The Brian Lehrer Show

Eric Blanc, assistant professor of Labor Studies at Rutgers University and author of the Substack newsletter LaborPolitics.com, talks about how the thousands of volunteers who canvassed during Mayor Mamdani's campaign could be mobilized to help the new mayor achieve his policy goals. 

Matthew Platkin reflects on his time as New Jersey's attorney general, including what are widely viewed as his successes, like reducing gun violence, and some challenges, including in political corruption in the state that's known for it.

January is a time many commit to reevaluating their relationships with alcohol. Vox correspondent Allie Volpe talks about what's come to be known as Dry January, and listeners check in with us about their alcohol-free first month of 2026.→  Even Better's Guide to Drinking Less | Vox

Katie Rogers, White House correspondent for The New York Times, talks about their interview with President Trump and what he is saying and doing with regards to Venezuela, Cuba, and other national issues. 

Rebecca Bailin, executive director of New Yorkers United for Child Care, talks about Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani's announcement on their proposed universal 2-Care program which would provide free child care for New York City's 2-year-olds, and her work advocating for child care in New York.

Governor Hochul is backing new legislation aimed at protecting children and teens online. Kris Perry, Executive Director of Children & Screens, unpacks the impact of technology and social media on young people and discuss various legislative efforts to protect kids on the internet.

Jennifer Wilson, staff writer at The New Yorker covering books and culture, discusses her latest reporting on how prenuptial agreements are being embraced by millennials — including many who don't have all that much personal wealth to divvy up. 

Rachel Leingang, Midwest political correspondent for Guardian US, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, talks about how Minneapolis is "on edge" after the fatal shooting of a civilian by an ICE agent, which came after weeks of tension between the Somali community and the Trump administration, and Republicans' spotlight of fraud at child care centers in the state.

Burgess Everett, congressional bureau chief for Semafor, breaks down the responses from Capitol Hill as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle respond to the Trump administration's moves in Venezuela and public musings about purchasing the country of Greenland.

Stephen Nessen, transportation reporter for the WNYC and Gothamist newsroom, talks about the latest transportation news including the results of the first year of congestion pricing, mayor Mamdani's announcement on the McGuinness Boulevard redesign, and more.

How do you know when something you're seeing online is real or fake? Craig Silverman, co-founder of the Indicator, a publication that exposes digital deception, offers insight into the proliferation of AI-generated content on the internet and tips on how to identify it.

Annie Joy Williams, assistant editor at The Atlantic, talks about how and why the southern drawl seems to be fading away, and what it means to lose a whole regional accent.→ The Last Days of the Southern Drawl | The Atlantic

Elizabeth Kim, Gothamist and WNYC reporter and Brigid Bergin, WNYC's senior political correspondent, talk about the latest news from Mayor Mamdani's first week in office, including his controversial decision to rescind two executive orders from Mayor Adams on Israel and antisemitism, his relationship with the business community and more.

While the Trump administration has declared its intent of revitalizing the Venezuelan oil industry, Rebecca F. Elliott, energy reporter for The New York Times, reports on who stands to benefit from more drilling in the country.

The MTA has phased out MetroCards in favor of tapping and OMNY cards. Listeners call in to offer their tributes to the iconic yellow cards, which date back to the 1990s. 

Gisela Salim-Peyer, associate editor at The Atlantic, reports on the scenes from the courtroom where Venezuelan president Nicholas Maduro was arraigned this week after the Trump administration's military actions in the South American country—and the range of responses from New York's Venezuelan community.

Suleika Jaouad, author of a bestselling memoir about her battle with cancer, and most recently, The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life (Penguin Random House, 2025), discusses her latest Substack essay on how New Year's resolutions almost never stick, and how she engages in the pleasures of small rituals instead. Listeners call in to share about the resolutions they made that they've actually stuck with... which may be more like smaller, daily rituals instead of lofty, life-changing goals. 

Under Health Secretary RFK Jr's guidance, the CDC has made changes to recommendations for the childhood vaccine schedule. Jessica Malaty Rivera, infectious disease epidemiologist and member of the group Defend Public Health, explains what the changes are and why they are such a big deal for public health.

On the day of his inauguration, mayor Zohran Mamdani began his tenure with a press conference in a Flatbush building lobby. David Brand, housing reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, recaps all of the latest housing news coming out of the Mamdani administration including his executive orders, latest appointees, and more.

Andy Kim, U.S. Senator (D NJ), talks about his work in the Senate and the issues in New Jersey. Topics this month include the Trump administration's military actions in Venezuela, the lasting ramifications of the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and more.

Jimmy Vielkind, New York State Issues reporter for WNYC, reviews a slew of bills signed by Governor Hochul at the end of 2025 and previews the State Assembly's upcoming legislative session.

Juan Manuel Benitez, professor of local journalism at Columbia Journalism School and member of the New York Editorial Board, and Josh Greenman, managing editor of the journal Vital City and former director of the New York City Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice, talk about the news from the new mayor's first few days in office.

William Neuman, former New York Times bureau chief in Caracas and the author of Things Are Never So Bad That They Can't Get Worse: Inside the Collapse of Venezuela (St. Martin's Press, 2022), offers context to the US invasion of Venezuela and capture of its leader Maduro. Plus, he talks about what might come next, as President Trump has said the US will "run" the country, and how oil figures into the story.

During this holiday season, hear some recent favorites: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.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.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.David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker and the host of The New Yorker Radio Hour, and Marshall Curry, documentary filmmaker (including Street Fight, If a Tree Falls, A Night at the Garden), talk about "The New Yorker at 100" on Netflix. These interviews were lightly edited for time and clarity; the original web versions are available here:20 Years of Freakonomics (Nov 26, 2025)Eating Well Today (Dec 9, 2025)1776's No Kings (Nov 24, 2025)The New Yorker: A Movie (part 2, Dec 4, 2025)

Brian Lehrer hosts special coverage of Mayor Zohran Mamdani's inaugural speech, with analysis from Dr. Christina Greer, associate professor of political science at Fordham University, co-host of the podcast FAQ NYC and the author of How to Build a Democracy: From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams (Cambridge University Press, 2024), and Harry Siegel, FAQ NYC co-host, editor at The City and Moynihan Public Scholar at City College. Plus, listeners call in to share their hopes and concerns for the future of NYC. Click here to watch the full event, including the inaugurations NYC Comptroller Mark Levine, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, as well as musical performances, poetry readings and other speeches.

On this New Year's Day:Ahead of the Mamdani swearing-in ceremony, a look back: Elizabeth Kim, Gothamist and WNYC reporter; Ben Max, host of the Max Politics podcast and executive editor 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 and what he accomplished, where he fell short of his goals, and how history might view his mayoralty.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.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 story, "If You Quit Social Media, Will You Read More Books?" These interviews were lightly edited for time and clarity; the original web versions are available here:Mayor Adams' Legacy (Dec 3, 2025)Wikipedia Founder on Building Trust (Dec 11, 2025)Is 'Online Reading' Still Reading? (Dec 11, 2025)

During this holiday season, hear some recent favorites: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.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.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) explains why nostalgia for the late '90s and early 2000s is roaringly popular among Gen Z right now and listeners share stories of life before the internet and what it is about that era that younger listeners wish for today.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.Ilya Marritz, journalist working with The Boston Globe, talks about his new series, 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. These interviews were lightly edited for time and clarity; the original web versions are available here:Princeton President Talks Campus Speech and Politics (Oct 1, 2025)Pandemic Preparedness Alert (Oct 28, 2025)Gen Z Wishes It Were 1997 (Aug 26, 2025)Americans are Economically Stuck (Oct 16, 2025)The Future of Academia (Nov 17, 2025)

During this holiday season, hear some recent favorites: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.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.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 out of the classroom, drawing on his experience teaching science in Washington Heights.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.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, plus listener suggestions for the best places to bike outside the city. These interviews were lightly edited for time and clarity; the original web versions are available here:What is Zohran Mamdani's Political Ideology? (Nov 14, 2025)A Democratic Manifesto (Oct 27, 2025)Reimagining Teaching Science (Nov 11, 2025)Fighting Fascism with Education (Sep 26, 2025)From Railroad to Rail-Trail (Oct 7, 2025) and The Best Places to Bike Outside the City (Oct 8, 2025) 

In our annual news quiz, listeners call in to answer trivia questions about the past year in politics, culture, and more. 

In our annual news quiz, listeners call in for some trivia about the past year in politics, culture, and more.

During this holiday season, hear some recent favorites: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.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.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.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.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. These interviews were lightly edited for time and clarity; the original web versions are available here:Defining the Decade (Nov. 13, 2025)The Perils of Pregnancy in America (Nov. 6, 2025)Grandparenting as Paid Labor? (Oct. 10, 2025)Russia and Feminism (Oct. 25, 2025)Funny Women of The New Yorker (Nov. 10, 2025)

Listeners share the best gifts they've ever received and what made them so special.

Listeners offer their picks of what they loved and hated this year in the world of film, literature, podcasting, performance, and more. 

Christians call in to share the religious meaning of the holiday for them and what "Christian politics" mean as they come into the spotlight under the Trump administration. Then, listeners tell stories of moments that defined their common humanity with people from different backgrounds.

Listeners share which of their favorite businesses closed in 2025, and shoutout new spots where they plan on becoming regulars.

Derek Kravitz, reporter and deputy editor for Consumer Reports, discusses an investigation into third-party grocery delivery service Instacart's algorithmic pricing experiment.

Shop Listener is back for the 2025 holiday season. Listeners call in to shout out the "experience" holiday gifts they sell.

Robinson Meyer, founding executive editor of Heatmap, talks about how in the ten years since the Paris Agreement, as he says the "climate story is the China story" now. Plus, Jael Holzman, senior reporter at Heatmap, reports on how the Republican Party has turned fully against renewable energy sources, including offshore wind projects. 

Jeff Coltin, editor-in-chief of City & State, talks about Mayor-elect Mamdani's latest deputy mayor appointments, and the inauguration plans.

The flu season has hit and cases are still rising. Michelle Morse, M.D., interim commissioner of health at the NYC Department of Health and an internal medicine and public health doctor, talks about how to stay healthy this holiday season. 

As he awaits a court ruling on the Trump administration's attempt to deport him, Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian activist, co-founder of the Columbia Palestinian Student Union and former president of the Columbia University Buddhist Association, and his attorney, Nate Wessler, deputy director of the ACLU's Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, talk about his studies, the state of the pro-Palestinian movement and the prospects of a peaceful solution in the region and worldwide.

Every year, The Brian Lehrer Show asks you to submit the best photo you took that is sitting on your phone – and every year, you deliver with some breathtaking shots.This year, you submitted over 700 photos! Our partners at Photoville, along with a special guest judge, journalist, photographer and co-founder of the photo collective Seis del Sur David Gonzalez, picked out their favorites—and then Brian and the team joined in to help select three winners: Soumayan Biswas, Esther Xiang and Lisa Guerriero.Brian speaks with David and Dave Shelley, co-founder and creative producer of Photoville, about the three winning photos. Plus, two of this year's three contest winners, Esther Xiang and Lisa Guerriero collect their bragging rights. 

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 latest national political news, including the release of the Epstein files, divisions in the GOP and more.

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.