The Brian Lehrer Show - podcast cover

The Brian Lehrer Show

WNYCwnyc.org
Brian Lehrer leads the conversation about what matters most now in local and national politics, our own communities and our lives.
Last refreshed:
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Reporters Ask the Mayor: Are Critiques of Adams Racist?

Mayor Adams holds one off-topic press conference per week, where reporters can ask him questions on any subject. Elizabeth Kim , Gothamist and WNYC reporter, recaps what he talked about at this week's event. This weeks topics include: fights over shelters, his support for VP Kamala Harris, and the comparisons he draws between himself and former mayor David Dinkins. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for adve...

Jul 24, 202435 minEp. 512

100 Years of 100 Things: Air Conditioners

Continuing 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about ...

Jul 24, 202430 minEp. 514

Mr. Fruit: Beloved Bodegas of Brooklyn

Chris Crowley , senior writer at Grub Street, discusses the Mr. Fruit stores, a "chainlet" of delis that has amassed a cult following in Brooklyn. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 24, 202414 minEp. 515

How Does the Secret Service Work?

The Secret Service director resigned under pressure after former President Trump was shot during a rally earlier this month. Carol Leonnig , Washington Post national investigative reporter, explains how Secret Service protection works: who gets it, how are they protected, and what went so wrong at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Jul 24, 202420 minEp. 513

Bernie Sanders's Former Speechwriter Weighs in on the 2024 Campaign Shakeup

David Sirota , founder and editor-in-chief of The Lever, host of the upcoming podcast Master Plan, an investigation into government corruption in the United States, co-creator of the movie Don't Look Up, and former presidential campaign speechwriter for Bernie Sanders, offers political analysis from the left on President Biden's decision to drop out, the Democrats' rallying behind VP Kamala Harris as the new nominee, and how he sees the campaign as a Trump - Harris matchup looks likely. Hosted b...

Jul 23, 202445 minEp. 507

Outdoor Dining's Deadline

Ryan Kailath , WNYC/Gothamist arts and culture reporter, talks about the August 3rd deadline for restaurants wanting to continue outdoor dining and why the streetscape will see changes. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 23, 202419 minEp. 508

Trump's Mass Deportation Pledge

The Republican Party has promised to initiate the largest deportation effort in U.S. history if Donald Trump is elected president. Felipe De La Hoz , contributing member of the New York Daily News editorial board and lecturer at New York University's College of Arts and Sciences, offers a look at Trump's plan. → The Supreme Court Just Supercharged the Scariest Part of Trump’s 2025 Agenda Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of...

Jul 23, 202435 minEp. 509

What Makes You a Yankees or Mets Fan?

Ahead of the second round of the annual "Subway Series," listeners share who they're rooting for, where their loyalty comes from, and weigh in on the informal map of Yankees vs. Mets territory in the New York area. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 23, 202411 minEp. 510

Open Phones for Democrats

During the show, Vice President Kamala Harris gave her first public speech about her presidential bid. Democrats call in share how they are feeling about Biden's exit from the presidential race and his endorsement of VP Harris. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 22, 202416 minEp. 506

100 Years of 100 Things: Fossil Fuels

Continuing our centennial series "100 Years of 100 Things," 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, most recently, Our Fragile Moment: How Lessons from Earth's Past Can Help Us Survive the Climate Crisis (PublicAffairs, 2023), walks us through the impact that fossil fuels have had on the climate—and the temperature record—of the past 100 years. Hosted...

Jul 22, 202432 minEp. 502

Reaction to Biden, Plus Homelessness and NIMBYism

Christine Quinn , president & CEO of Win, the largest provider of shelter and supportive services for homeless families in New York City, reacts to the news that President Biden has dropped out of the presidential campaign, especially in her role as a Democratic delegate, and talks about the protests against the homeless shelter in Bensonhurst and other related news. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data fo...

Jul 22, 202418 minEp. 504

Biden Drops Out: Reactions From Congress, Dem Voters and a Biden Reporter

Bonnie Watson Coleman , U.S. Representative (D, NJ-12), co-chair and co-founder of the Congressional Caucus on Black Women and Girls, and Adriano Espaillat , U.S. Representative (D, NY-13), react to the news that President Biden has dropped out of the presidential race. Plus, Gabriel Debenedetti , national correspondent at New York Magazine and author of The Long Alliance: The Imperfect Union of Joe Biden and Barack Obama (Henry Holt and Co., 2022) reports on the news from his position as a repo...

Jul 22, 202446 minEp. 503

Brian Lehrer Weekend: Rev. Barber; Sanitation Commissioner; Weird Al

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. Poverty in Black and White (First) | The City's First Official Trash Can (Starts at 35:37) | "Weird Al" Yankovic Celebrates 10 Years of "Mandatory Fun" (Starts at 1:04:11) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Jul 21, 20241 hr 21 minEp. 505

"Weird Al" Yankovic Celebrates 10 Years of "Mandatory Fun"

10 years after his comedy album "Mandatory Fun" became the first comedy album in history to hit number 1 on the Billboard charts, "Weird Al" Yankovic , musician, comedian, and actor, looks back on his career parodying hit pop songs, previews his latest single "Polkamania!", and takes calls from his multi-generational fanbase. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Jul 19, 202416 minEp. 500

Why NYC Cars Are Deadlier Than Guns

Clayton Guse , WNYC/Gothamist editor on the NYC Accountability desk, and Stephen Nessen , transportation reporter for the WNYC Newsroom, break down the latest city data that show more New Yorkers were killed by drivers during the first six months of 2024 than those who were fatally shot over the same period. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Jul 19, 202415 minEp. 498

Leader Jeffries Talks Biden Politics

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D NY-8th, Brooklyn) talks about the debate engulfing the Democrats on whether President Biden should stay in the race, plus reacts to Trump's speech at the RNC and listeners share their views. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 19, 202430 minEp. 499

Friday Morning Politics: Trump's Speech at the RNC

Charlie Sykes , founder of The Bulwark, MSNBC contributor and author of How the Right Lost Its Mind (St. Martin's Press, 2017), recaps President Trump's speech and the whole week at the Republican National Convention. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 19, 202420 minEp. 497

What the Massive Tech Outage is Affecting Locally and Globally

Brittany Kriegstein , WNYC and Gothamist reporter, and Tom Warren , senior editor and author of "Notepad" for The Verge, talk about the effects of the massive tech outage, including critical infrastructure, apps, travel and more -- as callers share issues they're finding with work, travel, and making purchases. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Jul 19, 202418 minEp. 501

The City's First Official Residential Trash Can

Jessica Tisch , commissioner of the New York City Department of Sanitation, talks about the NYC Bin, the City’s first "official trash can" which will be mandated for use by residential buildings with 1-9 units in a continuing effort to deprive rats of access to garbage. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 18, 202429 minEp. 494

Thursday Morning Politics: The Buzz from the RNC

McKay Coppins , staff writer at The Atlantic and the author of Romney: A Reckoning (Simon & Schuster, 2023), recaps the happenings at the Republican National Convention, including JD Vance's speech, plus offers analysis on Nikki Haley's apparent evolution into a Trump believer. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Jul 18, 202440 minEp. 493

Democracy's 'Shadow'

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), explores the resistance to democratic ideals that has always accompanied progress toward greater freedom and how that reactionary movement is active here and around the world. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Jul 18, 202429 minEp. 495

Celebrating an American Anthem: 'Rhapsody in Blue'

Classical pianist Lara Downes previews a free outdoor concert in which she'll perform a new arrangement of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," which turns 100 this year. On Saturday, July 27 at 6 p.m., WNYC and St. Ann’s Warehouse will present Rhapsody for This Land: The American Odyssey in Music , a free concert in Brooklyn Bridge Park that celebrates a century of hope, protest and change as expressed through American music. RSVP for free here . WNYC is celebrating its centennial with live ev...

Jul 18, 202413 minEp. 496

Reporters Ask the Mayor: FDNY Chief Steps Down, Adams Gets Angsty With Press

Mayor Adams holds one off-topic press conference per week, where reporters can ask him questions on any subject. Elizabeth Kim , Gothamist and WNYC reporter, recaps what he talked about at this week's event. This weeks topics include: the resignation of the FDNY commissioner, Laura Kavanagh; the mayor pointing fingers at the press in response to the assassination attempt against former president Donald Trump; a first look at how much Democratic mayoral primary candidates are fundraising for the ...

Jul 17, 202425 minEp. 492

Summer Bests, So Far

Halfway through summer, listeners share their favorite finds: Cultural, Culinary, Air-Conditioned. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 17, 20248 minEp. 491

Rep. D'Esposito on the RNC

U.S. Representative Anthony D'Esposito (R, NY-4) talks about the Republican convention and the campaigns. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 17, 202413 minEp. 489

100 Years of 100 Things: RNC Speeches

Continuing our centennial series "100 Years of 100 Things," Julian Zelizer , professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University, CNN political analyst, NPR contributor, and author of several books and co-author with Kevin Kruse of Myth America: Historians Take On the Biggest Legends and Lies About Our Past (Basic Books, 2023), walks us through pivotal RNC speeches from the last 100 years. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collect...

Jul 17, 202435 minEp. 489

Menendez Convicted

New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez was convicted on bribery and other corruption charges. Nancy Solomon , WNYC reporter and editor, and host of the “Ask Governor Murphy” monthly call-in show, reports on what comes next for him and for his re-election campaign. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 17, 202429 minEp. 490

Poverty in Black and White

William Barber , a Protestant minister, social activist, professor, and founding director of the Center for Public Theology and Public Policy at Yale Divinity School, president of Repairers of the Breach and the author of White Poverty: How Exposing Myths About Race and Class Can Reconstruct American Democracy (Liveright, 2024), argues against seeing poverty as primarily a Black issue and seeks to create common ground across racial lines to address the problem. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz c...

Jul 16, 202435 minEp. 487

How Hot Is It?

The year 2024 is the hottest year on record in New York City, and the current heat wave is expected to bring real-feel temperatures into the triple digits today. In this oppressive heat and humidity, we ask our listeners simply, "how hot is it?" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 16, 20247 minEp. 488

Climate and Energy at the RNC

Zack Colman , reporter covering climate and energy at Politico, talks about how climate and energy show up in the Republican platform and in Project 2025, plus reports from the RNC on how Republicans are talking - if at all - about climate change. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 16, 202426 minEp. 486
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android