The Brian Lehrer Show

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Newsmakers meet New Yorkers as host Brian Lehrer and his guests take on the issues dominating conversation in New York and around the world. This daily program from WNYC Studios cuts through the usual talk radio punditry and brings a smart, humane approach to the day's events and what matters most i…

WNYC


    • Aug 26, 2026 LATEST EPISODE
    • daily NEW EPISODES
    • 29m AVG DURATION
    • 6,537 EPISODES

    4.6 from 1,326 ratings Listeners of The Brian Lehrer Show that love the show mention: lehrer, full broadcast, consummate, wnyc, one of the best shows, brian's, excellent interviews, civil, insightful questions, callers, new york, respectful, policy, trouble, treasure, nuanced, city, calm, letting, listening to this show.


    Ivy Insights

    The Brian Lehrer Show podcast is an excellent source of information and entertainment. As a white listener, I appreciate the content as it helps me deepen my antiracist practice. The interviews are thought-provoking and cover a fascinating array of topics. Brian Lehrer is a skilled interviewer who asks all the right questions and listens without prejudice to all sides. He is fair-minded, inquisitive, and intelligent. The show is informative, fair, and respectful to both guests and callers. It is a true NYC civic treasure.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is Brian Lehrer himself. He has a calming presence and his level-headedness makes for intelligent political conversations. He treats his listeners with respect, guides discussions with expertise, and provides thoughtful insights into various topics. The quality of speakers and voice on this podcast is exceptional, making it enjoyable to listen to.

    Another great aspect of The Brian Lehrer Show podcast is its ability to curate live interviews and comments from callers consistently. The show covers a wide range of topics that are both local and national in scope. The callers often ask important questions or share their own experiences, which adds depth to the discussions.

    One potential downside of this podcast is that not all topics may be of interest to every listener. However, even if the topic might not initially seem interesting, the clarity and logic in each episode make it worth giving a listen.

    In conclusion, The Brian Lehrer Show podcast is an incredible source of information and entertainment. Brian Lehrer brings nuance, humanity, and wit to current events, politics, and cultural topics. His ability to facilitate civil conversations while challenging ideas makes him stand out as a journalist. This podcast is a must-listen for anyone looking for thoughtful discussions on a variety of important issues.



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    Latest episodes from The Brian Lehrer Show

    Call Your Senator: Sen. Andy Kim on MediKids, Iran and More

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2026 34:13


    Andy Kim, U.S. Senator (D-NJ), talks about his work in the Senate and the issues in New Jersey, including his plan for children's healthcare, the war in Iran, and the state of a local immigration facility. Photo: Senator Andy Kim (credit: U.S. Senate Photographic Studio) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Making Safer Streets Following Three E-Biker Deaths

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2026 31:51


    Three e-bikers died in hit-and-runs last week in New York City, marking the worst week so far this year for deadly bike accidents. Ben Furnas, executive director of the street safety advocacy group, Transportation Alternatives, discusses their campaign to protect riders and pedestrians from deadly accidents through a range of street safety initiatives. Photo: Delivery person scooter accident aftermath with Police and Ambulance on Yellowstone Boulevard, Queens, New York. (Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    When Cannabis Use is a Problem

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2026 25:48


    Roni Caryn Rabin, health reporter at The New York Times, talks about a new study showing greater numbers of Americans suffering from the effects of cannabis use, as access to, and dosages of, the drug grow. Photo: Marijuana flowers bloom at a cannabis dispensary in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 18, 2026. (Matt Hunt/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Your Dolly Parton Tributes

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2026 15:31


    Ann Powers, NPR Music critic and correspondent, talks about the legacy of the country music artist Dolly Parton, and listeners call in to share their tiny eulogies, memories and favorite songs and facts about the late icon, who died this week. Photo: Dolly Parton attends the opening of Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum's new exhibit 'Dolly Parton: Journey of a Seeker' at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on May 19, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Kindergarten Vaccine Opt-Outs Hit a Record High

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2026 49:04


    Julie Rovner, chief Washington correspondent, KFF Health News and host of the What the Health? podcast, talks about new CDC data showing kindergartner vaccine exemptions at a record high, and the bipartisan doubts about Dr. Heidi Overton, Trump's nominee to lead the FDA. Photo: As eight-year-old girl receives a polio vaccine, she watches a closed circuit television broadcast (showing Dr Jonas Salk as he inoculates a boy) of a training telecast for physicians and scientists, New York, New York, April 12, 1955. (PhotoQuest/Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Chronic Flooding in Northeast Queens

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2026 24:48


    Chronic flooding in Northeast Queens has prompted many residents to leave their neighborhoods altogether. Queens Borough President Donovan Richards discusses what the city is doing to bolster the sewage system and institute safety measures during floods, and unpacks the city's new potential plan to offer buyouts to homeowners in the hardest-hit neighborhoods. Photo: A flooded intersection in Queens (Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Jill Lepore on the Dangers of the 'Artifical State'

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2026 36:26


    Jill Lepore, professor of American History at Harvard University, staff writer at The New Yorker, and the author of several books, including The Rise and Fall of the Artificial State (Liveright, 2026), talks about our reliance on data and algorithms and what it means for society and government. Image: Composite image of Capital Building with binary numbers (TGI/Tetra Images via Getty Creative) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Iran War Impasse

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2026 41:56


    Yeganeh Torbati, the Iran correspondent for The New York Times based in Istanbul and co-author (with Bozorgmehr Sharafedin) of Stolen Revolution: Betrayal and Hope in Modern Iran (Doubleday, 2026), reports on the latest developments in the Iran war as the cease-fire expires and Pres. Trump threatens an "economic D-Day." Photo: Currency exchange office is seen as daily life continues amid persistent tensions between Iran and the United States in the Iranian capital Tehran, on August 24, 2026. US President Donald Trump said he had announced an unprecedented economic D-Day operations targeting Iran and threatened countries supporting the Tehran administration with severe economic consequences. (Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu via Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    NYC's 'K-Shaped' Economy

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2026 28:50


    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 Nancy Jiang, journalism student and summer intern for The City Reporter, talk about the effects of NYC's "K-shaped" economy, with growing numbers of the very wealthy and the people qualifying for SNAP benefits. Plus, Greg explains the current turmoil in the bond market. Photo: An EBT sign is displayed on the window of a grocery store on October 30, 2025 in the Flatbush neighborhood of the Brooklyn borough in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    The Soaring Price of Sports Teams

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2026 23:50


    John Ourand, sports correspondent at Puck, talks about skyrocketing sports team valuations, a new private equity investment in the Yankees, and the potential 2027 MLB lockout. Photo: Cam Schlittler #31 of the New York Yankees pitches during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Yankee Stadium on August 9, 2026 in New York, New York. (New York Yankees/Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Wild NYC - Neighborhoods

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2026 16:03


    As part of the yearlong series "Wild NYC," Marielle Anzelone, urban botanist and ecologist and the founder of NYC Wildflower Week, and Kelly Vilar, CEO of the Staten Island Urban Center, discuss efforts to add more green spaces to underserved neighborhoods. Photo: Marielle Anzelone and Kelly Vilar from the Pop UP Forest project they did together at Tompkinsville Park in Staten Island (by Marielle Anzelone) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Brian Lehrer Weekend: Divisions Within the DSA; Luigi Mangione Pleads Guilty; The Elizabeth Street Garden

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2026 105:19


    Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. Divisions Within Political Movements: The DSA (First) | Luigi Mangione Pleads Guilty (Starts at 34:26) | The Elizabeth Street Garden, and More Housing News (Starts at 1:02:02) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here. Photo: New York City Democratic Socialists (NYC-DSA) hold a rally in Union Square marking the start of a campaign to tax the rich and win universal childcare on November 16, 2025, in New York City, United States. (Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Summer Friday: Elie Mystal; Kimberlé Crenshaw; Mason Williams; Rossana Rosado

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2026 109:27


    On this Summer Friday, we've put together some of our favorite recent interviews, including: 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), looks back at the recently concluded Supreme Court term. Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw, civil rights scholar, architect of Critical Race Theory and the concept of intersectionality, professor of law at the University of California, Los Angeles, and Columbia Law School, cofounder and executive director of the African American Policy Forum, and the author of Backtalker: An American Memoir (Simon & Schuster), talks about how key moment's in her life contributed to her groundbreaking legal concepts. Mason Williams, historian and associate professor at Williams College, and the author of City of Fortune: Inequality and the Making of Contemporary New York (W.W. Norton, 2026), argues that New York's recovery from the 1970s fiscal crisis ushered in an era of deepening inequality. Rossana Rosado, a commissioner of the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), CUNY trustee, former New York Secretary of State, former editor, CEO and publisher of El Diario-La Prensa, and the author of memoir Bronx Attitude (Elite Voices/Halo, 2026), talks about her life and work.   These interviews were lightly polished up and edited for time, the original versions are available here: Elie Mystal on the Supreme Court & the Constitution (July 7, 2026) Kimberlé Crenshaw's Life and Work (May 11, 2026) Today's Inequality & NYC's Post-1970s Recovery (July 7, 2026) Rossana Rosado's Bronx Attitude (July 15, 2026)   Photo: People resting on grass at Sheep Meadow: Central Park, N.Y.C., 1997 (LBM1948, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    China's 'Soft Power' Strategy and AI

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2026 39:14


    For the first time, China was viewed more positively than the U.S. globally in a recent Pew report. Adam Segal, Ira A. Lipman Chair in Emerging Technologies and National Security and Director of the Digital and Cyberspace Policy Program at the Council of Foreign Relations, talks about China's foreign policy and their use of "soft power," with AI tech, and more. Photo: Tourists visit the Qiansimen Jialing River Bridge at night to view and photograph the illuminated night scenery along the Yangtze River waterfront, August 4, 2026 in Chongqing, China. (Photo by Li Wenming/VCG via Getty Images)     Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Students Weigh in on School Issues

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2026 28:42


    New York Daily News education and youth issues reporter Cayla Bamberger talks about the results of the DOE's recent survey of NYC public school students and what over 357,000 students think about issues ranging from boredom to safety to vaping.  Photo: Choir students from New York City public school 22 attend the ceremonial swearing in of Zohran Mamdani as New York City's 112th mayor at City Hall on Thursday January 1, 2026. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)     Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    New York City Feels the Immigration Crackdown

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2026 29:26


    Rommel H. Ojeda, senior community correspondent and engagement reporter for Documented, and Ralph Thomassaint Joseph, Caribbean communities correspondent for Documented, talk about how people, communities, and businesses across New York City are feeling the federal immigration crackdown. Photo: Haitians living in Brooklyn join local politicians and others at an Immigrant Resource Fair and Know Your Rights Event in an area of Brooklyn known as 'Little Haiti' on July 28, 2026, in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Bike Thefts and How to Prevent Them

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2026 11:47


    Bike thefts spike in summer. WNYC and Gothamist reporter Brittany Kriegstein, talks about the stats and the challenges in preventing having a bike stolen, as listeners share their suggestions. Photo: A woman rides her bike on a Manhattan street. (Photo by FaceMePLS/Flickr via Wikimedia Commons.) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Speak with the Speaker: E-Bike Regulation, the City Budget and More

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2026 42:45


    Julie Menin, City Council Speaker (D-5, Upper East Side) talks about the latest developments in the City Council and takes calls from listeners, in this debut installment of a new monthly series. Photo: Speaker Julie Menin and City Council Announce Park-Webster Neighborhood Plan (Photo by Alex Krales/NYC Council Media Unit) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Luigi Mangione Pleads Guilty

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2026 26:47


    Samantha Max, reporter covering public safety for WNYC/Gothamist, breaks down the latest in the Luigi Mangione case, including his guilty plea in federal court on Friday, his push to dismiss the state murder charges on double jeopardy grounds, and the postponement of his state trial. Photo: Luigi Mangione appears in Manhattan Supreme Court on June 17, 2026 in New York City. Mangione is charged with murder in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan in December 2024. (Steven Hirsch - Pool/Getty Images)   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Divisions Within Political Movements: The Heritage Foundation

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2026 39:42


    As part of a three-part series on the divisions within political movements, Andrew Hale, fellow for international relations, economics, and trade at Advancing American Freedom, talks about the ideological and generational fight inside the think tank behind Project 2025, and what the battle over its direction says about where the Republican Party is headed after Trump. Photo: U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks with President of The Heritage Foundation Kevin D. Roberts at The Heritage Foundation on February 09, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Heather Diehl/Getty Images)     Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    The Elizabeth Street Garden, and More Housing News

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2026 42:52


    The dispute over the Elizabeth Street Garden, the site of proposed low-income senior housing, appears to be at an end as developers have dropped their lawsuit against the city, which blocked the plan from moving forward under Eric Adams' administration. David Brand, housing reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, shares his reporting and analysis, and explains the story in a broader housing context. Photo: Views of the Elizabeth Street Garden on a crowded Sunday afternoon on September 9, 2024 in the Soho neighborhood of New York City, New York. (Photo by Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    How European Cities Are Planning For Extreme Heat

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2026 25:43


    European cities are scrambling to reinvent urban life as summers get hotter and deadlier. Eric Klinenberg, professor of sociology at New York University and the author of Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago (University of Chicago Press, 2015) and 2020: One City, Seven People, and the Year Everything Changed (Knopf, 2024), shares his reporting on what cities are doing to adapt to climate change during Western Europe's hottest summer on record--and maybe the coolest yet to come. Photo: A man walks past a thermometer reading 40 degrees Celsius on June 21, 2026 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Marcelo del Pozo/Getty Images). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Divisions Within Political Movements: The Democrats

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2026 40:45


    As part of a 3-part series on the divisions within political movements, David Hogg, founder and president of Leaders We Deserve, co-founder and board member of March for Our Lives, and former vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, talks about what's dividing the Democratic Party, from the fallout over the DNC's 2024 autopsy to the primary challenges his group is backing heading into the midterms. Photo: David Hogg, co-founder of Leaders We Deserve, and Patrick Roath, candidate for Congress (MA-08), walk to join attendees on the Freedom Trail during a "Democracy Walk" at the Boston Common on April 8, 2026. (Photo by Finn Gomez/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    When AI Models Go Rogue

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2026 41:06


    Matteo Wong, staff writer at The Atlantic, talks about his latest reporting on artificial intelligence, including the potentially dangerous mistakes some of the biggest companies have made. => "It May Be Time to Panic About AI" (The Atlantic, August 12, 2026) Illustration by wildpixel via iStock/Getty Creative Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Comptroller Talks Budget, Housing

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2026 34:18


    Now that budget season is over, NYC Comptroller Mark Levine offers his view on the health of the city's finances, plus talks about his view on the housing affordability crisis, the city's pension fund and more. New York City Comptroller Mark Levine speaks during the annual New York State Financial Control Board meeting on August 12, 2026 in New York City. Levine was joined by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, State Comptroller Thomas Dinapoli and other board members as they discussed the state's budget. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Divisions Within Political Movements: The DSA

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2026 33:59


    As part of a 3-part series on the divisions within political movements, 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 author of the Substack newsletter LaborPolitics.com, talks about what's dividing members of the Democratic Socialists of America, as the party is having a moment. Photo: New York City Democratic Socialists (NYC-DSA) hold a rally in Union Square marking the start of a campaign to tax the rich and win universal childcare on November 16, 2025, in New York City, United States. (Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Brian Lehrer Weekend: Woke; Venezuela; Public Shaming

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2026 62:00


    Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. Should Democrats Bring 'Woke' Back? (First) | Who is Running Venezuela? (Starts at 28:30) | Public Shaming as Public Policy (Starts at 50:00) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here.   Photo: Marcia Fudge with Stay Woke Vote t-shirt in 2018. (Marcia Fudge, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    AOC Goes Public With a Private Decision to Freeze Her Eggs

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2026 42:17


    Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is publicly sharing the process of freezing her eggs, all while people are speculating about her plans to run for higher office. 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 women are reacting and how this might connect to her political future. Photo: U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speaks to reporters near the House steps after a series of votes at the U.S. Capitol on July 22, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Bruce Blakeman Takes on Gov. Hochul

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2026 33:11


    Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is running against incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul for governor of New York, and a new poll shows the county executive is just ten points behind the governor. Jimmy Vielkind, New York State Issues reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, and Bahar Ostadan, Nassau County government reporter for Newsday, talk about the state of the race, including the role President Trump is taking as he and Blakeman are scheduled to attend an event together on Long Island. Photo: Garden City, N.Y.: Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is formally named the GOP candidate for New York State Governor as the New York Republican State Committee Nominating Convention in Garden City, N.Y. on Feb. 11, 2026. (Howard Schnapp/Newsday RM via Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Doulas for End of Life Care

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2026 27:12


    End-of-life doulas are becoming an increasingly common part of how Americans approach death, helping people to navigate the dying process outside of traditional medical care. Alexandra Schwartz, staff writer at The New Yorker and co-host of the Critics at Large podcast, talks about the rise of death doulas, what they actually do, and why more people are rethinking how they want to die. And Virginia Chang, Ph.D., end-of-life doula and author of Preparing For End of Life For Dummies (Wiley 2026), talks about her approach to her work. Photo: Pauline Ramsey is on hospice care through Heartland Hospice. She has pancreatic cancer. Her nurse is Carly Bond and her aide is Nadege Filsaime. (Susan L. Angstadt via MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle & Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Staycation In The City

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2026 6:59


    Summer's wrapping up, but if your PTO is high and your budget is low, you can still make the most of it here at home. Hannah Frishberg, culture reporter for WNYC/Gothamist, shares some of the best ways to have an epic staycation in New York City. Photo: People relax at a man-made beach during a heat wave in Manhattan on July 02, 2026, in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Takeaways From the Latest Primary Results

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2026 43:30


    Rachel Leingang, Midwest political correspondent for Guardian US, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Teo Armus, reporter for The Washington Post focused on politics, demographics, voters and immigration, offer political analysis of the latest primary election results, including in Wisconsin and Michigan, and what they might signal about the midterms this fall. Photo: Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan (C), celebrates with her husband Tom Weber (L) and daughter Siobhan Hellendrung (R) during a primary election-night party at First Avenue on August 11, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Flanagan defeated Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in the state's primary election. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    The Return of Year-Round Outdoor Dining

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2026 26:01


    New York City Council member Lincoln Restler (District 33, Greenpoint, Northside Williamsburg, South Williamsburg, Brooklyn Heights, Downtown Brooklyn, DUMBO, Boerum Hill, Vinegar Hill, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Navy Yard) talks about his bill, which he expects to pass, that will bring back year-round outdoor dining after the Adams administration had heavily restricted it. Photo: People dine al fresco, or open air, in Hell's Kitchen on July 21, 2020 in New York City. (Jeenah Moon/Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    What is Post-Partum Psychosis?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2026 30:14


    Nikki Sapiro Vinckier, PA-C, OB/GYN physician assistant, reproductive health advocate and author of We Deserve More: Why Reproductive Healthcare is Broken--And What You Can Do About It (Jossey-Bass, 2026), explains the symptoms of postpartum psychosis, a rare but serious psychiatric emergency that affects about 1-2 mothers per 1,000 births, as the trial of a Massachusetts mom has brought the condition to the forefront. Plus NSV talks about the overall problems with postpartum health care in the United States. Stock illustration by Lin Shao-hua via iStock/Getty Creative Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Your Personal AI Policy

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2026 10:24


    Writer, YouTuber and science communicator Hank Green was found to have used AI in his work, disappointing the AI-skeptics in his fanbase. Marina Bolotnikova, senior reporter for Vox's Future Perfect section, talks about one big lesson to come out of the controversy: you need a personal AI policy. Stock illustration by Mikhail Seleznev via iStock/Getty Creative Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    The Pushback Against Flock Camera Surveillance

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2026 37:10


    Over the past several years, a license-plate tracking company called Flock has partnered with over 40 percent of police departments nationwide, allowing local law enforcement to track people's whereabouts across state lines. Jason Koebler, cofounder of 404 Media, unpacks how officials, including ICE, are using the technology, and why anti-surveillance activists on both sides of the are pushing back against the cameras. Photo: A Flock camera records passersby on July 9, 2026 in Jefferson, Ga. (Kevin D. Liles for The Washington Post via Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    State of the Cyclosporiasis Outbreak

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2026 35:50


    Lena H. Sun, Washington Post national reporter focusing on health, provides an update on the nationwide cyclosporiasis outbreak and the response from U.S. public health agencies. Photo: Spinach is displayed for sale on shelves at a Target store on July 23, 2026 in Austin, Texas. The cyclosporiasis outbreak, an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis, has spread across multiple states and remains under investigation by federal health officials after the first known illness onset was reported in early May. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    What's Behind the Drop in NYC's Reading Scores?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2026 23:33


    Jessica Gould, education reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, talks about the steep drop in ELA test scores on last year's state test among city students, and what stakeholders think might be the cause of the decline. Photo: A student in the library reads a book after receiving candy and a red envelope in a cultural celebration of the Lunar New Year at Yung Wing School P.S. 124 on February 02, 2022 in New York City. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Public Shaming as Public Policy

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2026 12:37


    After a 15 year hiatus, the NYC Department of Sanitation has resumed putting bright green stickers on cars that don't follow alternate-side parking rules. Listeners call in to talk about other examples of public officials using shaming to change behavior, and share some ideas of their own. Photo courtesy of NYC Department of Sanitation Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    City Politics: E-Bike Regulations and AOC's Path to 2028

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2026 42:37


    Elizabeth Kim, Gothamist and WNYC reporter, talks about proposed e-bike regulations by City Council and the Mamdani administration, as well as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's potential run for higher office in 2028. Photo: U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speaks to reporters near the House steps after a series of votes at the U.S. Capitol on July 22, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Should Democrats Bring 'Woke' Back?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2026 27:50


    Jasmine Green, editorial & audience associate at The Bulwark, offers her take on the word "woke," the evolution of wokeness, and how Democrats might re-claim it from its current status as a mostly pejorative term. Photo: Some protesters hold signs reading ''Stay Woke'' and ''F*** a fascist every day'' during the International Women's Day demonstration in Paris, France, on March 8. (Stefano Lorusso/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    How to Fight for Public Health

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2026 27:50


    Nicholas Freudenberg, professor emeritus of public health at the City University of New York School of Public Health and the author of Fighting for New York: Activism for Health and Social Justice Since the 1960s (Columbia University Press, 2026), talks about his long career advocating for solutions to public health crises in NYC and analyzes the successes of the activists working to improve the health of New Yorkers. Photo: People wait to recieve the Monkeypox vaccine at a mass vaccination site in Manhattan on July 26, 2022 in New York City. (Liao Pan/China News Service via Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    The Stuff of America

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2026 9:34


    Emily Keegin, photo editor, creative consultant, and author of The New York Times Opinion piece "The Museum of America," walks through her collection of 25 objects that define American life, from Crest Whitestrips to the T-shirt cannon, as listeners add their own to the exhibit. Photo: Director Jorma Taccone of his film “Over Your Dead Body” shoots a t-shirt cannon on stage during the 2026 Beyond Chicago at the Music Box Theatre on April 05, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Barry Brecheisen/Getty Images) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Monday Morning Politics: What Makes a Moderate?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2026 49:03


    Jon Allsop, contributing writer at The New Yorker, discusses the latest national political headlines and his recent story, "What Does It Even Mean to Be a Moderate?" Photo: DETROIT, MICHIGAN - AUGUST 04: U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), candidate for the state's open U.S. Senate seat, speaks during a primary night watch party at the Hotel Saint Regis Detroit on August 04, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. Stevens is facing Abdul El-Sayed in the Democratic primary to determine who will run against former Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers in the general election. (Photo by Finn Gomez/Getty Images)   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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