Mark Levine's Inside Scoop » Podcast Feed

I’m joined by callers as I discuss what has resulted from the terrorist attacks in Paris, including the hateful and xenophobic comments by GOP front-runner Donald Trump.

In the first half hour, I discuss the background on a new initiative by President Obama by way of executive action that could ‘ban the box’ on applications for new jobs around the country. This would make it easier for individuals with low-level offenses (drug charges, misdemeanors, and other nonserious infractions) to gain employment upon leaving jail. Many times people are unfairly treated by employers when they see that individuals have been convicted of a crime in their past. Between 70 million and 100 million Americans—or as many as one in three—have a criminal record.

In the second half of the hour I’m joined by Todd Cox, a Senior Fellow at American Progress, where his work focuses on a range of issues concerning criminal justice reform. He and I go on to discuss how we can eliminate barriers for those with criminal records and ultimately gain economic security.

Today, I speak with Jonathan Fast, Associate Professor at the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University. In 2008 Dr. Fast began a new research project focusing on the role of shame in different kinds of violent bullying behavior.

We talk about the causes of bullying and what he thinks would best be the solution to a problem that plagues many of our schools across the US as well as online through social media. I even describe instances of bullying in my own life.

I am joined by callers as I explain why we must first understand ISIS if we want to defeat them. I explain how ISIS came to be who they are today. I also discuss why the situation leading up to and in the aftermath of the Paris attacks isn’t as black and white as some would lead you to believe.

Today, I speak with Matt Rice, who works with Mercy for Animal’s undercover investigators to expose animal abuse at factory farms and slaughterhouses. We discuss the horrific abuses that occur on farms across America and how it affects the food we eat. The most disturbing of all is that what is done to these helpless animals is completely legal.

I’m joined by two Republican Millennials (each 20 years old) as we discuss their political views, as well as last night’s Republican debate. We also take questions and comments from callers regarding the political views of my two young guests.