Ava Kofman

Ava Kofman, a staff writer for The New Yorker, dives into the controversial ideas of Curtis Yarvin, a right-wing blogger advocating for a monarchy in America. She discusses Yarvin's influence on conservative politics and tech elites, highlighting how his blend of humor and serious critique resonates with younger audiences. Kofman explores the paradox of challenging democratic norms while gaining traction in today’s political landscape, raising questions about the implications of such radical thought on governance.

Deborah Wald, a San Francisco family law specialist in assisted reproduction. Ava Kofman, a New Yorker reporter who investigated a large Los Angeles surrogacy case. They discuss a sprawling commercial surrogacy operation, surveillance and welfare checks that uncovered alleged neglect, California’s legal protections for surrogates, calls for better transparency and agency regulation, and debates about limits and equity in the industry.