Best Lerer Podcasts (2026)

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Changes to the Way the EPA Regulates Deadly Air Pollutants 18:19

Play Pause

19h ago18:19

18:19

Maxine Joselow, New York Times reporter covering climate policy, shares her reporting that found the EPA will no longer measure the lives saved by regulating two air pollutants, and what that might mean for how companies operate, how clean the air is and how it will negatively affect people's health.…

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Betting On Everything 18:18

19h ago18:18

18:18

Jonathan Cohen, historian and the author of Losing Big: America’s Reckless Bet on Sports Gambling (Columbia Global Reports, 2025), talks about how prediction markets, where people bet on world events, elections or...almost anything, are rising in popularity, and the risks that may come with these lightly-regulated markets.…

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Making Sense of the New Nutrition Guidelines 38:58

20h ago38:58

38:58

Deirdre Tobias, epidemiologist at Brigham & Women's Hospital and assistant professor in the department of nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, talks about the new nutrition guidelines released last week and how they could impact what American health and diets.By WNYC

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Why New York City's Nurses are on Strike 34:34

21h ago34:34

34:34

Thousands of nurses from three of New York City's private hospital systems have walked off the job over safety concerns. Nancy Hagans, president of the New York State Nurses Association, shares details on what her fellow nurses are striking over and what might happen next in negotiations between the union and hospitals.…

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Mobilizing the Mamdani Volunteer Army 26:25

1d ago26:25

26:25

Eric Blanc, assistant professor of Labor Studies at Rutgers University and author of the Substack newsletter LaborPolitics.com, talks about how the thousands of volunteers who canvassed during Mayor Mamdani's campaign could be mobilized to help the new mayor achieve his policy goals.By WNYC

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NJ's Outgoing AG Reflects on Achievements and Challenges 29:46

2d ago29:46

29:46

Matthew Platkin reflects on his time as New Jersey's attorney general, including what are widely viewed as his successes, like reducing gun violence, and some challenges, including in political corruption in the state that's known for it.By WNYC

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Dry January 2026 12:32

2d ago12:32

12:32

January is a time many commit to reevaluating their relationships with alcohol. Vox correspondent Allie Volpe talks about what's come to be known as Dry January, and listeners check in with us about their alcohol-free first month of 2026. → Even Better’s Guide to Drinking Less | VoxBy WNYC

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Monday Morning Politics: The Latest on Venezuela and the Trump 'Doctrine' 41:19

2d ago41:19

41:19

Katie Rogers, White House correspondent for The New York Times, talks about their interview with President Trump and what he is saying and doing with regards to Venezuela, Cuba, and other national issues.By WNYC

1
Hochul and Mamdani Propose Universal Childcare for 2-Year-Olds 29:55

5d ago29:55

29:55

Rebecca Bailin, executive director of New Yorkers United for Child Care, talks about Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani's announcement on their proposed universal 2-Care program which would provide free child care for New York City's 2-year-olds, and her work advocating for child care in New York.By WNYC

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Protecting Kids' Online Safety 25:09

5d ago25:09

25:09

Governor Hochul is backing new legislation aimed at protecting children and teens online. Kris Perry, Executive Director of Children & Screens, unpacks the impact of technology and social media on young people and discuss various legislative efforts to protect kids on the internet.By WNYC

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Millennials and Their Prenups 12:03

5d ago12:03

12:03

Jennifer Wilson, staff writer at The New Yorker covering books and culture, discusses her latest reporting on how prenuptial agreements are being embraced by millennials — including many who don’t have all that much personal wealth to divvy up.By WNYC

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'Minneapolis on Edge' 42:38

5d ago42:38

42:38

Rachel Leingang, Midwest political correspondent for Guardian US, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, talks about how Minneapolis is "on edge" after the fatal shooting of a civilian by an ICE agent, which came after weeks of tension between the Somali community and the Trump administration, and Republicans' spotlight of fraud at child care centers in …

1
Congress Responds to Trump's Foreign Aggression & ICE Shooting 40:22

6d ago40:22

40:22

Burgess Everett, congressional bureau chief for Semafor, breaks down the responses from Capitol Hill as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle respond to the Trump administration's moves in Venezuela and public musings about purchasing the country of Greenland.By WNYC

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Transit News: Fare Hike, Bike Lanes, and Congestion Pricing's Birthday 31:37

6d ago31:37

31:37

Stephen Nessen, transportation reporter for the WNYC and Gothamist newsroom, talks about the latest transportation news including the results of the first year of congestion pricing, mayor Mamdani's announcement on the McGuinness Boulevard redesign, and more.By WNYC

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Avoiding Fake News in the AI Era 30:07

6d ago30:07

30:07

How do you know when something you're seeing online is real or fake? Craig Silverman, co-founder of the Indicator, a publication that exposes digital deception, offers insight into the proliferation of AI-generated content on the internet and tips on how to identify it.By WNYC

1
The Southern Drawl is Fading Away 7:52

1h ago7:52

7:52

Annie Joy Williams, assistant editor at The Atlantic, talks about how and why the southern drawl seems to be fading away, and what it means to lose a whole regional accent. → The Last Days of the Southern Drawl | The AtlanticBy WNYC

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Mayor Mamdani's First Week 45:43

7d ago45:43

45:43

Elizabeth Kim, Gothamist and WNYC reporter and Brigid Bergin, WNYC's senior political correspondent, talk about the latest news from Mayor Mamdani's first week in office, including his controversial decision to rescind two executive orders from Mayor Adams on Israel and antisemitism, his relationship with the business community and more.…

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What Happens to Venezuela's Oil 21:44

20m ago21:44

21:44

While the Trump administration has declared its intent of revitalizing the Venezuelan oil industry, Rebecca F. Elliott, energy reporter for The New York Times, reports on who stands to benefit from more drilling in the country.By WNYC

1
Your Odes to the Metrocard 11:11

7d ago11:11

11:11

The MTA has phased out MetroCards in favor of tapping and OMNY cards. Listeners call in to offer their tributes to the iconic yellow cards, which date back to the 1990s.By WNYC

1
New York's Venezuelan Community Reacts to Trump's Maduro Ouster 33:20

7d ago33:20

33:20

Gisela Salim-Peyer, associate editor at The Atlantic, reports on the scenes from the courtroom where Venezuelan president Nicholas Maduro was arraigned this week after the Trump administration's military actions in the South American country—and the range of responses from New York's Venezuelan community.…

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New Year's Resolutions That Actually Stick 13:39

8d ago13:39

13:39

Suleika Jaouad, author of a bestselling memoir about her battle with cancer, and most recently, The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life (Penguin Random House, 2025), discusses her latest Substack essay on how New Year's resolutions almost never stick, and how she engages in the pleasures of small rituals instead. Listeners cal…

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Changes to the Childhood Vaccine Schedule 23:50

8d ago23:50

23:50

Under Health Secretary RFK Jr's guidance, the CDC has made changes to recommendations for the childhood vaccine schedule. Jessica Malaty Rivera, infectious disease epidemiologist and member of the group Defend Public Health, explains what the changes are and why they are such a big deal for public health.…

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Mayor Mamdani's First Moves on Housing 27:06

8d ago27:06

27:06

On the day of his inauguration, mayor Zohran Mamdani began his tenure with a press conference in a Flatbush building lobby. David Brand, housing reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, recaps all of the latest housing news coming out of the Mamdani administration including his executive orders, latest appointees, and more.…

1
Call Your Senator: Sen. Andy Kim on Venezuela, January 6th Anniversary and More 44:30

8d ago44:30

44:30

Andy Kim, U.S. Senator (D NJ), talks about his work in the Senate and the issues in New Jersey. Topics this month include the Trump administration's military actions in Venezuela, the lasting ramifications of the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and more.By WNYC

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A Recap and Preview of New State Legislation 32:29

9d ago32:29

32:29

Jimmy Vielkind, New York State Issues reporter for WNYC, reviews a slew of bills signed by Governor Hochul at the end of 2025 and previews the State Assembly's upcoming legislative session.By WNYC

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1
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1
Thrillist: Meet the Innovators

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1
Free Food For Thought

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The Road Untraveled: VC Perspectives with Brian Hollins

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1
Seed to Harvest

Paige Finn Doherty

1
Changes to the Way the EPA Regulates Deadly Air Pollutants 18:19

1
Betting On Everything 18:18

1
Making Sense of the New Nutrition Guidelines 38:58

1
Why New York City's Nurses are on Strike 34:34

1
Mobilizing the Mamdani Volunteer Army 26:25

1
NJ's Outgoing AG Reflects on Achievements and Challenges 29:46

1
Dry January 2026 12:32

1
Monday Morning Politics: The Latest on Venezuela and the Trump 'Doctrine' 41:19

1
Hochul and Mamdani Propose Universal Childcare for 2-Year-Olds 29:55

1
Protecting Kids' Online Safety 25:09

1
Millennials and Their Prenups 12:03

1
'Minneapolis on Edge' 42:38

1
Congress Responds to Trump's Foreign Aggression & ICE Shooting 40:22

1
Transit News: Fare Hike, Bike Lanes, and Congestion Pricing's Birthday 31:37

1
Avoiding Fake News in the AI Era 30:07

1
The Southern Drawl is Fading Away 7:52

1
Mayor Mamdani's First Week 45:43

1
What Happens to Venezuela's Oil 21:44

1
Your Odes to the Metrocard 11:11

1
New York's Venezuelan Community Reacts to Trump's Maduro Ouster 33:20

1
New Year's Resolutions That Actually Stick 13:39

1
Changes to the Childhood Vaccine Schedule 23:50

1
Mayor Mamdani's First Moves on Housing 27:06

1
Call Your Senator: Sen. Andy Kim on Venezuela, January 6th Anniversary and More 44:30

1
A Recap and Preview of New State Legislation 32:29