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

Gov. Mikie Sherrill Takes the Reins

Gov. Mikie Sherrill has been inaugurated in New Jersey. Mike Hayes , WNYC/Gothamist New Jersey politics reporter and the author of The Secret Files: Bill De Blasio, The NYPD, and the Broken Promises of Police Reform (Kingston Imperial, 2023), talks about what to expect, and the challenges she will face as she begins her term. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Jan 21, 202644 minEp. 1992

Your Oscar Nominations

Ahead of Thursday's Oscar nominations, listeners call in to share their picks for the major categories, including best documentary. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 21, 202612 minEp. 1992

Second Term, First Anniversary

Amy Davidson Sorkin , staff writer at The New Yorker, looks back at the first year of Pres. Trump's second term and where we are now in the context of Trump's speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, today. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 21, 202628 minEp. 1991

Another Idea to Bring Down NYC's Sky-High Grocery Prices

Stephen Smith , executive director of the Center for Building in North America, talks about his idea to bring down NYC's sky-high grocery prices -- which is to make it easier to build more grocery stores. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 20, 202637 minEp. 1990

The Worst Measles Outbreak in 20 Years

Apoorva Mandavilli , science and global health reporter at The New York Times, discusses how 2025 became the worst year for measles in the United States in more than two decades, after a small town in Gaines County, Texas, first reported a cluster of measles cases in unvaccinated children in January. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Jan 20, 202628 minEp. 1989

How Cold Is It?

Listeners call in to answer the question "how cold is it?" And share tips for staying warm and safe. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 20, 202611 minEp. 1988

Trump Escalates Tensions Over Greenland

Matt Steinglass , Europe editor at The Economist , explains the recent news in President Donald Trump's remarks on acquiring Greenland, including that the U.S. will impose tariffs on eight European countries until the U.S. acquires the country, and Europe's response. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 20, 202633 minEp. 1987

Monday Morning Politics: Congress's Perspective on Greenland, Venezuela and More

Eleanor Mueller , congress reporter at Semafor, talks about the latest national political news of the day including the growing rift between President Trump and Congressional Republicans, the latest on the possible extension of health care subsidies, and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 19, 202639 minEp. 1986

MLK Day and the History of American Protests

Gloria Browne-Marshall , professor of constitutional law at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, civil rights attorney, Emmy award-winning writer and author of A Protest History of the United States (Beacon Press, 2025), talks about the exercise of what Dr. King called the American "right to protest for right." Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Jan 19, 202625 minEp. 1985

MLK Day: The Civil Rights Movement's Unfinished Business

Peniel Joseph , Barbara Jordan Chair in Ethics and Political Values, founding director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, professor of history at the University of Texas at Austin and the author of The Third Reconstruction: America's Struggle for Racial Justice in the Twenty-First Century (Basic Books, 2022), talks about what was accomplished, as well as the inequality that remained unaddressed. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about o...

Jan 19, 202617 minEp. 1984

Previewing Gov. Sherrill's Education Policies

Jessie Gómez , Chalkbeat Newark reporter covering Newark Public Schools, talks about what to expect from New Jersey's new governor on education issues. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 19, 202629 minEp. 1983

Brian Lehrer Weekend: Nurses Strike; NJ AG Matt Platkin; Betting on Everything

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. Why New York City's Nurses Are on Strike (First) | Exit Interview With NJ Attorney General Matt Platkin (Starts at 34:55) | Betting on Everything (Starts at 1:04:42) 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....

Jan 17, 20261 hr 23 minEp. 1982

Has Trump Undermined the DOJ's Independence?

Emily Bazelon , staff writer for The New York Times Magazine , co-host of Slate 's "Political Gabfest" podcast, Truman Capote fellow for creative writing and law at Yale Law School and author of Charged: The New Movement to Transform American Prosecution and End Mass Incarceration (Random House, 2019) , recaps this week's news from the DOJ – including the investigation into Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome Powell, the resignation of six prosecutors over the Renee Good shooting, and the recent ...

Jan 16, 202641 minEp. 1981

When Politicians Curse

This week, President Donald Trump responded to a heckler by using profanity. Tom Nichols , a staff writer at The Atlantic and a contributor to the Atlantic Daily newsletter, professor emeritus of national-security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College and an instructor at the Harvard Extension School, discusses the recent rise of politicians using profanity when addressing constituents. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of ...

Jan 16, 202615 minEp. 1981

A Controversial Sale of Rent-Stabilized Apartments

David Brand , housing reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, talks about the latest legal turn in the controversial sale of 5,000 rent-stabilized apartments owned by Pinnacle, the current bankrupt landlord, to another company that has a sketchy record of maintaining apartments. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 16, 202628 minEp. 1980

Trump Angers Greenland, Denmark and Europe

By threatening to take control of Greenland, President Trump has undermined a once-strong alliance with Denmark. Now, several NATO countries are deploying small numbers of troops to Greenland. Margaret Talbot , staff writer at The New Yorker , reports on anxiety and anger in Denmark and Europe. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Jan 16, 202627 minEp. 1979

Artists Fight to Save An Upper West Side Church From The Wrecking Ball

The West Park Presbyterian Church, a 135-year-old Upper West Side landmark, could soon have its landmark protections strip, allowing developers to turn the lot into luxury housing. Mark Ruffalo , award-winning actor and activist, and Peg Breen , president of the New York Landmarks Conservancy, discuss the community's effort to save the building from the wrecking ball, and hear from callers about their own connections to the space, which has served as an arts and community center for decades. Hos...

Jan 15, 202631 minEp. 1978

Eric Adams: Crypto Entrepreneur?

Former New York City Mayor Eric Adams is now a cryptocurrency entrepreneur. But his recently launched crypto token—which he claimed would combat antisemitism—crashed almost immediately, fueling scam accusations. Leo Schwartz , senior writer at Fortune , talks about the former mayor's curious venture. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Jan 15, 202613 minEp. 1977

The ICE Agent Recruiting Process

Laura Jedeed , freelance journalist focused on American conservative and far-right movements and author of the Substack Firewalled Media dot com, talks about the shoddy screenings hopeful applicants to become ICE agents receive, which became clear when she was offered a position after applying at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement hiring expo - despite her public profile as a journalist critical of ICE and the Trump administration. => " You’ve Heard About Who ICE Is Recruiting. The Truth ...

Jan 15, 202634 minEp. 1976

Ask Governor Murphy: The Final Recap

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy is term-limited out and will be replaced by Mikie Sherrill on January 20th. Nancy Solomon , WNYC reporter and host of “Ask Governor Murphy,” offers the final recap of her monthly call-in show. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 15, 202631 minEp. 1975

Iran is 'Prepared' For War

At least 1,850 protesters have been killed in a brutal crackdown by Iran's government. Robin Wright , contributing writer and columnist for The New Yorker and author of several books on Iran, explains the political upheaval and why President Donald Trump has canceled meetings with Iranian officials and encouraged protesters to keep demonstrating, saying that "help" from the U.S. is on the way. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and ...

Jan 14, 202628 minEp. 1974

Gov. Hochul's 'State of the State' 2026

Jimmy Vielkind recaps the proposals in Gov. Hochul's "state of the state" address, where she focused on affordability, and offers analysis of the speech as the governor is running for re-election. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 14, 202641 minEp. 1973

Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Transgender Student Athletes

Kate Shaw , professor at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, co-host of the Supreme Court podcast Strict Scrutiny, and a contributing opinion Writer with the New York Times talks about the justices' responses to arguments in two cases involving transgender student athletes, plus other Supreme Court news. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Jan 14, 202627 minEp. 1973

The 'People's Republic' of Astoria

The Queens neighborhood of Astoria has recently elected so many democratic socialists that political observers have dubbed it the "people's republic" and a part of the so-called "commie corridor" (which also includes its neighbors in western Queens and north Brooklyn). Naaman Zhou , member of The New Yorker' s editorial staff, talks about the neighborhood's political shift and why its voters are so open to electing socialists. → How Did Astoria Become So Socialist? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWi...

Jan 14, 202613 minEp. 1972

Changes to the Way the EPA Regulates Deadly Air Pollutants

Maxine Joselow , New York Times reporter covering climate policy, shares her reporting that found the EPA will no longer measure the lives saved by regulating two air pollutants, and what that might mean for how companies operate, how clean the air is and how it will negatively affect people's health. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Jan 13, 202618 minEp. 1971

Betting On Everything

Jonathan Cohen , historian and the author of Losing Big: America’s Reckless Bet on Sports Gambling (Columbia Global Reports, 2025), talks about how prediction markets, where people bet on world events, elections or...almost anything, are rising in popularity, and the risks that may come with these lightly-regulated markets. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Jan 13, 202618 minEp. 1970

Making Sense of the New Nutrition Guidelines

Deirdre Tobias , epidemiologist at Brigham & Women's Hospital and assistant professor in the department of nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, talks about the new nutrition guidelines released last week and how they could impact what American health and diets. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 13, 202639 minEp. 1969

Why New York City's Nurses are on Strike

Thousands of nurses from three of New York City's private hospital systems have walked off the job over safety concerns. Nancy Hagans , president of the New York State Nurses Association, shares details on what her fellow nurses are striking over and what might happen next in negotiations between the union and hospitals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising....

Jan 13, 202635 minEp. 1968

Mobilizing the Mamdani Volunteer Army

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

Jan 12, 202626 minEp. 1967

NJ's Outgoing AG Reflects on Achievements and Challenges

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

Jan 12, 202630 minEp. 1964
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