The Brian Lehrer Show

Join cultural critic Ilan Stavans as he dives into the cartoon history of Latino life, exploring the evolution of cultural identity and the significant roles of calaveras. Ian Frazier shares his love letter to the Bronx, highlighting its resilience and unique cultural landscape. Kwame Alexander discusses how poetry can heal and connect communities, while Mo Rocca celebrates those achieving notable comebacks later in life. Together, these guests reflect on identity, creativity, and the powerful stories that shape our lives.

Irene Kearns from the Smithsonian discusses the evolving teaching of Indigenous histories and the misconceptions surrounding Thanksgiving. Weird Al Yankovic shares behind-the-scenes stories of his parodic career, including his new single. Stacey D’Erasmo explores how artists sustain creativity over their careers, while Emily Weinstein celebrates iconic recipes from NYT Cooking. Kenneth C. Davis advocates for short nonfiction reading, and Lynne Peeples highlights the importance of circadian rhythms on health, offering tips for better sleep.

Abigail Hauslohner, a national security reporter for the Washington Post, offers a deep dive into Pete Hegseth's controversial nomination as defense secretary. She discusses Hegseth's military background and the troubling scrutiny surrounding his personal life. The conversation highlights his divisive views on military diversity and past misconduct allegations. Hauslohner also critiques the Republican Party's varied responses and the potential implications for national security and military representation. The dialogue ventures into the political climate and its impact on future military leadership.

Kenneth C. Davis, an acclaimed author known for his "Don't Know Much About History" series, dives into the rich history of Thanksgiving. He discusses how the holiday evolved from a religious observance to a secular celebration, influenced by events like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Kenneth unpacks misconceptions about the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving, shares personal stories of family traditions, and examines the economic factors that shaped the holiday's date. The conversation also touches on the modern political tensions that can arise during Thanksgiving gatherings.

Samantha Max, a public safety reporter for WNYC/Gothamist, provides critical insights into the trial of Daniel Penny, who allegedly caused Jordan Neely's death through a chokehold on an F train. She discusses the tense courtroom dynamics, highlighting expert testimony on military techniques versus legal standards for self-defense. Max also explores how this tragic incident reflects broader societal issues like subway safety, mental illness, and the emotional responses from witnesses, shaping public opinion and the legal landscape in New York City.

Peter Beinart, journalist, commentator, author of the Substack newsletter 'The Beinart Report', professor at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY and the author of the forthcoming book, Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning (Knopf, 2025), talks about the implications of arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu issued by the International Criminal Court, plus the latest on ceasefire negotiations.

Bill de Blasio, former mayor of New York City, talks about how New York's sanctuary city status was strengthened under his administration, and what he believes the city should do to prepare for President-elect Trump's threat for mass deportations. Then, U.S. Representative Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY11, covering Staten Island and parts of South Brooklyn), talks about her calls for more cooperation with ICE by NYC officials.

Shop Listener is back for the 2024 holiday season. Listeners call in to shout out their brick-and-mortar businesses ahead of the holidays for a Brian Lehrer Show listener-sourced gift guide.

For our climate segment of the week, Stephen Hammer, chief executive officer of the New York Climate Exchange, discusses how the first election of President Donald Trump galvanized the fight against climate change and offers his take on what he sees as a "glimmer of hope" for the second Trump administration.

As our centennial series continues, Zinga Fraser, assistant professor of Africana Studies and Women's and Gender Studies, director of the Shirley Chisholm Project at Brooklyn College and the author of Shirley Chisholm In Her Own Words: Speeches and Writings (University of California Press, 2024), looks at the life and legacy of Brooklyn's Shirley Chisholm, born 100 years ago this month.