The Brian Lehrer Show

Zack Colman, reporter covering climate and energy at Politico, talks about how climate and energy show up in the Republican platform and in Project 2025, plus reports from the RNC on how Republicans are talking - if at all - about climate change.

Jonathan Lemire, host of “Way Too Early" on MSNBC, Politico White House bureau chief, and the author of The Big Lie: Election Chaos, Political Opportunism, and the State of American Politics After 2020 (Flatiron Books, 2022), offers analysis of the Republican National Convention so far, Trump's VP pick and more national political news.

Various religious leaders discuss their reactions to the recent shooting incident at the Trump rally, including calls for unity and framing the event as a battle of good versus evil. Listeners share insights from Sunday services post-shooting. Religious leaders emphasize the importance of promoting kindness and unity, prayers for peace, and safety amidst political tensions. Callers share how different religious leaders responded to the shooting, showcasing a range of approaches and reactions during services.

Sue Donoghue, NYC Parks Commissioner, discusses summer park priorities such as water safety and tree planting. Addressing lifeguard shortages, improving restroom facilities, and enhancing public art installations in parks are also key topics of conversation.

Matthew Continetti discusses the evolution of conservatism over 100 years, comparing historical parallels between the 1920s and today, shifts in the Republican Party's outlook on foreign intervention, and the legacy of William F. Buckley. The conversation explores themes such as labor policies, immigration, diversity, and the changing demographics within the party.

Tamara Keith, Senior NPR White House correspondent, discusses fallout from attempted assassination of Trump, Democrats' concerns over Biden, and start of Republican National Convention. Topics include political tensions, investigation into security failure, Trump's rally comparisons to Nazi events, gun control discourse, impact on Biden campaign.

In this special edition of our weekend podcast, a walk down memory lane for WNYC's 100th birthday, plus a re-imagining of the station's first broadcast.Looking Back at 100 Years of WNYC  (First) | A Re-imagining of WNYC's First Broadcast (Starts at 1:44:25) If you don't subscribe to the Brian Lehrer Show on iTunes, you can do that here.

There's one final chance to see the sun and street grid align as "Manhattanhenge" occurs one last time until next year. Jackie Faherty, astronomer and educator at the American Museum of Natural History, explains the science behind it and invites listeners to attend the party the museum is throwing to celebrate. 

Thursday was the last day of the NATO summit in Washington, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the North Atlantic alliance. Fred Kaplan, Slate's War Stories columnist and the author of many books, including The Bomb: Presidents, Generals, and the Secret History of Nuclear War (Simon & Schuster, 2020), joins to recap the event, including a breakdown of President Joe Biden's press conference and what the 2024 election might mean for the future of the alliance.

A critical electrical system that powers Amtrak trains on the Northeast Corridor is failing, and passengers are paying the price. Nolan Hicks, who covers city agencies, politics and transit, and now contributes to New York Magazine, explains what's gone wrong and why these problems have persisted.→  Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor Power Supply Is Ancient and Failing | Curbed