Or are they all just Trump voters who don't want to admit it? Chris Coffey of Tusk Strategies joins Bradley to check on the vital signs of the American political class, including the aftermath of the presidential debate, a big victory in Delaware, the storm clouds descending on Mayor Eric Adams, why there's a big opening for a woman to run for City Hall (but who?), and what's the beef between Nancy Pelosi and Governor Hochul. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New...
Sep 12, 2024•46 min
Next week, Bradley begins his book tour across America to promote "Vote With Your Phone: Why Mobile Voting Is Our Final Shot at Saving Democracy" (dates and RSVP link below). But for now, he dives into the cold reality of investigations, subpoenas and potential indictments that threaten to sink Mayor Eric Adams. What will it take for Adams to survive? Plus, Bradley assesses China's spy in Albany, the cost of Kamala Harris' risk aversion, Elon Musk's potential role in Trump II, and much more. Vot...
Sep 10, 2024•34 min
Does Robert Moses deserve eternal condemnation? On the 50th anniversary of the publication of ‘The Power Broker’, Robert Caro’s iconic biography of Moses, Dan Wang and Ross Barkan add nuance and balance to what has been a powerfully one-sided conversation. Plus, in a postscript, Bradley and Howard Wolfson trade ideas on what we’d ask Moses to build today if he could be raised from the dead. This episode was recorded at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast re...
Sep 05, 2024•1 hr 1 min
As Silicon Valley goes to war against the AI safety bill just passed by the California legislature, Governor Gavin Newsom should have no reservations about signing it, says Bradley. And what's good for California is good for America. Plus, why France's crackdown on Telegram is justified; how Lina Khan and the FTC have sucked the air out of venture capital; and what you should know about the living legend of competitive eating. Discussed on today's episode: The Arguments Against California AI’s B...
Sep 03, 2024•50 min
New arrivals to the United States often find themselves trapped in a Catch 22 — they can’t obtain a tax ID without first getting paid and they can’t get paid without first obtaining a tax ID. Bradley talks to Luciano Arango, CEO and co-founder of Maza, who came up with an easy solution that points toward a promising new approach to the toxic stalemate over immigration. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us a...
Aug 29, 2024•31 min
Americans bet as much as a trillion dollars a year, fueling an industry that knows just how to press our buttons, like the social media platforms do. But is gambling itself really the problem, asks Bradley, or is there a deeper malaise we're failing to confront? Plus, Bradley analyzes whether Kamala Harris is really going to end Biden's "feudal" style of governing, what he got out of Nate Silver's new book on risk, and how the MTA can finally be tamed. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear ...
Aug 27, 2024•43 min
The last thing your average political consultant will ever do is run for office. Micah Lasher, however, is anything but average . He talks to Bradley about why he decided to run for State Assembly from the Upper West Side, how he won and what he brings to Albany. Plus, he reflects on the Olympics and how New York can learn from Paris. Discussed on today's episode: New York needs an Olympic goal: Paris shows how a city can improve its permanent infrastructure , by Micah Lasher, New York Daily New...
Aug 22, 2024•43 min
Could Artificial Intelligence have prevented New York’s cannabis debacle? Bradley lays out his vision; Bob Greenlee begs to differ. Plus, Bob offers on-the-ground reporting from Chicago on the build-up to the Democratic Convention while Bradley shares five discoveries from a week in California, including an exotic new hobby. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode...
Aug 20, 2024•55 min
The alternative currency has settled into an awkward adolescence — full of potential but still quite unsure of itself. Bradley talks to Andrew R. Chow, TIME correspondent and author of Cryptomania: Hype, Hope, and the Fall of FTX’s Billion-Dollar Fintech Empire about whether crypto will ever find a purpose in life. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@fir...
Aug 08, 2024•57 min
Quick hit from Bradley on how Minnesota Governor Tim Walz earned his spot on the Democratic ticket. Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.media . Subscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter , follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube , and be sure to pre-order his upcoming book, Vote With Your Phone ....
Aug 06, 2024•5 min
Bradley has an idea for turning the Democrats' most potent issue — reproductive rights — into a catalyst for winning swing states. Plus, he reviews where Harris stands on tech policy, analyzes the entry of Brad Lander into the New York City mayor's race and compares notes with Cory Epstein on what they loved about being in Paris for the Olympics. Discussed on today's episode: How Kamala Harris Can Use Tele-Abortion to Change the Electoral Map , by Bradley Tusk, 07/29/24, Substack This episode wa...
Aug 06, 2024•55 min
Bradley checks in from his vacation in Paris, where swimming events gave him PTSD from summer camp but the boxing, BMX racing and beach volleyball more than made up for it. Plus, he rejects Hugo's brilliant idea that the Bronx should make its own independent bid for the summer games. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.media . Subscribe to Bradl...
Aug 01, 2024•21 min
With Bradley away in Paris for the Olympics, Bob Greenlee steps up to the mic to discuss a potential problem for the surging Kamala Harris campaign — that actual swing voters are too busy barbecuing to follow what’s going on. Plus, when the race heats up in the fall, will Harris’ close association with big-city liberalism spell trouble for her with undecideds? This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us an email w...
Jul 30, 2024•45 min
Last summer, Bradley stopped using cannabis. In this special mini episode — which was previously released as part of the 'Democrats Get Their Wish, Now What?' episode from July 23 — he reflects on how he reached the decision to quit and what it has taken to stick with it. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.media . Subscribe to Bradley's weekly ...
Jul 26, 2024•19 min
What does the mysterious death of a judge reveal about the future of the world’s largest democracy? The multi-talented Ravi Gupta of The Branch media returns to Firewall to talk about his podcast “ Killing Justice ” and how his investigation of a crime turned into a deeply personal journey. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.media . Subscribe t...
Jul 25, 2024•37 min
After Biden's withdrawal and his endorsement of Harris, Trump is beatable but remains the prohibitive favorite. Bradley assesses what the Democrats can do to make a serious race out of it. Plus, he reflects on his one-year anniversary of quitting marijuana and why "life is a little less fun" but ultimately more rewarding. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: i...
Jul 23, 2024•58 min
Is it crazy to believe Biden won't step down and/or that he's not certain to lose to Donald Trump? Or that if he does step down, Kamala Harris is the best (and only plausible) replacement? Chris Coffey, CEO of Tusk Strategies, joins Bradley to offer reasons why the Democrats aren't necessarily facing an historic trainwreck in the fall. Plus, Chris and Bradley preview what promises to be a riveting, unpredictable race for New York City mayor in 2025. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at ...
Jul 17, 2024•43 min
More than nothing, but not a whole lot more. Bradley analyzes the aftermath of the shooting in Butler, Pa. Plus, riffing from the Times' 100 Best Books of the 21st Century , he compiles his own top ten. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.media . Subscribe to Bradley's weekly newsletter , follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube , and be ...
Jul 16, 2024•46 min
Live from P&T Knitwear, Bradley sits down with a tech founder and tech reporter to discuss the complex web of political challenges facing the industry today. How do founders navigate these turbulent waters to foster innovation? And how do reporters cover the ever-complex interplay between technology and politics without getting lost in the noise? This episode, recorded as part of #NYTechWeek on June 4, offers an inside look into strategies and realities of operating within and reporting on t...
Jul 12, 2024•56 min
When Matt Bowman left the military after 10 years of service, he found a new calling in Silicon Valley. He talks to Bradley about his start-up Autobiographer , an AI enhanced tool that helps people write their life stories. “I'm here today, in this role at Autobiographer,” he says, “because I want to memorialize the stories of my friends who didn't survive those experiences.” This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Se...
Jul 11, 2024•40 min
On the Biden age question, voters were far ahead of the White House, the Democratic establishment and the media well before the debate. Regardless of how Democrats resolve this particular problem (Bradley puts the chance of Biden soldiering on at 30 percent), both parties should face blowback over the election for years to come. Plus, Bradley reflects his own flurry of activity during the pandemic in an essay called 'When To Go Big.'
Jul 06, 2024•49 min
The best way to clean up social media, says Ethan Zuckerman, director of the Initiative for Digital Public Infrastructure at the University of Massachusetts , is not necessarily a big government clampdown. What if instead the platforms allowed for new tools and filters that clean up and give us discretion over the torrent of content into our lives? That's exactly what Zuckerman wants to see — but first he has to sue Meta to make it happen. Discussed on today's episode: I Love Facebook. That’s Wh...
Jul 04, 2024•29 min
While the Democratic establishment circles the wagons and the media howls impotently for the President to step down, there is a way out. All we need, says Bradley, is one big-name Democrat brave enough to stick their head above the foxhole. Plus, the first review of Vote on Your Phone is in — and it’s a rave.
Jul 02, 2024•47 min
When the pandemic brought the nation’s childcare crisis out into the open, Reshma Saujani realized that mothers needed to push their concerns to the front. Bradley talks to the founder of Moms First about affordable childcare, paid leave and equal pay. These are “not just the right things to do,” says Saujani, “they’re the smart things to do. You’re just losing out on talent.” This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. S...
Jun 27, 2024•46 min
In Louisiana, schools are now required by law to post the Ten Commandments. An obvious church-state problem, but maybe there's a better way to provide guidance for kids? Bradley proposes his version. Plus, he handicaps the Supreme Court's slew of major rulings, gives an update on New York's war against illegal weed shops and makes the pitch for why LeBron James could and should wind up in a Knicks uniform. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only fr...
Jun 25, 2024•51 min
"Your obscene profits are not a good enough reason to let one more child die," says Marci Hamilton, the CEO and founder of Child USA . If there's one person harder on social-media moguls than Bradley, it's Hamilton. She and Bradley talk about when and how lawmakers will finally clamp down on this "toxic universe." This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@fire...
Jun 20, 2024•39 min
What do the Surgeon General's proposed warning on social media, the Pope's guidance on artificial intelligence and North Dakota's congressional age limit all have in common? To Bradley, they are policy ideas that look great on first glance but become a lot less appealing as you carefully think them through. Plus, Bradley throws down a challenge to Major League Eating and Quinn Sean of Tusk Ventures joins to discuss the implications of a new criminal case on the world of digital health. This epis...
Jun 18, 2024•53 min
Completing the troika of family-themed episodes, Gabe Tusk (Bradley's dad) joins Firewall to mark Father's Day. 'What gets better as you get older?' asks Bradley. Reflecting on his 79 years on this earth, Gabe remarks that right now happens to be the most content he's ever been, with just the right balance of family, work and leisure in his life. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us an email with your thoug...
Jun 13, 2024•46 min
The caveat here is that, just as William Goldman famously said about Hollywood, nobody knows anything. But Bradley reflects on 18 years of giving it his best shot. Plus, a lightning round on Albany’s clampdown on social media, the City Council’s bid to end brokers’ fees on rentals, and congestion pricing’s crash and burn (featuring our resident transportation expert Cory Epstein). This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studi...
Jun 11, 2024•1 hr
New York City Mayor Eric Adams drops by the studio at P&T Knitwear to talk to Bradley about the crackdown on illegal weed shops, ways to rid the streets of scaffolding, how to get work permits for migrants and what he would say to people who may have fallen out of love with the Big Apple. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio. Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: info@firewall.media . Subscribe...
Jun 06, 2024•25 min
