The Brian Lehrer Show

The Brian Lehrer Show episodes:

• 05.09.2024

  Love After Retirement

  A recent New York Times Magazine issue explores retirement, and how life after work brings an unexpected challenges to couples. Listeners call in to share how retirement has impacted the relationships in their lives.

  
• 05.09.2024

  City Council Finds Plenty of Pay Disparities

  A new report by the City Council found pay disparities between workers of color and women in the municipal work force. NYC Council Member Carmen De La Rosa (District 10, Washington Heights, Inwood and Marble Hill), breaks down the data,...

  
• 05.09.2024

  Biden's Shaky Legacy

  President Biden is staking his legacy, and his reelection campaign, on massive amounts of domestic spending, spurred by the passage of four major laws. But a Politico analysis found billions of dollars Congress approved by passing these bills has not...

  
• 05.09.2024

  Ask Governor Murphy: May Recap

  Nancy Solomon, WNYC reporter and editor, and host of the “Ask Governor Murphy” monthly call-in show recaps her conversation with New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. Topics this month included a proposed corporate tax to fund NJ Transit, tax relief for...

  
• 05.08.2024

  A.J. Jacobs Lives Originalism

  A. J. Jacobs, NPR contributor, essayist, host of the podcast "The Puzzler" and the author of The Year of Living Biblically, It's All Relative and his latest, The Year of Living Constitutionally: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Constitution's...

  
• 05.08.2024

  Trump's 'Hush Money' Trial Continues

  Andrea Bernstein, journalist reporting on Trump legal matters for NPR, host of many podcasts including "Will be Wild" and "Trump, Inc." and the author of American Oligarchs: The Kushners, The Trumps and the Marriage of Money and Power (W. W....

  
• 05.08.2024

  Reporters Ask the Mayor: State Sen. Myrie's Mayoral Exploration, Columbia's Graduation and More

  Brooklyn State Senator Zellnor Myrie is making moves to run against Mayor Eric Adams in the Democratic primary next June. Elizabeth Kim, Gothamist and WNYC reporter, explains the latest and recaps Mayor Adams' weekly presser, including his remarks on Columbia University's...

  
• 05.08.2024

  Who's the Teacher You Appreciate?

  Listeners call in to shout out the teacher they most appreciate, whether it's the person who taught them how to read 40 years ago or the one currently coaching their child through long division.

  
• 05.07.2024

  Luis Miranda's 'Latino Spirit'

  Luis A. Miranda, Jr., founder of the political consulting firm MirRam, founding president of the Hispanic Federation and the author of Relentless: My Story of the Latino Spirit that is Transforming America (Hachette Books, 2024), shares his story of his life...

  
• 05.07.2024

  Organized Against Democracy

  Anne Applebaum, staff writer at The Atlantic, historian and author of the forthcoming Autocracy, Inc: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World (Penguin, 2024) talks about her Atlantic cover story, “Democracy Is Losing the Propaganda War," about the...

  
• 05.07.2024

  TikTok's Algorithm

  TikTok once embraced the narrative of its algorithm as an all-powerful "secret sauce." Now, that narrative appears to be backfiring as Congress attempts to force a sale. John Herrman, tech columnist at New York Magazine, explains.→ The Secret Weakness of TikTok’s...

  
• 05.07.2024

  Climate Change and Mosquitos in Southeast Queens

  Roxanne Scott, independent journalist working on a series with the NY Amsterdam News about climate change in Southeast Queens, talks about how St. Albans in Southeast Queens, a majority-Black neighborhood where residents have long complained of neglected infrastructure and services,...

  
• 05.06.2024

  Is NYC's 'Retail Apocalypse' Turning Around?

  Greg David, contributor covering fiscal and economic issues for THE CITY and director of the business and economics reporting program and Ravitch Fiscal Reporting Program at the Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, shares his analysis of where retail is and...

  
• 05.06.2024

  Have You Started Getting More Sleep Lately?

  Survey data show that Americans are getting more sleep now than they did before the pandemic. Caitlin Gilbert, data reporter at The Washington Post, explains the trends, and how it differs between different groups of people.

  
• 05.06.2024

  Monday Morning Politics: Congress on Antisemitism; The Far Right and the House Speaker

  Annie Karni, congressional correspondent at The New York Times, talks about the latest national political news of the week, including legislation that recently passed the House on antisemitism, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's latest attempt to oust Speaker Mike Johnson and...

  
• 05.06.2024

  The Complicated Reality of Egg Freezing

  Egg freezing as a method to extend fertility for women has become more accessible and popular in the past decade—though still costly. Anna North, senior correspondent for Vox, where she covers American family life, work and education, reports on whether the industry...

  
• 05.04.2024

  Brian Lehrer Weekend: Latest in Transit; Are SATs a Good Thing?; Bird Migration

  Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. Transit Latest: Congestion Pricing, Fare Evasion, the End of Free Bus Routes and More (First) | Are SATs a Good Thing? (Starts at 27:57) | Peak Spring Migration Season (Starts at...

  
• 05.03.2024

  Peak Spring Migration Season

  It's peak spring migration season for birds. Jason Saul, assistant program director at WNYC and former managing producer for BirdNote, talks about where the birds are and what to look for (and listen to) if you're heading out on a...

  
• 05.03.2024

  What "The Competition" Says About Teenage Girlhood

  Every year, 50 teenage girls representing each state in America descend on Alabama to compete for large scholarship checks in the Distinguished Young Women program. Shima Oliaee, host and creator of "The Competition," creator of Pink Card, co-creator of Dolly Parton's...

  
• 05.03.2024

  The Federal Government Eases Up on Cannabis Restrictions

  The Department of Justice plans to change the way the federal government classifies cannabis, which will loosen restrictions on weed. Natalie Fertig, federal cannabis policy reporter for Politico, reports on the change, including how it will affect people, businesses and...

  
• 05.03.2024

  City Council Reacts to the Mayor's Executive Budget

  Mayor Adams released his executive budget this week that restored many of the cuts he'd previously proposed. Justin Brannan, New York City Councilmember (District 43-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach) and chair of the Council Finance Committee, talks about...

  
• 05.02.2024

  Are SATs a Good Thing?

  This year, many selective colleges are reversing Covid-era test-optional admissions policies, requiring applicants to submit ACT or SAT scores again. Emi Nietfeld, author of Acceptance: A Memoir (Penguin Press, 2022), discusses how taking the SAT changed her life and helped her, as a...

  
• 05.02.2024

  What Next in Gaza?

  Aaron David​​​​ Miller, senior fellow in the American Statecraft Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, former State Department advisor on the Middle East, and the author of several books, including The Much Too Promised Land: America’s Elusive Search...

  
• 05.02.2024

  Moving Day: Tips and Stories

  From the 18th century to the beginning of the 20th, May 1st was a day when scores of New Yorkers would change their residencies. As a nod to that old tradition, we open up the lines for listeners in the...

  
• 05.02.2024

  Housing News Roundup

  David Brand, housing reporter for WNYC/Gothamist, talks about some of the latest housing news, including the landlord facing possible "house" arrest (in one of his unrepaired buildings) and the Rent Guidelines Board preliminary vote on rent increases of 2 to 6.5 percent.

  
• 05.01.2024

  Reporters Ask the Mayor: NYPD Arrests Campus Protesters at Columbia and CCNY

  Mayor Adams holds one off-topic press conference per week, where reporters can ask him questions on any subject. Elizabeth Kim, Gothamist and WNYC reporter, recaps what he talked about at this week's event and on the news the morning after police dispersed...

  
• 05.01.2024

  Bruce Ratner on Early Cancer Screening

  Bruce Ratner, real estate developer, philanthropist, founder of the Michael D. Ratner Center For Early Detection of Cancer (CEDC), and co-author of Early Detection: Catching Cancer When It’s Curable (OR Books, 2024), argues for earlier and more equitable cancer screening.

  
• 05.01.2024

  Wednesday Morning Politics With NJ Rep. Sherrill

  U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill (D, NJ-11) talks about her priorities related to reproductive rights and the National Defense Reauthorization Act, plus reacts to the news overnight of police arresting campus protesters.

  
• 04.30.2024

  A Fraught College 'Decision Day'

  Incoming college students traditionally need to make their decisions about what college they'll attend by May 1 -- and while issues with financial aid have caused some schools to delay the date, many are sticking with May 1. Listeners call...

  
• 04.30.2024

  Campus Protests at CUNY and Columbia

  Activists at Columbia occupied a building overnight as administrators threatened to start suspending students. Joseph Howley, associate professor of classics at Columbia University, talks about how he and other faculty are supporting protesters at Columbia and Hadeeqa Arzoo, vice president...

  
• 04.30.2024

  Comparing Notes With the BBC

  BBC presenter Nuala McGovern compares notes over how the UK is handling migrants, talks about her reporting here in New York and remembers her time as a Brian Lehrer Show producer.EVENT:Global Movements, Local Impacts: An Evening with WNYC + BBC...

  
• 04.30.2024

  Why Three New York Offshore Wind Projects Fell Apart

  Marie French, reporter covering energy and the environment for POLITICO New York, discusses the collapse of three key wind farm projects in New York and their broader implications for the state's climate goals.

  
• 04.29.2024

  The 'Inconceivable Truth' Hidden in New York City

  Matt Katz, WNYC/Gothamist reporter covering public safety and host of the new podcast "Inconceivable Truth," went on a quest to learn the truth of his paternity after surprising DNA test results. Along the way, he uncovered a web of shady artificial insemination...

  
• 04.29.2024

  Transit Latest: Congestion Pricing, Fare Evasion, the End of Free Bus Routes and More

  Stephen Nessen, WNYC and Gothamist transportation reporter, brings updates on the latest transit news, including a launch date for congestion pricing, the end of free bus routes and more.

  
• 04.29.2024

  Politics, and the Life of a Broadcast Trailblazer

  Susan Page, USA Today Washington bureau chief and the author of several books, including The Rulebreaker: The Life and Times of Barbara Walters (Simon & Schuster, 2024), talks about her new biography of Barbara Walters, plus the latest national political news,...

  
• 04.27.2024

  Brian Lehrer Weekend: Arab-Americans; Joseph Stiglitz; #PlasticsChallenge

  Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. Your Arab-American Immigration Stories (First) | Reframing 'Free' Beyond Markets (Starts at 26:36) | A #PlasticsChallenge Wrap Up (Starts at 1:02:30) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on...

  
• 04.26.2024

  A Harsh Critique of President Biden on Gaza

  Nicholas Kristof, opinion columnist for The New York Times and author of several books, including the forthcoming memoir Chasing Hope (Penguin Random House, 2024), shares his critique of how he says President Biden has mishandled the United States' role in...

  
• 04.26.2024

  A #PlasticsChallenge Wrap Up

  Listeners call in to share an honest assessment of the single-use plastics in their lives and Judith Enck, founder of Beyond Plastics, professor at Bennington College and former EPA Region 2 administrator, rides along to share tips and trick on how to...

  
• 04.26.2024

  Explaining the Demand to 'Divest'

  Claire Thornton, USA Today breaking news reporter, talks about the calls by pro-Palestinian student protesters for their colleges and universities to divest from companies with ties to Israel.

  
• 04.26.2024

  Your Arab-American Immigration Stories

  In honor of National Arab American Heritage Month, Maya Berry, executive director of the Arab American Institute (AAI), a non-profit, nonpartisan, national civil rights advocacy organization, comes back on the show to tick through the long timeline of Arab-American immigration (and migration...

  
• 04.26.2024

  A National Poetry Month Open-Mic

  For National Poetry Month, we open up the phones for listeners to recite lines from their favorite poems.

  
• 04.25.2024

  Special Coverage: Trump's Immunity Case Before the Supreme Court

  On today's show:  Melissa Murray, NYU law professor, co-host of the "Strict Scrutiny" podcast and the co-author (with Andrew Weissmann) of The Trump Indictments: The Historic Charging Documents with Commentary (W. W. Norton & Company, 2024), previews the oral arguments the...

  
• 04.24.2024

  News From Your Classroom

  With teachers and students off of school this week, we open up the phones to hear stories from local classrooms that would otherwise be missed if not for the vacation.

  
• 04.24.2024

  The Trump 'Hush Money' Trial, So Far

  Erica Orden, Politico reporter, talks about the media diets of the jurors on the Trump "hush money" trial. Plus, she recaps the testimony of David Pecker, the former publisher for the National Enquirer, who talked about that publication's "catch and...

  
• 04.24.2024

  Reframing 'Free' Beyond Markets

  Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel laureate in economics, university professor at Columbia University, chief economist at the Roosevelt Institute, and author of The Road to Freedom: Economics and the Good Society (W.W.Norton, 2024), argues the neoliberal idea of freedom has led to...

  
• 04.24.2024

  Reporters Ask the Mayor: Arrests on Campuses; Randy Mastro

  Mayor Adams holds one off-topic press conference per week, where reporters can ask him questions on any subject. Elizabeth Kim, Gothamist and WNYC reporter, recaps what he talked about at this week's event, including when the NYPD intervenes on campus protests and...

  
• 04.23.2024

  Protests Swell on College Campuses

  Kate Hidalgo Bellows, staff reporter covering campus health and safety at The Chronicle, reports on how administrations at colleges here in New York and across the country are struggling to respond to ongoing, and growing protests over the Israel-Hamas War.

  
• 04.23.2024

  What 1960s Campus Protesters Think of Today

  Listeners who protested on their college campuses in the turbulent years around 1968 reflect on that time, and share their thoughts on today's young protesters on campuses here in NYC and around the country.

  
• 04.23.2024

  An Organizer Reflects on Where Labor Stands Now

  Jane McAlevey, labor organizer, columnist for The Nation and the author of several books, including (with Abby Lawlor) Rules to Win By: Power and Participation in Union Negotiations (Oxford University Press, 2023), reflects on her life's work in organizing and recent wins...

  
• 04.23.2024

  The NYS Budget and Climate

  This Earth Week, Liz Moran, policy advocate for Earthjustice's Northeast office, talks about the ways the new New York State budget does, and does not, address climate change.