Firewall with Bradley Tusk

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 today’s episode: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone.

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 "right", why immersion in our phones doesn't produce the atomizing hellscape that critics claim, and whether the popular view of altruism is just plain wrongThis 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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone.

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 more about Bradley's next steps in his Substack, and please share in your networks the open Associate job posting for Tusk Ventures. 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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone. 

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 Substack.Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone.

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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone.

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 on their feet.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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone.

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 OpenAI and other major AI players, and its implications for the industry.[00:13:07] - New York City mayoral race: Current landscape, leading candidates, and potential challengers.[00:20:54] - Eric Adams' challenges: His legal issues, polling numbers, and the possibility of Andrew Cuomo entering the race.[00:25:46] - Ranked-choice voting dynamics: How different voter blocs may rank candidates and the implications for the election.[00:34:11] - Governor Hochul’s reelection challenges: Siena poll results and potential Democratic challengers.[00:40:29] - National politics: Trump's tariffs, their economic impact, and how they could affect his reelection bid.[00:45:24] - Democratic strategy: Should Democrats fight Trump or work with him? Debating the best approach.[00:52:43] - Recommendations: Bradley, Chris, and Hugo discuss books, TV shows, and museum exhibits.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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone.

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 at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio.Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone. 

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] Reflections on Canadian Business Leaders[00:22:50] Trump’s Greenland and Denmark Tensions[00:25:00] Coffee Tariffs and Inflation Messaging[00:30:00] GOP Retreat and Budget Cuts[00:36:00] Cabinet Appointments[00:40:00] New York City Quality of Life Issues, Scaffolding [00:50:30] Practical Urban Reforms[00:54:30] This Week's Books and Movie RecommendationsThis 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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone. 

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 that is the hardest part of governing.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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone. 

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 substack[00:01:20] – Start of the immigration discussion: Biden’s handling of immigration and the need for reform.[00:03:18] – Reinstating Title 42 and thoughts on asylum policies.[00:04:13] – Ending birthright citizenship and its constitutional implications.[00:06:18] – Discussion on gerrymandering's impact on immigration policies.[00:08:24] – Suspending refugee resettlement and related immigration actions.[00:11:25] – Sanctuary cities and withholding federal funding; implications for cities like New York.[00:14:57] – Climate policies: Electric vehicle mandates, fossil fuel production, and renewable energy setbacks.[00:19:21] – Analysis of Trump’s energy policies and implications for renewables and the global South.[00:20:29] – Trade policies: Tariffs on Mexican and Chinese imports and trade investigations.[00:22:15] – Federal operations: Bureaucracy changes, civil service reforms, and collective bargaining rights.[00:24:15] – Racial equity initiatives and their perceived backlash.[00:28:45] – Repealing Biden’s executive order on artificial intelligence.[00:29:10] – Protections for transgender individuals and abortion access.[00:30:48] – Returning federal workers to offices and broader implications for accountability.[00:32:22] – Crime policies: Designating cartels as global terrorists and restoring the death penalty for certain crimes.[00:37:29] – January 6th insurrection and punishment discussions.[00:38:06] – Use of private prisons and concerns about profit-driven practices.[00:39:02] – Title IX and transgender protections[00:41:06] – Abortion restrictions and telemedicine access concerns.[00:42:50] – TikTok ban reversal and its implications for U.S.-China relations.[00:43:03] – Declassifying federal records on JFK and MLK assassinations.[00:44:04] – Renaming landmarks and backlashes to symbolic changes.[00:45:08] – Withdrawing from the World Health Organization and global cooperation concerns.[00:47:24] – Executive order directing “America First” foreign policy and its symbolism.[00:50:02] – Cost of living executive orders and broader economic implications.[00:51:54] – Closing reflections on Trump’s branding and the impact of his executive orders.

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 Joe Biden's presidency: successes and failures.[00:03:31] – Legislative achievements: Infrastructure bill, Inflation Reduction Act, CHIPS Act, and American Rescue Plan.[00:06:00] – Foreign policy review: Ukraine, Israel, and Afghanistan withdrawal.[00:07:26] – Climate actions: Inflation Reduction Act's impact and Trump's opposition.[00:10:16] – Tech policy: Antitrust efforts, TikTok ban, and limitations in regulatory success.[00:15:52] – Stability and governance under Biden: COVID management, appointments, and absence of chaos compared to Trump.[00:18:48] – Biden's failings: Soft corruption, lying to the public, and mishandling immigration.[00:20:46] – Inflation and public perception.[00:24:45] – Immigration crisis and its mismanagement.[00:28:30] – Failures in tech policy and regulatory progress.[00:34:39] – Overall grading of Biden's presidency: A mix of B, B-minus, and C.[00:37:19] – Canada and Trump: Challenges with tariffs and potential strategies.[00:45:30] – Commentary on Canadian CEOs and political strategies.

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

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’s potential recall.00:10:26 – Recall Candidates: Speculation on who might replace Mayor Bass.00:19:17 – 2028 Olympics: How the fires could affect LA’s readiness.00:30:15 – TikTok Ban: Congress's push to force ByteDance to sell TikTok.00:35:55 – Universal School Meals: Hochul’s budget and related state efforts.00:37:08 – Congestion Pricing: Will it improve NYC’s traffic and transit?00:39:17 – Meta Ends Fact-Checking: Debate on Meta’s new content moderation approach.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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone. 

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 thoughts on today’s episode: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone.

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 your thoughts on today’s episode: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone. 

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.

On vacation in Los Angeles, Bradley raves about the city - from the cultural diversity and the food to the fabulous signage, the state-of-the-art sports facilities and the dorms at UCLA. He even digs the shopping there. Plus, he describes "a sorta near death experience" in a driverless Waymo, but says it doesn't dampen his enthusiasm for the technology in the least.Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone. 

At every step of her life, Leslie Feinzaig got ahead by never fitting in. The founder and managing director of Seattle-based Graham & Walker talks to Bradley about her unique family history and upbringing, her circuitous route to Harvard Business School and how working at a huge company inspired her to be an entrepreneur, launch the Female Founders Alliance and — ultimately — start her own venture fund. Then came VCs for Kamala, which taught her a new set of skills.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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone.

What is it about American presidents that they almost always leave office looking diminished and beaten down? Bradley offers advice on avoiding a graceless exit. Plus, he admires happiness guru Daniel GIlbert's theory of "feeling full", explains the implications of Daniel Penny's not-guilty verdict for next year's mayoral contenders and makes a bold pronouncement on Bill Belichick's prospects for a comeback.

Lobbying, once the art of golf, good cigars and calling in favors, evolved over the years into an array of slippery moves, strategies and tactics. But is Trump turning back the clock? Bradley talks to Brody Mullins, co-author with his brother Luke of the book The Wolves of K Street: The Secret History of How Big Money Took Over Big Government. "In the 1980s," says Mullins, "Trump was soaking up the world of power brokers like Paul Manafort and Roger Stone, and it shaped his view that the only thing that matters is winning. Negative campaigning, manipulating the media—he learned that it didn’t matter what was true, only that it worked."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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone. 

The best of what Bradley read, watched, listened to and visited over the last year — including his book of the year, The God of the Woods, by Liz Moore. Plus, after we get over our unfortunate titillation at the brazen murder of insurance-company CEO Brian Thompson, says Bradley, let's think about what it takes to tame the inequality and greed in this country that's breeding so much resentment.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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone.

Yes, the regulatory approach to gun control has stalled. But Hudson Muñoz, of Guns Down America, offers a fresh approach: Mobilizing the vast power of consumers to disrupt the firearms industry. He explains to Bradley how that works and offers a simple way for supporters to start flexing their power right now — by making informed choices about where they shop for the holidays. "The gun industry's survival depends on us," says Munoz, "not the other way around."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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone. 

A bill supported by a clear majority of the population ought to be easy to pass, and it was in Australia, says Bradley. But there's one big reason why Congress won't even touch the subject here in the US. Plus, he analyzes what's incentivizing the Republican senators who are most likely to stand in Trump's way, explains why polling has become like reality TV, and predicts the coming demise of big-time college sports.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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone. 

Dan Burstein is not your typical venture capitalist. He started as a journalist and has written 14 books on everything from Japanese finance to what makes a great thriller. He talks to Bradley about the precarious state of venture investing, as well as his latest book, a children's story called 'The Ivy Hero: The Brave Life of Sergeant William Shemin', co-written with Sara Shemin Cass, about a relative of theirs who they refuse to let be forgotten.

Bradley considers the rise and fall and rise again of President Trump as a Biblical allegory. He -- meaning God, not Bradley — wants to show us where a Zero Sum view of life (and politics) leads. But will we heed His message this time? Plus, Bradley applauds New York's City of Yes housing plan and floats an idea for a national housing program modeled on Obama's Race to the Top education initiative. If it was sold the right way, Trump might just like it. Especially if God gives it a nudge.

When it comes to government corruption, nobody touches Illinois. Bradley talks to Ray Long and Rick Pearson, investigative and political reporters for the Chicago Tribune, about their excellent series on the state's legacy of crooked politics and why people say the Governor's Mansion in Springfield is a better stepping stone to the Big House than to the White House.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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone. 

If you make voters feel stupid or small or bad about themselves, says Bradley, they hate you for it. And that's exactly what too many Democrats have been doing since 2016, if not before. Plus. he expresses guarded optimism about the Elon-Vivek commission, admires the abject political malpractice that is congestion pricing in New York and celebrates the end of broker fees for city renters.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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone.

Why does business success often go hand in hand with cluelessness at politics? Bradley talks to Dana Mattioli, reporter for The Wall Street Journal and author of "The Everything War: Amazon’s Ruthless Quest to Own the World and Remake Corporate Power" and gets her perspective on Bezos in a two-part conversation recorded both before and after the recent election.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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone. 

Anyone who has paid 15% of their annual rent in brokers fees for someone to let you into an apartment for only 10 minutes knows the practice is nothing more than legalized theft — and the City Council is voting today, November 13, on the FARE Act to finally end it. So we're rereleasing a October 2023 episode with Council Member Chi Ossé, the main sponsor of the FARE Act, about his fight against the real estate lobby and how making the city more attractive and accessible to young people can make it better for everyone.For more, read Bradley's NY Daily News op-ed in support of banning brokers fees.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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone.

No, says Bradley, but in this environment of social-media-fueled anger and discontent, they have to be open to difficult feedback, be honest with themselves and voters about where they've fallen short and show people just how hard they're willing to work. Plus, Bradley floats an idea for protecting Jews around the world from attacks like the ones we saw last week in Amsterdam. It's time to meet anti-Semitism head-on.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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone.

The Democrats' hard, sobering defeat last night revealed uncomfortable truths about what a majority of Americans want from their leaders. Bradley and Chris Coffey, CEO of Tusk Strategies, zero in on their areas of expertise — New York politics, tech regulation, cryptocurrency, anti-hunger campaigns and mobile voting — and talk about where we go from here. "There is no real silver lining here -- it is a bad outcome for America and the world," says Bradley. "With that said, once we get through processing this, the only thing you can do is fight -- and when I say fight, I don't mean the MSNBC / DSA just resist and scream about everything that Trump says and does all day, I mean pick the issues you care about -- for us, it's voting, it's hunger, it's abortion -- and work on those. And if it can't be done at a federal level, work on them at the state level, work on them at a local level, work on them at a community level, work on them at a philanthropic level. Ultimately, the way to feel better about ourselves and about the world we live in is to take the things we believe in and dedicate ourselves to them and try to make them happen."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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone.

On this Election Day 2024, Bradley takes a temporary pass on politics. Instead, he offers this exercise in wellness: Which personal qualities are most likely to make you feel fulfilled and happy? He, Meaghan and Hugo conduct a draft from a list he drew up of 40 traits. Feel free to keep the news on hold for an hour and play along at home.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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone.

...since the creation of the Internet. Bradley talks to Adam Zeplain of Austin-based mark vc, about the reasons to be fired up about business ("A lot of this stuff that was a pipe dream now seems like it's pretty real'), even-keeled about politics ("I'm going to focus on what I can do personally to live a good life, support people, think independently, and try to do what's right, regardless who's in office") and fiercely loyal to Austin and its people.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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone.

Not a single vote was won or lost when the Washington Post declined to endorse a Presidential candidate, but it is a frightening portend, says Bradley, of how small-d democratic institutions could lose their nerve in a second Trump administration. Plus: Mayor Adams' handling of Trump has been smart and effective, why Cuomo would be wise to stay out of the race for City Hall, why there's nothing wrong with how Elon Musk is playing politics and Bradley's masterplan for giving baseball a bright new future. 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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone.

How much does a great reputation cost? Bradley talks to Anupreeta Das, New York Times correspondent and author of Billionaire, Nerd, Savior, King: Bill Gates and His Quest to Shape Our World, about the precarious blend of personal ambition and high-stakes philanthropy.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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone.

To get a true reading of where he sits on the political spectrum, Bradley takes a 20-question quiz, covering everything from wealth disparity to whether we have enough cops. Will he like the answer he gets? Plus, he breaks down Uber’s potential takeover of Expedia, explains why the Mets’ downfall didn’t ruin his weekend much less his life, and issues a retraction (!!!) for a recommendation made on a previous episode. 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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone.

Wouldn't we be better off if the Democrat and Republican parties each split in half and we had four candidates vying for the presidency instead of two? How is that even imaginable? Bradley talks to Rob Richie, co-founder of FairVote, a group that champions Ranked Choice Voting, about electoral reforms that promise to restore genuine democracy, as opposed to whatever it is we have now.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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone.

How Harris and Trump administrations will differ on managing the economy, business and tech. Plus, Bradley talks about mysterious drones, going to movies in person, mini-golf vs. real golf, the pluses and minuses of living in Soho, the New Yorker's big piece on Chris Lehane, alternatives to "taking a knee" in football and why men not going to college is a serious warning signal.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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone.

Serious question: Do mediocre and average mean the same thing? Everybody Bradley asked told him no, that mediocre is worse, but he remains convinced they are the same. Plus, he cheers the federal court's ruling in favor of Epic Games in its lawsuit against Google over monopolistic behavior, outlines the philosophical dilemmas he has been wrestling with at synagogue and explains why Kamala Harris's position on guns is the blueprint for the pragmatic policies that a clear majority of Americans supports.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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone, and RSVP to an upcoming event on his cross country book tour. Oct. 10: Manny's, with Manny Yekutiel (San Francisco)

While New York City Mayor Eric Adams is under indictment and more of his top aides have departed, the work of running New York City doesn't stop. On this special edition of Firewall, Bradley and Jamie Rubin, board chairman of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), sit down with three close-knit colleagues who are leading New York during this unprecedented time: Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi, Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, Workforce Maria Torres-Springer, and Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Service Anne Williams-Isom.In this candid conversation, the three Deputy Mayors discuss how they are leading their teams through this moment, what priority projects they are continuing to push forward, and how their collaborative approach helps them get the job done for New Yorkers. "This is historic. To have three deputy mayors that get along, like each other. We don't have fiefdoms. We're sharing jurisdiction. It is a better use of taxpayer dollars to have this level of cooperation,“ says Deputy Mayor Joshi. “I wake up every morning not like, ‘Woe is me’ and ‘Lord, what's happening?’...I wake up every morning asking, ‘What more can I be doing?’ And when I go to bed at night, I hope that I am exhausted from making sure that I'm doing good on behalf of New Yorkers,” adds Deputy Mayor Williams-Isom. 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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone, and RSVP to an upcoming event on his cross country book tour. Oct. 9: Zibby's Bookshop, with Sasha Issenberg, POLITICO (Santa Monica, CA)Oct. 10: Manny's, with Manny Yekutiel (San Francisco)

As superintendent of the NY Department of Financial Services, Adrienne Harris may be the most important person you've never heard of. She talks to Bradley about the unique challenges of regulating the all-powerful financial industry —  banks, trading firms, hedge funds, private equity, pension managers, insurance companies, crypto, you name it,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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone, and RSVP to an upcoming event on his cross country book tour. Oct. 5: Politics & Prose, (Washington DC)Oct. 9: Zibby's Bookshop, with Sasha Issenberg, POLITICO (Santa Monica, CA)Oct. 10: Manny's, with Manny Yekutiel (San Francisco)

Bradley reviews the issues that are demanding his attention this week: Mobile voting, the potential for an invasion of Lebanon, Walz v. Vance, the spectacular Knicks trade, and Malcolm Gladwell.Send us an email with your thoughts on today’s episode: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone, and RSVP to an upcoming event on his cross country book tour. Oct. 5: Politics & Prose, with Teddy Schleifer, NYT (Washington DC)Oct. 9: Zibby's Bookshop, with Sasha Issenberg, POLITICO (Santa Monica, CA)Oct. 10: Manny's, with Manny Yekutiel (San Francisco)

Bradley assesses the immediate aftermath of the indictment of Mayor Eric Adams — who’s running from the crisis, who’s hurt (in addition to Adams) and who stands to gain. 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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book, Vote With Your Phone, and RSVP to an upcoming event on his cross country book tour. Oct. 1: Books & Books, with Phil Levine, former Mayor of Miami Beach (Coral Gables, FL)Oct. 5: Politics & Prose, with Teddy Schleifer, NYT (Washington DC)Oct. 9: Zibby's Bookshop, with Sasha Issenberg, POLITICO (Santa Monica, CA)Oct. 10: Manny's, with Manny Yekutiel (San Francisco)

After Bradley and Chris Coffey analyze how Mayor Adams can pull himself out of the vortex of scandal, Bradley goes on a rant about the declining decorum of New Yorkers, including phone-absorbed subway passengers blocking exits and bicyclists going the wrong way or riding on the sidewalk. Chris argues that life is gentler and more humane in Brooklyn; Bradley scoffs at his invitation to move there.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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to order his new book Vote With Your Phone, and RSVP to an upcoming event on his cross country book tour.

Could abortion rights ever be rolled back in a blue state like New York? After Democrats lost a bunch of House seats in the last cycle, says Sasha Ahuja, the campaign director for New Yorkers for Equal Rights, that no longer seems so far-fetched. She talks to Bradley about Prop 1, a ballot initiative to enshrine reproductive freedom in the New York State Constitution.Vote With Your Phone Book Tour: RSVP and info for all events at votewithyourphone.org. Sept. 24: Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College, with Council Member Chi Ossé and Kelly Mena, NY1 (NYC)Sept. 26: Carter Presidential Library, with Martin Luther King III (Atlanta)Oct. 1: Books & Books, with Phil Levine, former Mayor of Miami Beach (Coral Gables, FL)Oct. 5: Politics & Prose, with Teddy Schleifer, NYT (Washington DC)Oct. 9: Zibby's Bookshop, with Sasha Issenberg, POLITICO (Santa Monica, CA)Oct. 10: Manny's, with Manny Yekutiel (San Francisco)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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, and be sure to order his new book Vote With Your Phone.

Today is the hotly awaited publication date for Vote With Your Phone: Why Mobile Voting Is Our Final Shot at Saving Democracy, written (of course) by your Firewall host Bradley Tusk. Which is more than merely a book; it's a movement. To mark the occasion, Bradley undergoes the third degree from Meaghan and Hugo, answering the personal questions others might be afraid to ask and making the case for how common sense has become radical.Vote With Your Phone Book Tour: RSVP and info for all events at votewithyourphone.org. Sept. 19: New York Law School, with Ben Max (NYC)Sept. 24: Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College, with Council Member Chi Ossé and Kelly Mena, NY1 (NYC)Sept. 26: Carter Presidential Library, with Martin Luther King III (Atlanta)Oct. 1: Books & Books, with Phil Levine, former Mayor of Miami Beach (Coral Gables, FL)Oct. 5: Politics & Prose, with Teddy Schleifer, NYT (Washington DC)Oct. 9: Zibby's Bookshop, with Sasha Issenberg, POLITICO (Santa Monica, CA)Oct. 10: Manny's, with Manny Yekutiel (San Francisco)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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, and be sure to pre-order his upcoming book, Vote With Your Phone.

Or are they all just Trump voters who don't want to admit it? Chris Coffey of Tusk Strategies joins Bradley to check on the vital signs of the American political class, including the aftermath of the presidential debate, a big victory in Delaware, the storm clouds descending on Mayor Eric Adams, why there's a big opening for a woman to run for City Hall (but who?), and what's the beef between Nancy Pelosi and Governor Hochul.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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, be sure to pre-order his upcoming book, Vote With Your Phone, and RSVP to an upcoming event on his cross country book tour.

Next week, Bradley begins his book tour across America to promote "Vote With Your Phone: Why Mobile Voting Is Our Final Shot at Saving Democracy" (dates and RSVP link below). But for now, he dives into the cold reality of investigations, subpoenas and potential indictments that threaten to sink Mayor Eric Adams. What will it take for Adams to survive? Plus, Bradley assesses China's spy in Albany, the cost of Kamala Harris' risk aversion, Elon Musk's potential role in Trump II, and much more.Vote With Your Phone Book Tour: RSVP and info for all events at votewithyourphone.org. Sept. 19: New York Law School, with Ben Max (NYC)Sept. 24: Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College, with Council Member Chi Ossé and Kelly Mena, NY1 (NYC)Sept. 26: Carter Presidential Library, with Martin Luther King III (Atlanta)Oct. 1: Books & Books, with Phil Levine, former Mayor of Miami Beach (Coral Gables, FL)Oct. 5: Politics & Prose, with Teddy Schleifer, NYT (Washington DC)Oct. 9: Zibby's Bookshop, with Sasha Issenberg, POLITICO (Santa Monica, CA)Oct. 10: Manny's, with Manny Yekutiel (San Francisco)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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, and be sure to pre-order his upcoming book, Vote With Your Phone.

Does Robert Moses deserve eternal condemnation? On the 50th anniversary of the publication of ‘The Power Broker’, Robert Caro’s iconic biography of Moses, Dan Wang and Ross Barkan add nuance and balance to what has been a powerfully one-sided conversation. Plus, in a postscript, Bradley and Howard Wolfson trade ideas on what we’d ask Moses to build today if he could be raised from the dead.This episode was recorded 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: [email protected] to Bradley's weekly newsletter, follow Bradley on Linkedin + Substack + YouTube, and be sure to pre-order his upcoming book, Vote With Your Phone.