The Brian Lehrer Show

Steven Greenhouse, senior fellow at The Century Foundation, former longtime labor reporter at the New York Times and the author of Beaten Down, Worked Up: The Past, Present, and Future of American Labor (Knopf, 2019) discusses the contrast in how Democrats and Republicans (including Project 2025) approach labor, and reflects on the legacy of the late labor organizer Jane McAlevey, who died recently.

Continuing our centennial series 100 Years of 100 Things, Matthew Barton, curator of recorded sound at the Library of Congress, walks us through the history of radio.

Erin Doherty, politics reporter covering breaking news and the 2024 election for Axios, discusses the latest in election news headlines, including the newly released Republican Party platform and much more. Plus, listeners call in to describe their essential political values in 6 words or less.

Mayor Adams holds one off-topic press conference per week, where reporters can ask him questions on any subject. Elizabeth Kim, Gothamist and WNYC reporter, recaps what he talked about at this week's event, from four tragic beach drownings to the politics of migration.

Stacey D’Erasmo, novelist, literary critic and the author of The Long Run: A Creative Inquiry (Graywolf, 2024), talks about her new book and what she discovered about how artists keep their creativity going throughout their lives.EVENT: Stacey D'Erasmo will be in conversation with writer James Hannaham tomorrow, July 10th from 7 to 8 pm, at P&T Knitwear (a bookstore) at 180 Orchard Street in Manhattan.

After Biden's politically harmful debate performance, pundits and some Democratic officials have called for him to step down as the presidential nominee for the party. Jeet Heer, writer for The Nation, explains his argument for replacing Biden, who the left wing of the party is looking towards, and how Democrats should proceed.

Filmmaker Sam Pollard revisits the New York City blackout of 1977, the subject of a new documentary he's working on. Plus, listeners offer their oral histories.

Hurricane Beryl accumulated strength quickly due to unseasonably warm water, while at the same time, extreme heat is expected to break some records in Death Valley. For our climate segment of the week, Bob Henson, meteorologist, journalist, regular contributor to Yale Climate Connections and author of The Thinking Person's Guide to Climate Change ‎(American Meteorological Society, 2019), discusses how global warming is factoring into extreme weather events and how scientists are considering changing the scales in with which these events are measured.

France and Britain held two major elections last week that many saw as referendums to long term ruling parties in both countries. Max Colchester, U.K. correspondent at The Wall Street Journal, and Stacy Meichtry, Paris bureau chief at The Wall Street Journal, break down the results of the U.K. general election, held July 4th, and the results of the runoff elections of the National Assembly in France, held on Sunday.

The first WNYC broadcast took place on July 8, 1924. Today, LaFontaine Oliver, president and CEO of New York Public Radio, kicks off our centennial series, and Andy Lanset, director of archives for New York Public Radio, takes us through the station's history.

Christina Greer, associate professor of political science at Fordham University, co-host of the podcast FAQNYC and the author of Black Ethnics (Oxford University Press, 2013), offers analysis of the latest national political news, including the frenzy around President Biden's fitness to remain in the campaign after the debate, and more.

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them.Rebecca Traister on Republican Women (First) | The Effort to Expand Ranked Choice Voting (Starts at 42:0 0) | A Summer Reading Challenge for 2024 (Starts at 1:15:00)If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here.

On this long holiday weekend, some recent book interviews:Nicholas Kristof, opinion columnist for The New York Times and author of several books, including a new memoir, Chasing Hope (Penguin Random House, 2024), reflects on his long career covering tough stories, including war, genocide and addiction, and explains how he remains optimistic despite it all.Luis A. Miranda, Jr. , founder of the political consulting firm MirRam, founding president of the Hispanic Federation and the author of Relentless: My Story of the Latino Spirit that is Transforming America (Hachette Books, 2024), shares his story of his life and work in NYC politics (and as the father of Lin Manuel).Richard Ocejo, professor of sociology at John Jay College and the Graduate Center, City University of New York, and the author of Sixty Miles Upriver: Gentrification and Race in a Small American City (Princeton University Press, 2024), examines the effect on racial and income balance in the Hudson Valley's Newburgh, NY, of an influx of wealthier remote workers from NYC and its suburbs.Now facing a diagnosis of ALS, Dan Doctoroff, founder and chairman of the research foundation Target ALS, former president and CEO of Bloomberg LP and Sidewalk Labs, New York City deputy mayor for economic development and rebuilding (2002-2007) and the subject of The Urbanist: Dan Doctoroff and the Rise of New York (Phaidon, 2024), looks about his impact on the City after 9/11 under Mayor Bloomberg and the new book that celebrates his achievements.Anne Curzan, University of Michigan professor of English language and literature, linguistics, and education and the author of Says Who?: A Kinder, Funner Usage Guide for Everyone Who Cares About Words (Crown, 2024), offers her guide to English usage, where the 'rules' started and how to use them. These interviews were lightly edited for time and clarity and the original web versions are available here:Nicholas Kristof's Optimism (May 15, 2024)Luis Miranda's 'Latino Spirit' (May 7, 2024)When Gentrification Leaves the City (May 30, 2024)Dan Doctoroff's New York (Apr 18, 2024)A 'Funner' Guide to Language Usage (Mar 26, 2024)

For the Fourth of July:A. J. Jacobs, NPR contributor, essayist, and the author of The Year of Living Biblically, The Know-It-All, It's All Relative and his latest, The Year of Living Constitutionally: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Constitution's Original Meaning (Crown, 2024), offers his take on "originalism" by living like a "founding father" - tricorn hat and all.Tricia Rose, chancellor's professor of Africana Studies, director of the Center for the Study of Race and Ethnicity in America at Brown and author of Metaracism: How Systemic Racism Devastates Black Lives―and How We Break Free (Hachette, 2024), explains the interlocking and mutually reinforcing individual policies that disadvantage Black Americans and how to cut through.Ross Perlin, co-director of the Endangered Language Alliance (ELA) and the author of Language City: The Fight to Preserve Endangered Mother Tongues in New York (Grove, 2024), talks about the many languages spoken in New York that are at risk of disappearing.Michele Norris, Washington Post columnist, host of the podcast "Your Mama's Kitchen," former cohost of NPR’s All Things Considered and the author of Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think about Race and Identity (Simon & Schuster, 2024), talks about her book that builds on the over half a million submissions to Race Card Project which invited people to submit six words that summed up their story about race.Michael Waters, writer, author of The Other Olympians: Fascism, Queerness, and the Making of Modern Sports (June 2024), explores the history of middle names, and what they say about our lives and our values. These interviews were lightly edited for time and clarity and the original web versions are available here:A.J. Jacobs Lives Originalism (May 8, 2024)Systemic Racism Explained (Mar 11, 2024)A Tour of New York City's Endangered Languages (Mar 21, 2024)What Americans Want to Say About Race and Identity (Jan 16, 2024)What's In a Middle Name? (Apr 3, 2024)

Jordan Lauf, producer for All Of It and the Get Lit with All Of It book club, explains how to participate in All Of It's Summer Reading Challenge.

As we celebrate the founding of this country on the Fourth of July, and many people are concerned about the strength of democracy in the United States, Carlo Invernizzi-Accetti, executive director of the Moynihan Center, professor of political science at The City College of New York, and author of the book 20 Years of Rage: How Resentment Took the Place of Politics (Mondadori, 2024), compares the state of our democracy then and now.

In France and Britain, two major upcoming elections this week are poised to overturn current, long term ruling parties in both countries. Sophie Pedder, Paris bureau chief at The Economist, and Andrew Palmer, Britain editor at The Economist, break down the latest on the U.K. general election, scheduled for July 4th, and the results of the first-out-of-two rounds of elections of the National Assembly in France.

Mayor Adams holds one off-topic press conference per week, where reporters can ask him questions on any subject. Elizabeth Kim, Gothamist and WNYC reporter, recaps what he talked about at this week's event, including police reform and the pre-K waiting list.

Theodore Moore, executive director of ALIGN (Alliance for a Greater New York), reacts to the City budget and what it means for climate goals for schools buildings.

Chantal Fernandez, features writer who covers fashion for the Cut, talks about the changing landscape of fashion retail, where fast fashion is driving many “normal” brands to compete by cutting back where they can, including fabric and design, and hiking up prices in anticipation of selling at a markdown.

AJ Schnack, independent filmmaker and director of "Majority Rules," a new documentary about ranked choice voting, and Tim Dunn, executive director of Unite NY, discuss ranked choice voting in New York City and across the country, and its potential impacts on American polarization.

Rebecca Traister, writer at New York Magazine and author of Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women's Anger (Simon and Schuster, 2018), talks about her reporting on women in the Republican Party, and other national political news.

Aziz Huq, professor of law at the University of Chicago Law School and author of the forthcoming The Rule of Law: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2024), offers legal analysis of the Supreme Court's final day of opinions, on immunity for former president Trump and regarding social media companies regulating misinformation on their platforms.

Katie Honan, senior reporter at The City where she "anchors" the Summer & The City newsletter and co-host of FAQ NYC, reports on the big news out of the city's handshake budget agreement after "contentious" negotiations between City Hall and City Council, which reportedly includes a restoration of cuts to the city's three library systems, cultural institutions and parks.

Susan Page, USA Today Washington bureau chief and the author of Madam Speaker: Nancy Pelosi and the Lessons of Power (Twelve, 2021) and her latest, The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters (Simon & Schuster, 2024), talks about the fallout from the debate and reacts to the Supreme Court decision to partially rule in favor of former president Donald Trump in his immunity case.

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them.An Optimistic Take on NYC's Future (First) | Worker Protections During Extreme Heat (Starts at 28:30) | Double Family Vacations (Starts at 48:00)If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here.

Sabrina Siddiqui, White House reporter at The Wall Street Journal, offers analysis of Thursday night's debate between President Biden and former President Trump.

Aziz Huq, professor of law at the University of Chicago Law School and author of the forthcoming The Rule of Law: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2024), offers legal analysis of the Supreme Court opinions released today on January 6th prosecutions, homelessness in Oregon and the power of federal agencies.

Anthony Fauci, M.D., longtime director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, now a professor at Georgetown University in the School of Medicine and the McCourt School of Public Policy, and the author of On Call: A Doctor’s Journey in Public Service (Viking, 2024), talks about his life and the public health crises he's helped the country navigate.

Jeff Stein, White House economics reporter for The Washington Post, offers analysis of the economic picture painted by the two candidates in Thursday night's debate.

Peter Hamby, partner at Puck News and host of Snapchat's Good Luck America, previews the presidential debate between President Biden and Donald Trump.

Samantha Darby, Senior Lifestyle Editor at Romper, shares the secret to enjoying a vacation when you have young children: inviting another family with kids along!

Aziz Huq, professor of law at the University of Chicago Law School and author of the forthcoming The Rule of Law: A very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2024), offers legal analysis of the Supreme Court's opinions released yesterday and today, relating to social media, abortion bans, air pollution, the Purdue Pharma settlement, and more.

Elizabeth Glazer, founder of the journal Vital City and former director of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, talks about the many challenges post-pandemic New York City faces and her take on the "urban doom loop" theory, and why she thinks the city will always bounce back. Plus, Jennifer Egan, author of many books including Manhattan Beach and The Candy Shop and a contributor to this Vital City issue, shares why she'll never leave New York.

Mayor Adams holds one off-topic press conference per week, where reporters can ask him questions on any subject. Elizabeth Kim, Gothamist and WNYC reporter, recaps what he talked about at this week's event. This week's topics include the state of the New York City budget, Mayor Adams' answers to street congestion, and mental health and homelessness.

Errol Louis, political anchor of Spectrum NY1 News, host of "Inside City Hall" and "The Big Deal with Errol Louis," New York Magazine columnist and host of the podcast "You Decide," offers analysis of New York's primary election results, and what they might signal for the November election.

Listeners share the questions they hope to hear at Thursday's debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Caroline Hopkins, health and science reporter, talks about her New York Times article, "What Gen Z Gets Wrong About Sunscreen" and explains how everyone can avoid the misinformation about sunscreen and avoid sun damage.

David Driver, performer, singer, and producer, and Michael Musto, journalist covering pop culture and socio-political issues, and author of the Queerty's monthly gossip column "Read Now, Cry Later", discuss Driver's upcoming show, The Stonewall Jukebox: A Documentary Concert, a live performance that tells the story of how the Stonewall uprising came to be, and how it still impacts LGBTQ culture 55 years later.

Abrahm Lustgarten, investigative reporter with ProPublica and The New York Times and the author of On the Move: The Overheating Earth and the Uprooting of America (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2024), talks about the massive effects of climate change when those who can move to cooler locations.

Callers share their ballot choices in the New York's primaries.

Jim Tankersley, New York Times White House correspondent with a focus on economic policy, discusses the economic policies Joe Biden and Donald Trump are pitching to voters ahead of Thursday's presidential debate.

Jack Turban, M.D., director of the Gender Psychiatry Program and assistant professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, and the author of Free to Be: Understanding Kids & Gender Identity (Atria, 2024), returns to talk more about the science, the medicine and the politics surrounding gender identity in children and teens.

Brigid Bergin, WNYC's senior political correspondent, and Jeff Coltin, Politico reporter and co-author of the New York Playbook, talk about the New York State primary, including what's on the ballot in NYC and the contested Democratic primaries in the area.

Extreme heat can be dangerous for workers, both outdoors and inside. Terri Gerstein, director of the N.Y.U. Wagner Labor Initiative, former labor bureau chief in the New York State Attorney General’s Office and a deputy commissioner in the New York State Department of Labor, discusses efforts to protect workers from extreme heat, both on the federal and state levels.

The first debate between President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump is set to take place on Thursday. Azi Paybarah, national reporter covering campaigns and breaking politics news at The Washington Post, previews the occasion and talks us through some of the other big stories in national politics.

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them.Kathy Hochul considers a ban on cell phones in NYC public schools (First) | Tiya Miles on Night Flyer: Harriet Tubman and the Faith Dreams of a Free People (‎Penguin Press, 2024) (Starts at 43:15) | A guide to summer wedding outfits (Starts at 1:07:00)If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here.

DW Gibson, journalist and the author of One Week to Change the World: An Oral History of the 1999 WTO Protests (Simon & Schuster, 2024), tells the story of the protests against globalization and their impact on subsequent activism, including today's climate protests.

Aziz Huq, professor of law at the University of Chicago and author of the forthcoming The Rule of Law: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2024), offers legal analysis of the Supreme Court's recent opinions on taxes and the First Amendment, and previews the major decisions still outstanding.

As summer begins and New York feels its first heatwave of 2024, listeners share their tips and tricks for beating the heat and keeping cool as temperatures rise.