A.R. Hoffman & Rebecca Sugar

Sanity by The New York Sun

News EN ↓ 129 episodes

This is Sanity, a podcast by The New York Sun. A.R. Hoffman (Associate Editor of the Sun) and Rebecca Sugar (Columnist at the Sun) will be joined by buzzy and thoughtful guests to break down the week’s news, share their hot takes and long views on where it's all heading, and keep you sane all the while.

Author

A.R. Hoffman & Rebecca Sugar

Category

News

Podcast website

rss.com

Latest episode

Jul 10, 2026

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Episodes

69 - "Graham Platner, We Hardly Knew Ya" 10.07.2026

In this episode we analyzed the implosion of Graham Platner's campaign, went behind the scenes of the NATO summit in Turkey, wondered if the Iran war is really back on, explored why everyone stopped reading, took stock of Rahm Emanuel's trip to Israel, and looked at one explanation for why housing is so expensive.

The Sanity Interview: Brian L. Cox 05.07.2026

In this interview we spoke with Dr. Brian L. Cox, an expert in international law, about the state of war today. We discussed when a war is legal, the credibility of bodies like the ICC and ICJ, the genocide accusation against Israel, and the rationale for America's and Israel's attack on Iran.

68 - "Happy 250th Birthday, America" 03.07.2026

In this episode we celebrated America's semiquincentennial and went coast to coast to see how the country is marking its quarter-millennial. We also debriefed the end of the Supreme Court term, discussed the WNBA, took stock of Trump's newly minted billions, and noted 1,000 days since October 7, 2023.

The Sanity Interview: Batya Ungar-Sargon 28.06.2026

In this interview we talked with Batya Ungar-Sargon, the host of Batya! on NewsNation and a frequent contributor to the New York Post and other publications. Her book "Jews and the Left" takes the long view of how we arrived at today's crisis.

67 - "Zohran Mamdani Emerges as Kingmaker" 26.06.2026

In this episode we discussed the radicalism engulfing the Democratic Party, the end of Keir Starmer's time as UK prime minister, the latest from the Supreme Court, whether everyone should get their own NYC parade, and if Taylor Swift could possibly be serious about getting married at MSG.

66 - "Trump's E-Signs at Versailles" 19.06.2026

In this episode, we discussed the terms of Trump's Iran MOU, delved into the latest on the filibuster and SAVE Act drama in the Senate, remembered the Lubavitcher Rebbe, were baffled by a new policy out of California, and wondered if this is Mayor Mamdani's worst ally yet.

The Sanity Interview: Bruce Blakeman 17.06.2026

In this interview the associate editor of the New York Sun, A.R. Hoffman, sat down with Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman. They discussed the state of the race, why Governor Kathy Hochul is vulnerable, the rise of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and what issues really matter to New Yorkers.

The Sanity Interview: Caroline Shinkle 14.06.2026

In this interview we spoke to Caroline Shinkle, who is running as a Republican to represent the congressional seat that covers the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, and all of Midtown. She talked about why she likes her chances in a Democratic stronghold, how she plans to take on Mayor Mamdani, and why her pro-market message can stem the socialist tide.

65 - "Israel and America Play a Spy Game" 12.06.2026

In this episode we discussed the final (we think) vote totals from LA, talked about why Israel-American spy drama is heating up now, worried about the future of social security, marveled at the beauty of candle-lit concerts, got ready to celebrate Bloomsday, and debated Gwyneth Paltrow.

64 - "Spencer Pratt Goes California Dreamin'" 05.06.2026

In this episode we reviewed the Trump-Netanyahu showdown, broke down the races in California that are transfixing the country, discussed the horrific murder of Henry Nowak in England, were impressed by Marco Rubio's use of rap lyrics, and celebrated a first for the IDF.

63 - "Climbing Pope Leo's AI Tower of Babel" 29.05.2026

In this episode we discussed the AI encyclical from the Vatican, analyzed the growing scrutiny on Hasan Piker, broke down Mayor Mamdani's housing plan, dove into Europe's migrant crisis, and denounced the exclusion of Jews from Pride festivities.

The Sanity Interview: Gordon Chang 24.05.2026

In this interview we spoke with analyst Gordon Chang of the Gatestone Institute. He provided insight into Beijing's recent summits with Presidents Trump and Putin, China's long term trajectory, Xi Jinping's relations with Iran, and the fate of Taiwan.

62 - "AIPAC Takes Down Thomas Massie" 22.05.2026

In this week's episode we dove into primary pandemonium, debated the legality of President Trump's "Anti-Weaponization Fund," predicted what's coming in Cuba, translated Sally Rooney into Hebrew, and said goodbye to civil rights legend Bob Woodson, Sr.

The Sanity Interview: Nadhim Zahawi 17.05.2026

In this interview we spoke with Nadhim Zahawi, a former Member of Parliament, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Chairman of the Conservative Party in Britain who is now backing Nigel Farage's Reform Party. We discussed the seismic UK elections this week and what's next for Britain and Europe.

61 - "Trump's Chinese Takeaway" 14.05.2026

In this episode we analyzed President Trump's summit in China, broke down Mayor Mamdani's magical budget math, worried about Christopher Nolan's filming of "The Odyssey," and were unsparing in our assessments of Nick Kristof's latest work of anti-Israel 'journalism.'

The Sanity Interview: Jason Johnson 10.05.2026

In this interview we spoke to Jason Johnson, the president of the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund. We discussed the state of policing in NYC and nationwide, trends in public opinion, the protest at Park East Synagogue, and potential behind-the-scenes dynamics between Mayor Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

60 - "Mamdani's New York in Focus" 08.05.2026

In this episode we discussed the mobs protesting synagogues, analyzed Mamdani's rhetoric against the rich, mourned (maybe) the end of Spirit Airlines, dipped into some Supreme Court drama, praised Gospel Music, and broke down what happened when NYC's First Lady met Miss Israel.

59 - "Musk v. Altman for the Future of AI" 01.05.2026

In this episode we dove into the feud between Elon Musk and Sam Altman, debriefed the chaos at the White House Correspondents Dinner, brought you all the latest on James Comey and redistricting, marveled at the descent of the Park Slope Coop, and checked in on the fine print in California's proposed tax on billionaires.

The Sanity Interview: Deepali Vyas 26.04.2026

In this episode we spoke to Deepali Vyas, an elite recruiter with an unparalleled grasp of the rapidly shifting economy. She offered crucial tips for navigating AI, charting a career, and conquering the job market greeting Gen Z college graduates.

58 - "So You Want To Prosecute the Southern Poverty Law Center?" 24.04.2026

In this episode we broke down the DOJ's case against the SPLC, dove into the details of the redistricting wars in Virginia, checked in on Congress's bucket list, fumed over performative NYC politics, and vented about Hasan Piker and "microlooting."In this episode we broke down the DOJ's case against the SPLC, dove into the details of the redistricting wars in Virginia, checked in on Congress's buc...

The Sanity Interview: Mutlu Civiroglu 19.04.2026

In this conversation we spoke to Mutlu Civiroglu, a journalist and Kurdish affairs analyst. He told us about the Kurdish role in the Iran War, the prospects for statehood, growing ties with Israel, and the current Kurdish circumstances across the region.

57 - "Grocery Shopping With Mayor Mamdani" 17.04.2026

In this episode we debriefed the scandal that ended Eric Swalwell's career, jotted down our shopping list for Mayor Mamdani's grocery store, analyzed his pied-à-terre tax and class warfare strategy, discussed the schism between President Trump and Pope Leo, and took stock of the Democrats' evolving position on Israel.

The Sanity Interview: Amanda Van Dyke 12.04.2026

In this interview we spoke to Amanda Van Dyke, founder of the Critical Minerals HUB and the author of The Mineral Imperative. She gave us a briefing on the energy contest that will shape the century, and why our technological future — and the world's — depends on vital materials that make everything possible.

56 - "Who Won and Lost the Iran War" 10.04.2026

In this episode we took stock of the war and previewed peace talks, marveled at the images from outer space, debated the elections in Hungary, analyzed the 25th Amendment and a surprising Supreme Court ruling, and delivered a hot take on Kanye West.

The Sanity Interview: John Eibner 05.04.2026

In this interview we spoke with Dr. John Eibner, a historian and human rights activist who is the former CEO of Christian Solidarity International-USA. During this sacred week on the Christian calendar he shared the latest on the persecution of Christians in Syria, Nigeria, and elsewhere — and told us what we can do to make a difference.

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