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.
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Episodes

Sewer Socialism? Start Here, City Hall

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has pointed to "sewer socialism"—the early Milwaukee model where socialist mayors treated basic public infrastructure as central to serving working people—as part of the vision that guides him. Listeners call in to tell us which small public-works improvement, in that spirit, would make life better on their block. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Nov 12, 202513 minEp. 1823

Mayor-elect Mamdani Preps for Office

Elizabeth Kim , Gothamist and WNYC reporter, talks about the new hires Mayor-elect Mamdani has announced will be part of his administration, plus the news from Mayor Adams's final days in office. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 12, 202542 minEp. 1820

COP30 Forges Ahead Without the United States

Paula DiPerna , policy consultant, author of Pricing the Priceless (Wiley, 2023) and co-author of Carbon Hunters: Reflections And Forecasts Of Climate Markets In The 21st Century (WSPC,2025), talks about the history of international cooperation on climate change, and Mark Hertsgaard , journalist and co-founder and executive director of Covering Climate Now, and the author of Big Red’s Mercy: The Shooting of Deborah Cotton and A Story of Race in America (Pegasus, 2024), discuss what to expect fro...

Nov 11, 202523 minEp. 1819

How Veterans Feel About Pete Hegseth

For Veterans Day, Paul Rieckhoff , independent national security, veterans affairs and political analyst, host of the Independent Americans podcast, founder & CEO of Independent Veterans of America, co-founder of American Veterans for Ukraine, and founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), discusses how vets are viewing the changes Pete Hegseth is making to the armed forces, and how well they feel they are being taken care of under Hegseth and the Trump administration. Hoste...

Nov 11, 202535 minEp. 1818

Phone-Free Schools

It's been a few months since schools in New York State started with a new rule: no smart phones allowed. Teachers, parents and students call in to talk about how it's going so far, and what the school day is like without the distraction of cell phones. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 11, 202512 minEp. 1817

Reimagining Teaching Science

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 beyond the classroom, drawing on his experience teaching science in Washington Heights. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Nov 11, 202524 minEp. 1816

Listeners Sound Off on the Senate Agreement to End the Shutdown

Listeners call in to talk about their feelings on the Democratic senators who broke ranks to vote with Republicans to re-open the government. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 11, 202516 minEp. 1815

Funny Women of The New Yorker

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Nov 10, 202514 minEp. 1814

Rep. Suozzi on the Shutdown & Election Results

U.S. Representative Tom Suozzi (D NY3) talks about the latest on the longest shutdown in history, how it now might end and the election results. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 10, 202526 minEp. 1813

The Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan

Ciarán Donnelly , senior vice president for International Programs at International Rescue Committee, breaks down the latest news from Sudan, where the country has been experiencing a civil war since April 2023 amid a power struggle between its army and a powerful paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Nov 10, 202521 minEp. 1812

How Democratic Socialism Won in New York City

Micah Uetricht , editor of Jacobin Magazine , and Susan Kang , associate professor of political science at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a commentator on local politics, talk about how the democratic socialist theory of change brought forth Zohran Mamdani's victory in the New York City mayoral race, and what to expect from a socialist mayor. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Nov 10, 202549 minEp. 1811

Brian Lehrer Weekend: The Mamdani Coalition; Mikie Sherrill; A.J. Jacobs' Life Without AI

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. Researcher and strategist Michael Lange on the broad coalition that propelled Zohran Mamdani to victory in the NYC mayoral election (First) | A post-election interview with New Jersey Governor-elect Mikie Sherril (Starts at 46:55) | A.J. Jacobs tries life without A.I. (Starts at 58:30) 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.co...

Nov 08, 20251 hr 18 minEp. 1810

Your Post-Election Refresh

Hannah Frishberg , New York City arts and culture reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, shares some non-politics related activities for the weekend as listeners share how they're shifting their attention away from the mayoral race and back to cultural activities or other forms of civic engagement. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Nov 07, 202511 minEp. 1809

The New NYC Comptroller(-Elect)

Mark Levine , Manhattan borough president and Comptroller-Elect, talks about his election victory, the transition from Manhattan borough president to citywide office, and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 07, 202527 minEp. 1807

Friday Morning Politics: The Continuing Government Shutdown

Toluse Olorunnipa , staff writer at The Atlantic , discusses the latest national political news as the government shutdown, already the longest in U.S. history, goes on. Photo: The western front of the United States Capitol. The Capitol serves as the seat of government for the United States Congress, the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government. (Noclip, Public domain, via ) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of per...

Nov 07, 202540 minEp. 1808

Costco's Changing Culture

Molly Fischer , staff writer at The New Yorker , talks about her reporting on Costco’s storied company culture and whether it can endure as the company continues to grow. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 07, 202531 minEp. 1806

The Mamdani Coalition

Michael Lange , New York City-based writer, researcher, strategist, and political organizer, talks about the broad coalition that Zohran Mamdani put together for his decisive win in the New York City mayoral election. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 06, 202547 minEp. 1802

The Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Tariffs

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments this week on the legality of President Trump's tariffs. Aziz Huq , professor of law at the University of Chicago Law School and author of The Rule of Law: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2024) , offers legal analysis of the case, and how the justices might be inclined to rule, based on their questions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertisi...

Nov 06, 202525 minEp. 1803

The Perils of Pregnancy in America

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. EVENT: Wednesday, November 12th from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Vanderbilt Hall, Greenberg Lounge at 40 Washington Square South in Manhattan. More information here . Hosted by Simplec...

Nov 06, 202523 minEp. 1804

New Yorkers Say 'Yes' to the Housing Ballot Questions

Amit Singh Bagga , campaign director for the Yes on Affordable Housing PAC and Democratic strategist, talks about the results of the three controversial housing-related ballot questions, which New York City voters approved, and what that will mean going forward for housing development and the new mayor's agenda. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Nov 06, 202514 minEp. 1805

More on the City's Next Mayor

Christina Greer , associate professor of political science at Fordham University, co-host of the podcast FAQNYC, and the author of How to Build a Democracy: From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams (Cambridge University Press, 2024) , offers an analysis of the results of the New York City mayoral race and what's next for the city's new mayor. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertisin...

Nov 05, 202515 minEp. 1801

Mamdani's Historic Win

Gothamist and WNYC reporter Elizabeth Kim offers analysis of the New York City mayoral race results, plus Ethar El-Katatney , editor-in-chief of Documented, shares Documented's reporting on the mayoral race from the perspective of different immigrant communities in the city. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Nov 05, 202545 minEp. 1797

New Jersey's New Governor

Mike Hayes , WNYC/Gothamist reporter covering the New Jersey governor's race and the author of The Secret Files: Bill De Blasio, The NYPD, and the Broken Promises of Police Reform (Kingston Imperial, 2023) , talks about the results of New Jersey's contentious governor's race. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Nov 05, 202512 minEp. 1799

Mikie Sherrill Takes a Victory Lap

Mikie Sherrill , New Jersey governor-elect, talks about her big win and what comes next for New Jersey's next governor. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 05, 202512 minEp. 1798

Election Results Across the Country

Susan Page , USA Today Washington bureau chief and the author of several books, including The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters (Simon & Schuster, 2024) and the forthcoming The Queen and Her Presidents (Harper, April 2026), talks about what the New York City mayoral results might mean for Democrats moving forward, and offers analysis of election results in Virginia, New Jersey, and California. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information abou...

Nov 05, 202526 minEp. 1800

Virginia's Gubernatorial Race

Markus Schmidt , senior Virginia politics reporter and deputy editor at The Virginia Mercury, breaks down the latest on Virginia's gubernatorial race on election day, where Democratic nominee and former congresswoman Abigail Spanberger has maintained a lead in polls since very early in the race over Republican nominee Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising...

Nov 04, 202511 minEp. 1795

Election Day Exit Polls in New Jersey

Nancy Solomon , host of the “Ask Governor Murphy” monthly call-in show, talks about the Election Day news in the New Jersey governor's race, and listeners call for an informal, unofficial, thoroughly unscientific exit poll. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 04, 202530 minEp. 1796

Election Day: Exit Polls and the Mayoral Candidates

Brigid Bergin , WNYC's senior political correspondent, offers analysis of what the early vote numbers might mean for the New York City mayoral race, and more news from the campaign trail on Election Day. Plus, Zohran Mamdani , New York State assembly member (D, D-36, Queens) and the Democratic nominee for mayor, Andrew Cuomo , former governor of New York and independent candidate for mayor of New York City, and Curtis Sliwa , Republican nominee for NYC mayor, former WABC radio host and founder o...

Nov 04, 20251 hr 7 minEp. 1794

Jim Clyburn's History

U.S. Representative James Clyburn (D, SC 6), recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and author of The First Eight: A Personal History of the Pioneering Black Congressmen Who Shaped a Nation (Hachette, 2025), tells the story of the first eight Black members of Congress during Reconstruction, and the gap that followed up until his election in 1992. Event: On Leadership, Legacy, and Democracy: Jim Clyburn in Conversation with Sharon McMahon at The 92nd Street Y on November 11th. Hosted by S...

Nov 03, 202533 minEp. 1790

Monday Morning Econ Politics

Catherine Rampell , anchor at MSNBC and economics editor at The Bulwark, talks about the latest economic news, including on President Trump's tariffs and China, inflation numbers, SNAP benefits and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 03, 202544 minEp. 1791
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