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Firewall with Bradley Tusk

Firewall with Bradley Tusk

222 episodes — Page 4 of 5

Wildfire is Politically Dangerous, Too

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. 

Jan 14, 202555 min

Navigating the Future of School Choice

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.

Jan 9, 202538 min

The Big Crack Up

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. 

Jan 7, 202558 min

Gen Z versus Big Tech

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.

Jan 2, 202541 min

Mr. Sunshine

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. 

Dec 30, 202433 min

The Misfit VC

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.

Dec 19, 202459 min

Leaving the White House with a Whimper

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.

Dec 17, 202444 min

Doing the DC Hustle

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. 

Dec 12, 202444 min

Things I Liked in 2024

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.

Dec 10, 202435 min

Have We Given Up on Guns?

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. 

Dec 5, 202439 min

Why Australia Can Ban Social Media for Kids and We Can't

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. 

Dec 3, 202441 min

A War Hero Rescued from Obscurity

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.

Nov 28, 202447 min

Why God Sent Us Trump

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.

Nov 26, 202447 min

The Swampiest of Swamps

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. 

Nov 21, 202444 min

Superiority is Kryptonite

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.

Nov 19, 202458 min

The Bezos Doctrine

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. 

Nov 14, 202438 min

Bonus Rerelease: Save The Kids, Ban Brokers Fees

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.

Nov 13, 202423 min

Are Incumbents Doomed?

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.

Nov 12, 202446 min

Pick Up the Pieces

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.

Nov 6, 202439 min

A Podcast Not About the Election

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.

Nov 5, 20241h 2m

Why This Is The Most Incredible Moment...

...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.

Oct 31, 202442 min

Where is the Courage?

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.

Oct 29, 202445 min

The Billionaire’s Dilemma

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.

Oct 24, 202434 min

How Well Do We Know Our Own Politics?

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.

Oct 22, 202442 min

Down with the Duopoly!

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.

Oct 17, 202452 min

The Next Regulatory Regime

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.

Oct 15, 202447 min

How Low Does Mediocre Go?

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)

Oct 10, 202443 min

Behind The Scenes at City Hall

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)

Oct 8, 202459 min

Who's Watching Our Money?

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)

Oct 3, 202436 min

The Serious, the Profane and, Uh, Hoops

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)

Oct 1, 202440 min

Emergency Pod: The Power Vacuum at City Hall

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)

Sep 30, 202426 min

Rage Against Incivility

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.

Sep 24, 202445 min

"Our State is Not as Safe as We Thought"

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.

Sep 20, 202424 min

How to Blow Up Politics as Usual

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.

Sep 17, 202454 min

Do Undecided Voters Really Exist?

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.

Sep 12, 202446 min

A Mayor on Razor-Thin Ice

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.

Sep 10, 202433 min

The Man Who Allegedly Wrecked New York

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. 

Sep 5, 20241h 0m

Big Tech's Bad Citizenship

As Silicon Valley goes to war against the AI safety bill just passed by the California legislature, Governor Gavin Newsom should have no reservations about signing it, says Bradley. And what's good for California is good for America. Plus, why France's crackdown on Telegram is justified; how Lina Khan and the FTC have sucked the air out of venture capital; and what you should know about the living legend of competitive eating.Discussed on today's episode:The Arguments Against California AI’s Bill Are Classic Diversionary Tactics — and Nothing More, by Bradley Tusk, Substack (09/03/24)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. 

Sep 3, 202449 min

One Way of Fixing Immigration

New arrivals to the United States often find themselves trapped in a Catch 22  — they can’t obtain a tax ID without first getting paid and they can’t get paid without first obtaining a tax ID. Bradley talks to Luciano Arango, CEO and co-founder of Maza, who came up with an easy solution that points toward a promising new approach to the toxic stalemate over immigration.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.

Aug 29, 202431 min

Why Do We Like Gambling So Much?

Americans bet as much as a trillion dollars a year, fueling an industry that knows just how to press our buttons, like the social media platforms do. But is gambling itself really the problem, asks Bradley, or is there a deeper malaise we're failing to confront? Plus, Bradley analyzes whether Kamala Harris is really going to end Biden's "feudal" style of governing, what he got out of Nate Silver's new book on risk, and how the MTA can finally be tamed.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. 

Aug 27, 202442 min

The Rookie

The last thing your average political consultant will ever do is run for office. Micah Lasher, however, is anything but average . He talks to Bradley about why he decided to run for State Assembly from the Upper West Side, how he won and what he brings to Albany. Plus, he reflects on the Olympics and how New York can learn from Paris. Discussed on today's episode:New York needs an Olympic goal: Paris shows how a city can improve its permanent infrastructure, by Micah Lasher, New York Daily News (08/18/24)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. 

Aug 22, 202443 min

This Is Your Government on AI

Could Artificial Intelligence have prevented New York’s cannabis debacle? Bradley lays out his vision; Bob Greenlee begs to differ. Plus, Bob offers on-the-ground reporting from Chicago on the build-up to the Democratic Convention while Bradley shares five discoveries from a week in California, including an exotic new hobby.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.

Aug 20, 202455 min

What Will Crypto Be When It Grows Up?

The alternative currency has settled into an awkward adolescence — full of potential but still quite unsure of itself. Bradley talks to Andrew R. Chow, TIME correspondent and author of Cryptomania: Hype, Hope, and the Fall of FTX’s Billion-Dollar Fintech Empire about whether crypto will ever find a purpose in life.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. 

Aug 8, 202456 min

Harris Picks the Good Person Over the Good Politicians

Quick hit from Bradley on how Minnesota Governor Tim Walz earned his spot on the Democratic ticket. 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.

Aug 6, 20245 min

How Kamala Harris Can Leverage Her Edge

Bradley has an idea for turning the Democrats' most potent issue — reproductive rights — into a catalyst for winning swing states. Plus, he reviews where Harris stands on tech policy, analyzes the entry of Brad Lander into the New York City mayor's race and compares notes with Cory Epstein on what they loved about being in Paris for the Olympics.Discussed on today's episode:How Kamala Harris Can Use Tele-Abortion to Change the Electoral Map, by Bradley Tusk, 07/29/24, SubstackThis 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. 

Aug 6, 202455 min

Firewall Goes to the Olympics

Bradley checks in from his vacation in Paris, where swimming events gave him PTSD from summer camp but the boxing, BMX racing and beach volleyball more than made up for it. Plus, he rejects Hugo's brilliant idea that the Bronx should make its own independent bid for the summer games.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. 

Aug 1, 202420 min

Are Americans Taking the Summer Off from Politics?

With Bradley away in Paris for the Olympics, Bob Greenlee steps up to the mic to discuss a potential problem for the surging Kamala Harris campaign — that actual swing voters are too busy barbecuing to follow what’s going on. Plus, when the race heats up in the fall, will Harris’ close association with big-city liberalism spell trouble for her with undecideds?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. 

Jul 30, 202444 min

My One Year Anniversary of Quitting Marijuana

Last summer, Bradley stopped using cannabis. In this special mini episode — which was previously released as part of the 'Democrats Get Their Wish, Now What?' episode from July 23 — he reflects on how he reached the decision to quit and what it has taken to stick with 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, and be sure to pre-order his upcoming book, Vote With Your Phone. 

Jul 26, 202419 min

How to Moonlight as a Detective

What does the mysterious death of a judge reveal about the future of the world’s largest democracy? The multi-talented Ravi Gupta of The Branch media returns to Firewall to talk about his podcast “Killing Justice” and how his investigation of a crime turned into a deeply personal journey.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. 

Jul 25, 202437 min

Democrats Get Their Wish, Now What?

After Biden's withdrawal and his endorsement of Harris, Trump is beatable but remains the prohibitive favorite. Bradley assesses what the Democrats can do to make a serious race out of it. Plus, he reflects on his one-year anniversary of quitting marijuana and why "life is a little less fun" but ultimately more rewarding.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.

Jul 23, 202457 min