Richard John
Professor of history at Columbia's journalism school, providing historical context on the United States Postal Service.
Best podcasts with Richard John
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Mar 25, 2026 • 44min
The Plight Of The U.S. Postal Service
Richard R. John, Columbia professor and postal historian; Hansi Lo Wang, NPR reporter on USPS operations; Kevin Kosar, AEI policy analyst on postal finance. They discuss the USPS’s long financial decline, the tension between public service and business pressures, delivery-day and pricing reforms, borrowing limits and pension issues, and the postal role in elections, rural access, and parcel competition.
Apr 15, 2020 • 28min
Death Cab for The Postal Service?
Matthew Yglesias, a Vox journalist, and Richard John, a history professor at Columbia, tackle the looming crisis of the United States Postal Service. They explore the USPS's staggering projected losses of $54 billion due to the pandemic and its vital role in democracy and communication, especially in rural areas. The discussion touches on potential reforms, contrasting political views on privatization, and how the postal service has faced financial struggles since its inception in 1792. Their insights provide a meaningful context for understanding this essential institution's future.
