The New Liberal Podcast

A rapid-fire mailbag tackles Iran policy and nuclear risk, debating diplomacy versus escalation. Conversations probe why the Iran war feels directionless and how to measure real success. There is a debate over Democratic strategy: big tent versus purity. The episode also examines the appeal of combative left-wing personalities and how social media shapes which stories endure.

Ben Ritz, VP of Policy Development at the Progressive Policy Institute and federal budget analyst, critiques Democratic fiscal fantasies. He explains why flashy tax-cut proposals fail budget math. The conversation probes inflation risks, limits of taxing the rich, and the political cost of promising benefits without honest funding.

DC is facing a number of crises - interference from a hostile Congress, high levels of crime, and a local economy gutted by DOGE. Kenyan McDuffie is a former city councilman and candidate for mayor, and he joins the podcast to discuss how DC can recover and grow past its current challenges. Support the podcast and get involved with your local chapter by becoming a member of the Center for New Liberalism. Head to https://cnliberalism.org/become-a-member Got questions? Send us a note at mailbag@cnliberalism.org. Follow us at: https://twitter.com/CNLiberalism https://cnliberalism.org/ https://www.instagram.com/cnliberalism/

President Trump has started a war between the United States and Iran. Jeremiah walks through what we know so far, the historical and regional context for how this war started, what good and bad outcomes might look like, and what sorts of core values liberals should keep in mind as they analyze Trump's actions. Support the podcast and get involved with your local chapter by becoming a member of the Center for New Liberalism. Head to https://cnliberalism.org/become-a-member Got questions? Send us a note at mailbag@cnliberalism.org. Follow us at: https://twitter.com/CNLiberalism https://cnliberalism.org/ https://www.instagram.com/cnliberalism/

They debate whether social inclusion can be pushed so far it harms public life. Viral social media incidents and public disorder are used to explore limits of tolerance. The conversation examines how institutions like transit, libraries, and schools need boundaries to function. They stress pairing compassion with enforcement and resisting both punitive extremes and abandonment of rules.

Over the last decade, conversations about criminal justice have become more and more prominent in our national politics. But how can we tell what works and what doesn't? Jennifer Doleac joins the podcast to discuss her new book, The Science of Second Chances. We talk about the best evidence for how to reduce harms from the criminal justice system, to reduce crime levels in our communities, and why some activists are so allergic to neutrally examining the evidence. Support the podcast and get involved with your local chapter by becoming a member of the Center for New Liberalism. Head to https://cnliberalism.org/become-a-member Got questions? Send us a note at mailbag@cnliberalism.org. Follow us at: https://twitter.com/CNLiberalism https://cnliberalism.org/ https://www.instagram.com/cnliberalism/

Opponents of immigration often cite the idea that immigrants are a drain on the system. It's commonly believed that immigrants don't pay enough in taxes and take too much in government benefits. But is that true? David Bier joins the podcast to discuss the counterintuitive truth - that immigrants are net fiscal contributors, not takers. Full report - https://www.cato.org/white-paper/immigrants-recent-effects-government-budgets-1994-2023 Become a supporter of the podcast, and get involved with your local chapter by becoming a member of the Center for New Liberalism. Head to https://cnliberalism.org/become-a-member Got questions? Send us a note at mailbag@cnliberalism.org. Follow us at: https://twitter.com/CNLiberalism https://cnliberalism.org/ https://www.instagram.com/cnliberalism/

Many of us are political junkies who think about politics all the time. But how do regular swing voters think about politics? Sarah Longwell is the publisher of the Bulwark and host of the Focus Group podcast, and she joins the New Liberal Podcast to talk about what she sees in those focus groups. How do swing voters think about Donald Trump? What issues break through for them? And how should Democrats communicate if they want to win? Become a supporter of the podcast, and get involved with your local chapter by becoming a member of the Center for New Liberalism. Head to https://cnliberalism.org/become-a-member Got questions? Send us a note at mailbag@cnliberalism.org. Follow us at: https://twitter.com/CNLiberalism https://cnliberalism.org/ https://www.instagram.com/cnliberalism/

Jake Auchincloss, U.S. Representative from Massachusetts and sponsor of the Parents Over Platforms Act, discusses tech regulation and kids online. He explains digital dopamine and likens social media design to addictive vices. He argues for OS-level age verification, protecting small developers, and treating online harms as a public health issue.

Will Stancil, a Minneapolis lawyer and political commentator, reveals the alarming tactics of ICE in his community. He shares firsthand accounts of violent detentions and contrasts ICE's secretive methods with traditional policing. Stancil discusses innovative neighborhood response networks that monitor ICE activities and mobilize community efforts. Despite personal risks, including being pepper-gassed, he highlights the resilience of local activists and emphasizes the importance of documentation and rapid response training for other cities.