The Weeds

By Vox

Social Sciences

What's The Weeds about?

Everyone is always warning you not to get lost in the weeds. But not Vox's Ezra Klein, Sarah Kliff, and Matthew Yglesias. They love the weeds. That's where all the policy is. This is the podcast for people who follow politics because they love thinking about health care, economics, and zoning. It is not podcast for people who like hearing talk about gaffes.

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LAST EPISODE

School’s out for Covid

07.14.2020

Jane, Dara, and Matt on the school reopening debate and the political consequences of HIV/AIDS. Resources: "The debate over reopening America’s K-12 schools, explained" by Anna North, Vox "I’m an epidemiologist and a dad. Here’s why I think schools should ...

The Weeds episodes:

07.14.2020 School’s out for Covid Jane, Dara, and Matt on the school reopening debate and the political consequences of HIV/AIDS. Resources: "The debate over reopening America’s K-12 schools, explained" by Anna North, Vox "I’m an epidemiologist and a dad. Here’s why I think schools should ...
07.10.2020 The Covid resurgence Ezra and Matt on how America failed while the world made progress on the pandemic, and what on earth is going on with the republican party. Resources: "Reopening schools safely is going to take much more federal leadership" by Matthew ...
07.07.2020 Contagious enthusiasm Dara, Jane, and Matt on Biden’s excitement gap. Resources: "So … About That Supposed Lack Of Enthusiasm For Biden?" Five Thirty Eight "Social conservatives feel betrayed by the Supreme Court — and the GOP that appointed it" by Jane Coaston, ...
07.03.2020 Land of the Giants: The Netflix Effect Land of the Giants is a podcast from our friends at Recode and the Vox Media Podcast Network that examines the most powerful tech companies of our time. The second season is called The Netflix Effect, and it’s hosted by ...
06.30.2020 The war on bad statues Jane, Dara, and Matt on Confederate Memorials, Woodrow Wilson, and the battle for historical memory. Resources: "Woodrow Wilson was extremely racist — even by the standards of his time" by Dylan Matthews, Vox "Inside the growing movement to ditch Columbus ...
06.26.2020 The Veepstakes Ezra and Matt on Warren, Abrams, Harris, and the Tammies and the links between racial and economic justice. Resources: "The Second Defeat of Bernie Sanders" by Ross Douthat, NYT "The Black-White Wage Gap Is as Big as It Was in ...
06.23.2020 Talking about talking Jane, Dara, and Matt explain “intersectional,” “structural” and the new language of identity discourse. Resources: "The intersectionality wars" by Jane Coaston, Vox "The Origins of “Privilege”" by Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker "Toward Black Liberation " National Humanities Center White ...
06.19.2020 The legal doctrine that protects brutal policing Cato's Clark Neily joins Jane to discuss Qualified Immunity - where is came from, why it exists, and what's being done to eliminate it. Clark details how the Supreme Court invented the civil doctrine to protect public workers from personal ...
06.16.2020 Fixing the police Jane, Dara, and Matt on what we know about police reform and its limits Resources: "Unbundle the Police" by Derek Thompson, The Atlantic "Why Are the Police in Charge of Road Safety?" by Alex Tabarrok, Marginal Revolution Collective Bargaining Rights ...
06.12.2020 America gives up on Covid-19 Ezra and Matt on the return of a virus that never went away. Resources: "America Is Giving Up on the Pandemic" by Alexis C. Madrigal & Robinson Meyer, WaPo "14 states and Puerto Rico hit highest seven-day average of new ...
06.09.2020 After George Floyd Jane, Dara, and Matt on America's dual reckonings with racism and police impunity Resources: "It's Time To Bust Police Unions" by Peter Suderman, Reason "Libertarianism For Me, Authoritarianism For Thee" by Chris Arnade, American Compass A Colony in a Nation ...
06.05.2020 Defund the police? Ezra and Matt on reformism vs radicalism and reimagining law enforcement Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Ezra Klein (@ezraklein), Editor-at-large, Vox Credits: Jeff Geld, (@jeff_geld), Producer Jackson Bierfeldt, Editor Want to support The Weeds? Please consider making a ...
06.02.2020 The global class war Barron's economics commentary Matt Klein explains what's really behind international trade conflicts Guest: Matthew C. Klein (@M_C_Klein) Senior Writer, Barrons and author of Trade Wars Are Class Wars Host: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox More to explore: Subscribe to ...
05.29.2020 Tweeting through it Ezra and Matt on Trump's war on social media, plus Joe Biden's policy agenda. *This episode was recorded on Thursday, May 28th, 2020. Resources: "Twitter Must Cleanse the Trump Stain" by Kara Swisher, NYT "Joe Biden has a plan for ...
05.26.2020 Joe Biden ain't black Jane, Dara, and Matt on gaffes and the racial politics of 2020 Resources: "Do Joe Biden’s “you ain’t black” comments ultimately matter?" by Fabiola Cineas, Vox White paper Hosts: Matt Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior Correspondent, Vox Jane Coaston (@cjane87), Senior politics ...
05.22.2020 The stimulus failure Ezra and Matt on Trump's pseudo-federalism and Pelosi's strange aversion to automatic stabilizers. Resources: "Nancy Pelosi says Democrats opted against putting federal aid on autopilot in their $3 trillion coronavirus spending package to avoid amplifying sticker shock" by Joseph Zeballos-Roig, ...
05.19.2020 Actual enumeration Dara, Jane, and Matt take a look at America's first pandemic Census. Resources: "The pandemic may leave communities of color undercounted in the census — and cost them billions" by Donna M. Owens, Vox "Trump is still trying to collect ...
05.15.2020 The psychology of opening up Ezra and Matt on the deep roots (or not) of the lockdown debate. Resources: "Experts’ 7 best ideas on how to beat Covid-19 and save the economy" by Matthew Yglesias, Vox "This drawing explains a surprising amount about your political ...
05.12.2020 Will the economy bounce back? Dara, Jane, and Matt on the road ahead for the worst labor market since the Great Depression. Resources: "As deaths mount, Trump tries to convince Americans it’s safe to inch back to normal" by Josh Dawsey, Ashley Parker, Philip Rucker ...
05.08.2020 Reopening without a plan Ezra and Matt on America's lost month and what happens next. Resources: "April was another lost month for Trump’s coronavirus response" by German Lopez, Vox "Flattening the curve isn’t good enough" by Matthew Yglesias, Vox "COVID-19: The CIDRAP Viewpoint" by ...
05.05.2020 How to win elections Dara, Jane, and Matt break down the great mobilization vs persuasion debate. Resources: "What Happened in the Georgia Gubernatorial Election?" Catalist Analytics, Medium "The case for taking Trump’s black outreach seriously" by Matthew Yglesias, Vox "Michelle Obama Is Mad at ...
05.01.2020 Are Democrats getting rolled? Ezra and Matt on congressional bargaining strategy and the China blame game. Resources: "Congressional Democrats are governing from the minority" by Ezra Klein, Vox "Many world leaders have seen double-digit polling surges amid coronavirus. Trump isn’t one of them." by ...
04.28.2020 A faster Covid-19 vaccine Jane, Dara, and Matt discuss the possibility of "human challenge trials" to speed vaccine development. Resources: "How Anthony Fauci Became America’s Doctor" by Michael Specter, The New Yorker "What Each Side of the COVID-19 Debate Should Understand About the Other" ...
04.24.2020 Who models the modelers? Ezra and Matt on the failures of some popular epidemiological forecasts and a viral Silicon Valley essay urging America to build again. Resources: "The US has a national service for predicting the weather. It needs one for predicting disease." by ...
04.21.2020 Opening up Dara, Jane, and Matt on conservatives’ desire for a rapid reopening of American businesses, and a 'feel good' white paper about air pollution. Resources: "This is where all 50 states stand on reopening" by Alaa Eslassar, CNN The Heritage Foundation's ...
04.17.2020 Help is on the way (sort of) Ezra and Matt break down the implementation problems that have bedeviled the CARES Act. Resources: "Policy by no other means" The Weeds Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Ezra Klein (@ezraklein), Editor-at-large, Vox Credits: Jeff Geld, (@jeff_geld), Editor and ...
04.14.2020 The corporate bailout watchdog Congressional oversight committee member Bharat Ramamurti joins Matt to explain his new job and what's wrong with shareholder capitalism. Guest: Bharat Ramamurti (@BharatRamamurti), Member, Congressional Oversight Commission Host: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Credits: Jeff Geld (@jeff_geld), Editor & ...
04.10.2020 How does this end? Ezra and Matt review four major plans for after social distancing; plus the Democratic primary finally ends. Resources: Dan Hopkins' tweet "National coronavirus response: A road map to reopening" by Scott Gottlieb, AEI "A National and State Plan To End ...
04.07.2020 Covid-19 and the border Dara, Jane, and Matt on the intersection between the pandemic and Trump's border crackdown, and a white paper about happiness. Resources: "It’s Impossible to “Distance” in ICE Detention. Doctors Say Free All Detainees." by Jack Herrera, Truthout "How ice operations ...
04.03.2020 Coronavirus meets health reform Ezra and Matt discuss Covid-19's impact on insurance premiums, the case for single-payer, and more. Resources: "Coronavirus May Add Billions to U.S. Health Care Bill" by Reed Abelson, NYTimes "The coronavirus crisis hasn't changed Joe Biden's mind on 'Medicare for ...
03.31.2020 The mask fiasco Jane, Dara, and Matt on the evidence for mask wearing, and a totally non-coronavirus white paper. Resources: "Why America ran out of protective masks — and what can be done about it" by German Lopez, Vox "Why Telling People They ...
03.27.2020 When $2 trillion isn’t enough Ezra and Matt analyze the huge but inadequate stimulus bill Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Ezra Klein (@ezraklein), Editor-at-large, Vox More to explore: Subscribe to Impeachment, Explained on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, Pocket Casts, or your favorite ...
03.24.2020 Fighting coronavirus with corporate conscription Jane, Dara, and Matt on the Defense Production Act, wartime mobilization, and pandemic-induced autarky. Resources: "Trump’s excuses for not using the Defense Production Act are wrong — and dangerous" by Alex Ward, Vox "“We are desperate”: Trump’s inaction has created ...
03.21.2020 The story of Trump's swamp Jane talks to Asawin Suebsaeng and Lachlan Markay about their new book "Sinking in the Swamp" on chaos at the White House and how President Trump differs (and doesn't) from prior administrations. As a note - this episode was recorded ...
03.20.2020 Devaluing black assets Brookings’ Andre Perry explains his research on how racism cripples black entrepreneurs and homeowners Guest: Andre Perry, (@andreperryedu) Fellow in the Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Host: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox More to explore: Subscribe to Impeachment, Explained on ...
03.17.2020 Rescuing the economy from coronavirus Jane, Dara, and Matt discuss President Trump’s new more serious tone and competing economic stimulus proposals. Resources: "Coronavirus’s threat to the global economy — and what to do about it" by Matt Yglesias, Vox "Dear Congress: Send Americans cash. Send ...
03.14.2020 Weeds 2020: The coronavirus election Ezra and Matt on dueling pandemic response plans from Sanders and Biden, and Trump's disastrous speech. Resources: President Trump's oval office address Joe Biden's coronavirus address Bernie Sanders' coronavirus address Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Ezra Klein (@ezraklein), ...
03.13.2020 Meet the YIMBYs Conor Dougherty on his new book "Golden Gates: Fighting for Housing in America" Guest: Conor Dougherty, (@ConorDougherty) Economics reporter, New York Times Host: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox More to explore: Subscribe to Impeachment, Explained on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, ...
03.10.2020 Mayor Pete and the state of LGBTQ politics Jane, Dara, and Matt on queer politics after marriage equality. Resources: "Before Stonewall" by Jane Coaston, MTV News "My Mayor Pete Problem" by Dale Peck, New Republic "Last Men Standing" by Erin Allday, SF Chronicle "You Wanted Same-Sex Marriage? Now ...
03.07.2020 A "titan" of social conservatism on the courts and his battles ahead Conservative thinker Robert George joins Jane to talk about abortion, marriage, the Supreme Court, and wielding the power of the federal government. Guest: Robert George, (@McCormickProf) Professor of Jurisprudence, Princeton University Host: Jane Coaston (@cjane87), Senior politics reporter, Vox More ...
03.06.2020 Behind the Covid-19 curve The Kaiser Foundation's Josh Michaud explains what the US is — and should be — doing to fight coronavirus. Guest: Josh Michaud, (@joshmich) Associate Director, Global Health Policy, The Kaiser Foundation Host: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox More to ...
03.03.2020 Coronavirus 101 Jane, Dara and Brian Resnick talk about COVID-19 -- how it started, its potential impact, and where we go from here. Resources: "11 questions about the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak, answered" by Julia Belluz, Vox "If the coronavirus hits America, who’s ...
02.29.2020 Weeds 2020: The Bernie electability debate Welcome to Weeds 2020! Every other Saturday Ezra and Matt will be exploring a wide range of topics related to the 2020 race. Since the Nevada caucuses, Bernie Sanders has become the clear frontrunner in the 2020 Democratic primary, spurring ...
02.28.2020 Going nuclear Jessica Lovering joins Matt to discuss nuclear power's role in combatting climate change. Guest: Jessica Lovering, (@J_Lovering) Fellow, Energy for Growth Host: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox More to explore: Subscribe to Impeachment, Explained on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, ...
02.25.2020 Black voters take the stage The New Republic's Osita Nwanevu joins Jane and Matt to discuss black voting patterns and the South Carolina primary. Hosts: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox Osita Nwanevu (@OsitaNwanevu), Staff writer, New Republic Jane Coaston (@cjane87), Senior politics correspondent, Vox ...
02.21.2020 The year of housing reform Mercatus' Emily Hamilton on what's working and what isn't to increase housing abundance. Guest: Emily Hamilton, (@ebwhamilton) Research Fellow, Mercatus Host: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox More to explore: Subscribe to Impeachment, Explained on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Overcast, ...
02.18.2020 Mike can get what done? Jane, Dara, and Matt on Michael Bloomberg’s record as mayor of New York City. Related material: "National education ratings show NYC student test scores stagnant since 2013, ranks them about average for big cities" by Michael Elsen-Rooney, New York Daily ...
02.14.2020 Private equity, explained Vox business and politics reporter Emily Stewart on the mysteries of one of America's most powerful industries. Guest: Emily Stewart, (@EmilyStewartM) Reporter, Vox Host: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox More to explore: Subscribe to Impeachment, Explained on Apple Podcasts, ...
02.11.2020 After asylum Jane and Matt join as Dara explains her reporting on the new reality at the border. Related material: "“Women to One Side, Men to the Other”: How the Border Patrol’s New Powers and Old Carelessness Separated a Family" by Dara ...
02.07.2020 How we pick a president University of Maryland political scientist David Karol joins Matt to explain the consequences of presidential nomination reform. Guest: David Karol, (@DKarol) Government & Politics professor, University of Maryland Host: Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias), Senior correspondent, Vox More to explore: Subscribe to ...

Older episodes

The Weeds

What's The Weeds about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

The Weeds episodes:

School’s out for Covid

The Covid resurgence

Contagious enthusiasm

Land of the Giants: The Netflix Effect

The war on bad statues

The Veepstakes

Talking about talking

The legal doctrine that protects brutal policing

Fixing the police

America gives up on Covid-19

After George Floyd

Defund the police?

The global class war

Tweeting through it

Joe Biden ain't black

The stimulus failure

Actual enumeration

The psychology of opening up

Will the economy bounce back?

Reopening without a plan

How to win elections

Are Democrats getting rolled?

A faster Covid-19 vaccine

Who models the modelers?

Opening up

Help is on the way (sort of)

The corporate bailout watchdog

How does this end?

Covid-19 and the border

Coronavirus meets health reform

The mask fiasco

When $2 trillion isn’t enough

Fighting coronavirus with corporate conscription

The story of Trump's swamp

Devaluing black assets

Rescuing the economy from coronavirus

Weeds 2020: The coronavirus election

Meet the YIMBYs

Mayor Pete and the state of LGBTQ politics

A "titan" of social conservatism on the courts and his battles ahead

Behind the Covid-19 curve

Coronavirus 101

Weeds 2020: The Bernie electability debate

Going nuclear

Black voters take the stage

The year of housing reform

Mike can get what done?

Private equity, explained

After asylum

How we pick a president

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