues with a look at the current state of cancer research in the United States. Sudip Parikh , Ph.D., chief executive officer of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and executive publisher of the Science family of journals; Otis Brawley , professor of oncology at The Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkin and co-editor of The Cancer History Project; and Julie Rovner , chief Washington correspondent at KFF Health News and host of the What the Health? podcast; discuss what the impacts of the Trump administration's funding cuts to the National Health Institute have meant to clinical trials—and what a future without government funding to find a cure might look like should the science continue to be underfunded. These interviews were lightly edited for time and clarity and the original web versions are available here: Contrapoints' Natalie Wynn Deep Dives into the Philosophy of Conspiracies (May 29, 2025) 100 Years of 100 Things: New York Films (May 19, 2025) 100 Years of 100 Things: Cancer Research (Jun 3, 2025) A Roundtable on the Current State of U.S. Cancer Research (Jun 3, 2025)

Jul 10

Big changes are coming to student loans as a result of President Trump's domestic spending law. Ayelet Sheffey , senior economic policy reporter at Business Insider, explains how the lawwill make it harder for some borrowers to afford medical or law school, and how repayment plans for federal student loans will change.

Jul 10

Susan Kang , associate professor of political science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a commentator on state on local politics, offers analysis of how the Democratic Socialists of America's New York chapter figured into Zohran Mamdani's win in the Democratic mayoral primary, and how DSA will be involved in the general election.

Jul 10

Jackie Faherty , astrophysicist at the American Museum of Natural History, talks about the many meteor showers on view in the night sky this month, plus a return of 'Manhattanhenge.' => EVENT: On Friday, July 11 at 7 pm, Jackie Faherty gives a lecture and 3D presentation about the science and history of the "Manhattanhenge" phenomenon in AMNH's LeFrak theater, followed by an outdoor viewing event with salsa music. Tickets available here .

Jul 10

Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli are vying to be New Jersey's next governor in a race that is heating up. Tom Martello , politics editor and political columnist at NJ Advance Media, discusses the latest news from the campaigns.

Jul 9

In an article for The Atlantic titled " A Wedding Reveals How Much Help Is Really Available to You ," Julie Beck explores how asking for help can feel gratifying for both the receiver and the giver. Listeners call in to share the best, maybe even most surprising, times they've been helped or helped others.

Jul 9

Austin Kocher, assistant research professor in the Office of Research and Creative Activity in the S.I. Newhouse of Public Communication at Syracuse University, and Substack writer, shares the data he's collected from the Trump Administration's mass deportation policy, particularly the increasing numbers of migrants arrested by ICE and living in detention facilities across the country.

Jul 9

ConEd wants to raise its rates again and public hearings are underway. Samantha Maldonado , senior reporter for THE CITY, covering climate, resiliency, housing and development, discusses how rate increases work and how much more New Yorkers might pay if the hike is approved.

Jul 9

Jeffery Mays, New York Times reporter covering politics with a focus on New York City Hall, and Kelly Mena, Spectrum News NY1 political reporter, talk about the candidates' strategies to beat Zohran Mamdani in the general election this fall, as some big unions have announced their support for the Democratic nominee, while some big-name Democrats have withheld endorsements.

Jul 8

All Of It is hosting a summer reading challenge (for adults)! Jordan Lauf , producer for All Of It and its book club Get Lit with All Of It , explains how to participate and recommends books in each of the categories in the challenge, including: a classic, an NYC book, a memoir or biography, a recent debut novel and a book published this year.

Jul 8

Hua Hsu , New Yorker staff writer, professor of English at Bard College and author of the memoir Stay True (September 2022), discusses what college students lose when ChatGPT writes their essays for them and what that says about our evolving understanding of the purpose of higher education. → What Happens After A.I. Destroys College Writing?

Jul 8

Zack Colman , Climate and energy reporter for POLITICO, reports on new analyses that show the Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act will raise greenhouse gas emissions and scale back U.S. climate goals.

Jul 8

Ana María Archila and Jasmine Gripper , co-directors of the New York Working Families Party, reflect on Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani's resounding win in the Democratic primary election, and look ahead to the general election.

Jul 7

It's #100 in the centennial series: your stories of how your life differs from, and what it shares with, that of your grandparents, plus a funny family story from your history.

Jul 7

Randy Mastro , first deputy mayor of New York City, shares highlights from the city's new budget, including a pilot for free childcare, expanded library hours, legal assistance for immigrants and more.

Jul 7

Susan Page , USA Today Washington bureau chief and the author of several books, including The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters (Simon & Schuster, 2024), talks about the latest national political news including reactions from both sides of the aisle to Zohran Mamdani's win in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary, funding for ICE in the budget bill in light of news of the 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention facility in Florida, environmental funding cuts in the wake of floods in Texas, and more.

Jul 5

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. Brad Lander Reflects on His Mayoral Campaign (First) | An Abundance of Ticks (Starts at 32:20) | The Voters Who Turned Out for Zohran Mamdani (Starts at 46:41) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here .

Jul 4

On this Fourth of July holiday, highlights from our centennial series, 100 Years of 100 Things: Richard Haass , American diplomat, former president of the Council on Foreign Relations, senior counselor at the global investment firm Centerview Partners, and the author of The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens (Penguin Press, 2023) reviews the history of American's global influence, from World War I to today. Annie Polland , president of the Tenement Museum, looks at the life and enduring legacy of Frances Perkins, the first female cabinet member as Secretary of Labor who was instrumental in crafting The New Deal, and passing a slew of federal workers protections, including Social Security, a minimum wage and a 40-hour work week. Kevin Young , poet, New Yorker poetry editor and the editor of A Century of Poetry in The New Yorker (Knopf, 2025), goes through the history of poetry appearing in The New Yorker, and what was left out. Clay Risen , New York Times reporter and the author of Red Scare: Blacklists, McCarthyism, and the Making of Modern America (Scribner, 2025), goes through the history of the Cold War-era struggle inside the US between the FDR progressives and social conservatives and how it continues to reverberate. Felix Contreras , host and co-creator of NPR's Alt.Latino, talks about the life and legacy of music icon Celia Cruz, born 100 years ago. These interviews were lightly edited for time and clarity and the original web versions are available here: 100 Years of 100 Things: America the Superpower (Nov 24, 2024) 100 Years of 100 Things: Frances Perkins (Mar 17, 2025) 100 Years of 100 Things: New Yorker Poetry (Mar 7, 2025) 100 Years of 100 Things: Blacklisting (Mar 26, 2025) 100 Years of 100 Things: Celia Cruz (May 8, 2025)

Jul 3

For this "Summer Best-Of" we've put together some of our favorite conversations our centennial series, 100 Years of 100 Things: Ashley Stimpson , Maryland-based freelance journalist who writes about science and conservation, takes us through the past 100 years of kids going to the woods for summer camp. Victoria Rosner , dean of the Gallatin School at NYU and the author of Machines for Living: Modernism and Domestic Life (Oxford University Press, 2020), talks about the post-World War I development of modernism (and post-modernism) across the arts and beyond. Maureen Corrigan , the book critic for Fresh Air, Georgetown professor and the author of So We Read On: How The Great Gatsby Came to Be and Why It Endures (Hachette, 2014), looks at the 1925 publication of the novel, The Great Gatsby , and why it continues to resonate with readers one hundred years later. Polo shirts, khaki shorts, and boat shoes: the classic uniform of elites on their days off. Avery Trufelman , host of the podcast Articles of Interest, delves into the last 100 years of preppies and their clothes. These interviews were polished up and edited for time, the original versions are available here: 100 Years of 100 Things: Summer Camps (Aug 26, 2025) 100 Years of 100 Things: Modernism (Jan 8, 2025) 100 Years of 100 Things: The Great Gatsby (Jan 13, 2025) 100 Years of 100 Things: Preppies and Their Clothes (Mar 26, 2025)

Jul 2

The Fordham Tri-State Tick Risk is at 10 out of 10 this summer. Thomas Daniels , research scientist in vector ecology, director of Louis Calder Center in Armonk, the biological field station of Fordham University, talks about what led to the population surge and best practices to avoid picking up ticks outdoors and the diseases they carry.

Jul 2

After the next round of ranked choice voting results came in, Assembly member Zohran Mamdani's lead grew to 12 points, meaning he easily secured the official Democratic nomination. Elizabeth Kim , Gothamist and WNYC reporter, reviews the data and talks about what this means for the general election.

Jul 2

Now that we have the full results of last Tuesday's mayoral primary election, Michael Lange , New York City based researcher, strategist, political organizer, and author of the newsletter "The Narrative Wars" on Substack, talks about the coalition of voters that came together to decisively elect assemblymember Zohran Mamdani as the Democratic nominee after correctly predicting the political winds were in his favor despite polling which showed otherwise.

Jul 2

Julie Rovner , chief Washington correspondent at KFF Health News and host of the What the Health? podcast, talks about the House and Senate budget bills and what they would mean for Americans' access to healthcare.

Jul 1

Ruth Marcus , a contributor to The New Yorker and a former columnist for The Washington Post and the author of Supreme Ambition: Brett Kavanaugh and the Conservative Takeover (Simon & Schuster, 2019), talks about Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and takes stock of what the Supreme Court's latest decisions mean for the identity of the court and the ability of judges to check executive power.

Jul 1

Right before the full results of New York City's ranked choice voting in the mayoral primary is released, Steven Romalewski, director of CUNY Mapping Service in the Center for Urban Research at The Graduate Center, CUNY, talks about his predictions based on the first choice data.

Jul 1

Patrick McGeehan , reporter for The New York Times covering infrastructure in New York City and surrounding area talks about Gov. Hochul plan for a new nuclear plant upstate.

Jul 1

David Brand , housing reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, reports on Monday's meeting of the Rent Guidelines Board, which resulted in a vote to approve rent increases for stabilized apartments.

Jul 1

Justin Brannan , New York City Councilmember (District 43 - Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach) and chair of the Council Finance Committee, explains what's in the city budget for the next fiscal year, including a pilot program for free child care for children under 2 for low-income families, an extension of library hours at ten branches, and more.

Jun 30

Nicholas Wu , Politico congressional reporter, talks about the latest national political news, including the so-called "Big Beautiful Bill" Congress is aiming to pass by July 4th as Congress begins its "vote-a-rama."

Jun 30

The 'Buy Now, Pay Later' option is growing in popularity and now these loans will be a factor in credit scores. Imani Moise , personal economics reporter for The Wall Street Journal , explains how it works, and listeners call in to talk about how they use the services, and whether or not it has been helpful as they manage their finances.

Jun 30