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18 April 2026

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Sep 23, 2012 — Mike Konczal & Josh Bivens
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Fireside Chats

In this episode of Fireside Chats, Mike Konczal speaks with Josh Bivens of the Economic Policy Institute on their new edition of State of Working America. They discuss what has happened to median incomes over the past 30 years. What does inequality have to do with the story? And how does the social safety net impact these numbers? What role should education play? And what are the likely debates between left liberals and left neoliberals when it comes to economic policy once we are past the Great Recession? All these questions are answered.

Sep 22, 2012 — Alyssa Rosenberg & June Thomas
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Critic Proof

Alyssa and June tackle LGBT representation on television this fall. They debate the portrayal of lesbians on the new sitcom The New Normal. Alyssa wonders why gay people only hang out with straight people on TV. June explains why Lost Girl is the only fantasy show she likes, and Alyssa announces her favorite new character on TV. How great is The L.A. Complex? Finally, June and Alyssa review the progress LGBT characters have made so far.

Sep 21, 2012 — Adam Serwer & John Tabin
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Adamize

On Adamize, Adam and John discuss the leaked video of Mitt Romney, which Adam helped edit for Mother Jones. Adam expresses skepticism that the video captures Romney’s true beliefs. They then turn to Romney’s comments on Palestinians. Are the Palestinian people really opposed to a two-state solution? Was Romney’s response to the embassy attacks in Libya fair? Finally, they debate the Obama administration’s overall handling of the protests in the Arab world.

Sep 20, 2012 — Sarah Posner & Linda Sarsour
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The Posner Show

On The Posner Show, Sarah talks to Linda about her recent debate with Pamela Geller over anti-Muslim subway ads in New York. They also discuss the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing on hate crimes, which Linda attended. Is the US government doing enough to combat domestic extremism? Sarah asks about the American media coverage of protests against an offensive YouTube video in various Muslim countries. Linda criticizes Romney’s recent comments about Palestinians, but also criticizes Obama for never visiting a mosque. Plus: Can Twitter be used to fight Islamophobia?

Sep 20, 2012 — Semhar Araia & Barry Malone
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Worldwise
Sep 19, 2012 — Bill Scher & Matt K. Lewis
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The DMZ
On The DMZ, Matt argues the infamous video of Romney is being overblown, but that Romney was guilty of talking like a strategist. Bill thinks Romney got caught up in the closed conservative information loop. Will this spark a serious debate about the welfare state? Could this be “you didn’t build that” in reverse? Matt wonders whether Romney has the political skills to turn the race around, and Bill sees parallels to Walter Mondale in 1984. Plus: Matt argues that Morning Joe is an important show but desperately needs to change.
Sep 18, 2012 — Robert Wright & Josh Barro
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Nonzero (The Wright Show)
Sep 18, 2012 — Glenn Loury & John McWhorter
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The Glenn Show
On The Glenn Show, Glenn and John debate whether racism has shaped Obama’s presidency. Referencing the Trayvon Martin case, Glenn argues that Obama’s race is still symbolically powerful. The discussion turns to the leaked video of Romney at a fundraiser. John is appalled by Romney’s comments, but Glenn offers a partial defense of Romney. The two then discuss the free speech implications of the YouTube video that helped trigger violence and protests in the Muslim world. Plus: Is there still the possibility of a dialogue between Islam and the West?
Sep 17, 2012 — Alyssa Rosenberg & Willa Paskin
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Critic Proof
On Critic Proof, Alyssa and Willa dive into the new television season, where women are rising and men are falling. They agree that Guys With Kids is lame and lazy, but are cautiously optimistic about Matthew Perry’s Go On. Why can’t NBC get its act together? Willa can’t believe that Revolution manages to make the post-apocalypse boring. They analyze Homeland, where Claire Danes portrays possibly the greatest female character of our era. Do fans of shows like Breaking Bad get overly obsessed with “plausibility”? Plus: A spoiler-filled discussion of Gillian Flynn’s novel Gone Girl.
Sep 17, 2012 — Conor Friedersdorf & Peter Suderman
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Friedersdorf
Conor and Peter try to make sense of QE3, the Federal Reserve’s effort to kick-start the economy. Turning to the political fallout from the embassy attacks, Peter argues that Romney thinks about foreign policy like a management consultant. Though they both believe in the primacy of free speech, Conor isn’t bothered by diplomats criticizing offensive videos. Peter talks about what Romney would actually do about health care if elected. If Romney wins the election, will the Tea Party ever trust him? Plus: Conor describes the album he’d love Jay-Z to make.

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