The Brian Lehrer Show

For Valentine's Day, Charlotte Cowles , financial advice columnist for The Cut, offers some personal finance advice for couples.   Photo: Valentine's chocolates in Japan (Syced, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Binyamin Appelbaum , lead writer on economics and business for The New York Times  editorial board and the author of The Economists' Hour (Little, Brown and Company, 2019) , talks about the use of robots and automation in farming jobs typically held by immigrants and why cutting immigration doesn't necessarily lead to more job openings. Photo caption: A worker drives in cattle to be milked at T-Ba...

Liam Quigley, reporter covering parks & sanitation for Gothamist and WNYC, talks about his investigation into NYC's tow truck industry, where he found unscrupulous practices that have consequences for street safety, insurance claims and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Susan Page , USA Today  Washington bureau chief and the author of the forthcoming book The Queen and Her Presidents  (HarperCollins, 2026), talks about the latest national political news, including the pending shutdown at DHS and congressional pushback on tariffs.   Photo: MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - FEBRUARY 12: A woman looks on at a memorial for Renee Good who was shot and killed by an ICE agent la...

Ahead of this year's midterm elections, Mark Leibovich , a staff writer for The Atlantic , talks about his reporting on how the Democrats are searching for a new identity and winning formula, against the backdrop of what many of them see as a descent into fascism in President Trump's second term. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and...

Jimmy Vielkind , New York State issues reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, discusses Mayor Mamdani trip to Albany on Wednesday for "Tin Cup Day" to make his case to the legislature for more funding, including a millionaire's tax, for his agenda. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Justin Peters , a correspondent for Slate, discusses some standout moments from the 2026 winter Olympics, and listeners share what they've been tuning in to. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New York City nurses are returning to work at some hospitals, while the strike drags on at NewYork-Presbyterian. Nancy Hagans , president of the New York State Nurses Association, talks about the latest and responds to criticism from rank-and-file members who say top union brass circumvented their negotiating committee to force a vote on a previously rejected proposal.  Hosted by Simplecast, an Ad...

Jasmine Gripper  and Ana María Archila , co-directors of the New York Working Families Party, discuss Mayor Zohran Mamdani's proposed tax hike—and Gov. Kathy Hochul's resistance to it. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mass layoffs at The Washington Post and wholesale changes at CBS News have complicated the landscape of mainstream news in America. Listeners tell us how they’ve adapted their news habits and where they’re getting the news in general. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lee Bollinger , First Amendment scholar, law professor and former president of Columbia University and the author of University: A Reckoning (WW Norton, 2026), argues that universities are essential to preserving democracy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Crystal Hudson , the City Council Member for District 35, delves into the city's response to the recent extreme cold. At least 18 people have died from the frigid temperatures, spurring oversight hearings. Hudson, whose district encompasses Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights and Prospect Heights, walks us through how the city confronted the cold spell. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz compan...

Jordan Lauf , producer for All Of It and its book club, Get Lit with All Of It, offers recommendations for new books to read that are coming out in the next few weeks, plus shares the details on the new Get Lit With All of It newsletter. Sign up for the newsletter at wnyc.org/getlitnewsletter Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use...

James Solomon , mayor of Jersey City, talks about the major budget deficit of about $250 million dollars he is facing, which he blames the former mayor, Steve Fulop for, and other Jersey City news.new) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's been more than two weeks since the big snowstorm hit, and hardened piles of dirty snow are still everywhere. Javier Lojan , acting commissioner of the New York City Sanitation Department, talks about the challenges the Sanitation Department has faced as the extreme cold settled in after the storm. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collecti...

Chelsea Cirruzzo , Washington Correspondent for STAT news, explains what the Trump administration's new prescription drug marketplace aims to do, and who might save money by using it. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Annie McDonough , senior City Hall reporter at City & State New York, talks about Mayor Mamdani's plans for a Department of Community Safety to send social workers instead of police officers to respond to mental health crises. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nadira Goffe , staff writer of culture at Slate, recaps Bad Bunny's joyful halftime show at the Super Bowl and talks about the political divide over the performance, the commercials and general vibes of the big game. → Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Performance Was Pure Joy   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for adv...

The latest Epstein files to be released exposed more embarrassing revelations for more powerful men, including the president of Bard College, the (former) chairman of the law firm Paul Weiss, and one of the owners of the Giants. Vicky Ward , investigative journalist and author of Kushner, Inc. (St. Martin's Press, 2019) and, with James Patterson, The Idaho Four: An American Tragedy (Little, Brown...

Steve Fulop , president and CEO of the Partnership for New York City , talks about what they want from the new mayoral administration, and the group's critiques of Mayor Mamdani so far.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Three of our favorite segments from the week, in case you missed them. Mayor Mamdani on the Cold, Budget and More (First) | Tracing the Path from Bernie Goetz and Reagan to Today  (Starts at 16:00) | What Makes Your Dog the Best?  (Starts at 41 :00) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for in...

President Trump has been knocking down data sharing protections between federal agencies to empower ICE's growing surveillance apparatus. Jason Koebler , cofounder of 404 Media, a digital media company focused on technology, discusses his recent investigations into how big tech is helping ICE to gather data on civilians and ultimately identify, track, and detain undocumented immigrants.  Hosted by...

Ahead of the Super Bowl, Louisa Thomas , staff writer at The New Yorker , who writes the weekly column The Sporting Scene,  talks about the shifting expectations of the public on how famous athletes should respond to politics. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin (D-5, Upper East Side) talks about the council's priorities, working with Mayor Mamdani, and new proposals—including year-round outdoor dining. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

David Graham , staff writer at  The Atlantic  and an author of the Atlantic daily newsletter, plus author of  The Project: How Project 2025 Is Reshaping America  (Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2025), talks about actions and statements by the president that are raising alarms over election integrity with midterms months away. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for inform...