Talk Cocktail

Not since the 1930s has the world stood at such a dangerous inflection point. On this week’s WhoWhatWhy podcast, I talk with, Shay Khatiri about the seismic shifts in global politics since his last appearance during the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. . With his roots in Iran and a scholarly perspective, he offers a panoramic view of today’s geopolitical landscape amid the complex cris...

The Berkeley Institute for Young Americans, part of the Goldman School of Public Policy at UC Berkeley, examines the evolving generational dynamics of millennials and Gen Z. The institute serves as a hub for exploring the aspirations and challenges of young people, offering unique perspectives on their impact in the workplace and across cultural and political landscapes. Joining us on the podcast...

As we look at the global political landscape, we see a resurgence of movements labeled as populist. Propelled by rapid social and technological changes, economic upheavals, and complex migration patterns, people around the world are in search of simple solutions to increasingly complex problems. This week my guest on the WhoWhatWhy podcast Steve Babson, argues that this represents a serious misint...

In this WhoWhatWhy podcast I talk with journalist Paul Starobin, an expert in Russian affairs who delves into a less reported impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: the mass exodus of over 1 million Russians from their homeland — a phenomenon echoing the nation’s history of politically motivated emigrations. Starobin, author of the book Putin’s Exiles, examines the dynamics of this modern exodus....

In this podcast, I welcome Laura Pappano, author of " School Moms: Parent Activism, Partisan Politics, and the Battle for Public Education ," to explore the intense politicization of American public schools. Pappano, with over thirty years of experience, delves into the far-right's efforts to control education, highlighting the shift from parental support to activism amidst challenges like local s...

This past Sunday, Feb. 4, marked the 50th anniversary of Patty Hearst’s kidnapping, a saga that remains a captivating and perplexing chapter of California history. For those who lived through it, this event was more than a headline; it epitomized an era. Yet, regardless of how vividly we recall the saga, the full truth has remained elusive. My California Sun conversation with Roger Rapoport helps...

In this week’s WhoWhatWhy podcast — marking the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade — I talk with Felicia Kornbluh, professor of history and gender studies at the University of Vermont. In our far-ranging conversation, we delve into significant shifts in the battle for reproductive rights following the Dobbs decision. Kornbluh, drawing insights from her book, A Woman’s Life Is a Human Life, sheds ligh...

In a rapidly changing media landscape, where giants like Conde Nast, the Los Angeles Times, Sports Illustrated, and the Washington Post face massive layoffs, the very nature of news is transforming and it’s impacting our democracy. I talk with Mickey Huff, director of Project Censored, about the critical state of the media, who’s to blame and about his book " STATE OF THE FREE PRESS 2024 ." We del...

Amid widespread concern about our politics, young, passionate individuals like Devon Murphy-Anderson and Alex Berrios are making a significant impact. In this WhoWhatWhy podcast, I delve into their efforts to turn Florida blue. Murphy-Anderson and Berrios, through their initiative Mi Vecino, are revitalizing the grassroots political scene in Florida. They’re particularly focused on engaging Latino...

The U.S. economy has shifted from traditional manufacturing giants to tech behemoths such as Amazon and Apple, driving significant economic and social changes. This evolution, while beneficial, also stirs fears about corporate power and change. Today's digital landscape, according to my guest, Tom Wheeler, mirrors the Gilded Age, suggesting a repeat of history's paradoxes of innovation and corpora...

On this WhoWhatWhy podcast I talk with journalist Tina Nguyen, author of The MAGA Diaries: My Surreal Adventures Inside the Right Wing and How I Got Out. A one-time MAGA fellow traveler, Nguyen delves deep into the heart of the movement.  Challenging the notion that it’s merely a product of Trump’s influence, Nguyen — who journeyed from a conservative student to disenchanted MAGA-member to jobs at...

McKay Coppins' 'Romney, A Reckoning' transcends a mere political biography, Coppins highlights Mitt Romney as the final presidential candidate of a now-transformed party, portraying him as a historical footnote. Coppins adeptly elucidates Romney's journey and the pivotal role he played in the party's evolution. Get full access to Talk Cocktail Podcast at jeffschechtman.substack.com/subscribe

On the third anniversary of January 6th, my WhoWhatWhy podcast features Brian Stelter, former CNN host and author of Network of Lies: The Epic Saga of Fox News, Donald Trump, and the Battle for American Democracy. It’s clear that Fox News will likely play a key role in determining whether America remains a democracy, and Stelter provides a colonoscopy into Fox News’s influential role in shaping U....

On October 7th, a pivotal event in Israel echoed globally, deeply affecting the local Israeli community. This impact extended worldwide, influencing international politics and discourse, from the Red Sea to capitals like Moscow, Washington, and Beijing. In the U.S., notably in Los Angeles and San Francisco, streets filled with protests, mirroring societal divides. These events highlighted the inte...

Conor Friedersdorf, a California-based staff writer for The Atlantic, joins me on the California Sun podcast to discuss his recent article, “ A Uniquely Terrible New DEI Policy .” In it, he dissects controversial new diversity, equity, and inclusion mandates at California’s community colleges, the largest higher education system in the U.S. These policies are not only sparking lawsuits but also ra...

In a time when dubious media narratives about the economy often overshadow hard data, the latest episode of the WhoWhatWhy podcast features Noah Smith, the thought-provoking economist behind Noahpinion substack. Smith’s analysis of “vibes vs. data” sheds light on the interplay between public sentiment and tangible economic metrics in the US. Get full access to Talk Cocktail Podcast at jeffschechtm...

In my latest California Sun podcast, John King, urban design critic for the San Francisco Chronicle, explores how San Francisco’s Ferry Building mirrors the city's evolution and broader urban American challenges in his new book Portal ." More than a historic transportation hub, the Ferry Building's journey from glory to neglect and resurgence symbolizes San Francisco's shifting narrative. King del...

My WhoWhatWhy.org conversation with legendary campaign strategist Stuart Stevens, whose new book THE CONSPIRACY TO END AMERICA looks deep into the GOP’s True Colors and its dying future. Get full access to Talk Cocktail Podcast at jeffschechtman.substack.com/subscribe

Jonathan Taplin, a film producer, scholar, and director emeritus of the Annenberg Innovation Lab, is a vocal critic of excessive techno-optimism. In his book, " The End of Reality : How Four Billionaires are Selling a Fantasy Future of the Metaverse, Mars, and Crypto," he argues that the California-centric billionaires Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Marc Andreessen are diverting publ...

The middle class stands as the most successful demographic in world history. By the time we reach 2030, it's projected that the fifth billionth person will have joined its ranks. This journey, which began just over two centuries ago by people in pursuit of a better life, has sparked an unparalleled global transformation. In today's landscape, where half of the global population finds themselves at...

Robert M. Sapolsky, a Stanford neurobiologist and MacArthur “genius” fellow, challenges our deeply ingrained beliefs about free will. Building on his seminal 2017 work " Behave ," which explored the dynamics of nature and nurture, Sapolsky's latest book, " Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will ," suggests that science, medicine, and philosophy may actually support determinism over free w...

In this WhoWhatWhy podcast I talk with Scott Keeter, the senior survey adviser at Pew Research Center. In this role, he guides all of Pew’s research and polling. An expert on American public opinion and political behavior, he is a co-author of four books on the subject. Keeter discusses the complexities of modern polling amid a climate of skepticism and change. As the 2024 elections approach, Keet...

As our nation teeters on the knife's edge of democracy, it's imperative to understand the historical roots of our current predicament. Heather Cox Richardson offers a deep dive into the intricate weave of America's past and present. A Professor of History at Boston College, Richardson is not only an acclaimed author but also the influential voice behind the daily Substack ' Letters From an America...

In this special WhoWhatWhy podcast, I talk with Zeke Faux, whose book Number Go Up: Inside Crypto’s Wild Rise and Staggering Fall (Crown Currency, September 2023), unpacks the crypto phenomenon and its disintegration, culminating in Sam Bankman-Fried’s (SBF) conviction for fraud and potential 110-year sentence. Faux, a Bloomberg investigative reporter who has covered SBF and the crypto craze since...

On this week’s WhoWhatWhy podcast, I explore the intricate landscape of global terrorism, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and the geopolitical reverberations of recent events. My guest is Kenneth Katzman , a senior adviser with The Soufan Group and a preeminent expert on the Middle East. Specializing in Iran, the Persian Gulf states, Iraq, and Afghanistan, Katzman has previously served as a seni...