Shows
Interesting Times with Ross DouthatThe Democratic Senator Taking Cues From TrumpismDemocrats are stumbling — badly. While the Trump administration redefines the limits of executive overreach, the Democratic party remains at odds over how to — even whether to — respond. But Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut has a plan for beating Republicans in 2026, and it involves taking a cue from President Trump. He shares it with Ross Douthat on this episode of Interesting Times. 02:07 - The First 100 Days for Trump and the Democrats04:06 - The Threat to Democracy Wasn’t Enough Then or Now.06:49 - How Dems Fight Trump13:41 - Where Chris Murphy Can Agree With the Populist Right16:38 - Is Connectic...2025-05-081h 03
Interesting Times with Ross DouthatThe New Culture of the Right: Vital, Masculine and Intentionally OffensiveThe Trump era is ushering in a new age of right wing counterculture, one defined by masculinity and transgression. In this episode of Interesting Times, Ross speaks with Jonathan Keeperman, the founder of Passage Press, about the influence of an edgy, reactionary, right-wing “vibe shift” on American politics and culture.2:09 - Jonathan Keeperman’s Lomez days5:25 - 2014: An inflection point in American culture?7:40 - The emergence of a “conservative counter elite”9:41 - The creation of a right wing counterweight to the dominant left12:32 - What makes something “conservative art”?15:18 - Are David Lynch films right wing art? Is Girls?18:11...2025-05-011h 12
Interesting Times with Ross DouthatCan the Catholic Church Quit the Culture Wars?On this episode of “Interesting Times,” Ross Douthat is joined by the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and an editor of America Magazine, to reflect on the legacy of Pope Francis and the challenges facing the next papacy.02:20 The First Jesuit Pope05:23 Google Translate and Exchanging Emails 06:05 The Visual Element of Francis’s Legacy07:48 The Concrete Changes Made16:19 Christian Sexual Ethics25:22 The Church in the Modern World27:14 What Kind of Leader Will the Next Pope Be?31:57 The Latin Mass Controversy34:54 What Draws People to Christianity?39:21 What Holds Such a Diverse Church Together?43:09 The Influence of the Pope and the...2025-04-2457 min
Interesting Times with Ross DouthatWhat if There’s No Way to Stop Trump’s Approach to Power?President Trump may forever reshape the boundaries of executive power. This week on “Interesting Times,” Ross and Jack Goldsmith, who was the head of the White House’s Office of Legal Counsel under President George W. Bush, discuss which cases are most likely to win in the courts and permanently expand the executive branch — for better or worse.00:02:03 Donald Trump’s “moonshot on executive power”00:04:16 What has surprised Goldsmith the most00:06:57 Are we in a constitutional crisis?00:08:59 Alien Enemies Act00:14:02 The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia00:25:23 Godel’s loophole and Supreme Court enforcement30:10 Trump’s firings of federal employees and rest...2025-04-171h 05
Interesting Times with Ross DouthatThis Instability May Be Worth It. Here's Why.Is the short-term economic pain of President Trump’s unpredictable approach to tariffs a reasonable price to pay for a more resilient America? Mr. Trump appears to think so, and so does Oren Cass — sort of. On the first episode of “Interesting Times,” the founder and chief economist of the think tank American Compass joins Ross Douthat to discuss and debate the Trump administration’s drastic trade war.(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.) Thoughts? Email us at interestingtimes@nytimes.com.
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Interesting Times with Ross DouthatIntroducing ‘Interesting Times’There’s a saying that comes to mind these days: May you live in interesting times. It’s understood to be a curse, even though it sounds like a blessing.“Interesting Times With Ross Douthat” is a new weekly podcast from New York Times Opinion. Every Thursday, he will map the new world order through interviews and conversations. Answering questions like: What does our new political era really look like? What is the future of democracy around the world, with American empire in retreat? What happens to movies and books — all of culture — in our digital and A.I.-dominat...2025-04-0603 min
Interesting Times with Ross DouthatHow Democrats Drove Silicon Valley Into Trump’s ArmsThe tech investor Marc Andreessen and his fellow Silicon Valley giant Elon Musk weren’t always the Donald Trump supporters they are today. In this episode, Ross asks Andreessen, a founder of the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, about what led to Silicon Valley’s rightward shift and the new agenda of the tech-right faction. Editors’ note: This episode originally aired on the “Matter of Opinion” podcast on Jan. 17, 2025.(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.) Thoughts? Email us at interestingtimes@nytimes.com.
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Interesting Times with Ross DouthatSteve Bannon on ‘Broligarchs’ vs. PopulismIn this conversation, Ross talks to Steve Bannon, the chief strategist from Donald Trump’s first term and part of the original MAGA movement. Despite his clashes with new factions emerging in the Republican Party, Bannon argues that Trump is still central to advancing a populist agenda.Editors’ note: This episode originally aired on the “Matter of Opinion” podcast on Jan. 31, 2025.(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.) Thoughts? Email us at interestingtimes@nytimes.com.
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Interesting Times with Ross DouthatThe Anti-D.E.I. Crusader Who Wants to Dismantle the Department of EducationChristopher Rufo brought the term "critical race theory" into mainstream conversation. Now, the anti-DEI activist is bringing his critiques of education to the White House. In this episode, Ross explores Rufo's mission to make universities feel "existential terror."Editors’ note: This episode originally aired on the “Matter of Opinion” podcast on Mar. 7, 2025.(A full transcript of this episode is available on the Times website.) Thoughts? Email us at interestingtimes@nytimes.com.
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