The hot new book in policy circles, Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, defines a new liberal agenda for promoting growth of housing, green energy and transit. Bob Greenlee joins Bradley to debate how these nice-sounding, well-intentioned ideas might actually get off the ground. Plus, Bradley has a memo for Democrats — lock in on what tariffs are doing to the economy and voters will punish Trump. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free...
Apr 08, 2025•45 min
Jim Walden is next up on The Race to Gracie Mansion, Firewall and City & State's series on the 2025 New York City mayor's race. Walden, a litigator and ex-prosecutor, presents himself as an untainted centrist with an emphasis on competence, recruiting top talent and learning from data. He talks to Bradley and Tom about a revival of Broken Windows, getting serious about involuntary commitment, rehabbing NYCHA from the ground up, suing China over fentanyl smuggling, and setting up a truly inde...
Apr 03, 2025•42 min
The just-released World Happiness Report places the United States 24th globally. That's the bad news. The good news is that a big part of our problem is based on a fixable misperception that we have about each other. Bradley outlines a new regimen of building better vibes. Plus, he explains why Trump is shredding our system of checks and balances so easily (because it's actually reliant on norms, which Trump does not observe), how Trump's rejection of good politics should eventually sap his mome...
Apr 01, 2025•1 hr 1 min
In this first installment of The Race to Gracie Mansion — a series of interviews with New York City mayoral hopefuls, co-produced by Firewall and City & State — Jessica Ramos, State Senator from Queens, lays out her vision for a more equitable, better-run city. She takes on police deployment, fair fares, Cuomo’s comeback, and why she'll never promise childhood friends a job in her administration. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free pod...
Mar 27, 2025•48 min
Bradley offers a framework for thinking about how government at all levels should approach AI in terms of regulating it, deploying it and dealing with its ramifications. It doesn't have to be like DOGE, he argues, but there are definitely things we can learn from Elon. "The point of government," he says, "is to serve the collective needs of the people, not to employ a workforce of people." This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast record...
Mar 25, 2025•39 min
What makes the politics surrounding transportation so murky and insidious? Nicole Gelinas, author of Movement: New York's Long War to Take Back Its Streets from the Car , a Gotham Book Prize nominee, talks to Bradley about the hidden forces keeping mass transit in check, how environmental regulations are used as a scapegoat and why Amazon deliveries are killing the streets. Plus, she weighs in on Andrew Cuomo’s mayoral run and whether New Yorkers will trade scandal for competence.
Mar 20, 2025•50 min
In word, no — not when it comes to the government, anyway. Bradley reviews the careful balance you need to strike when working in areas outside your expertise. Plus, he mulls over whether getting Western Europe to bulk up its armed forces will make the world safer, how Chuck Schumer's self interest and the national interest coincided on his vote for the continuing resolution on the budget and (because we needed to lift the mood) what makes a great cover version of a pop song. LIVE SHOW: Join Bra...
Mar 18, 2025•55 min
A new poll reveals what New Yorkers really think about the state of the city—and the results might surprise you. Kicking off the Race to Gracie Mansion series, Bradley and guest co-host Tom Allon ( City & State Publisher) break down the largest study of NYC voters in years with the people behind it: John Della Volpe (Founder & CEO, SocialSphere) and Jamie Rubin (Board Chair, NYCHA). As the 2025 mayoral race heats up, they take a closer look into what New Yorkers are actually saying about...
Mar 14, 2025•54 min
The advice for how Columbia University should respond to Trump's slashing of funds is the same for anybody facing adversity — start by knowing your own values. Without that, argues Bradley, no strategy or tactics, however brilliant, are going to work. Plus he explains why "Trump is like the Terminator, he comes back stronger," weighs his own skills as a probabilistic thinker, and reveals why he never ever carries anything with him. That's just who he is. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwea...
Mar 11, 2025•44 min
Columbia Business School professor Michael Morris, author of Tribal: How the Cultural Instincts That Divide Us Can Help Bring Us Together , joins Bradley to break down the psychology behind how humans organize into groups, why we’re wired to trust and follow, and how these instincts shape everything we do, especially politics. "People aren’t just voting for policies," Morris says, "they’re choosing a tribe, a social identity. That’s why facts alone don’t change minds." This episode was taped at ...
Mar 06, 2025•51 min
Sitting in a long Bar Mitzvah service, Bradley started wondering about the performative side of religion. If we believe in a God who is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent, what does God need with all this endless praise? Kinda reminds you of someone else, doesn't it? Plus, Bradley unloads on the cruelty of Trump and Musk's proposed budget cuts and analyzes whether a big drop in popularity can stop Trump this time. Finally, now that the Andrew Cuomo redemption tour is officially on, why is hi...
Mar 04, 2025•52 min
Raj Goyle argues that Democrats don’t need a radical agenda to beat Trump—they just need to prove they can solve everyday problems. The founder of Phone Free New York joins Bradley to talk about the fight to ban phones in schools, how the legal system quietly robs every American, and why campaigns should be run like startups—fast, lean, and ruthless. 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 t...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr 2 min
A lot of what we do on our phones — maybe even most of it — is positive and productive, argues Bradley, but we need to clearly differentiate between good habits and mindless scrolling. He lays out the concept of "a screen time diet" that evaluates our digital consumption just like we do our nutritional intake. Plus, what brings Trump crashing back to earth, how a broken City Hall affects life in New York and why short players are great for basketball. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear a...
Feb 25, 2025•53 min
How does a venture capitalist find start-ups that are worth believing in? Bradley sits down with Pip Lawrence, co-founder of Delphi VC , for a wide-ranging discussion on his approach to investing, what attracts him to psychedelic therapy, how LA feels in the aftermath of the fires and why he's committed to the cause of Holocaust education. 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 ...
Feb 20, 2025•48 min
Get ready for big ideas flying all over the place in this episode. First, Bob Greenlee argues that Trump's pitch to expand the American empire — into Greenland, Gaza, Panama and Canada — goes hand in hand with his campaign to eradicate DEI. Taken together, they tell a heroic narrative meant to inspire and channel ambitions toward new visions of greatness. But is it a hustle or a real thing that Americans genuinely want? Plus, Bradley and Bob debate the idea that any particular religion could be ...
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Bradley’s tech investing journey began with a services-for-equity model that evolved into a full-fledged venture firm. Nine years and three successful funds later, he explains why he's pivoting back to his original approach. Plus, he lays out a bold plan for Governor Hochul to achieve a once-in-a-lifetime subway overhaul by leveraging the special election for Elise Stefanik’s upstate congressional seat. It all comes down to how much Trump wants to feel like a hero again in his hometown. Read mor...
Feb 13, 2025•43 min
Bradley shares his reaction to the bombshell breaking news that Trump’s Justice Department has ordered the US Attorney’s Office in Manhattan to drop the criminal charges against Mayor Eric Adams. Bradley games out how this decision will or will not impact the 2025 mayoral race, discusses what could be next for Adams if he (likely) loses re-election, and why, paradoxically the Adams administration is actually the best it's ever been. For Bradley's full analysis, be sure to subscribe to his Substa...
Feb 11, 2025•9 min
What are we getting right and wrong about America's youngest voters? Bradley talks to Melissa Deckman, author of ' The Politics of Gen Z: How the Youngest Voters Will Shape Our Democracy ', about the most diverse generation in American history coming of age in these turbulent, Trump-y times. 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 ...
Feb 11, 2025•40 min
Do the names Fannie Lou Hamer or Barbara Jordan mean anything to you? Well, they should, and so should their achievements as trailblazing black women in politics. Dr. Christina Greer, Associate Professor of Political Science at Fordham University and co-host of the podcasts FAQ NYC and In The Thick , joins Bradley to discuss her new book about Hamer and Jordan, How to Build a Democracy , plus a check-in on the NYC mayor's race, how to filter Trump news, and what Democrats should do to get back o...
Feb 06, 2025•40 min
Is there actually a mayor's race happening in New York City? Tusk Strategies CEO Chris Coffey joins Bradley to consider the shadow of Andrew Cuomo and how it hangs over the field. Plus, Governor Hochul's suddenly steep climb to reelection, deciding how to pick your battles with Trump, and DeepSeek's scrambling of the AI narrative. 00:05:15] - DeepSeek AI discussion: Concerns about privacy, security, and how DeepSeek may impact the AI landscape. [00:07:26] - AI models: How DeepSeek challenges Ope...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr
How is pragmatic problem-solving possible in today's fiery political climate? Bradley sits down with Mayor Randall Woodfin of Birmingham, Alabama, to discuss his new book, Son of Birmingham , which blends politics, leadership, and his deep love of music and culture. Woodfin shares his thoughts on Outkast, Lauryn Hill and the decline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as well as how his city can embrace both its civil rights past and a high-tech future. This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear a...
Jan 30, 2025•39 min
If you're prone to ruminating on negative thoughts, there is no single remedy. Bradley analyzes the practices that help him quiet his mind, the habits he avoids, and the aspects of his life that make the biggest difference. Plus, he updates his agnostic approach to Trump, explains why changing the laws on scaffolding is a big win for New Yorkers, and recommends a pair of novels and a pair of movies. [00:01:40] How to Deal with Constant Ruminations [00:13:00] Finding Purpose [00:19:30] Reflection...
Jan 28, 2025•59 min
That's the simple Venn diagram Micah Lasher is embracing as he begins his freshman year in the New York State Assembly. In this first installment of a recurring series about Micah's new life as a legislator, he and Bradley discuss the tribal customs of Albany, the challenges of balancing public safety with civil liberties, and the structural issues contributing to New York's housing crisis. The most powerful force in Albany isn’t ideology, says Micah, it's "status quo bias." Breaking through tha...
Jan 23, 2025•48 min
In this special episode, Bradley dissects Trump’s unprecedented barrage of executive orders, exploring their strategic and symbolic importance, as well as their impact on everyday Americans and the world as we knew it. “If you're looking for someone who reliably reinforces your views about Trump, good or bad," says Bradley, "this is not the right place for you. If you are looking for an objective, nonpartisan centrist take on things, I think we've got something to offer." Read more on Bradley's ...
Jan 21, 2025•53 min
To forgive the big lie he told the American people? Bradley weighs the evidence. Plus, he reality-checks Canada’s dilemma on how to deal with Trump: “I know Canadians are famous for being nice. Thoughtful. Decent. Those are great qualities in human beings. But in a knife fight with Donald Trump, none of them matter.” [00:00:21] – Overview of podcast topics: Joe Biden's presidency, Trump's inauguration, Canada’s approach to Trump, and scaffolding projects in New York. [00:00:40] – Discussion of J...
Jan 20, 2025•49 min
Are we there yet? Lee Drutman thinks so. Bradley talks to the senior fellow at the New America Foundation and prominent thinker on political reform about how expanding the number of parties can restore healthy conflict in our politics. "If 30 percent of people in New York City support Trump," asks Drutman, "then how come 30 percent of the seats on the City Council are not Republican?" Lee Drutman's latest in NYT: Opinion | How to Fix America’s Two-Party Problem...
Jan 16, 2025•55 min
Would a strong mayor and governor have saved LA from much of the horrific destruction? Probably not. But that doesn't mean there won't be massive political fallout — as well as an opportunity for new leaders and ideas to emerge. Bradley surveys the new landscape. Mayor Emanuel, anyone? Plus, he considers the end of TikTok as we know and love it, while he and Bob Greenlee debate the finer points about Meta's about-face on factchecking. 00:03:39 – Wildfires in LA: Political fallout and Karen Bass’...
Jan 14, 2025•55 min
As cities and states increasingly explore new approaches to public education, navigating the complex landscape of options can be overwhelming for parents. Bradley talks to Joe Connor, CEO and founder of Odyssey , a technology company part of the Tusk Venture Partners portfolio that helps families access high-quality education for their children. 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 though...
Jan 09, 2025•39 min
Does American life feel like it's spiraling out of control to you? Bradley identifies the four main agents of chaos and anxiety, as well as potential remedies for each one. Plus, he talks about why interaction with strangers is good for us, which activities deserve nonprofit status and which don't, and the new TV show he binged on the flight home from LA. 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 y...
Jan 07, 2025•58 min
Can social media be reformed in time to spare the next generation? Bradley sits down with Steven Rosenbaum of the Sustainable Media Center and Emma Lembke of LOG OFF to discuss intergenerational collaboration, grassroots advocacy, and the need for systemic change to create a healthier digital future.
Jan 02, 2025•42 min
