Bloomberg Opinion columnist and political thinker Adrian Wooldridge joins veteran public radio host Larry Mantle for a discussion on whether American government can regain public trust and effectively meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.

Drawing on decades of reporting on politics, capitalism, and governance, Wooldridge examines the forces driving institutional dysfunction, declining confidence in government, the rise of populism, and what reforms may be needed to restore effective democratic leadership.

Topics include:
• The crisis of trust in government and public institutions
• Populism, polarization, and democratic governance
• Government competence and institutional reform
• Meritocracy, leadership, and public service
• The future of liberal democracy in a rapidly changing world

Senior political analyst Ron Brownstein joins award-winning journalist Madeleine Brand for a timely analysis of the 2026 midterm elections and what the results could mean for the future of American politics and democracy.

Drawing on decades of reporting on presidential campaigns, demographic change, and electoral trends, Brownstein examines the key battlegrounds, shifting voter coalitions, and political forces shaping the fight for control of Congress and the direction of the nation.

Topics include:

• The 2026 midterm elections and control of Congress
• Demographic change and shifting voter coalitions
• Political polarization and electoral strategy
• What the election results could mean for governing
• The future of American democracy and national politics  

Former U.S. Attorney and legal analyst Barbara McQuade joins veteran legal journalist Henry Weinstein for a conversation on government accountability, the rule of law, and the reforms needed to protect American democracy from corruption and abuses of power.

Drawing on her experience as a federal prosecutor and the themes of her book The Fix: Saving America from the Corruption of a Mob-Style Government, McQuade examines how democratic institutions can be strengthened through legal reform, ethical governance, and renewed public trust.

Topics include:

• Protecting the rule of law and democratic institutions
• Government ethics and accountability
• Public corruption and abuse of power
• Criminal justice and constitutional safeguards
• Restoring trust in American democracy  

#AmericaAtACrossroads #BarbaraMcQuade #HenryWeinstein #RuleOfLaw #Democracy #GovernmentEthics #Justice #Politics #PublicIntegrity #CurrentEvents

Former Israeli diplomat and foreign policy expert David Siegel joins veteran public radio host Larry Mantle for a timely discussion on Israel's diplomatic future, the evolving role of Europe, and the challenges and opportunities facing the Middle East.

Drawing on decades of diplomatic experience in Israel's Foreign Ministry and his leadership of the European Leadership Network (ELNET-US), Siegel explores how shifting alliances, regional conflict, and European engagement are reshaping Israel's international relationships and strategic outlook.

Topics include:

• Israel's diplomatic strategy in a changing world
• Europe's role in Middle East diplomacy
• U.S.-Israel-Europe relations
• Regional security and evolving geopolitical alliances
• The future of diplomacy in the Middle East  

#AmericaAtACrossroads #DavidSiegel #LarryMantle #Israel #MiddleEast #Diplomacy #ForeignPolicy #Europe #Geopolitics #CurrentEvents

Law professor and leading legal historian Mary Ziegler joins award-winning journalist Madeleine Brand for a timely conversation on reproductive rights, constitutional law, and the future of American democracy.

Drawing on her extensive scholarship on the history of abortion law and her book Personhood: The New Civil War over Reproduction, Ziegler examines how battles over reproductive rights have reshaped American politics, the courts, and the nation's constitutional landscape.

Topics include:

• Reproductive rights and constitutional law
• The post-Dobbs legal and political landscape
• The intersection of democracy, federalism, and individual rights
• The Supreme Court's influence on reproductive policy
• What the future may hold for reproductive freedom in America  

Award-winning investigative journalist and George Polk Award recipient Theo Baker joins veteran public radio host Larry Mantle for a conversation on power, privilege, and the institutions that shape America's political, economic, and cultural elite.

Drawing on his acclaimed book How to Rule the World: An Education in Power at Stanford University, Baker examines how elite universities cultivate influence, how networks of privilege are formed, and what these systems mean for leadership, opportunity, and democracy in the United States.  

Election law scholar Rick Hasen joins veteran journalist and broadcaster Patt Morrison for a timely discussion on voting rights, election law, the Supreme Court, and the future of American democracy.

Drawing on decades of scholarship and his leadership of UCLA Law's Safeguarding Democracy Project, Hasen examines the legal, constitutional, and political forces shaping U.S. elections, from voting access and redistricting to campaign finance and the courts' growing influence over the electoral process.

Topics include:

• Voting rights and election integrity
• The Supreme Court's role in election law
• Redistricting, campaign finance, and ballot access
• Constitutional reforms and safeguarding democracy
• The future of American elections and democratic institutions

Political strategists Mike Murphy and Bob Shrum join award-winning journalist Madeleine Brand for a bipartisan conversation examining the political landscape ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Bringing decades of campaign experience from both sides of the aisle, Murphy and Shrum separate conventional wisdom from political reality, exploring the electoral dynamics, voter behavior, and strategic narratives likely to shape the fight for Congress.

Topics include:
• The 2026 midterm elections and control of Congress
• Swing states, battleground districts, and electoral strategy
• Political polarization and shifting voter coalitions
• Campaign messaging, media, and public opinion
• What the election could mean for the future of American democracy  

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, will voters deliver a political reckoning?

In this timely edition of America at a Crossroads, journalists Peter Baker and Susan B. Glasser join moderator Larry Mantle to examine the forces shaping the midterms, the stakes for both parties, and what the results could mean for the future of American politics.

Peter Baker is chief White House correspondent for The New York Times and a political analyst for MSNBC. Susan B. Glasser is a staff writer for The New Yorker and author of its “Letter from Trump’s Washington” column. Larry Mantle is the longtime host of AirTalk on NPR member station LAist 89.3.

Wednesday, July 15, 20265:00 p.m. Pacific