The Middle with Jeremy Hobson

On this episode of The Middle, we take your calls on the question of what should be done about America's homelessness crisis.   At last check, roughly three quarters of a million people in America were considered homeless. The reasons are complicated and varied, from mental health and addiction issues, to the rising cost of living and lack of affordable housing.  The solutions...

On this episode of The Follow Up, Jeremy speaks with journalist Ray Suarez about America's divided response to the nation's 250th anniversary celebration, and what should be taken away from it beyond politics. Together, they listen to and discuss some of your voicemails and emails about what America 250 means to you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of The Middle, we ask: What does America's 250th birthday mean to you? As this year's celebration has become increasingly politicized, we explore what this historic milestone means to Americans across the country beyond the political debate. Jeremy is joined by veteran journalist James Fallows and Martha S. Jones, a historian and legal scholar at Johns Hopkins University, for a con...

On this episode of The Follow Up, Jeremy speaks with Princeton historian and author Julian Zelizer about America's 250th anniversary, which many Americans appear to be tuning out. They listen to and discuss some of your voicemails about what you’d change about America. #TheFollowUp #Podcast #AmericanHistory #America250 #Semiquincentennial #USPolitics #PoliticalHistory #JulianZelizer #JeremyHobson...

On this episode of The Middle, we ask what you would change about America as the nation approaches its 250th birthday. Looking back at some of the biggest turning points in American history, we open the floor to hear what you think still needs fixing - from healthcare and foreign policy to social issues and the structure of our political system. Jeremy is joined by journalist Mike Pesca, host of T...

On this episode of The Follow Up, Jeremy sits down with Kate Berger, former teacher and current Chief of Program at Teach For America Colorado, to discuss the biggest challenges facing educators today.  From adapting to AI in the classroom to navigating the lasting effects of the post-pandemic world, teachers are balancing unprecedented demands while confronting rising stress and burnout.  Kate sh...

On this episode of The Middle, we ask: what are the biggest challenges facing teachers today? From burnout and budget cuts to the rise of AI in the classroom and the persistent threat of school shootings, educators are navigating a growing list of complex issues that can make it harder to help every student succeed. Jeremy is joined by Hechinger Report editor and writer Jill Barshay and Kurt Russe...

On this episode of The Follow Up, Jeremy speaks with journalist Femi Oke about social media addiction, and whether current fears about it are starting to cause a backlash among users. They also talk about the benefits of social media, and about how journalists have used it in the past and how that has changed over the years. Listeners from across the country weigh in with their thoughts as well. #...

On this episode of The Middle, we ask: what is social media addiction doing to us? The average American is spending hours per day on social media apps like TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, X and Facebook. Studies have shown that social media addiction can lead to depression, lack of sleep, even weight gain. Jeremy is joined by Dino Ambrosi, founder of Project Reboot, which aims to help young people res...

On this episode of The Follow Up, Jeremy speaks with Tribune Content Agency columnist Mary Sanchez in Kansas City about how President Trump's immigration crackdown has affected immigrants and the economy overall, and why Trump has lost so much public support for his efforts in the last 18 months. Listeners from across the country weigh in with their own thoughts as well. #Immigration #BorderSecuri...

On this special episode of The Middle, we continue our conversation about federal immigration enforcement recorded before a live audience in St. Paul, Minnesota shortly after the fatal shootings of two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, by federal immigration agents earlier this year. Later, Jeremy gets an update from Minnesota Public Radio's Catherine Richert on how the shootings and...

On this special episode of The Middle, we’re bringing you a conversation recorded before a live audience in St. Paul earlier this year shortly after the fatal shootings of two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis. Jeremy is joined by Minnesota Public Radio's Catharine Richert. Before that conversation, Jeremy speaks with CBS News immigration c...

On this episode of The Middle, we ask: would you move to another state for a lower tax burden? As taxes becoming an increasingly political issue, some states are positioning themselves as more attractive to residents and businesses with lower-tax policies, while others are expanding taxes on high earners and large corporations. Jeremy is joined by Tax Foundation senior fellow Jared Walczak and Bet...

On this episode of The Follow Up, Jeremy speaks with author and transportation expert Andrew Miller about the latest developments in self-driving cars, and what their rapid expansion means for the future of driving as a whole. Listeners across the country weigh in with their own thoughts and questions.  #AutonomousVehicles #SelfDrivingCars #AVTechnology #AutonomousDriving #FutureOfMobility #Mobili...

On this episode of The Middle, we ask if you are ready for autonomous vehicles. Companies like Waymo, Zoox, and Tesla already operate them in many parts of the United States and they are expanding rapidly. Proponents see self-driving cars as a safer alternative to human-driven vehicles, and say they'll make transportation more convenient and more accessible. But many people still don't trust them,...

On this episode of The Follow Up, Jeremy speaks with veteran and former Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander (who also hosts the podcast Majority 54) about the mental health crisis affecting active duty servicemembers and veterans, and the barriers many face when seeking help. Listeners across the country weigh in with their own stories and ideas.  #MentalHealth #MilitaryMentalHealth #Veterans...

On this episode of The Middle, we explore the mental health impacts of war on U.S. service members and veterans, and how trauma can persist long after deployment ends. We also look at how the War in Iran can reopen psychological wounds for veterans that have never fully healed. Jeremy is joined by Laura Colbert, an Iraq War veteran, author, and member of the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs, an...

On this episode of The Follow Up, Jeremy sits down with WisPolitics Editor JR Ross to break down how Wisconsin’s political landscape is taking shape ahead of the midterm elections. They also hear from listeners across the country about their concerns (or lack thereof) over election integrity heading into November. #Midterms #MidtermElections #Election2026 #ElectionIntegrity #VotingRights #ProtectT...

On this episode of The Middle, we explore public confidence in the integrity of the upcoming November midterm elections. From partisan redistricting to the potential for federal agents at polling places, Democrats are expressing concern about voter access. Republicans, meanwhile, are already saying mail-in voting and a lack of voter ID requirements will lead to voter fraud. Jeremy is joined by Tam...

On this episode of The Follow Up, Jeremy is joined by Benoit Denizet-Lewis, author of the new book You’ve Changed: The Promise and Price of Self-Transformation to talk about what it means to change as a person, and what the ability to change can benefit or cost you. They also respond to more listener calls about how people across the country have changed in their own lives. #Change #Transformation...

On this episode of The Middle, we explore personal change, and ask how you've changed yourself or your mind in a big way.  That could be changing your religion, your politics, your values, your habits, or your identity. Jeremy is joined by Benoit Denizet-Lewis, author of the book You’ve Changed: The Promise and Price of Self-Transformation and Braver Angels National Ambassador John Wood Jr. Plus,...

On this episode of The Follow Up, Jeremy speaks with CBS MoneyWatch associate managing editor Aimee Picchi to talk about the economic pressure that Americans are facing because of the War in Iran. They also respond to more listener calls about how people across the country are dealing with these financial challenges. #IranWarEconomy #WarEconomics #Geopolitics #GlobalEconomy #EconomicImpact #OilPri...

On this episode of The Middle, we’re asking how the U.S.’s ongoing war with Iran is affecting your daily life. Are you frustrated by rising gas prices and the cost of everyday goods? Do you have a loved one deployed overseas? Are you an Iranian-American with strong feelings about the regime or the conflict? As the war continues, its ripple effects are being felt across the U.S., while the full sca...

On this episode of The Follow Up, Jeremy speaks with Axios business reporter Nathan Bomey, who responds to more listener calls about the online gambling, sports betting and prediction markets, and whether more regulation is needed. #Kalshi #Polymarket #Gambling #Addiction #Betting #Sports #FanDuel #DraftKings #Trump #ListenNow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of The Middle, we're asking if America has a gambling problem. As online gambling, sports betting and prediction markets surge in popularity, questions remain over what consequences this new gambling boom could have on American society. Jeremy is joined by Axios business reporter Nathan Bomey and Manhattan Institute senior fellow Charles Fain Lehman. DJ Tolliver joins as well, plus...