Cindy Elgan glanced into the lobby of her office and saw a sheriff’s deputy waiting at the front counter. “Let’s start a video recording, just in case this goes sideways,” Elgan, 65, told one of her employees in the Esmeralda County clerk’s office. She had come to expect skepticism, conspiracy theories and even threats related to her job as an election administrator. She grabbed her annotated booklet of Nevada state laws, said a prayer for patience and walked into the lobby to confront the lates...
Jul 14, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast The author of “Bowling Alone” warned us about social isolation and its effect on democracy a quarter century ago. Things have only gotten worse.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Jul 13, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Over the past decade, the cost of veterinary care in the U.S. has skyrocketed, as health care for pets has come to look more like health care for people. Katie Thomas, an investigative health care reporter for The Times, discusses how pet care became a multi-billion-dollar industry, and the fraught emotional and financial landscape that has created for pet owners. Guest: Katie Thomas , an investigative health care reporter for The New York Times. Background reading: Why you’re paying your veteri...
Jul 12, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast For the past three days, President Biden has fought to save his re-election campaign, as panicked congressional Democrats returned to Washington and openly debated whether to call on him to step aside. In this episode, Times reporters in Washington go inside the 72 hours that could make or break Mr. Biden’s nomination. Guest: Representative Adam Smith, of the 9th Congressional District in Washington Background reading: President Biden has faced fresh calls to withdraw as Democrats fear electoral...
Jul 11, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast For more than a decade, Britain has been governed by the Conservative Party, which pushed its politics to the right, embracing smaller government and Brexit. Last week, that era officially came to an end. Mark Landler, the London bureau chief for The Times, explains why British voters rejected the Conservatives and what their defeat means in a world where populism is on the rise. Guest: Mark Landler , the London bureau chief for The New York Times. Background reading: Five takeaways from the Bri...
Jul 10, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Outmanned and outgunned in what has become a war of attrition against Russia, Ukraine has looked for any way to overcome its vulnerabilities on the battlefield. That search has led to the emergence of killer robots. Paul Mozur, the global technology correspondent for The Times, explains how Ukraine has become a Silicon Valley for autonomous weapons and how artificial intelligence is reshaping warfare. Guest: Paul Mozur , the global technology correspondent for The New York Times. Background read...
Jul 09, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast When the Supreme Court wrapped up its term last week, much of the focus was one the ruling that gave former President Donald J. Trump sweeping immunity from criminal prosecution. But another set of rulings that generated less attention could have just as big an impact on American government and society. Adam Liptak, who covers the Supreme Court for The Times, looks back at the Supreme Court term. Guest: Adam Liptak , , who covers the Supreme Court for The New York Times and writes Sidebar, a col...
Jul 08, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast On the final episode of “Animal,” Sam Anderson travels to Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula to meet with a creature he's long been afraid of: bats. For photos and videos of Sam's journey to the Yucatán, and to listen to the full series, visit nytimes.com/animal . You can search for “Animal” wherever you get your podcasts. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify....
Jul 07, 2024•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast Midway through one of the booziest holiday weekends of the year, we re-examine our love-hate relationship with alcohol. Susan Dominus, a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, gets to the bottom of the conflicting guidance on the benefits and risks of drinking. Guest: Susan Dominus , a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine. Background reading: Research has piled up debunking the idea that moderate drinking has any health benefits. For more information on today’s episode, visit nyti...
Jul 05, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast A major Times poll has found that voters’ doubts about President Biden deepened after his poor performance in the first debate, with Donald J. Trump taking by far his biggest lead of the campaign. Shane Goldmacher, a national political correspondent for The Times, explains what those results could mean for Mr. Biden’s future. Guest: Shane Goldmacher , a national political correspondent for The New York Times. Background reading: Mr. Trump now leads Mr. Biden 49 percent to 43 percent among likely...
Jul 04, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Evan Gershkovich, an American journalist for The Wall Street Journal, was detained in Russia more than a year ago. He has been locked up in a high-security prison and accused of spying for the U.S. government. His trial, held in secret, is now underway. Anton Troianovski, the Moscow bureau chief for The New York Times, discusses the complicated geopolitics behind Mr. Gershkovich’s detention and the efforts to get him home. Guest: Anton Troianovski , the Moscow bureau chief for The New York Times...
Jul 03, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast On Monday, the Supreme Court ruled that former President Donald J. Trump is entitled to broad immunity from criminal prosecution for actions that he took while in office. Adam Liptak, who covers the Supreme Court for The New York Times, explains how that ruling will weaken the federal case against Mr. Trump for trying to overturn the last U.S. presidential election, and will drastically expand the power of the presidency itself. Guest: Adam Liptak , a Supreme Court correspondent for The New York...
Jul 02, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast President Biden’s disastrous debate performance last week set off a furious discussion among Democratic officials, donors and strategists about whether and how to replace him as the party’s nominee. Peter Baker, who is the chief White House correspondent for The Times, takes us inside those discussions and Biden’s effort to shut them down. Guest: Peter Baker , the chief White House correspondent for The New York Times. Background reading: President Biden’s allies can no longer wave away concerns...
Jul 01, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast In a broken world, what can we gain by looking another animal in the eye? "Animal" is a six-part, round-the-world journey in search of an answer. In Episode 5, the writer Sam Anderson travels to an obscure memorial in rural Japan: the statue of the last Japanese wolf. For photos and videos of Sam's journey to Japan, visit nytimes.com/animal . Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podc...
Jun 30, 2024•35 min•Transcript available on Metacast David Marchese talks to the comedy legend about navigating the minefield of fame, “Family Feud” and changing Hollywood forever. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Jun 29, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast In the first debate of the 2024 race, President Biden hoped to make the case that Donald J. Trump was unfit to return to the White House. Instead, Mr. Biden’s weak performance deepened doubts about his own fitness for the job. Astead W. Herndon, who covers politics for The Times, explains what happened. Guest: Astead W. Herndon , a national politics reporter for The New York Times and the host of the politics podcast “The Run-Up.” Background reading: President Biden’s shaky, halting debate perfo...
Jun 28, 2024•36 min•Transcript available on Metacast A new doping scandal is rocking the world of competitive swimming, as the Paris Olympics approach. These allegations are raising questions about fairness in the sport and whether the results at the summer games can be trusted. Michael S. Schmidt, one of the reporters who broke the story, explains the controversy and what it reveals about the struggle to police doping in sports. Guest: Michael S. Schmidt , an investigative reporter for The New York Times. Background reading: Chinese swimmers twic...
Jun 27, 2024•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast The far right in France had a big win this month, crushing the party of President Emmanuel Macron in elections for the European Parliament. But the results did not affect France’s government at home — until Mr. Macron changed that. Roger Cohen, the Paris bureau chief for The Times, discusses the huge political gamble Mr. Macron has taken, which has brought the far right closer than ever to gaining real power in France. Guest: Roger Cohen , the Paris bureau chief for The New York Times. Backgroun...
Jun 26, 2024•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast A powerful group supporting Israel is trying to defeat sitting members of Congress who have criticized the country’s deadly war against Hamas. Nicholas Fandos, who covers New York politics for The Times, explains why it appears that strategy may work in today’s Democratic primary in New York. Guest: Nicholas Fandos , who covers New York politics and government for The New York Times. Background reading: The American Israel Public Affairs Committee unleashed a record $14.5 million bid to defeat R...
Jun 25, 2024•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast Warning: this episode contains descriptions of injuries. Myanmar is home to one of the deadliest, most intractable civil wars on the planet. But something new is happening. Unusual numbers of young people from the cities, including students, poets and baristas, have joined the country’s rebel militias. And this coalition is making startling gains against the country’s military dictatorship. Hannah Beech, who covers stories across Asia for The Times, discusses this surprising resistance movement....
Jun 24, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast In a broken world, what can we gain by looking another animal in the eye? "Animal" is a six-part, round-the-world journey in search of an answer. In Episode 4, the writer Sam Anderson soothes his anxiety by visiting a convention center in Ohio. For photos and videos of Sam's adventure trip to Ohio, visit nytimes.com/animal. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify....
Jun 23, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast The governor of Michigan isn’t saying it should be her, but she’s not saying it shouldn’t be, either.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Jun 22, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Warning: This episode contains mentions of bullying and suicide. A rising tide of mental health problems among teenagers has sent parents, teachers and doctors searching for answers. This week, the U.S. surgeon general, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, offered one: social media. Today, Dr. Murthy discusses his proposal to require platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and Instagram to include warning labels, like those that appear on tobacco and alcohol products. Guest: Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, the U.S. surgeon gene...
Jun 21, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast In the battle to dismantle gun restrictions, raging in America’s courts even as mass shootings become commonplace, a Times’ investigation has found that one study has been deployed by gun rights activists to notch legal victories with far-reaching consequences. Mike McIntire, an investigative reporter for The Times, discusses the study and the person behind it. Guest: Mike McIntire , an investigative reporter at The New York Times. Background reading: Case after case challenging gun restrictions...
Jun 20, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast As mass shootings plague the United States, victims’ families continue to search for accountability. To that end, a pair of lawsuits by the families of victims of the Uvalde school shooting will try a new tactic. J. David Goodman, the Houston bureau chief for The Times, discusses the unusual targets of the lawsuits and profiles the lawyers behind them. Guest: J. David Goodman , the Houston bureau chief for The New York Times. Background reading: The Uvalde lawsuits are among the most far-reachin...
Jun 18, 2024•32 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Southern Baptist Convention, the largest denomination of Protestant Christians in the United States, voted at an annual gathering last week to oppose the use of in vitro fertilization. Ruth Graham, who covers religion, faith and values for The New York Times, discusses the story behind the vote, the Republican scramble it prompted and what it could eventually mean for the rest of the country. Guest: Ruth Graham , who covers religion, faith and values for The New York Times. Background readin...
Jun 17, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast In a broken world, what can we gain by looking another animal in the eye? "Animal" is a six-part, round-the-world journey in search of an answer. In Episode 3, the writer Sam Anderson travels to Florida to fulfill a lifelong dream: to swim with manatees. For photos and videos of Sam's adventure with manatees, visit nytimes.com/animal . Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts an...
Jun 16, 2024•33 min•Transcript available on Metacast The greatest women’s tennis player of all time is trying to find her new normal in retirement.Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Jun 15, 2024•28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Many Americans work their entire lives and end up retiring with nothing. But a group of frugal obsessives is challenging that. They call their approach FIRE: “financial independence, retire early.” Amy X. Wang, the assistant managing editor of The New York Times Magazine, looks at the people behind this growing movement and their bid to rethink how long we work. Guest: Amy X. Wang , the assistant managing editor of The New York Times Magazine. Background reading: Allen Wong is one of the FIRE ad...
Jun 14, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast The makeup of the 2024 presidential race has felt inevitable from the start — with one notable exception: Donald J. Trump’s choice of a running mate. Michael Bender, a political correspondent for The Times, explains why Mr. Trump’s requirements in a No. 2 are very different this time round than they were eight years ago. Guest: Michael Bender, a political correspondent for The New York Times. Background reading: Here is a comprehensive look at who is in the mix to be Mr. Trump’s running mate. Be...
Jun 13, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
