The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

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   Number 1: 2 Months to Election Day, with Grace Ashford & Nick Reisman

   Journalists Grace Ashford of the New York Times and Nick Reisman of Politico joined the show with two months until Election Day 2026 to discuss key races and themes of this year's election in New York. The conversation has a special focus on the race for Governor between Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul and her Republican challenger, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, but also touches on several races for Congress and key factors like President Donald Trump, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and more.

   September 03, 2026·1h 5min
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   Number 2: The 25th Anniversary of 9/11, with Nicole Gelinas & Harry Siegel

   Journalists Nicole Gelinas and Harry Siegel joined the show to discuss the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, how the city has and hasn't changed since, Mayor Mamdani's approach to the anniversary, the rebuilding and growth of Lower Manhattan, and more.

   September 10, 2026·58min
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   Number 3: New York Congressional Races to Watch, with Jeff Coltin & Sophie Krichevsky

   Journalists Jeff Coltin and Sophie Krichevsky of City & State New York joined the show to discuss the U.S. House of Representatives races to watch in New York for the 2026 general election. They joined host Ben Max to break down races in several New York districts - including the 3rd, 4th, 17th, 19th, and beyond - as well as broader themes of this election cycle, key dynamics at play including the gubernatorial race at the top of the ticket, the impact of figures like President Trump, Mayor Mamdani, and Rep. AOC, and more.

   September 23, 2026·1h
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   Number 4: Experts Discuss Technology & Democracy, Civic Engagement, Artificial Intelligence, & More

   This special edition of the show is audio of a live event: an expert panel on technology and democracy moderated by host Ben Max that was part of New York Law School's second annual civics summit. The panel includes John Avlon (journalist, author, and chair of good government group Citizens Union); Ryan Hayward (chief of staff at the Offices of the NYS Inspector General); Oscar Romero (chief information officer at the NYC Civic Engagement Commission); and Julie Samuels (founder, president, and CEO of Tech:NYC).

   September 18, 2026·1h 3min
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   Number 5: The Elizabeth Street Garden Saga & Other Housing News, with David Brand & Annemarie Gray

   Journalist David Brand and housing advocate Annemarie Gray joined the show to discuss the saga over Lower Manhattan's Elizabeth Street Garden, which recently hit a major inflection point that may signal a final resolution leaving the garden a public park and advancing housing development at alternative sites. Brand, a housing reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, and Gray, executive director of Open New York, joined host Ben Max to discuss the specifics of the ESG story, but also what it means in the bigger picture of the city's housing politics and policy landscape. They also touched on several other housing issues in the conversation.

   August 26, 2026·57min
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