The Brian Lehrer Show

In July, the Justice Department (DOJ) announced it had issued subpoenas to medical providers that had provided gender-affirming care to minors. Washington Post reporter Casey Parks discusses one of those subpoenas, which was newly made public, and what it means for transgender healthcare.

Jared Moore, AI researcher and PhD candidate at Stanford University's Department of Computer Science, talks about the risks of using mass-market LLMs like ChatGPT for therapy and the broader trend of AI users forming parasocial relationships with chatbots

Inspired by a recent article in TIME Magazine, listeners share their tips for helping loved ones recover from heartbreak, as well as unhelpful words they've received during their own breakups.

Katie Honan, senior reporter at The City and co-host of the podcast FAQ NYC, talks about her recent involvement in a story involving a wad of cash handed to her in an empty bag of potato chips by an ally of Mayor Adams.

As the Trump administration conducts a review of the content in the Smithsonian museums, the president wrote on social media earlier this week that the Smithsonian Institution was too focused on the horrors of slavery. Douglas Brinkley, professor of history at Rice University, a CNN Presidential Historian, and a contributing editor at Vanity Fair, talks about what could be lost if the administration is able to censor what is presented to museumgoers.

The final-round to secure a highly lucrative casino license in New York City is underway, with a winner chosen by year's end. Arun Venugopal, senior reporter for WNYC's race & justice unit, explains the stakes and why some community members are pushing back on a casino within city limits.

Students, and their parents, share their thoughts on the start of this academic year.

Beaches along the East Coast are closing this week due to dangerous surf and rip currents brought on by Hurricane Erin in the Atlantic. Greg Dusek, Ph.D., senior scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, talks about the storm's path and offers survival tips for rip currents ahead of the storm's impact.

Jeffrey Wice, adjunct professor and senior fellow at New York Law School where he directs the New York Census and Redistricting Institute, talks about the plans for mid-cycle redistricting for partisan advantage kicked off by Texas, the rules in different states and the impact of redistricting on 2026 midterm races.

Elizabeth Kim, Gothamist and WNYC reporter, and Jeff Coltin, Politico reporter and co-author of the New York Playbook, talk about the latest news in the mayoral campaign, including Andrew Cuomo's comments regarding President Trump at a Hamptons fundraiser, the Adams administration's response to the Legionnaires' outbreak and more.

Media outlets are paring down their staff of arts critics. Listeners call in to share if they still do rely on the opinion of critics, and if not, where they find out about movies, music and theater.

Julia Ioffe, founding partner and Washington correspondent of Puck, a new media company, offers analysis of how Zelensky's meeting with President Trump went, plus discusses her reporting on how the MAGA world views Israel, and how that could affect US policy toward Israel's war in Gaza.

Charles Stile, political columnist at The Record/northjersey.com, talks about the latest news regarding New Jersey's governor's race between Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democrat Mikie Sherrill.

Michael J. Coren, "Climate Coach" advice columnist for The Washington Post, discusses his latest column on how plastic "turf" is causing uproar amongst athletes and climate activists.

Listeners call in to share their tips for how to be a good house guest; and listeners who frequently host guests at their houses share what they appreciate from their guests.

Jon Campbell, Albany reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, reports on how the story of Peanut the squirrel has upended the work of New York's Department of Environmental Conservation, as well as how the Democratic nominee for mayor, Zohran Mamdani, could work with state lawmakers if he is the city's next mayor.

William Cohan, co-founder of Puck News and author of many books, including Power Failure: The Rise and Fall of an American Icon (Penguin Random House, 2022) , talks about the many ways President Trump is interfering in big U.S. businesses, and why Wall Street is worried he'll come after big banks the way he did big law firms and elite universities.

Susan Page, USA Today Washington bureau chief and the author of the forthcoming book The Queen and Her Presidents (Harper/Collins April 2026), talks about the latest national political news, including the aftermath of President Trump's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them.Squalid Conditions at ICE's Manhattan Facility (First) | Selling Eternal Life (Starts at 31:50) | The Politics of Jerry Garcia (Starts at 1:00:35)If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here.

For this "Summer Friday" we've put together some of our favorite conversations this year:John Cassidy, staff writer at The New Yorker and the author of Capitalism and Its Critics: A History: From the Industrial Revolution to AI (Macmillan, 2025), talks about his new book that traces the roots of criticism of today's global capitalism to its beginnings.From our centennial series "100 Years of 100 Things," Eric Dean Wilson, Queens College writing instructor and the author of After Cooling: On Freon, Global Warming, and the Terrible Cost of Comfort (Simon & Schuster, 2021), walks us through the promise of air conditioning of the past 100 years -- how it relieved people of warming temperatures and how they have eventually contributed to climate change.Black lung had largely been eradicated by the end of the last century. Now, the disease has reemerged in coal country, and federal cuts threaten at-risk miners. Kate Morgan, Pennsylvania-based freelance journalist, talks about her reporting on black lung for the New York Times.Elie Mystal, justice correspondent and columnist for The Nation magazine and host of the podcast, Contempt of Court with Elie Mystal, and author of Bad Law: Ten Popular Laws That Are Ruining America (The New Press, 2025) talks about the ten laws he calls a "Bill of Wrongs" - like felony murder and immunity for gun manufacturers. These interviews were lightly edited for time and clarity and the original web versions are available here:The Long History of Critiquing Capitalism (May 12, 2025)100 Years of 100 Things: Air Conditioners (Jul 24, 2024)How Black Lung Reemerged (Jun 24, 2025)Elie Mystal's List of Laws that Need to Go (Mar 27, 2025)

This month marks 30 years since the passing of Jerry Garcia, the iconic frontman for the Grateful Dead. Jim Newton, editor of Blueprint magazine at UCLA, where he teaches communication studies and public policy, and author of Here Beside the Rising Tide: Jerry Garcia, the Grateful Dead, and an American Awakening (Random House, 2025), joins to discuss the artist's legacy and his politics of "living freely."

Jonathan Lemire, co-host of Morning Joe on MSNBC; writer for MSNBC and contributing writer to The Atlantic, talks about Friday's meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska to discuss the war in Ukraine.

Rachel Booth, Vox policy correspondent, talks about her recent Vox article on the need to expand the applicant pool for child care to more men to solve the worker shortage.

A federal judge has ordered ICE to improve the conditions at its Manhattan facility, which advocates and formerly detained immigrants describe as unsanitary and overcrowded. Gwynne Hogan, senior reporter for The City, talks about her reporting on the squalid conditions and the temporary order.

Listeners call in with memories of the dial-up internet era after AOL announced it will discontinue its dial-up internet service this September.

Elizabeth Kim, Gothamist and WNYC reporter, talks about the latest news from the campaign trail, including Andrew Cuomo's social media attack on Zohran Mamdani over his rent-stabilized apartment.

As cigarette use resurges, Nicholas Florko, a staff writer at The Atlantic who covers how business and policy affect our well-being, looks at the question of nicotine's safety on its own and in e-cigarettes, vapes and Zyn. "What’s So Bad About Nicotine?" (The Atlantic, August 1, 2025)

David Graham, staff writer at The Atlantic and an author of the Atlantic daily newsletter, plus author of The Project: How Project 2025 Is Reshaping America (Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2025), talks about the context and implications of Pres. Trump's takeover of policing in Washington, D.C., plus other national news.

Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH, founding director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), member of the Vaccine Integrity Project, and the author, with Mark Olshaker, of the forthcoming book, The Big One: How We Must Prepare for Future Deadly Pandemics (Little, Brown Spark, 2025), talks about RFK Jr.'s cuts to mRNA vaccine development and what they mean for public health and science, plus other vaccine-related news.

Myles Ehrlich, WNBA senior writer covering the New York Liberty for Winsidr.com and co-host of the podcast "Pull Up with Myles and Owen," talks about ongoing negotiations between WNBA players and owners, where owners say the league is not yet profitable, despite a boom in growth and popularity, and players say they deserve more of a share of the revenue.

Adam Gopnik, staff writer for The New Yorker, and author of The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery (Liveright, 2023), talks about some of the key people in the history of gambling in NYC.

Caroline Lewis, health care reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, and Joe Hong, investigative data reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, talk about the ongoing Legionnaires' outbreak in Central Harlem, why New York is a hot spot for the disease, and why city inspections of cooling towers were at a low point ahead of the outbreak.

After many delays and negotiations, most of President Donald Trump's tariffs went into effect last Thursday, August 7th. Eric Levitz, senior correspondent at Vox, break down the latest news — including why Trump’s tariffs, no matter how tough they might be on American pocketbooks, might be very hard to reverse.

Tad Friend, a staff writer at The New Yorker and the author of In the Early Times: A Life Reframed (Crown, 2022), talks about his article "How to Live Forever and Get Rich Doing It" about researchers selling the idea of defeating death.

Arun Venugopal, senior reporter for WNYC's race & justice unit, shares his reporting on how the tourism industry in NYC is suffering because of President Trump's tariffs and other policies.

Martha Barnette, co-host of the radio show and podcast A Way with Words and author of Friends with Words: Adventures in Languageland (Harry N. Abrams, 2025), shares some fascinating stories of where words like "spam" and "cocktail."

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them.Robert Reich's Critique of Fellow Boomers (First) | What to Know About the Eating Disorder ARFID (Starts at :33) | The Gen Z Intimacy Recession (Starts at :52)If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here.

For this "Summer Friday" we've put together some of our favorite conversations this year:David Graham, staff writer at The Atlantic and an author of the Atlantic daily newsletter, plus author of The Project: How Project 2025 Is Reshaping America (Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2025), looks at where the initial actions of the Trump administration align with the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025, and what's still to come.From our centennial series, Deb Whitcraft, founder and president of the New Jersey Maritime Museum, and Emil Salvini, author of several books on the history of the Jersey Shore and host of "Tales of the Jersey Shore" for NJTV, take us through the larger history as listeners share their memories and stories from the towns and beaches that fit under that giant umbrella of "the shore".Young men broke heavily for Trump in November. Andrew Marantz, staff writer at The New Yorker and author of Antisocial: Online Extremists, Techno-Utopians, and the Hijacking of the American Conversation (Viking Press, 2019),discusses the reason behind this phenomenon and how the left might make gains in this demographic.From our centennial series, Tina Jordan, deputy editor of The New York Times Book Review, and a co-editor of The New York Times Book Review: 125 Years of Literary History (Clarkson Potter, 2021), looks at the history of best-selling books and what that says about the past century of American culture. These interviews were lightly edited for time and clarity and the original web versions are available here:Catching Up on Project 2025 (Apr 25, 2025)100 Years of 100 Things: The Jersey Shore (Aug 12, 2024)How the Left Can Connect with Young Men (Mar 28, 2025)100 Years of 100 Things: Best Sellers (May 21, 2025)

The animal shelters in New York are full. There are feral cat colonies around the city. So what do we do? Will Zweigart, executive director of Flatbush Cats, a nonprofit cat rescue group, explains how we got to this point and makes some suggestions for what New York can do about all the cats.

Carter Sherman, author of The Second Coming: Sex and the Next Generation's Fight Over Its Future (Gallery Books, 2025), and a reproductive health and justice journalist at the Guardian, talks about the decline in sex and intimacy among young people and what role the internet and hookup culture have played in shaping a generation's new cultural mores.

Amy Nofziger, director of victim support at AARP's Fraud Watch Network, discusses the latest trends on how scammers are tricking people into giving them money and personal information and brings tips on how to avoid scams.

Elizabeth Kim, Gothamist and WNYC reporter, offers political analysis of Brian's candidate interview with Zohran Mamdani, and other campaign-related news.

New York State Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani (D-AD36), the Democratic nominee for mayor, makes his pitch to voters as he runs for mayor of New York City.

ARFID is an eating disorder that often presents as extremely picky eating, but that can quickly turn serious. Caitlin Moscatello, author and contributor to New York Magazine, and William Sharp, director, Children’s Multidisciplinary Feeding Program at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta; and associate Professor, Division of Autism and Related Disorders & Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition in the Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, explain how to recognize signs and how treatment is evolving.

Elizabeth Kim, Gothamist and WNYC reporter, talks about the latest news from the campaign trail, as some national Democrats have endorsed Mamdani and others haven't, plus why Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Adams continue to criticize Zohran Mamdani over policing.

With Congress on summer recess after passing the big spending bill, GOP representatives are now tasked with defending their legislative records to their constituents. Eleanor Mueller, congress reporter at Semafor, talks about the particularly tough crowd Republican congressman Mike Flood faced on Monday evening and other news coming out of Congress.

Patrick Willingham, executive director of the Public Theater, and Saheem Ali, associate artistic director at the Public Theater and director of the upcoming run of Twelfth Night at the Delacorte Teater, talk about the reopening of the Delacorte Theater in Central Park and the return of Free Shakespeare in the Park.

Listeners call in to talk about how they have met their significant other in person (as opposed to online), and share their frustrations with dating apps.

Robert Reich, recently retired as Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley, Secretary of Labor under Pres. Clinton, a columnist for Newsweek and The Guardian and substack, and the author of several books, including his latest, Coming Up Short: A Memoir of My America (Knopf, 2025), shares his story and why he thinks his generation 'came up short' and why young progressives listen to his political analysis.

A recent expert panel organized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cast doubt on the safety of SSRIs in pregnancy -- sparking backlash from medical institutions and doctors. Lauren Osborne, M.D., vice chair of Clinical Research at the Department of OBGYN at Weill Cornell Medicine and chair of The National Curriculum in Reproductive Psychiatry (NCRP), explains what the science says about antidepressant use during pregnancy.