Author Sam Tanenhaus discusses his new biography of the multi-talented Buckley and the movement he did so much to create.

Mona Charen speaks with More in Common co-founders Tim Dixon and Mathieu Lefevre about rising polarization, the “exhausted majority,” and how loneliness, media incentives, and misinformation are fueling division. (Full disclosure: Mona is on More in Common’s board of directors.) They discuss global trends, practical solutions like refugee sponsorship, and the urgent need to rebuild community and trust in democratic societies. Genuine reasons for hope. 

The Atlantic’s Helen Lewis joins Mona Charen to discuss The Genius Myth, her new book exploring whether genius is a real phenomenon or a socially constructed label. They examine how society elevates certain individuals—often more for charisma or timing than raw talent—and how the genius myth can excuse bad behavior while undervaluing empathy, humility, and collaboration. The conversation also touches on the “genius wives,” prodigies, the costs of fame, and Lewis's recent piece on the Skrmetti decision.

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CATO's David Bier explains who ICE has scooped up—93 percent are not criminals—and what's coming next. Bier describes aggressive, anonymous arrest tactics and overcrowded detention centers with inhumane conditions, and warns of efforts to undermine birthright citizenship and due process.

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References:65% of People Taken by ICE Had No Convictions, 93% No Violent Convictions, by David Bier at CATO.

Author Marc Dunkelman discusses his new book Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress―and How to Bring It Back.Dunkelman contrasts past centralized efficiency with today’s slow, decentralized system full of procedural roadblocks. They close with a hopeful look at reform efforts, like Josh Shapiro’s in Pennsylvania, as one potential model.

This episode of The Mona Charen Show is sponsored by Putting Families First. 

They won’t forget that certain legislators betrayed families by cutting Medicaid and public school funding. Putting Families First is trying to put a stop cuts to Medicaid and public education, and are working to elect leaders who agree. Learn what’s at stake at PutFamilies1st.org.

Why Nothing Works– by Marc Dunkelman

Stuck– by Yoni Appelbaum

Abundance– by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson

The Power Broker– by Robert Caro

The Power Elite– by C. Wright Mills

The House of Truth – by Brad Snyder

Linda Chavez joined Mona Charen to discuss her debut novel The Silver Candlesticks, inspired by a personal revelation during an appearance on Finding Your Roots that her ancestors were secret Jews persecuted during the Spanish Inquisition. The novel explores themes of religious identity, repression, and survival, drawing on her family's history in Spain and the New World, as well as her own experience converting to Judaism. Their conversation also delved into parallels between historical persecution and contemporary immigration policies, warning against rising authoritarianism in the U.S.

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Kevin D. Williamson of The Dispatch muses about the voters' culpability for Trump, socialism, and the "Abundance" agenda. They explore the cultural and economic decline of American civic virtue, the bipartisan slide into demagoguery, and Williamson’s disdain for both Trumpism and technocratic central planning. 

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The Atlantic's Jonathan Rauch joins Mona to talk about Trump's Achilles Heel.

Jay Nordlinger returns to discuss whether conservatism remains valid in the MAGA era.

Sponsors: Listen now to the NPR Politics Podcast, only from NPR – wherever you get podcasts.

Against All Hope – Armando Valladares

Memoir of a Cuban dissident imprisoned for his anti-Castro beliefs.

Children of Monsters – Jay Nordlinger

Referenced indirectly by Mona as part of Jay’s dissident coverage; a book profiling the children of dictators.

Peace, They Say – Jay Nordlinger

JayNordlinger.com, Jay’s new Substack.

Economist Noah Smith delves into the myth of the "hollowed out" middle class, the folly of protectionism, and more. He and Mona differ on Trump's handling of Covid and . . . American chocolate.

Support American family farms and join the Moink Movement today at Moinkbox.com/MONA and get FREE wings FOR LIFE.

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