Political strategists Jason Ortiz and Jon Paul Lupo, veterans of many New York political campaigns, joined the show to reset the 2025 mayoral race with under 11 months until the all-important June 2025 Democratic primary. Ortiz is a co-founder and CEO of Moonshot Strategies and Lupo is Founder and President of Arete Public Affairs. (Episode 457)

Errol Louis — Spectrum News NY1 Political Anchor and host of Inside City Hall, The Big Deal with Errol Louis, and the You Decide podcast — joined the show to discuss shake-ups in the presidential race, national and New York political trends, and how the mayor is doing. (Episode 456)

Mara Gay, a member of the New York Times Editorial Board, returned to the show to discuss key themes in national and New York politics, including President Biden's status and the presidential election, leadership from Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams, and more. (Episode 455)

Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar, a Queens Democrat, joined the show to discuss her top accomplishments and priorities, close alliance with Mayor Eric Adams, exploration of a run for NYC Comptroller, and more. (Episode 454)

Bradley Tusk — a political strategist, venture capitalist, and philanthropist — joined the show to discuss lessons in how politics works, how Mayor Adams is doing, past and upcoming mayoral races, his push for mobile voting, and more. Tusk has been, among other roles, a communications director for Senator Chuck Schumer, 2009 campaign manager for Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and advisor to Uber. (Episode 453)

State Senator Liz Krueger, a Manhattan Democrat and chair of the Senate finance committee, joined the show to discuss her opposition to Governor Hochul's pause on congestion pricing implementation, what could become of MTA finances, and more. (Episode 452)

Rep. Dan Goldman, a Democrat representing New York's 10th congressional district covering parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn, joined the show to discuss issues facing his district and New York, divided government in Washington, opposing Trumpism, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and more. (Ep 451)

From a live event at New York Law School, hear author and columnist Frank Barry talk with host Ben Max about Barry's new book Back Roads and Better Angels: A Journey Into the Heart of American Democracy, including reflections on New York's role in our national identity, challenges, and fundamental values. (Ep 450)

NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams returned to the show to discuss his 2024 'State of the People' address, his policy agenda and a variety of challenges facing the city, his latest assessment of Mayor Eric Adams' job performance, and more. (Ep 449)

New York City Council Member Shekar Krishnan, chair of the Council's Parks Committee, and Adam Ganser, Executive Director of New Yorkers for Parks, joined the show to discuss the push for more funding for city parks, pools, beaches, playgrounds, and other public recreational places. (Ep 448)