The Lisa Wexler Show

Former pastor and attorney Elayne Cassara joins Lisa Wexler to discuss the Netflix series Death of a Pastor’s Wife. Drawing on her own experience in ministry, Cassara reflects on her journey from seminary to church leadership and the urgent need for greater accountability within religious institutions. She explores how unchecked authority can enable harmful behavior, including the misuse of power, coercive control, and the marginalization of women, and why stronger oversight is essential to prevent abuse.

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Former pastor and attorney Elayne Cassara joins Lisa Wexler to discuss the Netflix series Death of a Pastor’s Wife. Drawing on her own experience in ministry, Cassara reflects on her journey from seminary to church leadership and the urgent need for greater accountability within religious institutions. She explores how unchecked authority can enable harmful behavior, including the misuse of power, coercive control, and the marginalization of women, and why stronger oversight is essential to prevent abuse.

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Oren Cass, founder and chief economist of American Compass, Financial Times contributing editor, and New York Times opinion writer, joins Lisa Wexler to discuss his recent New York Times essay, “Big Tech Fooled America Once. The Second Time’s Not Going So Well.” He explores how the tech industry—particularly AI—has shifted from a nonprofit, public-good mission to a powerful, profit-driven force with world-shaping ambitions, raising new concerns about influence, accountability, and doomsday narratives.

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State Representative Tina Courpas joins Lisa Wexler to reflect on her freshman term in office - what she’s most proud of, what she believes still needs improvement, and why she’s running for reelection. She also discusses concerns about the erosion of local control, overspending, and the implications of a legislative supermajority in state government.

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Immigration attorney Dana Bucin joins Lisa Wexler to break down the various pathways to citizenship, including dual citizenship opportunities across different countries, and what you need to know before pursuing them.

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Lisa Wexler covers top daily news and interviews Dana Bucin, Tina Courpas, and Oren Cass. Plus KINDNESS OF STRANGERS.

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Lisa Wexler covers top daily news and interviews CT Comptroller Sean Scanlon and Quinnipiac University Professor Shizhen (Jasper) Jia on his work to use AI to help support those grieving.

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Quinnipiac University Professor Jasper Jia joins Lisa Wexler to explore how AI chatbots could support people living with dementia and those experiencing grief. They discuss the potential for AI to provide companionship, guidance, and support during the moments between interactions with family members, caregivers, therapists, and other human support systems. Jia also shares his vision for developing a better AI program designed to respond to the unique emotional and practical needs of people facing dementia or loss, while complementing, rather than replacing, meaningful human connection.

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Connecticut Comptroller Sean Scanlon joins Lisa Wexler to discuss new protections against the use of artificial intelligence in Connecticut’s health plans. The protections, negotiated with health insurers, with the intent to extend safeguards to all Connecticut residents through the legislature. They discuss provisions that would prohibit adverse determinations based solely on AI-driven downcoding programs, as well as protections governing the use of health data to train AI models. Scanlon also explains how his office would enforce these new rules and what consumers should know about the changing role of AI in health care. Plus, Scanlon weighs in on prediction markets, including concerns about insider information, the lack of regulation surrounding these markets, and the ethical questions raised by platforms that allow users to profit from predictions about real-world events.

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Gwen Samuel, mother, grandmother, Marine Corps veteran, and community advocate, joins Lisa Wexler to discuss her campaign as an endorsed Independent candidate for Connecticut State Senate District 9. She shares why she decided to run for office, the experiences that shaped her decision, and the issues and priorities she is most passionate about.

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