Compared to big American cities, post-pandemic New York looks pretty good. On the other hand, the mayor has a 28 percent approval rating, toothpaste is still kept under lock and key and we can't get a handle on mental illness or illicit drugs. Bradley talks it all out with Ross Barkan, who writes a great Substack on city politics, media and culture. Plus, Barkan explains his theory of the all-important *mesoculture* — what it was, how we lost it and why we need it to come back.

This episode was taped at P&T Knitwear at 180 Orchard Street — New York City’s only free podcast recording studio.

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