America at a Crossroads

 Why does hunger persist in the wealthiest nation on earth? In this episode of America at a Crossroads, Abby J. Leibman (MAZON) and Bob Greenstein (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities) join veteran journalist Larry Mantle to examine the politics behind poverty, food insecurity, and inequality in America today. This conversation explores the policy choices shaping hunger, the human impact of economic division, and what’s at stake as the nation faces overlapping social and political crises. 

 #Politics #News #America #Democracy #PublicPolicy #Economy #Inequality  #Poverty #Hunger  #SocialJustice  #CurrentEvents 

How is the Supreme Court really operating today—and what does it mean for American democracy?

In this episode of America at a Crossroads, legal scholar Leah Litman, professor of law at the University of Michigan and co-host of Strict Scrutiny, joins journalist Madeleine Brand for a timely conversation about the modern Supreme Court and the forces shaping its decisions.

Drawing from her New York Times bestselling book Lawless, Litman argues that the Court is increasingly driven by conservative grievance, fringe legal theories, and ideological outcomes rather than consistent legal principles. The discussion explores how this shift affects voting rights, reproductive freedom, executive power, and public trust in the judiciary.

Topics include:

• How the Supreme Court’s decision-making has changed in recent years
• The role of conservative legal movements and grievance politics
• What “lawlessness” looks like inside a powerful institution
• Consequences for democracy, civil rights, and the rule of law
• What comes next — and what citizens should be paying attention to

This program is part of America at a Crossroads, a virtual community conversation series examining the challenges facing American democracy.

Guest & Host

Leah Litman is a professor of law at the University of Michigan, co-host of the Strict Scrutiny podcast, and author of Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes.

Madeleine Brand is the host of the award-winning daily news and culture program Press Play and co-host of The Legal Eagle Files podcast.

About the Series

America at a Crossroads brings leading voices in law, politics, journalism, and civic life together for in-depth conversations about the future of American democracy.

#SupremeCourt #AmericanDemocracy #LeahLitman #Constitution #RuleOfLaw #AmericaAtACrossroads

Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul joins leading democracy scholar Larry Diamond for a critical discussion on the intensifying global struggle between authoritarianism and democracy. Drawing on decades of experience in diplomacy, national security, and democracy studies, they examine how autocratic regimes are reshaping the international order—and what democratic societies must do to respond.

Michael McFaul served for five years in the Obama administration, first as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Russian and Eurasian Affairs at the National Security Council, and later as U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation (2012–2014). He is a Professor of Political Science at Stanford University and Director and Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies.

Larry Diamond is a leading scholar of democracy studies and Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University. His work has shaped global understanding of democratic development, backsliding, and resilience.

This event is part of the America at a Crossroads virtual series, founded by Jews United for Democracy & Justice, bringing leading voices together to examine the most urgent challenges facing democracy at home and abroad.

🔗 Learn more and register for upcoming events: jewsunitedfordemocracy.org/events/

#MichaelMcFaul #LarryDiamond #Democracy #Authoritarianism #GlobalPolitics #AmericaAtACrossroads #CommunityConversations #ForeignPolicy #InternationalRelations #DemocraticValues #CurrentEvents

What happens when the guardrails of the Constitution start to shake? In this America at a Crossroads program, renowned constitutional scholar Erwin Chemerinsky joins veteran journalist Warren Olney to examine “The Constitution in Crisis: What’s at Stake for American Democracy.”

They break down threats to the rule of law, the future of the Supreme Court, voting rights, presidential power, and how ordinary citizens can respond when core democratic norms are under pressure.

Erwin Chemerinsky is the Dean of Berkeley Law and one of the nation’s leading experts on constitutional law and civil liberties. Warren Olney is the award-winning former host and executive producer of KCRW’s nationally syndicated program To the Point.

Recorded on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 5:00 pm Pacific, this conversation is part of the Community Conversations series founded by Jews United for Democracy & Justice.

👉 Learn more and sign up for upcoming programs at americaatacrossroads.org.

#Podcast #AmericaAtACrossroads #ConstitutionInCrisis #AmericanDemocracy
 #RuleOfLaw #SupremeCourt #VotingRights #PresidentialPower
 #CivilLiberties #ConstitutionalLaw #ErwinChemerinsky #WarrenOlney
 #DemocracyMatters #CivicEngagement

Israel, the U.S., and the wider Middle East are at a critical inflection point. In this special America at a Crossroads program, veteran Middle East analyst Aaron David Miller joins host Madeleine Brand to unpack “Israel Update: Trump’s Plan — Breakthrough or Breakdown.” They’ll explore what the plan actually proposes, how it’s being received in Israel and among Palestinians, and what it means for regional stability and U.S. foreign policy.

Aaron David Miller is a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and spent 24 years at the U.S. Department of State advising both Republican and Democratic administrations on Arab–Israeli negotiations. Madeleine Brand is the host of the award-winning KCRW daily news and culture show Press Play and co-host of the legal affairs podcast The Legal Eagle Files.

Recorded on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 5:00 pm Pacific, this conversation is part of the Community Conversations series founded by Jews United for Democracy & Justice. Tune in for a nuanced, historically grounded look at one of the most contested issues in global politics.

America at a Crossroads presents:
“Courts in the Crosshairs: What’s Next for Justice in America”

Mark Joseph Stern with Larry Mantle
📅 Wednesday, November 19, 2025
🕔 5:00 PM Pacific / 8:00 PM Eastern

For upcoming programs and future replays in your inbox, join the America at a Crossroads list by visiting jewsunitedfordemocracy.org

Legal journalist Mark Joseph Stern joins veteran broadcaster Larry Mantle for an in-depth conversation about the mounting pressures on America’s courts and the future of justice in a transforming legal landscape. From the Supreme Court to appellate courts and state judiciaries, Stern examines the political, cultural, and ideological forces reshaping the judiciary—and what they mean for the rule of law.

Mark Joseph Stern is a senior writer for Slate, where he covers the U.S. Supreme Court, appellate courts, and the law. Known for his sharp, provocative analysis of politics, law, and culture, Stern is a frequent guest on MSNBC and numerous podcasts, offering clear and accessible commentary on major legal developments.

Larry Mantle is the longtime host of AirTalk on NPR-member station KPCC (89.3 FM), the longest-running daily talk show in Southern California. His thoughtful interviews and deep reporting have made him one of the region’s most respected voices in journalism.

🔗 Learn more and register for upcoming events: jewsunitedfordemocracy.org/events/

#MarkJosephStern #LarryMantle #SupremeCourt #Judiciary #JusticeSystem #AmericaAtACrossroads #CommunityConversations #Slate #LegalAnalysis #Courts #RuleOfLaw #Democracy #CurrentEvents

National security expert Steven A. Cash joins journalist Larry Mantle for a critical conversation about the growing threat of authoritarianism in the United States. Drawing on decades of experience across intelligence, homeland security, diplomacy, and defense, Cash offers a rare insider’s view of how democratic institutions are being tested—and what former national security professionals believe must be done to safeguard them.

Steven A. Cash is the Executive Director of The Steady State, an advocacy organization composed of former senior national security officials. He most recently served in the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Intelligence & Analysis as Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary. Cash previously served as Deputy Chief Intelligence Officer and Acting Executive Director of the Intelligence Enterprise Program Office, overseeing the department-wide intelligence program.

Larry Mantle is the longtime host of AirTalk on NPR-member station KPCC (89.3 FM), the longest-running daily talk show in Southern California. Known for his insightful interviews and deep reporting, Mantle is one of the region’s most trusted voices in public affairs.

This event is part of the America at a Crossroads virtual series, founded by Jews United for Democracy & Justice, bringing leading voices together to address the most urgent issues facing American democracy.

🔗 Learn more and register for upcoming events: jewsunitedfordemocracy.org/events/

#StevenCash #LarryMantle #NationalSecurity #Authoritarianism #Democracy #AmericaAtACrossroads #CommunityConversations #HomelandSecurity #Intelligence #PublicService #CurrentEvents #RuleOfLaw #TheSteadyState

Election law expert Rick Hasen joins veteran journalist Larry Mantle for an essential conversation on the future of American democracy as the nation heads toward the 2026 midterm elections. Together, they explore the threats facing voting rights, the integrity of election systems, and how legal and political reforms could determine the strength—or fragility—of democratic institutions in the years ahead.

Rick Hasen is one of the nation’s foremost authorities on election law, campaign finance, and voting rights. He is a Professor of Law at UCLA and Director of UCLA Law’s Safeguarding Democracy Project. Hasen is the author of six critically acclaimed books, including his latest, A Real Right to Vote: How a Constitutional Amendment Can Safeguard American Democracy.

Larry Mantle is the longtime host of AirTalk on NPR-member station KPCC (89.3 FM), the longest-running daily talk show in Southern California. His interviews and analysis have made him one of the region’s most respected voices in public affairs and journalism.

This event is part of the America at a Crossroads virtual series, founded by Jews United for Democracy & Justice, featuring leading voices discussing the most urgent challenges to our democracy.

🔗 Learn more and register for upcoming events: jewsunitedfordemocracy.org/events/
📘 A Real Right to Vote is available wherever books are sold.

#RickHasen #LarryMantle #ElectionLaw #VotingRights #Democracy #AmericaAtACrossroads #CommunityConversations #SafeguardingDemocracy #UCLALaw #FreeAndFairElections #RuleOfLaw #Midterms2026 #CivicEngagement #CurrentEvents

Former U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance joins journalist Patt Morrison for an insightful and timely discussion on the state of the American justice system—its resilience, vulnerabilities, and the tests it continues to face in today’s polarized political climate. Together, they explore the balance between accountability and power, the role of the courts, and what justice means in a democracy under strain.

Joyce White Vance served as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama and is a distinguished legal analyst for NBC and MSNBC. She writes the acclaimed Civil Discourse newsletter on Substack and cohosts the podcasts #SistersInLaw and The Insider. Vance is a Distinguished Professor of the Practice of Law at the University of Alabama and a Senior Fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law.

Patt Morrison is a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, columnist, and broadcaster for the Los Angeles Times. She has received multiple Emmys, Golden Mike Awards, and authored bestselling books, including Rio LA and Don’t Stop the Presses! Truth, Justice, and the American Newspaper.

This event is part of the America at a Crossroads virtual series, founded by Jews United for Democracy, featuring leading voices discussing the most pressing issues shaping our democracy.

🔗 Learn more and register for upcoming events: jewsunitedfordemocracy.org/events/

Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Linda Greenhouse, one of the nation’s preeminent voices on the U.S. Supreme Court, joins renowned journalist Patt Morrison for a powerful conversation about the Court’s influence on American democracy. Greenhouse will discuss the evolving role of the judiciary, landmark decisions, political pressures on the Court, and insights from her decades covering its inner workings.

Linda Greenhouse reported on the Supreme Court for over 30 years for The New York Times. She is currently the Knight Distinguished Journalist in Residence and Joseph M. Goldstein Lecturer in Law at Yale Law School. Her books include Before Roe v. Wade, The Burger Court and the Rise of the Judicial Right, and Justice on the Brink: A Requiem for the Supreme Court.

Patt Morrison is a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, columnist, and radio/television host. She has earned multiple Emmys, Golden Mike Awards, and authored bestselling books including Rio LA and Don’t Stop the Presses! Truth, Justice, and the American Newspaper.

This event is part of the America at a Crossroads virtual series, founded by Jews United for Democracy & Justice and Community Advocates, Inc., bringing leading voices together to examine the most urgent issues facing our democracy.

🔗 Learn more and register for upcoming events: jewsunitedfordemocracy.org/events/
📚 Explore Linda Greenhouse’s books wherever books are sold.

#LindaGreenhouse #PattMorrison #SupremeCourt #Judiciary #LawAndPolitics #AmericaAtACrossroads #CommunityConversations #Democracy #USConstitution #SCOTUS #LegalJournalism #CurrentEvents