Where Do Democrats Go from Here?
Throughout the election, we heard one warning, repeated ad infinitum: A Donald Trump victory would precipitate a fascist dictatorship, and the United States would soon resemble Nazi Germany.
Podcasts
Where Will Trump 2.0 Take the GOP?
Trump’s gains among working-class voters of all races—according to exit polls, he won the majority of Latino men at 55 percent—represent the ongoing realignment of the Republican Party…
Peter Thiel on Trump, Elon, and the Triumph of the Counter-Elites
On Tuesday night, president-elect Donald Trump announced that the richest man in the world, Elon Musk, along with entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy will head a new initiative in the Trump administration: the…
Resistance or Opposition: Which Route Should the Democrats Take?
Even your most optimistic Mar-a-Lago member didn’t see Donald Trump winning the popular vote and taking all seven swing states.
Why Trump Won
Donald Trump has been elected president of the United States. . . again.
A Message from Bari on Election Day
Our newsroom reflects our readers: We aren’t voting in unison.
Trump and the Art of the Bullshitter
Bullshit is an American tradition.
Trick or Treat: It’s Our Halloween Special!
Need a break from political programming?
Trump or Kamala? Ben Shapiro and Sam Harris Debate.
There are no perfect candidates.
Should the U.S. Still Police the World? A Live Debate.
We don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that we’re standing at the precipice of what could be a third world war.
The Parasitic Ideas Threatening the West
Gad Saad was born in Beirut in 1964 into one of the last Jewish families to remain in Lebanon.
How Hezbollah Is Destroying Lebanon
In the last year, we’ve witnessed a disturbing trend among some on the fringe left, who cheer those they think are resisting Western imperialism.
Brianna Wu Says She Didn't Change. The Progressive Movement Did.
It would have been unthinkable for Brianna Wu to have appeared on Honestly a decade ago (if the show had existed back then).
The Democrats Voting for Trump
A few weeks ago, we had Sarah Longwell and David French, two prominent conservatives, on Honestly to explain why they’re supporting Vice President Kamala Harris this presidential election.
The Hundred Year Holy War
We all know the horrid tale of what happened in Israel on October 7, 2023.
A Free Press Live Debate on Foreign Policy
Bret Stephens and James Kirchick face off against Matt Taibbi and Lee Fang in a fiery debate in New York.
“There Is No Peace Here”: Reporting on War with Trey Yingst
We’ve released a few episodes on Honestly for the anniversary of October 7.
A Year of Revelations
We expected Hamas to kill Jews.
Emily Oster Talks About Our New Parenting Podcast
When Emily Oster was a kid in the 1980s in New Haven, Connecticut, she grew up on a block with a lot of other children.
Douglas Murray: A Time of War
When we planned the conversation you’re going to hear today—a live conversation with Douglas Murray—we thought it would be a searching conversation that we’d release on the anniversary…
Megyn Kelly on Life After Mainstream Media
Megyn Kelly cut her teeth in the mainstream media and became one of the most influential voices in the political debate.
How Republics Unravel: From Rome to . . . America?
Last week, a man armed with an assault rifle was apprehended on a southern Florida golf course.
Why Senator Rand Paul Hasn’t Endorsed Trump
If you’re a listener of this show, then you’ve probably heard of the horseshoe theory.
Hezbollah's Pagers and Walkie-Talkies Explode. Now What?
On Tuesday, hundreds of encrypted pagers in Lebanon and Syria began exploding at the same time.
Is The American Dream Alive and Well? A Live Debate.
The American dream is the most important of our national myths.
Cat-Eating, Rally Sizes, and Post-Birth Abortion: An American Debate
Last night was the much-anticipated presidential debate between incumbent vice president Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump.
World War II and the Rise of Anti-History
Tucker Carlson is perhaps the country’s most influential conservative commentator; his eponymous podcast is routinely among the most downloaded shows on the internet.
When Students Become Terrorists
Last year, at colleges across America, students etched themselves into history, or infamy, with the most dramatic campus protests in a generation.
The Republicans Voting for Kamala
A few weeks ago, at the much-anticipated Democratic National Convention, we witnessed the coronation of Kamala Harris.
Matt Taibbi on the Global Censorship-Industrial Complex
In the past few weeks, there’s been an increasing number of threats to freedom of speech around the world.
How Whole Foods Revolutionized American Eating Habits
John Mackey, co-founder of Whole Foods Market, is one of the most consequential American entrepreneurs of our time.
Debate: How Do We Fix American Education?
It’s that time of year again–reliably bumming out students and parents alike… it ’s back to school!
From the DNC: Meet the Kamala Democrats
In the 1972 presidential election, Democratic candidate George McGovern was soundly defeated by Richard Nixon.
Nate Silver on the Art of Risking Everything
Most humans are cautious by nature.
The Palestinian ‘Traitor’ Risking Everything to Speak Out
A few months ago, we learned about a young man whose name we’re withholding, which is something we very rarely do, because he insists it’s for his safety.
Dear Caitlin Flanagan and Suzy Weiss: A Free Press Advice Special!
Never before have people felt more comfortable weighing in on other people’s lives.
A Tim Walz Face-Off: Radical? Moderate? We Debate!
A few weeks ago, very few people outside of the Beltway and niche media circles had ever heard the name Tim Walz. Almost overnight, the relatively obscure governor from Minnesota started to…
Kamala Harris and the Election of Laughter and Forgetting
Last month, we ran an episode here by one of our amazing reporters, Eli Lake, that took us back to the tumultuous year of 1968 when President Lyndon Johnson dropped out of…
What to Do When the Market Drops? Call Larry Summers.
On Monday, the markets had one of its worst trading days since the 2008 financial crisis.
Can You Drink Your Way to Sobriety?
Today, we have a special story from two friends and former Free Pressers, Andy Mills and Matt Boll.
A Middle East on the Brink
On Saturday afternoon, a Hezbollah rocket fired from southern Lebanon struck a soccer field in the village of Majdal Shams in Israel’s north, slaughtering 12 children.
Is Kamala Harris 'Brat'? Also: What's Brat?
Most of the media-verse right now is focused on a handful of serious and important questions: Kamala’s VP pick, if Democrats have been anti-Democratic, if Kamala can receive Biden…
Has Criminal Justice Reform Made Our Cities Unsafe? A Live Debate.
The United States locks up nearly two million people, the highest number of prisoners for any country in the world.
The Free Press Live: Biden Drops Out
Tonight, President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race and endorsed Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee.
Disenchanted with Democrats: The Black Voters Going for Trump
For the past few decades, it’s been conventional wisdom in D.C.
The Free Press LIVE from the RNC: Biden’s Interview, Trump, J.D. Vance, and More!
A lot happened in American politics last night: the Biden interview, the Vance unveiling, Trump’s RNC entrance—his first public appearance since Saturday’s shooting.
The Roots of the Assassination Attempt
As you now well know, at 6:11 p.m.
Salena Zito Was Four Feet Away When She Heard the Bullets
Yesterday, Donald Trump was shot at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Are We Living in ‘Late Soviet America’? Niall Ferguson and Jonah Goldberg Debate.
A few weeks ago, fresh from being knighted by King Charles, historian Sir Niall Ferguson officially joined The Free Press as a columnist.
Bari and Nellie Are Having Another Baby—and They Have Questions!
As some of you know, Nellie and Bari are having another baby—any moment now—maybe even by the time this podcast is published!
When a President Drops Out: What Biden Can Learn from 1968
On our nation’s 248th birthday, Joe Biden faces the wrath of a thousand pundits.
Will President Biden Drop Out?
The past few days have been perhaps the most dramatic political spectacle since November 8, 2016.
Hello, and Welcome to My TED Talk
In January, I was announced as a 2024 TED speaker in Vancouver.
About Last Night. . .
There was no raucous audience cheering and jeering last night in Atlanta, but the first presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump was a painful affair.
The Story of Matthew Shepard’s Murder Changed America. But It Wasn't True.
In April 1997, Ellen was on the cover of Time magazine declaring, “Yep, I’m Gay.” Then a few weeks later, her sitcom alter ego came out on TV.
Can Israel Actually Win This War?
When Hamas attacked Israel eight months ago, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s war goals were threefold: one, destroy Hamas; two, free all of the hostages; and three, ensure that Gaza…
Was Legalizing Weed a Mistake? A Debate.
It’s been a little over a decade since cannabis was first legalized recreationally in the United States.
Steven Pinker: Why Smart People Believe Stupid Things
Steven Pinker is a world-renowned cognitive psychologist, and is widely regarded as one of the most important public intellectuals of our time.
“I Was Wrong About Anti Semitism”: Sheryl Sandberg on Waking Up
Last Saturday, stunning news broke out of Israel: four hostages had been rescued by the Israel Defense Forces in a daring daylight operation in central Gaza.
The Former Russian Official Calling for a Coup Against Putin
When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, it was the largest military attack on a European country since World War II.
BONUS: Is the Trump Verdict a Witch Trial? Or Justice?
On May 30, former president Donald Trump was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection with hush money payments to adult actress Stormy Daniels.
Argentina's President Javier Milei Loves Being the Skunk at the Garden Party
At the start of the twentieth century, Argentina was one of the wealthiest countries in the world.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali: The Subversion of the West
Ayaan Hirsi Ali is the author of several books—including the 2006 autobiography Infidel—as well as a fellow at the Hoover Institution She runs a foundation focused on human rights and…
How ‘Vice’ Went from a $6 Billion Media Empire to Bankruptcy
Fifteen years ago, Vice was the envy of the media industry.
Jerry Seinfeld on the Rules of Comedy—and Life
The first episode of Seinfeld aired in 1989.
Is Israel's War Just? Eli Lake and Michael Moynihan v Briahna Joy Gray and Jake Klein
A few weeks ago, there was an awesome event in Brooklyn in partnership with UnHerd called Dissident Dialogues. It was exactly what it sounds like: debates and discussions on the most pressing…
Nellie Bowles Knows Why So Many Progressives Lost Their Minds—She Almost Did, Too
Nellie Bowles wasn’t always the TGIF queen you know and love at The Free Press.
Ozempic: Silver Bullet or Devil’s Bargain?
There’s a new $6 billion-dollar industry.
‘Small Talk’ with David Sedaris
The news lately has not exactly been a walk in the park.
Should the U.S. Shut Its Borders? A Live Debate.
The United States is home to more immigrants than any other country in the world.
Is Banning TikTok a Mistake? A Debate.
President Biden just signed into law a bill forcing the sale of TikTok by its Chinese parent ByteDance—or else face an outright ban.
Rising Antisemitism and Choosing Freedom
This weekend at Columbia and Yale, student demonstrators told Jewish students to “go back to Poland.” A Jewish woman at Yale was assaulted with a Palestinian flag.
Nicole Avant on Tragedy, Forgiveness, and Thinking Free
It was November 30, 2021, when Nicole Avant got a call in the middle of the night from her husband.
Iran Attacked Israel. What Comes Next?
In the late hours of Saturday night 170 drones, 120 ballistic missiles, and 30 cruise missiles barreled toward Israel. It was a direct and unprecedented strike on Israel from Iran.
NPR Editor Speaks Out: How National Public Radio Lost Americans' Trust
Uri Berliner is a senior business editor at NPR.
How the Working Class Became America’s Second Class
On Election Night 2016, many of us thought we knew who would be the next president of the United States.
The Story of Someone Who Changed His Mind
If the First Industrial Revolution used water and steam to fundamentally change the nature of work, the current industrial revolution—the disruption of automation, information, the internet, and now AI—is transforming…
Smartphones Rewired Childhood. Here's How to Fix It.
Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt has been explaining the human condition to us better than anyone else.
The Free Press in Israel Part 3: The Gathering Storm
Today, we close out the Israel series with a conversation with the journalist Haviv Rettig Gur, who is one of the most important and insightful writers of our time on Israel and…
The Free Press in Israel Part 2: Shattered Illusions
When we went to Israel, we tried tirelessly to get into Gaza but Israel’s counteroffensive made it impossible for us to go to the strip during those days.
The Free Press in Israel Part 1: Running Toward Fire
What happens when a country has to ask its citizens the unthinkable: What are you willing to die for?
Trailer: The Free Press in Israel
A few weeks ago, a team of Free Press producers and reporters arrived at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv.
Why the Kids Aren't Alright
American kids are the freest, most privileged kids in all of history.
Two Years Later: Should America Continue to Aid Ukraine? A Debate.
Two years ago, on February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine.
Alexei Navalny Died for the Truth. Tucker Carlson Fell for the Lie.
Last week, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny joined a long line of ordinary and noble people who were and are the victims of Stalinist tyranny and now Russian authoritarianism.
Special Episode! Suzy Weiss on Dating While Problematic
Today, we’re thrilled to bring you not Honestly with Bari Weiss, but maybe something even better: Blocked and Reported with Suzy Weiss!
Economist Roland Fryer on Adversity, Race, and Refusing to Conform
A little over two years ago, in the pages of The Free Press, Pano Kanelos announced that he was starting a new university in Austin dedicated to the fearless pursuit of truth…
Andrew Sullivan on What He Got Wrong About Trump
For this week’s Honestly, we’re sharing a favorite episode from a favorite podcast, one you may not have heard of: UnHerd with Freddie Sayers.
The Real Team America
There’s increasing concern that as scary as this period feels—between Russia’s two-year war in Ukraine and Hamas’s ongoing war with Israel—that all of this will come…
The Right Way to Fight Illiberalism: Christopher Rufo and Yascha Mounk Debate
Today, Yascha Mounk and Christopher Rufo debate the origins of DEI and the right way to fight the illiberal orthodoxy that has consumed our schools and institutions.
Why We Still Need to Talk About America's Covid Failures
It’s been four years since the first American death from the coronavirus.
The Silence of the Feminists
One hundred days ago, the world changed.
Can Dean Phillips Pull Off the Impossible: Defeat Joe Biden?
We're less than two weeks out from the first Democratic Primary in New Hampshire, and the mood among Democrats is grim.
What to Expect in 2024: Predictions from Niall Ferguson, Tyler Cowen, Peter Attia, John McWhorter and More
Last year was certainly eventful.
Wisdom from a Teen and a Grandfather—60 Years Apart
Over the last six months, we’ve run two essay contests in The Free Press.
The Case of Kate Cox—and the Trouble with the Abortion Debate
Over the last month, America has been witnessing one of the biggest abortion battles in the country since the overturning of Roe v.
Miracle in Hell: The Baby Twins Who Survived a Massacre
On October 7, Hamas terrorists stormed into the home of Hadar and Itay Berdichevsky in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, one of the Israeli communities along the Gaza border.
A Congressional Hearing, A Resignation, and Why DEI Must End For Good
How did the congressional hearing on antisemitism last week go so awry?
Why Half of American Babies are Born to Unmarried Mothers
One of the words that’s become utterly void of meaning in the last few years because of its overuse and misuse is privilege. White privilege, male privilege, able-bodied privilege, gender…
Where Have All the Democrats Gone?
In the past few decades, the Democratic Party has undergone a seismic shift.
David Sedaris: Punching Down
It’s Thanksgiving week, which for many of us means eating too much turkey and pumpkin pie.
Priests, Porn Stars and Public Intellectuals All Agree: Debate is Back.
When The Free Press decided to rent a theater with 1,600 seats for our first-ever live debate a few months ago, most people looked at us with a mixture of…
You Are the Last Line of Defense
Months ago, I was asked to give a lecture at the Federalist Society’s National Lawyers Convention.
Sam Harris: The Bright Line Between Good and Evil
For today’s episode, we’re thrilled to share the most recent episode of our friend Sam Harris’s podcast, Making Sense.
Does Elon Musk Have Too Much Power?
For the longest time, when you thought about the most powerful person in the world, the person who probably came to mind was the president of the United States, the leader of…
A World Spinning Out of Control
There are a lot of experts that you may have heard on the news in the past few weeks.
How Hamas Executed a Massacre, and How One Israeli with Nine Bullets Fought Back
It’s been almost three weeks since Hamas attacked Israel.
The Stories—and Stakes—of War in Israel
If you’ve been following our coverage at The Free Press, you’ve noticed that we’ve been covering the war in Israel nonstop since it began.
The New Axis of Evil: Condoleezza Rice on War in Israel and a Changed World
In the early hours of Saturday morning on October 7, Israel was invaded by Hamas terrorists by land, air, and sea, which The Free Press has been covering all week in detail…
Bring Back My Children: An Israeli Mother's Plea
Listen now (29 mins) | Two boys taken from their home by Hamas terrorists.
War in Israel: Michael Oren Explains How ‘Evil’ Infiltrated the Country
On October 7, Hamas terrorists streamed across the border in pickup trucks, on foot, by motorcycle, and even on paragliders.
James Carville Says Wokeness “Is Over,” 2024 Will Be “Dangerous”—and Much More from the Democratic Political Icon
James Carville, America’s best-known Democratic political consultant, has been on the scene for a very long time and has worked on just about a thousand campaigns—he’s almost 80…
We're All "a Little Bit Dumber": A Night Among GOP Hopefuls
On Wednesday night, Fox Business and Rumble hosted the second Republican presidential debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in beautiful Simi Valley, California.
Is Biden Too Old to Be President? Frank Foer Isn't Sure.
As we tumble toward 2024, anxiety among Democrats is beginning to simmer.
Replay: Why Leonard Cohen Ran Toward War
In 1973, Leonard Cohen announced he was done with music for good.
What We're Listening To: Does Anyone Have a Right To Sex?
This week, while our audio team is on summer break, we’re featuring an episode from one of our favorite podcasts: Conversations with Tyler, hosted by the wonderful Tyler Cowen.
What We're Listening To: Richard Dawkins on UnHerd
The team’s on vacation, so for this week’s Honestly, we’re sharing a favorite episode from a favorite podcast, one you may not have heard of: UnHerd with Freddie Sayers…
The First GOP Debate and The Elephant Not In The Room
On Wednesday night, Fox News and the streaming platform Rumble hosted the first Republican presidential debate with the eight GOP hopefuls who made the cut: North Dakota governor Doug Burgum, former governor…
Meet Will Hurd: The Ex-CIA, Anti-Trump Republican Who Wants To Be President
If you’ve been listening to this show for the past few months, maybe even since the 2022 midterms, you probably think I sound like something of a broken record when it…
How to Live After Profound Loss
Colin Campbell says that the way our society treats grief—and people in grief—is cruel and backward, and it needs a radical reimagining.
Presidential Candidate Vivek Ramaswamy Wants a Second American Revolution
Vivek Ramaswamy, at 37 years old, is the first ever millennial Republican presidential candidate.
Are We In A Pre-War Era?
Recently, Walter Russell Mead wrote an outstanding article in Tablet titled “You Are Not Destined to Live in Quiet Times.” It’s about the paradox—and great dangers—of technological progress: “Human…
Rethinking Higher Ed with Harvard’s Former President
Last week I found myself in Sun Valley, Idaho, at a conference with a lot of big wigs.
Are We Living Through 'End Times'?
Peter Turchin is not like most historians.
When Ideology Corrupts Medicine—and How One Reporter Exposed It
Last month, Britain’s National Health Service made major news when they announced that they were banning the use of puberty blockers for children, except for those enrolled in a tightly regulated…
Affirmative Action, Gay Rights, and Free Speech: What The Supreme Court's Rulings Mean for America
Last week, the Supreme Court handed down, as they usually do as the term comes to an end, a flurry of highly anticipated major decisions.
Chris Christie Endorsed Trump Twice. Now He Wants To Eliminate Him.
In 2016, former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie was one of 17 Republicans in a crowded field trying to beat Donald Trump.
RFK Jr. Is Striking a Nerve. He Explains Why.
Robert Francis Kennedy Jr.
How To Dad in 2023: A Roundtable With Our Favorite Fathers
Happy Father's Day!
What Jordan Neely’s Death Tells Us About Mental Illness and Vigilantism
On May 1, 2023, a 30-year-old homeless man named Jordan Neely boarded the F train in New York City.
How to Live Longer and Healthier with Dr. Peter Attia
It’s almost hard to believe, but in the 1950s doctors were frequently portrayed in TV commercials for. . . cigarettes.
Get To Know Tim Scott: The GOP’s Newest Presidential Hopeful
Earlier today, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott entered the race for President.
Israel at 75: Miracles and Madness
Seventy-five years ago this week, the Jewish community of Palestine (known as the yishuv) gathered in the art museum of Tel Aviv—then a city of less than 200,000 inhabitants…
America Needs a Self-Help Book. Tim Urban's Got One.
A few years ago, writer and cartoonist Tim Urban started becoming troubled by what he saw going on in the world around him.
Peter Thiel Says America Has Bigger Problems Than Wokeness
Peter Thiel doesn’t shy away from taking big bets.
AI With Sam Altman: The End of The World? Or The Dawn of a New One?
Just six months ago, few outside of Silicon Valley had heard of OpenAI, the company that makes the artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT.
‘My Friend’s Descent into Madness and Bloodshed’: An American Tragedy
Jonathan Rosen has spent the last few years trying to understand the story of his closest childhood friend, Michael Laudor.
Our Favorite Passover Conversation
The Exodus—the story of the Israelites’ freedom from Egyptian slavery 3,000 years ago—is the ultimate story of freedom.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams
New York City has had a rough few years.
Rick Rubin Says Trust Your Gut, Not Your Audience
People don’t usually think about Adele in the same breath as Johnny Cash.
Bank Runs, Crypto Scams and World-Transforming AI with Tyler Cowen
The last time economist Tyler Cowen was on Honestly about a year ago, inflation was the highest it had been in 40 years, gas prices were nearly $7 a gallon in many…
Why Men Seek Danger
When most people think about war, they think about senseless killing, brutality, violence and horror.
Honestly Presents: The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling
Honestly presents Chapter 1 of The Witch Trails of J.K.
Why Nikki Haley Is Running for President
Last month, Nikki Haley announced she is running for President.
A Gen Z Religious Revival: 250 Hours of Worship in Kentucky
For the past two weeks, tens of thousands of people, most of them college students, poured into a small chapel at Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky.
Will Ozempic Solve Obesity in America? A Debate
Ozempic, the brand name drug for a medication called semaglutide, is one of the most popular drugs on the market right now.
Why 65% of Fourth Graders Can't Really Read
For many parents, the last few years have been eye-opening, as they saw the education system in America crumble under the weight of the pandemic.
A Golden Age of Gurus
Over the last decade, the internet has devolved into a playground for influencers who sell and show off anything and everything you could ever imagine.
America's Role in the Holocaust: Ken Burns on The Most Important Film He Will Ever Make
Ken Burns is the most famous documentary filmmaker in America.
America’s Broken Immigration System: An Honest Debate
The debate about immigration brings out some of the deepest anxieties and biggest disagreements in America.
Raw & Unclassified: A Friday Roundtable
From Biden getting on board the classified documents train to the raw milk revolutionaries who are skeptical of Big Dairy, today we bring you a roundtable to discuss, debate and pull apart…
Bad Moms with Emily Oster
When my wife Nellie was pregnant last year, we became obsessed with Economist Emily Oster’s book, Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong–and What You Really Need to…
A Holiday Treat with David Sedaris!
David Sedaris is a humorist and author of many best selling books: Calypso, Theft By Finding, Let’s Explore Diabetes With Owls, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Naked, Holidays On Ice, Barrel…
The Twitter Files and the Future of the Democratic Party With Silicon Valley's Congressman
Ro Khanna is a progressive congressman representing California's 17th District, the wealthiest Congressional district in the U.S.
The State of the Black-Jewish Relationship in America: A Roundtable
For the last month, Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, has been all over the internet with his conspiratorial, antisemitic tirades.
Bibi Netanyahu: Israel's New Prime Minister. Again.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a polarizing figure.
A Better Way to Disagree
A few months ago, I had writer Freddie deBoer on the podcast for an episode we called, “Does Glorifying Sickness Deter Healing?” We talked about his experience living with severe bipolar disorder…
Nuclear War Games with HR McMaster
Last week, Ukraine recaptured the city of Kherson from the Russians.
The Midterms No One Saw Coming: A Postmortem
With inflation soaring, the worst crime wave in decades, and Biden’s approval rating at a pitiful 41%, everyone predicted last night’s midterm elections would be a bloodbath.
Who Do Voters Hate More? A Midterm Roundtable.
Less than a week out from election day, and more than 20 million people have already cast their votes – a record number of early voters for a midterm election.
Has Criminal Justice Reform Made Us Less Safe? A Debate.
Over the past two years, the United States has experienced the largest crime surge in decades.
Why We Must Save Our Boys
Let’s talk about the state of men in America: For every 100 bachelor degrees awarded to women, 74 are awarded to men; among men with only a high-school education, one…
How to Change Your Mind
In a world where the personal has become political, and politics has swallowed everything, the stakes of changing your mind can feel really high.
The Iranian Regime's Most Wanted Woman
Last month, a 22 year old Kurdish Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini, was arrested in Tehran by the Islamic Republic's so-called morality police for not wearing her hijab correctly.
From Racial Reckoning to Race Abolition
Today’s episode is borrowed from the feed of the great podcast The Fifth Column. Usually hosted by Kmele Foster, Michael Moynihan, and Matt Welch, this episode, which aired in July of…
The Great Canadian Mass Graves Hoax
Last year, The New York Times dropped a bombshell headline: “‘Horrible History’: Mass Grave of Indigenous Children Reported in Canada.” As other outlets picked up the shocking story, marches, protests and riots…
Eating Ourselves to Death
Fifteen years ago, there was a lot of talk about the obesity epidemic.
Has Freedom Failed Us? A Debate
If there is a headline to the past half-decade, it’s this: liberal democracy is under threat across the West and populist movements are on the march.
Oberlin Accused the Gibsons of Racism. Now It Owes Them $36 Million.
On November 9, 2016, the day after Trump was elected president, three students from Oberlin College were caught shoplifting wine from Gibson’s Bakery, a local staple that had been around for…
Bill Barr Calls Bullsh*t
Attorney General William Barr is only the second person in American history to lead the Justice Department twice: first under President George HW Bush and then again, three decades later, under arguably…
Larry Summers: The High Price of Getting it Right
Larry Summers is one of the most important economists in the world.
We Ignored Salman Rushdie’s Warning
We live in a culture in which many people believe that words are violence. In this, they have much in common with Iranian Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who issued the first fatwa against…
The Senate’s Only Black Republican Says: Stop Being Pessimistic
Tim Scott is a rare bird: He is the only black Republican in the Senate.
Sex, Porn, Feminism: A Debate!
It’s hard to think of an invention that has been more transformative to women than the birth control pill.
The Eternally Radical Idea
There is no organization that’s done more to fight for freedom of speech on American campuses over the past 20 years than FIRE, The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education.
Election Denial: A Roundtable
Denying the outcome of elections has become alarmingly popular these days.
The Infamous Andrew Schulz
There’s a tried-and-true playbook for comedians who want to make it big: hit the road, get in front of as many audiences as possible, and try to grab the…
Does Glorifying Sickness Deter Healing?
In Bari’s view, Freddie deBoer is one of the best writers in the country.
The New Founders America Needs
There are nearly 4000 universities in the U.S..
The Holy Anarchy of Fun
No writer stokes more consistent envy among Common Sense editors than Walter Kirn.
Power and Politics with Mike Pompeo
With everything going on here at home you can be forgiven for not focusing on what’s going on in Mariupol or Hong Kong.
America After Roe: A Roundtable
Few decisions could inspire so much anger and sadness in one group of Americans—and so much joy and relief in another—than last week’s decision by the Supreme Court to…
Is Crypto Over? A Debate!
If you watched the Super Bowl this year, it was hard not to notice that cryptocurrency had fully arrived.
TGIF! Inflation, Drag Queens & DA's
If you read Common Sense, you know that the best day of the week is Friday, when Nellie Bowles delivers us all the news from the week that was.
The Case for American Seriousness
We live in a culture that is driven by nay-saying.
What To Do About Guns
Tulsa.
Marianne Williamson on America’s ‘Dark Psychic Force’
When Marianne Williamson stood on the presidential debate stage in 2020 and spoke about the “dark psychic force” unleashed in America, she became an instant meme.
The Battle for the American Right
We are living through a seismic political realignment.
What’s the Best Way to Raise Good People? A Debate
There is no subject—not Trump, not abortion, not immigration, not taxes-–that is more contentious than the one we tackle today: parenting.
The Yale Law Professor Who Is Anti-Roe, But Pro-Choice
Akhil Reed Amar is the Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale university, where he’s been teaching constitutional law since the ripe old age of 26.
TGIF: Welcome Back to Both 1973 and 1984
If you read Common Sense, you know that the best day of the week is Friday, when Nellie Bowles delivers us all the news from the week that was.
Why This Gay Rights Pioneer Opposes Gender Ideology
In 1989, Andrew Sullivan wrote “Here Comes The Groom,” an essay making the conservative case for gay marriage.
Your Attention Didn't Collapse. It Was Stolen.
The average American adult spends over three hours a day staring into their phone.
TGIF! Libs of TikTok, CNN+ and Much More
If you read Common Sense, you know that the best day of the week is Friday, when Nellie Bowles delivers us all the news from the week that was.
The Inflation Economy: What You Need to Know
If you’re confused about what is happening with the economy right now, so are we.
The Story That Made—and Saved—America
The Exodus—the story of the Israelites’ freedom from Egyptian slavery 3,000 years ago—is the ultimate story of freedom.
Why the Past 10 Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid
Perhaps you’ve noticed that the thing we call “social media'' is deeply antisocial—the thing that promised to unite us has done precisely the opposite.
TGIF! The Week That Was With Nellie Bowles and Katie Herzog
If you read Common Sense, you know that the best day of the week is Friday, when Nellie Bowles delivers us all the news from the week that was.
Who By Fire: Why Leonard Cohen Ran Toward War
In 1973, Leonard Cohen announced he was done with music for good.
How Big Tech Is Strangling Your Freedom
David Sacks is a paradox.
Leaving the Mainstream to Build Media Without Fear
Today we are republishing Bari’s appearance on Hoover Institute’s Uncommon Knowledge Podcast, hosted by Peter Robinson.
“The Fight Against Evil”: Three Reporters in Ukraine
It’s been a month since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Why No One Trusts Anything
What if I told you that all the brokenness in our society—from the increased rates in suicide and addiction to the decreased rates in marriage and sex to the crisis of…
Things Worth Fighting For
For the past three weeks, we have watched the people of Ukraine and their president breathe life into virtues that many of us thought were dead or on life support: duty, sacrifice…
The Stakes of a No Fly Zone
Russia’s war against Ukraine has been raging on for almost two weeks now and Ukraine is in crisis.
Watching Lia Thomas Win
Lia Thomas is a transgender woman who has, in one year, become the star athlete of the women’s swim team at The University of Pennsylvania.
Russia's War on Ukraine: A Roundtable
Air raid sirens have been ringing out over the capital of Ukraine for the past week.
America Is Afraid of War. Putin Knows It.
Zoe Strimpel on the collapse of Western authority, self and geopolitical understanding— and the predictably catastrophic results of our politics of retrenchment, appeasement and pacifism.
Condoleezza Rice on Race, Russia, Freedom and Why America’s Best Days Are Still Ahead
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is one of those pioneering American leaders whose story is for the history books.
Beijing's Genocide Olympics
Right now, the Winter Olympics are underway in Beijing.
Former Google CEO on Big Tech, Artificial Intelligence, Bitcoin and the Future
Eric Scmidt has been a pioneer at every chapter of the tech revolution… from the very beginnings of the internet to helming Google for more than a decade.
Matt Taibbi v. Bret Stephens on American Power
Ever since the end of World War II, America has been the dominant world superpower.
Why Are We Boosting Kids?
The Covid vaccines are medical miracles.
The Tiger Mom Won't Stop Roaring
It’s hard to think of an institution in American life that’s more broken than higher education.
An Imam Blows the Whistle on Muslim Antisemitism
As a boy growing up in Turkey, Abdullah Antepli thought hating Jews was normal.
The Aftermath Part 2: The Haves and The Have Nots
At this point in the pandemic, one group of Americans generally gets to show their faces.
The Aftermath Part 1: Kids, Schools, and the Crime Surge
As we approach the third year of this pandemic, it’s become painfully clear that the stringent measures we took to mitigate against the virus had all kinds of unintended consequences.
What We Know About the Hostage-Taking in Texas
Audio from the unfolding situation at Congregation Beth Israel.
Bringing Sanity to the Omicron Chaos: Three Doctors Weigh In
Have you hit a wall with Covid?
Humans Are More Resilient Than You Think
We are living in an era in which Americans–especially younger ones–say they are increasingly traumatized.
Investigating January 6th: The Price Liz Cheney Paid
A year ago today, something big happened in Washington.
Replay: America's Cultural Revolution
As the year ends, we want to share where this podcast began and replay our first episode.
Replay: Why You’re Right – And Wrong – About Abortion
The abortion debate is top of mind as we enter 2022, with a pending supreme court decision that could radically change the legality and availability of abortion in this country. So, we…
Replay: The Real Story of “The Central Park Karen”
Over the next few days we are going to be replaying some listener favorites from the last year, starting with what was without a doubt our most provocative and popular episode: a…
Abigail Shrier: On Freedom in an Age of Fear
Abigail Shrier, the author of the bestselling book “Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters,” was recently invited to speak at Princeton.
The Power of Kim Kardashian
Just when we think we have Kim Kardashian pinned she adds another hyphen.
Jussie Smollett and Hate Crime Hoaxes
In 2019, Jussie Smollett’s hate crime allegations captured the nation.
Quick Question: WTF Is Going on With the Economy?
Eccentric economist and brilliant thinker Tyler Cowen answers our questions about the confusing state of the economy.
Vanished by China: One Couple’s Story
Desmond Shum knows well the cost of doing business in China.
Is Covid… Over? And Other Burning Questions This Thanksgiving
If your family is anything like mine, Thanksgiving is an opportunity to take a break from work, to bask in one others’ presence, and to fight savagely over the hottest political issues…
The Media’s Verdict on Kyle Rittenhouse
Here is what I thought was true about Kyle Rittenhouse in the last days of August 2020: The 17-year-old was a racist vigilante.
Can Andrew Yang Fix Our Two-Party Dumpster Fire?
First, Andrew Yang ran for President, and he could barely get mainstream media’s attention.
Weekend Extra: Why ‘People Love Dead Jews’
It’s been three years since the Tree of Life synagogue shooting, the most lethal attack on Jews on U.S.
How “Luxury Beliefs” Hurt the Rest of Us
"Defund the police" or "healthy at every size" or "marriage is just an oppressive institution of the patriarchy" - these are just a few of the ideas that are becoming common doctrine among American elites.
Women Like Hunting Witches, Too
If you’ve just heard of the word “TERF” (it stands for Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist) it was probably because of Dave Chapelle’s new Netflix special, “The Closer.” The comedian declared…
Pain, Wisdom and Mercy
Ross Douthat is a New York Times columnist, a father of four, an author .
Was the Internet a Horrible Mistake?
Last week, Frances Haugen, the Facebook whistleblower, confirmed what we already felt; that big tech platform’s algorithms are manipulating our sense of reality, and ourselves, and in doing so enriching themselves…
Why You're Wrong—and Right—About Abortion
The most honest thing I’ve ever read about abortion is by Caitlin Flanagan.
Wrongthink on Race With Glenn C. Loury
Four decades ago, Glenn C.
Vaccine Hesitant? A Doctor Responds
So much of the conversation about Covid-19 is angry and full of finger-pointing.
The Story of One Teenager's Escape From Afghanistan
It’s been a month since the fall of Afghanistan.
Portland State Sacrificed Ideas for Ideology. So Peter Boghossian Quit.
Peter Boghossian is the first one to tell you: he's no victim of cancel culture.
Courage in the Face of Book Burners
Abigail Shrier is a lawyer, a reporter and author of Irreversible Damage. One way to describe her book would be: controversial.
American Decline Is a Choice. Let's Not Choose It.
Between the catastrophic American withdrawal from Afghanistan, an endless pandemic, a broken education system, and competent leaders nowhere in sight, it can feel like America is in a constant state of meltdown…
You’re Already Living in China’s World Pt 2: Beijing's Long Game
In Part II, a diagnosis of the global ambitions of the Chinese Communist Party with Josh Rogin.
You're Already Living in China’s World Pt 1: The Lab Leak Lies
When the pandemic began eighteen months ago, anyone who dared suggest that the virus came from a lab in Wuhan, China, was dismissed as a crank, or otherwise accused of racism, xenophobia…
How We Failed Afghanistan (And Ourselves) with HR McMaster
How did this happen?
When American Doctors Are Scared to Tell the Truth
For several months, the journalist Katie Herzog has been talking to some of the country's top doctors and professors—not about COVID, or vaccines—but about a new, creeping orthodoxy that…
The Real Story of “The Central Park Karen”
Amy Cooper was not the internet’s first “Karen” — the pejorative used for a demanding, entitled white woman.
Bigger, Stronger, Faster: The Truth About Testosterone
Why are men the way they are?